Mp3 Players?

torquetorque Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20035Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">need recommendations</div> It appears my minidisc player is on it's way out, so I've finally decided to cave in and get an mp3 player. Originally I thought about an iPod, but a) they're expensive b) are apparently finicky on WinXP and c) the whole 'battery dies at 18 months' thing. So... if you guys could recommend some mp3 players to me, I'd appreciate it.

I'm looking for:

+ compact, easily held and manipulated in one hand, fits in pocket
+ USB capable, since I don't have firewire
+ 5 to 20gb... I know you pay more for more memory, and even 5 gb is plenty for me.
+ decent battery life, unless it runs on AA's or something easily replaced
+ easy to navigate through your music
+ cute is always a bonus...

Other than that, I'm hoping for a price of 250-300ish retail, possibly higher (since I can always look on ebay). Any suggestions? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Comments

  • Dr_ShaggyDr_Shaggy Join Date: 2002-09-26 Member: 1340Members, Constellation
    edited November 2003
    I suppose this isn't helpful for you, but I'm loving my new(ish) netMD minidisc player. You cant beat the battery life, or the price of media. I suppose the only downside is the transfer time from computer to disc. For $200 (canadian, so $120-150 US) its a steal. The only mp3 player I've ever considered is an iPod and I just can't afford those (but woudn't that be sweet....), players based on solid state memory (ie. not hard drive based) just dont hold enough music and are way to pricey. Also, anything hard drive based thats not an iPod seems huge and tends to have an awful user interface by comparison. I suppose iPods have ruined mp3 players for me with their fantastic-ness.
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    Unfortunately, i feel the iPod wins hands down in the mp3 player battle. It's a great little thing, fast, good battery life (Except for the internal battery, grrr) and it looks so much better than any other out there.

    I might also recommend the Archos Multimedia. It looks like crap, but it's a fantastic little device and it can playback DivX on the screen too. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    That little Archos bugger is teh leeet. of course, if you're not in the market for a 400 dollar player, then just ignore this <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->


    Other wise, i can't really think of any that are around 5 gigs that are still cheap. Iemme think.
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    edited November 2003
    You do it eeeeeeeeeeeeBay!

    I like the (breathe in) Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen 2. (whew).
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    www.ipodsdirtysecret.com
  • Cr-ckCr-ck Join Date: 2003-09-14 Member: 20873Members
    Don't Buy iPod.

    I own and love Archos's Players(the new gmini is good) <a href='http://www.archos.com' target='_blank'>http://www.archos.com</a> make sure you check em all out they are really cheap for what they do. I own the multimedia and i love it, the gmini is alot smaller with a larger lcd screen - not sure on its battery life but im sure its around 6hours. Not sure if its released yet but you have to get it!
  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    edited November 2003
    5 gigs? <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->

    hmm I'd go for a Creative product, naturally. They have muvo? 's which are under your needs (1.5 gig HDD or 512/1024 meg flash) which are tiny, about 2 flash keys.

    And if that isn't enough (well it HAS a kind of small capacity) there's always the jukeboxes. Now just figure out which one is the best and get that one <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    edit: <a href='http://www.nomadworld.com/products/' target='_blank'>http://www.nomadworld.com/products/</a>
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    you say you want one with lots o' space, so mine probably isn't what you're looking for, but I like my RioVolt... it plays MP3s burned on regular CDs, and it plays normal CDs as well. Plus, they're cheap -- $40-$60... you could buy literally 10 of them for the price of an ipod :> good battery life too. I especially like it cuz I don't have a USB2 port, and it's nice and convenient to be able to take out the CD and put it in someone's computer... and I like the car kit :>

    so instead of buying an ipod, buy 10 RioVolts for the same price, and give them out as christmas presents, along with custom mix cds! everyone will love you! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    Ignore the Ipopsdirtysecret thread below (or above) and the link (above)

    and get a 10 gig new IPOD
  • Owen1Owen1 Join Date: 2003-04-13 Member: 15457Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--That Annoying Kid+Nov 26 2003, 09:32 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (That Annoying Kid @ Nov 26 2003, 09:32 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Ignore the Ipopsdirtysecret thread below (or above) and the link (above)

    and get a 10 gig new IPOD <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    no... get the sony 15 gb mp3 jukebox. it runs off 2 pp3 batteries, lasts about 10 days, has an easy track selection system, wieghs about 250 gms, about the size of a compact tape player and plays MP3s, WMAs, and several other stacked formats
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    pfft ipods schmipods!


    look... the Creative mp3 players are amasing.. i am hoping to buy one soon but i doubt it as i have more important things

    but the good one i liked was a Zen ZX i think and woot it goes woosh!
  • WitherWither A Bugged Life Join Date: 2002-12-24 Member: 11513Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation
    edited November 2003
    I have the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20, 20gb as the title says, and I wouldn't buy it again.
    It tends to over-heat, the battery sometimes blacks out after 14 hours of charging claiming it's empty..blah, if I were you and had some cash to spare I'd get the Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX. <a href='http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    I've seen one of those with 60gb memory somewhere, but yeah..that's what I'm going for.
    Screw the iPod, Creative sucka <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • SkinnYSkinnY Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7500Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Wither+Nov 26 2003, 10:00 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Wither @ Nov 26 2003, 10:00 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> [...]I'd get the Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX. <a href='http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/' target='_blank'>Click</a>. [...] <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    i got one of those, with 30gb, and so far it has only been good and nice and.... maybe abit on the big side, but i've gotten used to it, so i really dont notice it... but all in all a nice player, and with an easy-to-replace battery <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    I am still a proponent of MP3 CD players

    cheapest ones of the mp3 players
    Do you realy NEED more than 700megs of MP3s in one sitting?

    The one obvious down side is, well the size, its a CD...

    Personaly I cary a backpack where ever I go (bike helmet, resumes, cards, random crap <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->) so It is perfect for me <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • MrMojoMrMojo Join Date: 2002-11-25 Member: 9882Members, Constellation
    I have a Nomad Jukebox 2 (10 gigs). It was pretty cheap, and works great. It has god sound quality, easy transfer, and good battery life. Sure, the shape may not appeal to everyone, but since I don't take it to school, it's fine.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Thansal+Nov 26 2003, 02:57 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Thansal @ Nov 26 2003, 02:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I am still a proponent of MP3 CD players

    cheapest ones of the mp3 players
    Do you realy NEED more than 700megs of MP3s in one sitting?

    The one obvious down side is, well the size, its a CD...

    Personaly I cary a backpack where ever I go (bike helmet, resumes, cards, random crap <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->) so It is perfect for me <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    hi-5 Thansal =P
  • Cr-ckCr-ck Join Date: 2003-09-14 Member: 20873Members
    Get a new Dell DJ (its EXTREMLY good) its only 400$ for a 20gb.
  • BathroomMonkeyBathroomMonkey Feces-hurling Monkey Boy Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 78Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    <!--QuoteBegin--Wither+Nov 26 2003, 03:00 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Wither @ Nov 26 2003, 03:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I have the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20, 20gb as the title says, and I wouldn't buy it again.
    It tends to over-heat, the battery sometimes blacks out after 14 hours of charging claiming it's empty..blah, if I were you and had some cash to spare I'd get the Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX. <a href='http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ditto. I have an Archos Jukebox recorder and the thing is a hunk. Of. Crap.

    It crashes <i>constantly</i>. It's really flaky if you're moving, whether that's walking, or running on a treadmill (<i>forget</i> using it while physically running-- it crashes almost <i>instantly</i>).

    The battery can usually hold its charge for an hour or so, but obviously that decreases if there is some down time in between uses.

    Couple that with non-existent tech support, and it's a complete waste of money.

    In summary: Hunk of crap. Seek alternative equipment.
  • DelarosaDelarosa Naturally Custom Join Date: 2002-11-29 Member: 10214Members, NS1 Playtester
    i got my Nomad Jukebox 10GB for under $150...

    and i have nothing but GOOD things to say about it...

    <b>Durabillity - </b>
    i dropped mine repetadly while in college... onto our concrete floors, no harm done
    I live in oregon, it's very wet, the jukebox seems to be very helpful in my battle to keep it dry

    <b>Comfort/Size - </b>
    all the nomad haters out there will tell you that it's big...
    Its the size of a regular CD player
    The player itself is shaped in a way that yells at you "HOLD ME"

    <b>Battery Life - </b>
    this puppy hogs up 4 AA batterys (this is a minus)
    it comes WITH rechargable batterys...
    Comes with a wall charger, and unlike my electric razor... charges the bats AND plays off of the power chord.

    <b>Software/Interface - </b>
    this is the only place where i'm NOT 100% happy...
    i have had problems installing the software with XP
    the "firmware" updates (software for the player itself) are awsome, but require special things to be installed on your machine
    during instalation it'll complain that you don't have a SB live... but that's just a complaint, and means you have a few more hoops to jump through to get your player talking to your machine.
  • WitherWither A Bugged Life Join Date: 2002-12-24 Member: 11513Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--BathroomMonkey+Nov 26 2003, 09:50 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BathroomMonkey @ Nov 26 2003, 09:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Wither+Nov 26 2003, 03:00 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Wither @ Nov 26 2003, 03:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I have the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20, 20gb as the title says, and I wouldn't buy it again.
    It tends to over-heat, the battery sometimes blacks out after 14 hours of charging claiming it's empty..blah, if I were you and had some cash to spare I'd get the Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX. <a href='http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ditto. I have an Archos Jukebox recorder and the thing is a hunk. Of. Crap.

    It crashes <i>constantly</i>. It's really flaky if you're moving, whether that's walking, or running on a treadmill (<i>forget</i> using it while physically running-- it crashes almost <i>instantly</i>).

    The battery can usually hold its charge for an hour or so, but obviously that decreases if there is some down time in between uses.

    Couple that with non-existent tech support, and it's a complete waste of money.

    In summary: Hunk of crap. Seek alternative equipment. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Oh em gee <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->. Up to now I've had about 50 people telling me how theirs worked flawlessly and all that stuff and that it was just me..but man! Mine actually works when I run and stuff, but the battery..blah.

    Whenever I hook it up and try to watch a movie off it without moving the 4gb thing onto my computer itself, the screen starts flashing and the movie just shuts off. I actually had to get an icepack out of my freezer and wrap it around it.



    But back to the mp3 player thing, personally I'm just gonna buy the creative ZEN xtra mp3 player (60 gb <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->) and use this crappy archos thing to transport 'data' from my brother's college to here, and buy some sennheiser headphones with it. Gee gee christmas holidays. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> And yah..like I said, if you're only looking for 5--10 GB buy one of the smaller creative ones. They owwwn and Creative has a great reputation.
  • HawkeyeHawkeye Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1855Members
    Nomad 2

    1 AAA battery
    built-in radio
    Great sound quality
    "cute" compact design
    Memory card - (64 - 256 MB.. only minus)
  • LukinLukin Join Date: 2003-08-23 Member: 20098Members
    DO NOT GET THE NOMAD JUKEBOX!! WARNING!!

    Trust me.. I got mine and it stopped working 6 months later.
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