I just decided on an iAudio/Cowon player. Got the hard drive version, but they also make some nice, durable memory-based players. They have the broadest support for non-RIAA-approved formats, play high bitrates, and can be used as USB storage devices. The only real difference between them is the type of battery they use.
G3 - AA (50 hours)
5 - AAA (20 hours)
U2 - built-in lithium (20 hours)
They all come in everything from 256k to 2 gig. Right now the 1 gig models seem to be the sweet spot on the curve. $180. That's enough for about 15 albums.
I'd avoid iPods. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but you can generally get the same thing for a lot less money. I'd also suggest spending the extra $50 or so to get one with a lot of memory (on the order of 20-40GB). I got a Nomad Jukebox Zen extra (40GB) for $250 1.5 years ago. It was on clearance, but prices should have come down since then. It's nice to be able to put your entire music collection on it, and use it as a jukebox. Far more convenient than CDs.
As far as FM transmitters go, I have the iRock, and am unimpressed with it. Though I don't know if the problems are specific to the iRock, or general across all FM transmitters. It's just very staticy.
i just bought a 1 gig iriver. i got one after many recommendations. they have a large variety of mp3 players with lots of options, like with a hard drive (like an ipod) or flash (like an ipod shuffle, very light, smaller storage - that's what i got). i think you mean an fm receiver and not a transmitter, though that sure would be cool. the model of iriver i got has an fm tuner and a voice recorder on it, too. i paid $150 after searching on shopping.com.
Jess was looking at the iriver - what do you think about the battery life?
And I do mean FM transmitter. The idea is that you set your transmitter to an open frequency, a car radio or some other radio to an open frequency, and then the MP3 player uses the radio waves to play the music through your car speakers or speakers on your radio.
oh, if you have a cassette player in your car or home, the better option is to buy a tape adapter.. you can find them for like $10 anywhere. then you just plug the tape into your line out port. the fm transmitters are pricey and the sound quality is not that great, judging from the one i played with. just my opinion.
the iriver i have has a 40 hour battery life. that is the longest i've seen.
Comments 5
G3 - AA (50 hours)
5 - AAA (20 hours)
U2 - built-in lithium (20 hours)
They all come in everything from 256k to 2 gig. Right now the 1 gig models seem to be the sweet spot on the curve. $180. That's enough for about 15 albums.
Reply
As far as FM transmitters go, I have the iRock, and am unimpressed with it. Though I don't know if the problems are specific to the iRock, or general across all FM transmitters. It's just very staticy.
Reply
have fun
Reply
And I do mean FM transmitter. The idea is that you set your transmitter to an open frequency, a car radio or some other radio to an open frequency, and then the MP3 player uses the radio waves to play the music through your car speakers or speakers on your radio.
Reply
the iriver i have has a 40 hour battery life. that is the longest i've seen.
Reply
Leave a comment