I was frustrated that there were no description for this item while other similar radios had tons of feedback.So I took a shot in the dark and ordered this one.Upon opening the package there are instructions for plugging in the battery to be charged by the dynamo.The instructions tell you what position to put the switches while charging the battery.Not included in the product description is that the product "should" require about 3 minutes of winding to get 10 minutes of radio life.That seems rather short to me for the effort.Meanwhile - it also says that if you charge the radio with an AC Adapter(not included) after 24 hours charge - you will see 1 hour of play time. That seems to indicate that the best the battery would do - (if mine was chargeable) is 1 hour straight play after a full charge.That seems to me a terrible ratio.Regardless - the charging indicator never lit up - I switched switches a few ways - and after 5 minutes of winding without the charge indicating lighting up - it had not charge to power the radio.
All other features tested with 3 AA batteries plugged in
The display is digital, however the tuner is analog.It is possible to easily lose your station - however if you are careful upon release of the tuner - your station should stay.So the dial allows you to "find" your station instead of go exactly to the tuner like most modern car radiosallow.
AM and FM worked fine - AM stations came in pretty fuzzy - but most do in the High Desert of California.FM was clear on the local stations
NOAA - the Weather stations were all static except for one - which was clear with very minor static to be heard.Could be my area doesn't really support those stations
The siren worked.(They bundle these sirens with these radios - I don't think anyone really wants one)
The Flashlight worked, didn't strike me as amazingly bright but it was functional. Nothing wrong with the Flashlight at all.
I set the clock - but did not test to see if held the time after removing the batteries.
I returned the product - as the entire reason I bought this was I was looking for a "good" wind up radio - so far every one I see reviewed has some flaw - either the amount of winding required to hold a charge or doesn't get reception.As this one would not even begin to charge the rechargeable battery it was worthless to me - also - the un-advertised limitations to winding vs charging/play time were skewed vs my expectations.Let alone that a 24 hour charge would only provide 1 hour - this is ridiculous - you get far better time out of standard AA Rechargeables.
It is POSSIBLE - that I was just unlucky with the rechargeable battery on my radio - but over all - unless you like winding 3 minutes for 10 minutes of air play - I would recommend no one buy this product.
I gave this 2 stars instead of 1 simply because the other features worked fine under AA power.However the time (and in my case utter brokenness of the rechargeable) to recharge and sustain play time are poor.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Jensen Portable Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Band Radio - MR-720 (Black/Silver)
Product Description:
This portable weather band raido receives instant 24 hour weather, marine forecast and weather alert infromation broadcast by NOAA on all 7 weather channels.Just use the hand crank to power the unit and enable the AM/FM/NOAA receiver with digital frequency display and the fold out adjustable ultra bright LED flashlight and reading light.The multi-function back-lit LCD display has a power indicator and a charging indicator to keep you informed.In emergency situations, use the built in emergensy siren and blinking lamp.Also features an alarm clock allowing you to wake to raido or alarm.Auxiliary input jack for connecting your iPod, MP3 or other digital audio players make this a versitile unit.Complete with a fold-down carrying handle, swivel telescopic antenna and built-in speaker.Three ways to power the unit:Dynamo (manual charge), AC Adaptable (AC adaptor not included) and battery option (3 x AA - not included).
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