Eton Sidekick or Eton Quest?
Posted by LaGrrrande@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 6 comments
I'm trying to round-out my kit with a better emergency radio than the chintzy one that came with a bag I bought. Initially, I was going to go with the Eton Sidekick, because it had S.A.M.E. support, as well as a decent speaker and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, it looks like the Sidekick has been discontinued. It's apparent replacement is the Eton Quest, which has USB-C, a much bigger battery bank, but no S.A.M.E. support. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any first-hand reviews of the Quest.
So, go with the latest and greatest, but minus S.A.M.E. support and get something like a cheap Midland WR-120 for S.A.M.E. support to just leave on at all times, or find a used Sidekick on ebay or something for an everything in one?
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Go with the Midway ER310.
Far_Contract8528@reddit
That radio is 10 years old, made in China and only has one AA cell. This seems inferior to the 2024 technology with more rechargeable batteries to charge a phone, etc. What did you find wrong with the Eton Quest or even the Odyssey? 🤷🏻♀️
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Let's handle this one point at a time.
Correct and they still make it to this day because it is one of the best made.
Like 80% of all electronics sold in the US are. China can make quality products if the company hiring them is willing to contract for a quality product. Most companies don't want a quality product because then you aren't buying a new one in a few years.
I am going to assume this is a typo. This device has two battery sources. A single rechargeable 18650 battery that can be easily replaced by the user or using 8 AA batteries. It has a physical switch to go between the AAs and rechargeable battery.
The rechargeable 18650 battery can be recharged via Micro-USB, the built in Solar Panel or the built in hand crank.
It has a USB slot for you to recharge USB devices using this radio with the 18650 battery or you could use the AAs to recharge a USB device.
LaGrrrande@reddit (OP)
y tho?
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Fair Question.
I have tested a lot of those Emergency Radios. Out of all of them, the ER310 was the best. It is an older model so it does have the Micro-USB for charging. However, it can be powered by solar, crank, Micro-USB or AA batteries. While I don't recommend hitting it with a rock, it can survive a fall from the table. It also has all the features you are asking for. Including a high powered dog whistle to notify search dogs.
LaGrrrande@reddit (OP)
What led to the other emergency radios falling short compared to the ER310