Eton Elite Executive Shortwave Radio

Update 3/28/2022 I have had some months to use this now, an still give it 5 starts. A few key fidings: 1. You may read that this has poor battery life. Not true, so long as you turn off the display when not in use. There is a setting for that, and if left one at full brightness, the batteries do get drained. So just be sure to set the display at the default setting (reamins on for about 10 seconds, and then shuts down). 2. For new SW users, timinjg is everything. I pick up Asian stations in the morning, 900 to noon. I pick up ham operators in the early evening. Stations simply have their own unique schedule, like a New Zealand station (11725), awesome station, I usually get this very late at night (Mountain Time USA), weekends, but it comes in really clear, with music, politics, great stuff. 3. On YouTube, search for "how to save statiions on eton elite executive" and there's a great how-to video there by a fellow, he does a really nice job of explaining and showing how to save your various stations and frequencies (all bands). Also how to label your pages. One you do it a few times, it's really easy. 4. Finally, I called Eton once with a question about the line-in. They got back to me, they called me back, it's still a weird feature IMHO as I list below, but what I did learn is that Eton is pronouced "ee-tahn" (emphais on the second syllable). So after some months of use, I enjoy the radio more with time, woth every penny. Original review Briefly, this is a great radio. I don't have much experience with short wave radios as points of comparison, but here are my experiences with this radio after almost a month, in no particular order: 1. I love the leather cover, I never take it off, look at the product pictures, it serves as a stand. It covers the face of the radio when not in use. Very functional. 2. Audio quality is outstanding, the audio output. The speaker is very small, limited range obviously, but I have connected good headphones and multiple speaker systems and the sound is just terrific for music. I have listened to a wide variety, classical, jazz, great highs, a solid bottom end. You can use either the headphone or the audio out jack for audio output, I use the latter, very similar to a standard FM tuner. 3. The audio-in feature battles me, it is only one channel, and I see no use for it. A mystery. 4. The instructions are not well written, but the information is there, it just takes a couple of times through. But this could be improved. 5. People complain it is a complicated radio to operate. I see that more as a reflection of its rich features; there is plenty to learn. 6. I get a gazillion AM stations.; I get a good number of FM stations (I do not live in a large metropolitan area) with good reception. 7. I am exploring the shortwave bands, I have picked up radio New Zealand, North Korea, China I think, many Spanish-speaking stations, and lots and lots of bible folks. Little in the way of European or African stations thus far. I now better understand why short-wave listening is a bit of an art, as reception varies a lot based on time and atmospheric conditions. 8. SSB was a bit of a mystery, but it works great while listening to ham radio operators. 9. Aircraft band is fun; I live about 60 miles north of Salt Lake City and pick up the local airport as well as the Salt Lake Center and aircraft with whom it interacts. 10. Great battery life, and the built-in battery charger is great and easy to use. 11. Finally, IMHO, this is a nice-looking and well-constructed radio, well designed in appearance, features, controls. It amazes me how the screen adapts to sunlight and shows up in a blue screen. Very cool. All in all, totally pleased. A lot of attention to details and features. I always like have a radio available especially for emergencies, but this radio I used almost daily at this point. This radio has a great pedigree.