Do you own a non-iPod mp3 player and like it?

[wonderwes]

After looking at the iRiver, and other mp3 players, I just don't see any mp3 player that has the same appeal, function, sleek look, and iTunes function. Obvious iTunes is only through Apple, but it appears more and more shows are putting their broadcasts on iTunes. I eventually want to have a mp3 player.

Does anyone own a non iPod mp3 player and like it? What was it and how much did it cost?

[kurosh]

iRiver, $300, 40GB. Don't remember exact specs, but superior to iPod in nearly every way.

[mrTEA]

sandisk sansa. small as an ipod nano but it has flash memory and you don't need itunes.

sansa

[theben]

i have a scandisk mp3 player. 256MB memory, looks like funky but its small. i like it just fine. only about 100$

my problem with ipods is they are so damn common there is no longer any appear in ownership

[Unoriginalname]

I got a black Creative Zen Microphoto 8GB mp3 player from newegg for $199. I did a lot of research before I bought it and I am extremely happy with my purchase. I feel it better suits my needs than the iPod Nano (I wanted a small player that could hold a few thousand songs. It is tiny. The iPod Nano is slightly lighter, but I find the difference rather trivial.

Creative pros:
-holds 8GB instead vs. Nano with 2GB or 4GB
-Less expensive
-Has a battery that you can replace simply by slipping it out! No tools needed! Buy as many back-up batteries as you want. You don't have to send it in to the manufacturer to get a new battery or do anything tricky to get it open and replace the battery (this was a big selling point for me).
-Is compatible with practically everything except iTunes.
-FM tuner (although I'm not a big FM radio fan so I don't really use this).
-voice recorder

Creative cons:
-Harddrive memory instead of flash. I've never jogged with it so I have no idea how big of a deal that is. When I do cardio, I prefer the elliptical or stationary bike anyways, so this means nothing to me.

There might be other pros/cons, but I can't think of any more off the top of my head and I don't feel like doing research. I'll let others elaborate more.

[1C5]

I have a 1 gig IRiver with FM radio that I use for walks and gym, love it.

[ed8383]

check out this site
http://www.anythingbutipod.com

[TheRock69]

IF you can change the batteries without sending it in it is better than Apple's iPod.

[PITTM]

kurosh, what model is your iriver? and does it have an optical out?

rj

[Brain]

I have an iAudio from Cowon. Mine is 1GB and I think it was around $120. I like it, easy to read and control. The armband is [censored] awful though. They could have designed it so much better, but didn't. The player attaches perpendicular to the armband, not parallel to it so it doesn't slide into a pocket. You have to slide a piece of the armband through a loop on the case. It took four of us to figure out how it was supposed to work.

MP3 player-recommended
armband-NOT recommended