Eiger Labs F20 EigerMan MP3 Player

by Eiger Labs

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000K5DS
• Item model number: EMP-F20
• Batteries: 1 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,335 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Eiger Labs, maker of the first portable MP3 player, returns with this second-generation digital music player that's worth a look and a listen. In the F20V, Eiger has streamlined the design of the original MPMan to include more advanced features in a smaller package.

MPMan plays MP3 music files downloaded from the Internet or copied from your favorite audio CDs. Typically, an MP3 file contains about one minute of audio per megabyte of information at CD-quality compression rates (128 kilobits per second). The MPMan comes with 32 MB of built-in storage space. However, you can upgrade to 64 MB or store additional music content on separate SmartMedia Flash cards (sold separately). In addition to music files, this unit also supports nonmusic-data files such as .doc, .gif, .txt, and .bmp formats.

The provided MPMan Manager software was a snap to use. Once we installed it on our computer, we simply selected the MP3 files that we wanted to transfer from our PC to the MPMan. The files were transferred to the MPMan via the PC parallel port, using the supplied 25-to-18 pin printer cable. (While some other MP3 players require that the player be firmly placed in a docking station, that's not the case with the MPMan.) We were a bit disappointed that we were unable to upload MP3 files stored on our SmartMedia card back to our computer. However, this is because of a copyright protection that is built into the SmartMedia card format, and it's not a flaw in the MPMan.

This portable unit is about the size of a pager and comes in its own snug carrying case; we found it to be pleasantly lightweight and compact. Unlike many other MP3 players, the MPMan contains a bass-boost feature that offers 20 decibels of bass enhancement. We were particularly impressed with the crisp, clear sound of the MPMan's earbud-style headphones. In addition, we found that the cushioned headphones fit comfortably in our ears.

With advanced features and good sound quality, the MPMan is a good value for anyone looking for an inexpensive, entry-level digital music player.

Pros:

• Topnotch accessories included (comfortable headphones, snug carrying case)
• No-skip playback

Cons:

• Additional memory cards are expensive

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rio vs. EigerMan, December 11, 1999

By 

Garroch (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eiger Labs F20 EigerMan MP3 Player (Electronics)

If you're wondering which product to buy, it really depends on your needs. The Rio has convenient controls, which unfortunately, the EigerMan does not, but then again the EigerMan has an incredible bass boost, which knocks the socks off of Rio's equalizer system (Rock, Pop, Jazz settings, etc). This is not that important if you're jogging or playing sports outdoors where there is too much outside noise to be able to hear the difference. The EigerMan does not feature a belt clip as the Rio does, but this is not important unless you're wearing those wierd pants with no pockets. The EigerMan makes the most of the slow paralell port connection: it downloads information from your PC a bit faster than Rio. The earphones supplied with the EigerMan certainly outweigh those of the Rio, and all the better; it makes the experience more enjoyable. The real kick, though, is that the EigerMan not only serves as a great Mp3 player, but also as a really nifty portable drive, letting you download onto and upload off of your Mp3 player several kinds of files, like other types of audio, documents, and even images. Another advantage is that the EigerMan uses standard SmartMedia Flash Cards to upgrade the memory, which can be traded between players, which cannot be done with Rio's own flash system. (If you think 2 hours of music, 64 mb, is not enough, hold tight. In a few years, they'll be making 2GB flash cards, which provide over 12 hours of near cd quality sound.) One thing I have to mention is the solid-state skip free design, which is a major advantage over CD's and even MiniDiscs. The EigerMan has wonderful battery life- just one AA battery lasts over 12 hours. Though the EigerMan software is a pain to get working, and it definitely didn't spend as much time on the drawing board as Rio, the EigerMan definitely pulls out on top.

105 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Why they can't give this thing away., November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eiger Labs F20 EigerMan MP3 Player (Electronics)

This is a real review - not a plant by some Eiger Labs company hack. Don't waste your money on this product. It is a real piece of junk. I can't get mine installed despite repeated attempts. The documentation provided with the product is a joke. It is literally a photocopied 4 page piece of paper. I have called the support number for a week straight and never gotten a live person. Everytime they email me in response to my inquiry they send the same automatic response message. Lastly the software provided is horrible. It is a bunch of clippings from 3rd party web sites. I obviously can't tell you how this thing sounds since I've never gotten it working. Please save yourself the hassle - stay away from this product. Eiger Labs doesn't care about servicing its customers.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nifty MP3 player. Get the 32MB memory card and phones., December 30, 1999

By 

"dominca" (EAST MEADOW, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eiger Labs F20 EigerMan MP3 Player (Electronics)

Setting up the F20V was extremely simple. I set my printer port to ECP/EPP mode, plugged the cable in, rebooted into win 95, plugged in my F20V, hit the stop button to turn it on and ran the included EigerMan manager. That's all it took.

I also purchased a 32MB Smartmedia card which I also installed in the F20V, and after formatting it with the EigerMan manager the card was immediately recognized.

The included carry case is nice, but for some reason does not allow access to the battery door or the data port. Of course anyone handy with an Exacto blade can make the necessary holes, but it seems to be an oversight on Eiger's part.

The included ear-bud headphones were decent sound-wise, but very uncomfortable to wear. They kept on popping out of my ears, which was a pain. I picked up a pair of Sony headphones, and that solved the problem nicely.

Transfer speed was averaging 170KB per second on a pokey P166 vectra PC. I presume that it will be a bit quicker on my PII 400 workstation when I connect it there eventually. USB is faster, but transfer speeds seem to be reasonably fast.

Although the included Eigerman software does the job, you can also use a GPL'ed F20 manager if you wish. It is free but currently in BETA, so caveat emptor. I used it, and it works, but it doesn't support any SmartMedia cards yet.

All in all, the F20V is a good buy. If you need an ISP and can stomach using Juno for 12 months, then you can receive a $120.00 rebate making your cost FREE. They require mandatory credit card billing, and will charge you a $50 cancellation fee and the $120 rebate if you drop them before 12 months so beware.