SangeanMMR-99 AM/FM-RBDS/Bluetooth/AUX/Weather/Multi-Powered Digital Tuning Emergency Radio

I'm something of a long time emergency radio enthusiast at this point; been playing with them over the past nearly 20 years. I've owned multiple models by Eton and Kaito, and one from LaCrosse and Altec Lansing. Also tried some low end ones from companies like Running Snail. Almost bought the older yellow Sangean model back when, then finally picked this up early this year and now the search is over.If you're looking for something to use to tune in to broadcasts from the other side of the world while you try to stay warm during a nuclear winter, you'll be disappointed with this model's nonexistant shortwave tuner. For anything else, it's top notch. And you may find yourself using it regularly instead of stowing it away for emergencies.There are tons of options out there, but most are cheaply made. Makes sense -- How much is someone willing to spend on something they hope to never need? This and a few others cost more and are of much better quality. I'd expect this one to survive an actual emergency and I use it in my daily life -- Mostly as a Bluetooth speaker.The radio handles AM/FM and NOAA channels. AM and FM have narrow and wide band capabilities to bring in weak/distant signals, which I've never had in an emergency radio before. Another setting on the unit is between regular and "loud" volume, and you'll probably want the latter if using as a Bluetooth speaker. As far as that goes, it's similar to the Altec Lansing Storm Chaser in that it has vastly superior sound to other emergency radios' tinny little drivers. I actually use it to listen to music aboard my sailboat and it fills the small cabin with music on demand, probably in part due to the passive bass port on the back of the unit behind the speaker. And speaking of sailboats, it's water resistant, IP55. And made of high grade plastic with thick plastic bumpers on the edges for additional impact resistance and chunky rubber covers for the ports -- Rubber covers that properly seat and don't open accidentally. I, meanwhile, accidentally let it fall five plus feet onto a wood floor and it wasn't damaged, not even cosmetically. The Altec Lansing once fell two feet (but onto concrete) and I had to snap part of the facia back into place.Nothing on this is painted with a "rubberized" coating like some plastic units, so it won't get gooey and sticky in a few years like my Kaito Voyager PRO KA600 and Eton Microlink did. That stuff can be scrubbed off with isopropyl alcohol, by the way.Like most water resistant radios this is 100% digital and button-based, as rubber buttons are way easier to weather seal than knobs and switches are. They don't light up at night or glow in the dark, though the display is nice and bright. So are the "high" and "low" beams, along with a third, red flashlight to help preserve night vision. It doesn't have a fold-out reading lamp under the solar panel like many emergency radios do, however. I'd argue that this lends to better durability over having that thing flop open on impact. The carry strap is good quality and secure, the solar works (pop off one end of the strap to fully expose it -- strap ends are easy to pop on and off) and the hand crank works as well and feels very sturdy. Still, best to leave the thing with moving parts alone until you really need it. And consider that you'll do a LOT of cranking for a small amount of charge. This is the case on all such devices.It holds a charge for a long time when not in use. I haven't noticed it to self-discharge at all, though it clearly must since it displays the time 24/7. Time was, I opted for analog radios for bug out bags so they wouldn't run down the battery in storage. Not an issue with this one.It does not accept additional AA batteries for a backup. Or need that feature, in my humble opinion.The weather band tuner receives decently in my weak reception area with the telescopic antenna fully extended, whereas my analog Kaito KA370 pocket equivalent doesn't pick it up at all. It receives FM at least on par with my car's stereo. Has RDS and will even use it to keep the clock set. Haven't tested AM.The closest unit to this that I've owned is the Altec Lansing Storm Chaser. It has superior sound (two speakers) and shortwave, plus S.A.M.E. programming, but is much larger, day glow yellow and has battery issues and no headphone jack, plus a constantly on LED when not completely turned off -- It's garrish rather than discrete and over twice the size. And still sitting in my storage unit whereas this one earned a spot aboard with me. The Altec Lansing does have a built in bottle cap opener for those end of the world micro brews, however, should the day glo yellow not attract all the zombies. (I've reviewed that model, too).If you're willing to drop coin for an endurable emergency radio, I highly recommend this Sangean. Just wish the dark blue color available in Europe was sold here too. Way more nautical looking than army green, after all.

An incredible device in case of an emergency, or just for listening. I ran my own tests to check the viability of this radio:A) Lithium battery after a full AC charge- Radio was on continuously for 52 hours before shutting down.B) Battery after one minute of hand crank charge- Radio ran for 20 minutes before shutting down.C) Battery after 2 hours of direct solar charge- Radio ran for 10 continuous hours before shutting down.I’m very impressed by this emergency radio. The sound quality is crisp and robust, with a stereo sound. The radio picks up stations clearly at a 100 mile radius with just the telescopic antenna (I live in Phoenix and I was listening to sports talk radio in Tucson with zero static). The two white flashlights are good, in a pinch. The red light is very bright and great for preserving your night vision. The weather band is clear and gives NOAA forecasts. The Bluetooth is easy to pair with your devices.Having experienced both the Sangean and C. Crane emergency radios, both do a great job, but I’ll go with the Sangean based on sound quality as the deciding factor.Here’s to hoping we will never need the radio, but it will give you a better peace of mind if that day comes.Stay prepared, because no one will do it for you.

Here is my short explanation FM seems to come in as expected, but if the antenna were better / longer i think that it should have been more of a priority. The weather band works. The AM signal pickup seems ok. As far as all the electrical and the solar goes at this price it should have had 3x the capacity.The sound in my opinion is good enough and the unit seems very solid. I would have appreciated the ability to use disposable or rechargeable AA batteries or more of the lithium cells. I own a cheaper radio and the crank on this one is a step above that however that is not much experience.So all in all it feels slightly overpriced, but it does what i wanted and feels far tougher than my other portables plus it has WB. As for the alarm i plodded through without the instructions so rating it on the one progressively louder sound boy it does get loud. I have far too many things to learn about a couple of dozen things. As far as water & dust resistance, well in my opinion unless you can operate a device fully submersed i do not trust it. As far as camping or other activities always bring an assortment of zip lock bags. So i am happy with this radio, but other competitive devices in the same price range do look like perhaps they might better suit your needs. If you have read my review to this point you are a serious shopper and what might be a deciding factor may be size or stereo capability for example one of the Kaito line.An update my radio took a fall 4 feet to concrete and it was destroyed, but i can hardly imagine any radio taking that fall and surviving unscathed, had i taken it apart i am sure i could have restored most of the functions however the crank broke internally. As for me the crank is one of the things an emergency radio must have in perfect working order. As to whether or i will repurchase? It comes down to power and this radios single cell i feel falls below my needs.