1. Important preliminary remark.
The instructions in French (and in languages other than English) has a very annoying error: if followed to the letter it is impossible to set the time. I do not know if this error as regards the other models in the FRX family.
For this function it is necessary to refer to the English version. For people who do not read English the correction to be made is as follows:
After pressing the button "MENU" you have to turn the wheel of "tuning" (tuning frequency) until the appearance of "set time" on the screen. Then the setting is as indicated in the manual in French; it should be noted that the steps 5 and 6 are redundant.
My positive assessment of this assumes that this mistake will be corrected quickly.
2. It seems clear to me that this equipment is of interest primarily for use by nature, when you are away from it all, for example camping 'wild' or in a mountain hut without electricity or by sea. If we limit ourselves to general use at home I feel that his interest is very limited.
3. There is therefore a radio receiver with timekeeping and alarm function, as well as input (AUX port) to listen to MP3 recordings.
The device also includes mood lighting, a torch and a red flashing light SOS.
It has a USB output for charging such a smartphone, tablet or any other type of device chargeable via USB.
The main power of the device consists of a battery capacity of 2000mAh, which seems to me honest (my smartphone battery has the same capacity). This battery can be charged by a standard USB power supply (not included) or by a solar panel that covers the entire back of the device, or by turning the crank of a dynamo.
To power the device can also use AAA batteries.
4. I have not been able to test this camera in nature, but I manipulated in housing in mountain resort I now hold.
Actually, because of translation error and the provision of the main control keys (and difficulty reading the signs appearing on these keys) my first impression was negative.
But after about 1 hour of "learning" by following the instructions corrected I consider that this device is relatively easy to use.
As for the use of radio automatically search one can easily perform stations without having to turn the tuning dial while pressing the "cell" that is also used to perform a search in ascending frequency stations. The storing of stations found presents no difficulty. I was able to store some FM stations.
The quality of sound provided by the loudspeaker is quite correct.
I also looked for AM stations and all SW bands (shortwave) but have not found any that I can pick where I currently am.
For France I do not feel that the short wave of great interest. But I understand, by visiting Eton site, the short waves are important in the United States because in this country, they are used for information and alerts (including tornadoes) weather. Besides, for this country and for the same device, a watch is expected for these alerts. But as this feature is not planned for the European model could be suggested to the manufacturer to replace it with the RDS system.
For now I have not tested the device for reproducing recordings from an MP3 source because I do not have on hand a source of this type.
5. In conclusion I believe that this device is of interest for use in nature (eg camping or sea navigation).
For itinerant hiking with backpack carrying this device seems a little too bulky and too heavy (just over 600g). But if we are still tempted by this use ski touring you should know that this device does not work below 0 ° C.
