Altec Lansing iM510 Portable Sansa Speakers

Reviews: Multimedia

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Altec Lansing
Mar. 12, 2007

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Testing: e260 and c240 usage

This unit is compatible with two different MP3 player lines from SanDisk, the e200 (2GB-8GB) and c200 (1 or 2GB). First I tested, the larger capacity e260 (4GB). To slip the e260 (and the c240) into the cradle, you'll need to use one of the included adapters. Actually, you don't have to use the adapter, it just helps hold the player more securely in the cradle. Thankfully the iM510 charges the player as it plays. You can still skip songs and use the menu while it is charging too, something you can't do while connected to a PC. The iM510 will continue to charge your player even if speakers to turned off (so long as the unit is still plugged in or running on batteries). But, because of the way the player sits in the dock, it is nearly impossible to actually use any of the e260's flush buttons while the player is cradled. I found it easier to remove the player, skip to the song or album and then re-dock it.

Even docking the e260 takes a little training as the voice record button sits right where you need to grasp the player to insert it into the connection port causing a couple unwanted recording sessions. The player doesn't miss a beat when removed from the cradle but this scenario gets old quickly if you, like me, are a song-skipper and not a play-lister. Another annoying quirk of the iM510 is the volume memory. After turning the speakers on the volume setting flips up to about 60% of full volume, even if it was set to near whisper level before powering down the unit. Adjusting the e260's volume level has no effect while in the cradle or before plugging it in. The speakers have a mind of their own. And speaking of volume, the little rubber-coated volume buttons require a bit of getting used to. The feedback is imprecise and it takes the speakers a second to adjust if you press and hold a button.

The story with the smaller c240 (1GB) is much like what you've just read above. The c240 has a record button in nearly the same spot as the e260, resulting in a few unintentional voice recordings. The smaller player also suffers from button frustration to an even higher degree than its big brother. Where the e260 is a vertically oriented player, the c240 is horizontal. This horizontal arrangement results in two annoying issues when plugged into the iM510. One, the screen is 90° off tilt and two, the skip track forward button is right up snug to the docking cradle. Again, it's just easier to pluck the player from the cradle to change songs.

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Page 4 of 5

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Looks
Page 3: Testing: Sound
Page 4: Testing Sansa e260 & c240 Usage
Page 5: Conclusion

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