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American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (White) | 
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| Brand: Eton
Category: CE
List Price: $40.00
Buy New: $29.99
You Save: $10.01 (25%)
New (3) from $29.99
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 2746
Color: White
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 1.8 x 5 x 2.4
MPN: FR150
Model: FR150
UPC: 750254803062
EAN: 0750254803062
ASIN: B0014T9M78
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | AM/FM Radio | | • | NOAA weather - all 7 channels | | • | Built-in hand crank power generator recharges the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery and cell phone batteries | | • | Built-in 3 white LED light source - Provides bright light in an emergency | | • | Can be powered from three different sources - From solar power, From the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery that takes charge from the dynamo crank and from an AC adapter (not included), From the AC adapter alone (not included) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger - The Eton Microlink is a great portable radio to have around when things are just fine. It performs even better in emergencies. The Microlink is a portable radio and survival device that is ideal to have on hand when you're roughing it. It also makes a great addition to any emergency-preparedness kit. No plugs or wires are required. Instead, turn the hand crank to power the Microlink, or capture the sun's energy and run it on solar power. You'll always know what's going on, thanks to the AM, FM, and weather bands. You can also tune in to the FCC and EAS public alert systems. Add the flashlight, the cell phone charger and you've got one versatile little device. You'll be prepared for any emergency, and there's an added benefit - each radio includes American Red Cross disaster preparedness tips! It's a perfect radio to take on family picnics, road trips, hikes, or just for fun. Built-in emergency cell-phone charger Earphone jack - 3.5 mm socket Unit Dimensions - 4.96? x 2.36? x 1.81?; 126 x 60 x 46 mm (W x H x D); Weight - 7.5 oz.; 200 g Accessories - owner's manual, warranty card, preparedness guide, cell phone charging cord, and card for cell phone tip
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Great for emergencies! July 24, 2008
It's always a good thing to have emergency use devices for those "you never know" when it's going to happen days. In this case, it can be weather related, or a simple power outage affecting your city, town, or even isolated to just your street. The FR-150 unit has the ability to operate a typical AM/FM plus NOAA radio. The NOAA radio is what really makes this unit shine as you can find 24 hour weather information on these channels and in emergencies, NOAA is used to announce public safety information. The hand crank power or solar panel recharger works great, as in a tight spot you may find dead batteries in a regular radio, or simply run out of battery juice after extended use. No such issue here! It's this "always available" functionality that I love. The built-in flashlight is a little on the weak side, but that's typical for LED types. Headphone jack makes this unit even better -- you can plug it into headphones or a line-in jack of a computer or external speaker. Built in speaker, however, is plenty loud and clear enough -- rather surprising for its size! Unit is built solid enough such that it can take the bruising of operating outdoors, but also strong enough to just be tossed into the closet when you don't need it. At an affordable price, I cannot say how much of an investment in your safety can be made by having one of these.
 Not meant for any 'typical' emergency July 22, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I don't know what radio the other reviewers got, but they certainly couldn't have gotten the same model as I did. What a super disappointment...especially since this radio is supposed to be for emergencies (...see my comments near the bottom of this review). Sure, when it came fully charged from the factory it played (out-of-the-box) 13 hours. BUT, this was probably a charge via 'AC', which, unfortunately, you won't be able to have for a while since there is no AC adapter yet available for this radio. But when it fully dis-charged, and I cranked it for the 90 seconds recommended, I got a whole 20 minutes of 'play time'. (By the way, one of their support guys told me NOT to go much over 90 seconds of cranking, 'or else'...whatever that means.) And, according to that same Microlink tech support person, you'd better be in DIRECT sunlight if you expect it to 'fully charge' in about 5-6 hours...and, according to that same tech support person, going over 6 hours in direct sunlight won't add to the play time, which, according to that same tech support person, is about 2 hours. He also warned me AGAINST 'charging it up' via the sun, and then 'cranking' to try and charge it more. So it seems that a high level of play time is only available via the, as yet unavailable, AC adapter. I was going to try and charge it via the USB port, but according to the manual, you have to leave your computer on for 8 hours! So I didn't even bother. This is supposed to be a radio for emergencies. During most emergencies...which generally means no electricity in your house...who would have 8 hours of computer battery time to charge it up? And even if you charged it up prior to (let's say) a typical "weather emergency", what would you do after the radio plays and then discharges on 'day one' of the emergency? During weather emergencies, it's usually pouring rain for SEVERAL days, so, you're unlikely to get direct, daily sunlight that, if available, could give you a whole 2 hours of play time. If your only other option is the crank, that means you'll get only about 20 minutes of play time from this radio. If this radio accepted batteries, it might have given you an additional, viable, power option during weather emergencies.
Emergency light and radio July 20, 2008
Solidly built, good ergodynamics. Little green light shows when solar panel is charging battery, and this occurs even in lower sunlight levels. Weather band radio works well, tuning light for am/fm helps find stations. Battery life appears good.
Only complaint is incomplete instructions for using cellphone charging function. It comes with a short cord with 2 plugs, one which plugs into radio and the other is supposed to plug into cellphone???, but the plug doesn't fit either of our cellphones, and I haven't been able to find an intermediate adapter.
Well designed radio July 13, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I like to listen to the radio in the shower, and outside. I bought this thing as a radio that can float between the bathroom, and that I can carry outside and listen to. I liked the idea that it has a solar panel, and can be charged by cranking, as I hate needing to change the batteries when my radio goes dead and I'm all soapy. This radio is probably not very waterproof, but it will hold up to getting splashed pretty well.
The radio has great reception. I can even pick up the local college radio station that is fairly underpowered. The built-in telescoping antenna works properly, and folds flat into the unit. This is loud enough to be heard over the water flowing in the shower. This is not at all a hifi, and sounds kinda like the early transistor radios. Great for news, not really all that good for heavy metal or hip-hop.
The solar panel is weak, but convenient for leaving on the window sill in the bathroom, which somewhat charges the unit during the day. There is an LED to indicate that it is charging. The crank works fine, and you don't have to crank the crap out of the thing to get it to play for a while, though it does help.
The plastic shell and rubber fittings are well designed. Compared to other plastic shells of other products, this is a joy to use, and I have not been disappointed in its use. The crank handle snugly fits into its closed position via friction. There is a rubber gasket over the power and earbud connectors which also fits snugly. There is also a black rubber fitting around the flashlight portion. The unit is flat enough on every sides to stand on its own, which I've found useful for orienting both the speaker and the solar panel at the same time.
For $30, this thing is very much worth every penny.
Lacks one basic function July 12, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a nice radio and works pretty well but lacks the one basic function it was purchased for. It has no alert function to turn on and broadcast emergency warnings! So it is a mistake to call this an "emergency radio" even if it is endorsed by the American Red Cross.
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