Shop Today's Trending & Lightning Deals on Amazon.in
- 3-in-1 Power Source : Supports 2 x R6 batteries (3V DC), 230V AC mains, and a built-in rechargeable battery for flexible usage
- Powerful Sound Output : Delivers 200mW RMS audio for clear and immersive listening
- FM Radio for Home with Speaker : Enjoy clear FM, MW, and SW bands with manual tuning
- Enhanced Reception : Features a telescopic aerial for strong and uninterrupted signal quality
- Compact and User-Friendly : A Philips radio new model with table-top design and easy-to-use controls
| Brand | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Model | RL118/94 |
| Model Name | |
| Product Dimensions | |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Item model number | |
| Hardware Interface | USB |
| Tuner Technology | FM |
| Compatible Devices | |
| Special Features | |
| Mounting Hardware | Radio |
| Number of Items | |
| Display Technology | LCD |
| Display Type | LED |
| Voltage | |
| Power Source | |
| Batteries Included | |
| Batteries Required | |
| Battery cell composition | Lithium Ion |
| GSM frequencies | 0.11 MHz |
| Connector Type | Ethernet |
| Radio bands supported | MW, SW, FM |
| Country of Origin | |
| Item Weight |
Arvind Patil –
Its very good product.
[...]Rajesh S. –
It is a top class radio
[...]Amazon Customer –
This Radio major problem is Tuning problem. This Radio circuit is not have Good quality variable Capacitor./or (gang)…very very poor quality.. Thats the Radio was not working properly tuning….after only one month using…waste of money..
[...]Buy other local brand. is best.
Dr. Harshit Joshi –
The media could not be loaded.
A LONG STANDING REVIEW AFTER 4 MONTHS!!
What I feared turned to a reality. The Internal Battery of Philips Trishul RL118, infamous for long recharging time and poor battery backup indeed turned out to be true. The Radio’s internal batteries died within 4 months. And that too using it sparingly alongwith AAs in the External Mode. To the point where 8-10 hours of charging in Fast Mode can’t even provide 1 hour worth of Backup.
Philips need to improve their Internal Batteries quality they are providing for RL118 Trishul because 550mAh/count is just not enough to run DSP Based Radio. The current ones are of extremely poor quality. Atleast 750mAh/count and 1500mAh in toto is duly expected.
I have attached additional images of Internal AAA Kingwell Batteries that I removed from inside. Beware, if it happens with you, do proceed with this step at your own risk because it will void your Radio’s warranty. Internal Battery removal is very easy though. Alternatives to these should be Duracell 750 or 900 mAh/count Rechargeables.
All other functions of Trishul are working well. Reducing a star for this grave issue I faced.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
The title of this review was aptly chosen upon careful considerations after reading numerous reviews and sharing my 16+ days review with this Radio.
My sincere thanks to Shri Pravinder Sheoran (holding a dedicated Radio YT Channel with the same name) who very proficiently shared his findings on YT through a dedicated in-depth review and comparison videos of this radio. It all inspired me to make this purchase possible.
Received Philips’s RL 118/94 along with Two AA Alkaline Duracell (purchased separately) in two days’ time on April 8, 2024, from Amazon. As always good packaging and pleasant delivery experience from Amazon’s end.
1. UNBOXING
Received a sturdy, brand new unopened box from Philips. Radio was securely placed inside in between Styrofoam shock absorbers from three sides, right, left & bottom. A dedicated user manual and an AC Cable were packed in along with.
2. BUILD QUALITY
Philips shines here. With its full intensity. RL118/94 has got a sturdy built quality. Front panel theme is silver with back panels and carrying handle in light gray color. Beautiful black colored Tuning Dashboard. Carrying handle does not hamper in-built telescopic antenna usage in any way. Tuning Dial, Band Switch & On/Off cum Volume Control is of good quality too. But I take extra precautions while operating these controls.
The in-built telescopic antenna provided can be improved. It feels little flimsy. And the extended height is also on a lower side.
Now, I will request you to halt your comparisons of this Radio with Philips’s yesteryear counterparts. Back in the day when India had a dedicated market for Radios. Brands like Philips, Murphy, Bush, Sony, National and many other Indian Radio Manufacturers flourished manifolds. Times changed now. Many of these evaporated their Radio Production Line. Indian Brands apart from Philips are now providing cost cutting radios with average to below average built quality.
Sad reality being, with technical advancements, Radio is not considered a necessity but a novelty now. And still, a brand like Philips is daring to show up strong.
3. RECEPTION & SOUND QUALITY
RL 118/94 has got three bands. FM, MW & SW. This Radio works on a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Chip called SI4825A10. Now, I consider this in itself an achievement for Philips. Not a single Indian Manufactured Radio brand currently employs a DSP Circuitry. And apart from Philips, this IC is also employed in XHDATA D-219, a celebrated entry level World Band Receiver among Shortwave DXers Worldwide.
For FM, I reside in a place in Uttarakhand where heavy interference and frequency images are observed from my local Akashvani Relay Transmitter till 23:00 IST in a normal Analog Radio (e.g. Tecsun R-9012). But no such issues were faced with RL 118/94. I was even able to receive distant FM Stations from my home’s first floor.
Medium Wave works well in late evenings in my location. I was able to copy plenty of Akashvani MW Stations from all over India.
Tuning Shortwave is little tricky. It has only 4 Short Wave Bands. 49m, 41m, 31m, & 25m. The semi-circular tuning coverage seems apt but the gaps in between of these SW Bands could’ve been utilized by adding either additional bands (19m & 16m) or by extending the band coverage by the manufacturer. Despite of all, I was still able to receive SLBC’s Radio Ceylon, BBC, KBS World, NHK World, R. Vietnam, R. Thailand and CRI with careful step tuning.
Sound in all three bands is good too. FM sounds crisp with feeble bass notes. AM Bands (both MW & SW) are placed at unalterable 3kHz Bandwidth and sounds bassy. But by no means, muffled. At high volumes, distortion in sound is observed. Being a radio belonging to “Portable” category, RL 118/94 can provide a pleasant radio listening experience both for self and living room usage. Please don’t expect Soundbar level sound from it.
4. MODES OF POWER & INTERNAL BATTERY BACKUP
Upon reading RL 118/94 user’s manual, I found that it can be powered with either External AA Alkaline/NiMh Batteries, AC Power through provided cable, or from its Internal Rechargeable 1100 mAh AAA Batteries. Reason it’s called Trishul (Trident for Hindi).
This radio’s Internal Battery can be charged through two methods. Slow & Fast.
Slow charge is also called “Uninterrupted Radio Listening Experience” because the battery switch provided at the back is placed to INTERNAL and AC Cable is connected, and Radio can be listened along with.
Fast Charge is done when Radio’s internal battery is used for prolonged time without employing other modes of power in between. This is initiated when Radio is turned off, battery switch is placed to EXTERNAL and AC Cable is connected.
I did the same when I received the radio on Day 1. Gave it a fast charge of 5.5 hours straight out of the box and the internal battery lasted me 12 days with 45 mins to 60 mins of Radio Listening on all three bands at medium volume.
Keep in mind to remove External AA Batteries before initiating any form of charging of internal batteries. And initiate the charging only when internal battery completely drains out.
It’s my personal opine that instead of keeping it for overnight fast charge of 16 hours, I will rather suggest to not charge it for more than 8 hours. It will keep the internal battery in optimal condition for long durations.
FINAL WORDS
[...]Philips did a fine job with Trishul. A very well-made radio that is easy to tune and listen.
One needs to understand that a well optimized Radio is still subjective to location and other external factors that can enhance or deteriorate the listening experience altogether. I would recommend keeping the search on to find an ideal spot for tuning and listening the bands as high RFI tends to turn up a huge letdown.
The video I attached with this review is bestowing RL 118/94’s reception and sound quality on all three bands. FM & SW were copied and shot both on first floor and the roof of my home. MW on the first floor. No external antenna was employed. Only in-built telescopic for FM & SW. And in-built Ferrite for MW.
The IC Image added here is with courtesy of Shri Narendra Singh Ji, a respected veteran Radio Listener in our Radio Community which was further shared by Shri Pravinder Sheoran Ji on his YT Channel’s Community section.
Keep up the spirits of Radio. Happy Tuning & Listening. 73!
Bhagyashree thakur –
Waste product. No proper signal reception
[...]No proper tuning. Worst audio output.
They are cheating customers with not providing refund also. You can return it two times and refund option will come. Anyway i got my money back. The seller and manufacturer should get a tight slap on your face for selling this rubbish product.
s thejas –
Very good radio with 3 power options. FM reception is good. Good sound quality. Compact and portable.
[...]Dr. Harshit Joshi –
Good product I have to order twice for this order first time order cancel by Amazon and again I have to order then I received
[...]SHYAM –
Very nice portable radio at this price. Biggest plus is that it can be operated on 2 AA batteries and even on direct main supply with the provided AC cord. Good reception and sound. Only con is that it doesn’t have a 360 degree and long antenna . Even then Highly recommended.
[...]