Best Wind/Up Solar Powered Radio/Torch for camping abroad

newportlad

Hi All,

My first post here,

Basically as per the title I'm looking to buy a good solid reliable wind up or solar powered radio and torch combo, something like this, http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/the-eton-shows-off-its-adventurous-scorpion-device-at-ces/

It's for my sister who will be camping for a month or so in Jeruselum so she want's something that will be able to pick up signal's easily and that will mantain a decent few hours battery life once charged

I'm based in Dublin so hoping to buy in a camping shop or something around the city or through an Irish website if possible.

I've seen the eton model on maplin.co.uk but only delivers to galway and would cost 72 pounds in total which seem's a bit excessive..?

Any help would be much appreciated

Deerhound

I found this review site;
http://crank-radio-review.toptenreviews.com/

Freeplay Companion;
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Freeplay-Companion-Wind-Up-Solar-Radio-with-Torch-GorillaSpoke-Free-P-P?item=261141569670&ih=016&category=96954&cmd=ViewItem
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freeplay-Energy-Companion-mobile-charger/dp/B0016OVN1O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364855031&sr=8-1

Eton Scorpion;
http://cpcireland.farnell.com/eton/scorpion/radio-solar-wind-up-eton-scorpion/dp/AV20143

Hope this helps.

ShadowFox

From what ive seen on youtube the eton ones seem to be the favorites or novax (not sure if thats the right spelling )

belcampprisoner

most crank up radios get poor reception

eirator

belcampprisoner wrote: »

most crank up radios get poor reception

If you think that then why not get a decent small radio powered by rechargable AA or AAA cells and a good solar charger?

Tabnabs

If you want good reception, you'll need to add a simple extended aerial. A length of wire (10-15m) with a crocodile clip at the end and attached to the aerial on the radio will make things much better.

newportlad

Thank you all for your helpful replies,

I passed info on to my sister and she is very grateful!

newportlad

belcampprisoner wrote: »

most crank up radios get poor reception

Would the Eton radio have poor reception also?

Pat Mustard

Roberts solar powered radio. Not cheap but generally quite good reviews. Can also run on battery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roberts-DAB-Digital-Solar-Radio/dp/B003GM62PQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365116790&sr=8-2&keywords=solar+radio

eirator

I like Roberts radios have about 7 of them in various forms but they do produce the odd lemon that's why I'd like to see this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roberts-Radio-R9957-Wanderer-Powered/dp/B000HC2MDO before I bought one, but it would be on any short list.

Edit> OP's post has had me looking for Wind Up and Solar powered radios and this is one I've found I might add to my next amazon.co.uk order http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duronic-Hybrid-Radio-Wind-Up-Rechargeable/dp/B002D9FKDS/ £15 (under €20) and you can afford to not to worry too much how you treat it.

Edit 2> That cheap one looks like a generic Chinese brand, but all the brand versions seem to get some decent reviews...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Re-wind-DSP5016-Solar-Powered-Portable/dp/B008JEPUSQ
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerplus-Cheetah-Wind-Up-Solar-Powered/dp/B001LMM7N4

Edit 3> Some final thoughts after reading a good bit up about Solar powered and Wind up radios...

Dab - a lot more power hungry than AM/FM
Better quality is often heavier - OP was looking for something for camping, size/weight might be and issue
Solar and or Wind UP and rechargeable from mains or USB (including USB car cigarette lighter chargers) seems best bet and for extra versatility I'd be looking for something that also took standard AA or AAA (rechargeable) cells - you can ask for too much;)