Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red) by Eton
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List Price: Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
Digital camera Review: Just about all you could ask for in an emergency radio.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not a radio designed for the audiophile. In fact, it really shouldn't be viewed as anything but a radio to be used during emergencies or for occasional portable use. That doesn't mean it can't be used everyday, as I do, but it does mean your expectations should be relatively low.
Audio quality is mediocre: it is it not a good radio for listening to music. Everything sounds flat. Voice is okay. Tuning is imprecise. You literally have to search for the station you want because the dial markings are imprecise. More often than not, you will have to adjust the radio's position, particularly on the AM band, to minimize noise and maximize signal.
But the FR-400 fulfills its promises. It runs on AC with the included adapter, runs for several hours on the built-in NiMH batteries as well as on replaceable AA cells and the hand crank generator is easy to use and provides substantial power with each vigorous cranking.
The radio receives AM, FM, TV channels 2 through 13 (audio only, of course) and 7 NOAA weather channels. I was able to receive all of them in the Chicago area. The reallocation of analog TV channels, by the way, means the TV channel tuning capability is now worthless.
There is a weather alert facility which I have never used. Turn the switch the other way and you have an attention getting siren, though the audio isn't all that loud.
There is a two-diode flashlight that provides a moderate amount of light and one red diode to serve as an emergency flasher.
Build quality is pretty high, perhaps surprisingly so for a unit of this price.
There is also a nice carrying case. Just about all you could ask for in an emergency radio.
Overall, this is a great radio to keep on hand for emergencies and for general use if your expectations aren't too high.
Jerry
Digital camera Review: Little powerhouse
Summary: 5 Stars
Since we haven't yet had a real emergency, I can't speak to its use in that capacity, but this little box of energy does everything it claims to do. Use the hand crank, and the flashlight and radio work beautifully. In fact, the sound from the radio is clear and loud. I have other Eton products, and they are small compact wonders, in my opinion. You really don't need an emergency to enjoy them, but think how useful they will be when one occurs.Digital camera Review: Missed the lemonade, from this lemon !!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
Grundig was the TOP-OF-THE-LINE, in radios.... From the other reviews it appears that I must have received a lemon, from the bottom of the basket.
After the recommended A/C charging time, the radio played about 15 minutes. After charging, a second time for 24 hours, it played about 1.5 hours before going stone dead.
When it did work, the stations failed to come in clearly or distinct. BIG BUMMER, all the way around !!!! How much fun it was to be camping, during a rainstorm, with NO light, or radio.
The topper is that the cell phone charger failed to arrive before we left on a camping trip. As of this date, it is still conspicious by its absence.
Grundig, where did your quality workmanship disappear ????
Digital camera Review: Perfect for power outages
Summary: 5 Stars
I use the most basic features of this radio and it works great. The color is nice, it is a small size and easily portable, to use in the garage or out in the yard. It comes in most handy when the power goes out and I can crank the charger to power the radio if I am out of batteries.Digital camera Review: This Is A Must Have!
Summary: 5 Stars
Bright red, nice carrying case, multiple functions all make this a great emergency device. The hand crank with rechargeable batteries or regular batteries gives you many ways to have lots of power. The weather channel feature, TV channel feature and especially the cell phone charger feature are all must haves. I highly recommend this radio. It is also Red Cross recommended which is a plus. Buy it!