Radio Comparison

Comments

We recommend the Freeplay Ranger for a number of reasons, not least of which is that it is a superior product. Only 30 seconds of winding the dynamo generator yields 35 minutes of play time, and we found that 2 minutes of winding yields 2 hours and 20 minutes. The solar panel provides all the energy you need to play the radio, and if you leave it near a window the batteries will stay fully charged. The Ranger comes with an AC/DC adapter so you can plug it in to play and charge/recharge the batteries. Our assessment is that the Ranger speaker sounds stronger and more crisp than the Grundig.

The Ranger does not pick up NOAA Weather Radio in most areas. We do not see this as a significant limitation because each state has a system in place for multiple AM and FM radio stations to broadcast Emergency Alert System alerts (which go out over NWR to local AM and FM stations) and this works well. Here in the Washington, DC area our primary station for EAS alerts is WTOP, backed up by WJZW, WGMS and WMAL. Just keep a card with the frequencies for your area's radio stations with your emergency radio. Your state probably has a plan like the Commonwealth of Virginia plan.

The Freeplay Eyemax is similar but more versatile than the Ranger primarily because it receives NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts. You can set 7 different NWR frequencies on the Eyemax and pick up your local NWR broadcast and get the surrounding area broadcasts. This is particularly important if you live an area where you want to track a storm as it moves, say, across a state on its way toward you. Also, federal emergency information is broadcast over the NOAA band and this sets the Eyemax apart. However, this information is also broadcast via your local AM and FM stations that are part of the Emergency Alert System and most of us have no real need for the NOAA band. The built-in LED light is a plus, and having another light with your emergency supplies is useful, but a separate light is more practical.

We used to recommend the Grundig FR200, which receives short wave (SW1 and SW2), before Freeplay came out with their technology. Why not the Grundig? There is not much use for SW1/SW2 in an emergency in the USA (other than tuning in to another country's broadcast to hear their perspective). When you take the Grundig out of the box your only power choices are using disposable batteries (not included) or winding the dynamo to power up the rechargeable batteries (included). We found that 2 minutes of winding the dynamo yielded only about 15 minutes of play time, although the literature says that 60 cranks will enable the radio to run for an hour. Although you can buy a multi-appliance AC/DC adapter from places like Radio Shack (about $9.00), it is inconvenient not having an adapter in the box with the radio. If you buy a non-Grundig AC/DC adapter like an Arista, you have to make absolutely sure that you select the right adapter pin, set the proper DC voltage, and observe the correct polarity. However, the new Grundig FR250, FR300 and the Red Cross FR400 are more capable than the FR200 and have some nice features but we think their shortcomings make the Freeplay Ranger or Eyemax a better choice. Not being able to tap solar power is another distinct disadvantage of the Grundig.

What are all these acronyms, like NOAA, NWR, and EAS? Click here.