ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (2021)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Where to Buy Tools
    • Best Tool Kit Upgrades
    • Best Extension Cord Size
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Safety Gear
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Tool Brands in Every Category
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
    • More Buying Guides
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Power Tools > Cordless > Reader Question: Is the New Craftsman C3 Bluetooth Radio with Charger Any Good?

Reader Question: Is the New Craftsman C3 Bluetooth Radio with Charger Any Good?

Nov 19, 2014 Stuart 5 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Craftsman C3 Bluetooth Radio with Charger

Shawn wrote in with a question about the new Craftsman Bluetooth radio:

It looks like Craftsman has joined the Bluetooth radio/charger market. Would like to know what you think of it.

Advertisement

There are actually two new Craftsman C3 Bluetooth radios – the compact radio I previously posted about, and the one Shawn asked specifically about, which is larger and built with an integrated battery charger.

I wish I could offer some hands-on notes about the radio, but sadly the test sample I requested three weeks ago must have gotten lost in the mail.

On paper, this looks to be a respectably equipped garage radio. It features an AM/FM tuner, wireless Bluetooth smartphone/tablet/laptop/device compatibility, a “built in AUX input cable,” a USB charging port, a tray for placing your smartphone on for charging or audio streaming, and a built-in C3 19.2V battery charger.

The radio can be powered by the “built-in power cable” or any C3 19.2V battery pack.

It seems unlikely that the radio has a built-in AUX cable. I think they meant AUX input port, or jack. I’m also thinking that the power cable is either removable, or maybe there’s a nice cord-wrap at the back of the unit.

Other seemingly nice touches include LED backlighting, a flip-down radio antenna, and a 2A max current output for the USB charging port. There’s also a 3.5mm output for “speaker expansion” or headphone use.

Advertisement

Price: $110 on sale

Buy Now(via Sears)

More new Bluetooth radios: Porter Cable PCC771B | Dewalt DCR006 Speaker

To me this looks like a nice jobsite/garage/on-the-go durable radio option. It offers a nice array of features and design elements, and is reasonably priced too.

It’s looking like I won’t be able to test this out before the end of the year. If anyone has bought one and given it a go, please share your experience with it! Please of course also feel free to share your initial impression.

And, as always, please keep the great questions coming!

Related posts:

Dewalt ToughSystem Music Player V2 DWST08820New Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0, DWST08820 New Bosch 12V 18V Cordless Sanders BiTurboNew Bosch Cordless Sanders Spotted Online (11/2020) Dewalt 18V Cordless DrillIs it Time to Retire Dewalt 18V Cordless Power Tools?

Sections: Cordless, Jobsite Radios and Speakers, New Tools, Reader Question Tags: Craftsman C3, Jobsite RadioMore from: Craftsman

« Dewalt Insulated Screwdriver Set
New Lenox Power Arc Reciprocating Saw Blades Have Curved Cutting Edges »

5 Comments

  1. Steve Cox

    Nov 19, 2014

    The radio is nice, Good sound quality and it will get loud. Easy to link a android phone and play music. The cord is not removable, it is coiled under the bottom.

    It does not have a built in AUX cable, It has a AUX jack, and comes with a 3 inch cable in the box.

    If you are running off the battery you can charge a phone using the USB port, it will not play music through the USB, Just charge.

    Reply
  2. Cindy

    Mar 26, 2015

    Hello,

    I was wondering if the radio comes with a battery pack, I seen in your post about the compact version of this radio, that you need to purchase a separate battery pack. Is that the case with this one as well?

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Mar 26, 2015

      I am fairly confident that it does NOT come with a battery pack. Sears’ description makes no mention of one, which typically means it’s not included.

      Reply
      • Cindy

        Mar 26, 2015

        Thank you for such a fast response!

        Reply
  3. Curtus

    Oct 10, 2018

    I’ve had my unit for 4 years and yesterday i tried powering off the unit it would not power off so I pulled the battery and unplugged it to power down. This morning it would not power up. Something in the electronics is fubar.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Steven+B on Another Ryobi Link System Expansion – Cabinet, Shelves, Tool Bags: “I have a few. 🙂 Ryobi was the only company that makes a 12″ lawnmower and my place is too…”
  • Potato on Another Ryobi Link System Expansion – Cabinet, Shelves, Tool Bags: “Disagree quite hard with the assessment that they creak and are subpar. I’ve got some oddball ryobi stuff and it’s…”
  • Jason on Ryobi Let a Secret out of the Tool Bag: “Zero chance on the USA plant, but those images look a heck of a lot like the Milwaukee dipped hand…”
  • Rx9 on Ryobi Let a Secret out of the Tool Bag: “I suspect that there is a much smaller difference (as perceived in the mind of most consumers) between hand tools…”
  • Stuart on Ryobi Let a Secret out of the Tool Bag: “Definitely not.”
  • Stuart on Ryobi Let a Secret out of the Tool Bag: “In my opinion, it’s not a question of whether Ryobi wants to launch hand tools, but whether they will have…”

Recent Posts

  • Ryobi Let a Secret out of the Tool Bag
  • Another Ryobi Link System Expansion - Cabinet, Shelves, Tool Bags
  • Kobalt vs. Ridgid Cordless Power Tools in 2023 is a Tough Choice
  • Engineer Mini Long Pliers - Affordable, Comfortable, ESD-Safe
  • Milwaukee USA Hand Tool Factory Tour - More Details
  • Woodpeckers Owns Blue Spruce Toolworks
  • New Dewalt USB-C Rechargeable LED Lights
  • Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool - 4 New Colors
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Euro Hand Tool Brands
  • Best Tool Brands
  • Best Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Tools for New Parents
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure