Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)
by Eton
List Price:
Our Price: $64.99
You Save: $35.01 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: CE
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: EtonModel: FR500
Color: Black
Product features:
- Includes owner's manual, warranty card, card for cell phone tip, and USB/cell phone charging cord
- 520-1700 KHz AM, 88-108 MHz FM, 6000-12100 KHz Shortwave
- Can be powered from the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery, from an AC adapter, from 3 AA batteries, from the AC adapter alone, and from solar power
- Dimensions - Width 7-3/4 x Height 8-1/2 x Depth 2-1/2 (196.9x215.9x63.5mm)
- Weight - 1.9 pounds (0.86 kg)
- Energizer NH15BP-4 Rechargeable AA Battery 4 Pack
- Lenmar PRO-99 NiMH Starter Kit
- Lenmar MSCAA MACH 1 Speedcharger for AA and AAA Nickel Metal-Hydride Batteries
- Energizer Compact Charger With 4 AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
- Energizer Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 8-Count
Digital camera reviews of Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)
Digital camera Review: Best of its Kind at Pesent
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I've spent the whole day and late into the night testing the Eton FR500 Solarlink and I am impressed. No, it is not comparable to my Grundig Sattelit 800 Millennium that now is considered a classic - and weighs 14lbs without batteries.
Grundig/Eton has united their minds to produce (or reinvent) a really decent quality emergency radio - the FR500 Solarlink. Housed in a sturdy, mar-resistant and water resistant case, this radio is well protected and easy to operate. Getting a weather report is as simple as turning the radio on and moving a knob a few clicks to find the closest emergency weather broadcast. It can also be setup to automatically turn on and play emergency weather broadcasts.
AM and FM reception, and local weather broadcast bands, are strong and clear as I would hope for. However, the shortwave setting does not meet my standards. but reception can be improved by stringing a long insulated wire from the telescoping antenna to an insulated and properly positioned object - like a tree or a strong shrub. A signal boosting antenna will improves all FM and shortwave radio reception. Anyway, this is an emergency radio and owners will be primarily interested in local weather alerts, local AM, FM, and all local emergency broadcasts. For these purposes, the Solarlink is more than adequate without adding improvements for the antenna system.
Also of importance is that the radio can be powered four different ways. The solar panel (built into the handle) will power the radio from sunshine only, and will even charge the Ni MH battery while playing the radio. The crank-able electric generator (dynamo) also charges the Ni MH batteries. However, unless the radio is plugged in via a 5-volt transformer, the radio should should have 3 AA Alkaline batteries installed. This is a good idea because rechargeable batteries go flat when not regularly recharged. Without the alkaline batteries, or sunshine during an emergency, you might be reduced to using the dynamo crank. The dynamo works, but is kind of tedious to use. However, a 5-Volt AC adapter (not included) will power the radio while it charges the NiMH battery so you will not need alkaline batteries. I know this works because I happened to have a 5-Volt transformer in my junk drawer. For the price of this radio, I do not actually understand why an AC adapter is not supplied. One can just leave it plugged-in and you would have all power requirements needed to immediately use when an emergency occurs - even without sunshine or alkaline batteries.
The digital clock appears to keep reasonably good time. I set it with my Atomic Clock, and 24 hours later it was correct within a few seconds.
It is also a full featured alarm clock with a five minute snooze. And it includes a time adjustable shutoff timer so that the radio can lull you to sleep and then turn itself off.
To set the clock, you hold down the time button on the face of the radio while you press hour and minute buttons just below the solar panel that doubles as a handle. A third button, under the handle, is for lighting up the display - handy when trying to check the time in the dark.
I don't use a cell phone, but the Solarlink is able to charge them with only power from the sun. To accomplish this, it is necessary to write, telephone, or contact Eton on the Web, and ask for the type of connection that is appropriate for your cell phone. Instruction on how to do this is enclosed with the unit. The appropriate adapter will be sent without charge. I use a PDA and an MP3 player. The FR500 is supposed to be able to charge these too. I haven't tested these features because I have other means of protection and use.
The LED flashlight works and is sufficient to find your way in the dark.
The siren is awful sounding and very loud. It should attract attention if you need to be rescued.
The emergency blinking red light (LED's) certainly could be useful, especially if your car is stalled or you are walking on a road or highway at night. Even if the batteries have only a fractiion of power, the FR500 LCD's will blink for many hours.
One could plug in an MP3 player to the FR500, but the radio plays in mono only - even when using stereo headphones. Yet, the speaker on the radio is pretty good and will allow a group to share both the emergency information and all the other features.
The rubber seals are supposed to make the radio resistant to water. I think I would walk in the rain with it, but I would try to keep it covered as much as possible. It should never be submerged. If you are worried about a little rain, you could enclose the whole radio into a zip lock bag.
I've had other emergency type radios, but they didn't come near matching the quality and functions of the FR500 Solarlink. Although it has shortcomings, I would confidently recommend this radio even to my best friends. In fact, I think it would make a great gift to anybody you really care about.
Just one more thing: This radio is also available with the American Red Cross logo. . . as if they manufactured it. Anyway, it is the same radio, selling at the same price. And since the American Red Cross endorses this radio, it suggests that they agree with my evaluation. I'm buying and making gifts of this radio to as many poverty stricken fiends as I can afford. Everyone in the world should own an FR500 Solarlink radio. "The times, they r a change-in."
Summary of Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)
When your outdoor adventures take you off the grid, you need a device that can fill multiple needs. The American Red Cross FR500 is a compact unit that you can toss in your rucksack and take anywhere. It functions as an AM, FM, and shortwave radio with NOAA weatherband. It also has a flashlight, an emergency beacon, and an emergency siren. Plus, you can use it to charge your cell phone or MP3 player.Shortwave
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