[shivohum]

I'm looking for a portable MP3 player under $100 which would be good for workouts. It should have decent battery life (at least 8-10 hours would be nice), decent construction, and decent sound quality. At this price, I'm not expecting a masterpiece, just something that's reliable, easy-to-use, and inexpensive.

1) Should I go for a player that has flash memory or an MP3/CD player?

2) Any recommendations for brands and models?

3) Any particularly good deals you know about?

Thanks.

 

[williamgoody]

What kind of workouts are you doing?
High impact (running, etc) I'd say go for the flash player.
Lower impact you could get away with a mp3/cd player.

Not in the budget you've described, but IMO the ipod is probably the best for working out (except if you run).

 

[shivohum]

Quote:

What kind of workouts are you doing? High impact (running, etc) I'd say go for the flash player. Lower impact you could get away with a mp3/cd player. Not in the budget you've described, but IMO the ipod is probably the best for working out (except if you run).

Excellent points. I think a flash player may be better for me, then. Any suggestions?

 

[lextek]

Maybe you could find a used Nomad MGII. They are a great MP3 player. Small and sound good.

 

[ian]

The new SONICblue Rio S10 is a solid performer. I've been testing it for months now and I am very happy with it. Comparatively good sound quality, with a solid equalizer to tweak it. Decent capacaity for the price, fast transfer rates, good build quality, good software, expansion options. Great battery life (yes, 30+ hours on one AA!). Check it out at http://www.sonicblue.com/audio/rio/s10.asp
It looks like a wimpy blue color in that picture, but my unit is a much darker (and better looking) blue color. May be because mine wasn't final production, or it may be the photo.
Overall it's a solid choice. I use it to work out, and it works great.

 

[Tim D]

I use an Irock 520...you can pick one up refurbished for $50(64 meg default). It uses Smartmedia which is a nice predominant and cheap flash memory format...I picked up 128 mb's for $40 and it doubles for my digicam usage. You need to get the right software however. It's LCD display is not fancy and doesn't do ID3 tags, but you will probably realize soon enough how worthless a fancy LCD display would be for something that would only hold one album and requires frequent transfers anyways. Upping the memory allows me to hold about 3 albums on it and it has about 8 hours of 1 AAA. It is also a pretty small player with a good headphone jack. It is digitally volumed control...and the jack is good enough quality to double as a line-out for my portable amp and actually hear good benefit from it without amplifying hiss or deficiencies.

 

[dariusf]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim D I use an Irock 520...you can pick one up refurbished for $50(64 meg default).

Hi, where did you see it refurbished? I have the iPod (awesome toy) but this little unit would be nice for my wife

I know what your thinking but I just can't afford two iPods

Thanks

 

[Tim D]

https://www.myirock.com/myirock/shopping/

Let me know if you get one, make sure you use the better software (non-Rioport crap).

 

[dariusf]

Thanks, will check it out