MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

hacker · 07-15-2005, 09:09 PM

I'm now in the market for a new gadget... a dedicated mp3 player.

But wait, before you say "Get an iPod", let me give you my specifics and my requirements:

Must support .ogg format, no exceptions. Most of my collection is in .ogg format (or .ogm for video), and I don't want to downsample them to mp3 format files if I can avoid it. I have exceptional hearing and I'll be able to tell when highs and lows are missing in the re-encoded version.
Must be light. I'll be using it for training on a bike and triathlons, so being light is a major consideration. I don't want to have to keep readjusting it and I don't want to feel it bouncing around on an armband or a waistband.
Must be small, or as small as possible given its features. I don't need a big clickwheel because I'll be keeping it out of reach while its playing. I also don't want a player that is the size of a deck of cards on my arm or waist.
Must be relatively water-resistant, mostly to sweat and perspiration, as well as condensation from my camelback water pack or waterbottles. Extra points for a player that is waterproof, or has a waterproof case option that isn't too bulky.
Must have a decent battery life and a built-in rechargeable battery. I don't want to have to use AAAA or AAA batteries in the player and keep those charged and change them all the time.
Must have decent storage. I don't need 10 hours of music if I can keep recycling music onto and off of it before each session. Anything more than say 4gb is probably fine. Extra points if the player supports playlists I can cycle through (no pun intended). This allows me to have fast-bpm songs for splits and hills, and slower songs for flats.

Simple, right? Well I've checked every electronics store here locally, searched literally hundreds of online sites, read reviews (good and bad) on dozens of players, and I'm not finding much out there.

Any ideas out there? Small, light, decent storage, decent battery life, and able to withstand some sporting activities. Nothing like scuba diving, but running and cycling.

I'm open to anything at this point. Fill me up with ideas everyone!

07-15-2005, 09:09 PM	#1
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Looking for a Gadget I'm now in the market for a new gadget... a dedicated mp3 player. But wait, before you say "Get an iPod", let me give you my specifics and my requirements: Must support .ogg format, no exceptions. Most of my collection is in .ogg format (or .ogm for video), and I don't want to downsample them to mp3 format files if I can avoid it. I have exceptional hearing and I'll be able to tell when highs and lows are missing in the re-encoded version. Must be light. I'll be using it for training on a bike and triathlons, so being light is a major consideration. I don't want to have to keep readjusting it and I don't want to feel it bouncing around on an armband or a waistband. Must be small, or as small as possible given its features. I don't need a big clickwheel because I'll be keeping it out of reach while its playing. I also don't want a player that is the size of a deck of cards on my arm or waist. Must be relatively water-resistant, mostly to sweat and perspiration, as well as condensation from my camelback water pack or waterbottles. Extra points for a player that is waterproof, or has a waterproof case option that isn't too bulky. Must have a decent battery life and a built-in rechargeable battery. I don't want to have to use AAAA or AAA batteries in the player and keep those charged and change them all the time. Must have decent storage. I don't need 10 hours of music if I can keep recycling music onto and off of it before each session. Anything more than say 4gb is probably fine. Extra points if the player supports playlists I can cycle through (no pun intended). This allows me to have fast-bpm songs for splits and hills, and slower songs for flats. Simple, right? Well I've checked every electronics store here locally, searched literally hundreds of online sites, read reviews (good and bad) on dozens of players, and I'm not finding much out there. Any ideas out there? Small, light, decent storage, decent battery life, and able to withstand some sporting activities. Nothing like scuba diving, but running and cycling. I'm open to anything at this point. Fill me up with ideas everyone!