First, the good sides. This model is the only one I've found to offer both 10 pre-set FM stations, and RDS which displays the station name (or the name of the piece of music being if the station is given the trouble to send).
Yet it is the least of things today. The 5 pre-set stations offered by most devices might have been enough there fifty, but are ridiculous with the proliferation of transmitters today. This restriction is all the more incomprehensible than the commoditization of digital technology, it does not cost more to store the frequency as five hundred stations.
Similarly, it is incomprehensible that such now ancient art that RDS is not widespread, while new modes agree stations require searching blindly, and do not even allow, in most cases, of directly to a given frequency on a keypad.
Another highlight of Blaupunkt BDR 500: he is satisfied with a few keys, to easily understandable functions and handling of the device is intuitive, without requiring, like other models, the repeated use mode employment. The keys on the front are large enough, sufficiently spaced clicks and ensures their action.
The programming of the stations is easy (you can assign the number you want the selected station), they are easily found in passing from one to the other using the two Preset buttons, and research stations unplanned is intuitive, as in manual mode in automatic mode (the radio stops on the nearest station powerful enough).
The sensitivity is correct (I am in the Paris region) and musicality as well, even if it is nowhere near that of my old Sony ICF 7600 D comparable size.
Aesthetics is flattering, though the glossy black of the façade, so fashionable at the moment, is very messy, and the silver lining of the rest of the case if a little cheap.
Finally, the compact size and the price of 57 euros could finish make this product a good standard radio. Unfortunately, the other features of this handset are prohibitive, and confirms that common sense, attention to user needs and rigor in design have now disappeared from the radio market (within target the most price high, and again).
The BDR 500 can run on mains via an external transformer, indispensable function for not ruining batteries if you do not use batteries. Alas, this transformer is neither provided nor offered as an option; we must seek a model adapted from another supplier. It's very annoying, because these devices are not standard: not only must ensure the correct voltage (V 6) and the correct polarity (the positive lead center), but in addition, we need the suitable connector.
Now these connectors are not standardized. There are many variations, and they can not be distinguished by given dimensions, or by specific names. This Blaupunkt uses a narrow connector, unusual: it is necessary to buy a transformer comes with a range of different connectors, hoping that one of them fits.
I have a good universal switch power (that is to say compact, and that does not heat), which gave me complete satisfaction with my old Sony. On the 500 BDR, it produces electronic sounds similar to a bird's song, distinctly audible during silences in the musical pieces. This shows that the filtering is insufficient on this unit.
If it falls back on a battery supply or batteries (4 AA), autonomy is proving totally inadequate. With Panasonic Eneloop batteries 4th generation, ie what is the best in this time (capacity measured by myself 2 000 mAh, low self discharge), maintained using a smart charger La Crosse Technology (also what is does best), this radio holds between 3 days and 3 and a half days, with sustained attention throughout the day, but at moderate volume!
With Cleartech accumulators (large surface marks, but recommended by the magazine Que Choisir, 2600 mAh Measured), radio holds only two to three days, with sustained listening and more volume!
Finally, I tried listening to my stereo headphones Sennheiser HD 600: the musical result is very correct, but my Cleartech batteries are empty then ... in one afternoon.
I add that the low battery indicator has only one degree, and do not always alert in time before the exhaustion of the batteries. Once emptied my Eneloop batteries, I tried to replace them with my Cleartech recharged a few days earlier: radio did not restarting! The measure has yet shown that they were issuing more than 1.2 V, that is to say a higher voltage than the nominal voltage.
The alarm function is in practice unusable:
- The battery change is losing the time setting, even when it is done quickly (but random: sometimes, time is saved.) This is all the more incomprehensible that the memory of the radio presets, it is maintained!
- If the unit is plugged in (natural choice on a night table), the screen is illuminated permanently, without the possibility of extinction.
- The alarm function commander buttons are placed on top of the unit. This not only requires to put the radio on its edge precariously saw its format, but it is impossible to discern, on waking, the suitable button to stop the alarm or radio, among the others which he distinguished himself in nothing.
The ergonomics of the machine is unsuitable for its format. The most stable way to use it is to lay it flat. In this position, the buttons arranged on the top are invisible, and indistinguishable to the touch. The power button, the buttons to increase and decrease the volume, the tone knob are one next to the other and have exactly the same shape.
When the unit is flat, the desirable arrangement of the antenna would be unfolded vertical, at right angles to the housing. But this position is impossible. He must be content to put 45 degrees. But well oriented, it prevents access to volume buttons!
There is no component for tilting radio towards you when it rests on the back.
The natural way to enter the device when held flat, to move it elsewhere, forced to inadvertently activate one or more of the buttons located on the top.
Despite the age of LCD technology, screen characters are difficult to read, and a remarkable ugliness. This is unacceptable in terms of the printing quality offered by any computer or mobile phone today.
RDS is disappointing. It is of limited use when looking for a pre-programmed station (it is impossible to scan the names of stations), it does not keep its promises (too slow scrolling, missing letters or mixed or downright information not returned), not that it is underutilized by the radios themselves.
We have seen that screen the lighting was too present when the transformer is connected. It is not enough running on batteries or accumulators. Extinction is very fast: it occurs well before the end of the scrolling RDS information. It is possible to turn the screen by pressing a "neutral" button, which will change any settings at the first pressure, but then the current RDS display disappears, and must be reinstated by several pressures on RDS button.
The presence of MW band is of questionable usefulness (only listenable station in the Paris region).
Overall, the advantages of this unit are canceled by its disadvantages, especially its power, quite inadequate.
[Updated October 31, 2014: I returned the unit and have it replaced by a SAGEMCOM HM 10 Radio / Clock Radio: see my evaluation of that other radio.]
