JohnnyElectron said:
I have the battery-challenged HD-001 from BestBuy. I must have too much shielding in my headphones as I can't even get a 30KW FM to lock in HD without contorting myself.
Question is: the new HD-002 model with the big screen: same crappy battery life - same sensitivity on headphones? Worth $69.00?
When I opened the box and looked at my new HD-01, I figured I got porked. Charged the battery, read the manuals while waiting and -- throwing all caution to the winds -- decided to give it a fair chance. The HD-02 performs similarly.
Turned it on and discovered the value of the paper clip/reset right away. Earbuds fit and sounded within reason for the deal. Fits into the same pocket as my cell phone without adding a hassle. Battery life can listen continuously for 8 hour shift, with room to spare. Setting display back light on or for long shutoff times shorten battery life, so reasonable display shutoff times don't hurt. Plugs into any computer or most cell chargers. Touch display needs a bit more pressure to operate. Some buttons have sweet spots you may need to press so they'll function. Has mini USB input. Could use micro memory slot. Should be LTE (long term evolution) with default factory and downloadable updates (easily done with a software controlled device like the HD-0x). Should include MW HD also. Not sure about album art but maybe the technology could also allow the station to transmit weather radar, etc. 15 minutes of record time and ability to pause live broadcasts turned out to be handier than I thought. Be nice if it could interface with the laptop. Extending the recording to 4 or 8 hours would allow us to time shift programs.
The reception abilities of my radios are on a par with the many demonstrations others have shown on YouTube. Judging by reception strengths as indicated on the v-soft zipcode for my area, these radios seem to stop scanning when FM station strength reaches 0.5mv. They seem to enter HD mode when station is 1.0mv or more. I think fcc says 3.16mv or higher is city grade signal. I consider these radios to be an HD "standard" just as the Sony SRF-A100 was for AM stereo. If you own or engineer an FM, I strongly suggest that you purchase one of these Insignia HDs. Use it in your travels through station coverage to obtain a reasonable idea of how your signal stacks up with the competition's in the "real radio world" of John Doe's neighborhood!
Insignia has a website and is seeking feedback on their HD products from SERIOUS individuals. This is everybody's chance to talk to the HD reciever manufacturers directly, so why screw things up?
The folks at CC seem to have boosted the power of their HDs in my area big time lately. No more contortions trying to get HD now! They blast into HD super quick and reliably now!
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