Rio Forge 256

C

coalpinr

New member
Just ordered a Rio Forge 256mg, for those of you guys with homeade jobbies, is this gonna cut it? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Also; where other than ebay can I find a Nady 351 wireless mic. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

thanks in advance /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Dunno about the Rio Forge 256, looks like it's not a current model, but it'll probably work as long as the ergonomics of are satisfactory for your style of calling. Some guys have given the joystick navigation thingies a thumbs-down for use with gloves, I hear.

As for the Nady 351VR-LT, if you keep coming up empty in your Googling, you can always try getting it directly from the source:

http://www.nadywireless.com

LionHo
 
What is the 'preferred' Rio MP3 player? I see the blue rio's in all the pictures of homemade e-callers - what model is it? The 600?

Do you need the Rio software to load the 600? I have a Sandisk MP3 player I bought for my first e-caller, not sure how long the battery will last - (a single AAA) but I like the fact that I can just drag and drop the MP3s into the player, the USB cable end is the same as for my dad and I's digital cameras.

I like the size of the Rio's - being large enough to operate with gloves on.
 
The Rio Forge 256 is on the Rio website.

http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/rioaudio/default.asp?cat=35

I purchased one to upgrade my home built callers mp3 player that's been in service since 2002. The usb connection, plus better sound reproduction and software and the ability to add up to 1 GB of memory clinched the deal for me. Hopefully, I'll have it setup and loaded with my sounds pretty soon. I'm very pleased with it so far. MI VHNTR
 
Oops, my bad, went with it when a quick search of Amazon.com said it wasn't available, the link you put up shows the "Rio Forge 256 Sport", which appears to be current...same model, right?

Intrigueing device, for the shape of it being so handholdable. How well do you find the thumbstick navigation to work? Is it mass storage, ie does it just show up on the desktop and drag 'n'drop, or did you have to load their software and use their playlist manager to move stuff on and off of it? I see it has, FM recording, does it have a line- in jack for field recording?

Thanks,
LionHo
 
218Bee,

That's a fantastically low price on a Nady 351VR-LT. So low that I had to take a peek at the fine print. Apparently only one in stock. Terms: No Refunds, Store Credit Only. 20% restocking fee. They won't even provide a tracking number on the shipment until it is 8 days overdue. Sheesh!

Hopefully for whoever snaps this one up, it turns out to be a good clear frequency in their area. Never have had the pleasure of ordering from Six Star DJ, but it kinda jumps out at me that if I ever did (err... not any too likely), I'd sure hope that there wasn't a problem with the order.

LionHo
 
I have the Rio Sport (256).

Still learning it but so far so good.

LionHo,

It does not field record from what I know about it.

Navigation with gloves?

Well, probably not the best.

The volume is on the rim and that will do with gloves.

You load and unload sounds with the manager software but to my untrained eye is quick and easy enough.

One thing that surprised me as I loaded many sounds the other evening is that the storage space is more efficient than the 'ole puter.

With 25 different sounds running 3 to 7 minutes I still have nearly 200 meg free.

I had to assume the MP3 format compresses much more than other formats.

At this rate, I could store 100 calls give or take.

What with the plug in feature on this player taking capacity up to one gig ........ my memory for number of useful call sounds does not stretch far enough for that.

One AAA battery can't last "forever" so carry spare bats.

Three 44s
 
LionHo, you are correct, it is a Rio Forge 256 Sport. The "thumbstick" is not a thumbstick in the true sense. I'm used to a "thumbstick" being like the one on a Garmin ETrex gps unit. The outer ring on the Forge is a four position, ie. N,S,E,W, switch, while the center is a push button. I checked it while using My Computer from my desktop and it showed up as a mass storage device. You do use "Rio Music Manager" for drag/drop, although I haven't tried anything else at this point. The FM recording is an internal setup with no provision for line-in recording. My unit came with an armband for outdoor use. It will come in handy while calling, since I can just strap it to my arm while hunting. I've got to get some sounds loaded on my unit and it'll be ready for hunting. BTW, the owners manual is available as a download from their website. It will give you more info on these units. MI VHNTR
 
Not recommending the store, just reporting on what I found.
It's hard to find the Nady's without the handheld mic.

I'm wondering why All the MP3 player have such darn small controls. I guess thats what the kids want, smaller is better /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The Rio Sport is in my price range. Ive been stalking eBay for a good deal. All the bidders start piling on in the last 5 min.

Thanks for the reality check on the storage Three 44's. I considered a one gigger but the affordable ones have a small hard drive, not recommended for hard use. The flash models don't have any moving parts, always an advantage at -20.

Rick
 
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Another storage regime worth considering is a flash-based MP3 that takes expansion cards. That way, you don't necessarily have to scroll through all your 100+ sounds (or past the music tracks); if you're planning a coyote specific trip after a mountain lion specific trip, just slide a tiny $20 card in or out (I generally keep music .mp3s on my expansion card). My almost 3 year old Ripflash Plus takes 128MB SMC cards, in addition to the 128MB internal memory. Still works good, buttons are big enough. Probably anything worth buying now, though (ie recent enough to have mass-storage, for instance), will be 256MB or more internal memory, still might be useful to have expansion cards to keep the file clutter down unless the device has file folders or trees so you don't have to scroll through so many dang tracks.

LionHo
 
218 Bee,

Hope the 256 works out for you if that's what you find.

Yes, a bigger wheel could work with gloves. The sound seems good to me. I like the display.

LionHo,

The 256 Rio Sport accepts cards. I have not bought one because I only store calls on mine and have not needed the space yet.

Three 44s
 
Three44s, another thing that 256MB will do for you is allow you plenty of storage so that you can afford to make MP3s at the highest quality, lowest compression settings (for instance 320kbps, 48kHz). These give up nothing on the high-pitched portions, as do run-of-the-mill 128kbps ones that typically discard these frequencies.
 
218Bee, I checked out the yahoo store's BBB rating (sixstardj.com) and it didn't seem too great. It was an "A" out of "F - AAA". Complaints about their advertising practices... steer clear!
 
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