The Eton FRX3+ Emergency Weather Radio REVIEWED
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- Опубликовано: 30 янв 2019
- If there's a catastrophic weather event, a city-wide blackout or the polar vortex just slams down from the Arctic and you're without power, what are you going to do? Most people have no emergency plans, nothing that'll work beyond the lifetime of a AA battery or two. That's why the Eton Red Cross Emergency Weather Radio FRX3+ is such a win with its multitude of features and capabilities. AM/FM/Weather radio, flashlight, emergency beacon, clock, alarm and the ability to charge your cell phone if the power outlet's gone dead. And to charge the unit itself if there is no electricity, you can use the built-in solar panel or hand crank.
Tech expert Dave Taylor of www.AskDaveTaylor.com/ gave the Eton FRX3+ a thorough test and found that the features work great, but the unit has some odd, and downright annoying design quirks that you'll want to learn about before you make a purchase decision. Is it still worth buying? Watch and find out...
Check it out on Amazon: amzn.to/2WzJzwG 
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Thank you Dave. You answered my question as to just how long it takes to charge the battery (2 hours). The radio is functional and suits my needs. This senior citizen thanks you!
They must have listen to everyone's complaints because I bought one last year that takes three AAA batteries as a backup if the lithium is Dead! Another thing I don't like about it is if you fully charged it and put it up on a shelf or in the drawer for a couple of weeks the battery dies! So in an emergency when you pull it out to use it there won't be any juice in the battery so to speak. So I actually unplugged the lithium battery from the radio and put the plastic battery cover back on so when it's needed I can just plug the battery in and it will be fully charged! it would have been nice if they could have had a little compartment to keep the charging cord or have a 1 foot retractable charging cord attached to the radio!
My wife and I have had this radio for years! Overall, we are very satisfied with it. But, the one thing it does not offer is an S.O.S. alarm, in case you're trapped someplace, and need to get an a siren alert to your neighbors for help.
This kind of multi radio, alarm, light etc was a lifesaver after hurricane Michael destroyed everything 60 miles all around us.. 64 days no power..
Why does it have to be a major crisis to use it?
Like you said, it's good to have with first aide supplies.
It's not a spot light, but it'll light up a small area in front of you.
Maybe light up your car, so you can see, to change a tire.
Power tends to go out these days, so having a radio and light is a good idea.
I have the older one, still works well and helped me during Hurricane Sandy and several other storms that we had in NJ that left us without power for a whole week and a half. I haven’t had to use it really YET here in Florida, thankfully.
Yeah, the solar panel DOES require the MOST direct sunlight. Like highest of high beams. I have mine charging under a lamp with the light RIGHT on the panel to charge at the moment while I work on my painting, as my room window doesn’t face the morning sun. I do have a ton of charging cords that I can use on it, but I like trying to use the sun if I can. Pays to have grown up in a family where we save EVERY SINGLE CORD we get. 😅😅
I’ve used the crank most of the time, TBH. Three minutes at a time, which does give me a good amount of workability.
Lol Clark Howard is always on an AM radio station. Appreciate the review.
Really great and thorough review! Thank you!
Would be more helpful if camara is facing radio as you speak and explain things
Excellent review video !
Great video and thank you.
The frx3 has a 3xAAA option...the “+” (frx3+) model does not...different rechargeable as the + model utilizes a lithium rechargeable battery, and the frx3 model uses a nimh
I liked that item. I got one. Very useful nowadays. Especially during typhoon. ALWAYS brownout here in the Philippines. It's simple and nice for emergency. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing
I just got mine delivered today! The model I have doesn’t have a place for AAA batteries, only a spot for the included lithium battery.
It`s best to just get a high quality portable radio with weather band, shortwave and AM/FM and keep batteries around for it and use rechargeables for normal listening. I doubt you`d have much luck charging a phone. I`d just get one of those power banks for my cell phone or just a car charger. I have three small radios for power outages and one gets out local NOAA weather channel. Both are very excellent receivers and are very sensitive on all bands. I live in a fringe area for reception and a sensitive radio is very important. Amazon is selling the Eton Executive Traveler for only 35 bucks right now. It`s very sensitive on all bands and is a great AM receiver for its small size...better than any other that I know of. Great shortwave radio too. If you want a radio with weather band that also has excellent reception try the CCrane Skywave.
That’s looks pretty cool
I found one at Goodwill for 4.99 and it's a model that allows for 3 AAA batteries to be inserted along with the lithium battery pack.. thankfully I have a couple mini usb chords so I taped one to the radio to have with it in case an emergency hits... thoughI think the lithium needs to be replaced.. BUT! For 4.99 I am not sure I can complain to much! I am happy with it! On amazon rn it's 40 bucks.
I had a problem closing the battery compartment cover until I adjusted the battery and wires.
Unable to set the time after following the booklet instructions. Display would not blink.
The hand crank didn’t charge it - turned it for 5+ minutes.
However, outstanding AM reception compared to my Sony transistor radio. This alone outweighed the cons.
Thanks for the candid usage report. Sounds frustrating, and for sure, it's not the most well made device I've ever tested...
About the availability of the battery, I beg to differ. The ICR 18650 is widely available. Check-out Batteries Plus sometime. These batteries are typically stocked in their stores.
Fair enough, but a lot of people don't frequent specialty stores like Batteries Plus.
Great video! How’s Colorado fairing during the polar vortex?
Thanks. And polar vortex? We just have our usual Colorado vortex and we're doing fine. :-)
Any recommendations on what cable would work best for charging this unit? the current usb cable that I own does not fit into it.
Very useful. I have one like that. Thanks for the American red cross. God bless you...
I can't figure out how it differs from the Eton Sidekick. Anyone care to school me about the feature differences between the two?
Cool guy and regular guy radio that way you don't feel left out and start with AM.
Thanks. Ah, AM. I remember it well... 🙂
I haven’t seen Mimi-USB for years. Honestly didn’t know it was still being used.
Yeah, a strange choice unless they secretly designed this back in 2001. :-)
Have you tried the CC Solar Radio? I think it's great.
Never heard of the company, but I'll check it out, Adrian!
When you press the power button and it goes to the screen that shows the time does that means it’s off ?
Yes
I have a another version of this radio. I was tinkering around with it earlier (because I live in Little Rock, AR where a tornado came through back in March and as the self appointed emergency nerd of my household, I have been researching for just about anything storm that could pop up) I've noticed that my radio doesn't have a USB-C port and the USB port is too small for my charging cord to fit in. I have a power bank just in case this happened.
For me, not being able to use standard batteries and have the crank and solar as a true backup is a major flaw. Can you charge it via a dc car lighter charger? I have the eton scorpion, again you have no option to use standard batteries if the battery is flat which is usual, you have to crank it to charge and because it’s using a digital tuner you have to search for the station every time the battery goes flat and you seem to only get equal amount of listening time for the amount of crank time which is rubbish especially as you can’t listen to the radio while you crank. I would not recommend any Emergency radio that can’t accept standard batteries.
I agree that their choice of a special battery is odd. I think I'd have a 9V as a backup or alternate, but still have the rechargeable LiON as the main battery because, well, it's rechargeable. Dunno about car charging...
YES!
Didn’t think I would be in both situations
I have been trying forever to find how to turn on my RADIO and every time Dave turns it on HE HAS THE BACK OF THE THING TO THE CAMERA. WILL SOMEONE HELP ME/
It's an evil plot. The company paid me money to ensure that I ALWAYS HAVE THE BACK OF THE THING TO THE CAMERA. :-) More seriously, what's the confusion? Push the button, make sure the volume isn't at zero. Done.
Dave Taylor but how do you turn it off does you have to unplug the battery ?
just a hint maybe buy a large usb solar panel of amazon for like 10 - 30 bucks will help u
I believe the alarm is to receive local emergency alerts for your county. Lookup the S.A.M.E system
Mine has three AAA batteries to use as well.
I am the same I have the AAA's battery to use
You CAN buy a replacement li ion battery from any li ion battery vendor with the right size. It is not a 18650, its a little more rare, but you can read the numbers on the outside of the battery and buy one off somewhere like liionwholesale.com/. I don't know what the connector looks like.
I suggest that most people aren't going to disassemble the battery unit, unplug (or snap off and then resolder?) the connectors, then replace the Li Ion battery and reassemble it all.
They should build the radio with a detachable solar panel(with wire connected to the radio of course)so you won't melt your radio in the sun...direct sunlight can damage the radio in other ways
That's an interesting idea. I think the problem is that these panels barely pull in enough power as it is, and removing them means that you can break the connecting wire and would still have to be right on the edge of sunlight, where the panel is in direct sun and the radio in the shade. My theory; The solar unit is actually just for show.
Could you rewire more
Everybody should have a UV radio and learn how to use them the do's and don'ts because they're one of the best ways to stay communicated or if you need help when hell breaks loose we're your neighbors want to eat you he he for a food source.
And ordered a bigger battery for 15 bucks.
BAOFENG UV-5R5 5-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (144-148MHz VHF & 420-450MHz UHF
Great review but the radio failed, Just think there are better choices for the $.
I've had mine for a few years; I hate it! I guess if I'm in a SHTF environment, I'd be willing to spin that handle thousands of times to listen to a few minutes. Nah...there's got to be a better option.
There are quite a few options on the market in this product category. Which ones will hold up to years of use? That's another question.
I have one and o hate it too. I bought a small midland. The midland is easier to use, more compact and only takes a couple of hours to charge via solar panel.
I own one of these.
get the Midland ER310 instead.
Why? What do you like about the Midland that makes it a better option for people?
@@AskDaveTaylor 32 hour run time, 130 lumen on high, six hr solar charge, micro USB, AAA battery option, very good sound. Emits a dog frequency which may be a gimmick though.
Note to all. The FRX3+ uses the proprietary lithium battery. Do not buy this version. Get the version that takes standard batteries. In fact, hard pass on this altogether. Buy dedicated gear that does a single job and does it well. A radio that’s actually a good radio. Cell phone power bank. Flashlights, batteries, etc.
Your battery note makes sense. Your comment about single use products, not so much. Better to have a device that offers multiple functions in the interest of being able to find it in an emergency, don't you think?
So ,overall it sucks ? Right ?
It's always a price versus performance and build quality tradeoff with any product, Matthew. Would this product be tougher, more rugged and better at 2x the price? Yes. Would people buy it? Dunno.
@@AskDaveTaylor It will be the folks in impoverished 3rd world countries that will develop the effective solutions. They will desire to connect to the internet (via Starlink) and/or cell phone towers. Ergo , they will need to generate electricity via solar or manual power.
Watch , some clever Indian or African will build a heavy duty hand-cranked generator that will power cellphones, laptops , etc.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
If they haven't already, actually. You're spot on, Matthew!
Not a lith battery.
Hmm... I think it is, actually. Do you have one?
@@AskDaveTaylor yes.
I have had one for years now. IMHO there are better 50 dollar radios out there. This one is gimmicky and cheaply made. I use it out in my barn year round and several features no longer work. I have replaced the LiOn battery and performance is low. The Grundig or Eaton FR200 is a far better AM/FM WX SW Dynamo radio and is better built.