Reviews for Sony SRF-M85V S2 Sports Walkman Armband RadioMPN: SRFM85V 
By member:
lawnmowing
- Aug 14, 2005
Great sound, poor receptionStrengths: Great sound! Weakness: Only picks up the strongest stations while on the move. Poor quality headphones included I use this radio along with a pair of Sony MDR-EX81LPW in ear headphones. The sound with the EX81's is incredible! The standard headphones included in the package are horrible... just throw them away. The quality of this radio is great, but don't expect to pick up anything but the strongest stations in your area. Great for people on the move with a pair of EX81's. 75% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
Reply by member: theojkid
Apr 7, 2007 A 4 star rating for a radio with poor reception? Your rating isn't worth the memory it is taking up.
By member:
kit_ethan
- Jan 22, 2008
A bit disappointed with the productStrengths: nice ergonomic design, and nice accessories included Weakness: weak signal, especially when indoors was really excited to get this item, since i usually go to the gym frequently. and since i'm missing most of my tv shows, i decided to purchase this item to listen to my shows. my gym has several tv sets, but don't have sounds for any of them. So buying this product seemed a pretty good idea. However, I tried it at home and found out that half of the channels are totally unlistenable. (was hoping to at least get fox) even became more disappointed when i got no channels working at all, when inside the gym. Also checked radio channels, they were ok when i was at home, but again unlistenable when in the gym. another note, it says in the box that the tv channels will only work until feb2009, til everyone is required to transfer to digital. not that big of a deal, since it's a year away. but, i wasn't even able to use it for an hour. i live in illinois, so im not sure if the signal is stronger else where. but i'd think twice in buying this product. 50% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
keefer7
- Aug 18, 2007
New and improved not always the caseStrengths: smaller and compact. Only needs 1 AAA battery Weakness: preset buttons are gone. AM reception poor. I recently purchased the new version of this sports model. The SRF-M85V. I have to say that I prefer the older model the SRF-M80V. Missing is the preferred preset buttons. I like that I can hit 1 button to obtain the channel I want as opposed to having to surf through the Tune/Time set button to find my requested channel. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
rle961
- Jul 10, 2007
Just what I was looking forStrengths: the size,good head phones, multiple bands Weakness: Haven't found any yet Just what I wanted to have while I'm sitting at the beach. Most people prefer ipods, but I like the radio. Just like any radio, it depends on where you are as to how good the reception will be. With the AAA batteries, you might want to get some rechargeables. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
tmcfadden
- Jan 24, 2007
Sony SRF-M85V S2 Sports Walkman Armband Radio.Strengths: Small, light, easy to operate controls. Weakness: Cord too short (hard to work out and place on machine or on belt) Powered only by 1 AAA battery - so you'll change it quite often. Good headphones, but cord far too short. Previous models had longer cords. Sound is good - that's the main thing. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
Reply by member: miamibishop
Mar 27, 2008 I have returned this unit twice to Sony because it simply will not receive an FM station either outdoors or indoors. Sony refuses to refund my money. I will NEVER buy a Sony product of any sort ever again.
Reply by member: deltadoc
Apr 9, 2008  
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Sony SRF-M85V S2 Sports Walkman Armband Radio
Strengths: Durable, sleek and easy to use.
Weakness: Essentially incapable of receiving even the strongest FM signals
I was sure looking forward to this new S2 armband radio as I just recently had to retire a previous Sony iteration of their "sports" armband radio that I've used extensively the past three or four years. Basically, everything on the new is an improvement over the old. The new one is sleeker, more secure, more reflective, only needs one AAA battery, has more channel presets that are easier to access, and includes several new features such as the local VHF TV band, the weather radio band and a stopwatch function.
The only fly in the ointment relates to the fact that this radio is essentially incapable of receiving a normal FM broadcast. I live in the middle of the greater Los Angeles area and there is no FM station this radio can receive clearly. The static is horrible and every station on the band is rendered unlistenable. AM reception and wx band reception is excellent. Even the TV band comes in fairly well. But let's face it, with no FM this thing is next to worthless.
Of course, I at first assumed that I had just been unlucky enough to get the one lemon in the bunch. Not true. I've been back to BestBuy twice and all three are exactly the same. Hate to say it, but somebody at Sony is getting fired over this one.
100% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful?
Jan 12, 2006
I agree. Everything is great except the FM reception. If you don't mind a constant 'crackle' over ALL stations, go ahead and buy the Walkman, otherwise, spend your money elsewhere. I have found that it is virtually unuseable.......