Which hdd mp3 player?

[joecool]

ok, so i really want to get an hdd based mp3 player, but there are too darn many choices and i can't decide. here's what i've learned so far, any additional comments or suggestions much appreciated! keep in mind these are my OPINIONS and what's important to me may not matter to you. here's the things that matter to me:

- cost
- form factor/ease of use
- battery life
- ability to sync with media player
- docking station for easy syncing and uncluttered desk (helps manage/hide wires)

Apple iPod mini
+ i love the look and form factor!
+ the onboard software and navigation sound like they are very good
+ can get a docking station for easy charging and syncing
- price!
- battery life short
- won't sync with media player (which i love)

Rio Carbon
+ a little extra memory for a small player (5gb vs ipod mini 4gb)
+ syncs with media player!
+ outstanding battery life!
+ price (less than ipod for more storage)
- navigation not as easy as ipod (?)
- no docking station

zen xtra
+ price (can get it from outpost for $180 right now!)
+ storage - 30GB!
+ syncs with media player
+ user-replacable battery
+ sound quality (based on reviews)
- form factor - ugly and BIG!
- have heard bad things about shock resistance of drive - not good for working out
- no docking station

iriver h120
+ storage - 20GB
+ fm tuner
+ wired remote
+ syncs with media player (i think)
+ battery life
- price - the most expensive of those listed here at >$300
- no docking station
- form factor - kind of big and fugly

 

[chilled]

I like the Rio Carbon, but that just may be me.

 

[brain29]

Well. I have an iPod 4G and I love it. I would recommened the Mini because of its size and user friendly design. However, since you want something to be able to sync with WMP I would suggest the Carbon. It may not have a docking station, but how much do you really need one? The Zen Xtra is big and porly constructed and the iRiver has a horrible navigation menu.

My 2 cents

 

[joecool]

yeah, it seems like the carbon has everything i want EXCEPT the docking station, and it has a great price and battery life. the ipod mini has everything i want EXCEPT WMP syncing, and it has a great form factor and looks. so, the question is, what's more important? probably the wmp syncing and battery life. i just really like the docking station for ease of use and hiding desktop clutter. with the carbon there'll be two wires just sitting there. oh, well, it'll save me money AND i'll get the extra 1GB of storage. carbon here i come!

 

[welst10]

I got a Creative Zen Touch 2 weeks ago and am loving it. paid $220 total. true 24hr battery life, WMA support, great sound quality, copy and paste (drag and drop) song transfer. And it works with WMP10.

 

[joecool]

hmm, where'd you get it for $220? isn't it kind of brick-like?

 

[welst10]

it's smaller and less brick like than xtra. I got it from buy.com after 15 off 200 coupon. Price may have risen though. use a shopping.com to search for low price

 

[araczynski]

I recently got a refurbed RCA Lyra 40GB for 170. seems nice enough.

rechargeable battery lasts about 10 hours, doubles nicely as a backup device. usb2, stereo out. haven't had time to play with it yet though.

don't know about syncing with anything, but even if it did i wouldn't bother with the feature, i don't use any software to mess with my music collection (20gb), just manually move whatever files into whatever folders.

its probably nowhere near as fancy as any of the above, but for the price, they can take their features and shove it. i can hook it up in my car, while i'm working out, to the stereo, and to the pc, that's all i need and care about.

 

[pax2179]

Get a NEUROS!!!! They are amazing! they have a built in FM transmitter and tuner, and song identification. They are really cheap, and are amazing. I have one, and i highly reccomend it