I've had both (actually, I've collected every Baygen Freeplay model )
and after fairly extensive comparison, I think the Grundig has
generally better SW and AM reception, better dial resolution (though
that's not saying much) and is much more portable. I do like the
Freeplay Plus's clockwork spring better.

Much as I like to play with these radios, they really aren't any good
as emergency radios. You would be far better off with a Grundig
G4000A, Kaito KA-1102, Sony SW7600GR or similar portable. Add a box of
alkaline batteries from Costco, Home Depot, etc. and you'll have all
the SW reception ability you'll need in an emergency. I keep a KA-1105
and a box of 40 alkaline AA batteries (refreshed every two years) in my
emergency kit.

Right, that's occured to me. But in the same breath, the idea of a
device not dependant on any outside power source is appealing. Darren

"Stranger On The Bus" wrote in
oups.com:

I've had both (actually, I've collected every Baygen Freeplay model )
and after fairly extensive comparison, I think the Grundig has
generally better SW and AM reception, better dial resolution (though
that's not saying much) and is much more portable. I do like the
Freeplay Plus's clockwork spring better.

Much as I like to play with these radios, they really aren't any good
as emergency radios. You would be far better off with a Grundig
G4000A, Kaito KA-1102, Sony SW7600GR or similar portable. Add a box of
alkaline batteries from Costco, Home Depot, etc. and you'll have all
the SW reception ability you'll need in an emergency. I keep a KA-1105
and a box of 40 alkaline AA batteries (refreshed every two years) in my
emergency kit.



The FR250 and FR300 are probably better than the FR200 -- they have white
LED's instead of a filament bulb, one has AM/FM/SW bands, the other has
AM/FM/NOAA weather bands/TV channels 2-7. They both also have an adapter
to charge a bunch of kinds of cell phones. I think the one with AM/FM/NOAA
bands/TV 2-7 would be most useful post-hurricane.

Actually, the FR200 (my LL Bean version anyway) uses a white LED light.

I wasn't sure if you were implying that the FR200 didn't have
shortwave...if so, it does. Shortwave capability in most emergencies
is probably not going to be as useful as MW and FM reception.

I would like to think that I would keep a fresh supply of alkaline
batteries ready for emergencies, but I know otherwise. For me a
rechargable unit is the better choice for an emergency radio.