Amazon.com Product Description
Entertainment and sharing to go. That's the Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player. The Zune plays music and videos, displays images, and unlike the iPod, it even receives FM radio so you can stay on top of local news or sports. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery, and community, Zune connects people and empowers them with the tools needed to share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience is centered around connection--connection to your library, friends, community, and other Zunes. It's powered by software that allows users to manage files on the player, rip audio CDs, and buy from a wide selection of music and videos at the Zune Marketplace.
The Zune lets you share music and pictures with other Zune users in the area. View menu interface.
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The controls are designed to be familiar and easy to use so you can jump right in and start having fun. View larger.
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Zune software can find compatible music files on your PC and copy them to your Zune device.
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The Zune comes equipped with everything you need to get started as well preloaded music and video content.
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Browse more than 100,000 artist bios and hundreds of playlists in the Zune Marketplace.
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The Zune is a 30 GB digital media player, but there's a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures, or your own home-grown tunes directly from Zune to Zune (within 30 feet). You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you love, and easily buy them the next time you sync up--its like test-driving songs before you purchase an album.
The Zune's navigation is simple and intuitive with a scroll wheel and basic buttons, and the big, bright screen makes it easy to browse music and show off your favorite pictures and videos. This attractive, smart device stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. Get creative. Make playlists on the go and watch slide shows while you're listening. And if you're watching video on the Zune, you'll be pleased with the landscape mode that allows you to get the most out of the vivid display.
Zune-to-Zune Sharing
Don't forget the primary principle of the Zune: sharing. With this device in hand you're holding an opportunity to share music and photos wirelessly from one Zune to another. Send your favorite tracks or images to your friends, or just about anyone with a Zune that's within your reach.
Whether you're walking down the street, in a room with a bunch of friends, at a concert, at the airport, or on the bus, you can whip out your Zune and see all the other Zune devices that surround you. In the blink of an eye you're connected to your best friend and you can send over your band's newest song. Another friend might get the hilarious podcast your little brother made at school, plus that hot new song you just downloaded from the Zune Marketplace. And, of course, there's all the good stuff that your friends want to send back your way. The connections are made and the Zune community grows.
Best of all, the song you sent (or received) isn't a short 30-second preview--it's the whole song. Your friend can sample the song up to three times in three days, flag it on their device and then buy it from the Zune Marketplace. You can send pictures, too. If you loved the photo of your dog at the park and you just have to share it with your buddies, shoot it off to whoever is around. And any pictures that are sent or received can be kept and viewed indefinitely.
Sometimes you don't want to be noticed, and the Zune allows you to fly under the radar. All you need to do is turn the wireless function off, or adjust the privacy settings to control whether people can see you are online. And if you want to keep your Zune private while studying in the library or reading the newspaper on the bus, you can also block Zune devices in wireless range from sending you a song.
Zune Marketplace
Zune makes it easy to find music you love--whether it's songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace. You can easily import your existing music, pictures, and videos in many popular formats from your PC and browse millions of songs at the Zune Marketplace where you can purchase individual tracks or buy a Zune Pass subscription to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee. Plus, you can apply Microsoft Points towards the purchase of music so you can buy online without a credit card for added security. At the Zune Marketplace you can read over 100,000 artist biographies and features from leading magazines including XLR8R, NME, and FADED, and you'll have easy access to Billboard Charts, including Billboard 200, Hot 100 Songs, and more. You'll even be able to browse what people in the Zune community are listening to by checking out the Zune Charts.
Pre-Loaded Content
Zune is a vehicle to explore new sounds and share entertainment experiences. With that in mind, the Zune comes pre-loaded with a variety of songs and videos from hot, new artists, as well as some fun films and images. With something for everyone, the pre-loaded Zune content may help you discover your new favorite band, but at the very least you'll have some entertainment at your fingertips so you can start connecting and sharing. Zune pre-loaded content includes loads of audio tracks, music videos, and film shorts, plus 12 classic rock posters from "Art of Modern Rock: The Poster Explosion."
Zune Accessories
You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. These three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.
- The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.
- The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.
- The Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.
What's in the Box
Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player, earphones, USB cable, and sleeve.
Customer Reviews:
Worst Product Ever.......2007-12-26
This product started out great at the beggining but when the software was downloaded it began to mess up my computer! now my whole computer is dis-colored and screwed up! i completely recomend that you do NOT get this product. such a waste!
Good hardware, bad software.......2007-12-26
I recently got a 30 Gb zune for Christmas and have encountered numerous situations both good and bad. The Zune itself is a nice little player, it looks great with a very easy to use system. The sound quality is good, the option to set pictures as a background is always fun, and the screen is beautiful. The only downside is microsofts annoying habit of including vital system operations in the memory, so you actually only get approximately 29.5 Gb, no big deal. All in all this looks like a great little device, but as soon as you connect to your PC (and you must) it turns devilish.
The first thing you may notice is that as soon as its plugged in, either to charge or to set music, you can't listen to it. While plugged in it is completely useless. Sure, I can overlook this feature. Then you start with the software, holy cow the software.
The Zune software will have to update itself about a zillion times before you can use it. Then when its ready to use, you must 'sync' anything you want with your Zune. Of course this process is imperfect specifically if you're trying to re-sync something for the purposes of organization. Of course the worst part is the complete inability to organize your own collection. The Zune probably takes pride in doing this for you, unfortunately pride is only one of its sins.
It can't seem to get any albums or artists right, particularly if its from any source other than zune marketplace. The result is lots of songs organized under "unknown artist" or "various artists" when you know there's only one artist and who it is. Then it will probably break up your album into 5 or 6 "unknown albums" and assign it an arbitrary cover art from some other place in the software. Finally, the coup de grace, you can't manually input album or artist information for individual songs. So, you're finally stuck with either tons of unknowns or grouping them into awkward groups that don't have anything to do with each other.
Unfortunately, this makes the clever menu system on the Zune itself completely bogged down with tons of random and incorrect information. You have to wade through the forest of menu to reach the correct "unknown album" for you particular song.
Typical microsoft: Good hardware, terrible software. Its too bad, cause I really liked the thing initially.
What a bargain!.......2007-12-26
I couldn't believe the deal I got on this 30GB Zune! It was cheaper than the sale prices on the 4GB in discount stores! What's even better is that it was exactly what my son wanted and I saved a bundle.
Outstanding Service and Product.......2007-12-26
I have yet to have a bad experience when ordering through Amazon and this was no exception. This Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player is outstanding and was the perfect Christmas present for my goddaughter and our mother. Both are totally pleased. Shipment was also very fast and the package arrived within a week of ordering.
Awsome.......2007-12-26
This product is simply awsome, per my daughter who received this as a gift for x-mas. Keep up the good work amazone and Zune!!!!
Product Description
Capture in-your-face action from an exhilarating first-person view! From mountain biking to wind surfing, this hands-free, water- and shock-resistant digital camera mounts easily to helmets, handlebars and other equipment for exciting views in the most extreme situations. Model AT-18.
Customer Reviews:
Camara extrema.......2007-12-24
Oregon Scientific ATC 2K Action Cam Flash Memory Camcorder
Esta camara es muy buena y practica, cabe agregar que tiene sonido, en la pagina no se menciona.
Not what it says it is.......2007-12-14
I bought this camera as it said "Action Cam" in its title/description.
My original intent was to mount it on my motorcycle or car. As my first attempt, I mounted it on my car (stable compared to motorcycle) with full resolution and 30fps option. Here is what came out:
1. Choppy video. Unacceptable for something thats named as Action Cam. All the "action" is missing from the video. My 3-yr old $100 Canon Digital Still Cam shot a similar looking video, if not better.
2. The video was way too bright.
3. I didn't expect the mic to work, and I was more than right. Its just static "action" noise.
I did try mounting on motorcycle, the video looked like flushing a 100-dollar bill down the toilet.
If you're looking for a decent action/helmet camera, get the Sony Bullet Cam with DVR for a $100 more than wasting your money on this.
This might be a good toy for the kids to mount on their R/C cars (thats where mine ended up).
The packaging looked good with all the "action" pictures on it. The built is sturdy and comes with good mounting accessories. Thats where the "action cam" feel ends.
Hope I saved someones $$$.
Fair, not great........2007-12-13
If it wasn't for it's low price I probably would not have given it a second glance. One thing that really did bother me was that the small icons in the LCD display; some of them are really close to the border and it's difficult to see without having to look at the display in a slight angle.
The image quality is "fair". I also have one of the older Flip Video recorders where the image quality is far better.
I do like the many mounting accessories they give you with this camera and the fact that its water resistance is also a nice bonus. The camera also feels like it could take a drop from a few feet and still keep on working - probably because the casing just feels really strong. This sort of gives you the feeling that if the camera was mounted to your helmet or bike and you were to crash that the camera would most likely survive.
The reason I went with this camera was, as mentioned, the price and I liked that I didn't have wires dangling everywhere. If there were actual mounts for my Flip Video (the newer versions now have mounts and mounting accessories) I probably would not have bought this camera - I would have probably gone with the more expensive "bullet" camera packages.
Since my use is for mountain biking (from cross country to extreme riding) this camera makes a good "secondary" camera. The primary camera will most likely be one of the more expensive (proven) bullet cameras with the steady image ability.
The other thing I noticed was the weight of the thing. You *CAN* feel the weight of the thing when it's mounted on your helmet.
That all said, I think this camera is good for the person on a budget or just experimenting. I can't dislike this camera too much because it was rather inexpensive. My experience with this and the Flip is now allowing me to feel better about dropping some serious $$$ in a better video camera package.
Does a great job for the price.......2007-12-01
I recently purchased my ATC2K here on Amazon and took it out for a spin in my 2005 Mustang. The video came out great and was one of a series of video tests that showed me how versatile this little unit can be.
Securing it was not too difficult and I was already well aware of the limitations of the microphone and really didn't expect or want it, since, for my purposes, an MP3 recorder and bone conduction microphone would be a better option for getting voice and to combine the video and audio track later when doing edits.
The interest I had was in getting the camera for was for a range of outdoor sports and also for chase support for motorcycle touring. I do wish there were a series of mounts either documented for the camera or specially built as optional purchases just for the ATC2K. I'm already researching some specialty mounts for the various sorts of missions I'm dreaming up for this neat little camera.
I bought a Kingston 2gb SD card and had no trouble at all using this card with the ATC2K. The unit is easy to turn on, is relatively simple to configure and turn on and, for the price, is at the top of it's genre. I didn't have to do any formatting as noted by others, so the Kingston SD 2gb card is a winner for me with this camera. I'm going to put the camera through it's paces over the winter, but my tests so far indicate the camera is a great little bargain and worth getting.
I won't rehash much more, since any Google search and the other reviewers have covered many of the strengths and weaknesses of the camera. My only observation that might be more of a wish is that I wish that Oregon Scientific would have a simple forum area on their site where people can trade knowledge and tips about the ATC2K and improve the product (and the manual). I found out most everything significant before my purchase from external reviews and Google searches rather than the manual...
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a great and inexpensive way to get into recording video with a rugged and wearable camera that can work almost anywhere, this is the one to get. If you can't handle the audio and other quirks that make it a truly individualistic and temperamental beast it isn't the one for you. For my missions and purposes, it's the right one. I hope this review helps you!
so-so.......2007-11-30
This is a soso product, it could be great if the sound work. I used it in a bike ride and was terrible, then for a whitewater rafting and was worse. You have to scream next to the camera to hear something.
Under the water was great with a very clear images. For me didn't work, maybe for you it does.
Product Description
IH13B PORTABLE PINK SPORT CASE FOR iPod shuffle or any MP3 player. Sturdy lightweight zippered case 2 dynamic stereo speakers secure fit holds iPod snugly water resistant. Attaches quickly and easily to bikes strollers exercise equipment and more. Built in Remote Control capability. iPod control when case is closed. 2 watts total power runs on 4 AA batteries or included universal switching power adapter.
Amazon.com Product Description
Amplify your iPod shuffle while walking, riding your bike, or working out with the iHome portable speaker system and case. Remarkably compact, the lightweight zippered case safely holds your shuffle while on the move, with a built-in clip that attaches securely to bikes, strollers, exercise equipment, and more. Even better, the system's pair of stereo speakers deliver a crisp, efficient audio performance, making it ideal for listeners with active lifestyles. And thanks to the case's water-resistant design, you can walk or ride in the rain without damaging your shuffle. Other details include the ability to charge your shuffle when connected to an AC adapter (sold separately), a sleek red chassis, built-in remote control capability, and 2 watts of total output power. The iHome portable speaker runs on four AA batteries.
What's in the Box
Speaker system/case, user's manual.
Customer Reviews:
futile expectations.......2007-12-23
The idea of the product is great; the execution is poor. Why would you want to waste hours to make the software, or whatever it takes to find a star, or to get the name of the star you happen to be watching.
Great product........2007-12-18
Used it the first day I got it, better than I expected. If you want magnification buy the telescope version.
Celestron Sky Scout.......2007-11-25
The Sky Scout has rekindled my interest in star gazing; my telescope and binoculars are no longer gathering dust. The biggest drawback to the product is the way it eats up batteries, but said batteries can be purchased at a discount.
Be patient - there is a small amount of learning curve, particularly for those of us who need different glasses for reading and distance. Also the process of acquiring a GPS fix takes some getting used to.
In conclusion, this product was rated the #1 innovation for 2006 and after some use I can see how one can have that perspective.
Very poorly designed and manufactured product .......2007-11-13
SkyScout does not operate as Celestron, the mfg. represents it to. Functions do not perform and results are rarely correct. The GPS is not accurate and close by best to the actual coordinates so beware. I purchased 3 units, 1 was returned once and 1 twice and they still do not work as represented.
A four-star rating with a huge WOW factor !!.......2007-11-08
I ordered this yesterday morning and received it this afternoon (love Amazon service !!). The SkyScout seemed perfect to help my family locate the comet Holmes that has recently become visible in the northeastern sky. The unit I received had the latest firmware version installed. Initially I used NiMH batteries in the unit, which was a mistake (more on that later).
The SkyScout has a built-in GPS which is used to setup the unit by discovering the user location and time of day. After finding the location, extremely sensitive magnetic sensors are used to determine the direction (azimuth) and height in the sky (elevation). When I turned the unit on for the first time, it indicated an absurd location (the other side of the planet). Also, even though I was standing in the middle of an open yard, it gave an error message saying the magnetic sensors were being interfered with.
A check of the user forum uncovered the problem - my use of NiMH batteries. Apparently this battery technology generates a stronger magnetic field than normal alkaline batteries do. I swapped out the rechargeable batteries for a normal set and restarted the SkyScout. I was immediately rewarded with an accurate location.
Tonight was my first opportunity to use the SkyScout at night, and all I can say is WOW!!! I selected a star that I knew was near the comet (Mirfak) and simply followed the arrows until the star was right in the middle of the view finder. After finding the start, locating the comet was easy, it was right next to it as expected.
After everyone checked out the comet, we used the identify feature of the SkyScout which correctly identified every star we pointed it at. The more famous of which had audio descriptions which we listened to using the included headphones.
I'm giving this a four-star rating because the manual doesn't mention that only standard alkaline batteries should be used. Also the literature states that accessory "Night Sky Tours" are available on SD memory cards, but they haven't been released yet.
Easy to use and educational, this is a fantastic product that has its own place next to a telescope or pair of binoculars.
Product Description
Medal of Honor: Heroes lets you become each of the main characters from the Medal Of Honor series. Players can unlock over 20 classic MoH characters to use in multiplayer games adding both variety and personality to their online experience. Travel through 12 unique environments, from rocky coasts of Italy, to the rainy streets of Holland and snowy fields in the Ardennes.
Customer Reviews:
THE BEST!.......2007-08-20
I'm not a FPS fan, but I was playing the demo, and it was fun, so why not buy it! You can get it for free by visiting: http://www.videogamelagoon.com/?ref=62838 and click the sign up link! They will send it to you in the mail! Just do some ads! No downloads! This is INVITE ONLY, so use the link I gave you!
eh...........2007-04-18
A few months ago, when amazon was selling this same game for $20 through target(or the other way around) this game was a great bargain. It gave nice and stylish graphically amazing gameplay with an online option in a portable package. For $40 im not so sure. This game was pretty amazing fot 20 but u may have to rethink the descision to buy it at 40.
Game Rocks.......2007-04-07
I have to say there has yet to be another game for the PSP that hits this level of play. Especially the multiplayer aspect. It's as good as sitting at your home PC. BUY THIS GAME if you love multiplayer and the PSP
Excellent game.......2007-03-30
Although the campaign mode of this game is pretty short, it is intense and action packed. The multiplayer modes are amazing, and never get boring no matter how long you play. I got it from Target via Amazon for $19.99 and it was worth every dime. Delivery was excellent, and if you like FPSs you'll like this game alot, I guarantee it. The cons of this game are: short campaign mode, controls (tricky at first). However, there are way more pros, so I think that the 20 bucks was a bargain for a qualit game like this.
Medal Of Honor : Hero.......2007-03-28
This game is awesome. As first hand shooter you go through some real intense combats & there are various types of weapons to choose from. The graphics & special affects are great. This game was supposed to be for my son but now we both share playing time.I love it.
Product Description
Take files anywhere in style with the Iomega eGo Red Portable Hard Drive USB 2.0, an extremely durable drive, which includes Drop Guard feature to withstand the toughest of travel environments. With 160GB capacity it holds up to 640,000 photos, over 2,900 hours of music and 240 hours of video. Plus, the Iomega eGo Portable Hard Drive requires no external power supply and includes a free EMC Retrospect HD backup software license. USB 2.0/1.1 compatible - Transfer rates up to 480Mbits/s with USB 2.0 System Requirements - Pentium II-class or equivalent processor or higher, Microsoft Windows Vista, 2000, 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional, XP Professional x64, G3 or higher computer, Mac OS X 10.1.5 or above, USB 2.0 host connection or controller for USB 2.0 speeds, 128MB RAM or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, Firefox 1.0, Apple Safari 1.2 or higher browser Dimensions - Length 0.75 x Width 3.5 x Height 5.25 Weight - 0.48 pounds
Customer Reviews:
As Advertised.......2007-12-26
I ordered the Iomega 33832 160 GB eGo USB Portable Hard Drive from Amazon and it was sitting on my door step within three days. I unpackaged it and plugged it into the first of three computers I use. It was instantly recognized and worked with no additional software or install procedure. The same was true of the other two computers. Three different computers and three different operating systems. Friends are impressed when they see it (fits nicely in my shirt pocket) and I am impressed everytime I use it.
There are other drives that are larger in capacity and/or faster than this one but I was after portability and reliability. I got both.
HUGE, and POWER CONSUMING (for laptops).......2007-12-23
I care about design a lot. The quality of a product must be important as well, but I believe that most of products that we can buy these days have at least decent quality - otherwise, people will claim any flaws even before I get to purchase it. If all those function well and are suited to my usage, why not buy a prettier one?
So I bought this external hard drive. Apparently, it seems that Iomega tried to differentiate their product from others by an innovative design. Bright red color and silver end, what a great combination. However, it was HUGE. I had no sense of dimension so I assumed that this would be about the size of Fujitsu Calmee, another external drive that I have been using for years. Nevertheless, this Iomega eGo was almost twice size of Calmee. Besides, the hard drive came with an adaptor for external power source, in case it sucks too much power from USB ports that it may disturb the function of the computer. Although it worked fine without the adaptor, this was enough to arouse suspect that this hard drive is electricity-consuming product. If it is so, then it would not fit my usage - the "portable" drive that I can take with my laptop.
It is big, and power consuming, so I thought it would not fit my usage of portable drive. I returned the item. Oh, and the big size of the item made the design awful.
Careful with support.......2007-12-20
After doing research online, I found this portable hard drive perfect match for me. I was disapponted after getting this product.
(1) It is 160GB hard drive, but, it was showing only 148GB total memory. It is a big gap of 12GB
(2) When I try to call customer service of IOMEGA, I found out that they charge $25 per issue.
At last, I decided to return this product.
Great Drive --- BUT DON'T FORGET TO RE-FORMAT IT!.......2007-12-16
After researching portable Hard Drives for about a month and comparing drives from the likes of Toshiba, Seagate & Western Digital, I decided on this drive mostly because of the review I read on cnet.com.
The drive is super fast at writing files and is very easy to use.
I also purchased the Small External HD Case Black to hold and protect the drive when not in use. The two were made for each other!
One point I feel I must mention is that if you're using Windows you MUST re-format the drive. The drive comes standard formatted to FAT32 which basically means it can be used on Macs and PCs. However, for it to function at a top-notch level with Windows, you must format it to NTFS format. For example, on my first day of using it I thought something was wrong with my drive as every now and then it would cut out as though it had been unplugged. After taking a look at the online manual on the Iomega website I realized it needed to be formatted to NTFS to really work to its full potential.
The Iomega website gives easy and straight forward advice on how to do this. It would have been nice for Iomega to ensure that people know this right away however. The drive comes with a quick-start guide that basically just says "plug it in and start writing files" and it doesn't even suggest that you should format the drive if using Windows. However in the online manual on the Iomega website, re-formatting it for Windows users is suggested right away.
In closing, this drive is fast, well priced, and, of course super stylish. It has been shown to be a top performer in independent reviews, but, if you're using Windows, don't forget to re-format it!
Great!.......2007-12-14
The Iomega 33832 is fast and durable. With a solid feel and attractive exterior design, this unit combines functionality and style creating a unique package. An outstanding value!!
Product Description
You never know when an emergency may strike. It could be weather or geoloically related. You might be lost in the woods or the road. It might even be politically related. Who knows? But staying informed before and during it may be a matter of life or death. Be prepared and aware with the Eton FR400 emergency radio. This affordable portable receives AM (530-1710 kHz), FM 88-108 MHz, VHF TV audio and seven NOAA weather channels. The FR400 operates from a wind-up generator, or 4.5 VDC [ ? ] or 3 AA cells (not supplied). The generator charges the supplied, replaceable NiMH cells. Two turns per second for 90 seconds will provide 40 to 60 minutes of operation. The controls are easy to use. There is also a built-in triple LED light with emergency light source built into the side of the radio. Two of the LEDs are white for illumination, and the third is a blinking red LED for signaling. There is even a loud siren function in this device. The battery compartment allows access to the built-in NiMH pack or for the three optional AA cells. The FR400 comes with a 4.5 VDC 120 VAC adapter. There are jacks on the rear panel for: earphone output, 4.5 VDC input and phone charger output. These jacks are protected under a water resistant rubber flap. The FR400 has the additional capability of recharging certain cell phones. Several common cellular power adapters are included with your FR-400. Eton is also including a very nice black canvas carry case and an AC adapter. This radio comes with an Owner's Manual, Eton Catalog and mini Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Guide. 8.7 x 4.5 x 2 inches 1.3 Lbs.
In addition to helping to keep you and your family safe, your purchase will help the American Red Cross. Etón Corporation will make a proportional contribution based on each sold radio to support the American Red Cross.
It can be a life saver! Emergency Siren
Amazon.com Product Description
The Etón Grundig American Red Cross FR400 is one of Etón's American Red Cross branded, weather-resistant emergency radios. With a dependable hand-crank power generator that powers the unit's AM/FM/TV/Weather radio, built-in LED flashlight, cell phone charger and emergency siren -- all surrounded by a sturdy, weather-resistant casing -- the lightweight and portable Grundig FR400 is an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a radio that can be relied on in emergencies or in environments where there are limited power sources.
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FR250 |
FR300 |
FR350 |
FR400 |
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Hand crank |
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Cell phone charger |
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Emergency lights |
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Siren |
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AC adapter included |
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Water resistant |
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Tuning |
AM/FM, SW |
AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather |
AM/FM, SW |
AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather |
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Size (inches, WxDxH) |
6.5 x 2.5 x 6 |
6.5 x 2.5 x 6 |
8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 |
8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 |
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Weight |
1 lb. 3 oz. |
1 lb. 4 oz. |
1 lb. 4 oz. |
1 lb. 4 oz. |
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Power |
Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC |
Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC |
Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC |
Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC | |
Other models in Etón's line of emergency radios that we tested include the Grundig FR200, an entry-level shortwave radio that also includes a flashing LED light; the Grundig FRFR250, a shortwave radio that also includes a flashing LED light, cell phone charger and siren; the Grundig FR 300, which includes the emergency features of the FR250, but offers television and weather station tuning instead of shortwave; and the Grundig FR 350, a water-resistant variation of the FR250.
Power When You Need It
At the heart of all of Etón's emergency radios, including the Grundig FR400, is an internal generator that recharges the internal Ni-MH battery pack and powers the radio, siren, and light. Also, by plugging your cell phone into the jack on the back of the radio (the FR400 comes with several cell phone adapters), you can use the crank to power your phone. In our test, after draining our cell phone of power, we recharged it using the FR400 enough to make a few calls. The rate of cell phone recharging will vary greatly depending on the cell phone and the state of its battery, but the FR400 can provide your compatible phone with power in a pinch.
According to the product manual, to achieve 40 to 60 minutes of uninterrupted power to the radio, you must turn the crank at a rate of two revolutions per second for 90 seconds. In our test, after our initial 90 seconds of rigorous cranking, the FR400 powered right up and was still going strong with radio reception after an hour. At the hour mark, we briefly turned the flashlight on, and that too was at full force, with no perceivable drain on radio reception. The FR400 can also be powered via the included AC adapter, or from three AA batteries, which are not included. The dynamo crank tucks itself nicely into the side of the radio and offers little resistance as you turn the handle. (Don't let the cranking requirements frighten you! While it's true that a full 90 seconds of turning the crank can be tiring and may not be for everyone, we were able to recharge the radio with less than a minute of cranking and achieved over 40 minutes of continuous power.)
Design and Controls
At 1.5 pounds, and with dimensions of 4.5 x 8.75 x 2.25 inches (HxWxD), the FR400 is made to be tucked neatly into its handy nylon carrying case, ready to be stored in emergency box, or packed neatly for a camping trip. A white LED light is set on the side of the radio, just above the tuning knob, allowing you to use the FR400 like a flashlight. A red flashing emergency light is also included. This placement is an improvement over the designs of the FR200, FR250 and FR350, all of which place the emergency light on the radio's face. But similar to those radios, the light on the FR400 is only designed to help you down an unlit stairwell or enclosed hallway in a pinch, and is not directed or strong enough to help you much in a pitch-black forest or other open area. The radio and light can be operated simultaneously, though of course at the expense of power.
The large band selection knob and other controls make the FR400 a breeze to use. View larger. |
The rear connections are protected by rubber seals. View larger. |
On the left, the hand crank, on the right, a flashlight, and tuning and volume knobs. |
The mechanical controls of the FR40 are extremely visible and easy to use. The volume control is fairly easy to finesse, and the tuning knob, which features a smaller concentric fine-tuning control knob, offers much greater control. A sealed 3.5 mm earphone jack is set into the back, and the telescoping antenna tucks neatly behind the handle strap., and the telescoping antenna tucks neatly behind the handle strap. The radio's 2.5-inch speaker is set directly in front and offers reasonable audio quality and excellent volume for the radio's purpose. The tuner itself is self-illuminated, though in a darkened environment it is still somewhat difficult to pick out the bands.
Tuning and Bands
The FR400 offers AM/FM reception as well as 7 NOAA weather channels and a weather alert, and TV-VHF audio reception for channels 2 - 13. As was the case with all of the Etón emergency radios we tested, our AM reception was outstanding; we were quickly able to tune into every station we searched for. Reception for FM was also very good, though there was some extra fine-tuning on some of the stations. Because weather broadcasts are based on VHF, line-of-sight channels, and because we are slightly out of range of the nearest weather transmitter in our region, we were not able to test the radio's weather reception. Television reception, happily, was quite another story. Though some stations took some finessing of the tuner before we were able to hone in on a strong signal, most of the reception was loud and clear.
While the FR400 shares the same features and performance of the FR300, its sturdy, weather-resistant casing and design modifications give it a distinct edge in emergency situations that's well worth the extra cost.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight; ideal for emergencies or travel
- Clearly laid out functions and controls
- Excellent internal power generator; handy cell-phone charger
Cons
- Tuning dial could be better illuminated for darkened environments
What's in the Box
FR400 radio, cell phone charging adapters, nylon carrying case, and American Red Cross pamphlet.
Customer Reviews:
Good... could be a little bit better though........2007-12-26
All handles and switches are made of plastic and they don't seem very sturdy. The flashlight Leds are not powerful. The display should be illuminated. Anyway, I've got two of these radios (one for home, the other for the office) and I like them, they work well.
Amazon prices are not cheap.......2007-11-26
This product can be bought for the same price if not less at other online retailers. Amazon makes it look like it has been "marked down" but in reality it hasn't! Buyers beware.
Arrived broken and incomplete.......2007-11-11
We know that this is one of the best radio's for emergencies. Being up north with our snow and ice storms, we need a good reliable radio. But this radio, though one of the best, arrived at our home broken due to some cheap...cheap plastic parts. You also have to send off for your cell phone attachment and if you have more than one type of cell phone in the home, you're out of luck.
does not include cell phone adapters.......2007-09-24
I returned the first one because it did not have the cell phone adapters, I received the replacement the very next day, but it also did not include the cell phone adapters
Cell phone charger? Not really!.......2007-08-19
What the vendor fails to tell the buyer, until the radio is unwrapped, is that it takes at least 15 minutes crank time to get less than a minute of cell phone charge. Secondly, the appropriate cell phone adapter tip and charge cord have to be sent away for separately.
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