gomerspile
06-16-2005, 16:25
Okay, I've finally broken down and decided to buy an MP3 player. After doing a ton of research over the last few weeks, I know that I want to go with a flash-based player (for use when running) with 1GB of memory (I want enough variety to have stuff to suit my mood or help motivate me without lots of changes) and have pretty much narrowed it down to three Jet Audio/Cowon/iAudio models (though I'm still open to others). My main question is which should I buy, the U2, the G3 or the 5? That's followed up by the question of which headphones should I buy? Here's my profile for use, so please take these things into account when responding:
I'll be using it mainly when running and hashing outdoors (urban, trails, and through woodlands). I do long runs (10 - 20 miles) once a week and several shorter runs 2 - 4 times per week, regardless of the weather (that means I and it have to deal with rain, snow sleet, and really humid weather). My runs sometimes take me through swamps and streams, so durability and weather resistance are very important (though the player may end up inside a ziplock bag with the headphone cord trailing out the bottom). I'll occasionally use it on the train, commuting to work, or when sitting at my desk, but that's a secondary concern to the running use.
I kind of like the idea of the dual rocker switches on the 5, rather than the joystick on the G3 and U2, but can see how it might be awkward to manipulate with one hand. Being able to do it all with the same hand in which I'm holding it is a plus.
I also like the idea of user-replaceable batteries (5 and G3), but constantly buying and replacing batteries isn't fun. Has anyone tried the 5 or G3 with rechargeable batteries? If so, do you have any suggestions on which type or to forget about them altogether? I'd think that the U2 being a slightly more sealed unit may be a bit more weather resistant. I saw one posting about building an external battery case for the U2, so will keep an eye on that.
The ability to plug it in and have it show up as a local drive is critical for me and the ability to drag and drop tunes using Windows Explorer is a must. Since all three of these do that and come packaged with okay software, those don't matter unless someone out there recommends a completely different player. The line-in recording feature is critical, as I'll probably get most of my tracks by ripping them directly from CD's (and occasional tapes and vinyl). A few reviewers have commented that the 5 does only a fair job of this, leaving the sound flat. That doesn't seem to be the case with the G3 and U2.
Headphones need to be durable and stay put. They need to put up with the crappy conditions that I all too frequently run in and shouldn't block out traffic, dogs, bicycle bells, whistles, etc. I'm willing to sacrifice sound quality for comfort and durability, A LOT. I don't like a lot of bass and I don't listen to music loud (and for the most part, I can't tell the difference in sound quality between a tape and a CD), so what most people would judge as only mediocre headphones are fine with me. I want quality and am willing to pay for it, within reason. Again durability and staying put are my two main criteria in headphones. I don't want to have to constantly replace them.
Amazon.com has the 1GB U2 paired with some Sony sports headphones for $175 right now with free shipping, so that's a strong possibility. They don't have it listed for the other two, but it may be do-able, as all three have the same base brice of $161.49.
Features that I don't care about: appearance (ugly doesn't bother me with this), FM recording, voice recording, more than 6 FM presets, viewing lyrics, and multiple screen colors. The weight difference between them is negligible, as on my long runs, it will be in a backpack with a couple of quarts of water and on the shorter runs, something less than 1/4 lb strapped to my arm or in a pocket won't make a difference.
I'm posting this in all 3 forums to get opinions from users of each. Thanks for your help.
On-On
Gomer's Pile
I'll be using it mainly when running and hashing outdoors (urban, trails, and through woodlands). I do long runs (10 - 20 miles) once a week and several shorter runs 2 - 4 times per week, regardless of the weather (that means I and it have to deal with rain, snow sleet, and really humid weather). My runs sometimes take me through swamps and streams, so durability and weather resistance are very important (though the player may end up inside a ziplock bag with the headphone cord trailing out the bottom). I'll occasionally use it on the train, commuting to work, or when sitting at my desk, but that's a secondary concern to the running use.
I kind of like the idea of the dual rocker switches on the 5, rather than the joystick on the G3 and U2, but can see how it might be awkward to manipulate with one hand. Being able to do it all with the same hand in which I'm holding it is a plus.
I also like the idea of user-replaceable batteries (5 and G3), but constantly buying and replacing batteries isn't fun. Has anyone tried the 5 or G3 with rechargeable batteries? If so, do you have any suggestions on which type or to forget about them altogether? I'd think that the U2 being a slightly more sealed unit may be a bit more weather resistant. I saw one posting about building an external battery case for the U2, so will keep an eye on that.
The ability to plug it in and have it show up as a local drive is critical for me and the ability to drag and drop tunes using Windows Explorer is a must. Since all three of these do that and come packaged with okay software, those don't matter unless someone out there recommends a completely different player. The line-in recording feature is critical, as I'll probably get most of my tracks by ripping them directly from CD's (and occasional tapes and vinyl). A few reviewers have commented that the 5 does only a fair job of this, leaving the sound flat. That doesn't seem to be the case with the G3 and U2.
Headphones need to be durable and stay put. They need to put up with the crappy conditions that I all too frequently run in and shouldn't block out traffic, dogs, bicycle bells, whistles, etc. I'm willing to sacrifice sound quality for comfort and durability, A LOT. I don't like a lot of bass and I don't listen to music loud (and for the most part, I can't tell the difference in sound quality between a tape and a CD), so what most people would judge as only mediocre headphones are fine with me. I want quality and am willing to pay for it, within reason. Again durability and staying put are my two main criteria in headphones. I don't want to have to constantly replace them.
Amazon.com has the 1GB U2 paired with some Sony sports headphones for $175 right now with free shipping, so that's a strong possibility. They don't have it listed for the other two, but it may be do-able, as all three have the same base brice of $161.49.
Features that I don't care about: appearance (ugly doesn't bother me with this), FM recording, voice recording, more than 6 FM presets, viewing lyrics, and multiple screen colors. The weight difference between them is negligible, as on my long runs, it will be in a backpack with a couple of quarts of water and on the shorter runs, something less than 1/4 lb strapped to my arm or in a pocket won't make a difference.
I'm posting this in all 3 forums to get opinions from users of each. Thanks for your help.
On-On
Gomer's Pile