Review: Speedo Aquabeat MP3 Player - Only for the Tolerant

The Speedo Aquabeat MP3 player for swimmers seems like a perfect device for what it's designed for, but in reality is only for the very patient (and desperate user).  I purchased the original Aquabeat (there's a newer version out) for a price that made me believe I was buying a factory defective product.  In fact, the bundle even included the poorly designed Aquashot (which deserves a separate review in itself).  In today's gadget-crazy society, the Speedo Aquabeat doesn't cut it for users who want the best product available.  However, for casual swimmers and poor tech users (like me), the Aquabeat makes the grade - but barely.

Clumsy Design and Poor Hardware

It's easy to bash the Aquabeat.  There are plenty of forums and user reviews out there detailing the travails of Aquabeat users everywhere.  A quick rundown of the issues with the Aquabeat (and the resolution) include the following:

1. Device does not turn on - Speedo editors of the instruction manual should have emphasized several important points about the device.  The first of which is that the Aquabeat will NOT switch on without the included headset.  No amount of pushing and bashing on the plastic buttons will turn it on. With a single LED light indicating functionality, no screen, and no external speakers, there's no way to test functionality without the waterproof earphones.  The second important detail that should be emphasized on the manual is that it won't turn on unless it's at least more than 70% charged (more on that later).
2. Windows will not detect the device once plugged - USB Mass storage issues were resolved in Windows 2000.  No OS should have any problems detecting USB devices unless it's Windows 98/98SE.  In truth, Aquabeat has no USB hardware issues.  Operating Systems (including Linux) will not detect the Aquabeat unless it's charged properly.  Unlike smartphones, cheap cellphones, PSPs, and every other device available today, the Aquabeat actually needs juice before the operating system can detect it.  Even the older MP3 players like the Samsung YEPP would indicate battery level and switch on when plugged.  The Aquabeat doesn't.  It needs to be charged for a minimum amount of time first.  So if Windows, Mac OSX, or Linux can't detect the Aquabeat when plugged, wait approximately an hour or more.  A red light will intermittently blink.  Wait some more and/or replug the USB cable and it will finally be detected and mounted.
3. Connecting the Aquabeat to swimming goggles - After the third or fourth try, it's actually easy to slide the goggle straps to the tight plastic "clip."  The first try is a painstaking and annoying process that involves frustration and a lot of swearing.  The trick is to pretend the goggle strap is flossing wire and the "clip" is plaque-filled teeth.  If the constant clicking of the buttons annoys you as you push and pull at the device and your goggles, place the device on a towel (which offers no resistance).
4. The clip-on earphones - Now, I'm not an audiophile and I don't spend more than $25 on a headset or pair of earphones, but the earphones included with the Aquabeat are actually the worst part of the product.  After getting used to the three design flaws above, anyone can enjoy the Aquabeat, but putting on the earphones is pure torture.  Admittedly, I'm used to the inner ear type of earbuds which would probably explain why it takes me a good 10 minutes to get the darn earphones over my ears. 

Swimming with the Aquabeat

After charging the Aquabeat, attaching it to the goggles, and putting on the earphones, did it actually work at the pool?  Yes.  And I enjoyed it immensely.  The Aquabeat's above-listed imperfections can be overlooked if it did what it was designed for - play music underwater.  It's no iPod Touch, but it was great doing crawls and breast strokes to the tune of Billie Jean and Eric Marienthal.  My low expectations certainly helped, but it's important to note the following before going out and buying the Aquabeat:

1. Water carries sound very well, but not if you have water stuck in your ears.  The earphones don't fit well enough to keep the water out.  As a swimmer turns his head to breathe ever so slightly, water inevitably slips into the ear canal and deadens the music.  Music from the Aquabeat was muffled 70% of the time while I was doing laps due to water getting into my ear.  Increasing the volume only helps up to a certain point.  I don't turn up volume very high when I'm listening with my iPod Touch, but I couldn't help but turning it up with the Aquabeat.  Also, users would have to empty water from their ears from time to time to enjoy even a bit of the music playing.
2. Certain Strokes Work Best with the Aquabeat - As long as the Aquabeat is strapped on properly to the goggles, there is no danger of it detaching.  However, the Aquabeat works best with relaxed, non-competitive, premeditated head movement.  In short, swimmers who look like they're drowning should leave the Aquabeat at home.  Violent thrashing doesn't help the acoustics.  There are users who have reported discomfort with the Aquabeat attached to the back of their heads, but I barely noticed the MP3 player at all.  Breast stroke is probably the best both for comfort and for the music because the earphones don't loosen as the head bobs up and down.  I don't recommend jumping, spinning, flipping, or doing fancy moves with the Aquabeat.  It really is just for casual swimming.
3. Adjusting the earphones and goggles - For athletes, emptying out goggles and stopping to adjust the flimsy earphones may be annoying, but for casual users, it only takes a few seconds to do at the end of a lap.  The quick movement is unavoidable but really doesn't interrupt the flow of the lap at all.

If Necessary

The Aquabeat has many flaws, but the patient user (and most swimmers are probably very patient) can get by with it. Is it worth the price?  Only if it's on sale and even then look for something better.  It's actually a real treat to swim along with your favorite track, audiobook, or podcast.  It's better than reciting poetry in your head, counting strokes, or doing algebraic equations as you go through your mind-numbing exercise routine.  For all the frustrations I listed above, I don't suffer from buyer's remorse with Speedo's little MP3 player and I actually look forward to swimming along to the tune of Jaws on my next visit to the pool.