Customer Reviews

Oregon Scientific WR8000 Hand Held All Hazard Radio

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

 

 

In the year since I received the Oregon Scientific weather radio, its price has dropped dramatically, making it an even more attractive addition to an outdoorsperson's backpack or vehicle. As an avid hiker and camper, I bring along this weatherproof radio on weekend trips to receive weather information and alerts. While the reception has proven limited for some areas I visit, such as state parks not located in close proximity to a NOAA transmitting station, and national parks such as Big Bend -- too remote for me to have even bothered to bring the radio along, the reception within or near cities where most users will in practice find themselves using it, is perfect. The radio is also handy to have around the home, particularly if you don't have any other battery-operated weather alert radio at your disposal. When the power goes out and the weather starts turning nasty, it's extremely handy to turn the radio on Standby so it can alert you to weather watches and warnings in your area.

For the money, I don't think you can go wrong with this little, durable device. The only defect I have noticed with my radio in the year that I've used it is the channel buttons occasionally get stuck and have to be pried out using a pen cap or other small instrument. Annoying, to be sure, but the radio continues to work as expected. Battery life with normal AA batteries is good, although I tend to leave my radio turned completely off unless I suspect weather is approaching or am heading off on a trip.

Very useful but does not have S.A.M.E technology that newer versions have. Difficult to find the right channel for your area unless an alert is being broadcast. The battery door on mine broke due to a fairly small plastic tab snapping off. User interface is not intuitive (setting channels and time is not easy without the user's manual).

Have to agree with Jeff S. The battery compartment on my radio has to be taped shut. And you must have the manual to configure it. Only worth buying if you can get it well below MSRP, or better still, free.

I justed used this again today and I purchased it in 2001. The buttons are getting a little worn out but I still pick up the stations. I use it when we travel across the USA. One year we drove from Seattle to Tampa and when we went through South Dakota I heard a beeping and talking coming from the glove box. When my wife looked in the radio was accidently on standby and it alerted us that a tornado was in the area. It warned us that it touched down in a certain county and just when it said that we passed the sign telling us we were in that county. It also alerts you if the weather is getting down to freezing. I'm sure the newer version are lighter and more easy to find channels but mine has been working for 10 years. Can't beat that!

Mine quit working a few days after buying it. The radio portion will only work for 3-4 seconds before volume fades to zero. Tried to contact Oregon Scientific for warranty for over three weeks -- no one answer the phone and e-mails go unanswered (not returned as undeliverable, but simply not answered).

I will never buy anything from Oregon Scientific again.