"DISASTROUS" DYNAMO FLASHLIGHT/FM RADIO


"Disastrous" Dynamo LED Flashlight/FM Radio, retail $10.50 (http://cgi.ebay.com...)
Manufactured by (Unknown) for Golden Gadgets (www.goldengadgets.com)
Last updated 07-30-06




The "Disastrous" Dynamo LED Flashlight/FM Radio is a handheld device containing a three-LED flashlight and an FM radio (the kind with a loudspeaker, not the kind that requires earphones). It uses a dynamo and rechargeable battery, so you never have to buy disposable batteries for it.

It comes in a plastic case colored black and predominatly yellow, and has a handle to make it easy to carry around.


SIZE



The instructions furnished with the unit make it seem considerably more difficult to use than it actually is. So I'll try to keep things simple here.

To use the flashlight portion of the unit, set the slide switch on the side of the unit to "LIGHT". Slide the switch on the top of the unit forward, and that will turn on the three LEDs. Slide the slide switch on the top of the unit backward to turn the flashlight portion off.

To use the radio, slide the slide switch on the left side of the unit to the "RADIO" position. Turn the volume knob clockwise (as if screwing it in) so the red LED next to it comes on. Press the "SCAN" button next to this knob one or more times until your desired radio station comes in. Extend the whip antenna on the right side of the unit if necessary to ensure a good, strong signal. Press the "RESET" button below the "SCAN" button to reset the tuner to the bottom of the FM range (~87MHz).
To turn the radio off when you are done using it, rotate the volume knob counterclockwise (as if unscrewing it) until it clicks and the red LED next to it goes off.



There aren't any disposable batteries to change in this unit, so I'll just tell you how to charge the ones inside the unit.

When the radio volume decreases or the flashlight dims, unfold the charging handle on the side of the unit, rotate it in either direction at approximately 80RPM (~1.5 turns per second). No time is given on the instruction sheet, so I can only furnish a guess for you. And that guess would be ten to twenty minutes. When finished, fold the charging handle back into its slot on the side of the unit.

The unit can also be charged using a "wall wart" AC adapter that outputs 6 volts DC 100-150mA; center of plug positive (+), outer shell negative (-).



Because there are a number of moving mechanical parts inside this flashlight, the "smack test" really isn't that appropriate here.

Same with "The Toilet Test". This unit is NOT waterproof or submersible. So please try not to drop it in creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceansides, docksides, puddles of horse pee, slush piles, mud puddles, tubs, toilet bowls, cisterns, sinks, fishtanks, dog water dishes, or other places where water or water-like liquids might be found. A little rain or snow probably wouldn't hurt it though, so you need not be too concerned about using it in very lightly bad weather.

If it fell in water and you suspect it got flooded, dump the water out of it as much as you can, and set it in a warm dry place for a few days or so just to be sure it's completely dry inside before you use it again.

If it fell into seawater or if somebody or something pissed on it, douche it out with fresh water before setting it out to dry. You don't want the unit to smell like seashells or urine when you go to use it next. Besides, salt (from seawater or pee) can't be very good for the insides.



Photograph of its beam spot at ~12".
Measures 5,950mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this product.

USB2000 spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.





TEST NOTES:
Test unit was purchased on Ebay at this link and was received on 06-30-05.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:



CONS:



    MANUFACTURER: Unknown (sold by Golden Gadgets)
    PRODUCT TYPE: Crank-up LED flashlight with FM radio
    LAMP TYPE: 5mm LED, white
    No. OF LAMPS: 3
    BEAM TYPE: Wide spot with triangular corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Slide switch to ctrl LEDs, pushbutton and slide switches to ctrl radio
    BEZEL: Plastic; plastic window protects LEDs and reflector
    BATTERY: N/A
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: No
    SUBMERSIBLE: NO WAY HOZAY!!!
    ACCESSORIES: None
    WARRANTY: Unknown/TBA

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





"Disastrous" Dynamo LED Flashlight/FM Radio * http://cgi.ebay.com...






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