(I've updated this review a couple times below, so keep reading if you want to know what's new...)
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First, let me say that I had the sister-model (180-T with 128 mb) for a couple weeks. I ended up returning it 2 days ago to buy this model because I decided the extra memory (256 mb) was what I really needed. I feel $60 extra in cost is a good price for the additional 128 mb.

Other than the memory, which is exactly double, and the slightly different color (gold-tone) there are no differences between the two models. Since I had already reviewed model 180-t, and since there are no differences in the player other that mentioned above, I've copied my other review here:

I've had a few mp3 players, including the Intel, the Nomad II, the Lyra 2, and the Sonicblue s50. Of them all, only the lyra 2 had an FM stereo that worked well. The Iriver works as well, but is MUCH smaller, lighter, and gets as much life out of only 1 AA battery as the Lyra 2 gets from 2 AA's.

The iRiver comes with a quality set of earbuds. I mixed and matched with the headsets from all the other mp3 players listed above, and the sound was louder and had more bass from the iRiver earbuds than any of the others.

The FM stereo occasionally drifts in and out of stereo, but the signal itself never wavers. The ability to record from teh FM is very nice. I've already had several occasions where I heard a song I liked and recorded it.. making it easier to ask friends to listen to a song and tell me who it was so I could go download the mp3!

The player comes with a cord you can wear around your neck. I guess for walking that might be OK, but for running it's not. It's been very cold in NY since I bought my player, so I've been running with lots of clothes (and pockets). When it gets warmer, I plan to attach a pager-type beltclip. But, even in the pocket of your shorts or sweatpants, it's so light you won't know it's there!

The joystick-style button and the built-in menus are very simple to figure out and easy to operate. They have packed a lot of options and features into this little device.

My only complaint about this player is the included software. It doesn't have any of the frills we've all come to expect from programs like MusicMatch and Windows media player. In fact, the player is not recognized by those two programs -- hopefully, iriver will eventually write drivers for those of us who hate their software! The ability to re-sample (lower the quality) my songs to make more music fit in less space was a feature of musicmatch I enjoyed.. the included software for the iriver only allows you to move music (and files) to and from the device. But, it gets the job done and you can always re-sample the music yourself prior to sending it to the device.

Overall, I'm VERY happy with the player and would definitely recommend it. Eventually, when they write drivers or upgrade their software, they'll have the best mp3 player period.

Recommended
Yes

UPDATE: Feb 11, 2003. Now that I've been using the unit for a couple weeks.
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I have received a lot of questions in my email about this unit. Here are answers to the most common questions, along with some new comments:

* The "joystick" is great. Even from inside a pocket, you can easily manipulate and skip through songs and adjust the volume without having to see the unit.

* You can make folders for each group and subfolders for each album. Then you can play through folders or stay inside one. You can also play randomly through all or just one.

* The newest firmware and software, released a few days ago, improved some of the features of which I complained. Now you can drag/drop files from other windows applications. However, they REMOVED the ability to transfer MP3s *BACK* to your computer from the device. I don't know why, but it no longer works. Other files and even recorded audio files can be transferred back to the PC but MP3 files definitely cannot.

* Also added with the new firmware is the ability to select alkaline or re-chargable batteries so that the battery meter will more accurately display remaining battery life.

* Customer support for the device doesn't appear to be all that great. I've emailed several questions which have gone unanswered. The company hosts a user-forum from their website. From there you can read many threads indicating unhappy end-users who have been long-waiting promised features such as mp3PRO. Nobody from iRiver appears to read (or at least respond to) any of the posts.

OVERALL, I am still VERY PLEASED with my purchase and continue to recommend the unit. I also welcome continued email from those who have more questions.

UPDATE May 21, 2003.
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OK, now I've had the player for a few months. I'm still VERY happy with it. I have used it approximately 30 to 45 minutes per day and have not had any problems with the unit or the earbuds. I never did find a belt clip that I like, but I had limited success with velcro. For use on my motorcycle, the velcro is perfect, but for running it's not. I've kept the unit in a pocket most of the time and it's worked out OK.

The technical support for Iriver has not improved - they still don't seem to ever answer questions - but they are working hard on updating firmware frequently. Every few weeks they have updated the firmware to add new features, and to improve the old ones. The company does seem to pay attention to the feedback from its users (on their own public forum) and responds by making some of the requested changes.

They have also improved the desktop version of the software, but it still lacks the ability to see your player as an external drive. The ability to drag & drop from other windows was added to the desktop program, though - so they have definitely made it a little better.
Many people have emailed me privately to ask questions. Here are some more of the most common questions:

My battery compartment has never popped open and is working perfectly. I understand many people have reported problems with this, but I've been lucky. My first impression of the unit was that the battery compartmemt *could* have been a problem, but so far not.

Sound quality for recording and the ability to delete files from the unit if necessary to make room for more recording:

The recording features seem to work fine, but I'm not really using it as a recorder. I did some quick tests to see if I could help answer some questions, though.

Right now I have 101 megs of music, which is 5 cds at mixed bitrates. That leaves approximately 150 megs of space.

According to the player, this is how much recording time remains: High quality = 1 hour 49 minutes
Medium quality = 3 hours 39 minutes
low quality = 7 hours 15 minutes

I recorded myself saying "testing, 123" for 11 seconds at each of the 3 settings. the recorded files ended up like this: High quality = 186k Medium quality = 95k low quality = 46k

While you're recording (at any of the settings) you see the remaining time count down, so you know when you're going low - and you can delete files from the device to make room if needed.

If you upload the files back to your pc they are converted to .wav files. The file sizes are much larger after the conversion. The above 3 files became 732k, 374k, and 181k, respectively. But, depending on what you're doing with the files, you could obviously convert them to mp3 to save space again - the device does not save them directly into mp3. According to Windows, the file properties of the wav files are 16bit mono PCM recordings, 16k/second 8khz for the high quality, 32k/second for medium, and 64k/second for low quality.

For dictation, the low quality seems fine. And, if there's background noise, the low quality is actually preferable to me, since it doesn't get much of the background sounds. I kept the device about 3 to 4 feet away from myself for the above tests.

Once again, I must say I am very happy with the unit and have no regrets. Continue to feel free to email me privately with more questions...

UPDATE August 26, 2003.
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A few weeks ago I upgraded to the 390-t and got rid of the 190-t for almost what I originally paid. I still had not had any trouble with the 190-t and the battery compartment had NEVER popped open. I still recommend the 190-t highly, but if you're trying to compare between the two models, I would suggest you look at the 390-t, too, before making a decision. My new review is here: http://www.epinions.com/content_110275759748 if you're interested.

pete

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 199