Tecsun PL-606 Digital PLL Portable AM/FM Shortwave Radio

This cost me less than 40€ on ebay and I can now receive radio stations from distant lands and practise foreign languages. It charges batteries, has a thermometre, a clock, sleep function which is variable from a few minutes to 90 minutes, an alarm and over 500 station memories. As with many new electronic devices makers, they are probably replying on those of us who let the front panel get dusty for it to interfere with the 14 buttons and after a year or two no longer be able to operate, so they can sell us a new one - a solution is to stick a see through plastic foil over the front which protects yet lets the functions be usable and also viewable. I have had this for a month now and am still delighted to be able to find new stations and especially at night time the variety of sounds from all over the world is amazing. At some point the internet may fail us - that will be the point when this device proves its value and information can still be received at almost any place on the planet.The Tecsun PL-606 is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket (slightly large than a packet of cigarettes) and includes antenna extensions for situations where reception is difficult. This is a digital device and so with each turn of the dial you can hear a new station. Likewise the volume can be increased digitally and it is nice to see that it begins at 0 which is silent and then with very very small increases of volume, can get very very loud - enough to damage your ears! The carrying strap is ok, as is the built-in aeriel or antenna, also the flip-out stand which lets it sit at an angle for better sound. The case is robust enough but another criticism is that the buttons for adjusting are slightly stiff and must be pushed hard but this is useful perhaps to avoid unwanted changes. Additionally there is a key lock so that any changes made unintentionally are not carried out until the key function button is pressed again. The digital indicators of station strength are good to have and also the simple scanning function, which helps to find all the stations automatically when you are in a new location. It receives stereo signals and the sound is good on FM with the stereo headphones provided. The inbuilt loudspeaker is good enough for a small radio but as can be expected, is not hi-fi quality.I am writing this since it is rare that I get to buy something which pleases me - have spent thousands on Apple products lately and am disappointed with what I had believed to be honest and top quality. Obsolescence - Apple are highly skilled here!Tecsun is not yet that sneaky!