Milwaukee’s new 2792-20 M18 jobsite radio is due to hit store shelves next month, and it packs a lot of features into a rather large package. Although initially impressed by the design, I wanted to wait and see what others said about the radio before deciding whether it was something I wanted to test and review myself.
The guys over at Tools in Action recently put up a video review of the new Milwaukee Bluetooth radio (embedded below). To satisfy the curiosity of ToolGuyd’s early adopters and Milwaukee cordless power tool fans, I prodded Dan and Eric into providing a few quick words about their experiences with the radio thus far.
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Please refer to our preview of the new M18 radio charger if you’re interested in a complete rundown of its features, specs, and capabilities.
Here’s what they offered about the Milwaukee 2792-20 radio:
What They Liked (The Good)
- Wireless Bluetooth controls
- Ability to charge M18 Li-ion batteries
- It can be run off M18 Li-ion batteries
- USB device charging port
- Rugged feel
- Easy-to-read LCD screen and large digits
What They Didn’t Like (The Bad)
- It’s large
- Expensive ($229)
- No M12 battery power ports
- Bass/lower frequency is lacking
- Sounds like every other radio
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
If there are a lot of questions or interest, I might look into getting my hands on a test sample for independent evaluation. In the meantime, I find myself interested in the radio’s cutting-edge features, but averse to its large size, heavy weight, high price, and reported so-so sound.
What do you think? Will it be a winner or shelf warmer?
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mikeh
I don’t have any Milwaukee equipment but I like the size – i don’t want a dinky job site radio, you can’t get good loud job site sound with a small radio, never happens, I own lots of the better (smaller) bluetooth speakers and they are horrible onsite if you’re any distance from them, it’s to bad this radio doesn’t have good sound, it really isn’t a bad size and has nice features – i wish dewalt would update and get with the times – this seems to have some features similar to the Ion “party” speakers
Jason
I was wondering is the high price just because of the features, or is that whole Dewalt Radio charger patent still around? That could pump up the price of the radio. I do think Milwaukee might have issues selling it at over 200 dollars it seems like 150 is the average on the rest of large job site radios.
Phil
Milwaukee seem to be getting the idea of how to make a good jobsite radio that isn’t just a boombox on steroids and in a cage. I have yet to hear this new radio, and I am assuming it will outperform their previous models, but I have a feeling they haven’t yet eclipsed the sound quality of the Bosch PB 360 series. The Bluetooth connectivity is nice, I use a little no-name module to get similar results with my PB-360D. The only thing lacking is direct control of the phone or iPod via the radio controls. Not a big deal for me.
Milwaukee has been driving the tool market in ways I am very happy to see, and it’s getting the competitors off their collective asses to innovate and not just sit around. Bosch is getting guilty of this, but seems to be waking up. More brushless tools (the 18V Multi-X is a pure delight to use, and with 4AH batteries runtime and power are no longer an issue), expanding their excellent 12V line, etc. DeWalt is trying as well. My biggest disappointment in recent years is Makita. They have a decent selection of tools, but the technology seems at least 5 years behind the times, and the electronics in the 18V tools just seems to suck IMO. Overload protection seems to consist of sending smoke signals. Even the second-tier tools like Ridgid, Ryobi, etc are doing some interesting things these days.
It’s good to be alive and a tool geek these days.
Jason
I know a lot of contractors like Makia tools and swear by them, but all the complaints about premature battery failures you would think they would have more backlash from the users. The tools are cheap compared to buying new battery packs you have no idea how many old timers are still using corded tools because of the crappy performance on old nicad packs too guys still running nicad tools. When I show them something like the Milwaukee Fuel Sawzall, or another big one is a cordless impact driver they have used a standard drill driver and the ease it puts in screws amazes them, It’s like a holy crap moment clicks in their head and they realize cordless tools are not a joke anymore, and can meet or beat corded tool performance. The Dewalt cordless framing nailer is huge it’s not for a guy doing production framing, but for a guy doing more custom remodeling work it’s a huge plus. Even the commercial framer the cordless gun has benefits in situations where dealing with air hoses are cumbersome or straight up dangerous.
Jeth
Ilke it a lot but its missing power outlet
Jason
That was a pretty glaring omission on Milwaukee’s part most of the large radios have them as the radio is supposed to be your base station to plug in tools and charge batteries now that the radio does charge them. I wonder why they went with that price point though. It’s a little too expensive considering the power box is on sale often for $139, but you want the radio that matches your battery platform.
Stuart
I too would be more interested in the radio charger if it had a built-in power outlet or two, but as it is the radio is priced at $229. Added features mean added cost.
Javier
I’m still trying to get over the price. Hopefully they drop it soon.
Chris
Definitely thinks it’s priced way too high…I guess we’ll find out soon enough if the demand will support it.
Bikerdad
6 months out, still priced too high. Doesn’t have 12v charging capacity? WTH?? No straight 120v out??!?
Bosch’s new Powerbox or whatever they’re going to call it is going to leapfrog the other yobos. What new Powerbox you say? The price of the PB360 has dropped to $149 at Lowes, a next-gen replacement is in the pipeline….
Ray
Am I the only one that misses a built in CD player?
Paul
Recently got this radio for free with the $699 tool set as an ad-on. The sound is clear and the bass response is great. So much so, it has replaced our old radio in our sunroom.