IPod or other MP3 player?

[tngirl]

Ok, I need some techie advice! I would like a basic MP3 player for when I work out- maybe something I can pop into an alarm clock but 99% of the use would be for treadmill time.
I don't need 1000 songs but maybe in the couple of hundred range for variety. (I can store all that I want on my desktop, right?)
I like that some players have FM option. This is great when there is something on CNN on the TV at the gym and I want to hear it. Again though, not essential.

I am looking for affordable and durable. Something I can grab from EBay. I don't want to get an IPod JUST because it is the most popular. BUT if it is the most popular b/c it is the best, then it makes sense. The other ones I have seen that interest me are the IRiver...

Thoughts?? PLEASE HELP!

[chris]

They should be announcing new iPods very soon - possibly today. This will enable you to get a good deal on previous generation iPods. Not only is the iPod a fantastic product, you also have iTunes integration making it easy to purchase, download and listen to your music on the go. With the popularity of iPods, there is a plethora of accessories. iHome has an alarm clock that you can put the ipod into and wake up to your music. I'd look at the Nano -- small for running, working out and very well made.

Now if I can only find my iPod. It's been missing for weeks and I have no idea where it is --- driving me crazy.

-Chris

[tharmsen]

The best device for this would certainly be an iPod Nano. It's by far the best I've owned... it's light, reliable, and connects to iTunes.

[bpatt]

Consider this device: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=172282

Bought it for my wife for exactly the same purpose - she loves it. Teeny, inexpensive (Nano is 2-3 times more expensive!), plays FM along with holding several hundred songs, runs on a AAA battery for about 18 hours, very good long-term reviews, and plug and play into the PC, with no drivers needed. And here's something that the Nano / Ipod's can't do: integrate with Windows Media Player to play .WMA files (WM Player default format). My wife doesn't buy a lot of single music (at iTunes, or anywhere else) - rather, we buy CD's and have a massive catalog of them. Ripping from WM Player is the norm, so iTunes integration wasn't essential.

[tymewillcome]

CHris, did you find your ipod yet?? I lost my 60gb video ipod and I cried! The week I lost it I saw a student on campus with a batman Ipod, SURE AS HECK WAS MINE! I got it back

[VTDr0p0ut]

I'm a big fan of the Creative MuVo FM (http://us.creative.com/products/prod...5&product=9771). It's very simple, small, and resiliant (I've dropped weights on it before, and it's still ticking w/o a crack!). The volume is great, and the best part is that it's powered by a AAA battery. Why is that the best part? Because every "rechargeable" battery MP3 system I bought (which has been quite a few) eventually had batteries that went from running for 15 hours to 15 minutes and dying... hard to get a good workout in just 15 minutes... The other thing I really like about it is that I have a cigarette ligher -> USB adapter (great for just about everything I own) and it slips in there and plays in my car (with a tape adapter) without using the battery. When I go, I slip it out of the USB port, and into the battery sleave.

[chris]

CHris, did you find your ipod yet?? I lost my 60gb video ipod and I cried!

No luck yet. The only good thing is that I've been getting very organized. I've been cleaning in hopes that I'll locate it. I'm bummed. The only thing I can think of is that I left it on the seat of my car and forgot to lock it. I guarantee that once I replace it, I'll find it. I'm waiting for the next generation to replace it. If I don't find it by then, I'll be placing my order "day one". No different than the last release - although I ended up getting a defective unit, so I had to wait 2 weeks to send back and have Apple replace it.

Mine was a 60gb iPod Video....

-Chris

[JazmineDubois]

I like the microsoft zune, selling my ipod nano currently anyone want it check the contact info. zune is very nice under 120 on ebay, video 30 gb

[lil_sunshine]

Radio is good to have on an MP3 player, especially at the gym. I have an 8GB Sandisk Sansa e280. Works perfectly. Cost me $100 on ebay.

Of course, you could just get an extended battery and use your Q. I bought stereo headphones from ebay for $4 and downloaded PocketPlayer (I use it instead of Windows Media Player) for $20. There are arm straps out there, but I don't remember where I saw them. My Q is now my primary MP3 player. I mainly use my e280 for the Radio these days.

[Bramsy]

i never want to become one of the many iSheep so im asking for a zune for xmas. if your looking for something for the gym i would get something with a FM radio. HUGE turnoff that the iPoops do not feature.