X2 Mega Player 521 (256MB)

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 5.0
  Features : 8.0
  Performance : 6.0
  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Jasmine France
• Edited by:
  Bonnie Cha
• Reviewed on: 06/20/2005

There's no shortage of fitness-appropriate MP3 players out there, largely because any decently constructed flash player is suitable for a workout. However, certain devices go above and beyond to be considered gymworthy (see the Philips Nike MP3Run if you want clarification). X2's Mega Player 521, available in 256MB ($139), 512MB ($179), and 1GB ($229) capacities, also falls squarely into this category. This splashproof player has a stopwatch, a pedometer, and a calorie counter onboard, and it includes a sporty case, two different-size armbands, and fitness-friendly over-the-ear headphones with foam cover replacements. Unfortunately, the Mega Player 521's dodgy joystick and confusing user interface spoil the fun, but patient exercisers who want a music player with plenty of extras should still consider it.

Encased in sturdy, water-resistant rubber, the X2 Mega Player 521 is egglike in shape with a rubber loop built in to the smaller end. A black OLED with bright blue text takes center stage and is flanked on the right by the five-way joystick, a play/pause/power button, and an FM/A-B loop key. Around the edge lie the hold switch and the record button. The headphone jack and the covered USB port sit along the top edge. The player measures 3.0 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches and weighs just 1.6 ounces.

In addition to the MP3 player and the aforementioned accessories, this Taiwan-based company includes a USB cable, a power plug with a snap-on adapter for U.S. outlets, and a CD-ROM. On this disc, you'll find the device driver, a user manual, and an app called Screen Editor, which allows you to create screensavers for the Mega Player 521. Transfers are handled via drag and drop in Windows Explorer. You can drag individual songs to the device or to artist or album folders. These folders are then represented in a menu labeled Playlist on the player. If you want to play just one artist or album, you have to go into this menu and uncheck the boxes for any other folder. However, if you drag individual songs to the Music folder that lives on the player, you have no choice but to play these files. This is a bit frustrating and definitely confusing; at first, we thought you couldn't even drag folders onto the device since we didn't think to look under Playlist. In addition, the main control--the joystick--doesn't always navigate accurately. It would frequently scroll up, down, left, or right when we were simply trying to click to select.

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