Dewalt’s latest radio charger, model DCR015, is compatible with their 20V and 12V Li-ion battery packs. The jobsite-tough radio boasts a full 360° roll cage and bumpers for added impact and shock protection, integrated battery charger, 2 AC power outlets, AUX media port, USB charging port, and an enclosed media bay.
Check out our mini review of the DCR015 radio, courtesy of CopTool.
It can be powered via an AC power source, as well as 12V and 20V batteries.
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The AUX power allows for connection to external MP3 players, CD players, satellite radio receivers, and any other device with headphone or line-out jacks. A built-in USB port offers convenient charging for your smartphones and mobile devices.
Dewalt expects for the DCR015 12V/20V radio charger to be available via dealers starting April 1st, 2013, with an MSRP of $179.
Runtime, charging times, and outlet amperage are TBD.
Although the radio is compatible with 12V and 20V batteries, my feeling is that it will be in much greater demand with Dewalt 20V users than 12V users.
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This post was originally published on Sept. 9, 2012, and was edited on March 20, 2013.
Steve R.
Stuart–Good point about the outlets being unprotected. Did you query the company rep about whether they considered including spring-loaded covers for each of the ports? This is a common practice for all outdoor electrical outlets for safety reasons, as well as keeping dirt and water from entering the outlets. They’re on the exterior outlets around my house; you also see them at municipal parks and at industrial sites. Perhaps this is first-gen; versions 2.0 and later will have them after the lawsuits come rolling in.
If nothing else, you could go buy those inexpensive child-proof plugs; you may even have a few laying around the house from other electronics purchases. They would accomplish the same thing, although they’re a bit inconvenient to remove and store when needed.
Stuart
Dewalt reps generally won’t answer questions about tools that have not been announced yet, but I’ll give it a try. It could also be that the product is slated for initial release outside the USA, in which details may be even more difficult to squeeze out.
I would have expected spring-loaded outlet doors as well. Perhaps this is a rendering, but in my experience renderings don’t make it into online sales sheets.
Maybe the outlet block rotates away towards the inside to completely shield it? That would be more convenient than a door and should provide complete protection when the outlets aren’t needed.
I found this image on two Canadian distributor sites, Acklands Grainer and BlackRock tools and on Handy Al’s Facebook page.
Bryan McCormick
I think the radio would be nicer with a low profile gummy cover that you can pull off when you want to, but an extension cord is an open outlet too, as its not a permanent structure (like a house). So I don’t see the need to make it abide by code, rather just view it as a charger or a radio. Neither I would leave in the rain if I can help. That being said, it would be a nicer feature and many could see the value, estheticly and functionality of waterproofing.
In Dewalts defense I think they went for a streamline effect. I really don’t care for more BS to F with when I need to quickly plug anything in while I’m working.
Thanks
joey 3 phase
If you are going to be wheather proofing the outlets they should be gfci recepticals in the unit or on the cord that feeds it a nice selling point to be able to have gfci protection off of the radio.
fred
While this is a dual purpose product – I have mixed emotions about jobsite radios. For jobsites where contractors are the only folks on the site – background music may make the job more enjoyable – as long as it is not so loud as to impede communication among crew members or damage hearing. If its loud enough to drown out a jobsite compressor or tablesaw – then — you know what I mean. But for jobsites where homeowners or business employees are also sharing the space – I believe that it is an audacious affront to impose your music on others – and I won’t have it done by my crews – even when they ask if it is OK.
Cody
Was this a joke or are you being serious? I didn’t detect any sarcasm so I going to assume you are serious. This isn’t really the place to post a debate about a radios welcomeness on the job site, it is about the new Dewalt radio, it’s features, and possible release date. I don’t think I have ever been on a job site that DIDN’T have a radio. What country are you from? It is a very common practice. As a matter of fact, almost EVERY WORKPLACE has some type of radio. Dr. Offices, malls, water parks, you get the idea. I am still trying to get over the fact that you might possibly be serious with your comment. It leads me to wonder how old you are? We’re you born before most modern technology? What do you do in your spare time? Read books an meditate? You say you have a “crew” so I am goin to assume you are a contractor but you must have a hard time keeping employees because if you don’t allow them to have a radio on the job site, then what else do you do/don’t do? Wow, I don’t know if
I should just laugh or feel sorry for you.
Cody
DAMAGE HEARING??? are you crazy? There are a lot of other dating sounds on a job site, the radio is FAR FROM one of those things. What the is wrong with you??
Stuart
I saw nothing at all wrong with what Fred said. I have seen many workplaces where there are no jobsite radios, and others where a radio would have been highly inappropriate.
In regard to potential hearing damage, workers might eschew hearing protection to better hear the radio, exposing them to higher levels of machine noise. Or at least I think this is what Fred was implying.
Music can be relaxing and can make slow work move quicker, or it can be a distraction.
Heff
Don’t forget, if one person does something a certain way or experiences it that way, that means EVERYBODY does! I get so annoyed by people who think they way they know is the only way that matters
jesse
IMO, fred is absolutely right. Just because you want to listen to whatever on a jobsite doesn’t give you the right to disturb the neighbors’ peace and quiet. It’s rude as hell. If it’s loud enough it is literally ‘disturbing the peace.’
Allen
That’s uncalled for. No radios when I’m working in the shop, out on machinery yes. When I taught woodworking and metals I didn’t allow a radio or CD. Some instructors did.
My wife had workmen in her place of business for a month. The radio was outside but the guys came in and out, it was loud enough she found it obnoxious. The project manager wasn’t on-site much, but it was always at a lower volume when he was there.
Allen
Sorry, meant for the reply to be to Cody. Let’s see, where is that darn edit function ?
Stuart
Great points.
(Sorry, the edit function cannot change whether a comment is standalone or a nested reply.)
Jeremy
I’m a huge dewalt fan, but I was hoping for more, was hoping for something more like the bosch w/ subwoofer, multidirection speakers. Looks rather weak, not up to date, hope it least has a weather proof internal ipod/smartphone holder. Hope this isn’t all it turns out to be.
Cody
I am also desperately hoping the same thing, but it doesn’t look hopeful.
Looks like they are planning to stick with their usual 3.5mm aux jack and possibly a USB for charging. A major let down if that is the case. And if so, I will have to go with the Milwaukee (either the mini or the larger unit both have internal iPhone docks to keep your phone away from the elements.) Now, the new Apple lightning connector, that is another major problem right there. I would have no problem waiting a few extra months if Dewalt had plans to integrate the lightning plug into an internal phone compartment. But I am assuming that most of the radios are already completed, in stock and waiting for release day. Whenever that may be is anyone’s guess but we can assume that since it hasn’t been leaked yet, it isn’t in the near future. (3-5 months)
JetsetJoey
It pisses me off that DeWalt is so secretive/careless about informing its loyal customer base, as to WHEN new tools are set to launch! I have A LOT of $$$ invested in their new(est) 20v MAX line & yet I have to scour the Internet, in the hopes of gleaning any clues, as to WHEN I can buy a bloody radio & a dual battery charger that’s compatible with my current 20v MAX system!
Okay, now onto the short wishlist for this new radio:
1) The DCR012 had HORRIBLE reception so hopeully they addressed that issue!
2) Better sound quality, as the last iteration sucked!
3) A USB input/charger!!!
As much as I’d like to stay DeWalt & have an extra charger, I WILL jump ship & opt for another brand, if the DCR015 doesn’t have @ least 2 of the 3 listed items!
Stuart
I wouldn’t say that Dewalt is being secretive, as the radio was not formally announced yet. Once it is, you can expect more accurate feature discussion, MSRP pricing, and availability details. That said, I too would like to see it come with great sound and USB charging ports.
JetsetJoey
Perhaps “secretive” wasn’t the best description; I meant more DELAYED from the time of the initial 20v MAX tool launch; i.e., DeWalt should have better-bolstered their 20v MAX line-up debut… especially considering I’d JUST upgraded all my tools to the 18v Lithium Ion!!!
Also, heck, I’d even settle for ‘good’ sound, as the DCR012 was horrible! The only 2 reasons I’m reluctant to foresake DeWalt for brand X radio, are because I value that extra charger & obviously I’d like to keep it all DeWalt.
Rob
I have to agree with JetsetJoey. If this radio is not all it should be and more, I’m jumping ship. I just bought my 20v max set and I love it but I need music. I guess I just assumed that this system was all complete and all I had to do was get the pieces I want, like a radio. I mave be posting on here that I have a 20v 3.0amp hr drill/driver combo for sale if they don’t get this taken care of. I need bass. BaBaBaBaBass!!!!
Handy Al
Dewalt announced today a release sometime in the spring of 2013.
I hear a lot of blah blah blah about electric covers for the plugs, note previous 18 v model did not have covers on the plugs.
As for I-Phone docks, It does not need one & if it has one then that amounts to a endorsement of Apple products, which leaves the rest of us with other smart phones out in the cold.
Lastly it’s a job site radio charger, not an extension of your multimedia capabilities. Just need it to do it’s job of charging batteries & have a decent sound & be tough enough to take the abuse.
Stuart
I wouldn’t say that an iPhone dock would be an Apple endorsement, but it would be unnecessary in a jobsite radio. iPhones, Windows phones, and Android phones can all output audio via a standard headphone jack. Why increase costs when attached phones and MP3 plyers will be secured in a dust-tight compartment anyways. I wouldn’t want to pay extra for iPhone dock when an aux lineout input offers the same capabilities.
Cody
And also buy and carry around a spare aux/3.5mm cable? And what about charging the phone? Plugged into a 3.5mm and playing music, a cell phone battery lasts about two hours so that means also carrying a charger, plugging that charger into the wall and therefore preventing you from using a possible iphone storage compartment. All while a built-in iPhone dock/jack/compartment would take care of all of the above. On a second, although slightly related note, I am going to take a wild shot in the dark and guess that both of you are at least aged 40+? It will be a joyful day when the very last old-timer retires from our industry. We really don’t need you any more as much as you may like to think. I will say it again, the world is going pro-iPhone so get in or get out of the way.
Stuart
It probably comes with a cable and if it doesn’t it should. The radio has a doored compartment with plenty of room for a phone or MP3 player with cable. Can probably charge device via USB port in same compartment. Photo of this is in the other post.
This is not the place for immature and irrational Apple fanboy and anti-Apple fanboy arguments. Comments with personal attacks will be deleted. If you cannot be civil you will not be allowed to comment. That goes for everyone.
pearse
would be nice if it had bluetooth, then you could connect phone etc with no cords,and work as wirless speaker to boot!
Cody
But this will answer everything, and you got your wish! I think…
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-20v-radio/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Stuart
Maybe there will be a deluxe version with a built-in iPhone dock. It’s not about what non-iPhone users wish, but what Dewalt’s target audience wants. The addition of an Apple compatible dock will raise costs for everyone. I’m sure Dewalt polled a wide audience to see how many people used “dumb” phones, Android phones, Windows phones, Blackberries, and iPhones. Their best move would have been to add enough functionality and connectivity to appease as many users as possible whole keeping the product costs low enough to allow for a specific target price point.
Cody
If Dewalt “includes a cable” (assuming you mean either a 3.5mm or a USB for charging) then I will personally buy a radio for each and every one of you commenting here. You are either dreaming, drunk, or huffing glue if you think they would include a cable. The two previous radios have a 3.5mm jack and no free cables, why start now when times are tougher than ever?
Stuart
Maybe a 3.5mm aux cable; Bosch supplied a 6″ one with their radios. As for charging cables, probably not, but most households and gadget owners often gave spare cables around anyways.
You point out that times are tough than ever. So why would Dewalt build in an iPhone dock that only some users will use, but all would have to pay for?
Cody
I have family in the business, and I can guarantee you that it would cost the SAME PRICE if not CHEAPER for the Chinese factory to put an iPod 30-pin (not quite as easy or realistic with the new lightning plug complicating things and I would bet money that has partial reason that Dewalt went with a usb/3.5 rather than a 30-pin) as it would to put a USB AND a 3.5mm jack so price is not the issue. None-the-less, we are arguing a dead issue. They didn’t go with the iPod cable and I posted the link that you got your wish. Why are you still talking about it? You might, however, be right about a “premim version” since there were two radio silhouettes on their “coming soon” 20V advertisement posted to their site about a year ago.
Seth
It costs more to license the ipod dock connector than it does to license the USB connector. It is also more expensive to manufacture, and appeals to a small target market. It is also relatively pointless to put a 30-pin dock into a sealed compartment if you do not also integrate front-mount remote controls to do play/pause/track skip – all of which will cost even more money for minimal benefit.
Feel free to buy a $20 dock-to-USB adapter so you can hook your non-standard iphone/ipod up to a near-universal USB charger. It’ll even fit right in the sealed compartment.
joe
to start with, why would you want to plug your phone into the radio and have to walk across the room every time it rings, un plig it and then plug it all back in again. 2nd of all your gonna listen to all the same songs in the same order every day and at the end of the day, whats wrong with going to work and just having the radio on all day. it should charge batteries, have a bass setting to crank it up and a subwoofer if possible and be able to fall off of a roof un harmed. if u want to listen to your poxy iphone then buy a speeker dock! and im only 22
Ross
Jumping way back in the comments, I agree with Fred on the job-site radio aspect. I personally like having a radio to listen to, but there is definitely a time and a place for that.
I’m not sure why everyone is dead-set on having an iPhone dock and everything on a jobsite radio. To me, the purpose of a jobsite radio is to be durable and moderately utilitarian. As Stuart said, the standard audio jack works with all phones, not just iPods.
Otherwise, I think Dewalt should be discussing the matter with Cody, as he is evidently the resident expert on this matter (and likely most others). Personally, I think the day the last “old-timer” retires will be quite detrimental to the industry. While the young bucks tend to believe they know everything, with age comes wisdom and the older men and women in the industry have a lot from which to be learned. People have one mouth and two ears for a reason – listen more, speak less.
Jeremy
“your gonna listen to all the same songs in the same order every day and at the end of the day, whats wrong with going to work and just having the radio on all day”
Same songs in the same order??? That’s the whole purpose of using the phone as source for music, have Pandora, IheartRadio, slacker radio, millions of songs avail, and not have to listen to “douchey” local radio DJ’s.
And wow, do each and every one of you plan on using this as a jobsite only radio. Think you are forgetting a huge segment of potential customers who simply want a durable, multifunction, portable, high quality device to use in the barn, garage, while gardening, on the boat, camping. Stupid to market a product that can be used for so much, and by everyone in the family, not just the “handyman” for work only.
Irritated American !!!!!
This is really sad Dewalts claim is MADE IN THE USA!!!!!!! We can’t even buy this radio 1st. Canada’s getting these tool before us ?!?!!! Now i’ll think about dumping off all my dewalt tools so much for buying MADE IN THE USA DEWALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And i don’t have a few hunderd dollars of Dewalt tools i got thousands of dollars tied up in tools for my business…Somebody should hold there head in shame for printing that slogan on there advertising.. GOD bless our troops
Stuart
Where did you see it mentioned that this is being made in the USA? The 12V/20V charger radio is not yet available in Canada either, despite the Canadian distributor’s live product listing for it.
Jay
Which site has it available for pre-order?
Stuart
None anymore. It now shows as “coming soon” and “not yet available.”