Customer Reviews

Sony WM-FS566 S2 Sports Walkman Digital Tuning Radio/TV/Weather Stereo Cassette Player

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

 

 

This is a great little gadget. My only problem with is that is does not stop automatically when it comes to the end of side two. It continues to play until it is manually switched off and if you forget about it, it will eventually chew up the tape.

I hope Sony has not stopped making this fantastic machine, because I do not know what I would do without it. I notice someone didn't like the automatic reverse feature. Looking at the instructions, I see that you can't turn off this feature. I had never noticed that, because I never have a reason to do it. If I want the tape to stop, I just press the stop button. I love the auto reverse play. I use the player to block out distractions while I work, and the continuous play is ideal for that. It lasts so long on a battery that it's flat unbelievable. I don't rewind or fast forward on it, because that would use a lot of battery power. For those functions I typically remove a tape and put it into a corded machine. But tapes last much longer if they are stored after being played at play speed, not rewound. Since tapes play continuously in this machine, there's no need to rewind to the beginning. When I want to change tapes, I just take the tape out at whatever point it happens to be and leave it that way. I have three of these machines that I play for hours on end, and tapes are holding up fine.

The radio tuner in this player is very good, the sound is good, and you can turn off the automatic volume limiter system--a feature I do not like, so I keep it turned off. One of the neatest features on this unit is digital volume control. I like knowing where I have the volume set. It saves fiddling with the machine and also keeps me informed about what I'm throwing at my ears.

I bought different earphones for this, also made by Sony. I keep the unit on my belt or in a pocket, so I don't use the arm band. The earphones I prefer are earbuds with an open-air design that are anti-bacterial. My ears are sensitive, and these things sound great and don't cause my ears to get sore or have other problems. I'm not sure they'd work for running exercise, but they are fine for working around the house.

Recent research has demonstrated what most of us already knew, that people exercise more vigorously--and I would add more happily--with music of their choice. I don't like fussing with CDs and trying not to scratch them. I don't want to fool with an MP-3 player, either. Maybe they'll eventually make one that suits me, but I haven't seen one yet. I like good old cassette tapes. I'm not interested in satellite radio at this point, either. My city has a lot of station choices, and a digital tuner like the one in this unit is ideal.

I read that Sony is planning to move away from their audio products. I hope that is not true. They make some very good things, especially this Walkman! Besides the other things I mentioned, it being water resistant is helpful if you're wearing it around the house where it might get splashed accidentally.

I bought a different Sony Walkman cassette with a digital tuner that has a squirrely remote control and never did work right with the tapes. It's auto-reversing and very small, but for some reason it will reverse, play a little bit of the new side of the tape, reverse again, and repeat, repeat, repeat. Very weird. I didn't have the time or patience to send it in for warranty. I've not had that problem with these units. But it's a highly mechanical device and can't be expected to last forever, so I bought a couple of good used ones for backup. And now I see this item is still unavailable. Bring it back, Sony!

CD only players not right for me to bulky and limited. I use this player at work, Arm band on this Sony sort of feels like blood pressure cuff. I Do not use it to much. Best "Mega base" I have herd so far. Great Ear phones just move around a little to changes tone very much to my liking. Single AA batt. lasts longer than i thought. MP 3 only players not for me either I like AM & FM I listen to talk radio and old time radio I record off net. I know mp3 players have AM FM now but i am stuck in the past just can not let cassette tapes go yet. I could go on just buy radio you will not be disapointed i was not. Still running on orignal AA batt. after 3 weeks do not worry about single AA batt.

Tim

I've bought three of these to have for multiple uses (travel, running, vacation home). Super durable (I'm hard on equipment and have dropped it 'too' many times and it still works great!). Simple, comfortable but I only use the clip on.

A disappointment. Sony quality has certainly changed. Sound poor, many of the bands do not come in at all.

This is an outstanding product. Well worth the price and meets all of my criteria for the best product ever from Sony.