Product Description

The Freeplay EyeMax Radio delivers a fascinating new sensory dimension to radio listening. The see-through casings flaunt the complex workings of the radio and engage the user in the science of converting human energy into pure listening pleasure. The compelling design grabs immediate attention; and the features give reliable radio reception, weather information and light, anywhere, anytime.Offering a choice of AC/DC rechargeablity, wind-up and solar power, the EyeMax incorporates the latest in Freeplay's self-sufficient technology -which means unparalleled sound quality, dependability and durability, all without the need for replaceable batteries.In a compact, fun and stylish design, the EyeMax Radio is fitted with a DC input facility to accommodate the AC/DC adaptor (supplied) and an earphone socket for personal listening.The Freeplay Eyemax is available both as a conventional FM/AM radio, and as an FM/AM Weatherband radio covering the 7 NOAA channels. Both models incorporate an integrated ultra bright LED flashlight -making them ideal for everyday and emergency use.The Freeplay EyeMax will play for approximately 35 minutes at normal volume per 30-second wind, additional winding extends playtime. A charge level indicator tells you the best speed to wind. And in direct sunlight the EyeMax will both charge itself and play continuously without winding. The internal Ni-MH battery can be fully charged from the solar panel or the AC/DC adapter. The Freeplay EyeMax will give 25 hours of playtime, depending on volume, when fully charged.Built around the proven Freeplay power train and radio platform, the EyeMax is fun and enticing whilst still offering convenient and failsafe listening and light.With the Freeplay EyeMax you can have music, light and access to weather information wherever you go.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45019 in Consumer Electronics
• Size: Small
• Color: Yellow
• Brand: Freeplay
• Model: BOW-017-AUS-00-FO
• Dimensions: 4.10" h x 2.40" w x 7.50" l, 1.53 pounds

Features

• Three recharging options- Solar, Wind-up, AC/DC adapter
• Fully charged battery up to 25 hours (normal volume)
• 30-second wind - 35 minutes (normal volume)
• Weather Band, AM/FM
• LED Flashlight: 5mm ultra bright white LED

Customer Reviews

Solid, reliable,compact
I upgraded from my previous Freeplay model because the old unit was the size and weight of a tank. I checked out all the Eton models (and a bunch of off brand ones not worth mentioning) before buying this one. I can attest that the Freeplay brand (any model) has the best handcrank mechanisms on the market. Much more solid and better engineered - for example you can crank in either direction and the unit even tells you how fast to crank for optimal charge. The Eton's felt quite fragile in my opinion. And since the radio is for emergency use when you migth be a tad excited (I happen to be in earthquake country), a solid and forgiving charging mechanism is for me most important.

The light works well and the radio can actually be held like a flashlight. Not true with Etons. I still keep other flashlights at the ready but it's good to have as backup.

Alas, Eton can charge my cell phone, and this Freeplay unit can't, so Eton scores one.

An oddity with this radio is how you tune the weather band - it's not part of the AM/FM band, but rather on the back. Weird, but usuable. Unfortunately, the reception for the weather band is a bit spotty; better on some days than others, which may or may not be the fault of the radio.

The antenna is much smaller than my previous Freeplay, so less likely to be broken off. I actually don't need the antenna extended anyway; the radio circuitry is that good.

The solar charger will be tested this summer when I bring the unit camping to keep up with baseball. During off season I keep the unit plugged in over my workbench so its always fully charged. The charging mechanism is smart enough to shut itself off when completed.

Here's another thing to look out for - thie Freeplay unit comes with its own AC adaptor. Many Eton models don't, so if you want an AC adaptor - and who wouldn't - add another $10 to the price of the Eton and then add shipping, but only if you can find a place where the adaptors are stocked.

Yup, the Freeplay is more expensive than the Etons but worth every penny. And I like the yellow - it's hard to misplace.

Excellent am/fm/weatherband emergency crank radio
I think very highly of the quality craftsmanship as well as the technological achievements present in this emergency AM/FM radio. It has the most efficient crank mechanism on the market and comes complete with an AC/DC adapter charger, a telescoping antenna, a large and good quality speaker, a single and bright LED flashlight, a separate LED for indicating the optimal charging crank-rate (that also makes a decent night-light and also shows that external AC power is being supplied to the unit) as well as a solar panel for both charging the internal batteries and also providing sufficient power to still operate the radio normally. The crank operates equally well using either a clockwise (cw) or a ccw rotation too so even if you forget, you can't damage it by turning the crank the wrong way! As advertised, 30 seconds of cranking gives 35 minutes of medium volume listening (or 25 minutes of loud volume levels) and the listening time increases proportionally if you crank it even longer.

The system is totally analog, lacks shortwave and aircraft as well as TV bands. but is nonetheless quite useful as well as readily affordable if you wait for a sale. Freeplay also makes a much more expensive digital model with shortwave bands as well, but it is very hard to build all these as quality features including a digital PLL (Phase locked loop) synthesized radio for a reasonable price that people will also buy. My advice is too stick with a much simpler, quality made device that you know will work reliably in a pinch when it is really needed. One really nice feature for example is that the FM/Weatherband antenna can be simply stored in the radio when not being used, but when it is needed it can easily be fully extended. This also greatly reduces the chances of it being broken off inadvertently in an emergency situation in my opinion.

The analog vernier dial is very easy to tune for both AM/FM and allows an extra large amount of turning to easily and precisely tune the am/fm bands. The separate Weatherband stations (operated and maintained for the U.S. Department of Commerce by NOAA- The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration at a very small output power level of only 50 watts and thus with quite a limited broadcast range) are not tuned using individual crystal-controlled frequencies, but instead must be tuned by hand with an analog dial. The small black weatherband dial is tuned separately from both am and fm frequencies on the back of the unit and is controlled using a separate on/off button (All 7 NOAA weather frequencies are available with very good volume levels unlike some of the smaller portable devices out in the marketplace). When the weatherband button is set to off the radio reverts to the last available band on either am or fm. The volume control on the side controls all available bands. It also has a jack for a earphone/headphone during quiet times. Finally the provided charger can also be left plugged in indefinitely because after the first 24 hours of preconditioning the battery pack (sealed internal Nickel Metal Hydride batteries), it will continue to keep them fully charged until the advent of an emergency by trickle charging (by applying only very small amounts of current). In the meantime you can feel completely free to use it as an everyday quality and very enjoyable listening device. Most of all I like how totally reliable and redundant the many independent systems are on this radio.

For camping and roughing it, it would have been better if Freeplay had provided a carrying strap for the radio (to attach to the provided eyelet) just for something to grab quickly, but for general household emergency purposes it is just fine. Of course you can always add your own strap if you feel that you require it for camping, etc. In a real emergency however you will be very glad to have purchased this quality instrument in my opinion.

Finally I intend to buy several more of these units for my immediate and extended family members who really need this device.

A great radio I can listen to almost anywhere!
A fantastic radio at a moderate price. I gave it four stars because you can feel and hear the quality. The handle and mechanism seem very sturdy, and the casing seems very solid too. Though the speaker is small but its loud enough for a pretty big room, but not loud for working at a good distance outside.
My one complaint is you cant use the light to see the radio tuner but I suppose this is a mild inconvenience. The solar panel works pretty good I let it charge in my east window for 12hrs on a cloudy day and got 2.5 hrs listing at max volume. So all and all a good personal radio, and a lot cheaper than a Tivoli.