HipZip - Iomega finally comes through!
Written: Nov 02 '00
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Pros: Versatility, sound quality, battery life and portability.
Cons: Included headphones
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| TLWirth's Full Review: Iomega Hipzip 31311 40 MB MP3 Player |
I recently became hooked on MP3 players. First, I bought the otherworldly Casio Wrist Audio WMP-1V. Everybody who sees it loves it, it sounds great, but it is not easy to upload MP3s to it and 32 Mb of memory was barely enough to hold a single CD.
Next, I went to the opposite extreme and bought a Creative Nomad Jukebox. Since then, I have recorded over 100 albums to it. Although I love the Nomad dearly, its portability, battery life and volume leave a something to be desired. However, I found that the Nomad was ideal to use in the car or bring places where I want to tote my entire music collection (like vacation or work).
Right before I left for my last week-long business trip, I found myself in a quandary--which MP3 player to bring and what device was I going to use to transfer data from my Dell laptop to the client's PC? My Casio WMP-1V barely holds a CD, the Nomad requires that I carry extra batteries and a fairly bulky power supply and my Zip drive has an extraordinarily large power supply and lots of wires. So many applications and so little space in the laptop bag!
After significant research, I found that nearly all of the laptop removable storage solutions were limited or prohibitively expensive. However, I had heard about the HipZip for a couple of months and decided to investigate it.
I found that when the HipZip is connected to a PC via its USB port, it acts like an external 40 Mb drive. Plus, it is an MP3 player to boot and for about $300, it came with two 40 Mb Clik disks and additional 40 Mb Clik disks costs about $10 each! Plus, my research also showed that 64 Mb of memory for most MP3 players cost as much as $150! Let's see, 40 Mb @ $10 = $0.40/Mb and 64 Mb @ $150= $2.34/Mb. No contest! I chose the portability and convenience of HipZip removable storage and gambled on its MP3 capabilities.
When I first got the HipZip charged up, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily my PC and laptop recognized the drive and how easy it was to drag-and-drop MP3s to the 40 Mb Clik disks. Plus, the data transfer was as fast as any portable storage device that I've seen! As far as the MP3 capabilities are concerned, the included LabTec clip-on headphones were comfortable but sounded dreadful and the included equalizer and maximum volume was more than sufficient. Operation is easy and unlike the Nomad, you can operate the HipZip without looking at the controls. The included case and belt clip are also deluxe and the HipZip is comfortable to wear about town. Battery life is also outstanding--my informal testing shows that it is close to the advertised 12 hours. Finally, my HipZip has survived two drops onto hardwood floors without any signs of damage and unlike reports that I've seen on the similar Sensory Science rave:MP2300, I can't hear the HipZip drive operating, even without headphones.
On the other hand, I have to admit that I have not had the best of luck with other Iomega products: I've had some Zip disks give up the ghost on me at inopportune moments; I've had a Zip 250 USB die after 2 minutes of use; and I've lived with a tempermental Zip 250 ATAPI drive. Why did I take the leap of faith with yet another Iomega product? Because no other product came close to serving my application--portable storage without all the wires, software and adapters. Plus, the HipZip could play MP3s, allowing me to leave yet another gadget at home!
I am pleased to report that Iomega has finally delivered in a BIG way. The HipZip looks great, sounds great and is highly compatible with most PCs. No software is required for comparatively fast loading of MP3s or data transfer. Aside from the dismal LabTec clip-on headphones and the rarity of Clik disks (I had to order a 10-pack from Iomega for $100--they arrived a couple of days later from the above average Iomgea website), I am in love with my HipZip.
In summary, if you are in the market for an MP3 player, this is the one to get! As a bonus, you can easily use the HipZip for the fastest and most portable removable data storage device available. It's ironic that I first considered the HipZips' MP3 capability as a bonus and now that I've owned one for a couple of weeks, I feel that the HipZip is an awesome MP3 player that also features portable data storage as a bonus.
Get a HipZip--you will not be disappointed (as long as you have some decent headphones)!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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Epinions.com ID:
TLWirth
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Member: Theodore Wirth
Location: Caldwell, NJ
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Into electronics before the transistor... a hopeless gadget freak... please help me.
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