Recommend me an MP3 player

[rhoelsch]

My Zen Micro's battery has been dying a slow death for a while now, and it's time I upgraded to something else. I'm looking for 8-16G, dependable, long battery, no software hassles... Ipod nano doesn't impress me. I've been considering a Sony or a Sansa, but am open to all feedback. I use it at work, and may use it in the car, if I can get a decent transmitter solution... I don't need anywhere close to 120 gigs, and touchscreen really isn't a need, per se. Under US $150 would be nice.

[RayB]

Samsung P2 or P3

[rhoelsch]

Yeah, I've been looking at the P3...only sold by Dell, AFAIK, and Samsung's website doesn't even seem to mention it without some major digging... other than that, it seems like a nice player, if I could just find some decent info on the thing I could make a decision... this year's choices really seem to be crap...

[ahofle]

If you can find one, a Sansa e280.  They appear on woot.com every once in a while for under $50.  It supports the Rockbox firmware which blows away any crappy stock mp3 player firmware I've seen (checkout www.rockbox.org).  I like this player because it has an SDHC expansion slot (rockbox allows it to go up to 32GB!) and easily replaceable battery.

[SithMaster]

Does your micro have any audio jack problems (mine did)?

I'd recommend the Zune since it has a fm tuner.

[mccoy178]

Anyone got a good iTunes alternative suggestion?  Don't want to load that bloatware onto my new setup.  

I've had no issues on my mac's with it at all.  Since the discovery of podcasts some time ago, I love it.  I plug the nano in at night and take off with it in the morning.   

[wp34]

It is a little above your budget but the iTouch is a good value if you want more than an MP3 player.  It is basically an iPhone that you can't make phone calls with (but also no monthly fee). 

You can install games and other programs from the App Store.  It has built-in WiFi so you can check email and surf the web.  It has a great screen for videos as well.

[SithMaster]

Anyone got a good iTunes alternative suggestion?  Don't want to load that bloatware onto my new setup.   

I wouldn't be surprised if you could only use iTunes which I'm positive is the case.  When I installed rockbox on my ipod I found out about their silly naming convention of the songs.  It really made no sense so I would assume that unless you install rockbox like mentioned above you are stuck with itunes.

[ahofle]

I've used this before to avoid the iTunes virus:
http://www.yamipod.com

Does your micro have any audio jack problems (mine did)?

Hmm no I haven't (I have 3 of them too).  I did get them refurbished, so maybe that issue has been fixed?

[SithMaster]

I've used this before to avoid the iTunes virus:
http://www.yamipod.com

Does your micro have any audio jack problems (mine did)?

Hmm no I haven't (I have 3 of them too).  I did get them refurbished, so maybe that issue has been fixed?

I think it was a bad soldering job so the common fix was to jam some paper under the metal shield to keep it from moving.

If the only problem with yours is the battery why not get a new one (battery or micro).  Apparently you can swap the mini disk drive with a cf card so you can get your memory into the range you want.

[ahofle]

Oops sorry I thought you were talking to me, not the OP.  I don't have a Zen.  

[rhoelsch]

Nope,  no audio jack problems, although I do know it plagued many users out there, I've never had a problem with mine. If I could add 4 more gigs and find a battery I knew was reliable, I might consider rolling with it quite a while longer.

Right now, the Sansa Fuze looks good, the Samsung P3 and Sony S series close behind... maybe a current gen. Nano, just for the sake of accessory possibilities. I'd like to stay away from anything that's been discontinued. Yeah, the Ipod touch looks neat, but I can't justify the expenditure per storage ratio. Current gen Zen's reliability is too poor to consider those.

Anyone have anything they're really happy with?

Maybe I'll hold off until the P4's available with its folding OLEAD screen. Neato.

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2008/11/the-samsung-p4-and-the-foldable-screen.php

[Red]

The Sansa Fuze gets my vote.  I had one and loved it.

Red

[protokatie]

Not to hijack the thread as there is little point in me adding a new thread, but does anyone know of any good eBook reader that has good MP3/WMA/OGG/etc playback with a good battery life and a decent price? (One that doesnt involve the company killing your eBook reader if you have "unlicenced material" on it)