SanDisk Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion

There is a compatability issue with the most recently released 512 mb Sandisk Cruzer Micro USB drives. The older 512 Micro drives (ie. SN starting with 0120) work just fine with the MP3 Companion - I've validated this. If you have a newer 512mb Micro drive like me (SN starting with AX), the drive is incompatible with the MP3 Companion. According to Sandisk tech support, the issue was first identified during the week of March 20th, 2005. The engineering team believes it's a firmware issue on the Cruzer, and is working the issue - eta of 1 month.

You'll know if you have that compatability issue because you'll see the message "Insert Cruzer Micro" scrolling across the screen even though you've already inserted it.

I did get it to work with a 256MB micro. Curiously enough, I also got it to work fine with my 512MB Cruzer Mini. (I've read that this is possible, but burns batteries.)

Other than that... I agree that the unit "feels" cheap, but it seems to work fine. The sound is clear, but bass is a little weak - which isn't an issue for me since I use it while skiing, cycling, roller blading... (Maybe better headphones may fix that, I don't know.) The UI is reasonably intuitive. It's definitely not iPod caliber - it's not supposed to be - but it hasn't hindered my ability to listen to music.

The lack of directions was frustrating. It drove me nuts. To turn it on... Press the play button for several seconds, and wait for the power bar to finish loading. To turn off, do the same thing. Then you'll have to play with it for a bit to figure it out.

I *LOVE* the fact that I can use the usb disk for other data storage/transport too.

So my two cents are... If you're looking for audiophile quality, look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for something that's "good enough" to play tunes while cycling, skiing, or working out, and you don't need perfect sound replication, this little unit might work.

I was searching the web for an inexpensive mp3 player and I stumbled upon the Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion. I saw the price and checked it out.

I was lucky enough to have received a free Micro Cruzer 256Mb flash drive as store promotion a month ago, so I figured I'd go ahead and get the Companion and save a few dollars.

Plus:
-I don't like to spend a lot of money on toys so the low cost sold me. My wife bought me an IPod for Christmas, but I returned it because I didn't think I'd get $350 of value from it. It was overkill for my needs. I don't feel the need to walk around with my entire CD library on my hip. I just want the ability to play some tunes if I'm bored at work or if I'm working in the yard, etc.
-Can easily use the flash drive for data if I have to. Flexibility is always good.
-Can drag and drop songs from my PC without using additional software. I just like to keep things simple and I appreciate not having to use somebody's software to move the songs onto the player.

Con:
-Lack of documentation. This is pretty inexcusable, I think. They show you how to put in a battery, but provide no instructions for operating the player! The only way I knew how to turn the thing on was somebody else's review instructing that you need to hold the play button for four seconds to turn it on and off. I've figured out FF/Next and REW/Prev, but other folks have mentioned EQ settings that I haven't managed to find.
-Construction: The battery door will become disconnected if you are not careful. I think you will still be able to use it if that happens, at least I hope so. The belt clip must be pulled off to access the battery door, which is a little annoying. I don't think the clip is sturdy enough to hold onto your belt or waistband if you are jogging/exercising. A lanyard attachment might have been helpful. (You can use the lanyard on the flash drive, but that seems like inviting trouble to me.) I have not experienced a lot of scratching like one reviewer mentioned, but I grabbed an old backup tape case and put the Companion in that before I throw it in my computer bag. This also helps keeping the earbuds from getting tangled, which they seem to have a proclivity to do. (BTW, as one reviewer points out, the left earbud is on a shorter wire than the right. I've had other earbuds with the same design before, so I don't consider that as a detraction.)
-I got an "FAT Error" the other day and I assumed my flash drive got damaged. So I double checked it on my PC and a co-worker's and it checked out ok. It turns out that this error is displayed some times when when the battery runs low. Quirky error messages don't give me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Other impressions:
-The battery life seems fine to me. I just picked up some rechargeable NiMH batteries, so that should prevent having to buy lots of disposable batteries.
-The sound seems quite satisfactory to me. (And I haven't found the EQ settings even!)
-Would have liked FM and more features, but I can't complain since I bought the cheapest model available.

My advise is if you want to keep costs down, especially if you have a Micro Cruzer flash drive already, then this is a pretty safe purchase.