Which MP3 player to get?

[Gary in Indiana]

I know next to nothing about MP3 players other than I like the idea of having one. My question is which one to get. I doubt I'll ever go online and buy a song in MP3 format directly. I'm more interested in being able to transfer musinc from CD's to MP3 so I can have them when I ride. I have a friend who is a DJ so I have access to not only all of my CD's but probably a couple thousand of his as well, if I'd be interested.

Now the questions; What should I look for? What should I avoid? Any brands/warranties better than others? What else do I need to know or should I be asking? Thanks

[BigKev]

get an ipod. if you just wanting it for music, get an ipod nano. Size will very from 1 gig to 4 gig. I've got the 4 gig, and it's awesome. All Ipods come with I tunes and it is very handy and easy to use.

I've had other mp3 player, and the Iopd is the best. It's a little more pricey but it's worth every penny. Not to mentoin all the accessories that are available for them to.

[XBox]

Ipod is the best for me. If you have the cash, get the big one (60GB).

[zam70]

I just got through researching this (a present for one of the kids and I ended up ordering one for myself)

I avoided the I-pod craze for personal reasons and the end reviews on the Ipod weren't what I expected for the price and all of the hype (marketing)...

I went with the Sandisk MP3 player.
The one I bought for my daughter was the Sansa c140
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(1931)-SDMX5-1024-Sansa_c140_MP3_Player_1GB.aspx

...I didn't really expect much but once I started playing with it, I was really impressed.
Sound is great & features are outstanding.
It plays MP3s, has a full color display, can store pics and has an FM radio that actually gets outstanding reception...all in a unit that is the size of a Bic lighter.
To load music/pics, it's a simple drag and drop & all for $95.00.

For myself, I purchased an e250...same features, more storage space and a larger color screen.
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(1937)-SDMX4-2048-Sansa_e250_MP3_Player_2GB.aspx

I haven't recieved it yet...should be here any day.

[x rated]

Ive had several different mp3 and ipod. There very simple to use, the ipod is by far the most flexable and has a better after market bar none. I had issues with other mp3 and bought the ipod. I have had a couple of issues with ipod also but nothing fatal yet. what ever you get Id strongley urge you to get the extended warranty. My rca went out at 93 days and had a 90 day warranty. I was sol. I would by the ipod again if I was in the market.

[netdoug]

I recently killed :cry: my 40G iPod on a 400 mi ride so I'd recommend not using any MP3 player that has a hard drive as opposed to solid state memory.

I had it hooked up to a holder on the handlebars (obviously not the place to carry one). It worked great for a while then began to lock up. I should have known. I've seek folks carry them on their tank bibs and even in their tank bags (which may work best since you can reduce vibrations).

At one time I used to carry it on a secure belt holder but with the leathers on I couldn't work the controls (sometimes the simple things work best).

I've tried the MP3/FM radio combo units but I got spoiled having 40GB of music as opposed to 2GB (or less). Some cell phones will let you play MP3 but I don't know if the music capacity or battery life is long enough for a good ride. The new XM radio's supposed to have an MP3 player and I haven't tried that either.

Any reports or user comments are greatly appreciated.

Doug

[Voodoo]

Here is my two cents from a former MP3 buyer for Best Buy. I have personally tested over 50 different MP3 players.

MP3 players can be sorted in to flash based memory and hard drive memory players. Flash Memory currently is more expensive for manufactureres, so they tend to cost more. A hard drive player usually holds more music, but they have moving parts that a flash based player doesn't have.

For a jogging, riding a motorcycle or other use that could result in a jarring motion, get a flash based player. Depending on the size of your music files, you should get 250 songs on a player for every 1 gigabyte of flash memory. So a 4 GB flash player should hold about 1000 songs.

Also, consider what sources you are going to get your music from. If you are just going to download your CD collection any MP3 player will work. If you want to be able to use a music service such as iTunes or Napster, you need to get a player that is compatable with the service. Only Apple MP3 players work with iTunes. Other MP3 players don't work with iTunes.

I would reeccomend a Ipod Nano, but I can tell you that flash based players from Sandisk are really well built. Sandisk is the largest manufacturere of flash based memory in the world.

If you have any questions, send me a message and I will be glad to answer them.

[Husky X]

I have both a Ipod shuffle, and a toshiba meg40s.

I love the ipod shuffle for exercising since it is flash based, no moving parts, and weights virtually nothing. I love the Toshiba because it is less than $200 for 40gigs of space, which means I can store all my music (22-25 gigs) and still have about 15gigs left over for the yahoo subscription service I use.

[Husky X]

Whichever mp3 player you get....you'll need a good set of earphones. 'Phones they ship with generally are no good on the bike.
The Shure E2C's go for around 60 bucks. I've tried some of the cheaper ones, and they don't do a good job of blocking outside noise. I wear a shorty helmet.
The Shures rock. 8)
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getp ... search=e2c (http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1801015/search=e2c)

For an mp3 - I am using an iRiver 512mb - holds 8 - 10 cd's. I really dont feel as though I need to travel with my entire music collection. When the selections get old - I just transfer new ones from the computer to the player. Runs on AA's so replacement is a snap (no charging). Its very durable, sounds great, and plenty of juice to power the Shures (really only need it at half volume)


I recommend one of the flash based players over the hard drive. (no moving parts on the flash drive - a bit more durable for a bike)
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attr ... river&rd=1 (http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=161&form_keyword=iriver&rd=1)
1 gig iriver are pretty reasonable.

I would probably agree with a flash based player as well for riding. Besides no moving parts, they are lighter, and I have used mine in the rain and hot sun with no issues. Unless I was on a iron butt, then I would consider the bigger one.

[darkhors]

I have the iriver and have nothing but good things to say about it. I've seen the sandisk and I think it's about the same thing. Flash drive is the answer to the vibrations of a bike. Mine is just a 256 meg, but I get about 130 songs on it and thats enough to get me about anywhere I need to go. The best thing about the iriver and sandisk is they both come with a plastic sleeve for armband use, but it works great when you zip tie it to the handlebars in front of the master cylinder.

[qdude1]

I HAVE SANDISK, ONE VERY BAD THING IS THAT YOU CANNOT SET SEPERATE PLAY LISTS. ALPHABETIC OR RANDOM THAT'S IT.
iT'S A GOOD MP3 PLAYER WITH EQ CONTROLS
sORRY FOR THE CAPS, LOOKED TOO LATE

[Ed the Head]

I know next to nothing about MP3 players other than I like the idea of having one. My question is which one to get. I doubt I'll ever go online and buy a song in MP3 format directly. I'm more interested in being able to transfer musinc from CD's to MP3 so I can have them when I ride. I have a friend who is a DJ so I have access to not only all of my CD's but probably a couple thousand of his as well, if I'd be interested.

Now the questions; What should I look for? What should I avoid? Any brands/warranties better than others? What else do I need to know or should I be asking? Thanks

1. Flash based or hard drive?
2. FM tuner ( radio ) included or not?
3. Memory ( how many songs it will hold )?
4. Battery life ( how long will it last ) Throw away batteries or rechargeable?
5. Physical size and functional controls. Some are really small and the controls are microscopic and/or not very intuitive. ie not a reasonable alternative for motorcycling.
6. How much do you want to spend?

[Gary in Indiana]

1. Flash based or hard drive?
2. FM tuner ( radio ) included or not?
3. Memory ( how many songs it will hold )?
4. Battery life ( how long will it last ) Throw away batteries or rechargeable?
5. Physical size and functional controls. Some are really small and the controls are microscopic and/or not very intuitive. ie not a reasonable alternative for motorcycling.
6. How much do you want to spend?

1. Flash seems to make more sense for a bike.
2. FM isn't necessary.
3. I have no idea. I've bought each of my kids 20 Gig iPods because that's the one they wanted.
4. Ideally I'd like something I can power from the bike.
5. Larger is fine with me. Something I can operate with gloves would be nice.
6. I'm reasonably open on that.

[NC1800F3]

I just got a cheapo off ebay.... I like it... was like $40 for 1 gig plus plays video... fm... etc..... One less thing to worry about.... if I break it... I just get another one.... it sounds great, I'm wrestling more with finding decent earphones....

The other cool thing about the one I got, is that it's got a little joy-stick thing as a main control.... so when the player is in my jeans pocket, I can still use the joystick control (through my pants) to turn the volume up, or skip songs.

[billc397]

I have a Creative Zen touch 20g. The battery life is 12-18 hours & it holds up to 10,000 songs. The included software is very user friendly & transfers effortlessly from your pc. The sound is great & you can make multiple playlists & play them random or alphabetical. It also has a lock button so you can keep from accidently changing while riding. If you make playlists, you really don't need to have access to the controls, especially if you use this volume control - http://earphonesolutions.com/shpaleatfors.html

The drawback with anything other than ipod is the accessories are severly limited.

[Blade]

I used to bring my 40GB Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 with me when I rode. I have over 3,000 songs in it and it is still not even 1/3rd filled. However, I found I got tired of those same songs so I switched formats, and to be perfectly honest with you I'd have to 'Mark Twain' this and say that the best MP3 player is actually an XM radio. Think about it.

Long live the element of SURPRISE (in music and variety)! How did I ever go so long without one....?
http://emoticons4u.com/cool/049.gif

Delphi XM Roady2 with RoadyHolder and RAM Mount
http://static.flickr.com/28/91879842_08e23837d6.jpg

[snake1]

Everyone agrees on flash memory as do I, but I personally like SD cards for my exchangable memory. No matter what kind I've had, I like the ones with the removable SD cards. Pop one card out, another in just like using discs or cassettes, but way smaller. Drag and drop the files directly into the cards, without having to hook up the MP3, just use a card reader.
I record off my favorite music channels on Directtv for no commercial music, and you change the music on the card without your MP3 having to leave your bike. I've gone through three different ones now looking for a radio built in that does distance. They all work good in town (local), but don't have a distance button for riding in the boonies (and yes, here in Texas, we have boonies!). I still use a radio with a distance button for that. If anyone knows of a MP3 with local/distance Fm radio built in, that has flash memory and takes SD cards, let me know!

[NorthernX]

I've got the same model as Blade and it has always worked fine for me, however I don't listen when I ride. It can hold a ton of songs, can play randomly or set lists or by genre and the mp3 player works very easily with MusicMatch or other Windows based device organizers. My girlfriend and son both have Ipods - 1 nano and 1 shuffle and I found Itunes software not that easy to work with, just my $0.02. However, if you already have Ipods for the kids, it may be easiest to stick with that brand and maybe you could recruit the kids to "help" you fill it with songs. Good luck! :)

[Brewster]

I bought the Iriver t10 for myself and my Dad. Not much bigger that 2 packs of gum, runs on one aa battery that lasts about 35 hours and has an fm tuner.I could be totally out in left field, but it seems to me the ones with hard drives in them will fail after a few years. Time will tell. That and I wanted to use it on the bike. The ones with flash memory don't seem to be as sensitive to bumps.


http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra ... 0-1GB.aspx (http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/t10/T10-1GB.aspx)

[X'N]

I have an Iriver and love it on the bike, just wish I could find some headphones I like on the bike. FYI the arm band works great around the clutch reservoir.

[winddance]

Here is what I found:
If you want just a few basic songs just get a 1 gig unit. But, you will be uploading alot.
The 4 gb allows me to have all of my favorite songs with 1.5 gigs left over (about 450 songs). Works good for the bike because i don't need to search around for good songs.

[Rezin]

I just picked up a sanDisk Sansa e260 (4MB) Nice lil unit for $189 Even does video. Havn't had a chance to ride with it yet.

Simple drag and drop of MP3's. No iTunes crap.. Flash memory, so no drive to frt, and the iterface is pretty easy. Nice looking unit too.

http://www.techonweb.com/products/produ ... 098&src=FG (http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=C58098&src=FG)

[winddance]

There's really nothing wrong with itunes. Simply get ephod or something similar and you can bypass the blocking.

[bdunshee]

Just bought a SanDisk m240 for $60 (Amazon). 1gb and FM.

I like it so far.