Customer Reviews

Aqua FM radio snorkel Blue

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have tried the Speedo swim radio, but found it difficult to hear because water would leak past the earplugs into my ear, effectively blocking the sound. The Aqua Sphere transmits the sound via teeth and bone. One must still wear a swim cap or ear plugs in order to cut down on the water sounds. The Aqua Sphere is expensive, but provides a more effective way of radio listening. Takes a bit of adjustment to swim with a snorkel (i.e. I had to get used to not letting in water through my nose when using eye goggles). Signal strength must be strong (a local FM station works best). Overall, I am pleased with the Aqua Sphere.

Addendum: with the purchase of a small (25 milliwatt) FM transmitter (i.e. search Ramsey FM-25B), you can play books on tape or any audio recording and transmit it to your snorkel radio. I listen to podcasts from my iPod while swimming.

I've tried many,many other aqua radios--this one really works and it's built to last. i've been getting excellent, clear fm reception with a suprising number of stations to choose from. it makes getting into the water much quicker--no tangled earphones (which often fall out of your ears and can be uncomfortable) and it has large, tactile controls. The snorkel itself is decent as well. I swim in an Endless Pool and I find that the bone conducted sound comes fairly close to covering the sound of the motor. The ipod/fm transmitter idea mentioned by the previous reviewer gives you an exellent additional option. If you don't like wearing goggles a neoprene aqua headband will hold it in place as the snorkel is well-balanced.

the Aqua FM is very useful in allaying the boredom of lap swimming but when used on a daily basis a design fault destroys the unit after two or three battery changes. The waterproof cap that seals the battery compartment and the seat on the unit it screws into are made of cheap cast plastic and one or the other breaks after changing the battery two or three times regardless of how careful you are. I've replaced the unit twice but am finally fed up with the poor design.

The tuner works pretty good picking up radio stations. Outside of the water, it's hard to hear the unit's reception. Once you are in the water with your ears submerged, you will hear the reception much better. There are no numbers to use when dialing in a station, it scans in one direction only. You can only select your station by listening to their programs and listening to a station identifying itself. My biggest complaint is the unit's volume has a lot to be desired. I have to have it set to its highest level, I can make out the music but it is not what I had hoped for. In a loud pool, this is a problem. Voices are easier to discern than music with singing. Instrumental music and talking are best to understand. I have found reception is best under 15 miles from a station. I would buy the product again, but I was disappointed in its volume capabilities. On a scale of 1-10 for clarity & volume (1-very poor/10-very good) I would rate it about a 5 or 6. I'm still getting use to it, but these were my first impressions. I do think realistic expectations are important, I mean, you are under water, breathing through a snorkel while splashing and moving, all while trying to enjoy some tunes through the bones in your jaw. I have not used another unerwater device to compare it to. Hope this helps. THANKS.