Companion Self-Sufficient Radio, Flashlight and Cellphone Charger (Black)

I bought this neat little radio to use on camping trips and it works so well I'm using it at home too. Not only can you solar charge or crank it but it can also be charged off of a computer via mini-usb cable and both my AC & DC Motorola Razr cell phone chargers works very well too. They claim that a 10 hour cable charge will render 8 hours of playtime but this radio went over 24! It also has a charger cord to charge a Nokia cell phone but I'm not sure if there are adapter cords for other brands. They don't say. It's built very sturdily with rubberized non-slip exterior and is weatherproof. It's a very nice product at a reasonable price.

I was a bit disappointed that the Freeplay Companion does not have a windup spring which then runs the mini generator at a consistent rate the way I'm told the original did. It is also much smaller than I expected. I would have liked emergency band included in the radio, since I bought it for emergency use. It would be nice to catch the weather radio broadcasts, etc. I'm not sure how valuable the phone charging option will be. I will have to get an adapter if I want to use it for that. Ultimately, the true test will be in how durable it proves over time. At more than four times the cost of similar emergency radios, I hope it proves more reliable and durable than others I have bought.

I decided to take evaluating a survival radio seriously since I planned to buy 6 for my family & friends BOBs. I compared this radio together with a Eton scorpion, Eton FRX3, Kaito KA500 Voyager and cc Solar observer all in the $50 range. The result of my testing in NJ was a toss up between this radio and the Eton scorpion. Either radio is a good choice but I preferred the Freeplay because I felt the quality was better and I prefer the analog dials, although the Freeplay does not have NOAA channels and is difficult to find locally. If you have tested these two radios against others, I'd be interested in hearing your opinions as I was only willing to test so many.

Expensive, poor radio reception, no NOAA radio as advertised, UK port, not US USB port compatible, too expensive to shop back : (

When I asked Freeplay support, I was told Freeplay does not sell a charge cable for non-Nokia cell phones. The only cell phone it will charge is Nokia's. Really! While I understand Nokia is has the largest percentage of the cell phone market that is still only about 30%. Then, on top of that, the charging feature only works on the crank, not the internal battery or solar panel. Add to that the charge does not work on the USB. The charging feature only works on a charging pin connector. The PDF owner's manual does not tell you the size, voltage and amps for the charging pin connector. I suppose I will have to find the size, voltage and amps on a Nokia site some where. Then search for a converter. I still like the flashlight and radio part.

This was a gift for daughter and son in law on the Big Island, where radio reception on their land is very difficult and they have no electricity -- they LOVE this product and say it works perfectly, including the hand charger with strong reception, unlike the other (more expensive) radio we purchased for them a few years ago.

I like the product quite a bit. It is compact,easily transportable, and has multiple features. The only thing I am a bit disappointed with is the amount of static on certain days. I have played with the antenna but there is still more static than I care for. Purchasing the radio through Amazon was easy and the price was good.

Rubber armor, solar strip that keeps it charged 24/7, a decent radio and a good usable LED light. Plus you can crank charge it up if you have to. and it'll charge your cell phone. It's the perfect backpack gadget or emergency tool to keep on your DESK where it can get light to keep the batteries charged for you. The radio sound quality is impressively good with earphones. It's an excellent buy. I have a shelf full of crank up and solar charged stuff like this, and this one tops them all in a simple "I'm here, I'm ready, I'm all you need" way.