I'm Winding You Up! (Tesco Value RAD-306 Wind-Up Radio)

Member Name: brittle1906

Product:	Tesco Value RAD-306 Wind-Up Radio
Date:	22/02/09 (285 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Eco friendly, reliable and cheap

Disadvantages: Not DAB and not pretty!

Review of Tesco Value RAD-306Wind-up Radio

**The product**
This is a bargain priced Tesco Value product. A neat little radio ideal for use at home or when traveling.

The radio is AM/FM with a headphone socket. The controls are basic, two slider type controls, one for frequencies the other for volume. Channel selection is via a dial on the front of the radio. An antennae style extending aerial is mounted on the top of the radio and this is fully positionable. The radio is an analogue model, no DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) here!
The controls are simple and easy to use and the reception I have found to be excellent, even when in use inside my steel narrowboat. Radio and TV reception are something many of my boating friends grumble about even with far more technically advanced equipment than my humble Tesco radio!

**Special features**

This is a dual powered radio, you can of course choose to power by battery, 1 x 9v, but it is primarily a windup model. The inbuilt mini generator will provide approximately 20 minutes of listening with only 90 seconds of winding. The chunky black generator winding handle is set on the front of the radio and is very easy to wind.

*Crafty Grandmother's hint....young children seem to enjoy winding the radio and hearing the results of their labours. Educational and saves me the trouble!!

On a serious note, the wind up facility is ideal for my travels as it doesn't matter whether I have access to electricity or shops for new batteries, I can still have radio entertainment. In a more conventional environment a windup radio is always useful indoors, either as a backup for your normal radio or in the case of a power cut. The windup radio concept has been around ever since radios were invented and enjoyed a resurrection thanks to the work of Trevor Bayliss OBE, who in 1993 became aware of the need for the need of a means of communication which did not require batteries or electricity in remote areas of Africa. As a keen inventor, Bayliss developed the clockwork radio. Since then many other companies, including Tesco have joined in the ranks of stockists for these radios. Eco-friendly and practical wind up radios are a green alternative to conventional types of radio.

**Appearance and price**

I have to be totally honest here and state that this is not an attractive item. It is an awkward looking radio but I think it's appearance can be forgiven when the advantages of this radio are taken into consideration! The Tesco Value RAD-306 comes in silver with the controls, wind up handle and carry strap in black. The main material is plastic with a cloth carry strap, although it has a headphone socket, no headphones are supplied. Well, it is a value model! It is a small radio, fully portable and lightweight. Measurements are: height 10cm, width 7cm, depth 3.5 cm.
The cost is currently £7.97, although I paid a little more when I bought mine 6 months ago.
The Tesco Value RAD-306 is available in larger Tesco branches, online or through the Tesco Direct catalogue.

**Tesco Contact Information**
www.tesco.com

Tesco Stores Ltd
Cheshunt
EN8 9SL
Freephone 0800 505555 (Mon-Sat. 9:00-18:00hrs)

Tesco Direct catalogues are available in store. From these you can order online, by phone or instore at the Tesco Direct desk.
**Conclusion**

For an eco friendly simple wind up radio you cannot go far wrong with this product. Great for use on the move, even in remote areas. It is cheap but good value, simple to use and you do not have to use batteries. The choice is yours, wind up or battery. Good for the environment and although not, pretty, a useful item to own.
I would recommend this to consumers looking for a small analogue radio with few frills.

C brittle1906 February 2009
Also published on ciao.co.uk and peazyshop.co.uk under same pen name

Summary: An eco friendly product at a good price

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