I requested this for Father’s Day to replace my old LL Bean radio by Grundig that is pretty well used at this point. The emergency lighting is better due to LED bulbs. The addition of NOAA stations instead of short wave was sort of a wash for me as far as changes to the old model. The ability to charge a cell phone was enticing though.
The problem with this unit is tuning and reception. It takes way too much tinkering with the fine tuning dial to find the station you want; then you’re not guaranteed to get what you’re looking for. Once I would settle on a station the radio would only hold it for a few minutes before it faded out or to another station.
The radio seems well thought out and well made. If you’re using this for emergency purposes it’s worth the money thanks to the bells and whistles. You get emergency information on most any station you tune in during an actual emergency. If you want a radio in the garage or yard while you’re working, this probably isn’t the radio for you.
Great portable radio. Bought it to listen to local football games because announcers are better. Have been able to listen to whole game w/o problem using just solar charge. Is great for my "Tailgating in the Neighborhood". Speaker quality is good. FM pick up was a bit weak until I alligator clipped a length of wire to the antenna. NOAA bands work but not as clear as my dedicated NOAA alert receiver. Light is bright enough for finding candles and matches during power outage. Kids will want it in tent when "camping" in back yard - especially since their iPods can play thru the speaker. Lots of capabilities in small green-powered pkg and while it won't replace my regular flashlights or NOAA alert receiver in my fishing pack it sure fits the bill in the home and yard uses I bought it for. And it came in my team's color!
This radio is a good thing to own. I wish it stayed charged longer, but in an emergency without batteries, who cares? I like the size of the radio, the carrying case, and it's very lightweight, which will be great when I want to pack it into the Classic Continental Rucksack I just ordered from L. L. Bean. Also like the red color. I haven't gotten around to seeing how to obtain ear, cell phone, and DC connectors, but when I do, those features will make this radio complete as a tool in an emergency. I hope I never have to use the siren, but it's sure good and loud, and I like the light and red flasher. What the heck -- you can never be too prepared.
