Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio
by Eton
|
Our Price: $99.94 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Speakers See more product details |
|---|
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio
Customer Review: Just What I Needed
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the Grundig FR-200 because severe weather in my area sometimes causes power outages. The last time that happened, my only portable radio had dead batteries. The FR-200 will run on 3 "AA" batteries, but also has a built-in hand-cranked generator, and has a built-in flashlight as well.I didn't expect such an inexpensive radio to perform as well as the FR 200 does. Reception on all bands, including shortwave, seems to be as good as my YB 300 PE, which was twice the price. If anything, the FR 200 might be a bit better on certain stations, and the analog tuner makes it easier to scan the dial than with digitally-tuned radios.
Battery life from 3 alkaline AAs has been very good, so I haven't bothered with buying an AC adapter. The instructions say that ninety seconds worth of cranking the generator will power the radio for about an hour, depending on volume, and my results have actually been a bit better than that.
The Grundig FR-200 is fun for everyday use, is a great choice for staying connected to the outside world when the lights go out, and it doesn't cost much. I like it.
Customer Review: Good Emergency Radio
Summary: 4 Stars
This radio is billed as an Emergency Radio, and it suits that purpose well. It is small, built ruggedly, and comes with a nice case. The crank generator does a fine job at powering the receiver and small light. You won't be using the light to signal ships at sea, but it is adequate to find your way around a dark house to locate a candle or oil lamp.Combining a SW receiver with the AM/FM was a good idea, as you can get news from far away in the event of a large-area power failure. However, the radio lacks a weather-band receiver, which would be a useful feature in an emergency radio.
For general use, the receiver is somewhat lacking. We have a strong FM transmitter nearby, and it "spills" onto several places on the FM band. SW tuning can be a little tricky, even with the fine-tuning knob. Also, sideband reception is not available for SW. I would not recommend this radio for someone looking to get into SW reception "on the cheap."
Overall, however, it is a very good radio for its intended purpose and price. I'm glad I added it to my emergency kit.
Customer Review: Good for its purpose - and then some
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an interesting product from Grundig. It is a wind up radio with a small flashlight included for emergencies. It also has the shortwave bands you need for the BIG broadcasts such as BBC, Voice of America, and Radio Canada. I was also able to receive Radio Netherlands. The trick is to listen at night - at 7 PM and after - as that is when shortwave comes in best. You won't want to use the crank every day as you want to save that for true emergencies. Install three AA batteries for daily use. Daily use? Yes. I was surprised at the very good AM and FM reception. Even in my concrete and steel office I was able to get stations that usually come in weakly on other radios. This is a neat little radio and I am going to get another one for my emergency pack (I live in Florida where we are subject to hurricanes but with the world in the state it is in, my pack now may have several uses). Buy this for emergencies but don't be surprised if you use it every day. I didn't give it five stars because I think they could have built it a bit sturdier for 40$.Customer Review: GREAT value and a GREAT emergency power radio!
Summary: 5 Stars
Can you say VALUE? This is an excellent performing and quality inexpensive 'emergency' radio, that will work with 3 'AA' batteries, or the built-in hand cranking device that stores energy in the built-in NiCD cells. The radio will work for approximately half an hour with only 2 minutes of cranking, which is amazing in and of itself. The radio works on AM, FM, and 2 popular shortwave bands (shortwave is a must, because local AM and FM stations could be incapacitated or shut off during an emergency), and it includes a second fine-tuning dial, which is usually available on more expensive radios. At night, it even picks up AM radio stations thousands of miles away with great clarity, which most cheap radios don't do well. This thing must have a higher quality internal AM ferrite antenna that enables it's good performance. The audio is truly clear and excellent, and the radio exhudes excellent build quality all around. This forty dollar radio is an absolute MUST in every household's emergency kit. Forget duct tape and buy this radio instead!Customer Review: Patriot
Summary: 4 Stars
We gave these away in OEF in many villages as humanitarian aid, I actually had no idea that they were good quality. seemed nice though. Had no idea how expensive they were, I am sure Our Government got a good deal in bulk. Plus I am sure we wanted the locals to tune in to our Radio programs broadcasted in their native tongue. ;) Pashtu and Dari. All for a right and just cause in the Global war on Terror. Winning Hearts and minds. I know that those radios held up well in those harsh conditions, that country seems like the surface of mars at times and both extremes in tempurature. From the rooftop of the world in Central asia, near the silk road and the Hindu Cush Mountains. Wild and I will never forget it.
All Said they may possibly be overstating the value of this rig, it makes for a nice novelty. amounts to little more than a dynamo,small cordless phone battery pack, basic reciever and the patial internals of a cheap flashlight. Free enterprise I suppose.
Anyway for what its worth thats all I have on this prduct. God Bless.