Kaito Electronics Inc. KA500BLK Voyager Solar/Dynamo Emergency Radio - Black
by Kaito Electronics Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $43.50 You Save: $26.45 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Musical Instruments See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Kaito Electronics Inc. KA500BLK Voyager Solar/Dynamo Emergency Radio - Black
Customer Review: Definitely one of the best available today
Summary: 5 Stars
Definitely one of the best available emergency radios available at this time. It is not too large - not nearly as large as radios having similar functions - and not as costly. It functions as both an emergency alert for weather and other emergencies, but also, AM, FM and two short wave bands.
The FM and short wave receiver is a little weak but can easily be improved with a clip-on wire antenna extension. In an emergency, the stock radio is fully adequate. The Voyager not only has all radio functions needed, but it also incorporates a siren, flashlight, blinking red flash, and has a USB outlet to charge small electronic devices such as as a cell phone, MP3 player, or PDA. It also has a 5-LED light for reading.
Of course it can be charged by sunlight or by use of the crank. Chargeable batteries are included and are inside the shell. Additional rechargeable batteries, or Alkaline batteries, can be added - and I recommend using rechargeable AA's and leaving the unit either plugged in or on a window sill to use sunlight energy keeping the unit charged and ready in any emergency.
As for the AC adapter, it is NOT included with the radio. However, a perfectly fine AC adapter is available at Radio Shack - if you think you need one.
Customer Review: Poor Reception & Confused USB Implementation
Summary: 2 Stars
I returned this radio because it gave me very poor AM and FM reception -- especially for [...] bucks!
I could only pick up 2 stations on each band, compared to 2 other (cheaper) radios that I brought in the same room to compare, which had no trouble getting good reception on all local stations.
Reception on other bands was fine, but AM & FM are so fundamental in an emergency where I am, the gulf coast hurricane zone, that this radio is useless... Maybe mine just had a bad tuner (although I've never heard that one before).
The other thing: USB cables have different connectors on each end because they are meant to be one-way: there's the more square end (called an B-connector) and the more flattened end (called A)... This radio only has an A connector, making it impossible to charge via USB connection to your computer as is described in the manual. You could do it with a special male A-A cable, but that can potentially damage the radio and/or computer -- that's why they make the cables one-way!
Other than these 2 points (the first being a deal-breaker), the radio seemed quality.
Customer Review: think it's great
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Kaito 500BLK about a month ago - fully charged it with the adapter (as directed) before using and haven't recharged it again after three or four hours of intermittent use. The solar cell keeps it recharged I presume. The sound is like an inexpensive radio with a 2" speaker but plenty of volume and lots of selection of FM stations in this area. I haven't tried the hand generator yet - even after an hour of operation (during daylight) the green fully charged light is still on. The optional 23' antenna is great for the short wave stations and I use it with my Grundig too. The weather channels work well and there is an option to leave it in standby mode to receive emergency alert broadcasts - like middle of the night while in bed, I suppose. I live in a very hurricane prone area and prolonged power failures may happen. With this radio I don't have to worry about running out of batteries or losing communications with the outside world. I gave it 5 stars.
Customer Review: Does what it needs to do.
Summary: 4 Stars
After yesterday's ice storm led to last night's power outage, we pulled out our radio to provide light and information. That's what we bought it for, and it performed as expected-- AM radio reception is good and the reading light is bright and useful. (We don't use FM during emergencies so haven't really used that function, and haven't had time to check out the shortwave adequately.) Was comforting to know that we could recharge by crank if needed. I have charged the radio by crank and with solar power to check their effectiveness and both worked well. The weather band reception is ok, but not as good as on our dedicated weather radio. The radio is nicely sized and has a substantial feel. My only complaint is that the power selection is a bit confusing compared to other crank/solar/battery radios I have owned.
On a side note, and not considered in my rating (I knew it wasn't included when I made the purchase), it would be nice if the AC adapter was included.
Customer Review: Nice radio, bad reception
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this radio for use as my backup emergency radio, or to use on camping trips. I liked all the features it had: solar panel, hand crank, NOAA stations and shortwave etc... None of this means anything when they don't work right. The hand crank feels so cheap I'm afraid to crank it because I think it will break. Also, I can get only a few stations to come in on FM or AM, and none in shortwave... And I live in a city! The speaker on it is horrible, it puts out more static than stuff you can understand. All in all I would not have purchased this radio if I had to do it over again. It doesn't even come with a wall charger which is pretty much standard on everything these days. Save your money and buy something better, even if it doesn't have all the features. One feature that works well is better than seven that don't work at all. I gave it 2 stars because I got it quickly and everything is technically functional, just horrible quality.