IPod accessories question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
IPod accessories question
6
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 10:43am

We are planning on getting ds an IPod for his 14th birthday in October or for Christmas this year. We are not sure yet which. In either case I want make sure that I budget things properly. What accessories have you all seen as neccessary (chargers, cables etc..) and what have you seen as not neccessary but are definatly "must haves".

Thanks in advance.
stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 11:04am

iPod pretty much come with everything you need as far as cables and chargers go. You can plug it in and go. They charge hooked up to your PC.

My DD has an iPod video and DS, and iPod Nano. When DS got his, we also bought an armband for him to use so he could listen to it while he runs. You cannot use an iPod video for sports ... something about the electronics (what it is exactly escapes me right now -- disk drives, maybe?) make it 'skip' when it's jostled. Both DD and DS have one of those protective sleeves, but neither one feels it's especially necessary.

As far as 'must haves', I think the only thing he'll need to get going is an iTunes card!

One thing though ... DH bought me an iPod Nano for Christmas and I have to say the ear buds are not very comfortable. I put the SkullCandy earbuds in stockings at Christmas time and DS says they are much more comfortable than the ones the iPod comes with. That may be something to consider.

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2005
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 11:14am

my son bought (with his own money) an ipod dock that includes an alarm clock. It plugs into the wall, so he can charge it while it's sitting in the dock. He absolutely loves that thing and uses it constantly...plus he wakes up to something different every morning, because he keeps it on shuffle.

I would also spring for the wall charger - you can charge it on the computer - but it takes longer and is not as strong.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 12:32pm

I bought my dd the special edition red ipod nano where a portion of the proceeds goes to AIDS charities. Because the colour is so striking and unique, but she still wanted to protect it, we bought a case for it. This was a "crystal" case which is plastic but see-through so that you can still operate the ipod nano and see its colour but keep it in a harder case for its protection.

http://www.ukpreview.co.uk/images/temp/nano_crystal_case.jpg

The ipod came with a charger that hooks up to the PC but as soon as I can I will buy a power adapter because I don't keep my PC on all the time and you need the power from the USB port for the charge.

The little docking station with speakers so you can listen to the music on the nano are nice but, to me, not an immediate "must have". Maybe it will be a good gift for a subsequent birthday or Xmas.

The immediate must have, in my view, is a credit to get some music on itunes. If he has CD's already that he can copy on to the PC to load to the nano that's great but ultimately he's going to want to buy some tracks from itunes. They are typically $0.99 a song but you can usually buy the whole CD for about $9.99 which is cheaper than the store.

Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 1:52pm

DS14 has the video version - it scratches VERY easily. I can tell you NOT to get the black leather-looking case that has the flap on it to cover the front, that has a red and white stripe down it as its plastic screen cover scratched up the viewing screen on the iPod big time. I can also tell you that Brasso (and patience using it) does a pretty good job at removing scratches - just don't get it ANYwhere near the wheel. An iPod 'sock' works well as a cover as you know they'll jam them in their pockets and they do scratch that easily.

He also has an iHome (about $100; he bought all his iPod stuff), where he puts it in the dock and he can listen to it in his room, or switch to radio, use the alarm clock...and it charges the iPod while docked.

Another nice accessory is a car adapter if you plan to go on trips. DS has now pretty much outgrouwn the Gameboy phase, but loves just listening to his tunes while in the car. The adapter keeps it charged so when he gets somewhere it's fully charged and ready.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 6:41pm

Thank you for the information about the ear buds. I'll definatly keep that in mind. Ds doesn't care about video... just wants to hold as many tunes as possible, but I'll definatly ask about the skipping issue.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 8:02pm

iPod comes with all the things you need to get started - cables, etc. (the only other needed thing is a computer with a relatively fast internet hookup - dial up would work probalby but would be frustrating). DD's new iPod charges while it's plugged into the computer for an updated music list, so there's no extra charger needed.

As for extras - my brother (doting uncle) bought a dock that is a clock-radio, so it can play music from the iPod as an alarm or in her room. This is nice, but is definitely an extra!

HTH

Sue