Home > Consumer Reviews > American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Red)

Great functionality, flashlight is bright, sound and reception are good, handcrank comfortable, worked right out of the box. The handcrank folds down along the back, which is nice. The flashlight turns on using a handy button on the top. The red is slightly metallic so this looks a lot more stylish than I thought it would - bonus!

Rubber-covered inputs on the side are a headphone jack, a mini-usb port and a mysterious one with a picture of a cellphone. I realize you can send in a card to get a plug that fits your cellphone (though I doubt they can accomodate an iphone) and presumably that cable fits there, but there was also an unexplained short cable that came in the box that I could not tell you what it was for.

Great little device! Smaller than expected. Sturdy, with good AM reception and loud volume. Light and solar panel appear to work as well.

One problem - you need an adapter to charge your cell phone, but I can't find the adapter anywhere (amazon, ebay, etc). So, the cell charging functionality is null. If you find it please let me know and post it here!

Update: 11 Dec 08,
I've now been using this radio off and on since Aug 08. Still going strong. Cell phone battery charger adapter showed up about 60 days after filling out card and sending in. For those complaining about not finding the adapter, Read the directions, follow them, then receive the adapter in the mail a few weeks later. When I work outside of my house, or in the basement, or just need some simple background music, I use this little guy, it's easy to carry around the house. It's never run out of power. I keep it in a window so it is always charging. My only complaint now is I wish I had bought more when they were on sale.

Well, I finally took the plunge and bought one of these little critters.
Overall, this radio fits the bill for my semi-emergency needs, I don't need the cell phone power option, and the built in flashlight is cool, but you should have a better flashlight in your emergency kit or bug out bag. I'm able to receive three NOAA stations, which is nice. The AM and FM bands work well and come in crystal clear. My only complaint is a minor one, but, I wish there was the option for commercial battery power. That one added option would have taken care of just about any power need. Regardless, this is a cool little radio. If you can snag one on sale, then get it. If you don't like it, then you are not out of too much money.

This is a small compact unit. Solar charge of the radio works fine. I thought I could use solar to charge my cell phone. I later learned that to charge the cell I have to twist the handle for 15 minutes. I don't think the description clearly states that.

It is a good addition to my emergency equipment . I keep it in my window for charging all the tim.

this is a great deal,. much better than the cheap yellow solar light/radio,. which fell apart,.
this is very durable,. and good quality,.small,.
only complaint is volume is not real loud, as I have bad hearing,. must hold up kinda close to me ear,.