big thanks to everyone for your input and advice.
BLISTEX - i should have known to check penny arcade. thanks.
MOSKIE - i too have a rio volt, i've been using it for a couple years now, even as my car's cd player. using the remote it gets the job done pretty well for when i'm walking around campus, but it's too big just to slip in the pocket, i need a backpack for it. but i see where you're coming from. thanks for the advice.
JIMMY 4 - that techtv rundown was great. thanks.
i gotta say, right now i think i'm looking a lot harder at the competition, namely the zen and rio products, and i think i'll save some money!
thanks everyone again.