A hand-cranked Porsche (radio)

(Credit: Sharper Image)

Somehow, we don't associate the name Porsche with a hand crank--especially when it's on a radio. But that's what the venerable designers have done with the "Eton Porsche Design Radio," which combines old and new by using an aluminum crank to power its "super-heterodyne technology."

The crank, of course, is designed for use in emergencies or camping trips; the rechargeable radio can also run on AA batteries or an AC plug. But the elbow grease could come in handy for other uses, such as recharging a mobile phone with an adapter that's included.

Once it's up and running, it's basically a standard AM-FM shortwave radio, though it does include built-in LED lights and flashlight. We're waiting for Porsche to come up with a car that can start the same way.

[tony in the pacific]

Good idea, poor execution

Unfortunately good idea, poor execution. Purchased this at Sharper Image. Had to return the first one for a loose connection, lost the station and got static. Second one lost power from the batteries when moved. The radio dial calibration was so misaligned as to be unusable. Listening to AM on the AC adapter was full of interference. You need to use the antenna to get a decent AM signal as there doesn?t appear to make be an internal AM antenna, an inconvenience. The second one went back and I got a refund.

I really wanted this to work but for a $200 radio the the quality control people were asleep at the wheel. Shame on Eton! Buy one of the Freeplay radios, cheaper Eton crank radios, or one of the Sony crank radios instead. How sad.