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Attention Clip/Clip+ owners: does your unit malfunction in cold weather?

post #1 of 6
2/12/10 at 9:12pm
Thread Starter 
I posted this question in another thread, and got no response (not surprising, it was off-topic.) I'm very curious as to whether anyone else has observed this problem.

When I use my Clip+ in close-to-freezing, or even colder weather, the sound quality collapses after a few minutes of use. The sound continues to play through both channels, but becomes badly degraded. It sounds like a skewed mono mix almost, with noticeable changes in frequency response.

After a few minutes indoors, the problem abates. This has happened in a completely consistent way at least four or five times.

I have noticed that product specs often include recommended operating temperature ranges, but I never gave this any thought. I've used portables for decades, starting with cassette, and proceeding through portable CD and minidisk. I've also had a bunch of pocket radios. This is the first time this problem has ever presented itself to me.

So, can I get a reality check here? Is anyone having this problem with a Clip/Clip+, or any other player for that matter? I honestly don't know if my Clip+ is particularly vulnerable to this problem, or if I have just been lucky until now.

I still love the Clip+, and keeping it in a warm inside pocket in my coat seems to prevent this problem. I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has encountered this.
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post #2 of 6
2/12/10 at 10:59pm
How cold is cold? In the whereabouts of Amsterdam the temperature is unpleasant.

I once worked in a freezer storage, minus 22 degrees Celcius. My colleague had a little Creative DAP and always kept it warm. I haven't encountered this problem yet but I'm sure it can arise. When necessary I'll keep the little Sansa warm.
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post #3 of 6
2/12/10 at 11:50pm
I would guess the battery is below operating temperature. I would strap it to my arm or torso to keep it warm.

Being in Sunny California I have never had a problem.
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post #4 of 6
2/13/10 at 3:02am
It was -10 this weekend when i was ice fishing and my clip+ was working fine, though it was in my jacket.
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post #5 of 6
2/13/10 at 3:08am
Most electronic devices should not be exposed or operated below freezing. It could damage you device.
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post #6 of 6
2/13/10 at 4:50am
Thread Starter 
I think these are all sensible replies. I just think it's weird that after all these many years, I would just now be learning this. Go figure!

Funny thing is, right now I'd love to be in either Amsterdam (a city I'd love to visit one day) or sunny CA, a country unto itself.

But the substance of your replies is something I probably should have known, just as common sense: keep the player in my pocket. That's what I will do from now on. This evening, I walked to the subway, and then back again later, with the Clip in my deepest inside pocket. No problem, not even a hint of one, despite the fact that the Lex line is in a different zip code from my building, and it's a good 10 minute walk.
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