I needed something to replace the MP3 player I had hooked up through the cassette desk. I listen to Books on CD while driving and 1 MP3 player is SO much nicer that 20-30 audio CDs. Well, the MP3 player is going through batteries left and right, so I was looking around for a different solution.
I picked up the VRFM7 at Wl-Mart for $29.99 + tax and here's what I think:
The unit is exactly as pictured. You slide your USB memory stick (up to 512MB supported) into the USB slot (v1.1 supported/v2 compatibile) and then load up the mated units into your car lighter or 12 Volt outlet. There are 7 preset FM frequencies to choose from and when you tune your car radio (or other radio in the area) to that station, you'll hear your MP3s playing.
Loading up the MP3s presented no problem, I just plugged the USB memory into my laptop and dropped 34 book on CDs MP3s into the drive. The VRFM7 had no problems playing them back.
Although not mentioned in the boxes manual (single piece of paper; 1 side English, the other Spanish), you can control the volume by folding the Prev/Next Track button in for more than .5 seconds. I haven't used this much, since an increase in volume on the VRFM7 gives off some sound distortion in my car.
After using it now for about 4 hours, I'd have to recommend waiting for the VRFM7 v2.0. There are several downsides to this version of the unit that keep it from being useful for me.
Downsides:
No LCD display. Not a huge deal, but rather than listing the 7 FM presets (check out the screen shots), they could have used the space for a small LCD display.
No FF/Rew on individual tracks. The downside here is that if your Book on CD is 43 minutes long, each time you'll have to start listening at 00:00 to get to 38:00
No non-volitile memory. Each time you shut off the car, the player loses track of the MP3 you were playing. Remembering the track I was on and how far into the track I am is important, especially if I'm not given a way to fast forward through the track!
No playlists
No random playback
Upsides:
Very easy to use. Nothing complicated here at all
Buttons gave great tactile feedback
No batteries needed
Uses USB memory stick
Nothing too ungainly sticking out and getting in the way
For me, just the addition on the memory to keep track of where I am in the playback would have made huge difference in usability. The lack of playlists or random tracks would limit the usefulness for most music listeners.
So, the benefit gained by allowing a large number of MP3 via USB memory stick is lost by having to fast foward through each one to get to #200 or listen all they way through a 45 minute track to get to the end.