crank-solarpannel-radio-lantern-powerbank recommendation
Posted by PresentationCool1657@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 27 comments
Hello everyone, I am looking for a crank-solarpannel-radio-lantern-powerbank. Can anyone recommend the ones with replacible batteries (I'm thinking preferably AA or AAA as they're more accessible)?
I'm in europe. I've been looking to buy something like this more thank once and now with the poweroutage in Europe I will lol
Drew1001@reddit
I’m curious whether you made a choice as I’m in the same boat, trying to work out which radio to get in Europe. Ideally with DAB+ too as FM is being phased out in parts of the EU.
PresentationCool1657@reddit (OP)
Hi! Not yet. I have a few on my list but I figured I’d start by buying the parts separately. So.. a good solar/crank powerbank; some good flashlights (more than one for each room); a good portable radio considering the european broadcast.
I will still want a crank all in-one-radio as an extra/backup - The ones I’m probably leaning more towards are from the brand Kaito.
Such-Bug82@reddit
I am not a big fan of crank-radios, I see it as a gimmick but not very useful. Those crank radios usually only support FM radio which already got switched off completely in Switzerland and many more countries in Europe already announced plans to switch if off in the future to migrate to DAB+. In Europe I'd definetely recommend a DAB+ radio with SLS SlideShow. You get a display with weather info, news headlines, current webcam image or nice visual traffic information for your region. I can charge mine with a USB-C powerbank and it works many weeks with 1h per day usage.
PresentationCool1657@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much for your input. I didn’t know about dab once once I posted this and am now aware of it. Will radio stations be able to work through there in a power outage? I also realise through various opinions that crank radios (all in one thing) are not ideal but I just want it as a backup/extra. But yep I’m currently looking for a better radio as well. Do you have any recomendations/ which is yours?
PresentationCool1657@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much everyone for your inputs!! Very helpful, really appreciate it :)
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The-Mond@reddit
There is one advantage to having a radio that uses the same size/type of batteries that your TV/video streaming device remote controls use. If you don't have/keep a stash of AA/AAA batteries on hand, you can always take the batteries out of your remote controls (or small clocks or any other devices that use these common batteries) and use them in the radio. You might not use this type of radio as your primary device, but having one as a back-up or that can be used by a another person in the household to monitor more than one station at the same time.
thatmikeguy@reddit
We lose power in my location from time to time and this is what I recommend also, a AA or AAA powered AM/FM/WB radio.
r0thar@reddit
Late to the game, but I did a small deep dive on Sony: they have been doing small crank-solarpanel-radio-lantern-powerbank radios since the mid 1990s and have several generations. They are not cheap though, which I can only assume is because of the high quality and that they actually have earthquake/volcano/tsunami problems.
The ICF-B09 / ICF-B99 / ICF-B300 are the most recent iterations and this person does a good comparison (google translate from japanese) https://sundaygamer.net/sony-icf-b300/
tl;dr Sony does a small model, but they are $100+
e3e6@reddit
this is the best crank you can buy. anything smaller will require much more work to get any power
e3e6@reddit
I mean, if you need some mobility and good price.
Otherwise you need one of these:
Khakikadet@reddit
A lot of folks in this sub are American, and are going to recommend various NOAA Weather radios, which are designed for the American Specific network of emergency radio frequencies tied to our emergency alert system.
You should look and see what your country has in terms of a plan for emergency alert broadcast - A normal radio may work fine if the plan is just to take over broadcast radio station in an emergency (Judging from your post history I think you're from Portugal, which this seems to be part of the plan there). A midland radio would work just fine if you can get one out there, they are built pretty solid. I have the $25 Knockoff variety, I'm happy enough with it.
keepmyaim@reddit
Pity that the only person who actually took into account that the OP is in Europe deleted the account.
bdouble76@reddit
I bought the midland. I forgot which model, but it was the bigger one. It feels sturdy and durable. It has crank, Solar, rechargeable batteries, and you can use regular batteries. AA I believe.
One person mentioned that Americans will recommend a radio with NOAA on it, that is set for American frequencies. I am American, but Midland sells all over the world. At least I'm ignorantly confident it does. I assume that if they sell this radio in your country, it would be set for your version of weather info. I certainly could be wrong, though.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
It's good to have one with a crank but with all the modern flashlights available you should have at least a few good ones with lithium ion, I've been using them for 20 years. Head over to r/flashlight
Playful-Technology-1@reddit
I bought the Philips TAR1609/00 and, while it's bigger than your average AA analog radio, last Monday it worked like a charm.
Exciting_Turn_9559@reddit
I would recommend you don't try to cram everything into one device.
I have 28W BigBlue folding solar panel that I use to charge small power banks when I go camping. It works well to have one power bank per person. Phones stay out of the hot sun, and people can charge wherever / whenever they need to. I can keep 3 phones charged indefinitely with it, with power to spare.
The power banks we have all have their own built-in LED flashlights, which is more versatile than a single lantern. I also see no need for a crank charger -- they're not durable enough for long term use and you'd be better off having a radio with spare batteries for short term use. Some rechargeable batteries have usb ports right on the battery. I would get some of these and charge them with my solar panel.
sttmvp@reddit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH84X2QC?ref=fed_asin_title the battery size was a deciding factor on buying this one, it works extremely well
pfcpathfinder@reddit
I've gone through a couple of the Goal vero ones, they take a beating and hold a decent amount of charge.
CyclingDutchie@reddit
After doing some research, I came to the conclusion this is the best out there; the Midland ER300 or ER310 in the usa.
Its very reliable. Sturdy. Good crank on it. Just check out the reviews, like i did.
Sure, its double the cost of a regular emergency radio. But when it comes down to it, i dont want to be depending on something cheap.
McRibs2024@reddit
I bought a cheap em radio and it’s garbage. I’d def spend the extra money on a well reviewed em radio from midland or sangean
CyclingDutchie@reddit
Yup, me too. I bought a cheap thing, and learned from that mistake.
Now my motto is buy once, cry once. I try to only buy quality stuff.
McRibs2024@reddit
I feel like it’s a lesson everyone has to learn hands on to realize it. At least it only set me back 25 bucks
McRibs2024@reddit
Generally midlands er 330 is looked at as the standard.
I’ve been eyeing the sangean mmr -99 but haven’t pulled the trigger. I have a cheap weather radio with light and crank etc but it’s garbage. Reception is terrible.
If you’re buying cheap (lesson I learned) on a prep item- be ready for it to be just that. I let my kids play with it they love noaa for some reason and I’m not complaining.
But yeah- from reviews online, other posters, and what I’ve read / watched it looks like midland or sangean are great options. Sangean is 100 bucks while midland is 70 ish iirc.
FWIW I also get noaa on my yaesu ft 60r though that’s an actual ham radio handheld.
Also midland has the wr400 which is more an alarm clock style radio but battery operated as well as plug and has the custom local alerts for your area which is cool. It’s another radio / alert device on my list to buy.
Dangerous-School2958@reddit
I bought this one recently. radio
scovok@reddit
In light of recent events in Europe, I just bought this https://a.co/d/9Ng42Ib. It arrives later today, but seems to have everything that I want in an emergency radio.