Etón Updates Popular Products and Makes Them Even More Compelling

Eton - Blackout Buddy Co

Etón may be a company that many of us associate with products we’d want to have on hand during a natural disaster, but they also make gear that can make everyday living safer and more convenient. A perfect example of that is their new Blackout Buddy CO, pictured above.

A one-of-a-kind combination carbon monoxide detector, flashlight and nightlight, the Blackout Buddy CO works around the clock to detect harmful CO

levels in the air, while also shedding light in your home.

You may remember the original Etón Blackout Buddy which served as an inexpensive nightlight and emergency flashlight. The Blackout Buddy CO adds a carbon monoxide detector. When triggered, an 85dB alarm will sound, and a warning light will flash.

The Blackout Buddy CO will be available in 2014 for $49.99.

Etón is also expanding their rukus line, which we’ve covered in the past. Their latest products are the rukus Xtreme, “a 2014 CES Innovations Award Honoree in the Portable Media Players and Accessories category, and Rugged rukus II, the second-generation of Etón’s ground-breaking all-terrain, solar-powered speaker Rugged rukus.”
Eton - RuggedRukusII

The rukus Xtreme is a rugged IPX4 splash-proof portable speaker that has dual power options, because you can plug it in via AC adaptor or use its solar-panel to charge and power the rukus Xtreme and charge its 6600 mAh lithium battery. Because of its solar power option, you can use the rukus Xtreme without worrying about running out of juice. Its features include:

  • Two full-range speakers and bass extending radiator
  • DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for premiere quality sound
  • Bluetooth® 4.0 with AVRCP and NFC (Near Field Communication) with enabled devices
  • Built-in 5V=2.1A USB port to charge your smartphone or tablet while listening to music
  • Speakerphone

The Rugged rukus II is Etón’s second-generation all-terrain, solar-powered portable speaker. It has a rubberized exterior that is IPX4 water-resistant. Its features include:

  • Two full range speaker drivers
  • High-efficiency solar panel, which can charge the unit in five hours
  • USB cable for indoor charging in 2.5 hours
  • Built-in 5V=1AUSB port, to charge your smartphone while streaming your favorite music
  • Bluetooth® 4.0 with AVRCP and NFC (Near Field Communication) with enabled devices
  • 1600 mAh internal, rechargeable lithium battery
  • Speakerphone

The Etón rukus Xtreme will be $199.99, and the Rugged rukus II will be $99.99; both will be available in second quarter 2014. You can learn more at the Etón site.

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.