Even Black and White Is Better Than Nothing!. Review on Spectra 5'' Black and White TV

Let me tell you all (like some of you also know first hand) that being without power for any length of time is horrible, especially when that time goes into days and days and days and days. You are just cut off from all you have known your entire life. And although it is a rewarding experience I hope to not go through it too much more in my lifetime!

During Hurricane Frances we found ourselves too once again be in that “without power” situation and the radio gets old fast! I was so grateful that I had my little Black and White TV to look at as well. It helped to save my sanity to say the least.

The Product

Spectra® 5 inch Black and White TV with AM/FM Radio offers a Full Channel VHF/UHF receiver with Electronic tuning.

It also has an antenna adaptor. The antenna is found on the back top of the TV and pulls straight up with the ability to swivel it around to find the best signal. This is very convenient.

There is also an earphone jack, which comes in handy if you allow the kids to use this in the car. (Backseat of course, see below for information about this.)

There is a built in carrying case found on the top of the unit, which is actually a “cut in handle type” carrying case. (just a slit on the top of the unit.)

The battery compartment is found on the back bottom side. It takes 10 C batteries. Well worth the cost I assure you!

It also has 3-way power ability. 1) AC Adaptor 2) 12V car cord and of course 3) the batteries. The car cord and the AC to DC Adaptor cord are included.

They also come in colors, which I really like because they had my favorite at the local K-Mart where I bought mine. Yellow, of course! But also, red, blue and purple were available the day I got mine. I also got mine on sale for 19.99, which was a 10-dollar savings. And to find that sale price during Hurricane Frances was totally a wonderful blessing. I have to say here also, that the day I got mine I had been to several Wal Mart and K Marts looking for one but they were all out. The last K Mart I stopped at had just gotten some in and had just put them out. I was finally at the right place at the right time! And it felt so good too!

The radio is on the right hand side of the TV Screen. And the same “set of numbers/dial” is used for both TV and Radio in looking for stations to watch or hear. This is not a round dial but one that goes from top to bottom. And of course there is the standard “red” indicator that allows you to see where you are at on the number/dial pad.

There is also on the front bottom, 2 knobs and a volume control. The first knob is the on/off switch and the same is also used for switching to TV or Radio. The center knob is the VL, VH and UHF for finding your TV or Radio Stations. I was able to get TV stations on all three choices. And next to it is the volume control, which is a roll disk that goes up for higher sound. And right next to that is the plug for the ear jack. All right there for easy access for the user.

The quality of the picture is very good for what it is and the sound is as well.

Other Stuff

The box the TV comes in is very handy to repack the unit back into, so I strongly suggest not getting rid of the box.

And of course this unit is great for people who camp, fish, take picnics, or other events in your life. Now, the thing with fishing is that you have to realize that you can get to interested in the TV and forget about the poles! So, I strongly recommend the radio instead.

And do not allow this unit to be in the driver’s area in your car/truck. In fact, in some States it is against the law for a TV to be in the front of the vehicle. Here in Florida, if the police can see a TV screen reflection on your windshield you will get pulled over and given a ticket. I know this because it was in our local news recently. I think this is a good idea because the driver should not be distracted if at all possible. So, keep the unit in the back for the kids and away from the driver.

Company Info

Spectra® Merchandising International Inc.

4230 North Normandy Ave

Chicago, IL. 60634

Comes with a one-year warranty. There is also a registration card that you need to fill out and send in.

Also, read instruction booklet that comes with the unit.

Never mix old and new batteries either for this can cause the unit to not work properly and possibly stop working all together.

How I Feel

I am very happy with my little bitty TV because it helped me to see what was going on instead of just hearing it. And if you have ever been without power for days on end you know just what I mean! I don’t care that it is black and white, in fact, I love it! At least I can still see the picture. My first TV was a black and white one. Granted, color is a lot better and I do believe you can get these TV’s in color, but they were not available the day I bought mine or I probably would have gotten it.

The reception concerned me at first because of the downed power lines and damage to towers but I had no problem picking up a signal. It was so very nice to see our favorite weather guy and it gave us a comfort through our power outage. The radio is a good thing to have during a storm but there is just something about a TV that is much better.

My 10-year-old son stayed with his father during the hurricane and when I picked him up after we got our power back some 4 days later I told him about the TV. Now mind you, my son has never been subject to any black and white TV and was completely astonished that I had one. His exact words to me were: “Mama, are you own drugs? I mean, there is no way that there is a black and white TV made for anyone to watch!” LOL, I told my son, after great laughter, that he was wrong and that there was. As soon as we got home of course he had to inspect it, which he did. I wish you all could have seen this wonderful 10-year boy looking at this TV. He just stared at for a while and then looked all around it and then picked it up and then he said: “Well, I never!” This got another laugh from his mother. I explained to my son that sometimes in life black and white isn’t so bad and I was personally grateful that I had the unit.

It is something that we will take with us and use all the time and in that, it was a great investment.

I hope that this has helped in some kind of way.

God Bless!

©LKD 2004

Price is US Dollars