IPod Questions

[Gunner]

Is anyone using an IPod on their bike?

I like to listen to unabridged audio books while on road trips and my favorite source for audio books has been Books on Tape.

Recently Books on Tape quit renting/selling directly to consumers and the only place you can get their books, other than a library, is through Audible.com.

In the past, I bought books on a CD in mp3 format from Books on Tape and
played them on my Sony mp3 CD player.

Audible.com has a different file format that is compatible with only certain devices, the IPod being one of them.

I am considering buying a 2Ogig IPod. I am woundering how durable they are and if they are affected by vibration?

Thanks

Steve

[Chris Parker]

I have the 40GB click wheel version and I LOVE IT. It is the best player on the market and is very durable. I have used it on both the BMW RT, much buzzier than the ST, and on the ST. Works great! You can get a mount for it and keep it out of the tankbag or just put it in your tankbag.

Chris

[Gunner]

Chris,

How long does a charge last on the batteries?

I keep my Sony CD player and amp in the left fairing pocket where it stays nice and dry. That's where I am planning on keeping the IPod.

Steve

[Will Robinson]

I had a first generation 5 gig model that survived 10,000 miles playing in a windshield bag of a Harley-Davidson Road King. Never failed, skipped, nothing but sweet music....
Nuff said!

I sold it and bought a 20 gig 3rd generation model that I plan to use on a Honda ST1300. There is no better MP3 player out there than the iPod. Not to say there aren't others that are good but they all come up short somewhere compared to the Apple product.

[CruisingDog]

Steve, I have to say it's the best thing you could do if you want portable music. I have the latest 10GB iPod and it's ample enough for me. What I do is keep it in my jacket pocket to keep it snug and warm (yes it makes a difference to the battery life!!). I have a cigar lighter adapter in my left glove box where I can lock it away for a recharge whilst I'm taking a nap or something. Works a treat!!

OK, for nostalgia, I've started converting all my old records and tapes into MP3 format. I have enough of an audio studio to do this and it's great to hear the old crackles again. Reminds me of long study nights when back at Universtiy. Ah, nostalgia!! Sometimes it's a bit too relaxing listenning to the entire works of Pink Floyd on those long trips though!

Oh yeah, I would strongly advise ditching the iPod earphones. They suck. I got a pair of Sony earplug style earphones and the bass response is incredible. Also they work really well like you've got earplugs in. $45 USD IIRC.

[crazykz]

Cyclegadgets sells the Rammount for it too if you're interested. Fits the newer models.

CycleGadgets iPod Mount (http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/RAM/ram.asp?prod=RAM-IPOD)

I am considering the new H10 from iRiver since it also has an FM tuner and will display photos and text. Also has a voice recorder. I have to admit the iPod has more accessories, support, etc. but the FM tuner for me is very attractive because I'm trying to consolidate. It picks up better than I thought it would. Of course a custom fir rammount cradle won't be in my future so I'll have to try and use one of the generic ones.

Curt

[Chris Parker]

A full charge is about 2 hours if the iPod's battery is full discharged. If you keep it only about 50% discharged, it comes up within an hour. By the way, I am getting a little more than the advertised 12 hour battery life (not using some of the other features and just letting it play maximizes battery life). By the way, check out Apple's new versions. Price drops on the old iPod mini 4GB is now $200.00, a new 6GB is old 4GB price of $250.00. 20GB regular Click Wheel is still $299.00 and the 40GB (which I have) is now no longer available. The ones that I would direct you to, if you had the cash, is the iPod photo, available in 30GB and 60GB versions, those prices have dropped tremendously. Hope that helps.

Chris