Price Paid:  $70.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
Excellent sound but stupid control positions and functions. Change the battery and you lose your presets and the time, which is a pain in the neck.

The radio shuts off on its own to save battery life, and it invariably happens when you least want it to. Overall this product points out the differences between Sony and the lessers Japanese electronics companies -- Sony design is generally excellent, while the shortcomings in the design of this unit are stark and make you wonder what Aiwa was thinking.

Strengths:
Great sound, really impressive, with very good reception.

Weaknesses:
Foolishly designed buttons and interface. Put it in your pocket and you'll change the station.

Similar Products Used:
A Sony Walkman (2001), Sony FM (1983), Aiwa Walkman-style unit (1987)

Price Paid:  $60.00 from The Good Guys

Summary:
I have been using the Aiwa CR-LD100 for 3 years, almost everyday. It was working fine, it's super light weight, very small, quite easy to manipulate - I do have small hands though - and great sound quality. Then a few months ago I stopped being able to program it with presets, or even stopped being able to change the time on it. And finally today, it just died on me.

Strengths:
Small, light weight, easy to manipulate, sounds awesome, the DSL feature works really well (Dynamic Super Linear Bass), even though it died on me after 3 years, I have no regrets. It was a fantastic radio while it lasted.

Weaknesses:
Lasted only 3 years, The original Awia headphones that came with it died too quickly, the features stopped working after 2 years