0ur opinion:

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The RipFlash PLUS is not only a full featured MP3/WMA Player with fast USB connectivity, but also records MP3 files using the on board microphone for voice and live recording or directly from any audio source, such as a CD player, through its line-in connector. Create MP3 files without a PC!

Review:
0utstanding sound quality and a low price make the RipFlash an excellent flash memory-based MP3 player. However, its ability to record MP3s in real time via the built-in microphone or line-in connection takes this player to the next level. Whether you want to record a lecture or convert your old LPs and tapes to MP3, this versatile little player gets the job done.

Smaller than a pack of cards and weighing just 65 grams, the RipFlash looks like an ordinary MP3 player. lnstallation was simple using the quick-start guide. We just loaded the MP3 Manager software on our PC, then connected the player to our USB port and copied our MP3 and WMA files to the unit.

When we put on the earbud-style headphones to take a listen, we were surprised by what a clear, noise-free, rich sound the RipFlash delivered. The lows were especially robust, giving bass rhythms a visceral feel, and the built-in equalizer let us optimize the sound for classical, rock, pop, or jazz. The unit's small display was easy to read and the buttons on the front and sides were logically laid out and easy to press.

To test the recording capabilities, we simply pressed the record button and started talking. The sensitive, built-in microphone recorded our speech clearly and accurately. The line-in jack on the top of the unit lets you connect it to any audio device, such as a tape player or a CD player, and for us this performed equally well. Using the menu-based interface, you can set the recording-quality bit rate. For instance, you can record voice at a lower quality for up to 30 hours of recording time, or record music at a higher quality for less recording time. Either way, it's simple to copy the MP3 files back onto your PC, so you can send them via e-mail or burn them to CD.

0f course, since the RipFlash uses flash memory and has no moving parts, it's impervious to shocks and jolts. lt runs on two AAA batteries, offering about 9 to 10 hours of playback, and comes with a wristband. ln addition to its built-in memory, its memory can be expanded via a SmartMedia card.

Low price, excellent sound quality, and, most of all, the ability to record audio directly into MP3 format, make the RipFlash easy to recommend to music aficionados who want to record live audio, students looking to record lectures, or anyone who needs an easy way to record dictation. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

• lnexpensive
• Records MP3s via built-in mic or line-in
• Excellent sound quality and fast download

Cons:

• Small display
• No rechargeable battery

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Buyer's feedback: - * My Adventures with the Ripflash Player ...
I purchased this product a few years ago and thought I'd share my experiences with it. Overall, despite what I'll write below, I like the player's features. I'm an amateur musician and I've used to record my own playing--I just put it in my pocket, turn it on and forget it's there. The built-in mic is adequate but very sensitive and can become saturated at noise levels over normal conversation levels. I also bought their accessory stereo microphone and it has a volume adjustment which eliminates the built-in mic's sensitivity.
I have had problems with it:
(1) Soon after buying it, I found that when the batteries ran down, all the data I had stored in it was fried (I had to reformat the memory). This, fortunately, was a one-time problem and the player WILL retain data even when it has no batteries in it.
(2) The instructions are quite brief--don't expect extensive explainations on all the features and don't expect model English.
(3) The line-in jack broke after a year or two, which is my biggest complaint about the player. It happened AFTER the warranty expired. I did not expose the player or the jacks to any excessive forces (it stayed in my room except for the occasional rehearsal). Not wanting the hassle and expense of having to deal with their customer service, I decided to carefully take the player apart. I found that one of the solder joints on the line-in jack had come lose(!) I resoldered it and found it worked fine. I would expect a solder joint to be more durable than that.
(4) I was browsing through the microphone's warranty a few days ago and found it was only valid in Korea(!)

I would shop around more if I had to do it all over again but I really wanted something portable that could record in stereo and, at the time, there didn't seem to be much out there. Now that the player works properly, I like the features it has and give those 5 stars. As for it's durability and reliability (considering every other piece of electronic equipment I've bought has had a much longer trouble-free period after purchase), I give it 1 star. Buy at your own risk.

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Buyer's feedback: - Think twice before buying a RipFlash
I purchased a RipFlash Plus 256 MP3 player/recorder in June 2004 to record voice interviews. Major flaws in its construction and in its download software mean you are very likely to lose your recordings. To make matters worse, customer support is very resistant to issuing refunds for faulty equipment (I bought mine direct at Pogoproducts.com).

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Two main problems with the unit make it very problematic for capturing recordings:

1) The software provided (and required) to download the sound files to computer over USB is very flakey - sometimes it works, sometimes does not connect, sometimes downloads only part of the sound file but indicates it is "done." This happens on both of the newer Dell computers that I've tried it on. By contrast, all other devices I attach to the USB ports on these same computers exchange files flawlessly.

2) The RipFlash Plus is able to hold a SmartMedia card and record to it. This would seem to be an alternative to downloading through the USB connection - just remove the SmartMedia card, insert it into your computers card reader, and copy off the files. BUT . . . the ejector button on the RipFlash broke the second time I ejected a card, and appears likely to break on any unit. The ejector button pushes the card out with two very tiny brittle plastic tabs. It takes almost nothing to break one (in my case, just ejecting the card did it.) Then, you can't get the card out, or if you do fish it out, you can no longer position it in correctly without the button in place.

Regarding pogoproducts.com customer support . . . when the unit arrived in the mail, I discovered that they had thrown in a "voice activated TV remote" - at no charge, and without any advance notice - a device they don't sell on their site. I can't imagine anything more useless than that so I tossed it immediately. After obtaining an RMA from them and returning the broken RipFlash, they at first tried to charge me a "restocking" fee for the useless recorder. After I put my credit card company on their case, they finally refunded the full amount. Then, they decided they needed to charge me $40 for the throw-away remote that they had sent unsolicited, so they made a new charge on my card for it.

You might want to consider the options before you decide to try the RipFlash Plus.

Rob

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Buyer's feedback: - * Excellent compact device ...
After doing much reading on MP3 players, I decided to go with the RipFlast Plus 128MB recorder. Holds as many songs as a CD, even more if you use .wma (which is compatible with this player). Expansion slot allows you to keep tons of songs on flash cards.

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Buyer's feedback: - RipFlash
I can't wait to try this one out!

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Buyer's feedback: - * Great performance, Poor ergonomics ...
I bought this RipFlash primarily for voice recording, including memos to myself while driving.

What I like about the RipFlash:

1) Since receiving the unit about 6 months ago I find myself using it for *SO* many things I never thought it would be good for. For example: The "Line In" allows you to capture sound from ANY audio/video or audio-only source. Big deal, right? Well I happen to subscribe to an Internet real estate service that hosts ALL of the author's lectures in streaming media format. Very inconvenient if you don't want to sit in front of the computer for 40+ hours to listen to all the tapes. Enter the PoGo. I unplugged my PC's speakers, plugged in the PoGo (it comes with a Line-In patch cord) into the back of my PC, pressed the "Record" button on the PoGo, clicked the audio file I wanted to capture, then walked away for 1/2 an hour. After downloading several hour's worth (since it is voice-only capture I picked a lower quality level, which uses less memory) I transferred the files from the PoGo to the PC as MP3 files, then burned the real estate lectures onto several audio CDs. Now I can listen any time - anywhere - to what originally forced me to sit in front of my computer for hours!

That's just one example of an innovative use for this product. There are literally dozens of useful applications - I think of a new one every few weeks!

2) Software for the PC is good, easy to use, and uploads/downloads are pretty darn fast using the provided USB cable.

Now for the things I don't like:

1) Battery life. Uses 2 standard Alkaline batteries. They last about 10 hours. I found the "Ultra" batteries go about 50% longer, but they cost more. There is no way to plug in an external power supply.

2) Documentation is poor. REALLY poor. There are actually CUT OUT pieces of paper with new print on them covering the old print in the manual!!!

3) Menu doesn't work well for deleting specific files. Since this base model doesn't identify songs/entries by title, you only get to reference entries by number. The numbers change (re-number again) as you delete entries. I've found the best way around this is to use the PC software that comes with the unit.

4) No back-lighting for the display. Hard to view in low-light conditions.

(Number 3 and Number 4 are addressed in the RipFlash Plus - spend the few extra bucks - it's worth it!)

5) Ear bud headphones sound great, but you gotta have BIG ear holes to have them fit comfortably. I can't go longer than 1/2 an hour before it hurts.

I'm very happy with my RipFlash over-all, but I'd recommend spending the few extra bucks to get one of the more expensive RipFlash models of this product line.