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Turn the switch the other way and you have an attention getting siren, though the audio isn't all that loud. In fact, it really shouldn't be viewed as anything but a radio to be used during emergencies or for occasional portable use. You literally have to search for the station you want because the dial markings are imprecise. I was able to receive all of them in the Chicago area. There is a weather alert facility which I have never used. Everything sounds flat. Audio quality is mediocre: it is it not a good radio for listening to music.
Voice is okay. Tuning is imprecise. This is not a radio designed for the audiophile. It runs on AC with the included adapter, runs for several hours on the built-in NiMH batteries as well as on replaceable AA cells and the hand crank generator is easy to use and provides substantial power with each vigorous cranking. The radio receives AM, FM, TV channels 2 through 13 (audio only, of course) and 7 NOAA weather channels. The reallocation of analog TV channels, by the way, means the TV channel tuning capability is now worthless. Just about all you could ask for in an emergency radio. There is also a nice carrying case.
That doesn't mean it can't be used everyday, as I do, but it does mean your expectations should be relatively low. There is a two-diode flashlight that provides a moderate amount of light and one red diode to serve as an emergency flasher. More often than not, you will have to adjust the radio's position, particularly on the AM band, to minimize noise and maximize signal. But the FR-400 fulfills its promises. Build quality is pretty high, perhaps surprisingly so for a unit of this price. Overall, this is a great radio to keep on hand for emergencies and for general use if your expectations aren't too high.Jerry
BIG BUMMER, all the way around. From the other reviews it appears that I must have received a lemon, from the bottom of the basket.After the recommended A/C charging time, the radio played about 15 minutes. Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)Grundig was the TOP-OF-THE-LINE, in radios. How much fun it was to be camping, during a rainstorm, with NO light, or radio. After charging, a second time for 24 hours, it played about 1.5 hours before going stone dead. When it did work, the stations failed to come in clearly or distinct. The topper is that the cell phone charger failed to arrive before we left on a camping trip. As of this date, it is still conspicious by its absence.Grundig, where did your quality workmanship disappear.
And so far - none.I am very happy I listened to other reviewers here and took their suggestion to buy this great product. I have used every aspect of my new Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio, since it arrived. I've been putting it through its paces, testing everything I can, so that, should I ever need it in an emergency, there will be no surprises. If anyone cares, the AM side of things comes in great - as opposed to many smaller radios where getting a strong AM signal is often difficult.Also - the siren is very loud, which is great (because I didn't expect it to be)Pros: Everything.Cons: None.Buy it. ;-)
I am still using the same batteries in the radio. Shortly after purchasing this radio our electric was off for six days. I had the radio turned on for six days, 24 hours a day. This is a good radio that I recommend to anyone considering one. I am pleased with my radio and would purchase it again.Eton FR400 Hand Crank Radio and Power Generator (Red)
Product description says it comes with connection tips to recharge cell phones. After Christmas, I'll give that a whirl and see what happens. It does not. One other reviewer said you have to call Eton to get such. Otherwise, it's a good radio and the cammo version is much less expensive than the others though I'm not sure why. Maybe the cell phone tips.
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