Gmini 120 first impressions

[Darth Minidisc]

I picked up a display Gmini 120 unit from CompUsa today. They comped me a 2 year replacement plan. Here are my first impressions:

Smaller than my NJB3 but obviously bigger than the Ipod
Controls are confusing at first
Pretty sturdy
Built-in-Mic picks up pretty well
Compact Flash transfer worked perfectly
USB drive ability is great

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied for $220. The two year replacement plan protects me. The last three comments above are the really important things for me. Mic for lectures and interviews, USB drive for using computers in the field and best of all CF ability for digital cameras (much better than the ipod implementation) makes it perfect for my travel needs. I don't think there is another product on the market than can do the above as well. Sound wise, it's okay but I'm no audiophile and I'm mainly using these with MX400s (maybe HD280 and HD600?). Now if they only made a decent remote, I'd love to pick up foreign radio stations while traveling.

 

[evo]

actually noticed the gmini series quite a while ago, but did not realise that they are / have
-UMS
-CF slot

just what i need, i own a njb3 too, always tot that it's a waste not being able to use the 20gb to offload digital camera files

btw there's a gmini 220, smaller than a 3.5" diskette

http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500450.html

also a fm remote is available for gmini series

http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500533.html

the famous archos 30sec retro recording function sounds cool, now if they lengthen it to 1-2min....plus make it a colour screen....

something for gmini 320 perhaps....ah progress

 

[Monsoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Minidisc Mic for lectures and interviews, USB drive for using computers in the field and best of all CF ability for digital cameras (much better than the ipod implementation) makes it perfect for my travel needs. I don't think there is another product on the market than can do the above as well.

I pretty sure the new IRiver H320 does all those things. Instead of transfering the pictures to the drive on CF cards, you're supposed to be able to hook the camera up directly using mini-usb. Though for the price you got it for, it's a much better deal.

Just as a sidenote, if you ever need to use SD flash cards, it's possible to get an SD-CF adapter that will let you use those cards with your Gmini.

 

[Darth Minidisc]

The Iriver does do those things (and looks a lot cooler) but I like the Gmini implementation for photos better. Unless I can shoot and have the pictures transfer while shooting (kinda doubt this) then the Gmini means I can swap cards and keep shooting while the other transfers. Also I don't need to leave the camera on while transferring. On the other hand, not have to pull the card out of the camera is useful too. It was also a lot cheaper in comparison

.

On another note, I'm a little disappointed in the sound quality of the Gmini but it's hard to put my finger on it.



Quote:

Originally Posted by Monsoon I pretty sure the new IRiver H320 does all those things. Instead of transfering the pictures to the drive on CF cards, you're supposed to be able to hook the camera up directly using mini-usb. Though for the price you got it for, it's a much better deal. Just as a sidenote, if you ever need to use SD flash cards, it's possible to get an SD-CF adapter that will let you use those cards with your Gmini.

 

[evo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Minidisc The Iriver does do those things (and looks a lot cooler) but I like the Gmini implementation for photos better. Unless I can shoot and have the pictures transfer while shooting (kinda doubt this) then the Gmini means I can swap cards and keep shooting while the other transfers. Also I don't need to leave the camera on while transferring. On the other hand, not have to pull the card out of the camera is useful too. It was also a lot cheaper in comparison . On another note, I'm a little disappointed in the sound quality of the Gmini but it's hard to put my finger on it.

agree with u about swapping cards, much better than having to connect to camera, waste camera battery power, plus not being able to shoot

sad to see that sound quality is disappointing, but i guess its the reality of compromise

i'm beginning to think if this convergence thing might not be a good thing after all, how about a group of portable gadgets that communicate wirelessly, rather than a all-in-one [e.g. av400 & its succesor, av500]

mobile phone
mp3 player
headphones
mp4 player
hdd mothership
digital camera
gps

sorry if i've drifted from the topic, let me bring it back

gmini is quite "under the radar" it seems

 

[wolfen68]

I'm a huge Archos fan....but I've heard the 120 and 220's have inferior sound quality. Otherwise, I would have the 220 now.

There was also an issue initally with the display screen going out on the 120's.

 

[Skeeve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Minidisc The Iriver does do those things (and looks a lot cooler) but I like the Gmini implementation for photos better. Unless I can shoot and have the pictures transfer while shooting (kinda doubt this) then the Gmini means I can swap cards and keep shooting while the other transfers. Also I don't need to leave the camera on while transferring.

The iriver also gives you that option since its usb connector will connect to a lot more than just the camera, personally I wouldn't choose to carry around the cradle that comes with my casio camera just to connect it to my h340, so i have a small pendrive-sized card reader that works perfectly for transferring pics.

 

[Skeeve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evo i'm beginning to think if this convergence thing might not be a good thing after all, how about a group of portable gadgets that communicate wirelessly, rather than a all-in-one [e.g. av400 & its succesor, av500]

Theres nothing wrong with convergence in theory, its when manufacturers allow it to affect the core features too much that it becomes a bad thing. One thing, are any archos mp3 players well known for sound quality as it might not be a case of them compromising, merely not being as good as the better known companies.