Solar/crank radio recommendations

Over in this topic thread, Nicole Alderman linked to a solar/crank radio, the Voyager by Kaito, which seems to be sold in a lot of places, including the 'Zon.

Is this the best option for alt-powered radio/charging? Any other suggestions out there in the Permieverse?

I have an old Freeplay solar/crank radio that's still kicking after at least 10 years. It's a tank. Someday the rechargable batteries will fail, though for someone handy they can be replaced.

These days, I prefer a modular approach when I think about longer power outages -- power source, big battery storage, various small chargers, AA/AAA batteries, and lights and radio that run on those batteries. It's a lot more flexible than an all-in-one solution. My 2c.

I had a 'crystal ' set as a kid in the past.
I still have it somewhere but have looked to see if another was possible to get but no luck yet.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:I have an old Freeplay solar/crank radio that's still kicking after at least 10 years. It's a tank. Someday the rechargable batteries will fail, though for someone handy they can be replaced.

These days, I prefer a modular approach when I think about longer power outages -- power source, big battery storage, various small chargers, AA/AAA batteries, and lights and radio that run on those batteries. It's a lot more flexible than an all-in-one solution. My 2c.

Thanks for the recommendation; I'll see if those are still available.

And good point on the "modular" approach.

John C Daley wrote:I had a 'crystal ' set as a kid in the past.
I still have it somewhere but have looked to see if another was possible to get but no luck yet.

It should still be possible to build, but it would receive AM stations only. Hope you like talk radio ...

John Daley approaches a great point.   I feel having some ideas to how to make a crystal radio is a great ideA. About 10 years ago I guided a gentleman with intellectual  disabilities through making one.  We got up early on garbage pickup day to look for the parts we needed. He was amazed that it didn’t need an outside electrical source. There are a multitude of instructions on the net.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:I have an old Freeplay solar/crank radio that's still kicking after at least 10 years. It's a tank. Someday the rechargable batteries will fail, though for someone handy they can be replaced.

These days, I prefer a modular approach when I think about longer power outages -- power source, big battery storage, various small chargers, AA/AAA batteries, and lights and radio that run on those batteries. It's a lot more flexible than an all-in-one solution. My 2c.

Unfortunately, Freeplays are no longer available. We wrote to the company, and they said they no longer make retail products.