Eton Scorpion waterproof, rugged radio, torch and USB charger

Even if you're out and about without ready access to mains electricity, you may not want to be without your gadgets or access to a radio.

The Eton Scorpion, available from Firebox, is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in that it combines an AM/FM radio, a torch, a USB charger and even a bottle opener into a case that's splash-proof, rugged and has a carabiner-style clip at one end to attach it to clothing or a bag or rope.

It's not too big at just over 6in (16cm) long including the handle, and 2.5in (6cm) tall. It will also pick up weather broadcasts in the USA and Canada, but such broadcasts aren't made in the UK.

Its main limitation derives from its most interesting feature: the internal, non-replaceable battery is charged using solar power or by cranking the handle that flips out from the back.

Charging either through the handle or by solar power took a long time, even in sunshine, and though it can charge from the mains, a suitable adapter isn't supplied.

Using the torch takes less charge than the radio or the USB socket. The latter worked well when we plugged a phone into it - it supplied a good charge but we had to keep winding the handle to continue charging.

On our test unit, the carabiner clip snapped clean off at one end, with very little load applied, so it may not be a good idea to use it for anything critical.

It worked fine: though the radio quality wasn't enormously impressive, it was listenable, and reasonably loud. The rubber buttons were quite fiddly, but they were intuitive.

The Eton Scorpion is available in the UK from Firebox