Finis Swimp3 Satisfaction

Finis SwiMP3
Product:
Unfortunately this item doesn’t have very many competitors in the field of waterproof mp3 players… However, amongst the others, the quality in sound alone makes the SwiMP3 Player by far the leader. Once opening the simple packaging and charging for roughly 4 hours (first time charge period) I quickly proceeded, slapping my favorite songs down one after another when I was quickly greeted after about 30 songs by the message, “the storage device is now full”. The storage capacity isn’t the best, taking mp3 players such as the Ipod and other modern electronics into consideration, but you do sacrifice a great amount to use a product which is unbelievably durable and completely waterproof in every aspect. It is good enough to give you two solid hours of non-repetitive music which is generally more then enough for a swim workout (there is a 256mb version if you really need more) as well as being backed by a 4 hour battery life (true battery life regardless of condition, unlike other mp3 players advertise).
Not being able to wait any longer before trying it out, I threw it in my swim bag and was off to the nearest pool. Now, the buttons and the multiple combinations in which they can be pressed are a little overwhelming; hold down both, hold down one for 2 seconds, press this quickly, etc. but for basic operating they are very simple and very clear at the same time. Hesitant to put the pads over my cheek bones, I didn’t expect that to work very well, I first tried them over my ears… DO NOT DO THIS! If it was any louder I would probably be deaf at the moment :) After replacing the pads on my cheeks I quickly submerged my head under the surface to be greeted by a very quiet, very small but clear sound. I pressed and held the volume until it was capped off at the loudest level which was more then enough for even the people in the water next to me to hear it slightly.
I began my swim, simple slow freestyle, realizing how snug it actually catered to my head with no movement at all. Expecting it to fall off I took my flip turn and push off with ease but still no movement. I sped things up, trying multiple strokes (butterfly, breast, back), faster flip turns and push offs, and with a little adjustment in the goggle strap the unit never moved. Because of the inner-ear balance the music feels like the sound is in the center of your head. As long as there is one pad on one of your cheeks and it is slightly submerged, the sound is still there, still clear. With every other waterproof mp3 player this is rarely the case; all it takes with other waterproof headphones is a simple drip of water in your ear before it sounds like you’re listening to a conversation through a wall… and this happens frequently, expect to stop to push the water out, and the inability to do any competitive strokes.

Support:
To be honest I haven’t needed any support on the unit thus far that couldn’t be addressed in the user manual. However, I did call the manufacturers number just to see what it would be like for this review. The call was answered quickly and the service was effective and prompt.

Result:
In a nutshell this unit is amazing, used several times, and the use of the shuffle option must be used as some of the music can be repetitive. I am a competitive swimmer and when my head is above the water I can listen to my coach clearly as well as keep the unit on for all my competitive strokes throughout my 3 hour workout. I was very pleased and I’m sure you would be as well.