iRiver iFP-890 (256 MB) Digital Media Player

I use this unit to record backup audio, not as a playback unit. I bought the Giant Squid microphone and then mounted it on lapels and jackets to get a close up sound recording of the speaker.

The Giant Squid mic is specially wired so that the iRiver will not record in stereo but mono. This doubles the record time. I've pinned this on grooms in a wedding and the pickup was perfect for not only him but the bride and the minister as well.

With several hours of recording time in the highest quality setting and its small size, the iRiver is a convenient piece of gear to have. I installed it inside the engine compartment to record the sound of a turbo. The mechanics used the recordings made during several quarter-mile runs at 100 mph to diagnose some engine tuning issues. It handled the heat and vibration just fine.

The first negative is its sensitive "joystick" control. It can be a little picky at times, and requires a light touch.

The second negative is the required software that is to be installed in order to retrieve the audio. I had hoped that it could just be plugged into a computer and recognized as a legitimate USB device, but no. The special program recognizes it and allows you to copy the tracks to your computer.

The third negative is the denseness of the menus - it's a bit hard to navigate around without having to refer to the manual repeatedly.

This unit is a great addition to a videographer's gear and a great choice for people who need portable recording capabilities.

Very simple to use mp3 player.
It uses a normal AA battery.
The one problem is that it has a small flash memory. Only 256 MB.

My wife and I both bought the 512MB versions then got these smaller ones for her sisters (birthdays). You will only fit about 55 songs on this size, and they do get old, but that is my only complaint.
It is user friendly.
Good software.
Durrable. - have dropped mine several times
Neat display.
You really do get about 40 hrs batt life.
Useful features - Record radio, alarm clock, equilizer.....

Havn't tried other brands, but I really have no reason to. You'll love it!

I am using the iRiver MP3 player, that I Purchased, at the Gym and have been
very pleased with it. I honestly wouldn't sell it for what I paid for it. I
think I got a very good deal.

This thing is so light I never even notice it's there.

It's great for running and it's flash memory so it never skips