- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 104 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"H10 v. Mini iPod"
Pros: sound, features, size, storage
Cons: hard to navigate, slow processing, hard to transfer songs
Summary: Sound:
The iRiver sound quality is definitely better than iPod. I have been using the iRiver (100 and 800 series) for the past two years, so when I tried the iPod, I was so disappointed in the iPod sound quality compared to the iRiver that I returned the iPod in exchange for the H10. The H10 has all of the EQ options as the iPod, but the H10's SRS WOW (3D) option just blows me away with its deep/rich sound. The H10 wins handsdown.
Features:
The H10 has the same features as the iPod with the addition of the color LCD, FM radio, voice/radio recording, and photo storage and display. The price between the two devices are comparable, but you definitely get more with the H10. H10 reigns in this category.
Design/Function:
The H10 and the Mini are comparable in size and weight. The difference comes in navigation. The Mini provides user friendly and intuitive navigation. I'm the type that prefers playing with the device rather than reading the instruction first, so the Mini passed the too-lazy-to-read-manual test. The H10 did not pass that test. Perhaps it's my lack of familiarity with Windows Media Player (the only player for H10), but the H10/Windows won't allow me to easily create my own playlist or drag-and-drop files directly from other players such as iTune or MusicMatch. I had to resort to the manual. Basically, you'd have to create a playlist on Windows Media in order for H10 to sync into H10's playlist. Determined (and stubborn) not to use Windows Media, I found a way around it. I would just add folders to the H10 Browser window.
After wasting 2 hours of trying to create the proper playlist, I got a chance to fully test the H10. H10's navigation while in-use is not user-friendly/intuitive. It's time-consuming to jump from one menu to the next when all you really want is to change the volume. Plus, the processing time is sluggish to say the least. The Mini wins by a landslide in this category.
iRiver needs to do something about the processing speed and make the navigation less insane.
I gave the H10 a rating of 8 instead of a lower rating because I'm in love with its sound quality.
If you can handle those issues with H10, I think you're in for a great sound experience. But if you're just into the sound, I'd recommend one of the Ultra-portable iRivers...no issue with great sound.
- 1 reply to this review
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First Of all, i am not going to bash you, i am just correcting a few mistakes in a good review
Design/Function:
If you can't be bothered to read a manual (the one provided with the H10 is a bit thick and if you are too lazy you could have read the Quick Start "poster" which has like 50 words and does most of the describing in pictures and diagrams. Please.
About WMP 10, the Apple Software is miles behind it. And because WMP 10 is the default player for Windows their shouldn' be a lack of familiarity. And for the playlist issue. For gods sake you just select the songs you want ot put on the playlist then right click and say "Add to Playlist". No offence but a trained monkey could master that.
Performance times for the H10 are NOT slow, infact they both rate at 18 MBPS each and if you want to change the volume you just hit the play/pause button and voila you can. Oh but you wouldn't know that because you don't read the manual.
About the UI, okay the Clickwheel is good, but not that good. Instead of going round and round you can go up and down. The reason why some of the controls are on the side of the H10 is to make it easy to use when you are walking. Trust me it is a breeze. When i used to have a Mini and i go to the gym it end up hitting the wrong button at least 10 times before i get the right one.
Where to buy
iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray):
$79.00
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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PaylessMerchandise.com
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$79.00 | No |
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