Perfect feature set, superbly designed
Written: Jun 06 '04
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Pros: Design, features, size, battery type, battery life, price, capacity.
Cons: Difficult and sharp packaging.
The Bottom Line: Nearly perfect, strongly recommended.
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| gregbell12's Full Review: FID Irock 860 (256 MB) MP3 Player |
Companies can stop designing MP3 players - the Irock 860 is the end of the line.
With the 100s of memory based MP3 players available, its quite a chore finding the one that's right for you. Swayed by reviews here, and that the Irock 860 was available at Fry's, I gave it a shot.
I am extremely pleased with the Irock 860. It seems all I do is find fault with consumer electronics products I buy (even this one, see below) but the Irock 860 hits the sweet-spot with features, ease-of-use, and quality.
Features important to me were:
battery type (AA, I don't want another charger. NiMHs work with the 860)
battery life (claimed 30 hours)
sound quality (excellent)
product quality and durability (feels solid)
FM (yes, with 20 presets)
Capacity (256MB)
Linux compatibility (yes, its just a USB storage device)
Features not important to me that the Irock 860 is missing:
Voice recording
Armband
Other 860 features:
Folders, m3u lists supported
Backlight
Good display quality/readability
Low-rate MP3 playback (I often listen to Loveline MP3s at 16kbps)
The product is clearly well thought out and designed. A small detail that's indicative of the entire product: the uneven wire-length ear buds have a sticker on the bag explaining *why* they're asymmetric (so that one side's wire can wrap around the back of your neck).
They got lots of little things right that will drive you nuts with consumer electronics - the FM radio remembers where you were when you switch between playing MP3s and listening to the radio. There's a way to both advance and go back through the station presets. MP3s can be stopped and resumed. And so on. Almost everything is perfect.
Two small problems I have with the design: I wish the MODE/MENU switch toggled between MP3 and FM with a quick press, rather than going to the infrequently needed settings menu (a longer press takes you between MP3 and FM).
Also, during a seek, no audio is played, making it tough to know when to stop.
The manual is extensive and well written, for those of you who need it :)
I can't comment on the included software since I have little interest in using it. I just drag and drop MP3s.
Please be a little more conscientious than I was and buy this little puppy through Epinions to support our favorite website.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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Epinions.com ID:
gregbell12
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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