From: LoveLearn <LoveLearn_at_iw.net>
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 16:08:19 -0500

Neon John bought an Archos "Recorder 20 from Circuit City along with
a replacement warranty. This is the "old" formfactor with AA batteries
and
feels MUCH more substantial. I'd rather have the LiIon batteries but
I'll
accept the NiMH's. One advantage of the old formfactor is that the
battery
ridges protect the keyboard somewhat from damage."

I compared FMR 20 verses Recorder 20. I prefer 4 NiMH replaceable cells
vs. a hard-wired LiIon battery. From camera purchases, I had spare NiMH
sets and an external charger that accepts AC or cigarette lighter power.
Over 20 or 30 hours without recharging seemed like a Recorder 20
advantage. Reports of over stressed FM Recorder buttons concerned me. A
few ounces pressure are enough to over-center click AJR 20 buttons. That
tactile feedback click indicates the button is as ON as it can be. More
pressure is useless unless you want to cause damage. A frustrated man's
strong hands could apply many times more pressure than clicking ON
requires. Could that abuse debond Archos buttons? Judging by reports, I
suspect it has happened. Just for the hell of it, I stacked four 25
pound weight lifting set plates on it's 4 projecting rubber bumpers. The
keys and display sat safely below the plane where contact would have
exerted pressure. Those bumpers have protected my display and button set
from books, boxes, and stacked CDs since I know planar loads can't touch
them. By comparison, the FMR rounded projecting front almost invites
unintended button contact pressure and display abrasion. I wanted to
record talk radio broadcasts for time shifted listening. Most talk radio
is on AM. In my opinion, FM-only tuner sections are design errors which
SUCK! Similar chip sizes and trivial price difference. Plus, a review
comparing Archos FMR 20 radio performance against top performing
portable radios said it's a workable but comparatively weak performer.
So I bought the top performing Sony SRF-S84 AM-FM which is just as long
as a Archos Recorder is wide. Line out - Line in works fine. Though I
wish these superior capabilities were integrated into one package. I
prefer AJR 20 Recorder vs. FMR.
Received on 2003-09-26