Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
by Eton
(Click here)
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: EtonModel: FR400 - Red
Color: Red
Product features:
- Hand crank power generator is ideal for emergencies
- Provides you with an emergency siren, water resistant radio, LED lights, and a cell phone charger so you can contact help
- Built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery that takes charge from the dynamo crank and an AC adapter; 3 "AA" batteries
- Gives you access to NOAA weather channels so you can check the weather or hear important news updates
- Dimensions: 8.6 x 4.5 x 2.0 inches (WxHxD); weighs 1.5 pounds
- Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 8 Pack
Digital camera reviews of Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
Digital camera Review: A rugged and proven emergency radio...
Summary: 4 Stars
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 Etón FR150 Microlink Portable Radio are well worth your consideration. If the addition of shortwave receprion is importent to you, the Etón FR500 Solarlink has that, along with an array of encapsulated solar cells that can also run the FR-500.
Summary of Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
Etón FR400 AM/FM Radio with NOAA,TV-VHF, Flashlight, and Cell-Phone Charger. Improved technology, functionality and versatility, the FR400 is ideal for emergencies. The FR400 provides you with a water resistant radio, LED lights, and cell phone charger when you need it most. Using the Hand-Crank Power Generator, charge the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need. With NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels, you have easy access to weather forecasts and can listen to TV shows while away from the set.Ideal for emergencies, the versatile and reliable Eton FR400 is a hand crank power generator. It features a water resistant body and can receive power from four different sources: the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery that takes its charge from the dynamo crank and from an AC adapter; three "AA" batteries; from the AC adapter alone or the dynamo crank alone. In times of emergency, the FR400 provides you with an emergency siren, a water resistant radio, LED lights, and a cell phone charger so you can contact help. Using the hand crank power generator, you can also charge the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need. The Eton FR400 also gives you access to NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels 2-13, so you can listen to important information, weather forecasts and even television shows while away from the set.
Electronics Features
Cameras and Photo
Most talked about in Eton
Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)Eton; CE
Price in other shops:
Eton S350DLS Deluxe AM/ FM Shortwave Radio (Red)Eton; CE
Price in other shops:
Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio (Blue)Eton; CE
Price in other shops:
ETON G5 AM/ FM/ Shortwave Portable Radio with SSB (Single Side Band)Eton; CE
Best price: $249.95
I Killed Stalinby Sterling Noel
Eton; Published: 1952-01-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
NCAA Louisiana State Team Medallion, Mini-Helmet and Mardi-Gras Bead SetEton; Eton; Release date: 2010-06-22; Sports
Best price: $17.98
Price in other shops:
NBA Boston Celtics Team Medallion and Mardi-Gras Bead SetEton; Eton; Release date: 2010-06-22; Sports
Etón American Red Cross CLIPRAY ARCCR100R_SNG USB Cell Phone Charger with Hand Crank LED Flashlight (Red)Eton; Tools
Best price: $13.84
Price in other shops:
Eton M300PE Series Mini AM/ FM/ Shortwave Radio SilverEton; CE
Grundig FR200 Emergency RadioEton; Eton; Eton; Electronics; Speakers
Best price: $199.95
Similar digital cameras
Dorcy 41-4750 180 Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with BatteriesDorcy; Tools
Best price: $17.84
Price in other shops:
Katadyn Hiker Water MicrofilterKatadyn; Katadyn; Sports
Best price: $49.50
Price in other shops:
Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter SystemMcNett; McNett; Sports
Best price: $6.26
Price in other shops:
Etón American Red Cross CLIPRAY ARCCR100R_SNG USB Cell Phone Charger with Hand Crank LED Flashlight (Red)Eton; Tools
Best price: $13.84
Price in other shops:
Datrex 3600 Emergency Food Bar - 3 Day/ 72 Hour Bar - Single PackEmergency Disaster Systems, Inc.; Datrex; Sports
Best price: $6.35
Coghlans Waterproof Matches 10 PackTHULE; Thule; Sports
Best price: $4.30
Price in other shops:
Emergency Fire StarterSE; Tools
Best price: $0.49
Price in other shops:
Cyalume Safety Bright Light Stick, Green, 12-Hour, 6 inch long, for Emergency Disaster Preparedness (Pack of 10)Cyalume; Cyalume Safety Bright; Cyalume; BISS
Best price: $9.15
Quake Kare Emergency Thermal Blankets (4 Pack)Quake Kare; Quake Kare; Sports
Best price: $2.89
Price in other shops:
Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160R Microlink Self-Powered AM/ FM/ NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger (Red)Grundig / Eton; Eton; Grundig / Eton; Electronics; Speakers
Best price: $28.00
Price in other shops: