Recommendations for non-touchscreen player, decent battery, decent storage?

[almightymat]

Hello all,

I'm based in the UK and need to replace a malfunctioning creative player, but everything on the market suddenly has a battery-draining touchscreen! Apart from ipods apparently, but I would prefer to avoid those if possible...

So, does anybody have any recommendations for something with at least 24gb capacity, a decent battery life, decent menu navigation, and regular controls?

Oh, also, a manual lock - my current/last creative could only be locked and unlocked through the menu, which took about five times longer than a manual lock.

Other considerations are a retail price of not too much more than £150, or $250, and the software for my PC not being too horrible to use, slow, or resource hogging....yeah, Apple and Creative, I'm looking at YOU!

Thanks all!

[IDvsEGO]

Clip Zip...1st!

Seriously, you will get two recommendations. Clip Zip or Cowon J3. They are the only two non-apple players that really stand out these days. Other decent options out there though, just none that are any better. So unless you just feel like getting something different, go with one of those 2.

[mamamia88]

Well the touchscreen doesn't really drain the battery much if you turn it on just long enough to switch tracks. Also you can set it up so that holding the volume up or down long enough it will switch tracks forward and back. It doesn't even turn on the screen so no battery waste at all. Also they have wifi so that you can subscribe to podcasts directly on the player or download tracks from amazons mp3 service. And a 4.0 inch android touchscreen is so big that it's almost impossible to hit the wrong button. That being said I'd look into getting a clip zip with a 32gb micro sd card. No need to spend your entire budget. Sony also makes some very good players but they don't have micro sd slots. Just something to consider. Don't write off touchscreens just because you think they will get worse battery

[FreeZ5]

I'll vote Clip Zip or Clip Plus. I don't know how to lock them though cause I've never bothered to learn.

Then you can spend the leftover funds on a better pair of earphones.

Steve

[mamamia88]

Originally Posted by FreeZ5

I'll vote Clip Zip or Clip Plus. I don't know how to lock them though cause I've never bothered to learn.

Then you can spend the leftover funds on a better pair of earphones.

Steve

well on the plus you hit home and select at same time. i forgot what it is on the zip since someone stole mine and it's been awhile. on the fuze+ you just tap the power button so it might be like that. but battery was one of his main requirements. and the clip is estimated at 15 hours battery on rockbox for me. Do you consider that decent?

[The DarkSide]

Clipzip, clip+, Cowon J3, or a Sony A Series player (from Advancedmp3players.co.uk). These are what I recommend, in that order.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by FreeZ5

I'll vote Clip Zip or Clip Plus. I don't know how to lock them though cause I've never bothered to learn.
Steve

I've never bothered to learn either.....never needed to lock them.

[Tapeworm]

Originally Posted by IDvsEGO

Clip Zip...1st!

Seriously, you will get two recommendations. Clip Zip or Cowon J3. They are the only two non-apple players that really stand out these days. Other decent options out there though, just none that are any better. So unless you just feel like getting something different, go with one of those 2.

3.) Clip+ is still readily available. Basically the same as the Zip but without the larger, full-color screen.

4.) Sansa e200 series. Although discontinued, this old work-horse is still available (both new and refurbed) in some memory configurations if you shop around a bit. The Sansa store even has some of the 4GB varieties (e260) at clearance prices. Built like the proverbial Sherman tank, this one features a user-replacable battery keeping it in service for many, many years. There are even replacement batteries available now for almost twice the mAH rating as the original. Haven't tried one myself yet (keep forgetting to order one), but it should boost the play-time to well over 20 hours before needing to re-charge. Awesome, large full-color screen and video capabilities too.


Another nice thing about the Sansa line of players is their SD card slot, allowing you to supplemnt the on-board memory by up to 64GB. And if you are so inclined, they work extremely well with Rockbox.

[IDvsEGO]

recommending the clip + insted of the clip zip is getting around my statement on a technicality as they are very very similair and its really just a preference difference. the E series are good players but as I said, no real difference over the other stuff unless you just want to be different. Build quality is better from what I remember but the clip series is well built. replaceable battery is negligible, at least for me. I havent had an issue with wearing down batteries but thats probably because I change players a lot. or at least I used to.

OP, the J3 does have a touch screen but its battery life is superior to any other player I have found on the market so its a moot point.