Rating: 
Summary: SONY - Not Always A Quality Product (anymore)
Review: I was looking for something basic to use around the house. No fancy bells and whistles, no sports abuse. Just wanted to play tapes privately when at home. Didn't want junk so I paid extra for the name brand. (I paid retail at the store)When I bought this model, the tape mechanism stopped working completely within less than 7 days. Exchanged at retailer for a new unit. Tape mechanism has not completely stopped working (yet), but within 30 days tapes began playing in supper slow motion. More so near the midway point of my 90min cassettes than at beginning or end. It takes around 1 1/2 hours to listen to a 40min audiobook (ie the tape motor doesn't have enough strength to play a brand new tape even with new batteries in the unit). Moral of the story: You can't always trust a name brand. But you can trust my (experienced) opinion of this unit. This thing is a piece of junk! I say pass on and try your luck with one of the other models or brands.
Rating: 
Summary: Diehard
Review: I've had the WM-FX281 for over a year. It's outlasted all other "walkmans" I've owned in the past. It has run without a hitch. Frankly, I wish it would die. I'd like to buy a new one but this one never stops! I've worn the finish off, dropped it numerous times, the cassette door is nearly falling off, but it keeps on playing! Usually I need to replace my "walkman" every 6 months. But this model won't quit. Tapes never jam, the tuner works great, battery life is great, the belt clip is solid. I may have to take a hammer to it.
Rating:
Summary: Diehard
Review: I've had the WM-FX281 for over a year. It's outlasted all other "walkmans" I've owned in the past. It has run without a hitch. Frankly, I wish it would die. I'd like to buy a new one but this one never stops! I've worn the finish off, dropped it numerous times, the cassette door is nearly falling off, but it keeps on playing! Usually I need to replace my "walkman" every 6 months. But this model won't quit. Tapes never jam, the tuner works great, battery life is great, the belt clip is solid. I may have to take a hammer to it.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor radio reception
Review: Like many I was looking to replace an old Walkman, but when I tried the WMFX281 I was disappointed to find that the digital radio tuner worked much more poorly than the old dial-style tuners from previous generations of Walkmen. Stations would fade in and out, and there was considerable drift of stations across the dial. For example a station with a strong signal on 96.9 FM would come through all the way over at 91 FM. The machine also feels cheap and fragile compared to older machines - but this is probably all that one can expect for the low price.
Rating:
Summary: God Bless This Walkman!
Review: My mom gave me this walkman for Christmas and I have used it everyday since then. I tend to leave it on accidently but the battery's last forever. The reception is great, you can hear any station very clearly anywhere. It sounds like you are listening to it on a CD player! When, I say God Bless this walkman it is litteral as well, the walkman has a casset player which I use to listen to my "Hearing Gods Voice" casset tapes. It comes with a very handy case with a clip. Not to mention a nice pair of headphones. Also, it is very cool looking, I couldn't stop showing it off! Defeniatly a great price for a great walkman! God Bless!
Rating:
Summary: Less than 3 months
Review: My partner uses a portable cassette player to listen to books on tape. I have always bought Sony Walkmans and have been very happy with them. I bought the FX281 unit on March 30, 2002, and it's dead already. The tapes don't play and the buttons don't work. I guess if you only pay $[money]you can't expect it to last forever. I'm very disappointed as I type this on my Sony computer - I am a big Sony fan, but my partner doesn't want another Sony Walkman.
Rating: 
Summary: More bang for the buck!
Review: This unit is great for the price ppls! It's not fancy and doesnt have all the bells and whistles, its not waterproof, poolproof, sauna proof..but hey I'm not blonde! I'm a average blue collar worker living in Alaska who knows value! The battery power is close to what they advertise and radio reception is pretty darn good compared to other hi-end units I've owned before and it sounds great.If you want a hi-end unit get one...if you want your moneys worth than as far as I'm concerned get this one.
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