Asking for MP3 player feedback

[gsgns4me]

I'm thinking of purchasing an MP3 player to load some RMT shows on. I would like some feedback on the players you folks are using.

I would like a player that allows me to listen to the shows around the house while I'm working and in the car while I'm driving. I'm not a fan of wearing the ear buds to listen with. I would also like something that is easy to recharge, especially in the car.

I know iPods are probably the most popular, but I'd be interested in hearing about others that you might be using, along with some of the accessories you use and what size you are using.

Thanks!

[Executive]

I went through a few MP-3 players when I got into classic radio last year. They all worked fine except for one thing: they work poorly with a Macintosh. Mp3 players don't work 100% with I-Tunes. You try to erase the intial files on an Mp3 player that way, and it deletes the Mp3 player's programming so it can't be done again! :omg_smile:

That's why I returned and got refunds on those three Mp3 players and bought an I-Pod Nano...an Apple product, so obviously it works beautifully with I-Tunes. The one I bought only has 1 GB (actually 912 MB) capacity, which is more than double the amount I need to enjoy the Mp3 files of those old radio shows.

The Nano is also very thin, very easy to use with the program selector wheel, has a full-color display, and takes up less space in your pocket while you're working. :wink_smile:
One battery charge from any PC or Mac lasts about 14 hours. The most programming I've put on mine was about 25 hours, but it holds much more than that. Usually I upload between 10 to 16 hours at a time, so it's easier to keep track of which episodes I've already heard.

Although I Pod products come with earbuds, I don't like those either... So I bought a pair of Sony
street-style headphones for my I-Pod. Sony has one model with a long, thick wire on the left headphone that goes for about $16 at Best Buy. It's very durable and built to last.

Even at $147 retail, the I-Pod Nano is one of the best values for your money. :thumbs_up::shades_smile: Of course if you want to buy a 30 GB Nano so you can watch movies too, that will cost you more than twice that....

[Charlie]

I'm an iPod owner too. I would recommend it over every other portable media player that I have seen so far.

Charlie

[gsgns4me]

Thanks for the input! I'm leaning toward an iPod, if for no other reason, I like their FM tranmitter/charger that would allow me to listen in the car or around the house with just a radio.

[CusBlues]

My daughter has a 30G Ipod her nana bought her. She loves it of course. I'm cheaper and didn't want to pay that much. I have a Creative Zen Nano. It holds 512M and is just fine for me. It is a little wider than a bic lighter and runs on one AAA battery. I use lithiums which last longer (but are more expensive). It hooks into your USB port and your computer thinks it is an external drive. It's easy to use and it's cheap.

[Executive]

Creative Zen makes MP3 players though, so if it uses a AA battery you can't hook it into your computer....you just replace the battery.

Only Apple manufactures I-Pods such as the Nano. :)

[CusBlues]

I'm not sure what you mean Exec. I was describing my MP3 player called a Creative Zen Nano that uses a AAA battery and does indeed plug into my computer via the USB port. You hook it into your computer to download the MP3 files. The computer sees it as another drive and you simply copy from your computer to the Nano. It doesn't hold as many songs as an Ipod, but for my use, it is great.

[Charlie]

Executive,

Creative does make a model called the Nano as well.

Charlie

ZEN Nano Plus is the sleekest, most portable new flash player from Creative. Incredibly thin in design, it is packed with the latest features to meet all your needs. Enjoy the amazing, skip-free audio quality when you're listening to your MP3 and WMA music.
The ZEN Nano Plus comes complete with an FM tuner, Voice recording and line-in encoding for direct connection and recording from any audio source. Directly record your music from a CD player - no computers needed!
Transfer audio and data files in seconds with the Drag-and-Drop feature and USB 2.0 support. In addition, Auto Synchronization makes it easy to transfer your favorite songs and albums from CDs through the line-in connector.
Experience uninterrupted listening pleasure with an 18-hour battery life1. Hold it in the palm of your hand or slip it into your pocket. Start feeling your music, not your player!
ZEN Nano Plus comes in 10 fun, vibrant colors and is available in 512MB2 of flash memory to store up to 250 songs3 and 1GB2 of flash memory to store up to 500 songs3.

Skip-free MP3/WMA player
1GB Capacity1 - stores up to 500 songs2
512MB Capacity1 - stores up to 250 songs2
Directly record music from any audio source with line-in
Tune in to 32 stations and record voice memos with built-in microphone
Fast music transfer with USB 2.0 interface
Simple drag and drop music and data files, no software needed
Store data files such as photos and presentations
Reversible LCD for left or right handed operation
4 Band EQ (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock) - settings to make your music sound better
Weight: 0.8 oz without battery
Up to 18 hrs of battery life4
Signal-To-Noise Ratio: up to 90dB Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Harmonic Response Output: <0.1%
Available in 10 electrifying colorsCreative cares about your hearing and we encourage good listening practices. Do check out our microsite for useful information on how to enjoy your music in a smart, safe manner. Learn more (http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/howto/welcome.asp?c=6&t=1) today!

[Executive]

I don't understand how the Creative company can get away with using the Nano name on one of their products, if Apple created the name. Is "Nano" not trademarked or copyrighted as I once thought?

And to think it's been 25 years since Robin Williams last said "Nano Nano" on Mork & Mindy! :teeth_smile:

[Charlie]

Is "Nano" not trademarked or copyrighted as I once thought?

Looks like it's not.

Charlie

[gsgns4me]

Thought I would update this a bit......

I picked up an iRiver 5gb H10 player from Sears. The item number had been discontinued and I bought their last one for about $80 on a "Friends & Family" night (normally $229).

I'm still learning about it, but it does what I wanted. I gave up on making playlists with MediaPlayer or the iRiver software. I could never find them on the player or when I did they were seperated into "Artists" folders. Drag and drop works just fine for me and keeps the shows in chronilogical order.

I think I will shop around on eBay for an inexspensive FM transmitter and see how it does in the old work van (I average driving 800 or more miles a week, M-F). Right now I'm getting by with some old (non-powered) computer speakers plugged into the ear phone jack, but there is not quite enough volume with them when I'm in the van. Works great under the pillow, though! Just like that old transistor radio when I was a kid!

[Darkshadows222]

I just purchased the Sansa Express 1GB player, I dropped in a 2gb micro SD Card for an additional $29.00 so for about 75 bucks I have a really solid device.

This player is awesome for the price, around $49.00-$59.00, color text screen, built in USB so no fumbling around for a charger etc.

15 hour battery life, built in voice recording, FM radio, it was a no brainer for me.

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/sandisk-sansa-express/4505-6490_7-32390920.html