Review: Pure Digital Move digital radio

Most digital radios may be designed for glitterati wannabes, but what about those that don't care for such pretence, instead seeking an honest, portable radio to live in the corner of a shed?

Well, Pure Digital may have the answer with the Pure Move, a pocket-sized digital wireless with a claimed 40 hours of battery life and a line-input to attach mp3 players.

Measuring 15cm wide, 8cm tall and just under 3cm deep, the Move certainly lives up to its moniker as being a portable device.

Clipped into a recess at the top of the radio is a telescopic aerial that extends to around 40cm and does a good job of picking up DAB stations inside and out of buildings. Attach a set of headphones and they'll act as an aerial too.

As with all DAB radios, stations are found and stored automatically. FM broadcasts are manually tuned. Navigating between stations and menus is controlled by a four-way metallic nipple on the front and four other buttons. Station information and additional text is shown on a small front-mounted orange LCD screen, which also displays accompanying clock, battery level, volume and signal strength icons. In essence, it's as straightforward as digital radios come.

Instead of the expected plastic chassis, Pure has dressed the Move in a rubberised exterior, which adds to its portable proficiency. A flip out footrest keeps it upright too.

The sound quality is not bad for a radio of this size. Obviously it doesn't compare with those wood-entombed models made for the kitchen, bedroom or living room but the soundscape is balanced throughout most volume levels and is a fine picnic accompaniment.

A USB socket lurks on the side for firmware upgrades, but its piece de resistance is the aforementioned battery life. Topping almost 40 hours on a single charge, there's more than enough time to catch a few fish before the music runs out.

Also consider:
BT Internet Radio
Internet radio anywhere, provided you’ve a long mains lead

Acoustic Energy
A stylish but expensive internet radio

Pure Digital Bug Too
The successor to the Digital Bug has landed

All DAB radio reviews

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!