Eventually, you always end up buying too much or too little.

[Guust-Fi]

I read many posts lately about people on a budget having to buy things that aren't exactly what they wan't or need. I am actually looking for a budget mp3 player solution myself but it isn't easy.

I started with the idea of buying a flash based mp3 player with 512-1GB of storage. I discovered they were pretty expensive for that amount of storage and I put that out of my head. Since I would use my mp3 player on the bus or on my bike most of the time, I could buy a HD player without risking any damage. The Zen Micro looked very nice and 5GB seemed to be enough. But then, again I realised I could get an Iriver H320 for € 50 more. Now I forgot about the earphones. Those would cost me at least € 70 and I was nowhere near my budget at that moment.

I started to look for cheap shops and I didn't have to look very far. I found the H320 for € 308 at http://www.mp3spelers.nl/?produkt&hcat=4&id=237 with free shipping (I live in Belgium). I still had to buy earphones, so I kept searching. Suddenly I realized I could buy my mp3 player in the US and because of the currency rates between the dollar and the euro that would be a great deal. The Iriver H320 was (is) only $293 at www.ecost.com
That would be €225 (shipping not included)

Finally I decided to get over with it and buy the Iriver H320 from an online shop in the Netherlands. This way I'm guaranteed that it will be in perfect shape and I can easily return it.

EDIT: I also ended up buying Shure e2c IEM's (broken now)

 

[Greenman_Belg]

I see your H320 is down to 298E in www.mp3spelers.nl I bought my Micro from them, good service and all their prices are upfront.
I hate buying off a site with one price and when you get to checkout the price has vastly increased.
Good luck with the H320 and tell us how you get on!!!

 

[Guust-Fi]

The problem is www.mp3spelers.nl is going on vacation this week. If I ordered it yesterday...
I don't wan't to wait any longer so I ordered it from www.4launch.nl
Then I saw that www.coolelectronics.nl had the h320 for € 283,99 This deal seemed to be very unrealistic but I've heard they get there players from the head office in the US. I canceled my order awaiting a reply from coolelectronics because they even claim to sell it with external battery holder and remote!

The only other 2 player s I had in mind were the Ipod and the Karma. I didn't get the Ipod because the h320 has so many functions a like and it's more expensive. The rio karma also comes close but I have heard of so many HD failures and problems -I don't know if this is true- but I'd rather buy something original with even video support like the h320. Hopefully I'll like it.

 

[manixc]

I know what you mean. There're so many choices for mp3 players and not a single one is prefect for you or someone else, and then there's the cost. Personally, I should have gone for a 512mb TX instead of 256mb. oh well.