Which MP3 Player?

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I want to buy 16 yr old son the coolest MP3 player 250 quid or so can buy. Is it Ipod or nowt or are there other good ones out there? (I think I understand Ipod is not an MP3 player but if anyone wants to explain it properly, I am listening....)
Thanks!

 

[mikeh501]

Do a search in here. A thread was going not so long ago about the merits of MP3 players etc.

My vote is for Ipod Mini

 

[richie]

I want to buy 16 yr old son the coolest MP3 player 250 quid or so can buy. Is it Ipod or nowt or are there other good ones out there? (I think I understand Ipod is not an MP3 player but if anyone wants to explain it properly, I am listening....)
Thanks!

DON'T HAVE AND IPOD but I do have a MAC. The ipod is an MP3 player but it also plays AAC which is a MAC format being smaller and better than MP3...

So we are led to believe.

Have a look at Creative and or IPOD. and make your choice.... I think....

 

[PW Cymru]

Bought one of these today from www.mp3playersonline.co.uk

Its an iRiver iFP-899 1GB for £159.99

 

[Pondboy]

Laurence

My son got an Ipod mini for his 16th birthday and loves it to bits.
Very easy to use, holds around 48 hours worth of music and is cool in his opinion. In fact it was so good I got a 40Gb Ipod a month later, which I now consider indispensible.

The only downside is they sometimes have trouble communicating over USB2 (it either works on your computer or it doesn't) If it doesn't you need a Firewire port. (Good sound cards like the Creative Audigy have them). The IRiver players are a good alternative. PB

 

[NeilF]

FM modulator for iPod?

(not to hijack PB's thread, but)

any recommendations for an in-car FM modulator for the iPod?

I got an iPod last week - absolutely FAB, to the extent that I'd like to use it in the car as well as the bike. However the cigarette lighter powered units seem to need constant retuning, and a more permanent, hard-wired box [Directed Electronics Stereo FM Modulator (RFM100) http://www.alarms.com/video/access.asp#rfm100 ] is around £70 for the box, and £70 for fitting.


Cheers,

Neil.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

OK, it's an Ipod, thanks for advice.

Next question:
Where to buy mailorder 40gb? I notice delivery is 4 to 6 weeks in Amazon and I don't have 4 to 6 weeks (Santa!)

 

[Pondboy]

Laurence

Look everywhere you can, Record stores, Department stores, eek Dixons/Comet. If you see either a mini or a 20/40Gb ipod, buy it. Mini's are likely to be rarer. (I got mine on eBay).

NeilF,

Word has it that the Ipod RF tranmitters are not worth the money. The quality suffers and they need constant retuning. If you can find a way to hardwire it to the car system, so much the better. Earplugs till then I'm afraid.

At home I have a minijack to twin stereo leads permanently plugged into our hifi, just so I can plug in the pod and have random play on. PB

 

[NeilF]

OK, it's an Ipod, thanks for advice.

Next question:
Where to buy mailorder 40gb?

Laurence

Bought mine from John Lewis over the counter (and "never knowingly undersold").

OOI, are you sure you need a 40G iPod? I transfered all my 'decent' tracks to the iPod, and filled only 3Gig - WTF to do with the other 36Gig? ? ? ? OK, the 20G iPod is about £50 cheaper . . . .


Cheers,

Neil.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Very helpful info, I think it is going to be a 20gb from Amazon. I am in saudi until 23rd so needs must when devil drives!
Thanks again!

 

[Shooter]

I have the ipod plug in FM modulator but never use it as I wire straight into the autocom and don't bother using it in the car.

Ipod is great but the battery is crap I get between 1 & 2 hours from a full charge. My problem is I bought it about a year & half ago, started filing it with music and only started using it a couple of months ago so can't get it replaced under warranty.

There is no fix, you send the unit back, cough up $99 if in the US, still trying to find out how much it is here, and they send you a new or refurb unit.

I ldo like the look of the ipod photo though, but really want a player the size of the ipod but with a genuine 8-12 hour battery life or better yet removable batteries.

 

[Speggo]

Couple of thoughts here........

FM retransmitters are not worth it unless you are stationary or in the middle of nowhere. I got a good PLL version because of the drift problem on cheaper versions and find that the density of FM stations around the M25 make for very frequent retuning which is totally impracticle on a bike and can be distracting/dangerous in a car.

Creative Zen Jukebox NX which I have just happens to have the same battery as Nokia 3310 phone which makes replacement cheap - around £20

 

[StooL]

Zen Micro

Has anyone tried one of these Zen Micro thingy's, see: www.nomadworld.com

Looks as good as a mini ipod but with more memory, a radio and decent battery life. About the same price, if not cheaper. I'm thinking of asking santa for one but was just wondering if someone has tried one, or if not, is Creative stuff generally good kit?

 

[Speggo]

Re: Zen Micro

Has anyone tried one of these Zen Micro thingy's, see: www.nomadworld.com

Looks as good as a mini ipod but with more memory, a radio and decent battery life. About the same price, if not cheaper. I'm thinking of asking santa for one but was just wondering if someone has tried one, or if not, is Creative stuff generally good kit?

My son has decided he wants a red Zen Micro for xmas. They are in very short supply but do look good. Plenty of positive writeups.

Ironicaly , the zen micro may appeal to the 'individual' for the same reasons that Apple Macs appeal to those opposed to Mr. Gates. i.e. not following the crowd and choosing the market leader.