Hercules i-XPS 120 Outdoor iPod Dock Review

Nov 1 2007, 12:00am CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Today we are looking at an iPod dock from Hercules called the i-XPS 120 Outdoor. As you can guess from the name, the dock is intended to be used outside and is designed to be used with the 30GB and 60GB iPod, nano, shuffle, and mini. Other MP3 players are supported as well. Read the full review for all the details.

Gallery

6 images

Benchmarks

Features & Specifications
The i-XPS 120 Outdoor has 2 x 6W RMS of power and 24W peak power. The system uses 3-inch drivers and can be powered from an AC adapter, car DC adapter, or four C-cell batteries. The dimensions of the i-XPS 120 Outdoor are 200mm x 320mm x 160mm. A 3.5mm headphone jack is located inside the water resistant iPod dock to allow you to use the system with any 3.5mm headphone jack equipped MP3 player.

Testing & Use
The i-XPS 120 Outdoor has an attractive 2-tone color scheme. The iPod dock worked perfectly with my iPod nano. To open the dock you flip a lever down and then flip the clear shield on the front of the dock up. Around the inside of the shield is a rubber o-ring that keeps water, dust and particles from getting into the dock and harming your iPod.

Once the plastic front door is up you press the grey iPod dock and it ejects out so you can dock your iPod. The entire system is easy to use and works well. I tried the i-XPS 120 Outdoor with my SanDisk Sansa e280R as well using the 3.5mm headphone jack and included cable. The Sansa played back through the speaker perfectly, but the iPod connector inside the dock for the iPod kept the Sansa from being able to go in far enough to shut the watertight door. The Sansa played back and sounded good with the i-XPS 120 Outdoor, but you wouldn’t want to use it outdoors. Smaller MP3 players might have fit better than the Sansa. If the included 3.5mm adapter was a few millimeters thinner at the connector area the door would have shut without issue.

Sound quality from the i-XPS 120 Outdoor was good with respectable levels of bass and sharp mids and highs. On the outside of the dock are controls that allow you to change the track on docked iPods, control volume, power on or off, and a 3D effect button. The only power source you can use with the i-XPS 120 Outdoor and still take advantage of the water resistance of the device is battery power. The battery door uses the rubber o-ring seal like the clear dock door to prevent water and dirt from getting inside.

The dark gray rubber cover around the outside of the speakers provides shock resistance so you don’t have to worry about drops damaging your iPod. Combine the water and shock resistant nature of the i-XPS 120 Outdoor and it may be the perfect iPod dock for the beach, poolside or worksite.

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

Water resistant design
Includes AC and DC power adapters

Cons

3.5mm headphone cable won’t allow door to shut with all MP3 players

Verdict
With the iPod being the most popular MP3 player on the market, the i-XPS 120 Outdoor will find many fans that want to use their iPod’s outside, but are afraid it will be damaged. If you like to camp, swim or work outdoors and like to keep some music with you, the i-XPS 120 Outdoor is a great product.

8.5

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Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane knows technology inside out. His extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.