It is 14x13x6cm a lot smaller than most DAB/FM units, probably the reason for the name 'Mini'. It has an eight piece rod aerial that increases the second figure the height by 44cm if it is extended vertically. The rear has input for the A/C adapter, there is a battery bay but this can only accept a 'ChargePAK' and not standard alkaline batteries. The top has six silvered buttons, the large one on the left on/off and the other five all labelled as to their job.

In the box is a lead to go to your cigar lighter to provide the power. A rather flimsy aerial to attach to the inside of the windscreen, a bracket (much like those for Sat Nav systems) to fit the unit into, an optional line out lead and of course the DAB radio module. It is 12x7x2.5cm. When you first apply power it tunes so you need to have connected the aerial first.

Like numerous other devices that I have seen recently, those delivering DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio facilities are now adopting a multifunction approach to tempt users into making a purchase.  One example of this trend to broaden the scope of a DAB device is that seen with the Chronos product from PURE Digital.  This piece of kit brings together iPod dock functionality with standard DAB radio facilities in a product entitled PURE Chronos iDock.

Yes there was an earlier Tempus offering and it's shape and size very like others by Pure but certain features are new. It is 21x12x17cm. These are the maximum sizes the latter the height goes to the top of the snooze handle, the middle figure is from the front of the volume and tuning knobs to the rear of the power lead. My unit was in a light cherry (looking more like teak to me) wood. The right half of the front has a two line display 6x1.

First the all important dimensions these are of course maximum 19x17x6cm, the 19cm width is only 3cm at the rear. Under the unit is where the power adapter enters and where the aerial wire exits. The power lead is an adequate 1.8metres, the aerial lead is a barely adequate 60cm.

It is black in colour, 17x14x5cm although those the maximum dimensions with only the centre rear being 14cm as it curves quite sharply each side. There are twelve silvered buttons on the top with the speaker mounted behind them. Should you prefer to listen via earbuds there is a 3.5mm socket on the top. The front has a 6x2.5cm three line display. The top line being twice the size of the other two.

This can be used away from mains either with 6x'C' cell batteries or the Pure ChargePAK that once installed will be automatically charged while run from mains, in previous tests I got around ten hours of use between charges using one.  The dimensions of the are 21x14x6cm and it weights around 1.2kilos with batteries. The left half of the front is a speaker grill the speaker behind it is around 6cm round.

It is 15x8x2.5cm with the rod aerial collapsed this when fully extended (six piece) adds another 40cm to the 8cm height. The weight is a little under 300grams. The face is silver with the sides and back a black rubberised material. There is a small 15x10cm manual of 10 pages but once you have located the on/off switch most will be able to work out at least the basic functions.

The is a maximum of 19x19 at the front and 10cm tall, at the rear it's only 4cm wide and that is why I found it best to call it a wedge. It is black with grey grills covering the speakers that start at the front and mould around the edges. The buttons are all silver. Pure Chronos-CD The top has the CD under a manual open and close lid and four buttons along the front edge that can control it.

Pure are perhaps the best known name in DAB technology and have produced a whole range of offerings. I recently reviewed their excellent a real portable unit. Here we have a more conventional portable unit that can go with you round the house and out into the garden. Pocket DAB1500 (28/8/06) The is 28x7.5x17cm however the last figure the height increases by 48cm when the seven section rod aerial is fully raised.

I have reviewed a couple of small DAB radios but they both used standard batteries. Now technology has improved, battery drain is less and above all the earpieces that form the aerial have improved and the unit is far more useable in a whole range of environments. It is 11x6.5x2cm and weights less than 150grams. The centre on the right side is where the excellent Sennheiser earbuds fit.

The is 29x18x10cm the four sides being in a mid tone wood and the front and back beige plastic with a grill mesh covering the two speakers that dominate the front of the unit. The centre portion of the front has the control panel dominated by a 7x4.5cm LCD display, this can carry up to ten lines of text and provided you are looking at it from in front - give or take around 20 degrees - it is very clear.

Pure Digital have been in the forefront of DAB radio in this century. The DTM-300 is probably a design icon rather like their 'Bug' that was designed by Wayne Hemingway. Maybe it's me and it just looks stylish, I can see this unit sitting proudly in a office unit, the main feature making this suitable is it's lack of depth. It is 44cm wide, 28cm tall and only 16cm deep.

The Pure DMX-50 is 16.5x31x23cm. It is a single unit but looks like it is a three piece stack as the face is divided into three sections horizontally. The top piece has a 6.5x4cm monochrome 5.5 line display. While it is mono you can alter substantially the brightness and contrast of it, useful as it displays a clock when the unit is in standby. The display has three soft buttons either side to perform various tasks according to what it is doing.

The Pure Oasis DAB radio is truly portable, meaning you do not need mains, it's internal battery is capable of running it for more than twelve hours between charges. However I think you may think twice - unless you are into body building - about carrying it around while you go for a five mile walk. The dimensions are 15x14x22cm and it weights 2.6kilos. Easy enough to move - even for a child - but not something to hold for an hour or so.

I am a fan of DAB radio and have reviewed several not just from Pure. However this unit is far more. A lot of people decry DAB saying FM is better, I am not going into this argument here but a lot of DAB stations are simply not available on FM. The previous DAB unit I reviewed was the PocketDAB just before Christmas and this is considerably different in size and of course this is mains only.

I have only had this a few days but thinking about the time of year it would make the ideal present for anyone keen on DAB radio so here are my thoughts after just a fews days use. Dimensions are 11x6x2cm and although the case is anodised aluminium it weights less than 200grams with batteries inserted.

The world of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is certainly growing.  Whether it involves television, with Sky and Freeview leading the way, or DAB radio, we are seeing more channels becoming available.  Users are migrating, perhaps not in droves but in a steady flow, from analogue to digital devices.  DAB radio is of particular interest.