Customer Reviews

GPX FR4004SP AM/FM Flashlight Radio with Siren

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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'll cut to the chase: the materials used on this flashlight are too cheap for this thing to last. Case in point, the crank broke after just 10 days. 10 days! Maybe a total of 25 minutes cranking max and now it is broken. Wish my experience was different as I love the idea. And now I wish the manufacturer had spent a little bit more on the materials... I would have paid 10 more bucks to get something that would last. Alas, it is not much more than a paperweight now. Strongly advise you, the reader, to look elsewhere.

I ordered this with high hopes since my children were forever forgetting to turn the flashlight to off and using up the batteries. Well, you have to turn the crank for a very long time and the result is a rather weak light. The siren is loud, but I'm not sure if it will ever come into use. The radio is also only so-so, static, medium volume. Using the solar energy means keeping the thing under full daylight for hours. Even with those complaints it would be okay for an emergency, as long as you don't get it wet. Mine got wet from some splashed water in the kitchen and it died soon after. I think I'm going to try the flashlight that you shake to work.

The radio works fine, and I haven't managed to break the crank. If I can find an LED upgrade for the bulb, the flashlight might be fine with the built in rechargeable, but as is you really need REAL batteries to use the flashlight.

We all know that GPX products are not the greatest, but I have to wonder about anyone who claims that this thing is a paperweight if the crank breaks. The thing has 4-way power! If the hand crank breaks, you still have solar power and battery power left. You can also plug it into a car or home outlet if you buy the adapters. Makes me wonder if some people work for competing companies and say negative things to hurt the competition.

This GPX radio looks very much like a light version of the Sun Tap Combo (mulsolbatpow) that I saw at a web site called 'Safety Central'. As I write this, that product is around $50. If you want better quality, you have to pay more. Don't look to GPX for great quality, but don't discard the product because you aren't bright enough to take advantage of its alternative power. For the price, it's worth it even if you're too rough on the hand crank. Remember, it's made out of plastic, not titanium.