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View Full Version : Crank-operated radios - looking for recommendations



ItalProgRules
12-12-2012, 09:12 AM
I do a lot of hiking in the summer and I live in an area with harsh winters, so I'm looking for recommendations for emergency crank-operated radios. Most of them come with solar-power options, LED flashlight and cell-phone charger (via USB only), so I'd like those features as well.

Looking for ruggedness (I don't want it shattering if I drop my backpack,) good radio reception, and an acceptable crank/play time ratio.

It would mainly be nice to have for some music around the campfire, but also reassuring to keep in the car during the winter. Last winter we had a situation where hundreds of vehicles were trapped on the NYS Thruway for 23 hours.

Reviews are all over the place. I'll find a particular unit highly rated on one site and panned on another.

Freeplay and Eton seem to be pretty good brand names, but again, reviews are all over the place.

Anyone own a crank-operated radio, or does anyone have any recommendations?

Many thanks,

Bill