MP3 for running
 

What I need:

512mb
no skipping
extremely compact
must have belt or armband accessory
must be stable for high mileage running, and somewhat weatherproof

I dont need a screen, so I think the 512mb shuffle would be best. Although, The i-river and Rio players seem great as well, especially with FM tuner.

If you are a runner, and have a 512mb player, please let me know how you attach it to yourself, and how you like it.

Im looking at spending no more then $130 Canadian, which is the price of the 512mb shuffle.

I had the 512MB Shuffle for a few days. I liked it a lot but the lack of a LCD kind of bugged me. For you, as a runner, I don't think you could go wrong with the Shuffle. For me, the iPod mini 4GB was a better solution. 8 times the memory and a display for $200USD.

What accessories do they make for the shuffle ? and what do they cost. I dont mind no lcd on the shuffle, because i dont change the songs when I run.

i have the Rio Forge, which is 512MB, and it can hook to your arm with a strap that comes with it. I use it at my job at UPS loading the brown trucks, and it works great. it also has an FM tuner with the ability to record what you're listening to on the radio. so you might check into that.

How big is the Rio forge compared to the shuffle, and how much is it.

ditto on the rio forge. i use mine for running and have had no problems whatsoever. i paid $150, not including a $50 mail-in rebate, at best-buy. it is VERY light. the only weight seems to be the triple A battery. go get one.

When you attach the Rio to your arm, doesnt the wire for the headphones flail everywhere when you run ?

i bought the 256MB Creative Muvo for 70 bucks the other day. Very, very happy with it. The 512 version found here:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3622655 might be up your alley. It's light, decent lcd screen (although small), long battery life, and runner friendly. Plus, it has FM tuning and a voice recording microphone... two rare features for players this small and in this price range. Not a bad deal at all for less than a hundred bucks.

how does it attach to the body ?

iPodlounge | iPod Accessories has a list of just about every accessory out there; look for the listings with 'shuffle' in the name.

couldn't tell you. i hold it in my hand because i go back and forth from the radio to the stored music tracks. when running, i hold the wires in my hand to keep them from jumping all around. i'm sure you could figure out something to do with the wires while you are running.

it comes supplied with a belt clip and a decent arm-band. the unit is so incredibly light that i have no problem slipping it loose into a jacket/warmup pocket either... don't really notice it moving too much. the included headphones are pretty weak, but if you're going to be serious about running w/an mp3 player... you'll probably want to get a set that best suits your individual preferences anyway.

I went with the Creative MuVo 256mb. It was the best bang for my buck. At $99 Canadian....

Thanks for the advice.

im looking for a mp3 player to run with as well.

Do ear bud head phones stay in when you run?

the Rio comes with the ones that you wrap around your ear and mine have never fallen out or moved around in my ear.