Etón FR1000 Voicelink Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren, and Cell Phone Charger (Black)

by Eton

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 11.1 x 6.2 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0014TCU9K
• Item model number: FR1000
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,854 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 1, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer The Etón FR-1000 Voicelink Radio is a battery or self-powered hand-crank radio that keeps you informed, even when the power is out. Tune into AM, FM and NOAA Weather Band frequencies for the most up-to-date information in case of an emergency. The FR-1000 Voicelink is more than just a radio though--it’s a multifunction powerhouse. The two-way walkie-talkie feature with GMRS technology lets you stay in touch with the outside world, while the cell phone charging jack ensures your access to available mobile phone networks. You also get a flashlight, a beacon light that can function as an SOS signal and a siren. And all of this can be powered with the twist of a crank.

Large, ergonomic knobs make operating the FR-1000 easy View Larger

A Lifeline to Information
Floods, fires, tornadoes, blizzards, and earthquakes--these are situations that nobody wants to find themselves in. The most critical resource during any emergency or natural disaster is information. Being able to make informed decisions and communicate with others is vital. The Etón FR-1000 Voicelink Radio is built from the ground up to be a rugged, highly portable communication tool. It has an AM/FM tuner for news and public service announcements, as well as entertainment. The NOAA Weather Band radio receives weather broadcasts, warnings and other emergency messages. It can also be set to automatically activate on its own, informing you of any new alerts.

The Etón FR-1000 also ensures that your voice can be heard by others. The onboard two-way radio utilizes the GRMS/FRS bands, and is compatible with virtually every handheld radio and walkie-talkie on the market in America. It can be set to automatically scan through 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, allowing you to monitor or broadcast to those around you. Additionally, the VOX setting allows for convenient hands-free transmission. The FR-1000 can even keep you in touch with those who are farther away by charging cell phones via its on-board batteries or hand crank.

Seven bright LEDs light your way View Larger

Etón FR-1000 Makes Your Presence Known
The Etón FR-1000 offers multiple communication options, maximizing your ability to stay connected with others no matter the situation. During the day, a built-in siren can emit a continuous tone to announce your presence. Activate the bright red LED signal beacon and "SOS" is spelled out in Morse Code, perfect for long distance signaling at night. The FR-1000 also comes equipped with a flashlight, ensuring that you'll never be left in the dark.

Redundant Power Sources for Always-On Reliability
Having a device that sports multiple modes of communication means nothing if there is no way to power it. Etón has designed the FR-1000 with that thought in mind. It can be powered via the included AC adapter and rechargeable battery pack, or by additional AA batteries. In the event that external power supplies are exhausted, the FR-1000 also employs a hand-operated dynamo. A few turns of its handle will bring light, news and information, no matter the situation.

Product Description

Self Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather/2-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren and Cell Phone Charger. Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good product with some flaws, May 5, 2008

By 

Hector Rivera - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Etón FR1000 Voicelink Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren, and Cell Phone Charger (Black) (Electronics)

I haven't tried all the features on this radio, but so far it's very good. Extremely solid with very clear sound and reception (mono - the radio only has one speaker). Very good battery life. About water resistance... I don't know about that. As a product designer there's a serious design flaw I can spot right away, and it's about water. Once you pick up the radio by it's handle, the battery compartment gets facing up. Frankly, the compartment will not keep water outside, even less if water is dripping from your hand in case of a shower to a facing up cheap battery compartment's cap. Inside the compartment there are a couple of holes that give direct access to the interior of the radio. Well... You do the math. The problem could have been prevented by using a simple water tight cap attached with screws. Lame. Anyway I'm still loving the device. I'll handle the water problem myself. It has a very readable green display and crank operation is very smooth. Solid antenna. Flashlight is bright indeed. I hope this helps.

*** UPDATE ***

I returned the FR1000 and purchased a FR500. The FR500 has all the attributes of the FR1000, but is solar (it works), has way better water protection and shortwave! Yeah I'm missing the two way radio thing, but is not such a big deal. The range is short anyway (~10 miles)I can always get a good receiver with the money saved in the FR500. Uff... now I'm in love indeed.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, May 31, 2008

By 

Robert Goldschmidt "traveler" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Etón FR1000 Voicelink Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren, and Cell Phone Charger (Black) (Electronics)

I have owned an earlier model of the Eton hand-crank emergency radio for several years. That product works quite will. I purchased this new model for the several functional enhancements it comes with: 1) Digital receiver, 2) NOAA receiver, and 3) FRS/GMRS radio base station transceiver capability.

Once I started to use this new FR1000 model, I realized just how much of a piece of junk it is:

1. Bad battery pack - The rechargeable battery pack failed from the beginning. I charged it overnight out of the box. Two days later, when I used the radio in the field, it lasted all of 5 minutes.

2. Terrible reception on all bands - I used the FR1000 in two separate and very different environments, and compared it to two other common radios. In the field, where there was very limited reception, the FR1000 could not pick up any FM stations, and only 1 AM station. My mini-van radio picked up all sorts of stations on both AM and FM bands. In town, the FR1000 could pick up a few local stations if the signal was strong. My motel room el-cheapo clock radio picked up far more stations on both AM and FM bands. The FR1000 never did pick up any NOAA stations.

3. Poor station change dial switch design - On the FR1000, in order to change stations, you have to turn the upper right-hand dial upwards or downwards. On order to do that, you have to get your finger into the space alloted for the horizontal dial. I found that doing so caused my finger to jam into that limited space. Searching for stations was both uncomfortable and difficult. This is a really annoying design flaw.

4. No radio carry case - My older model radio came with a carry case, for protection and easy transport. This model does not have any such case. That is really annoying. I feel like Eton added insult to injury when they decided to go the cheap route and not include a carry case. Jeez, this radio costs $150, and is supposed to be used in emergency situations! What were those guys/gals thinking about?

I returned the FR1000 and will stick with my older Eton analogue model. Half the size, half the cost, has a carry case, and is far more functional. Oh, and it actually picks up radio stations! Wow ... what a concept!

Oh well.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect!, May 31, 2008

By 

B. Nyleen (Salem, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Etón FR1000 Voicelink Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren, and Cell Phone Charger (Black) (Electronics)

First, don't buy the case Amazon Bundles this with. I can not see any application with the two and the case is about half the size of the Radio.

Yes the radio isn't water proof or resistant. It would be nice if they would fix that, it really wouldn't take much. I went out to a local store and payed $3 for a water proof bag to seal this in.

It would also be nice if the radio had a shortwave feature since they have everything else.

As for everything else this is the radio you have to have for emergencies! It has everything in a rugged design and you never have to worry about stupid batteries. In an emergencies the last thing you are going to find is batteries.