|
| 
 enlarge
| Brand: Eton
Category: CE
List Price: $40.00
Buy New: $29.95
You Save: $10.05 (25%)
New (6) from $29.95
Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 134
Color: Red
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 1.8 x 5 x 2.4
MPN: FR150
Model: FR150
UPC: 750254803079
EAN: 0750254803079
ASIN: B0014SWPO6
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Not Very Reliable in Hazardous Weather....... August 9, 2008
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
The radio is small, light weight and easy to carry in your purse, while camping, to the office, outside, etc. Radio stations locally pick up great on bright, sunny days. The one time we had a severe thunderstorm (since receiving the radio) I couldn't get the local stations or the weather channels to pick up at all. The weather channels don't pick up on sunny day's either. Charging doesn't seem to be a problem as I placed in a sunny window and the battery has remained charged since taking out of the box and that's using approximately 1 hour per day.
Overall I like the radio but wouldn't depend on it in serious weather situations.
Good, but came without the cell phone adapter August 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this after the earthquake in LA last week to improve my stash of emergency supplies. It definitely seems like a good addition to my kit. However, I was disappointed that it shipped without a little cell phone adapter that is necessary in order to plug your cell phone into a cord that plugs into the radio (the cord did come with the radio). The instructions indicate this adapter is necessary, but it was nowhere to be found in the box I received.
I emailed Eton's customer service and received a response within a few days that I was missing this adapter. They are shipping the adapter no at no cost, but it will take 2-3 weeks for delivery.
 Works great August 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have ordered solar radios in the past and this is much improved. I was surprised it was so small, but it feels like it's well made and it works great. I've been using the solar and crank, and it always works. It's comforting to know that if the electricity goes out this winter I can listen to my solar/crank radio to find out why I'm going to freeze to death. I've also used the flashlight and it does give off enough light to find my way around my yard at night. I really like it and am considering buying another one for the car.
Great when the lights go out July 30, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought 3 of these for my household just in case of the frequent power failures we have experienced. They were such a hit that I had to order more for my married children.
Small, crankable and solar powered! July 29, 2008
50 out of 51 found this review helpful
First thing that should be mentioned is that this full-featured emergency radio is amazingly small. Reading its approximate dimensions of 5" wide x 2-3/8" high x 1-13/16" deep can be misleading, so imagine it placed on its side on top of a dollar bill: it's actually smaller than US paper currency, and that's just one of the things that make this small radio so appealing!
You can charge the FR150 in less than two minutes using its hand crank. You can also place it in sunlight (even on an overcast day, as I found out) and its built-in solar panel handily powers the radio and recharges its battery pack.
The radio's tuner pulls in both AM and FM stations, and with surprisingly clear reception. It receives all seven NOAA bands using a separate slide selector, so you can monitor changing weather conditions, along with tuning in to the FCC and EAS public alert systems.
It has a flashlight with three LEDs on the its side, providing surprisingly bright illumination, and for comparison it's about on the same level as my Garrity Power Lite 3 LED Crank Light. This is also brighter than some of the predecessors from Eton.
If you're looking for audio attributes on the level of Bose, JBL or Polk Audio speakers, this radio isn't for you... but the sound quality of this small radio is quite remarkable. Listened to a favorite "smooth jazz" station for awhile, switched to classical then to '80s rock, and was quite pleased all around.
A number of places list this radio as having the option of an optional AC adapter, but couldn't find anything definitive on this, so made email contact with Eton's Customer Support. Received a reply within hours, where they stated that at this time, they do not have AC adapters available for the FR150 Microlink or the FR500 Solarlink, but are expecting these items to be available in about 60 days. The support rep suggested:
1. Charge by using the USB port on the computer (this requires a cable that converts USB to mini-USB, available at your local electronics retailer). I did this with the same USB cable used for my digital camera.
2. Solar power: leave the FR150 Microlink in direct sunlight for about 6 hours.
3. Use the Dynamo Hand Crank of the side of your radio (crank time: 2 minutes = radio play time: 20-30 minutes).
Should also note that there is a registration card with the instructions inside the box, and you can mail the card in for a free cell phone adapter tip. I found it faster to do the same thing online with Eton.
This is one of those products that is reasonable enough to want to have more than one for household and family emergencies. And speaking of emergencies, there's a simple but straightforward American Red Cross disaster preparedness tips booklet that's well worth the read.
Must admit to liking Eton's emergency radio products. Part of this is due to happy prior ownership of a Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator, which has proven itself. Should also say that this little radio, which is smaller and more practical than I originally thought, has quickly become a favorite. It's about 60% of the size of its predecessor, and small enough to fit in a jacket pocket for those outdoor excursions. It's also available in white if you prefer:
American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (White)
This one's a 5-star choice, without a doubt.
UPDATE: Already received the free cell phone adapter tip from Eton, just days after registering the ARC FR150 Microlink. Plugged the tip into the cord that came with the phone, then plugged the phone in and started cranking... and the phone indicated that it's being charged as I crank!
|
|
|
| |
