MP3 Players......

[Roadie]

I'm looking at getting a new mp3 player, i would like the following things:

• Drag and drop in Windows Explorer (Linux compatibility a bonus)
• Standard mini usb connection, had enough of having to have a proprietary cable for each device!
• 8GB minimum, ideally 16GB+
• Fairly cheap around £100 give or take £20
• Reasonable battery life 20+hrs
• Should be able to take some knocks
• NOT an iPod as i hate them

Think that covers everything
I do like the look of this from Creative: LINK

Suggestions greatly received
Cheers
Ryan

[Neil]

I'm after an MP3 player as well, my requirements differ in that it will spend most of its time hooked up to either an amp of the car stereo.  As I have no need for video capability or pocketability I'm finding things a bit tricky in the current market. I do want really big capacity though.

I'm surprised at you considering Zen as its not drag and drop (uses MTP), or am I missing something (likely) 

Neil

[Roadie]

This thread seems to say drag and drop is possible
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34531

Video isn't important to me neither, which is another thing i like about the Zen as you can customise the GUI to a certain extent and remove things like Video and Photo sections...

[Grant Lamontagne]

Sansa e260 sounds like it might be close to what you are after:

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/ProductInfo.aspx?ID=2057

I have the e260 with 4 gigs on board but it also has a MicroSD slot for additional storage.  I have several MicroSD cards (4 and 8g) already so I felt going more than 4g wasn't absolutely necessary.  Terry (NutSAK) has one as well and he seems pretty pleased with his too.

Def

[Leatherman123]

I have an iPod Touch and I LOVE it!

[Splat]

I'm after an MP3 player as well, my requirements differ in that it will spend most of its time hooked up to either an amp of the car stereo.  As I have no need for video capability or pocketability I'm finding things a bit tricky in the current market. I do want really big capacity though.

After installing a custom PC in my vehicle(s) for the past 8 years to play ripped CDs (I used MPC/Musepack, not MP3/Lame though) I finally just bought an 80GB Ipod. It hooks up to my Alpine head unit and I can control it via the Alpine's remote. It's a sweet setup. I leave the Ipod in the glove compartment and don't worry about theft. The Ipod's got the most support in car stereos these days, however you can still go the 1/8" stereo connector to your head-unit route with any other brand. The best sound is achieved via the bottom charge connector of the Ipod since this bypasses the 1/8" connector's amp. Unless you want to stay away from the Ipod altogether, it's your best bet for a car system.

PS, these days you're not stuck having to use Itunes with your Ipod either. There's many good 3rd-party programs out that work with Ipods just fine, most with a drag-drop functionality to add songs.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I don't think Roadie has a car...

Def

[RenHoek]

Sansa e260 sounds like it might be close to what you are after...<snip>

+1 for a Sansa e2xx:

• You can find them pretty cheap (refurbished, 2G=$30, 8G=$60)
• Fully-Rockbox capable  (like we all need another time-sucking hobby): www.rockbox.org and http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20557
• Expandable memory via microSD

The only thing missing in your list is the standard USB cable - it's a special "San Disk" version.

-RenHoek

[Roadie]

Sansa e260 sounds like it might be close to what you are after:

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/ProductInfo.aspx?ID=2057

I have the e260 with 4 gigs on board but it also has a MicroSD slot for additional storage.  I have several MicroSD cards (4 and 8g) already so I felt going more than 4g wasn't absolutely necessary.  Terry (NutSAK) has one as well and he seems pretty pleased with his too.

Def

Like RenHoek says it needs its own special cable They are a pretty nice player though, my housemate had one and he loved it. The expandable memory thing to me is a bit of a weird one, while its a good idea in principle i think i'd rather have something that comes with the right amount of storage in the first place

I have an iPod Touch and I LOVE it!

Thanks for that..... did you not see the "not an iPod" bit

[Whoey]

The expandable memory thing to me is a bit of a weird one, while its a good idea in principle i think i'd rather have something that comes with the right amount of storage in the first place

While that may be true, if you have an SD card reader, this is a good drag and drop solution as you can just plug the sd card in to your PC (no other cables!) and dump the files you want to it...

This is how I load my phone... I just dump files to the microSD card... no cables or other annoying programs...

[Roadie]

While that may be true, if you have an SD card reader, this is a good drag and drop solution as you can just plug the sd card in to your PC (no other cables!) and dump the files you want to it...

This is how I load my phone... I just dump files to the microSD card... no cables or other annoying programs...

True, but it would also require buying a SD card which if i had another device that used them wouldn't be so bad but i don't so it would be just another expense to add to it, and another thing to lose! It's like buying a multitool that only has half the tools in it, yes it will work for some things but why should i then have to buy the other bits to make it do what i want

[Benner]

I don't think Roadie has a car...

Def

I think he was talking to Neil actually.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Ok then... Neil is allowed to have a car...

Def

[Benner]

Ok then... Neil is allowed to have a car...

Def

He's so kind isn't he. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

But only a small one... 

Def

[Whoey]

like this?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Too big- does it come as a convertible? 

Def

[Splat]

like this?
(Image removed from quote.)

Yeah, do they make a compact version? 

[stressmaster5000]

like this?

(Image removed from quote.)

Thats not a car, thats an Amusement park ride.

[Roadie]

Soooo....any more recommendations on mp3 players....

[Roadie]

Gnarrghh.... ok i love the look of the Mozaic no matter a lot of the reviews say about it it's quirky and i like that! But ideally i'd like the 16GB version (£120), but the 8GB is so much cheaper (£62)! However the 16GB Zen is not badly priced (£90) and doesn't look bad, just not as good as the Mozaic Should i wait for a while and see if the 16GB Mozaic drops in price or go for the 8GB one or the Zen?!  I could try selling my MD player which would help towards the cost, but i like having the capability to play MD's (especially with my soundman hobby as people always turn up with the most random of formats and expect someone to have a player )

I hate decisions!!     

16GB Creative Zen
8GB Creative Mozaic
16GB Creative Mozaic

[Whoey]

the 16gb Zen seems to be your best bet for the price, they recently dropped due to the release of the Zen xfi...

[Roadie]

the 16gb Zen seems to be your best bet for the price, they recently dropped due to the release of the Zen xfi...

I think you're right, as much as i like the look of the Mozaic the Zen is the better choice. And apparently the video on the Zen is quite reasonable so i could get a SD card for it and stick a few TV programs to watch when travelling

[Neil]

I'm so glad its been officially decided that I'm allowed to own motorised transport 

I reckon my best bet is picking up one of these and fitting a bigger drive.



It may be old but aside from the tiny display it does what I want.

Neil

[cryptrick]

Howdy roadie,

I have the 8GB Creative Zen - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-ZEN-8GB-MP3-Player/dp/B000V9IAYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1224098178&sr=8-1

Its a great little Mp3 player. The screen is bloody good as well. Movies on it are extremely clear and so is the sound from mp3's. Its mini USB so its straight into the PC and just transfer your songs. I got this because I hate ipods too. My sister is on her third ipod, I just think they are overpriced for what they are and are not built to last long either.

The good thing about those Zens are that they are flash memory so knocks and bumps wont hurt it too much

That Mozaic does look nice though, in simple any of those 3, you can't go wrong

[Tarrodemierda]

Archos Gmini XS 202s 20GB

[Roadie]

Thanks for that cryptrick Think i've pretty much made my mind up now! Got a question for you though When you plug it into the computer can you still play music on the player or does it go to a charging/transferring mode? Would be nice to try and make a docking station for it if possible

And Neil Archos do do (snigger!) a couple of new large capacity hdd players but they do tend to be a bit expensive and probably have loads of features you wouldn't use especially if it's mainly for in car stuff

[Roadie]

Archos Gmini XS 202s 20GB

(Image removed from quote.)

My dad has that (i picked it out for him!) and while it's quite nice, it does have one MAJOR draw back for me It's user interface is crap! And also being a hdd based player its not as robust as a flash based one

[Benner]

And Neil Archos do do (snigger!) a couple of new large capacity hdd players but they do tend to be a bit expensive and probably have loads of features you wouldn't use especially if it's mainly for in car stuff

How old are you?! 

[Roadie]

How old are you?! 

Never too old to snigger at do do