Home > Consumer Reviews > Apple iPod Radio Remote

First of all; my impression/opinion on the radio function of this is that its mediocre at best. The radio reception can be OK then the next minute it will be crackly, I will also add that I went into the settings on my iPod (which it tells you to do in the radio remote's instruction guide) and choose the correct country for radio frequency purposes, but it didn't make any real difference, so like I have said the radio function for me is mediocre at best.

After plugging in the radio remote, there will be a new menu feature called radio; if you select this and then press and hold the back or forward button, the iPod will tune to the next available radio station, if the signal is strong enough you will receive RDS (this is a feature that shows the station name and other relevant station information). But to be honest my sole reason for purchasing this was for the remote control function and this function works very well. I also considered the Monster wireless remote but this was around £20-25 more than the Apple radio remote, and also the Monster was criticised that when the volume was turned up slightly it could on occasions keep on going up till it reached maximum. But like I have said the sole reason for purchasing the radio remote was for the remote control feature and this it does VERY WELL!

The radio remote connects into the iPod's docking port (this is the port/socket at the bottom of the iPod). According to Apple's website the radio remote is compatible with the following iPod's: iPod nano 1st generation, iPod with video, iPod nano 2nd generation (aluminium), iPod nano, iPod classic.

After you plug the radio remote into the iPod you then connect your earphones/headphones into the jack which is on the radio remote. Also supplied with the radio remote are a pair of Apple earphones, but you can use any earphones or headphones that you so wish. Once I have plugged everything in I normally lock the iPod's controls with its hold button, slip the iPod into my inside jacket pocket and clip the remote on to the front of my jacket and now I am able to control the iPod without having to take it out of my pocket.

The buttons on the radio remote are of a similar layout to the iPod's, skip/search forward, skip/search back, play/pause (this is a large button in the centre of the remote, also, if you press and hold this button it will switch the iPod on or off) there is also buttons for volume up and volume down, last but not least is the hold button, this functions in the same way as the hold button on the iPod, I.E. it locks all the buttons so that if any are pressed they will not function, for example if you wanted to use the buttons on the iPod rather than the buttons on the radio remote.

All in all I can only recommend the radio remote for the remote control feature as it does this very well and with no problems, but if you are purchasing this for the radio feature, then it is a bit of a hit and miss affair as far as reception goes.

This sounded fantastic - I commute on the train into London everyday and getting this would mean that I could continue listening to the radio but it really isn't that good as a radio. If you are in one locality then the radio reception is good, you get RDS and other info but it just doesn't work well if you are moving - something the iPod was designed to do. Even though this was disappointing the actual remote is really good and means I can skip suspect tunes on the playlist and change volume without getting the iPod out of my pocket - and not scratching the iPod. if this was just a remote (and cost half the price) it would get 5*. Another bonus with this is it comes with another set of Apple headphones which alone are about £15.

since i purchased the radio remote i have used it every day to get to school by bus in london and i have had no problems with the radio. However, even though stations such as kiss and capitol are crystal clear i find that stations such as radio 1 "crackles" but if you are stationary then all stations are perfect. Furthermore the remote itself is worth the money as it is extremly handy and means i do not need to take my ipod out. And for the price you buy this you are relly getting a bargin as you recieve a set of apple headphones aswell. Also, i have found that this gizmo can also act as an headphone splitter as you can listen to both the radio and your own music through the radio remote and the usual headphone socket with both perfect sound.
I am very pleased i brought this and thank apple for making this and selling it for such a good price.

I bought this so that I could listen to the radio on my iPod, however i was disappointed about the quality of the radio, when you are on the move the radio will die and you have to move about to find the reception again. Very annoying. However the remote is very good and is easier than having to take yr iPod out yr pocket and change song there. Also it comes with a new pair of iPod headphones which are usually quite expensive.

I have had the displeasure of buying 2 of these ipod radio remotes now and both have broken within 6 months, the radio is rubbish and the wires connecting the remote to the ipod have formed a loose connection in the same place in both remotes i have had and the sound keeps cutting out.
Do not buy this remote it will not last very long and is expensive compared to the rest and definitely do not buy for the radio.