mp3 player

[skylord23]

Ok so I joined a gym and I need an mp3 player to bring with me. I'm not a fan of ipod's but if worse comes to worse I could get one. I?m looking to spend 150-250 tops. I would like to keep it under 200 but if there is something worth it why not spending the extra. I need something at least 10 gig as I have a huge collection of music. I've looked around at iriver, Zen, ipod and a couple others and can?t decide which to go with. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JAG87]

its gonna be hard finding something above 10gb with that price range.

 

[mikester]

I don't know why there are so many ipod haters - I think they are great, but that's another thread.

One thing to consider - for working out, you probably want something flash-based, and something simple to operate. I have a 4GB IPod Nano that I keep most of my music collection on and carry with me everywhere, but I find it impractical for using at the gym. For working out, I have an ipod shuffle that works perfectly for that use - no fumbling around to select playlists or tracks, no screen to scratch or break, no lock button to worry about. I just load up some good tunes for working out and let it randomly cycle through them. If I want to change songs, I just reach in my pocket and hit the "next" button and it goes to the next random track. I suppose I could setup custom playlists to use my Nano while working out, but I don't really want to bother with it.

Anyway, look into it. If you just want it for working out, the shuffle is hard to beat, and it's only $69.

 

[robertk2012]

Shuffle for working out.

 

[jdkick]

I would also suggest a flash-based player if you plan to use it when running/jogging or otherwise being active.

I was looking for an MP3 player recently and came to the conclusion that the market sucks right now. My requirements are for a flash based player that's has decent build quality and has user-replacable batteries. I turned down the iPod Nano due to the fact that the batteries are not user-replaceable and that Apple charges 50% of the original purchase price to replace them for you (at least in Canada). I then turned to the Creative ZEN Micro but was concerned by the frequent reports of failed headphone jacks (cold solder joints). Nothing else appealed to me beyond that. The best choice I can see is to spend way less money on a smaller capacity player (512MB/1GB) and just dispose of it when it fails.

Arg...

 

[mikester]

Canadians must be getting screwed then, because in the US it's $59 to replace an ipod battery.

 

[skylord23]

Most of my friends have some form of an IPod; they're alright but I don't like ITunes. The software doesn't always work for me when I'm working on a friend's IPod for him. But that's another thread, as someone stated above. I saw the Shuffle today in WalMart, and for the price it doesn't seem too bad. I have well over 60 gig of music, though, and I'd like to have at least 1/4 of it with me at a time. Since I can hardwire an mp3 player into my car and stop burning cds, I'd like to get something that has a decent amount of space. What price range would I be looking at for something that meets my requirements, preferrably non-IPod?

 

[mwmorph]

Gigabeat 20gb:
http://www.compuplus.com/i-Toshiba-Giga...ack-MEGF20K-1004427~refer-froogle.html
gigabeat 40gb
http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=productpage&affid=8&pn=MEGF40S

pros: big screen, discrete volume controls, nice finish, free dock, easy software
cons: battery life is average, controls require a bit of learning, does not play video.

Gmini 200(20gb)
http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?code=121145&partner=IMFRO

Pros: idv3 databasing while not needing any software(drag and drop songs using windows if you want), incredibly small for a 20gb , good battery life.
Cons: not all that good looking, monochrome screen

Archos Gmini 402(20gb)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...402&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=393702

Pros: idv3 databasing while not needing any software(drag and drop songs using windows if you want), plays videos and audio, low price.
Cons: Average screen(2.2") and average battery life

Rio Karma(20gb)

Pros: Still best audio quality, incredible interface, goodbattery life, parametric eq, on the fly playlists, dock with connections for pc, charging and output to a stero, literally the perfection of the music only digital audio player.
Cons: almost impossible to find, rio is out of business so warranty is gone, monochrome screen

Among DAP enthusiaists, the Rio Karma was universally well liked and It's Dapreview.net's favorite DAP of all time. Sigmatel, a chipset maker, bought Rio's property and we should see derivatives arriving in late 2006.

 

[essasin]

Originally posted by: robertk2012
Shuffle for working out.

another vote for shuffle if your just working out. Its cheap and does the job.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: essasin

Originally posted by: robertk2012
Shuffle for working out.

another vote for shuffle if your just working out. Its cheap and does the job.

I don't understand why you guys like the shuffle...You can get a flash based mp3 player with a screen for the same price (granted it's not quite as small, but still tiny).

Personally I have a 20GB iAudio x5 ($245 at Amazon). I would get a flash based player though if you're going to run with it.

 

[mordantmonkey]

My iaudio has been amazing. Mine is the 1GB flash based model but i hear great things about the Iaudio X5. 20GB can be had for under $250 and it boasts 35Hours playtime.
It's recommended on lots of hifi forums for having superior sound quality to Ipod.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: modedepe

Originally posted by: essasin

Originally posted by: robertk2012
Shuffle for working out.

another vote for shuffle if your just working out. Its cheap and does the job.

I don't understand why you guys like the shuffle...You can get a flash based mp3 player with a screen for the same price (granted it's not quite as small, but still tiny).

Personally I have a 20GB iAudio x5 ($245 at Amazon). I would get a flash based player though if you're going to run with it.

does the x5 support idv3 tag databasing and navagating yet?

 

[jdkick]

Originally posted by: mikester
Canadians must be getting screwed then, because in the US it's $59 to replace an ipod battery.

Yes we are, as usual...

Battery Replacement Program (USD): $59 + $6.95 shipping ($65.95)
Battery Replacement Program (CDN): $127 + $10.77 shipping ($137.77)

If you do a straight conversion at current rates (1.13648) you end up at $74.95CDN, which sounds a whole lot more reasonable then $137.77CDN. That's almost 50% of the orginal purchase price for a 2GB iPod Nano ($249.99CDN + 15% tax) just to replace the battery!

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
does the x5 support idv3 tag databasing and navagating yet?

Unfortunately not. Not really a problem for me though based on my music organization.

 

[theLION]

like what others have said, i too, suggest a flash-based mp3 player. I have a 20gb IPOD that i use for working out and my gosh it's froze on me plenty of times (always due to sprinting/jogging). I got so pissed off that i threw it down once. It still works by the way, but i'm just waiting for the next time it freezes on me. I'm highly considering getting a cheap but decent flash-based mp3 player JUST for working out. Having the Ipod break down in the middle of a work-out is the most horrible thing for me.

 

[KoolDrew]

I have a Rio Carbon 5GB that I bought for $130. I like it a lot.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

If you are just using it for the gym, it is much safer to get a flash drives, and hard drive mp3 players are prone to skipping,damage,etc. Because of the fragile internal components vs a flash based mp3 player

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Creative Zen Micro.

 

[ding5550123]

Zen got high reviews in my MAG. At radioshack they're 275-280 (A little overbudget) But an 8GB one holds a lot of songs

 

[skylord23]

Well, I found another reason I don't like Apple. I went to WalMart and bought a Shuffle- my girlfriend likes her IPod a lot, so I figured I'd give it a try. I got it home and it's dead out of the box. The light just flashes and gives all sorts of Windows errors. I went through Apple's not-so-helpful forums and tried all of their walk-throughs and guides; I've come to the conclusion that I need to send it to apple for repair. I JUST bought it and I already have to send it out- no thanks. They had a Zen micro there, and I'm wondering how long the battery lasts on that thing. It takes 1 AAA at a time, and I just can't see it lasting that long.

 

[robertk2012]

Just take it back to walmart.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: robertk2012
Just take it back to walmart.

Yep, if it's brand new no reason to waste time and money on postage sending it to apple.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: mikester
I don't know why there are so many ipod haters - I think they are great, but that's another thread.

Format issues? I would never buy one because of this.

 

[skylord23]

I am taking it back in 5 min once my car has warmed up. I will try to get a differrent one and see how that goes. If not i will bring it back and get the zen micro and a pack of AAA.

 

[robertk2012]

I use my shuffle on a windows computer with no issues at all. It works as a flash drive on both platforms again with no problems.