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"A-1 Customer Service" on by klingon20
Pros: Easy to understand interface, drop and drag feature, customer service, excellent screen resolution.
Cons: Needs WiFi, Updated carrying case for more sporty and ********* use ala I-pod
Summary: I am former MPV owner which is rock solid device. As for the ESP this is a very attractive unit with user friendly interface, tech savy individuals will not need the user manual for basic video and music download and play. As good as this PMP is enough cannot be said about the outstanding customer service, you actualy get to speak to a live person and they are willing to take their time and explain things to you in easy to uderstand language(you dont feel like they are rushing to get you off the phone). I had a issue with my unit's hard drive, and since i live in Southern Cali. I drove down and the problem was resolved in less than one hour.
I can go on but here is the bottom line, this is a rock solid media player that is easy to use, if you have a problem they treat you like a CUSTOMER, they appreciate and respect the fact you spent your money on their product and they will resolve any issue promply and with smile. -
"Lovin' my new toy!" on by thruthelenz
Pros: Huge storage capacity. Everything you want in one "gadget". Much nicer than the MVP.
Cons: The music library could offer categories for easier access. Also, there's a very minor problem with audio and video matching up exactly. (a "patch" is forthcoming)
Summary: I'm a professional wedding photographer. I'll admit it; I like toys! I will also admit to not being very technically saavy, so please read this review with the understanding that I don't have experience with similar products from other manufacturers. But, here's what I do know: I don't want to be carrying around lots of gadgets; give me everything in one tool. I don't need something that can be hidden in the palm of my hand; in this case, size doesn't really matter that much. I've had my 100gb ESP for about a month now, and have been extremely happy with it. I can keep everything in one fairly handy tool. For imaging, it's great for both personal and professional reasons. I can store, back-up, and do on-site proofing with the ESP. I also wanted music or movies available for those times when I'm working, playing or waiting for customers or my kids. I've hooked it up in my car, to my vcr, video monitors and to televisions. It has great sound through the headphones. I also liked the idea of voice recording - although I still haven't used it for that. The battery is extremely reliable. Because I was concerned about the possibility of being on a trip and running out of "juice", I purchased the RoadPac accessory kit - which includes a car charger, a "AA" battery pack that recharges your ESP battery 2-3 times, and a soft-sided case - which I don't need, but by buying the kit, it was free. I also purchased the optional cradle, because I wanted to add some of our movies to the hard drive for long road trips, and possibly to record from television. There is, of course, a bug or two that needs to be worked out, but so far, it's so minor that it's almost not worth mentioning in the "cons" section. Granted, anyone who loves iPods will probably not love this tool. The ESP is bigger, isn't as quick to get around in when looking for specific musical artists or songs, and isn't as "sexy" as an iPod. Okay, that being said, the surface of the ESP doesn't scratch easily, the screen is bigger, it has more storage capacity, can be used as a DVR for your home library or television programs (i.e. it's not limited by having to be hooked up only to a computer for incoming data), it can copy any of 7 types of memory cards without additional accessory purchases, and you can even listen to the radio with it if you'd like. Oh, and although it leaves alot to be desired, the ESP does have a built-in speaker, so you can share music or movies with a group of people and everyone can hear at the same time. Having the versatility of a 7-in-1 card reader is exceptional. At a recent family reunion, where there were 3 different memory card styles being used in several different family members' cameras, I was able to immediately copy each of their cards onto my ESP, so I didn't miss a single shot from anyone's camera. That was awesome! How many times have you asked someone to e-mail you a photo, and it never comes? It's just another great way to use this device. I really believe that the ESP suits my needs quite well, so going the way of an iPod didn't feel right, and the price is actually pretty reasonable, comparably. My kids both have iPods and love them, they're great, easy to use and maneuver around in, etc. etc. But for me, a technically-challenged professional photographer who takes hundreds of thousands of photos each year; this seemed to be a better choice. For further reference, I owned the MVP before this - it was big and ugly, the joystick made me a little crazy, and there was no "hold" feature for the power button, which meant that, often times, I would open my bag and find it "on". Still, it worked well, never failed me, and although it stuck out like a sore thumb, it gave me confidence in what Wolverine was producing. So, after using it for a month, I can honestly say that, from color to quality, the ESP is a great improvement over the MVP, no question. Now, if they'd just add a cell phone and scheduling software with a keyboard, I could travel everywhere with this one device! I'll keep dreaming of that, but for now, the ESP has really "delivered" as a reliable and entertaining multimedia storage device.
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"ESP failed,HD crashed after 21 days of download!" on by skyseassky
Pros: This machine seems wonderful out of the box, radio, game,recorder,backup,small.
Cons: Charger is a joke, resolution not clear for the price. Field test failed HD crashed.
Battery compartment is a joke.Summary: This machine seems wonderful out of the box, radio, game,recorder,backup. I ve been shooting for 19 years and am not an angry person take this information for what it is worth, I bought this item so as to backup images instead of carrying a lap top thru Thailand. The machine was purchased 16 months ago but never used just charged to keep battery up. The ESP was only used for this trip/job. So loaded images into system on CF and SD cards from Nikon and Leica systems. After 21 days after downloading machine froze! First the machine had hard time shutting down then the battery fell out during shut down stage which caused the HD to crash reset button never worked. I am not hard on gear in no way,my gear is how I make my living so I treat it well. Back in USA, Sent to company they charged shipping both ways after asking RA #'s and explained there should be no problem just needed to reset HD (not format)! 2 weeks later said they could not fix, hard drive broken, nor can they give me any idea of what went wrong, this never happens! Read into Amazon reviews way down the list some people not so happy. SO if you are serious about your money or making images. Best bet buy a Apple lap top $999 and Hard drive $120 and go that route or carry enough cards for work. This also enables emails and music movies for $700.00 more! The Wolverine ESP is a waste of time and your hard earned money. I am just passing on info so to save you $300+ and some stress. Please don't take this as a angry review did I get a lemon who knows can YOU take that risk. Am I upset sure but mostly that the machine didn't perform very well.
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"GREAT PRODUCT, LOUSY WARRANTY" on by tpstudio
Pros: THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE MACHINE. I AM A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO UPLOAD MY PHOTOS TO BETWEEN JOBS AND THIS FILLED THE BILLED PERFECTLY.
Cons: DON'T PLAN ON USING THE WARRANTY IF YOU USE THE WRONG COMPACT FLASH CARD.
Summary: ITHE ONLY NEGATIVE I FOUND IS THAT AFTER I HAD THE ESP FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH, IT WOULDN'T READ MY COMPACT FLASH CARDS. I CALLED TECH SUPPORT AND TALKED TO RICO. HE WAS VERY INFORMED ON THE ESP AND AFTER WE TRIED A FEW THINGS, HE DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO SEND IT IN FOR REPAIR. I SENT IT IN AND WITHIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS TALKED TO RICO AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BOARD BECAUSE MY SANDISK CARD HAD PUSHED A PIN BACK IN AND COULDN'T READ THE CARDS. I WAS GLAD TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL HE TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS THE SANDISK CARD THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM I HAD TO PAY $120.00 FOR REPAIR. THIS SEEMED VERY UNREASONABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING ABOUT WHICH CARDS TO USE TO VOID THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD ME TO SWITCH ALL MY CARDS TO LEXAR OR IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I ONLY HAD 11 SANDISK CARDS SO I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO HEAR THIS(SARCASTIC). I HAVE NOW SWITCHED TO LEXAR AND HAD NO PROBLEM(ABOUT A MONTH). I'M SORRY BUT THE $120.00 CHARGE WAS BULL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. TO ME I MEANS I JUST PAID $120 MORE FOR THE UNIT AND COULD HAVE BOUGHT A BETTER ONE FOR THAT MONEY.I REALLY LIKE THE UNIT AND IT DOES WHAT IT IS MEANT TO DO BUT I GUESS YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT CARDS YOU USE. DON'T PLAN ON USING THE WARRANTY.
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"Excellent portable hard drive" on by nyfrankieboy
Pros: Good capacity, Built in card slots
Cons: Joy stick controller
Summary: I have been looking for a less expensive version of the Epson P series multimedia photo viewer and the wolverine ESP is it. Dollar for dollar it offers what the Epson offers but more capacity for the money. Since I am not using it as a music player (that's what I-Pods are for) the DRM issue is a non-issue for me. It does everything I need it to do and does it well. The joystick is a little finicky but, nothing I can't live with. The hard disk is upgradeable by just opening it up and plugging in a bigger hard disk. All of the OS is on ROM. This does void the warranty so, I'll wait a year to do it.
Wolverine ESP 5120 user reviews (120GB)
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