Etón FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Black)
by Eton
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Etón FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Black)
Customer Review: Good Radio
Summary: 4 Stars
The Eton FR150 is a good product for it's designed purpose. I purchased this radio primarily for emergency, camping, outdoor, and general use.
Pros:
Sturdy, well built, high quality materials
AM reception and selectivity
Small size and light weight
Solar and crank power generators
Standard mini USB power connector
Sound quality
Cons:
Battery capacity
FM/WB reception
I'm a little disappointed with the battery capacity. You can get 45 min of play time out of it, but it would be a far better product if you had the option of using off the shelf batteries for more extended usage without putting wear and tear on the crank when away from a power source. FM/WB is clock radio quality. It's okay, but eclipsed by the very good AM reception and selectivity for a small radio at this price point.
This is not the typical poor quality product that you find in most small radios. The build quality and materials used inspire confidence. I was very impressed with the AM capabilities. From a Detroit, MI suburb, I was able to dial in stations from Chicago, NYC, Cincinnati, Louisville, Richmond, Chattanooga, and even Atlanta from inside my home, away from windows during good night time conditions-outstanding! The FM/WB reception is okay and usable for FM, but far below the bar set by the AM band. I wish the FM was a little better for WB usage since this product is designed to be an emergency radio. In all fairness, my local WB channel is pretty weak at my location. I can barely pull it in near a window. There is zero chance of picking up WB from my basement during a bad storm. The speaker produces decent quality audio for a package this size. The mini USB connector for charging the battery makes this radio a great laptop companion. I already had a USB to mini USB cable for other laptop accessories I use, and a car charger too for that matter. I even have an AC adapter from a phone that can be used. Great choice on the power connector Eton! The battery capacity is good for emergency usage. For general usage, this radio would be a much better product if you could use off the shelf batteries. I would have gladly paid $5+ more for this feature. Eton could have vastly improved the usefulness of this product by including this feature. As is, it's good product. I would purchase a similar size and weight competitor's product if it exists for the battery option though.
Customer Review: still waiting for cell phone tips...7+ weeks
Summary: 4 Stars
I have two of these and have been waiting for my cell phone adapter tips since Christmas time. A call two weeks ago to Eton customer support said the orders were sent to the warehouse. Called again today and was told the orders were sent to the warehouse 2 days ago and to expect about 4 more weeks for processing and shipping time. Customer service said they had a large number of orders from Christmas time. Courteous support person each time I called.
Nice emergency radio, but don't expect to be able to charge your cell phone with it for months.
2/23/09 Addendum: I finally received the tip for my Palm Centro, but found it was wired up backwards! It wouldn't charge at all as I cranked it, and then I decided to check its polarity against know Palm pinouts. Luckily I did no damage to my cell phone as far as I can tell. I disassembled the adapter plug, de-soldered, and reversed the wires. Works now.
Customer Review: OK
Summary: 4 Stars
This radio is good for the price. The rechargeable battery works good with the USB, but the hand crank way of charging is not that good. The radio will not hold a charge that long using the crank method. I have not tried the solar charge method but it appears to be OK based on previous reviews. The radio looks nice, feels solid, and is small but the right size. It is built solid and feels like it is of good quality for $30.00. The reception is good on both the AM and FM. The weather stations come in good where I am located at which is in the mountains. The LED flashlight is good and bright with 3 LEDS. Overall a good purchase and would recommend to anybody.Customer Review: Leave out in the sun
Summary: 4 Stars
For such a small radio, it does sound good.......but within the range of personal listening. Works time after time on the solar charge, I'm not into the Model T thing, but I guess that works too. Flashlight is ample.
As I have said in other reviews, etons are the best radio values in every price point.
All I have except the Grundig are rechargable and hold their stations well, and are durable. And if you want to use batteries, they last a long time too, This one doesn't even take them, unless I'm missing something.
One last thing: This usually fits in your camera bag along with the other paraphenalia you may have there.
Customer Review: Nice product, but an incomplete package.
Summary: 4 Stars
For the price, I expected the typical thin, creaky plastic chassis common on many similar products, but everything about this is pretty solid. I wouldn't be too afraid to just drop it in a backpack and go. My only complaint is this...the radio has a built-in rechargable NiMH battery, which will die permanently if left discharged too long. People will buy this as an emergency radio, stick it in a drawer, and when they really need it some day, the battery will be bad. To solve this, I ordered a USB-A to USB Mini-B cable and a plug-in AC to USB adapter. Now, I can leave it plugged in and charged or charge it from any USB port.