There are numerous threads within the TechIMO forums where members request help on deciding which MP3 player is the best. That shouldn't be too surprising, because MP3 players are continuing to increase in popularity. Students, athletes, adults, and everyone in between seem to now own a MP3 player. Because MP3 players with hard drives are able to store thousands of digital tracks, people are quickly forgetting about the smaller and lighter MP3 players based upon flash memory. Today TechIMO is going to take a look at the NEX3 from Frontier Labs. While data storage is limited, this particular model is indeed both light and compact.

The NEX 3 is available in four different colors: yellow, red, gray, and pink. When you receive the MP3 player, you will find the following items included: NEX 3 player, USB cable, CD-ROM, earphones with neck strap, a line-in cable, and a user manual. If you are using Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Windows XP; then you will not have to install any drivers. Simply plug the NEX 3 into the computer and the system should immediately see the player as a drive. Windows 98 and Mac users will need to use the drivers that come with the NEX 3 installation CD-ROM. To transfer files onto the player, you can simply drag and drop your MP3 and WMA files.

Users that want this particular model will have to purchase a Secure Digital (SD) card. Although it is nice to have 128MB or 256MB internal memory, it is arguable whether or not Frontier Labs should have used internal memory along with a SD card. The price of the MP3 player would dramatically increase if Frontier Labs decided to include 256MB of internal memory, plus it is possible to purchase a 512MB SD card for only $35 at many popular vendors.

The NEX 3 is powered by one AAA battery, and Frontier Labs claims that single cell offers about 15 hours of playtime. Be aware that browsing the tracks on the SD card or other tasks drain battery life at a steady pace. It is also possible to adjust the contrast and backlight duration on the MP3 player, which helps conserve battery life. Weight concerns aside, Fronter Labs could have significantly extended batter life by opting for one AA battery or two AAA batteries instead of a single AAA battery.

For anyone who wants a small and very light MP3 player, the NEX 3 would certainly be a model to consider. It weighs in at two ounces and is slightly smaller than a credit card. The official dimensions of the NEX 3: 2 1/2" X 2" X 1/2".

The controls of the NEX 3 are simple but sometimes can be a bit annoying. On the right side of the MP3 player is a jog dial, which is how you browse songs, fast forwards/rewind, pause and resume, and stop songs. The jog dial is only somewhat efficient due to its placement. The front of the MP3 player is where the LCD is located. The top of the unit has a lock switch and USB port. On the left side of the MP3 player is the line-in and headphones jack. The front of the unit also has three buttons: volume up, volume down, and function.

Unfortunately, the user manual that comes with the NEX 3 only lists ten different SD cards that are fully compatible with the MP3 player. We used a SD card that was not on the list and it worked, so we only hope that Frontier Labs only needs to update the SD compatibility chart.

If you are not in the mood to listen to the songs on your SD card, the NEX 3 does have a FM radio. It is also possible to save a certain radio station as a pre-set channel, with the ability to save up to 20 different stations, which is extremely helpful. If so inclined, it is also possible to record from the radio, by simply pressing the "Rec" button on the MP3 player. The sound quality that is produced by the FM radio isn't stellar, but is mediocre for casual listening.

Because this particular model is small and compact, it would likely be a good player for the people that may want to bike or run with it. Because minor accidents may happen, a couple of brief durability test was undertaken. The NEX 3 easily sustained a drop from about seven feet onto a concrete floor without damaging the MP3 player at all. It can be scuffed or scraped, but everything worked properly. We also decided to get a bit more daring and dropped it down a flight of stairs. The SD card was dislodged and had to be re-inserted, but the player still worked perfectly fine.

One of the biggest problems with Frontier Labs is that it is hard to find its products on the Internet. The official press release from Frontier Labs list five places to purchase the NEX 3: the Frontier Labs Online Store, MyDigitalDiscount, X10, MP3mall, and the MP3playerstore. Frontier Labs will need to have more vendors sell its products before the company can gain more fans in the United States.

Final Thoughts

Although I do not believe the NEX 3 is the best product from Frontier Labs, it is a MP3 player that is inexpensive and could be the right choice for people that already have a spare SD card. Remember that the NEX 3 is still a relatively new product, so adjustments may be made for future versions. However, ultimately, there are several other compact players from different manufacturers that are better than the NEX 3, such as the iRiver iFP-790 or iPod Shuffle. 

Pros: Light and compact Durable construction Cons: Cumbersome jog dial No internal memory Limited availability

Overall Rating: 6.5/10 (higher is better) Manufacturer Info: Company:   Frontier Labs Pricing:      ~$79.00 + s/h