RipFlash DX 128MB Digital Voice Recorder and MP3/WMA Player
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Super sucks!
  • 8 Hour Voice Recorder at Great Price!
  • Great solution for mp3/wma listening and recording
  • REMARKABLE RECORDER/PLAYER for its size and price.
  • A great product!
RipFlash DX 128MB Digital Voice Recorder and MP3/WMA Player

Manufacturer: PoGo! Products
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Digital Voice RecordersDigital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
128 MB to 512 MB128 MB to 512 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 PlayersMP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Block ProductsBlock Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
PoGo! ProductsPoGo! Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
  2. Fellowes Nylon CD Album (320-Disc Capacity) Fellowes Nylon CD Album (320-Disc Capacity)
  3. Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Home Theater Headphones Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Home Theater Headphones
  4. Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue) Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue)
  5. Sony MDR-G57G S2 Sports Street Style Headphones with Reflective Ear Piece Sony MDR-G57G S2 Sports Street Style Headphones with Reflective Ear Piece

Product Features:
  • First of its kind digital-music player with direct MP3, WMA encoding--no PC required
  • 128 MB storage holds 4 hours of near-CD-quality WMA audio
  • Over 30 hours storage for WMA voice recording; internal microphone included
  • ID3 tag support (shows track and artist names) and backlit display
  • Offers SD/MMC memory expansion slot and stereo earbuds with in-line remote control

ASIN: B00006RVH1

Product Description

Using the efficient WMA format, you can record over 30 hours of voice quality or up to 4 hours of near CD quality music using the onboard microphone or line-in connector? all without using a computer! Transfer your existing MP3 and WMA files to the RipFlash DX using the fast USB connection.

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003 This RipFlash is the first Flash-memory-based combination MP3 player, MP3 recorder, and voice recorder. It lets you record directly from any audio device, such as a portable CD player, record player, tape player, or even radio, into the RipFlash's 128 MB internal storage without the use of a PC.

This RipFlash is a first-of-its-kind Flash-memory-based combination MP3 player, MP3 recorder, and voice recording device that actually turns analog audio into high-quality MP3 data--without the need for a desktop PC. This allows you to record directly from any audio device, such as a portable CD player, record player, tape player, or even radio, into the RipFlash's 128 MB internal storage. It also has a Smart Media Card slot for additional memory. In addition, you can upload and download MP3s traditionally, using a desktop PC and USB cable.

Quick voice messages are a snap using the recorder's internal microphone. A high-quality stereo microphone (not included) will suffice for recording anything from live music to training seminars. The recordings can be played back through the onboard internal speaker, through the included ear bud headphones, or through any home or car audio system using the appropriate cables.

The efficient WMA format gives you over 30 hours of voice-quality or up to four hours of near-CD-quality music. RipFlash can detect the "gap" between the tracks of a CD when recording, so each song on the CD is saved as an easily identifiable individual MP3 file. The unit is supplied with ear buds (with in-line remote control), a direct recording (line-in) interconnect, a USB cable, and CD software.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Super sucks!.......2004-02-19

I bought this product in June 2003. It stopped working 3 months later.
First it turned itself off abruptly with NO REASONS. - 1st month
Then strange characters start showing up. - 2nd month
Then nothing showed up on LED and no key works. - 3rd month
I don't think a 128MB MP3 player is supposed only to work for 3 months.
Be cautious of this product.

4 out of 5 stars 8 Hour Voice Recorder at Great Price!.......2004-01-27

I was looking at digital voice recorders w/ 5+ hrs recording time and they were all $150+, so I decided why not get an MP3 and have some extra bang for my buck? Not only is the quality on this better than my cheapy old recorder, but it was only $120 (not bad considering the dual function!), has 8 hrs recording time, the file types convert and then there is the whole MP3 thing so I can plug this into the CD player in my car. DRAWBACKS: Scratches easily/buttons activate easily (TIP-TRAVEL SOAP DISHES ARE PERFECT SIZE FOR A CASE!!), the software BITES (you'll have to restart your computer, reattach cables, yikes!), and it is kinda fussy about the batteries. I am forever opening and closing the battery door to get it to work for some reason. All in all I definitely got what I paid for and certainly am happy with it.

5 out of 5 stars Great solution for mp3/wma listening and recording.......2003-09-20

Before I rave on about how great this product, let me just say up front that it is not the best mp3/wma player, nor is it the best recorder... but it is the best for doing both. I purchased the player because I wanted to listen to my digital music away from home. I purchased the Ripflash DX because I wanted to make digital recordings of the high school choirs that I teach. Because the DX records in WMA format, it is able to compress near-CD quality sound and transfer it to my computer without sending it through my sound card using a LINE IN or MIC port. With the ability to change the recording bitrate and the option for another 128MB, the recording options are near limitless.

5 out of 5 stars REMARKABLE RECORDER/PLAYER for its size and price........2003-08-21

Hey you CAN'T have everything, especially in such a small package. Simple to use, just always use recharged batteries, use Ripflash DX mgr to upload to PC, Cakewalk Pyro 2003 to convert, and watch your memory available (or put in another SD card), and you shouldn't have any problems. I use mine EVERY WEEK, and I can't express how WONDERFUL this recorder is to carry around and use to record music lessons and live jams. REMARKABLE SOUND FOR SUCH A SMALL DEVICE!

5 out of 5 stars A great product!.......2003-08-17

This is one of the nicest gadgets I've ever bought. I had a MPIO FL-100 and it sucked compared to the RipFlash DX. This does everything you would want it to do. The FL-100 had an FM radio built in that you could record from, but it recorded in wav format at only one bitrate of like 32kps, which is about telephone quality! So you got these huge files that would fill the memory up in like one or two songs, and the sound quality was like listening to a friend play the radio over the phone, LOL! I sold it in a heartbeat.

The RipFlash DX was 50% less, and it is really nice! It's very light, you don't even know you have it in your pocket, it has great sound, and the buttons are well thought out. One of the nicest features is that you can record from any line out source, like a cd player or radio in wma format. It sounds cd quality! So if I'm listening to the radio I can just hit the record when I want to record a song. No more getting music from Kazaa (it's starting to worry me now that they're busting individuals)!

The batteries last forever, it seems, which is really great because my pda's don't last long at all. And the nice thing about not having a rechargeable battery is that you can always take a few batteries with you. I've had rechargeables go dead right when I was into an audiobook, and I had no choice but wait til the next day.

Another important feature is the expandable memory. Pop in a 256mb mm card and you have plenty of space. Many mp3 players aren't expandable these days, which I can't figure out. Anyway, buy this mp3 player, you will not be disappointed!
RipFlash PLUS 128MB Digital MP3 Player with Voice Recorder
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Windows-Only, Faulty Software
  • Outstanding product and unsophisticated interface
  • BUYER BEWARE!!!!!
  • RipFlash Plus: know what you're getting into
  • Great sounding, stable, AAA battery-driven gem.
RipFlash PLUS 128MB Digital MP3 Player with Voice Recorder

Manufacturer: PoGo! Products
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Digital Voice RecordersDigital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
128 MB to 512 MB128 MB to 512 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
Office ElectronicsOffice Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Digital Voice RecordersDigital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
MP3 PlayersMP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Block ProductsBlock Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
PoGo! ProductsPoGo! Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
  2. Sony MDR-V700DJ DJ Style Monitor Series Headphones Sony MDR-V700DJ DJ Style Monitor Series Headphones
  3. Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue) Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue)
  4. Sony MDRG72LP Behind-the-neck Compact Foldin Sony MDRG72LP Behind-the-neck Compact Foldin
  5. Sony MDR-G57G S2 Sports Street Style Headphones with Reflective Ear Piece Sony MDR-G57G S2 Sports Street Style Headphones with Reflective Ear Piece

Product Features:
  • First of its kind digital-music player with direct MP3, WMA encoding--no PC required
  • 128 MB storage holds 4 hours of near-CD-quality WMA audio
  • Over 30 hours storage for WMA voice recording; internal microphone included
  • ID3 tag support (shows track and artist names) and backlit display
  • Offers SD/MMC memory expansion slot; accessories include stereo earbuds and an arm band/belt case

ASIN: B00006RVH2

Product Description

The RipFlash PLUS is not only a full featured MP3/WMA Player with fast USB connectivity, but also records MP3 files using the on board microphone for voice and live recording or directly from any audio source, such as a CD player, through its line-in connector. Create MP3 files without a PC!

Amazon.com Product Description

The RipFlash PLUS is a first-of-its-kind Flash-memory-based combination MP3 player, MP3 recorder, and voice recording device that actually turns analog audio into high-quality MP3 data--without the need for a desktop PC. This means it's possible to record directly from any audio device, such as a portable CD player, record player, tape player, or even radio, into the RipFlash's 128 MB internal storage. It has a Smart Media Card slot for additional memory, and you can also upload and download MP3s traditionally, using a desktop PC and USB cable.

Quick voice messages are a snap using the recorder's internal microphone. A high-quality stereo microphone (not included) will suffice for recording anything from live music to training seminars. The recordings can be played back through the onboard internal speaker, through the included earbud headphones, or through any home or car audio system using the appropriate cables.

The efficient WMA format provides over 30 hours of voice quality or up to four hours of near-CD-quality music. RipFlash can detect the "gap" between the tracks of a CD when recording, so each song on the CD is saved as an easily identifiable individual MP3 file. The unit is supplied with earbuds, a direct recording (line-in) interconnect, a USB cable, CD software, and an arm band/belt case.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Windows-Only, Faulty Software.......2005-01-25

I bought this gadget to record school talks. I'd bet Pogo
is full of good sound engineers, but not-so-good software
ones.

Pros:
- good voice recording quality, even in bad environments
- relatively nice user interface, once you learn it.
- resistant (I don't use it that much, though)

Cons:
- it's Windows only. I don't really understand Pogo's decision
to make their own driver. The only interaction the gadget
needs from a computer is uploading/downloading files. The
evident solution is to make the device an USB drive. Instead,
the RipFlash obligues you to install (faulty) software,
while precluding its usage from Macs or open-sourced OS.
- software is faulty: when installing the driver, you should
expect your PC to crash. Reboot and things typically will
work, curiously.
- AAA batteries is the wrong solution. I'd love to be able to
recharge this gadget from an USB plug.
- when running out of batteries, it should alarm you. Losing
part of an important talk because you didn't realize the
batteries have just died is a terrible experience.

4 out of 5 stars Outstanding product and unsophisticated interface.......2004-12-29

Functioning as it was intended, as a recorder and player, this product is OUTSTANDING. When recording, one has to remember that the sound level that one is putting in is the one that one gets out: so when using a microphone in the "line-in" -- one has to make certain that one is using a mic (which PoGo sells -- an excellent one at that) which has an adjustable sound sensitivity function. I used RipFlash Plus, with the mic, to record speeches and the sound quality and clarity is really astounding.

Where this product loses a star is in its user-friendliness: it is not a product which shines as something which is either elegant or intuitive (much like a Mercedes motor in a Model T Ford). And with a little bit of patience and ingenuity (such as renaming files using Windows, outside of the software interface), it is definitely a product which one can work with. I highly recommend it for someone who wants to do what it really shines at: recording into Mp3.

There was one reviewer who spoke about converting the Mp3 files to WMA files for saving space -- but at equal bit rates, the WMA were actually LARGER -- besides which, most techies will tell you that when converting from one compressed format to another, one is going to lose quality

BTW, have a look at PoGo's site and you will be surprised at the pricing advantage there

1 out of 5 stars BUYER BEWARE!!!!!.......2004-08-13

I received this product as a Christmas gift. Less than 6 months later, the case began to crumble. The device was never dropped or abused in any way - quite frankly it was only used 2 or 3 times to record attached via line in to a sound board. I had been really impressed with the product until having to deal with Pogo Tech support regarding replacing the item. I was basically told I was a liar and the damage would only occur if the device was abused. I was talked down to, demeaned and they refused to budge on a $15 repair charge. I do not recommend purchasing a product from Pogo unless you consider it a disposable product, not an investment.

1 out of 5 stars RipFlash Plus: know what you're getting into.......2004-07-03

I purchased a RipFlash Plus 256 MP3 player/recorder in June 2004 to record voice interviews. Major flaws in its construction and in its download software mean you are very likely to lose your recordings. To make matters worse, customer support is very resistant to issuing refunds for faulty equipment.

---------------------

It produces decent sound quality, though the recordings have a constant low-level hum in the background.

Two main problems with the unit make it very problematic for capturing recordings:

1) The software provided (and required) to download the sound files to computer over USB is very flakey - sometimes it works, sometimes does not connect, sometimes downloads only part of the sound file but indicates it is "done." This happens on both of the newer Dell computers that I've tried it on. By contrast, all other devices I attach to the USB ports on these same computers exchange files flawlessly.

2) The RipFlash Plus is able to hold a SmartMedia card and record to it. This would seem to be an alternative to downloading through the USB connection - just remove the SmartMedia card, insert it into your computers card reader, and copy off the files. BUT . . . the ejector button on the RipFlash broke the second time I ejected a card, and appears likely to break on any unit. The ejector button pushes the card out with two very tiny brittle plastic tabs. It takes almost nothing to break one (in my case, just ejecting the card did it.) Then, you can't get the card out, or if you do fish it out, you can no longer position it in correctly without the button in place.

Regarding customer support . . . when the unit arrived in the mail, I discovered that they had thrown in a "voice activated TV remote" - at no charge, and without any advance notice - a device they don't sell on their site. I can't imagine anything more useless than that so I tossed it immediately. After obtaining an RMA from them and returning the broken RipFlash, they at first tried to charge me a "restocking" fee for the useless recorder. After I put my credit card company on their case, they finally refunded the full amount. Then, they decided they needed to charge me $40 for the throw-away remote that they had sent unsolicited, so they made a new charge on my card for it.

You might want to consider the options before you decide to try the RipFlash Plus.

Rob

5 out of 5 stars Great sounding, stable, AAA battery-driven gem........2004-05-19

I loved my player/recorder. It sounded great, recorded well, and had good expandable memory with the SM slot. It even looked slick. A friend bought one, seeing mine.
Only downsides: First, no recording level, so you have to experiment with the external source for line-in and use the built-in (very capable) mic for voice. (and you can adjust the recording quality setting beforehand. Second, the order of the songs are unchangeable, playing in the order that they were downloaded using the software designed to use with the player. Third, relating to the second, it cannot be used for an external flashdrive as it does not have a drag-and-drop feature.
Those faults were minor for the price and quality I experienced while I had mine. Alas, after many months of happy use, mine was stolen. I've tried two other players from other companies since (one a flash-drive, one a hard-drive, both with the external drive feature and fm radio, but both exhibiting poor quality). I should have just bought this one again.
So, consider buying the Ripflash Plus for its AAA battery freedom and $100 price (IPODs are a problem for both these reasons). Once you buy it, enjoy its rich feature set and good sound. And now Pogo! has added a a theft protection service. That doesn't mean you'd get it back if it got stolen, but nice thought anyway, Pogo!
RipFlash 128MB Digital Voice Recorder and MP3 Player/Recorder
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • My Adventures with the Ripflash Player
  • Think twice before buying a RipFlash
  • Excellent compact device
  • RipFlash
  • Great performance, Poor ergonomics
RipFlash 128MB Digital Voice Recorder and MP3 Player/Recorder

Manufacturer: PoGo! Products
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Digital Voice RecordersDigital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
128 MB to 512 MB128 MB to 512 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
For the One With EverythingFor the One With Everything | Gift Ideas | Gift Ideas | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Gadgets for Fitness FanaticsGadgets for Fitness Fanatics | Gift Ideas | Gift Ideas | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Office ElectronicsOffice Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Digital Voice RecordersDigital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
MP3 PlayersMP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Block ProductsBlock Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
PoGo! ProductsPoGo! Products | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
  2. Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Home Theater Headphones Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Home Theater Headphones
  3. Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue) Sennheiser MX500 Lightweight In-Ear Headphones (Blue)
  4. Energizer E2 X91RP-8 AA Batteries (8-Pack) Energizer E2 X91RP-8 AA Batteries (8-Pack)
  5. Koss KTX-Pro Portable Stereophone Koss KTX-Pro Portable Stereophone

Product Features:
  • Direct MP3 recording from any audio source (no computer required)
  • Fast USB transfer speeds (up to 4mbps)
  • Doubles as voice recorder for the business people and students
  • SmartMedia card slot to boost your memory
  • Up to 10 hours playback; runs on 2 AAA batteries

ASIN: B000066HOH

Product Description

The RipFlash PLUS is not only a full featured MP3/WMA Player with fast USB connectivity, but also records MP3 files using the on board microphone for voice and live recording or directly from any audio source, such as a CD player, through its line-in connector. Create MP3 files without a PC!

Amazon.com Review

Outstanding sound quality and a low price make the RipFlash an excellent flash memory-based MP3 player. However, its ability to record MP3s in real time via the built-in microphone or line-in connection takes this player to the next level. Whether you want to record a lecture or convert your old LPs and tapes to MP3, this versatile little player gets the job done.

Smaller than a pack of cards and weighing just 65 grams, the RipFlash looks like an ordinary MP3 player. Installation was simple using the quick-start guide. We just loaded the MP3 Manager software on our PC, then connected the player to our USB port and copied our MP3 and WMA files to the unit.

When we put on the earbud-style headphones to take a listen, we were surprised by what a clear, noise-free, rich sound the RipFlash delivered. The lows were especially robust, giving bass rhythms a visceral feel, and the built-in equalizer let us optimize the sound for classical, rock, pop, or jazz. The unit's small display was easy to read and the buttons on the front and sides were logically laid out and easy to press.

To test the recording capabilities, we simply pressed the record button and started talking. The sensitive, built-in microphone recorded our speech clearly and accurately. The line-in jack on the top of the unit lets you connect it to any audio device, such as a tape player or a CD player, and for us this performed equally well. Using the menu-based interface, you can set the recording-quality bit rate. For instance, you can record voice at a lower quality for up to 30 hours of recording time, or record music at a higher quality for less recording time. Either way, it's simple to copy the MP3 files back onto your PC, so you can send them via e-mail or burn them to CD.

Of course, since the RipFlash uses flash memory and has no moving parts, it's impervious to shocks and jolts. It runs on two AAA batteries, offering about 9 to 10 hours of playback, and comes with a wristband. In addition to its built-in memory, its memory can be expanded via a SmartMedia card.

Low price, excellent sound quality, and, most of all, the ability to record audio directly into MP3 format, make the RipFlash easy to recommend to music aficionados who want to record live audio, students looking to record lectures, or anyone who needs an easy way to record dictation. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

Cons:

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars My Adventures with the Ripflash Player.......2005-08-31

I purchased this product a few years ago and thought I'd share my experiences with it. Overall, despite what I'll write below, I like the player's features. I'm an amateur musician and I've used to record my own playing--I just put it in my pocket, turn it on and forget it's there. The built-in mic is adequate but very sensitive and can become saturated at noise levels over normal conversation levels. I also bought their accessory stereo microphone and it has a volume adjustment which eliminates the built-in mic's sensitivity.
I have had problems with it:
(1) Soon after buying it, I found that when the batteries ran down, all the data I had stored in it was fried (I had to reformat the memory). This, fortunately, was a one-time problem and the player WILL retain data even when it has no batteries in it.
(2) The instructions are quite brief--don't expect extensive explainations on all the features and don't expect model English.
(3) The line-in jack broke after a year or two, which is my biggest complaint about the player. It happened AFTER the warranty expired. I did not expose the player or the jacks to any excessive forces (it stayed in my room except for the occasional rehearsal). Not wanting the hassle and expense of having to deal with their customer service, I decided to carefully take the player apart. I found that one of the solder joints on the line-in jack had come lose(!) I resoldered it and found it worked fine. I would expect a solder joint to be more durable than that.
(4) I was browsing through the microphone's warranty a few days ago and found it was only valid in Korea(!)

I would shop around more if I had to do it all over again but I really wanted something portable that could record in stereo and, at the time, there didn't seem to be much out there. Now that the player works properly, I like the features it has and give those 5 stars. As for it's durability and reliability (considering every other piece of electronic equipment I've bought has had a much longer trouble-free period after purchase), I give it 1 star. Buy at your own risk.

1 out of 5 stars Think twice before buying a RipFlash.......2004-07-03

I purchased a RipFlash Plus 256 MP3 player/recorder in June 2004 to record voice interviews. Major flaws in its construction and in its download software mean you are very likely to lose your recordings. To make matters worse, customer support is very resistant to issuing refunds for faulty equipment (I bought mine direct at Pogoproducts.com).

---------------------

Two main problems with the unit make it very problematic for capturing recordings:

1) The software provided (and required) to download the sound files to computer over USB is very flakey - sometimes it works, sometimes does not connect, sometimes downloads only part of the sound file but indicates it is "done." This happens on both of the newer Dell computers that I've tried it on. By contrast, all other devices I attach to the USB ports on these same computers exchange files flawlessly.

2) The RipFlash Plus is able to hold a SmartMedia card and record to it. This would seem to be an alternative to downloading through the USB connection - just remove the SmartMedia card, insert it into your computers card reader, and copy off the files. BUT . . . the ejector button on the RipFlash broke the second time I ejected a card, and appears likely to break on any unit. The ejector button pushes the card out with two very tiny brittle plastic tabs. It takes almost nothing to break one (in my case, just ejecting the card did it.) Then, you can't get the card out, or if you do fish it out, you can no longer position it in correctly without the button in place.

Regarding pogoproducts.com customer support . . . when the unit arrived in the mail, I discovered that they had thrown in a "voice activated TV remote" - at no charge, and without any advance notice - a device they don't sell on their site. I can't imagine anything more useless than that so I tossed it immediately. After obtaining an RMA from them and returning the broken RipFlash, they at first tried to charge me a "restocking" fee for the useless recorder. After I put my credit card company on their case, they finally refunded the full amount. Then, they decided they needed to charge me $40 for the throw-away remote that they had sent unsolicited, so they made a new charge on my card for it.

You might want to consider the options before you decide to try the RipFlash Plus.

Rob

5 out of 5 stars Excellent compact device.......2003-09-30

After doing much reading on MP3 players, I decided to go with the RipFlast Plus 128MB recorder. Holds as many songs as a CD, even more if you use .wma (which is compatible with this player). Expansion slot allows you to keep tons of songs on flash cards.

4 out of 5 stars RipFlash.......2003-07-15

I can't wait to try this one out!

4 out of 5 stars Great performance, Poor ergonomics.......2003-05-16

I bought this RipFlash primarily for voice recording, including memos to myself while driving.

What I like about the RipFlash:

1) Since receiving the unit about 6 months ago I find myself using it for *SO* many things I never thought it would be good for. For example: The "Line In" allows you to capture sound from ANY audio/video or audio-only source. Big deal, right? Well I happen to subscribe to an Internet real estate service that hosts ALL of the author's lectures in streaming media format. Very inconvenient if you don't want to sit in front of the computer for 40+ hours to listen to all the tapes. Enter the PoGo. I unplugged my PC's speakers, plugged in the PoGo (it comes with a Line-In patch cord) into the back of my PC, pressed the "Record" button on the PoGo, clicked the audio file I wanted to capture, then walked away for 1/2 an hour. After downloading several hour's worth (since it is voice-only capture I picked a lower quality level, which uses less memory) I transferred the files from the PoGo to the PC as MP3 files, then burned the real estate lectures onto several audio CDs. Now I can listen any time - anywhere - to what originally forced me to sit in front of my computer for hours!

That's just one example of an innovative use for this product. There are literally dozens of useful applications - I think of a new one every few weeks!

2) Software for the PC is good, easy to use, and uploads/downloads are pretty darn fast using the provided USB cable.

Now for the things I don't like:

1) Battery life. Uses 2 standard Alkaline batteries. They last about 10 hours. I found the "Ultra" batteries go about 50% longer, but they cost more. There is no way to plug in an external power supply.

2) Documentation is poor. REALLY poor. There are actually CUT OUT pieces of paper with new print on them covering the old print in the manual!!!

3) Menu doesn't work well for deleting specific files. Since this base model doesn't identify songs/entries by title, you only get to reference entries by number. The numbers change (re-number again) as you delete entries. I've found the best way around this is to use the PC software that comes with the unit.

4) No back-lighting for the display. Hard to view in low-light conditions.

(Number 3 and Number 4 are addressed in the RipFlash Plus - spend the few extra bucks - it's worth it!)

5) Ear bud headphones sound great, but you gotta have BIG ear holes to have them fit comfortably. I can't go longer than 1/2 an hour before it hurts.

I'm very happy with my RipFlash over-all, but I'd recommend spending the few extra bucks to get one of the more expensive RipFlash models of this product line.

BoomGear MP-900 256MB MP3 Player/SD Slot/FM Tuner/Voice Recorder
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Feature Rich Expandable MP3 and FM player/recorder
  • Deceptive descriptions
  • Terrible Documentation, Inaccurate Feature List
BoomGear MP-900 256MB MP3 Player/SD Slot/FM Tuner/Voice Recorder

Manufacturer: Boomgear
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD Players & RecordersCD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
128 MB to 512 MB128 MB to 512 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 PlayersMP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:
  1. NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
  2. Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub
  3. Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub

Product Features:
  • 256 MB of memory for over 4 hours of MP3 or 8 hours of WMA music
  • Built-in FM Tuner,FM Recorder, Voice recorder
  • Cell Phone pass through for hands-free talking while listening to music
  • Secure Digital card/MMC expansion slot provides up to 512 MB of additional memory
  • 20-hours of continuous playback with one AAA battery

ASIN: B00024608U

Amazon Product Description

Today, fans of MP3 players have a variety of options from which to choose. Those who prefer super-high capacity players -- some of which are capable of storing over 10,000 songs -- should look into hard drive-based players such as Apple's iPod or Creative Labs' Nomad Jukebox. Those who want removable media will want to investigate MP3 CD players such as Panasonic's SL line. But if budget, size, and durability are a priority, flash memory-based players are the way to go. Substantially smaller and less expensive than most of the alternatives and utilizing shockproof flash memory rather than comparatively fragile hard drives or CDs, flash memory players deliver excellent bang for the buck. The tradeoff is capacity - flash memory players simply can't store as many songs as some of the pricier units. Nevertheless, most can handle several hours of music, more than enough for most music enthusiasts.

One such flash memory player is the BoomGear MP-900. At 3.75 by 1.2 by .7 inches and just 1.1 ounce (without battery), it isn't much larger than a cigarette lighter. The unit supports two of today's most popular music file formats -- WMA and MP3 -- with enough storage space for up to eight hours of music (WMA format) and up to four hours of music (MP3 format). Furthermore, the MP-900 features a Secure Digital memory card slot, allowing you to add an extra 512 MB memory to its built-in 256 MB and thus increase the storage capacity threefold. The system accepts one AAA battery for up to eight hours of continuous playback.

But the MP-900 is much more than an MP3/WMA player. With just a couple of button presses, it's an FM tuner too. Or an FM recorder. In fact, you can even record your own voice via its integrated microphone or capture other sources via its line-in jack. Other amenities include a five-way user selectable EQ, automatic FM station scanning, song title/information display and nifty blue LED backlight. The MP-900 connects to your computer via a USB port.

Features

Product Description

The MP-900 high quality, multi format player features a 256MB Memory capacity, with an extra of 512MB possible through the SD slot. It features the Text to Speech ability and the voice recording/ audio recording. You can also use this unit for Hands-free cellular phone use. The elegant MP-900 features a great package of specs and features, making it the most advanced MP3 player in the market.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Feature Rich Expandable MP3 and FM player/recorder .......2005-05-18

This product is not nearly as misrepresented as the previous reviewer seemed to think. Both the player and the Radio Functionality worked well out of the box. It read preexisting music off of a 1GB chip of music and other files that I had without any problems. It was able to encode MP3s off the radio and from the line in output. The only "conversion" that is required is to change the extension of the file name to ".mp3".
Files easily uploaded to either the devices internal or external memory even without intalling the software that came with it (ie it does act as a USB mass storage device, though you do need the cable). My one gripe is that It has a connector that is not the more popular USB mini B. The auto preset function found not only the "popular" local radio stations but also the stations transmitted at my gym to watch the TVs. I was able to understand the manual. It was clearly written by whose native language was not English, but did contain many graphics and screen shots.

Overall this was a great purchase particularly for those who already have a spare SD chip or 2 sitting around to load music onto.

2 out of 5 stars Deceptive descriptions.......2004-07-30

The previous reviewer is correct; this is a product which is badly misrepresented and a definite under-performer. Besides its cheap construction, the manual is terribly translated (can't the company afford anyone who actually speaks English?) and Boomgear's website is even more mistleading than Amazon's. There is no Text-to-Speech function to the unit. Files cannot be directly encoded to mp3. Although there is a "3D" equalizer setting, it is not the familiar SRS/WOW, as advertised. The controls are perhaps necessarily tiny but counter-intuitive. Non-music files do not show up on the LED directory, and you must use a cable to connect it to your computer (it is not a USB flashdrive, even if it looks very similar). Lastly, the unit is vastly overpriced for its quality.

Oh, it does sound fine--but that's not enough to stop me from returning this product to Amazon for a refund. I don't like being tricked!

2 out of 5 stars Terrible Documentation, Inaccurate Feature List.......2004-07-08

This device has some serious problems. First, the manual is poorly written, and second it lies about the features it has! It says it is a direct MP3 encoder, but it isn't. It records into another format that you can convert on your PC into an MP3 with the included software. You can't even listen to the files without hooking it up to a PC, uploading, and then converting.

Be warned. This product is not very good.

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