Player Design
Q: Why does the player have this thin cross shape?
A: The player is as thin as is possible to allow for the speaker, keypad, circuit board and battery to fit within an enclosure with a small amount of room for the shock mounts that help protect the player against damage during a drop from 2 meters onto a concrete surface. The player is wider at the top and smaller at the hand grasping area to allow a user to operate it comfortably, using one hand, without slipage.
Q: Why is the Audio Player’s shape and size of such importance?
A: This player was designed to fit 100 players into the smallest and most compact shipping carton possible. For clients who order large quantities, shipping density greatly reduces shipping costs, especially in supply chains where these players are being received, stored and, sometimes, shipped a second time.
Q: Why doesn’t your player have any buttons on the side?
A: Side buttons present some challenges for left handed users. Our goal was to design a player with buttons that could be operated one handed, using the left or right thumb, depending on the user’s dexterity preference. It also impacts the single unit packaging design efficiency.
Q: Why is the solar charging panel on the rear?
A: The rear has the most amount of uninterrupted surface area to receive the maximum amount of available sun, while shielding the keypad and speaker from UV Rays, during solar charging. An integrated dust / water gasket seals the solar charging panel to the case for protection, should rains arrive during unattended charging periods or use during inclement weather.
Q: The buttons are recessed in the front panel. Why did you design it this way?
A: Having these buttons recessed helps keep them from getting damaged by scrapes and helps prevent unintended button presses when placed in the user’s shirt pocket or other carrying vessel. The perimeter of the button membrane panel is sealed against the housing with an adhesive dust / water seal.
Q: My player has a thin film on the solar panel. Is this necessary?
A: The thin film on the rear solar panel is to help protect the panel from scratches and other damage during manufacturing and shipping. For best solar charging performance, peel it off and discard it.
Q: When I look though the front speaker holes I can see the speaker membrane. Will rain damage the speaker?
A: The speaker underneath is a water resistant design and has an adhesive gasket that isolates the speaker from the rest of the player cavity. This also assists with sound projection quality.
Q: If I drop or submerge this player directly into water will it damage it?
A: The player is not designed to be submerged in water. If this happens, place it face down and let it dry in the sun for two hours before turning it on. Depending on how long it was under water, it may continue to work properly once fully dry.
Q: Why doesn’t my player have a lanyard?
A: The optional lanyard is available as an option while ordering. If you wish, you may install your own lanyard in the notch located in the upper right corner of the player. Or you can order one of the optional lanyards that we have available on this site.
Q: Why doesn’t my player come with a USB charging cable?
A: The optional USB charging cable is available as an option while ordering. If you wish, you may use your own USB Micro charging cable. Or you can order one of the various USB charging cables that we have available on this site.
Q: Some players have a rubber cover or “boot” to help protect external ports from dust and water ingress. Why is this missing on your player?
A: We tested this feature, but it has been our experience that these tethered covers are easily damaged and/or lost and can get snagged on pockets or other storage areas. Since this adds cost to player manufacturing, we did not consider this to be a practical addition, because all components of the player are designed to be water resistant. Additionally, if the player is deployed in a high humidity area, with wide temperature swings, these plugs can cause the player to retain internal condensation.
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