Oregon Scientific Waterproof MP3 Player

[Susquehannock]

Anyone have one of these or can share personal experiences with them? Have been considering buying a portable MP3 player but have been apprehensive because they are so delicate & susceptible to water damage. I want something I can take fishing, hiking, and camping without fear of moisture or dropping it in the water. From what they say you can take the Oregon Scientific player swimming - and it's good to depths of 3 meters for 30 minutes.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Company Web Page ~ http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=4&scid=11&pid=601

Review ~ http://www.creativemac.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=36455-0

P. S. - Before anyone says it - Yes I already looked into the iPod. No interest in dealing with iTunes & format change (MP4/M4A). The click-wheel is very nice yet that is not a priority. The Nano with it flash memory is more robust yes, but still not very durable overall. Portability & durability are my main goals. Thank you

 

[Auric]

Seems rather pricey. Water resistance is one fing but is it really durable? Dirt and scratches at the very least could remain an issue in rugged environs. Have you considered just sealing a player in plastic during such useage (small zip freezer bag or such with cord hole taped up)?

 

[oynaz]

I agree with Auric. Get a cheap player, eg. Creative Muvo, and throw it in a plastic bag. It should be able to take most abuse this way, and it is so cheap that it is not really a great loss if it breaks.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What headphones would you use to take it for a swim???

 

[Susquehannock]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I have considered the plastic bag option. Does not work all that well, especially for long periods and wide temperature ranges. As example, I know someone who ruined their Nano that way. No immersion in water, just the humidity in the trapped air precipitating out when the temp. dropped, thus creating condensation. Since the warranty didn't cover water damage regardless of the circumstances he was out of luck.

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
What headphones would you use to take it for a swim???

The included waterproof earphones perhaps?

Originally posted by: oynaz
I agree with Auric. Get a cheap player, eg. Creative Muvo, and throw it in a plastic bag. It should be able to take most abuse this way, and it is so cheap that it is not really a great loss if it breaks.

Well, I don't know. Would rather buy one player that is waterproof than take the disposable approach.

How the Oregon player came to my attention was from a local public radio broadcast. They have a tech show once a month and today one of the gadgets reviewed was the Oregon. The speaker had been using it for a month for swimming and all sorts of things. Including letting his kids have at it for a while. He even dropped it into a cup of water at the beginning of the show and played it while still immersed 45 minutes later.
-edit-
They also did the same thing to a new Verizon cell phone which is supposed to be built to military specs. Have no info about that item.

 

[Auric]

If you can manage to vacuum seal a bag then condenstation won't be a problem. I do that as a matter of course with food (suck the air out while sealing). The only possible snag is sealing the cord hole. A rubber grommet might help.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
What headphones would you use to take it for a swim???

My thoughts exactly.

The vacuum sealed idea might just work, until you scratch a hole in the bag/covering.

I dunno how expensive this player is, but why not try it, just keep the receipt in case it's a piece of crap.

 

[w00t]

you can probably get water-proof cover for popular portable players.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger

The vacuum sealed idea might just work, until you scratch a hole in the bag/covering.

Even common freezer bags are rather durable.

 

[oynaz]

Yeah, PE-LD FTW!

 

[fishmonger12]

a friend of mine takes on of these with her when she swims laps. She says it's good as far as waterproofness goes (ie she swims laps with it for an hour and a half 3 times a week). Says the sound quality isn't the best.

Don't know anything about the durability, but it looks pretty rugged.

 

[Aluvus]

Another review.

 

[chansigrilian]

i've eyed one of these up for a minute now for when i'm swimming. think i'll give it a go after christmas...