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iPod Hard drive-based iPod on a motorbike

Nermal

Nermal

Moderator
Original poster
Staff member
Dec 7, 2002
21,436
5,316
New Zealand
A friend of mine wants an iPod, but he wants to listen to it while on his motorbike and he's concerned that the vibrations may not be good for the hard drive. I'm inclined to agree with him, but I thought I should ask around and see whether anyone has any experience with this.

A solid-state iPod is always an option of course, but how do the hard drive ones hold up? Vibrations aren't good for the drive, but on the other hand the drive is accessed relatively infrequently. Comments?

Thanks :)
 
My 4G didn't handle nightly jogs so I really doubt an iPod will last more than six months on a motorbike, especially with the added stress of camber changes.

I reckon a Flash iPod is the way to go. :)
 
That's what I was afraid of. It's a shame that Nanos are still pricey - Minis are available second-hand for cheap now so they look more attractive :)
 
He'd like it to hold more than 2 songs :p

Edit: Found a 2 GB Nano for $47 but it still has a week of auction time left, will probably be expensive by the time it closes :(
 
Nermal said:
That's what I was afraid of. It's a shame that Nanos are still pricey - Minis are available second-hand for cheap now so they look more attractive :)
Click to expand...
Minis are disc based, not flash.
 
my shuffle's only the 512 but it takes about 80 songs or 5-6 hours music (and a lot more for podcasts) - unless your chum has one hell of a commute that really ought to be enough i'd have thought
 
Nermal said:
A solid-state iPod is always an option of course, but how do the hard drive ones hold up? Vibrations aren't good for the drive, but on the other hand the drive is accessed relatively infrequently. Comments?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

My creative zen micro doesn't skip or cause problems when I'm riding.
 
iSaint said:
I would think just having the iPod in your shirt or jacket pocket wouldn't subject it to much stress. I'm not a biker, but it's just a thought.
Click to expand...

Those are fine places to keep it if you want to lose it going down the highway :p
 
iSaint said:
I would think just having the iPod in your shirt or jacket pocket wouldn't subject it to much stress. I'm not a biker, but it's just a thought.
Click to expand...

The problem is that we need someone who's actually tried it, it's a bit risky to buy something if it only *might* work :( (although admittedly it's a bit "off" to say "I don't want to break mine, someone else try it please!" :p)

Airforce said:
Those are fine places to keep it if you want to lose it going down the highway :p
Click to expand...

That too :)
 
Airforce said:
My creative zen micro doesn't skip or cause problems when I'm riding.
Click to expand...

He said he was interested in an iPod, not another product.

By the way though, the technologies the same...they both use hard drives, and that amount of vibration on either product wouldn't be good.
 
the biggest problem for me is getting a full face helmet on without knocking the headphones out of my ears.
i've got a 3g 40gb iPod i use when riding. i've had it over 2 years. i use it on longer trips (2 or more hours).
i keep it in an inside pocket of a jacket.
it still works well.
i also use it while walking and commuting on trains.
i would think walking with an iPod is potentially more damaging than sitting on a motorcycle or a train.
unless he is a crusty demon, doing hours of dirt riding, big jumps and hard landings, it will be ok to use a hard drive based mp3 player.
 
DaftUnion said:
He said he was interested in an iPod, not another product.

By the way though, the technologies the same...they both use hard drives, and that amount of vibration on either product wouldn't be good.
Click to expand...

Hence why I said my Zen didn't have any problems...relating to the iPod...Its fine for it...no worries.
 
748s said:
the biggest problem for me is getting a full face helmet on without knocking the headphones out of my ears.
Click to expand...

I got him to try putting his helmet on while using the earphones and he didn't have any trouble whatsoever. Neither did I for that matter, and that's the first time I've ever put a helmet on. Made me sound like Darth Vader :cool: :p
 
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