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Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio

$35.00

(11)

Item # 791975

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Small but mighty, the Eton Microlink FR160 multipurpose radio keeps you informed and prepared for emergencies or travel.

Convenient power options include full-time power via hand crank, solar panel and rechargeable NiMH battery pack
Built-in USB cell phone charger breathes life into most brands of cell phone batteries (USB cord not included)
Internal rechargeable NiMH battery pack stores power generated from dynamo hand crank and solar panel
Handy flashlight features 3 bright white LEDs for a dependable source of light when the power is out
3.5mm earphone jack allows easy private listening with headphones (headphones not included)
FM/AM radio receiver can also tune in all 7 NOAA weather channels
Telescoping antenna for FM reception; internal ferrite antenna for AM reception
Analog tuning knobs on side offer smooth dialing to zero in on finicky signals; full-range monophonic front speaker serves up clear sound reproduction
Includes owner's manual

Imported.

Item 791975

View all Eton products

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Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio

4.2

(based on 11 reviews)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to use (8)
Durable (6)
Reliable (6)
Easy to configure (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Travel (9)
Portable devices (5)
Home (4)
In the car (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)

Reviewed by 11 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Aug

2009

(30 of 32 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

pretty good emergency radio

By The Dude

from Eugene, OR

About Me Gearhead, Practical

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy Controls
Good Sound
Lightweight

Cons

No AC power input
Short Battery Life

Best Uses

For emergencies
Home Use
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

I saw this on the rack at REI and then returned to purchase it after seeing the positive reviews from another online vendor. My somewhat-limited experience with this radio tends to corroborate the other reviewers; it is a nicely-made, modestly-priced little portable radio that is ideal for situations where electrical power is unavailable. AM, FM, and weather band reception is good, but I haven't gotten anything off the shortwave bands. However, the shortwave might function better outside or near a window. I noticed the tuner does drift a bit after a couple of minutes of operation. Sound quality is about what I expected, that is, on par with cheap portable radios--okay for AM and not especially delightful on FM music broadcasts. The flashlight function is a bit old-fashioned as LEDs go, being bluish and a little dim, but that's forgivable given the price of the radio.

Two minor irritants regarding this particular model: one, the battery pack is a tiny NiMH cordless-phone type, but it resides in a housing large enough to accommodate two AA batteries. The manufacturer should have shipped these radios with a pair of "hybrid" NiMH AA batteries with much longer battery life instead of using the dinky little battery pack. The other shortcoming of this radio is the lack of an A/C jack for running and charging the radio off A/C power.

People familiar with the Eton brand know that they are a good manufacturer that strives to make practical radios. Despite the oversights I mentioned above, this radio is typical of Eton's high standards, and for its size and price, I know of no other as good as this one for what it does.

Dec

2009

(13 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Good for emergencies/power outages

By King Jason

from Portland, Or

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Configure
Easy To Use

Cons

Best Uses

In The Car
Portable Devices
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

Great radio if you are just keeping it around for emergencies. The AM/FM channels come in clear and the LED flashlight works good enough for a back up. The only time I would ever use it for music is in a tent, assuming I was somewhere I could get a signal. I found it needs a lot of antenna adjustment to get the weather band channel to come in clear, especially in doors. I also find it a little "shady" that the box says it will charge your cell phone, and once you get the radio home and open it the instructions describe 15-20 minutes of cranking for 1 minute of cell phone usage.

Oct

2010

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Don't go by me, but......

By dbwesq

from Pine Barrens of Southern NJ

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Use
Great battery life
Reliable Performance
Takes a beating

Cons

Analog tuning
Signal drift

Best Uses

Camping
Canoeing
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

I'm an avid canoe camper and radio addict and I don't like earbuds so I need a radio with a speaker. First, dismiss the review by the guy who couldn't get short wave, since this isn't a short wave radio. But at least get some of what he was smoking. The NOAH bands are fine. I live near the pine barrens of NJ and get 3 stations at any given location deep in the pines. While I dry pack my gear this radio is on deck and gets splashed regularly without effecting the unit. It's also been found laying in shallow water on the bottom of the canoe on a few occassions with no ill effect. I've gotten over 4 hours on a solar charge and without cranking. recently I pulled it out of a gear bag where it had been for a week and still got a couple hours out of it.
My gripes are the signal drift, weak daytime FM and the sugar sand thats gotten behind the knobs inhibiting smooth rotation.
I just ordered the Scorpion with digital tuning but will continue to use this little gem.

Oct

2009

(5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Very Reliable Radio

By Excelsior

from Loveland, CO

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Consistent Performance
Durable
Easy To Configure
Easy To Use
Great Tuning

Cons

Diff Cell Phone Charging
Difficult to Crank

Best Uses

Hiking
Home
In The Car
Portable Devices
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

This radio is the best of all the different radios I've had before. I had to return the others due to broken parts or poor reception. It gets great reception. It has an excellent LED light to guide you through dark areas. I love it.

Nov

2009

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Fine radio, small battery

By gadlen

from San Francisco, CA

See all my reviews

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

"The Dude" mentions in his review that the battery housing could fit two AA batteries. I looked (with an eye for performing this upgrade) and unfortunately the internal housing is only large enough for the 3 2/3 AA batteries that it comes with, 350 mah total. Of course, one could start cutting into the plastic but...

It's a good little radio. It's a bother that it has no external power input, though it's an inexpensive radio.

Sep

2010

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great functionality and dependable

By Deeze

from New England

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Configure
Easy To Use
Reliable Performance

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

I've only used this on a few car camping trips but for such, its really ideal. The flash light isn't too bright but makes a great backup light as there's always someone who didn't bring a flashlight. I didn't get to charge it in the sun very long but when the radio died, 1-2 mins of cranking gave it enough juice for another 15-25 minutes of music. I'm a fan of the crank, especially since I use it mainly at night by the campfire or in the tent.

I was going to buy the Scorpion for the mp3 hookup but there are better options for that and I rather enjoy channel surfing for classic rock. At the very least, everyone should definitely have one of these just for emergency uses. This radio is my new buddy.

Oct

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Emergency life saver

By Eco Warrior

from Houston, TX

About Me Casual User

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Use
Reliable Performance

Cons

Best Uses

Home
Portable Devices
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

Small and compact. After Hurricane IKE, I went looking for emergency lights and radio. I compared many gizmo like this and nothing can beat this little gizmo.

I really can't imagine not having one of these around for emergency.

I love the rubber like casing around the gizmo. It feels great in the hand. It seems like you can drop it and it will still keep ticking.

One day solar charging was all it takes to get it all charged. Even after a year in the closet the light was bright and the radio was clear.

The 3 LED light is bright. The push button has enough resistance so that it can't turn on accidentally.

I have no problem with AM or FM reception in Houston with full antenna out.

The extra string loop is perfect so that you don't have to worry about dropping it when attached to your wrist.

Not sure if this gizmo is waterproof. If it is then this would be the perfect outdoor companion.

Jan

2010

(2 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Radio+Bonus Football box

By Wild Italian Backpacker

from Arcata, CA

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Consistent Performance
Durable
Easy To Configure
Easy To Use
The box is a football

Cons

Best Uses

Home
In The Car
Portable Devices
Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

Great Radio. Perfect reception. The best part is the box is a perfect indoor football

May

2011

(1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Took with me to Kathmandu, Nepal

By Proshot08

from Mesa, AZ

About Me Casual User

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Value
Nice to look at

Cons

Could use USB charge

Best Uses

Travel

Comments about Eton Microlink FR160 Multipurpose Radio:

I purchased this model and the one without the radio and took them both for 30 days to Kathmandu, Nepal. The crank on this product lasted longer than the one without the radio. I found that I could crank this radio/ flashlight for 5 to 7 minutes and would only receive in turn 10 minutes of radio play time. I found this somewhat discouraging. The solar appeared to have very little charge effect on this product, sitting in the sun all day only produced 15 minutes of radio play. The sound was better than I expected and when charged could play clearly and apply loud. I thought that the USB port on this product could be used to charge it's battaries. I am glad that I read the other reviews and the specs because this does not appear to be true. Leaving on the sun and cranking to charge this will leaving me reconsidering purchasing another one in the future.