Reviews

1

Ipod Lounge,

Regarding Ng's write up on the the iSport: I really thought that this product would overcome the limits of my beloved iPod (20 minute skip protection). However, in the three times that I've used it I've had the same problem with my iPod crashing. It takes a little longer to happen but it still happens. I think that the solution will have to come with an improvement in the iPod and not the iPod accessories.

P.S. Love this site!

Posted by Reuben Saval on September 23, 2003 at 2:36 PM (PDT)

2

Dudes, don't be fooled by Apple's hype. Every hard disk player in the world is going to have issues with rough motion, and eventually crap out. You want to trash your 30GB hard disk and all your files during some vigorous jogging? No way! Do as I did and get a solid state player. No moving parts, nothing to break, nothing to skip. IRiver make some particularly nice ones:

http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/flash_index.asp

They are smaller, lighter, and more battery than an iPod. And a lot cheaper!

Posted by SolidState on September 23, 2003 at 3:27 PM (PDT)

3

I had the same experience as Reuben Saval. I used the iSport three or four times and found no improvement - in fact, because it is more difficult to access the iPod, I found it less convenient than other packs when I inevitably had to re-set the unit during my run. I have since returned the iSport.

Posted by Steve Peeples on September 24, 2003 at 1:37 PM (PDT)

4

Update on the iSport!

Through some experimentation I've been able to get at least 35 minutes use running without skipping. I moved the iSport higher on my torso off of my hips. I'm hoping that this repositioning will do the trick for a really long run. All of the pictures in the ads have the pack low on the hips. However, it created too much jarring.

Posted by Reuben Saval on September 29, 2003 at 6:07 PM (PDT)

5

There's a better solution. Switch to road biking. Consider your iPod crashing to be a warning: "If I'm crashing all the time, what do you think this sport is doing to your body?!" I gave up running two years ago after my soccer-injured knees decided they didn't like it anymore, switched to road-biking, and haven't looked back. It's more fun (faster), much better for your body *and* iPod, and if you thought your legs were buff as a runner, wait till you've been biking for a few months.

Posted by Byron on October 3, 2003 at 5:43 PM (PDT)

6

forget this product guys. I tried a friend's model when running in Europe and had problem after problem. don't run with the ipod.
check out the new showcase from Contour. won't solve the disk issue but at least will look way better. had pretty much the same experience as Reuben. have to agree solid state may be the way.

Posted by Jaldi on October 7, 2003 at 8:50 AM (PDT)

7

the issue here is not with the iPod's engineering. the issue here is that you all choose to torutre yourself by running over 20 mins. clearly, Steve Jobs put in the 20 min skip protection to force you back to your macs to purchase more product instead of narcissistically caring for your bodies. take your light aerobic sweat, follow the skips, and head back to your computer and keep Apple in business. think of the issue as a sort of digital house arrest bracelet.

Posted by clearly on October 22, 2003 at 8:29 AM (PDT)

8

lol @ clearly

to Byron, you would have to spend twice the time biking as you do running just to get a similar work out. Not to mention the weather requirements for biking rarely apply to runners (avid runners that is-we always find a way). Personally, i both bike and run, i would never give up running in a million years. You just don't get that runners high on a bike.

Personally, I just carry the ipod in my hands with the original clip case. I've never dropped it and if I want to switch songs, it's as easy as pie.

In fact, that's one of the reasons I bought an Ipod. Both my solid state mp3 player and my hard drive mp3 player crapped out on me so instead of getting another of both, i just pooled my resources and got the ipod. I know I couldn't just clip it to my waste without it skipping but it being so light and small, i had no qualms just carrying it.

Posted by cpndv on October 22, 2003 at 1:17 PM (PDT)

9

cpndv,

If you can do both, more power to you. But I don't think it's a 2:1 time ratio for equal workouts. It's a 4:1 distance ratio, a century on a bike is roughly equivalent to a marathon, minus the pounding your body takes, but the bike goes roughly four times as fast, so the time is about the same. Weather requirements are surely an issue, though. Windchill on the bike in winter ain't pleasant, fo sho. And runners are less of a target for road rage. But it's also hard to beat the thrill of self-propelled speed on the bike. Talk about a high. wink

Posted by Byron on October 22, 2003 at 3:15 PM (PDT)

10

The last time I checked this was page meant for discussing iPod stuff, not what's better running or biking.

What's up with all the advice?

Posted by Reuben on October 23, 2003 at 5:37 PM (PDT)

11

So whats the conclusion here guys? I was thinking about getting the iPod, and restricting its use to treadmill and weights work, rather than running outdoors, until I saw this product. It doesnt seem to do much good at all, I might as well run on the treadmill, and rest it on the water bottle holder.

Posted by paul on October 23, 2003 at 8:29 PM (PDT)

12

I just received a 40G, $500 iPod as a gift. I was hoping this would be a great replacement for my old Walkman on my tedious long runs. Unfortunately the iPod consistently skipped or crashed after 20 minutes of running (both when it was clipped to my waist and when I placed it in a neoprene waist pouch) Hoping that my iPod was just defective I searched the net for feedback on this problem. It seems that there really is no solution for HD MP3 players like the iPod when it comes to running. Though it still may have its uses for the car or traveling, can anyone recommend a good MP3 player for long distance running?
Thanks!

Posted by Marco on December 30, 2003 at 12:46 AM (PDT)

13

For LD running, as has already been mentioned, an iRiver flash unit. They do not hold as much as an iPod, but they will not crash. It is basically a stick of memory, versus a hard drive that the iPod (and Dell DJ) uses. iPods are wonderful...except for outdoor running.

Personally, I cannot run/bike outside with music on. I do not trust the traffic.
Cheers!
~cQ

Posted by ~cQ on January 15, 2004 at 3:05 AM (PDT)

14

I am thinking of replacing my Nomad II with an iPod mini. I am an avid bodybuilder and was wondering what other people's experiences have been with the hard drive based units during this type of exercise?

Posted by TJ on April 15, 2004 at 6:33 AM (PDT)

15

After reading the review I bought my isport expecting my 7+ miles runs hands free and skip free. Did I get this? No! Everything about this product is brilliant (as you don’t need to change albums and so on while on the move) except the fact that it doesn’t fulfil it’s basic and most fundamental job; DON’T LET THE IPOD SKIP.
If I were you and thinking of buying one of these for road running, I would look elsewhere.

Posted by euros in wales on October 30, 2004 at 8:48 AM (PDT)

16

Works with 4g, too (quite well, I might add)

Posted by punkrockavocado in VA on February 2, 2005 at 1:29 PM (PDT)

17

Just get an i-pod shuffle; it's skip free and only costs twice as much as this case.

Posted by leemac on February 7, 2005 at 9:07 AM (PDT)

18

I have an iRiver 1gb flash mp3 player that I was using before I got my iPod. I'm an avid runner (approx. 45-50 miles/wk at about 7-8 miles a clip), and I have to say that for running, the iRiver is the best, hands down. It's super light and never skips - even if you were to shake the crap out of it. The same cannot be said for my ipod. However, I have about 9 gigs of mp3s and it's a pain to switch out songs every so often instead of just carrying them all with you like you can the iPod.

I do most of my running on the treadmill since concrete and asphalt kill my knees and legs. When I do, I just rest my ipod on the console and it never skips. Does anyone know how long of a "break" the ipod needs before you reach the 20 minute skip barrier when running on the street?

Posted by cartervt2k on July 13, 2005 at 7:04 AM (PDT)

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