Customer Reviews

R-1630 All Hazard - Weather Alert Radio Reecom

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm not writing at the Midland WR-300 page even though I'd like to, there's 350+ reviews over there already so why get buried. Most everyone will jump in on an established manufacturer and lots of hype, and be quite content with what they get. If you're here it's likely because you do your homework, so listen up!

Purchased the Midland WR-300 based on a lot of those reviews, but on receiving it was pretty underwhelmed and so I ordered the Reecom R-1630 also. I put the two side by side and went through them carefully for comparison. Very glad I did.

The Reecom may not have the sleek and symmetrical controls layout of the Midland, but that's where it's "downsides" end. In fact, I actually like the asymmetrical look- gives a little pizazz.

Specific advantages of the Reecom R-1630 over the Midland WR-300:

-The entire 48 item updated EAS 2004 alert schedule is built right into this receiver off the shelf. On the Midland, non-included alerts must be manually created by codes, some not available at all, perhaps "unspecified alert" is a move in this direction, but ??? Does not inspire confidence.

-The Midland was nowhere near the AM/FM reception/sound quality/features of the Reecom. Can't figure why many reviewers, radio buffs I expect, disdain those who discriminate on this. "It's a weather radio!" they scorn.
Outside of dependable hazard alerts, how long do you want to listen to the weather channel? Presumably I am paying for optional AM/FM because I care about this extra feature, since I don't have a room full of shortwave and ham radios. Will they work when the power's out anyway? So if a little battery-powered AM/FM may become all there is for information and company in an extended emergency, you may care more at that point.

-Other nice radio features such as 16 station presets (Midland has a whole 3) and 10 second intro-scan feature, again to me just bespeaks a more well-thought-out unit.

-EOM (End Of Message) detection. The Reecom detects the standard tone following a hazard alert and automatically resumes it's previous radio setting.

-Well designed owners manual, clear and easy to use. Again, a sign of care and attention. The Midland's documentation was about the opposite.

-Substantial, solid feel on this radio, conveying a sense of build quality.

-I like the Reecom's crisp, bright green display, viewable from all angles. Better than the Timex blue on the Midland, which seems a little feeble.

Although many sources tout the Midland WR-300 is the only SAME hazard radio to allow specific alert disabling, the Reecom does this perfectly well also. Any alert item can be voice/siren disabled so that it will only appear on the display. In case you don't need to be awakened for an iceberg warning.

A number of sources I viewed affirmed that the Reecom runs longer on batteries than the Midland, by varying amounts. I have not tested this as yet.

Another reviewer complained that the Reecom 1630 overloads on FM in high signal areas. I'm fairly remote, and thus appreciate the powerful FM reception, perhaps this would not be an advantage downtown.

This radio replaces an old one from Radio Shack.
Took less than 15 minutes to setup alert functions following the owners manual. Went back later and tweeked the County selection and blocked alerts.
FM radio setup just about as simple to set preselects.
I don't think you can go wrong with this weather alert radio.

I had tried two Midland WR-100's and both failed to receive weather alerts from the weather service.

I did some research and found great reviews for the Reecom 1630.
This radio was a few more dollars compared to the Midland WR 100 but well worth it.

Very easy to program, great manual and a array of features including a alert volume button and a clear vivid display window.

Reception and audio great as well.

I really like this unit.

This is my second NOAA weather radio. The first was a Radio Shack that I had owned for about 10 years. It worked fine over all that time until 6 months ago and then quit receiving alerts. I read some reviews and decided to buy the Recom R-1630.

The radio is actually easy to set up and the directions are plenty adequate. The speaker is clear even at higher volumes. I agree that the "clicking" sound made when pushing the buttons to set up the radio is somewhat annoying. But, really is it a big deal? No probably not.

However, customer service is not very good. There is an email address on their website that will get you absolutely no where. I sent emails for a couple of weeks trying ask rather simple questions about what I should expect regarding alerts and got NO answer, ever. I went back to the company I bought the radio from and even asked if they were still in business.

I finally called, got a live body and commented about the email issue. I was told that it was "better to call". No kidding. If you're not going to answer the emails then don't put the address on your web site.

All in all it's a good radio.

These ((I bought 2 this time) are the best weather radios I have ever used, I have purchased a total of 4 now.
I use one and have given 3 away to family and friends.
These radios deliver excellent performance and my favorite feature is they shut off after the warning. Most other weather radios only use a timer to shut off the audio after a warning is received, these units have a circuit that squelches the audio when the alert is over. You hear the important stuff and that's all, you don't have to wait five minutes for the thing to shut up.(this is especially nice in the middle of the night).
Five stars all the way.

Very glad I purchased this radio after several months of researching and trying other radios. It has many more features than other units in the same price range. The set-up was quick. The audio is clear with easy to use volume controls. It has received all of the alerts sent over the two months of use. Liked it so much that I bought three more like it for Christmas gifts. Works much better than a Midland WR-120 which would only display the last alert even though multiple ones were active at the same time. So far it has done everything I have wanted from it.

I'm not sure why there are two different listings for the same radio, but I'll post my review in both.

I have owned three weather radios so far:

Midland WR-100 (which I do not recommend due to poor customer support; read my entire review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2XXJURWPECJK3/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm )

First Alert WX150 (which I do not recommend due to poor battery life; read my entire review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R219XW5RG47MHE/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm )

and this one, the Reecom R-1630.

All three radios perform as advertised, providing you set them up properly. Yes, the set-up process is a bit time-consuming and sometimes even downright aggravating, but if you can read and follow instructions, they DO WORK. In fact, all three are pretty similar as far as set-up goes. The differences are in the buttons, not in the operation.

To be fair to Midland, I have not had to contact Reecom's customer support (yet), so I don't know how they stack up against one another. And the Midland radio DID work very well for as long as it lasted ... which was only for about a year. But you can read all the gory details in my review of that unit.

To be fair to First Alert, that unit does perform perfectly ... as long as it has power. But the First Alert WX150 just isn't safe, in my opinion, because it simply does not hold battery life. Within a week of putting the first brand-new batteries in it, they were dead, despite the unit being plugged into the wall. Obviously there's a major design flaw if the unit draws battery life when household current is present. And that's a flaw that could kill. If your power goes out in threatening weather and your WX150's batteries are dead, you could be, too. I can't imagine what First Alert was thinking.

Given the choice between the three, and assuming it lasts beyond a year, I would buy the Reecom R-1630 again. It's reliable, and isn't that what matters when you're buying an alert radio?

The Reecom R-1630 is an excellent weather radio. I bought mine a few months ago after reading an exhaustive amount of reviews. As you might know by now, the Midland radios receive good reviews as well. I was about to buy one, but something kept urging me to purchase the Reecom. Now I am thrilled with my purchase. The R-1630 has all of the features you need in a weather radio, with a few exceptions. I really wish it had keyhole slots on the back so it would be possible to hang it on the wall and, even though I am not currently using it, I wish that the external "audio out" jack were not directly behind the telescoping antenna.

I love that this radio has an "end of message" feature that will return the radio to its previous status after the alarm. In other words, when the NWS issues a warning or watch, the radio will sound the alarm for eight seconds then turn on the radio (voice) so you can hear the message; at the end of the message the radio will turn off again. I never have to get up to find out what is going on. I also like that the radio will show the remaining time of the alert. For example, you can look at the screen for the latest alert, or look at the memory for previous alerts, and see the alert will expire in five hours and twenty-three minutes. This radio will be an excellent investment in your family's safety.

After studying the NOAA weather radio market, I found this unit (R-1630) and made the purchase. There are several reasons for this choice. All the radios have to be NOAA compliant in order to identify themselves as a NOAA radio. They probably all perform well too. But one thing most lack is the ability to shut-out some types of alarms. Like in my case, I live inland so why would I want to be awaken with an ice berg alert? This allows the user to focus in on their own situation and concerns. Many radios offer SAME technology and that's really a must if you plan on getting any sleep because it allows you to select which weather code areas you want to hear, or not. But there is one feature I have not been able to find in any other radio: When NOAA sends an alert, they send a signal that wakes the radio up. That is followed by the printed and or vocal announcement of the alarm. After you've heard the alarm, you may wish to return to sleep. The Reecom is the only radio I could find that recognize the NOAA 'message completed' signal. That returns the Reecom back to standby. With other radios you have to take action to return them to standby. (Get out of bed and push buttons). I'm very pleased with this radio. The directions are clear and the menus are easy to navigate. I like everything about the Reecom.

This weather radio was very easy to set up and edit any functions you want to change. The main feature we like is you can adjust the volume of the alert siren, and the voice message stops as soon as the the message is given. Also you can turn off the backlight. The only thing we don't care for is the alert lights are too bright.