Question about MP3 players

[BFSpin]

Hi, everyone...

While my IPod envy will eventually lead me to get one of them for myself, I'm in need of a few opinions on lesser-priced options for my soon-to-be 13-year-old. Turning a $300. IPod over to her seems a little extreme to me. Do you guys have any thoughts or experience to share about other models?

Thanks for any Consumer Report-type answers you can share...

Beth

[dc13]

I do use an iPod but I used to use a Rio 256 mb flash player. It held about 25 songs, which was enough for a decent run, but that's about it, and I had to constantly change the music on it. If you don't want to spend the money on a mini iPod (which is about $250), then go with one of the newer flash players but try to get as much memory as possible. Chances are your kid will have a lot more music than most of the less expensive models will hold . . .

[AC]

The newest release of Ipod is 20G for $299. The dropped the 15G and just have a 20G and 40G and dropped the retail $100 for each. Naturally, I bought the 20G for the $100 more, but I am totally in love with it. I've spent another $100 on peripherals and the next thing I will get is a connector cable that will let me transfer pictures when I am on vacation from the camera.

I'm taking it everywhere instead of CD's. I've loaded about 1200 tunes on it and it will hold 3 times that. If I start listening now and do nothing else, i can entertain myself for 3 days...lol.

You can get any of the flash memory ones for $89 to $150. Get the 20G Ipod and don't look back. The kid will grow out of the smaller one in a couple of years. You'll be borrowing it from him/her anyway.

[rindin' high]

Hey AC,
Just curious,,why did you decide to go the 20 vs the 40gb?
I've been thinking about buying one for quite some time,,,,,and I'm getting closer and closer to biting the bullet to be in Ipod happy land!

[AC]

At the time, $500 seemed way too high. I have over 13000 mp3 files on my PC and it is less than 30g. I couldn't visualize scrolling thru that many songs just for walking around tunes. I loaded about 1300 on it now and never get passed 200 on shuffle play.

Also, I bought the thing at Best Buy because I knew I would want an extended waranty and that would be another $65.00. The USB cord, which does not come with it was another $35.

That said, I love the damn thing. It's a little pal that entertains you.

[McRide]

If you're going to go for an MP3 player -- Sony is good.

My opinion -- go for the iPod. Now. You won't regret it.

[gonzosgirl01]

I went with the RCA Lyra - 40 GB, and I can use it as a travelling hard drive. My biggest reason for not wanting an iPod was having to send the battery back in. My Lyra has been awesome - I currently have about 3800 songs on it, and the software it comes with is super-simple when it comes to organizing playlists or burning CDs. Their ripper was about 10x faster than the one on my computer. I bought it for $299 at a military exchange store.

The thing I love is that I can save a bunch of playlists that fit different styles (interval, hills, pyramids, etc.) and be ready no matter what. I'm so supremely spoiled to it, I can't believe I waited so long.

You'll not believe the difference once you make the leap. It's an investment you won't regret, trust us!

[GoSpin]

Hey Mandi:

I have been researching iPod and saw your post. If you don't mind ~ a few questions:

1. How long did it take for you to enter in the titles of all your songs?
2. You mention that it burns CD's - are we talking you can burn a CD without using your computer?
3. I read that finding a case for the RCA Lyra 40 GB is difficult - were you able to find one that worked?
4. Did you have to spend more $ on buying items for it that did not come with the original $299 purchase?
5. Do you use the cassette to enable playing your music on the system in your spin/cycling room?

Thanks and if you can think of anything thing else I haven't asked - that would be great! :D

GoSpin

[gonzosgirl01]

GoSpin - to answer your questions,

1. I didn't have to enter anything. The Lyra finds the music from whichever source (computer or CDs), and automatically arranges it for you by tags - author, title, album, genre, etc. You can also edit tags and sort your music by any category.

2. No, you still need a burner on your computer. The software that comes with it is a much faster ripper than say, Roxio (which I also have). You don't necessarily have to use their ripper.

3. Mine came with a case. I've never really looked around for other ones, but I'm sure if I looked on eBay I'd stumble across one.

4. The only thing extra I purchased was a $19.99 lifetime free upgrades. It gives unlimited access to the ripper (originally you get 5 free) and their music download center (which I believe is .99 per song). It came with the USB & AC adapters.

5. No, I don't use the cassette; it has a little accessory that lets you plug into the stereo somewhere in the back. I'm not sure what it's called.

Overall I've been extremely happy with it. I've used it to transfer files too, between work & home, which is handy. I think it's supposed to hold something like 10,000 songs. The latest upgrade has improved search features and the music on your drive is sorted better.

Hope that helps - you're doing the best thing possible by doing your research!

[spindawg]

Don't know if this is correct-1 GB MP3 player for $99:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1641173,00.asp

[EastSpin]

I have a Rio cali and like it a lot. expandable memory and very compact and durable. It loads quick and I can dump and entire CD on it, or load with files from PC. I have never wanted for more memory, even on longer rides and runs. Plus it is small and really tough. Uner $200