Sony Xperia Active

 The Endomondo is kinda cool but the logo and the name seems to be suited for some cutie zombie game. Kinda cool the interface.. There are strava which is quite cool as well.. but let me start with this first. The sony xperia ICS new update also come with the imapmyFITNESS software as well.

 One of the main reason that got me to get this a bit outdated phone is that it has this map right where you can see it while am riding outdoor.. everything at the finger trip when going for a long ride into the unfamiliar territory.. 

 Here is a simple view .. 

One of the best thing is that it will able to upload all the workout to the endomondo site without the hassle of transferring the data via usb.. get am getting very greedy.. dont have to upload my garmin 305 and read the data.. all in a matter of seconds I can read and analyze it from the website..and pretty cool is I could export the route in gpx format as well.. haha.. I could use this for Taiwan ride with ease.

I was hoping for the Sony Xperia Go to be really a total upgrade version of the Sony Xperia active. Well.. first the let down there is not ANT+.. This 3.5 inches screen could be perfect for outdoor user with the better resolution.. and second the 1230mah super duper under zealous!! which the battery could not be readily to change like other phone.. It is screw down I guess for better waterproofing... however there are friends already express disssatisfaction with the battery life!

Now it leave me no choice but to reconsider this active. I am greedy and who is not.. want everything all in the package!! Now the first very sad sad thing about this active is the 3 inches screen.. damn!! If it is 3.5 inches will be perfect right? I got to really really pay attention to it to get the details.. haha.. anyway the bravia engine does really improve the overall display despite the super low res.. as compare with my CSL mi-300..

Now of course the benefits does weight off the let down. First I almost got everything I want to pack into one device!! I got a phone and sms .. data comm such as whatapps and facebook chat.. facebook.. all that a smartphone meant to be.. though its a single core 1ghz.. but it is more adequate as an outdoor phone.. grrr.. the size of the screen comes in again.. grrrr... Haha..

Now the main stuff about this phone is it got ANT+.. yes.. I could pair my garmin HRM strap and get the reading.. and I can get the garmin cadence sensor at an affordable price..and get all the reading!! with android offering quite handful of software.. everything is so convenient.. I even found and bought a silicone strap that could attach snuggly to my bicycle handlebar for the phone. On top of that I could take it to the pool to record my laps timing.

Yup!! Everything I ever need as smartphone and outdoor device though the screen size is still a huge setback.. Oh.. the standard battery juice out pretty fast.. I guess I need to check out the 1800mah or 2430 mah ..

Lets see how it perform it real life in a month or two..

Oh.. I got this phone from a young chap who sold it for RM400.. current AP set is around RM490.. just found out from the receipt he bought it on 25/8.... and I guess he never really use it as it is so new!! not really a huge saving.. but enough for me to get extra battery and some meals from the extra.. :p

FINIS SWIMP3

* here is what is in the package except for the goggle of course..The unit is made in China and the hard box inside exactly like what you get from most chinese own produce product packaging. Well, not too concern though as I am more concern for the mp3.

Its been my desire to find a real mp3 that is suitable for swimming. It is very boring at the pool watching the mono color tetris like tiles passing by and only accompany by your own bubble sound... especially for an hour or two swim. Nothing keep you entertain except once in awhile some SYT pop by the pool. Anyway, it was just a matter of while to keep you entertain while the paddling start.. all is the same again.

Three years ago got myself Nu dolphin.. is just crappy.. once the water sink in to the ear ..eventually it will.. and fast.. then all is lost.. I had two units wash down just like that.. not to mention the crappy ultra treble is all you can here most of the time..

Not until Jamie Patrick the ultra swimmer that introduces the FINIS swimp3. I was taken aback as how the hell does this technology work.. no earbud into the ear.. its kinda unbelievable at first. just the device attach to the goggle strap and touches the side temple will do.. WOW!! However the unit aim cheap for a country like ours after the conversion. But apparently this one works!!

So I decided that to spend RM300 plus on a swimming mp3 is all worth it as the hours to keep you entertain in the pool.. Have a great bargain deal in ebay and finally got this unit. Well, there is a return policies with it.. :)..

Finally it came two months ago and I took it to the pool.. man this thing work.. it uses the bone conduction technology and comfortably rest on your head and you dont feel any obstacle. However, my unit has a problem with the speaker on the left side.. I had never had any spoilt items that I bought from ebay except for this one. Apparently I think the consistency of product QC is left to be desire as read from other review with other issues as well.

Anyway, the ebay seller is providing excellent service and able to swap a new one directly from FINIS company itself.. So this unit travel back to America again fashionably..

Three days ago I received the replacement.. Viola.. at least this is workable and am delighted.. Took it to Bukit Jalil swimming pool and it is so amazing!!

I had dl couple of Gregorians songs and its so zen like when it is play in the pool. Now I am so looking forward to more swim!

The cleverly simple idea of having the back piece that serve as usb connector is quite a charm to charge and load songs into the unit. Well, hopefully this unit could last for a year at least.