MP3 Player Recommendations

[mudgirl]

I am ready to buy an MP3 player, and I wondered if I could solicite some opinions from anyone here who owns one? I am leaning toward the iPod, just because it seems to have the biggest memory for what you pay. But, I've read that flash players are better for people who want to listen to music while they're working out because they don't skip. I'm figuring that my indoor workouts (which is when I would use the MP3 player) usually consist of riding my bike on the trainer, using an elliptical, lifting weights, maybe walking on the treadmill (but not jogging); generally fairly non-impact activities that *probably* wouldn't cause a hard drive player to skip. So, I'm just wondering what other people's experiences have been with these?

[IFjane]

I have an ipod & it does fine for me. I have used it on the trainer many times, the elliptical & doing weight training. I even use it for some low-impact aerobic warmups and have had no problem with it skipping. Hope this helps!

-jane

[KnottedYet]

Don't forget about the iPod Shuffle, which is a flash player. The new ones hold 1gb, but you can find old ones (126mb or 512mb) for $25-$50 depending where you look.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=ipod&mco=A6951E92 If you order a new iPod from the online AppleStore you can get your name or whatever engraved on it for free. AppleStore sells refurbished 512mb Shuffles, but you can't get them engraved (they're plastic.)

If I lost a $25 used Shuffle I would cry a lot less than if I lost a beautiful $300 new iPod.;) We tend to lose things in my household...

[IFjane]

You have a point, Knotted! However, my ipod generally stays in my house so unless the cats hide it :mad: I probably won't lose it.

[KnottedYet]

SKnot managed to lose his camera-cell phone, 6 (SIX) jackets, a ton of Gameboy games, and his bassoon. The bassoon was found again. Kid hasn't yet lost his 126mb iPod Shuffle. And that would be the easier thing to replace!

Now everything I buy, I first ask myself, "Now, if this gets lost..." :rolleyes:

[Bad JuJu]

You might also consider the iPod Nano, a sort of middle stage between the full-sized iPod and the shuffle. It has flash memory like the shuffle, but also has the display (though small) and most of the features of the "big" iPod, but a nice compact size. You can get a lanyard with earphones incorporated, which is nice to use when you're on the move. Also handy for downloading audiobooks for travel. Though the screen is small, you can also load photos onto it, as well as other data.

I got mine for Christmas of 2005 and I use it all the time. Apple will also engrave something on the back of the Nano just like the full-sized iPod. On the back of mine, I have the last line of James Joyce's novel Ulysses: Molly Bloom in full climactic mode: "Yes, I said yes I will yes" :D

[bcipam]

You really can't beat the Apple products - I have the iPod mini, shuffle and nano. The software support is excellent and easy to use and there are lot sof after market add-ins that support the iPod.

Also good is the Rio and iRiver - both supported by great music sites like Yahoo Music and HP Music. Note at those sites downloads are only .89 cents compared with .99 cents at iTunes.

I love my iPods and use them everywhere - the new shuffle is incredible small and would easily fit into a pocket and tucked into your sport bra.

[KSH]

You might also consider the iPod Nano, a sort of middle stage between the full-sized iPod and the shuffle. It has flash memory like the shuffle, but also has the display (though small) and most of the features of the "big" iPod, but a nice compact size. You can get a lanyard with earphones incorporated, which is nice to use when you're on the move. Also handy for downloading audiobooks for travel. Though the screen is small, you can also load photos onto it, as well as other data.



I have an iPod Nano. Been running with it for 6 months, no issues.

The 2nd generation of Nano's have a larger memory and brighter display.

Also, keep in mind that unless you get an iPod, it's a hassle to get MP3's loaded on to the iPod. You have to have some sort of program to convert them over.

I don't know all the technical details, but my techy boyfriend swore he would NOT get an iPod. After he learned how much of a hassle it would be to load songs on other MP3 players, he got a Nano.

[KnottedYet]

And if you buy the 4gb iPod Nano Red ($199) or 8gb iPod Nano Red, ($249) they donate some $$ to AIDS programs. (and the Red can be engraved for free just like the Shuffle, full-size iPod, and other Nanos)

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=E2DE4738&nclm=iPodnano

I am just astounded by how much STUFF the new iPods can hold and do! I didn't know the Nano could do pictures and stuff now! Wow!

But if SKnot or I lost one....:rolleyes:

[Hub]

I have a Zen Nano 1Gig and love it. Non- apple!

[bouncybouncy]

Get the iPhone...then you have it ALL in one device! I would love to have an iPhone but they only support Cingular which I am not on...but I am sure soon enough they will expand there choices...and I heard the prices will drop soon too...woohoo! *dreaming*

DH has a Sansa...and loves it!!!

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1166)-SanDisk_Sansa_e200_Series_MP3_Players.aspx

about the size of the nano i think...his mother has one too...3-4 months and no issues!

[massbikebabe]

My little brother gave me a 30g IPOD for Christmas and I just love it. I love that I can use audiobooks in there as well. Seems to me there is a hold button on top of mine for when you exercising. I have never had to use it. I am glad that he got me an Apple product, they started this revolution so in my opinion they are tried and true. Same reason I use Palm Pilot instead of Blackberry.




karen

[MomOnBike]

I have the Creative Zen V. The silly thing has turned into my constant companion. It is small, simple, and, so far, bullet-proof (No, not literally, sillies). Non-Apple, 'cause I have an unreasoning dislike of Apple products. No, I don't know where it came from.

My only real advice is to get as much memory as you can afford - or somewhat more than you can afford. You won't regret the extra space.

[Bluetree]

I'm a loser, too! :eek:
Umm... I mean I tend to lose things like sunglasses, keys, iPods etc.
I have a Nano but I use my Gen-1 and 2 Shuffles when working out. Not so upsetting if I drop a dumbell on it, or forget it in a locker...

I actually had a friend's lab nearly swallow my first shuffle... had to put it out of his throat gently by the ear cable/cord so it wouldn't go all the way down his gullet. Wiped off the dog spit, it worked fine! :D

[Tuckervill]

I just got an Ipod Nano for my birthday, and I LOVE it, and I didn't think I would be that interested in it.

Both dh and ds have Shuffles, but I didn't like anything about not being able to see what was playing. I tried to use my son's Shuffle and it was totally confusing. Plus, I couldn't figure out how to rewind it.

My favorite part is being able to get This American Life podcasted for free every week!

Karen

[HappyAnika]

When researching to buy DH an MP3, I read about so many file compatibility problems with anything other than an apple. (And since then have heard stories first hand as well, like brother in-law who can't download anything, he can only copy CDs).

So I got DH the 30 GB video and he loves it. He travels a lot for work to Europe and China, so he likes that he can watch tv shows on it when the laptop battery dies on the flight. He can also store back up copies of word and excel files, just in case. When we went on vacation in Europe, we got the camera connector so I could download my pictures to his ipod, no extra memory cards needed, there was plenty of room on his ipod (despite hundreds of copied CDs on there). He runs with the big honkin thing either in the arm band, or in the MP3 pocket in his shorts, no problems skipping.

I have the 4 GB nano and I love it. Nice and small, fits on my arm with the band for running and at the gym, but still holds a lot so I don't have to erase and reload all the time like I think I would do with a shuffle. I can also listen to audiobooks on mine, they don't take up too much room, which is great when I take the bus, or for listening to in the car with the radio transmitter.

If you just want to load a workout play list, the shuffle might be a good option, but I also travel (domestically), so I like having a wide variety at any given time to listen to.

[uforgot]

I've had an ipod mini forever, and I love it. Recently one of my students came in with an ipod shuffle, the new one, and it is really tiny! it clips on just about anywhere. I got one and use it for running on the track. Just clip it on, it's about the size of a postage stamp. No screen, but that's perfect for an exercise mp3. Holds 240 songs or several audiobooks. I don't really need to store pics or videos, so my mini is my basic hold everything and my shuffle is for exercising.

I like I-tunes, also. There are plenty of things you can do with it if you are interested. Lots of books out there.

[Dianyla]

Another happy Sansa (http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1010)-MP3_and_Video_Players.aspx) notPod user, checking in! :)

It's all flash/solid state, and also has an FM tuner which I find very handy when I'm tired of my playlist and too lazy to freshen it up. Oh, and it doesn't cost a million dollars like the proprietary stuff. :eek:

[mudgirl]

Wow, thanks for all the tips ladies! It looks like I still need to do some more thinking about this....

[Brandi]

You know ipod is not all that is out there. I have had 4 mp3 players that i have used to death including an ipod. My favorite to date is a samsung yp-mt6. There is a 6x and a 6z. Both my hubby and I have the 6x you can get them for real cheap on ebay right now. We paid over a $100. for ours until my dh left he's in a rental car last year and got a new one on ebay for like $40. Please these are so nice and easy trust me. Like to know what you pick too. Oh an added note ipods don't have fm radio in them and these do! Which for me is a huge feature when I am on the road.

[light_sabe_r]

Okay so I am NOT an iPod fan.

I bought a 30GB iPod for me for Christmas in 2005. I loved it!

'cept for the fact that it stopped communicating with my computer after an itunes update and the apple service centre couldn't help me. Then it would contantly freeze up on me.

So I took it back. It was less than 1 month old. I got my 500 bucks back and bought my rollerblades.... If I hadn't have bought them I wouldn't have started meeting up with my future BF on his bike, we probably wouldn't have kept the friendshop going after he finished working with me and I wouldn't have bought my first bike to start keeping up with him a few months later...

So you could say the iPod is responsible for me ending up here. :p I still am not a ipod fan.





BUT I am a Nokia 6280 fan! I bought a 2GB Mini SD in my phone and It has a built in speaker meaning that I can still listen to my eclectic music in the laboratory where we're not aloud to wear headphones. PLUS the battery life is FAR superior to what my 30GB iPod was.

Yup... Mobile and music is the way to go. The other thing is you only have to carry ONE thing when you're out running instead of the iPOD and the phone. However even then I reccommend using the speaker instead of the earbuds.

[uforgot]

They all freeze. You just need to do a troubleshooting search. Every kid in our school got an mp3 for Christmas, and I have unfrozen at least 4 different brands. The only one I didn't have any luck with, was Sansa. There are all kinds of forums out there about it. I think it happens when people don't stop their mp3 players before disconnecting it from the computer. The Apple ipods are actually the easiest to unfreeze. There are about 5 different key combos that are published all over the web. I have never found an ipod I couldn't unfeeze with one of the combinations. Lots of forums with tips and troubleshooting on ALL mp3 players. I tend to stay away from the manufacturers website as I have never really found them or their technical support very helpful.

[bcipam]

Also, keep in mind that unless you get an iPod, it's a hassle to get MP3's loaded on to the iPod. You have to have some sort of program to convert them over.

I don't know all the technical details, but my techy boyfriend swore he would NOT get an iPod. After he learned how much of a hassle it would be to load songs on other MP3 players, he got a Nano.

Not certain what you mean by having difficulty loading MP3's to an iPod or other MP3. All the devices need the proper software or server to load software. For instance if I have an iPod I use iTunes. By registering on iTunes I am able to use that software to download all by other stored songs. It first goes into the My Music on ITunes and then I can load it on my iPod. If you use a Rio or something else, you load your songs into a server such as Yahoo Music Machine and same process - first into the software then into the machine.

I first used Yahoo Music and had alot of songs stored there. To save money and not have to repurchase the music, I downloaded it all onto a CD and then I loaded the CD onto iTunes. From iTunes I got the music into my iPod. Couple of steps but not hard. By doing that you actually save .10 cents a song.

[uforgot]

I haven't had any trouble loading music mp3s on my ipod, but I AM having trouble loading an mp3 audio book as one long track. You can take regular audiobooks, (the ones with about 8 cds), load a cd, and then connect the tracks so each cd loads as one track. I can't get the mp3 audiobook to do it....yet. It's a puzzle I'll figure out one of these days. Oh, and here's another audiobook tip, transfer them to itunes using the AAC encoder and transfer it at 64 kbps. That's half of what you use for music, and you don't notice a difference and the files are very very small.

Oh, I just love this stuff...:D

[Duck on Wheels]

Another happy Sansa (http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1010)-MP3_and_Video_Players.aspx) notPod user, checking in! :)

It's all flash/solid state, and also has an FM tuner which I find very handy when I'm tired of my playlist and too lazy to freshen it up. Oh, and it doesn't cost a million dollars like the proprietary stuff. :eek:

I also have a Sansa. Had a Zen Micro 5g and loved it ... til suddenly the battery wouldn't recharge. It was still on guarantee, so I went back to the store. They said that model was no longer made, so I had to find something else in the general price range and capacity. Got a Sansa 6g with FM radio. First time I tried downloading music to it from my cds via my pc, I discovered it was "locked" to the Best Buy "Rhapsody" music store. Well, I was having none of that! So I emailed Sansa and got instructions on how to unlock it. After all, why should I let others decide what music I get to buy, and keep tabs on my tastes? And they're not gonna have stuff like my grandparents' recordings, or my brother's. So I'd rather buy cds at the plain ol' record store, or convert my old lps, and so on, then make copies to my pc and mp3 to save wear and tear on the cds.

[EBD]

I don't understand the comments about file compatibility problems with non-apple products - it seems to me the problems come with Apple products - in that they can ONLY use itunes. In that sense, the Ipod isn't really an mp3 player - it's an mp4 player, because that's the format that Apple (and only Apple) uses.

So if you want to buy music from itunes, yes, you need an Ipod - and if you have an Ipod, you are limited to itunes. But I tend to fill my mp3 player with music from CD's I already own rather than downloaded. If I want to download something, I use Napster, which has pretty similar prices to itunes - non-Apple users can also buy downloads from Rhapsody, Yahoo Music, and other services.

I have owned a Creative Labs Nomad, and now a Samsung YP-T7JX. Both are flash units, smaller than ipods, with FM tuners. I didn't get an ipod because I wanted an FM tuner - when I'm running in the morning or evening I like to listen to the news on NPR. Also, I prefer having a less expensive unit because not only am I prone to losing things, but also to getting caught in the rain while running - it was a sudden downpour that finally did in my Nomad. The Nomad had a pretty bare-bones screen (they are fancier now), but I liked that I could pop out the flash unit and plug it directly into my usb port to add music - no extra cords. What with the digital camera, pda, digital voice recorder, and now mp3 player, tiny usb cords are the bane of my existence.

My Samsung doesn't have a big memory compared to an Ipod - 512 MB, or about 8 cd's - but I don't really care because it's so easy to add and remove music files (I just drag and drop). But now, a year later, Samsung has some 2 gig units that are still a lot cheaper than a comparable ipod.

My Samsung has some awesome features, including the ability to record FM radio (I often use it to record an NPR show and then listen later), and to do line-in recording from a laptop or microphone. However, I didn't find out until after I got it (as a gift) that it isn't supported by Audible.com, so I can't use that service anymore - which is a bummer.

My mom had a Rio, and recently switched to an Ipod - she doesn't have the natural tech savvy of my generation, and she was too confused by the file sorting and so forth on a unit with just a one-line screen. She finds Apple and Itunes more user-friendly.

[uforgot]

So if you want to buy music from itunes, yes, you need an Ipod - and if you have an Ipod, you are limited to itunes. But I tend to fill my mp3 player with music from CD's I already own rather than downloaded. If I want to download something, I use Napster, which has pretty similar prices to itunes - non-Apple users can also buy downloads from Rhapsody, Yahoo Music, and other services.



I have two ipods and I load cds onto them, have purchased music from Napster and can certainly put downloads onto my ipod that are from Rhapsody, Yahoo Music and other services. You just have to know how to do it. I think I have purchased maybe 4 or 5 things from itunes, yet I have hundreds of songs on my ipod. I-tunes is the interface that ipod uses, and I find it very user friendly. Sure they WANT you to buy from them, but it's not a requirement. I've loaded mp3, wav and I don't know what else on the ol' ipod. I like to convert these files to AAC, and they become very small without losing quality. There are entire books written about Itunes. These things do tons more stuff than most people know about!

[uforgot]

there are a gazillion audio converter programs out there. No one, on any mp3 player is limited. There are even audible.com to mp3 converters! Now that's getting pretty specific when you convert an AA file to an mp3. Just do a search on the type of file you want to convert...