Archos 20 GB USB 2.0 MP3 Jukebox Recorder

Rating:
Summary: The IPOD killer
Review: This is a great device that in my opinion rivals the IPOD and does much more.
It records from several sources (line in, built in mic, digital in).
Storage is 20gigs so it serves as a good size portable harddrive for music, backups or whatever else you fancy.
The reason I give it 4 is because the software is a little quirky and teh built in microphone records some hard drive noise. Since I've bought it I've replaced it with the open source Rockbox software:
http://rockbox.haxx.se/
The system performance and features have gotten much better since.
This is a great little performer for an awesome price.


Rating:
Summary: Reliable and Powerful
Review: Great mp3 player. With the firmware from www.rockbox.org, you can watch videos, play games and do many other things. I have had it for a year, and works just like the day i got it. It can do more than an ipod, and though it may be bigger, it makes up for it in power. I have friends with ipods and dell djs, and they are amazed at what this can do.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the price.
Review: If I could give this 0 stars I would

I used this all of 5 times before it stopped working. I didn't confuse adapters, it just stopped turning on.
Call to get it replaced, wasted $8 in shipping to ship it back. They wanted $80 to fix it EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY because I uploaded the roxbox software in place of their inferior software.

I would never buy from this company again. Their customer service is sub-par, lacking in everyway possible and their product is FAULTY.

Rating:
Summary: Short lifespan; good tech support....
Review: ** Update to my original review below:
They did not replace or reimburse because Rockbox was installed, and doing so voids the warranty. Apparently, Rockbox causes the unit to lock up, like mine has, and they've had to turn down a number of RMA's. So, given that I bought this paperweight for 100$ and they are asking for 65$ in repairs... well, I regret not buying a higher-end mp3 player. Live and learn, as they say. Also, given that Rockbox has to be installed to make it work better than the default program, I'd probably have given it 2 stars - but can't change that now.


** Initial review
I'll be brief, since most reading this are buying a used one (I believe it's discontinued now?)

About my plight: Got my unit about 6 months ago. Read the reviews: knew it would be bulky, not good for running but good for the long flights I have. So I got 20GB for $99, and even a recorder which worked really well actually, for even short interviews with clients and saved voice to mp3; very handy. Upon borrowing a car with a tape player, I bought an adapter to play it in there. So, it was very versatile. And yes, I did use Rockbox (brother installed that better program for me - see earlier reviews for more info about that).

However, 2 weeks ago it quit altogether. No response from screen, hard drive, usb connection to my pc - nothing. The good news is, tech support was more then helpful for me. They've sent a label via email, with which I have returned the product to Irvine, CA (as it's still under a year warranty). So far so good; no word back yet but it's only been 3 days.

This then is my warning: it looks like I'm not the only one to which this has happened. I don't think this unit has a long lifespan, and I'm starting to regret just not saving more dough and buying a better unit, now that they're coming up with more storage and smaller players. 20gb was handy yes, but even for storing files, I didn't need that much space. Also, the rechargable battery seemed to lose its capacity quicker than most rechargables.

All that said, I'm hoping the unit is totally kaput and that they send something else to reimburse me with LOL



Rating:
Summary: worked fine for only two months
Review: Do not buy it. $50 is to much for it