Flash card MP3 Player without built in memory?

[DGath]

Only one I've been able to find so far is this one. Seems like a good deal cause it is ~$60 and you can put up to a gig CF card in it (Newegg, $81), which gives you a gig CF mp3 player for ~$170 after shipping/tax/etc.... Reviews for that one and the Nex iie weren't so hot, and it runs off AA batteries which only last a few hours.

Anyone familiar with other ones out there?

 

[DGath]

Now leaning towards this. For ~$50 for the player, plus a versatile Cruzer, this looks like a pretty damn good deal. Add in a 512 for ~$50, or a gig for ~$160. Looks to be expandable, protable, and very veratile. Me like. Anyone have one of these out there?

 

[LukFilm]

Just get a MuVo2 shell from eBay for about $50 shipped.

 

[DGath]

Is that kinda like the Rio Carbon deal... people buy them and yank out the drive? So you can use a CF card as a replacement without any problems?

 

[pm]

Yes, people are ripping out the 4GB drives and then selling the shells. The two caveats with this is, a. as usual on Ebay watch the shipping charges since some sellers are asking $17 to $25 for shipping, and b. not all CF cards work. There are web sites with compatibility info like this one: http://www.mortier.free-online...uk/MuVo_CF_Compat.html

 

[DGath]

Ok.... I really torn between which route to go. Buy a Muvo2 shell and install a 512 meg drive....

Muvo2
Pros:
- CF is faster than USB 2.0 (~20x as fast, right?)
- Probably better interface
- Can use card in my Digi cam
- CF cards are cheaper
- I like the idea of having a hacked mp3 player, unique
Cons:
- No Warranty
- Risky buying a stripped MP3 player (though I'm not that concerned)
- Versatile, but not as much as a Cruzer

Cruzer MP3 player
Pros:
- Warranty
- Lighter, more portable
Cons:
- Assuming worse interface
- Can only use Cruzers, and I hate proprietary parts
- Upgrading = more expensive

I really think it all comes down to the interface. Anyone have experience with either or both who could tell me how they are in terms or browsing songs, can you do playlists, etc...?

 

[pm]

DGath, you should read up on the details of the hack. It seemed to me when I was reading that the CF card is not easily removeable. So, sharing with the camera may only be possible if you are willing to remove a bunch of screws each time.

 

[chilled]

You could get a Rio flash player. All of them have a SD/MMC card slot to add 1GB more memory (they have some onboard too from 128MB - 512MB). They haven't tested any more, but it should work. Compatibility, battery life and build quality is good seeing it's from a known brand. I have a Chiba I'm happy with.

 

[DGath]

Originally posted by: chilled
You could get a Rio flash player. All of them have a SD/MMC card slot to add 1GB more memory (they have some onboard too from 128MB - 512MB). They haven't tested any more, but it should work. Compatibility, battery life and build quality is good seeing it's from a known brand. I have a Chiba I'm happy with.

Good call. I had no clue those had expansion slots on them. I'll probably go with that one considering Napster is giving them away with a years subscription (which I already subscribe to). Free MP3 player for me!

 

[DGath]

Doesn't look like Napster still has that deal going on after all. Once again... changing my mind, go I'm one indecisive bastard. Now I'm debating between this for $160 or a Rio Forge for $137. I really like the idea of being able to record radio with the forge, but I really like the option to be able to watch/record video on the Mustek. I record so much crap on my computer, it would be great to be able to watch the stuff on a portable player. But then again, I could go with a cheap PDA too that could play Mpeg1 or 2 video and I'd be better off probably. Crap, I hate this.