When I rushed through a review of the PocketDAB 1000 just before Christmas I promised a more in depth look and a report on use of speakers and rechargeable batteries.
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The PocketDAB is exactly that something that is easy to fit in the pocket, much like many smaller FM radios, this of course is a DAB radio. Despite its 11x6x2cm dimensions it does have the ability to be run from the mains and indeed a power adapter is supplied. It also runs from 3xAA batteries and while good quality batteries do last close to the claimed time this is less than a working day, so should you be out and about you can listen to your favourite stations or keep in touch with the sport that is played while you work. The cost of a set of decent batteries being around £2 makes this a little expensive if you have no access to power.
The power adapter input gives a clue to why rechargeable batteries do not last long it is ratted at 4volts. 3xAA single use batteries come to 4.5volts while 3xAA rechargeable ones come to only 3.6volts. The best I got I tried several sets was around 90 minutes.
My bright idea probably lots of reasons why it would not work is to allow 4xAA rechargeable batteries to fit in and this would give a notional 4.8volts and then using rechargeable batteries would be a real option.
I found it worked well with any 3.5mm earpieces not just those supplied with the unit, the aerial is the earpiece lead and yourself so I found it was quite an effort to get a decent sound from speakers, quite reasonable all the time you were also holding the PocketDAB but rather iffy when you put it down, I managed some reasonable output but it was not consistent and required a lot of tinkering with the lead, one day it was quite acceptable the next it certainly was not.
On the face of it both my thoughts were unsuccessful however the unit is designed for use on the move and not supplied with rechargeable batteries so both my experiments were exactly that.
As a battery powered unit used on the move it is well worth the four smileys it earned, the one exception is the cost, no doubt making the first truly mobile DAB radio that works well in most conditions merits some of the extra cost but as entry level mains units are available at one third its cost it still seems rather expensive to me.
However do not make your mind up until you have read my earlier item published on 19/12/04 A Gadget that Speaks, sings and plays music You always pay a premium for cutting edge and until there are other such devices this offering from Pure Digital is and will remain that. Now - a couple of months later - I know of no similar device from any other manufacturer.
http://www.pure.com/Products/Product.asp?Product=VL-60672
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