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Technical Details
- MW/FM radio
- Multi-mode torch light
- Compact palm-sized
- Emergency phone charge
- USB recharge from PC
Product details
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Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
The Mini Eco radio is a state-of-the-art miniature palm-sized marvel and perfect travel companion. It offers superb AM/FM reception without any external antenna. This self-powered radio has a fully charged run time of over six hours, and is simply recharged by either winding it (for one minute to give 20 to 25 minutes of play), leaving it in sunshine (the built-in solar panel will recharge the internal battery in around eight hours and can even play continuously in direct sunlight), or a third power option allows for recharging direct from any computer USB port.
New contact-less generator technology using neodymium magnets offers double the power output compared to budget brands. That means longer run time for less effort (ie 30 minutes sound for one minute winding, compared to typical 10-15 minutes). The use of more expensive InGaN LEDs ensures super-bright performance with minimal power consumption. This radio has more than five times the light output compared to many budget models.
The use of higher capacity internal batteries ensure superior duration. For example, radio plays for six hours, provides over five hours of constant light compared to typical budget performances of around 20 minutes.
It features a USB socket for convenient full-cycle charging from any PC or laptop. Provides easy access to full battery capacity. It also features a mobile phone charger (Nokia connector). There is also a stereo 3.5 mm headphone socket for personal use. Other features on this product include a handy storage compartment for charge cables, the unused charge remains stored in the built-in nickel hydride battery, the body is made from impact resistant, splash-proof ABS plastic. It is finished in a quality non-slip rubber coating which provides comfort and grip, is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and its packaging formed from recycled materials, and is totally recyclable.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
This item provides three functions (torch, radio, recharger) in one compact unit with three charging options - solar, USB and the windup mechanism. The solar panel is too small to be useful, not even being able to match the power used by the radio (on a winter's day), leaving USB and the windup as the best ways to charge.
The windup mechanism feels quite solid and is easy to use - according to the manual, it would take 15 minutes to fully charge the internal battery (at 2-3 turns per second) but only a couple of minutes winding is needed to get good use of it (half-an-hour of torchlight or 10-15 minutes of radio). Indeed, aside from the tuning/volume dials (these wobble alarmingly), the whole thing seems quite solidly built.
The best part of this is the torch - the main torch uses two bright white LEDs while the nightlight uses a single red one. Unfortunately, the same push-button is used for both - pushing the button once switches the main torch on, pushing it a second time switches it for the nightlight and you have to press a third time to switch off fully. Until you get used to this, it is all too easy to leave the nightlight on by mistake, draining the battery.
The AM/FM radio on the other hand is a disappointment. The display looks attractive, illuminated with a blue LED, but the tuning dial covers the whole spectrum in a single half-turn making it all but impossible to fine-tune on weaker stations. Volume is obviously limited by the small speaker but there seems little difference between minimum and maximum settings. Reception is poor and for weaker stations, requires you to either hold the unit or leave it touching another object to boost its reception. There is no provision for an external aerial.
The recharger, as supplied, is of limited use as it only includes one (single pin) adapter. Ventus do provide a more extensive range without charge (stamped addressed envelope required) including several mobile phone and mini-/micro-USB adaptors but more should have been included with the unit (at least the 2 USBs). It only charges when the winder is used and rather than providing a steady current (which most batteries need) it provides a pulsing charge, depending on how fast you wind. This is unlikely to be good for the batteries of the charged device, so this feature is best left for emergencies.
As a torch this performs well, casting a good, bright light. The radio is one you'll only want to use if you have nothing better. However these are useful tools to have in the event of a power cut or other electrical failure so this earns it a cautious recommendation.
The windup mechanism feels quite solid and is easy to use - according to the manual, it would take 15 minutes to fully charge the internal battery (at 2-3 turns per second) but only a couple of minutes winding is needed to get good use of it (half-an-hour of torchlight or 10-15 minutes of radio). Indeed, aside from the tuning/volume dials (these wobble alarmingly), the whole thing seems quite solidly built.
The best part of this is the torch - the main torch uses two bright white LEDs while the nightlight uses a single red one. Unfortunately, the same push-button is used for both - pushing the button once switches the main torch on, pushing it a second time switches it for the nightlight and you have to press a third time to switch off fully. Until you get used to this, it is all too easy to leave the nightlight on by mistake, draining the battery.
The AM/FM radio on the other hand is a disappointment. The display looks attractive, illuminated with a blue LED, but the tuning dial covers the whole spectrum in a single half-turn making it all but impossible to fine-tune on weaker stations. Volume is obviously limited by the small speaker but there seems little difference between minimum and maximum settings. Reception is poor and for weaker stations, requires you to either hold the unit or leave it touching another object to boost its reception. There is no provision for an external aerial.
The recharger, as supplied, is of limited use as it only includes one (single pin) adapter. Ventus do provide a more extensive range without charge (stamped addressed envelope required) including several mobile phone and mini-/micro-USB adaptors but more should have been included with the unit (at least the 2 USBs). It only charges when the winder is used and rather than providing a steady current (which most batteries need) it provides a pulsing charge, depending on how fast you wind. This is unlikely to be good for the batteries of the charged device, so this feature is best left for emergencies.
As a torch this performs well, casting a good, bright light. The radio is one you'll only want to use if you have nothing better. However these are useful tools to have in the event of a power cut or other electrical failure so this earns it a cautious recommendation.
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