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Design
--------------------
Being an Apple designed product, it is very attractive and finished in white plastic/chrome to match the iPod.
The top has a volume +/- control, track skip back/forwared and play/pause. There is also a hold button on the side, and a clip on the back ... Read review
A review by wicker_man on Apple IPOD Remote Earphone M9128G/A April 30th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Sound Quality
Good
Comfort
Satisfactory
Looks & Design
Good
Durability
Satisfactory
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Control iPod without taking out of your pocket/bag
Disadvantages:
Weak cord above jack, clip not very strong
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Introduction --------------------
Having been a happy user of my 3rd generation 40GB iPod, I decided to buy the wired remote control so I could operate it (change volume/track etc) without taking it out of my pocket when cycling etc.
Purchasing --------------------
Since the remote is discontinued, it is only available used. I brought mine from an auction site for £10 without the earphones (I am very happy with my Sennheiser CX300 in-ear ones). It was advertised as new condition.
Design --------------------
Being an Apple designed product, it is very attractive and finished in white plastic/chrome to match the iPod.
The top has a volume +/- control, track skip back/forwared and play/pause. There is also a hold button on the side, and a clip on the back to attach to a shirt/pocket etc.,
It is attached to a cable (white) of about 80cm in length and has a 3.5mm/4 pin conector for the top of the iPod.
Compatibility --------------------
It is compatible with the following iPod models:
3rd Generation (with dock connector and touch senstivie backlit controls) 4th Generation (with dock connector and click wheel) Photo Mini (1st/2nd gen)
Usage --------------------
You simply plug it to the top of the iPod, plug your headphones to the end of the remote and listen!
Personally, I find the cable length a little long and need to wrap it around the iPod a couple of times.
The actual remote is easy to use by touch, you can feel the buttons click while pressed, although it may have been a better idea to make the play button a different shape to easily distinguish the top from bottom.
The hold button on the side is very handy so you don't accidentally press any buttons.
The clip is a little small and weak in my opinion and easy comes off whatever it is attached to. I believe the new iPod remote has a better clip (although I don't own one).
The silver mirror finish on the remote attracts fingerprints very easily.
Durability --------------------
After about a year of usage, I found that sound was a bit crackly and occasionally cutting out. I then discovered the cord above the connection jack to the iPod was worn out and exposing the wires inside.
I have temporarily fixed it with sticky tape, but it looks to be a weakness in the design.
They are available very cheaply now though, so I'll be buying a replacement soon because they are very convenient.
Summary --------------------
The iPod remote is a very useful item for controlling your iPod without removing it from your pocket/bag. It saves time for adjusting volume/changing track and plus doesn't advertise to everybody you have a several hundred pound iPod in your pocket because you can control it discreetly.
The cord above the connection jack into the iPod needs to be strengthened with thicker plastic, and the clip needs to be improved. I believe these are remedied in the new remote for 5th generation iPod/nano, but since I own a 3rd gen iPod, I'll have to put up with these minor issues.
This thing is overpriced. £35 to have a function that should be built into an ipod as standard.
Having said that you can often buy them for half that price on ebay and they are quite useful - it is not just a radio but also a remote and a spare pair... more
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