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Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio

$44.93
$80.00^*

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(3)

Item # 794150

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The hand- and solar-powered Eton Solarlink FR600 multipurpose radio is perfect for hearing emergency broadcasts during a crisis. It also charges your cell phone or MP3 player and lights your path.

Offers full-time power via built-in solar panel on top or hand crank on face; can even be used without batteries on hand-crank power alone
Charger breathes life into most brands of cell phone batteries and MP3 players with USB adapter (not included)
Internal rechargeable NiMH battery pack stores power generated from solar panel, hand crank or AC adapter, sold separately
In addition to solar power, hand-crank power, rechargeable battery power and optional AC power, unit can also be powered from 3 AA batteries, sold separately
Tunes in all 7 NOAA weather radio channels and features an ''Alert'' function to keep you abreast of significant weather changes
S.A.M.E. technology offers location-specific weather alerts
Also picks up AM, FM and shortwave radio signals (5,800 - 12,200 KHz)
Telescoping antenna picks up FM, NOAA and shortwave reception; internal antenna receives AM reception
Tuning knob and digital display offer smooth dialing to zero in on finicky signals; full range monophonic front speaker delivers clear sound reproduction
5 LED lights (4 white, 1 red) on side provide emergency lighting and feature a flash mode for use as an emergency beacon
Emergency siren provides audible distress call
12-hr. digital clock has alarm, snooze and sleep timer
Jacks for 3.5mm headphone input, cell phone/MP3 charger, auxilary-in and DC-in have rubber gaskets to help seal out moisture
Comes with owner's manual

Imported.

Item 794150

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Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio

1.7

(based on 3 reviews)

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

- Primary use:
- Personal (3)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 3 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-3

Jul

2010

(18 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Loose Knobs and Doesn't Like Heat

By PrepareForAnything

from Arizona

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Not Durable
Unreliable

Best Uses

Home

Comments about Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio:

First, I got this radio for emergency purposes. I had in mind two scenarios - 1. stuck at home with no power, and 2. forced to leave the area immediately.

I was disappointed to say the least. My first impression after taking it out of the box was the cheap feel of the knobs. They were loose, and actually wiggled somewhat, which made them feel like they would break off at any time. The knob to switch between bands didn't work until I switched it through all the modes several dozen times.

After some experimentation, I discovered that to charge a cellphone, you have to crank like crazy for a LONG time. Don't crank fast enough, and no charge at all.

The Shortwave band picked up NOTHING but static in a couple of spots, even with the antenna fully extended, and even moving the radio to several different spots in the house.

The STUPIDEST IDEA EVER was to put an LCD readout on this power-hungry pig that CANNOT BE TURNED OFF!! It drained brand new alkaline batteries in a few days, with the radio OFF. I replaced them,thinking that maybe I accidentally left the radio on, and it drained the next set. What were these guys thinking?? You have to be an idiot not to catch this design defect before it's released to the public.

Another frustrating thing about the LCD panel is the fact that when left in a hot environment such as a car in the summer, the panel doesn't work, at all! It turned completely black and the radio wouldn't turn on. I had to take it inside an air-conditioned house for over an hour before it would turn on. And they expect us to rely on this in an emergency? Are you kidding me? Forget reliability completely.

The LCD panel also creates one more problem. This thing needs to be programmed, and that's not easy. I'm a tech-savvy guy who can usually figure these things out without ever looking at the manual. Not in this case though.

More about the power switch - it's in the worst place possible, and it's not a switch so much as a knob. Its location makes it VERY easy to accidentally switch on. It's almost impossible to pack this thing in a backpack without the power being switched on. You really have to be very careful about that. And if you're planning to carry this in a backpack, it's going to take up a lot of valuable space and add a good amount of weight.

Also, the rechargeable batteries don't last long, so plan on a lot of cranking if you're going to use it at night.

Finally, there is an AC input that requires a 12 Volt DC adapter, which is not included. Luckily, I had a spare lying around with the right size connector. If you don't, then you can add another 5-10 dollars to the cost for that.

It's too bad that they didn't plan this one better because with just a little more work it could have been an amazing device. It has everything you could possibly ask for, unfortunately, nothing is as reliable as you need it to be. I would have gladly paid more for reliability.

I'm sorry I bought this radio, and sorry I took so long to find all the design defects. I've decided to leave this one home strictly for power outages, which seldom happen here. I'm now going to get the smaller, cheaper version WITHOUT an LCD panel, and hope I have better luck with it.

Aug

2010

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Cheap product

By Donnie

from Yuba City, CA

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Looks nice from a distane

Cons

Not Durable
Unreliable

Best Uses

Comments about Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio:

I bought this radio about a year ago. I bought it for light weight camping and for home use incase something terrible happens. knobs on the radio are very cheap and feel is if the are not on right. If the radio is in your backpack itwill turn on automatically cause the knobs are so easy to move. The cell phone charger is a workout on your arms and takes forever. I dont think theis product is good

Apr

2011

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Mutipurpose radio?

By vellagang

from La Quinta, CA

About Me Casual User

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Difficult to Use

Best Uses

Comments about Eton Solarlink FR600 Multipurpose Radio:

Sorry I bought the radio. I should have read the reviews prior to buying the unit. The add claimes to everything but toast bread. I just wish it did one. The only thing I like about the radio is how it looks sitting on my shelf. Thats all I do with it. Wish the radio came with a plug in cord. The radio burns up batteries and the hand crank only works for a few seconds. My advise don't do it.