Waterproof headphones for swimming
Discussion
Hello
Landlady has asked for some headphones for Christmas that she can use whilst swimming. She mentioned ones that are "built in" rather than needing an external player but after a quick Google there seems to be a million different options from all-in-one to waterproof MP3 players to waterproof casing for her iPhone - and all of them have mixed reviews with no stand-out winner.
Does anyone use waterproof headphones? She's just a casual keep-fit swimmer, not a serious one, so it's just to keep her occupied during an hours gentle swimming.
I'm after recommendations really. Don't want to spend a fortune so up to, say £70 or so.
Thanks in advance,
Phil.
Landlady has asked for some headphones for Christmas that she can use whilst swimming. She mentioned ones that are "built in" rather than needing an external player but after a quick Google there seems to be a million different options from all-in-one to waterproof MP3 players to waterproof casing for her iPhone - and all of them have mixed reviews with no stand-out winner.
Does anyone use waterproof headphones? She's just a casual keep-fit swimmer, not a serious one, so it's just to keep her occupied during an hours gentle swimming.
I'm after recommendations really. Don't want to spend a fortune so up to, say £70 or so.
Thanks in advance,
Phil.
Landlord said:
Hello
Landlady has asked for some headphones for Christmas that she can use whilst swimming. She mentioned ones that are "built in" rather than needing an external player but after a quick Google there seems to be a million different options from all-in-one to waterproof MP3 players to waterproof casing for her iPhone - and all of them have mixed reviews with no stand-out winner.
Does anyone use waterproof headphones? She's just a casual keep-fit swimmer, not a serious one, so it's just to keep her occupied during an hours gentle swimming.
I'm after recommendations really. Don't want to spend a fortune so up to, say £70 or so.
Thanks in advance,
Phil.
Bump - anyone?Landlady has asked for some headphones for Christmas that she can use whilst swimming. She mentioned ones that are "built in" rather than needing an external player but after a quick Google there seems to be a million different options from all-in-one to waterproof MP3 players to waterproof casing for her iPhone - and all of them have mixed reviews with no stand-out winner.
Does anyone use waterproof headphones? She's just a casual keep-fit swimmer, not a serious one, so it's just to keep her occupied during an hours gentle swimming.
I'm after recommendations really. Don't want to spend a fortune so up to, say £70 or so.
Thanks in advance,
Phil.
As has been mentioned sound travels differently under water. There a few options. One is where people get an iPod shuffle, crack it open and fill with some kind of gel. These are sold with headphones which are waterproof and have a short lead, e.g:
http://waterfi.com/waterproof-ipod-shuffle
The sound can be a bit pony with these.
Others use bone conduction to transfer the sound rather than sound waves. For example the Finis Neptune:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finis-Neptune-Underwater-M...
I've not used it myself but reviews are ok. For me it looks far to big and bulky. Probably wont bother a casual swimmer but for me it looks like doing a drag set with that on. Finis do also have a bit of a reputation for their waterproof tech kit to be a bit unreliable. Having said that I've been using a Finis Tempo Trainer in the water at least once a week for the past year and haven't had any problems at all. My coach's one broke after a month.
http://waterfi.com/waterproof-ipod-shuffle
The sound can be a bit pony with these.
Others use bone conduction to transfer the sound rather than sound waves. For example the Finis Neptune:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finis-Neptune-Underwater-M...
I've not used it myself but reviews are ok. For me it looks far to big and bulky. Probably wont bother a casual swimmer but for me it looks like doing a drag set with that on. Finis do also have a bit of a reputation for their waterproof tech kit to be a bit unreliable. Having said that I've been using a Finis Tempo Trainer in the water at least once a week for the past year and haven't had any problems at all. My coach's one broke after a month.
Fastra said:
Check with your swimming pool first (I assume you'll be frequenting a public utility and not one's own facility 
) as they might object.
My local pool said "no' when asked by my daughter as she wouldn't be able to hear any alarms that might sound.
Good point. But in my experience the life guards in most places are so gormless and lazy that if you ask they will say no, but if you just use them they wont come over and tell you to stop.) as they might object.My local pool said "no' when asked by my daughter as she wouldn't be able to hear any alarms that might sound.
For an iPhone a LifeProof case, with the underwater headphones attachment and the Finis headphones were good for me. Will cost a lot more than £70 though and to be honest I used the headphones 4-5 times before giving up and just getting on with things. They did make the 2.5 hour training swims go a bit faster though.
JuniorD said:
Headphones for swimming? I've heard it all now. A boot in the hole is what she needs.
A boot? She's used to a foot in the hole... if you know what I mean! Well, more like 12.5" but I don't like to brag.Thanks for the input. Good point about "pool rules" - hadn't thought of that.
Cheers all.
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