NY Times review and slide show of waterproof MP3 players

At the risk of exposing my geekyness, has anyone tried using an mp3 player as a pacing device? I'm thinking in terms of recording the desired stroke rate and splits or the send off times and turn times with maybe the time read out, so you could get a good idea of your time and stay on your intervals without straining to make out the clock through foggy goggles etc. It might make it easier to do interval sets without a coach too. How about just using some 240 bpm techno tracks of known length? Or maybe some Yardbird, if you've got a little swing to your stroke... :joker:

Thanks for the article! I generally like to keep my ears open for treachery in the waters, but it looks like I can do both - listen to music and for treachery. Regards, VB

It is really silly they missed the waterproofed genuine Shuffle sold here. This is a retail iPod shuffle modified to be waterproof. No bulky cases. Nothing different about how it works or handles music downloads.

At the risk of exposing my geekyness, has anyone tried using an mp3 player as a pacing device? I'm thinking in terms of recording the desired stroke rate and splits or the send off times and turn times with maybe the time read out, so you could get a good idea of your time and stay on your intervals without straining to make out the clock through foggy goggles etc. It might make it easier to do interval sets without a coach too.

I would be interested in the new H20Audio ipod shuffle player. It looks pretty nifty. Anyone had a chance to use this yet?

At the risk of exposing my geekyness, has anyone tried using an mp3 player as a pacing device? I'm thinking in terms of recording the desired stroke rate and splits or the send off times and turn times with maybe the time read out, so you could get a good idea of your time and stay on your intervals without straining to make out the clock through foggy goggles etc. It might make it easier to do interval sets without a coach too. I'm really surprised that Nike hasn't come out with something that does this yet. I use the iPod Nano w/Nike+ for running, and it was almost overwhelming at first the amount of information it provided to me, at the push of a button (and a ton more when I upload my workout to my computer). After each run, I'll spend sometimes 30 min or more going over my pacing throughout, matching the places it slowed/picked up to what I was doing at the time. I know that Nike is working with some equipment manufacturers (for rowing machine and exercise bikes) on expanding the Nike+, so I wouldn't be surprised if they are working on something for swimming. Strangely, once you buy the equipment (the iPod or Nike wristband, the Nike+ stuff), there is no fee to use any of it.

After each run, I'll spend sometimes 30 min or more going over my pacing throughout, matching the places it slowed/picked up to what I was doing at the time. Who was it that said SWIMMERS were obsessive? :) I have never even kept a training log...I guess I know that I should, it just seems like too much WORK..

It is really silly they missed the waterproofed genuine Shuffle sold here. This is a retail iPod shuffle modified to be waterproof. No bulky cases. Nothing different about how it works or handles music downloads. I'd like to hear from someone who has gone this route. I really enjoy my shuffle and ipod, and if I heard some good reviews I'd be tempted to get my shuffle waterproofed. I'm curious about what it feels like swimming with headphones in your ears, and also if it all stays in place when sprinting or doing flipturns. :groovy:

I'd like to hear from someone who has gone this route. I really enjoy my shuffle and ipod, and if I heard some good reviews I'd be tempted to get my shuffle waterproofed. I'm curious about what it feels like swimming with headphones in your ears, and also if it all stays in place when sprinting or doing flipturns. :groovy: My husband bought me the waterproof housing, headphones and swimbelt for my Nano as a birthday gift over a year ago - it is the stuff made by H2o Audio. I love it - to say the least. I have running playlists and swimming play lists. I even made a few play lists that had songs that played as long as it takes me to do a 200 *** or 500 free. As far as using the music to pace myself, I didn't care for that too much - but I just love it to swim to a great playlist. I didn't like the swim belt they sold for two reasons. 1) was that it really had alot of drag with every pushoff - I mean alot of drag. 2) I found that I was allergic to the fabric used in the belt. I fixed the problem by glueing (with E6000 glue) the armband that comes with the housing to the black belt that comes with an AQUAJOGGER - the belt from the aquajogger is made for getting wet and it has a plastic clip and is adjustable. Save your money and skip the belt they sell with the waterproof housing - I think the armband came free with the plastic housing. I wear the headphones over my cap and then put a second cap over the top to keep the headphones in place. There is no problems with turns or breathing - it works beautifully and you get less water in your ears to distort the sound. H2o audio made a new set of headphones - they look better than the ones I have. I have the first model (the white ones). I feel like I can swim forever when I use this. It is great for doing long moderate sets like pulling, drilling or doing backstroke. I also play different music for swimming than I do for things like running or aerobics. I look songs that flow rather than pound to a beat. If you swim because you love the feel of the water - it will make your swim workout that much more enjoyable. ( I can't really explain it - but once you find the right songs you'll know what I mean ) Anyway - that's my review....I love it!

I plan on picking up the Fila SWIMP3 v2 player this afternoon. If I can shake this cold/sore throat thing, I'll give it a shot tonight or tomorrow. Paul