Archos GEN5

[DD]

http://www.archos.com/


The site should be back in just over an hour and a half.

[sweetspot]

They better start bringing better packages to the table, rather than keep making their customers purchase stuff like codecs. That has never sat well with me, and cause me to never consider their products in the past couple years. And for the money their products go for, it wouldn't hurt to include more accessories etc.

Their stuff could also go for a bit of an aesthetics revamping. I find the current lineup to be bulky, sterile looking and just unappealing in general. The build quality is spot on, but how about a bit of sharp looks for goober's sake ?:


Edit: Posting these quotes for my next post...have to switch to my pc:

Originally Posted by fromarchosfans.com

Charbax, have you seen the new Raon Everun? If they can get it at a decent price point, say under $750, then I've got to go in that direction. It's about the size of a PSP, runs XP, has 7 hour battery life, BT2, WiFi, HSDPA, etc. Just can't see the 605W being that much better than the 604W, and in fact I still use the PMA/Giraffe because it's simply got the bells and whistles that I miss on the 604W (like QOffice, calendar, contacts, etc). I think the Raon may combine the best features of the PMA and the 604W, at least for me. Just my opinion. We'll see what the Raon brings to the table when it's available some time in July.

BTW, we have several friends visiting us from Shenyang. The family will probably be going over next summer. I'm looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by archosfans.com

This is exciting... I can't wait till they fix my 3 month old 704 that was broken out of the box. But this 5th generation thingy, that has shoved all the defective 4th generation players to the back of the line, is almost so exciting that I am forgetting the $800 I blow on my broken 704 and its add ons.

Some reasons as to why I think that I'm not for the development of said devices whilst selling at CURRENT PRICES. I'll be back...

Let me add this one too:

Originally Posted by archosfans.com

There are thousands of us out here with absolutely garbage 704 units that they have done nothing to fix or repair...and they are working on the next generation??? How about you get your heads out of your a$$'s and fix the UNITS YOU HAVE SOLD FIRST!!! This should be illegal. I am a long time Archos user and supporter, but they are making it so easy to jump ship right now. I just cannot believe that instead of using their resources to fix all of these broken 704's they are running around trying to sell me another new product. I hope this blows up in their greedy faces.

[saints]

Archos are slowly getting a very bad reputation for the lottery you enter when you buy one of their products. Their customer support is hopeless. Ive read people have had to get the better business bureau to intervene.
I bought a 504 160gb to replace my cowon a2 as the a2 has limitations on its hard drive. I find the quality of the picture the same on both, with the archos battery life sucking to half that of the cowon. Buying a replaceable battery is the only plus for Archos.
I didnt need to buy any of the plugins, but as SS says this and having to buy ac adapters for an expensive machine is ridiculous.
So far my 504 hasnt had any problems. maybe ive been lucky.
Archos firmware updates are very few and far in between, and once the next gen comes out they abandon the previous generation.
Id never buy another Archos product based on above.

[sweetspot]

It's a shame that a company that is trying to continue to build up a good reputation, carries on in such a manner that would garner such negative attention. Aside from what you've mentioned, and what I've quoted, the other aspect of this scene is the acknowledgment from such companies (or lack thereof), that they are dangerously close to entering into the portable PC market, without either being well equipped enough, or having done enough market research to figure out where to dot their i's or slash their t's. Here's what I mean:

If you're company X, and you're pushing a product into the market which is capable of wi-f, BT2, HDMA, web browsing, well...let's just say capable of what the iAudio Q5, and the latest offerings from Archos are bringing to the table, then you're charging at LEAST $500 for said product, which doesn't even include all the necessary peripherals which enhance the functionality of your new toy, then why in the world, do you think that I should not look at a full fledged laptop instead ?

Yes, the PMP's and such are significantly smaller. But in cases such as these... smaller IMO, does not = better. I'd rather buy a nice small laptop on which I can do all that these PMP's are capable of, but tons more. At these price ranges, I want them to offer true support for portable OS choices... open software, and closed.. just give me options.

I think that these companies are just running into the wind, and making bad choices themselves, right now. But hey, that's what happens with chaos... you sometimes have to run into a brick wall before you realize that you can't run anymore.

It's not that I mind swiss army knives. Not at all. But if you're going to put one on the table, make sure that it's THE swiss army knife, and not just a replica with missing parts. After all, if one is to pay good money, they should get what it's worth. Sad that so much money these days with companies such as Archos, seems to go nowhere at all. Not including an standard adapter ? That's atrocious... Is that what you said Saints ? These things are investments, which some people take quite seriously... not everybody has money to piss away, and it's very irresponsible for a company to shirk its duties by turning a blind eye to its supportive customers, as it's apparent they did, for not providing proper support for already existing models of PMP's before releasing an entirely new line.

That sounds like the old days with Apple and the iPod (battery fiasco anybody ?). Anyway, I think it's neat to have all of these cool toys and such, but if I'm expected to plop down a weeks pay check on a piece of kit which will ultimately cost me more than a laptop after I've bought all of the extras which it should have come with in the first place, AND that piece of kit is to be disregarded by the company whom made it when a new line is ready, then I'm afraid I just can't play.

At this point, I just can't get past that for the price, a laptop would fulfill my needs a hell of a lot more than these recent PMP incarnations which are supposed to do 'everythng', or close enough to that....

/rant half over. Have to work on something.

[Coop]

Archos 504 80gb for $280 at Buy.com. New customers of Buy.com may take an additional $15 discount by clicking $15 Coupon and searching for 202958320.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202958320

Looks like a great deal, but I'm looking for something a little more portable.

[pachinkoman]

I have several Archos 04 generation players and quite like them all.

It is a bit disturbing though how quickly they move on to another generation while seemingly leaving the older one in the dust.

I was surprised the 5th gen came so quickly on the heels of the 4th.

In general, I'm OK with it though.

Everyone can always find things to beef about for almost every product and ususally for good reason - or not.

[Coop]

P-Man, as the owner of a ton of DAP's. I think you'd be a good person to ask. How would you compare the Archos 504 with any other 80Gb players you own (particularly the iPod)?

[pachinkoman]

The ipod and the Archos are two totally different machines. Even though you can watch videos on the pod, I really seldom choose to do that.

When I go somewhere and want to watch a movie or two (ie plane, long car trip, doctor's office, etc) I love using my Archos. Since it also does a great job with music, if I want to listen to tunes in addition to or instead of they are there.

IMHO the Archos is much more versitile, but it's a bit bigger and heavier - not a deal breaker for me. If you don't mind the increase in size that 80g you were looking at, is a great deal. I would get it over the pod if I could only get one, but that's me.

It's a well built machine.

[Coop]

Thanks for the feedback. The video is not as important to me but the size is, so I think I'm going for the iPod if that's the Archos main advantage. Between an online coupon and an online sale, I think I can land one at Best Buy for just under $300 tomorrow if I decide to pull the trigger.

[pachinkoman]

Coop, you must be in baseball heavan this year, conversely I'm in baseball hell.

[Coop]

Looks like I was wrong about the Best Buy deal. it's an online sale and an in-store coupon, so no stacking of deals.

P-man - I was at yesterday's game and it was pretty frustrating to see a great pitching performance by Tavares and the bullpen get wasted because of lousy defense and no offense. The Sox have lost 5 of their last 6, so it's a little wierd that no one has really closed the gap. It was a relief to see on the scoreboard that Pettite was getting shelled, but I'd still like to see the Sox snap out of their funk. This whole season has been a matter of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[pachinkoman]

I'm going to Fenway for my first ever time on July 20th and 22nd, can't wait.

Except for seeing the Red Sox, should be fun...LOL...

[Coop]

Good for you. I brought a bunch of out-of-towners to their first game at Fenway this year and they loved it. Always nice to see it from that perspective once in a while. Where are your seats? Feel free to PM me if you need any info, suggestions, etc.

[pachinkoman]

I'm sitting in the Granstand section 27, row 13.

How are those?

**Sorry for hijacking the thread all.**

Carry on...

[Coop]

Those are great seats - around third base. As long as you aren't in the Right Field grandstands (or behind a pole), you're in good shape. Try to get there early enough to walk around the park inside and outside - there's a lot going on.

As I said, drop me a PM or maybe even a post in the bosox thread if you need anything. Likewise, I'll let you know if I wind up going to the game on the 22nd.

[saints]

Back on topic Archos have crap customer service

[BBD]

Fenway seems one of those parks every fan should try to see if at all possible, along with Wrigley Field. Of the new(ish) stadiums, I like the new Busch stadium a lot--very old feel and well designed. A shame the current champs are hardly playing like they had the last 5 years....

Oh, well. We can still relish this one until someone else wins the Series....

Back OT: Um...Archos seriously needs to get with the times, design-wise....

[pachinkoman]

Fenway will be # 11 in my quest to go to all major league parks.

I have been to Wrigley a couple of times - it truly earns it's moniker, the friendlly confines.

Miller Park, is very nice.

Back OT.

The Archos players look a lot nicer in person, IMHO. They are very well made, and I prefer them to the 95% plastic that most players are made from now.

BBD, did you ever cash in your BB warranty on your iriver?

[BBD]

Not yet...waiting to see what might happen in the Fall......

[pachinkoman]

Originally Posted by BBD

Not yet...waiting to see what might happen in the Fall......

What exactly does that mean?

[terrymx]

I have to agree with sweetspot. I have been archos fan since the gmini400 days and they are losing it. They're technology are good no doubt, but it's something else. I heard so much complains about customer service. Good thing I never have to RMA. Archos need to listen to their fans more.

I bought the 604wifi 6months ago when its brand new and now they are already on the next gen. The 604wifi was like a test project for the new 605. Overall it was a good device, actually I really love the physical design, the buttons are sturdy, the look is good because I dislike anything that is an attention seeker. Nothing wrong with releasing new gen fast, except they are low balling the customers in the process, provide lack of update and fixed for the previous devices. Atleast improve the UI so it's easier to use. Fix the crippled mp4 plugin, people has problem with the mp4 video, me for aac audio I got very low volume and screwed up ID3 tag, didn't find out until I bought it.

Now the 605 is cheap as a standalone, but there are tons of plugins you have to buy, in a sense it's good because its modular and you can save money, you even have to buy one to browse the web. I dislike buying all the craps for the 604wifi before actually, now it's even worse. I have to admit I never use the wireless function on the 604 wifi since it's so slow, but they would improve it here with a better processor, with flash and widgets now, but it's just too late for me, I don't really care about those things. I rather have something that work well as a whole, not a bunch of features that you don't know for sure how well each work. Something that has good battery life and removable, a good package that support a lot of working codecs. Getting rid of the removable battery was a bad idea.

Well I have the 404camcorder now, and it's an excellent little thing, I enjoy it more than the 604wifi. On the other hand the upcoming 405 is quite disappointing, 2gb only and removable slot, not even external speaker.

Since I am moving toward UMPC now Archos doesn't seem appealing anymore. To spend on a full blown Archos with all the plugins and accessories, will be $600+, so it's not far away from a UMPC which prices will get cheaper soon, and allowing much more usability. But do I wish Archos make a better version of the 404cc with a usable camera, with an actually harddrive and speaker, it's not going to happen it seem.