Opinions on Grundig FR200
 

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

HI Abb:
Probably more marketing than Radio;
- Sure, buy one !

An analogue will use less electricity & have less power drain than a Digital.

- IF it's going to be infrequently used , keep extra batteries with it,
and a list of local / SWR stations. Lots of Flashlights help.

I used a Sangean 606A down here in NYC, worked like a charm;

& BBC told me I was in the Dark!

Dan


In article , "AbbN"
writes:


From: "AbbN"
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2003 14:42:19 -0400

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

It's a fun radio, typical of analog tuning it seems easier to find stations
than with digital in terms of searching through the dial.

Unfortunately, frequencies are rather narrowly spaced, so that it's also very
easy to pass by stations without knowing it.

Though I think that I would be able to rig something from the wrong size
batteries in the event of an emergency (i.e., put 2 D cells together with the
requisite plug and use the DC jack to power the radio), this would be time
consuming and impractical for many. The Crank feature is nice, certainly would
get the radio operating in the event of an emergency.

Go for it. Don't expect Drake level performance, but enjoy what it is.

Regards.



In article , "AbbN"
wrote:
Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.


Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.

I've got one, but it's mainly for back-up. Here in Houston, hurricanes and
tropical storms routinely knock out power to one portoin of the city or
another every couple years, and I wanted it for that. Since getting one,
however, I find I use my Radio Shack DX 402 a lot more. The digital tuner
is a lot more dependable than the analog in the FR200, and the two seem
equaly sensitive and selective (the first night I had the FR200 I picked up
Voice of Russia with no problems at all.) I would honestly recommend having
one of each. They both use AA's and neither takes up much room.

Dave


AbbN wrote in message
. ..
Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in
my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I tried one of these. I found the crowded dial a bit cumbersome, too. But it
does have a fine-tuning knob which is great and the frequency accuracy seemed
to be quite good.

It's recommended that the rechargable battery not be used until it's really
needed. Infrequent use of rechargables seems to shorten their lives.

I have so many things, radio and otherwise, that use the standard cells that I
believe I could go a long time with what's in everything and what I have as
spares.

I seem to recall a radio that had a clock drive in it that was woulnd up and
then drove the generator, thus not needing a battery. Weren't these things made
for the African bush?

Bill, K5BY

Actually, I don't know if the batteries are NiCad or NiMh, if the latter, I
don't believe that they have the memory problems associated with the former.

http://www.epinions.com/content_100988391044

The above link is truly a glowing review. The author discusses the use of the
rechargeable batteries on a daily basis.


http://windupradio.com/grundigradio+.htm

A retailer's page on the FR 200


It is a nice radio though. I've posted my comments before on the fact that the
radio feels like it was made by Fisher Price, but I mean that endearingly. The
plastic is relatively soft, and I think that the ability of the radio's shell
to survive a fall is enhanced by the materials that they used.

Regards.


In article ,
(WShoots1) wrote:
I tried one of these. I found the crowded dial a bit cumbersome, too. But it
does have a fine-tuning knob which is great and the frequency accuracy seemed
to be quite good.

It's recommended that the rechargable battery not be used until it's really
needed. Infrequent use of rechargables seems to shorten their lives.

I have so many things, radio and otherwise, that use the standard cells that I
believe I could go a long time with what's in everything and what I have as
spares.

I seem to recall a radio that had a clock drive in it that was woulnd up and
then drove the generator, thus not needing a battery. Weren't these things made
for the African bush?

Bill, K5BY

Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.

The original built-in NiCad pack inside Grundig FRG 200 receiver
should be replaced with an aproptiate NiMh battery pack.

AbbN wrote:

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

In article . net, "Jim Hackett" wrote:
The built-in pack in mine IS Nickel metal...

In Canada also.

In China the Green 88, same model, includes a wallwart
to recharge in either of two states: quick and slow.

"Igor Gros" wrote in message
...
The original built-in NiCad pack inside Grundig FRG 200 receiver
should be replaced with an aproptiate NiMh battery pack.

AbbN wrote:

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of
these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries
in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear
any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

So "Universal radio" informations at:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2200.html
are not correct ?

Jim Hackett wrote:

The built-in pack in mine IS Nickel metal...

"Igor Gros" wrote in message
...
The original built-in NiCad pack inside Grundig FRG 200 receiver
should be replaced with an aproptiate NiMh battery pack.

AbbN wrote:

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of
these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries
in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear
any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

IG,

This is what Grundig-USA says in its Owners Manual for the FR200.

* * * Grundig FR200 EMERGENCY AM/FM/SW RADIO * * *

"#5 REPLACING THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK - Replacing the
rechargeable battery pack (Ni-MH NS-2/3AA, 3.6V, 600 Mah or
equivalent)."

http://www.grundigradio.com/asp/prod...me=fr200#c0402

wmcia ~ RHF
..
..
= = = Igor Gros
= = = wrote in message ...
So "Universal radio" informations at:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2200.html
are not correct ?

Jim Hackett wrote:

The built-in pack in mine IS Nickel metal...

"Igor Gros" wrote in message
...
The original built-in NiCad pack inside Grundig FRG 200 receiver
should be replaced with an aproptiate NiMh battery pack.

AbbN wrote:

Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of
these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries
in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear
any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.

--

Thanks In Advance
Abb N
VE3003SWL
Windsor, Ontario, Canada