Ipod or Rio or Creative
 

I am in the market for MP3 player and I have found a couple choices.
First, naturally, is the iPod. A bit expensive (I wanna try and stay under $250) but good quality.
rio Nitrus is th eprice favorite ($150) but only 1.5GB

Creative also has a nice choice with 30GB of storage.

Any experience with any of these MP3 players?

I have a 30GB Creative Nomad Zen Xtra, and I wouldn't trade if for 2 iPods. Never had a problem, and the battery lasts way longer than an iPod, and the battery is easily replaceable, unlike an iPod.

You can get a 30giger for around $210 at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-127&depa=1

Or get a 40giger for $241, also at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-128&depa=1

Or get the new 20GB Zen Touch for $240: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-204&depa=1

Don't waste your time with a 1.5GB MP3 player. Hell, after 5 months 30GB isn't enough. :(

Even if you don't listen to me just make sure you save your money. Don't waste it on an overpriced iPod.

I have a rio Karma. It might not be on your list, but I like it. It can play OGG and FLAC, and has an ethernet jack on the dock(yes, you can load songs through it). It is also compatible with any operating system that has Java support in a browser. The batteries last for quite a while, mine will last several late nights at the library during finals before I have to recharge it.

There is also http://www.riovolution.com/

Dell has a new one out that I'm looking at. a 20 gig is around $250 so it's slightly more expensive than the others listed..but who knows..you might like it

Keep in mind the types of things you'll be doing with the player. Hard drive based players, because of the moving HD parts, can skip (or worse) if you, say, exercise while listening to them, or otherwise move them around. Solid state based players, because they have no moving parts, are more reliable in this respect.

I work out, jog, and ride my bike with my Nomad, and it never skips. It takes a beating when I'm riding some trails, and it's fine.

the dell has 25 minutes of skip protection just like the Ipod I think..

right now all I have is my mini-disk player..but am getting an mp3 player soon..

Dell has a new one out?!?

yup..it looks and sounds pretty good...haven't actually seen one in person or tried one..

I went on their site and it is the same exact thing...

Buy a iPod+hp.

Only difference between it and the Apple iPod is price and logo.

I know alot of people badmouth iPod, but, damnit, it's a nice gizmo.

Why can't I find a mp3 player/radio combo? I have Rio Riot which has a 20Gig harddrive and a radio (which is a must for me!!!) I am in the market for a new one (I posted something in the Computer Forum) because my old one is on its last legs. I cannot believe that they are such a rarity! I may have to track down another Rio Riot if I cannot find an alternative. Does anyone know of such a player (mp3 & radio)? Thanks

I wouldn't trade my IPOD mini for anything. Makes all the others look like cheap pieces of junk.

nitrus is unstable piece of crap... i got one and it died almost immediately.. read around on forums, many many many die... something about the harddrive they used... oh well i got to return it :) so i bought a minidisc player instead.. check out hte Hi-MD if you're looking for something like the nitrus

IRIVER IS AWESOME

I love my minidisk setup but it would still be easier to get an ipod or something like it.. I mean more music in one place and I don't have to carry around my md's either. :thumbsup: however when it comes to recording mixes or whatever you can't beat the minidisk

or just logo, price is the same, $299 for 20 gig, and $399 for 40 gig.

i agree with it being a nice gizmo, i can't get enough of mine.

My RCA Lyra is an MP3 player and an FM radio... it's small, and very compact, only holds about 4 hours worth of music - but it's got the functionality, and it takes A LOT of abuse.

How's the radio reception with it? Is it clear? Do you get AM, too?

Have you looked at the Neuros yet? It's cheaper than an Ipod and I think it's a LOT nicer. The 20 gig model is $250. You can also use it as a portable hard drive if you need to, it has an FM tuner built in, an internal microphone to record voice memos, rechargable 10 hour battery, and comes with the car cord, the AC cord, and earphones.

Pretty sweet little toy.

http://www.neurosaudio.com/store/pro...t%5Fid=4010301

I just picked up a 20G 4th gen iPod for quite a song at Best Buy. I absolutely love it and would not trade it for any other player. Even if I was still on Windows (after switching to Mac I am amazed that they even make PC's anymore...) I wouldn't have it any other way. The whole iPod+iTunes system is pure genius. After the initial setup, every task is unbelievably simple. Pop a CD in, click Import, CD is ripped into my music directory. Simple. Plug iPod in via FireWire, iPod is updated with any new music that I may have ripped, and charges up via FireWire afterwards.

I agree with brandon11983, I wouldn't trade my iPod for anything! (Mine is an iPod Mini, I like the smaller size)

I had a Rio Nitrus for a while, it wasn't bad, but quickly found the size wasn't nearly enough, compounded with an apparent battery life problem it had(whether it was just my unit or not, who knows). I recently picked up a 20GB iRiver and I love it. The only complaint I have about it is the lack of much in the way of organizational functionality.

I've had my iPod since last Christmas. Ease of use, awesome style, and overall fun factor is great. I would not trade my iPod for any other portable music player