Sony’s NWZ-W202 Wearable Walkman Can’t Sweat It

3407548686_373b587648_b

It appears that Sony’s unique wearable Walkman, the NWZ-W202, is not exactly the best canidate for heavy workouts. User reviews (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) from around the Internet are pegging this as a music player that simply cannot handle sweating or a heavy workout. The problem seems to reside in the fact that the W202 isn’t waterproof, or moisture resistant. Most cases seem to be the same – a person goes jogging, or does a heavy workout, and about 15-30 minutes into it, a beeping sound occurs and the W202 becomes irresponsive. Others have noticed very strange behavior, such as volume suddenly maxing out, the Zappin feature turning on by itself, or the device turning on and off on its own. Sounds frustrating. We will be requesting the W202 soon and put it through its paces and solve this mystery once and for all.

SonyStyle has some more reports of NWZ-W202 sweating issues, as well within our own comments on Stan’s W202 review at Sony Insider.

Stan’s Comment: I can attest to this known issue as I have experienced the same problem. After a few continuous uses of W202 at the gym, all of a sudden it gave up on me and kept activating the Zapping function, volume would not work properly, etc. I had sent it in and received a replacement. It looks like I am not going to be taking it to the gym anymore as it is not going to make it. It looks like Sony needs to tweak its marketing verbage, as this Walkman will fail sooner or later if it comes in contact with any kind of moisture. I am pretty sure it has something to do with a hardware design flaws and quality control on this unit did not take place in its recommended environment. Let’s hope Sony addresses this issue, as it would be sad to see this amazing Walkman have a history similar to Walkman Bean…

P.S. I also noticed an interesting fact, my local Target put all W202 Walkman models on Clearance for a mere $32! I wonder why…..

Related Posts with Thumbnails
15
Jun 2009
POSTED BY Christopher MacManus
POSTED IN

Audio, Hardware

DISCUSSION 15 Comments
  • ascariss

    One would imagine a walkman used for exercise that is to be worn on the head, should be waterproof or at least made so that it can survice a workout.

  • http://www.sonyelectronicscommunity.com/ Marcy Cohen

    Chris-
    In response to your post, we’d like to assure your readers that Sony makes every effort to ensure that our products not only meet our own strict quality standards, but also support a positive customer experience.
    The comments about the W series Walkman (NWZ-W202), which has been available in the US and Europe since April 2009, involved a small number of W series Walkmans reportedly malfunctioning following exposure to sweat or other liquids.
    We take all customer feedback seriously, so we have implemented additional safeguards to promote sweat/moisture resistance. We are confident that these measures will ensure all W series Walkman models support increased customer satisfaction and meet our high quality standards.
    We will provide information for contacting Sony Customer Support and replacement unit availability by Tues. June 30th. We sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience.

  • Pingback: Sony To Replace NWZ-W202’s Affected By Sweat/Moisture Issue | Sony Insider

  • Pingback: Sony Recalls Certain NWZ-W202 Models Due To Moisture Issues | Sony Insider

  • chad

    well – it is june 30th – where is the info?

    not here:

    http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?temp…

    should i just send back via warranty or will they just send another one that will fail??

    • Stan M

      I have put a request within Sony to give us an update. Not sure why the info is still not updated.

  • Robert

    I have violet nwz-w202. When I plug-in into usb port Windows not recognize device. Windows asks me to insert the cd but I have no cd with drivers !!! Help me

  • dieduke

    did you get any replacement? did you have to put more money?

  • martinfinn

    The replacement is needed. My NWZ-W202 is now redundant as I cannot get it to charge or function correctly after less than 6 months use. My crime, I used it in the gym! Where else .. isn't that what it was designed for?

    The actuality of the replacement program is not how it is presented to you. To get my useless gadget replaced I have to take it back to the store where it was purchased along with the original receipt. Not a very practical process as it was a birthday gift and I don't know where it was purchased and don't have a receipt. So unnecessary too as I can tell them the serial number, I am sure it was in an early batch as my birthday is the start of May.

    I shall be forced to consign it to the bin and buy an ipod.

  • martinfinn

    The replacement is needed. My NWZ-W202 is now redundant as I cannot get it to charge or function correctly after less than 6 months use. My crime, I used it in the gym! Where else .. isn't that what it was designed for?

    The actuality of the replacement program is not how it is presented to you. To get my useless gadget replaced I have to take it back to the store where it was purchased along with the original receipt. Not a very practical process as it was a birthday gift and I don't know where it was purchased and don't have a receipt. So unnecessary too as I can tell them the serial number, I am sure it was in an early batch as my birthday is the start of May.

    I shall be forced to consign it to the bin and buy an ipod.

  • deepakkumar09

    Even I am facing the same issue and my model serial number is 5670326, will it be under recall?

    Please send it to my email, thank you..

    Regards,
    Deepak Kumar

  • Carouso

    Rubbish. I called Sony as soon as the product came out in the UK and they had no interest. The new W252 version is equally as bad. It is bulky and doesnt stay on and has volume issues. Sony makes rubbish products just like Apple

  • Carouso

    Rubbish. I called Sony as soon as the product came out in the UK and they had no interest. The new W252 version is equally as bad. It is bulky and doesnt stay on and has volume issues. Sony makes rubbish products just like Apple

  • Apuntatu

    i had buy a Sony’s NWZ-W202 Wearable Walkman and in three weeks is broken. This device is made for teennagers or for sportmen ?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Prom-Dresses/100002489730188 Prom Dresses

    A-Line Bridesmaid DressesPascalle Bippert, a longtime La Vernia resident, was tuned into an episode of NBC’s “Nightly News” and found herself unnerved by the scenes being displayed. Diane Sawyer was interviewing a woman named Rachel O’Neill, who was speaking about a mission trip she took to Africa and her experiences while there. Silver Bridesmaid Dresses
    While watching, Pascalle witnessed the spectacle of the very harsh living environment and poor clothing available to the young African girls, which O’Neill realized needed to be changed.Ball Gowns Bridesmaid Dresses

    Three months ago, Pascalle began a mission that started with O’Neill, a resident of Brownstown, Mich.Empire Bridesmaid Dressesan average middle-aged mother of two. O’Neill’s trip to Africa, previewed on the “Nightly News,” had changed her life and many others’ forever.O’Neill, while visiting Africa, could not stand the “rags” the young African girls were wearing any longer. Disgusted, once back home, O’Neill took it upon herself to do something special for the girls, to better their lives in some way.Sheath Bridesmaid Dresses

    This thought sparked the idea for “Little Dresses for Africa” (LDfA), a Christian-based, nonprofit organization O’Neill created in 2007. She explained that the young girls should have something nice to wear, something they can feel wonderful while wearing. The organization makes simple but beautiful dresses out of pillowcases for the young girls.Black Bridesmaid DressesPascalle took her words and ran with them. She began creating her own dresses out of pillowcases.Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

    “Being a part of this is so rewarding; these girls have nothing and are treated horribly, never feeling beautiful,” Pascalle tearfully expressed. “These girls are so worthy of being pretty, of God’s love, and deserve to know that people halfway across the world love them.”White Bridesmaid Dresses

    Pascalle’s friends, neighbors, relatives, and even strangers in the community have donated material and pillowcases along the way to help her in creating her dresses.Brown Bridesmaid DressesThe “Little Dresses for Africa” inspiration and community support led Pascalle to another idea and project. She wanted to make dresses for the “Team Sophie Benefit,” an event that helped to raise funds for the family of Sophie Sparks, a well-known young girl in the community fighting cancer. Pascalle completed more than 25 “Little Sophie Dresses,” raising $295 for the family from donations for her dresses.Gold Bridesmaid Dresses

    Pascalle takes many shopping strolls to thrift stores in search of great deals on fabrics or pillowcases to sew and construct her masterpieces, enriching the lives of many young girls in Africa, who — because of her — now know the meaning of feeling beautiful.Green Bridesmaid Dresses

    Once Pascalle has completed her dresses, they are mailed to O’Neill’s organization at Little Dresses for Africa, 24614 Curtis Dr., Brownstown, MI 48134. Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses O’Neill sends them to Africa.To help or for more information, visit http://www.littledressesforafrica.org. Yellow Bridesmaid DressesThe site presents volunteers with sewing templates, background information, pictures of the recipients, and more.Orange Bridesmaid Dresses

    So far, Pascalle has completed and blessed girls in Africa with more than 35 of her “designer” dresses.Purple Bridesmaid Dresses
     She is always looking to combine forces and have a “great sewing party” with other local sewing volunteers.“It takes me approximately 30 minutes to complete a dress out of a pillowcase and a little longer to complete one made out of fabric,” Pascalle said.With a smile, Pascalle admits she is still in the beginning stages of sewing and is continually getting better. “Practice makes perfect,” and in time, Pascalle hopes to be creating more and more of her dresses.Red Bridesmaid Dresses“I love this activity; it has replaced my crayons,” Pascalle said cheerfully.Pink Bridesmaid Dresses