Playing It Safe

The Age

Thursday April 6, 2006

Rod Easdown

Music players are fragile, but damage is preventable. By Rod Easdown.

HOW many times have you dropped your mobile phone? Most keep on working despite the scars. How many times have you dropped your portable digital music player? Chances are it's never worked again. Dropping it, of course, is not covered by the warranty, nor is forgetting it's in your back pocket when you sit down.

These are fragile devices. Non-fatal damage is even more common and the top of the pops here is scratching. Screens are particularly vulnerable to scratching, making it hard to read the display. The internet is full of cures but there are none we'd recommend.

Good-quality CD/DVD scratch repair kits do a passable job but self-adhesive protective films, changed regularly, are the best way to prevent scratches.

Broken screens, fried hard drives and detached earphone sockets are also common and often the damage is entirely preventable. Earphone sockets, for example, are most commonly put out of alignment by the earbud cord being wound tightly around the player before it is shoved in a bag. The resulting tension on the socket can eventually break its mounting. It's not good for the cord either.

Drowning is another biggie, most often when the player slips from a pocket as its user bends over a sink, basin or (shudder!) toilet. Someone we know tried to have a drowned portable repaired under warranty by explaining that he sweated a lot. Because water poured out of his player the repairer decided not to believe him.

Sub-zero temperatures can crack a player's LCD screen, which is worth noting if you're a skier.

And if you work-out or jog, remember that players with solid-state memories are more robust than those with hard drives.

The most obvious protection is a good, shockproof cover - and there are dozens out there. Some are splash-proof, even water-proof, which is great if you spend a lot of time on the beach, boating or fishing. They keep dirt out too - another common source of problems.

Keep your portable long enough and you'll have to replace the rechargeable battery. In some players it's as easy as slipping out the old one and sliding in a new one, but replacement of batteries in iPods, Sonys and a few others can be done only by technicians, although iPod battery changing kits are available on the internet. This is worth considering if you're buying a portable for long-term use.

The contenders

Gecko Shuffleart protective film for iPod Shuffle

RRP: $15

The pack contains two self-adhesive film sets for the front and back of an iPod Shuffle, with various designs available. The film is generously thick and has cut-outs for control areas. It can be fiddly to apply but it's worth taking your time because it really works, even against a vicious attack. It peels off easily for replacement, too.

www.geckogear.com.au

Case Logic MPC4 MP3 player case

RRP: $18.50

The best protection comes with a good shockproof case and Case Logic makes them weather-resistant, light, well-padded and with good zips. There are as many features as you could want, including compartments for batteries and memory cards. This bare-bones case for a small player comes with an armband and is great value.

www.musicway.com.au

XtremeMac Microshield for iPod Nano

RRP: $30

This is a hard plastic case tailored for the iPod Nano to protect it against scratches and impacts. It provides access to controls while encased and has a belt clip. It looks good but the clipping joints loosened quickly and, dropped from waist height onto tiles, it burst apart as often as not. We also managed to split it when taking it apart.

www.powermove. com.au

Verdict

We didn't like the XtremeMac Microshield. A more substantial case such as the Case Logic is much less sexy but provides much better protection. The Gecko protective film was the big surprise here, providing brilliant scratch protection for a modest outlay.