Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Sangean makes great radios, and the MMR-88 weather radio is no exception. Reception is good, crank and solar power work just fine, the radio itself is sturdy and an easy size to quickly pack in emergencies. There are other weather radios that do good jobs, such as Midland’s, but The MMR-88 stands out in that it has a replaceable battery. So why just one star? you ask. Because, I answer, one thinks less of a replaceable battery that is not replaceable. First, Sangean has chosen a fairly rare size to begin with, the 18350. Keeping in mind that 18350s do not come in standard sizes as do, say, AA’s and AAA’s, and that the battery compartment is very tight, limiting the choice even further (BTW “even further” means “zero” in my search to date). One Amazon reviewer—in a most insightful perspective on the MMR-88—suggests removing the original and inferior 18350 battery and replacing it with an AW brand 18350. Good advice if the AW factory had not been flooded and, as of this writing, no longer able to produce batteries. The other few options include a handful of Chinese 18350s with the word “Fire” in the name: ReadyFire, SureFire, EverFire. Especially avoid OnFire. These are not good choices, especially when the batteries are unprotected. Does the radio itself offer protection? you ask. I ask that, too. Write to Sangean, you say. Tell them the problem. Ask them what to do. I did: I wrote. I told. I asked. Weeks later and I’m still waiting for a reply. I’m thinking it might be something I said. I do know that hurricane season is looming, and I have nasty visions of trying to crank up/solar power a dead battery as my house blows away. Listen, I’ll be more than happy to bump this review to 5 stars if Sangean will write me and tell me specifically where I can get an 18350 battery that’s safe and fits. If Sangean goes the extra step and tells me whether or not the MMR-88 offers internal battery protection, I’ll even throw in a puppy. A favor: if any readers know of a battery that fits, please let me know. It would be much appreciated.