I think I need to come to the rescue of my precious Archos. I was worried when I read in different posts about how many people are having problems with their batteries being depleted. I remember when I got my 605 wifi 160gb. It ran video for about 4 hours. Now, after 13 months I am happy to tell you that my player runs Bee Movie 576x320 (a very bright movie) for 3h and 35min. I am amazed!
Please, do not forget that Archos gave us the best videoplayers the world has ever seen (yes Apple, you are a disgrace to the scene. But I guess that is how it is when noobs rule the market.) (How can someone even compare it to an apple 3g 16gb...what the hell am I gonna do with that miniscule storage?) I love my gadgets and Archos is definately one of my favorites and I try to bring it everywhere I go! Sombra, we should hang! Have a merry christmas everybody!
Are You Happy With Your 605?
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Only had it a couple of days, but it does everything I need it to do, so put me down as a happy customer.
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Same as above.. Love my new 605 
. Video , speaker is pretty good (even though people say its rubbish!!!!) , Oh The Streaming! All My films Anywhere in the world via Wifi.. love it. A Nice firmware update and i'd be in heaven
. Video , speaker is pretty good (even though people say its rubbish!!!!) , Oh The Streaming! All My films Anywhere in the world via Wifi.. love it. A Nice firmware update and i'd be in heavenRe: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Its Good But U must Buy Every Thing Like when you record and web and widgets and every thing only the free is video music picture 
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Lets not forget that videos pictures and music are the main features of the device. Its like when you buy a car.You can get the standard model which can do the main tasks such as errr drive. But then you can pay more for extra features such as a GPS built in or a DVD player. It is the same principle but people dont get all uptight at a car dealers when metallic paint costs more.Spikey-93 wrote:Its Good But U must Buy Every Thing Like when you record and web and widgets and every thing only the free is video music picture
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theonlyrick
- Archos User
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:35 am
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I am now because I returned it to Dixons, got my money back and bought an iPod. Wahey!
The hardware side of things (and codec compatibility) on the 605 was great, but the software was buggy, the battery life poor (mainly due to the impressive screen) and it lacked in many basic features (eg a decent battery guage).
The worst thing about it is the way that everyone falls for the self-deception that Archos will solve all the problems with a firmware update. They won't. Instead, they release more devices (eg the 5 and 7 series) concentrate on those and forget about all their previous customers.
I can speak from personal experience and say they did that for the Archos 20Gb jukebox, the 500, the 504 and the 605. (Thankfully their shoddy design meant that each time I could legitimately return the devices and upgrade to the next one.) At last now, I am free...
The hardware side of things (and codec compatibility) on the 605 was great, but the software was buggy, the battery life poor (mainly due to the impressive screen) and it lacked in many basic features (eg a decent battery guage).
The worst thing about it is the way that everyone falls for the self-deception that Archos will solve all the problems with a firmware update. They won't. Instead, they release more devices (eg the 5 and 7 series) concentrate on those and forget about all their previous customers.
I can speak from personal experience and say they did that for the Archos 20Gb jukebox, the 500, the 504 and the 605. (Thankfully their shoddy design meant that each time I could legitimately return the devices and upgrade to the next one.) At last now, I am free...
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I have never actually experienced any problems with my 605 since I bought it. I think that an unfair proportion of these people have experienced problems and that is th reason that they are on here. If anyone else hasn't experienced any problems then speak up!
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theonlyrick
- Archos User
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:35 am
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
It's true that it's easy to get a distorted picture from relying on just the negative comments in forums. However, very few of the problems I've experienced have been 'faults' with the device. My complaints have been with the design of the product (eg terrible bookmarking). Or the advertised remote control that never appeared. Or that I would need to reset it every few days.
The Archos had a battery meter that showed three stages by showing a battery that was split into thirds - full, medium and empty. This was not very useful. Eventually after a firmware update it was split into five pieces. Now this could be a bit more useful, except now the battery in chunks of two at a time - ie although the meter looked a tiny bit more sophisticated, it was just as unhelpful as it ever was...
Given that I used it exclusively as a portable device, it would have been great to be able to set it to ignore screen taps, or to switch off the screen. (When it was in my pocket and I was walking, even though I was listening to MP3s, the screen was on constantly on.)
I now get on a rant whenever I talk about Archos products. I guess I never got over the shock of how incredible the Rockbox hack was on my first Archos, and how shoddy everything has been since.
R...
The Archos had a battery meter that showed three stages by showing a battery that was split into thirds - full, medium and empty. This was not very useful. Eventually after a firmware update it was split into five pieces. Now this could be a bit more useful, except now the battery in chunks of two at a time - ie although the meter looked a tiny bit more sophisticated, it was just as unhelpful as it ever was...
Given that I used it exclusively as a portable device, it would have been great to be able to set it to ignore screen taps, or to switch off the screen. (When it was in my pocket and I was walking, even though I was listening to MP3s, the screen was on constantly on.)
I now get on a rant whenever I talk about Archos products. I guess I never got over the shock of how incredible the Rockbox hack was on my first Archos, and how shoddy everything has been since.
R...
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Thought I'd add to this as I've been a 605 wifi owner since November and I have to say I'm very impressed with it so far!
I've come to the conclusion that owning an Archos is pretty much a hobby as you need to tend to your device from time to time to ensure smooth running etc. Granted, that could be seen as an issue though for me personally I don't mind it + it's well worth it!
I use mine mainly for music + movies though I have got plug ins too + they've really opened it up to be a superb piece of kit!
Thanks to everyone on the forum too as your words of wisdom have helped me to get the most out of my 605 + to understand it's 'habits'!
A happy new year to one + all!
Cheers
M.
I've come to the conclusion that owning an Archos is pretty much a hobby as you need to tend to your device from time to time to ensure smooth running etc. Granted, that could be seen as an issue though for me personally I don't mind it + it's well worth it!
I use mine mainly for music + movies though I have got plug ins too + they've really opened it up to be a superb piece of kit!
Thanks to everyone on the forum too as your words of wisdom have helped me to get the most out of my 605 + to understand it's 'habits'!
A happy new year to one + all!
Cheers
M.
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I'll be happy when i get a refund on the unit and plug-ins! It's currently as much use as a door stop.... again... 
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Well! Johnny is obviously a very upset fellow. And probably somewhat justified.
Johnny NEEDS an iPod...you see, BOTH machines are very advanced, but the iPod offers a far more superior interface. The amount of resources invested in created one of the most advanced and intuitive interfaces available today is a gaurantee of the iPhone/ITouch's lasting position in the marketplace in the near future. Koo-doos to Apple.
But you have to amit that in a lot of ways, Apple is to PMPs (portable media players), what Microsoft is (or maybe was) to personal computers. In order to protect their investment, thay've purposely made the decision to 'lock down' their system...keeping most of it much more proprietary as compared to a 'typical' PMP.
I've only had my 605 for around eight days...got it for Christmas. But I have over 5,000 MP3s, all of my digital pictures (10Gb). And around 40 hours of TV programming downloaded off my DishNet receiver ("plug and play"). And another 10 hours of "more inscrutable" video recordings. AND IT's ONLY half-way to capacity. All on a touch-screen display that I don't have to strain to watch. Its been somewhat of a stuggle, but I've worked thru most of the issues and finally have it to what I consider usable.
However, one point still remains...the interface still sucks.
Bigger display, much more storage (aka "massive), and a some-what open architecture are the 605's strong points. But the iPhone is really the PMP to have if you want an intuitive interface and don't mind paying thru the nose to use it.
(I can't image how much the content on my 605 would have cost to put on an iPhone, and that wouldn't even include the cost of the other four iPhones you'd have to buy!)
Johnny NEEDS an iPod...you see, BOTH machines are very advanced, but the iPod offers a far more superior interface. The amount of resources invested in created one of the most advanced and intuitive interfaces available today is a gaurantee of the iPhone/ITouch's lasting position in the marketplace in the near future. Koo-doos to Apple.
But you have to amit that in a lot of ways, Apple is to PMPs (portable media players), what Microsoft is (or maybe was) to personal computers. In order to protect their investment, thay've purposely made the decision to 'lock down' their system...keeping most of it much more proprietary as compared to a 'typical' PMP.
I've only had my 605 for around eight days...got it for Christmas. But I have over 5,000 MP3s, all of my digital pictures (10Gb). And around 40 hours of TV programming downloaded off my DishNet receiver ("plug and play"). And another 10 hours of "more inscrutable" video recordings. AND IT's ONLY half-way to capacity. All on a touch-screen display that I don't have to strain to watch. Its been somewhat of a stuggle, but I've worked thru most of the issues and finally have it to what I consider usable.
However, one point still remains...the interface still sucks.
Bigger display, much more storage (aka "massive), and a some-what open architecture are the 605's strong points. But the iPhone is really the PMP to have if you want an intuitive interface and don't mind paying thru the nose to use it.
(I can't image how much the content on my 605 would have cost to put on an iPhone, and that wouldn't even include the cost of the other four iPhones you'd have to buy!)
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soggycrouton
- Archos User
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:20 am
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I actually like the Archos interface better. Can one even put up a background on the iPhone? I've currently got one of the lovely backgrounds from that thread on this forum. It looks great.
The music interface was a bit counter-intuitive, but I actually like it a lot now.
Video is GREAT.
Browser is laggy, but Youtube DOES work afterall, which I'm ecstatic about. I hope this remains the case. The ultra-high resolution screen is great for the text of the webpages, and with the MP4 plugin, I can stream even more videos, like from BloggingHeads.
Firmware is a bit buggy, but everything seems to be fixable with a quick restart.
My biggest complaint overall is the battery life. Comparing the specs to my previous PMP, the Creative Zen Vision W, it didn't seem like it would be much worse. But so far it seems to disappear very quickly. However, I've now gone through several discharge and re-charge cycles, which are allegedly life-extending. We'll see. I also bought the battery dock.
Overall, very happy. Not sure I understand other peoples' complaints, having read so many of them before I got it.
The music interface was a bit counter-intuitive, but I actually like it a lot now.
Video is GREAT.
Browser is laggy, but Youtube DOES work afterall, which I'm ecstatic about. I hope this remains the case. The ultra-high resolution screen is great for the text of the webpages, and with the MP4 plugin, I can stream even more videos, like from BloggingHeads.
Firmware is a bit buggy, but everything seems to be fixable with a quick restart.
My biggest complaint overall is the battery life. Comparing the specs to my previous PMP, the Creative Zen Vision W, it didn't seem like it would be much worse. But so far it seems to disappear very quickly. However, I've now gone through several discharge and re-charge cycles, which are allegedly life-extending. We'll see. I also bought the battery dock.
Overall, very happy. Not sure I understand other peoples' complaints, having read so many of them before I got it.
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
the problem is most users who look for forums like this have a problem with their archos. most of the happy users are unaware this site even exists lol
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I want to hear music and lock the buttons on my 605 wifi 160 gb because everytime the music stops.....
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tommy128268
- Archos Novice
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:44 am
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I am happy with my 605 it provide many functions
may be the slowness of respond make me unhappy but nevermind!!
i think archos must lower the price , i think it is too expensive for the Hong Kong or Asia people to buy... only few people know ARCHOS this word. My friend just know APPLE , SONY and the other more famous ..
IF ARCHOS want to get profit , it need to decrease the price in order to open the market in China
may be the slowness of respond make me unhappy but nevermind!!
i think archos must lower the price , i think it is too expensive for the Hong Kong or Asia people to buy... only few people know ARCHOS this word. My friend just know APPLE , SONY and the other more famous ..
IF ARCHOS want to get profit , it need to decrease the price in order to open the market in China
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Astrotrain
- Archos Novice
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:42 pm
- Contact:
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
OH yeah... take mine with me every day to work.
I have the 605 WiFi 4GB model, with an 8GB SDCARD... sweet...
I have the 605 WiFi 4GB model, with an 8GB SDCARD... sweet...
-Astrotrain
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
I 've had mine for a month now, and I LOVE it!
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
605 WiFi 4GB with SD Slot - $99.99 at BlockBuster (plus 4 free movie Rentals)
4 Plug Ins (Cinema + Video podcast + Web browser + Real video) - $36.35 Total on ebay (Authentic Archos)
Gen 5 DVR Station - $59.00 at BlockBuster (plus 4 free movie rentals)
So for $195.34 (Plus Tax) I now have a really cool gadget, No problems at all after a month of use, that couldn't be figured out what I was doing wrong by actually reading the manual or searching here. Awsome Gadget and I got 8 free movie rentals too.
4 Plug Ins (Cinema + Video podcast + Web browser + Real video) - $36.35 Total on ebay (Authentic Archos)
Gen 5 DVR Station - $59.00 at BlockBuster (plus 4 free movie rentals)
So for $195.34 (Plus Tax) I now have a really cool gadget, No problems at all after a month of use, that couldn't be figured out what I was doing wrong by actually reading the manual or searching here. Awsome Gadget and I got 8 free movie rentals too.
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Quite happy! Web radio and Web TV are quite useful for a life-timeexpat!
Re: Are You Happy With Your 605?
Mmm difficult question. If you buy a 300dl gizmo you MUST be happy. Let's see. I live in Mexico. Archos is not sold here so i bought it on mi trip to US. Archos 5 was on display but not in stock. So I would not go back home with hands empty so I bought 605. I wanted the dock also.. it was not available. There was gen 5 dock instead, people at best buy assured me it would work. I bought it. But i just needed to read the box to make sure it would not fit 605. I returned it within minutes. Quite a record.
Why i wanted archos? because I owned and enjoyed a lot that 420 model i got for almost peanuts. It came with full power charge, leather like pouch, doskstation, travelling cables (Video in and out), microphone, and even remote control! It had everything. Unfortunately mi 420 was robbed (Along with my wife's SUV) and I wanted a new archos.
605 did have nothing. It came with a box, a fabric puch, an infamous cable and nothing more. Well, also dozens of booklets selling addons, games, codecs... I understand as a commercial strategie to keep low (?) prices by offering other things as a plus.. but, why on hell I have to pay extra to (decently) charge my player? Listen: if you buy such a device is because you are on the go and you want to listen music or see videos, because you dont have time to sit at home. So... you DONT have time to charge this crap full 8 hours only from a computer or laptop you must mantain on. Thats is the most expensive charger in the world. I would accept everithing: Codecs, web browsing.. etc, but this charger issue is an insult to me.
Well if only I knew this thing had no decent charger I would not buy it. But I did. Other thins I dont like: this metalic finish gets dirty very easy. What was wrong with the old black or grey shiny plastic? Also the buttons.. you are always pressind inadvertedly . 420 even had some rubber parts so if it fell down it resisted. I dont thing 605 woud resist falling down from a desk. Finally Aoudio outoput level is soo low! Come on.. a microscopic ipod shuffle is louder.
Now the good part. Display and Video rocks. Flash availability is probably the most valuable aspect on the 605. Unfortunately, lack of upgrading is causing more and more video feds to stop working. (If it only coud play well megavideo streams) I thing Archos MUST work on this issue really fast. Opera browser is very nice, altough very slow. Mi son has an ipod touch so we experiment that famous ipod-archos competition every day. I win several matches, he wins others. For example, he can connect any open wifi network in seconds; I last a minute or two.
Finally... I thing it is important to notice Archos is not Apple... and it will never be. So I belevie Archos should point in another direction, working for example to open the OS to developers and those loyal fans like this forum's and not to release updates just to close thath possibility.
Ok that was much. hehe Sorry for my english and greets from M├®xico City
Why i wanted archos? because I owned and enjoyed a lot that 420 model i got for almost peanuts. It came with full power charge, leather like pouch, doskstation, travelling cables (Video in and out), microphone, and even remote control! It had everything. Unfortunately mi 420 was robbed (Along with my wife's SUV) and I wanted a new archos.
605 did have nothing. It came with a box, a fabric puch, an infamous cable and nothing more. Well, also dozens of booklets selling addons, games, codecs... I understand as a commercial strategie to keep low (?) prices by offering other things as a plus.. but, why on hell I have to pay extra to (decently) charge my player? Listen: if you buy such a device is because you are on the go and you want to listen music or see videos, because you dont have time to sit at home. So... you DONT have time to charge this crap full 8 hours only from a computer or laptop you must mantain on. Thats is the most expensive charger in the world. I would accept everithing: Codecs, web browsing.. etc, but this charger issue is an insult to me.
Well if only I knew this thing had no decent charger I would not buy it. But I did. Other thins I dont like: this metalic finish gets dirty very easy. What was wrong with the old black or grey shiny plastic? Also the buttons.. you are always pressind inadvertedly . 420 even had some rubber parts so if it fell down it resisted. I dont thing 605 woud resist falling down from a desk. Finally Aoudio outoput level is soo low! Come on.. a microscopic ipod shuffle is louder.
Now the good part. Display and Video rocks. Flash availability is probably the most valuable aspect on the 605. Unfortunately, lack of upgrading is causing more and more video feds to stop working. (If it only coud play well megavideo streams) I thing Archos MUST work on this issue really fast. Opera browser is very nice, altough very slow. Mi son has an ipod touch so we experiment that famous ipod-archos competition every day. I win several matches, he wins others. For example, he can connect any open wifi network in seconds; I last a minute or two.
Finally... I thing it is important to notice Archos is not Apple... and it will never be. So I belevie Archos should point in another direction, working for example to open the OS to developers and those loyal fans like this forum's and not to release updates just to close thath possibility.
Ok that was much. hehe Sorry for my english and greets from M├®xico City