Sony NWZ-A818

beardybrewer

My mp3 player died so I have an excuse to go player shopping. My only requirement is that I be able to control volume and forward to the next track while I ride my bike. Both Zen V Plus and iPod Nano have a remote which plugs between the device and the headphones which accomplish this. Then the Sony caught my eye with reports of its sound quality. Also, it's straightforward tactile buttons seemed like something I might be able to find in my jacket pocket and find/use the controls. However, a friend pointed out with he puts his zen in his pocket he locks it otherwise the screen stays on and drains the battery. Good point. Not having seen the Sony NWZ-A818 in person, can anyone who owns one tell me if using it while riding is something that won't be a problem?

sxt

It would be very awkward and dangerous to use it this way.It would be difficult to navigate to songs that you want played unless the screen was in front of you.THe volum up/down is done by holding your finger on either one,which isn't good if you need the volume turned off in a rush!

Cycling with earphones is risky at the best of times,defo get a remote if you are going to do this

pleasant Co.

newkie wrote: »

Not having seen the Sony NWZ-A818 in person, can anyone who owns one tell me if using it while riding is something that won't be a problem?

You shouldn't have any issues with the Sony, it's one of the best ergonomically design DAP's available.

Obviously you won't be navigateing songs while cycling, that would be an idiotic thing to do, but basic FF/skip forward wouldn't be a problem... also the volume control on the A818 is well implemented and raises fairly quickly... anyhoo, pop down to your local sony centre if you can and try one out..

Ekancone

I consider being able to hear whats going on around you to be essential to cycling safely. People must be nuts to cycle with headphones on.

beardybrewer

Yeah yeah, cycling with music is the work of the devil. Anyhow...

Mastard: That's what I figured. I'm just forwarding to the next random song or adjusting the volume at most while cycling. I figured with the proper buttons (vs. touch) this wouldn't be a problem. I guess my question is does the screen stay on while sitting in my pocket. I wouldn't have it on hold, because I might want to FF. So, will the screen be on draining the battery?

beardybrewer

Also, what options does the player have for shuffle? I really like the idea of random play by genre.

pleasant Co.

newkie wrote: »

Yeah yeah, cycling with music is the work of the devil. Anyhow...

Mastard: That's what I figured. I'm just forwarding to the next random song or adjusting the volume at most while cycling. I figured with the proper buttons (vs. touch) this wouldn't be a problem. I guess my question is does the screen stay on while sitting in my pocket. I wouldn't have it on hold, because I might want to FF. So, will the screen be on draining the battery?

Nope, screen goes off after roughly 5 seconds (also the battery life F'in rules: I've tested and averaged 37hrs using high bitrate files)

newkie wrote: »

Also, what options does the player have for shuffle? I really like the idea of random play by genre.

Bit tired now, but I'll check tomorrow (Sunday)

beardybrewer

Mactard wrote: »

Nope, screen goes off after roughly 5 seconds...

[Re: shuffle] ...I'll check tomorrow (Sunday)

That's great. My friend has a Zen Vision and its screen stays on unless you put it on hold.

Yeah, the battery life sounds amazing. It's between this and the Zen V Plus. The only thing the Zen has over the Sony is the remote which attaches between the player and the headphones. Still the battery life and the sound quality may win out.

I'm guessing from the Zen Vision that it does not have shuffle by genre even though the can browse this way. I think you have to go to this DJ menu where you have a few options like all, highly rated, not heard recently, most popular, random album, and not yet rated.

pleasant Co.

Just checked and you can shuffle by genre.

I was never a fan of the Zen v Plus, it's tiny like but I could never get used to the controls, too small for my chunky hands...can you buy it anymore actually? I thought the new ZEN had replaced it?

beardybrewer

Excellent. Thanks for the help. Found it for €116 free delivery on Play.com. I think I've found my player.

pleasant Co.

Wow that's an excellent price!

Enjoy it and be careful on the bike, galway roads suck... i've nearly been knocked down so many times...