Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stvwrd]

I just impulse-bought an 8gig ipod nano at costco. My first ipod died about 9 months ago and I never replaced it, opting to read books and save money. But I realized I've been spending 100-200k a month on books these days and could really save money if I start listening to all the audiobooks I have on my computer.

Anyway, I did a search on this forum looking for itunes alternatives and ran into an old post about the Cowon MP3 players:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=82207&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I wonder if anyone knows how they are for exercising with?

If there is a useful armband or something for exercising, I might just try and take the nano back to costco and pick up one of those next week.

Primary purpose is exercise. Videos and FM radio would be nice, but really just frills.

Oh yeah, I also went back with the nano because I know ipods will pick up in the same place you left off when listening to a 25 minute audiobook track, and I wasn't sure if other players did this or not.

[spliff]

Why do folks continue to buy ipods when all you ever here about them doing is croaking? Anyway, this thread mentions a Sony mp3 that sounds perfect for gym use..

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=92113&highlight=sony

[stvwrd]

I knew about that Sony, but was turned off for a few reasons. Namely the required proprietary software you have to have.

I also am tracking my progress in other ways than the pedometer, though it's cool in theory.

More than that, I need something with more storage than 1 or 2 gigs.

When I had an ipod before, I definitely wasn't 100% happy with it, but as far as flash players with higher capacity I don't know of any others that will be good for exercising with.

If the Cowon players have an arm band or anything I might try and take back my ipod and give cowon a shot though. Expandable memory is definitely attractive.

[fizban]

Well, when you own over 50% of the MP3 market you're going to hear a lot about the product breaking because even a small % is a huge number of people.

For gym use, I use a 2nd generation Ipod Shuffle. It's much better then the 1st generation Shuffle (which I also had), sturdy, and has a built in clip. And you can get one for roughly $80

If you are anti-ipod, the Creative Zen Stone is a decent alternative.

[stvwrd]

I've been somewhat anti-Creative Zen since 2005. I was set to come to Korea as a student in a couple weeks and I ordered the Zen Micro online. It broke like 2 days after I received it. Defective headphone jack.

Sent it back and went to the store to begrudgingly buy my ipod since I didn't have time to wait around for shipping while I still had all my CDs to rip. That's not to say I'd never own another Creative product. I'll look into it a bit.

Actually I considered the shuffle since, for gym-wear, it's pretty much ready to go out of the box, but I'd like to be able to choose the tracks I listen to and such. For example, on the way to and from work, I'd probably listen to audiobooks. At work and at the gym, though, it'll be music.

Anyway, thanks for the ideas so far!

[spliff]

iriver 7....8gigs flash and great sound

[demaratus]

The ipod shuffle is the best for the gym. Followed by the Sandisk Sansa and ipod nano. The flash based ipods share few of the isses with the larger hard drive based players. Also since apple sells 2 or three ipods for every pther player on the market they are bound to see more issues.

[xenok]

i second the ipod shuffle suggestion. the built-in clip is very very handy. and unlike its fancier brethrens, the shuffle has amazing battery life (that LCD is a huge energy drain) so you can go for days without recharging it. it's cheap, has all the functions you need for a workout mp3 player and it's pretty sturdy (i abuse mine, no case and i'm not particularly careful around it).

it's the only ipod i bought and probably the only one i would consider getting as well.

[DCJames]

IPODs are crap.

Why didn't you at least check out alternatives?

[demaratus]

[fizban]

Apple iPods aren't crap. It's just there are a lot of people who are simply anti-Apple or have had a bad experience with one. But again...when you own the market, your product is going to be under a lot of scrutiny. Everyone wants to see the "king" fall.

For gym use though, I still vote Shuffle. I've abused my poor little guy more then any other mp3 player I've owned iRiver, Creative,and Sandisk, and the thing still works like a champ.

But you can't really go wrong with any flash based MP3 player.

On the other hand have you thought about if you go with another MP3 player, you've either got to get a case with an armband or wear a lanyard?

[SuperHero]

[rocklee]

[demaratus]

[rocklee]