Multi-Purpose, Solar-Powered, Hand-cranked, Weather Radios

I have one of these (it was a gift). I haven't really used it that much, because I have a larger model for my home "emergency stuff". The little one is an Eton Microlink FR160 (branded LL Bean, but I think they're the same as the regular ones). It's 246 grams on my scale.

I have *never* put it or its big brother out in the sun (I read horrible things about them melting and deforming, and I don't trust *anything* in the sun here in South Texas anyway), but it has a hand crank that works well. I just dug mine out to test it for you – alas, my iPhone is currently fully charged. I'll report back tonight or tomorrow…

OK, I did this as an experiment (also because I wanted to know for myself). I already knew that 1 minute of hand cranking gave me about 5-10 minutes of radio (maybe longer).

I used my (relatively beat up) iPhone 3GS. I drained the battery of the radio first (played the radio). Then I drained my iPhone battery (I figured this was a reasonable estimation of where one would start when wanting to charge something). Then I hand cranked the radio for 5 minutes. Plugged in the iPhone. Did not register at all (usually it shows the little red empty battery with an indication that it is charging when plugging it in after draining). I hand cranked for 5 more minutes, rested, then another 5 minutes. Still nothing after a total of 15 minutes of hand cranking (at least nothing but sore wrists). I then sat it directly under an Ott light for 2 hours. Still nothing.

Note that for the bigger radio, it even says in the literature (as I recall) that to charge phones, etc., it is better to use batteries in it (the big one takes batteries, the little one doesn't). I think the literature for both of these says how much cranking/sun is needed for how much radio time, etc., but I can't put my hands on it right now to confirm.

I would say that the primary usefulness for this is as a radio that can be easily run off of human power if necessary (or solar). As a charger, at least for the iPhone, well, similar to the other reviews, etc., it looks like it does a pretty terrible job…

The Eton FR160 weighs about 11.2 ounces, right? There's also the Eton Scorpion that is a little more compact at 8.5 ounces. It is also a radio/flashlight/USB charger. Since it is made by the same company, I kind of suspect you'll get similar performance from it.

I should add that I do have a Brookstone charger that's small (~4 x 2-1/4 x 1/2") that works very well. It's pricey, but invaluable for long flights (and I carry it in my briefcase for when my phone unexpectedly dies). There's a smaller one and a bigger one which I have (the bigger one will charge the iPad). It charges by a wall plug, but I think you can get a few iPhone charges out of it when fully topped off (haven't tested/counted). Weighs 116 g on my scale with the little cable to attach it to the iPhone. Depending on the number of charges you needed, I'd go with something like that instead…

(edit to clarify)

I may have to do without the weather radio. What model Brookstone do you have?

Stargazer

P.S. Thanks!

I don't have the model number (got it at an airport and tossed the packaging), but I just dug around on the Brookstone website, and it's not there. It looks like what I have has been upgraded (probably more powerful now). There are two, the second one apparently has enough juice to charge a laptop (or LOTS of iPhone time…).

http://www.brookstone.com/U2O-Battery-Netbook?bkiid=SearchResults|CategoryProductList|648626p

and the bigger one:

http://www.brookstone.com/U2O-Battery-Laptop?bkiid=ProductDetails|Accesories|648634p

No weights given, unfortunately…

If you're in or near a major airport, you're likely to see them there and can check them out. They sell them precharged (which is how I got mine – was about to embark on a looooong trip).