Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Silver)
by Eton
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: EtonModel: FR400 - Silver
Color: Metallic Silver
Product features:
- Hand crank power generator is ideal for emergencies
- Provides you with an emergency siren, water resistant radio, LED lights
- Can receive power from four different sources: built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery that takes charge from the dynamo crank and an AC adapter
- Gives you access to NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels
- Dimensions: 8.6 x 4.5 x 2.0 inches (WxHxD); weighs 1.5 pounds
- Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 8 Pack
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Silver)
Customer Review: Not a good quality product
Summary: 2 Stars
I purchased this radio about year and a half ago to use on my desk at the office and in power outages. I cannot recommend it.
SOUND QUALITY LOW - So far, I have only used it at the office. For the relatively low price, I expected that the sound quality would not be that great (since its of course an emergency / portable radio). It is not great but not bad for the size and price of the radio. As another reviewer mentioned, this is a radio designed for things other than high quality sound. (Think AM station quality and you'll have the right idea).
ANTENNA BROKEN - What is more bothersome is that, even though it hasn't left my office and has only seen limited use, the antenna has already broken off.
POWER CORD/ATTACHMENT - The power cuts out because the AC attachment won't stay connected properly (the charging light keeps cutting out until you adjust the cord, then it comes loose and the AC cuts out again...over and over).
TUNING DIAL - The tuning dial seems to be difficult to turn now, again even after just limited, indoor use. It turns a little, then gets difficult to turn and you have to play with it to get it to turn further.
PORTABILITY - This radio comes with a rather nice canvas bag with a shoulder strap, which I have not used but like. Its a little too snug for the radio but is convenient and looks a little like Spock's tri-corder on the old Star Trek. So for portability this radio is a good option (if its working).
POWER OUTAGE - The power crank and other buttons on the radio are well-designed and have certainly met my expectations. A few winds and you can listen without a cord.
If not for the design problems mentioned above, I actually would like this radio a lot. Basically the radio is just not durable - at least not the one that I received. I would have expected it to break if I abused it or used it in harsh conditions, but that has not been the case; it hasn't seen that much use.
I have since purchased another radio, Radiosophy (sp?), which I like very much so far (in fact, I like it so much, I use it at home). It has HD and preset buttons (which this radio does not have, causing me to spend too much time turning the now failing tuning dial). But unfortunately, although it is small it is not as portable, which this one clearly is. It also does not have the crank feature for power outages - but its not intended for that purpose.
I'm going to get another radio for emergencies. But I keep seeing Eton radios and the only other one I have found is Freeplay, which I will research next. My father has a Freeplay radio with a solar panel and crank and likes it but it is an older model and is not as portable (though he does take it outside and use it without a power cord). I should add that I am still trying and researching these radios (radiosophy and freeplay respectively); so I can't say much else about them yet.
If you want a portable radio and don't want to spend much, you can get this one (the FR400 or similar) and maybe your experience will be better than mine. Otherwise, you may want to search for a better radio and consider spending a little more.
I'd write more but I see that the power cord is loose again... Good luck to you.
Description of Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Silver)
Etón FR400 AM/FM Radio with NOAA,TV-VHF, Flashlight, and Cell-Phone Charger. Improved technology, functionality and versatility, the FR400 is ideal for emergencies. The FR400 provides you with a water resistant radio, LED lights, and cell phone charger when you need it most. Using the Hand-Crank Power Generator, charge the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need. With NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels, you have easy access to weather forecasts and can listen to TV shows while away from the set.Ideal for emergencies, the versatile and reliable Eton FR400 is a hand crank power generator. It features a water resistant body and can receive power from four different sources: the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery that takes its charge from the dynamo crank and from an AC adapter; three "AA" batteries; from the AC adapter alone or the dynamo crank alone. In times of emergency, the FR400 provides you with an emergency siren, a water resistant radio, LED lights, and a cell phone charger so you can contact help. Using the hand crank power generator, you can also charge the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need. The Eton FR400 also gives you access to NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels 2-13, so you can listen to important information, weather forecasts and even television shows while away from the set.
Generators
Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Generators
Briggs & Stratton 1932 5,000-Watt 7.5 HP Portable GeneratorBriggs & Stratton; Briggs & Stratton; Briggs & Stratton; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
ICP Solar 22001 BattPak Battery ChargerICP Solar; ICP; ICP Solar; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
ICP Solar 04300 PowerFlex 5ICP Solar; ICP; ICP Solar; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Best price: $104.99
Price in other shops:
Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow Horizontal Engine with Electric Start - 205cc, 3/ 4in. x 2 27/ 64in. Shaft, Model# 12D113-0017-E8Briggs & Stratton; Tools
Best price: $529.99
Guardian 04397 Transfer Switch W/ Built-in 12 Circuit Load CenterGuardian; Generac; Guardian; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
Briggs & Stratton 1532 900-Watt 2.5 HP Portable GeneratorBriggs & Stratton; Briggs & Stratton; Briggs & Stratton; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
Porter-Cable T550-W 5,500 Watt Generator with 10 HP Engine and Wheel KitPorter-Cable; Porter-Cable; Porter-Cable; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
Generac Portable Products 9779 6500 Watt Extended Life Premium GeneratorGenerac; Generac; Generac; Lawn & Patio; Lawn & Patio
Price in other shops:
Instek PSP-405 Single Output Programmable Switching DC Power SuppliesInstek; Tools
Best price: $310.00
Lascar PSU 130 Bench-Top Power SupplyLascar Electronics, Inc.; Tools
Best price: $89.95