Sony Portable Sports AM/FM Radio (SRF-M78)

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [388kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.5 x 1 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00001YVI6
• Item model number: SRF-M78
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,158 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The digital synthesized tuning of this personal stereo precisely locks in the most powerful signal for remarkably accurate reception. Ten random station presets allow you to instantly switch between memorized stations at the push of a button instead of searching with a tuning dial. A unique wrap-around arm band attaches easily and comfortably without the need for a pocket or belt.

This portable player is ideal for outdoor lifestyles. It resists splashes, snow, and sprinkles for all-season use as the sturdy water-resistant case, rubber gaskets, bushings, and waterproof seals help keep out water, moisture, and dirt. A stopwatch function adds versatility by precisely timing events, while the built-in digital clock provides accurate timekeeping.

Product Description

If youM-^Rre tired of carrying a radio around with you, SonyM-^Rs got a solution. This armband radio offers AM/FM digital tuning, 10 presets, clock, and water-resistant design--all wrapped comfortably around your wrist!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sony SRFM78 vs. Koss PP257 arm band radios, December 28, 2001

By 

Michael L. Hartley (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Portable Sports AM/FM Radio (SRF-M78) (Electronics)

All in all, I prefer the Koss, but these are two great radios for runners and other active people. Below is a comparison by category.

Reception:
Edge to Sony due to Distance/Local switch. The Koss does fine in the city, but suffers when signals are weak or adjacent to dominant signals. The Sony can switch to Distance mode. Neither does well in extreme interiors. By the way, on my Sony, I have to tune one frequency up on FM, e.g. tune to 94.2 to receive 94.1. Once you get used to that, it is OK and may be unique to my unit.

Wearability:
Tough call. Edge probably to Sony. The Koss is lighter and more comfortable, but its armband has problems. If your arm is very small, the Velcro patches may not overlap; if very large, they may not meet. The Sony is much easier to put on one-handed, as one half of the band is permanently coiled and can be placed around your arm before stretching the Velcro band.

Button Layout:
Toss-up. The station presets are laid out in a circle. With the Koss, it is possible to confuse the buttons while on the move. If you pay attention, though, a couple of trips and you will learn what is what. The on/off switch of the Koss is much better than the soft button on the Sony. With the Sony, you need to always "lock" the unit when not in use to avoid accidental activation and dead batteries. The Koss also has a lock feature, but that is just to avoid accidentally changing stations.

Funtionality:
You have to give a big edge here to Koss, which has a SEARCH feature. If the Sony has one, I can't find it. When in my home city, it doesn't matter, but when I travel my presets are useless. Without a search I have to run along pushing the tuning button once for every tenth of a frequency! This problem is what led me to the Koss. Otherwise, they both have about the same functions.

Headphones:
You can, of course, replace either of them, but the Koss headphones are surprisingly comfortable (The Sony headphones are the jam-in-your-ear-till-they-are-rubbed-raw type and are unacceptable). The Koss headphones are independent pieces that fit around the ear like a hearing aid, and lay the actual speaker gently against the ear canal. They are incredible light. I still prefer the around-the-back-of-the-head type only because the two independent pieces inevitably get tangled up while stored. Then again, if you run in the cold and wear an ear band, you can easily wear it over the Koss headphones, something you cannot do with many styles of headphones. If you don't want to spend extra on headphones, the Koss is the better choice.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Going down hill fast, August 15, 2000

By 

Kevin P. Flynn (Phila, Pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Portable Sports AM/FM Radio (SRF-M78) (Electronics)

I have owned four SRF-M78s in the past 6 months - no exageration; three have failed. The battery contacts fell out of the first unit after three weeks. Moderate perspiration will cause rust in the battery compartment as it did in my second unit which failed after two months. After the third unit failed I went to the Sony service center. They replaced it but within a week rust began to form on the battery contacts. Failure is inevitable The first Sports Walkman had a rubber gasket which this unit lacks. It also sadly lacks scan capability. Ten presets but only five FM; does anybody need five AM presets. This unit has serious flaws. One of the few Sony Bummers I've ever owned. I'd pay twice the price for the previous the unit. I can not recommend this piece and eagerly await an anticipated "next model" when Sony gets enough complaints

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars super convenient, November 17, 2000

By 

amandasan (seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Portable Sports AM/FM Radio (SRF-M78) (Electronics)

This is the best walkman I've found for using at the gym. You can velcro it around your arm or wrist while lifting weights or velcro it to the treadmill or stairmaster if you don't like wearing it. Programming stations is easy and there is a hold feature which allows you to stay on a station even if you accidentally bump one of the buttons. The hold button is also useful for keeping the walkman off when it's in your bag so the batteries don't run out. Also, about batteries, they last for quite a while with this walkman. The headphones that are included aren't the most comfortable - that's basically my only complaint.

Overall, this product has a great design and wonderful features.