BoCo

Holy shit does that thing ever suck a big set of nuts! I bought a 20GB iPod last Friday because I figured it'd be a great MP3 player, and in less than a day I already returned it. Here is my list of grevances:

1) The touch-sensitive buttons are too sensitive. When I put it in my pocket and walked around, the material from my pocket touched the buttons and caused tracks to change and the volume to adjust. Also, they're so damn sensitive that just about anytime you pick it up or remove it from a pocket you're bound to hit one and make something change.

2) The bass expander is absolutely worthless. I could barely tell any difference at all by turning it on and off, and it doesn't allow you to adjust how much bass you want as far as I could tell. It really needs a 5-10 band EQ instead.

3) Any button you accidentally touch turns the unit on. It needs an On/Off button that's not touch-sensitive so you can turn it off and have it stay off. Having to use the Hold button everytime you turn it off is a pain in the ass.

4) The Hold button is too low-profile and difficult to quickly turn on and off. Apple was more concerned about style than user friendliness apparently.

5) It costs way too damn much compared to other players.

6) You can't drag-and-drop files. However, since most players use some sort of program to manage files this isn't just an iPod problem.

7) The volume doesn't go nearly high enough. I could easily crank it all the way to max without it being painful.

8) The remote control is too long. When you plug it in and attach a headphone cord to it, it's like 3' long altogether. WTF are you supposed to do with all that cord?

9) The menu system is lame. You have to hit the Menu button about 3-5 times to get back to the main screen from where you are.

10) No off button? I don't have 3 seconds to waste everytime I want to turn it off. Again, it needs a separate On/Off button.

11) White sucks. Make it black and it'd look a lot better.

12) The chrome backing will be finger-printed forever. It's impossible to keep it looking nice.

I'm sure there would be other things I'd hate about it if I had kept it a few days longer, but that's all I could think of for now. When I returned it, I picked up a Rio Nitrus instead. It only holds 1.5GB of music, but that's more than enough for over 24 hours solid of music. I can't imagine the need to take more than that with me at any time. It's buttons take some pressure to push in which means you won't hit them with your pocket or accidently adjust something when you take it out of your pocket or bag. It's also about half the size of the iPod...and it's black! Pretty much every feature I hate on the iPod is not a problem with the Nitrus except for not being able to drag-and-drop music files like you would with a USB drive. Also, the Nitrus costs half as much as the 20GB iPod.

I hope this saves someone from wasting time and buying an iPod like I did.

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Great Scott

Not that your Rio is a bad player, but I am convinced that the way to go is creative. My zen nomad 2.0 is everything the Ipod should have been for much less cost. The creative line of flash based players is just top. They also have a device, the rhomba, which os very similar that what you picked up and works through windows as a plug and play device (supports drag and drop)

sailor

Thats what the hold button is for. *Any* player will do the same thing.

It comes with a bunch of different presets. Choose the one you want. I do think that it should have a true EQ, but of all the preset choices, there has to be one you want. Keep in mind also that most of the problem with bass is the fault of the speakers, not the unit.

Again, thats what the hold button is for. I dont think its a pain in the ass--I did it for every other portable I have ever owned.

I dont think so. Its the perfect size as far as I am concerned.

This is true. But its a lot smaller too, which is important to me, seeing as its primary usage is in my pocket on the way to class.

No harddrive based player can. They all use databases to keep track of all the songs. Dragging and dropping means there would be no write to this database. You *can* drag and drop data files onto it though.

Painful or not, it goes loud enough. Louder and it would be risking damage to your ears. I havent ever come across a situation where I couldnt turn mine up loud enough, including on an airplane.I dont have one, cant comment

Again, I dont know of any other player that does it better. In fact, this one is by far the best I have seen. My father has one of the Dell jukeboxes, and compared to that, the iPod is a dream. And seeing as it doesnt take but a few milliseconds to go from menu to menu, I dont think it really matters anyways.

The way it is now works for me. Having extra buttons only clutters things.

Thats just your personal preference. Personally, I like white better. But I do believe they are producing colored iPods soon...

That is true.

To sum it up, most of your gripes are merely personal preferences. Me, I havent been happier with a product in a long time.

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drawerfixer

I love my iPod. I'm an Apple bitch though.

Anyway, I just wanted to confirm that the remote cord is way too long. I have to stuff a lot of cord into my pant pocket.

I don't regret my decision though. Best of luck with your MP3 player.

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rubicon

If the cord was too short you'd all be complaining too! You people are PICKY!

There are lots of choices these days so who cares whether anyone likes the iPod, Rio, or some other piece of overpriced consumer electronics living on the good graces of your disposable income.

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bobson

i have to disagree about the hold switch...i find it easy to flick it with my thumb and i put my iPod in our take it out of my pocket....no worries at all.

Very big agreeance on the remote cord length...i currently dont use the remote because of that.

and there is a little program called euPOD VolumeBoost which you can get from http://www.ipodlounge.com which solves volume worries...worked great on my iPod.

sixate

I was gonna buy an iPod, but after BoCo told me it's a flaming pile of poo I know not to. We have the same taste in stuff like this, and he just saved me having to type out a rant about what a piece of shit it is.

bundy

i got an ipod a few weeks ago.

absolutely no complaints here. in fact, i frigging love it.

but, i do have to agree with the cord problem... it is too long... and i've got that remote attachment, which means theres twice the cord...

but hey, its a small price to pay.

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cycloptor

i got an ipod for christmas. i love it. menus are great and simple. the touch buttons are hella cool, hold switch is nice. no complaints at all.

why bitch about the colour? if you dont like white why get it? i think it looks clean and beautiful. and fyi i remember reading that apple were producing small numbers in black. i believe it was ign.com or something. and the new mini ipod is coming in many fruity flavors.

bottom line. do your homework before buying something to avoid whining and bitching later.