Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Specifications and chips used in the WFT-1 set my expectations for this internet radio to be best in class. It may be if you could get past the rather clunky user interface and barely adequate user manual. If you have a wired ethernet connection everything is pretty straight forward and the device can be configured without incident. Setting up wireless connection is a different story. 1.) If you use wireless security and you happen to have down rev WFT-1 firmware the radio makes a nice door stop. For example, you try to enter a 26 character (128 bit) WEP key you find the display does not show the whole key value past a certain number of characters and the method to set the characters by using the tuning knob to select from a list of possible characters stops working as the display software / user interface has a bug(s) in it making it impossible to accomplish this task. Did anybody test these features?
If you are able to connect the WFT-1 using wired network access - you can get a newer copy of WFT-1 firmware which seems to fix the key entry and display bugs I mention. I still cannot connect successfully via wireless - why I am not sure - I don't think its operator error. You won't get any clues from the user manual if you happen to be that rare individual who actually reads product manuals. A couple of calls and an email to tech support in the USA, I was able to get a name and leave a message - no instant resolution and no useful FAQ or support information on the SANGEAN WEB site. Hopefully I'll be able to talk to someone knowledgeable .... soon!
The WFT-1 has an ethernet and USB port - it would be great if you could connect a computer to either port and configure it from there, at least to get the thing up and running. Another possible improvement is the IR remote which could be used as a keypad to enter and navigate the various configuration modes.
If SANGEAN fixes these product bugs it will be a nice and useful WiFi radio to own. Its other features and the Internet radio website www.wifiradio-frontier.com all work to make this a pretty cool way to find and enter internet radio stations and access all that content. I may be critical but these are core features and its a lot of money to pay for a "prototype" product. I did not exhaustively test the various configuration modes and features the radio has. I believe SANGEAN owes its customers a significant improvement in the quality of its firmware. The unit has been shipping for a while and it should work out of the box as advertised. If its fixed I'll be happy to revise my review - no problem - I think they have the makings of a great product.
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