Oakley Thump MP3 Sunglasses

Reviews: Multimedia

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Mike McCormick
Kurtis
Oakley
Feb. 23, 2005

<< Previous

Next >>

Taking a Closer Look

The first thing I'd like to mention about the features is that the shades can be flipped up for indoor use. The system reminded me a lot of Grandpa's clip-on flip-up sunglasses that attached to his regular glasses. The lenses meet or exceed ANSI impact standards, with the 256 MB version's lenses being polarized as well. The MP3 player features a pair of flexible ear buds that are attached to the frames directly. Like a normal MP3 player, you have the ability to shuffle tracks, and it also has a built-in equalizer. Powering the MP3 player is a built-in rechargeable battery. The Thump tips the scales at 55.3 grams (the website says 52 grams or 1.8 ounces for those of you that are oblivious to the metric system).

With the MP3 player built into the bows, the frames are on the beefy side. The large portion of each bow is slightly smaller than a pack of chewing gum. On top of the bows are where the MP3 control buttons are located. The buttons for operating the Thump are located on each side of the frame. On the right side are three buttons for Forward, Backward, and Play/Pause. On the left side you will find the Volume Up/Down buttons. Depressing both volume buttons simultaneously turns the equalizer on and off. Likewise, depressing the track forward and back buttons simultaneously toggles track shuffling. The buttons are well spaced and can be adjusted without much thought after a few uses. They are made of rubber and they depress firmly, sounding off a crisp click to confirm the button depression. It is sometimes difficult to tell if you have turned the power off or just paused a track, so Oakley added a "Thump Thump" sound to tell you when you have turned the MP3 player on or off.

The ear buds are mounted on two rods that allow for adjustments. The rods have the ability to slide alongside the bows to adjust to how long your head is. The rods also have the ability to pivot in and out to adjust to how fat your head is. If that is not enough, the ear buds can pivot 90° from horizontal to vertical to adjust for the distance from your ear canal to the bows rest. The buds themselves have a fine metal mesh cover, so you wont need to replace any foam rubber pieces after a few uses.

<< Previous

Page 2 of 4

Next >>

Page 1: Introduction & First Impressions
Page 2: Taking a Closer Look
Page 3: Testing
Page 4: Conclusion

Subscribe to Headphones [more info]

Add Comment

24 User Comments

1 - Posted by mike on February 23, 2005 - 6:36 pm

My first review... snif snif. Damn this cold sucks.

2 - Posted by Kurtis on February 23, 2005 - 6:40 pm

Yeah I've got a cold too... you must have attached it to your email along with the review. Damn you! *sniffle*

3 - Posted by mike on February 23, 2005 - 8:21 pm

The only way to send a virus baby. Hidden .exe

4 - Posted by kamesen on February 24, 2005 - 3:42 am

Snazzy, convenient, high-tech...BUT CAN THEY MAKE TOAST?! I'd be tempted to try them out...if only I could find that extra 500 bucks I had lying around...

5 - Posted by Kurtis on February 24, 2005 - 9:42 am

lol. welcome to the forums kamesen, and I'm sure that the $500 will turn up somewhere!! ;-) ;-)

6 - Posted by J2T on February 24, 2005 - 9:45 am

Oh, so that who is throwing the cold around. I'm fighting one too...though I am sitting here at work feeling like I have the flu coming on as well.

7 - Posted by Kurtis on February 24, 2005 - 9:46 am

isn't that weird that the whole country is getting sick at the same time? everyone but my dentist friend, he's got the immune system of... a horse... or something...

8 - Posted by kamesen on February 25, 2005 - 1:57 am

Thanks : ) I'll keep my eyes open for the cash. ...*starts digging around under my couch cushions some more*

9 - Posted by PennyManDeux on February 27, 2005 - 12:17 pm

Those rock! If I had the cash... oh man...

WHAT? YEAH!

10 - Posted by MaNiAk21 on February 27, 2005 - 1:00 pm

Or you could buy a nice pair of sunglasses and a nice flash mp3 player and not look like something from Star Trek. :)

11 - Posted by mike on February 27, 2005 - 1:28 pm

I am glad someone read between the lines. Go get an Ipod-mini and a pair of oakleys and spend the rest of the $$$ on women and beer. You'll be much happier.

12 - Posted by J2T on February 28, 2005 - 8:44 am

I personally thought this was a stupid product the first time I saw it and a waste of money. And to me it looks tacky as hell.

13 - Posted by PennyManDeux on February 28, 2005 - 7:26 pm

I think they are cool. If I was athletic or something I would love those. Otherwise I agree that they are a bit over the top.

14 - Posted by Kurtis on February 28, 2005 - 9:29 pm

I look stupid as crap in them, as I do with most Oakley sunglasses :-D

15 - Posted by SlipSand on March 3, 2005 - 4:31 pm

Wait you got those for free? To review? You must be stylin now man.

16 - Posted by freespo on March 21, 2006 - 8:44 pm

Two patents can be searched on Chinese Intellectual Property Office http://www.sipo.gov.cn against Oakley's Thump mp3 eyeglass and Razrwire sunglasses.
The Chinese patent Nos. 200530061016.5 and 200530059453.3 respectively.
Oakley always liked to suit others, but instead this case it will be suited again, just another hard task after American lawyer Mr. Weyer has launched patent suit against it with a 1990s patent. ( Weyer vs. Oakley link http://www.redherring.com/article.aspx?a=15190 )
Sale of Thump may be deemed an infringement on patents. Be careful.

17 - Posted by Kurtis on March 21, 2006 - 8:50 pm

I don't think the consumer is responsible lol... if Oakley infringes on patents, that's their own deal, customers don't know or care who owns the patents for the products they use

18 - Posted by blackjet on March 22, 2006 - 3:46 am

You know how I know they're cool?

Dog The Bounty Hunter wears them! ;-)

19 - Posted by Rich on March 22, 2006 - 8:34 am

As for patents in China, unless they apply for a US patent, then patent protection isn't afforded here. Of course, if you want to sell in China, then you will have to abide by their patent law. But the end user is not responsible for a product that infringes on someone elses patent, only the person or entitiy which sells the infringing product. Of course, if you have a product that uses a service, such RIM, then a shutdown of the company could have repercussions on the end user.

20 - Posted by mambo on March 23, 2006 - 8:44 am

Thats gangsta b*atch! :D

21 - Posted by blackjet on March 23, 2006 - 11:21 am

he's my hero ;-)

".....now kids if you see a man in a red shirt running this way you shout for uncle Dog!"

22 - Posted by freespo on November 24, 2006 - 12:26 am

Patents protect new technology for innovativeness. Oakley must obey the laws, such as Chinese laws. Such patent owners (more than two) have rights to suit Oakley and let its THUMP and Razrwire in illegal situation. Compensation and loyalties can be decided by the courts. Though, there are many more patents and applications for patents in other countries except for US.

23 - Posted by rickikool on March 13, 2007 - 6:09 pm

these glasses were sold in other parts of world in the 1960s then these clowns come and say they own technology can you say land of oppourtunity

24 - Posted by Max Slowik on March 15, 2007 - 6:33 pm

The Chinese and US patent offices are Best Friends 4 Ever now. China is seriously interested in protecting IP. Weird, though.

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.