getting a new mp3 player

[CheesePoofs]

I'm in the market for my first MP3 player, and I'm basically trying to get the best thing I can for the money. I'm assuming there are better alternatives out there to ipods. Specifically, I have been looking at the Sandisk Sansa e280 (8gb flash memory), the Cowon iAudio X5 (20 or 30 gb HD), and the iriver Clix gen 2 (4gb flash). Anyone have any experience with any of these players? Or suggestions for other ones that might work better?

And also, any idea for how many gb's I should get? I have 18gb+ of music but listen to less than 3 on a regular basis. Though I'm guessing that'll change as my collection grows.

Thanks!

 

[George Powell]

The first thing is to decide on whether you want to get a flash player or harrd disk one.

If you are likely to do exercise while listening then go for a flash player.
If not then you will get a lot more strage for your money with a HD type.

Or alternatively do what I did and get one of each.

 

[HermDogg]

If you're only listening to 3 gigs currently I would go for the Sandisk Sansa at this point. My brother's got it and while he uses it with with one of the media stores (Real, I think, 'cuz he gets a discount) and it seems like a solid player. As George Powell noted you could go for the HD-based iAudio but if you only have 18 gigs total and you're listening to 1/6th of it you really don't need to haul around the rest or have an urgent requirement for a large amount of space. The 8 gig will give you enough to grow on whereas the iRiver will cause you start leaving stuff off the playlist once your collection expands. It doesn't seem like it, but if you need to listen a favorite song at some point and you had to leave it off it will annoy you more than a little.

 

[CheesePoofs]

I don't really exercise much so I don't see that as a concern. Quite honestly, I'm really not sure yet what I want/need, just looking for the best portable audio player for the money, mostly.

 

[Megatomic]

Sorry for being late to the show here, but I'm gonna cast my vote for the Sansa. I've been using one for a year now and I don't think I'd want to live without it anymore.

I use it while running with a DLO action band. I use it while lifting and doing core workouts by plugging it into my inMotion station. And I put it into a protective silicone sheath while I'm driving anywhere with my family that takes 2 hours or more.

There aren't quite as many accessories for the Sansa as there are for an iPod, but you can find them.

 

[RallyMaster]

I have a 40GB+ collection and I just bought a 1GB Creative Zen Stone. My batteries will run out before my music does (even with only 1GB of music).

 

[CheesePoofs]

Megatomic: Thanks for the input. How is the battery life and the user interface of the Sansa?

 

[Megatomic]

The UI is great. The only thing I wish was better is panning through songs. It's possible, but not easy. IMHO, everything else is great.

As to battery life, it's very good. I've never seen my meter go below 50% even after using for 2 hours a day while driving to and from work. Now with my Altec Lansing inMotion the thing stays fully charged.

By the way, I highly recommend the inMotion. It sounds fantastic and it charges the Sansa even while it's playing back songs for you.

If I sound like a fanboy it's because I am. My Sansa was a major reason why I went with an HP laptop over a Blackbook this past spring.

 

[Stoneburner]

I got a sansa e280 and love it. But i think if i were buying a new one i'd get the new clix just because it has a larger screen and better video options.