Great Site Radio (with restrictions for certain areas)

Doing so and Commissioning the quality, solid impression confirmed.
There are many details show that Makita has introduced its tool experience, combined with a great design.

WHAT IS GOOD:
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The sound is pleasant and balanced for both speech and music, and the stereo effect is clearly audible radiating through the left and right
2 speakers.

Volume / Select knob large and easy to operate, very solid and electronically, here scrapes no potentiometer.

5 preset buttons clearly visible and controllable.

iPhone / iPod Connection (iPhone 5 with adapter), the iPhone automatically recharges

Robust, rubberized stub antenna is screwed fast and seated during transport geschüzt behind the carrying handle.

Well sealed battery compartment with solid removal mechanism.
Can accommodate the antenna when times "moved" from A to B is that it is site or in the summer at the swimming lake.

The carrying handle is rubberized on the Tragefäche, snaps easily into the end position and keeps the radio in good center of gravity, the radio can be safely and comfortably transport it sometimes a few meters more.

What is not so well:
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In operation, showing a few drawbacks.
Depending on the planned use of these a KO criterion, or interfere Perhaps not.

- Even in the highest volume level set to "25" the radio is only moderately loud.
I have tried the Makita in my home in the kitchen, without workshop noise. The radio is largely quiet activities such as tiling, etc. suitable, with low ambient noise.
Who the radio (like me) just want to take only as a portable hard Radio, for the ranges the volume completely.
Good is that the radio can be really operated up to the maximum volume without "clink" or roaring.

--The Reception part is weak!
I suppose positive reviewers have simply selected only the strongest stations, everything is super.
But who wants to listen to a particular station that is not the strongest and perhaps the receiving part requests will be disappointed.

In Munich city center I could see the local stations "M 94.5" sends directly to Munich on FM only in "MONO" Receive- the VERY weak for a radio!
Those who are not so picky and want to hear any stations, finds a safe or more, the strong post at each location and can be well received.
A good reception is part but unfortunately something else.

- IPhone / Pod connection is sealed with a protective plug.
However, some manufacturers have handled better, where the iPhone / iPod can be stored protected from dust in a box on the radio.
When Makita terminal cover for the player operating decrease, the player is plugged and is then completely unprotected, on a construction site may not so great!

- Without a Makita battery and charger Makita battery pack is possible.
Charging the battery does not go in the device during operation, but is only in the Makita charger possible.
Charger / battery is available as a Kombi for about 50 incurred for those who have nothing of Makita and want to operate the radio without electricity.

- The Makita103b can no DAB +.
(This was especially for my order on the radio a misunderstanding: thought "B" stands for DAB + and had "Digital display" skipped with "digital reception")
A no-go for me-a new radio in this price range, which is not prepared for the digital radio DAB +, which is not at all.
After all, bringing digital radio not only great stations throughout Germany, no FM noise.
Especially FM will in a few years and completely shut down completely ersetzt- by digital radio and I will still have long joy of Makita!

CONCLUSION:
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Low volume * insensitive receiver * Apple * player unprotected no DAB + are the limitations *
Who these restrictions do not apply because they do not need these features who gets a super radio.
For apart from these points, the Makita is excellent.

First cream for people who brauchen- a nice, stable and well transportable radio for a not too loud activity
and do not want to hear a particular station, but for just plain music on the radio from any, even highly available stations OK.
Even those who would like to hear from predominantly iPhone / iPod (which is charged at the same time here!) Is well served, as long as it is not too dirty for the unprotected iPhone.

(Lack of DAB + was not included in the scoring, as DAB + reception is not claimed by the manufacturer and thus part of the scope of the device class = FM receiver).

My personal conclusion:
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1. The radio is well made, but much too nice / too bad for a building site (who takes it there, keeping an eye on it anyway should throw, so it does not get legs)!
2. Once a DAB + version Makita rausbringt, I'm going to the radio holen- for car holidays, to swim in the summer or sometimes just on the terrace.
3. (Thanks to commenter Andree) Those without Makita tool Park should still buy the Makita / charger kit for the outlet-free operation for 50 - because that Makita is crying out for "take me everywhere with"