Ode to the Karma - Riovolution

Peregrine

2008-08-29, 12:27 #1

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Subject: Ode to the Karma

So since my Vibez has been acting flaky, and my WinMobile phone sucks donkey balls as a music player, I dusted of my now... what... 5? 6? year old Karma?
It's beat to crap. Scratched up. The wheel is broke. The nipple dislodges easy (but is easy to 'relodge'). The VOL+ button sticks.... but after 6 months of sitting in a drawer I take it out and turn it on. It fires right up. It still has half a charge on the battery. It still has the correct time and date. It still works flawlessly.
And these were supposed to have weak hard drives? In my experience, I would say the case is the weak spot. hahaha
I put my ear buds back in my helmet. Got on my scooter. Attached the Karma, cranked the volume to 30 (because that's what I had to do with the Vibez) and gave it a listen. Note, the ear buds are in the helmet not my ear so max volume isn't THAT loud in my ears.
YOW!!! OK maybe 23-24 is a better setting!! I knew it had a slightly better amp then the Vibez, but my god it's MUCH MUCH louder then the Vibez at max vol.

I will certainly be getting a F 32G Vibez if they come out reasonably soon, but man! For sheer durability and sheer loudness... you just cannot touch the Karma. STILL.

An engineering marvel if you ask me.

/me bows down to the mighty Karma....

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br0adband 2008-09-01, 14:03 #2

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Man I haven't been around here in a loooooooooooong time, but it's nice to see that yes, others still bow down to the almighty Rio Karma. I miss mine... I think it was flattop100 I sold it to, but honestly it's been several years now and I can't even freakin' remember. Maybe he'll read this and remind me if it was him or someone else, the deal happened around early 2005 iirc when I was in Colorado Springs so, flattop, if that rings a bell, and it was you, let me know how that Karma held up or is still holding up, will ya?

Someone just mentioned a Karma over at the HardForum so that prompted me to do some research, and wham, I find the Vibez (yes I've been in cave of sorts for the past 2 years I guess, no it wasn't in Afghanistan, just the caves of my mind). Nice to see it finally made it to the light of day, and here I was just about to consider getting an iPod touch because of the capabilities it has.

I might get both, actually, as the touch would be very handy for my Wife when she's out and about (being deaf she needs something to take with her), and a Vibez for myself. We'll see what happens.

If I can ever locate a good working Karma in great shape again I plan to baby it forever and never let it go. And mod it with a 32GB CompactFlash card as well.

"The Rio Karma is dead. Long like the Rio Karma..."

Have fun, always...

John30_06 2008-09-01, 17:03 #3

Member since Nov 2006 · 342 posts · Location: Heartland U.S.
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There's always a few in various degrees of working condition on ebay. But fewer than a year ago, and fewer 6 months from now.
Plus there's a guy who specializes in fixing them up, including flash-mounted.

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZrioQ20karmaQQ_armrsZ1…

flattop100 2008-09-02, 15:51 #4

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Heya BB - good to hear from you!

Yeah, it was me. That Karma has done duty as my "work" player. My original one is my "car" player, and I've got one for backup. A few freezes, but they spin like a charm. Other than battery life, I don't know why anyone would want anything else - I've never fully loaded a factory-Karma. I just can't listen to that much different music in a week.

Month.

Cheers, BB - come around more often, if you get the chance.

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LycoLoco 2008-09-07, 13:51 #5

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and here I was just about to consider getting an iPod touch because of the capabilities it has.

I think you've got the right idea here. It's 1/4 of the player that the Karma was in almost all respects and therefore the Vibez (or at least I'm guessing so since I've never used it). Check out my review here before you make any final purchases: http://www.riovolution.org/post/14086

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This post was edited on 2008-09-07, 14:11 by LycoLoco.

RubenNYC 2008-09-07, 16:35 #6

User title: vibez junkie
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Quote by LycoLoco:
and therefore the Vibez (or at least I'm guessing so since I've never used it).

It's true. vibez firmware 1.19 does 99.9% of what Karma firwmare 1.68 does and expands upon it.

The only exceptions I can think of:
- Left handed mode (not necessary on the vibez)
- Stereo separation (I never used it anyway)
- Web service fo ethernet connection

Sean Michael Taylor #21 (1983-2007). Thank you for giving it everything you had. Rest In Peace.