A clockwork toy (Freeplay FPR 2 SC)

Member Name: ahenry

Product:	Freeplay FPR 2 SC
Date:	11/06/01 (274 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: running costs

Disadvantages: stops playing sometimes

A clockwork radio was a gadget that I had fancied for a while, but which had always cost more than I'd wanted to spend. When I saw the www.halfpriceorless.com offer (£22) I went for it. I've had it for a couple of weeks now.

Its big and chunky. The winding mechanism feels a bit agricultural. There is a quiet humming sound from it most of the time. Every once in a while there is a louder squeak from it. Sometimes it also gets stuck and switches itself off. If you touch the cranking handle on the back, it carries on playing.
The quality of the reception is fine, although it is pretty basic - just with FM and AM (ie no LW for radio 4 cricket commentary).

The design is an unusual mixture of the iMac-like clear blue plastic case, which lets you see the spring and gears spin around, together with a cheapo AM/FM slider switch.

Summary: