A few months ago, I spent $104 on the Sangean U3 worksite radio and was, in spite of warnings about its bass-heavy speakers, exceedingly pleased with speaker sound and AM/FM sensitivity. '
Even before I bought the U3, I wanted the Sangean LB-100, which had been praised by many, but was unavailable in the US market until recently.
So for about $75 and free shipping on Amazon, I bought the LB-100. I fretted the possibility that the LB-100's AM might not be up to par with the bigger U3.
But a side by side reception comparison results in what appears to be close performance, and very impressive AM and FM. The LB-100's slightly smaller ferrite AM antenna produces a little less sensitivity but produces good overall AM sound. Just a shade less than the U3's.
'One thing I don't like about both the Lunchbox and the U3 is that the non-rotation screw-in FM antenna doesn't give you any option to perform fine-tuning when wanting to get in a troublesome station (all worksite radios have such an antenna built like this to be rugged). Not that you need to adjust the antenna much. The FM sensitivity is so good that such adjusting isn't necessary. However, for weak FM stations like 89.3 and 88.9 it would be nice to have a rotating FM antenna. As strong as the FM is on both radios, I can't grab the weakest FM station I know of, 88.9, on the U3 and the LB-100 like I can with the Redsun RP-2100 (CCrane CSW) or the Grundig S350.
Now for AM reception. Very sensitive. The sound is very appealing through the 5-inch speaker, just like on the bigger U3. '
Unlike the U3, which has a clock, headphone jack, and aux port, the LB-100 has none of these and is, in spite of being digital with 5 presets for AM and FM, a very bare bones radio, a sort of 1980 Ford Ranger truck, which didn't even come with a radio, ironically enough.
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You might want to pay an extra $25 and get the added features of the U3 and enjoy a bigger ferrite AM antenna (though I personally didn't hear any difference in AM between the two).
One thing to consider is that the footprint on the LB-100 is not small at 8x8 inches. I was going to use the LB-100 in the kitchen but its size may make me change my mind and take it to the work office or use in one of the bathrooms.
I do want to commend Sangean on the battery compartment (takes 4 C batteries). This is not one of those latches that you snapped broken because you breathed too heavily on the hinges. This hinge uses a big screw and looks like it was built to last.
Conclusion: At the $75 price point, the LB-100 has a rugged look, a loud yellow color, excellent fidelity, and strong AM and FM reception. Recommended.
Update: Be aware that this doesn't take rechargeable batteries. Sangean America LB-100 Lunchbox AM/FM Compact Utility/Outdoor Radio
I bought this as a back-up emergency radio. I recently read a book "Surviving The End of the World As We Know It" and the author reminded me how important it is to have several radios of varying types in the event things go "off grid." So, when I was reviewing the types of radios that are out there, this model immediately caught my eye due to its purported ruggedness and durability. Little did I know, however, when I purchased this that I was getting far more than a good "survivalist" radio. Indeed, this is that, but it is also a certified piece of sculptural-design art, and going even further, buying this is a throw-back to the days of getting something simple, solid, utilitarian, and built to last. Manufacturing as Art.
The dilemma I have is whether to buy a few more of these as collector's pieces. If I had the space to store them, I certainly would. I know for sure I'll be giving several of these as gifts.
The main reason I felt motivated to write a review about this simple radio is for this reason: We need more simple products like this in this overly complex world of ours. DESIGN AND QUALITY PRODUCTION LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ENCOURAGED!!!! If I was the President I would invite the engineer who designed this to lunch at the White House so he could receive the recognition he deserves. I buy so much junk which comes with owner's manuals which take a weekend or longer to read. 90% of the features on these products I don't even use most of the time. And, frequently, most of this stuff (electronics in particular) doesn't last through the year. The thing ends up in our American landfills before the consumer even becomes fully familiar with it. Repairs?? Prohibitively expensive.
With this radio you won't even need to read the owner's manual, which is nothing more than a small brochure. You screw the antenae in, you plug in the attached ultra-heavy-gauge cord (No AC adaptor here, folks!!! Praise the Lord!! I hate those things!!!) and you're good to go. Setting the stations is totally intuitive, and if you simply want to cruise the stations you just turn the sturdy, heavy knob. Just like the old days. Pure, utilitarian elegance.
This "Lunch Box" radio is visually stunning and built like a brick outhouse. Solid in every way. Nice weight to it. I was going to pack it away for that Big Emergency, but this is so dinstinctive looking that I'm going to find some place to put it where I can show it off. I think it sounds great, and it immediately tuned in all the stations I normally listen to here in southern California without any problem.
Some may want to label me a "Luddite"--a person who is repelled by advances in technology. There may be a kernal of truth in that assertion. I really do get exhausted with all the upgrades, updates, innovations, advances, and obsolescences inherent in this technologically revolutionary age. I just don't want to spend my best hours and my best years adapting to the gadgets of my era. But I think the true attraction I have to a product like this "Lunch Box" radio is this concept: Often, less is more. This simple, robust radio with its cheerful, strong design does everything I really need. I like knowing it will be around for a long time--probably longer than me.
Many thanks to Sangean. You nailed it with this one. - Am-fm - Radio - Sangean Portable Radio - Jobsite Radio'
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