mp3 players

[benjaminmarle]

Any one use a portable mp3 player for walking or working out? I'm just trying to get some feed back on what manufacturer has done a good job. I'm not looking for anything real expensive. I have been looking at RCA Lyra which depending on model runs from $99-$130. Any one have any info? Thanks in advance for your advise.

[MikeW]

I've used the Lyra and I-Rock. The Lyra I purchased for my daughter requires specific software to download songs from the PC to the player. The I-Rock can use Windows Media player, and is much simpler to use. My vote...IRock.

[Richard King]

RCA is owned by the French. But they are all probably made in China. :(

[Kevin]

I use a TDK Mojo CD-MP3 player, which I got from ShopRite (don't laugh) for $110. You burn your mp3's onto a CD-R as a data CD, and you can fit as much as 800MB of mp3's on one CD-R. The song and artist are shown on the player's display. You can make playlists and when you take the CD in and out it will still remember your playlist. It plays Audio CDs also, which is a good thing since portable mp3 players don't play Audio CD's.

It has a good electronic shock protection system, which you can turn on and off. I've never experienced any problems with it while running or working out.

[Coopsterman321]

My wife gave me a Rio 900 that she picked up at Costco.  I think it ran about $120.  Comes with 192MB built in and the battery charge lasts about 6-8 hours.  Also came with the car adapter and padded case with a belt clip.  Works fine for walking/running/driving.  Connects via USB and you can transfer music or audio books using Windows Media Player.

Cons for this device -- (1) you can't increase memory using standard compact flash or memory sticks -- you have to get a Rio 'backpack' module.  (2) My wife keeps swiping it and putting her music on it :p

[Ryan]

I've been using a creative Nomad II MG for a couple years now for working out (running, etc). Under XP, a simple driver download/install from the Nomad website will allow WMP to talk to it. The unit plays great, but as basically a second generation product, is not feature-filled (it was for its time, but no longer would be considered so). It has an FM tuner, but I usually have trouble with interference.

If I were buying today, for workout uses, I'd look at some of the tiny little models like the MuVo that are basically USB dongles with a pack for the battery and audio-out port. Some of these even allow file storage and transfer, so you get more than just audio out of the unit.