Recommend a good MP3 player!

[bucwylde23]

I am looking to buy my first Mp3 player.

I've looked at the 1, 2, and 4 GB nanos and really like the size, but the creative/sandisk players seem to offer a lot more features for a better price.

Ideally I'd like to stay in the range of $100-200, even lower if possible.

I"m looking for some personal experiences and good suggestions as I haven't owned a player before, and I also do not know much about creative/sandisk players either.

Thanks,

 

[Looney]

What are the features that the others offer that the Nano doesn't have? I'm currently using a Mini, and was going to upgrade to a Nano for the smaller size.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Call me old fashioned, but I recommend going with a flash-based player. You can check out the 512 meg Dell. Go to dell.com and search for "Refurbished". They have a whole bunch of their small players for $49. There are other players that fit the bill too... For another $50, you can get an iRiver or RIO that will give you 1 GB of flash memory. Flash has 2 advantages over the IPOD craze and I believe in both of them....longevity and battery life. They simply will last longer. If you can find a flash player that runs on AAA or AA batteries, I suggest getting it. The batteries last about 30 hours and you won't have to worry about paying out $100 to get a new player or replace the battery when it dies.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Looney
What are the features that the others offer that the Nano doesn't have? I'm currently using a Mini, and was going to upgrade to a Nano for the smaller size.

A lot of the ones I"m seeing offer FM radio/FM recording and user-replaceable batteries.

The nano does not have any of these options, correct?

I should have specified that I am looking for a flash-based player.

I have nothing against ipods and have no opinion on any of the mp3 players. I like the style of the nanos but I am also wondering if there is a comparable model from other manufacturers which aren't as expensive or are just as good.

 

[Mr N8]

I love my Creative Zen MicroPhoto. I think I saw them at either Buy.com or Zipzoomfly.com for $170 for the 8GB version the other day.

The features I like:
FM Tuner
Scroll Navigation
Replaceable Battery
Picture Viewer (I like showing off my 9-month old son )
USB charging - no extra power cable

Things that need to be improved:
Touch pad sensitivity is a little high
MUST use different headphones, their earbuds are horrible

 

[dartworth]

I currently own an iPod Mini and an iPod Shuffle. I was planning on getting a nano, but I wanted to try something different. I really don't care for iTunes.

I just ordered a SanDisk Sansa e250 last night.

I really like the fact that is has a FM tuner and can play videos. For the price, it seems like a decent unit. I should have it by Friday and will post a follow up then.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: dartworth
I currently own an iPod Mini and an iPod Shuffle. I was planning on getting a nano, but I wanted to try something different. I really don't care for iTunes.

I just ordered a SanDisk Sansa e250 last night.

I really like the fact that is has a FM tuner and can play videos. For the price, it seems like a decent unit. I should have it by Friday and will post a follow up then.

Wow! Now that player looks great! And cheaper than the Nano!

 

[bucwylde23]

That player does look pretty good, the e260 looks pretty nice too.

I'm not sure whether I want 2gb or 4gb.... but either way it looks nice.

Be sure to post a review when you get it, i'm interested in hearing more about it.

 

[Chrono]

I just bought the Sansa E260 from Circuit City for $180. To tell you the truth, I bought two of them to be exact. This player is an awesome alternative to the ipod nano. For putting songs onto your Sansa, you have the option of changing to MSC or MTP USB mode (meaning either drop the files onto the device like a mass storage device, or use media player 10 to synchronize the songs onto the device). ... I just got relaly lazy and decided to stop writing... but this player is awesome. Only thing though is that accessories are rather limited. The only thing out for it are some cases from Sandisk themselves, or the DLO Action Jacket, which can be bought from Best Buy.