The NEW Freeplay Companion is a radio, a flashlight, and a mobile phone charger, all in a unit that's only 125 mm (4.9") long and weighs just 200 g (7 oz). It has a solar panel and a crank so you'll never run out of power, and you'll never have to buy disposable batteries.
This tough, little eco gadget is a must for any camping trip, festival or gap year adventure.
Product Features
- Rechargeable NiMH battery built in
- Solar panel
- Built-in crank means never running out of power
- Headphone socket for personal listening
- Bright flashlight with no bulbs to burn out
- Mobile phone charger with New Nokia charging cable
About the Companion
The Freeplay Companion Radio promises assured listening, anytime, anywhere. Big on functionality, but small in size, the Companion is a radio, a flashlight and a Mobile phone charger that fits easily into your bag, your glove box or your drawer – ready when you need it, where you need it. The AM/FM radio has an earphone socket for personal listening. The flashlight has 3 LEDs with optics optimized for a focused light. The integrated cell phone charger means that you’ll never be out of touch because of dead batteries.
Offering a choice of self-charge, solar and external recharge power options, the Companion delivers complete independence from wall power or disposable batteries while ensuring sustainable access to information and entertainment. Freeplay’s patented self-charge technology means excellent reliability. A 1-minute wind gives you 20 minutes of radio listening at normal volume, or 30 minutes of light, and you can wind some more at any time for as much play time / shine time as you want. An LED charge level indicator tells you the best speed to wind.
In direct sunlight the Companion will charge itself and play continuously. The internal NiMH battery can be fully charged from either the solar panel or an external charging adapter (any standard mini-USB AC charger will do), to give 12 hours of play time (depending on volume), or 16 hours of shine time.
Technical Information
Power Source – Self-Charge
Direct drive spur gear transmission driving a high power 3-phase alternator with high efficiency 3 phase rectification.
Alternator
6 pole pair of Zinc coated sintered Neodymium Iron Boron permanent magnets (N35H Grade).
3-phase winding.
Skewed stator tooth faces to reduce cogging torque while retaining high efficiency.
Stator laminations 0.5mm laminating steel to specification VM 350-50, double side insulated to Stabolit 20.
Permanently lubricated sintered Oilite bush for long life.
Stainless steel base plate for non-magnetism, corrosion resistance, and strength.
Transmission and Winder
Spur gears are manufactured in dissimilar engineering polymers – glass filled PA6 (nylon) and POM (acetyl) for optimum gear tooth interface, low noise signature and extended life.
Stainless steel shafts for extended life.
Large winder knob for easy grip.
Winder hub and bush are nylon and acetyl respectively for long life.
Winder handle is high strength glass filled nylon.
Power Source – Solar Panel
5.5V, 30mA polycrystalline solar panel with epoxy encapsulation under a polycarbonate lens.
Power Source – External Charge
Mini-USB charging socket (5V, 100mA, 5 pin).
Charge rate: 10 hours – 100% capacity.
Power Storage
High conversion efficiency rechargeable NiMH 2/3 AAA cell 3.6V pack, 350 mAh capacity.
Play Time
Fully charged battery: 12 hours (at normal volume).
60-second wind: 20 minutes (at normal volume).
1 hour solar exposure: 1 hour (at normal volume, radio off while charging).
Play time will vary depending on the volume setting.
Shine Time
Fully charged battery: 16 hours.
60-second wind: 30 minutes.
Talk time
60-second wind: 2-3 minutes (varies depending on phone model, phone battery condition and signal strength).
Frequencies
FM: 88-108 MHz
AM: 500-1700 kHz
Speaker
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 0.4 Watt (max)
Antenna
FM: Telescopic
AM: Built in ferrite bar
Controls
Recessed volume and tuning control knobs for impact protection.
Dimensions
Height: 60 mm (2.3")
Length: 125 mm (4.9")
Depth: 42 mm (1.6")
Weight: 200 g (0.4 lb)