[LM_NET] Hit: replacing cassette players

["Hinds, Rachel" <HindsR@PEARLANDISD.ORG>]

I just realized that I had neglected to post a hit for information I had requested 
about how/if we are replacing cassette players. I tried to thank everyone who 
responded, but if I missed you please accept my apology and know that I appreciate 
your input. I'm still not sure what I will do. Here are the responses I received:

*My principal has decided he wants us to move away from cassettes and VHS video 
formats, including purchasing machines to replace those that die. As an 
intermediate step, he purchased small hand-held cassette players from radio shack, 
along with headphones. He also purchased the adaptors necessary to change from big 
headphones to earbuds/phones.
 
And I am now purchasing ONLY CDs or DVDs, instead of cassettes and VHS. This will 
also change my storage needs, since CD and DVDs take up less space than the old 
things did. I'd like to hear what others have done, since I'm not riding the 
cutting edge on changeover.

*I always purchase Califone brand players when I need to purchase replacements. 
Califone is the leader in cassette/CD players designed specifically for use in an 
education environment. Most cassette players have multiple  headphone jacks for use 
as a listening station, easy-to-understand buttons for playback, and reliable 
volume/tone control knobs. 
 
About 5 years ago I purchased 2 "boom-box" type players that have CD/dual 
cassette/radio tuner capability. Cost was a little over $100 each at the time. Both 
are still being used on a regular basis with no problems.  

*We've tried a few different players (Califone was a disaster), and buy EIKI 7070A 
exclusively, now.
They have both a CD/Cassette player and will record beautifully. There are several 
headphone inputs.
Kind of expensive, but the price varies if you shop around or are able to order a 
large quantity, such as a regional bid. ($170-270)

*I had purchased cheap ones from Walmart ($19.99 one year and $24.99 the
next) that year combo (tape/cd) but they don't last more than a year or
two. This year I bought COBY brand and so far no complaints (but it has
only been 5 months). They come with a remote so that teachers can be
moving around the room and still pause the player. They love that. Here
is the link at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000246TBS/ref=nosim/6585003-rg19
83-00-20?s=merchant&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

However, I just read the Amazon reviews and they are mixed. So for what
it's worth!

*My 2 cents.....

Those *&^%#  Bell & Howell tape recorders. My newer ones seem to last about 2-3 
years. My ancient ones just won't die.

I don't think I will order any new tape recorders. I have a few teachers using 
CD/cassette boom boxes for their listening centers and they're working great.

They are just the $30-$50 type from WalMart. As my tape recorders die, I will buy 
from WalMart.

*EIKI 7070A is a sturdy combo. It has multiple headset jacks so you will not need a 
jackbox.  Catalog prices are high but if you look around and then ask for bids, you 
will get better prices.

*I've bought the EIKI model 7070 ( or 7070A)... CD/cassette listening center. 
Retails new for about $250.00, but I've been purchasing used ones on eBay for about 
$50 each.    Although for eBay, I've been using PTA funds... if you are purchasing  
many of them, and using district funds, you will likely have to purchase from an 
approved vendor. 


 Love the 7070 -- it has 5 headphone jacks, and 2 speaker jacks. 

*I was facing this same problem and spent the past two years working out what to 
do.  Our older SHARP brand of cassette player/recorders were workhorses that were 
15+ years old.  Over the past few years they were getting harder and harder to 
replace.  We used to be able to get them from our central office warehouse for $75 
each who ordered them in bulk.  A few years back they quit carrying them (they were 
carrying Califone by then).  They recommended we purchase the cheap brand for under 
$25...even if we had to replace every year.  My opinion was that I'd rather spend 
$75 for one that would last 10 plus years than spend $10-$25 every year forever.  
We still have a lot of teachers who used them for listening stations...since these 
have places for several headphones built into the unit.  The most inexpensive ones 
I found recently were from Nisewonger here in Georgia where I got them for about 
$99 each.  I think they've gone up a few dollars since I got mine a couple of 
months ago.  I purchased 10 Califone brand.  Most of my teachers use cheap CD 
players for playing CD's...and mostly that's just listening to music...not as 
listening stations.  While CD's might hold more...their durability is nowhere in 
the league of a cassette tape.  I still have cassette tapes in the collestion 
nearly 20+ years old...but I have CD's that were scratched after a few uses.

*We use this one (mostly CDs now, but has cassette capability.) My supervisor sent 
it to me last year. Unfortunately, nothing lasts the way the old cassette players 
did!

CFDS01/Sony 



Rachel Hinds, Librarian 
Carleston Elementary 
3010 Harkey Road 
Pearland, TX   77584 
hindsr@pearlandisd.org <mailto:hindsr@pearlandisd.org>  
(281)412-1412 

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