Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio 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 Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio
Digital camera Review: All (reasonable) Things Considered--A GOOD Radio--A GREAT Value!
Summary: 4 Stars
Below is a reposted review originally published on the page detailing this model in the yellow color ASIN: B00065HM1Y
I ordered the "yellow" model here...and found several "surprises". The Grundig (now Eton) FR-200 is a small "auxiliary" AM-FM portable which adds general shortwave radio coverage, an LED flashlight, and a three-way power design that allows for a quick "pick-me-up" to a replaceable and inexpensive rechargeable NiMH battery pack similar to one used in the typical cordless phone. A few minutes of cranking, `n you're back in broadcast business. With these options, it's virtually impossible for this radio to not find "juice". The FR-200 is imported by Eton from Tecsun in mainland China, and is marketed exclusively as an "emergency radio"...but I'm thinking--"perfect for the canoe and camping trip" where one wouldn't wish to lose something more costly to the elements.
The reviews on this product have run the course--from favorable--to horrible. This would clearly indicate either a serious quality control problem...a lack of reviewer perspective on just WHAT objective this product was designed to meet...or both. After pondering this unique little $40 radio for over two years, I finally unwrapped and evaluated one (the package exterior said "yellow"--a neon-orange model waited inside). The FR-200 is less than HALF THE COST of its most-similar alternative--the Freeplay Summit (which I have ordered--and twice returned because of substandard performance), so I was somewhat skeptical of this product format. Upon closer examination and use, the less-expensive Grundig (while not brimming with "digital glitz" and rows of small silver buttons) is higher in overall performance, easier to pack and carry, and much more "disposable" should that situation arise. My prior skepticism has turned into consumer gratification. This product is satisfying, useful, and an unquestionable value. Here are my performance observations...
AUDIO QUALITY: The sound of the FR-200 is crisp, clear, and natural. While far from "room shaking"--this unit is fine as a close-in companion; and more-than-adequate for its intended purpose as a standby "blackout radio", or convenient portable "sidekick" at home, in camp, or out on the water.
RECEPTION ON FM: The worst goes first...The FM capabilities of the FR-200 are sad to barely acceptable, depending on your listening location. In a small community, ANY nearby local station with brawny signal strength will overload the circuits in this radio to a point that renders it nearly useless--unless you enjoy the offending local station, which will populate itself on nearly the entire FM dial--crowding out even not-so-distant stations from out-of-town. In an urban area, with many powerful "close-in" signals, the FM band becomes a jumbled and distorted mess where "ONLY the strong survive"--but barely! Interestingly, out in fringe areas, where brutish FM signals are few and far in-between, the band shows signs of intelligible life...a plus for rural listening!
RECEPTION ON AM: Other than a few expensive "AM niche" and world-band receivers, the FR-200 is possibly one of THE BEST portable AM radios you can own! Sensitivity, selectivity (in the absence of a strong local station), and recovered audio quality are OUTSTANDING! NEVER have I seen a radio in this class (and several other classes for that matter) that provides as rich an AM listening experience. During the daytime, even very distant AM signals are intelligible and less-assailed by the all-to-familiar "circuit noise" that hinders weak AM station listening on most radios. Sensitivity remains consistent from the low (530 kHz) to the high (1700 kHz) end of the band--NOT typical for an AM receiver section in a radio at this price point. Right "out of the box" my FR-200 easily caught, and faithfully reproduced in early afternoon, six AM stations from Chicago--over 250 miles from my location. At night, this radio becomes a pint-sized DX-delight. Virtually EVERY channel is "alive", yet moderate-to-strong signals remain "separated" and fully intelligible. In the rare occasion that you may find, and choose to listen to, an AM station with a music format--you will find a hint of "hi-fi" in the reproduced audio. This level of AM performance is usually the domain of the "CC Radios" of the market; and at less than one-quarter of their cost--the FR-200 is an "AM standout". Here's another possible application: Your FR-200's headphone jack + a patch cord + the line input on your surround-sound = FAR BETTER AM reception and audio on that system.
RECEPTION ON SHORT WAVE: Plainly put--it is "pedestrian" at best. If you're shopping for shortwave agility--continue your search. Nor do I recommend this radio as an entry into "the world of shortwave", either. The SW feature on this product is obviously a "convenience item"--which turns out to be operationally inconvenient at times. The technical idiosyncrasies of that band are such that the ability to optimally receive it demands a product design with a distinct focus. Interestingly, Eton-Grundig is a "shortwave company" that DOES NOT market the FR-200 as a "shortwave radio"...It merely "includes" that feature.
THE GOOD ON SW: Prominent domestic and international broadcasters with big signals WILL find their way to your tiny FR-200, and strong stations can sound fairly good on this radio. In early afternoon (NOT a preferable SW listening day-part), I found the higher band ("SW-2") to be fairly-populated, and I was able to receive tiny 1000-watt CFRX Toronto, Canada here in the Midwest on the lower (inactive-by-day) "SW-1" band--a "catch" typical for a more-expensive rig designed for SWL. At night, on the active lower frequencies ("SW-1"), reception is generally decent with the built-in telescoping rod antenna, and can be improved with a "roll-up alligator-clip" wire antenna ($15 at "The Shack"). Unlike many small SW radios, the FR-200 can tune well below 49-meters (6 MHz)...even down to 90-meters (3 MHz) where several obscure domestic and western-hemisphere stations live by night. The laws of physics--and the laws of "affordable design" generally work to inhibit easy reception on these channels (if available) on low-cost SW radios. My FR-200 did an admirable job of snagging several of these signals with only its included antenna.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD ON SW: Little is gained thru a decent receiver design if the user can't find or identify a desired station. Imagine tuning a radio with your eyes closed. That would describe the experience of hunting for a SW station on the FR-200 solely based on frequency info. Three design factors (I should say)--design compromises make this radio a chore to tune overall--and nearly impossible to "direct tune" on shortwave. (1) This receiver's "single-conversion" RF design permits strong signals to repopulate themselves on an additional frequency--causing interference to other stations and confusion for the user. (2) Nearly the entire shortwave service is "squeezed" into two "bands" that occupy a minimal 1.75-inches of band-spread. Now that's "touchy tight", especially when you consider that... (3) This unit's manual slide-rule tuning (coarse and fine) is "mushy", and the numerical frequency layout is poorly calibrated.
IN SUMMARY: What we have here is a nearly-charming, color-coordinated campsite or canoe companion that can't come up short on "juice"--but CAN provide acceptable sound and outstanding AM radio reception in the middle of nowhere. A demure radio that throws in a nice bright tent-filling LED light so you can try to find that hyper-paranoid "end-of-the-world" shortwave talk show host to go with your adult beverages around the campfire. Even this radio's dismal FM reception might be mitigated by the location you tote it to, but I wouldn't bet on finding your favorite Jazz-Fest on "Wilderness 98.1", so few points are lost! There are more-expensive products in this class that do NO better job--and cheaper offerings that do NO job at all. Finally, if a bear tries to eat your trusty FR-200...or the canoe it's in capsizes--just find another forty bucks and start all over with a different color! I plan to keep mine...I'm getting fond of Neon-Orange.
Digital camera Review: Great little radio
Summary: 5 Stars
I was given this radio several years ago to complete my emergency kit. I think for the price it cant be beat. Overall I'm very satisfied with this little radio. I ended up putting it my bathroom to listen to. What really surprised me is the battery life. It's plays for 30 minutes every morning, and I have yet to change the AA batteries. Its now been in there for over a year and its played loud enough to hear over the shower. It may not have the most precise tuner, but I've never seen anything battery operated last 12 months without charging. That feature alone is worth the price in my opinion. The battery crank and LED light is just a great bonus.Digital camera Review: short battery life
Summary: 1 Stars
I agree with other reviewers. the radio works fine , but you are constantly cranking this thing to keep it running, ESPECIALLY if you try using the flashlight feature.
Perhaps I need new battery, but the crank problem has been present since I bought it.
Digital camera Review: love that german engineering
Summary: 5 Stars
So i got a crappy gpx thing that was SAID to have comparable functionality, for a comparable price. Boy, was that a mistake. I'll never buy anything for more than $20 that i havent looked up on amazon.
Commentary aside, i got this. First off, it's big and ugly. It's bigger than it looks in the picture. Second off, it's sturdy as hell.
The handle's plastic, but i don't feel scared to handle it roughly.
The rechargable battery is 3.6v NIMH cordless phone battery. You can find these all over the place, and nickel metal hydride batteries are a lot more better behaved than NICAD. You can pull the battery out easily without any tools.
The LED light is bright to the point that its painful to look at directly. You can read by it if your eyes are good. The light sits in a small enclosure that you can pull out easily.
The speaker is loud as hell. The headphone jack is really really loud. Apparently, every bit of the power that goes to the speakers is routed to the headphones, because i just plugged in earbuds and they got as loud as the speaker. Uncomfortably loud, at an arm's length.
The bag is tough, well made, with magnetic snaps. It looks suspiciously like a purse when you carry it.
The reception is ok. I never cared for radio, but the crank and the shortwave somehow make it more interesting, even if most of the shortwave is in spanish, and half the stations on all four bands are jesus channels. When i looked for a german station, i found one. Deutschland ?ber alles.
Crazyness update: A couple hours looking at hack of the day gave me the urge to make something do something it shouldn't. So i got in there and put the AA compartment and the rechargable battery on the same circuit, so i can theoretically unplug the built-in battery and recharge AA's. I don't know what i'm doing, but it seems to work well. This increases charging capacity 6x-9x.
In my adventures with electric induction, i unplugged all batteries, and cranked rapidly with the led on. DON'T DO THIS. I blew the led.
This thing has taken unbelievable falls. This thing just fell off a seven feet ledge and tumbled down into a culvert with running water. Still works.
Digital camera Review: Hand cranked battery wears out WAY too soon
Summary: 2 Stars
I purchased mine directly from Grundig about two years ago (no Amazon connection.)
As the last two reviewers note, the hand cranked battery worked well for awhile, but gave out after several months. "Gave out" now means a 1:1 ratio between hand crank time and listening time.
I don't know about you, but only the ninth inning of a tight ball game can make me crank that much for so little airtime.