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Looking for a small media device for long runs

Fingolfin269

Fingolfin269

Lifer
What do you guys use? Now that I've upgraded to a larger phone I don't want to haul it on my arm. Was looking at a Sansa Clip + and it certainly looks like a good value buy but as I understand it there is no way to sync it with Spotify. Any idea if there is a small player out there that is not very expensive and works with Spotify?

I can likely get by without it through my personal collection and music podcasts but if it's possible to find a solution that works with Spotify then that would be my preference.

Thanks.
 
Can't speak for Spotify, as I don't use it, myself.

But as for the Sansa Clip+, nice little MP3/FM radio player. You can sometimes find them at Newegg, refurbished, for about half the price of a new one. That's what I've got, and it's been a couple years working just fine, without any problems. :thumbsup:
 
I travel a lot and will have my earphones in once I'm through security to when I meet my friends/coworkers or get to the hotel. This can easily be 4-6 hours, so I don't want it running on my phone the whole time. So, I found an old iPod Nano (the one with the clip and screen) and it's done the job well enough. I wish I had more storage space as I'm always changing out the music before a trip, but other than that the battery lasts a while and it weighs nearly nothing.
 
If you want Spotify support, you will need a device that is capable of some kind of data connection If you have premium, I believe you can save files locally, so you don't need to keep the data connection indefinitely. An iPod touch is likely the lowest device that does this. Are there Android PMPs?

If you drop Spotify, the smaller iPods are likely the best solution. Load a playlist and go. Do they still make the Shuffle?
 
On my 3rd sansa. So far they've lasted ~1.5 years each. The 1st died from sweat while in my pocket. 2nd died and I don't remember why. 3rd has picked up an issue with storage...looks like it's common but it's still working. Works great for ear buds (I like skull candy...your miles will vary because I have tinnitus). It can drive the Bose ??? ear clamps but they are battery suckers. The clip works on the elliptical but I doubt it would when running.

I will go for #4 when the times comes. $25 is a deal. It's the size of a quarter so a 10 yr life span shouldn't be expected.

Run the bud cord down your shirt to prevent the bounce being transmitted to your ears.
 
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Well, I run with my Note 2 and it is great to be able to stream music while doing so. The trick to running with a large phone is to NOT wear it on your arm.

I use a belt pouch to hold my phone and I simply rotate it around so the phone is nestled in the small of my back. Put it under your shirt and nobody even knows it is there and you won't even feel it. Either run the headphone cord up your back or even better get a set of bluetooth headphones and you can control the tracks and volume right from those.

Other options that will work with Spotify are:

(1) Buy a small, cheap Windows Phone
(2) Ipod Touch (get a previous generation to save money)
(3) Cheap Android phone

You should be able to download music to those devices over WiFi and use in offline mode while out running.

But honestly, running with a large phone isn't a problem!
 
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I've a Sansa Fuze+ 8 Gb I bought refurbished off the egg for $40 and it's still going 2 years strong with RockBox installed on it and Brainwavz M2's IEM's at work.

I've personally heard most people love the Clips, have only owned the Fuze+ myself, but I like it personally.

A lot of people don't like the interface on it but it sounds good and works well all day at work, lasts me 8 hours easily.

I do not know how the few devices they have listed at this site are, but they are heavy into in ear monitor reviews, and bought mine based on that.

The ones they have listed might be worth looking into.

http://theheadphonelist.com/category/reviews/sources/

http://theheadphonelist.com/
 
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highland145 said:
On my 3rd sansa. So far they've lasted ~1.5 years each. The 1st died from sweat while in my pocket. 2nd died and I don't remember why. 3rd has picked up an issue with storage...looks like it's common but it's still working. Works great for ear buds (I like skull candy...your miles will vary because I have tinnitus). It can drive the Bose ??? ear clamps but they are battery suckers. The clip works on the elliptical but I doubt it would when running.

I will go for #4 when the times comes. $25 is a deal. It's the size of a quarter so a 10 yr life span shouldn't be expected.

Run the bud cord down your shirt to prevent the bounce being transmitted to your ears.
Click to expand...
+1
 
If you search for Mp3 player on Ebay you will literally get the chinese Nano knockoffs to come up for $3 and $4 shipped from China. If it lasts you a few months (which they do) then you get what you paid for I suppose. Just another option. Maybe a used Nano on CL?
 
I use an ipod shuffle. Had one of every gen except that stupid no buttons model they put out a few years ago.

They all died because I forgot about them and put them through the wash, they generally survive the first time through but 2nd or 3rd time kills them.
 
Oh, the best part of the Sansa players is the ability to expand storage with a micro-SH or -SDHC card. Why pay atrocious prices for bigger capacity, when you can add it yourself for much cheaper?
 
Remembered #2 didn't really die. I dropped it on the pavement and wrecked the screen. As far as the memory issue on #3, I could use the reformat feature and probably fix it.
 
How resilient is the Clip to moisture? What about the Shuffle? I've got a Nathan belt (http://www.amazon.com/Nathan-Trail-M.../dp/B009T467VY) and put a phone in the back pocket. After running for a couple of hours I checked it out and there was some moisture on the case and face of the phone so apparently it doesn't wick everything away entirely. Probably tough to do given that it's resting on the small of my back.

I assume the player can likely handle a bit of moisture. Just looking for some reassurance first. Not so concerned with having to replace it since it's inexpensive (Clip), more concerned with the thing dying in the middle of a marathon.

Thanks for all of the great advice by the way. I appreciate the suggestions.
 
I use my clip at work in a high moisture environment. It gets sweat and water on it, but I have never dropped in a bucket or anything.
 
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