I'm considering bidding on ebay for an mp3 player. any advice on brands/types?

I have a 2GB Ipod and absolutely LOVE IT! Check those out! :howdy:

Also look at Creative players. There was an article recently about iPods losing ground in the market. Two of the big iPod user complaints that I remember from the article were the peculiar file format and the non-user-replaceable battery. The battery issue means that you throw it away after a couple years when the battery stops holding a charge.

Check this out:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4726112

I have a Creative Zen and love it. It takes a single AAA battery and is about the size of an IPod and can use any MP3 file or WMA file. I have some I-Tunes music and you can get it into MP3 format in a round about way.

The neatest thing about my Zen is it has a feature that allows you to send in an audio signal and it converts it to MP3 so you can even do copy protected music to MP3 easily.

I've got a Sandisk MP3 player I got last year for cheap money ($80 for 512 MB) and it's been great. Puppy got a hold of it so it's not too pretty and the display doesn't work anymore but it still plays tunes, what else can you ask for.

Two of the big iPod user complaints that I remember from the article were the peculiar file format and the non-user-replaceable battery. The battery issue means that you throw it away after a couple years when the battery stops holding a charge.

You can replace the battery for your iPod. I've had mine almost a year though and don't see the need to anytime in the future.

http://www.apple.com/batteries/replacements.html

:high5: to the Creative Zen owners! I have the Vision:M and I :love: it!!! It makes me sooooo very happy! Me and my music, videos, photos, and such... My music and me! :dance:

Kyle loaded 80's music videos on his and watches while he walks the dogs! :killingme

We have the Belkin FM transmitter too so that we can play either of our entire collection on the car's radio - or in a friend's car - if we choose - or through an old boom box if we're working outside together.

:yay: :yay: The Zen Vision:M Rocks!!!! :dude:

Try the new zune coming out soon... zune link (http://www.signal360.net/more-zune.html) and link here... (http://www.zuneuser.com/)

You can replace the battery for your iPod. I've had mine almost a year though and don't see the need to anytime in the future.

http://www.apple.com/batteries/replacements.html
Yeah, send to Apple along with $66 and you can get a new battery installed while you wait for a few weeks :rolleyes:

Try the new zune coming out soon... zune link (http://www.signal360.net/more-zune.html) and link here... (http://www.zuneuser.com/)
Hmmm, I'd give that one a :boo:

Of course, what I need is not what most want/need. My biggest requirement is a CF slot...something very few mp3 players have. Until I have a need for a photo storage device (i.e. vacation), my new phone +2GB card will suffice for my mp3 player.

So, here's some advice...what do you need and want in a device (they do more than mp3 these days)?
Music only? - then you have to look at how many songs you want to take which will determine how much storage space you need.
Want photos? - Look at the screen specs
Want video? - Look at the screen specs and the storage size (you'll probably want a hard drive based player for video)

this is the one I decided on. I figured for $38, a no name brand is fine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290031123099&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=019

this is the one I decided on. I figured for $38, a no name brand is fine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290031123099&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=019

I have a 256 mb which is very similar to the one you just purchased. I've had it over 3 years and love it!

Yeah, send to Apple along with $66 and you can get a new battery installed while you wait for a few weeks :rolleyes:

Actually Apple is quite good on repairs, etc. I had the hard drive replaced in my powerbook and it took 3 days. They send an overnight delivery service to pick it up and then they overnighted it back. Also, you might be able to get it replaced at an Apple store if they do repairs.

Get 2GB. Got a 1GB and it wasn't enough.

Actually Apple is quite good on repairs, etc. I had the hard drive replaced in my powerbook and it took 3 days. They send an overnight delivery service to pick it up and then they overnighted it back. Also, you might be able to get it replaced at an Apple store if they do repairs.
Ok, so you still pay $66 to have them replace the battery because they didn't make it user replaceable. I guess it just goes with Apple's design philosophy..."our users are f'n morons".