Best use of the FR200

The rechargeable battery/dynamo-crank system is best used purely for emergency use, but it's not explained well in the owner's manual. Turning the crank vigorously for about two minutes provides up to an hour of radio play at low volume. This time is dramatically reduced when the light is used because the light draws a tremendous amount of current compared to just the radio playing. When using the light, it is best to continually turn the crank while using it. Even if the built-in battery completely runs down, the radio can still be listened to while continually turning the crank. When the emergency use factor is understood, this product is excellent for that purpose.

The FR200 can also operate on three AA batteries. For customers who decide to use this product as a non-emergency daily radio, I suggest the use of AA alkaline batteries, Energizer Lithium batteries or nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries rather than the built-in rechargeable one. In this type of product, these AA batteries will enable the radio to play for many, many hours. AA rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride batteries, available at many stores including Radio Shack and Walgreens are presently the most cost effective method of battery operation.