iRiver Clix (2 GB) Digital Media Player

Generally I'd like to consider myself a rather thrifty individual, but once in a while I'll spend a hundred plus on a 'gizmo'. I've recently gone back to college, and decided the sometimes endless walks from the parking lot to class could use a little pep.

When I first started looking around for an mp3 player, I started first browsing through CNET.com's top rated mp3 players for the cheapest unit in the 1-2 gig range. Thankfully, CNET isn't a blind iPod supporter, and had various other devices, often rated higher than iPod, that I could browse. Still, my friend has a nano, and the allure of that thin little glorified piece of gum almost had me.

But the iRiver Clix had an editors choice on CNET.com. I currently have an iRiver PMP 120, and was worried that the Clix would have the time-consuming, overly detailed user interface the PMP does. Thankfully, once I received my Clix, I was pleasantly surprised.

The Clix interface is flawless as far as I'm concerned. The four way 'click' buttons on the top, bottom, left and right side of the device is simple to use, even one handed (though I am a girl, this may not be true for some of the larger handed males).

The screen is massive compared to the device of it's size, and stunning. I didn't think it possible to have such a tiny screen so crisp. I've watched tv shows on my Clix now (check out iriver.com for the Clix video converter, worth the short download for sure), and it's wonderful.

Thankfully, there are oodles of audio-tweaking functions on the Clix. I believe it's referred to as a custom equalizer. Personally, the default settings, with the stock earphones, is the best sound I've heard from an mp3 player.

Also, very surprisingly, the am/fm feature is stunning. FM signals, with the exception of only a few stations (I'm in Albuquerque), sound CD quality. I'm sure this will vary city to city.

I did go out and purchase white-noise-eliminating ear buds to replace the somewhat 'cheap' stock earphones, which I do recommend to all who are planning on wearing their Clix for more than half an hour at a time.
Though the Clix is about twice as thick as the iPod Nano, it is shorter, and for about the same price, you are drenched in features. iRiver's website has flash games you can put on the Clix (it comes with a few preloaded) that are fun, though inevitably simple. The Clix can also display text formats, which work well, once you change the layout to portrait from landscape.

I do have a few complaints. The charge-via-usb is one. I know you can buy another charging device for typical wall-outlets, but still. And, though you can drag-and-drop, the Clix is intended to use Windows Media player. I found this a little frustrating, though honestly it's quite easy, I'm just a tad stubborn. :) At one point I did have to do a factor reset on the device, but I consider it no fault of the unit. My computer crashed while I had my Clix connected and transferring, and it seemed to take the Clix down with it. Thankfully, there is an easy factor reset, and I've had no problems since.

The iRiver support is slow. I had heard negative feedback regarding the support staff, mostly about response time, so I decided to test it and sent a simple question to them regarding the various ways to shuffle songs on the Clix. It took, literally, four weeks to get an e-mail response.


All and all, fantastic device if you're looking for something in 2 gig's!


Ann

This is a smaller, cheaper version of an MP3 player. Turns out a disappointment. Has a very touchy screen and is not the easiest to manipulate the various buttons without changing things when you don't want them to change. I got it because it is one of the few to have an FM tuner.

I've had the iRiver Clix for 2 weeks now, and I think it's definitely an excellent and cheaper alternative to the ipod, and a good media player in its own right.
After using it regularly and testing all of its features, here are some pros and cons to this player:

PROS:

*** This player has great audio quality. It will be even better if you get good headphones, although the ones that come with this player are quite decent.

*** Installed FM radio is quite good, and calibrates the channels for you. This is not a feature that was very important to me, but the good quality of radio reception is gets for the majority of stations turned out to be a plus.

*** So far the battery has been lasting very long, although I can't give exact hours since I think it depends on what you are doing with the player - music, radio, flash games, video -- and I've tested them all.

*** Navigation might be a bit strange at first, but it's actually pretty easy and well-developed.

*** You can transfer and organize your audio files through Windows Media Player (which lets you create particular playlists).However, you can also just do a simple drag-and-drop without using WMP at all, which is how I've been doing it. I've had no problem using it on other PC's that don't have WMP.

***Video quality is good, though I don't think there is enough space on this player if you want to use it primarily for video. The basic flash games installed are a cute bonus.

***Others have complained about the short USB charging cord, but the cord in my set is at least 2 feet long. In fact, I wish it was shorter, so that it's easier to carry with me to new locations.


CONS:

*** This is a pretty big one: often when I turn off the clix mid-song, and turn it on later, it does not resume the item I was listening to. Rather, it comes back to home menu. Since I usually listen to podcasts, this means I have to go back to the track and scroll endlessly until I get to the point where I stopped. There is no pattern that I can see for when it resumes or does not resume properly. So far I've looked through the manual and cannot find any place where I can set such settings.

*** The scrolling within a song/podcast is very slow. You cannot jump far ahead or behind easily.

*** The volume maximum is not really that loud, if you're listening to vocal pieces (like podcasts)

*** The buttons are badly designed for padding cases. The power and play/pause buttons are on the other side of the gadget than the headphone jack. So when you slide the player into its protective case, the play/pause buttons are now hidden in the case. To do something even as simple as pausing the track now requires you to take the whole thing out of its case.

*** As mentioned in the "pros" section, you toggle through items by pressing onto the actual screen. It buttons are embedded under the screen. However, pushing the buttons makes a clicking noise (hence the "clix"). If you're sitting in a quiet space and want to toggle through your song list or play a game, the "click click click click click" sounds are not very discreet.

*** Because of all the clicking and touching, the screen gets covered with finger prints and smudges veeeery quickly. I haven't purchased a screen protector yet, but I would recommend it.


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OVERALL: For me, the audio quality for this player and affordable price (new one under $80 in late 2008) definitely trumps any other design flaws or aesthetic inconveniences.

Easier to use than a Nano. Has recording capibility and FM radio. Does not require iTunes. You can use your favorite media ripper player to transfer songs. All around great MP3 player for the money!!!

LOVE IT and the service was GREAT! Thanks.

I liked the fast service and quality and the product is fantastic?

I hope to use the MP3 player in my exercise regimen; it is GREAT!

The service is SO GREAT with this company! I would like to buy other things through them if I have a need. They returned my email and were very informative!

I really appreciate it :-),

Brad Smith

A problem I have with Ipods and Creative Zen mp3 players is that they work off touch-pads.

While this might be nice for regular usage, I primarily use my mp3 player during my workouts, and as such I have the mp3 player strapped to my arm where I can't access buttons easily. Touchpads are even worse than buttons here since there's no feedback for your sense of touch.

However, the D-click interface allows me to just reach blindly and know exactly what I'm hitting, so blind navigation is easy. I would have liked a wall-charger, because I like to keep all wires /behind/ my PC, but at least it charges quickly and I can stow it away afterwards.

Everything I have to say about this mp3 player is positive, and already covered in more detail by other reviewers. I recommend this over all other mp3 players in its category(4gb flash-based).

I really like this little guy. The sound is great and photos are sharp. Its small size makes it easy to put in your pocket. I saw one and thought I've got to have one.
The FM radio also is excellent.

Best media player I've ever had, and I've had more than half a dozen.

Menu is very easy to learn and use. Options are very easy to set. D-Click controls are easy to click by mistake - HOLD button is essential. On/Off button clumsily placed - easy to miss it.

Display is striking, clear, bright, and easy to see. Too small for pictures and videos. But good for music and voice recordings.

Sound quality as excellent. Equalizer and controls give good control over sound. No line in for external microphone - a drawback.

Memory is builtin and not expandable, but 2Gb is ample. Lithium battery is builtin - a drawback. Only good for 2-3 hrs per charge, which is acceptable.

Only charges from USB cable. This interrupts player when connected - not possible to listen or use menus when charging - drawback. At least one USB charger shorted out the player and didn't charge - no harm, but didn't work. Will charge from a USB hub, doesn't require computer to charge. You can also buy iRiver's own charger, which is only for this one model, not even for Clix Version 2.

iRiver Plus 3 media manager says it works in menus, but fails to recognize player. Numerous users have reported this in forums. Windows Media Player works well with player - if you like WMP, which I don't. Under Vista, plain old Windows Explorer also works fine with player. Recognizes player without any drivers in Vista. Driver shows as device in all programs but iRiver Plus 3, which is too buggy to use. Suggest WMP or Windows Explorer. They work fine.

Holds place in selection when unit is turned off - a strong point. Loses place when unit powers off automatically - a drawback. Loses place when menus are used or unit is charged - a drawback.

Can be used as a thumb drive with no loss of function. Always mounts in Vista. Just create a folder called "my_private_files."

Foam bag not usable. No fastener - unit could fall out. Unit can't be operated in bag. Suggest buying iRiver's extra-cost sport holder. Or carry unit in a zip bag. Cost - 15 cents.

Don't lose USB cable. It is a custom cable.

Unit is obsolete, but many are available new or refurbished. Excellent savings possible. Version 2 doesn't seem to be much more useful, except for bigger and better display and some more options.

iRiver gives good online support. Manual, driver, and accessories available. Buy the charger from iRiver only, but 3rd party accessories are fine.

Very good player - low-cost, excellent alternative to iPod.

I like how well the radio works, and how resy it is to use. A friend has one and I liked using it. We don't get a good radio signal at work, and this actually works great.

Its small and sleek looking. The click screen controlls arent half bad. Though you cant really compair it to other popular media devices as far as controlls go. Dont compaire it to, and expect it to be able to preform like the ipod touch. Putting movies on it... forget it. Iriver could have given you a simple program that costs them maybe $5 at best to mass-produce (like an itunes type thing). Nooo, you are on you're own. I still havent found a format that the clix accepts, though they say it accepts standard formats (like an ipod would). There terribly unreliable, as I've heard for other buyers, and found out personally AFTER buying one. Long story short: if you like the initial look of the iriver clix, by all means, get one. Nock yourself out. But if you want to save yourself the hassel, just puy an ipod and be done with it.

This device is a HUGE bargain at the price they are going for! My wife is a warehouse worker and depends on her player every day to help keep her sanity. She is thrilled with the operation and battery life of the Clix. It sounds great too. If you are considering a 2nd gen Clix @ over $100, consider the first gen first, and save some cash. Highly recommended.

Just the way I like to shop. No waiting, very fast delivery, Item was as described. Well packaged. Will use this seller again with confidence

........................................................................I love tecnology...........................................................iRiver is Great!

I actually bought this a while back, and it was totally worth buying. The speakers made for it is decent; they aren't that loud, but worth it. The sound quality on the iRiver is superb. And since its so small, its an easy-to-go mp3 player. If your trying to save some money, I recommend buying a used one. But trust me, it will be worth it.

Great display features and sound quality, low cost. Great mp3 player! Easy transfers and compatibility!

I like the style, small, easy to use, iclix technology is superior to many media players/mp3's out there, specially ipod.

Small and compact mp3/4 player that packs a punch!
From mp3s to videos, to radio and even flash games and voice recordings, this thing delivers it all. Though some might think 2GB won't be enough for all that, however, I can't seem to fill it all. Navigation is very easy to use and the interface is brilliant. It is WMP synchronization ready, just plug and drag. The only dislike I have for this is the screen. Though nice, shiny and anti-scratch resistance, there is no anti-glare; bad viewing under Mister sun. But hey, this important thing is that this thing lasts! I've dropped it for I don't know how many time, it still work like perfect. 5/5, will beat nano-iPods anyday. Out.

This little mp3 player is cheaper than the I-pod and doses the job if you’re working out at the gym of even driving in your car.
Very easy to use to download music into. Just click and drag!
Downloading videos are an easy once you download the software to convert the file.
The graphic equalizer can really make the music crank with excellent bass.
My wife and I each have one and we like it very much.
I highly recommended this product.

Although IRiver isn't as well known or successful as some of its competitors, you can still find their players among the best in the world.
Their latest model, the IRiver Clix 2 is the exact proof for this, it combines a 2.2 inch touch screen AMOLED display with flash interface turning this player to one of the best in the market.
Tough the IRiver Clix 2 is thin and small its still very sturdy, this player fits perfectly in your hand and allows you to enjoy this great player in the palm of your hand.
The Clix 2 isnt the smallest player you could find, but its quality and featuers are what takes the jackpot, in one word this player is amazing.
The navigation of this device is very easy as the D-Click system lets you navigate your player by clicking on different sides of the screen.
The AMOLED display is a new kind of screen that not a lot of companies use yet. This technology provides you with viewing angles, thinner and brighter colors and saves a lot more energy than the LCD screen.
Whats really great about the screen is that the display can be rotated (in one direction) to enable you with a different view of your player.
Another great feature of the player is that you can design the fonts and the theme to match your own taste.
The video screen is great (a little too small, but still you get a great quality picture), and pictures get automaticly resized to fit the screen.
The clix 2 comes with 40 supported languages which make this player easy to use anywhere in the world.
The Clix 2 comes with a bunch of other great features such as games (great for spare time), radio, voice recorder and an alarm clock.
All in all the Clix 2 is a great player and gives a good competition to all the other players out there, with great battery life, amazing extra features, an eye popping display and great sound this player is one of the best in the market and is highly recommended for all of those gadget lovers out there.

Iriver Clix is the great mp4 player, not only play mp3 but you'll get fm radio and recordable plus stylish design and innovative user interface. Finally, if you use there candle, you can watch a very hight quality movie on it together. I LOVE IT than the others mp4 player I ever been use.

The shipping was fast and efficient. The product was in good shape-- no visible marks. I was dying for a mp3 because I constantly need to listen to music and I'm really glad I bought this.

The screen is very clear and crisp. The interface is new and easy to use. It is very easy to transfer songs, videos, and pictures onto the player. The sound quality is surpurb. The only con is that its only 2GB of storage.

This player is very good and i would recommended it to anyone.