Customer Reviews

Apple iPod Lanyard Headphones for iPod nano 1G

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really like this lanyard alot. It solves 2 prolems I've always had with iPods... wire clutter and where to put the buds if I have to take them out of my ears.

There's no hanging cables tangling up or getting caught on things... everything is enclosed in the cord. The earphones protrude through the lanyard cord near the back of the neck, and when out of the ear, just hang, but with a short enough cable they don't get tangled up.

It's attached to the nano through the 30 pin connection on the bottom, and the headphone jack. I was concerned when I saw that it might not be a secure enough connection and the nano might become detached, but it's very strong and most likely won't come off under most circumstances.

The sound is okay. As far as I can tell, they use the same components for the buds as the ones provided with the nano. I know there are headphone elitists out there who turn their nose up at the Apple headphones, but they are actually pretty decent sounding for the money. I don't even consider other headphones now for my nano, because these make everything so convenient.

But If another manufacturer came out with a competing product that sounded better, I'd strongly consider it if it weren't too much more expensive. Especially if it were black... a pet peeve of mine... if Apple is making black iPods now, they should make accessories in black as well. And I hate the conspicuous white buds in my ears.

One other thing that would make this product better is a pass through headphone jack on the lanyard connector. So the lanyard wouldn't need to be removed if one wanted to hook it up to a stereo, or play something for somebody else (so essentially so 2 people could listen at a time). But that's a minor quibble.

So, if you don't mind the Apple headphone sound, I'd recommend the nano lanyard headphones in a second.

These are part# MA093G/A -- Apple iPod Nano Lanyard Headphones for the 1st generation Nano ONLY.

For a new 2nd generation Nano, you need part# MA597G/A -- Apple iPod Nano Lanyard Headphones for the 2nd generation Nano ONLY.

The different Nano generations are different sizes and the lanyard connector are NOT interchangable.

Nano's are not protectively attached to this lanyard and can become lose and fall off! Even though EVERY time I had to release the lanyard to charge the nano it was impossible and very difficult to squeeze the side buttons on the plastic piece that connects into the dock connector, my nano simply decided to FALL OFF THIS THING AND NOW I HAVE NO NANO!!!

I wrote nice reviews on many sites about how much I love the Nano iPod. However, I used this EXPENSIVE accessory for keeping my nano around my neck. Because the nano is so small and slim, you hardly notice it there. And that is the problem! On a recent flight I had my nano attached to this lanyard. I had used this dozens of times at work, walking around, etc. with no problems. I walked around the airport for 2 hours. Sat on a plane for 1. In the last 10 minutes of the flight, I turned off my nano and that was the last time i saw it. It just FELL off the lanyard. I was so shocked and sad, too. $250 for the Nano. $39 for this piece of junk lanyard. My useless music library. All for nothing, someone found and kept my nano. I noticed it was gone only after exiting the gate area through security so I wasn't allowed to run up and search for it myself. Less than 8 minutes after walking off the plane! I only went about 200 feet or so. Unbelieveable. Other people on Apple's site have mentioned that they, too, lost their nano. I'm not in the "I hate Apple" category and I do not write bogus reviews. I'm just mad that I trusted their technology. They only thought of the "cool" and not keeping security in mind. Since the thing is so small and expensive, you would have thought this lanyard was designed to help PROTECT your investment, but Apple simply DOES NOT CARE. They refuse to respond to my complaints and have refused to post my review of the lanyard on their website store as of yet (one week later).

They want me to just go drop another $250 so I can get my money back out of my music library that I already bought through ITunes that is only loadable onto Apple's devices!

I'm very satisfied with the functionality and performance of the product, but I docked one star from my rating because I don't think there's $40 of value there. With a lower price point, the product would deliver functionality and performance and value. One possible enhancement to justify the price would be a carrying pouch for the lanyard headphones. I've found I have to be careful where I carry it, if not around my neck, because the foam earphone covers can slip off, and if Apple were to provide a carrying pouch in the package, they could eliminate that issue and provide more value.

These things are wonderful to have. I use them with me at the gym almost everyday. They keep your nano right where you want it. I thought they might be a little pricy but I'm glad I bought them.

I got these as a gift and was lukewarm, but wow!!!

Perfect sound and it stays on very well.
Every family member as one and they all work great.

This is a great product if you are small. For $40, the least they could do is include another 6-12" of cord.

The paramount consideration for all prospective buyers of these Apple lanyard/headphones is this: You can ONLY use the supplied (and irrevocably-attached), Apple-brand ear buds. This raises two important considerations: 1) Apple's ear buds, ultimately, sound undistinguished, fit in the ear poorly and last a few weeks to several months before failing/beginning to fail; 2) You will have no (ordinary) ability to replace (or upgrade from) Apple's integral ear buds because the USB-connector fully engages the bottom edge of the Nano -- including, of course, the 1/8" headphone jack.

Now, anticipating this, I have resolved to either dismantle the lanyard base and solder a new headphone cord to Apple's 1/8" male plug (which is integral with the lanyard base), or I will use a cut-off wheel to remove enough of the lanyard base so that the Nano headphone jack is now accessible to any 1/8" plug. But then I will have to use electrical tape to wrap (and secure) the lanyard base and bottom edge of my Nano so that it doesn't pull away after having cut a third of it off.

Despite all of this, I still award three stars to Apple for the sheer innovation of this product. Plus, I bought it while being fully aware of the modifications ahead of me.

I've been using the nano lanyard since it first came out and absolutely love it. It provides a very elegant way to listen to the nano without any extra clutter or dangling loops of wire to get in the way, snag or tangle. Basically, while wearing it, it's as though it's not even there. The connection is quite secure and takes a purposeful effort to detach. I don't see how a nano could fall off unless the connector were not pushed on fully to begin with.

I have only a couple of complaints/suggestions regarding the lanyard:

1. You're tied to standard Apple earbud sound quality. When I want to use my Etymotic ER6i buds, I lose the benefit of the lanyard. It would be great to have a higher-fidelity version or to have the buds themselves be detachable/swappable via a lightweight connector.

2. The lanyard does become dirty from rubbing against ones skin after many months, just like any article of clothing. I needed to wash mine (in a small bowl of detergent water, keeping the connector and buds out of the water) after a few months to keep them looking new and "un-gross."

3. Incompatible with the new Nike+ kit, meaning I can't walk with the lanyard and track the exercise. It would be nice to develop a lanyard either with the Nike+ built-in or with a pass-through 30-pin connector to allow it.

you're literally paying $40 for the basic earphones and a piece of string, but what are you going to do?. I think the arm band idea/product is ridiculous, it constrains your reach , and with this product I just wear my nano under my shirt all day so I can listen to it whenever I want. I have no idea why some people are having problems witht he nanos falling off. I've been using these since the first day they came out and have NEVER had it come loose, it snaps sungly into place and you can even hear the click.