Andrew recently sent in a heads-up about some new Makita tools, including their new USB power adapter. Here, we’ll talk a little about the new Makita RM02 12V Max CXT compact jobsite radio.
From the product images, the new Makita RM02 might just be the smallest jobsite radio out there, at least by a power tool brand. It looks smaller than some compact consumer models too.
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The radio features 2 front-facing speakers, an AM/FM tuner with 10 presets, an auxiliary input jack, and an earphone jack. There’s a hanging hook, and what looks to be a flexible antenna.
It also looks like there are 2 cord-mounting locations, in case you want to fashion a strap or other hanging fixture, but it’s hard to tell.
Runtime is said to be up to 30 hours when connected to a Makita 12V Max CXT 4.0Ah battery pack (not included). In the image above, the radio is shown pictured with a compact 2.0Ah battery pack, from which I guess can deliver 15 hours of runtime per charge.
And no, it won’t charge your batteries. I also don’t see an AC adapter port.
Price: $69
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
No Bluetooth? Boo. But there’s a radio tuner, making this a jobsite radio and not just a speaker. It’s small enough that you can connect a phone via the aux input, and keep the two together. There doesn’t look to be a USB charging outlet.
Assuming it sounds good, at least its price is decent – for a power tool brand radio.
Jason says
Sep 6, 2016 at 10:32 amI love the small size it would have been nice if they included Bluetooth, but at that size and price point I understand. I just like how compact it is. The one thing I do wonder about is sound quality. It can’t have crazy booming bass, but I hope it sounds decent.
Dacan says
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:03 amFigured since its new it would have bluetooth, but you can get a bluetooth adapter off Amazon for $10-15 and stick it in the AUX jack.
Like the M12 bluetooth speaker you cant have everything, you get either bluetooth or FM/AM. Most radio stations stream so FM/AM or most cell phones can tune FM band, isnt a big loss since theres a workaround like adding a bluetooth adapter.
Bolt says
Sep 6, 2016 at 11:18 am70 buck and no Bluetooth is a ripoff.
Brandon says
Sep 6, 2016 at 1:13 pmI really wish they had something similar to the bluetooth ryobi radio. That thing has it all, bt, usb charging, long battery life, small size and good sound. Only problem is I have to maintain both ryobi and makita batteries.
Adam g says
Sep 6, 2016 at 3:11 pmI bought into ryobi largely for the radio. It is great and full featured in a small size. I prefer it over the dewalt bluetooth radio hands down.
I also remember ally enjoy the hybrid fan, hand vacuum, and lantern from ryobi.
Toolfreak says
Sep 7, 2016 at 12:10 pmI was going to say this was a pretty good idea and about time someone made a smaller 12V radio, but the price point is pretty disapppointing for what you get.
You can get the Bosch PB120 12V Max radio for $50 shipped, or less. And it comes with an AC adapter.
I guess the aux port is “good enough” for hooking up a phone with the headphone jack via cord, but the lack of bluetooth is pretty obviously to force people to buy the bluetooth speaker seperately.
I guess the radios are becoming real money-making accessories for the cordless tool manufacturers, they are just plastic bodies with cheap old tech inside.