Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio (Red)
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 Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio (Red)
Customer Review: Fun Radio, But Not For Your Emergency Kit
Summary: 2 Stars
The Grundig FR200 (available in a rainbow of colors) is touted as THE emergency radio, primarily due to it's hand-crank power system. Never need batteries, always ready to play when you most need it. Put it in your emergency kit, and you'll be informed and entertained no matter what happens. (You DO have an emergency kit, right?). Also has a built-in flashlight, so you can read the labels on those stored cans of chili.
The problem with the FR200 is twofold - one is the reception on all bands is just barely adequate. The primary problem is the dial resolution. Trying to figure out what frequency you are tuned to (especially on shortwave and AM mediumwave) is difficult. Sensitivity to weak stations and selectivity (separating closely-spaced stations) is mediocre.
Then there is that hand-cranked dyanmo. You crank it and it charges a little internal battery. Two or three minutes of cranking that teeny little handle gives you about 30-40 minutes of playtime. It does work as advertised, but the cranking handle doesn't have the strongest feel to it, and a little too-hardy cranking will break it off. And there you are, in the middle of World War III or a volcano eruption, with no way to crank. And no way to know what's going on.
To be sure, the FR-200 is fun to play with, and as it's very lightweight, could serve as a camping radio/flashlight. Again, so long as you don't overdo the cranking.
But for true emergency use, it's not the best option. Batteries are relatively cheap, and last for years in storage. (I'm still using batteries I stored for Y2K with no problem.) Go down to Costco or Sam's Club and get a brick of AA batteries. Put them in your kit and make a note to yourself to swap them out every five years or so. (You do have that emergency kit, don't you?)
Then get an AM/FM radio with TV sound and weather band. Forget about shortwave - in a disaster like an earthquake or hurricane, Radio Havana isn't going to help you - you want local stations and TV sound. The Sony ICF-36 fits the bill perfectly. Sangean also makes a good model, the DT-210V.
Although the hand-crank-never-needs batteries sounds good, a better-performing radio and some stored batteries will save your bacon better than a broken crank handle.
I did ask you if you had an emergency kit, right?
Customer Review: Don't expect much
Summary: 2 Stars
I have the FR-200 which I purchased through Amazon.
Don't expect much.
The antenna will break and when you try to buy a replacement you will not be able to use Eton's web site to do it becuase it does not work.
When you call Eton on the phone they will tell you that the antenna is "back ordered" and you should call in about 45 days.
More crap from China.
Customer Review: Only for AM/FM
Summary: 2 Stars
The AM and FM parts of this radio work adequately, although the sound is very tinny. The shortwave does not pick up anything but static in an urban environment.Customer Review: I got a dud!
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm very disappointed. This item died in the box itself. Neither the light works, nor the radio (any band), either off the built in dynamo, or the optional alkaline cells. The only thing that shows signs of life is the charging lamp, which lights up on the dynamo being cranked.
This item was gifted to me, and now I learn that Grundig/Eton do not have any service centers in India, or even Asia. So I will have to try and repair the thing, if possible, shipping it back to avail of the "guarantee" not really being much of an option.
As I said, I'm pretty disappointed.
Customer Review: Clunker -- Poorly Made, Didn't Work
Summary: 1 Stars
We ordered this radio to have on hand in case of emergency. After an hour of cranking to start the power, the crank came off. Got it back on, cranked more, came off again. Small heartattack later from all the fruitless cranking, we sent it back the next day. Looking for another option for an emergency radio, haven't found one yet.