MP3 device for treadmill, to replace dead Zen

[SzDoc]

So, the last of my original Zen 32G finally has died. Like the previous devices, it won't charge. The battery appears dead (in the usual manner of Li ion battery death)

I need an MP3 player exclusively to use on my treadmill. I need to be able to easily change songs while running. My longer workouts involve a continuous run period: I can't slow down, or it will screw up the workout. I don't use playlists.

I have tried a variety of Cowons for this (most recently S9 and J3), and the UI just isn't suitable to use while running. And, lest you think I am anti-Cowon: I still have an X5 (which I still use for certain other purposes), but I want a flash device with larger capacity for this purpose.

The clip is WAY too small to use effectively when running, and the display is too small as well (I'm kind of old). I use a Fuze when running outside, but I need a dedicated player for the treadmill, and would prefer something a bit bigger than the Fuze.

I am allergic to iDevices. iTunes makes me sneeze, and makes my Windows computer sad.

I am considering either getting an EU spec 64G Sony, or the 4" or 4.2" Samsung. Before I spend considerable $, I wanted to get the thoughtful comments I have come to expect from the ABI boards. I have yet to have these boards steer me wrong (save my purchase of the Clip Zip, which I don't like at all as a running device).

So, what's important:
SQ
Did I mention: SQ
Capacity of at least 32G: Expansion slot or on board: I don't care
Easy use while running, as described above
Track time information while playing
Reasonably usable artist navigation, whether by folder or tag
MSC would be nice...
Reasonable battery life when powered off

What I don't care about at all:
Anything save MP3 playback
Speaker
Video
Games
WiFI and/or BT
Cost (albeit less than HiFiman or DX100 territory)


What say you?

Thanks.

[CrowdAds]

[mamamia88]

Can I suggest a clip even though you said it was too small? Why are you trying to operate the player while on the treadmill anyway? Create a custom workout playlist on your pc then set the player on shuffle mode and enjoy. I totally suggest you look into that. Also using anything bigger than a clip on the treadmill will get in the way imo. Why get something fancy if you might knock it over and break it?

[SzDoc]

See above: I can't see the display when moving and I don't use playlists. I don't know what I want to hear next until I get there. I need the correct song for the moment, and the level of workout. But, thanks anyway.

[mamamia88]

Well with rockbox you can up the font size very high. Maybe a last gen fuze might be good for you if you can find one for a fair price.

[SzDoc]

Point taken. I can't find many Fuze that look particularly good, and I would like something a bit bigger. Also, the replaceable battery on one of the Samsung devices looks promising. I'm rather tired of devices dying on me (including 2 fuzes) due to end of battery life.

[The DarkSide]

I owned the Sony A867, and Marvin The Martian and I did a trade. It's a marvelous device, I personally think you should go for it. The sq is excellent, and navigation is a breeze. I personally think it's a good choice.

And, I traded it because I wasn't getting enough playtime with it. Marv wanted to give it a new home, a LOVING home. I accepted. He's quite happy, as am I. You would be also,...

Or, the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2,...another fine option. Great sq, nice size screen, good battery life, and able to do other distracting things when not on the treadmill.

[SzDoc]

Thanks. Will obsess further. Looking hard at the Samsung 3.6", which also appears to have a replaceable battery. I could even take that out running with me when I am on new roads, to have the GPS. Hmmmmm.....

[Carson Dyle]

You actually navigate the UI and select songs while running?

I'd invest some time into creating a number of sufficiently long playlists. What I generally do on the treadmill or stationary bike is play favorite albums. Queue up two of them if your workout is long enough.

I assume the device isn't attached to your body while you're working out - you have it sitting on the treadmill dash. How about a gen 5/5.5 iPod (iPod Video) with Rockbox installed? Big screen, MSC access, no iTunes. Different Rockbox themes make interfaces with different sized fonts available (and they're not hard to customize for yourself).

[SzDoc]

CD: Yes. I change tunes on the fly. I don't know what I want to hear until I get there. My mood changes, sometimes drastically, as fatigue sets in, I think about work and other matters, and so on. Playlists don't work for me. Period. I have tried. No go.

And, two albums don't cover many of my workouts. As to iDevice, that is an interesting thought: Never thought about Rockboxed device.

And, yes: The device is on the dash.

When I run outside, it's attached to the belt I wear when running (as I have to carry my phone, pager, money, IDs, etc.). I don't wear an armband. And, the Fuze works fairly well in that setting.

//end TMI//

[SzDoc]

NB: Thanks to all. Much food for thought.

[mamamia88]

Well you could get an android device which would probably be better because if you think of the song you want you can find it by spelling it. maybe you can even find something like a bluetooth powerpoint clicker to click to the next song.

[IDvsEGO]

SzDoc, there are several players out there that fit your needs, there is no point in adjusting your needs or habits to fit into the stubborn recommendations of others. As for the ipod classic...I dont like using HDD players in any physically active scenario personally. call me paranoid but solid state flash players should hold up better than a moving HDD. Samsung galaxy player would fit your needs pretty well. Also a J3 would be great. I used one at the gym for a while. fits in a lot of ipod touch cases like my arm band too. The 3.6 galaxy player should too actually. any of the sony devices would work as well but not expandable form the memory side of things so wouldnt be my personal first choice.

[SzDoc]

IDvsEGO: I listen, therefore I am. But, I digress...
I agree with the premise about HD players, which is why the x5 doesn't get near the 'mill. And, as it happens, I'm leaning hard towards the 3.6" Sammy. I figure that if I don't like the stock music app, there are 100 others. My phone is an Android device, and I'm pretty used to the ecosystem and the quirks of the OS.
NB: Had a J3. Sold it. Just not right for me.

[sideways]

I've done some field tests with hard drive players, solid state players, tactile buttons and touch screens, big and small. Nothing really works well for me. A heavy player bounces around too much and falls out of pockets, touchscreens are hopelessly useless when exhaustion removes your fine motor skills and earbuds/iems tend to fall out or suffer wind noise/ microphonics/ conduction. Headphones are bulky. My solution was to go without.

My best results came with the clip plus since the tactile controls allowed me to easily next-next-next my music on a shuffle rotation and the light weight meant it wasnt bouncing around too much. I understand you've rule that one out, fair enough. Maybe an original sansa fuze, if you can still find one? The new "fuze +" one has a touchscreen so I'd not get that.

Edit: you already have one. OK, solution go with with what you have. A simple test if a small touchscreen works for you, jump around a bit with your phone in hand and try to navigate the menus.

[IDvsEGO]

poweramp is awesome for android. the new one that comes on ICS is kinda cool but had less functionality for me. apollo I think it was

[JK98]

Sandisk might release a new version of the Fuze at the end of August. Sandisk seems to be replacing each model every two years. A 2GB Clip+ is only $30. You could get a Clip+ now, and perhaps also get the next player Sandisk releases as well.

[dgb52]

Maybe a Sony E series would work for you

[IDvsEGO]

Originally Posted by JK98

Sandisk might release a new version of the Fuze at the end of August. Sandisk seems to be replacing each model every two years. A 2GB Clip+ is only $30. You could get a Clip+ now, and perhaps also get the next player Sandisk releases as well.

no way I would bank on the sandisk player meeting the OP needs. He already said he has a fuze and it isnt what he wants. They havent broken out of that mold ever. The fuze+ was smaller than the fuze. sandisk specializes in good sounding, small, cheap players. Nothing they make now or most likely in the future will fit OPs requirements.

[mamamia88]

Yeah if all you care about is music and don't listen to podcasts I had a sony before and the navigation between songs was super easy because you didn't have to browse as one long list you could skip between letters

[Carson Dyle]

If this is to sit stationary on a treadmill then you don't need a portable player. If it needs a large screen and easy to navigate UI, then I would think a small tablet would be ideal.