Audio Key Ring First Take MP3 keychain drives aren't new, and this 128MB Audio Key Ring isn't exactly loaded with features either. In fact, you won't find a LCD, equalizer, voice recording and random/repeat modes. However, it has an interesting approach to the design in that it embeds the control buttons on a neck strap. Also surprising is that the Key Ring recharges itself via a USB port - a feature rarely found in this category. For additional playback time, you can turn to the supplied external AAA battery pack.
User Review(s)
"Get this for ease of use and style" Ease of use is best to describe the player. It has a drag and drop interface so there is no need to use a program to transfer music. There is no copy protection on the player so music can be copied to another computer with ease. The remote on the player controls play/pause, skip to forward, skip backward, volume up and volume down. The player resumes playback at the start of the last song played.
As for the controls on the player, it's simple as there is one switch. The off/charge position and the playback.download position. I never worry about batteries as I leave it charging in the USB port and when I flip the switch it shows up as a removable storage device. It comes with an external AAA battery pack the provides 10 hours of music and when attached looks like it was built as one and not an attachment. I don't mind the omission of the lcd screen on the player because it really is liberating to not worry about renaming songs.
I use this player for the gym over my ipod as it is so much lighter and I put my top 25-30 songs on it and don't worry about changing artists, albums, etc. The sound from the player is amazing. It doesn't have an equalizer and it still sounds better than my 3rd gen 20gb ipod and my old samsung yp-30sh (the key ring replaced this unit). I really was shocked by the sound quality. In terms of looks it is top notch. Everyone comments on how great it looks when they see it.
Having said that I bought the KEY005 and not the KEY006 because I would never where one around my neck cause I think it looks stupid to do so. It is also rugged as I have dropped it on the treadmill and there were no chips or dents. In the office if I need to take a file home I just delete a track from the player and drag and drop the document.
The only minus is there is no ability to scan through songs. I don't mind this anymore as I just turn on the player and forget about it. The only item I replaced was the headphones. Here is a link of the ones I got with a short cord and work perfectly for me . In summary, I have owned this player for 3 weeks and this is the perfect player for the gym, office and short commutes. From John Smith, November 07, 2003
We're currently upgrading our user review system; so we won't be accepting new reviews for now. Audio Key Ring Specs
Interface(s)
Original USB
Released date
January 2003
Platforms
Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, MacOS 9.1, MacOS X
Dimensions
3.4" x 1.1" x 0.5"
Weight
35g w/ battery
Natively supported music format(s)
MP3, WMA
Signal to noise ratio
Battery life
6.5 hrs. (10hrs more with external AAA battery pack)
