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Author Topic: Wind-up FM radios  (Read 2144 times)

Norman Castle

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Wind-up FM radios
« on: August 29, 2016, 10:14:10 am »

We need a good quality, 100% reliable wind-up + batteries radio, ideally FM and DAB but I do realise we're probably going to end up having to do without DAB.

Anybody here got one they'd recommend?
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tigertiger

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2016, 10:29:59 am »

Haven't got one, but Kaito seem to be the predominant manufacturer, which implies reliability. They may also have a bigger service network, globally.



Other features to look for are additional solar charging, and an ability to charge mobile phones etc.
Kaito do one that has wind-up, solar, and phone charger.



Having solar gives you a plan B if the wind-up mechanism lets you down.
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Norman Castle

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2016, 10:38:24 am »

Cheers tt but it's actual user experience I'm after.  I'm asking here because the more online reviews I've read and the more I've looked into this, the less straightforward it looks.  Very few people seem to have used the wind-up facility in earnest, and most of the reviews commenting favourably on the solar aspect are based on its performance on sunny summer days ...
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tigertiger

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2016, 11:49:20 am »

I think it will also depends on where you want to use it.
There are thousands of user ratings on the US Amazon site, much fewer on the UK site. Probably because there are much fewer outdoorsmen in UK.
Most of these reviews are good, for all makes and models.
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Norman Castle

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2016, 12:53:47 pm »

And now, after spending far too long smurfing the internets this morning and seeking input here,  I am informed by The Management that we don't have to have wind-up.   %)

This of course makes it a lot easier, and I've already found the one we're having ...  ;)
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tigertiger

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2016, 01:45:02 pm »

 :-))
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Chris57

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2016, 03:19:34 pm »

Not an expert in wind up, but, my experience of DAB is that it chews up batteries at an incredible rate. I can't listen to a 5 day test match on one set of 4x AA batteries.
Point being, if you have wind up and DAB, my guess is you will spend your time winding!
Chris
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Netleyned

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2016, 05:20:07 pm »

Has the 'Management' suceeded in winding you up Norman?  {-)


Ned
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Norman Castle

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2016, 05:49:29 pm »

Not an expert in wind up, but, my experience of DAB is that it chews up batteries at an incredible rate.

Interesting.   According to the Roberts Radio instruction manuals, their FM/DAB radios use "slightly less" power on DAB than on FM!

Has the 'Management' suceeded in winding you up Norman?  {-)

Indeed, Ned.  And not for the first time either ...
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Chris57

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2016, 06:18:59 pm »

Hi Norman, your response has sent me to t'internet, and it looks like early portable dab radios could go through batteries within 24 hours!
The 'industry' had a look at the technology and seem to have managed to extend battery life in (some) recently produced radios!
Research, research, research.


Chris
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Umi_Ryuzuki

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2016, 06:38:29 pm »

I have one of the original Freeplay clockwork radios.
It is the S360, self powered radio, and is still working, although we don't use it much.
It has a crank for winding, and a small solar panel for charging.
At the time, when you purchased one, another would be provided to a person, or community in Africa.

They are out of the UK, and still have several products, that include the ability to charge mobile phones..
http://www.freeplayenergy.com/products

 :-)

Umi_Ryuzuki

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Re: Wind-up FM radios
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2016, 07:41:54 pm »

Looking over the current offerings, many are cranking radios vs windup.
The crank has to be hand turned to generate power vs the  a windup, which
will run off the spring after winding.

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