Audio Department

Buying Guide:
Solar Powered & Dynamo Shortwave Radios

Radios were one of the first appliances to be powered by solar modules due to their relatively small power consumption. Now there are dozens of models to choose from. Modern Outpost stocks a good selection of radios including the very popular Freeplay Ranger and Freeplay Summit multi-band models. For those looking for a hands-free radio to take anywhere, consider the Solar Radio Headset or the new Armband radio.

	Freeplay Summit	Kaito 007	Kaito 008	Kaito 009
Features
Bands	AM FM SW LW	AM FM Weather TV1 (2-6) TV2 (7-13) VHF SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4	AM FM SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4	AM FM Weather TV1 (2-6) TV2 (7-13) SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 Aviation
Solar Charging	X	X	X	X
Dynamo Charging	X	X	X	X
AC/DC Charging	X AC included	X AC included	X AC included	X AC included
Battery Type   (see note below)	*NiMh	*NiMh	*NiMh	*NiMh
Sound Quality/Reception	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
Dimensions / Weight	5.9x3x2.5" 17x9x6cm 1.3lbs 600g	6.5x5.4x2.7" 16.6x13.8x6.8cm 1.1 lbs 477g	6.5x5.4x2.7" 16.6x13.8x6.8cm 1.1 lbs 477g	6.5x5.4x2.7" 16.6x13.8x6.8cm 1.1 lbs 477g
Other Features	Clock, alarm, snooze Digital tuning Backlit display 30 station presets Shortwave reel antenna Worldwide traveller AC adaptor set Fleece carry sack Top quality dynamo	Wire shortwave antenna included Ear bud headphones included	LED Flashlight Wire shortwave antenna included Ear bud headphones included Digital display Clock with alarm	LED Flashlight Wire shortwave antenna included Ear bud headphones included
Outpost Price	$79.99 USD	$34.99 USD	$34.99 USD	$34.99 USD

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*A Note on Batteries

Modern Outpost recommends the use of NiMh batteries with solar products whenever possible due to the cyclical nature of solar charging, and the lack of a "memory effect" with this type of battery which is often the reason for the early failure of NiCd batteries to hold a charge.