mp3 players vs PDA?

[kenshorin]

I am pretty unfamiliar with mp3 players and pda's, but I need something so I can listen to mp3s while I am at the gym. But what I don't get is why I should spend money on an mp3 player when I can apply that money towards a pda that can play mp3s? Is there anything I am missing on this? What functionality does an mp3 player have that a pda doesn't?

 

[boran]

well, in the gym, a PDA will be heavier than an MP3 player of comparable storage (sub 1 GB), much more fragile (it has a large screen), and will have a lesser soundquality (alto this varies from model to model, if you can find a place where u can listen to it before I buy I highly reccomend that) but you're right about the budget thinggie, it'll be cheaper.

 

[kenshorin]

yeah, the weight won't bother me I don't think... it being fragile was a consideration I had, but figure I could get a decent case. The other reason I wondered this is I'd like to track workouts on a pda, track exercises, weight, etc... but wasn't sure if there were other reasons a pda might not be good for mp3s (less storage available, etc?)

 

[WobbleWobble]

MP3 players generally sound much better. MP3 players also have preset EQ settings or something similar.

I use my PDA sometimes taking the bus to and from work and I find myself pushing the buttons on the screen by accident, even with the cover (soft cover) on.

 

[Ionizer86]

iPaqs have good sound quality partially because they're loud and they have a bass booster. As for EQ settings, a prog like PocketMusic (which is free) will let you set your own presets. You can also set buttons for certain operations, so using the PDA as a music player will be pretty easy.

I set mine as follows, which makes sense:
Left: previous
Right: next
Up: volume up
Down: volume down
Mute: Action
Screen off: Btn 1
Full screen (Win Media Player): Btn 2
Stop: Btn 3
Play/Pause: Btn 4.

If you set your buttons with a config similar to this, it'll be easy to control even when you have your screen off and your music playing.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: kenshorin
yeah, the weight won't bother me I don't think... it being fragile was a consideration I had, but figure I could get a decent case. The other reason I wondered this is I'd like to track workouts on a pda, track exercises, weight, etc... but wasn't sure if there were other reasons a pda might not be good for mp3s (less storage available, etc?)

Practically speaking, a PDA in a case can either fit in your pocket, or be clipped on to your belt or pants. As someone that works out, I cannot fathom having anything the size of a PDA in my pockets while I'm doing any sort of leg excercies (squats / lunges / running / biking / etc.) My logic also applies to anything clipped to my waist. Abdominal and twisting movements would be hampered.

Maybe this is just a matter of personal prefference and comfort...

I do, in fact, track all of my workouts. The data, however collected, goes into my home PC. I might pre-enter my intended sequence into a PDA and then edit it down post-session, rather than tapping it in from scratch.

What do you plan on doign with your records on the PDA?

 

[labrat25]

one thing I know of is that PDAs suck batteries when playing mp3s

while my dedicated mp3 player (Rio 500 ) does very well on battery life at the Gym

 

[kenshorin]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro

I do, in fact, track all of my workouts. The data, however collected, goes into my home PC. I might pre-enter my intended sequence into a PDA and then edit it down post-session, rather than tapping it in from scratch.

What do you plan on doign with your records on the PDA?

Well, I was thinking somewhat along the lines of what you are doing. Keeping my routine in the PDA and updating it based on weight / reps done in a particular session. I already track all my workouts with a notebook, but its a hassle to carry a pen and notebook moreso than a pda, and I could organize the info better in a pda. That it can also handle mp3s was just another thing. Then I could also use it for other things as well I am sure, but those were my two main considerations. I don't know, as I said before, I am pretty unfamiliar with PDAs but these two things I had kinda given thought to.

 

[Elcs]

I have the Nokia 3300 phone. Phone and MP3 player. I listen to 128 quality mp3's through some nice 5.1 speakers in the house through my Soundstorm on my pc.... and the only real advantage in sound quality i can detect is the fact of surround vs. stereo. Im very impressed with the sound quality from my Nokia 3300 through the headphones.

One major problem is that it is only supplied with a 64mb MMC which is roughly 1 hour of music. I personally bought myself a 128mb MMC which means 2 hours of music. Depending on how long you spend working out would be a factor here.

I know this isnt directly what you asked about but its just a suggestion. The phone is slightly on the large size compared to most phones.

 

[FishTankX]

I can sell you my iFP-390T 256MB recording/FM (Used, with 2 year replacement plan from best buy) for about 185$...

 

[vegetation]

Bah, get a dedicated mp3 player. You'll either baby the pda ( if it's the expensive type) and not want to risk trashing the screen, find it too bulky, or be upset at the poor battery life (stressing the cpu on these things eats battery life quickly). PDAs are just too cumbersome compared to a dedicated mp3 player.

 

[The Sauce]

I used a Clie to listen to MP3's up until the past 2 weeks when I bought a Nomad Muvo NX. I'll tell you the problems...

PDA:
less battery life
worse sound quality
bulky and unwieldy in the gym
fewer features (e.g. EQ, playlists, FM tuner)
less memory unless you swap cards
more difficult to transfer songs (than my muvo - USB pen drive)

Also the reason I actually bought the Muvo is because I broke the Clie memory slot by constantly swapping in and out the music/data cards switching back and forth...so it's out at sony getting repaired.

 

[FishTankX]

YGPM

 

[snidy1]

I have both the IPaq 2015 and the Nomad2c and the Nomad has better sound, not much though. But the volume of the IPaq dosen't go high enough for my listening taste.

 

[ronnaZ]

buy a mp3