Varied selection keeps flashlight radio line fresh

	The MSLR-12 model from Lianchuang Boya runs on dynamo, solar or NiCd battery power. It has a mobile phone charger and siren.

Designs range from basic to multifunction models that operate on dynamo, solar or battery power.

China’s flashlight radio selection covers a range of designs from basic to multifunction. Models have an FM, AM/FM or multiband radio with auto-scan, volume control and an earphone jack. The latest, meanwhile, are dynamo or solar-powered units that boast high-brightness LEDs and streamlined constructions. These conform to CE, FCC and RoHS requirements.

With improved functionality the key design trend, China-made versions pack a siren, mobile phone charger and clock in addition to a diode-based torch. One example is the E-3071 model from Zhongshan Leetac Electronics Co. Ltd, a 5-LED flashlight with an 8-diode lantern, LCD clock and siren. It can receive AM/FM/WB channels and has a built-in speaker, earphone jack and volume control.

Units with charging capability are bundled with related cables and accessories.

Shenzhen Xinlingnan Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has released a series that also supports mobile phone charging.

The XLN-811B model is a dynamo/solar flashlight FM radio, while the XLN-819 is a handcranked variant that receives FM signals. The XLN-286B model is an AM/FM flashlight radio with an LCD clock.

Nearly all new designs have done away with bulbs. LEDs are now the mainstream light source. Versions usually have one, three, four or five diodes ranging in brightness from 10,000 to 70,000mcd. A typical release is about 12,000mcd.

Forthcoming models will be more user-friendly with high-quality housing materials and updated external designs. Most new units will have a piano finish, a digital display, selectable housing colors and a streamlined shape.

Flashlight radios from China are usually offered as promotional items, with Europe and the US as the main export markets. More than 80 percent is shipped to the two destinations, with the rest going to South America and Asia.

Interviewed suppliers Lianchuang Boya Lighting Co. Ltd and Shenzhen Xinlingnan reported stable sales in 2009. Optimistic with their projections, both makers are planning to develop new models.

Shenzhen Xinlingnan will improve audio quality and add water resistance and an earphone jack. Lianchuang Boya’s efforts will zero in on external design.

Key player Zhongshan Leetac, in contrast, plans to slow down flashlight radio production following a 5 percent drop in sales in 2009. Instead, the company will emphasize other types of radios such as clock and multiband models.

It also offers nostalgia wooden and retro music centers, USB turntables, iPod docks, MP3 players, boomboxes and cassette recorders.

Flashlight radios from China run through handcranking or on solar power or rechargeable batteries. Units are classified according to the number of features.

Entry-level models have an FM or AM/FM radio, analog tuning and a built-in speaker. They use regular AA batteries and usually come in traditional flashlight form factors.

Midrange versions with slimmer bodies dominate the line. The AM/FM units have a 3 or 5-LED 10,000mcd torch, dynamo crank, rechargeable battery, speaker, earphone jack, auto-scan and siren.

High-end releases are solar- or dynamo-powered and feature a 12,000 to 70,000mcd torch. Such units have a rechargeable battery, mobile phone charger function, LCD clock, siren, speaker, earphone jack, volume control and manual/auto-scan.

Suppliers adopt radio IC solutions from Sony, NXP, Samsung and Toshiba for high-end models. Basic versions feature chipsets from domestic vendors. ABS and PS are the materials for the case.

Product prices are mainly determined by functions and add-ons. A basic FM or AM/FM flashlight radio is available for $1 to $2, while a dual-band dynamo- and solar-powered multifunction model can reach $10.

Suppliers can offer RoHS- and noncompliant models depending on buyers’ requirements. Conformance will cost an additional $0.50 to $1.

China has more than 100 flashlight radio suppliers, with about 40 manufacturers and the rest trading companies.

The majority is privately owned. Most are located in Guangdong province.

Over 90 percent of operations there are found in Dongguan, Zhongshan and Shenzhen. The three cities are suitable to host traditional/analog radio manufacturers because they boast a large concentration of mold-making and plastic-injection specialists.

Zhejiang province is the secondary sourcing hub with its proliferation of electronic gifts and toymakers.

A number of suppliers are in Wenzhou and Ningbo, among them Zhejiang Shengbo Electronic Co. Ltd, which offers emergency chargers, and solar-powered and multifunction devices. The rest is located in the east coast, including Fujian province and Shanghai.