Customer Reviews:
 FR-400 No Longer Has TV Channels... September 14, 2008
...no need for them since analog is dead early next year. Great multi-function radio-light hand-crank device, but the flash light portion is really small in comparison to the overall size (light is about half the size of the smaller FR-150). Just ordered the cell phone tips AND connecting cord. The cell phone connecting cord is NOT in box like it is in the FR-150. As you can tell, we have both models; they are good complements for each other.
Dependable September 8, 2008
Unless you have crazy expectations, this radio is good for the price. I had to use it recently after Hurricane Gustav blew through our area, and everything I needed it to do, it did just fine. The radio reception was clear, flashlight threw off a good amount of light, and it was compact and sturdy. The radio was on continuously for three days with the same batteries. It was also nice to get a tv station, to get a break from the continual blather about the situation around town. I didn't try the cell phone charger.
 Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red) September 8, 2008
A well designed quality product.Every household should have one. A small price to pay for communication during a disaster.
Funky looking but very responsive September 6, 2008
I think there are other etons without the camouflage, but I bought this one without mfurther investigation. It has to its great credit the ability to lock in AM and stay there. Sangean (cc radio plus) will take FOREVER to do this even with digital tuning instead of the FR400's analog. Of course, the tuner is off, you always have to aim high.
I did not buy this for an emergency radio, but would hate to have to figure out the controls in the dark. And there are too many of them to control the myrial of things it does.
However, it has great sound for the price and size, and that's enough for me. Added benefit: amazing battery life, I'm not going to crank it like a Model T.
Now I've had this a while, there's a couple of things to add, both positive: The charging works super, leave it plugged in for maybe 4 hours and it will last a few days. Secondly, it is better than many higher-priced units at keeping the (AM) stations locked in. With a pin-plug into a digital recorder it will get a 4 hour baseball game without distortion that is quite common.
It's probably not the best for finding the controls, but some digitals are positively cryptic.
You can also get it in a regular solid color, so get $150 worth of performance for $60.
A rugged and proven emergency radio... July 29, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
To start with, we received the Eton FR400 Emergency Radio as a gift a few years ago. The antenna had been snapped off (as can happen with any radio of this type), but a quick visit to Eton's website and a replacement was quickly obtained, which is far better customer service than many of its competitors.
Simply put, this radio does everything that's expected. Had occasion to use it earlier this year when we had a power outage that lasted for a little more than 24 hours, and cranking the generator for about 90 seconds resulted in use for about an hour. Haven't had occasion to use its noisy emergency siren or its 1 flashing red LED emergency light, but its 2 white LED flashlight is handy, though one might wish for more light.
When it comes to radio reception, have had occasion to use all of its AM/FM/NOAA/TV1/TV2 (VHF channels 2-13) bands, and reception has been just fine. Have used it on the NOAA weather bands, and the alert function for emergency broadcasts works as expected. Should also mention that the radio is sturdy but very light weight, and only 1 lb 4 oz.
This sturdy emergency radio might not be "waterproof" in the classic sense, but it easily qualifies as an all-weather emergency radio, though I would recommend this only under battery power, and not with an AC adapter!
For those who want to use it as an emergency cell phone charger, check the documentation that came with your radio. You should find instructions on how to obtain the proper tip for your cell phone, or you can contact the company at etoncorp.com and you'll find the directions online... it's that easy. You'll find replacement parts there as well, including NiMH 3.6V rechargeable battery packs (like I need to order) and such.
As far as ruggedness, usability, quality and reception go, this is a 5-star product. However, on February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the US will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. This radio (and most of the others that have TV bands) will not be useful on the TV1 & TV2 bands due to this changeover, so I feel it's only fair to post this as a 4-star rating, with full faith that Eton will come out with a digital product in the future.
But if the TV bands mean nothing to you, then please do consider this to be a 5-star rating.
Others worh considering are the very similar American Red Cross FR400 Emergency Radio, White, which appears to be almost the same. If size is a consideration, then the super-small and full-featured American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Portable Radio or the similar Eton FR150 Microlink Portable Radio are well worth your consideration. If the addition of shortwave receprion is importent to you, the Eton FR500 Solarlink has that, along with an array of encapsulated solar cells that can also run the FR-500.
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