Obsolete. Review on Panasonic SL-SX270

<b>Panasonic SL-SX270 Personal CD Player</b>

At the time that it came out, the Panasonic SL-SX270 Personal CD Player was probably at the top of it’s class. One of the pioneers of the anti-shock campaign with an astounding 40-sec. Anti-shock system, it was fabulous. It had longer battery life than most other models with 28 hours, and featured a heat-resistant lid to keep you from having to play ‘hot potato’ with it after it had been sitting in the sun. Now as we look at the new technology that has arrived, we think of these amazing features as nearly obsolete. Sony has invented a new skip protection system that eliminates skipping altogether, (at least better than anything else we’ve got), a new IC chip that allows for twice the battery life as any other brands, and they have shrunk it down to nearly the size of the CD itself. The other brand have only managed to hold on by lowering the prices on their existing models so that they can compete with Sony.

<b>Skip Protection</b>

As I mentioned before, the SL-SX270 features 40 second anti-shock memory 3.0. An computer chip in the CD player reads ahead on the CD, and memorizes the data. If it encounters any jolts that would cause the play to skip, it reads off of the memory bank. If the player encounters continual skipping for more than 40 seconds, the play will skip. I have found that even with the 40 second memory, if you jar the player hard enough, it will skip. For $15 more, you could get the Sony D-EJ616CK which has the new G-Protection.

<b>Size </b>

If you are looking for a small compact CD player, this is not the one to go with. It is big and bulky, and will be a hassle anywhere you take it. Considering the price, you can’t complain. Any model under $100, will be just as big and bulky.

<b>Durability</b>

As for durability, this player is like a rock. Since most of it’s bulkiness is hard metal, it’s great size makes it stronger than some of the fancy new ones that fit around a CD like tights. I can guarantee you will bang it up, and it won’t affect the performance. You might be able to affect it’s looks, but if you were worried about looks, you should buy something else.

<b>Battery Life</b>

The 28 hour battery life is obviously not nearly that long. My experience with the player, found me buying new batteries every 10-15 hours. Another hassle is, even though the player has rechargeable capabilities, it doesn’t come with rechargeable batteries, let alone regular ones, so you have to fend for yourself. If you want rechargeable batteries, they will cost you another $10 dollars, and considering the battery life, which is completely obsolete by now, you will find the batteries running through your discman like water through a sieve.

<b>My Recommendations</b>

<b>I</b>f you’re looking for a cheap CD player, get the Sony D-EJ616CK.

It has the new G-Protection, as well as a little bit longer battery life (32 hours), and it comes with rechargeable batteries, as well as a car kit so you can plug your player into your car stereo. I would recommend spending the extra $15 dollars, you will find you end up saving money in the long run.

<b>I</b>f you are simply looking for a good CD player regardless the price, I would recommend the Sony D-EJ915. The size is unlike anything you have ever seen, the G-Protection is great, and the possible battery life of 80 hours is astounding.

<b>I</b>f you insist on buying this Panasonic model, check out etronics.com, where they are selling it for $55. It is the cheapest I could find on-line, as of 5/29/01.