Customer Reviews

iLuv i177 Alarm Clock Speaker System for iPod (White)

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(76)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

** Update June 11, 2009 **

I just wanted to correct an error below where I indicated that the iLuv wasn't properly charging my iPod. I don't know what was happening when I was trying it out but I really have had no problem across 2 different iPods with charging since I posted the review.

Still can't think of any use for the remote however... :)

** End Update **

I picked up the black iLuv iPod speaker system after doing considerable research online. These reviews are pretty helpful so I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth so that you can know what you're getting.

By and large the other reviews agree with my experience. The sound quality is very good for a small unit. You want to pick a playlist before you go to bed otherwise you get whatever is randomly selected from your library (I presume this is due to my election to shuffle all songs in my iPod settings).

I don't have much use for the remote but it's nice that it's included and it works well when I *do* play with it.

The unit has performed excellently since I purchased it two months ago but I'll make some observations:

- the rotating volume and tuning dials are apparently supposed to continue the click wheel paradigm from the iPod, but they do so mechanically and are often a little awkward to use.

- do NOT count on the unit properly charging your iPod. It *does* charge it somewhat so the iPod seems to me like it will run indefinitely while attached to the unit. But I've found that the iPod is not fully charged when I pull it off the iLuv. Fortunately, realizing this, I just make sure that I plug in my iPod when working out in my gym or I leave it attached to my computer until it *is* charged when I'm picking up my podcasts in the morning. This may just be my unit but it was a low point in my commute when my iPod battery ran out of steam that first time before I realized what was going on. I'm pretty rigorous about ensuring that it's charged before I leave the house.

- I agree with others that the minimum volume for alarms needs to be lower. It would also be nice if the volume ramp-up time could be adjusted. The unit comes on and fades up to the pre-selected volume pretty quickly.

- Finally the lights, that dimmest setting may seem dim in the middle of the day, but it's pretty overwhelming in an otherwise pitch-black room. A "Glow" setting or similar would be nice. As it is, when I want to know the time at night I hit the dimmer button to check the time, then hit it three more times to cycle the light through medium and high intensities and then to off again.

None of the above items are showstoppers for me, just 'nits that you can either live with or can't. Knowing what I know now, I would purchase the iLuv again. It has most of the features I need and the price is reasonable.

I spent a lot of time deciding whether to buy an iluv, iboom, iblast, ihome...you name it, I've condisered it. I went with the iluv because it had the most pro's over con's. Yes, the remote does not work very far away, but the display is great. It has 3 adjustable dimmers, plus a completly dark mode. Two seperate alarm settings, in case you have 2 people that need to wake at different times. The only thing I would change is that the display (time, date, radio station) is only viewable while the unit is plugged in. Even if you have the 2 double A batteries in the system, it will only stay lit while its plugged in. The instructions say the batteries are for storm back up. Also, the volume has to be at a minumun of 10 on the alarm. Its not to to loud, but I like to wake up to it a little bit quiter. No biggie. If you loose the remote (which is VERY tiny, probably the length of a middle finger and the thickness of a toothbrush) the function buttons are located on the unit, which is always a good thing. Other than these few and minor imperfections, it is a wonderful unit for the money and I would definatly recommend it.

I've been looking at the IH5 from Ihome for months. After reading reviews, I put off buying it hoping ihome or another company would improve on it. I looks like the makers of iluv looked at the reviews and took them to heart in designing the I177. Where the IH5's display could light up a room, the I177 has an adjustable display, including a completely dark setting. Where some complained that the IH5's wake volume was too loud, you can set the wake volume on the I177. Where the IH5's remote was optional, the I177's remote was included standard. The sound is very good for a clock radio. All in all, I'm very satisfied with this purchase and spent $25 less than what I would've spent on the IH5. Glad I waited.

The only negative I noticed was that the ipod insert didn't fit my 5G ipod. In the manual, it mentions that this is subject to availability, which I've heard can take a while. Fortunately, the insert that came with my ipod fit perfectly. Problem solved. So for those waiting, you can order it from apple if iluv is backed up.

In theory this is a cool device with a neat feature set and sound, however there is a terrible oversight in the alarm-it is way too loud and cannot be adjusted to be lower!

If you like waking up to soft music or talk radio, this device is absolutely not for you. The softest volume setting allowed is way too loud.

I was also not at all impressed with the AM/FM reception.

On the plus side, when connected to my iPod, the unit seems to work and sound pretty well and the remote control is handy. But I can't use this for the intended purpose, as a clock radio to wake me up in the mornings.

I ordered the iLuv after a long debate with myself. After reading all of the reviews left for it, it seemed that many people had the same complaints: dimmer too bright, a noticable humming, and the iPod video didn't fit. Well, they were ALL WRONG!! This radio sounds great. It is very clear and sounds the same as it does on the headphones. Sure, there's not a lot of bass, but I have never heard a radio that size that did. For it's size, it is definitely the best sounding radio I have owned. The dimmer might be a problem, if you have it right in front of your eyes! My room is in a basement, where it is very dark and the dimmer has not yet been a problem. There are 3 levels an an off option. In my opinion, there is no way this could be a bother. As for the fit of the iPods, the radio comes with interchangable docks for EVERY iPod. For the video, there is a card with tabs to make the 20 GB dock work with the video. And as an added bonus, there is an AUX space and video out to the TV!! If I were you, I would definitely get this radio!!

Good Sound,great radio reception, remote does not have very far range, other than that, it is a good product.

1. The amazon.com description of this product says:
"Compatible with all iPod models."

2. The manual says, "Please make sure you are using
the correct insert for your iPod and that it is properly
docked into i177. Failure to do so may cause damage to
your iPod." (Page 9)

3. Their manual also says, bizarrely, "i177 comes with
removable dock adapters to ensure your iPod fits properly
in the dock on the top of the system. Due to new iPod
models, new dock adapters are subjejct to availability." (Page
4) (in other words, if you need a new dock adapter, you may not get one. I didn't.)

4. I have written 2 requests to their support site, with no
response at all, not even an acknowledgement that they
received my note.

I wanted a small unit to play my daughter's Ipod Nano and also provide an am/fm radio and alarm clock. This fits the bill at a reasonable price. (In fact, I paid higher at Smart Bargains so the Amazon price is very good.)It supports her Nano and my Video Ipod so I don't know why the earlier review has a problem. Perhaps so pieces were missing. The sound quality of the speakers is decent -- not Bose but I didn't expect that quality at this price. I wish Bose would make such a unit. I may buy this for myself so I can listen to my audiobooks in the evening without wearing my headphones. For the price level and features offered, I give this unit 5 stars.

I searched around and decided to go with the iLuv i177 because of the reviews. When I received it I set it up and noticed that it was not charging my iPod. When I went to the trouble shooting guide on page 17 of the owners manual it stated that the i177 will not charge 1st, 2nd or 3rd Gen iPods. However if you read the description of this product it states that it charges all iPods. I sent Amazon an email to let them know this issue so others will not think this model will charge their older iPods. On the up side, the sound is quite good. I like the ability to turn off the time display light and while the remote is small it is handy. I would recommend the i177 to anyone who has at least a 4th Gen iPod. This is why I gave it 5 stars. The description is misleading however the product works well.

I agree with all the pros - included remote, two alarms, adjustable "gentle-wake" volume, etc. One of the things I looked forward to the most was the dimmer, and the fact that you could turn it completely off or put it on max brightness. Unfortunately, after appx. 3 months, the max brightness began "flickering", and now, max brightness is nothing more than a faint light (and yes, still flickering). ALL the dimmer brightness levels have dropped appx. 80% and seem to continuously get worse. I almost can't read the time at night anymore - max level or not.