Sansa clip+ still best cheap option?

[mikeford]

We have various tablets and phones, I want something small and good. FM radio and ability to use Rockbox a plus, cheap also a plus. Sandisk dropped the Sansa clip+ a year or so ago, but new and refurb are still around, any serious competition in same price range?

Still using our Muvo TX FM, but they are showing wear and only 2GB.

 

[highland145]

On my 3rd one and would buy again. Killed the 1st one with sweat. It was in my pocket. Broke the screen on the second. Had the 3rd for more than a year. Use it often enough that I have to charge it weekly.

The FM isn't that good but it works when I'm outside doing yard work.

 

[videogames101]

Still the best option.

I'm also on my 3rd, laundry day has killed 2 of them

 

[gmaster456]

Holly crap I forgot about those things. Haven't actually seen one in a while.

You can get a reburb 3rd Gen iPod Nano for $30.

 

[VashHT]

I still use mine, mostly for working out. Throw in a 64gb card and put on rockbox and it's a pretty nice little player.

 

[mikeford]

Seems like a consensus, nothing out there for $50 that works as well. The "good" $35 shipped refurbs that were on ebay are OOS, the listing now says at the bottom may have battery issues due to being refurbed and price has bumped to $38. New ones from a couple places for $45, but thinking those might be OLD stock and no better battery life, but some at least claim 1yr manufacturers warranty.

I'll bite or not today, Clip or Clip zip, or something cheap from China.

 

[stlc8tr]

Amazon has refurb 4GB Clip+ units for $26.

No idea how old the battery is though.

 

[highland145]

Save your rip file. Learned that after the 1st one. Had to re-do a bunch of cd's.

Do you guys even have cd's anymore or is everything digital?

 

[MongGrel]

Might get one if go there again.

Bought this last time and works well with an add on card, have one or two issues with it but it holds a large charge also.

Kubik Evo 8GB MP3 Player with Radio and Expandable MicroSD/SDHC Slot - Black

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041MMMWW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Works pretty well for $30 bucks after my old Sansa Fuze+ refurb finally started dying after years.

Just throwing it out there.

The earbuds kinda suck for 30 of course, but what ya expect, I had others.

 

[boomerang]

Just looked back through Newegg orders. I bought a refurb in 2011 that is still going strong. 4GB + model, paid $24.99.

Will have to look into Rockbox. I never was fond of the interface.

So, if I flash to Rockbox, can I flash back? I probably better grab the firmware file if it's still available at the Sandisk site.

 

[Charlie98]

Save your rip file. Learned that after the 1st one. Had to re-do a bunch of cd's.

Do you guys even have cd's anymore or is everything digital?

Not only CD's... but vinyl, too!

I have a Clip (actually 2, non + models) that I listen to downloaded audio books on, they have always served well.

 

[Oyeve]

I still have my Sansa sandisk view (I think thats what its called) and my Sansa sandisk e280. Both still work great and I love the FM radio, which I still listen too. Batteries last forever on a charge.

 

[highland145]

Not only CD's... but vinyl, too!

That would suck way worse to have to re do.

 

[stlc8tr]

Just looked back through Newegg orders. I bought a refurb in 2011 that is still going strong. 4GB + model, paid $24.99.

Will have to look into Rockbox. I never was fond of the interface.

So, if I flash to Rockbox, can I flash back? I probably better grab the firmware file if it's still available at the Sandisk site.

On my Clip+, both firmware are available. I can boot into Rockbox or the default Sandisk firmware.

 

[boomerang]

On my Clip+, both firmware are available. I can boot into Rockbox or the default Sandisk firmware.

Really, so when you press the button to fire up the Clip+ you get presented with those two choices?

 

[stlc8tr]

Really, so when you press the button to fire up the Clip+ you get presented with those two choices?

No, it defaults to Rockbox but there's a button combination that you can press to boot into default firmware. (Which I forget at the moment since I seldom need to boot into the default firmware.)

 

[boomerang]

No, it defaults to Rockbox but there's a button combination that you can press to boot into default firmware. (Which I forget at the moment since I seldom need to boot into the default firmware.)

Great! Thanks for the reply. I just didn't want to try it out and have no way back. I'll have to mess with it sometime soon.

 

[mikeford]

I still have a couple Muvo TX, but I'm going on a trip for a few weeks and don't want to risk them, vs a Sansa etc.

 

[highland145]

Respond to this thread and my sansa died. Coincidence? I think not.


Aliens.



Probably was the 100 degree temps and I left the truck windows up. Frantically looking for my rip backup file.

 

[boomerang]

Probably was the 100 degree temps and I left the truck windows up. Frantically looking for my rip backup file.

Umm, just put it in the freezer to reverse the damage - duh!

 

[highland145]

Umm, just put it in the freezer to reverse the damage - duh!

Right on it.

WTH $60 for a new one. Will be looking for another brand.

 

[highland145]

Might get one if go there again.

Bought this last time and works well with an add on card, have one or two issues with it but it holds a large charge also.

Kubik Evo 8GB MP3 Player with Radio and Expandable MicroSD/SDHC Slot - Black

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041MMMWW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Works pretty well for $30 bucks after my old Sansa Fuze+ refurb finally started dying after years.

Just throwing it out there.

The earbuds kinda suck for 30 of course, but what ya expect, I had others.

Thanks, the sansa are stupid expensive right now.

 

[stlc8tr]

Respond to this thread and my sansa died. Coincidence? I think not.

My Sansa Clip+'s OLED has been acting up recently (sometimes I have to slap it to get the display to work). This thread pushed me to finally buy a refurb replacement. $26 from Amazon for a 4GB unit. It arrived today. We'll have to see what kind of battery life it has. As long as it lasts through a couple of workouts and doesn't die for a couple of years, I'll be satisfied.

Great! Thanks for the reply. I just didn't want to try it out and have no way back. I'll have to mess with it sometime soon.

Just got through flashing the refurb. More info on this page.

http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SansaClip

You can grab the automated tool here:

http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/Main/SansaAMS

The firmware file is here:

http://mp3support.sandisk.com/firmware/clipplus/clipplus01.02.18.zip

Steps are:

1. Download automated tool and extract.
2. Download firmware file and extract.
3. Set Clip+ to MSC mode.
4. Attach Clip+ and select options. I left everything on default. Just make sure that the mount point is pointing to the Clip+ drive letter.
5. Start update and point it to the extracted firmware file.
6. Wait about 2 minutes.
7. Profit!

P.S. To boot into original firmware, hold left on the rocker pad while booting.

 

[ibex333]

Love my Sansa Clip+ I got the original and the improved model.

Clip broke on the original, I use it anyway. The improved one is like new. I think they are better than playing music on a cellphone. Plus you don't get harmful RF radiation going through your headphones and into your brain. ; )

the sansa are stupid expensive right now.

What? I got mine dirt cheap!

 

[boomerang]

Set Clip+ to MSC mode.

Thanks, this is the step that I was missing when I messed with it for a few minutes the other day. I just installed it and it was quick and easy.

FWIW, there is a newer version of Sandisk firmware available for the Clip+, 2.18.

Lastly for older guys with bad eyesight (like me) be aware that Rockbox puts more info on the screen and that makes it harder to read.