Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder 20 GB Portable Media Player (2.2

Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder

Gmini 402 Camcorder 20 GB Portable Media Player (2.2 Review, by Richard Baguley August 15, 2006

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• Latest User Reviews 2 reviews
• 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: 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.

• Reviewed by: Amiel

  Duration of ownership: 2 Months

  Weaknesses: Very bad service

  Overall: I usually don’t leave reviews and I actually bought the Archos Gmini XS200 (not the one here) but thought you should know about their service. I sent my MP3 player to be fixed a month ago and when I called today to check on its status they said that it will take up to a month to charge my credit card! Not sure why they did not charge it as of yet and they wont start fixing it before payment is made. Base on this fact, it will take over two months to get my MP3 back. I called them today for the 5th time. Hope yours wont break.

• Reviewed by: winmei

  Strengths: had alot of features

  Weaknesses: hard drive error twice within 6 months.not a true random shufflebad, unresponsive RMA department for return and problem

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: jasonhat

  Strengths: Lots of features

  Weaknesses: technical support and warranty

  Overall: Thought this was one of my best purchases ever until the screen spontaneously went out on it 7 months after purchase. Technical support took a long time to reach and when I sent the item in to them they said it wasn't covered under warranty. They charged me $85 for the repair and charged me shipping BOTH WAYS! I will never buy Archos again and would warn any one about purchasing any Archos product.

• Reviewed by: lacasadelososos

  Strengths: WATCH MOVIES, PLAY GAMES, GOOD SOUND, DIVX SUPPORT

  Weaknesses: LCD COULD BE BIGGER, NOT MPG SUPPORT, NO REMOTE INCLUDED

  Overall: I USE IT TO WATCH MOVIES WHILE I AM COMMUTING. I CAN SAVE FILES TO BACKUP BEFORE RE-FORMAT AN HARD DRIVE. I CAN CONNECT TO MY TV AND SEE DIVX MOVIES BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A DIVX PLAYER. ARCHOS CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS REALLY GOOD, I SENT MY ARCHOS CAMCORDER TO REPAIR AND THEY SENT ME A NEW ONE. BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU CONNECT IT TO A TV, IF U CONNECT IN WRONG WAY, YOU CAN DAMAGE THE PLAYER.

• Reviewed by: Zavur

  Strengths: The device is small and very versatile. Its camcorder is nice and its video play back is great.

  Weaknesses: No removable battery! No onboard speaker and weak still camera.

  Overall: I purchased this device to ease myself into the market without breaking the wallet. I have to say that I was very impressed with it out of the box. The device is so small able to do so much more than I bought it to do. I initially purchased the device to download my digital pictures on from my Canon 10D on the go but found that I enjoy watching movies on it when I'm stuck with nothing to do on car rides or plane rides. I no longer lug my laptop with me everywhere I go. True it would be nice if it had an organizer and calender but hey, my phone has both of those anyway. I love this thing and can say that it was worth the $250 I paid for it, all day long.

• Reviewed by: guraqtm2

  Strengths: It does everything: take pictures, record only voice,listen to muisc, record fully, play games, upload stuff to your computer, and more!! Fits anywhere

  Weaknesses: None that I know of

  Overall: It is better than an ipod because it is easier to control, and you can do teh same things, so WHY ARE IPODS BETTER?? Exactly, they are NOT!! So order one NOW!! You will NOT be upset...