Finis SwiMP3

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 6.0
  Features : 6.0
  Performance : 5.0
  Overall score: 5.7 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Jasmine France
• Edited by:
  James Kim
• Reviewed on: 05/27/2005

Without a doubt, Finis's SwiMP3 (128MB, $250) is the most unusual MP3 player we've seen to date. While the company doesn't specialize in portable audio devices, its many years of experience making advanced training equipment for swimmers are well implemented in the SwiMP3. And although the player could use a few notable improvements, competitive and casual swimmers alike will certainly see the appeal of the device.

You wear the SwiMP3 in the water, and the player comes attached to Finis's Lane 4 goggles, though you may use your own. The main downfall of this design is that it places the controls, which consist of three buttons (on/off, next/volume up, and previous/volume down), on the back of the head. Because the keys are already stiff and difficult to press, our test swimmer had to remove the player and goggles every time she needed to adjust the volume or change songs. There's no LCD on the player, but this isn't an issue, considering its simplistic interface and minimalist features.

Attached by wires to the control unit are the two custom sound units. These are flat discs that you place against each cheekbone; the Finis SwiMP3 uses bone conduction to produce sound. In other words, sound vibrations are passed through your bones to your inner ear. Be careful not to place the discs directly over your ear, otherwise the above-water sound is so loud and shrill that it may damage your hearing. Finis includes a pair of earplugs, which are useful as an extra precaution.

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Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 21 reviews
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• Showing 3 of 21 user reviews

• 4.0 stars

  "Best ever since sliced bread!"

  by aclareb on March 10, 2008

• 1.5 stars

  "Worked Fantastic -5star- for 2 days- then stopped working!! ) 0 Stars!"

  by the-bottom-line on December 13, 2007

• 5.0 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Life changing product!"

  by swimmer2 on June 2, 2007

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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 85

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 171 reviews of Finis SwiMP3 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 73/100 and users 82/100. Comparing these reviews to 477300 other MP3 Players reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 85/100 = Very Good.

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• pcformat.co.uk

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: A novel idea, and that's worth a lot, although

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• newbie.org

  Editors' rating: 100

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• pcmag.com

  Editors' rating: 70

  Summary: The SwiMP3 is not the best digital audio player you can buy, but because it's waterproof and easy to listen to and use while swimming, it's in a league of its own.

  Read full review