Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder 20 GB Portable Media Player (2.2

Reviewed by: winmei

Duration of ownership: 5 Months

Strengths: load of features clear video

Weaknesses: no true random shuffle bad RMA/customer service hard drive error issues

Overall Evaluation: Bought this product in Dec 06 when it was around $200. Not bad for 20GB and the loads of functions. Works well the first three months. Digital camera and Camcorder is not bad. Quality is not the best, but it's useful in a pinch. The MP3 shuffle is not a true random shuffle, it shuffles through the same path of MP3. With the 20GB, it stores alot of Video & MP3 and although the screen is not the biggest, can't watch for too long, but is good if you need something to do or need entertainment while waiting in line or on the train. However, in April 07, harddrive started having issue. Read error, can't read from hard drive and the whole thing started freezing up. Called Archos RMA (return) department, told them the problem and they email me the RMA right away, but you have to pay for the shipping. Took over 5 weeks to get the product back. Looks like they upgraded the firmware. Called to just confirm, they did upgrade the firmware and replaced the hard drive. Used the product for less than a month, same issues. Can't read from hard drive, hard drive error, product freezes up. Called them again and they issued an RMA through email and since it's second time with the same issue, they will send me a free ship label so I don't have to pay. That was 5/31/07, it is 6/11/07. Called them at least 5 or 6 times to see where the ship label is, each time, waited at least 1/2 hour and more and they can just keep saying it's coming. Take 72 hours, the person sending the label is not in the office. No help whatsoever, alot of run around, no one seems to know what they are doing. I have been on the phone today since 7:48pm, it is 9:20pm and am still on hold, have not talked to anyone at all. This is the customer service or Archos after you have bought the product. Very dissapointed and very dissatisfied. And with the hard drive breaking twice within 6 months, not sure if it's really worth the hassle.