I am curious. Mine just broke down after less than two years of use, and I’ve been reading terrible reviews on the durability. Technical support suggested that these should last between 2.5 to 5 years, depending on how they are “treated.” I guess I must be exceptionally abusive to mine.
My answers:
Thanks.
8 months… at 6-7 swims/wk
But it was extremely durable IMO… No one is harder on their equipment than me. Truth.
about 6 months swimming 2-3 times per week
.
1.1G
2. 12 mo
3. 2-3 time a week, 1 hour
I’ve sent mine back 2 times when it stopped working. They replaced it both times all it cost me was shipping to them.
till my first flip turn
.
I got the first version in late 2007 or early 2008…lasted about 2 years, had an issue and stopped working, they sent me a new one. Had same issue within a year and they offered no help. I used it 10-13 x most months.
I got the new version last Christmas but since I was working on Finding Freestyle and focusing more on swimming, I haven’t used it but once or twice.
I love it. I will actually go home and get my swimmp3 if I forget it. I guess it’s good the pool is only 5 minutes away!
They are the worst. I have had maybe 7 or so and they last from 2 weeks to about a year.
Wow… y’all are saying that 22 months is actually pretty good? So I’m not a Swimp3 abuser after all. (Stops typing to give her swimp3 a Shiatsu massage and chocolates).
While I am disgusted with the disposable nature of the Swimp3, I am planning on getting another because I can’t swim without music. Ssphone, you went through 7 already? So the message to the manufacturer from me is: go ahead and keep making your crap, because I’m buying.
1 gig and it’s worked for about two years of 4 hours a week of swimming.
It just quit on me though. My only complaint is that the battery life kinda sucks, other wise I have been completely pleased with it.
till my first flip turn
Haha. Mine didn’t even make it to the pool. The clip broke. I will say though that their customer service was great. No hassle, straight replacement, and they were nice. I used it a few times and found it was too much to hassle with while swimming. I think I prefer the mindless nature of swimming.
i haven’t swum with this particular model but in the past have played with a few other waterproof radio/mp3 players. i’ve never had them last past my first turn…even with a cap on
That’s because they design them for guys who swim humane speeds. Not guys like you. 
should come with a disclaimer “do not attempt to flip turn or swim hundreds under 1:10 pace” 
.
Update to my previous post. So I received a replacement from Finis for $75 (plus I paid for shipping for my defective unit back to them).
It is now just a little over 2 years and the replacement suddenly stopped working. I did a flip turn and my left side unit came unclipped from my googles, but I continued swimming, and before I made it halfway down the 25m lane, it stopped playing. I figured it just ran out of charge.
Took it home to charge, the light went on as if it was charging. Brought it back to the pool only to discover that it would not turn on. But if I plugged the USB in, my computer is able to read the MP3 files still.
Now what do I do? It’s like paying a $80/year fee for music. Trying to decide if I should buy another or not, knowing that my units last only two years before they break down. Are the new ones any better, or can they only be expected to last for two years?
We have 2 of the 256MB ones, and they’re still going strong. 4-5 years on both of them. Wanted to upgrade to more storage, but the reviews were bad on the newer models.
What do you expect for <$200?
2 years of use out of a $200 electronic gadget subjected to the harsh environment of the pool sounds more than reasonable.
People need to be realistic, $200 ain’t s**t anymore and any electronics that cost that much should be considered disposable.
I had the old one that used the stick-like shuffle. Lasted about two years before one of the earphones stopped working. The new model from the same company is for the little square touchscreen nano, and is like a plastic locking pouch, and you have to buy waterproof headphones extra. But for only about $40 for both (shopping on eBay and Amazon) it’s a pretty cheap deal.
Aliddle9876, wow, you registered as a new poster just to tell me not to expect much for under $200? That’s really helpful. Thanks.
Aliddle9876, wow, you registered as a new poster just to tell me not to expect much for under $200? That’s really helpful. Thanks.
What can I say? Your complaining moved me to action!