- AM (520-1700 KHz), FM (88-108 MHz), SW (5800-12200 KHz) NOAA weather all 7 channels plus
- Digital display with LED illuminated backlit Digital clock function with alarm snooze
- From the AC via USB adapter (not included); Solar power which charges Ni-MH battery Built-in four white LED
- USB cell phone charger (USB cable not included) Connectors, with rubber gaskets/plugs to seal out moisture
- Dimensions: 7.75¿ X 8.5¿ X 2.5¿ and 196.9 x 215.9 x 63.5 mm (W x H x D) Weight: 1.9 lbs. and 0.86 kg
It could be improved by:
* Increased battery capacity
* Improved switches and dials. Tougher construction, more tightly fitted and embedded into body i.e. non-protruding
* "Bump points" as this product is primarily intended for use in the outdoors i.e. "rubber" corners to absorb knocks.The Eton FR-600B Solarlink Emergency Radio does function as advertised, the S.A.M.E. and RDS features are nice editions including SW feature, however it eats alkaline batteries within hours, and there is no AC nor DC adapter included. Personally I expected more from the maker of Grundig shortwave radios and it could be a top notch radio if it didn't eat the batteries as quickly as it does. Sound is not too bad remember it is an emergency radio and emphasis is placed on clarity. And its solar handle is a nice feature, according to Eton, if the radio is placed in direct sunlight for better than two minutes, the radio can be played in the solar position, but a full charge is said to take about two sunny days. Built-in are rechargeable batteries, but for reasons that go against sense, neither an AC nor DC adaptor are included and that is a really big rub. Even Radio Shack who sells the radio does not even sell the AC adaptor, even as an `add-on' extra, and they are unable to special order it! I'd been looking awhile for an ac adapter at a legitimate business I can trust, but had been unlucky until recently. My suggestion is if you decide to buy the FR-600B, order the AC Adaptor from Ambient Weather through Amazon along with it. As to its shortwave band, don't expect brilliant performance it works moderately at best. The built-in flashlight works well, and it includes a plug for charging a cell phone but again, USB cables are not included. Eton can do better than this, and they fall short of Midland Emergency Radios like the ER-102 test report I wrote for Ice Pack. The Midland does include an ac adapter, although it does not offer all the features of the Eton FR-600B however, the batteries in the Midland ER 102 last for months without needing replacement but the radio only uses the 'alert' light rather than the S.A.M.E readout in the Eton emergency radio. I'd have to say at this point, if it's a choice between the Eton FR-600B and the Midland ER-102 to count on in an emergency the Midland ER-102 wins hands down! ...and you're getting this from a guy who holds both a GROL commercial radio license, and a General Class Amateur Radio License!
0 comments:
Post a Comment