Customer Reviews:
 sangean radio January 28, 2008
i like the 2 alarms. i set the clock once and haven't touched it since. this is a great feature because 1 week iwork 3 days and the next week i work 4 days. the only negatives to the clock is that the snooze is ONLY 5 min, and the display is very very bright
Sangean RCR-22 review January 27, 2008
I had previously owned a CC radio and used it exclusively for AM listening. At this it was excellent, holding hard-to-tune stations that would drift-off other radios selected frequencies, much like the Atwater-Kent, Philco, and Scott radios I'd used when I was young. After some years, though, the radio developed some nagging maintenance issues. The digital tuning display was missing part of some numbers. Also, the radio-alarm function could not be deactivated, causing the radio to automatically turn-on every day. As with most electronic devices, the cost of repair was almost the cost of a new device. So, reaching an insupportable level of frustration, the search for a replacement began.
After some hunting, I decided to roll-the-dice/spin-the-wheel again and put my money on another Sangean product. To date, the result is what I had hoped. The digital display is easy to read and operate. Controlling frequency selection is much more precise than similar mechanisms on other radios. Once selected, the AM station of choice maintains a clear and drift-free contact, very much like that on the CC Radio. The RCR-22's ability to separate stations close in frequency makes station selection much more precise. The tuner's sensitivity also allows for the finding of and listening to stations at a greater distance than is possible with other radios. The controls themselves are reasonably simple and intuitive to use. They allow for a wider range of choices than some other radios, e.g., being able to completely extinguish the lighted display on the face of the unit during bedtime listening periods. As I am almost exclusively an AM listener, I judge the sound quality by the spoken voice. This is always distinct and clear.
Taken altogether, I find myself quite content with this Sangean product...so far. Only time will tell if it proves to be more durable than my previous purchase.
 Improved over the RCR-2 January 15, 2008
I'm a big fan of Sangean primarily for the quality radio reception. I also have the previous model RCR-2 and this has an improved display (including a dimming dial) and the addition of an aux input line. I keep the display fairly dark but it is visible from a distance at any angle (not true for the RCR-2) but IMHO not too bright. In addition to the dimmer, it also has the option to turn the light and off.
Re. atomic setting: it comes and goes where I live but it can be manually set so it isn't an issue.
Some complain that there isn't a battery backup but it isn't necessary!
This radio addressed my complaints with the RCR-2. Only down side is that I don't think it looks as nice as the RCR-2.
The RCR-22, a well above average clock radio. January 12, 2008
In design and performance, I'd score the RCR-22 a solid 4.5 (or 9 of 10), but as with most tech products I've purchased in the last few years, the manual leaves much to be desired. So the final score I've given is 4. This is my third Sangean radio product and since I've done my homework prior to each buy, I've always come away impressed and satisfied.
. As others have noted, the lack of a battery backup shouldn't have happened in a clock radio in this price range. As it is, one can't 100% rely on this radio to roust them out of bed in the morning. A work around could be a separate battery backup like those used for computers that can carry it to the magic 100% mark. Luckily, those aren't very expensive in capacities adequate for this radio and perhaps a cordless extension phone or other device in the room. Watch the Sunday, big-box store circulars for a $20. price. I would also like to see weather radio/alert added to the next version.
. As with my other Sangeans, the radio reception is top-notch and the AM section is not an afterthought. Frequency drift doesn't happen, but there can be some fading on the weaker stations late at night. I've DXed with it all around the East coast and as far west as KMOX in St. Louis (I'm located in a deep valley in the Finger Lakes area of NY).
. The controls are easy to use once past the limited "press this to do that" level of the manual's info. I like that the clock keeps itself accurate by syncing with an atomic time standard on a regular basis. Even my wrist watch can do that, so I don't see the need for the elaborate antenna system of the RCR-22 to achieve the function. It doesn't make sense any more to even consider a clock that lacks the auto setting function - you can find them in all styles from wrist to large wall clocks. Unfortunately, this type of clock won't be suitable for those who use the "5 minutes ahead" crutch.
. I would like for the display illumination to be auto-dimming as several others have mentioned, but I do like that it bumps up to full illumination when you hit a function button and then drops back to low automatically. It is also more compact than it looks in the pictures - good for the cluttered nightstand. I also like that the atomic antenna can be gotten out of the way by tacking it up on the wall with some foam tape or what have you.
. The basic functions are easy to do and it is nice to know that the more advanced are there if I ever need them. The time zone switch on the bottom really simplifies that for those who might choose to carry it with themselves on trips - I suppose one could become that attached to his/her RCR-22. Enjoy!
.bh.
PS: This radio can also be had in a bundle pack with a pillow speaker, if that is something you might need. .bh.
Sangean Clock January 12, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was well satisfied with this product. It was purchased for a gift for my grandson who is a freshman in high school. I anticipate he will be able to take it on to his college dorm in a few years.
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