Customer Reviews

FINIS SwiMP3 Aqua

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

 

 

I have both an older Finis SwiMP3 unit and this product, the SwiMP3 Aqua (The newer version of the Aqua is called "Surf," I believe). Of the two, the Aqua is more versatile because its earbuds allow you to listen to music both in and out of water. My comparison of the two:

SwiMP3 Aqua: Music is audible both above and underwater. The earpieces (which insert into the ear canal) are comfortable but do occasionally slip out, especially when swimming. I've found that using a cap of some sort will usually prevent this (I tried a sunbonnet that ties under the chin, and it worked very well for me.)

SwiMP3 (I do have an older unit, and newer models may be better). Music is audible underwater but not above water except in snatches. Music is transmitted through cheekpieces, and these stay in place quite well when the user is swimming, even with vigorous head movements. A cap isn't necessary to anchor the cheekpieces securely but helps.

The fidelity of the music underwater for both units is nothing short of magical. Though the Aqua's playback out of water is perfectly fine, the sound is noticeably richer underwater. Though both units sound terrific underwater, the SwiMP3's cheekpieces deliver even better sound than the Aqua's earbuds. I use both units: the Aqua for water walking and the SwiMP3 for swimming. They really do take all the boredom out of water workouts, and after several uses I can say that they are completely waterproof.

Two slight drawbacks:

Neither unit has a display, so you can't hop around and select songs, though you can advance or back up one track at a time. However, you can use directories to organize your songs when copying them to the unit, and I've had no trouble with the simple drag-and-drop method to what the computer recognizes as a removable drive.

Finis is a small company, so contacting their technical support may take some time. I had what I suspect is a common problem with the Aqua initially: no sound when turned on. The technical support person solved it immediately, but it took several tries to reach her. (When hooking up the earbuds, you must push down AND twist them into the connecting cable.)

the earplugs are not long enough. water continues to get in my ear. i lost the left plug more than the right. my swim caps doesnot fit well with the earplugs. i have to buy a swim cap that will help me keep the earplugs in place. but to download the music was easy. i guess it's okay. l really enjoy listening to the music when the water is not in my ear.