Size of cd players?

[leeraff]

Dying here for information as it seems this forum HAS BEEN abandoned for the newer technologies. Wonder it that's a hint in itself?

Can certainly imagine the size of most portable cd players as compared to imagining exactly how big most mp3 players are. Still, when I went to both Best Buy and Circuit City today to see actual size of iMP's, neither store carried iRiver cd/mp3 players. Are these things about the same size as all those players I did see on display? Panasonic, sony, etc. Seems imp's are a little thinner, but gosh, is that worth $150+ rather than $59 or $79 players?!?

Are these players as cumbersome as they seem? Or, do you get used to them and deal quite well?

[vinnie97]

I've adjusted just fine to my 350. Do you have a CompUSA or Fry's Electronics nearby? They're known to carry the IMP-350. I haven't seen the 550 unit in any brick & mortar stores. I haven't used the Panasonic or Sony units, so I wouldn't be the best person to ask. However, the 350 can be had for around $100. Also remember that the other units are not firmware upgradeable like Iriver's, so that diminishes their value even further.

[FlameGrilled]

As Vinnie points out, it's easy to get used to the apparent size/bulk of a good well-made personal CDP.

The 350 is a lightweight, like the 250 was, and like my current Sony.

If you carry it in a light shoulder bag, the bag virtually bears more noticable weight on your shoulder than the player & bag - rough translation being, relatively the player weighs bugger all in addition.

If, like got supplied with the 250 (and poss the 350), you get a good belt case that's literally no bigger than necessary to hold the CDP and say 5 unsleeved CD's, the cased deck easily sits on your belt and only really is noticable to you if you have to bend down to pick up lost keys.

I used to keep mine mounted across the left hip, when cycling, with remote run up to the sleeve of the cycliing jersey or jacket.. so the only time the deck got touched.. was to remove it at home.. or to swop disc.

A better place to put it, ironically enough, is to put it on your belt, whilst the belt is removed, and centre the player across the small of your back (near where your ass meets your spine..) and then slip the belt back into place and buckle up. You can then slip the remote inside your top, along a sleeve or whereever, and you've hidden all the excess cable of the remote.

This is pretty much my alternative carrying position for cycling and jogging.

One thing is certain, on a deck with a remote, find a good comfortable place to wear/carry the deck, and life is happy and most of the time you can forget you are carrying a cdp :P

[FlameGrilled]

Availability - apart from the odd store in central europe and possibly the odd ones in non-eu countries outside the US, it's only really the US chains mentioned above that have real bricks-and-mortar shops to go visit and demo a deck.

Most iRiver products are stocked, by majority, by mail-order and/or e-tailers (i.e. online stores).

Given that iRiver have added local presence in some countries like the local iRiver (UK) office, it's probably that they might make more effort to try to get their products in more bricks-n-mortar outlets.. but i'm speculating there and if i gambled on it putting my avatar's tin of kit-e-kat up as a stake, he'd be after my blood for losing his dinner :P

[terrymx]

i would say it very much worth it to get a slim cd players if you can. the imp450 and 550 come with a belt pouch which is very useful as you can strap it onto your belt. this highly decrease the clumsiness of having to carry it around with your hand or pocket, you just have to hold the remote. ofcourse you might look wierd and have to take it out and in whenever you switch pants.

they are much thinner than the ones you saw on display. the imp350 and imp450 are 16.7mm thick, while the imp550 is 14.5mm thick. their slimmness greatly improve their beauty as well.

[HiredGun]

i hate the belt case thing with all my heart. if you have it, be sure to toss it in the trash right away. it has a belt loop which is rediculous for taking it on or off. you literally have to unbuckle your belt to get the damn thing on. totally unpracticle. as size is concerned, i always carry it in my jeans pocket. i wear baggy jeans though, not tight cowboy type.

[Chiminou]

NO the SIZE of the iMP-550 IS 13.5mm NOT 14.5mm.

[sanjay]

hmm i used a CDP until i could afford to move to minidisc, when i never even contemplated looking back. those things fit 320 mins of music on one disk, and they fit into my pants so easily.

then i moved to a HDD DAP and the size increase was offset by the fact i was carrying 20gigs of music in my pocket. quite a few weeks of straight music.

that said, i bought a chromeX and am considering going back to ye'old CDP, just using a sling bag thing and using the remote so s'all good. the size of any audio player is not a problem if you can store it intelligently.

and FG, i found your suggested placement thing very useful when i was on a bike ride the other day - put the H120 there and i didnt have to worry about it falling out my pocket or anything like that. thanks!