Are you looking for a speaker box that you can use in all weather conditions?
Whether it is to give lectures outside to a crowd of people, or if you are hosting a concert to raise money for charity, an ION speaker may be your perfect solution.
In this article, I will be reviewing one speaker in particular that I think will be of interest to you.
That speaker is the ION Audio Pathfinder II Portable All-Weather Bluetooth Speaker. I have researched this speaker extensively so that you do not have to.
I have provided you with a full discussion of the speaker’s specifications, along with a useful pros and cons list to help you decide whether or not this is the product for you.
ION Audio Background
ION Audio is a company that specializes in electronic manufacturing. It is a part of a wider company called inMusic Brands and was founded in 2002.
Although it is a fairly new company, it is a popular choice when it comes to purchasing electronic goods such as speakers and turntables.
ION Audio is an American company that is based in Cumberland, Rhode Island. It focuses on creating great quality electronic items at a reasonable price.
Many of their products are compatible with Bluetooth, making them an easy and popular choice.
I have split up my review of the ION Audio Pathfinder II Portable All-Weather Bluetooth Speaker into useful specification sections.
This will help you to find the information you require more easily.
Cost and Design
In terms of design, this Pathfinder II is a very well made speaker. It is made of good quality and durable materials.
The overall size of the speaker is only eight inches. This is great because even though it is compact, it still is powerful and packs a punch.
It also has a handle and wheels to make this speaker easy to move and transport. Its suitcase-style design makes it easy to carry.
It weighs 32lbs in total. This is quite substantial for a wireless speaker. While it is not overly heavy, it is significantly heavier than other brands.
But, the suitcase-style hand and wheels make for easy transportation. Given this, the added weight should not be an issue.
Overall, I think that given the high spec and quality of this speaker it is good value for money.
However, it is on the higher end of the price scale and is not the cheapest on the market.
This is not something to be put off by as you are paying for the additional features and a reliable brand.
Battery Life
This speaker has particularly good battery life. It can be used for up to 100 hours before it will run out of battery.
This is fantastic if you are planning to use this speaker in a place where you do not have access to an electric output.
It allows you to have more than enough battery life for the purpose you are using this speaker for.
Users have noted that this is a big positive for the speaker as the battery life does last for a significantly long time.
In terms of charging, it will take around 12 hours to charge fully. While this may seem like a long time, when you consider how long the speaker can run for, it is minuscule.
Bluetooth And Music Options
The Audio Pathfinder comes with a Bluetooth option. This is a great feature and one that sets this speaker apart from some of its competitors.
This allows for easy phone and laptop connection. You can play your favorite songs through the speaker without having to worry about wires.
In addition to this, the radio is available too. You can easily access the AM/FM radio station presets. The speaker also has an Aux cable plugin.
Waterproof
As this is an outdoor speaker, it must be waterproof. This speaker is safe to use in all weather conditions so you do not have to worry about the potential of it breaking.
While this is an outdoor speaker, it can also be used inside too. The speakers have IPX5 waterproof certification.
Sound Quality
The Pathfinder II is a step up from your average speaker and is a lot more powerful than other speakers in its price range.
The style of it is slightly larger than other portable speakers, but it is still compact. As it is slightly larger, this improves the overall sound quality.
The maximum output of this speaker is 100 watts, which is great for a speaker of this size. The nominal wattage is around 30 watts. It is a two-way speaker.
As it is portable, you would almost expect it to be lacking somewhat in sound quality, but this is not the case with the Pathfinder II. It is almost as powerful as a plug-in speaker.
While it is not quite on the same scale as a plug-in speaker, it is a lot more powerful than your average wireless speaker.
Buttons And Ease Of Use
Overall this speaker is easy and simple to use. It has simple buttons and knobs to adjust the microphone and overall volume.
The buttons allow you to set 5 radio stations when you tune them for easy access.
There are also two buttons to control the Bluetooth connection and the light bar. The built-it light bar has different lighting effects.
This is great to add something extra to your performance.
Microphone
The Pathfinder II comes with a built-in microphone attached to the speaker. If you intend on using a microphone with your speaker this is a great addition.
You will not have to purchase one separately, saving you money. The microphone is durable and of good quality.
USB ports
What is great about this speaker is that it has a USB port. The USB port allows you to charge your mobile and other devices from this machine.
This is great if you are using this speaker somewhere where you do not have access to an electrical output.
However, it is worth taking into consideration that this may run down the overall speaker battery life.
You can use the USB ports to manually plug your phone into the speaker to play music too. However, the built-in Bluetooth is probably a better alternative.
Warranty
One slight downside to the ION Pathfinder is its short warranty. While it is great that the speaker does come with a warranty, it only lasts for 90 days.
In comparison to other speaker brands, this is a fairly short time. Although you expect a speaker of this price and quality to not be faulty, sometimes this cannot be helped.
Cup Holders
A quirky addition to the Pathfinder speaker is that it comes with two built-in cup holders on the top of the speaker.
While this is not a necessity, it is a great additional feature, especially if you are using the speaker while performing or giving a lecture.
Pros and Cons
I have provided you with a useful list of pros and cons for the ION Audio Pathfinder II Portable All-Weather Bluetooth Speaker for you to look at.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced considering its specifications
- Made out of good quality products
- Waterproof and suitable for use in all weather conditions
- Bluetooth compatible
- Microphone included
- Compact but powerful
- Comes with a handle and wheels to make transportation easy
- USB port
- AM/FM radio
- Long and reliable battery life
- It has a good quality sound overall
- Two cup holders on the top of the speaker
- Easy and simple to use
- Built-in light bar to provide a range of different lighting effects
Cons:
- It is more expensive when compared to other wireless speakers
- The warranty is particularly short
- Weighs more than your average wireless speaker
Summary And Where To Purchase
Overall, I think that the ION Audio Pathfinder II Portable All-Weather Bluetooth Speaker is a fantastic product that fills a gap in the market.
Although it is not the cheapest portable speaker to purchase, the additional benefits far outweigh the cost.
It comes with everything you could want and need from an outdoor speaker. Although it does not have a particularly long warranty, it is weatherproof which gives you peace of mind.
It is simple to operate and even contains useful accessories such as a cup holder. It gives you multiple connection options from Bluetooth, to aux, to the radio. You are not limited in your choices with this speaker.
Although it may be slightly heavier than other speakers in its price range, its luggage handle and wheels make it easily transportable.
Given that it is a much better quality speaker that comes with a microphone and light bar, I think these outweigh the added weight.
I think that this speaker will take your parties, meetings, and even karaoke nights to the next level. It is certainly worth the investment.
If you would like to purchase this speaker, you can do so here.