Oregon Scientific (MP120BL512C) Waterproof MP3 Player 512MB
Designed for the outdoor enthusiast who spelunks to his or her own soundtrack, the Oregone Scientific MP120 digital audio player combines a waterproof (submerged to 1 meter for 30 minutes) and shockproof design with an impressive list of advanced features. It's compatible with both MP3 and WMA audio formats and has a 512 MB internal flash memory that will hold 8 hours of CD-quality MP3 audio or 16 hours of WMA. This lightweight multifunction device also includes an FM tuner with 30 presets and can act as a digital voice recorder and USB mass storage drive.
The rounded edges fit nicely in the palm of your hand, and it features a small blue backlit LCD that displays a track's ID3 tags and the song's time. It's built-in rechargeable battery has a playing time of approximately 10 hours. Other features include ultra-fast USB 2.0 connectivity, compatibility with Windows and Mac platforms, and 5 preset equalizer modes.
What's in the Box
512 MB MP120 digital audio player, waterproof stereo earphones, USB cable, carrying pouch, and CD-ROM with software
1 Overall Review
I purchased this product at J&R for around $149.00. I got it because I wanted something small and light with a FM tuner that could be used for running. I also had an impression that OS was a good company. It was my first MP3 player purchase.
I hooked up the device and installed the software on Win 2k with no problems. I loaded up a couple of albums pretty easily. The digimusic software provided with it is reasonable good, albeit somewhat slow.
However, my first indication that something was up when I charged it for about 4 hours and it didn't indicate a full charge. I took it out for a run and within 5 minutes the unit shut down and stopped functioning completely. I tried to get it to work by plugging it back in, but to no avail. I ended up returning it to J&R for a full refund.
I didn't get much time to play with all its features, but here's a quick set of pros and cons. Overall, I am glad I did not get stuck with this unit, of course, I haven't found a good one yet to replace it.
Pros
1. light
2. nice design, seemingly sturdy
3. one year warranty (rio is 90 days)
4. supposedly water proof (1 meter), a salesman tried to say it was for 'divers'
5. good strong clip (but tight)
6. rechargable battery
Cons
1. it broke
2. the sound volume is ridiculously low, you couldn't hear it unless you turned it way up. I wonder if at its max whether I would be able to hear well with traffic.
3. it comes basically in two pieces and to plug it in/charge it you have to unscrew the smaller bottom part. The headphones are built into the bottom piece, which you have to leave off if you want to use other head phones.
4. The water proof earplugs don't really work well.
5. It comes with a bizarre pouch, but no arm strap.
6. The screen is really small and hard to read. The radio is hard to manuever around in, in either the preset of freq mode.
7. I played with RIO forge player and found its features much more intuitive and useful than the OS player.
8. charges (slowly: 3 hours) via USB, no external charger and does not charge when your computer is off
9. the buttons are really, really small and hard to press
2 Great Player..... Not So Great Headphones
I bought this player for lap swim but it is impossible to keep the earbuds in my ears. The player works great but just not for lap swim. I use it now in the hot tub.
3 First solution that works for waterproof music
I got this as a Christmas present and I love it. I had tried 2 attempts at waterproof music in the past (a waterproof case for a regular mp3 player, and a waterproof radio made by speedo), and both were miserable failures. It works really well for lap swimming. I have 2 suggestions for improvement- wish the volume went up higher, becuase sometimes the earbuds come slightly out of my ears and it's hard to hear. Also, the cord to the ear buds is too long and drags in the water, I have to tuck it into my suit.
4 Trash, do not purchase
I bought the 512MB version of this product, plugged it into my computer to charge (it charges from the USB port), it flickered a few times then died completely. I contacted their customer service and have had absolutely no response or action. Apparently all they are interested in is taking your money and sending you a rather expensive plastic paperweight, as it can be used for almost nothing else. Build quality is also very poor (it is made in China). Shame on Oregon Scientific for selling such a piece trash and then not even answering any of the customer queries for return or replacement.
