Memorex Personal CD/MP3 Player MPD8505CP
What's This
A personal CD Player that can play audio CD as well as MP3 CDs recorded from PC. Each MP3 CD can contain 150 songs. So just 3-4 CDs may have all songs you ever want to listen!
Especially if you are on long drive, you don't have to carry tons of CDs with you and flip them around all the time.
The Good Part
This model from Memorex had most features I wanted. Infect it was the only one during Christmas, 2000 which had those features like search, DSP, good antiskip, support for 132K+ bit rate, CD-RW compatibility, car kit, MP3 tag support.
These features are important, don't buy without them!
The Bad Part
The size is slightly bigger the normal CD player and it's bit heavy. The biggest problem is however it doesn't remember
the last play mode and song position when you turn on the power again. The random play mode, which I use
90% of the time, is not default. It also doesn't switch
to external power from battery (like a laptop) when it becomes available. Also antiskipping doesn't seems to be happening. Another really
bad thing I experienced was it corrupts normal auto CD! After I play my normal audio CDs couple of time it usually becomes useless! But no harm done at all to MP3 CDs. But this is
my guess and my CDs were getting older. Also I think some of MP3 files, specially those with very high bit rates, might not get played.
Cost
130 (Dec 2000)
Where To Get It
I bought it from CompUSA store. Amazon.com sometimes have good discounts however.
So what's the best?
After reading The Bad Part above, well, this can't be the best. I bought it when MP3 CD players were just arrived
in market and there were only 2 models there. I guess there are atleast 5 models out there probably more near perfection.
Ratings:
4/5
Links
View spec on Amazon.com
Owner's manual, spec on Memorex's site
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Garmin eMap GPS System
What's This
The GPS device keeps contact with satellites and tells you where exactly are you (usually with accuracy of 20m or better) in detailed street level map. You can ask it to go somewhere
and it will show you arrows pointing direction where you should move. It can even tell you where are the nearest restaurants, restrooms, shops and so on!
Note: Many map related features may available only for USA.
The Good Part
This model from Garmin is one of the most advanced pocket GPS. Maps are really accurate sometime showing even very small corner shops! It tell you at what speed you are moving, how much time it would take it
to reach destination. You can type the mailing address and it will locate it on map and direct you there!! You can make a search on nearest gas station, hotels, tourist attractions, night clubs, hospitals an so on. It will tell you
where exactly it is, it's phone number, how far is it and an real time arrow showing how to get there. It even gives you phases of
sun and moon. You can zoom and pan the map. You can mark points on map and name them (it's called waypoints) and you can even record where you are passing through and trace it back to get home!
You can type in the mailing address and/or zip code and get there. Or you can know the postal address of place you are standing on! The built in memory can store street map of one of the US state. But fortunately it's
expandable and I usually keep maps of NY, NJ, PN always there.
These features are important, don't buy without them!
Note: Many map related features may available only for USA.
The Bad Part
I wasn't able to find a way to mark your current location as a waypoint (bad if you want to come back there again and you didn't knew how did you got there). There is NO real time built in
compass - the biggest drawback compared to Magellan's model. However latest problem I've faced since last few months is that the power switch doesn't work on random occasion (no! I didn't do anything!). It really sucks
when you keep pressing that button when you really need it and it doesn't turn on!
Cost
GPS + extra 64MB memory + Metro guide CD + PC cable + car adapter + leather pouch = $450, December 2000
Where To Get It
I bought it from www.getfeetwet.com/. Fast response, good price but barely acceptable site.
So what's the best?
There is equivalent model from Magallen and it has buit-in electronic compass but then some other features were missing. But I guess Garmin eMap is the best available general purpose GPS for this price as on December, 2000. There are other models with color screen but very pricy
and less on features.
Ratings:
4/5
Links
GPS info site
GPS City
Also check out target="new">amazon.com, garmin.com and magellen.com.
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Shital's Icel
