Archos 5 - Android

I've been researching this product and I get mixed reviews.


You have to purchase video codecs.

The touch screen is not very responsive.

the company is small so customer service is not great.

The User interface is much better since it's Android with the 5s.

If you are a techy I say buy it. If you know about codecs, networking, and can deal with bugs once in a while to justify the massive flexibility like me.

 

I've had some experience with Archos products. Loved the AV500. The company makes some amazing personal media players. You can pretty much do it all. The line in recording dvr stuff is great. Although, I believe that with their newer products you have to purchase the recording equipment separately. In addition, the video quality is the best out there. Not even Apple has better video quality IMO. The sound is also very good. The only knock I have with Archos is that their products seem to break rather fast. I had to get my AV500 repaired twice, and it finally just stopped working about 1 1/2 years into owning it. I've had friends who have had similar experiences with other Archos products. However, perhaps they fixed this with their new line. Honestly to me, the Archos 7 internet tablet looks amazing. I wish I had the extra cash to splurge on it.

Since moving on from Archos I have to say I love my Ipod Touch. The thing is amazing. By far the most useful hand held invention I have ever used. Audio and Video quality are superb. Games are the best out there. Really just a great product. Additionally, even though I hate to admit it the way that the Ipod really beats any Archos product is through Itunes. It is just so much more convenient. Not to mention the user interface is so friendly on the touch.

Personally, if I was you I would just get the touch. It'll help you in many more ways than you'll probably anticipate. It's probably the more solid investment. Yet, the Archos has an unmatchable media experience in its own right. Either of these products are the way to go. Ideal situation would be to get an Iphone and then buy an Archos for your PMP

 

Archos > Apple iPod/ iTouch

 

I own a 605 wi-fi

I have had it for 2 1/2 years and battery life and everything else is as good as the day I bought it. It's reliable, easy to use and has nifty features. I have the TV docking station and it is fairly easy to DVR television shows on it as well as watch movies on the TV using it. I chose it because I mainly wanted it for viewing movies/videos while traveling and at the time I bought it I believe it was by far the best device for doing that (in a pocket-sized device).

Head to head, the archos products just do more than the apple products. I am forever jealous, however, of all the accessories for the apple products that exist.

 

I have had two different Archos products, the 5 (which looks like the Android) and the 604wifi. They offer huge space & screen for a price Apple cant touch. They have been in the touchscreen game longer than the iPod. Archos pretty much brought it to the table. They listen to the community and update the software on an appropriate basis. The best part: no iTunes! Drag & drop interface.

All the extras cost more. For DVR, cam, and GPS you usually need extra hardware. For the full arsenal of video players and stuff, the software extras, you just pay about $20 and it upgrades wirelessly.

 

Kind of interesting, the Archos 605 wifi 30GB model is on sale for $90 for the next 3 hours..

http://www.1saleaday.com/

 

I got my latest Archos from Dell and it never came. UPS lost it. Dell took care of everything. The next Archos I got never turned on. It was a dud. Again Dell went out of their way. Get one with a warranty not associated with Archos and you should be good.

 

That is an amazingly good deal.

I have had my 605wifi 80gb for over 2 years now, and it is the best gadget I have ever owned. I have the DVR dock as well, but have not used it in a long time, as it is just not what I primarily use it for any more.

I carry it with me constantly in my little bundle of electronics that is always either at work or in the car, and whenever a new movie comes out, I can rip it into the proper format in the morning, and be watching it during lunch on the best movie-watching screen and device out there. I have probably 40 full movies on it at any given time.

Battery goes down fairly quickly, so if I was traveling, I would have to pick up one of those extended life packs or something. And make sure I recharged it every chance I got.

Don't really use the wifi, or the internet, and the Archos 'store' is something I have almost completely ignored.

Music player is fine, the sound is fine, and the interface is entertaining.

I do sometimes use it as a desktop picture frame, and of course it can play music at the same time as it is showing your slide show all day long.

Just really good pmp.

Have not looked into the latest models, no need.

This is as beloved a device as my still-sublime Zen Vision:M