Iriver has done it again, T10's an Incredible value for $150!
Written: Sep 15 '05 (Updated Sep 17 '05)
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Pros: 512MB, $150.00, EXCELLENT SOUND, VERY SMALL, Reliable Company.
Cons: Strange Shape, Larger Hands may have a hard time on buttons.
The Bottom Line: On a whim I upgraded simply for extra storage space, but really LOVE this model. For the price, it's unbelievable.
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| gsx1300r's Full Review: iRiver T10 (512 MB) MP3 Player |
The T10 (512MB) is the latest upgrade in my personal Iriver journey. I have had it for a few days and am happy to own it. This is replacing the IFP-890 (256 MB)
First observations out of the box.
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IMPROVEMENTS over the prior models.
COLOR screen. Definitely not necessary, but nice. Apparently this model can display .bmp files, but I have not yet found any files to experiment with. Email me if that’s important to you and I’ll try it out. They’ve also squeezed more information onto it, so that you can see in MP3 mode: the current time, play mode, whether the “hold” button is locked, battery status, song title, playing time, total time, and progress bar; in FM mode: Stereo status, frequency, preset status/channel number, the frequency range/bar (where on the dial you are). The menus are also much nicer to view on this screen than with past models, since they are able to fit all your choices on the screen at once, rather than having to flip through choices. It’s also nicer for finding FM presets, since you can see your numbered choices at once.
A CLOCK at all times! The 890 had a clock, but only during MP3 playing mode, not during FM use. The T10’s clock stays on even when in FM mode. Finally, I can know the time while I run. I never wear a watch when I run and having a clock on the player is definitely a NICE feature. Not having it while listening to FM on the old model was a minor annoyance.
Armband. As with each version of the Iriver I have owned, I noticed the armband has been improved again. Instead of the wide foamy armband with a hook to adjust it's length, this model comes with a flexible (but still sturdy) case that slides onto the player and hooks onto the armband, which is an elastic armband with Velcro. A big problem that I reported for the old player was that the armband did not leave much room for growth – very big biceps would not have fit (unfortunately that does not apply to me, and I had room).
Neck strap. The lanyard to wear it around your neck has once again been improved. Instead of the plastic snap and clip, presumably to hold the headphone wire in place, this model has an adjustable lanyard for your neck with a loop at the end that the player can clip onto. The player’s clip is sturdy and built right into the end of the unit, similar to a large, flat keychain. If not being clipped through the loop on the end of the lanyard, you could clip it onto a belt hoop or strap of a bag – or a keychain, I guess. Very clever.
Overall feel. The buttons still feel durable and they have not changed much to the look of the player except for some the main “joystick” like button has been flattened and the directional buttons (up, down, left, & right) are situated around the button. At first, I was very disappointed, thinking that I would not be able to change stations or flip through songs easily but I quickly got used to the new button and have no complaints, overall. Still I preferred the old “joystick” but this arrangement is OK, too. I suspect (though not in my case) the button was fragile and maybe broke for other users?
Overall appearance. It's got an awkward shape. . It’s not symmetrical and I don’t know why they opted for this shape. At the end of the unit, it looks as though it’s bent upwards for no apparent reason. I’ll get used to that, but don’t know why they did it.
Earbuds. The quality of the included earbuds are as good as the prior models. This time Iriver has put their own name on the earbuds, so I am not sure if they are still made by seinheiser, but the appear to be the same as the earbuds from my last unit. This time they chose the type of wire that's equal length on right and left sides. I prefer this and do not like the type with one side being longer. Previous models have switched back and forth -who knows why they keep switching.
Duracell AA Battery.
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Just like the prior models, this one came with a Duracell AA battery. So many other companies either don't provide a battery or give one that'll only last you a short while. Iriver spends the extra $1 on a Duracell, and I think that says something about the company.
Included cables.
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You get the USB2 cable, which you need to transfer files to and from the player.
Music Formats.
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I have never tried an OGG file, but have been hearing a lot about them. This player is able to play the OGG files, as well as the MP3 standard and WMA files. The desktop software they include allows you to "rip" OGG files from an audio CD. I'm not planning to test them right now, since my entire music collection is already in mp3 format, but if anyone wants to know and emails me privately, I'll give it a whirl.
Windows Media Player (WMP) 10 compatibility. Once you connect this gadget to the computer, Windows (xp, at least) immediately asks whether you wish to synch with Windows Media. If you don’t have WMP 10, don’t worry, it’s included on the cd that comes with the Iriver. I don’t use the Windows Media Player much, but am now considering switching to it just because it seems like a nice feature. Also, you can use any play lists you already have created, so that’s a nice feature.
Observations after some use.
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This player comes with a USB2 cable and the transfers are lightning fast. I imagine for those who update the songs very often, this will save a lot of time waiting for the transfers. For me, 512 mb of music will last over a month before I need to change the songs.
Battery Life. They say up to 53 hours, where my older model said 40. I have not had it long enough to say if 53 is true, but so far after at least 4 hours of use and an hour of transferring files back & forth testing the unit, etc., I still show the battery as full. I will post follow-ups to my review specifically on battery life after I've gone through a few of them. I only use the player about 40 minutes a day normally, and I just didn't want to wait 3 weeks to post this review!
This model does not have the ability to record from a line-in plug. You cannot plug the unit directly into a record player, a cd player, or an 8-track player, as you could on my old model. I used my prior model to record some self-improvement cassette tapes and some impossible to find on CD music I still had on tape, and it worked very nicely. Not having that feature, while relatively unimportant, will be missed.
Sound output is exactly the same in my opinion, as the my prior model. They have added several “equalizer settings” to the menus, but the ones I use sound the same.
The Menu system is about the same as the prior model. Very intelligent grouping of options and they make a lot of use from the joystick and 3 buttons. You would not believe how quickly you get used to flipping through songs or stations with only one finger while you're running or exercising.
FM Stereo. Seems to be a little better than the prior model. Doesn't lock-in to stations 100% of the time, but is reasonably good and works better than some of the other mp3 players with built-in FM. (I've had a few and mention them in my other review if you're interested). Occasionally, while running around I hear static, but, if I remain in one location, it's hardly ever a problem. This unit drifts a little less than the older model, but still it does drift as I run.
FM Recording. Not a new feature for Iriver, but now you can set the alarm to record a station when you're sleeping or doing something else. You can record Howard Stern in the morning even before you wake up!
Alarm clock. You can have the player turn on at a predetermined time, but unless you can sleep with the earbuds, I'm not sure how useful that would be.
For use as a recorder, I have noticed no difference in this unit from the prior model. There are 3 settings: low, medium, and high quality. You can record MANY hours of audio and the quality is reasonably good. And transferring the files back to your PC is much faster, so if you do want to record voice, you will definitely benefit by the speed of USB2.
The unit can be used as a storage device. Out of the package, it was recognized by my system as a removable drive. It will also work with the included Iriver desktop – which does not appear to have change. I plugged the unit in, waited for windows to recognize & install whatever it installed, and under My Computer, I had the T10 listed. I simply dragged files to it and they were there, like magic.
Iriver updates their firmware very regularly - at least once a month, I'd say. They have a public forum on their website (the international site at www.IRiver.com) on which users make suggestions and complaints, etc.. (I would avoid the USA site, though. They don't seem to update their files regularly and they don't respond to emails). Iriver International definitely appears to take the users' suggestions seriously and has several times offered firmware upgrades to address concerns and complaints. The upgrade process is quick and painless and anyone would be able to figure it out.
If you're in the FM mode, there's one-touch recording. Similarly, if you're in voice recording mode, it also has one-touch recording.. it can be set to record only when there's sound, too.
It functions as a USB drive, but the only downside, is you need the cable with you (or you'll have to buy a second) to transfer files between machines. (Unlike some other gadgets & mp3 players with the USB plug built in).
Voice & FM recordings can be transferred to the PC, regardless of whether you have the default firmware or the USB drive firmware. The files are named .REC but when you connect the player to the computer & drag them over, they're instantly (and quickly) changed to .mp3. The file size only changes by a byte or two, so I think they're actually recorded in mp3, and simply renamed, but I'm not sure.
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Here are some of the “obvious” features I’ve left out of prior reviews, and always been asked later:
Basic operation as an MP3 player: Repeat 1, repeat folder and stop, repeat folder repeatedly, repeat repeatedly. Shuffle (randomly) all, shuffle folder and stop, shuffle folder repeatedly. Intro mode allows you to hear the first 10 seconds of each track in order. You can set this to up to a minute each if you like.
Interval repeat (A/B): set a start and end point and play it back repeatedly. This is useful if you are trying to learn the words to a song, or perhaps for musicians who want to learn the music in a part of a song.
You can program the order to play the files.
You can delete files or whole folders from the player (useful if you want to record radio or voice and you have limited space at that moment). You can even format the entire device at once.
Tuner functions: Auto scan for strong stations, and preset mode that lets you store up to 20 stations.
There are 12 pre-set EQ's, one of which you can customize to your own liking.
There is a built-in microphone. When recording, there is direct encoding 11.025 khz - 44.1 khz, 8kbps - 320kbps.
The menu system is intuitive and graphical with very simple navigation. The display shows song number, play time, playback mode, battery life, name of the folder you're in, name of the artist/file, file format, bit rate, sample rate, and the equalizer you choose and clock.
Some of the specs from the manufacturer's website, for the techies:
General Continuous Playback Time: Approx. 53 Hours (MP3, 128kbps, 44.1kHz, EQ Normal, Vol 20, LCD Off)
Connection Type USB 2.0
Equalizer 10 EQ, User EQ and SRS WOW
Dimensions Approx. 85.8 x 40.8 x 29.4 mm
Weight Approx. 49g (Excluding battery)
Operational Temperature -5 ~ 40
Voice Recording Yes
FM Recording Yes
Audio Frequency Range 20Hz~20kHz
Headphone Output Power 15mW(R) __mW(L) (16 Ohm) at Max. Volume
S/N Ratio 90dB : A weighted
No. Channels Stereo (L+R)
FM Tuner Frequency Range 87.5MHz ~ 108MHz
S/N Ratio 60dB : A weighted
Antenna Headphone / Earphone-Cord Antenna
File support Audio File Type MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3, WMA, ASF, OGG
Bit Rate MP3, WMA: 8Kbps ~ 320Kbps
OGG: Up to Q10
Tag ID3 V1 Tag, ID3 V2 2.0, ID3 V2 3.0, ID3 V2 4.0
Image File Type BMP**
Display Main Set Display CSTN 65,000 color LCD with colorful GUI
Power Supply Battery AA Alkaline battery 1 EA
O/S*** Windows requirement Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
MAC requirement MAC OS 9.2.2 or higher / Mac OS X 10.1.4 or higher and CarbonLib 1.6 or higher
* 1GB=1,000MB = 1,000,000,000Byte. Not all memory space available for file storage.
** The BMP is supported up to 24bit depth.
*** US and EU models support only Windows XP with WMP10
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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Epinions.com ID:
gsx1300r
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: pete weinman
Location: Staten Island, NY
Reviews written: 61
Trusted by: 9 members
About Me:
Husband, Daddy, NYC Marathon Runner, and motorcycle rider. You can trust me, I'm a lawyer.
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