| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Victor |
Posted - 26/11/2007 : 22:08:39
I`m writing this post knowing that Gotwind website has tested most of these products out before.
However as I`m doing 36 hour shifts and very long hours usually over 12 hours shifts I can say that they really DO work.
To get the best out of them you should charge them from the mains a few times so that the batteries do not get a memory charge. The products work better if you charge them from the mains when you 1st get them. After doing that 2 times in sucession you wont need to turn the dynamo as much as the batteries take the CHARGE far better.
I tested the Sherpa Xray and found it an ideal tourch for a security guard.It has more of a wider beam than a maglight but at least you have power in places there is no electricity!!
I also have a FREEPLAY MAX RADIO. It is very good!! It`s the older one without the led built in for a mini light source..
I use the radio a lot and found the solar panel on it actually works very well in the mornings while the sun was coming into the portacabin....I have only had to wind it up a few time during the week while walking about doing my job!!!
THESE FREEPLAY RADIOS AND PRODUCTS GET A 9/10 FROM ME!!
They are slightly costly compared to most models on the market,but they work excellently!! The radio has a superb loud sound and the torch has a superb halogen bulb that specially made for it and really far brighter than what you would get on a bike!
Has anyone else got freeplay products? And if you have please review them. i`ll upload pictures shortly of the ones I currently using!
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Del |
Posted - 29/12/2007 : 17:57:17
Evening all,
I've been looking around for a Freeplay Summit for a while now and I've just found that Curry's are doing them for £29.99.
http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2114715153.1198950902@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccckaddmlledldjcflgceggdhhmdfoj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=335390&category_oid=
If you're after a Freeplay Eyemax then Comet are doing them for £19.99
http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/product.do?sku=415243
These are VERY good prices indeed.
Enjoy
Del. |
| Del |
Posted - 01/12/2007 : 12:12:46
Excellent photos chaps. Spot on.
Not sure about DAB myself. FM is still very good in my opinion and we're likely to get FM transmissions for a good few years yet. I think it will definetely outlast DAB as DAB+ is only just around the corner.
I think I'd stick with FM (due to being much cheaper than DAB) or wait until there's a DAB+ version available and that technology looks like it will stay around for a while. No point in spending a lot of cash that isn't future proof.
Cheers
Del. |
| Victor |
Posted - 30/11/2007 : 21:29:03
Ben,
Excellent view of the Neodymium alternator. I think these products are superb!! Just a pity that they are so expensive compared to their normal counterparts you can buy in the shops.
After looking a long time on Ebay I got my radio second hand for £13 which is hardly used. In fact a bargain!! Reason it went so cheap was not many people were bidding on stuff on NOV 5th and I stayed online till the auction ended....
I think there is a lot of alternative energy products worth buying second hand. The reason being the fad wears off for some folks and they sell them off...
I`d like this forum thread to continue with other members thoughts and ideas on the Freeplay or products that are similar.
I think the reception quality on the MW and FM is rather good. On MW during the night at work I was able to pick up China and the Usa not to mention a few Irish Radio stations beaming into Scotland!!
Only thing about the Radio is that The FM antenna is a little short,but it still pulls in the fm radio stations!!
Possible purchase of a Freplay DAB Radio may be on the cards in 2008! |
| gotwind |
Posted - 29/11/2007 : 16:06:42
Nice photos Victor.
I had to inspect the very well designed alternator also.
One of the smallest Neodymium alternators available I suspect.
It is a 3 phase radial flux design, 12 magnets - 9 poles and the clever skewed laminations to reduce cogging, there is still a bit.
Unfortunately it has to spin at 2000 rpm to get 6 volts, capable of about 15 watts though which is very impressive.
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
| Victor |
Posted - 29/11/2007 : 14:15:20
Had some time before I went out to work to upload the images and also some small 15 second videos for you all to see the products in more detail if you are interested in getting them I recommend the radio as a very good buy!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w-O9FrhZaqc
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2C667OrsLXU
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| gotwind |
Posted - 27/11/2007 : 22:35:58
The 'Freeplay Devo' DAB version is a nice addition to the range.
Be aware, DAB consumes considerably more power to receive it's digital signal, I don't know why?
http://www.freeplayenergy.com/products/radios/radios-dab/devo/specifications
60-second wind – DAB: 3-5 minutes (normal volume).
60-second wind – FM: 1 hour (normal volume).
I've heard standard FM is often better than DAB, but that is another discussion..
Digital radio via Freeview is superior - minimum 128 Kbs - (U.K only sorry)
Ben.
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
| Victor |
Posted - 27/11/2007 : 22:17:54
I`m saddend to hear that. I suppose it is down to the fact that there is cheaper models out there from other companies and most of them are rubbish.
I have to say that I am amazed at the quality and ease of use of these units and i`ll be buying more of them....
just out of interest I`d be really interested to see one of the LLED versions work!! The halogen lights both gardens up at my home and to be honest it`s a fantastic torch! :-)
I`m really thinking of buying the DAB radio in the near fututre instead of an evoke sonus...I hear Pure are getting into building more friendly radios too..Possibly Greener ones!!
Here is a recent addition to the Freeplay website I have noticed...
http://www.freeplayenergy.com/currys
Buy the brilliant Freeplay Devo DAB radio and we will donate, on YOUR behalf, a solar/wind up radio that will change a life in Africa. At Currys stores or buy online. |
| gotwind |
Posted - 27/11/2007 : 22:08:25
Victor.
I have looked into Freeplay energy in depth.
The Freeplay Eyemax radio is one of the latest radio in the range.
It was reduced down to £10 from £30 recently in the Argos stores and now not stocked??
The Freeplay Sherpa was the original using the inefficient Xenon Lamp. The Sherpa Xray model is the more efficient LED model.
Freeplay energy's share price has slumped hugely in the last 6 months which raises concerns to their future success.
http://www.digitallook.com/companyresearch/112067/Freeplay_Energy/company_research.html
I wish them luck, the products are very good.
Ben.
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
| Victor |
Posted - 27/11/2007 : 21:12:50
Products I have to date..
The Freeplay Eyemax radio - Overall Rating 10/10
Superb Radio Great retention of Power!! Hardly need to wind it up :-)
This has been playing for days now and is hardly off. Only wound it up about once a day!!!! 
Had it on about 4 hours already...
The Freeplay Sherpa Xray - 8/10
I rated this 8/10 just because it takes a lot to charge it and no wonder it uses a halogen bulb but to be honest it`s an awesome torch for the house use!!!
Great retention of Power when you take into aco**** the twin filament bulb. 3.3V, 1090/140mA Xenon Lamp.
All can be charged from the mains too with the supplied 240 to 6Volt 100mA adapter.
Wind Vs shine
30 Secs -> Up to 06 Mins
60 Secs -> Up to 12 Mins
2 Mins -> Up to 24 Mins
Charge Vs Shine
Full -> Up to 5 Hours Low beam at 140mA
Full -> Up to 30 mins at Full beam
Charger will charge the torch at 100% capacity in 24 hours as it feeds 100mA into the torch on charge which is a nice slow current that will not damage the batteries!
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| gotwind |
Posted - 27/11/2007 : 20:12:00
I agree Victor,
Not the cheapest, but certainly the best in 'the wind up' range.
My unfinished review page here.
http://www.gotwind.org/freeplay_energy.htm
Keep Cranking :)
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
