I've had 3 solar powered, wind-up radios.
If the first one sat in a sunny window all day it meant I very rarely had to plug it into the mains in good weather in summer. Thirty seconds of winding was supposed to produce 30 minutes of listening. Instead 30 seconds of winding produced a minute of listening. I dropped it and it was never the same again.
The second one didn't have a plug in option. It charged well in sunshine (with a light to show you when it was being charged, which was always satisfying to see). One minute's winding produced about 20 minutes listening. Then the knob broke and I couldn't turn it off..
The last one also didn't have a plug in option. It didn't seem to charge well in the window. One minute's winding produced about 12 minutes listening, but the only indication it needed rewinding was when it stopped completely.
I got a cheap plug in /battery radio at the weekend, though I don't plan to use batteries. I can have it on the floor if I want and I can hear it. I have to choose my moment to take it downstairs between getting washed and dressed and having my breakfast, but listening to the radio is now not a chore in the mornings.
I've never met anyone who has had Baylis wind-up radio. I wouldn't mind paying for the green option if I didn't feel I was punishing myself for being green!
Sometimes I think one can go too far with buying green. After all, how much power does a radio use? Is it worth punishing yourself with guilt trips over something so small?
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