DeWalt compact jobsite radio

[geojag]

I just picked up a new Dewalt compact jobsite radio, model DCR018. Kind of an impulse buy but it is something I will use a lot - working on property, car camping, fishing, etc. I had the older version for the 18v pack but have pretty much gotten out of the 18v platform. The last of my 18v batteries will only power the old radio for a couple hours. It will go to a friend who has a bunch of the 18v tools. The new radio is significantly smaller and can use the 18v, 12v max, or 20v max batteries. It is not a charger, only a radio. So far, I like it. My cordless tools are 12v max, I left the radio on overnight in my shop on a 12v battery and it was still going this morning with no noticeable decrease in performance. So far, I like it.

Edit: It has the 3.5 mm accessory jack and a USB in a side compartment as well.

Here is the link to the Dewalt page for the radio:
http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless-radio-chargers-dcr018.aspx

 

[BlindViper]

That really is much smaller my biggest complaint about the job radios is the size. The ryobi and milwaukee are really small. My issue is I have makita and radio is half the size of my tool bag. Which is 18" x 9" x 17". So I used to carry the ryobi radio, battery and a charger. When the battery took a **** I got the great idea to mod the ryobi radio to accept a makita battery. It was the best thing I ever did It lasts for 3 days on a single charge vs the ryobi battery that would last 14 hours or so. I wish the tool manufactures would catch on and make smaller radios.

 

[JakeKohl]

I have a good friend that works for a marketing firm that does a lot of tool work...they put a Rigid jobsite radio through it's paces and made a video...I can attest for the genuine nature of the test...it was only the fall from the water tower that finally did it in but they guessed that if they hadn't had already tortured the thing that it might have even survived that fall!

 

[sdguy55]

That's insane. I wonder how well the dewalt one would hold up

 

[JakeKohl]

That's insane. I wonder how well the dewalt one would hold up

They thought running over it with the blue dodge pickup killed it with the front tire ... but it just pushed the off button. The rear tire turned it back on.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

The 20V Max Dewalt radio is going on my Christmas list as long as its plenty loud.

 

[Farmall450]

They thought running over it with the blue dodge pickup killed it with the front tire ... but it just pushed the off button. The rear tire turned it back on.

I hate to break it to you, but the blue oval on the rim = ford, not dodge...

 

[jhelrey]

I am anxious to upgrade to the Dewalt 20V kit but I need my 18V to die first.

 

[Architorture]

Almost bought one but really wanted one that would also act as a charger...in the end bought a jambox...expensive but the best sound out there

 

[stage20]

im a die hard dewalt guy, but i bought a makita radio after listening to a friends when my dewalt died. this lil sucker rocks! you can crack the latch for the battery and it kinda adds a touch more of bass. never heard 3" speakers sound so good.

 

[cashishift]

im a die hard dewalt guy, but i bought a makita radio after listening to a friends when my dewalt died. this lil sucker rocks! you can crack the latch for the battery and it kinda adds a touch more of bass. never heard 3" speakers sound so good.

If I was going to buy another one.. it would probably be the Bosch Cube.

Thing sounds EXCELLENT.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a good friend that works for a marketing firm that does a lot of tool work...they put a Rigid jobsite radio through it's paces and made a video...I can attest for the genuine nature of the test...it was only the fall from the water tower that finally did it in but they guessed that if they hadn't had already tortured the thing that it might have even survived that fall!

Impressively tough radio.


I need to get a jobsite radio, I keep putting it off and thought about it again today when I was working in the house garage.

 

[upserben]

saw a post about a dewalt dc12 radio on sale at a home depot in Maine for $99. Any one know anything about it. If its true I would like to get 2 at that price

 

[Wylaco]

We just got a ton of them in. We haven't had a ton of people asking for them. I got one free when I bought the new brush-less combo kit. This is going to be one of the hot Cyber Monday/ Black Friday deals a lot of retailers are going to offer I think, that is what my rep said anyway.

I like the Radio though, fits perfect on my bench in the garage.

 

[kf4zht]

I like my Bosch cube radio. You can toss it around and spill stuff on it without issues, stacks well. The power strip and 12v outlet are very handy, plus you can seal up a usb stick or ipod inside and not worry about it.

It sounds good enough we use it for work cookouts and functions also.

 

[koditten]

I hope these new dewalt radios are better than the old ones. Gonna have to be a big improvement for me to buy another. The last 3 were just ****.

 

[Woody610nb]

I heard that OSHA is putting a halt to job site radios on work sites. Ear buds only. My son works part time as a union carpenter in Maryland, and they are not able to use radios.

 

[CTyankee]

I heard that OSHA is putting a halt to job site radios on work sites. Ear buds only. My son works part time as a union carpenter in Maryland, and they are not able to use radios.

Fine by me...Personally I find blasting job site radios extremely obnoxious. Most of the ones I have heard sound like **** anyway and had piss poor reception...I make my living with my cordless stuff and the batteries get some heavy use. Rather not be draining the tool batteries on a radio. I've got "regular" portables I use when I want some tunes.....
OP seems to be using his for personal use...so rock on....

 

[Squ1d]

I bought one at lowes. Didn't even make it to my truck before returning it.

That's when I realized it wouldn't charge batteries.

Seems okay if you don't care about that feature.


-D.B.

 

[moparfreak]

If I was going to buy another one.. it would probably be the Bosch Cube.

Thing sounds EXCELLENT.

This got me thinking, especially cause I've been looking for ways to get tunes into my new shop. Found a used Bosch cube on CL in my area for $75. Is that a good deal? I have read that the Bosch has lots of awesome features and sounds good but is pretty big, a bear to lug around.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[owenst7]

I have one of these. It is extremely durable, and can charge your phone. It also fits in the pocket of my carhartt jacket.

 

[sac02]

I heard that OSHA is putting a halt to job site radios on work sites. Ear buds only. My son works part time as a union carpenter in Maryland, and they are not able to use radios.

You sure that's OSHA, and not just his employer's policy? Seems like earbuds would be WAY more dangerous than a radio. I could see OSHA saying no radios or earbuds altogether to reduce distractions and increase ability to hear, but getting rid of just the radios seems strange.

 

[kf4zht]

This got me thinking, especially cause I've been looking for ways to get tunes into my new shop. Found a used Bosch cube on CL in my area for $75. Is that a good deal? I have read that the Bosch has lots of awesome features and sounds good but is pretty big, a bear to lug around.

Thanks,
Adam

It may be large but it is easily one handable. None of the large size radios can be carried with anything else, so they all take at least one hand on a trip. With the bosch you can toss it in from about 10 ft back, so it saves a few steps.

One of the best things about the bosch is its shape. You can stack stuff on top and it just fits.

The only gripes I have are that the 12v outlet outlet does not run off the battery (110v only) and it doesn't charge the 12v lithium batteries. Those are really minor issues

 

[NUTTSGT]

saw a post about a dewalt dc12 radio on sale at a home depot in Maine for $99. Any one know anything about it. If its true I would like to get 2 at that price

Welcome to GJ.

A quick looking at HD's site tells me what I thought, that is a radio only. It doesn't charge batteries.

 

[BikerDad]

I heard that OSHA is putting a halt to job site radios on work sites. Ear buds only. My son works part time as a union carpenter in Maryland, and they are not able to use radios.

That actually sounds counter to the direction OSHA should be heading. The only reason to ban jobsite radios would be because of noise and safety concerns. Hearing damage is less likely with a jobsite radio than with earbuds. Being able to hear "hey, watch out!!!!" is less likely with earbuds than with a jobsite radio.