If I happened to find one of those Flash-Matic units cheap I would just use it as a really cool flashlight.
That RCA remote system is pretty cool. I don't know of any other manufacturer to use that kind of remote. I have an older RCA remote which I think raises the volume after turning the set on. That one has a button on the side for channel selection. I reckon the chances of getting a rude high-volume surprise with such a set would be nearly impossible. Reminds me of the time I was in a neighbor's Hyundai Pony when he started it; the stereo came on probably at max volume. He turned it down quickly enough. The car got louder again though when we went through a road work site and a raised manhole cover ripped off the muffler.