Bosch’s PowerBox 360 is super-durable and delivers sweet sound, but it’s large and heavy. If you’re a one-man show with a small tool kit, the 360 will slow you down. That’s why Bosch’s new PB120 compact radio makes perfect sense. It’s small and lightweight and can be powered with an AC adapter or 12V battery pack.
The PB120 radio was also designed to fit inside a Bosch L-Boxx-1.
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Related: Dewalt ToughSystem vs. Bosch L-Boxx Tool Cases
A downside of the radio’s small size is that it cannot serve dual-purpose as a 12V battery charger.
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Features:
- Digital AM/FM radio
- Two 5W neodymium speakers
- Up to 8 hours of playback with a single 12V battery
- Aux input for MP3 players and iPhone/Android/media phones
- 3.1-pound weight
- High strength and shock-absorbing roll-cage handle design
- Storage for AC adapter
- Screw slots for wall-mounting
- Backlit display
- Fuel gauge
MSRP is $99, and the radio will be available through authorized Bosch dealers nationwide.
If you’re more of a Dewalt user, take a quick look at their upcoming 12V/20V radio and charger.
Nick says
Stuart,
I don’t get why these guys aren’t including blue tooth.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s trying to wrestle with my phone hooked up to a cable when I’m covered in dust and wearing gloves.
I’d appreciate Bluetooth so I can keep my phone on me and answer a call when in up on a ladder or in an attic.
Stuart says
I’m not sure, but it probably comes down to whether this is a feature a lot of users would use or not.
I had a decent quality wireless speaker unit once. It worked well under ideal conditions, but if things weren’t just right there was signal degradation. I recently had to replace my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse because of random connection issues I’ve been having the past year.
You want Bluetooth, other people want iPhone docks, some people want subwoofers, and others want remote controls. At some point the designers have to determine which features the majority of users want, and which features not to implement.
matt says
I have been very happy with the little 12v Milwaukee radio.
the onboard storage of the PS is a nice feature(I dont think I have ever used the supplied PS with my Milwaukee always run off battery).
I would miss the ipod/cell phone compartment to..
It is cool to see another 12V radio though the smaller size of these is great..
Tomas says
I second the request for Bluetooth. I really like this idea and the price is great, but bluetooth pairing to my iphone is the one missing feature here…. Even if it raised the price by a few dollars.
Frank says
Just got one of these last night, special order through Lowes. Its a nice radio, have not had a real chance to play with it yet. Really only bought it because it fits nicely in an L-boxx. The DeWalt is to big for someone just carrying around the 12v tools.
adam says
it took Bosch 3 years to put out an almost identical copy of the Milwaukee M12 radio?
Dave G. says
I agree with the bluetooth integration as a real necessity– and it’s universal too, as it works for Android and iPhones alike. — I have the Powerbox 360 as well, and it would be really nice to keep my phone on me rather than tethered to the box…. A workaround that I use periodically is the Motorola S705 bluetooth headset which has a headset jack on the top that you can leave plugged into the powerbox.
Felix Galindo says
Bluetooth is a must but the range must be up to 100 feet not 30 due to walls and walking around the house. U dont it to cut off because u went to the restroom or went for a tool in the truck. Also wireless speaker seperation and extra wireless speakers that can connect to base unit. And a usb sd card reader.