FAQs

Are there restrictions on the use of these players?

Our objective is to live all of life to the glory of God, out of gratitude for Christ's finished work on the cross. We'd like to see that reflected in the use of these players and their content. Ask us about your application!

How are players like these best used?

Here are nine ideas from the Forum of International Bible Agencies.

How much do the players cost?

Our current price is $9.50 in quantities of 1000 (ask us about smaller quantities) for either of the two models. The Mini comes by itself, and the Micro comes with earphones. Shipping, MicroSD cards, content duplication, and charger cubes and cables are additional.

Will you be creating other models?

We have a lot of ideas, limited mostly by time and resources. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Your players don't meet my needs; what are some others?

Here is a nice summary of some other excellent players.

How much content can be loaded on a MicroSD card?

There are three common MicroSD formats (usually stamped on the card):
  • MicroSD/TransFlash/T-Flash, < 2GB
  • MicroSDHC (High Capacity), 2-32GB, FAT32 support
  • MicroSDXC (Extended Capacity), 32GB-2TB, exFAT support
Our players read the MicroSD and MicroSDHC, but not MicroSDXC, so they are limited to 32GB. Realistically, putting more than 32GB on our simple, track-to-track players would not be of much value, as a full Bible is usually less than 5GB. Most content sets fit in 1-4GB.

Can you provide MicroSD cards or load content on mine?

We stock a limited number of MicroSD cards. With sufficient lead time, we can provide cards with duplication for about $2-4/each, depending on the card size. Or, if you want us to duplicate on your cards, we can do that for $0.50/each; or you can just send us the loaded cards. Ask us!

Our audience may destroy the player to harvest the MicroSD card!

MicroSD cards are valued for reuse -- to store personal content (photos, music, etc.) for mobile phones. To combat this, you may want to consider using an open player (with an exposed MicroSD), and then software protect the MicroSD card. This will reduce the motivation to open the player and will make the MicroSD card unusable for reuse. This approach may have the effect of making the player more valuable to the recipient, as they can also play their own audio content (for better or worse). Please let us know of your experiences with these issues.

Can players be shipped/reshipped?

Because lithium batteries are potential fire hazards, there are specific rules for packing, documenting, and shipping them safely.

Some countries prohibit lithium battery shipments. Check the intended destination.

Air Transport

The definitive guide is the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Lithium Battery Guidance Document. Note: Our current players use a 1.1Wh, 6g lithium ion battery (NOT a lithium metal battery), and fall under the "Batteries installed in equipment" category (PI 967 Section II), which is less restrictive than shipping larger or separate batteries. Equipment should be safely packaged (2.A), be protected from inadvertent activation (2.T), and a battery test summary should be made available (4.A). Our understanding of additional shipping requirements is:
  • For up to four players per package, and up to two packages per consignment -- no marks or labels are required (2.H). The regulation appears to allow two packages in an overpack without needing an "Overpack" marking (2.L).
  • For player quantities greater than that, up to 5 kg (of lithium ion batteries) may be in a package with a UN3481 label showing a business-hour (at least) telephone number of someone knowledgeable about the shipment (2.J), and the air waybill states "Lithium ion batteries in compliance with Section II of PI967" (2.F).
In both of these cases shipment can be on passenger and cargo aircraft.

Some carriers impose additional or different restrictions:

DHL
  • For domestic ground and Parcel International Direct to Canada, DHL allows lithium ion Contained in, Packed with, or Standalone. For "Contained in": If ≤ 2.7 Wh per button cell/battery, no limit on the number of cells or batteries, and no mailpiece may exceed 5.5 pounds.
  • For Domestic Expedited and International, DHL only allows lithium ion "Contained in" (with limits). For International: No more than four (4) cells or two (2) batteries installed in equipment AND no more than two packages in a single consignment; no package may exceed 2 kg.

US Postal Service, Domestic mail
  • Up to four players can be shipped in a rigid package without the lithium battery (UN3481) mark. (349.222.a.7)
  • For our players (<=2.7Wh batteries), a package weighing up to 2.5kg/5.5# package (package weight, not battery weight) can be shipped with a lithium battery mark [fully] on the address side. (349.222.a.7)
US Postal Service, International mail or APO/FPO/DPO Very Small Lithium Metal and Lithium-ion Cells and Batteries (622.53) Must be installed in equipment, and max of two mailpieces per consignment. Each shipment containing very small lithium batteries, when installed in the equipment they operate...may contain a maximum of four lithium cells or two lithium batteries. Very small cells/batteries are mailable internationally with the following conditions:
  • Each lithium-ion cell/battery must have a watt-hour rating of not more than 2.7 Wh.
  • Mailpieces must not bear markings or labels identifying the contents as lithium batteries.
UPS (more than 4 players)

Air shipment (<=5 kg of batteries in equipment)
Use the UN3481 lithium battery mark, and mark with "P.I. 967-II" to enable UPS to identify the shipment type when transferring to partner air carriers (source). This extra mark is optional for shipments within the contiguous 48 US states.

Ground shipment
Lithium ion (UN3481) battery mark is required for packages containing >4 cells or >2 batteries along with a warning marking stating, “Lithium ion batteries — forbidden aboard passenger aircraft.”
Note: Ground shipments of lithium batteries must not be sent to any address in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or destinations on islands such as Avalon, CA.


If this information is incorrect, or if your shipping experience differs, please let us know, as requirements vary and change.

How much is shipping?

We charge [approximate] actual shipping costs, based on our advance estimate.

What colors are available?

3D printing allows us to make players in various colors. Currently we offer white, black, light gray, dark gray, green, red, blue, yellow, and pink. Lead times vary depending on the color; we are most likely to stock black, gray, and white. Contact us if you have special requirements.

Can players be carried on airlines?

Because lithium batteries are potential fire hazards, requirements vary by airline. Some examples:

American
[Lithium ion batteries]: "Allowed for travel: Yes. Please remove batteries from devices in your checked bags and put them in your carry-on in separate plastic bags. Less than 100 Wh – 4 spares in carry-on bag"
[Portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries (including lithium) and spares for these devices intended for personal use]: "Allowed for travel: Yes. We allow up to 2 spare batteries for personal use, with restrictions: Each spare battery is individually protected in accordance with our lithium battery acceptance policy."
[Portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries (including lithium) and spares for these devices not intended for personal use]: "Allowed for travel: No."

Delta
"Lithium ion batteries installed in a personal electronic device can be transported as checked or carry-on baggage. Lithium ion batteries not installed in a device (spares) must be in carry-on baggage and no more than two (2) spares between 100 and 160-watt hours are allowed[ours are only 1.1Wh]. Quantity Limits for Lithium Batteries: Each person is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries."

If this information is incorrect, or if your travel experience differs, please let us know, as requirements vary and change.

How durable are these players?

Because the players are new, we are still learning about their durability. In very dusty conditions, we anticipate more rapid degradation, either from speaker or MicroSD damage. We are not yet sure about degradation from very humid conditions. Also, the thermoplastic used for the cases has a finite lifespan in full sun. We are committed to doing all we can to enhance durability at this price point, and we welcome user feedback (info@resourcesfortheblind.org) about your experience with the players and whatever issues you observe.

Do you offer a warranty/replacement?

We will replace defective units for a period of one year after purchase. This covers labor and materials, but not damage due to misuse, water, dust, etc. If you have trouble with a unit, please email a description and, if possible, an image of the damage/issue to info@resourcesfortheblind.org. Thanks!


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