Olive Opus 4HD (Black, 2TB). HD music server Review

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(More customer reviews)0 out of 5 stars BEWARE OF OLIVE AND OPUS!
Written November 1, 2010
By Sumie Mishima (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
I would have loved to written about my wonderful experience I have had owning my Opus and dealing with Olive employees. Unfortunately my Opus and Olive employees have been nothing short of a nightmare.
I purchased the Opus in April 2007 for $3500.00 . I was originally very happy with the Opus. However, the honeymoon with the Opus ended very quickly. I have had numerous problems with the Opus including but not limited to the following:
1. The Opus would stop playing after 30 minutes and just turn off
2. The Opus would skip tracks make a strange noise and would shut off
3. The Opus would not play at all and required constant rebooting which required the recovery CD
4. I was forced to use the recovery CD constantly first just to reboot the Opus then it got to the point where I had to delete all the CD's stored and had to start from scratch. I had to reload all my CD's into the Opus on numerous occasions. As you can imagine this was very time consuming and frustrating
5. The Opus would overheat and shut off
6. The Opus would stop playing and freeze. The only remedy for this was to shut it off and unplug the unit for at least 30 minutes
7. AT this point the Opus is completely dead. I can no longer even reboot the machine because it no longer even turns on.
I am sure you are asking yourself why didn't you call Olive. The problem is I did. I made numerous telephone calls to Olive. Each time I called I was told there is nothing wrong with the Opus and Olive refused to provide me with an RMA number (which is required to repair the Opus). Olive refused to repair the Opus regardless of my complaints. Moreover, the Opus had a two year warranty which Olive refused to honor. To be honest Olive has the ruddiest tech people I have ever run across. Here are a few examples of what I was told by Olive Tech support:
1. The Opus is playing music so there is nothing wrong with the machine
2. You received the recovery CD with the Opus and it is doing its job
3. You clearly do not understand how to work the machine "read the manual"
4 .It is not the Opus it must be your other equipment
5. On several occasions the tech manager informed me he was busy and hung up on me
6. In August I was told" Your warranty is up and we are not obligated to fix your machine and we no longer carry the parts and it cannot be fixed. Why don't you just buy a new Olive 4HD! I could go on however, I think you understand my experience with Olive and the Opus.I urge anyone who is considering purchasing an Olive to go on to the Audio chat rooms. You will find numerous complaints about both the products and the company.
I noticed the Olive 4HD manuals have omitted any information on Audio Performance and technical information on their products including::
Frequency response
Harmonic distortion
Dynamic range
Output level
Channel Separation
Output impedance
I thought this omission was rather strange since every Audio manufacturer provides this information. It is very important information for the consumer. Without the information you are left in the dark as to how the product actually performs. I called Olive on Monday to inquire about the aforementioned information. I spoke with Charles who started reading specs to me. At this point I realized he was merely reading the specs from the Dac in the 4HD. I asked if he was giving me the information for Olive 4HD or merely reading the specs for the Burr Brown Dac (which is only in the 4HD). Charles admitted he was reading the Burr Brown information and further admitted Olive does not have this information
I believe it is essential to have this information before you purchase audio equipment.
I do wonder why Olive has chosen to keep customers in the dark about their Audio Performance. One is left to wonder if Olive expects consumers to purchase their products in blind faith! Perhaps Olive refuses to disseminate this information for a reason. I will leave this query up to potential buyers and Olive media.
.
Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Olive Opus 4HD (Black, 2TB). HD music server

Olive 06HD 2TB Opus Music Server Color-Black.This is for sell: Olive 06HD 2TB Opus Music Server Color-Black. Item in stock and ready to ship ASAP. ITEM BRAND NEW , FACTORY SEALED, UNOPENED. Shipping via USPS Express with USPS Express with Track #.Best-in-breed Digital Analog Converter (DAC)High-resolution DAC featuring TI 192khz/24-bit Burr- Brown PCM1792AUse as outboard DAC (with 24-bit/192kHz up-sampling) for any digital music source State-of-the-art technology platform & high-speed processorFlawless encoding and decoding of lossless audio formatFast management and access to extensive music librariesSupports simultaneous streaming of high quality audio to multiple rooms Hard DriveUltra-quiet 2TB AV hard driveHolds almost 20,000 HD tracks or 6,000 CDs in original qualityCushioned in 8 layers of noise cancelling padding CDRWHigh fidelity TEAC CDRW mechanismImport: Audio CDsBurn: Audio CDs, MP3 CDs, Data CDs Audio ConnectorsAnalog Output: 1x RCA, (24k gold-plated)Digital Output: 1x digital S/P DIFoptical Toslink, 1x digital S/P DIFcoaxial cinch, (24k gold-plated)Digital Input: 1x digital S/P DIF coaxial cinch, (24k gold-plated) Supported Audio FormatsBit rate: 16-bit, 20-bit, 24-bitSampling Frequency: 10kHz up to 200kHzWAV, FLAC, MP3 (128 and 320 kbit/s), AAC (128 kbit/s) NetworkingWireless, 802.11n (54 Mbit/s), Encryption:WEP, WPA, WPA2, 64- and 128-bit1x Wired Gigabit Ethernet Other Ports1 x HDMI (480p, 60Hz)1 x USB 1.1/2.0Infrared Receiver Input Color touch-screen4.3" wide-aspect ratioHigh-resolution (480 x 272 pixels)Touch-screen technology DesignAnodized fine-grade aluminum shellPassive cooling without noisy fanMeasurementsWidth 17.38"Height 2.63"Depth 12.25"Weight 13.2 lbColorSilver or BlackBox also includesUser manual, Remote control with battery, WiFi-antenna, Power cord.

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RCA RD1000 Kazoo 32 MB MP3 Player Review

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(More customer reviews)After about a week of researching about 25 mp3 players I finally settled on the RCA Kazoo. I wanted the smallest mp3 player possible, but didnt want to sacrifice great sound. My Kazoo delivers for only $... After much research I decided I needed a unit that had: lock (so buttons dont get pushed accidentally), bass boost/ equalizer, digital volume control, big clear display, & fast transfer rate (2.4Mb/sec). You'd be supprised many more expensive units dont have all of these features. I also didnt care about other formats since mp3 is the standard & all formats can be converted to mp3 via software. The included software Music Match & Real Jukebox are excellent. I just dragged & dropped my mp3 files from explorer into real Jukebox. Real Jukebox lets you set the bit rate you would like and automatically lowers bitrate on files to bitrate you choose to save memory/size. This brigs me to the 1 of 2 drawbacks. ALthough 32 mb is common w/ mp3 players it isnt enough (at 128k bit rate). I plan on ordering a 64 MB MM card (dont pay more than $1/mb if you decide to buy memory). I did find out that at 56k the sound was still awesome & I can hold about 75 minutes of music w/o extra memory. The second drawback doesnt apply to me but I read in one review that this doesnt support Mac. If you are a windows user you will be very satisfied!! I can't see why anyone could buy a player w/ a slower transfer rate; USB is the way to go.
One last note: The display is large & easy to read. It shows track, time, bit rate, volume, battery, & dsp. It does not show the name of the current song that is playing the way larger mp3 players do.
Hope this helps & good luck in your search.

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Take RCA's RD1000 Kazoo digital audio player on the go and listen to MP3 digital audio files. With the 32 MB internal flash memory, you can enjoy over half an hour of near-CD quality, skip-free music (there are no moving parts). You can also use the MultiMedia Card (MMC) memory slot and insert up to 96 MB of additional memory for even more songs. (See our selection of MultiMedia Cards.)
Connect the Kazoo to a PC with the USB connection and transfer songs from your computer or directly off the Internet at speeds up to 2.4 Mbps. You can specify playlists and what songs to transfer using the included MusicMatch Jukebox and RealJukebox software. Also included are headphones, batteries, a carry bag, wrist strap, and neck strap.

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Soundfly-i Ultimate iPod / iPhone 4, 3G, 3Gs Auto-scan Fm Transmitter Charger with RDS & Remote Control Review

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(More customer reviews)I like the design of this product very much, but it suffers from a fatal flaw. The transmitter is weak. This is in direct conflict with what other reviews say. Also, the unit only broadcasts from 88.1-107.9 -- other websites and the back of the packaging claim its capable of 87.6 to 107.9.
From this, I think I know why the transmitter is so weak. Apparently, this unit originally did not comply with FCC regulations and probably was a very strong transmitter that could do the full FM frequency. At some point, apparently very recently, the FCC probably forced Satechi to remedy this and now it can no longer do 87.6-88.0 and no longer broadcast a signal powerful enough to be received from more than 6 yards out as the FCC requires.
If you look at reviews on Amazon, you'll notice the FM transmitters made by companies you've never heard of all get the high 5 star reviews while the ones made by big name brands (like Monster and Belkin) get absolutely trashed in the reviews. This is because ANY FM transmitter that actually complies with FCC regulations is garbage in a large city with heavy airwave saturation. The cheap chinese ones rarely comply with these regulations cause they constantly change brand names, anyways. The bigger players usually do play the by the rules and their products suffer as a result.
In this case, I suspect Satechi has recently been forced to start playing by the rules based on the transmitter I received. The weak signal and newly restricted (at least it appears to be a new change) frequency range are dead giveaways of this.
Sadly, that makes the unit hard to recommend. It's not Satechi's fault, but this transmitter just sucks in terms of signal strength (which means static *all* the time and an inability to broadcast "over" another signal if you can't find an empty frequency). Great design, but unless you live out in the middle of nowhere you probably won't be able to hear your music without static.

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Soundfly-i digital FM transmitter/auto charger transmits your iPod/iPhone tunes through your car stereo while simultaneously charging its battery. Soundfly-i includes such features as an easy-to-read digital display, four programmable FM station presets, and a safety fuse that protects against power spikes. The AutoScan technology automatically seeks out and tunes in the clearest FM frequency available. Now you can find the best station to enjoy your tunes with one touch of a button. The unit also supports RDS (Radio Data System), so while listening to music, you can see the song and artist's name displayed on your compatible car stereo. Remote control features Power, Album shift Up & Down - Fast Forward & Rewind - Repetition of defined Section- Shuffle - Bookmarking. For iPhone users: Upon plugging the fm transmitter into select device dock connection, the device will ask to go into airplane mode. Do not choose airplane mode.

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Premium Neon Blue Zebra Design Protective TPU Silicone Skin Cover for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband Review

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(More customer reviews)I love zebra print and i have the same one for my phone only in grey they are really durable and fit tightly so you dont have to worry about the bottom flopping around like on a silicone one... i love mine and never take it off!

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Safely Carry your Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation with this Premium TPU Protective Silicone Skin Cover. This elegant skin-tight silicone case is perfectly manufactured to fit and compliment the mold of the iPod Touch 4th Generation. The quality material used for this skin provides protection and prevents scratches, chips or dirt from accumulating on your device. Made from high-grade silicone to compliment the surface with a soft and smooth texture. Each opening for the dock connector, charger, and screen was precisely cut to allow full access to every function the iPod Touch 4th Generation offers. You'll be impressed with not only the quality, but the style and flexibility that this skin cover has to offer your device. + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband

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BlackBerry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway Review

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(More customer reviews)If your car has an auxilliary input on it's radio and a cigarette lighter, you can take A2DP-capable bluetooth device and play high-quality music through your stereo with this device. (Note: some sellers include the Blackberry car charger with this device, if not, you'll need to buy one.)
Pairing this device with my Droid was relatively easy: just plug it in, select it from the list of available devices, enter a pairing code and the Droid automatically reconnected with the gateway every time I started my car from that point forward, allowing me to play MP3s and Pandora radio through my Acura's stereo without a problem.
One thing to keep in mind when you use this device in a car is that you'll still have to position your playback unit where you can operate it safely while driving. The iPod and most smartphones have windshield and or vent mounts that keep the unit in your line of site while driving, and I'd HIGHLY recommend that you buy such a mount at the same time you buy this device, if you don't already have one.

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Break away from your regular headsets and enjoy your favorite music through the comfort of your own home. The small, stylish BlackBerry Bluetooth Music Gateway works with your home sound system or personal stereo speakers to stream the music stored on your cell phone or other A2DP-compatible devices.Includes 3.5mm stereo cable and RCA auxiliary cable for connection to your stereo system.You are free to roam up to 30 feet without missing a single beat. The BlackBerry Music Gateway is compatible with all Bluetooth enabled mobile devices so you can stream your music from your cell phone, PC, laptop, or any other A2DP-compatible device. This easy to use, ultra portable accessory is great for those looking to enjoy their music the way it is supposed to be heard.Please note:The BlackBerry Bluetooth Music Gateway does not support Handsfree or Headset profiles and cannot be used to handle phone calls.BlackBerry Bluetooth Music Gateway key features:
Use your cell phone or A2DP-compatible music phone to play and wirelessly control music on your home stereo
Connect the Gateway using the accompanying 3.5mm stereo cable or RCA auxiliary cable to your stereo system or external speakers
Small and sleek design - the BlackBerry Bluetooth Stereo Music Gateway is one of the smallest gateways available
Easy to use, one touch pairing
Bluetooth® Class 2 wireless connection to Bluetooth compatible device up to 30 feet away
Supports Bluetooth® A2DP, AVRCP profiles (does not support Handsfree or Headset profiles and does not handle phone calls)
Plays music from Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, PDAs, music players or computers
Powered via BlackBerry Travel Charger or compatible mini-USB charger (sold separately)
3.5mm jack for connection to any music/audio source with via 3.5mm audio cable
Compatible with all Bluetooth enabled phones, music players or computers

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Pioneer CDJ1000MK2 Digital Vinyl Turntable CD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Despite of all magazine reviews, the Pioneer CDJ-1000Mk2 is the new 1200 of the industry (if you know what i am talking). It has 4 types of pich 6% 10% 16% and Wide (a.k.a 100%) the large very large Dial, that has very touch sensitve feeling so if you are scrach DJ, or any type this is the most versatile dial you can buy... forget denon.. forget techics (the new one.. not the mk2)... this is the baby every one has on raves and big shows. the screen is brighter than the Mk1 version (even do, i havent seen mk1 in action).
it has revers funtions, that allows to back spin the cd even if scraching... also its quick!! loading and un-loading, it has 3 cue points, so if you are undecide , set them up and change your mind with out setting up again the cue points
the only bad thing about this cd player its that its expensive so if you are one of those bedroom DJ, you might wana wait till you get 2k so you can buy a pair.

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The CDJ1000MK2 is a powerful tool for live performance and studio use.It is equipped with professional options such as looping, digital I/O, 16 second shock-proof memory for normal CD play and much more.With all its options, it can be seamlessly integrated into a DJs set up.With vinyl scratch functions and turntable feel, it opens up creativity to all that music that may easier to find on CD.

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D-Link DMP-110 MP3 Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I am one of the apparent few who is very happy with this player. I got it for Christmas and was a little weary after reading all the other reviews here. However, my player works wonderfully. I can get 10 songs on the internal memory and they all play great. The Smart Media Card Slot is nice. It does use its own format and WILL make the card unusable to other devices such as cameras. However, contrary to popular belief, the cards CAN be restored to their original state and universal functionality. All you need is a card reader with its formatting program. I have a SanDisk ImageMate USB reader. It comes with a formatting utility called "SMPREP.EXE" I successfully used this program to restore my 8MB Smart Media Card to work properly with my camera and reader. Bottom line is that this is a solid player, and I would recommend it especially if you are on a budget. If you have a CD Burner, think about and MP3/CD Discman since you get 650-700MB of MP3's (150+ songs) per disc.
(The drivers for this player reportedly don't work with COMPAQ machines so be aware of that if you own a COMPAQ) Hope this review is helpful!

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Take D-Link's DMP110 digital audio player on the go to listen to MP3audio or make voice recordings. With 32 MB of internal flash memory, you canenjoy over half an hour of skip-free, near CD quality music (there are no movingparts) or several hours of voice audio. It includes an expansion slot thatenables you to add up to 32 MB of memory using SmartMedia cards for a total of64 MB.
Connect the DMP110 to a PC with the included USB cable and transfersongs or voice recordings at speeds up to 12 Mbps. You can specify playlists andwhat songs to transfer using the included D-Link MP3 Manager, MusicMatch, andXing Auto Catalyst software. The D-Link DMP110 includes earphones, two AAAbatteries, a USB cable, and a belt clip.

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eForCity Premium Deluxe Headset Smart Wrap w/ Ear Bud Slot, Black Made w/ Dust Repelling Silicone Review

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(More customer reviews)This definitely keeps your earbud cords bound together. However, this "smart wrap" has ruined my headphones. I've had the same type of headphones that came with my mp3 player twice. The first set I had lasted me at least a year before they started going fuzzy and crackly...and that was without ANY tricks or contraptions to try to keep them tidy. So I replaced the original pair for exact duplicates. I had those for only 4 months before I ordered and started using the smart wrap. After no more than 2-3 weeks use I noticed the sound quality of my headphones was deteriorating. I can't use my headphones anymore because the quality is so bad.
I don't care enough to get a refund for the item because it was so cheap and earbuds are cheap enough to replace. Plus I knew I was taking a chance when making the order because there were no customer reviews for the product. I hope that someone else out there can learn from my experience and not make the same mistake I did and save a little extra time and money.

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Compatible with: All earbud speakers, earbud headsets, and cables. To use. 1. Snap bottom end of cord into one end of the smart wrap. 2. Wrap the cord around the middle of the smart wrap, until cord is desired length. 3. Snap the other end of the cord into the other end of the smart wrap

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Mio C520 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)==== UPDATE October 2, 2007 ====
I bought a Nav-Mat Portable GPS Dash Mount for use in trips to California, where it is illegal to attach a GPS to your windshield. The Nav-Mat bean bag mount simply works great with the Mio C520 and is very stable. Check out the picture under customer images.
==== UPDATE August 21, 2007 ====
The following statement was in my original review and has been removed: "If you plan to use it in Europe, just Google "MioMap V3.3 Western Europe for Mio C220 - C320 - C520" and you should find some UK vendors who sell the SD card."
The fact is that although there are vendors in UK who sell the Europe map, the current Europe maps cannot be used in US/Canada models of C520 due to a license issue. Sorry if this caused confusion. Please read the forums at mionav dot com for updates on this issue.
==== UPDATE August 16, 2007 ====
I updated MioMap to the July 5, 2007 version, still v3.3, following the directions in MioNav dot com, which is linked to the Mio topics in the gpspassion dot com forums. (Search for the topic "Updates for miomap V3.3 are available" and you will find a link to download "MioMap V3 Updater for C320 and C520" from Mio's European website).
This update cures the stuttering problem reported in some earlier versions of MioMap. It also adds a Mute button on the map screen under the Bluetooth button. It does not update the maps or POI data, and leaves the History intact.
==== END UPDATES ====
OVERVIEW:
After doing tons of research to find a competent GPS navigation system under $350, I narrowed down my choice to two models - the Magellan Maestro 3140 and the Mio Digiwalker C520. I would have also considered the Garmin Nuvi 250, but it lacks both text-to-speech and Bluetooth capability which I wanted. If ease of use is most important, I would say the Magellan Maestro 3140, which is a huge improvement over its predecessor, the Maestro 3100, would have been an excellent choice. But since I was not gadget shy, the Mio Digiwalker C520, with its widescreen form factor and advanced capabilities was the unit for me.
The Mio C520 packs in US and Canadian maps with text-to-speech routing instructions, Bluetooth, an MP3 player, a video player, a picture viewer and a contact manager that synchronizes with MS Outlook. The installation is pretty painless. The suction cup holder, which is precision made in Germany, works very well and easily installs onto the windscreen of any car (contrary to what the previous reviewer claims). The Mio works right out of the box with instructions in the tiny manual. If you are willing read the full manual located in the supplied CDROM, and go through a very minor learning curve, you will find the user interface most satisfying and will profit from its awesome capabilities.
It has some cool features, like the ability to display map coordinates and altitude, and has the ability to automatically synchronize time and date with the satellite. It's signal pickup is lightening fast due to the state-of-the-art 20-channel SirfStarIII receiver. It actually picks up the satellite signal from inside my house. If you are further geek-inclined, visit the forums in gpspassion dot com - which show you how to unlock the GPS operating system (Windows CE 5.0) and install custom applications and utilities.
Now consider that the street price of the equivalent widescreen Garmin (the Nuvi 660) is $300 more than the Mio C520, and you can understand why the Mio tops MobilePlanet dot com's current popularity list. The Mio is perhaps among the best GPS' out there at any price!
EXPERIENCE:
On a recent trip to San Francisco with my wife, the Mio turned out to be a real trip saver. It listed our hotel in its point of interest (POI) database and got us to all our destinations without ever getting us lost. Needless to say, it saved us about a couple of hours each day on the trip, even though we were pretty familiar with the Bay Area. Not once did we have to stop for (or argue over) directions! The POI database listed all the major and minor points of interest, including museums, concert halls, gas stations, car rental agencies, seven-elevens, hospitals, etc. It also included hard to find, hole-in-the-wall restaurants. It has restaurants categorized by cuisine, which includes "Japanese", "Greek", "Indian" and so on.
While the routing capability is excellent, it is not 100% perfect. (None of the portable GPS models are perfect). While driving on 101 southbound to SFO airport, it asked us to "bear left on Bayshore freeway southbound" seconds before asking us to take the San Bruno exit to the airport on the right. While this was not a navigational glitch per se, it did have the potential for causing confusion. (Of course, I later understood that "bear left" meant the freeway bears left, not "get on the left lane", duh!). A couple of times it asked us to take left turns in downtown San Francisco that were not allowed. When we ignored it, it recalculated the routes in a matter of seconds, without forcing us to take U turns (which some other GPS models make you do).
Now lets put that in perspective and take, for example, a day trip to Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel and back to San Francisco (consisting of, say, 100 routing manoeuvers). On such a trip, the Mio would give confusing instructions perhaps two or three times in total, which meant it was perfect approximately 97% of the time. This is excellent performance in my book. I am perhaps looking at this with a more critical eye than warranted. The important thing is that Mio C520 recalculated the route the moment it realized we were off route, and always got us to our destination quickly.
By considerably reducing the planning chores, the Mio immensely improved the satisfaction of our holiday. We will never go on another trip without it!
TEXT TO SPEECH
The text-to-speech (TTS) feature, which causes the Mio to speak the street names, turns out to be valuable, especially when there are a lot of quick turns to make. The TTS ("Samantha") voice on the Mio C520 is perhaps a bit brusque but pleasant enough. There is a chime before each voice instruction, which alerts you to an upcoming manoeuver. (The TTS voice is in no way "HORRIBLE" or "VERY" chatty as described in the previous review. With all due respect to the previous reviewer, his review is pretty opinionated and unfair). The TTS voice did not stutter even once. The version of Mio Map on my unit is dated May 18, 2007. Note that some earlier versions are reported to have a TTS voice stuttering problem.
SCREEN:
The the 4.3-inch touch screen with 480x272-pixel resolution is vivid and sharp. (The screen is not washed out, as the previous reviewer claims). And it goes without saying you can easily adjust the brightness to your desired level. The touch-screen keyboard is in QUERTY format and has a predictive function, making it easy to enter an address quickly. The automatic night mode feature is pretty neat and wow inducing. It switches to night mode based on time of sunset for the current date, time zone, latitude and logitude!
NAVIGATION PERFORMANCE:
On the subject of navigation mapping data, the conventional wisdom is that in North America, Navteq data is more accurate than Tele Atlas - which the Mio uses. However, the recent buzz is that Tele Atlas has significantly narrowed the gap with Navteq, especially with its latest map versions released after the fall of 2006. A recent comparison of Navteq versus Tele Atlas in gpsreview dot net actually shows the Tele Atlas' mapping data to be slightly more accurate than Navteq's, while another study in gpsmagazine dot com has the results the other way around.
In my own tests, which included comparing the Mio C520's routing with online maps by Yahoo, Google and Mapquest, showed that none of the routing engines were perfect, with Google coming out perhaps slightly better than the others. To my delight, I found that the routes chosen by the Mio C520, which uses the latest Tele Atlas data, is pretty close to those chosen by Yahoo. Rest assured, the navigation performace of the Mio C520 is indeed excellent.
ROUTING FEATURES:
Typically you would enter an address or POI around the current city. Or you can change the destination city, state or country and enter an address or select a POI for that destination. The Mio also has the ability to route to a contact (an address you entered in the contact manager, under Tools->Contacts).
There is a peculiar way you need to enter North American addresses into the contact manager in order for the "Route to Contact" feature to work. For example, consider the address: 111 FIRST STREET, APT# 101, FREMONT, CA 94533. You have to enter 'CA, 94533' in the 'State:' field, 'FREMONT' in the 'City/Postcode:', 'FIRST STREET' in the 'Street:' field and 'Apt 101, 111' in the 'House number:' field. (Note that you need to enter the state and zip code separated by a comma in the 'State:' field). Once you enter the contact address as the Mio expects it, it creates the route to the contact address super fast (usually in less than 10 seconds).
The Mio has a decent job of position error filtering, which attempts to accurately estimate your car's position on the map. Even when driving at 70MPH on a freeway, the Mio is off by no more than 10 yards. It also estimates the car's speed within 2MPH of my car's odometer reading. When driving on regular streets at around 30MPH, the display of the car position is spot on. There are several split-screen views which you can cycle through, giving you the distance to the next manoeuver, the current time, the estimated time...Read more›

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GSI Super Quality In Car Windshield - Dashboard Mount For Apple iPad 3G/WIFI Tablet Reader - 360° Rotating Dock/Holder, Suction Cup Stand - Perfect Fit - For Travel Or Home Use Review

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(More customer reviews)This item is going back. It cracked after a few days. It is difficult to remove the iPad from the mount itself. The arm is too flimsy to support the weight of the device without shaking and twisting while driving.

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Wireless FM Transmitter/hands-free Car Charger/Holder/Car Mount For ANDROID Phones - HTC, Google, T-Mobile, Motorola, Samsung + Remote Control,Lcd screen display Review

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(More customer reviews)Still waiting to return this incompatible item, they don't do Android. I know it's the holidays but I feel like I am being ignored. One real bright spot, Amazon stepped in and assumed responsibility. Now is that a big thing? Well this paperweight only cost me $30, which is not a large percentage of the money I have spent though Amazon but it sure makes me happy. I presume they will intercede with the seller or maybe just write it off. Anyway, they did what I would expect a quality company to do. Thank you Amazon! To be fair this seems like an unusual occurrence for this company. However, let the buyer be warned, they have the capacity to really screw things up and only Amazon seems to be concerned.
11 Jan 2011 Still waiting.. I just sent this email off trying to get this resolved... I am still waiting to return this product. I have sent several emails and had one telephone conversation. It is my understanding I am to wait for return authorization. This was the wrong product in the first place. It doesn't surprise me that the whole process is a BIG problem. This company doesn't seem to get excited about unhappy customers. I am beyond unhappy!!!! GET A CLUE, YOU SCREWED UP AND DON'T SEEM TO GIVE A (EXPLICATIVE DELETED) IF YOU FIX IT!!!!!

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Features :

-Suitable for all iPhones (includes iPhone 4G, 3Gs), iPods (all generations), MP3 players in all vehicles-Supports iPhone hands-free talking through car stereo system-Hi-Fi FM stereo transmit at 88.1-107.9 MHz brings you perfect music enjoying, Supports 200 FM stations.-Supports charging for Mobile Phone, GPS and other devices (through Mini 5-Pin Jack) with outside 5V, 1A USB socket.-Easy to install-The flexible goose-pipe allows bending and turning to use this with virtually any vehicle.-The cradle is lined with sold silicone material to protect your device, with flexible clamp to keep your iPhone/devices securely in place.

Instructions for FM Transmitter:

1. Plug in the dock conector cable to your iPod2. Tune your car stereo to an unused FM frequency3. Tune CarKit to the same FM frequency4. Your iPod music will be played through your car stereroInstructions for iPhone Hands-Free Talking:

1. Plug in the dock conector cable to your iPhone2. Plug the included 3.5mm audio cable into both your iPhone and CarKit3. Use the FM transmitter capabilities as normal4. When you receive a call, Car Kit will switch to hands-free talking through your car stereo automatically

Specification :

-Frequency range: 88.1?107.9Mhz(0.1Mhz/step)-Input: DC 12V(Vehicle power)-USB output: 5V 1A max-Temperature: 0~+55?-Effective distance: >5m

Package Including:

1xFM Transmitter + Holder1x Remote Control1x 3.5mm male to male audio cable

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Apple iPod Nano II (Nano 2nd Generation) Pink Skin Case With Belt Clip, Lanyard and Sports Armband Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Kinda disappointed cause unable to use wheel thru the case, so you can't adjust the volumne or change the song.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple iPod Nano II (Nano 2nd Generation) Pink Skin Case With Belt Clip, Lanyard and Sports Armband

Work out in style and keep your iPod safe and secure. This iPod nano skin case is made of high quality silicone rubber material and provides protection from scratches, bumps, dirt, grease, and fingerprints. This case is durable, light weight, and it's form-fitting design allows access to all iPod functions. Compatible with: iPod Nano II (2nd Generation) only.

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Clarion CZ500 In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB and Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The unit works great Here is some important info:
Clarion THD309 HD Radio Tuner works with this unit. I picked up one on ebay for 24.99 shipped. Don't waste your money on the THD300. It is more than 3x the price. The HD tuner uses your existing antenna. You don't need a separate antenna.
Autoconnect does not work out of the box. You must turn off autoconnect off and back on. Otherwise, you will need to manually sync your Iphone every time you turn on the car.
The wiring harness was the same as my previous Clarion unit (DB365USB). No new cables needed.
The display on this unit is much better than my previous Clarion. I can actually see what I'm doing.
Thanks to Vucko Zagi for the bluetooth and HD info.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clarion CZ500 In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB and Bluetooth

The CZ500 is Clarion's premium single-DIN CD source unit, offering a 2-line display and unmatched connectivity to the music and devices you use most. The CZ500 offers simple connection and integration of your iPod or iPhone, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and stereo audio streaming, and USB and auxiliary connections to access music on portable devices. To top it off, the CZ500 even throws in a separate visor microphone to give Clarion owners, and callers, a clear and smooth hands-free calling experience.

Built-in Bluetooth Interface Connect with various devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and MP3 Players via the CZ500's built-in wireless Bluetooth interface. Supports popular Bluetooth profiles such as A2DP/AVRCP for audio streaming, HSP/HFP for hands-free operation, and PBAP for phone book access, so you can easily communicate and wirelessly stream your favorite digital music to your vehicle's audio system. A wired microphone is also supplied for a clear hands-free conversation.
Enjoy Your Music The CZ500 plays back your CDs and burnt CD-R/RW discs, but it will also take CD-DA discs loaded with MP3/WMA/AAC music files, for hours of listening on one disc. You can also play back audio files directly from a USB thumb drive using the USB port.
Superior iPod and iPhone Connectivity Just connect the USB cable to get direct and complete control of your iPod. Additionally, the head unit has been designed to connect to iPhone and has been certified as "Works with iPhone" to integrate its communication and entertainment capabilities into your car system.
AM/FM Radio Enjoy your favorite programming on the AM/FM tuner, complete with 18 FM and six AM presets for quick access.
Front Auxiliary Input Enjoy music from external devices such as MP3 players with this handy front-panel input.
HD Radio Ready with iTunes Tagging Enjoy listening to digitally broadcast radio programs with all their superior quality and helpful information. This includes iTunes tagging capability, so if you hear a song on the radio that you like, you can tag it for later downloading from the iTunes Store. Save time finding and accumulating the tunes you want.
XM Direct 2 Tuner Ready Interface with an XM Satellite Radio Receiver (CNP2000UC) lets you instantly upgrade your system to receive digital satellite radio broadcasts with digital quality audio.
H.M.I. Balances Design and Usability Clarion's quest for a superior H.M.I. (Human-Machine Interface) resulted in this year's distinctive "starburst" control button array. Buttons are clustered symbolically for intuitive operation, with a large rotary volume control that is blue illuminated for easy recognition and sensational looks.
BeatEQ for User Customizable Sound In addition to providing 3 preset equalization patterns--BASS BOOST, IMPACT, and EXCITE--Clarion's BeatEQ even lets you freely customize the level and range of the bass, midrange and treble portions of each pattern. You can tune the sound to your liking, depending on the category of music, for a more fulfilling listening experience.
6ch/4V RCA Output with Subwoofer Control With 3 sets of RCA outputs, you are free to add external power amplifiers to create a more powerful, sophisticated audio system. Also, independent volume control is enabled for the subwoofer so you can adjust the level of bass output to your liking at any time, regardless of the output level of the other channels.
What's in the Box Clarion CZ500 Receiver, Remote Control, Visor Microphone, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

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Clarion CX609 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB Port Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the CX609 for my 2008 Nissan Frontier. Having high end audio systems in my past two cars, I initially was going to just leave my truck stock, but then I got a new phone (Samsung Omnia) on which I can store 16 gigs of music, and the Bluetooth audio bug bit me hard. I picked this stereo because it does everything I want it to do (I will discuss the functions in detail later) and it's Double Din, so it fits perfectly in my dash. In fact, its worth noting that I didn't need an install trim kit to fit this into my dash. Despite Crutchfield telling me I'd need a $20 Metra kit, I found that all I needed to do to install the chassis was to unscrew the 2 brackets from my stock HU and screw them onto the Clarion. Clarion's install instructions clearly explain how to do this for Nissan and Toyota vehicles, although I did not use the thin spacers that the instructions said to use. Didn't need them as the stock and new HU chassis were both exactly the same width (I believe Clarion makes the stock HU).
The main reason I bought this unit was for the Bluetooth abilities, and because in addition to hands free functionality, it also supports A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming, so I can play music from my phone right through the stereo with no wires. I am really impressed with this technology. I did some testing with a CD burned from MP3s, and with the original MP3s streamed via BT. I honestly can't hear the difference. When connected, the HU controls the phone by changing tracks, pausing, playing, stopping, and it also can FF/RW through tracks, which is something my BT headphones can't do.
The CX609 works well as a hands free unit as well. When a call comes in the HU pauses the music and rings through the speakers. I ran the microphone up through the A pillar and headliner and popped it out next to the map light/sunglass holder. This is about where a stock MIC is found on a Frontier with factory BT, and it works fantastic. Everyone who I've spoken to says they can hear me better on the HU than on my phone. The MIC gain can be adjusted easily from 1-5, but I found the stock level of 3 too soft, and my preferred level of 4 is just a bit too sensitive. I just need to speak at a normal conversation levels rather than "yelling" into the BT which is what I often tend to do. Once connected, the stereo is ready to take calls in any mode. To initiate calls you are supposed to be able to browse your phonebook on the stereo (I haven't loaded mine yet, and might not bother), or you can enter numbers directly, or of course use the phone, which is how I do it.
However, all is not perfect. My major gripe with the HU is also Bluetooth related. The HU can be set to auto connect to the phone, or do it manually. Autoconnect works great, and if you want to listen to the phone right away, it handles everything for you. The problem is that if you are listening to any other source, it goes to Bluetooth mode every time you turn it on as soon as the phone connects, and you need to switch back to your old source. If you shut auto connect off, it stays on the previous source, but to connect you need to switch to BT and go through a menu to select the phone as there is a disconnect button, but no connect button. If you don't connect it, you don't get hands free capabilities if you get a call, so its kind of a no-win. For now I just let it connect (which it does VERY fast) and then switch to another source if I don't want to listen to the phone.
The attatched USB cord is very cool and allows you to connect your ipod up without an adapter (haven't tried it), or plug in your thumb drives and stream music off of them. I plugged a Kingston 4gb micro SDHC chip into a thumbdrive adapter, loaded up some albums, and plugged it into the cord (which I snaked into my glovebox), and it works great. The read speed is almost instantaneous, and it navigates folders easily. Very cool.
The stereo works fine, although as the less than stellar FM sensitivity specs would suggest, it doesn't pick up stations quite as well as the stock stereo, but out on the road its fine. In my basement garage I was able to pick up all the stations I would expect, although 1 came in scratchy until I pulled outside. It does not have RDS or HD radio, which would have been nice, but you can program station titles which in a way is better because you don't end up with your stations named incorrectly the way many RDS receivers do it.
CDs play fine. I haven't tried an MP3 disc yet since I have the phone and USB port, but it does read track titles off my CDA discs... cool.
Overall sound quality is good. I still have stock speakers so I can't say for sure how good. The preset sound schemes didn't please me, but the custom function works well. You can set your low, mid, and high levels, and for each you can select the frequency center and Q ratio (I believe this means how wide your adjustment is). I believe lows can be set at 50, 100, or 200. mids at 500, 1000, or 2000, and highs at 5000, 10000, or 15000. Q settings are .7, 1, 1.4, or 2 for each. I prefer smaller Qs. While it's nowhere near as nice as the 12 band EQ I had in my last vehicle, it does work pretty well. It also has a Bass Expander and BBE processing - but only for CDs and MP3s. I wish you could use BBE on everything.
The display is ok but not as high end as it could be. The color on black screen looks good in some of the colors, but not all. My interior lighting is amber but the amber looks bad on the display, so I set it to Red which I find is easier to read. Ford owners with green illumination would like the green, and blue looks cool but it doesn't match my car. You can customize your color (R0-8, G0-8, B0-8), but most colors are pre programmed. My HU is mounted right at 30 degrees, so I need to crank the contrast to be able to read it at that angle... but it works.
The remote that comes with it does enough, although it wont navigate menus which might be more useful than anything. Warning... when installing make sure you plug the MIC into the correct port. It also fits in the remote port which is the same size. I made that mistake and only figured out the problem after the MIC and IR remote both didn't work. This suggests to me that the IR remote may not function if you hook up a steering wheel adapter... although I can't be sure.
Overall, for $230 + $25 in harness and antenna adapters, this radio is an affordable unit that really does the trick, especially if you want to maintain a stock look. You can get much flashier units in a single DIN, or go with a touch screen DVD player for more money, but to have a radio that looks like it came in the vehicle, but does stuff that most factory radios cant, look no further!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clarion CX609 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB Port

From its symmetric design with large rotary volume control, to the illumination accented dark color scheme, the 2-DIN CX609 offers dynamic looks that blend into your car interior. And with features like built-in Bluetooth, Direct iPod Control, streaming audio from USB devices, and more, this receiver's a pleasure to use, see and hear.

728 Variable-Color Illumination You're free to select the exact color you want, to match your car's instrument panel or match your mood today.
Built-in Bluetooth For wireless connection with mobile phones, PDAs and MP3 Players. Supports Bluetooth profiles A2DP/AVRCP for audio streaming and HFP/OPP for hands-free operation, so you can easily communicate and transfer digital music to your vehicle's audio system. A wired microphone is also supplied.
CDs and Beyond This receiver will play your CDs and CD-R/RWs, but burn a data CD with your favorite MP3/WMA or iTunes AAC files and the fun begins, with hours of music on a single disc. You can also play the files back from an inserted USB thumb drive. The device will display ID3-TAG info like artist or song name for your added convenience.
AM/FM Radio Sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. Store your favorite radio stations on the 18 FM and six AM presets.
BBE MP (Minimized Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation) By restoring the harmonics that are lost during digital compression of MP3 and WMA audio files, BBE MP reproduces the warmth, details and nuances of sound that you would otherwise miss. Effective for digital audio files and CDs.
Beat EQ with Parametric Equalization In addition to providing 3 preset equalization patterns, BeatEQ even lets you freely customize the level and range of the bass, midrange and treble portions of each pattern with a 3-band parametric equalizer
Direct USB iPod control The USB input on the rear of the CX609 lets you connect your iPod directly without an expensive adapter. Just use your stock iPod cable, and you'll enjoy your favorite iPod tunes, along with complete control and battery charging of your iPod. The unit also supports title display for the tracks playing on your iPod.
SAT Radio Ready Clarion gives you the choice of XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio. Choose either system and you can connect a Satellite Radio receiver with Translator connected via Ce-NET. Enjoy over 150 channels of music, news, talk shows, sports and traffic information with CD quality sound.
Front Panel Auxiliary Input Connect MP3 players or other external audio devices in a snap with the 3.5mm front auxiliary input.
Room to Grow The CX609 gives you a 50W x 4 built-in amplifier to begin with, along with two RCA preamp outputs (F, R/SW) for system expansion.
Remote Control Included Control the action with the included wireless remote.
What's in the Box Clarion CX609, trim ring, wiring harness, remote control, microphone, installation hardware, owner's manual, installation guide.

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Premium Advanced Car Mount Charger Holder for Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS / iPod Touch 2nd and 3rd Gen - Cutting Edge FM Chipset with New DC Surge Protection and Stabilized Flex-Neck with Remote Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It is not so flex-Neck as it said and the mount to the car, it doesn't stay.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Premium Advanced Car Mount Charger Holder for Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS / iPod Touch 2nd and 3rd Gen - Cutting Edge FM Chipset with New DC Surge Protection and Stabilized Flex-Neck with Remote Controller

Many Devices Supported! THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST, many Creative, iRiver, Dell, HTC, LG, Nokia, Palm, SanDisk, and Sony devices supported also!!

Compatible With:

Apple: iPod 3rd Gen. 40GB, 30GB, 15GB, 10GB, 20GB / iPod Classic 160GB, 80GB, 120GB / iPod 4th Gen. 20GB (Color Display), 30GB (Color Display), 60GB (Color Display), 40GB (Photo), U2 Special Edition / iPod Nano 1st Gen. 1GB, 2GB, 4GB / iPod Shuffle 1st Gen. 512Mb / iPod Video 60GB, 30GB, 80GB, U2 Special Edition / iPod Mini 6GB, 4GB / iPod 2nd Gen. 20GB / iPod 1st Gen. 10GB, 5GB / iPhone 1st Gen. 16GB, 4GB, 8GB / iPhone 3G 16GB, 8GB / iPhone 3GS 16GB, 32GB / iPod Nano 2nd Gen. 2GB, 4GB, 8GB / iPod Nano 3rd Gen. 4GB, 8GB / iPod Nano 4th Gen. 16GB, 8GB / iPod Nano 5th Gen. 16 GB, 8 GB / iPod Shuffle 2nd Gen. 1GB, 2GB / iPod Touch 1st Gen. 16GB, 32GB, 8GB / iPod Touch 2nd Gen. 16GB, 32GB, 8GB / iPod Touch 3rd Generation 32 GB, 64 GB

BlackBerry: Bold 9000 / Curve 8300, 8310, 8320, 8330, 8900 / Pearl 8110, 8120, 8130 / Pearl Flip 8220 / Storm 9500 Thunder

Microsoft: Zune 2nd Gen. 4GB, 80GB, 8GB, 120GB, 16GB / Zune 1st Gen. 30GB

Samsung: SGH-F700, SGH-A867 Eternity, SGH-F490, SGH-G810, SPH-M800 Instinct / YP Series YP-K3, YP-K5, YP-P2, YP-S5, YP-T10, YP-T55, YP-T7, YP-T8, YP-T9, YP-U1, YP-U2, YP-U3, YP-Z5A, YP-Z5FA, YP-Z5FQ, YP-Z5Q, YP-Z5Z

Motorola: RAZR VE20 / ROKR E6, E8 / Z Series Krave ZN4

NOTE: When using this FM-transmitter on a iPhone, a message might come up as "This accessory is not made to work with iPhone", and suggest to switch to Airplane Mode. Please click NO to skip the message as this FM-Transmitter is tested to work with the iPhone in both Phone and Airplane mode.

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Black Fusion TPU Protective Crystal Case Cover with Kickstand for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation + Clear Screen Protector for iPod Touch 4th Generation + USB Travel Wall Charger + USB Car Charger + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A bit flimsy for the cost - probably would have returned it if it was just the case that had been purchased. First attempt at getting the case on the phone and the kickstand fell off - it's not connected to the case, simply snaps in place. It is not very sturdy - cough and you will blow your little ipod over when propped up on the kickstand. The chargers, while functional feel very lightweight and 'cheap'. Not worth the hassle to return, but if had it to do over, wouldn't buy this knowing what I know now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black Fusion TPU Protective Crystal Case Cover with Kickstand for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation + Clear Screen Protector for iPod Touch 4th Generation + USB Travel Wall Charger + USB Car Charger + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband

This elegant and stylish case has been Manufactured to fit your iPod Touch 4th Generation. The center of this case has been made of a semi hard plastic material to protect your iPod Touch from any unnecessary bumps, dents, and scratches. The edges of this case have been made of a high-grade TPU skin to compliment your iPod Touch with a soft and smooth texture. . Each opening for the dock connector, charger, and screen was precisely cut to allow full access to every function the iPod Touch 4th Generation offers. This case has also been designed with a plastic kick stand to allow you to rest your iPod Touch on a flat surface and be able to watch your videos comfortably. You'll be impressed with not only the quality, but the style of this cover case. Package also includes a Clear Screen Protector to provide your iPod Touch LCD display screen with protection from dust, dirt, and scratches. + USB Travel Wall Charger and USB Car Charger with LED Power Indicator and Overcharge Protection (Chargers require USB Data Cable that comes with your iPod Touch) + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband

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Coby IR825 Compact Wireless Internet Radio System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not as enthusiastic as the first reviewer since I have other radios to compare it to so I'm giving this Coby radio only 3 stars because of the 2 line display and the user interface being so clunky and hard to use although it plays well. I would give it 4 stars if the interface were improved. There are no knobs, just a lot of buttons on the top that are used for going up and down through a confusing array of menus in order to find anything. The buttons tend to stick, are sometimes hard to push and difficult to find in the dark. It would be easier to use after memorizing the menus but since you can't see them you have to keep them in your head and they are hard to follow on the little 2 line display. Coby has another model, the IR850, with a 6 line display that would be better but it costs more. Other radios with 5-6 line displays are much easier to navigate when you can see the whole menu at one time and have a rotary know to scroll through them. This radio could really benefit from a remote control.
I also have 2 other internet radios, an IR808 similar to the Kaito IR-168 and an RCA/AR RIR205 from Audiovox to compare this to. While the RCA uses Vtuner for it's portal and the IR-168 uses IR168's own site this radio uses the Frontier Silicon wifi radio portal but it seems to be based on Vtuner. Frontier Silicon, in the U.K., designed the radio's processor module, wrote it's firmware and also provides the website for radio makers and owners to use. When I first opened the box and got the radio out and plugged it in, it connected to wifi and got a station right away which was a surprise since I had a lot of trouble getting the first 2 other radios to work at all. I did have to update my wifi router from an old 802.11B to a D-Link DI624 G model a while back though which is a big part of why it worked right out of the box.
The radio is smaller than it looks in the photos. They do say it's compact but it's no bigger than a loaf of pound cake. In spite of the light plastic cabinet it's a lot heavier than I expected. The wifi antenna is hot glued inside the top of the cabinet but the rest of it seems well put together. The speakers look small but produce good sound and are quite loud in spite of only a 2 Watt per channel power rating. I also noticed that it was made by Hip Shing Elect. Co., model IR706. They also make Grace radios and others. Coby doesn't really make anything, they buy items from other manufacturers with the Coby name put on them to resell. I also have a Coby HD AM/FM radio which I like but it's actually a Mondo Revo. One potential drawback to this radio design is that everything is done on the Frontier Silicon web site, even storing Favorites. This means the radio won't work at all if their web site is down. The RCA has a similar design that relies on the RCA/AR web site but some others such as the IR-168 have their own built-in web server that you can browse to with your PC and store Favorite stations directly into the radio's memory.
While other radios tend to have an SD memory slot or USB jack for playing your own music files this radio has neither. They claim it can stream audio from a PC using uPnP with Windows Media Player 11 and the manual even shows how to setup WMP 11 to do streaming, something I've never found explained in other manuals. Other radios such as the IR-168 claim they can do streaming using uPnP too but they don't tell how to do it. I was only able to get that to work in Windows 7 though and not in XP Pro. However, most security experts say to never use uPnP at all and to always keep it disabled because it allows hackers access to your files. If you aren't worried about hackers, have Windows 7 or can get XP to stream and have a lot of music, podcasts or audio books on your PC you want to play then this feature would be handy. There is also a way to get iTunes and VLC media player to stream over wifi to the radio but when I tried that my router kept crashing. One advantage this radio has is the ability to receive KFI and other Clear Channel stations that are difficult for internet radios to get. It won't play if you use the radio to go to Region and browse to LA, Calif. then choose the station however. That just produces a Network Error but if you go on the web site and choose the station and add it as a Favorite then it plays but tends to work intermittantly.
This radio would be the best for someone who only listens to a few stations and can store them in the Preset buttons where they are easy to access. It's not really that great for someone who wants to browse the web a lot, they would want a bigger display and easier to use controls like the IR850. The RIR205 and the IR-168 are both easier to use to browse the web for stations than the Coby.
The build-in FM tuner is more sensitive than I expected and even has RDS, a feature normally found in car radios, to show the station's call letters and the title and artist of the song that's playing on the screen, something that's not mentioned in the manual or on the web site. The FM tuner doesn't get HD stations but the radio has a feature listed under Internet Radio called HDi (also not mentioned in the manual) that has a list of HD2 channels from various stations around the USA that are on the internet. It doesn't get all of them however.
Pros
1. Blue & white display is bright and easy to see but only from the front, not the top where the controls are.
2. Has Help built-in but it's hard to read on the little 2 line display.
3. FM radio plays better than expected, is more sensitive than other radios and has a real whip antenna instead of just a piece of wire hanging out the back but it's not HD.
4. Can receive KFI 640AM but sometimes it works and sometimes you get a network error.
5. Faster than the others to connect to the wifi router and tune in stations.
6. Remembers it's internet settings and it's wifi connection when power is off in spite of not having any backup batteries.
7. Besides internet radio and FM there is also an option to play podcasts and streams from a PC.
Cons
1. Display is only 2 lines and hard to see unless you are right in front so you have to put the radio up at eye level but then it's hard to see the buttons on top. It's also too bright at night and there's no way to turn it down but you could use it for a flashlight or nite lite to illuminate the bedroon.
2, Display doesn't scroll so you have to keep pressing Info to see all the data. It doesn't show the song or artist either when playing internet stations.
3. Volume buttons stick and are harder to operate than a knob.
4. Favorites are hard to add, you have to browse through a long list on the web site to find and select each one and you can only add one at a time.
5. Only has 5 Presets for internet and 5 for FM.
6. Built in wifi antenna not as sensitive as some others that are external.
7. No remote.
8. No SD memory slot or USB connection for playing your music files from flash memory or USB thumbdrives.
9. No Ethernet jack, wifi only. A USB jack on the rear is marked Service Port Authorized Use Only and doesn't seem to do anything.
10. Can only play MP3, WMA and RealAudio file types. At least those are the only types listed on the web site when you add a station. Other radios can also play AAC, WAV and AIFF. The Frontier Silicon prototype this radio is based on can play AAC and the new Grace GDI-IRD4000 is claimed to supported: Real Audio, WMA, MP3, AAC, AAC+, FLAC (lossless), WAV (lossless), AU, AIFF, and OGG Vorbis so it probably just needs a firmware update to play additional formats.
11. There was no user forum available for support like other radios have so I created one on Google Groups called Frontier Silicon Based Internet Radios.
I ended up sending it back because I couldn't explain to anyone in the household how to tune in a station on it. To replace it I got a Coby IR850. It also has 2 big stereo speakers with good sound but is much easier to operate and has a remote control. The buttons on top are easier to use and it has a big display that's easy to read. They have a problem with the display backlight LEDs burning out early but they are not hard to replace. Directions for doing that are also on the Frontier Silicon Radio Google Group.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coby IR825 Compact Wireless Internet Radio System (Black)

Coby's IR825 puts cutting-edge radio in a compact package. Featuring both wireless internet and FM receiver, this compact system receives broadcasts from both traditional and web radio. Programmable station memory lets you save your favorite channels, digital or analog. Additional features include full-range stereo speakers, alarm clock function, and 3.5-millimeter headphone jack for private listening.

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