Page 2: Use, Conclusion
Use
While the included earbuds are fine for use, many readers would prefer to listen using other methods like standard headphones. Earbuds are the easiest thing to include in the packaging, though. The Sansa slotRadio player is a very simple to use device and works well. It is intuitive to use. The picture shows the FM radio portion of the device. The tuner can tune to a precision of .1 MHz, but stations in the USA only use odd ending frequencies. In other parts of the world, you might get more stations using the even ending stations. The front buttons control the tuning.
In the slotRadio mode, the front buttons control the genre of music. Since this is a radio device, you can only skip to the next track. Even though you have all this music available, you can't selectively pick which songs you want to listen to at any time. This is a big minus on the device since it nearly forces you to listen to everything you don't want to hear to get to your own good tracks. It isn't a standard MP3 player, after all. The slotRadio media and player should be considered a new version of radio without the need of a signal. You don't have control over your media, that's the bottom line. Still, some people may be interested in the sampling of music offered that they would otherwise not buy individually. These people might find value in this player.
The complimentary video review is added for your viewing pleasure. ASE Labs' Editor-in-Chief strikes again.
Conclusion
ASE Labs will not ever recommend a device that contains DRM, period. We like the simple design and the UI offers some nice visualizations to go with the music. That doesn't make up for the fact that this device and the media are encumbered with DRM and this is a non-starter for us at ASE Labs. We believe in pro-consumer devices like other models in the Sansa line. Most of them are normal MP3 players as well. If you wanted to try slotRadio, pick up another Sansa MP3 player with the capability built into the device.
This might be a good gift item as long as you are strictly aware of the limitations presented to you. It might be frustrating when you aren't able to find the music you want to hear easily. It is on special right now, but most things with DRM are cheaper due to the huge restrictions in place. We leave the final decision for you to decide for yourself. Our minds are made up.
ASE Labs would like to thank SanDisk for making this review possible.
While the included earbuds are fine for use, many readers would prefer to listen using other methods like standard headphones. Earbuds are the easiest thing to include in the packaging, though. The Sansa slotRadio player is a very simple to use device and works well. It is intuitive to use. The picture shows the FM radio portion of the device. The tuner can tune to a precision of .1 MHz, but stations in the USA only use odd ending frequencies. In other parts of the world, you might get more stations using the even ending stations. The front buttons control the tuning.
In the slotRadio mode, the front buttons control the genre of music. Since this is a radio device, you can only skip to the next track. Even though you have all this music available, you can't selectively pick which songs you want to listen to at any time. This is a big minus on the device since it nearly forces you to listen to everything you don't want to hear to get to your own good tracks. It isn't a standard MP3 player, after all. The slotRadio media and player should be considered a new version of radio without the need of a signal. You don't have control over your media, that's the bottom line. Still, some people may be interested in the sampling of music offered that they would otherwise not buy individually. These people might find value in this player.
The complimentary video review is added for your viewing pleasure. ASE Labs' Editor-in-Chief strikes again.
Conclusion
ASE Labs will not ever recommend a device that contains DRM, period. We like the simple design and the UI offers some nice visualizations to go with the music. That doesn't make up for the fact that this device and the media are encumbered with DRM and this is a non-starter for us at ASE Labs. We believe in pro-consumer devices like other models in the Sansa line. Most of them are normal MP3 players as well. If you wanted to try slotRadio, pick up another Sansa MP3 player with the capability built into the device.
This might be a good gift item as long as you are strictly aware of the limitations presented to you. It might be frustrating when you aren't able to find the music you want to hear easily. It is on special right now, but most things with DRM are cheaper due to the huge restrictions in place. We leave the final decision for you to decide for yourself. Our minds are made up.
ASE Labs would like to thank SanDisk for making this review possible.