Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have both the FRX5 and the FRX5-BT (Bluetooth), and I like this radio. It is not perfect, though. First the CONS: 1. Contrary to what the Eton site (http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/frx5-bt) says, the BT models does not allow for replaceable batteries. As of today (3/6/2017) the Eton page still says "The FRX5-BT powers up in four fabulous ways—via solar panel, hand crank, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, or alkaline batteries." This is true of the regular, non-bluetooth FRX5, but not the bluetooth model. The bluetooth model does not have the battery opening on the bottom. 2. Neither radio allows you to replace the rechargeable battery. This really should be a must for an expensive emergency radio. Rechargeable batteries can only be recharged a certain number of times, and some people chose to leave the radio always plugged in so it will be ready in an emergency. Sony and Midland make emergency radios with replaceable rechargeable batteries, and I wish Eton did likewise. Charge me a couple of extra dollars, but let me have a product that I know I can use for many years, and maybe even have a spare battery for! 3. The buttons are small, their labels are tiny, and they are covered by the handle, making it impossible to look straight down on them. This makes them hard to ready, which would normally be a bad design idea, but given that this is an emergency product, meant to be used by people who maybe have not touched it for months or years, and are now nervous about their upcoming emergency, this is just silly. I think their idea was to protect the buttons (which are back lit, to give them some credit), but where the buttons are located, you are likely to hit them when you carry the radio by its handle. Some of the buttons serve dual purposes, and unless you have the equally hard-to-read tiny manual with you, you would never figure them out on your own. Eton: The buttons need to be larger, with easy-to-read labels, and located where you read them in an emergency situation! 4. The radio's initial configuration is clunky. This is partially due to the radio's flexibility, S.A.M.E, and the different weather bands. But, it's not all bad. Check the PROS: 1. It works. Once you spend the time to configure it properly, it does what it's designed to do, and signals you with different colors, sirens, or voice, depending on your choices, and if it's signaling a "watch" or a "warning," for instance. 2. It is rugged, has a drop rating, and is splash proof so you can use it in a storm. All of the jacks are covered with rubber, and the buttons will resist the rain. 3. The crank is solid, and can take the stress of repeated use. 4. The weather band reception in my area (Channel 7) works great. 5. I can turn up the volume pretty loud and still understand what the robotic NOAA warnings are saying. This is important if you are trying to listen while a storm or hurricane is in your area. I hope Eton rethinks this design, and releases a model with the same capabilities but an improved user experience. In the meantime, I am happy with this imperfect radio.