Looking for a jobsite boombox. I’ve seen expensive radios from tool companies. Never figured they were worth the bucks. Would like one with a cd player so I can choose the sound. Touchiness is a big issue, got a boombox that skips and complains about cds that are almost pristine(remember when they came out they were supposed to be indestructable and cheaper?), anyway, same cds play fine in van & at home.
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I don't bother with CDs. Just the radio. I have two good stations I bounce back forth between. Both of them are public radio so there is a lot less advertisements.
One thing I like with a radio is a digital lock/display. Memory presets are nice as well so you just hit one button.
How about satellite radio? I've heard you can choose your format or a mix.
Edited 12/20/2008 3:01 pm ET by popawheelie
Edited 12/20/2008 3:01 pm ET by popawheelie
You'll get this response eventually, so
I'll get it over with for ya :)
You don't want a cd player anymore. Get an iPod
and have thousands of songs skip free.
Somethings are just better and having your music
on a flash drive truly is.
I have the Milwaukee Radio and am very happy with it.
Cant you get a boom box you can plug your ipod into? Best of both worlds. See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
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You can plug it into the Milwaukee.
Nothing fancy like some of the others. Just
a quarter inch jack for the line in.
Many others have a dock so you can play, charge and control
it all from one place. Mine was chosen for sound quality and many recommendations
right here.I misunderstood your question! sorry. The same line in allows you to hook up a walkman
if your set on cd's.
Plus the job box's are made for some abuse. How
many CD players have we all trashed on the job?
Other than sitting at my computer every waking hour that I'm not working, I'm technically challenged. =)
Yeah, you got the question right. I never was sure if ipods could connect to your standard box, or if it needed that special docking station. I really gotta get out more... like to Circuit City and learn sumpfin. See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
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Not the the actual measurement is really any different, but the jacks are typically 3.5 mm, which is how they are listed on the package, and which is the only reason I bring it up.
Thanks, could be helpful to someone.
Just in case,ere is the procedure:
Use Windows Media Player to load all of your CDs onto your computer (use the RIP function).
Then get an inexpensive MP3 player of two gigabytes or more and load your favorite songs up.
Hook the MP3 to the Milwaukee or other boom box. You may need to buy an extra cord for this.
MP3 players are so inexpensive now that you can load a day's worth of music on one player and another day's worth on another player. If you categorize them, such as Rock, Western, etc., you can get a player for each category. They really are getting dirt cheap, and they do not skip. The one negative is that you have to charge the MP3 player every day.
I have the firt version of the Milwaukee. I use an Ipod or Sansa player and one of the 12v chargers which plugs into the lighter plug on the radio and the small cord for signal. There are many combinations of accessories to do this. I have the 30 gig video Ipod and a cheapie Sansa that has impressed me ten times over $ for $.
I have a cd player in the bag on the radio but never use it. I line in the mountains (also known as fm radio Heck or some other he word). I do not care for tuning on the radio, would prefer direct turn rather than the "bump" turn or however you would describe it.
Considering getting Sat rdo, piggybacking on son's subscriptions.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I have the Milwaukee Radio and am very happy with it.
I have one too, but I'm not too pleased with the reception. I can't pick up stations that are 20 miles away with that stubby little antenna they put on there.
I got a Radio Shack extendable antenna for $4, and that improved the reception considerably, but for $100, should you have to go out and start remodeling the radio??
I can't believe they built it with such a crappy antenna. It's a nice radio, but why skimp on something like that?
BTW, my off/on knob has so much play in it that it feels like it's going to fall off every time I turn the radio on. Is yours like that too??
No the knob is good.
Yeah, the antenna is ####!!
I found if I take my line- in cable and hang it up on something it
works much better. Sorry, didn't know we couldn't say #### anymore.
Edited 12/20/2008 6:13 pm ET by Henley
I found if I take my line- in cable and hang it up on something it works much better.
Not sure I understand what you mean by that???
I have a cable with a 1/4" jack out on each end.
One goes into the boom box and the other usually goes into the IPod. When the radio is cranky I pull it out of the Ipod and hang it up
on something.
gotcha!
BTW, I see we share the same birthday....you must be one heck of a smart, charismatic guy like most Geminis !
OK! Got an ipod nano for my birthday. Love it already. Want to use it for all my music. Copied a third of my CDs already. Forget all those old casets. What accessories do you folks like? I want speakers, want to use it in my van and want to hook it up to my stereo. Recommendations?
While I'm handling music, what's the status of satellite radio these days?
want to use it in my van
They make a lighter plug in accessory that is basically a mini FM transmitter. Find an unused spot on the dial and set the transmitter to that spot and rock on. In busy markets, you might have to change the tuner from time to time, but unless the radio signal gets pretty strong, the mini transmitter will over ride it. $30-$50.
want to hook it up to my stereo.
You need an RCA plug to stereo splitter to plug it into your receiver. $5 at Radio Shack.
For portable speakers, I bought a boom box with an ipod dock. $60. I use it the least of the three. Oh yeah. Dump the earbuds and get some good headphones.
http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Car - Does your car have an auxilary input? Most newer cars do nowadays.
If not, get yourself a good FM transmitter for your car.
Home - Plug in a set of RCA cables to the stereo and leave them there until you need them. These will connect to the headphone output on the iPod.
like this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3359117 but they don't have to be this nice.
Portable - I bought this at Sears the other day, love it so far.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bacini-Acoustica-Portable-Wireless-Music-System_W0QQitemZ270370512393QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item270370512393&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
I got a sledge hammer for mine, going crack its skull one day
Wow, that's not the response I was expecting. Is there more to that story?
LOLOLOL....still???...LOLOL
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Thanks to you and all. Knew I could count on you guys. Anymore Ipod ideas and what's sat. radio running now?
If you ever think you will use the ear buds and work with the nano on you, do not put it in your back pocket. Get a arm band or a belt clip holder. I had mine in my pocket one too many times and flexed it and ruined the display and the battery capacity some how.The only part of my screen I can see is the lower left quadrant, just enough to wheel to suffle songs, after that it's all a mystery.TFB (Bill)
Actually mine came with a special accessories package that includes a rubbery kind of sleeve, an armband, a sock holder, an extra pair of buds and a wire organizer. I thought big deal until I went to the Apple store and saw they ask $30 for each. 8 gigs goes fast, only 2 1/2 left.
I'll second the vote for not putting the nano in your back pocket. I sat down to get a better grip on a cut and it went crack.Been using the white Makita radio. It's not bad. Could be louder, but it does allow you to lock the ipod in the back so it's reasonably protected from dust. I'd be nice to have a remote to be able to control the songs, though.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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my suggestions are :Itune every cd that passes anywhere near you, hook your computer to your home stereo and store all those jewel boxes in the attic. then get an external hard drive and do regular backups.
6-8 years ago I bought a Sony CFD-G55 boom box. They still make a similar model. Sound is very good and powerful, bass boost, remote. Covered in dust, knocked around, still works like new. It will play all day at the beach on the batteries.
These days, it's all about MP3 and iPods. The Sony can't play either since there is no jack to add anything. If all you want is a radio and CD player the Sony is going to out perform most of the job site type boxes I've heard.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-CD-Radio-Cassette-Recorder-CFD
-F10SILVER/sem/rpsm/oid/124380/catOid/-12953/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I have the white Makita radio. It has a couple of minor drawbacks, but it has an iPod input inside the sealed battery compartment... so I can cue up a playlist of jammin' work tunes that will last all day.
With the iPod inside the radio it is out of harms way, endless great tunes with no commercials, and no worries about someone grabbing the iPod (unless they take the radio).
I usually listen to a mix of Jazz, Blues, and Rock... people ask what radio station it is.
I do the same with my Dewalt, and samsung MP3. The MP3 actually pulls in FM better than the radio, and the tunes stay playing either way.
For radios that have no input I have a transmitter I caan set to 88.1 or any other not in use frequency and have my MP3 play thru the van radio or the other guy's radio on site.
I only have a 2 gig , and I can see I'll be getting another with WAY more, even tho' on random play, I can mostly not repeat a tune all day. But I want more full albums..As is I picked a lot of fav's from my 'puter, and a few downloads from napster.
I don't like that I have to charge the Samsung from a USB tho' kinda limits when I can re-up the battery. And it appears ( I've not dug deep yet) that it only will load/unload tunes from my desktop that I set it up on, not my laptop..but that may be a winmedia issue or something I'm overlooking.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I have the DeWalt which you can plug a CD player into but ever since I got Satellite radio several years ago all my boom box does now is charge my 18V batteries.
With Sirius and XM merged I can't even count all the stations. I have about a dozen preset and pretty much use half of those. For me....once you go Satellite there's no turnin' back!!
Over 150 stations to choose from.
I scored 2 boom boxes offa Ebay real cheap and move the reciever from my truck to the boomboxes as need be... http://www.sirius.com/
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Problem is usually with the laser in the CD player or the electronics that control the laser. That seems to be the weak link in most. Problem is compounded when the unit is used in a dusty site or shop environment where dust settles on the laser and obscures it. Sometimes helps to run one of the laser cleaning CDs they sell for use on computer drives or use a Q-tip and camera lens cleaning fluid to clean it if you can get at it.
I have the Bosch and I have no complaints. It has two GFCI outlets, a 12v outlet an aux (ipod) input, a large lighted clock on the face, a remote and a carrying handle. I also like its shape because it is difficult to knock over and doesn't take up much floor space. Also, if it is raining, it is easy to put a small piece of plywood or osb on top to keep it dry. I do not use the CD player much, but I have never had it reject a disc.
Leave the gadgets at home, Boys. If you're listening to the radio, you can't hear your Buddy calling for help in the next room. Memorize tonight the tunes you want to carry in your head tomorrow. The owner doesn't like your taste in music and the Architect will tear you up on the punch list. You're not child labor. Leave your radio in the truck.
My radios often walk off or get left in the rain etc. I find anything that plays at a yard sale and play it till it gets thrown in the dumpster.
All good piont's to a point.
Music is second to some real world necessities. But it stops there. A man's got a right to work
and for many music is helpful. Usually the guy's who talk like that have some other
issue that needs addressing.
Absolutely, everyone has a right to work. But, I don't like Salsa, Flamenco, Rap, Country post 1970, Rock and Roll post 1965. I won't drive you nutz with the Chieftains, Pogues, and Dubliners if you'll turn off the Comanche war chants. I'm real slow... and easily distracted. Can't we have just a little peace and quiet?
You can play your Chieftains,Pogues,and Dubliners all you
want! I've been known to drive two and a half hours to hear
some good Irish boy's play. Gotta tell you something thou. There is some seriously good Salsa out there. PS
In the interest of full discloser- I really do have some Comanche war chants!PPS
Poor Mmoogie...
Yerrrahh!! So, It's yerself then, is it? I bladin new it!! And who but an Irishman would go further than across the street to hear the oul musick. Gud oul Salt ya are!!
Basswood would say I've got pretty limited Gestalt. There's just nothing that reaches me like traditional Irish music. The wife and I were in Gettysburg summer before last and on the highway was a small poster. It said simply Irish Music. We pulled down a dirt lane, passed a junk yard and broke into a nice little glen. No hoopla, no tractor trailors loaded with road gear, no roadies, no scaffolding loaded with speakers, no crowd control, no Bluebird buses and no bullhorns. Just us and about 2500 other folks in a shady little bit of heaven to listen to Derek Warfield, his grand-daughter and, bless his soul, Tommy Makem.
Ahhh ya shoulda seen it.
"...I've got pretty limited Gestalt."from your story, maybe limited Gestalt, but pretty good Karma - "there's enough for everyone"
David: I'll take Karma. I was predisposed to be interested any way but how lucky can you get to read a simple sign, turn literally on a junk yard road and find yourself in the presence of two of the twentieth century's most important figures of Irish musical history. Being a genealogy buff, I'd like to think my ancestors were guiding me but I'll take Karma.
I like this one:http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/138414/review/5943889/thelongblackveilI listen to the Celtic Connections radio show most every week.http://www.celticconnectionsradio.org/
Here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13MQFCfCYdQ
Some local fellas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZKGRan078
I've never found much on Sirius that suited me but http://www.live365.com/index.live is also a subscription service with access to more stations than I could ever need. They've got a dozen with the kind of stuff I like. Irish/Scottish/Gaelic
Thanks for posting the link.
I see these guys throughout the year. Tempest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB00zBxvZ-g&feature=related Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
i went to the library and got these cd's". very good.
http://www.amazon.com/Brave-Hearts-Scots-Narada-Collection/dp/B000006FCM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=musicqid=1229966762&sr=8-3http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Heartbeat-Collection-Various-Artists/dp/B000005B2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musicqid=1229966867&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Live-Dublin-Tribute-Derek-Bell/dp/B00075U3V4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musicqid=1229966919&sr=1-1
If you allow music on a larger project around here you get a freakin fiesta! After a few days of omm-pa I shut the whole mess down, for good.
It's not a party. Concentrate on your work and let me concentrate on mine.
Headphones are ok, but if I have to scream at you to get your attention, then off they go.
It's my jobsite. Thats why they call me,
Old Bast**d
I'll be sure to address you appropriately! LOL
I cant think of one job I go on that allows a radio. It usually when the drywall people come in, and that has stop since so many different cultures are in the trade.
I'd prefer to leave you in the truck, and bring the radio to the job. ;o)Actually, I do a fair amount of restoration work in historic homes and buildings. I often listen to music from the period of the building. I listen to Scott Joplin ragtime and stride piano, while working in Victorian homes, Django Reinhardt jazz while in a Craftsman home, Big Band Swing in an Art Deco place.I don't know of any homeowners that are not charmed by this use of music as part of the gestalt.
Gestalt? I just love 25 dollar German words. How bout 'lebensversicherungsgesellschaft'?
I'm just pointing out that if there are 12 men on the job a dozen radios won't guarantee worker....or customer, satisfaction. I hate Alvin and the Chipmunks this time of the year. Don't you?
RindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetzTake that.Around here, the early bird picks the tunes for the day. Latecomers tune into the same station (if a radio station is playing), never an issue. Volume is kept reasonable and turned down or off when appropriate.Most jobs, I'm working solo, and wouldn't be without tunes.
I'll see that and raise you an Erbausbinzigernutzniesung! What you propose seems fair. If you insisted on that here however, you'd get a quizzical look and the reply 'No comprendo'.
Help me out, Bass. Are we talking about the rules of etiquette concerning eating meat?
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz"beef labeling regulation & delegation of supervision law"This was a 1999 German Word of the Year, and it also won a special award as the longest German word for that year. It refers to a "law for regulating the labeling of beef" - all in one word, which is why it is so long. German also likes abbreviations, and this word has one: ReÜAÜG.
Edited 12/20/2008 11:57 pm ET by basswood
Good one! Mine refers to the right of inheritance to the proceeds of crops produced on a parcel of land for the rest of your life. You didn't inherit the land just the crops produced on it. But I'll bet you knew that.
And that, folks, ends todays lecture on " How to Highjack a Thread"
One word - headphones.Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
I buy radios at yard sales for 5 bucks or less, I drop them off roofs and forget to take them out of the pickup when it rains so i want cheap ones.When i have RUSH on in the morn sometimes people smash them, i dont know why???
I've got some sort of cheapy boom box that has AM/FM, CD, and an ipod dock. Paid about $60 bucks for it. I've never used the CD player.
At this point in time, not having an ipod type device is akin to driving nails with a rock.
http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
>>At this point in time, not having an ipod type device is akin to driving nails with a rock.<<<<.I still have records and tapes, i have not even bought CDs yet
I have the milwaukee as well. The sound is excellent but the fm reception is very poor as mentioned, poor display plus it is really heavy.
I have been thinking of buying the Bosch with an ipod dock built-in. Seems like a more compact system that includes a remote which could be pretty handy.
Does anyone have one of these?
Jon
Russian saying
Here is the Ultimate Boombox. It plays more formats than any boombox on the market! It plays MP3 CD's (150+ songs w/ tile), USB input (flash drive 4 gigs $10), Ipod input, HD AM and FM, and plays regular CD's.
There is about $200 in parts, I can sit or stand on it. It is louder than the Milwaukee or Makita. It has a weatherproof Marine stereo cover. 2 8" woofers and 6" $25 Walmart Car speakers.
It has a $100 Dual car stereo HD radio from Amazon 80 watts. it was put in a Contico Step Stool toolbox from Grangers. I am working on it battery supply
I just returned my white makita radio to amazon. after a month and a half the cheesy ac adapter fell apart. Also the reception was atrocious. From my last job i could just about see the local radio station 2 blks away but the reception still sucked. Im returning to garage sale cheapos....i do need an ipod port though.seems like there is a market for a quality jobsite radio that doesnt have the added cost of a battery charger.
The Makita "brick-style" AC power supply cord is definitely a joke. I could see that the connection point from brick to cord was too wimpy, so I used a piece of pvc tubing and electrical tape to reinforce it. Not that you should have to fix a new product, but mine has held up fine with the extra help I gave it.I also bought an extra power cord for it at Radio shack and leave one AC cord at the jobsite and another back at the shop (better than messing with that weak cord with no good attachment or on-board storage). I just move the radio back and forth between the two "bricks."Goofy work-arounds, for sure. But I love having the iPod inside the radio. With all the Makita cordless tools and batteries I have, nice to use a compatible radio.On radio reception, I think the signal from the tower goes out in a figure-8 shape, there can be weak coverage very close to the station, and good signal strength farther away.
I think satellite radio is the way to go. You can buy a unit that docks in a boombox for $30 to $.40. The radio itself is about $99. The thing I like the best about satellite as opposed to ipod is that I only have to turn it on a station where I know I am going to like the music, and then someone else decides which songs I like they will play.
I have remembered bands/music I fogot about. Plus there are enough stations/genre's that you'd be hard pressed to not find a few you really liked. And it never goes off. It's 12.95/month. That's about 12 songs a month buying them for the mp3.
Anyway, I love my satellite, and the guys at wok who made fun of me for getting one have all bought one since.
Check it out.
Jed
I have become a big fan of satellite radio too. Lots of stuff to choose from. Makes a long motorcycle or car trip seem a lot shorter.
I get tired of hearing the same stuff played over & over on the local stations.
There's truck guy's and there's Van guy's. I'm thinkin Satellite guy's are Van guy's :)
There's truck guy's and there's Van guy's.
I'm thinkin Satellite guy's are Van guy's :)
Yeah, you're right, I'm a van guy. Us van guys are crazy...all that wanting to keep our tools in a safe roof-covered easy-to-get-to-area (not in a truck box), and listening to inexpensive never-ending music when and wherever we want. That's nuts! :)
Seriously though, I really like the satellite...and I didn't think I would.
What do "truck guys" use? AM radio? 8 track?
All in fun BTW Henley...No Coffee No Workee!
Yeah, just having fun. I know vans make a lot on sense. It's just not
for Everyone. One of life's mysteries-Better not to think about it! Same with satellite. No logical reason, just couldn't do it.
I have secretly always wanted a truck anyway.
Call it truck envy.
No Coffee No Workee!
I've always said...pick up trucks are cool...vans are practical.
Being a van man (and a Satellite guy) I had to do sumpin' to make my rig a bit kewler so....(slide show) http://picasaweb.google.com/andybuildz/TrickedMyTruckOut?feat=directlink
edit: note the docking cradle on my windshield : )
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Edited 12/23/2008 11:08 pm ET by andybuildz
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Say, you going to help me clean the coffee out of my nose now?Exactly what I was thinking on this truck/van debate.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Like I said "Van Guy's"!!
I wouldn't follow any school busses around in this van.
I think they'd take you to the pokey no questions asked.No Coffee No Workee!
as to radio reception i found that my white box makita actualy got better reception when i took the antenna off
I scored 2 boom boxes...actually al lmy Satellite equiptment on Ebay for under $100.
THATS the way to go!! http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/items/Satellite-Radio__W0QQ_sacatZ60204?_trksid=p4522.c0.m239
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Okay, I just read the whole thread and I gotta say, I'm proud of some of you.
The now and future of music is MP3 and Satellite radio. Anyone not tuned into that fact might as well be building using an adze and broad axe....which is fine, and I can respect you for that, just giving you a heads up that you are far behind modern times.
I use an IPOD hooked up to either my VAN or docked in portable speakers. Often, instead, I just use my laptop so I can get weather reports, listen to my music on Itunes, or listen to internet radio. The beauty of listening to radio on the internet is that if you like a song, you can own in in two clicks.
I think music on a jobsite is of utmost importance. It creates rhythm and sets a mood. Fortunately I like to listen to most every genre and keep a very good stock of all my favorites. Homeowners love to come home to hear my music. If other workers are around, I usually have music that is a good compromise between what they like and what is most appropriate.
I know I'm a carpenter not a deejay but you must admit that this is a service based trade and I consider the music part of the service I provide. It always gets me that the general population thinks carpenters only listen to country music and rock and roll. I most prefer to work to classical, jazz, blues, or world beat. Customers are usually impressed and enjoy it and I have more that a few times traded MP3's with them using a flash drive.
Back to the radios....I already know that my wife got me the Ridgid jobsite radio/ipod dock for christmas. It is one of the best designed jobsite radios I have seen yet and it really sounded good in the store.
View ImageView Image
...I'll have to report back after the new year as to how good it works.
I wholeheartedly agree about the sat radio.I've had one over a year now, and love it. Pay for a year up front and it's even cheaper.Heard some new music and have gone to see musicians that I wouldn't have normally if I hadn't heard them on the radio. Like the blues channel 74 although since the merge it has slipped from my favorite. Joe Bonamassa Rules! Rod
To all:
In Summary, we have first hand accounts that the Makita and Milwaukee get lousy fm reception.
I own both the dewalt, and the older bosch box, and they both get lousy fm reception.
To the Manufacturers:
HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO BUILD A DECENT FM RADIO!!!!???? Are you paying attn?
Yes, I like the mp3 route myself, but sometimes, you need a radio, esp when the weather is bad turning worse, or maybe you just like the news, or whatever. Why can't you people build something that can receive the common fm stations for your area?!
As a side note, I've tried plugging my generic mp3 player into my first gen bosch box, and plugging in a friends Ipod into it as well. They both sounded very weak, even at full volume. What am I doing Wrong? I was using a headphone jack from the player to the aux input in the radio.
Thanks