Just the Basics Well Done
Written: Jul 10 '03 (Updated Oct 21 '03)
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Pros: Simple, doubles as a storage device and an MP3 player, light
Cons: Simple, feels cheap, poor ear bud earphones
The Bottom Line: As long as it meets your criteria, this is a GREAT buy.
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| gadget27's Full Review: SmartDisk Rover (128 MB) MP3 Player |
If all you're looking for in an MP3 player is some descent megabytes, good sound, and affordability, SmartDisk's Rover is exactly what you need! If you like snazzier gadgets that look hot and stylish, and tons of options, you probably won't be satisfied with this extremely simple toy. While some will love the simplicity of the Rover, others will probably find it too simple.
FUNCTIONS
One tiny button controls all the player’s functions (on, off, pause, track skipping, and volume control). To turn the machine on you push the button down, to pause it, push it again, and to turn it off, push it again, only for longer. You can push the same button up and down to skip the next track, or back to the previous one. Pushing it up or down and holding it will adjust the volume.
LOOKS
The Rover resembles a large pack of gum in shape and size. There is absolutely nothing fancy about the package; there isn't even an LCD screen. The only decoration is a cute, little dog at the bottom, which in my opinion should be on the other side so people can see it while the player is worn with the built in pocket clip (the clip and the dog are on the same side). The main color theme is silver and black, as are the earphones and the included strap used to carry the player around your neck.
BATTERIES AND STORAGE
To change battery you simply push the battery slot open, no further explanation needed, however it does feel cheap and breakable.
To store files on Rover, you pull the bottom half (where the dog is) off and plug the player itself into a USB port. The computer really does recognize it as a removable disk and within minutes you can transfer whatever files you want onto the Rover. The Rover does only recognize the MP3 files for playing, but you can feel free to put ANY files you would like for the sake of data transfer. This can be a very convenient form of data storage when e-mail is not available and burning a CD isn't necessary.
THE SOUND
(my only update)I am not an expert in sound, but I would feel at ease in saying that the sound quality will be sufficient for the average listener. It might even be better, I just can't tell. With a better set of earphones, there is definitely an improvement, even in volume. The volume is a somewhat limited and while its loud enough for me, it would be nice to have the option of having it get even louder.
IN SHORT
The Rover is a well functioning MP3 player, which can double as a form of data storage. It is convenient because besides the earphones and of course the battery, nothing else is needed, not even a USB cable. Most people will want better earphones, but this is generally a given with any MP3 or CD player. Also worth mentioning is the very descent battery life of 12 hours for every single AAA.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 70
Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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Epinions.com ID:
gadget27
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Reviews written: 6
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