Shuffle / Headphone - Sweat Moisture - Failure

I am going absolutely crazy with my shuffle, 1st Apple product and last I will ever buy. The actual shuffle to ear phone connection you feel is not the problem. You are suggesting with your fix to cover the volume control device on the right ear earphone lead, correct?

Thanks - I work overseas on rotation and cardio almost daily, but have been spending almost as much time with my new shuffle as working out!! Currently it is not working at all, so I'm hoping they will dry out and I'll try your method, wrap in tape, dip in wax or something. I guess if I can get them working, download only running songs, set the volume with original earphone control, that I could probably switch to old earphones w/o the volume control to eliminate moisture problem, knowing that I loose control, but perhaps letting me use Apples latest junk. Unfortunately nearest Apple store about 1500 miles away!!

I hate to say it, but the iPod Shuffle 3rd generation is a complete piece of junk. It's not just the headphones, it's the unit itself. I cannot use the Apple provided headphones, they fall out, so I used another pair with the Scosche Tapline - the unit stopped working after 25 minutes. I thought it might be the connection between the headphones and the Tapline, so I wrapped all the connections in electrical tape - same problem. So I bought new headphones and used them without the Scosche Tapline - 22 minutes into my treadmill run tonight the player just stopped working. It started working again after about a half hour.
I believe that the Shuffle unit, not being waterproof or even water resistant, just doesn't hold up for its intended use. What did Apple think people would buy the Shuffle for? I don't sweat THAT much!
What can I do? I received this as a XMas present so I don't have a receipt. BTW, I have an old iPod 30 GB that I love, so Apple's failure here is especially disappointing. Ugh.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Haven't purchased any Apple products in quite a while but was considering trying a shuffle.

Too bad Apple doesn't produce a product that works well and can withstand a little sweat.

Take my advice, and don't buy it. It is a pure piece of sh*t

hate it hate it hate it. Apple cut it's line short here. i have always been supportive of their products but this and my fat gut will never agree. 2 weeks in problems. The reason i wanted this pod is for running my dog and not worrying about the hold button; that has not been a problem. The trash they call controls is despicable and apple will not address the elephant at their back door. We are a family of Podder's and this *****.

<Edited by Host>

The rubber on the headphones was coming off (OUT OF THE BOX), so i got them replaced

then the controller of the replacements wasnt working (or clicking) OUT OF THE BOX

on my third pair - hope they last!

Me too - I bought a second shuffle and set of headphones @ £48 in the UK - and out running today the same thing happened: suddenly the music is muted and a voice keeps repeating 'playlist 1...all songs'. I think it happens when a drop of sweat runs down the wire to the volume control. I need to go and buy a used version of the old model with the controls on the shuffle itself. Grrr. This is the first badly designed Apple product I've ever had.

@Billywhizz66... I agree with you completely. Apple really blew it with the 3rd generation shuffle, especially when you consider they are marketing it as an exerciser's best friend. I can't run with the earbuds, so I had to buy the Belkin adaptor, which promptly died after two weeks of daily use. The iPod itself crashed after three weeks of daily use. I think your theory about a bead of sweat being in the wrong place at the wrong time is right on.
I bought a used 2nd generation shuffle from a friend and am thrilled. I'm considering buying a new one from Amazon or Ebay just to have as a backup so I don't have to experiment with another iPod down the line.

Add me to the long list of frustrated ishuffle users related to the sweat. I tried all the plastic wrap stuff but with limited success; around late oct it completely stopped working regardless how long i left it "dry-up". I took it too the apple store and they said my unit had moisture problem implying i gave it a soaking bath or something which is Bulls**t; anyway I was stupid and I bought a new identical unit (was $50), since they gave me no other choice regardless if it was only 5 months after I bought it, and pretty much didn't use my ishuffle for the winter and the last few weeks I'm back to the same 15mins-into-workout stops working; I have the Belkin adapter thingy and I bought new (sony) earplugs so I just use the ishuffle unit from apple, not the controls/ear-plugs, and I have less problems now, battery life and stuff which I can tolerate. I hate the experience and next time I'll buy from Apple I'll wait till the reviews are good.

Volume control out on shuffle earbuds. Wouldn't mind so much but there is no volume control, like there used to be, on the actual device. If there were I could real quick by a $9 pair of buds from Wal-Mart. Have done this with other models and they work. In a pickle with the sweat laden buds. What the $#@!:)

hiya

I bought the shuffle 3rd gen just to use at the gym - but at present i am on my second ipod due to malfunctioning/moisture problem!!! This is my FIRST APPLE Product and i won't be buying another one after this one dies!!!! APPLE TAKE NOTE I AM MAD!!! as i've got to drive to my nearest apple store to get a refund or exchange!!! so I want compensation as well for wasted time and petrol!!!!

It's clear no one has solved this problem, other than the electrical tape/ziploc bag. I tried spay-on bandages too, I think that will work for a while. I even bought a Scosche tapLINE control adapter but it too has failed. Can someone please tell me how they can design a case to let you take your iPhone underwater but they can't design earbud remote controls that keep out the sweat? I have one good pair left. I use it to set my shuffle, playlist and volume, and then switch to another pair of earbuds for my run/workout.

hiya everyone,

You can add me to the list of the sweat/moisture headphone problem - i'm on my THIRD SHUFFLE as i live 50 miles from the nearest apple store!!!! Instead of just giving me new earphones i have had the whole shuffle swapped. Have a look at this page on the apple website www.apple.com/support/headphones/replacementprogram. I printed off this page and today (30 May 2010) I went to the apple store and showed them the serial number ranges of the ipod shuffles affected by faulty earphones and so had a look at the shuffles serial number before saying "YES I'll have it" otherwise i would get it home use it once and it play up again. IT's worth a try to get a new one!!!! THIRD TIME LUCKY??????

The "rebate" offers no solution for me. I'm a Peace Corps volunteer living in a developing country. I can't return my defective earphones within the 10-day period to avoid getting charged for a new pair. The whole reason I bought the Shuffle was to have a music library while I'm out here in the boonies, serving my country and the world for two years with no salary. Now it's completely worthless ~ there's no Mac store in Morocco, and I can't use standard headphones. What a ripoff. I've owned 4 iPods and 3 Macbooks in my life ... but customer "service" like this, when the product is obviously defective, has me questioning whether I'll ever buy another Mac product again. Apple, are you listening? Because you won't let me email you directly, and your phone customer "service" reps showed no interest in working with me.