Bosch Power Box 360 Jobsite Radio - Preview

Back in June, when the weather was warm and the days were longer and a not filled with snow, I took a trip to the outskirts of Chicago to visit the Bosch Power Tools facility. We saw a lot of tools that were new and some that were improved.  One of the improved tools that we saw was the award-winning Bosch Power Box.  It was first introduced in 2004 and then upgraded in 2006. Job sites and workshops everywhere became better places to work when the Power Box was there.  It had a funky, rugged look with the roll-cage design, but most importantly it really was rugged and stood up to the beatings that come with being on an construction site or in a workshop or garage.

So what is new with the Bosch Power Box 360?  Well, for one thing, the 360 part according to Bosch… here’s what Bosch says about it in a press release, “The five-speaker design with an integrated subwoofer – an industry first among jobsite radios – projects high-quality, enriched sound in all directions. That means no more jobsite bickering over the placement of the radio.

Not only does the Power Box 360 offer outstanding premium sound but Bosch also made the sound more powerful than the previous PB10-CD. The PB360S model offers more than 2X the sound power output of the previous version, and the PB360D model offers up to 5X more sound power output. Advanced digital signal processing delivers optimized AM/FM reception and quality, for crisp, clear radio sound. Enhance the music listening experience further by selecting from four preset equalizer settings, or customize the music by programming separate bass and treble controls.

Prefer to take your personal digital media player with you? No problem. The Power Box 360 features a weather-sealed digital media bay that offers secure storage and protection from moisture, dust and debris.  Simply plug your digital media player in, close the door and get back to work. Not sure you want to take your expensive media player to the job site? The digital media bay also features built-in SD memory card and USB ports so you can play your favorite MP3 and WMA digital music files right from your SD memory card or USB thumb drive device.

The USB port also doubles as a powered USB port so that you can also charge most USB-enabled devices. The PB360D model even features a built-in SIRIUS™ Dock & Play port for connecting select SIRIUS satellite radio devices (device, antenna and subscription sold separately). Care to play your portable CD player, other satellite radio device or any other digital media device? Both versions of the Power Box 360 feature external auxiliary ports as well as a line out port for connecting your Power Box 360 to another unit.

Turn the Power Box 360 around and there’s a built-in battery bay. Plug the unit in and conveniently charge Bosch 14.4V or 18V lithium-ion power tool batteries inside the Power Box 360. If there’s no access to electrical outlets, those same batteries can be used to power the unit, which makes the Power Box 360 ideal for on-the-go or outdoor use.

If users do have access to electrical outlets, the Power Box 360 also serves as a power center. The PB360S model features built-in four-way power outlets and the PB360D model features four-way GFCI outlets so you can power or charge anything from corded power tools and small shop lights to cell phones and laptop computers. Both models also feature a 12V DC (car charger) outlet for more even more versatility.

When it comes to controlling all that power and functionality, Bosch has made that easier too. The new illuminated LCD display on both models is angled upward for easier viewing and large, easy to see buttons and knobs make controlling and programming the unit nearly effortless. The PB360D model features a fully backlit front control panel for easier viewing in the dark and exclusive remote control with onboard storage for users to control the Power Box 360 from up to 40 feet away.

Of course, the Power Box 360 retains the distinctive and rugged aluminum and rubber roll cage design. By using precisely positioned rubber bumpers to suspend the radio inside the protective cage, the Power Box 360 is isolated from the shocks and impacts commonly encountered on the toughest jobsites, so the music never skips a beat and the Power Box 360 stands up over time."

That’s the end of what Bosch has to say...now for what I know.  Since I haven’t had the pleasure of testing one of these babies out for any length of time, I can’t say for sure if they sound and all the other features are as superior as they say, but I can say this about the Power Box.  It is rugged.   While we were at the press event, we did a little test… and some of my colleagues from www.homefixated.com captured this video of the drop test… And if you take a look at the girly girl throwing the Power Box from the ladder… well that’s me!  So I know for sure it stood the test of the drop.

Thanks to www.homefixated.com for loaning us the use of the video.  It might be the only time I’ll ever appear on youtube!

I’m going to try to get my hands on one to test and I’ll give you a follow up.  There are two versions of the Bosch Power Box 360. The 360S is the standard version, which the 360D is the deluxe version, and it has a few more bells and whistles, like a backlit panel, a place to plug in Sirius radio, and GFCI outlets.  You can get the Bosch PB360S for around $180 and the PB360D for around $250.

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