Pure Digital The Bug Review

Overall Rating

Looks unique
Sounds good - great
Reception - brilliant

Controls are annoyingly 'fiddly'
Recording programmes often intermittent, and often too difficult

The Pure Bug DAB digital radio is a unique combination of design and digital technology. It's definitely a gadget first and a radio second, but don't let that put you off buying one.

It works pretty much like a Sky+ box that allows you to pause live transmissions while you make a cup of tea. You can also rewind approximately 12 minutes to the start of a radio show when you think you've missed the start. Apparently you can also record to an SD card, although this function appears to be very intermittent on my Bug. You can also play MP3's stored on the SD memory card on your Bug. A 128Mb card should store about 2 hours of recordings at 128kbits, and you can also connect the Bug to your PC via a USB connector. Connections and plug-in points at the rear of the unit are somewhat fiddly, and those of you with bigger hands and fingers may find it annoying when you want to install an SD Card or plug your USB cable from your PC to this unit.

The design of the Bug is probably its major selling point. The design is all down to a combination of 'Pure' technology and by Wayne Hemmingway of the Red or Dead brand going a bit crazy with a designers pen and sketch-pad.

The bug is 'very' unique, and the sizable backlit screen sits on top of the main body giving it an overall look, which is purposely designed to resemble some kind of 'insect'.

There are six preset buttons running along both sides of the screen that allow you to control the Bug in terms of station selection and its general settings. To further enhance its insect-like appearance you can set the screensaver to show two blinking animated 'bug-eyes'.

The Bug is available for purchase in black or white, and overall, the design concept should allow it to fit in with most modern home decors.

The base of the unit houses 2 x 3-inch speakers and a rocker type control button, which is used to control the majority of the Bugs features. It's nice and simple to operate (if not a little bit fiddly again) and set alarms etc. Most, if not all available DAB stations are displayed by name as you scroll through the ever-lengthening list of stations.

You can set two separate alarms with either a bleep or a radio station. It also allows various combinations, such as, for one alarm setting it will wake you with the radio and for the next one, an annoying bleep. Monday to Sunday, Monday to Friday or Saturday and Sunday configurations are available to set, and there is a configurable snooze feature. You can also set recording timers (up to 9) utilising the Bugs clock, although mine can sometimes struggle writing to it's SD Card?!

Audio quality is good with a S/PDIF output for connection to an external amplifier and speakers or other digital audio equipment. The Bugs own speakers give an 'above-average' impression of audio. The Pure Bug will be most at home in your kitchen, bedroom or study, it doesn't deliver the decibels to entertain a large room, but it does a generous job in a smaller room where a lower volume is more than acceptable.

The Pure Bug DAB Radio is a first-rate gadget, and one you are not likely to grow tired of.

Good products should be identifiable at first sight, and there is nothing more true than for consumer electronics. The Bug looks unlike any other radio I ever saw.