Altec Lansing InMotion iM414

Summary: I'll separate my review into FLUKES, FACTS, and OPINIONS:

FLUKE(?): The first iM414 that I purchased was flaky for the first week, then was no longer able to play

...

Read more

Summary: I'll separate my review into FLUKES, FACTS, and OPINIONS:

FLUKE(?): The first iM414 that I purchased was flaky for the first week, then was no longer able to play the output from the Zune. I returned the device to AltecLansing (A.L.), and the next device is working fine (albeit with the same flaky behavior that I'll discuss below). The return process went very smoothly, and I can't fault them for the bad first unit. Any electronics manufacturer will have the occasional lemon.

FACT: The only way I can get the 80 GB Zune to play on the iM414 is to 1) Power on the iM414, 2) Power off the Zune, then 3) connect the Zune to the iM414. Both iM414's exhibited this behavior, so I doubt this is a fluke. Oddly enough, A.L. went out of their way to include a card that described the connection sequence, and this was NOT the order that they specified.

OPINION: The above behavior leads me to believe that the iM414 was built for the earlier Zune models and was considered "good enough" for compatibility with the 80 GB zune, so they decided not to spend money to update it. The physical fit is also poor with this model, as you really need to concentrate to line it up correctly within the slot (due to the extra slack on all sides to accommodate the larger, older Zune model). The fact that A.L included an adapter to accommodate the much smaller 4/8 GB models but did do so for the 30 GB also supports the the "good enough" theory.

SUMMARY: The iM414 is just that... "good enough". I don't regret the purchase, but I think that A.L. could have done much better. If you're an occasional user, then go ahead and get one. Otherwise, I'd advise someone to wait for the next model and hope that they better tailor/test it to the newer Zunes.

Show less

Summary: I read the poor reviews and went ahead and bought it anyways. I don't know what people are talking about because this thing is great. I use it for ...

Read more

Summary: I read the poor reviews and went ahead and bought it anyways. I don't know what people are talking about because this thing is great. I use it for music at the pool and beach and it works great. The sound is excelent, it runs for 24 hours on 3 AAA batteries and it fits right in my backpack alnong with all my other stuff. It's worth every penny. The fack that the Zune wont fit in the dock snug is not a big issue. It connects fine. You can't use the remote to change artists but you should set up playlists for the pool and beach anyways. It's a good deal and worth the $99.

Show less

Summary: This is heading back to the store as soon as this review is done. I have the 80 Gig Zune. The connection insert holds the Zune incorrectly on the adapter ...

Read more

Summary: This is heading back to the store as soon as this review is done. I have the 80 Gig Zune. The connection insert holds the Zune incorrectly on the adapter and triggers the pause mode constantltly. I either have to use no insert which makes it difficult to place in the dock, or I have to prop an eraser behind the Zune to hold it forward and make a proper connection.

The box reads "Powerful cystal clear sound". It has neither.

There are panel buttons to skip songs and volume, but not one for play pause. You have to use the remote.. so.. .why have the cool remote storage space? It's awkward to access the Zune play button because of the afore mentioned loose connection.

A classic case of form over function.

Show less

Summary: For its size and price the InMotion iM414 is good compared to other portable speaker docks. There are better units out there and there are many that are worse. It ...

Read more

Summary: For its size and price the InMotion iM414 is good compared to other portable speaker docks. There are better units out there and there are many that are worse. It has bass boost and surround sound effect features that you can turn on and off. They do a decent job of further improving the already decent sound quality considering size and price points. Sound is good, but there is no woofer and any sound savvy individual will notice. The remote is easy to use, but overall the product should have more control over the device that is connected to it. Menu navigation is nonexistent, you can only navigate the playlist you manually set the Zune to. The lack of a clock and alarm is a minor lose that really shouldn't be that big a deal to most. The biggest apparent fault is that all Zune models sit loose in the dock, this could create issues depending on use. Overall the inMotion is a solid product something expected from Altec Lansing, but it would be nice to see them return to the drawing board and create a product that is more in tune with Zune hardware and software design.

Show less