Waterproof MP3 players for swimming

evmo

This discussion was created from comments split from: Recommended Products.

Kane

The Underwateraudio waterproof ipod shuffle and a good book from itunes, makes those long pool sessions a pleasure! Get these short cord earphones...


- Buy: Amazon.com

stevenc616

Along the same lines but cheaper if you already own an iPod shuffle is the H2O Audio INT4-BK. I don't know how I ever swam without tunes before. I'm even able to keep track of laps now, not sure why it helps...how serendipitous. Real nice for those long swims in Lake Michigan.



- Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

ChickenOSea

I have a waterproof iPod shuffle in my Swimoutlet.com shopping cart..haven't checked out yet..I never thought I'd consider one of these but the pool (and the people in it), is driving me crazy.
Anyone tried these? They get better reviews than the other ones on the site

Sharko

I was "forced" into buying a waterproof shuffle for swimming in pools .... :-( ...(the front mounted snorkel only worked so long...as as technique of avoidance/meditation) I am now hoping that I don't have to resort to joining a masters team where the coach pushes poor Sharko to be a joiner and a better swimmer.... as it related to the shuffle....I would suggest that you get short cord water proof buds (you won't like wires flapping all over the place) that clip on your goggle strap....the ear buds tend to pop out unless I use vasoline to push them in...

ChickenOSea

Thanks! Well I'm definitely not joining the masters team, and the novelty is wearing off the pool toys I already have, so I might give it a go. I'll look for the short cord earbuds, too

IronMike

swimp3, @ChickenOSea. Unless you have the kind of ears that allow a water-proof seal between the ear buds and your ear holes.

evmo

The SwimP3s are about to become outdated:

http://www.finisinc.com/blog/uncategorized/video-first-look-at-the-new-neptune

IronMike

doesn't look much different except for the controller on the back...maybe that'll mean the "old" ones will get cheaper!

ChickenOSea

They're quite expensive aren't they? All of them. Maybe I'll just hire Kenny G to sit at the end of my lane and play the saxophone.

Can you transfer files from an iTunes library to a Swimp3?

IronMike

only if you've uploaded them as MP3 instead of aac (acc).

The only reason I prefer it is the headphone issue with other players. I was NEVER able to get a waterproof seal btwn the headphone and my ear canal. I would constantly get water in there, and all I'd hear is water sloshing around. With the swimp3, I get clear beautiful music.

the only prob I had with the swimp3 is I dropped it once, and it went kaput. So I now put it in a small tupperware with bubblewrap.

jcmalick

The new neptune looks sick! @chickosea...you have to convert the files to an mp3 file but it's fairly straightforward to transfer from iTunes...I love my second generation swimp3 player for training (especially in an Endless Pool)...my first blue and white one died after a few months but this one (black/yellow) has been kicking for over a year, knock on wood!

@ironmike...it looks to be much more user friendly as you can scroll through the songs and see the song and time remaining versus memorizing your playlist...not like you would be able to see it on the back of your strap though will swimming! They need to incorporate a screen that is bionic and will show up in your goggle eye piece while simultaneously sending information from an aquapulse! )

IronMike

I'm with you, @jcmalick. I am still waiting for the goggle that incorporates a GPS. As long as the "head's up display" arrow points to 12 o'clock, I'm going in the right direction...

[Deleted User]

The Finis SwiMP3 player is great I had one over a year the battery went finally just last week. I have heard the battery's will go bad. It was white in color with a little thing in back to plug into to load songs. It worked great even with a silicon cap under a bubble crepe cap . No ear plugs . A bit expensive toy but it was fun while it lasted. At least swim toys are cheap compared to other sports!

rxleakem

Same thing happened to mine, @OWSmile. I just haven't gotten around to ordering a new one. Audio books were a disappointment, but I loved having tunes on board for swims.

The Neptune link @evmo has above is pretty accurate for what the sound is with the swimp3, although I am not sure what the display will really add to my experience - I just shuffled music on from windows media player.

worthyadvisor

ChickenOSea wrote:

I have a waterproof iPod shuffle in my Swimoutlet.com shopping cart..haven't checked out yet..I never thought I'd consider one of these but the pool (and the people in it), is driving me crazy.
Anyone tried these? They get better reviews than the other ones on the site

I have one from WaterFi, and it works just fine and is pretty light. To keep the headphones in, I make sure I put them in while my ears are still dry. It took a little getting used to how to control it, but other than that, it's been fine...

(and I totally get what you mean about other folks in the pool. The pool I go to is attached to a high school and, well....*sigh*)

Tracey

Here is a link to some reviews of underwater players from DC Rainmaker. His focus is more triathlon technology and his product reviews are very in depth. This review Is a little old, but still has some good info.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/12/great-swimming-mp3-player-shootout.html

Haydn

I have been using my iPhone with speedo headphones. Worked great once the water got above freezing. Then I got water into the water proof pouch and swam without music. The swim without music was a real chore. I am concerned that music robs you of the training aspect of patience. Prove it yourself and try even an hour swim without your music, it becomes a really long swim instead of a short one. Music is also against the rules in most swims. I suppose we have to ask why we feel the need to make our training easy.

ChickenOSea

We don't need to make it easy, but sometimes life is such that we'd like to make swimming in the 25 yard pool pleasant, even just occasionally. Of course, no toy will achieve that, but its a bit of fun anyway (I hope!)

ChickenOSea

So I got a Swimp3 (it was on sale), loaded it last night and will give it a try this afternoon. It might discourage my kids gym teacher who regularly interrupts my swims with questions

IronMike

Looks like Finis isn't selling the swimp3 (old style) anymore. So much for using my 25% off from re-upping my USMS membership.

Anyone got a swimp3 G2 for sale, cheap?

molly1205

I have a barely used waterproof ipod shuffle I'd be glad to sell for $75. I just didn't care for having the earbuds in while swimming. The sound is great and I can see how the ipod would make those long pool swims less monotonous.

IronMike

Yeah, I can't do earbuds. Bone conduction only for me. And not sure I want that Neptune thing they're selling now instead of the swimp3

JBirrrd

@IronMike
Loved my swiMP3 but sadly it died last week, 9 days before its warranty expired. Finis is replacing it with a Neptune. Neptune uses bone conduction also, so not sure why you don't want to give this model a try. Have you heard something I haven't heard? In a week or two, I can give you my review on the newer model.

IronMike

It's that huge unnecessary part in the middle. I love(d) the smallness of the original. That being said, I do look forward to your review!

JBirrrd

Hmmm. Yes that middle piece is substantially larger than the USB thingy on its predecessor. But I plan on just shoving it up under my cap with my mass of hair. Also, I don't clip the side speakers to my goggle straps. I just shove them under my cap as well. Works the same as cheek placement and no flappy speaker issues when pushing off the wall.

heart

I have a waterproof iPod Shuffle and waterproof earbuds. The former works GREAT. The latter has trouble staying in my ears, which is extremely annoying. At some point I gave it up - I swim partly because I cherish the silence, to get away from noise - and am using it mostly when I run. I haven't tried bone conduction earphones and would be willing to give it a try.

Mandai

I have been using SwimMP3 for a while and while the earlier versions had some issues the 2nd gen is almost perfect for me. It makes my long training swims (open water) somewhat enjoyable. I do not like the latest gen with that bulky headpiece and would buy the 2nd gen instead, it's simply great.

IronMike

That's the one, @Mandai. Now the sticky part is finding a shop with one in-stock.

IronMike

I found a version of the swimp3 X18, which supposedly is the update to G2. Anyone have that one?

IronMike

Thanks @Niek. I'm going to buy the x18 version from Metro Swim shop. They seem to be the only ones here in the states still selling it.

S222SGR

Hi Heart

Like you I struggled with keeping the earbuds in until I went to my local audiologist who took moulds and sent off the earphones to specialist company dealing with ear protection (shooting, motor racing, singing). Cost was £70, which is quite a lot but there really do not come out! They are made of silicon and clip onto my earphones. They are best earplugs I own and keep all water out plus I get to listen to my tunes as I plod away in the water. I buy speedo earphones and the custom moulds clip on to them

http://www.puretone.net/pt_music.html

Simon

IronMike

So I finally bought the Neptune (by the time Christmas was done and I could buy something for myself, the "old" swimp3 was sold out at Metro Swim shop). I was going to use it today after work, but apparently Finis hasn't fixed an issue I had with the old swimp3 back in 2010 (and which I didn't even remember until today).

Basically, if you plug your player into your computer to charge, then turn off your computer, the Neptune stays on. Power save does not kick in (power save would turn off the player after a set amount of time, usually a minute or two, if the player is not playing music).

So this morning I unplugged my player from my turned-off computer, turned it on to make sure I knew how to use this (new) swimp3, and the battery showed it was drained. Then a few seconds later it turned off. Then I remembered I had the same problem 3+ years ago with the swimp3. I wrote to Finis and wrote a review, so we'll see if I hear anything back.

Caveat natans: if you're going to use the Neptune, disconnect it from the computer before turning your computer off AND make sure the Neptune is turned off.

johnyG

hey guys good topic .. but how about the new sony waterproof NWZ-W273...any review on this?

swimmer25k

Be careful. It is dangerous as hell to have noise in your head (other than your own) when your out in the OW working out. Not worth the risk, IMO.

IronMike

I don't wear mine in OW. I'd rather hear the boat that's about to run over me.

swimmer25k

IronMike wrote:

I don't wear mine in OW. I'd rather hear the boat that's about to run over me.

Dude, you're lucky you haven't been hit yet. There are lots of nuts out in the Potomac. At least the GPS you wear on your head will tell us where you got hit.

I got whacked by two guys in a rowing shell two days before my EC swim. You can see the scabbed over gash on the back of my neck in my video. It that had been a crazed boater I would have been done for good.

IronMike

@Niek, Chris had it on the forums here about a year or so ago. I'll try to find it.

edit: Yep Niek, I found it the same place you did, and it's marked private. @25kswimmer, is the video still available?

evmo

Chris and I are working to get his excellent EC video back online, hosted on the MSF server. Apparently he had some copyright issues with the music...

IronMike

Awesome. I watched the first, but never got to see the second half. Definitely looking forward to it.

swimmer25k

Check out "Derks 2001 Channel Oddessy Part 2 final.wmv" on YouTube. It's the second part. All of the audio was cut by YouTube. The first half was put on YouTube by a friend of mine. For some reason the "private" thing came up and we can't see it. Lynne (who posted it for me) said that she didn't do anything to take it down.

Evan and I are working on a solution.

I did all of my Dover Harbor training at first light. I had all of the harbor to myself. There's a funny story that led to me swimming there alone. Essentially, the "Mayor" of Dover Harbor advised me that my Channel swim would be unsuccessful because I didn't drink Maxim and wasn't training 8 hours each day in the harbor. Evidently my 100K/week and about 20 escorted swims at that time didn't mean much in his (and his sidekick's) opinion. I was tapering, so my swims started at 2h30m and dropped 30M each day until my swim date. I decided to keep to myself and stick with my usual routine.

I approached my swim like it was any other race and didn't divert from my program. I viewed it as just another race.

The rowers were way out by the breakwater when I got in. I was swimming about 50 meters off shore when I got hit by an oar blade. I had to duck to avoid getting hit by the second one. The guys stopped and apologized, which I appreciated. I didn't yell at them, because somehow an apology with a British accent sounded more believable and sincere to me.

Mike, I can loan you a copy if you'd like. You know where to find me.

swimmer25k

IronMike wrote:

Awesome. I watched the first, but never got to see the second half. Definitely looking forward to it.

Put my name in the YouTube search and my channel swim should come up. It's in two parts: Swim Odyssey Part 1 and Part 2

swimmer25k

evmo wrote:

Chris and I are working to get his excellent EC video back online, hosted on the MSF server. Apparently he had some copyright issues with the music...

I have the videos back up on YouTube. No idea on how long YouTube will tolerate my nonsense. I'll still get a DVD out to you.

Chris

hemlocky_ergot

I'm also looking for an mp3 player and I'm really leaning towards the Finis Neptune, I'm just concerned about how loud the music will be to other swimmers and having issues with the unit falling off during flipturns. Does anyone have any experience with that?

IronMike

@hemlocky_ergot, I've never had my swimp3 fall out of my cap nor have I ever had any other swimmers comment on the music. In fact, as you'll see, you don't need the volume up very loud.

JBirrrd

Agreed. I've used the SwiMP3 (wore it out) and now have Finis' newer model, the Neptune. I prefer to place the speakers inside my cap at the back of my head w/ the main part clipped to my goggle strap on the outside. Never falls off. I do like to crank up the volume. The life guard said he can hear mine when I'm at the wall, but other swimmers do not hear it under water. Get one. You'll love it.

IronMike

I also wear mine behind the ears. In front of the ears it hurts my temples after a while. Behind the ear you can hear the music just as well.

Dredpiraterobts

Here's what I don't understand about the Finis (or the Beginis either for that matter).

1. Storage? When I can put 16G (and more) on a micro sd card, what's up with 4 gig? I know, 4 gig is more than I'll really ever need (I only listen to about 10 albums anyway) but still.

2. Have they never hear of Bluetooth? Doesn't it seem obvious that your swim coach with a console that has each swimmer in the pool with a different Bluetooth band width. Bing "Dred! You're coasting on your right arm again!" "Roberts! You're doggin' it, pick up the pace." "IronMike! You call that a flip turn? What you do in practice is what you're going to do in a meet, you do that in a meet and you're going to lose!" It seems... Maybe I should go on Shark Tank and pitch that idea! (Forget I wrote anything here!)

Aside from that, I hate you all because now I'll have to have one! (Robtmas is coming!)

I thought that I saw that Finis were nyet goot in the salt ocean? Did I see wrong?

Is there a thread on what play lists you all recommend?

IronMike

@Dredpiraterobts, if you can find one, get an old (blue and white) swimp3. The Neptune is alright, but the screen is worthless. It's on the back of my head! What the hell do I need a screen for?

I like your bluetooth idea. I would give each of my triathletes their own channel so I can yell at them constantly instead of only during their 60-second-long 10 second break between sets.

Dredpiraterobts

IronMike,

The thing about the screen. I understand the idea of why do I need a screen behind my head? It's not like you're playing DJ anyway and you're not waiting for some to turn around and shout "Play that funky music white boy!"

But...

The way I envision using this is that I have file folders in the memory. Each folder has a (at least a) playlist that facilitates a different workout. When I'm doing sprint work, I want short hard pulsing heart racing, thumpin', humpin' music! Hot Rod Honeymoon, My Thing, Earth Quake, Rollin' and Tumblin' and lots of other Jeff Beck.

When I'm doing distance, I want to play Quadrophenia from front to back. I want Eat A Peach and Live from Filmore East. I want Edgar Winter's Frankenstein. I want to swim with the Phishes. I want to play East/West by Butterfield, My Generation off Live at Leeds

A mixed set calls for a mix of music designed to set the pace. Do it in practice enough times, it'll be the same pace you do at the meet.

I want to be able to choose which file I'm playing, and I need a screen to do that. Other wise it's just "shuffle mode" right?

I also envision each file with "Coach" telling me what hundreds I'm swimming and when 1:15 is coming so get ready to start and reassuring me that if I "PUSH" I'll get a slow down lap coming. A metronome that clicks off stroke paces, subtly increasing and decreasing the pace to get you to the finish line at the target time.

Let me ask: Do people think that people would be willing to pay to download programmable workouts that they could play on their MP3 players? If these workouts were designed by successful professionals (meaning "not me")? The program could be customizable based on the pool (or lack there of) length, the height of the swimmer and the level of the swimmer, the goals of the swimmer etc...

As to the Bluetooth, I'm happy to hear that it is a new concept to someone in the business. I have played with using old cell phones that have BT and a music player with a micro sd card (I'm cheap). But I have had the opposite of success with earbuds. If I had the Finis (especially if I had one where the player was shot) I'd cut the wire and splice on a jack which I could then plug into BT compatible MP3 player. (There may be, but I don't think so that there is, a difference in the signal sent through the wires for bone induction versus regular earbuds). If your old unit is broken anyway...

TimDex

My wife has a finis and have been allowed to borrow it on occasion but I find it a little quiet. I need my head to be rattled, and brain beaten with music so I can drift off and ignore the fact that Im only on lap 131 of 400.

I looked at the H2Audio box for shuffles. I have been through 3 of them and sent them all back, one or the other of the ear phones would fail. Then, onto waterproof 'shuffles'. $150 is too rich for me. Digging around on the web, I found out a way to waterproof my shuffle for pennies.

A quick trip to Walgreens for a 5 ml syringe, Lowes for some 'dielectric' grease (important), a bowl of boiling water and I was set. Draw up grease into the syringe and drop into the water to warm up. Put the shuffle in a plastic bag and immerse to warm up too.
Now things get messy. Steadily and slowly, inject the grease into the headphone jack hole. It will eventually squeeze out of the seams ... keep going until the syringe is empty. Allow to cool and you're done! Some folks epoxy the seams but I figured there was so much grease in the thing, no water was going to leak into the seams.

You'll need waterproof head phones but I had them already. Now clip the shuffle to your gogs and bundle up the excess ear phone cable with an elastic band and get wet.
I have swum maybe ten times so far, a bit scary the first time, but its been great. 5K in the pool this morning made so much more bearable listening to loud music