Don't pay for this.
Written: Dec 15 '03 (Updated Dec 16 '03)
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Pros: Great size/capacity ratio, lightweight, well designed controls
Cons: bad quality carrying case, SNR could be better, mine doesn't actually work
The Bottom Line: After a nightmare with a defective one, I conclude that this is a fine unit as long as you don't have a lemon
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| chlimouj's Full Review: iRiver iGP-100 (1.5 GB) MP3 Player |
I currently have in my possession a $250 1.5GB portable hard drive that does not play mp3s. It will, however, play from FM, but I can't change stations and the darn thing cranked the volume to the maximum level (on its own) and won't let me change it. The battery will not hold a charge. In fact, the unit refuses to power on without being plugged into AC. Once on, I cannot turn it off without just waiting for the battery to run down (15-20 minutes usually). This process is quickened by the fact that it is stuck with the backlight on. It appears to ignore all button inputs, for any duration of time, including the off switch. The only function that works is the hold switch, which disables all the buttons anyway, but that's the only way i can get it to turn off the backlight. Naturally, IRiver tech support has yet to get back to me. My first thought was "hey, it's flash upgradable! I can flash it and that might solve my problems!" -- after reading the manual a little closer, I realized that I can't even flash the thing... that requires the menu system to be functional, and lo and behold I cannot get to any menu system without the buttons working.
Granted, $250 ain't bad for what is effectively a 1.5GB USB pen drive that always needs AC power, but my unit can hardly pass as an MP3 player. I've seen first generation devices with fewer issues, and IRiver has been in this business too long to put out a product like this (and not respond to tech support emails).
---UPDATE---
Tech support finally got back to me and verified that my unit was defective. Since I was still within the Best Buy 30 day return period, they suggested I exchange it for a new one. My new one works like a charm, so I hereby revoke the condemnation of the entire line, rather it was just my unit that sucked.
Now that I can actually use it, I have a few things to add.
1) It uses the headphone wire as an antenna. This is common practice, but leaves much to be desired for reception. Once a sweet spot is found, don't move around much lest you get static. It's not that bad compared to other players, just don't try to get cute with a FM transmitter by tuning the iGP-100 to an FM station and transmitting it to your stereo on another band. You'll effectively be removing the antenna.
2) The Signal to Noise Ratio is 90db. This is lower than most players in its price range. To be fair, for every one person who will be able to tell the difference, there are 500 who can't. If you're the kind of person who gets excited about 320Kb mp3s, this won't make a difference. But if you use "mathematically lossless wma," this player will be a disappointment. Get a Rio Nitrus or a Creative MuVo2.
3) I'm having trouble filling it. As a personal preference, I don't want to put so much music on it that I'll have trouble finding songs. Coming from a 128mb player, I feel like I just bought a 50 bedroom mansion, and I live there all alone. I have half a gig free on it, I think I'll just use that to store files.
4) Controls are very intuitive, I skipped that entire section of the manual with the bad one, and I can fully utilize the new one without consulting the manual. I spent 5 minutes hitting buttons and I was good to go.
5) I haven't used earbuds since 1990 or so when I got a walkman. The earbuds that come bundled are pretty good as earbuds go. They're no Sennheisers, but I can't tell the difference. I will actually use these earbuds, unlike the earbuds I got with every other off the shelf audio device I've purchased.
6) I can't think of any more. I'm going to bed.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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Epinions.com ID:
chlimouj
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Reviews written: 1
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