Rococa Z5 AM FM Shortwave Radio Review

[@todderbert]

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[@StratmanII]

I honestly don't know how these analog dial radios pass the factory's quality assurance. I'm not an OCD person, but I do find frequency pointing bars that aren't perfectly mounted straight to be rather distracting. 😞 At least XHDATA's analog radios aren't that bad while the Tecsun R-909 which I purchased two years ago has a slanting pointer. You won't find slanting dial pointers in a Sony, Panasonic or Grundig shortwave radios with analog dials. Those companies really paid attention to detail. 📻😎

[@cadesmith4278]

Looks kinda like the Tecsun R9700DX. I love the Tecsun--I wish it had these tuning and volume knobs rather than the slide volume and thumbwheel tuning--the only two negative features it has IMO. Good review!

[@NTPTM]

Hej Todderbert, thanks for the review. yes, I have seen this radio when browsing for new radios to buy, so yes, the Rococa Z5 seems to be a nice radio and very nice battery options that you mentioned. (I love that) so yes, I'm adding the Rococa Z5 to my radio buylist take care Todderbert and have a nice måndag.

[@radellaf]

Sounds like they fixed the audio distortion problem (even at low volume)? I loved the design, but had to return mine for the audio. I’d re-buy if it is good now.

[@steveweinberg462]

A handsome radio! Also a nice sound to it. The crooked pointer (which looking at the reviews on Amazon is common) would drive me crazy, but I'm an engineer and a compulsive picture straightener. The general layout and bands has me wondering if this shares internals with the D-219? That also has very good SW performance but is only AA and no tuning light. How do you think the SW performance compares between the two? Thank you.

[@todderbert]

Similar in SW performance.

[@steveweinberg462]

@@todderbert impressive.

[@mikeprusky603]

it is indeed, cosmetically at least, an exact copy of my Grundig 205. differences: original ran off 3 batteries, the compartment door was not under the flip stand, the controls were knurled black instead of smooth blue and the case was glossy, not matte. mine is still sitting in my repair area. needs the dial string re-strung , rough dental floss should work. and yes, the horizontal indicator is still misaligned. when the original Grundig was working, the speaker quality was ( and if i ever get around to it, is...) amazing. voices are rich and natural. i suspect this clone cannot match it. even without batteries, it's heavy, indicating a big speaker magnet. the only downside was that i found it to be sensitive but not particularly selective. some bleedover at the low dial end. but the speaker sound....wow ! sheesh....maybe i'll grab some JIS 's & brewskies & get to work! sorry that Grundig bit the dust but, let's face facts: quality always succumbs to shortcuts.

[@Ali-uj4gd]

Will you do a review on Qodasen dx286 radio?

[@todderbert]

Yes.

[@racinchef]

Every time I see a radio like this I immediately think of the XHDATA D-219. How does it compare to that radio? Is it better? What would justify paying more?

[@todderbert]

D-219 is the value leader, this radio just gives some power options.

[@racinchef]

True . . . You just can’t beat a rechargeable battery.

[@freesaxon6835]

Is this a tecsun rip off ?

[@harrybaulz666]

They are all made in the same city or the same factory cheap mass produced

[@melbedewy]

Shortwave: The juice hasn't been worth the squeeze for a while.

[@radellaf]

It is, given that the squeeze is zero-effort these days. DSP radios have made it so that some level of SW takes no more circuitry (just more dial markings). If you are into religious programming then SW is a gold mine.

[@ΔημήτριοςΤουσιάδης]

It looks like a cheap copy of Grundig yacht boy 205