simplemoney's Full Review: iRiver iFP-790 (256 MB) MP3 Player
Into exercising and want to listen to music while working out, well there are a number of flash players to choose from - this review looks at the IRiver 790. Not using it for exercising - then buy an IPod, there is no better player for non-physical activity listening.
What You Get
Player (built in microphone)
Headphones
Headphone EarPiece Mesh (4)
Armband
USB Cable
Software
AA Battery
Setup
The battery compartment opened easily and the AA battery went in without any problems. The AA battery is almost as big the the entire player. Put three AA batteries together with one on top to form a pyramid. That is essentially the size of the IRiver player.
The software installed on my Pentium 2.4 GHz Windows XP computer without a hitch. After the IRiver application opened I plugged in the 790 to the USB cable and it was instantly recognized by the software.
The player starts by holding down the Play button for a couple of seconds. Push the play button again and one of the pre-installed music files begins to play.
Use
The first thing you'll find yourself using is the IRiver's software to transfer files. You have to use the software because Windows will not recognize the IRiver as a removeable drive. Which is too bad, considering the Rio Forge is recognized as such and can be used on a friend's computer who does not have the proprietary software. So if you ever plan on using the IRiver at another computer, keep your installation CD handy or if you want to use the IRiver at work, you better have local Administrator privileges to install the software.
Transferring a couple of songs to the player was easy. You can make subfolders and transfer files into the root directory, or the subfolders. Once the songs are on the player you can create playlists. What??? you say. AFTER the songs are on the player. Unfortunately, yes. You can NOT transfer your playlists to this player. Idiotic, stupid oversight by the IRiver engineers.
Use - on the run
One of the dumbest things people do is design a product and not use it for the very purpose it is sold. In this case exercising. So I took the IRiver for a run and attempted to use it while jogging - with my hands shaking. I found the IRiver well designed. Once knowing which buttons to push, it was relatively easy to switch between the player and the FM Tuner, to open a subfolder and play different songs.
FM Tuner
Remarkably good for such a small device. I live about 25 miles outside the city of Albany, NY and the radio towers are even further away (probably 30-35 miles). While this player can't get reception anywhere near as good as your car radio, it did bring in about six stations well (the car could get about twenty). Well six isn't so good you might say, but when compared to the Rio Forge, the Forge FM tuner picked up all of 1 station (and that was loaded with static).
Recording
Absolutely fabulous. Record from the FM radio, talk into the microphone or from any line in (you can hook up your old cassette deck to the player and record if you want). Quality was very good (for an MP3 file) and if you have the whole 256MB of memory available, expect about 18 minutes of recording time.
Accessories
Armband
I've heard some complain that the armband is too small. Well I'm a small guy I guess, because my arms would have to grow about 4 inches in diameter before the armband became unusable. It secured the player extremely well - there is absolutely zero chance this player could fall out, plus it is securely behind a plastic window to prevent the glass faceplate from getting scratched.
Headphones
Get out your wallet - you're going to need new ones, unless your ears are perfectly sized for the standard headphones. The quality is very good (though far from excellent and a great pair of headphones are always a worthy expense), but they don't fit that well. Plus the plastic buds need to be fitted with the earpiece mesh that come with the player. They give you 4 (two pairs), but I'm assuming they can't last forever or they wouldn't give you two pairs. Since the plastic earbuds only have the very thin mesh between your ears and the plastic, they weren't very comfortable and they fell out unless you really shove them in your ear.
Maybe if my ear was a different size these headphones would have been fine, but regardless I'd buy a new pair just for the quality.
What's Missing?
Funny thing is that the IRiver 790 is missing something I find extremely useful in an MP3 player - a stopwatch. Available on the Rio Forge, I found myself frustrated strapping on a Timex IronMan just to get the stopwatch. Sure it might not seem like a big thing, but this IS a sport player, right?
Conclusion
There is definitely room to create a better sport MP3 player. The IRiver lacks a stopwatch, simple playlist support and great headphones. The Rio Forge 256 lacks a quality FM tuner and microphone recording (though it can record from the FM tuner, which isn't much use if you just hear static). If you want a player, either works, but the IRiver has a slight edge, even though it is an imperfect product.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 151 Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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