Slim enough to fit into any pocket or small bag, the Casio XG-3 is a great choice for minidisc listeners who are on the go and on a medium-range budget. Thanks to 40-second antiskip protection and a durable metal casing, we found this unit to be reliable and tough enough to provide a smooth, uninterrupted audio experience in almost any active setting.
As with most minidisc players on the market today, Casio includes a handy inline remote control that clips to a shirt or jacket and lets you control playback without having to dig the body of the unit out of your pocket. The volume, playback buttons, bass-boost adjustment, and lighted display are all accessible from this round remote control, which also accommodates the headphone jack. Though easily accessed, these buttons are tiny and proved a bit difficult to manipulate when we took the XG-3 jogging.
The remote also includes a backlit blue display, allowing you to see in low lighting (watch for battery drain) and providing the ability to change the text information that displays as the minidisc plays. Data shown includes current track number, elapsed time, and song name. When the minidisc stops, it can display the total number of tracks, playing time, or name of the LP.
Casio provides a generous length of cord with the XG-3: 28-inches from the minidisc player to the inline remote, along with a 45-inch cord for headphones. If you are wearing a big jacket, this cord length is perfect. If not, however, we found the excess cord between the headphones and the unit itself to be potentially entangling with a body in motion.
The sound on the headphones will suffice, and there are even two extra bass boosters. But the headphones themselves are so light that they often slip off--especially if you have a lot of hair. Fortunately, the 0.125-inch jack is compatible with other headphones of the same size.
The most obvious fault of this minidisc player is its lack of recording capabilities. However, with its focus on portability and all the convenience features we look for in a minidisc player of this price category, the Casio XG-3 is an excellent all-around unit for enjoying prerecorded minidiscs wherever you go. --Robyn Bell
Pros:
- Small and lightweight
- Rechargeable battery with DC adapter
- Playback and volume controls on separate clip
Cons:
- Does not record
- Small buttons
- Headphone cord too long
Amazon.com Product Description
Take your music on the road with Casio XG-3B, a compact and light minidisc player with 40-second antishock protection. This minidisc player weighs only a third of a pound and comes with an inline backlit LCD remote control.
Minidisc replay functions include repeat, random, track skip, and search. You can enhance sound quality with a two-step bass boost. You get 3.5 hours of playback with one standard AA battery and 5.5 hours of playback with the included NiMH rechargeable.
Casio covers this product with a 90-day warranty on parts and service.