Old guy needs advice re: simple mp3 players

[blmer]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking into buying an mp3 player. I've never owned one before and would appreciate any advice on what might work for my needs.

I'm thinking something pretty simple. I basically only want to download radio programs that I'm not able to listen to when they're broadcast so that I can listen to them while I'm cutting the lawn, or whatever. I think they're all available as mp3's. I'm not expecting to use it for music (although I suppose that could change as I go on), I definitely have no plans for video.

I would hope for something simple to hook up and download files to, and to delete after I've listened to them. Inexpensive is good, but so is reliability.

I don't think something that's complicated, with a lot of bells and whistles would really be worth the effort. I am on the old side, but can find my way around a computer to some extent. I am definitely no computer geek.

Right now I'm looking at the Sandisk sansa-clip+. It seems like it would fit the bill, but I wonder about installing/downloading the software just to make it work. Or is that not really an issue?

I appreciate any advice someone might have.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

[CrowdAds]

[McDougal]

The Sansa Clip+ seems like a good choice...I hear it's very simple to use and good for newbies. And about the software, it doesn't require any particular software to sync, you can just drag and drop the files using Windows Explorer, or you could use some software such as Windows Media Player, MediaMonkey, or WinAmp, your choice. So my recommendation would be the Sansa Clip+.

[SheepCake]

the fuze and clip players(includes clip+) shouldnt need you to download any extra software if your running windows xp or newer (up to date with patches ofcorse) , they "just work"

depending on how long your planing to listen at a time and how good your eye site is, you may want to consider the fuze, the fuze batt live is ALOT better and its got a larger screen(less eye strain)

either way the clip and fuze are great little players

[dgb52]

i agree the clip+ or the fuze

which ever player you get you should think about upgrading the ear buds

[JK98]

I have both the Clip+ and Fuze and like both. The Fuze has a scroll wheel, much larger screen, and longer battery life than the Clip+. The Clip+ has a built in clip and is much smaller than the Fuze. The Fuze has a proprietary connector and cable, while the Clip+ has a standard mini USB connector. While the Fuze gets around 20 hours of battery life, and the Clip+ gets around 12 hours, due to the Clip's standard connector, the Clip+ is much easier to use with an small external battery pack such as the Duracell Instant Power. When I am home I use the Fuze, but when I am very active I use my Clip(I also have the Clip+).

[blmer]

Wow, that was quick.

Thank you all for the replies.

It seems like the sansa clip+ would work, then.

I like the idea of just dropping files onto it. I wouldn't think that I'd be listening to it more than an hour or two at a time, so battery life probably won't be an issue, as long as I remember to charge it I guess.

About upgrading the ear buds... is there something in particular about the ear buds? I was wondering if I might want to look for some "regular" foam earphone type, anyway, but since I've never used any I'm not sure what would be good. I'll have to try it I guess. I would want something I wouldn't need to worry about coming of while I was working or something.

Thanks again for the advice.

[SheepCake]

Originally Posted by blmer

Wow, that was quick.

Thank you all for the replies.

It seems like the sansa clip+ would work, then.

I like the idea of just dropping files onto it. I wouldn't think that I'd be listening to it more than an hour or two at a time, so battery life probably won't be an issue, as long as I remember to charge it I guess.

About upgrading the ear buds... is there something in particular about the ear buds? I was wondering if I might want to look for some "regular" foam earphone type, anyway, but since I've never used any I'm not sure what would be good. I'll have to try it I guess. I would want something I wouldn't need to worry about coming of while I was working or something.

Thanks again for the advice.

it depends for mowing the lawen i would recommend an IEM or full size headphones.

for cans(headphones) the JVC HA-RX900's are a great choice(the 700's pads are thinner but they are also ok)

for IEM's on the cheap I would get
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.34760
or
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/index.p...roducts_id=294

both are great and would offer decent isolation with default tips (i have both pairs from the sites i listed, great stuff for voice and music use)

[TackyTiger]

Originally Posted by blmer

I basically only want to download radio programs that I'm not able to listen to when they're broadcast so that I can listen to them while I'm cutting the lawn, or whatever.

I use a Clip+ and a pair of JVC HA-S150 Flats when I'm cutting the lawn. I find they've got enough isolation so you don't have to turn it up too much to compensate, but not so much that you can't hear how the engine is doing.

[rickysio]

Not to sound like a broken record, but the Clip+ is probably quite good.

Might require good eyesight due to small display, though!

[blmer]

Thanks again for the advice.

I'll check out headphones as well.

My eyesight is not that bad, so I imagine I'll be able to read it... for a few more years at least. I'm not that old, although I was born in the middle of the last century...

Thank you again for your help

[bascom]

Seems like the volume would need to be high to listen to while mowing the lawn due to mower noise. Could be bad for your hearing. Also would be distracting. You may mow your foot or pet.

I had a Clip but sold it because I didn't like the small screen and controls. A bigger one like Fuze would still be pocketable and light.

[Stripes]

Originally Posted by blmer

. . .

My eyesight is not that bad, . . .

Well then you are not as old as I am Choose the clip. I have both and only use the clip to mow the lawn. I have some small IEM's and put them on before big cup type ear protectors; works well. Need to go into the garage to read the screen but I think that applies to most players.

Drag and drop the mp3's to the podcast directory so the player keeps a bookmark if you have to stop for any reason. Files can be deleted right off the player when you have listened to them. I get lots of NPR podcasts like Science Friday.

The supplied ear buds are quite good despite so many slamming them as poor quality. I think either these people haven't listened to those ear buds or Sansa is supplying different ones with some being quite good and others not so. Mine are all great and although they are not as fine as the Hippo VB's they have nothing to be ashamed of.

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by Stripes

Well then you are not as old as I am Choose the clip. I have both and only use the clip to mow the lawn. I have some small IEM's and put them on before big cup type ear protectors; works well. Need to go into the garage to read the screen but I think that applies to most players.

Drag and drop the mp3's to the podcast directory so the player keeps a bookmark if you have to stop for any reason. Files can be deleted right off the player when you have listened to them. I get lots of NPR podcasts like Science Friday.

The supplied ear buds are quite good despite so many slamming them as poor quality. I think either these people haven't listened to those ear buds or Sansa is supplying different ones with some being quite good and others not so. Mine are all great and although they are not as fine as the Hippo VB's they have nothing to be ashamed of.

Or the Sony heart players, the all in one? They have a zappin!!! mode.