Eton FR100 Blackout Buddy Radio (Pearl)

Other products by Eton

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 1.4 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000255ITQ
• Item model number: FR100
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,814 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 1, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description When a blackout strikes, will you be ready? Thanks to the Etón FR100 Blackout Buddy, the answer is a resounding yes. Simply plug the FR100 into an AC outlet and as soon as power is cut, the unit automatically shines to the rescue with a brilliant beam of light that illuminates the area.

The FR100 is always ready for a blackout. View larger.

The convenient plug-in mechanism.

A powerful LED flashlight is integrated into the side of the radio. View larger.

The FR100 also tunes AM and FM radio stations, giving you breaking news and information during the power disruption. Of course, when it's not busy helping you out in an emergency the FR100 makes a great rechargeable clock radio that you can take anywhere -- without worrying about replacing the batteries.

Design and Controls
The FR100's attractive exterior houses an innovative fold-away AC plug that recharges the unit's built-in battery pack. The unit's blue backlit digital display shows radio frequency, time of day, alarm wake-up time, and a symbol for alarm activation. A powerful LED flashlight is integrated into the side of the radio, where you'll also find controls for volume level, tuning, and band selection.

The FR100 lets you choose from several alert modes that define what the radio does in the event of a power outage. You can set the unit to play the radio only, to turn on the light, or to turn on the light and radio at the same time. Of course, you can also set the FR100 to do nothing when power is cut.

Tuning and Bands
You can use the FR100's analog tuner to tune into your favorite local stations, In addition to a telescoping FM antenna, the unit contains an internal ferrite bar antenna for AM reception.

Connections and Power
The FR100 can be powered by the direct AC plug-in on the back of the device, or via the internal rechargeable battery. The battery must be charged for 72 hours to receive a full charge. An earphone socket can also serve as an auxiliary FM antenna.

Extras
In addition to a digital clock, the FR100 also features an alarm clock function.

What's in the Box
FR100 radio, auxiliary FM antenna, and user's manual.

Product Description

Grundig FR100 Blackout Buddy Portable Radio - It's an AM/FM radio, light, clock, and alarm all in one! Never fear a power failure again, this ingenious product stays plugged into the wall at all times for continuous charging, so it's always charged and ready when an emergency strikes. The built-in LED light and AM/FM radio turn on automatically when the electricity goes out. And, the rechargeable battery provides enough power for 4-8 hours of emergency radio use and 12-16 hours of super bright LED light operation. On/off switch lets you conserve power when you need to. Headphone jack serves as an FM antenna input for improved reception. For everyday use, the digital clock has easy-to-read numbers and an alarm feature. Rotary volume control Earphone socket (also serves as auxiliary FM antenna socket) Telescopic antenna for FM Internal ferrite bar antenna for AM reception Plugs into AC power outlet to charge its internal, rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack (requires 72 hour re-charge from fully drained) Can be unplugged from AC outlet to operate as a portable radio AC plug folds down flat when not in use Power Source - AC outlet charges internal, rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack. 72 hour full-charge Dimensions - 3 W x 5-1/4 H x 1-1/2 D (79 x 135 x 36 mm) / Weight - 10.1 oz. (287 g)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Crap, just crap., October 24, 2005

By	Redd Dragon - See all my reviews

This is honestly the worst radio ever. The day I opened it I instantly noticed a horrible smell coming from the unit itself. It really smells like ass.

It only has a rechargeable battery. They say it lasts for four or more hours, but that is a lie. I received it on Friday. I plugged it into the wall from Friday, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday. I wanted to listen to a show on Monday. Today (October 24, 2005), I unplugged it and turned it on. It lasted for a totally of an hour and a half. THAT'S IT!!!!!!!

Not only that, but the reception is horrible. The flashlight is small and weak. It is way over priced. I know radios for ten dollars that are way better then this. Do not buy this crap. If you need a radio buy anything, but this.

If I could give it 0 stars I would.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Techman, March 7, 2006

By	Robert Hudson "Techman" (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this radio and charged it for two full days and got 10 minutes of listening pleasure. I called their 800 number to find out what was wrong. They indicated that I am supposed to charge it for 3 days (The booklet fails to mention how long to charge it yet has instructions in many different languages for your convenience). I did that, and enjoyed a full 75 minutes of play time. This was far from their 4 hours estimated play time. I returned it to the reseller and got another figuring it was a fluke. Charged it in great anticipation, and got about 70 minutes of play time for 3 days of charging. I called the 800 number again. Eton offered to replace it, but I had to pay for the shipping. I didn't think that was fair and tried to return it to the local reseller after my 30 days from the original sale was up. Luckilly the reseller took the radio back and refunded my money. Two bad radios just a fluke? Maybe so. But why penalize the the customer and ask him to eat the cost of shipping to fix Eton's problem? Plus the design is such that the bottom of the radio is rounded and the unit cannot stand up on its own. Eton said it is meant to be left in the electrical outlet. During a "blackout", I'd want it to be portable and set it just about anywhere. Go figure.

4.0 out of 5 stars Does As Intended!, November 19, 2009

By	Connecticut Consumer "John" (Stamford, CT) - See all my reviews

I just recently purchased my second Blackout Buddy from Tech For Less, an Amazon store, after the rechargeable battery from my first unit (purchased over 4 years ago) finally died. A call to Eton, the manufacturer, confirmed that this product was discontinued a few years ago and is only available from remaining retailer inventory.

I originally purchased the Blackout Buddy for the master bathroom because I grew tired of continually replacing the regular batteries from an older radio. This unit seemed the perfect solution - a rechargeable battery in a unit that is designed to stay plugged-in and continuously charged. All in all, the unit completely met my expectations. The radio reception is remarkably good. And the sound quality is about what you would expect from such a small unit - a bit tinny, but clear and crisp. Additionally, the digital clock and the blue LCD display, which also serves as a night-light, make it perfect for use in a bathroom. I keep it plugged into an outlet that's right alongside the medicine chest, which makes it easy to see and access. I generally only remove it from the outlet during a power-outage, which is usually a few times a year. The longest I've played the radio on battery-power is about two to three hours, so I can't speak to how long the battery would last beyond that. The small flashlight on the side is useful, but certainly not a replacement for a good lantern flashlight which is far more suitable for a power-outage.

My only real complaint about the unit is that the rechargeable battery is not designed to be user-replaceable. I'm fairly handy and after taking the unit's back off and realizing that I could probably re-wire in a new battery, I was unable to find the exact type battery, a 4-cell NiMH battery, anywhere. Scouring the internet was a near total dead-end, although one vendor did say he could put one together for me. But after finding a brand new Blackout Buddy on Amazon for about the same cost as having a new battery made, it was a no-brainer.

If you're looking to use the unit in the same way as I do, then this unit is for you. At ten dollars or so (including shipping), this unit can't be beat. I've not found anything similar out there, and I suspect I'll probably regret not buying a couple more to keep on hand before they're all finally gone.