MP3 Player for Running, and headphones

VulnoX

I have taken up running, again, and have been using my iPod 5th gen, but that thing is a pain to run with in your pocket. I was thinking about a Nano, but honestly don't care that much for Apple stuff and would rather get something for a better/equal price and with more features (like FM).

Any suggestions? Only need a gig or two since its just for running.

Also, I need some good headphones that will actually stay on. I bought some $20 Sony headphones that have that rubber part that goes around the ear, but I found out that it was so damn flimsy that they still fell out of my ear, so I am ready to pay a little more for something good.

Thanks for reading all this and any advice.

Gotr

Well, for me personally, I can't stand earplugs, and love good quality sound, so I run with Sony's "studio headphones" on (and get plenty of looks). I think headphones are best because they almost never fall off if you place them correctly.

As for MP3 players, I don't mind the Apple products, so I can't suggest any alternatives. However, I do know that you want to go with flash memory. Hard Drives are based with heads and platters, which can skip (and could be ruined during a particularly nasty jostle), whereas flash memory is all electricity, which doesn't care about gravity and inertia, seeing as how photons are massless.

VulnoX

Gotr wrote: »

Well, for me personally, I can't stand earplugs, and love good quality sound, so I run with Sony's "studio headphones" on (and get plenty of looks). I think headphones are best because they almost never fall off if you place them correctly.

As for MP3 players, I don't mind the Apple products, so I can't suggest any alternatives. However, I do know that you want to go with flash memory. Hard Drives are based with heads and platters, which can skip (and could be ruined during a particularly nasty jostle), whereas flash memory is all electricity, which doesn't care about gravity and inertia, seeing as how photons are massless.

Yeah I know I want to get a solid state player, and I don't have any huge problem with Apple, I just don't like having to pay $150 for a player when there are $100 ones that can do more, I just don't know what the good ones are in the flash world.

Also, I am right now looking at my girlfriends Nano which just keep restarting over and over, and it makes me even more concerned about getting another iPod product, I am also on my third 5th gen, thank god I got the extended warranty.

Mishra

VulnoX wrote: »

Gotr wrote: »

Well, for me personally, I can't stand earplugs, and love good quality sound, so I run with Sony's "studio headphones" on (and get plenty of looks). I think headphones are best because they almost never fall off if you place them correctly.

As for MP3 players, I don't mind the Apple products, so I can't suggest any alternatives. However, I do know that you want to go with flash memory. Hard Drives are based with heads and platters, which can skip (and could be ruined during a particularly nasty jostle), whereas flash memory is all electricity, which doesn't care about gravity and inertia, seeing as how photons are massless.

Yeah I know I want to get a solid state player, and I don't have any huge problem with Apple, I just don't like having to pay $150 for a player when there are $100 ones that can do more, I just don't know what the good ones are in the flash world.

Also, I am right now looking at my girlfriends Nano which just keep restarting over and over, and it makes me even more concerned about getting another iPod product, I am also on my third 5th gen, thank god I got the extended warranty.

The new shuffle is actually pretty sexy, and cheap. And I think only $99.

VulnoX

Mishra wrote: »

VulnoX wrote: »

Gotr wrote: »

Well, for me personally, I can't stand earplugs, and love good quality sound, so I run with Sony's "studio headphones" on (and get plenty of looks). I think headphones are best because they almost never fall off if you place them correctly.

As for MP3 players, I don't mind the Apple products, so I can't suggest any alternatives. However, I do know that you want to go with flash memory. Hard Drives are based with heads and platters, which can skip (and could be ruined during a particularly nasty jostle), whereas flash memory is all electricity, which doesn't care about gravity and inertia, seeing as how photons are massless.

Yeah I know I want to get a solid state player, and I don't have any huge problem with Apple, I just don't like having to pay $150 for a player when there are $100 ones that can do more, I just don't know what the good ones are in the flash world.

Also, I am right now looking at my girlfriends Nano which just keep restarting over and over, and it makes me even more concerned about getting another iPod product, I am also on my third 5th gen, thank god I got the extended warranty.

The new shuffle is actually pretty sexy, and cheap. And I think only $99.

Yeah, I looked at that, I don't known if it was just the student store, but when I checked it was $79 for a 1 gig.

I was just hoping for a screen, but I guess for running it is not the end of the world not to have one.

Thanks, still open to other options as well.

deadonthestreet

I have this:

http://www.buy.com/prod/sony-nws706fp-pink-4gb-mp3-player-w-noise-canceling/q/loc/111/204823022.html

And it is really truly fantastic. Well, I have the 2 gig version, but really, it is all the same. Great player, great user interface, FM radio, small, light, really good headphones.

blincoln

I have a 2GB LG UP3# (AFAIK only Fry's/Outpost.com carry them right now) that I use for running and it's been great. It was about $70 and plays mp3, wma, and ogg vorbis.

Weretaco

I use one of http://www.samsung.com/Products/MP3Player/MP3Player/YP_K3JQBXAA.asp
it uses MTP so in windows xp/vista I can just drag and drop tracks to it (no 3rd party apps is a big win for me)
the screen is beautiful
I paid like.. 130CAD for the 2GB version

for running

If you are running outside I'd recommend something like a KOSS Sportapro, portapro, or the Sennheiser PX100s

If you're inside and don't need to worry about hearing anything from outside (cars and such), I'd recommend a set of IEMS (Like earbuds but they go into your ear)

Something like (in increasing cost)

Creative EP630 - http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=441&product=11397

Shure E2G - http://shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/GamingEdition/us_pa_e2g_content

I personally use and find them great sounding and super comfortable (way more than normal earbuds)
Westone UM1 - http://www.westone.com/music/universal.html#um1

VulnoX

Instead of quoting each of you, I want to say thank you very much for your suggestions. I am looking into each of the players you suggested, as well as any of the headphones.

To Weretaco, I am looking to run mostly outside, there is a track that was just built at my old highschool which is a five minute walk for me to get to it. So I have been going there. I will look at the headphones you suggested. I just got back from another run and these Sony's were driving me crazy and it really screws up the workout if you have to keep slowing down to try and put them back on.

Thanks again everyone.

Edit: Also to Weretaco, I am going to have to find a good deal on that Samsung, I hate having to use another application to put my music on the damn player as well. I had an old Archos Jukebox as my first player, and it was just drag and drop. I don't know who had the bright idea to put more steps in between.

Weretaco

VulnoX wrote: »

Instead of quoting each of you, I want to say thank you very much for your suggestions. I am looking into each of the players you suggested, as well as any of the headphones.

To Weretaco, I am looking to run mostly outside, there is a track that was just built at my old highschool which is a five minute walk for me to get to it. So I have been going there. I will look at the headphones you suggested. I just got back from another run and these Sony's were driving me crazy and it really screws up the workout if you have to keep slowing down to try and put them back on.

Thanks again everyone.

Edit: Also to Weretaco, I am going to have to find a good deal on that Samsung, I hate having to use another application to put my music on the damn player as well. I had an old Archos Jukebox as my first player, and it was just drag and drop. I don't know who had the bright idea to put more steps in between.

I got mine at bestbuy (Canada) for 139 or so. I think the 4GB was like 170CAD

If you are running on a track I'd recommend the in ears. All three of those have pretty low microphonics too (the cable rubbing against you noise). I'd highly recommend the Westone as I've heard all three and they are the best of them.

Check out www.earphonesolutions.com to order them.

blincoln

Yeah, having to use special software is stupid. The LG player that I mentioned has a similar form factor to a USB thumb drive, and is used like one by dragging and dropping in Windows.

deadonthestreet

The sony one I linked does require special software, but it isn't too annoying.

It really is perfect for jogging, because you can control the entire thing with your thumb. Change songs, change albums, adjust volume, fast forward and rewind. It is pretty much the best interface I've ever used.

Burning Organ

I have a Sandisk Sansa E250, 2 gigs + micro SD, FM radio I think... The only feature I miss is a playlist... It might have one, I haven't really checked since it didn't bother me that much.
I haven't ran much with it though, but it should work.

VulnoX

Thanks again everyone. I am trying to avoid the ear-plug style headphones because I have tried two different type, one pair that Apple makes, and another from Sony, and neither will stay in. Maybe the higher price ones will, but either my ear canal is smaller than everyone else, or those things just suck. So I was trying to find ones that loop around the ear to add some support.