American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar Powered Self Powered AM FM Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger Red
Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger – The Eton Microlink is a great portable radio to have around when things are just fine. It performs even better in emergencies. The Microlink is a portable radio and survival device that is ideal to have on hand when you’re roughing it. It also makes a great addition to any emergency-preparedness kit. No plugs or wires are required. Instead, turn the hand crank to power the Microlink, or capture the sun’s energy and run it on solar power. You’ll always know what’s going on, thanks to the AM, FM, and weather bands. You can also tune in to the FCC and EAS public alert systems. Add the flashlight, the cell phone charger and you’ve got one versatile little device. You’ll be prepared for any emergency, and there’s an added benefit – each radio includes American Red Cross disaster preparedness tips! It’s a perfect radio to take on family picnics, road trips, hikes, or just for fun. Built-in emergency cell-phone charger Earphone jack – 3.5 mm socket Unit Dimensions – 4.96 x 2.36 x 1.81 ; 126 x 60 x 46 mm (W xH x D); Weight – 7.5 oz.; 200 g Accessories – owner’s manual, warranty card, preparedness guide, cell phone charging cord, card for cell phone tip
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Just as described
Haven’t tried the cell phone charger yet, but everything else works just as promised. Radio reception isn’t the best, but for the price? Great gadget – my 10-year-old son loved it as a birthday present and has been using it daily since then. We’ll be taking it camping soon.
4 Stars Self Powered Radio
Have only briefly tested it, but it had good reception and everything appears to work well
2 Stars Outdated cell phone connector
Would have been nice if the cell phone charger fit more recent cell phone models. The cell phone charger slot doesn’t fit Blackberry models or Motorola models.
5 Stars Ohpattigee
I have bought a lot of sub-standard kinetic emergency radios and flashlights under 70 dollars, but mostly 20-50 dollar range. I think everyone should reduce their battery buying, buy energy saving products that are safe and excelant for emergencies.
It’s very hard to find these kind of products that delivery all that for a reasonable price.
I bought this American Red Cross FR150 Microlink and it is MUCH BETTER than all the others in its price range of 30 dollars, from Amazon. Today I am leaving it in my sunny Ohioan window to listen to the radio. I just realized it played all day long on solar power! I tried the flashlight and though it isn’t super bright LED bulb, it is not real weak either. I can go down my dark basement and read the water meter.
Like my other emergency radios I take them out and crank’em to see if they are working well.
OF COURSE IT IS WISE TO ALWAYS TURN OFF WHEN NOT USING.
I have wrecked a couple of Dynamos by not turning off the radio/flashlight…
The crank action seems to be real solid on it, not wimpy like the others I have come across.American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (White)
Unless you have experience tuning into the weather band, a novice might give up trying to tune in on this item or one like it. I used to give up but now I realize it takes practice and patience to find the weather band forecast.
That is about it. If you are looking for something for emergency purposes or an entry level solar product for a small moderate price, I would recommend this FR150
3 Stars Wonderful, but doesn’t hold a charge very well.
I left it in the sun for 7 hours and turned it on but it only played for 20 minutes, I thought it’d have at least 2 hours of play time on it. I had to crank it for 2 minutes then I got about the same amount of playback in comparison to the direct sunlight, so its great if you’re listening to it out in the sun cause it pulls power well. However the crank is the invaluable part to it, if it was solar powered only it wouldn’t be worth 30 cents. Plus the flashlight is great, its bright even in daylight so if you’re looking for a radio/flashlight and dont wanna spend your monies on batteries then get this thing.
It even gets the weather channels that most car radios can’t pick up! Listen to a 3 day forecast or await instructions on how to kill the undead during the apocalypse. I’ll have this thing with me up in the mountains during 2012, so yay judgement day!
