Eton ARCPT300W American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub with Weather Radio and USB Cell Phone Charger

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Eton ARCPT300W American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub with Weather Radio and USB Cell Phone Charger

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 2.1 x 6.4 inches ; 14.2 ounces
Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
ASIN: B004P0MVHG
Item model number: ARCPT300W

By : Grundig
Price : $63.56

Product Description

Color: White
From the Manufacturer
American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub ARCPT300W
A self-powered device that's designed to prepare for the worst of situations
The American Red Cross ARCPT300W Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub has everything you'd need in the event of an emergency, power outage or natural disaster. It has a variety of features that will help you whether you're on the road or at home without any power. It can be hand cranked or plugged into a laptop or AC adapter via mini-USB (included) or powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included).
Features that can be put to use in emergencies
The Axis is equipped with an AM/FM/NOAA weather radio. You can tune into a variety of AM/FM stations and also 7 preset NOAA weather channels. To access these stations select the AM, FM or WB (weather band) channel 1-7 with the band selector switch. For best reception, make sure to fully extend the telescopic antenna for FM or WB stations. Scroll through your desired stations with the easy-to-use TUNE knob.
For best reception, make sure to fully extend the telescopic antenna for FM or WB stations. Scroll through your desired stations with the easy-to-use TUNE knob. The weather channels come pre-programmed as follows:

Channel 1 162.400 Mhz
Channel 2 162.425 Mhz
Channel 3 162.450 Mhz
Channel 4 162.475 Mhz
Channel 5 162.500 Mhz
Channel 6 162.525 Mhz
Channel 7 162.550 Mhz

The NOAA Alert feature makes tracking the weather a breeze
After tuning into your local weather channel, the radio can be set to the Alert function by pressing the ALERT button below and to the right of the LCD screen. When pressed, the radio turns the sound off, but continues to monitor the NOAA station of your region. The Alert text will be flashing on the screen when this function is on. If Alert broadcasts on this frequency, the sound turns back on automatically and you will hear the Alert message broadcast. To turn this function off, press ALERT again and you'll notice it is gone from the screen.
Using and charging the rechargeable battery couldn't be easier
The rechargeable NI-MH (nickel-metal hydride) battery is in the rear battery compartment and can be charged a few different ways. Plug the battery into the socket adjacent to it, press the DYN button (front right side of the radio) and then press the POWER button. You can also charge via USB located under the DC-IN on the back of the radio. Plug into any computer or charging device and press DYN, then POWER.
The Axis can charge cell phones
The Axis has a low voltage protection circuit to deter the battery from dropping too low in voltage for cell phone charging. If the battery symbol shows three bars, it is capable of supporting a cell phone. When it begins blinking, charging will stop and a recharge of the Axis’ battery is required to resume cell phone charging.
To charge cell phones:

Press DYN and make sure the three required bars appear on the battery status.
Plug the USB cell phone charging cord into the PHONE CHARGER socket under the rubber cover on the back of the radio.
Plug the other end of the cord into your cell phone.
Press the button labeled CELL. "CELL" will appear in the lower right corner of the LCD display and the phone will begin charging.

Eton Product
Digital Tuning
AM/FM Radio
National Oceanic ; Atmospheric Admin (NOAA)
S.A.M.E.
Solar Powered
Dynamo Crank Powered
USB Cell Phone Charger
AUX Input
LED Flashlight
Emergency Light
Alarm Clock
Headphone Input
American Red Cross Road Torq
TurboDyne
X
X
American Red Cross Rover
X
X
TurboDyne
X
X
X
American Red Cross Axis
X
X
with ALERT
TurboDyne
X
X
X
X
X
X
American Red Cross Solarlink
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
American Red Cross Solarlink
X
X
with ALERT
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
American Red Cross Microlink
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
American Red Cross Weather Tracker
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Self-Powered Safety Hub with AM/FM/NOAA Weather Alert and USB Cell Phone Charger

Technical Details

Digital tuner with AM (520-1710 KHz) ; FM (87-108MHz), NOAA weatherband - all 7 channels plus Alert
Flashing beacon red LED light, Can be powered from three different sources:
1) Self-Powered Aluminum crank with Hand Turbine Technology. 2) From 3 AAA batteries (not included) 3) AC Power (not included)
Connectors with rubber gaskets/plugs to seal out moisture, 3.5 mm headphone output, DC-in, USB cell phone charger and AUX-IN input
Rechargeable NiMH battery
Includes: USB cable, owner's manual, warranty card

Customer Reviews

Pros
- Decently built, crank seems solid. Charging while not fun is ok.
- DOES indeed charge newer cell phones. HTC Evo 5v usb connection tested and passed. Be prepared for a workout though. Highly recommend that you do this with at least a half charge in the onboard Dyno battery.
- Onboard Dyno Battery ! Excellent. I have mine plugged into AC and near my battery storage. Always fully charged and ready to go in seconds.
- Also works with standard AA
- Decent reception and volume
- NOAA reception/WB channels quite good
Cons
- ONBOARD BATTERY LIFE IS SEVERELY NEGATIVELY AFFECTED WHEN USING THE 'ALERT' FEATURE -- BEWARE NOT TO USE THIS FEATURE UNLESS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO AN AC SOURCE.
- Documentation is horrible.
- Alert 'feature' and NOAA channels not documented at all. User will have to research frequencies in their area.
- 4 leds are very low quality and light output is just passable. Red led is almost useless because it is so dim.
- No Solar charging on this unit
- Rear plastic/rubber cover over battery cover ; connection options is cheap and flimsy
- Antenna does not reside flush in unit
- overall ergonomics are not great
- This unit is NOT waterproof or weatherproof. Beware.
Summary
Lot better than nothing and overall a decent unit. Priced too high for what you get, but it does provide enough current to charge a cell phone - which most units cannot.
I give it a pass, but will replace with something better as technology allows.
Used within the limitations described above. It will perform for you.
Currently this would have to be rated top in its class so I give it 4 stars.

I've been wanting a weather radio for sometime and I feel the Eton ARCPT300W American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub with Weather Radio and USB Cell Phone Charger is near perfect.
First off, I'm not a weather radio expert of any sort or have much experience with one. I'm just someone who lives in Tornado Alley that would like an extra measure of peace of mind while tornado season is in full swing.
So, my first impressions of this weather radio are very positive. The Eton ARCPT300W is small, lightweight and full of features.
Pros:
1. Small enough to fit comfortably in a backpack for camping
2. Can be charged three ways: Hand Crank for the rechargeable battery, 3 AAA alkaline batteries or USB charging cord plugged into a computer or an AC adapter (not included) for the rechargeable battery
3. Has 7 preset weather band channels
4. Has a Weather Alert mode so the radio only sounds off when there is an alert in your area
5. Can charge other portable devices using the USB/mini USB connectors, use the devices charging cords is best.
-- I was able to charge my iPhone 4 and Kindle Latest Generation but I can tell they will be a huge drain on the radio's battery
6. Has AM/FM radio channels
7. 1 AUX Audio in, 1 Headphone Jack
8. Programmable Clock/Alarm
9. An antennae to help with reception
10. Flashlight and Emergency Beacon Light
11. Easy to use right out the box, and the manual is easy to follow
12. The crank is easy to turn with relative ease
13. Decent volume level
Cons:
1. Didn't come with an AC adapter
2. Doesn't auto scan for best weather band channel in area
Overall, I'm very happy this weather radio. It has for the most part what I wanted in a weather radio plus quite a few extras I didn't even think of. If I'm stuck in a bad weather situation without power, it has all I will need short-term: News, Power Source ; Light.