Affordable MP3 player for the technologically inept!
Written: Jul 11 '06
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Pros: Price, ease of use, great for first timer like me!
Cons: Only 120 songs may inhibit those more technologically savvy; can only use enclosed USB cable.
The Bottom Line: Perfect for those who wish to enter the new era of portable music and have little or no techno-knowledge!
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| thriftymommy's Full Review: SanDisk Sansa m230 (512 MB) MP3 Player |
I recently purchased a five of these handy dandy MP3 players for $18 each at a popular electronics store and decided to give technology a chance at impressing me. Since I still have cassette tapes and am grudgingly switching over to CDs (I've got a CD player in my minivan so I really didn't have too much of a choice), I thought I'd move all of us into the 21st century slowly.
****This review is written for the non-technologically adept person. If you are seeking any type of comparison or anything past the how-tos from a mom who knows how to e-mail and create a Word document, please seek out another review. If you have information regarding the correct terminology or what exactly the specs mean that can aid a consumer, feel free to e-mail me through this site!!****
Product Specifications from package:
"SanDisk Digital Audio Player (SDMX3512) Hold more music: The 512MB of memory plays back over 8 hours of MP3s, or record in WMA format for almost double the capacity!
A single AAA battery lasts for up to 19 hours of continuous playback so you’ll be jamming through even the longest sessions.
It’s easy to navigate by title, album, genre and playlist on the indigo backlit LCD.
Compatibility: The M200 series players support MP3, WMA, DRM WMA and Audible formats. This MP3 player is PlaysForSure compatible, so any music download service with the PlaysForSure logo will work.
FM tuner: With up to 20 station presets, you can navigate your favorite stations with ease and have enough room left over for another set when you’re out of town.
Built-in microphone: Record at any time and anywhere, so you never miss something important again.
USB connection: For super-fast transfer of audio files.
PC requirements: Windows XP, Intel Pentium PC MHz or equivalent, CD-ROM drive, USB 2.0 port for hi-speed transfer.
Memory
Built-in memory 512MB
Maximum memory 512MB
Expandable memory No
Memory media/type Flash Memory
Storage capacity Up to 120 songs
Note: MB = megabytes, GB = gigabytes; actual formatted capacity may vary.
File formats supported
WMA Yes
WAV No
OGG No
Radio
Digital tuner 20 presets
# of AM/FM tuner presets 20 FM
Music/data transfer
Data file storage Yes
File transmission speed USB 2.0
USB interface 2.0
Docking station No
Battery requirements
Battery life Up to 19 hours
#/type of batteries 1 AAA (included)
General features
Display type Indigo backlit multi-line LCD display with ID3 tag info
Play modes Play, Pause, Skip, Repeat and Shuffle
Playlist editing Yes
Track search Yes
Auto resume Yes
EQ/Bass boost No
Voice recording Yes
Headphone type Earbuds (included)
Remote No
DC jack No
Warranty Parts 12 Months
Warranty Labor 12 Months"
My review from a non-technical perspective
The most annoying part of my entire experience with this MP3 player has to be the plastic shipping container. It took me almost 5 minutes to free this MP3 from its case and then another 5 minutes to untangle, unravel and separate the pieces and parts!!
The directions
Let me just say that I am a fan of any directions that state "Quick start guide". The SanDisk Sansa m200 512mB MP3 Player comes with a short, easy to understand 6 pages of directions in English, French and Spanish. Page 2 covers battery installation and highlights where your controls are. Page 3 continues with the controls and their functions plus the ports located on this MP3 player. Page 4 covers how to connect the included short USB cable and how to download/upload music files. Page 5 covers the basics like how to play your music and how to create a favorite playlist. Page 6 tells you how you'll be able to tune in and save up to 20 local FM or AM radio stations.
The enclosed Installation CD
Included is a micro-CD; I don't know the exact name of this miniature CD but it fits in the center of the CD-Rom drive. This CD installs the needed programs for you to download and upload songs to your MP3 and also has Windows Media Player to download if you don't already have this program. The disk contains the entire user's guide, troubleshooting and product support. You can register your product online through this CD or straight through the SanDisk website.
Enclosed USB cable
The enclosed USB cable is a must for this MP3 player; the port on the MP3 player is not a standard shaped port so any old USB cable simply won't work. This cable is short (approximately 9 1/4" long) and works as any other USB cable does by connecting to your computer's USB port.
SanDisk Sansa m200 512mB MP3 player
3 inches long, 1 1/2 inch wide and 1 1/4 inch tall, this affordable MP3 player packs a great sound! I managed to download 104 songs onto this player right after installing the CD with no complications and it was easier than I could have imagined!! At 1.4 ounces, this MP3 player is now my new best friend for my exercising companion!
The battery storage compartment needs no screwdriver and simply grooves into place. The AAA battery enclosed in this MP3 player's package lasted for 22 hours total (yes, I timed it. I like manufacturers to tell the truth:). I replaced the enclosed battery with a digital Engergizer AAA battery and it lasted 23 1/2 hours. I used the radio and listened to my uploaded songs about the same amount of time with the same results.
Sound Quality
I'm not sure what to write here except that the sound quality is similar, if not better, than my old Sony portable CD jogging walkman. It's as clear as my clock radio and minivan radio. That means I truly have no complaints and unless I upgrade, I may never know if the sound quality is good or not.
Enclosed Earbuds
I did have a hard time putting the cushions on the enclosed earbuds and am not sure one size fits all with regards to earbuds. It takes me some time to get the earbuds in correctly and for me to wiggle them around in there so they feel comfortable. After a 1/2hr bike ride, I do have to re-adjust them. But, the cord is nice and long at 3 feet 5 inches and I can safely store the cord inside my tank top and put the MP3 player into my pocket.
Radio Quality
Well, if you're looking for great radio reception, I'm not sure this MP3 player will give you what you want. It does pick up the local stations and is great for a quick news update or to catch the local radio talk show and is easy to tune to the station you want. You can move around with no disruption of reception but it truly isn't the best feature as your antenna is basically your earbuds. It's adequate for me but may not be for those more technologically advanced.
Another enclosure in the packaging states you can plug in the SanDisk USB cable and use that as an antenna without connecting the MP3 player. I have not tried this as yet because I have had success outdoors in receiving local radio broadcasts.
Microphone/ Built-in Voice recorder
The microphone is located on the side of the MP3 player and has similar quality reception as a handheld cassette voice recorder. It does function and has good reception but you need to put it close to your mouth for the best results. As a pitch hitter for an important class lecture, I'd say bring your handheld cassette recorder for best results.
Display
I'm happy to report that the words are adequately sized for those with glasses or older eyes!! The backlight does light the MP3 player sufficiently enough in dusk or dark light so you can read the words and there is a constant battery life update and song progress bar that keeps you up to speed on the MP3's status. The Powering off step takes just a few seconds and the display shows the powering down progress with 5 boxes and lights the display area in blue.
PlayForSure and Rhapsody
This MP3 player will download any song with this PFS logo; and it does so quickly depending on your PC and internet provider. I only know the website I use has PFS with some of the listed songs.
Included with the purchase of the SanDisk Sansa m200 512mB MP3 Player is a free trial month of music download from the Rhapsody to go website. You must use your credit card to register and enter the code located on the enclosed ad. I have my own download site and didn't try this offer.
Carrying case and wrist band
Enclosed with your purchase is a cheap plastic carrying case and short wristband. Spend a few more dollars and buy a real carrying case.
Overall
For the price, I really am surprised and impressed with the SanDisk Sansa m200 512mB MP3 player. As an entry-level MP3 player for the technologically inept, this MP3 player far exceeded my expectations and truly turned me on to technology. I may actually start getting rid of my cassette tapes!!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 18.00
Recommended for: Beginners - Easy Enough for Tech Newbies
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Epinions.com ID:
thriftymommy
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Member: April
Location: Home of the Hindenburg Disaster, NJ
Reviews written: 90
Trusted by: 49 members
About Me:
The number of people below the official poverty thresholds numbered 36.1 million in 2005.
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