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Compatible with iPod/iPod nano
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Technical Details
- DAB/FM RDS stereo wavebands- Favourite station mode
- Ice blue display backlight
- Search/manual tuning
- Earphones included
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By N. Cook (London, UK)
Perhaps it's because the available FM radio in the USA is of very variable quality, but for whatever reason, Apple have decided against including FM radio as an option on most of their ipod product range up to now. Unfortunately for us in the UK, we have the wonderful BBC Radio 4, and - for when The Archers is on - Radio 3. Many of us are addicted to the generally high quality programming on these stations and it's most annoying that such a high-end product can be trumped in terms of functionality by some of the more basic media players and mobile phones.
The wizzes at Roberts, whom as you must know are suppliers and manufacturers to our own Royal family, have come up with this spiffing little gizmo that attaches to one's ipod or iphone (check compatibility with your model before buying).
The adapter part clips into one's ipod and at the business end "robi" one can select FM, DAB or turn the thing into a remote control for your ipod - controlling volume, selecting the next track, and play/pause. Your standard headphones are now connected via the robi.
Here I must make mention of the length of cable between the ipod end and the robi end. It's very long, and mine has been folded up and wrapped in a rubber band for as long as I've been using it. When added to the generous length of headphone cable, it can make for quite a lengthening of that "setup" time, after one's left one's home or sat in the train seat; that zen-like process of untangling the wires before the mind can finally be sated in its desire for audio distraction.
There we have it. Job done, as they say. The World At One for your lunch break, whatever you like.
Unfortunately, this little marvel shows up the inadequacies of DAB for the mobile or moving listener. A very variable reception is to be found, even in central London, and squawking and dropouts can make for a very unpleasant listen.
To FM we turn, then. Trusty old FM - not long for this world, some say, if the government have their way. Well here the product annoyingly falls into the trap of not offering mono mode, which can reduce FM hiss substantially. Apart from that, the reception is pretty good.
Now, it may be my imagination, and I have no way for sure of confirming, but I suspect this device can drain the ipod's power at a significant rate. Perhaps it's the DAB function that is the culprit here.
Finally, and the reason that I've taken TWO stars away from this otherwise fine product, is the fact that the adapter end can FALL OUT with relatively small encouragement. Perhaps there's a prohibitive patent on the way devices can clip into the ipod, in the way that some power leads do, with the little buttons on the side. Whatever the reason, even walking round Homebase can dislodge the unit from one's ipod. The sound will cut out and a process is initiated whereby one will have to fiddle around in one's jacket pocket and resecure. The unit will power on again, and the volume will have to be readjusted to what you had it at before.
This makes the product occasionally rather annoying, means it's not recommendable to use when exercising, and can you imagine being seen fiddling with all these wires and so forth at an airport? It might even get you shot.
If you are interested in a unit about the size of this one, that is an mp3 player with decent FM, mono mode and a sleep timer, I heartily recommend the Sandisk Sansa Clip range.
By C. Bateley (Wiltshire UK)
Great reception and control but unfortunately if you carry it in your pocket there is no locking mech to hold it to your ipod so it keeps on falling off. Very annoying. If you can put up with that then buy one if not then look elswhere.
By Mr. P. M. Piper
With great interest, I received this DAB/FM remote control. Plugged it in and loved it. Great remote control facility that doesn't have a cheap feel about it.
Yes it is a shame you cannot charge the ipod and use the radio but to be honest, there isn't a battery life issue to worry about anyway.
I read a previous review about poor DAB signal when on the move. Well, I've never used a portable DAB device that doesn't have reception difficulties. (I have used 4 other devices). DAB signal is not 100% coverage yet so it has nothing to do with the receiver. For this reason, you have the fall back of the FM signal. The sound quality is so good, I can't tell the difference anyway.
I would recommend this product to ipod users but with an understanding that DAB coverage is not 100%.
By Hilary M (Bristol, UK)
Bought it for my (adult) daughter's birthday and she reports that it is a fantastic gadget!
First class reception on her ipod on the bus and in the car.
Very impressed
By A. J. Darvill (UK)
Nice little gadget, works really well.
My only complaint is that on my ipod nano 4th gen (which doesn't have the battery life of earlier models) I can only get about 1 hour of DAB listening from a fully-charged battery.
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