Product Evaluation - Kaito Voyager Radio

Radios - you'll likely need one WTSHTF. 

Some are worthless in an emergency and often lack the sensitivity to receive channels or only get AM/FM. 
Some are simply junk giveaway items or have fragile parts that break - ok, actually most of these are plastic and fragile unless you are buying a multipurpose VHF/UHF/MURS professional transceiver...


We don't want to sound elitist here so use whatever you can afford.  If you can afford a radio for around $50 then here is one that has considerable utility and may prove a lifesaver.  People seem to be able to buy $500 phones and $100 sneaks - so pop for one of these type of radios.
This Kaito also sounds good when played for everyday use so if convenient, keep one handy wherever you are. They come in different colors so each family member, vehicle, evac car kit or work location can have a different color if you wanted to differentiate them that way.

Pro:
MultiBand Channels in Easy to Read Analog Dial
NOAA Weather Channels - including a Weather Alert Feature
Fairly Sensitive Tuner in SW/AM/FM/Weather
Rechargeable Battery Pack - NiMH Shrink Wrapped
Back Up Battery Pack - Suggest Lithium Ion AA for Storage
Solar Panel charging capable
Hand Crank Charger  90 Seconds Provides 15 minutes of radio use
LED Lamps - mostly seem like a gimmick - be sure to carry a good flashlight/headlamp.
USB Charger for phones - used to charge on board batteries or power external devices.
External Power - AC not supplied but you can find spare adapters around.
Case is "rubberized" and it has a useful strap.
Antenna is secured inside case against breakage - it is not tunable - so move the radio.
Earphone Jack for private listening or if main speaker fails
Comes with a variety of popular phone charging plugs sure to become obsolete in short order as they always do.  Suggest you mark them up before hand and secure the one you will need.
Weather Resistant (not waterproof like boat radios)

Cons:
Battery compartment is fragile with tabs that break easily - use tape to secure it - you will not be using it often if you use the charger and store lithium AA cells on board.
Could use a protective carry case - find a cinch bag or camera case and make your own.
While it is "rubberized" we suggest you carry it in a bag/case as they are not built to conform to serious drop test standards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Line:

This is a utilitarian radio with useful features that can be used to support emergency communication in disaster situations and for short term use will provide a level of safety by self charging and being used to charge other devices.  Price is reasonable for the features.  Barely packable as it is not a compact radio but easily carried in briefcase to work, vehicle or other conveyance.  

We suggest you get the ac power pack for an additional $5.

You might also consider this radio to store in a faraday cage in case of an EMP attack.

 

Advertised Specs:

AM/FM/SW/WX Bands
SW 3.2Khz - 22.00Khz
AM 520Khz - 1717Khz
FM 88.0Mhz - 108.0Mhz
Double molded chassis for ruggedized style (Defect in battery bay door - breaks too easy - tape it shut)
Dual Conversion Receiver
Dial Control - For fast tuning
Rotary volume controls
5-LED Flashlight with Red SOS Function
Band indicators for all band
NOAA Weather Alert Function
3.5mm headphone socket
3 inches 7 W full range speaker with enlarged magnet
Dynamic Bass Compensation for rich bass
Powered USB Port ( Power goes in and out)
6 mm (positive center) 4.5-6V power adaptor socket (To charge the batteries or run the radio from AC)
WxHxD in mm/in: 204 x 128 x 66 mm (8 x 5 x 2.6 inches)


Where to Get One:
http://www.campingsurvival.com/kakadysopora.html

Use Promo Code "ICE" to get 5% off (which is already $5 less than most others online....)

Preparedness Lantern - Freeplay Indigo

We read about Freeplay Self Charging Devices in a Wall Street Journal Article in 1994...bought a radio and flashlight in 1999...and still have them...we power them by cranking and solar panels.

With all the recent entries of self powered or multiple combination powered devices on the market, you might still be a bit confused over which preparedness lantern to purchase?

While there is never one perfect device or solution for any one situation, there are those that have attributes worth mentioning so we will provide some insight into this well built and Eco-friendly lamp.

Features noted:
Non ceramic magnets for more efficient power generation
No Batteries to Purchase - NiMh included internally ***
Well constructed - Splash and Rain Proof.
Up to 70 Hours of "night light" / 2.5 hrs Ultra Bright Light at full charge / 35 hrs of single LED reading/directional light on full charge
Stable Hand Crank used to Charge - Works in either direction - Has LED charge indicator also.
Comes with USB Mini Plug for charging - Reducing need for multiple ac/dc chargers - Charge off computer port or using GPS auto 12 volt (mini-USB) power cord.
7 white 5mm LED's adjustable brightness lantern / Combo LED Directional & Reading Light
Hanger Built In - Rubber Feet - Plastic Construction High Vis Yellow or Low Vis Green Color
Design makes is essentially same height as Nalgene Liter Water Bottle - Packable
Can cover it with a sack or sock to protect the lens
Literature claims 74% efficiency from kinetic cranking energy to electrical power ratio
LED's last virtually a lifetime (100,000 hrs) Unit has high cycle functioning (500K)
Optional Charging Kit for US and Foreign Systems available.


Positive Points:
Lightweight, small, reliable, well built, bright enough, can be used if injured, charging features compatible with modern devices, 60 second cranking can provide ample light to get situated, practical to carry or store for use when needed, water resistant-splash/rain proof, if batteries need reviving you can do this with several 30 second rapid cranks of the alternator crank arm, useful for apartment dwellers and bug out kits, batteries rated for 10,000 crank cycles, can be outfitted with ICE Sticker.

FAQ's About Indigo

Ok, while this lamp won't compete with the likes of a gas lantern, it will get the job done in many personal situations and is lighter and safer. We found this model at L.L. Bean Outlet for $26.95 and are told they can be found at Target too.

*** If you were feeling challenged and wanted to improve upon the original designed battery pack by replacing them with higher Milliamp Hour (mAh) rated NiMH shrink wrapped batteries - Hybrid's or Powerex NiMH batteries would be great performers in this unit but more expensive. Newer Hybrid Batteries will hold a high rate of charge for up to 12 months unlike standard rechargeables. This unit can be disassembled but we are sure the factory would not recommend that. In an emergency those rules take a hike.

The folks at Batteries Plus could make up a new set of replacement batteries for you as you wait. We've just done that with the 1999 Freeplay crank flashlight....although the original batteries still worked just fine.....the higher mAH rated custom batteries last longer and were actually cheaper than off the shelf replacements! Good to know for other applications as well.