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A Marvel Of Miniaturization:::...
When you first hold the Mega Stick you'll
probably be hit by two emotions. The first will probably
be concern that you've just spent some serious cash
on something so insignificant looking, folloowed probably
quickly by awe as you remember what this thumb sized
piece of pearlescent white plastic is actually capable
of.
Step one is to fit the supplied battery.
This more than anything brought home to me just how
compact this little device is. If the internal dimensions
were'n't already small enough then by the time you
subtract the space required for the battery chamber,
the two jack plug sockets, the internal microphone,
the LCD display and the control mechanisms for the
switches then there really can't be a lot of internal
volume left to try and cram the electronics into.
It's a trick David Copperfield would be proud to pull
off!
With the battery installed the next
task is to attach the lanyard. At this point you'll
probably notice that in addition to the headphone
socket there is also an external microphone socket
for those who find either the quality or positioning
of the internal microphone to be limiting.
I should explain that I left the protective film over
the display in case you spot it in some of the pics.
The lanyard (neck strap) is actually
quite a complex affair as the headphone wires are
woven into its construction. Towards the top of the
lanyard the wires emerge with around seven inches
of wire and terminating in the ear buds themselves.
Ear Buds
At the business end there's a quick
release connector that lets you separate the Mega
Stick from its shackles.
And unlike some so-called quick release
connectors that require the dexterity of a nubile
Malaysian lace maker, this one lives up to its billing
for even multiple thumb owners like myself. Just push
the big silver button and the clasp slides free. It's
easy but not so easy its likely to happen by mistake.
The Display:::...
By virtue of the fact that the Mega
Stick is tiny it naturally follows that the LCD display
is going to be tiny too. MSI's challenge was to make
all the necessary information available at a glance
without things getting too cluttered and they've managed
that to a degree. I say to a degree simply because
it isn't perfect, but I doubt thay could have done
a whole lot better with such limited space to play
with.
The display is of the dot matrix variety
which allows nice touches like scrolling song titles
and though I couldn't find the resolution it's sufficient
for the task at hand.
1/
Hold (Lock) function indicator
2/ Playback status
3/ Volume level indicator
4/ A-B Repeat status indicator
5/ Repeat mode setting indicator
6/ Equalizer setting
7/ Battery level indicator
8/ Main display area
The display features a blue (or is it
aquamarine?) electro-luminescent back-light for night
or low light use and this can be either disabled or
configred to stay on for 2, 5, 10 or 30 seconds after
each action.
Display Illuminated/off
The Main Controls:::...
The bulk of the controlls are lined
up down one side of the Mega Stick. From left to right
below we have the internal microphone (1), the FM
radio mode selector which also doubles as the section
repeat switch (2), next is the voice/radio record
function button (3), then the menu button which can
be rotated left or right and also pressed to make
adjustments (4). Finally there's the volume rocker
switch (5).
Main Controls
On the opposite side is just a single
slide switch, the "Hold" switch, which locks
the function buttons and stops them being pressed
accidentally, kind of like the keylock on your mobile
phone.
Hold Switch
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