Customer Reviews

Cy-Fi Wireless Sports Speaker for iPod (Black)

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

 

 

First of all, I'm relatively sure this product is off the line by now. For the most part, it seems like many folks are having problems finding customer support, so I just wanted to share some of the simple fixes that worked for me.

Most problems should be solvable with the info in the woot.com forum archive here: []

my experience follows

Out of the packaging, I ended up charging the device for some 2-3 hours as depicted in the instructions, but I was not able to get the transmitter and speaker to connect even though both lights were flashing. The instructions are somewhat undetailed, but the device should connect if you try the multiple device connection method in the manual. Hold the multiuse button on the speaker for 10 seconds till flashing quickly, then press the button/light on the transmitter for 5 seconds till it is also flashing quickly. I was quite relieved when I realized the instructions were at fault, not the hardware itself.

tl;dr press all buttons for a long time to make this device work

This really works once you get it started. Instruction manual is useless. As indicated by other reviewer you have to hold the multiuse button on the speaker for 10 seconds till flashing quickly, then press the button/light on the transmitter for 5 seconds till it is also flashing quickly. Once linked no problem. Speaker is very loud. Amazing sound quality. Very pleased with unit. I have ipod unit. There is a bluetooth unit which may have less linking problems. Long battery life is a plus. I was able to reach customer support at Cy-Fi on first attempt.

Purchased the unit July 2009 and have never looked back. Battery life is 6+ hours on a full charge, which has covered several Centuries this year. It easily syncs to and Bluetooth, but I do experience interference/signal drops due to my wireless Garmin cadence transmitter, so I have to carry my player in the right pocket of the bike jersey to avoid the drops. I'd recommend this product

This item did not work at all and I tried to contact the seller both via the phone and email and did not recieve any response.

I really wanted a wireless speaker for my bike and wanted this one to work. Cost was not an issue and I expected that if I paid a bit higher price than I would get a great product.

Think again!

Just got this thing. Started charging the speaker and plugged the transmitter into my iPhone 4. The transmitter connected right away and the speaker started playing, then wouldn't connect again after I unplugged/replugged it in. Figured out why and made it work...

- This was because I had to 'reset' the little transmitter- but there are no visible buttons! Finally I realized by digging thru the manual that the tiny indicator light on it is also a (hard to press) button. Fiddled with pressing that and it eventually reconnected.

- The speaker looks cool; compact and slick. But the buttons are also hard to press, and the main/power button is basically disguised as a 'cy-fi' logo. I.e. the logo is the mode indicator light AND button, but when you're pressing it you can't see what color the light is.

- The USB charging slot is covered by a tiny recessed rubber flap that is a pain in the ass to remove. Bah!

- In the product pics it looks like this comes with a few sizes of bike mounting rings; not so. Only came with one (the bigger one). But does have various rubber spacer strips to try. And no charging base- just a USB cord (not that I care about that).

- Speaker volume is decent. Kind of exactly what you'd expect for a little speaker like this. Should be fine for my commute through lower Manhattan and into Brooklyn.

- Pause/Play, Skip, and Volume controls work fine.

I purchased this device because I sometimes ride my bike alone and I like to listen to music as I ride. I do not like earphones because I can't hear others on the trail and I also cross streets where it is safer to listen for the traffic. The Cy Fi has worked flawlessly on my rides which average between 1 1/2 and 2 hours. I put my iPod in my pack and away I go. The only problem I have ever had is I sometimes forget to take the hard case off the iPod and it won't work. The wireless transmitter that I connect to the iPod must be push all the way in to work properly. The case I have for my iPod Touch must keep it from connecting all the wayCy-Fi Wireless Sports Speaker for iPod (Black). I recommend this product to all who like to listen to music while they ride, but don't like to have earplugs for safety reasons.

9/16/09 UPDATE
It is now 7 weeks since I last heard from the company and there is no response. Just sent another email to see if they have a resolution based on the defect I have reviewed below.

ALSO...while looking over my review, I noticed that Jacqui Depas (Schlosser) wrote a nice review. I would say it's biased based on the fact she works for the company (cy-fi)...very classy!

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I love this product. It is currently the only one of its kind and delivers on all features. My opinions were developed over a 3-day bike totaling 190 miles. The Cy-Fi unit was easy to install. The two brackets and rubber strips helped to make a good connection to the frame. There are many possible locations to connect, but I believe the position shown on the website photos are the best. It did not obscure my existing bicycle computer at all. The controls were simple, straightforward, and easy to find without looking down. The minor issue I had with the buttons were that it took too much force. I could not simply press down with my index finger, I had to use my thumb and index finger to pinch the buttons. I can get used to, but would hope that they loosen up after being broken in. The sound was awesome. Clear and loud. Other riders as far as 10 feet ahead of me could hear and identify the music. At the highest volume setting, I needed to turn it down. In the rain it continued to work, so it delivered on the water resistant feature. Although I did not keep track religiously on the battery life, it appears that it came close, working most of the 6-hour ride per day.

Now the bad. The screw that you need to adjust the bracket is cheap. If you are not careful, you can strip the screw head permanently. Ironic how the most inexpensive component is the cheapest. I complained to Cy-Fi and they sent me a replacement. Unfortunately, the same issue occurred. They have currently brought the issue back to their design department and are working on it.

To summarize, the Cy-Fi unit delivers on all the important features, only to fall short of perfect because of a cheap screw. Cy-Fi loses one star for this, and another for taking so long to resolve it, almost 4 weeks now. I recommend the product if you are handy with tools and can deal with the screw-bracket issue.

I am training for the MS150 and wanted to find a good speaker for long rides. I bought this speaker in hopes of using if for my training ride today. I even spent the extra money for one day shipping. I charged this product then attempted to use it with my ipod. The transmitter looked like it was working and the speaker looked like it was working; however, there was no sound. I even had my fiance look at this product because he is very good with gadgets. Simply, I would not waste money on a product that may or may not work. My friend ordered the same product and it worked for her; however, she had to keep the ipod in her sports bra because the signal kept dropping during our ride today.

I love the speaker.
It gives good sound and is actually long enough.
One time, I was driving to Maine and used it in the van, with the bicycle in the back.
Both my itouch and the speaker lasted the whole 11 hours!!!

Cons: Very hard to push the on/off Button and the Volume Buttons.

I don't have a discerning ear, so I can't comment on the quality of the sound.

I love this speaker - the only reason I rated it 4 stars is because the instructions in the booklet that came with it are incorrect. I found out from some of my cycling buddies how to sync it! Works like a charm now!