The first of the new wave of digital signal processing radios that I bought in 2009 was the Grundig G8, made by Tecsun, which also carries it as the model PL-300WT. I got the G8 before I got the PL-380, or, later, the PL-606. Both radios use the same digital signal processing (DSP) technology that enables very good performance for a low price. Other DSP-based models came out during the decade, almost all of them offering excellent FM performance and similar AM performance. Even so, the G8/PL-300WT has some individual features and characteristics that are commendable.
The big dial that's slightly right of center is a time-zone switch. The dial, normally covered up by a door, can be used to instantly show the time in any zone without resetting the clock. It might be handy for people who travel a lot.
The radio doesn't have a keypad, unlike many other travel radios. The tuning dial tunes in 10 kHz steps on AM and 100 kHz steps on FM by default. If you tune fast, the steps jump to 100 kHz and 1 MHz respectively. This selection seems more suitable for routine listening than the PL-380's (and PL-606's) defaults of 1 kHz (AM) and 10 kHz (FM). The tuning steps can't be changed on the PL-380 or the PL-606. Especially on the PL-606, that's an annoyance. The tuning steps for the G8 can be changed by using the "step" button. When pressed, it then uses the same tuning steps as the PL-380. Press again, and it goes back to the default.
The display is smaller, but the elements of each number are thicker. I think it's more readable, especially when backlighted, than the PL-380's display, and comparable in quality to the PL-606's display.
The G8's case has a rubberized finish rather than a hard plastic finish. The same was not true for the Tecsun version. In the years since this review was first written in 2011, problems with the rubberized coating have been frequently reported. The coating deteriorates, developing a sticky feeling, and easily catching and retaining dirt. The tactile sensation is quite unpleasant, and makes the radio unusable. It's happened to the unit I have.
The rubber-like finish can be removed, leaving the hard plastic base intact, though sometimes with mixed results. The SWLing Post has a string of posts about the "sticky case" problem - I recommend those posts to anyone with this problem, though noting that some of the products recommended for cleaning off the radio seem to be hard to obtain.
On the G8, using the alarm can be inconvenient. To set and turn off the alarm, you have to open the door in front. When awakened by an alarm, this is a clumsy thing to have to do to shut off the radio, especially if you're not entirely awake.
The radio lacks a keyboard, thus giving some of the buttons multiple roles. Figuring out which button performs what function takes some practice.
While its FM reception performance is exceptional, and the AM performance is good, AM sound quality is limited by design. Anything above 3 kHz is cut off. As mentioned before, this isn't pleasant to listen to for long periods of time.
A typical price for the Grundig G8 in USA was around $50 in 2011. It has been discontinued. The Tecsun PL-300WT appears to have been discontinued as well.