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LW works fine, but it's not something that I use much. There is no handle nor does there seem to be anyway to connect one. FM and XM reception work great. Using XM seems to take a lot of power so be prepared to use a lot of batteries or AC power.
There is a contrast control but even after fiddling around with it the display, though perfectly readable, still had background ghosting. Easy to operate but providing the user with a number of useful controls, memories, adjustments and customizations. The XM radio requires the separate purchase of an XM antenna and a subscription. Alas, I have no experience using a "proper" external antenna with this system and can't offer an opinion there. It is a fantastic piece of equipment. SW reception with the whip is excellent. MW (i.e., AM) reception relies on the whip, rather than an internal ferrite antenna and is acceptable but not up to the overall standard of this equipment. Sound quality of the built-in speaker is crisp and clear but the system also has stereo output for connection to a sound system.One disappointment is the display.
I think it's worth it, but if you don't, then buy the version of the E1 without XM capability. I've owned this radio for two years, since Christmas of 2006. I have occasionally used a random wire clipped to the whip but usually have found this unnecessary. It's large and well laid out but has a washed out look.
For whatever reason, Eton decided not to give this radio an internal ferrite bar antenna for AM, but rather uses the whip antenna. Frequent firmware lockups of the units have also been reported. The E1 a faily complex piece of equipment, aimed at the radio enthusiast rather than the casual listener. The radio has a history of failure far above what a set at this price should have. You'll need to provide a proper outdoor antenna (which you really need for shortwave as well. The frequent failure rate makes purchasing the E1 something of a gamble.
If you are willing to take the time to learn how to use it, it will give you unparalled flexibility in how you tune and store your favorite stations, and you can tweak the sound and signal quality to your just the way you want it.Here's the downside - the E1 has had a troubled quality control history. Early units had problems with overheating batteries when plugged into AC. AM/mediumwave performance is above-average, but you HAVE to provide the radio with an adequate antenna. FM separation between closely-spaced stations is nothing short of spectactular.
Well, do you. But if you can get one that works, it is by far the best all-around radio you can get. I can pick up and separate FM stations on it that all my other radios blend together. Sound quality and overall sensitivity is top-notch.
An odd choice, since with the whip you basically hear the loud locals and not much else. Shortwave sensitivity and selcetivinty (thanks to passband tuning) is as good as many tabletop communications receivers. Many of the failures are with the display. Do you feel lucky.
The Eton E1-XM (Also sold as the E1 without XM capability) is without a doubt the best portable AM/FM/shortwave radio you will ever find. If you can't or won't do an outdoor antenna, the E1 is probably not for you.On FM and shortwave the E1 really shines. FM stereo lock has also been a frequently-reported problem.
This radio could have had a giant bar antenna for MW AM frequency but failed on this point also.I would not recommend this radio because of the continued, and increasing number of failures in the display screen which renders it blind. The other major complaint I have, is the euro-trash external antenna hookup. In other words don't buy off ebay, or second party used. Very bad selection for antenna connection. Apparently the giant display screen on this radio has major problems.$There are many, many unhappy buyers of this product.It could have been an excellent portable radio but, be prepared to return it to fix the display in a short time. If you don't buy it from an authorized dealer it will not be fixed under warranty. I can't even explain this trash-mo design other than it's a push in affair (no threads) that sometimes connects and generally comes loose if you move the unit around.
Mine had a line through the LCD Display right out of the box BRAND NEW. There is NO EXCUSE for a $700 Consumer Portable Radio having problems with the display. This is unacceptable.
I own three other shortwave receivers; a Panasonic RF-B65 which I purchased in 1989, a Zenith Trans-Oceanic 3000 from the early 1960s, and a Zenith Trans-Oceanic G500 tube set which was built in 1950, and is about the size of a small suitcase, and uses tubes instead of transistors. As I said, there must be something wrong with the Eton E1. There must be something wrong with this radio. Either one of these radios, in shortwave mode, will completely blow the Eton E1 out of the room.
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