Ridgid’s jobsite radio, model R84082, sports great styling and some nice features. Although it’s designed for rough and tough worksite environments, it looks to be a nice option for garages and workshops as well.
The radio features what Ridgid describes as shockmount protective armor, which obviously serves to protect the unit from bumps, dings, and drops. The chassis is also said to be weather resistant.
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Then of course is the wireless remote control. Is that the first thing you noticed when you saw the product image? Because it’s surely the first thing I saw. The remote operates the radio settings or a connected iPod, from a range of up to 25 feet. Personally, I feel that every jobsite radio should come with a simple remote.
It also features a sealed iPod dock compartment, an audio connection for common MP3 and music players, digital AM/FM radio, adjustable antenna, and an integrated power cord wrap. You can power the radio via the included AC adapter or any Ridgid 18V Li-ion battery pack.
Buy Now($149 via Home Depot)
More Info (via Ridgid)
If you are looking for a minimalist cordless jobsite radio, Ridgid also makes a less expensive compact radio console that works with their 18V batteries.
There is one more subtle feature that particularly caught my eye about this radio – the negative LCD display. Negative displays are typically easier to read outdoors in glaring conditions, but can sometimes be difficult to read in lower light conditions. It looks like Ridgid designed the LCD to be big enough where a backlight isn’t necessary. If anyone has direct experience with this model, please let us know how you like the display!
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In this video the Ridgid product team majorly abuses the radio to demonstrate its durability. They dealt some impressive damage to it, but the radio just kept cranking out the music.
And here’s a look at Ridgid’s older jobsite radio. The newer model is definitely an improvement, in terms of impact protection as well as user controls.
Aellynh
Haha, the first time I read the post, it first read to me as “Ridgid’s jobsite radio has good looks and an appalling feature set.”
mnoswad1
If these job-site radios had encapulated electronics, wouldn’t that negate the need for the bulky roll cage?
We all know the radio roll cage thing is just more of the Hummer SUV fake chrome grill mindset that America was embarassing infatuated with a few years ago. Some day we will all look back on this horrible trend in industrial design and laugh.
So it has an “on board” a/c adapter OR the bulky a/c apapter brick is yet another thing you have to carry around with you? Lame.
This radio should be 49.95. I can imagine the Chinese teenagers that assemble these things just laughing at us as they build these.
Stuart
Going by the cord wrap at the bottom, I believe the AC adapter/converter is built in, so there’s no black box adapter to lose.
Roll cages can be gimmicky, but in case it adds another layer of rigidity and impact protection around the radio housing.
If you look closely, the radio housing has rubber bumpers/spacers/feet between it and the outer shell. This helps isolate it somewhat from bumps and drops. It’s not just for looks.
For $150 you get a remote, LCD display, two speakers, iPod dock, AC/DC power options, and what appears to be a sturdy design. That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
mnoswad1
Yep, i see that cord wrap now, good idea to have an integrated a/c adapter. But still, this goofy roll cage is embarrassing, it’s as if the marketers think all tool users are ignorant dullards with the design appreciation of a juiced up teenager.
I know AEG is the european version of Ridgid, does AEG have a jobsite radio that looks this “extreme”. I don’t imagine the germans would put up with this nonsense.
A jobsite radio would be best packaged as a toolbox. Similar to some mini shop vacs. You could stack on top of it, etc. it could look like this.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/jgriesinger_2006/648846002965_4.jpg
I’m really linking the Bosch that fits in an L boxx as he best solution so far.
mnoswad1
Wow. I shake me head in disappointment.
http://ripitup.co.nz/uploads/mix/misc/RIU_FD_agestereo.jpg
Kaboos
and that little box would look right at home one a real world worksite…
Mister T
http://youtu.be/UaG8f_kHMOE
The roll cage is most definitely not a gimmick.
Stuart
Oops, I knew I saw that video before. I posted about it back in November 2010. Looks like it’s time to combine posts. Thanks for the link!
mnoswad1
smashing a concrete block on a radio is not a gimmick? never going to happen in real life.
My initial premise was that potted or encapsulated electronics would be better and that manufactures need to make things more compact in general.
Jeffrey Warnock
My brother gave me one of these Rigid Jobsite radios as a Christmas gift last year… I was hesitant that I would like it but to my surprise, it has great sound! I use it in my studio and it is really a good unit. My other one is a Bosche… which I like but I feel the sound is better in the Rigid. I also got a little blutooth adapter for the Ipod dock which allows me to use my Droid. Adapter is similar to this one http://www.amazon.com/CoolStream-Bluetooth-Receiver-Adapter-docking/dp/B008EL58YA/
Greg Savage
As a real world low voltage installer and handyman, I’ve seen many instances where the roll-cage/durability are welcomed on a JOB SITE radio. By nature I’m careful with my tools and equipment, the other trades around me often are not. Also consider that I’ve seen a few radios set on top of ladders for better reception… only to die an instant death when they fall.
I was going to build my own job site radio, but I think I will pick this up since watching the youtube video.
Trevor Smith
I have the R84082 jobsite radio with the remote. I don’t know what the number is for the battery for the remote.