PDA

View Full Version : Apple iPod mini armband review


Nicky G
02-22-2004, 08:40 PM
I decided that the Apple armband for the mini is pretty slick, so I went to my local Apple Store this evening to pick it up. My girlfriend bought it for me, and it was only $25 with her EDU discount.

I am very happy I went with the Apple armband, as opposed to the other from a third party I had on pre-order (now cancelled). It is of very solid construction -- I feel like it's going to hold up for a long time, even when exposed to the vast amount of sweat I tend to generate when jogging on my treadmill. :)

There are enough velcro patches on the band for it to be usable by just about anybody. The velcro appears to be very well mounted on the band itself, and doesn't look like it will start pulling away from it after lots of use (and sweat).

I believe the band itself is neoprene. It's soft, but not very "stretchy," which is a good thing. It has the word "iPod" at the end of the band in matte black letters -- subtle, but a nice touch.

The gold mini I have is so beautiful, I decided that a case that "hides" the mini behind rubber or neoprene or leather is kind of defeating the point. After making this realization, I decided the combo of included belt-clip and Apple-branded armband would be the ideal approach. I'll report back on how the armband holds up after a week or two of working out.

Addendum 1:

I did my first jog with the armband today. A hair short of a half hour on a treadmill, ranging between 4.5 and 6 mph. It is _slick_. The mini can comfortably rest on the top of your arm, as opposed to the outside of the arm, so it's within reach if you want to adjust the track or volume while jogging.

Other than the feel of the armband around your arm, you CANNOT FEEL the mini's weight while jogging! Amazing, and something that I don't think can be honestly said of the 3G iPods.

At first I had the earbuds so they went behind my back/neck and into my ears, but realized that the swinging wire was sort of getting caught on my elbow a little bit. Having the wire go in front of your torso/neck is actually much better, so I will do it that way from now on.

After jog number 1 with the mini and armband, I am utterly satisfied with this purchase! I'll post another update in a week or so after a half dozen more jogs.

Minty Fresh
02-23-2004, 08:18 PM
Nice review!!!! Thanks....I think I'll be picking up an Armband as well!

Andii
03-17-2004, 11:11 AM
Any update soon?

LawnDart
03-20-2004, 12:54 AM
The armband is tough and will stay in place while running or working out on a treadmill. My only issue is that the material it is made out of is very anti-skid which makes it hard to slide over a t-shirt into place for tightning the strap. Not a quick slide and velcro job.
LawnDart

pishnaris
03-29-2004, 04:32 PM
I've been using the iPod armband for a little over a month. I run at a decent pace (8 mph) on a treadmill, and then hit the rowing machine.

The only problem I've seen is that the raw end of the strap has to be placed somewhere that won't allow it to chafe on your chest, or your arm. If it's not placed properly, you do get sore.

It can be tricky.

The iPod really holds well in the strap clip, and it is accessible while you're working out.

Pretty good solution, and the iPod has not skipped at all, as did the G3 I no longer use. 1000 songs are plenty.

Asian_N02
03-30-2004, 09:46 AM
I use the armband for about 3 weeks now. I jog on average around 3 miles every other day. The armband breathes pretty well on the arm, and it does not move an inch from where you placed it before you started your jog. It fits securely on your arm, and on top of that, the mini has never skipped!!! I think it's a very good product if you are willing to pay the 30 dollars for it.

Yosam
04-07-2004, 01:33 AM
I bought an arm band and took it apart to use the iPod holder piece to make a car mount for my wife. I have an extra belt that I won't be neding that I will give to anyone who wants to pay the shipping.

The car mount was made by cutting the back side of the mount off and filing the top and bottom flat. I added a regular cell phone button and placed the other piece in the car. Now my wife just slides the mini into the clip and connects to the cassette adapter and she is good to go.

Kind of and expensive solution but it looks and works good.

Yosam