Full FeedGadgetell Review: Insignia Pilot MP3 Player
Insignia recently came out with a new type of MP3 player called the Pilot MP3 Player. It comes in two versions, a 4GB and 8GB model. One of the main features of the Pilot MP3 player is the integrated Bluetooth. Upon receiving the Pilot MP3 player, one of the first things I wanted to do with it was try out the Bluetooth. However, before I can get to the Bluetooth, let me explain about how the rest of the features and installation went. Other features of the Pilot MP3 are audio and video playback, FM Radio, photo viewer, and the memory can be expanded via SD cards. It can also work with Macs, although I installed and used it on a Windows XP computer.
Inside the box came a wall socket charger, ear buds, installation CD, instruction manual, and of course the Pilot MP3 player. Unfortunately, Bluetooth headphones are sold separately, but thankfully, I had a pair already and so I could test out it’s Bluetooth capabilities. One of the things I didn’t like was the packaging, it was a pain in the neck to finally get the MP3 player out, which seems fairly standard with electronics lately. After getting it out, I quickly went to go charge it and read up on the manual. Another good thing was the manual was easy to understand. About a few hours later it was finally done charging. Before installing the CD and transferring music, I wanted to check out the FM radio on it. I opened up the ear buds and turned on the player, everything worked well. It will also display the song title and artist, assuming the radio station provides that information.
Now, after putting the CD in, a screen came up asking what I wanted to install, basically the options were Best Buy Digital Music Store (needed to transfer music as well as buy music), Audible.com, the manual in .PDF format, and ArcSoft Media Converter 2 (to convert videos into the correct format). It was kind of annoying to install the Best Buy Digital Music Store, because I had not disabled some firewalls and such so I had to re-download the necessary online drivers. After that, I was able to easily transfer over my music from iTunes (I also own a 30GB iPod Video) and then drag that music into my Pilot MP3 player. It took a little bit longer than I expected to finish transferring my music, but at last it was done. I also added in a video and then unplugged it and went to work on hooking up the Bluetooth headphones. I must say, it was very easy to sync up the Bluetooth headphones and in no time at all I was listening to my tunes.
I left the MP3 on my desk, and went about 30 feet away from it and I was still able to hear it, but if I walked any farther, then the connection went dead. Other than that, the Bluetooth works very well and I must say I am impressed. One problem is if you want to listen to the radio using your wireless Bluetooth headphones, you need to keep the ear buds plugged in as they provide the antenna. Overall, this MP3 player is a very nice one and provides strong competition to the iPod classic. The only problem is it doesn’t have a lot of hard disk space, if it did, it would be a very nice MP3 player. However, the good thing here is that it can be expanded via SD memory slot. As with most MP3 players, they are usually compared to iPods, so I will compare this to my 30GB iPod Video.
The Pilot MP3 player is a lot lighter than the iPod, which was one of the first things I noticed upon picking it up. The screen size is a bit smaller, but the video quality on it is still pretty good. They are both tied there. Likewise with audio, I can’t say that one is better than the other. Overall, setting up the iPod with iTunes was easier than setting this up with Best Buy’s Digital Music Store. Also, the iPod has game support unlike the Pilot MP3. However, the Pilot MP3 has FM radio and Bluetooth. The radio on the Pilot MP3 player is very good and has very good reception If the Pilot MP3 player had more space and maybe a slightly bigger screen, I might prefer it over the iPod, especially since its slimmer and lighter. One of the things I did with my iPod was run with a lot, even though it was kind of bulky and a nano would have been much better. Now, I’m thinking of taking the Pilot running because its slimmer, has radio, and wireless Bluetooth headphones. The scrolling system on both these devices are similar, although the Pilot is a bit smaller, but it also features grooves so you don’t over-scroll, which is a feature that I like a lot. Another nice thing is that it features 2 headphone slots as well as the wireless Bluetooth, so essentially 3 people can listen at once. The interface, however, on the Pilot is a bit worse than the iPod’s. On the iPod, is a lot easier to navigate through music and find what you are looking for than on the Pilot.
This Insignia Pilot MP3 player is a great PMP and if you’re looking for a nice, economical MP3 player, I would recommend considering this one.
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Comparing the Pilot to a 30GB Ipod video is a bit unfair. Perhaps it should be compared to a Nano. That said the Pilot supports SDHC cards, so memory is not really a issue. I too own the Pilot and I have never used the BestBuy software and have had no problems transferring my music (mp3 or wma) or photos (jpg). I’ve yet to try videos, so I can’t comment on those. I also love that you can send your pictures and video stored on the Pilot to a TV or projector using the video out capabilities. The two headphone jacks ad the ability to record both FM and voice is a nice as well. Thanks for your review.
on January 25, 2008 at 03:23 PM - LINK@ Josh
I agree with you that it would have been more fair for the Insignia Pilot player to be compared to the Nano. However, I own the iPod Video so I couldn’t really compare it as well to the Nano. Otherwise, I’m glad you like it, I like it too.
Also, make sure you try out the video on it soon, it works very well.
on January 25, 2008 at 05:37 PM - LINKMine didn’t come with a wall charger and I really want one.
on January 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM - LINKI’ve had mine ever since it came out in ‘07. and so far it’s been holding up better than expected! My kids like the fact that U can listen to 2 headphones at once (great for long car trips), and i like the fact that it syncs up with the rhapsody “to go” service so easily. A great mp3 player that is more than woth the price. If lost or stolen, i wouldn’t mind buying another.
on February 19, 2008 at 05:37 AM - LINKEric-
I agree 100%, the two headphone slots are great and if you have the Bluetooth headphones it is possible to have 3 people listen at once. I don’t like the Rhapsody too much, but you’re right, it still works well.
on February 19, 2008 at 04:52 PM - LINKInsignia pilot mp3 players freeze, don’t work with Itunes (I don’t know anyone who uses Rhapsody), doesn’t do playlists, sounds like crapola.
That said, the entire Insignia line of mp3 players are being revamped, upgraded, all new firmware, for the summer of 2008. An insider told me that the new players will be COMPLETELY Itunes compatible, right down to being able to sync with your playlists!!! No more stupid Rhapsody, which is used by maybe .000000000000000000000001% of the world.
The insider said that Best Buy has struck a deal with Apple to become the first Non-Ipod mp3 player to be able to utilize Itunes fully!
I can’t wait, since the previous version of this player sucked more than a blackhole at a fireworks show!
Comon Insignia, show us a better product already!!!!!!!!!
on April 27, 2008 at 08:08 PM - LINKMy player has frozen just once on me and was easily reset.
Avoiding Itunes is why many of use buy such mp3 devices.
The Insignia pilot certainly DOES playlists. I use them (m3u) all the time. Definitely NOT “crapola.”
I haven’t used Rhapsody, so I can’t comment there. Why pay a monthly fee to “rent” music?
I can also now comment on the video function and think it is amazing. I’ve copied whole DVD movies to watch on it and LOVE it!! The quality is amazing!
on April 28, 2008 at 06:04 AM - LINKI bought my kid the 8gb and am having a hard time with it. . We loaded everything from the CD, but still are having a tough time (impossible time) getting songs from iTunes to load on it. Do I have my player on the wrong setting?? And when I use the converter and try to browse to the videos in iTunes, why can’t I find them? What simple step is this idiot missing?
on July 22, 2008 at 01:02 AM - LINKReturn it if you can. The insignia line of mp3 players are just too unpredictable. Sometimes they work, other times they don’t.
I really wish that someone would come up with a player that you could just drag and drop tunes into and then create a “text” playlist to place in them.
Organizing my tunes (I don’t buy anything, just rip my existing CDs) with Itunes is easy. I would love it if Apple would let non-ipod users utilize it without any restrictions.
Why does the simple act of listening to a song have to be some complicated?
on August 17, 2008 at 12:06 PM - LINKI’ve learned that the vids from iTunes are protected and there’s no way to get them onto our Insignia. So where do I go for vids? I didn’t find any on Rhapsody.
on August 18, 2008 at 12:48 AM - LINKI’ve had the Pilot for about half a year now and it’s standing up to my and my friends abuses (although the back cover is shifted a bit). I take it to work out, my roomate uses it for running in the morning, I carry it in my pockets without protection and toss it in my bags without worry. The earbuds are getting more beat up then the player. The sound quality is decent (hint: just get good headphones). The SD slot is a great bonus. The FM radio was a nice surprise and has decent reception. For where I live, do wish it had AM. The ability to play video was also a nice surprise. I don’t actually use the blue tooth feature and the TV out is cool but also not something I’ve used. It’s light, easy enough to use after a spin or two and surprisingly, it’s built well.
The only issues I have is that the scroll wheel feels cheap (it’s ok though, really) and the use of the stupid ‘rate this song button’ should be user definable (like a shortcut for selecting the next album or something).
I’ve also ran into sync issues… I’m not sure if it’s the player or the software… my roommate changed the USB transfer mode to sync (as opposed to folder view) and synced 3 tracks onto the unit using Windows Media Player. Argh. All 500 tracks I had on the thing are now listed as Unknown for every field. I was annoyed. Rebuilding the library doesn’t help.
Why do software designers insist on making their products act ‘helpful’? All software should, as the saying goes, ‘mind it’s own business.’
on November 12, 2008 at 03:58 PM - LINKAh yes, I forgot, I’ve had the freezing issue as well. Sort of. Every so often (like on average once or twice a month) the display goes all pixilated and snowy and the UI is unresponsive to the scroll wheel but the audio keeps playing. This usually happens when i lock the unit against accidental key presses. I turn it off without problem and it turns back on as if nothing happened. I’m wondering if a firmware update wouldn’t solve this; if one is available as I have not looked.
For me, this issue is a a minor annoyance when I take all the positives AND the price paid. Buying the insignia brand is essentially a trade off and a bit of a gamble. If your unit is being TOO temperamental, trade it in and you’re likely to get one that’s less so. ;)
on November 12, 2008 at 04:42 PM - LINKI’d like to make a note here.
iTunes was designed for iPods. If you /seriously/ expect an MTP media player to work flawlessly with iTunes you’re past mistaken. I’m sorry.
I just bought one of these and I LOVE it. Absolutely 100% LOVE it. I’m coming from an RCA hl106 refurb to work with another refurb, and so far its been AMAZING!
If you’re wondering, I’m a programmer. I know this ####. Dont say that any mp3 player will work with iTunes. it _wont_ I’m sorry.
on November 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM - LINKI have two teenage children one has 30 gb zune the other has the 30 video ipod both are garbage. Both have lost music and i absolutely despise itunes. I purchase music there but can only play it on authorized computers? I have the 8 gb pilot and it is amazing. No need for other software to sync my music or videos.
on November 15, 2008 at 03:29 PM - LINKJust plug pilot into pc open folder and drag and drop music to player. Very simple. plus the memory upgrade makes it a 24 gb player. I don’t know why people say that the pilot is hard to use.
If u wanna use iTunes with it…go 2 edit, preferences, import settings(by import settings for CD) then change the import using to mp3 encoder
hope this helps :D
on March 28, 2009 at 06:14 PM - LINKThis is an addition to my post late last year. To anyone else having the corrupted songs issue. I rebuilt the library by essentially ditching all the songs and putting them back on the unit. Yes, it’s drastic and time consuming but it proves why you should always have a backup of the stuff on your portable player. The corruption was in the metadata of the songs on the unit and was caused by Windows Media Player taking “control” of the files. This was definitly not an issue caused by the unit but by third party software.
Othe then that, this thing is still chugging along great, my only gripe now is that i tried playing videos on it for a long flight but I can’t get any files to play. They all come up as unsupported. Frankly, I suspect it’s because i’m not converting them to the proper format, so as the classic tech support line goes “the problem appears to be between the keyboard and the chair.”
on April 9, 2009 at 11:03 PM - LINK