05-16-2005, 05:26 PM
I would say that the display is going to be the trickiest part of what you're looking for. The displays on every flash-based MP3 player I've ever seen are simply too small to be really effective. That's why I like the new iPod shuffle - I would never use the display on an iRiver or Sony MP3 player anyways, and the lack of display cuts down the weight and price quite a bit. However, the shuffle does not come with an FM tuner, so that won't fit your category either.
Aside from the small screens, I do really like the iRiver players. They're fairly compact, well built, come with an FM tuner and voice recorder, and come in several sizes and prices around what you're looking for. However, the models I've seen will NOT work as drag and drop - the software that comes with the player is easy to use but is required for using the player. If you want to be able to use the device as a thumb drive as well as MP3 player, that can also be problematic.
If you're willing to forget about the FM tuner, I would definately recomend the iPod mini. Sells for $200 USD, has a great screen (though the full size iPod, or better yet, the iPod photo has an even better one), is extremely easy to use, and jumps from a few hundred songs to nearly a thousand. If the receiver is really dead set on a radio, there are several good FM tuners available which could be bought at a later date.
Oh, and of course, the iPod mini just looks the coolest :P
gekko
Aside from the small screens, I do really like the iRiver players. They're fairly compact, well built, come with an FM tuner and voice recorder, and come in several sizes and prices around what you're looking for. However, the models I've seen will NOT work as drag and drop - the software that comes with the player is easy to use but is required for using the player. If you want to be able to use the device as a thumb drive as well as MP3 player, that can also be problematic.
If you're willing to forget about the FM tuner, I would definately recomend the iPod mini. Sells for $200 USD, has a great screen (though the full size iPod, or better yet, the iPod photo has an even better one), is extremely easy to use, and jumps from a few hundred songs to nearly a thousand. If the receiver is really dead set on a radio, there are several good FM tuners available which could be bought at a later date.
Oh, and of course, the iPod mini just looks the coolest :P
gekko
"Life is sacred and you are not its steward. You have stewardship over it but you don't own it. You're making a choice to go through this, it's not just happening to you. You're inviting it, and in some ways delighting in it. It's not accidental or coincidental. You're choosing it. You have to realize you've made choices."
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"