Looking for something durable (Clip+ vs. Clip Zip)

[Syndr0me]

Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying a new mp3 player and the Sansa Clips are the ones that caught my eye.

The main thing I'm looking for is something that's durable (hardware and firmware wise). Basically something that won't break easily (even if it falls to the floor from a small height sometimes) and something that won't die or freeze on me software wise.
The gist of it is that I'd like something that I could have for a few years without needing to replace it

I've seen good reviews regarding the Clip+ on Amazon, but problems with the headphone jack seem to be an issue with it at times.
OTOH I've read some bad reviews of the Clip Zip, the way it seemingly freezes and dies for no good reason whatsoever.
Worse build quality perhaps?

Anyway, I'd like your opinion on which one you would recommend, keeping this stuff in mind.

Thanks guys,
Jake

PS: If you have any other good MP3 players to recommend in the simmiliar price range that have a reputation for being very durable and high quality (they last), please tell me

[CrowdAds]

[OddBob]

I can't recommend the Clip+ because the darn clips keep breaking off. I had it happen with a second Clip+ just this morning. The clip is permanently secured to the back of the player by a couple of flimsy plastic rings, and once they go, there's no real way to fix it that I know of. I was much more careful with this second Clip+ than I was with the first, but in the end it made no difference. Now I'm looking for a way to improvise a new clip for it, but so far haven't had any more luck than the first time I tried.

I can't speak about the Clip Zip, as I've never had one, but I heard that at least some models have a metal clip, which presumably wouldn't have this problem.

The Clip+ is an awesome little player, extremely stable and expandable with a micro SDHC card, and I've had no complaints whatsoever about it aside from this one issue, which is a pretty big one. So take that as you will.

[Tapeworm]

Originally Posted by OddBob

I can't recommend the Clip+ because the darn clips keep breaking off. I had it happen with a second Clip+ just this morning.

Personally, I haven't had that problem with mine at all. It appears to be a strudy, well-made casing and clip. But maybe I just don't use the clip as often as you do.

Having said that though, maybe part of the breakage problem people seem to be having is being caused by the fulcrum or pivot point of the clip vs. the 'lever' being in the incorrect position. This results on much more stress being applied to the weakest part of the mechanism. Add the fact that the spring is especially strong and eventually something gonna give.

My issue is with the design of the unit itself. To operate (or open) the clip to use the feature it is so aptly named for, one cannot avoid leaving a big 'ol honkin' thumbprint right in the middle of the display screen.

[Mikerman]

Originally Posted by Tapeworm

My issue is with the design of the unit itself. To operate (or open) the clip to use the feature it is so aptly named for, one cannot avoid leaving a big 'ol honkin' thumbprint right in the middle of the display screen.

Yep--to avoid that, one's fingers need to be put into a modified yoga position.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by Mikerman

Yep--to avoid that, one's fingers need to be put into a modified yoga position.

I just use my shirt as a glove when clipping to my baggies or belt loop. Look ma no finger prints

[dgb52]

Originally Posted by OddBob

I can't recommend the Clip+ because the darn clips keep breaking off. I had it happen with a second Clip+ just this morning. The clip is permanently secured to the back of the player by a couple of flimsy plastic rings, and once they go, there's no real way to fix it that I know of. I was much more careful with this second Clip+ than I was with the first, but in the end it made no difference. Now I'm looking for a way to improvise a new clip for it, but so far haven't had any more luck than the first time I tried.

I can't speak about the Clip Zip, as I've never had one, but I heard that at least some models have a metal clip, which presumably wouldn't have this problem.

The Clip+ is an awesome little player, extremely stable and expandable with a micro SDHC card, and I've had no complaints whatsoever about it aside from this one issue, which is a pretty big one. So take that as you will.

Maybe this thread will help you

http://anythingbutipod.com/forum/sho...broken+clip%22

[Mikerman]

The issue I've heard of with the Clip's headphone jack typically is that it is tight to begin with, and the new user is afraid to push the headphone plug in all the way.

The newest Clip, the Clip Zip, appears to have a hardy clip. And it seems to be me to be hardier as a whole than the earlier Clips.

These things are so light that when they have fallen out of a pocket, they have tended to bounce for me and have been fine. Or, if connected to a headphone cable, they just hang there.

[saratoga]

I've dropped my clip+ a few times and it still works fine. They're so cheap I don't really care, buy two, if you smash one just swap the SD card

YMMV.

[WalkGood]

I agree with saratoga, we have several v1, v2 and two zips. All have taken spills, some much further than others. One was even stepped on only to break the screen and they all still work fine, even the one with a broken screen. The great thing about the clip is that if it breaks and can’t be repaired they’re cheap enough to replace. IMHO they’re great little players …

[bikertrash]

I haven't had any issues with my Zip freezing up. My first one didn't survive the washer and dryer, but other than that they handle drops well. Either the Zip or the Plus would serve you well.

[Syndr0me]

Thanks for all the advice so far guys - buying two or more players is kind of out of the question, since I'm kind of on a budget that's actually why I'd like something that would last.

I was thinking of buying a clip+, but I've heard bad stuff about the h-jack (getting loose...), for the Zip it was the freezing part.

So you guys haven't had any Zips die on you like Amazon reviewers or Clip+ headphone jacks becoming loose, making them unusable?

Truth is, the only thing that kind of put me off for the Zip were the Amazon reviewers, and for the Clip+, it was the headphone jack issue, otherwise I've heard they were both great players.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by Syndr0me

Thanks for all the advice so far guys - buying two or more players is kind of out of the question, since I'm kind of on a budget …

I think this was slight humor although funny as it may sound we have 6 clips in our house. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another if needed, they sound great, very small size and they run rockbox. To me there isn’t a better player for active use …

Originally Posted by Syndr0me

I was thinking of buying a clip+, but I've heard bad stuff about the h-jack (getting loose...), for the Zip it was the freezing part.

I’ve heard of headphone jacks getting loose on many different devices and brands, my guess is that some people are much rougher with their gear than others, because it can’t be that common of a problem. I wouldn’t put a lot of weight on that and besides either clip has a one year replacement warranty.

Originally Posted by Syndr0me

So you guys haven't had any Zips die on you like Amazon reviewers or Clip+ headphone jacks becoming loose, making them unusable?

No problems and I’ve been using the Clip since version 1 and all my version one clips are still running fine. Seriously how much thinking needs to go into purchasing a budget player that sounds great, is small and clips to your clothes.

Originally Posted by Syndr0me

Truth is, the only thing that kind of put me off for the Zip were the Amazon reviewers, and for the Clip+, it was the headphone jack issue, otherwise I've heard they were both great players.

You’re always going to find negatives written about any player, go look at ipod shuffle reviews on amazon and let me know if they all give it a 5 stars, I think not.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Trondis23

My wife washed my Clip+ in the washing machine. It still works...

You lucked out or maybe you got the one that those guys writing negative reviews on amazon didn't get

[JK98]

Using an earphone or headphone with a right angle plug will help prevent the headphone jack on the player from breaking.

Get the Clip+. in the US the 2GB Clip+ is just $30 with free shipping from Amazon or B&H Photo. Add a 16GB micro SDHC card(around $10) or a 32GB one.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by JK98

... Get the Clip+. in the US the 2GB Clip+ is just $30 with free shipping from Amazon or B&H Photo. ...

I hate going off topic so apologies to others in this thread.
I'm not sure why you keep recommending the 2GB clip's all the time, this is foolish IMHO. I bought my last 8GB Clip Zip for $45.00 and I would have paid $55.00 over having a 2GB clip. Maybe a 2GB player is best for you but I doubt it's best for others who don't mind paying a little more for extra space. BTW if you hunt around and wait a few weeks there's normally better deals on the 8GB players that MSRP.

Edit: I'd like to add that both our 8GB clip zip's have 32GB cards. I'd rather have the 32GB at $25.00 to $30.00 than the 16GB card at $10.00. Although I did buy one of those 16GB cards for my phone because it maxes at 16GB, strange but true. For goodness sakes how cheap do you have to get? The 8GB clip + 32GB card is still less than most other top tier players on the market ...

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by jk98

get the clip+. In the us the 2gb clip+ is just $30 with free shipping from amazon or b&h photo. Add a 16gb micro sdhc card(around $10) or a 32gb one.

Originally Posted by walkgood

i'm not sure why you keep recommending the 2gb clip's all the time, this is foolish imho. I bought my last 8gb clip zip for $45.00 and i would have paid $55.00 over having a 2gb clip. Maybe a 2gb player is best for you but i doubt it's best for others who don't mind paying a little more for extra space.

wg, 100% smiley-signs121.gif

[zP0kE]

Originally Posted by JK98

Using an earphone or headphone with a right angle plug will help prevent the headphone jack on the player from breaking.

As a preventative measure, I glue gunned a thin layer of glue between the headphone jack and the back half of the case. Thin enough so that the case will clasp shut. I also glued the battery wires so that they wouldn't detach.

Here's an excellent thread with images on how to fix a loose headphone jack
http://www.head-fi.org/t/538544/clip-loose-plug#post_7281119.

-- update --

you can use a probing tool to carefully pull up the wires in the headphone jack to get a tighter fit. You need to open up the player to pull up the wires from the other end of the jack.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by zP0kE

As a preventative measure, I glue gunned a thin layer of glue between the headphone jack and the back half of the case. Thin enough so that the case will clasp shut. I also glued the battery wires so that they wouldn't detach.

zP0kE while I applaud the ingenuity of your idea and I’m sure it works great, I probably wouldn’t do that myself. I say this because I have several clips (spare parts \o/) and I could now replace the battery or headphone jack if needed as long as I didn't fudge the soldering. That said, I’m amazed that my very first v1 clip is still running fine, has an acceptable battery life and no problems with the headphone jack. Either I got a great unit or others that have issues got lemons, don’t know but the other 5 clips we have in our house don’t have either issue.

[dgb52]

Originally Posted by JK98

Using an earphone or headphone with a right angle plug will help prevent the headphone jack on the player from breaking.

Get the Clip+. in the US the 2GB Clip+ is just $30 with free shipping from Amazon or B&H Photo. Add a 16GB micro SDHC card(around $10) or a 32GB one.

Right now the 4 GB Clip+ is available at for 35.00

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by dgb52

Right now the 4 GB Clip+ is available at for 35.00

And that's a much better deal, if you ask me.

[Trondis23]

My wife washed my Clip+ in the washing machine. It still works...