Alternative to Freeplay Ranger - Advice needed please.

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Hi, I have owned a Freeplay Ranger for years and its now dying, it doesn't hold its charge and the dial keeps sticking. I have loved this radio but sadly I don't think they are made any more. I don't have the tools or electrical skill to mend it.

Can any one recommend an alternative. Searched the forum but could only find threads over two years old.

Thank you.

Jay

 

[Nohoval_Turrets]

Apparently you can replace the internal batteries for these, but it requires a bit of DIY: http://www.windup-products.com/spares/freeplay-eyemax-ranger-battery.

" Tools and DIY skills are required to fit this item." - Not sure what that entails, maybe a bit of soldering?

Or try one of these: http://crank-radio-review.toptenreviews.com/

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Thanks Nohoval_Turrets.

Cheers for the links, I like the look of the Eton scorpion and the Freeplay Companion. Unfortunately I lack the skills and tools to fix the Freeplay Ranger.

Thanks again

Jay

 

[British Red]

I've had all the Eton range - and the Freeplay companion. Save your money. There really isn't a quality wind up radio about these days.

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

I've had all the Eton range - and the Freeplay companion. Save your money. There really isn't a quality wind up radio about these days.

Thanks for your advice, its a shame they are not up to scratch any more. I think I will get a battery operated one instead and use rechargeable batts in it.

Cheers British Red

 

[British Red]

Thats what I do - a small solar panel and some Eneloop batteries works far better - and is much more flexible to boot.

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Thanks. I think thats the way to go. What solar panel do you use? I used to use a Freeloader with the clip on panel, but it was never much cop. It may have improved now.

 

[British Red]

Mine isn't available now, but Maplins will have something - plenty of fold up "briefcase" ones about. Use the panel to charge a 12V battery and run a 12v battery charger to charge your AAs - then the 12V is gathering charge all the time

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Thank you. I have a Maplins fairly close I will go and see what they have. Never thought of the 12V solar panel set up, that would be excellent for camping with the family as my kids love their gadgets.

 

[British Red]

If they use Iphones or the like you will need panels the size of Wales. But for a radio a 20W panel can generate plenty of power

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

They just use a nintendo ds. So a small panel should cope. The radio I will use will one of the small AA battery types. Cheers for your help and input, its appreciated.

 

[rik_uk3]

What do you use the radio for, do you use mainly FM or AM? Shortwave ?

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

What do you use the radio for, do you use mainly FM or AM? Shortwave ?

I use FM for Radio 4 and AM for 5 live, I have never used Shortwave.

 

[rik_uk3]

Tecsun make a wide range of multiband radios at all price levels from £10 to £200+

The Tecsun PL360 would fit your needs, quite compact, FM/MW and Short Wave and will use standard batteries or rechargeable.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TECSUN-PL...=US_Portable_AM_FM_Radios&hash=item1c2c654e16

Take a look on ebay at the range available. Short Wave can be great fun too.


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[greenshooots]

i use a tecsun radio and charge the batteries vis a violetta solar gear solar charger

greenshoots

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Thanks rik_uk3 and Greenshoots.

I had never heard of Tecsun before, I like the look of them and I am always open to trying new (to me) brands out. They have a good range and I like the idea of the DSP. Plus I have never owned a shortwave capable radio before so I think thats the way forward for me along with a solar charger.

Cheers

Jay

 

[Steve - look at the view]

hi there, my ranger died, its sitting in the garage so as I never thought about changing the batters and I now know it possible I will do that - cheers for the link Nohoval Turrets - it cant be too hard, might post a how to do it if successful.

I have been using a Pure Move 400d - excellent little rechargeable digital/FM radio, cant be missing the archers when out in the country, little fire, cup of tea, sun going down, nice.
steve

 

[stonepark]

I recently had to change the battery pack in swmbo roberts solar (the original) as like others batteries had died.

Cheapest roberts replcement was £12, but ebay for battery pack (but came with wrong connector) and correct connectors and 5min only cost £4.67.

sent from my android

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

hi there, my ranger died, its sitting in the garage so as I never thought about changing the batters and I now know it possible I will do that - cheers for the link Nohoval Turrets - it cant be too hard, might post a how to do it if successful.

I have been using a Pure Move 400d - excellent little rechargeable digital/FM radio, cant be missing the archers when out in the country, little fire, cup of tea, sun going down, nice.
steve

If you do change the batteries in your Freeplay could you post how hard/easy it was.

Thanks