Made a thread a while ago about buying a new mp3 player, i've now had another think about it and come to some sort of decision. I'm after a player about 2GB, probably flash-based (unless HDD players as just as good) as i'll be using it in the gym as well as everyday use, don't need no photo stuff or anything, looking to spend up to about £150. I've seen the IPod Nano on this week only and that's really tempted me, unless someone can recommend me something else?
New MP3 Player
- Thread starter Proc
- Start date
Hdd players are just as good as flash, there isnt really a difference apart from that hard drives have much bigger capacities. The nano scratches like hell though (and the price is a complete rip off), avoid.
I would reccomend one of the creative zen micro ones or the iriver h10.
I would reccomend one of the creative zen micro ones or the iriver h10.
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Associate
HDD-based players are not as well suited to using at the gym as flash-based players. Although a HDD-based player might work happily being shaken around while jogging or dropped out of pocket while lifting weights etc, the fact that hard disk platters are spinning around inside the unit does make it more prone to hardware failures compared to flash memory based players (no moving parts).
You only have to look at what IBM do to their laptops to realise that impact + HDD = ends in tears. IBM install a program on their ThinkPads that parks the HD head to the correct spot when sudden G forces are detected (i.e. about to be dropped), to avoid physical scratching upon impact. FYI the gap between the head and platter on a hard disk is less than the width of a smoke particle.
I personally use a Shuffle at the gym - I have the 30GB Video for normal usage. Shuffle is great at the gym because the thing is almost indestructable (compared to other MP3 players with displays at least). I just put a bunch of upbeat songs and it plays quite happily day after day, until I come back home and change the songs.
You only have to look at what IBM do to their laptops to realise that impact + HDD = ends in tears. IBM install a program on their ThinkPads that parks the HD head to the correct spot when sudden G forces are detected (i.e. about to be dropped), to avoid physical scratching upon impact. FYI the gap between the head and platter on a hard disk is less than the width of a smoke particle.
I personally use a Shuffle at the gym - I have the 30GB Video for normal usage. Shuffle is great at the gym because the thing is almost indestructable (compared to other MP3 players with displays at least). I just put a bunch of upbeat songs and it plays quite happily day after day, until I come back home and change the songs.
Its very rare that a hard drive just fails by itself, and even dropping hdds rarely breaks them. Not that you should be dropping your mp3 player, just put it in your pocket with a zip (ive noticed that most people use belts or those arm straps. The chances of smahing the player when you drop it are higher than the hdd being scratched. Espically with something as delicate as a nano. When playing a song the head wont be moving anyway as the song is cached into the memory.
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Man of Honour
Energize said:
Could you instead of just slagging off the Nano also state that all FLASH PLAYERS are a rip off because the Nano is quite cheap for a 2 gig FLASH player.
However, the advantages of FLASH players means that they are expensive.
dmpoole said:
Erm you can get lots of 2gb flash players for £60 and 4gb for £140. But the massive capacities of hdds and much much cheaper price greatly outweighs the benefits they have. So I am not slagging off the nano when the price is actually more than double other 2gb models and I think we all know the build quality of it by now.
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You you are refering to those semi-generic "Sumvision" or those sold on everyones favorite auction place, then I will say first hand that there -is- a reason they are cheaper than the Creative, Monolith, Sony, Cowon and, you guessed it, Apple for a reason. And it is not (just) marketing. The Apple is competitive with the aforementioned players it is designed to compete with. No it may not be the best sounding of the bunch. Nor the worse sounding. And definitely not the most expensive. Look up the iAudio U3.
Associate
The Nano is in fact great for build quality, except for the scratching problem. Get a protective case like the Agent 18 case, and I would expect it to work year after year with absolutely no problems. Which can't be said for the iPod Mini, for example.Energize said:
Man of Honour
jhmaeng said:
I go running with my Mini everyday for well over a year. It has fell off my shorts at least 25 times and travelled along the road/pavement about ten foot.
Never been a problem.
Associate
Just like my Video 30GB Agent 18 case, I think it's a good compromise between not adding too much thickness, getting good protection good looks.Energize said:
There are cases like the Radtech that are much much thinner, but they won't offer as much shock protection if you were to drop it. Either way, I think that the Nano (and Video equally, considering it's a 30GB player) is plenty small enough even with the clear cases.
Of course, I should have mentioned that many people will get to use their Mini (or other HDD-based players) without any problems, even after much abuse. But not everyone is so lucky, and you can surely agree that it's an increased risk of failure compared to solid state.dmpoole said:
Soldato
Do some research into the Monolith 2 - I think I might get one. 2Gb flash and built like a tank.
Soldato
oh the monolith is a monster. 56mw combined output. I so want one.
Soldato
Me too, but the usual "it's only 2Gb" argument keep going round in my head. And I still love my iRiver.
I have the iaudio u2, the 1gb one and at 110 pounds, its more expensive than some of the other 2gb ones. But all the reviews I read, and other forums, all said the same thing, Cowon has one of the best sound quality for mp3 players.
I'm extremely happy with mine so I of course recommend it ^_^
After unfortunately losing one, I researched more for something better, but I settled back on this one as being the best.
The 2gb one though, is a bit out of your budget. Last time I saw it, it was around 200.
I'm extremely happy with mine so I of course recommend it ^_^
After unfortunately losing one, I researched more for something better, but I settled back on this one as being the best.
The 2gb one though, is a bit out of your budget. Last time I saw it, it was around 200.
Man of Honour
Energize said:
No because most 'cases' are skins and I would recommend anybody getting any model of MP3 player to look on the net for a skin which will cover it and protect their investment. I wouldn't let my daughter use her I-River until it was protected.