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Old 03-06-2010, 03:14 PM   #3
Big Dog
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: North Florida - the Gunshine State!
Posts: 19,070
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I have three different 'hand crank' radios, of different models and features. I keep a small Eton FR150 in the van - it has only the internal rechargeable battery - no 'AAA' or 'AA' batteries. It has AM/FM and Weather stations, and a LED flashlight. I give it a 5 on the 1-10 scale.

The other two are portables about 8" long, 2" thick and 5" tall. One's a Midland ER102, the other is a Chinese-made GH-858 by the "Hai Tong Plastics Electrical Factory".

The Midland has AM/FMand Weather Alert functions, as well as three-LED flashlight - holds three "AA" batteries as well as rechargeable three-pack.
FM brings in my local stations well, and the closest Weather station too. It can be set to 'alert' when NOAA weather warnings are generated.
Scale of 1-10, I give it a 7. The crank is typically weak, thinly made with a tiny pivot pin. The folding handle can pop out easily to snag things.

The Chinese GH-858 is decidedly cheaper. Same flimsy crank handle, holds two D-cell batteries, AM/FM and six SW channels. Unfortunately, it barely brings in local FM stations. The SW works better, but there is a WIDE area of the scale that each station comes in on. Not a very precise tuner. Has a single LED flashlight, much dimmer than the Midland's light. I give it a 4 onthe 1-10 scale.

None came with ear buds or headset, though the Eton came with cable and adapter tips to recharge it from a PC or to recharge a cell phone.
Basically, the Midland ER102 is by far the best hand-crank radio I have yet used.
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