[Ulrich Kinbote]

So my new 30GB iPod video is here and my first impression is that it looks cool but the click wheel is el cheapo and crap.

I trawled this forum awhile back and because of poster's comments about the nano decided not to get it and opted for the video iPod instead. No one mentioned a thing about the crappiness of the video click wheel.

There's a tiny but noticeable (about 0.5 mm) gap between the grey plastic of the wheel and the white face of the iPod on the left-hand side, and no such space on the right.

Anyway else have this?

The entire face of my old 15GB iPod is all sealed up. If you were careful to avoid the sockets at either end, you could pour water over it.


Should the new click-wheel be an improvement on the last?

Edit : Plus no door/plug for the iPod socket. What's with that?

[icruise]

It sounds like your clickwheel is slightly off center (mine has no such gap), but aside from that it seems perfectly normal. Is that your only problem with the wheel? Do you often find yourself pouring water over your iPod's face?

The cover for the port is totally unnecessary (I've never used one, and neither have I used a case).

[analogika]

None of the iPod videos I've seen have this scroll-wheel gap issue.

I'd say return it if it's so unevenly placed.

As for improvement: I'm glad you feel confident about dousing your 3G iPod with water. Out here in the real world, the click wheel is a *substantial* improvement in ergonomics and usability over the somewhat idiotic (if pretty) button placement on the 3G machines. Waterproofing is not an issue here.

As for the dock connector cover: It was fiddly and probably the no. 1 broken off part on 3G iPods. 5G iPods ship with a sleeve. Additionally covering the Dock connector is not necessary. (IME, lack of Dock cover has never been an issue on the 4G iPods, either.)

[Chito]

I feel your pain man. And because I'm such a compasionate individual I would like for you to send me that crappy video iPod so that you don't have to be frustrated anymore. I'll bear the pain for you.
If you don't want to send it to me take it back. The click wheel should be even all the way around.

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Originally Posted by Icruise

It sounds like your clickwheel is slightly off center (mine has no such gap), but aside from that it seems perfectly normal. Is that your only problem with the wheel? Do you often find yourself pouring water over your iPod's face?

The cover for the port is totally unnecessary (I've never used one, and neither have I used a case).

Off centre, yes -- very, very slightly.

I'm not sure what to do.

It is definitely a cosmetic issue. I mean it's a gap you could only just poke a strand of hair into, but certainly noticeable on one side and not the other.

Also, in my excitement, I ripped open everything rather roughly, which might disqualify me for a refund?

What would you do? Take it back or consider hair's breadth gap on the left side of the click wheel "character" ?

I'm not bagging on the new iPod. I just feel the click wheel (my click wheel) is a bit of a let down after my touch sensitive scroll wheel of the 3G. Even the centre button feels a little wobbly. Oh well.

P.S.

Just in case, Chito, what's your address?

[analogika]

If you just bought it, you could probably get it replaced fairly easily (just the unit, not the accessories/packaging).

The dealer should be able to return the device to Apple as cosmetically defective and would get a new iPod with new serial number sticker to apply to the packaging.

YMMV, though.

[chabig]

I understand your frustration. You want it to be absolutely perfect out of the box. However, that's a very high standard--probably higher than you apply to any other product. I would recommend you just keep the iPod and in a few days or weeks you'll forget about the small gap.

Otherwise, I think you can return it for a 10% restocking fee no matter what condition the packaging is in. But you have to do it within 10 (14?) days of purchase.

Chris

[analogika]

Originally Posted by chabig

I understand your frustration. You want it to be absolutely perfect out of the box. However, that's a very high standard--probably higher than you apply to any other product. I would recommend you just keep the iPod and in a few days or weeks you'll forget about the small gap.

Otherwise, I think you can return it for a 10% restocking fee no matter what condition the packaging is in. But you have to do it within 10 (14?) days of purchase.

I don't know if he's based in Europe or the US, but here, he can only return it by law if he bought it via the internet or if it's defective.

I can understand the "high standards" thing. €320 or €430 is a tremendous amount of money.

I will be spending €430 on a 60-gig iPod in the next few days (once it finally arrives), and I will want it to be damn near perfect, as well.

[chabig]

Apple stores in the US have a 14 day return policy.

Chris

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Here's a pic.

Damn it! I'm still undecided!




Note : This is at a slight angle, but trust me, this is the gap and it's not on the other side which is a perfect fit.

Also, the grey wheel is about 0.3 or 0.4 mm above the level of the white plastic in places, and in other places it is perfectly flush with the white plastic.

And if I put my eye right up to this gap using a flash light, I can kind of see inside the iPod (perhaps a hair's breadth of dark green. Maybe like circuit boarding? -- but I'm no electrician).

[SuvsareRetarded]

Dude. It's unique. You have a one of a kind ipod. Cherish it. Love it. Brag about it's defect.

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Originally Posted by SuvsareRetarded

Dude. It's unique. You have a one of a kind ipod. Cherish it. Love it. Brag about it's defect.

Yes, but it's unique in a factory defect kind of way.

Really though -- reality check -- am I being a bit anal about this? Or should I head back to Apple tomorrow and demand a replacement? Time is of the essence.

[analogika]

I'd probably get it replaced.

[icruise]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

Really though -- reality check -- am I being a bit anal about this?

Frankly yes, but if it's going to bother you, you might as well get it replaced.

[chme6583]

I own 3 video iPods and not one of them has this problem, get it replaced.

[iMacfan]

My 60G iPod Photo has been like this since new, for more than a year - it is still working well and I love it. So, I'd say wait a week, and you'll probably forget about it, otherwise you might be letting yourself in for unnecessary hassle.

David.

[icruise]

Originally Posted by chme6583

I own 3 video iPods and not one of them has this problem, get it replaced.

What do you do with three video iPods?

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Originally Posted by chme6583

I own 3 video iPods and not one of them has this problem, get it replaced.

I know this is asking a lot, but would some one with a video iPod mind taking a snap of their click wheel? I would like to have something to show the Apple guy tomorrow in case he refuses to open a new pod to compare and tells me I'm being anal. It is a small, hinterland hole-in-the-wall, authorized dealer kind of apple centre and doesn't have any display models and the owner appears to me to be the sort of guy who does what he likes; won't be held accountable to authority should it come to calling someone further up the ladder.

[Brien]

Waste money?

As has been said, the click wheel is a definite improvement, both ergonomics and usability-wise (touch sensitive buttons are a bit *too* sensitive, IMHO), and if it looks that bad, just take it back; Apple's been replacing the things for less. As for the covers, just use the ones from your 3G like I am.

[Paco500]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

I know this is asking a lot, but would some one with a video iPod mind taking a snap of their click wheel? I would like to have something to show the Apple guy tomorrow in case he refuses to open a new pod to compare and tells me I'm being anal. It is a small, hinterland hole-in-the-wall, authorized dealer kind of apple centre and doesn't have any display models and the owner appears to me to be the sort of guy who does what he likes; won't be held accountable to authority should it come to calling someone further up the ladder.

Huh- I'd take a picture of mine, but it's exactly the same. Small gap on the left hand side.

Mine was engraved and it was a gift. And it doesn't bug me. Surprising- this is the kind of thing that usually drives me up a wall.

I bet it will start to now.

[SoBayJake]

My 30GB Photo was sort of like that. However, I could "push" the wheel to one side of the other, and even things out.

[brokenjago]

Wasn't there some rumor that Apple sent out some kind of Memo to it's dealers that asked them to take *all* "defective" 5G iPods back, even if the claim was usually related to abuse?

Something on AppleInsider, if I remember correctly.

Here it is:
Apple to replace 5G iPods in some countries with little or no questions asked.

[mito]

Yes Ulrich! Mine is also the same as well. The CLICK WHEEL on my ipod is the same as yours. However i have other issues such as when my ipod video loads music or videos, it gives out a rather annoying "clucking" sound and the sound is getting rather loud. It's like like the sound u here when u load a unreadable cd into ur cd rom. Does anyone has the same issue? or is it normal?

Anyhow, I'll probably try to get it replaced tomorrow asap as i bought it for only a week

[Ulrich Kinbote]

I know my photoshop skills suck big time, but would something similar to this be better? I mean, the old click wheel on the new pod?

[icruise]

How is it different, aside from the color?

[chme6583]

Originally Posted by Icruise

What do you do with three video iPods?

Ok, let me re-phrase that. I bought myself one, my wife one, and my daughter one. I've been playing and loading all three of them getting them ready for Christmas presents.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

I know my photoshop skills suck big time, but would something similar to this be better? I mean, the old click wheel on the new pod?

The old wheel was NOT a click wheel.

no moving parts, no tactile feedback.

That works for the enter button in the middle, but it does NOT work for the buttons incorporated into the scroll wheel itself.

Also, and this is one thing I really did not understand about the 3G design, when you press a button, you WANT tactile feedback (as in a satisfying "click"). That is one reason why membrane-"button" interfaces (that you just tap at) where a brief fad in user interaction design. Also the reason why in any critical situation, important switches are still toggle switches and satisfyingly chunky buttons.

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Anyways, not one MacNN poster bothered to do me the favour of posting a pic of their perfectly centred iPod click wheel.

[Brien]

I don't know if mine is centered or not, seeing as I haven't taken the protective film off it yet (looks centered, though).

Will snag a pic when my case arrives, if possible (currently without a digicam).

[icruise]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

Anyways, not one MacNN poster bothered to do me the favour of posting a pic of their perfectly centred iPod click wheel.

Dude, I think most of us have better things to do.

[JoshuaZ]

yeah, thats such a minor complaint. If it bothers you that badly, call apple.

[volcano]

Actually, I think I'm the most anal-retentive iPod owner out there. I purchased my 4G 20GB color iPod from Circuit City in August, and returned it a total of 3 times. Yes - 3.

1st time: Weird artifact under the screen. Bothered me beyond belief.

2nd time: The chrome backing had a small scratch on it, and I saw it everytime I used it. Or rather, I obsessively looked at it specifically everytime I used it so it would bug me.

3rd time: I thought the click wheel was off-center like yours.

Luckily, Circuit City has a great no-hassle 30 day return policy so it was easy to do. I did all of these returns within the first week, and for the 3rd return I went to a different location so the employees woudn't think I was a nutcase.

By the time I got the 4th one, I had an epiphany and realized how crazy I was. Things aren't perfect. In fact, the one I "settled" on had the same displacement of the click wheel as my 3rd one - but I didn't care. It didn't effect the functionality of the unit, so I didn't worry about it.

The funny part? The 4th one died about a week ago and now I'm awaiting my full refund in the form of a giftcard in the mail (after sending it in)... but at least I'll get a new 5G one. Silver lining, right?

If it bugs you, return it. Just don't become obsessive-compulsive like I did.

[crooner]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

Anyways, not one MacNN poster bothered to do me the favour of posting a pic of their perfectly centred iPod click wheel.

C'mon, man.

Sure, you're being a tad anal about this but I'm always that way about a purchase. The way I see it, if it's your money you’re spending on something valuable, you every right to have the product meet your expectations.

I'd take a pic of mine, but it's a black model and the wheel is fairly centered.

Definitely take it back. You'll sleep better and will be able to move on enjoying your new 'Pod rather than obsessing over it.

A few humble suggestions:
When you go to return it, wear the most "grown up" clothing you can. I know, I know... sounds stupid, but believe me, people treat you differently if you’re wearing a suit and tie than if you're in a T-shirt and jeans. I ain't saying you gotta put on a tuxedo, just look like the kind of guy that has a lot of discretionary income.

Be extremely polite when explaining your situation to the store manager, salesperson or whomever you deal with. Find their level and operate there. Start off by shaking their hand, using eye contact and offering your name. Get theirs and use it as you speak. This isn't BS. I'm in the single most dirty business in the world and believe me when I tell you; sometimes the difference between a yes and a no has nothing to do with the facts but rather with how you present them.

If they give you any guff, explain that you spoke with Apple and they recommended you return it for an exchange. The dealer will not lose out on anything as he'll just send it back to Apple as defective (if he chooses) and get a replacement to stock on the shelves.

Oh... and don't show him the sausage.

Good luck and let us know what happens. This has gotten kinda interesting.

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Originally Posted by volcano

Actually, I think I'm the most anal-retentive iPod owner out there. I purchased my 4G 20GB color iPod from Circuit City in August, and returned it a total of 3 times. Yes - 3.

1st time: Weird artifact under the screen. Bothered me beyond belief.

2nd time: The chrome backing had a small scratch on it, and I saw it everytime I used it. Or rather, I obsessively looked at it specifically everytime I used it so it would bug me.

3rd time: I thought the click wheel was off-center like yours.

Luckily, Circuit City has a great no-hassle 30 day return policy so it was easy to do. I did all of these returns within the first week, and for the 3rd return I went to a different location so the employees woudn't think I was a nutcase.

Glad I am not the only freak.

Anyway, here's what happened :

I took my 'pod back and showed the Apple guy (I also showed him a pdf of this thread, which, seeing as he didn't speak English, I was able to assure him was full of comments by other Mac customers who were simply outraged at the 0.5mm gap on the left hand side of my click wheel) and he agreed the wheel was a little off centre and gave me a new unit.

Not to be fooled twice, I asked him very nicely to open it for me which he did, after some hesitation, by very carefully slicing the plastic with a box cutter etc. And guess what? I approached the open box cagily with my hands behind my back and this click wheel was also off centre, admittedly less, and this time on the right. I gave Apple guy a look of desperation, expecting to be told to get real. But, to my surprise, with a patient sigh he took down a third box and sliced it open in said fashion (in my defence, if this one was off centre I was definitely going to give up and go home with my first iPod!) But bingo. A perfectly centred wheel.

So, what, you might ask, is to be the fate of the 2 units with the (very slightly) off-centre click wheels? That's the interesting part. Apple guy told me, just quietly, that they would be reboxed and resold (I guess they figure that most people are less anal than the likes of myself and volcano).

Thus concludes the off-centre click wheel thread!

Thanks very much to those fellow anal retentive character types who recommended I get a replacement.

Oh, and he also put a layer of film on the front of the iPod. Rather expensive, and made in Japan. If I hadn't watched him do it, I wouldn't believe it was there. It's virtually invisible. : )

P.S.
To celebrate, I am getting rid of the stupid sausage sig.

[volcano]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

Not to be fooled twice, I asked him very nicely to open it for me which he did, after some hesitation, by very carefully slicing the plastic with a box cutter etc. And guess what? I approached the open box cagily with my hands behind my back and this click wheel was also off centre, admittedly less, and this time on the right. I gave Apple guy a look of desperation, expecting to be told to get real. But, to my surprise, with a patient sigh he took down a third box and sliced it open in said fashion (in my defence, if this one was off centre I was definitely going to give up and go home with my first iPod!) But bingo. A perfectly centred wheel.

So, what, you might ask, is to be the fate of the 2 units with the (very slightly) off-centre click wheels? That's the interesting part. Apple guy told me, just quietly, that they would be reboxed and resold (I guess they figure that most people are less anal than the likes of myself and volcano).

Wow.. he actually opened two boxes for you? I can't imagine someone at the Apple store doing that. I know Circuit City wouldn't do that for me, but then again... I don't have to deal with a restocking fee and I'm free to return it as much as I want within the thirty day period. But I have to admit, it would be nice to look at it BEFORE driving all the way home just to realize it would drive you nuts.

The 2nd time I returned my iPod, after I exchanged for my third model, I opened it up right away when I got in my car. I noticed the off-center clickwheel, and knew it would bug me... but I didn't want to walk back in the store and be one of those annoying customers that I'm sure they deal with on an hourly basis. That's when I decided to go to a different location... it was on my way home at the time, so luckily it wasn't out of my way.

I can't wait to get my new 5G iPod though. I should have my giftcard by Friday, but then I'll probably have to wait until next week since I'm forced to buy it online (they don't have the new models at the stores yet - they always try to get rid of all their "old" iPod inventory first).

I've been busy ripping all my Monk (see any relation in behavior?), Reno 911!, and movie DVDs to my iMac for the past week... gotta be prepared!

I'm glad you got your issue resolved. Enjoy your 'Pod.

[IFLY2HIGH]

Mine is off center as well like yours is, out of the box. But you know what, so be it. Actually if you put it on hold and start fumbling with the wheel you can get it to about center up with pushing it gently around in it's hole and make up the difference. Eventually it will slip back over with use, but hey, I'm staring at the screen now the click wheel in my case...

[driven]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

Here's a pic.

Damn it! I'm still undecided!




Note : This is at a slight angle, but trust me, this is the gap and it's not on the other side which is a perfect fit.

Also, the grey wheel is about 0.3 or 0.4 mm above the level of the white plastic in places, and in other places it is perfectly flush with the white plastic.

And if I put my eye right up to this gap using a flash light, I can kind of see inside the iPod (perhaps a hair's breadth of dark green. Maybe like circuit boarding? -- but I'm no electrician).

Mine looks exactly like his (albeit without the red arrows)

[iREZ]

touch buttons of 3g > click wheel

IMHO

[icruise]

I've used my 3G for quite a long time, but those touch buttons are terrible. Too sensitive, and yet not sensitive enough. (It's easy to accidentally activate them, but sometimes you have to touch them two or three times because your selection didn't register).

[malcolm347]

mine is fine on my 60 gb

[angelmb]

Originally Posted by Ulrich Kinbote

There's a tiny but noticeable (about 0.5 mm) gap between the grey plastic of the wheel and the white face of the iPod on the left-hand side, and no such space on the right.

Anyway else have this?

Same here with a 30 GB iPod Video model… but being honest I don't think I am going to send it back.

[drissa]

Isn't this one of the problems with Apple products? Imperfections in other hi-tech products don't bother us, so long as the products work well - when did you last inspect the craftsmanship around the edge of your TV? But because Apple place such emphasis on their products as works of visual art, we feel genuinely hard done by when something is fractionally out of place.

[driven]

drissa is probably right. We do hold Apple to a much higher standard than we do other consumer electronic devices. The fact that we are even discussing this is a compliment to Apple.

One other thought: Isn't this the first generation iPod that Apple manufacturered their own touch wheel? It's possible that they still have to work on the kinks.

I have the gap too ... but I doubt I'll return it just for that. (Although I'll admit being annoyed by it.)

[angelmb]

You can see the gap in the left side even in some iPod related sites.
I was looking for some nice case when I found one I like on the agent18.com site… the VideoShield case.

You can see the same issue with the click wheel on that iPod: