C. Crane CCRadio Solar Wind-Up Portable Emergency Crank Digital Radio AM, FM, NOAA Weather & Alert, Built-in LED Flashlight and Cellphone Charger, Battery Operated & Everyday Use

I already own the Sangean MMR-88 which is a similarly sized/featured radio, as this model. I decided to try this new "emergency" radio version by C.Crane, to see if this newest version of an "emergency" radio offers updated features that I would enjoy. I have other models of C.Crane radios, so I know they make quality radios. Upon receiving this radio I immediately loved the color look and feel of this radio. The features I really like about this radio compared to my Sangean MMR-88: 1) A volume knob compared to volume buttons on The Sangean 2) 5 Physical preset buttons vs One button for all the presets on the Sangean 3) Uses a full sized 18650 battery, with possibility of using AA batteries as well, The Sangean uses a smaller 18350 battery only. 4) The weather alert can be on while listening to AM/FM. On the Sangean the unit has to be off for the weather alert to be active. The features I dislike about this radio compared to the Sangean: 1) THE SOUND! The Sangean sounds a bit fuller, less tinny, and more directional sounding than the C.Crane (although the C.Crane does get louder at the top volumes). 2) The antenna is much thinner (easier to become bent?) than the Sangean's antenna which is much thicker and beefier. 3) The battery door on the Sangean is an easy opening hinged door vs a hard to open removable panel on the C.Crane. 4) Finally...The Price! I purchased the Sangean when it was $37, and bought 2. (I believe they are now around $50 at time of this review). For the purposes of my usage, as mainly a portable weather radio with a good sounding speaker for listening to Sports radio/sports events on the AM band, the Sangean IMO sounds better overall for normal volume listening, at a much more reasonably priced radio. I must confess, I am a radio dork, and I own over a dozen plus radios for different listening situations, so for Fm/Music, I really wouldn’t use either of these for any extended periods. Both radios are solidly built quality radios. If the C.Crane was around a $50 price point I would have kept it, but the differences between the two did not justify for me, the almost triple the price over the radios I already own, for this newer model "Emergency" radio. This is a good “Emegency” radio, if I didn't already own the Sangeans for comparisons I might have kept the C.Crane. Revised/Updated Review 02/09/2023: Upon testing/comparing this radio further, I found a couple other features which make this radio actually shine! A hidden feature (Holding #1 and #5 together) Actually "pumps" up the fullness/volume of the sound. It does drain the battery a bit more quickly supposedly, but I prefer this sound over the default setting. Also, the light on the this CCrane is brighter and easier to turn on and off quickly compared to the Sangean, which isn't as bright and has a few different setting you have to scroll through. The Sangean does require a longer press of several buttons for many of the features. This CCrane has a much better response when pushing the buttons. I really do enjoy the preset buttons over the Sangeans' single button requiring you to scroll through the presets. The sleep mode settings allow different times to turn off, where the Sangean is set at only 90 minutes. I do wish the alarm setting would allow you to set wake up to radio, apparently it only has a buzzer, which does not allow volume control, but it is at a pleasant setting. So after further testing and comparing, I have changed my Review from 4 stars to 5 (actually it would be 4.75 if allowed, and that is only due to the higher price compared to others). This is one of the pricier "Emergency" Radios, but "upon further review" I now feel it is worthwhile and a Great Fun Radio Update 3/28/2023: Ok, I Love this radio! The more I use it, the better I like it and appreciate it's features. The only thing I really don't care for is that the antenna extends up from left to the right side of the radio...most (if not all) other radios I have or have had, the antenna is extended from the left side of the radio. when lifting the radio (being right handed), sometimes that gets in the way when antenna is extended. It's a very small nitpick of a feature, but one I wanted to share. Get this radio, it's AWESOME!

You can run this in the "dummy" mode with all the default settings quite satisfactorily, or you can take the "techy" path and dive into the various menus hiding behind combo button pushes. The simultaneous two-button pushes are often a little too picky on the timing for my taste and slow fingers, and I too often ended up missing the intended menu, and ended up changing stations instead. Push the buttons one at a time though, like a normal person, and you probably never have to give much thought to all those extra menus. I barely touch them now that I've tried them all out. With some practice they work fine. None of them are really "magic" that you're missing out on. They are mostly "bells and whistles" for the folks that need some of those to justify the price, or who make a hobby of capturing distant stations. I think the price is already fully justified by the "plain vanilla" features, as the reception was more than just good, the sound was great for this small of a package, and the charging works as advertised. It gave me tornado warnings just as it should in a remote area of Minnesota on my recent vacation. The rubberized case and the weight of the battery(s) and generator make it sit nice and securely, and it doesn't go skittering across the table or windowsill if you bump it. About 20x better than most "emergency radios". This is a very good "regular" radio to which is added those extra charging features to make it stay wonderful when the power goes out, and stays out. Not the lightest, and not a "shirt pocket" radio. It's a tad beefier than most, but uses every ounce.. It's not an empty box that you wonder why you paid all that money for it when there seems to be nothing inside. It's a bit of a luxury item, sure, but it's a small one. Treat yourself, or someone you love who's tired of chintzy radios crapping out on them. I'm few months in, and still liking it. (AM radio and USB chargers are NOT a good combination. You really need to unplug it to enjoy AM listening, but the battery life is so long that this is really no hardship. If you're a serious DX'er, you've probably already unplugged both your refrigerator and microwave and are now sitting in the dark to avoid LED light-bulb noise while you search for ever more distant and rare stations. Not the things "normal" people do. Normal people will still likely want to unplug the USB charger for AM listening though. You also can't listen to AM thru lightning storms. That's the nature of AM radio, not any fault of the receiver. Use FM and/or weather band where you should probably be tuned anyway.) This radio works good, sounds good, and nothing about it says "chintzy". It doesn't try to compete to be the cheapest, and doesn't need to sit hidden away in some "go bag". No RDS to tell you what song you're listening to, or the name of the station, but that's the trade-off for longer battery life. Also no HD radio, but again, that takes more power. The trade-offs are pretty small compared to what it delivers. I took one star off for the volume control, as I bump the volume control accidentally a little more than I like when handling it, it does work fine however.

What's not to like? It has everything you need in case of an emergency. It's compact and the wireless/solar charges last a long time in-between. I love that it has an extendable antenna for good reception and that it receives AM & FM, and localized weather reporting channels that can be programmed for quick access. This radio is super easy to set-up and use; it's super compact for travel, plus it sounds great for its size. They thought of everything with this solid little gem, including a flash light and a hand-crank in case no power and your stuck in the dark. I give it a 5-star as I believe this radio to be a well-built, well-thought-out necessity; especially during power outages, as well as for regular use if you still enjoy radios. :-)

A bit pricey but very good quality. I like that it can be charged in many ways. And there is a few battery options to power the unit.

It is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. I have had several so called emergency radios all of which were cheaply made and none of which lasted. This is by far the best quality. It has a great sound, and receives all channels with clear reception. The case is made with a durable plastic and has a rubberized coating so that it sits on a table or countertop without sliding. It is very compact and has many options most of which I will never use. I especially like the station presets for all three bands. It is powered by a rechargable 18650 lithium ion battery (included) or 3 AA alkaline batteries or solar or hand crank. Although it is made in China it reminds me of the quality of USA made electronics we used to get back in the 60's before the influx of Chinese junk. It is well worth the price and I would highly recommend it.

Sa vaut la peine de payer un peut plus. Bonne qualité, bon son, bonne réception en FM et météo , bonne durée de vie de la batterie, capteur solaire efficace, mémoire pour les canaux, facile a utiliser ! Il y a même un bouton pour utiliser ou non les piles AA qui a date n'ont jamais servit. C'est ma troisième radio solaire et je crois bien que se seras la dernière. Ma première une E-Ton était merveilleuse coté recharge solaire mais le bouton était mal placé et sa prenait une éternité pour changer les stations, tellement que le bouton de syntonisation a fini par lâcher .............Ma deuxième une bas de gamme ne valais rien coté solaire et le son variait toujours ....... On l'utilise en forêt au chalet et je l'adore rien a reprocher a date.

The C.Crane Solar radio is not only attractive but its a very sturdy well made product. Lots of thought has gone into its design and usefulness. It's functional and practical for emergency situations while serving as a practical daily radio. Pros: Attractive packaging and comes with a USB charge cable and complete manual. Solid feel and quality construction. Rubber cover protection. Good sound plus an extra boost optional setting. Very bright built-in flashlight. Works well on all 3 bands, AM, FM, WX using the built in antenna. Multi power sources: built in replaceable 18650 li-ion, 2 x AA (optional), Solar panel, Hand crank The solar panel works better than most. Optional AC adapter is available but unnecessary. The 18650 li-ion battery is easily replacable if ever needed. Nice size dimensions for night table or as a desk top radio. Radio can be easily charged on sunny days. AA batteries will power the radio for 35 hours on high output setting. Covered by warranty Cons: The sticker on the battery door leaves a hard to remove adhesive requiring Goo Gone and effort to remove. C.Crane ought to change that sticker. Not inexpensive but its the price for a quality product.

I previously purchased a similar product for about a third the price but returned it because the sound quality of the radio was so poor. This one sounds and feels much better. I use it every day and it works great. Some minor complaints: The radio buttons on the front have extra functions which are listed on the inside of the battery cover, which is better than in a manual you don't have with you, but better still would have been to just have added extra labels under the buttons. I miss the reading light feature of the cheaper unit I first purchased. It would be nice if it could also work as a bluetooth speaker.

La performance est incroyable et c'est le meilleur radio d'urgence sur le marché. Toutes les bandes sont bien au-dessus de la moyenne en réception, énorme panneau solaire, alimentation AA ou 18650, outils AM DX, cinquante préréglages, lampe de poche lumineuse et un mode d'alerte qui peut être toujours activé. Malgré la petite taille du speaker le son est excellent. Qu'est-ce qu'il ne faut pas aimer ? :) Un seul hic... le prix......mais faut payer pour avoir le meilleur. Bravo C.Crane.

Compact. Great sound. Easy to use. Feel secure for back up power to charge my phone in case of a weather event and power outage