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Reviews For: Grundig/Eton Mini 300PE

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : Grundig/Eton Mini 300PE
Reviews: 34MSRP: 39.99
Description:
Handheld AM/FM/7 Band SW Radio with digital display.
Same size as Grundig Mini 100PE Radio.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.etoncorp.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00344.2
N6XQY Rating: 2012-03-06
OK for the price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good cheap AM-FM receiver for go bag. Too bad no BFO. Biggest annoyance: alarm clock feature - "set and forget" - forget about being able to disable recurring daily alarm, that is. The only way to disable alarm feature is to remove batteries.
KWDAVIDS Rating: 2012-01-22
Collect them all Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Mini 300 is the same as the Tecsun R-919, and I have seen it under the LL Bean label too. It comes in a nice rubbery black case. But I also have a yellow, silver, dark gray and blue one. In addition I have seen product brochures for orange, red, pink, bronze, pearl and camouflage. The LL Bean model was sort of a strawberry syrup color.

I like the sturdy feel of the radio and the well-protected antenna. If it had a dial light and FM stereo, I might even be excited.

I haven't used the radio all that much, but I did note that it had less background noise on shortwave than some other radios I tried.
MARTESQUE Rating: 2010-07-18
Worth the Price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
What this radio has going for it is size. Although a little larger than the Mini World 100, the improvements from that model are vast. And this easily fits in a pocket or go-bag, where the G5 or other (I own a number of portables) might not fit.

However, when the G6 came out, I was certain the Mini 300 would get shelved. It hasn’t. With the price (and size) in mind, this is a decent performer on SW and FM. MW is a disappointment in fringe areas during daytime hours. I’m not expecting a DX machine, but it is deaf on AM ground wave signals.

I find most signal drifting disappears after the radio’s been on for 10+ minutes. (Drifting is better on the MW band and non-existent on FM)

I’ll choose this over the G6 when:
1. I’m walking around and want to scan the radio. (Fits in hand perfectly)
2. I’m camping, going out on a boat and don’t want to expose a $100+ investment to harsher conditions.
3. Not going to do any serious DXing, but want to have access.

I compare having different radios to a photographer and the use of multiple lenses and camera bodies. The Mini 300 is akin to having a point-and-shoot in your pocket. It will do the job.

Comparing this to the Universe, I’d give it a 3 (4 if the MW was better)
For the price of $30, I’m going to be generous.
CARMEN Rating: 2010-04-16
decent 160 rx Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
impulse bought at 9 dollars on a deal site. its pretty sweet for 160 meter listening. unscrew the upper left trimmer all the way. builtin coil is a joke but place it in a larger one and youre golden.

minus a star since FM section is inexcusably bad
W9DJ Rating: 2009-08-13
Cool for $30 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Maybe it should be a "5" at the price. Yes, it drifts some, the nano-size internal speaker is not Hi-Fi, there's no BFO, and selectivity is not great, but it's only $30 and it's very sensitive. The frequency display is even semi-accurate. I do wish it had a little display light. I have found that earphones greatly improve the listening experience, and the built in alarm clock makes it a useful travel radio. I have give several of these as gifts, and they always go over well (at least with radio guys).
HERM3 Rating: 2009-06-12
Big Bang For Buck! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This little radio surprised me. I wasn't expecting much but as soon as I turned it, it was receiving stations I have never heard on a portable before, and clear. My cost $30.00 and it really is worth it. Turning is sensitive so note that, other then that, it's a good little radio.
N3NXD Rating: 2009-04-11
Excellence for the price! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought mine to replace worn out 100 mini. Good reception. Mild drift first 1/2 hr. then stable. Great idea, the rubber coating. Works well in the house, no electrical noise, devices pickup. Wish it had backlight, and way to tell time on clock without turning off unit. Great carry case. A classic.
Buy it, without worry.
W6JAK Rating: 2008-12-31
Works well for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Perhaps the quality has gone down since I received my 300PE for Christmas several years ago. Have used it almost every night since then without a single problem. It goes with me whenever I travel. Yes, the tuning wheel is course, but works OK with a little nudging of the thumb. Reception is very good for a little portable. It has been dropped many times and keeps on working.
N5IVZ Rating: 2008-12-31
Recycle it... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was very disappointed with the performance. Grundig can not hold a candle to Sony or Panasonic.

Not even good for AM work.
N4QIY Rating: 2008-12-31
Incredible for the size and money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Yes, it has all the shortcomings with fast tuning and QSY'ing 500 kHz when you squeeze it that the other reviewers talk about. Hello - let's all get over it. Look at it for what it is: SWL'ing in your shirt pocket for less that $30. It's absolute bare bones but definitely has ears; it really works. Just get used to moving the tuning wheel a micron at a time and don't squeeze it too hard. You'll never be without SWL again.