Looking for a good MP3 player

[Mtank]

Now I know that everybody and their dog is rushing out to buy an iPod, but I thought I would tread more cautiously, and ask if anybody here knew of something better I could go in for.

Space isnt really a big demand for me, as at any point of time Im only listening to 5-6 different albums. So basically im looking for a good mp3 player with a decent battery life, good audio quality, and an affordable price. If anybody can help out, it would be greatly appreciated.


edit: and oh, a relatively well-known brand. Im not sure what I will or will not be able to get in India, and perhaps some of the lesser known products are not available here.

[Nuts]

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=10919

The removeable USB thumb drive sets it apart from all others. No cords to mess with, it's easy as pie. I use mine all the time.

They have several models, some with FM tuners, voice recorders, etc. They start about $50.

[Mtank]

Hm. It uses AAA cells? those small ones? I was hoping for something rechargable.


hows...this one? http://sg.store.creative.com/products/product.aspx?catid=213&pid=14327

[Nuts]

Hm. It uses AAA cells? those small ones? I was hoping for something rechargable.
Most companies are getting away from rechargeables for two reasons. First, the memory effect. A rechargeable battery will die over a period of time, causing you to have to buy a new one every so often, but worse than that is the dwindling life span and increased recharging. Secondly, the AAA is available everywhere, so you'll never have to go to a special store to buy more, and they're relatively cheap too.

At some points I was using my player for 1 hour per day, and the battery lasted a few weeks. That's one AAA, so you can buy a pack of batteries and have them last a few months.

I don't know much about that other one, but it doesn't have the removable USB thumb drive, which was the most attractive part of the old one. No matter what computer you're on, you can upload/download music.

[Mtank]

I suppose you have a point. I'll look out for it when I get down to actually buying one. The playback quality and size is good? (Well, since it's called 'tiny', i assume it's small.)

[Nuts]

It's about 2.5" long and about 1" wide, pretty small. Mine came with a arm band, which is nice when I'm at the gym. Sound quality is great, no noticeable impairments. The ear buds suck though, I bought some aftermarket Sony ear clip headphones. I can't stand having those ear buds in my ear, they aggravate the hell out of me. ;)

[Basan]

Hm. It uses AAA cells? those small ones? I was hoping for something rechargable.

I just happen to use one small AAA 1,5 Volts rechargeable battery in my MP3 player and it works dandy. When I bought it they came in pairs, so I carry two with me when hearing the player (one in the device and the other in my pocket). ;)

[TinyDancer]

I don't know about most other mp3 players, but I was planning to buy a 4gb Refurbished iPod Mini from the Apple store, it's only $150, so if you give up on finding a better one (which you probably won't, there are lots of good mp3 players out there), that's always a fairly good option.

[Staind]

First, the memory effect. A rechargeable battery will die over a period of time, causing you to have to buy a new one every so often, but worse than that is the dwindling life span and increased recharging.
Yea but how long is a "period of time", specifically for the dwindling life span? This applies to almost any rechargeable battery in any electronic equipment. also, if you buy an iPod (we'll use this as an example since it has a lot of readily available information) the warranty lasts for 1 year (I believe you can purchase extended warranties) and includes battery replacement.

From http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/#1 :
Q: I heard that the iPod's battery only lasts 18 months, and then you have to buy a new iPod! Is that true?

A1: NO! The vast majority of even the earliest iPods, now over four years old, continue to function just fine. Some iPods, however, based on age and usage style, will have more battery degradation than others. Lithium ion batteries are only good for 300 to 500 charge/discharge cycles (more). For this reason, certain customers' usage patterns may cause the batteries to degrade, or fail, sooner than others.

A2: If the battery does fail, and the iPod is no longer under its original one year warranty or $59 AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, or any of numerous third party service plans, you don't have to buy a new iPod. You may replace the battery yourself for as little as $25, or have Apple perform the replacement for $59.

Q: Will the iPod's battery degrade over time?

A: Yes. Over time, the battery will not hold the same amount of charge as when it was new. This is natural, and is true of all lithium ion batteries. This slow degradation will not affect, or be noticed by, most users during the life of their iPod. However, based on usage, environmental factors, and many other variables, some heavy users may notice a greater degradation than others. It is important to understand that this is the exact same degradation that would occur with any lithium ion battery used in any laptop, cell phone, portable music player, etc., and is not unique to the iPod. For more information, see this page.

Also, the Ipod's battery life is around 10 - 14 hours. So, if you're not going to be in an area which has electricity for 10 - 14 hours then maybe the iPod is not good for you. Having to repeatedly buy AAA batteries is EXTREMELY annoying and it's especially annoying when you're travelling as airport security sometimes does not allow you to bring batteries on -- I talked with people who attempted to bring electronic devices onboard and they threw them out. This would be incredibly annoying. I would seriously consider something rechargeable -- especially since it can be recharged from USB.

[Nuts]

Yea but how long is a "period of time", specifically for the dwindling life span? This applies to almost any rechargeable battery in any electronic equipment.
Let's put it this way, I used to sell electronics, I dealt with rechargeable batteries all the time, and they were a royal pain in the ass. You might not have any problems for the first year, (hence the 1 year warranty) but trust me, rechargeable definitely go bad and when they do it's a royal pain. Now 14 hours on a battery for an iPod, that must be a pretty big battery? Bulky maybe? Compare the size of the regular iPod to the MuVo, it's a big difference. I don't know, but I can say with certainty that the single AAA is by far the most convenient for my personal taste. How aggravating would it be to have your battery die, then have to recharge it and wait for an hour, or two before you can listen again? A AAA is easy, disposable and quick. Opinions may vary.

Having to repeatedly buy AAA batteries is EXTREMELY annoying and it's especially annoying when you're travelling as airport security sometimes does not allow you to bring batteries on -- I talked with people who attempted to bring electronic devices on board and they threw them out.

Dry Cell Batteries
Any Alkaline, NiCad, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Silver Oxide and Carbon Zinc batteries similar to those used in flashlights or commonly used electronic devices are allowed onboard the aircraft.

These items must be securely installed in equipment or have exposed terminals protected in a manner to prevent short circuit. Electrical tape, individually bagging batteries in sealable plastic bags, or plastic covers designed to protect the terminals from short circuit would all meet this requirement.

[Staind]

The 14 hour battery life is on the iPod nano :( hardly bulky.

If you are worried about the battery dying or not being as useable as before there are several options. First, you can buy an extended warranty as I said which lasts for 2 years. Also companies like Best Buy and Future Shop offer their own warranties - and can install batteries for you.

How aggravating would it be to have your battery die, then have to recharge it and wait for an hour, or two before you can listen again? A AAA is easy, disposable and quick. Opinions may vary.
Just recharge it every night if you're really that worried ... even if you use it for 1 hour a day you could recharge it once a week.

It really comes down to his preference, but my advice is to get a rechargeable battery. Imagine a cell phone which used AAA batteries and how annoying that would be.

[Basan]

Eh, I prefer a low-tech rechargeable device than an advanced one any time of the week. At least in my country USB ports to recharge don't exactly grow on trees. From all the ppl I know only a few uses rechargeable batteries and am the only who has a chance to use a USB port to recharge'em (at my laptop) from all that I know of.

[pixels]

Now I know that everybody and their dog is rushing out to buy an iPod, but I thought I would tread more cautiously, and ask if anybody here knew of something better I could go in for.

Space isnt really a big demand for me, as at any point of time Im only listening to 5-6 different albums. So basically im looking for a good mp3 player with a decent battery life, good audio quality, and an affordable price. If anybody can help out, it would be greatly appreciated.


edit: and oh, a relatively well-known brand. Im not sure what I will or will not be able to get in India, and perhaps some of the lesser known products are not available here.
i recommend something from Cowon (http://eng.cowon.com/). dunno if you can even get cowon where you are, but its worth a look, i think. audio quality and battery life are selling features for all cowon products. they have several solid 1gb-2gb flash players.

[skunkypunk]

my ass plays better tunes than most mp3 players.

[TimP]

I'd give it about a day before skunkypunk is banned.

[Jeff]

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=10919

The removeable USB thumb drive sets it apart from all others. No cords to mess with, it's easy as pie. I use mine all the time.

They have several models, some with FM tuners, voice recorders, etc. They start about $50.

I have an older MuVo and it's great. Only complaint is that it's not rechargable as was mentioned. Although, you could probably buy your own AAA recharger.

[Ktan]

I have a Creative Zen, it's pretty good.

Just say no to I-pods.
http://wiki.kupatrix.org/images/9/97/No_to_I-pod.jpg

I made it ^^

[dave333]

creative products are great, I used to use this sweet 1 gig thing that was no longer than your thumb and only 1 or 2 inches think. But, I do prefer my ipod nano :)