American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Red)

To start this seems to be a great little backup radio when the power goes out. It's more solid and works much better than the cheap imported one it replaced. Cranking the handle a little does provide a very reasonable amount of radio listening time.

My only real problem is that I bought this for it's ability to charge my cell phone. I should have read the other reviews more carefully. It *will not charge an iPhone 3GS*. For a lot of people that is not a problem but with over 20 million iPhones sold it should be mentioned in the product literature.

I called eton customer service and the guy was less than helpful. He said to ignore the warning that popped up on the phone stating that it was not compatible and it would charge anyway. While you can ignore the warning and keep cranking the battery indicator never changes to show the phone is charging. =sorry, no charge.

He also mentioned that if it did work it only charges while your actively cranking at about 50ma and it worked that should give you about 1-2 min. of talk time for 10 min. of cranking. Of course the same guy told me it would charge if I just keep cranking. I tried, it was a waste of time.

Great idea, good little radio, non-functional charging for iPhone 3GS.

-Sean

The unit doesn't come with the necessary parts to charge a cell phone (although the instructions tell you to use a certain piece). When I called the company they admitted they don't include the necessary piece, but promised to send it to me ASAP. AFTER A MONTH AND NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, WHAT A SURPRISE, NO PIECE ARRIVED! Don't waste your money if you want to use this to charge a cell phone.

As a disaster relief volunteer, I recommend this to be your first purchase.

Think about most disasters! Power is the first thing you'll lose. Then you'll be scramblng for flashlights and batteries. The FR160R is the first thing you should grab. It's small and fits easily in a bedside drawer. First, it's a decent flashlight. Second, it has a handcrank to recharge it . . . that will be of utmost importance over the next few days. That also means it can charge other stuff . . . like a cell phone . . . the second most important piece of equipment you should have. Lastly, it's a radio. The reception isn't great and that's because reception takes power and power must be conserved.

Comments: Buy a camera case to put it in. Make sure it has a belt loop. You will want to have this unit with you at all times during an emergency. Next, check your cell phone to make sure you have the wiring to charge it from the FR160R's USB port. It would have been nice to have a cigarette lighter port, since we all have car adapters for our phones, but the unit would have to be bigger for that to happen.

The FR160R has a solar panel which requires you to leave it unattended in the sun all day. Never put this unit down for a minute. This unit will be the most popular device in your crowd and will disappear in nanoseconds.

It also has an earphone port, but earphones are not included, and I question that earphones would improve the sound quality.

Overall, a good unit!
JZ in Marietta GA

I bought the radio for emergencies, but I do listen to it in the house and I get a good reception. I like the size and love the color, good flash light. Overall a good emergency radio.

love this little emergency wonder! Fits easily into my GO pack and even travels well on hiking trips where a low weight pack is a must. OK... I found one of my phone chargers from an older blackberry fits this and charges it perfectly where electricity is available. The solar is great when you have no power but have some solar gain. The crank is purely in an emergency... you have to crank a long time for the useage gain.