Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Milwaukee). This thread is read-only.
The radio they have is quite nice, but I’d prefer one that is also a charger
Regarding a radio that charges batteries I don’t know if the patent ran out by now but Dewalt had the patent for a radio that also charged batteries. I have seen a few from other tool companies now Ryobi released one and the Bosch power box also charges batteries, so either they are paying to use that feature or It has ran out. If they are we probably won’t hear anything for awhile I don’t think Milwaukee has any media events any time soon. That’s the one thing no one comes close to the Bosch powerbox jobsite radio it does every thing better than the competition though Bosch seems to be lagging on the brushless tools their brushless impact drivers and drills were supposed to be out by now.
After using the dewalt charger radio for years I would find it imposible to use a radio without a charger, Im sure as soon as the patent runs out most companies will jump on the wagon, especially milwaukee since they are so quick to market with tools.
I hadn’t even thought about this as a patent issue. When I talked to a Milwaukee rep they said that it was designed for great sound and if it was a charger there would be a sacrifice in audio quality. I’m not an audio guy so I can’t really comment.
He also said that my complaint is a common one so chances are the next gen would be a charger
I kinda call bs they didn’t include in because of the sound quality it can be done except it’s more difficult to do you have to use higher quality components to cut out the electromagnetic noise plus the patent issue too. I have heard some regular battery chargers near radio’s can cause interference because they have crappy components and shielding. I have the M12 radio which I like because of the small size. If you look there seems to be a shift from big job site radio’s to smaller ones Bosch and Dewalt have released some newer small radio’s. It’s nice to see the variety of choices that is out there. Milwaukee really does need to change it up though they have the oldest lineup of radios currently Bosch, Makia, and Dewalt have all released new radios.
I have the m12 radio and when I charge a m12 battery nearby it affects the reception. That could be a huge reason why compact radios don’t charge batteries.
I think your right about the powerbox, I love that radio and no one comes close. It would be nice if Milwaukee updated their radio with more features. However it will still take a lot to beat Bosch.
I call BS on the “sound quality” claim too. Mine never got reception worth a damn until I lived on to of a mountain. It’s nice with an iPod attached , but it’s got nothing on my father in-laws Powerbox.
Does this mean that the radio doesn’t get very good reception? My shop is in the lower level of a university at the Centre of a big city and I mostly listen to fm radio
It depends on where you live. In a city I’d say you’ll be good to go. I live out in the country, 30 miles from the nearest thing you could consider a city.