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Sony Water Resistant MP3 Player NWZ-W252

This is an all in one unit with the earbuds fixed into the player unit. With some earbuds you can choose to hang them directly from the ears of to take them round your neck, here there is no choice as the ‘C’ shaped band will only locate in the ear if you then go behind your neck.

The stretched out length of the band connecting the two buds is 33cm but is will always return to two ‘O’ shapes. The right unit has a magnetised base and given the chance they link together in a heart shape. The MP3 player itself is in the right earpiece, there are however a couple of controls on the left piece.

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So the pieces fit into the ear, the connecting white wire then goes over the ear and then goes behind the neck to the other piece.

It certainly is different and it took me a while to get used to the controls, it does however tend to stay in place so for those you jog the whole control is on your head the total weight is only 40grams and it comes with 2GB of memory which can be loaded with MP3 files via the provided USB lead either by using the software which will transfer to the PC when first connected or just by drag and drop. If you use the latter version without installing the Sony software then the spoken instructions on the unit will be in German.

The software is quite good and enables easy control but is not dominating like that of some other companies offerings. Change the language and then the odd words tend to make sense or learn German.

Sony are careful to warn you that this is not totally waterproof as for instance water could leech in at the bud end. However splash proof they are, you are warned not to place the right unit next to credit cards etc as there is a slight chance the magnet could destroy information.

If you want a rather different MP3 player then the sound quality is quite good and when you are used to the controls they are quite easy to navigate round your playlists.

The Sony NWZ-W252 MP3 Player is available from the link below for £45.98 including delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005BBF7KQ?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

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Sony NWZ-B172

If you feel that is perhaps too different then Sony do a more normal type device with detachable earbuds that can clip onto a shirt or the edge of a pocket via a supplied clip.

It works in much the same way as the unit above but it does have a small three line display and buttons on either side as well as a jog wheel next to the display on the front of the unit. It is again 2GB which means a lot of files can be stored. No voice controls so although it does have the same software to transfer files you can just plug in and use drag and drop, no lead to remember as the cap comes off to reveal a standard USB connection and it just appears as Sony Walkman in Windows.

The supplied earbuds fit in to the end of the unit and while running is not my thing the clip is quite robust so unlikely to come adrift.

It is 8.5x2x1.5cm in size and weights 29grams with the clip attached but not including the 14grams of the earbuds.

Sound quality was good but the earbuds supplied are not noise reducing so other earbuds might be suitable for those with an out and about lifestyle.

The Sony NWZ-B172 MP3 Walkman is available from the link below for £25.99 with free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0070JTBTU?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634