Surely the Ultra Hydra is just another re-badged Chinese import, right? Maybe, but this 0.8-ounce / 2.9 x 1.5 x 0.9-inch
splashproof DAP is said to hail from a place much more exotic... Fletcher, Ohio. The Hydra comes in either 1GB or 2GB flavors and features an integrated FM radio, USB 2.0 for both quick data transfer and charging the bundled AAA battery. On a good day, that battery will bust-out a modest 8-hour playback of your MP3, WMA, and WAV files and even them crazy-low, 8kbps bit-rate ACTs generally used for low-quality audio recordings -- so yeah, it includes a voice recorder, too. And just like we likey, the Hydra supports USB mass storage allowing you to easily drag and drop music to the player, or any file for that matter for some good, USB flash drive portability. We assume it also supports DRM'd WMA playback since the player will be launching with Ultra's, or should we say PassAlong Network's, NepTUNES music service which is PlaysForSure certified. So what's the fuss, Gus? Well, prices start at just $40 for the 1GB model or a righteous $60 for the 2-gigger. You go Bucks!
Update: Ah ha! As Jordy and others are pointing out in comments, it
is just a rebadged unit as seen
here and
here and... May your rivers burn as punishment Ohio!
posted October 26th 2006 6:16AM
Does anyone know if the Ultra can be fixed when it won't load up anymore?
I have two and they both stopped loading.
why this "new" unit is striking familiar to my 3 year old canyon mp3 player?
http://www.canyonsportsline.nl/products/img_large/CN-MP3SD_2.jpg
I just wonder why this "NEW" player is strikingly familiar to my 3 year old Canyon one!
[img]http://www.canyonsportsline.nl/products/img_large/CN-MP3SD_2.jpg[/img]
Yeah, like Ohio could bust THOSE out.
Anyone know where I can pick one of these up in the US or online. I've looked and can't find either. I'd settle for either the canyon sportsline or the ohio rebadged unit.
Hey they did move the button. I'm sure a crack team of engineers (Ohioan or not) spent a whole five minutes working on making the design new and unique.
Looks just like the Iomega Mixx MP3 player.
In the UK and I presume the rest of europe too, this MP3 player was branded Tevion and sold at the low-cost supermarket Aldi for approx 30.
HEY!!! I'm from Ohio! We are not all a bunch of useless, loser, samich eatin', buckeye fanswait a minuteyeah, I guess we are. FLAME ON!!!
Looks like the Ohio guys found "New and Improved Version 2!" of your gadget before anyone else. Props to them.
I get it, somebody re-labeled someone else's product. Happens everywhere. Is you store-brand cereal made by your store? Ask Mal*Wart.
But see here: USB2, more storage, more battery life. Same as yours?
Geez, let the Cuyahoga catch on fire once and people will never for get it.
I'll never buy another Ultra product, I bought the UltraMP3 (256mb) and it's just a piece of junk... no shuffle, it only can play the mp3 files in the root folder (cant reach subfolders), just read MP3 (no wma, ogg), they said they will release a firmware update for fix this and other issues... that was about 2 years ago and still nothing.
Beware of UltraProducts
"Jordy @ Oct 26th 2006 6:46AM
why this "new" unit is striking familiar to my 3 year old canyon mp3 player?
http://www.canyonsportsline.nl/products/img_large/CN-MP3SD_2.jpg"
What was the price 3 years ago? ;-)
I drive by Fletcher almost every day. For anyone that doesn't know, Systemax is located in Fletcher. Coincidence, I think not!
Damn, that thing is ugly. Loving the price though, I was considering getting an iPod shuffle 2nd gen, but with this thing being cheaper, and twice the space, *and* supporting USB mass storage... Something to consider.
wait, is this submersible or just splashproof?
The unit sold at TigerDirect says USB 2.0.
TigerDirect has a deal on these for $29.97 after $30 rebate.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2430468&sku=ULT40017&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1242C