I have a Grundig FR200 as well. Grundig and Eton are the same radios repackaged. I kind of like the older ones for several reasons.
First less expensive, and yet they feel more rugged.
Second, a lot of the features on some of these I don't really think are all that useful. For instance TV audio bands is not something that excites me, because I remember when 9/11 happened all our local radio stations did was broadcast local TV audio or CNN audio anyway.
The hand crank dynamo is fantastic for a few minute's worth of an LED utility light or radio reception, but charging a cell phone, you've got to be kidding me, I bet you'd crank on that thing for an hour to get your phone to charge at all. I guess if you had nothing but time that might be okay, but I'll pass in favor of an emergency phone or a battery for an existing phone or something. Not to mention good damn luck calling in the middle of a real crisis, everyone else will be doing the same thing.
And then they build in a noisemaker... Pass. I don't discount the potential for distress signaling, but how about a whistle or a flare or a signal mirror, or do like I do and keep a piece of bright orange fabric handy. Like I'm going to sit there and crank on the radio to make noise for hours on end.
The FR200 has the light, which is plenty bright enough to be useful, AM/FM bands, rugged simple construction, and some limited shortwave reception. That, to me, is probably the most useful set of properties. I wouldn't shirk one of the fancier ones but I think I'd strictly keep it at home for blackouts, and I can't see myself ever using many of the features.
