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Freeplay EyeMax Self Powered Radio & Flashlight

Solar Panel. Antenna. Optimum Charge Level Indicator. AM/FM Band Selector. Tuning Control. Headphone Socket.	DC Input. Volume and On/Off Control. Dial Scale Frequency Indicator. Winder Handle. LED Flashlight.

According to the California Department of Conservation, Americans use 2 billion non-rechargeable batteries a year for a variety of portable uses. Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel which can contaminate the environment when improperly disposed of. On average, each person in the US discards eight dry-cell batteries per year. Although batteries generally make up less than 1% of municipal solid waste, they account for a disproportionate amount of toxic heavy metals. In 1995, the EPA reported NiCd batteries accounted for 75% of Cadmium found in solid waste. Learn more about household batteries in the Solid Waste section of our Education Center. If you have devices that use replaceable batteries, visit the Rechargeable Battery Chargers & Batteries section for the most advanced products. View a Comparison Chart of Self Powered Radios.

Benefits of Self Powered Electronics:

• Health & Environment - toxic heavy metals from batteries can make it into the environment and food chain where they pose health impacts on humans. When these batteries are land filled, they can leach heavy metals slowly into the soil and ground and surface water. When batteries are incinerated, certain metals may be released into the air or concentrated in the ash that has to be disposed of. Mercury was phased out of certain batteries starting in 1996 with the signing of the Battery Act, but other heavy metals such as Cadmium are still used, which are very toxic. Using self powered electronics with rechargeable batteries reduces the environmental levels of heavy metals, reduces the number of batteries in the waste stream and greatly reduces disposal requirements.

• Cost Savings - self powered electronic devices use solar, wind-up and rechargeable power to produce the energy needed to run the electronic device. There is no need to continually buy non-rechargeable batteries or replacement bulbs over and over again to operate your electronic device. For example, a single electronic device that is used 2 hours a day for one year could have a battery cost of $95 based on purchasing 19 sets of 4C cell alkaline batteries at $5.00 each set. In less than 6 months, an average self powered device will begin to to save you money over disposable battery products and will pay for itself within a year.

Cost Comparison Freeplay vs. Disposable Battery Products
Conventional Radio	$15.00
2 AA Batteries	$1.50
Freeplay Radio	$40.00
Hours per Day Operation (at medium volume)	5
Cost Breakeven Point	4 months
Product Lifetime Savings (10,000 wind-ups)	$170

• Emergency Preparedness and Energy Independence - using wind-up, solar and rechargeable power, Self-Sufficient Energy Technology gives you freedom and independence from traditional power sources, leaving you equipped for any situation. Great for the outdoors, these products never run out of available power. In an emergency, you are never left in the dark looking for candles and batteries or without radio communication. An average battery operated flashlight lasts only 10 hrs before battery replacement is needed. Self-Sufficient Energy Technology combines wind-up, solar and rechargeable power into unique, portable, consumer electronic products that keep you powered wherever you go and when electronic power is not available.

How It Works

Energy Supply - these self powered devices use various energy charging options, such as solar, wind-up or AC plug-in, to store energy in the integrated rechargeable NiMH battery pack. All units feature a wind-up mechanism in which an AC alternator is driven by a crank through a transmission to convert human mechanical energy into stored electricity. Hand cranks are folded into the flashlight or radio and extended when needed. To power up the device using self generated power, simply fold out the handle, wind-up in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until the desired charge level is achieved and then fold the handle back to the original position.

Light Source - lighting is supplied by white Light Emitting Diodes (LED) instead of incandescent bulbs. LEDs can produce comparable light to incandescent bulbs, but are much more energy efficient and can last up to 100,000 hrs.

Fold Out Handle and Wind in Either Direction. Fold Back Handle when Desired Charge is Obtained

About Freeplay Self Sufficient Products

Freeplay Energy Group was founded in the mid 1990's to provide products using self-sufficient technology to meet the needs for emergency communication and diminish the dependence on traditional energy sources. Freeplay is the leader in this category and is focused on developing Self-Sufficient Energy Technology products. Many companies produce wind-up self powered products, but not all products are made of the same quality components, provide high light illumination or long operating times.

Freeplay products have been tested against other Self-Sufficient Energy Technology products and Freeplay flashlights and radios outperform all other products for efficiency, illumination, power generation and operating times. For example, Freeplay's lowest performing flashlight is 5 times more efficient than the competitor's best flashlight and Freeplay's radio played 3 to 5 times longer than other models with the same wind-up time and speed.

Freeplay vs. other Companies
Freeplay Component Quality	Competitor Component Quality

Key Features of Freeplay Products:

• No disposable batteries are used for operation, never worry about disposing or replacing batteries.

• The LED lighting lasts up to 100,000 hrs. of operation and never needs replacement.

• Self-sufficient, solar and/or wind-up power charges on-board rechargeable battery. The more you wind to charge the battery pack, the longer it operates. Wind-up at anytime.

• Internal and external components specified to industrial standards for repeated use and long life durability. Winder handle of tough glass reinforced Nylon. Gear train made of tough glass reinforced Nylon and Acetyl and tested to 500,000 cycles. Outer casing thickness is twice that of competitor brands on average.

• Dependable Rechargeable Battery tested to 10,000 crank charge cycles without capacity loss and never needs replacement.

• Products last a lifetime with rugged design and quality components.

• 2 Year Warranty for defects in materials or workmanship.

Performance Comparison

Several self-sufficient radios were laboratory tested to compare performance. Testing measurements included Power Generation, Power Consumption and Operating Time. The following models were tested:

• Grundig FR-200

• Info-mate 837

• Sony ICF B200

• Philips AE 1000

• Freeplay Ranger

• Freeplay EyeMax

Test Methodology

Power Generation - current generated by each power system at maximum winding speed, under 1 Ohm load at 120 rpm and under a load that matched the battery voltage at 120 rpm.

Power Consumption - each radio was set to detect the same signal. A sound level meter was placed 70cm from each radio speaker tested and the volume adjusted to produce 70 db reading on the meter. Current consumption was measured.

Operating Time - each radio was cranked at 120 rpm for 60 seconds and then switched on. Each radio was set to the same audio output level. The output volume was maintained during the play period by adjusting the volume control as the battery power diminished. Each test was repeated several times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the EyeMax Radio waterproof?
A. No. It is not waterproof, but it is splash proof and will work in rainy conditions..

Q. Can I over wind the unit or does it ever stop you from winding?

A. No, you can not over-wind the internal mechanism.

Q. Is there a specific direction to wind the hand crank?

A. No, the winder handle can be cranked in both directions.

Q. How long will it take to fully charge the EyeMax Radio using the winder handle?

A. As a guide, a constant input effort of 40 minutes into the crank at the optimum charge level will fully charge the battery.

Q. How long will a fully charged battery retain its charge for?

A. The battery will retain about 70% of its capacity after 1 month, 55% after 2 months, 45% after 3 months and 25% after 6 months.

Features

• Simple, rugged, stylish and reliable AM/FM radio with integrated flashlight is ready anytime, anywhere. Great for the outdoors.

• Splash proof design, radio will work in rainy conditions.

• Finely geared mechanical tuning for accurate control.

• High performance speaker provides excellent sound quality with no distortion at high volumes.

• Earphone socket for personal listening.

• Integrated Flashlight uses an Ultra Bright 5mm LED to provide dependable light for everyday or emergency use.

• Self-sufficient, solar or wind-up power charges on-board rechargeable battery.

• LED charge indicator tells you the optimum winding speed.

• 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for household charging.

• Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH battery pack.

• Speaker:

  • Size - 2.6"

  • Impedance: 8 ohms.

  • Output: 0.5 watt (max).

• Antenna:

  • FM - telescopic.

  • AM - built-in ferrite bar.

• Frequencies:

  • FM - 88 - 108 MHz.

  • AM - 500 - 1700 kHz.

• Three Recharging Power Supply Options

  • Solar Panel - photovoltaic cell converts sunlight to electrical energy.

  • Wind-Up - hand crank produces energy from AC alternator.

  • AC/DC Adapter - use household electricity.

• Charging Time:

  • AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24 hrs. after full discharge.

  • Solar Panel - in direct sunlight, will charge and play radio simultaneously.

• Operating Time:

  • Fully Charged - 25 hrs. normal volume.

  • 30 Second Wind - 35 min. normal volume.

• Color: translucent blue.

• Dimensions: 4.4"h x 2.4"w x 7.3"l.

• Warranty: 2 years for defects in materials or workmanship.

• Weight: 1 lb, 8.5 oz.

• View a Comparison Chart of Self Powered Radios.

EyeMax Radio Flashlight

Price: $49.00

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