Customer Reviews

Kaito KA339 Solar & Crank AM/FM Emergency Radio with LED Lantern & Flashlight, Color Yellow

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this for my mother because last time we had a storm, she was without power for several days. This item is worth every penny! She LOVES it. It's really easy to crank, plus it is also solar powered. This product is well thought out, well designed, and lightweight. Also, it's not that big so it doesn't take up much storage space.

I bought the Kaito 339 as an emergency radio, but...

This is not a very well-built radio. If you are looking for something rugged, this is not it. The case is made of inexpensive shiny plastic. If the led flashlight is removed (and it is easily removed just by turning its black retainer ring...why, I do not know.), the inside reveals a circuit board and plastic gears for the dynamo; and the crank is somewhat flimsy. NO way is this radio weather resistant.

Upon the timely arrival of the radio and after having read the one-sheet non-detailed manual, I tried out the crank. After about three minutes of cranking, the radio played for about 30 seconds.

Then I opened the battery compartment (a tedious procedure requiring a tiny screw driver) and the battery terminals fell out rendering alternate battery operation useless. The manual states that if alternate batteries are used, the radio and all its other functions will run off those batteries only. You do not have a choice...no switch. In other words, according to the manufacturer, if alternate batteries are in place, they will have to be exhausted and removed before the radio will work again. This is unacceptable. At that point, I was going to send the whole thing back, but decided to test it further before doing so.

I charged the internal lithium ion battery overnight using a charging adaptor that I have at 4-volts. The charging adapter is not supplied and Kaito, the manufacturer, recommends no more than a 5-volt charger.

The radio was turned on and is now still going strong 18 hours later on the internal lithium ion battery. Since it is claimed that a good li-ion battery will hold 90% of its charge for ten years, has no "memory effect", lasts so much longer than nickel-hydride and alkaline batteries, and is environmentally friendly, this is the way to go for an emergency radio just as it is the way to go for all other battery operated devices. Kaito got at least one thing right.

Tuning in stations is tricky due to the very small tuning knob with black on black markings (almost invisible even in day light.) Tuning must be done by ear. However, reception on AM is very good...on FM, it is fair. (For an emergency radio, FM is nice, but not necessary. However, for an emergency radio, this one has NO WEATHER CHANNELS.)

The 5-led flashlight is powerful and will light up an entire room. The 8-led diffused reading light is even more powerful and more than adequate for reading. It lights up our entire living room.

Until the battery runs down, the solar function cannot be tested, the dynamo crank cannot be retested, and the cell phone charger has no instructions.

The quality of the construction of this radio leaves much to be desired. However, I am really impressed with li-ion technology and would keep the radio, if it were not for the lack of weather channels. Unfortunately, I overlooked the manufacturer's omission of weather channels in the description.
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UPDATE: The radio finally faded out at just more than a continuous 20 hours. When it did, I vigorously cranked the dynamo for about 3 minutes and then turned on the radio. Lo and behold, it worked and has been continuously running now for over 3 hours. I wonder if charging with the adapter first had something to do with waking up the internal battery. I also wonder if the solar function contributed to the longevity as, during the day, the radio was in a lighted room. At any rate, I'll wait until it dies and test out the solar function...just might keep this baby.
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FORGET IT! I charged up the battery for about 5 hours before traveling for a week. When I returned, the charge was gone; and the radio had to be cranked...remember , no external battery function because of poor construction. Cranking would not charge up the battery.

Unless, I received a "lemon," DO NOT BUY THIS RADIO for emergency purposes.

This is the first item I have ever returned to Amazon.

My son broke this radio within a week. The crank is molded plastic, and the weakest link in the chain -- the fitting where the base/center of the crank slots into an interior metal turn wheel -- snapped off when exposed to forceful turning. You get what you pay for, I suppose. Made in China!