Very full featured in a small package. It is about 5x8x 1.5". Eleven bands total , 7 are weather bands, AM, FM, and 2 SW. I thought the reception was pretty good. Bear in mind there are better flashlights, tuners, and so on but this combines them all.
Outdoors the tuner pulled in KOA FM, a 75 watt (yes) low power translator paired with a 50,000 watt AM blowtorch. It also did ok pulling in a 5,000 watt directional AM station. Reception in a concrete and steel high rise was tough for AM, reduced for FM. Strong stations came in, but not the 75 watt FM one. I also got stronger AM stations in a room filled with
electrical equipment. So it would work in an emergency. Plus, in an emergency all that
electrical stuff is off. You might not buy this for everyday use in an office tower, but it works.
In my experience, you often get one or a few weather band stations, and I did. It has a NOAA alert function that in my experience leaves the radio in a dormant state, yet comes to life when NOAA sends an alert trigger. I like that a lot. It would have to consume some
battery or AC in alert mode.
Build quality is adequate, but it is not for rugged use at a construction site. The crank works fine, but could be damaged by rough handling. There is nothing junky about the quality, but it is compact and
light. The original BayGen was almost indestructible by comparison.
The reading
light, flashlight, and flashing red
light all work ok. Their appeal is that they are combined in an attractive package. I could see using the reading light. I liked the 5 leds under the
solar panel.
It arrived late in the day, but the
solar panel seemed fine. It won't jump start your F250 Power Stroke, but with
solar & cranking I think you could get a cell phone to work.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely for an emergency kit. I expect to use it daily also.
Linear Mode
