Hitachi’s newest 18V Bluetooth jobsite radio, model UR18DSALP4, has just come out, and it looks great. Well… maybe not at first. At first glance, it looks a little unusual. Each power tool brand’s jobsite radio or speaker looks different from the next, but I don’t think I’ve seen a triangular jobsite radio before.
But with a closer look, the thoughtfulness behind the new Hitachi radio starts to show through.
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Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- AM/FM radio with 10 presets
- Auxiliary input for connecting to MP3 players or smartphones
- USB charging port for recharging electronic devices
- Water resistant to IPX4 standards
- Can be powered by a Hitachi 14.4V or 18V Li-ion slide-style battery, or AC adapter
- Includes 2x AA batteries (probably for saving time info and user settings)
Check out our other recent jobsite radio and speaker coverage here!
Looking at the front panel, there’s a covered media bay on the left, and a control panel on the right. Below the small LCD display are flush-mounted control buttons. It’s worth pointing out that most jobsite radios have large knobs or buttons that are easy to control with gloved hands.
I don’t know how you feel about the buttons, but I think that it’s a fair tradeoff for the radio’s water resistance.
As for inside the covered media bay, you’ll find an adjustable smartphone holder, a USB charging port, and an aux input port. There’s no word as to how wide the smartphone holder can be opened, but I’d think it could hold all but the largest devices.
Some jobsite radios have a covered port where you can protect your smartphone from dust and debris, but I think this might be the first that actually has a smartphone holder. It looks like there’s even room beneath it to fit the slack of a USB charging cable.
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Hitachi also designed the new Bluetooth radio with roll cages that look to help protect it from drops and impacts, and they also serve as large carrying handles. At the rear there’s a covered battery compartment and a rubber flap-covered AC adapter power port.
Price: $130
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Although not in stock yet, you can order now to get in line for fulfillment. Right now the shipping estimate is 1-2 months.
First Impression
There are plenty of jobsite radios on the market, more and more Bluetooth radios and speakers, and no shortage of consumer-targeted models as well.
This new Hitachi Bluetooth radio seems to be compact, but without a sacrifice in features. It’s got almost everything I could ask for – a covered media bay with lots of room, a USB charging port, and an audio input jack, and it can be powered by Hitachi 18V Li-ion slide-style batteries (14.4V too), and an AC adapter.
I say almost everything I could ask for because I tend to prefer volume knobs, as opposed to volume up and volume down buttons. A knob is far easier to adjust by feel. But then again, this radio is water resistant. Its IPX4 water resistance standard means it can hold up to splashing water from any direction for a few minutes, but not water jets or immersion.
This seems like an interesting jobsite radio – I just hope it sounds as good as it looks.
Hugh
Looks pretty cool. I wonder why Hitachi doesn’t bring more of there pro grade products here. Or why certain vendors don’t carry them.
mike
Hi men,
look smart and sounds like has all the dogs dangerly bits too.
but has to be said for RIDGIDS WEE JOB SITE RADIO, is best I, ve owned or seen, powerful sound can connect to phone or device (not blue tooth).can be carried on one finger, doesn’t require a trailer to store it in and passes bounce many times test..
On down side doesn’t, the charge your battery.
Sean
I will agree with you that the little Ridgid is excellent and has served me well for the last year or two. I noticed that the attached 1/8″ cable is starting to short though, so I have to make sure to move it in the correct position. It will soon require a replacement. It would be a little better if they made a port there to attach any length of cable one might wish, but that port could end up having issues as well.
I’ve recently switched to the M12 jobsite speaker, and it’s my new favorite. I’ve switched over to bluetooth for the time being, and it automatically connects when I turn it on. The sound is slightly better than (or at least equivalent to) the little Ridgid!
I love the look of this Hitachi radio. It looks like something out of the early 90’s. The covered “media bay” looks like a cassette deck, and the neon green buttons are a nice touch. I might have to pay a little more attention to Hitachi in the future.
Greg
Copy that 1, I purchased today, radio lounder than connected bluetooth.
mnoswad
Another clunky thing that looks goofy and/or cool……but makes clumsy use of space in the truck.
Can’t we all just agree to make everything stackable and unitized already.
Nathan
if I was in the market for one – and I wasn’t slaved to one or 2 specific brands of battery family
I’d find this product mildly interesting. I think the buttons make sense – look big enough and far enough apart for gloved use – and I sort of like the colors because I like green.
I do like the idea of the cradle adjustment holder thingy and it’s cover. I hope however the cover is sturdy enough.
now however – there is not a job site radio I would ever remotely consider buying. for the money and the use some might be OK but there are better offerings from other companies for BT use and wired etc etc. If one of the jobsite thingamabobs charged battery will on corded use – I might be more moved.
if one of the companies partnered with a JBL or some such and worked on hardened product with real sound capability I might be more moved.
I’ve not ever seen one of these devices out in the hangar or on the flight lines. I see lots of tool boxes with mods for car stereo’s and dual batteries on them, and I see some various BT self contained radio devices. Personally I use one of 2 sets of headphones (one is ear plug based – shure e3’s and the other is open air)
BikerDad
IIRC, Milwaukee, DeWalt and Bosch all have jobsite radio/chargers.
BikerDad
I like the look of it. I wonder if the USB can be used to pipe the music through, rather than using the aux input?
If they bundle this with a cordless drill/driver and impact, methinks I’ll be picking one up as a gift.
Jaycat
Great radio. Have had it for almost a year. Great sound and reception. But the one thing that was wrong was i had to get an update the system to use the dab properly. But i think thats because i got it when it was first released. Other than that i love it..
Chris Ray
Not s very happy camper right now…Saved and saved to buy myself a new Hitachi 18v Jobsite Radio this way I’d have something goes with my batteries and tough…. Well needless to say a scrap piece of wood hits the front if the radio broke the plastic front where phone how’s behind…Not very tough for a Jobsite Radio