Comments on: iHome iH5 Clock Radio http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:10:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: iHome iP88 Dual Dock Clock Radio Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-46841 iHome iP88 Dual Dock Clock Radio Review — The Gadgeteer Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:21:14 +0000 #comment-46841 [...] strange to think that it was only four years ago that iHome released the iH5, the first clock radio ever to feature an iPod dock, because these days iPod/iPhone-compatible [...] [...] strange to think that it was only four years ago that iHome released the iH5, the first clock radio ever to feature an iPod dock, because these days iPod/iPhone-compatible [...]

]]> By: Clock radio for a 2 iPhone family – iHome iP88 — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-45311 Clock radio for a 2 iPhone family – iHome iP88 — The Gadgeteer Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:38:26 +0000 #comment-45311 [...] last iHome clock radio that we reviewed here on The Gadgeteer was the iHome iH5. Since then, I’ve missed out on a lot of cool products from this company, like their latest [...] [...] last iHome clock radio that we reviewed here on The Gadgeteer was the iHome iH5. Since then, I’ve missed out on a lot of cool products from this company, like their latest [...]

]]> By: K. M. Burchard http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-44009 K. M. Burchard Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:03:58 +0000 #comment-44009 Poor radio. I love the classic station of Chicago, WFMT 98.7FM. Good sound on all my radios, either the box or the clock radio in the bedroom, but this radio, in my den, has a hissing sound I can not get rid off. WFMT comes in on two wave length, either 98.7 or 98.9, neither is good. What do I do? Given as a gift, no receipt. Now I have an expensive alarm clock, which I have not tried either. I do not have an Ipod or alike. Sell it on ebay.com to get rid off? Sad, some or most of the stuff we get from China lately. Same with an over-the-sink light from GE, made in China. The bulb, my second one, does not click/connect to light up with the contacts, even after I tried the old trip of using thin film of silver paper from cigarette pack(had to find it as I do not smoke Poor radio. I love the classic station of Chicago, WFMT 98.7FM. Good sound on all my radios, either the box or the clock radio in the bedroom, but this radio, in my den, has a hissing sound I can not get rid off.
WFMT comes in on two wave length, either 98.7 or 98.9, neither is good.
What do I do? Given as a gift, no receipt. Now I have an expensive alarm clock, which I have not tried either. I do not have an Ipod or alike.
Sell it on ebay.com to get rid off? Sad, some or most of the stuff we get from China lately.
Same with an over-the-sink light from GE, made in China. The bulb, my second one, does not click/connect to light up with the
contacts, even after I tried the old trip of using thin film of silver paper from cigarette pack(had to find it as I do not smoke

]]> By: Scott McGregor http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-39918 Scott McGregor Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:58:45 +0000 #comment-39918 I need an AM antenna for the iHome. Do you sell them or know where I can get one? thanks. I need an AM antenna for the iHome. Do you sell them or know where I can get one?
thanks.

]]> By: Chantry http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23446 Chantry Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:38:36 +0000 #comment-23446 Sadly, I purchased an iH6 last weekend - and took it back to the store within a few hours of the purchase. I discovered one MAJOR shortcoming of the device - sure, it has dual alarms, but you can only set Alarm 2 to the radio. Alarm 1 defaults to the iPod if one is docked. Since the idea behind buying this was to use it to charge my iPod as I listen to it at night . . . I NEED a buzzer alarm! If the volume on the clock is set loud enough that music will wake me, I can't exactly listen to it to fall asleep by (I have to use headphones, as otherwise my partner gets annoyed - she doesn't like noise while she's trying to sleep). So I took it back to the Apple store and purchased a Macxtreme Luna alarm clock instead. The other annoyance that I have I find is common to both clocks - no headphone jack on the clock itself. To use headphones at night, I must plug them into the iPod itself, which means that I'm still stuck using my AC adaptor until I can run out and buy headphones with a longer cord! Sadly, I purchased an iH6 last weekend – and took it back to the store within a few hours of the purchase. I discovered one MAJOR shortcoming of the device – sure, it has dual alarms, but you can only set Alarm 2 to the radio. Alarm 1 defaults to the iPod if one is docked. Since the idea behind buying this was to use it to charge my iPod as I listen to it at night . . . I NEED a buzzer alarm! If the volume on the clock is set loud enough that music will wake me, I can’t exactly listen to it to fall asleep by (I have to use headphones, as otherwise my partner gets annoyed – she doesn’t like noise while she’s trying to sleep).

So I took it back to the Apple store and purchased a Macxtreme Luna alarm clock instead.

The other annoyance that I have I find is common to both clocks – no headphone jack on the clock itself. To use headphones at night, I must plug them into the iPod itself, which means that I’m still stuck using my AC adaptor until I can run out and buy headphones with a longer cord!

]]> By: scribe54 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23445 scribe54 Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:26:35 +0000 #comment-23445 I got the iH5 when it first came out, and over the last year-plus have come away with two views of the unit. First, in terms of an iPod player, it works well. The speakers aren't great (but you're not paying Bose prices!) but it does what it is meant to do in terms of music. And, as noted in the review, I keep my iPod in the unit since it's convenient and charges it as well. Second, though, the clock has failed at its basic purpose: Keeping time. I have cable TV, so know that Time Warner Cable is keeping track of the exact time for me on my cable box. Sadly, the clock in the iH5 continues to slow down regularly, requiring me to re-set it frequently to keep up with the real world. This is not something one should have to do on a $100 time-keeping device! Just beware of that aspect of the iH5...again, it's a fine music add-on for an iPod, but it's a lousy clock! I got the iH5 when it first came out, and over the last year-plus have come away with two views of the unit.

First, in terms of an iPod player, it works well. The speakers aren’t great (but you’re not paying Bose prices!) but it does what it is meant to do in terms of music. And, as noted in the review, I keep my iPod in the unit since it’s convenient and charges it as well.

Second, though, the clock has failed at its basic purpose: Keeping time. I have cable TV, so know that Time Warner Cable is keeping track of the exact time for me on my cable box. Sadly, the clock in the iH5 continues to slow down regularly, requiring me to re-set it frequently to keep up with the real world. This is not something one should have to do on a $100 time-keeping device!

Just beware of that aspect of the iH5…again, it’s a fine music add-on for an iPod, but it’s a lousy clock!

]]> By: ctmagnus http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23444 ctmagnus Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:29:15 +0000 #comment-23444 My iH6 remote is also unresponsive. If I'm a bit away from it, I can generally get it to do what I want after two or three presses, but if I'm directly in front of it where I can just use the buttons on the unit itself, the remote sometimes takes seemingly twenty to thirty presses to do one thing. I'm also still using the factory battery. My iH6 remote is also unresponsive. If I’m a bit away from it, I can generally get it to do what I want after two or three presses, but if I’m directly in front of it where I can just use the buttons on the unit itself, the remote sometimes takes seemingly twenty to thirty presses to do one thing. I’m also still using the factory battery.

]]> By: trophyofgrace http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23443 trophyofgrace Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:51:06 +0000 #comment-23443 Ah, I may need a new battery for mine then. Thanks :) Ah, I may need a new battery for mine then. Thanks :)

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23442 Julie Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:35:22 +0000 #comment-23442 Tyler: Mine works fine as long as I'm pointing the remote at the clock and am in the same room :) Tyler:

Mine works fine as long as I’m pointing the remote at the clock and am in the same room :)

]]> By: trophyofgrace http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23441 trophyofgrace Thu, 04 Jan 2007 23:45:07 +0000 #comment-23441 Julie, Is the remote for your iH5R not working properly? On mine, I have to press the buttons several times before they register. It seems to only happen whil it's on iPod mode though. I am wondering if mine just came with a weak battery, or if it's normal. Julie,

Is the remote for your iH5R not working properly? On mine, I have to press the buttons several times before they register. It seems to only happen whil it’s on iPod mode though. I am wondering if mine just came with a weak battery, or if it’s normal.

]]> By: dmccarty http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23440 dmccarty Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:43:17 +0000 #comment-23440 This review makes me think that someone out there know what I'm looking for. I recently failed in my effort to buy my wife and I a nice CD/alarm system for our bedroom this Christmas. My needs list goes like this: - max $200 - shelf-type system, smallish - classy looking: wood frame if possible, no "alien plastic" looking stuff - alarm clock - CD player (also can play MP3 CD's) - USB drive input These would be pluses but aren't deal killers: - iPod or audio input - detachable L/R speakers - separate sub or audio out f/ sub - casette deck - DVD player (w/ video out) Has anyone seen a system like this? -Dan. This review makes me think that someone out there know what I’m looking for.

I recently failed in my effort to buy my wife and I a nice CD/alarm system for our bedroom this Christmas.

My needs list goes like this:
– max $200
– shelf-type system, smallish
– classy looking: wood frame if possible, no “alien plastic” looking stuff
– alarm clock
– CD player (also can play MP3 CD’s)
– USB drive input

These would be pluses but aren’t deal killers:
– iPod or audio input
– detachable L/R speakers
– separate sub or audio out f/ sub
– casette deck
– DVD player (w/ video out)

Has anyone seen a system like this?

-Dan.

]]> By: ctmagnus http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23439 ctmagnus Mon, 01 Jan 2007 07:01:22 +0000 #comment-23439 The backlight on the iH6 goes to nothing. But, as I mentioned previously, I'd like it if you could adjust the backlight on the buttons as well. The backlight on the iH6 goes to nothing. But, as I mentioned previously, I’d like it if you could adjust the backlight on the buttons as well.

]]> By: fondoo http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23438 fondoo Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:10:52 +0000 #comment-23438 i purchased a white iH5 last summer. i gotta admit, i love it. the only problem is the backlit light is too bright. i lights up the whole room. its set to the lowest dim too. what i've done was, i cut a electro-static bag and stuck it to the screen. its less brighter now, but it was it was more dimmer. i purchased a white iH5 last summer. i gotta admit, i love it. the only problem is the backlit light is too bright. i lights up the whole room. its set to the lowest dim too. what i’ve done was, i cut a electro-static bag and stuck it to the screen. its less brighter now, but it was it was more dimmer.

]]> By: trophyofgrace http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23437 trophyofgrace Fri, 29 Dec 2006 01:00:17 +0000 #comment-23437 Really the only thing I would need dual alarms for would be a weekday alarm and a weekend alarm, without having to reset it. I got one of these (but white) for Christmas, and I absolutely love it! I think it will work out nicely in my college dorm room :) Really the only thing I would need dual alarms for would be a weekday alarm and a weekend alarm, without having to reset it.

I got one of these (but white) for Christmas, and I absolutely love it! I think it will work out nicely in my college dorm room :)

]]> By: lyzzard8148 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23436 lyzzard8148 Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:57:47 +0000 #comment-23436 I have had this since June. I use it mainly as a alarm and to listen to my Ipod when in the bedroom working. The only problem I've found is that it is on the same fequency as my cable remote. When I turn the channel or turn off the tv the Ipod will start playing!:) I have had this since June. I use it mainly as a alarm and to listen to my Ipod when in the bedroom working. The only problem I’ve found is that it is on the same fequency as my cable remote. When I turn the channel or turn off the tv the Ipod will start playing!:)

]]> By: strider_mt2k http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23435 strider_mt2k Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:34:05 +0000 #comment-23435 We've had one of these on display at my Radio Shack for a while now, and it's usually the one left on by default. (We have a distribution system that ports our Sirius radio to speakers and headphones on display for trying 'em out.) It is a really nice piece, and a steady seller. I particularly like how it also has a line out that allows it to be used as a component in a larger system or to provide signal for a subwoofer, if one is so inclined. ;) We’ve had one of these on display at my Radio Shack for a while now, and it’s usually the one left on by default.
(We have a distribution system that ports our Sirius radio to speakers and headphones on display for trying ‘em out.)

It is a really nice piece, and a steady seller.

I particularly like how it also has a line out that allows it to be used as a component in a larger system or to provide signal for a subwoofer, if one is so inclined. ;)

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23434 Julie Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:16:39 +0000 #comment-23434 I don't even see the iH6 on iHome's site. Figures that they would send me the older version... grrrrr :) Oh well... I don’t even see the iH6 on iHome’s site. Figures that they would send me the older version… grrrrr :) Oh well…

]]> By: ctmagnus http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23433 ctmagnus Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:56:13 +0000 #comment-23433 I asked for the iH5 for Christmas, but got the iH6 instead. ;) As mentioned, it supports dual alarms, plus it has a port for the shuffle and the backlight has more gradients. And mine came preset to Central time. And it doesn't appear to support playlists - I just selected one on the iPod, docked it, pressed play on the remote, and it started playing from all tracks. The only thing I'd do differently if I was the manufacturer is make it so that the backlight on the buttons can be turned down or off, and fix the playlist thing. I haven't had reason to test the alarm function yet, though, as I don't have to actually be awake for another week yet. I asked for the iH5 for Christmas, but got the iH6 instead. ;) As mentioned, it supports dual alarms, plus it has a port for the shuffle and the backlight has more gradients. And mine came preset to Central time. And it doesn’t appear to support playlists – I just selected one on the iPod, docked it, pressed play on the remote, and it started playing from all tracks. The only thing I’d do differently if I was the manufacturer is make it so that the backlight on the buttons can be turned down or off, and fix the playlist thing. I haven’t had reason to test the alarm function yet, though, as I don’t have to actually be awake for another week yet.

]]> By: Chantry http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23432 Chantry Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:29:27 +0000 #comment-23432 The iH6 has dual alarms. The iH6 has dual alarms.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/12/27/ihome_ih5_clock_radio/comment-page-1/#comment-23431 Julie Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:30:56 +0000 #comment-23431 Post your comments on the iHome iH5 Clock Radio review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/ihome_ih5_clock_radio">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/ihome_ih5_clock_radio</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments on the iHome iH5 Clock Radio review.

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