Product Description
Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power, and Cell Phone Charger
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #150 in Consumer Electronics
- Size: Handheld
- Color: Red (American Red Cross)
- Brand: Eton
- Model: ARCFR160R
- Dimensions: 2.50" h x
5.25" w x
1.75" l,
4.00 pounds
- AM (520-1710 KHz) & FM (87-108MHz) NOAA weatherband & 8211
- USB cell phone charger (USB cable not included) 3.5 mm headphone input Dimensions: 5.25& 8221
- Accessories: owner& 8217;s manual, warranty card Specifications subject to change
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
American Red Cross MICROLINK FR160 by Etón – Be Red Cross Ready Etón Corporation makes some of the most highly regarded emergency radios in the industry. Our radios can operate without batteries. Turn the crank to power them up, or in the case of the Etón MICROLINK, harness the power of the sun. Listen to AM or FM radio for important updates, use the built-in flashlight to find your way around in the dark. You can also charge up your cell phone so that you can get in touch with loved ones.
Sleek and portable American Red Cross MICROLINK FR160 |
Radios for Everyday Preparedness The American Red Cross MICROLINK FR160 by Etón does more than keep you connected. This new spin on an Etón classic incorporates our award winning design and standard feature sets into a sleek easy to use package. It is a multifunctional, ultra-compact companion ready for any preparedness kit.
When emergencies or outdoor adventures take you off the grid, you need a device that can fill multiple needs. The American Red Cross MICROLINK FR160 is so compact that you can easily store in a safety kit or toss in your rucksack and take anywhere. It has a high-quality AM/FM tuner, providing you with news, entertainment and public service announcements. Not only that, but it also integrates a NOAA Weather Band receiver that brings you weather forecasts, alerts and other emergency messages--information vital during severe weather conditions.
At only 5.25 inches, the MICROLINK FR160 literally fits in the palm of your hand. It also includes a powerful solar panel, which gives you the freedom to explore without the hassle of batteries or adapters. If that wasn’t enough, we also added a full sized USB port to easily charge any small electrical device such as an mp3 player or cell phone. You’ll always know what’s going on, thanks to the AM, FM and NOAA Weather Band tuners. With the additional flashlight and cell phone charger, you can’t go wrong with the MICROLINK as it is one versatile little device.
No one likes to think about disaster, but being prepared can make chances of surviving one much greater. Included with the purchase of this product is an American Red Cross preparedness guide as well as a donation to the American Red Cross.
Self-powered and multifunctional to give you what you need...  when you need it. |
Features | Solar/Hand Crank Generate energy to power this sleek unit by simply setting it under the sun or with a few turns of the hand crank. Free yourself and ease your mind with self-powered radio broadcasts anytime anywhere. |
| AM/FM/NOAA Weather Band Easy tuning to any band whether it’s AM (520-1710 KHz), FM (87-108 MHz) or NOAA weather band. This keeps the listener tuned in to weather forecasts, alerts and other emergency messages—information vital during severe weather conditions. | |
| USB phone charger charge virtually any phone or small electrical device with this added feature. |
| Flashlight 3 built in LEDs to light your way through the dark. |
The technology featured in the MICROLINK ensures that you will have everything you need in any situation. With its solar panel, hand crank, AM/FM/NOAA weather bands and flashlight, this ultra portable unit is perfect for your car or home and a necessity for any emergency. So don’t be left in the dark. Be prepared with the American Red Cross MICROLINK by Etón.
|
Designed with your safety in mind. |
Rugged Design and Reliable Power Sources The Etón MICROLINK FR160 is rugged for outdoor use, and is more than ready to go with no plugs or wires needed. Clever case design protects the analog controls from damage, while rubber gaskets and plugs help keep moisture out of the unit.
Having a device that sports multiple modes of communication means nothing if there is no way to power it. Etón has designed the MICROLINK FR160 with that thought in mind, and it can be powered in several ways. The built-in rechargeable battery pack can be charged from the integrated dynamo hand crank, or from an optional USB adapter. An array of water resistant, shatterproof, high performance glass encapsulated amorphous solar cells can also run the MICROLINK FR160. They are efficient enough to power the unit under direct sunlight. These multiple power supplies can also be used to recharge cell phones via USB charging cable (not included).
Award-Winning Designs Etón Corporation’s line of independent, self-powered radios have won numerous awards and recognitions. We are committed to progressive product development and stellar design technologies. Some of the awards Etón has been honored with are:
Peace of Mind No one likes to think about disaster. But planning for one can make it easier for you and your family to get through it all. We have a preparedness guide endorsed by the American Red Cross, which can be downloaded at www.etoncorp.com/American_Red_Cross. As an added bonus, when you buy an American Red Cross by Etón product, a portion of your purchase goes to help rebuild communities that have been hit by natural disasters. Etón emergency communications devices are an important addition to any emergency kit. And, with our donations to help communities where disaster has struck, this is a purchase you can feel good about.
| | American Red Cross MICROLINK FR160 by Etón A self-powered AM/FM, NOAA weather radio with flashlight, solar power and cell phone charger |
| | American Red Cross SOLARLINK FR360 Etón A self-powered digital AM/FM, NOAA weather radio with flashlight, solar power and cell phone charger |
| | American Red Cross SOLARLINK FR600 Etón A self-powered digital AM/FM/SW, NOAA, S.A.M.E. weather radio with flashlight, solar power and cell phone charger |
| | American Red Cross VOICELINK FR1000 Etón A self-powered AM/FM, NOAA weather radio with GMRS walkie-talkie function, flashlight, siren and cell phone charger |
Comparison Chart - Etón Family | | SOLARLINK | MICROLINK | VOICELINK | CLASSIC | |
| Features | FR600 | FR500 | FR360 | FR160 | FR150 | FR1000 | FR250 | FR300 |
| AM | | | | | | | | |
| FM | | | | | | | | |
| NOAA Weather | | | | | | | | |
| S.A.M.E. | | | | | | | | |
| Shortwave | | | | | | | | |
| GMRS | | | | | | | | |
| Digital Tuner | | | | | | | | |
| Crank Power | | | | | | | | |
| Solar Powered | | | | | | | | |
| Cell Phone Charger | | | | | | | | |
| LED Flashlight | | | | | | | | |
| Flashing Beacon | | | | | | | | |
| Emergency Siren | | | | | | | | |
| Alarm Clock | | | | | | | | |
| USB Compatible | | | | | | | | |
Technical Specifications Dimensions: 2.5 x 5.25 x 1.75in and 13.3 x 6.3 x 4.4cm (W x H x D) Weight: 8.5oz Accessories: owner's manual, warranty card
Customer Reviews
Best Solar Powered Radio For The Price....No Battery Option
Weather radios are sort of a hobby of mine. There is just about no place I can go on my property that there isn't one within reach somewhere. Six different brands are represented presently by what I own, including a more expensive Eton that is not my best radio. This small, (and I mean small) new line from Eton is a whole new animal to be sure. Its controls and design are very user friendly. And the reception on all channels, including the weather, is very loud and clear. Its true that the dial numbers for the AM FM are very small as some other reviewers have mentioned and can make it hard to tune accurately. But that is something common, as well as for me expected in a radio so small. What sets this unit apart from all the others I own in my opinion is its price and solar power. It is without a doubt the cheapest weather radio I have come across that is solar powered. Big, small, or otherwise. Even though one has been able to buy solar powered calculators at discount stores for less than $10 for years now, for some reason the weather radio industry has treated solar power as something still high tech and to be appreciated only in their most expensive units. My only other solar powered radio cost me over $60. The only possible down side that I should mention about this radio is that it does not take batteries. It would have been nice if they included that option. But they didn't and its either the solar power or crank. This could be a very big negative for some folks who would feel comfortable knowing they could just stick some batteries in it if all else fails. Although 90% of the time the solar power is all you should ever need, if you will routinely keep this in a rather dark place, or happen to be lost out in the savage wilderness someplace with this radio in a continuous cloud cover, be ready to do a whole heap of crankin'. All in all, its finally nice to see a very reasonably priced unit that is solar powered and of a very quality build and design as well. I highly recommend the Eton for a portable unit that can be taken anywhere easily, powered effortlessly, and gives quality performance all in one package....
The Perfect Emergency Radio!
The reasons this Eton-manufactured emergency radio is the ideal emergency radio are: 1) small, compact size, 2) shock-absorbing case, 3) sensitive AM/FM/NOAA Weather tuner picks up weak signals, 4) handy 3-LED flashlight on left-hand end of the radio's case, 5) Earphone jack under dust cover on the right-hand side of the case, 6) USB port under same dust cover on the right-hand side of the case, 7) All radio bands will run 4-5 hours at low volume on full charge of the internal NiMH battery, 8) Solar panel on top of the radio's case is strong enough to power the radio indefinitely (as long as the solar panel is 'seeing' daylight), 9) the internal NiMH can be re-charged via the solar panel during daylight hours, an external transformer or the hand-cranked dynamo. You get all of these features for the low price of $30, plus free 'Super Saver' shipping from Amazon.Com. You can pay a lot more for an emergency radio and get a whole lot less!
Pleasantly surprised with the battery life
This radio is an excellent radio for the price. No, it is not a top-end emergency radio, but it should work rather well for anyone looking for a basic AM/FM/Weather radio with both a solar and hand-crank charging option. I purchased mine about a year ago and used it only occasionally for the first few months. Then I placed it on a shelf with limited light and there it sat for about six to eight months. About six weeks ago I dusted it off and it actually worked for about an hour or so with no hand-crank charging. Later that day I sat it in the front window where it would get plenty of direct sun light. A couple days later I picked it up from the window and have been using it a few hours each day since; some of those days it was used for more than six hours in the basement. I have not needed to crank it at all, but did crank charge it for about one minute total just while playing with it - for the record. Since then, I have been keeping it on the shelf out in the open where it is exposed to normal room daylight, no direct sunlight. The charging light does not light up in this setting, and I would not expect it to. I have occasionally taken it out on the front porch to sit a listen where there is direct sunlight, but only for about an hour or so each week. I really like the idea of not having to buy batteries, and the convenience of knowing I always have a charged radio.
The flashlight is minimal, but I would not expect more from an LED light source. I have my 6-D-Cell Mag light if I need a powerful (luxury) light source.
Tuning the radio is a bit sensitive and can be difficult to fine tune. I would consider this to be a SIGNIFICANT problem for an elderly person or anyone without the use of fine motor skills in their hands; but for me it is a minor hassle I am willing and able to deal with. I have considered getting the Eaton FR600 for its digital tuner. The reviews for that model suggest the battery life is pretty bad, so I have decided to wait for an improved model. For now, my FR160 is just fine. I would consider giving this 5-stars if the fine-tuning was much easier.
The USB charge does work, but know that it will not charge an iPhone 3Gs. This is more a problem/restriction of the iPhone 3Gs (a widely discussed complaint across the Internet for many-many generic charging devices) and is not because of the radio. Charging my old Samsung phone was not a problem.
The weather bands do pick up a signal, but to be absolutely honest, I have not used it much to provide any real opinion.
The hand-crank charger feels solid enough (I wouldn't abuse it) and tucks away securely when not used. I have found the manual crank-charger will provide about 25-30 minutes of radio time (at about 1/4 to 1/3 volume) for every minute of crank-charging. I average about 2 cranks per second or about 120 rotation per minute. Now I just count to 120 or so instead of watching the clock. This play-time per craink-time yeild has been very acceptable for me. After two minutes of crank-charging my hand does begins to tire a little, but just a little. If I leave the radio in a place with good direct sunlight when not using it, changing via the crank is never even needed.
In short, it works for what I want - a radio that that can be charged by sunlight or by hand-crank when absolutely necessary. If you want the construction and feature-set of a $100+ radio - buy a $100+ radio. But, for $30 (or less), I am pleased with the FR160.