Ask Engadget: best rugged PMP out there?
By Darren Murph 
posted April 1st 2010 11:00PM
posted April 1st 2010 11:00PM
So, dear readers -- what would fit the bill here? And remember, we're not looking for a PMP with a tough coat of plastic. We're looking for something to last on the battlefield. Oorah! (And Godspeed.)"My brother is about to leave for the Marines, and I (the geeky brother) want to send something with him to keep him busy. What is a very rugged PMP or similar, with WiFi and a nice UI? A camera is definitely a plus."
@Rampy
Cowon PMPs don't have internet access (WIFI).
Anything BUT an iPod touch. The older iPods were great - I have a 3rd generation that's still going strong, never had any problems with it. But I don't think that would quite fit what you're looking for. But the iPod touch...damn thing couldn't even survive a couple months, with the harshest environment being my front pocket, behind my wallet. The solder joints on the headphone jack failed. And the damn thing's impossible to fix.
Apple's build quality in general has really been going down the tubes lately - I have a friend whose iPod classic died while still in warranty, so she got a replacement...which was DOA. Got another one - DOA again. Got a third replacement, which only partially worked, then finally got a fourth replacement that mostly works, and isn't taking it back again for fear of getting another broken one. A lot of it seems to be firmware bugs though - I have two 4GB 1st gen nanos that worked perfectly until the last time I updated the software - since then they've both been freezing damn near every day I use 'em.
Any htc phone, but I Have a nice archos 5 it 16gb, and it survives every fall.
I'm a marine that was deployed off in 2003 and I gifted otter boxes to many guys in my unit that went to the front over the last 7 years. The new otterbox for iPod Touch is pretty dang good and keeps sand and crap out of the bezel. I know for sure that it takes a hit when I take a knee and leave it in my cargo pocket, but the iPod Touch keeps working just the same. Since it's flash based and offered a great selection of games it couldn't be beat in the field. We combat engineers also blow a lot of stuff up, and carry a lot of gear. I actually used the calculator to find REF factors and could recharge off of anybody's laptop. As for pictures, I can't say cause mine was First gen, but the wifi worked when available too. Rugged and solid back in 2008. I'm sure that with proper protection the new ones will be even better.
The iPod Touch with an Otterbox (http://www.otterbox.com/touch-defender-case-coming-soon) or perhaps a ZuneHD, although I suspect he would get more use out of the iPod Touch with the Apps.
If the DoD is seriously looking at the iPod as a feasible battlefield device, currently in use, I'm sure it would work out pretty well for him (http://www.newsweek.com/id/194623)
I'd stay away from the Archos devices. The one's I've played with seemed to have pretty bad build quality.
Hands Down, Zune HD
@Clowndude319 Totally agree and the batterys life is extremely good
Samsung Yepp it survives the toss across the room and a 12' drop.
Zune HD is sooo rugged. I have submerged mine in the toilet for about a minute (accidently) and it is fine. Also, I have dropped it from far distances.
@HowardtheDuck
ewwwwwww
@HowardtheDuck
The screen broke when I dropped mine from about a 4 foot height. Its all about the angle it hits.
My ipod video (5th gen I think) will not die. Put a hard case on it and it will last forever.
If you care about video playback (supporting all the codecs) and web browsing (at full resolution) on a large but still pocketable screen, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet is by far the best. It's $249 at Radio Schack. You can even have a 500GB hard drive version. Get a $20 leather case for it and it will be sturdy and very pocketable even though its screen is 2x larger than the ipod touch.
Any PMP that can fit an Otterbox. My iPod Touch still looks brand new and I drop it, skip it down the hall and spill on it way more than I intend. A Hummer rolling over it might break it but let's hope that isn't in the cards.
I agree with James T. Anything in an otterbox lives. My blackberry has taken some serious beatings and it's fine.
I'll also say this too. I've yet to meet any soldier that actually needs anything durable. I could send someone out there with a faberge egg out on the "field" and it would come back intact.
I'd say just set him up with an iPod touch and you'll be safe. If you want some extra security, get the otterbox for it and you'll be golden.
I've seen the Archos used as a storage device for a cyclist recording his helmetcam vids. No personal experience with Archos though.
Not an iPod touch.
I have an iPod touch and love it but the biggest problem is the pickyness about video format and reliance on iTunes for file transfers.
I would get a Archos 5 Internet Tablet. It runs android (app store), plays most video files out of the box (you can purchase additional formats if needed), Wifi, Blue tooth, web TV, games etc. It connects to a computer just like an external hard drive so getting files on and off is a breeze.
For someone who will have a limited access to technology, the Archos is a much better overall solution.
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5it/internet.html?country=in&lang=en
@rsoasmara
I guess I should have mentioned in addition to the iPod Touch, I have an Archos 605, and an Archos 5 (got it before the 5IT came out). They are great products.
@rsoasmara Your right and their is a Camera attachment made by Archos for it!
iPod Nano... can playback movies and has a camera. right? RIGHT! Right? Just kidding. Actually that new Dell Streak might be the right answer if they have a wifi only version coming out - but not be available before deploys.
I think that if its in your budget range a Viliv S5 (With SSD) might not be a bad Idea. On the Dynamism website they sell a "Rugged" case for it.
Truth is the PSP (any model other than the GO) Would also be a good choice as there is a quiet a variety of cases you can get. And if you can track one down their is a camera attachment which I used to own and even though its only 1.3m its still pretty decent quality camera.
iPod touch 3rs generation + Otterbox defender = win
even if you have a fiery hate for apple, th iPod touch is still something anyone would like
Why don't you just get an iPhone no contract if your willing to spend the money and then you'll have the camera a mic and a compass. Maybe not worth it but shooting video on a 3gs is a plus when you wanna shoot videos of your army friends doing something crazy!
Just got a refurbed 32GB Zune HD for $160 and it has been amazing thus far, highly highly recommend it.
iPod and Zune both stink as a media player. I want divx, mkv, and other popular formats to be supported. I couldn't tell you what player it is but I know which two it isn't.
@Kurto2021 the Zune HD is getting Divx
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-coming-soon-adds-smartdj-new-codecs-a/
Has anyone considered the current iRiver product line (specifically the P7 or the Spinn)? No wifi, but they both have aluminum shells. I can vouch for the p7 and say that it feels both classy and durable but I haven't used the Spinn.
Also, the Sony Walkman X series looks insanely durable, but I have never spent quality time with it to tell for sure. IMO I think it feels just as good in the hand as the Zune HD.
Can anyone back up these suggestions?
For those talking about wifi, when I was in Kuwait, the established camps usually had either some sort of public access Internet or a net cafe of some sort.
I do love my iPhone 3G so it's easy to recommend a Touch, but I also keep my Archos AV500 kicking around for those AVIs I don't want to convert. A good case should be a given, but I kept a lot of my gadgets in ziploc bags to keep sand and dust out.
Get a Zune HD. Great portable media player, durable, gorgeous UI and with the new price drop its probably your best choice.
Are you even allowed cameras and/or wifi in the marines? Might be worth looking into.
The Haier ibiza Rhapsody. 30GB HD version or a 8GB Flash version. Flash is probably more rugged.
Has WiFi!
I'm sure Otterboxes are great, but I've been using a Pelican i1010 white iPod case with my 2G iPod Touch, and it not only seals the iPod and
headphones inside, but it has an external audio jack cabled to the iPod inside so you can listen to tunes on random without exposing the iPod to the elements.
Try the panasonic u1s u can have a camera installed if u want. Runs on vista, xp, and 7 I believe.
The only right thing you can do for PMP is offer it your (unborn) sun.
Worship , sacrifice what else?
Apologies that this has come late. I have a few things to add to your very insightful replies: WiFi is useless in a deployed area (Maybe not if you're on a FOB all the time, but if you are, you likely won't need something too rugged anyway). FWIW, Sand gets into a Zune 80 very easily. You may want buttons on your device because if you're outside the wire, you'll likely be wearing gloves all the time. You'll want a case on your device no matter what you decide on. You may want speakers on your device, but not if you'll forget to turn them off. Forget about the bigger Archos and Cowon devices - they're too big. Don't worry about the camera violating security protocol - just don't take pictures of stuff you shouldn't take pictures of, and if you do, for god's sake don't put them on facebook. You need to worry about sweat drenching your cammies as well, so make sure whatever you buy can fit into an MRE beverage bag (low-cost easily available choice of waterproofing). ZuneHD, S9 size do just fine in this regard. Not sure if an itouch fits, but I think it should.
Small, light, portable, durable, /versatile/. My vote goes for the S9. It's meets all my suggested standards or will meet them with quick fixes. Putting video files on the S9 is also ridiculously easy. You don't have to go through Itunes and you don't have to do all sorts of video conversion BS, stuff which you don't have time to do in an area without easily accessible broadband internet.
Don't give your brother something to take to boot camp. He won't be allowed to have it. Wait until he comes back on boot leave.