Home > Consumer Reviews > Coby MP-C885 1 GB Flash MP3 Player with FM Tuner and Direct USB Drive (Black)

Just got this unit a month ago, but just now read reviews; thought I'd update some previous input by others.
1) In first month, no issues with buttons, sync, USB port/hardware, or functions.
2) Battery life: I'm getting 22-24 hours of play time on one AAA battery
3) Although earphones are still padless and a little large, they are the "hang-around-the-neck" style that I like: they provide a great antenna for the FM tuner and with the included clip lanyard, allow the unit to hang from the earphones w/o placing that weight on your ears. The clip/lanyard can be used to hang the unit from a shirt button or from the earphone cable. (I clip mine to the cable and then put the unit in a shirt pocket.) Even when working out, or without the use of a shirt pocket, the unit can hang easily without the weight being on the plug or the ears.
4) If you appear to run out of "space" on the unit, the user's guide/manual tells you how to fix this. Same if you seem to not have access to either files or music
5) User's guide/manual also explains why you don't have complete use of "space". The software for the unit takes up 27MB of it.
6) Voice recording and playback is just as good as my Olympus DVR at one-third the cost. Microphone is now on the front side so recording of surrounding area is better.
7) Price on Amazon on my purchase date was $[... making this the best value of all I've seen. I'm sure price is down due to relatively small size of 1GB (compared to others on the market mostly at 2GB+). Still has plenty of space for me as I listen to the radio a lot; it takes me three or four days to listen to 180 downloaded songs.
Overall, I'm very pleased with it; I put it on in the morning, leave it on all day at work and the gym, and realize I still have it on when getting ready for a shower and bed. Would recommend it to anybody willing to read the instructions.
Also: I'm using Windows Media Player 11 to Sync the unit in Random mode. (I don't spend time looking for individual songs on the player so I can't say how well this works.)

We ordered 2 of these and had to send one back as it didn't work. Ordered a replacement and had to send it back - same problem. Item comes with a special sheet in the box stating "before returning call customer service" so I think they know there's a problem. Called customer service before returning the 2nd one - they were clueless and not helpful. The one that works is cute, but we have 1 twin boy not happy about not receiving his. Disappointing. Amazon should discontinue offering this product. Coby MP-C885 1 GB Flash MP3 Player with FM Tuner and Direct USB Drive (Black)

Allow me to explain my experience with this style of MP3 players:
Mac Vision MA833A 128 MB MP3 Player
This was my first MP3 player, the Macvision 256mb. Slick, black and small, this simple little device lasted me three whole years and would still be alive and kicking if I hadn't dropped it off of my rooftop one too many times. A remarkable piece of technology, it simply played MP3's, easily and without fuss. The transfer system was simple and easy to navigate, and the player worked through rain, snow, being stepped upon and drowned in water.

After that finally gave up the ghost, and believe me it took a looong time, I picked up this:Nextar MA933A-B 128 MB Digital MP3 Player (Blue)
The Nextar 512mb 'blue'
This was not up to par with its predecessor, despite being of the same design, just manufactured by a different company, this device was inferior in many ways.
Nextar re-designed the device's program and tranfer capability, forcing you to use Windows Media to sync your files, and they would appear in no particular order, and you had no control over where they ended up in relation to the other files. This MP3 player was definitely not as sturdy as the original, it broke within two weeks after I pressed the play button a tad bit harder than it was apparently made for.
So, frustrated, I bought this:
COBY MP3 Player with 256 MB Flash Memory & USB Drive
Coby had finally gotten the patents to this design, so I hoped things would improve. This little device was certainly a bit hardier than its predecessor, and it survived for some time, but its program was just as frustrating as the last one, once again forcing you to sync with Windows Media and randomizing your files on you. The glass screen was very fragile and broke within the first month I owned it, making it difficult to see the text.
So, finally after putting up with it for a while, I succumbed to trying out yet another of these devices.
I bought this, the Coby C885 1GB MP3 player.

Hallelujah!

This device not only stronger and more durable than the nextar or earlier coby model, also allowed you to return its program to the original Macvision style, allowing me to finally order my files the way I wanted! I have had this now for about three weeks, and it has served me well. The buttons take a little while to adjust to, but after you do, its smooth sailing. Its as if I have my old Macvision back, with an upgrade in style and funcion!
If you're looking for something sleek and simple, without paying out the big bucks go for this!

First couple of days I was pleased with this player and the ability to be a thumb drive. But then it stopped playing entire songs and when downloaded to it would "lose" half of the book I wanted to listen to. I have since returned this item and purchased a Sansa an love it.

this player is a huge piece of crap, i just got it today and the radio stopped working on the third use. the mp3 player works, for now! dont buy this item, their customer support at Coby isnt worth calling either.
!!! DONT BUY THIS ITEM, IF YOU DO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!!!