View Full Version : IPODs
Warrior-Mentor
04-22-2006, 14:56
Time to 'fess up....
who knows anything about these or their comercial equivalents?
As I prep to move, was thinking it would be nice to load my disks up on to one of these - except I don't know anything about them.
Have two general categories of disks, music and pesonal development (talkies)....about 300 disks total as a guess (for memories sake). My PC only holds 30GB of info.
Would like to be able to listen to music while working out (lifting) and talkies while running.
Seems the come in countless flavors, sizes (512mb-60GB) and prices ($100-$400 PLUS ACCESSORIES).
What do you recommend and why?
What acccessories are the must haves?
Time to 'fess up....
who knows anything about these or their comercial equivalents?
As I prep to move, was thinking it would be nice to load my disks up on to one of these - except I don't know anything about them.
Have two general categories of disks, music and pesonal development (talkies)....about 300 disks total as a guess (for memories sake). My PC only holds 30GB of info.
Would like to be able to listen to music while working out (lifting) and talkies while running.
Seems the come in countless flavors, sizes (512mb-60GB) and prices ($100-$400 PLUS ACCESSORIES).
What do you recommend and why?
What acccessories are the must haves?
I have a small one I use for running. I like them becuz the don't "Jump" while I running.
For traveling, for the North America I like XM radio. Its the heat. But IPODs or MP3 are the heat. I would go for the IPOD, its all the name. MP3s in geberal are great for storage devices, not just for music. They can be used just like a merory stick you use at work. It does know it music, it just reads it as a file. I use mine both ways before.
Warrior-Mentor
04-22-2006, 16:01
Looking for something that is quick and easy to load disks of music onto.
For your needs, it sounds like ruggedness and size should be priorities over storage volume. So that rules out any of the larger volume players that use a spinning disk drive for memory. Drops, collisions, etc. can damage the read-write heads in these devices, rendering them instant paperweights.
The iPod Nano is great, I use one and can testify to its ruggedness (depite its glossy looks), but it lacks two features you might appreciate: an FM radio receiver and recording capability. Before the Nano, I had a 256 MB Samsung Yepp, which was the size of a mini Bic lighter and had both of those features. It was really nice to be able to record meetings, lectures, personal notes, etc. in MP3 format. In addition, it didn't require any special software - I used it just like a USB thumb drive.
I'd go with something like that to start with. Brands to look for are Rio, Creative and Samsung, IMO. The differences are primarily ergonomic. You should be able to pick a nice one up for around $100, the sound quality will be more than sufficient for use with earbuds, and you can decide later if your usage patterns require more memory. I encode my MP3s at a very high bit rate, and was still able to squeeze about two hours of music onto that 256 MB Yepp. At normal rates, you should be able to fit 8 hours onto the 512 MB models.
ETA: W-M, you will store your music library on your PC, then load the selection of music you want to your player every once in awhile. If you are cramped for space with your current hard drive, I'd recommend picking up an inexpensive external backup drive to use just for music. That way, if your PC goes down and you've already gotten rid of your physical CDs, you don't have to worry about losing music.
WM,
As I testified on another thread, I have been using iPods since they came out, and, like you, use them predominantly for lifting and running.
While the flash-based nano is excellent because it doesn't skip, it holds fewer songs than I would like.
Last year my fellow students and I were all given 4th generation iPods (not color). I used to run with mine, and while occasionally the iPod would freeze or skip a song, it can be reset while still running (hold the menu and select button at the same time to reboot it).
One plus with having the 4G as opposed to video or color iPod is that if the screen scratches, it will not distort the images. Also, these will be cheaper (can no longer buy from apple, IIRC, look on ebay).
If you DO want to buy the brand new iPodvideo, however, I suggest the following accessories:
Absolutely ESSENTIAL are the clear stickers you stick over the screen. As I said, if you scratch the screen you will get a rainbow effect that distorts the image. These plastic stickers protect the screen, and if you scratch them you can pull them off and put on another one.
Aside from that, I recommend a hardcase cover for your ipod. It should be solid plastic, with a hole so that you can use the thumbwheel and clicker. The screen should ideally be covered with a clear viewing window, but does not need to be.
JMO,
Solid
I have an iRiver iFP-799 with 1 GB of storage. The sound quality is great and the AA batteries are very convenient, along with the FM-radio and especially the recording capability, which is seeing heavy use. Unfortunately, iRiver later heavily degraded the sound quality you could select for recording, which annoys me. I have also had lots trouble with the selector joystick, used for navigating the menus. It has seen a lot of use, but not particularly rough. (actually, nowadays I find it more and more comfortable to not have any music on)
This thread has a number of recommendations too.
HTH,
Martin
Good points from our avatar-challenged G Chiefs. :D
Warrior-Mentor
04-22-2006, 17:40
Thanks for the tips.
I had an Ipod shuffle. It died in no time. Not made for the rugged user. Get one made for outdoors.
Good points from our avatar-challenged G Chiefs. :D
There is nothing wrong with refusing to express yourself in happy and open ways. I remain of the stern opinion that the English language reached its pinnacle during the early 15th century. :lifter
Martin
WM,
I have been using the Ipod Nano (4GB) for six months now and I love it. I personally use the arm band when running, but I've seen some people where it on their hip. You'll need an adapter to use it in a vehicle, these usually run 20-30 bucks. If you go this route, splurge; I went the cheap route and the sound comes through my car radio scratchy and weak at times.
There is nothing wrong with refusing to express yourself in happy and open ways. I remain of the stern opinion that the English language reached its pinnacle during the early 15th century. :lifter
Martin
Hmm, maybe Team Sergeant should let FS pick one for you. Perhaps the high heels with spurs...
jatx, I must admit that you talking about high heels is a bit scaring. First man-to-man talks, now pictures. I withdraw in fear of what you're going to suggest next.
(Btw, picked Russian for next term as per your suggestion.)
M
Warrior-Mentor
04-23-2006, 13:10
Hmm, maybe Team Sergeant should let FS pick one for you. Perhaps the high heels with spurs...
Me thinks google found this one for ye...
15th Century (http://www.virtue.to/articles/images/1400s_bosch_beltbook.jpg)
(Btw, picked Russian for next term as per your suggestion.)
Very good! Perhaps we should go with a Russian theme...
:munchin
Very good! Perhaps we should go with a Russian theme...
:munchin
I didn't know you are Russian.
M
Haha, you know that you'd be on her in a minute if it would get you that little green card... :p
Now, what were we talking about?
Haha, you know that you'd be on her in a minute if it would get you that little green card... :p
I AM trying! She keeps rejecting me.
Now, what were we talking about?
Ah, yes, iPods. FS likes 'em too. I would go for a Nano if it wasn't for the lack of recording.
M
I have a Dell DJ with a 30GB capacity, which I absolutely love. I have taken it everywhere with no let downs. About 10 to 12 hours of life on a full charge, syncs up nice to Micro$oft Media Player and Yahoo Music, & it can take a beating (it has been "dropped" more than once).
Same issues with the car adapter and radio accessories...you get what you pay for!!!!
bberkley
04-23-2006, 16:50
I have an iRiver T10 1GB, and use(d) it at the gym doing cardio after weights until the disc at L5-S1 gave out for the final time (but thats another story).
I like mine, I also have an iRiver FM adapter for the car, which also works really well. If GreenSalsa is still around, I know he has used a couple of them.
I have a Highgear Trailaudio which I have been pleased with. Holds 512 MB and runs on 1 AAA Battery. My favorite features are the Carabiner on top of it and the fact that it is at least "Water Resistant" I can't seem to find them on Highgear's website right now, but they do exist. This Player works great with the TADgear Stealth softshell, it hangs on the D ring in the pocket and the headphone wire goes through the hole in the top of the pocket.
HTH
Blake
You can buy a recording device for the Nano and all new iPods. It looks like a big tube, sits ontop of the device, and is high-powered enough to record lectures 12 seats away.
Solid
I didn't know you are Russian.
M
MW
Martin is onto something. If you have a AK maybe a MP3 like this one for your travels.
The 20 GB, USB-compatable player "can be used on its own or it could be attached to the Kalashnikov machine gun instead of the ordinary magazine (http://www.audiobooksforfree.com/kalashnikov/Ak-mp3.asp)," promises the gnomes at AudioBooksForFree.Com. The device's "stainless steel body makes this new player uniquely suitable for outdoors."
Nothing better than guns and music.. like the wemon too.
(Admin Edit: I removed the pictures you posted because they are not "value added" for these forums or this thread. Rules (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3452). Have a good day.)