Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

MP3 Player Choices

Apr 7, 2009 1:46AM PDT

Hello everyone I used a Iriver T30 512mb for over about 5 years now and sadly its starting to slowly die.

So I am looking for under $50 player since I don't want a ton of space/features. If I got 1-2GB would be fantastic or a SD expansion works too.

I was looking around for a few days now and these are some ideas I had.

Sansa Express
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4551879&CatId=2381

Sansa e250 2GB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3402958&sku=S153-7012

Sansa c240
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4115566&sku=S153-7000%20RB


Issues I have with Sansa is their firmware seems to generate tons of issues and their forums are dead/slow so support looks minimal.


So then I saw this
Prolynkz Zynkz PZX-9988G 8GB Mp3 Player
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4179075&CatId=2761

Seems to be good...they say the LED is faint at best which isn't major...but I never heard of the brand nor can I find their forums to view any issues there might be.


So now I run over to amazon.com since Newegg to my shock has a very crappy selection.


TrekStor i.Beat xtension
http://www.amazon.com/TrekStor-i-Beat-xtension-Player-Radio/dp/B000NDZ0O0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239118737&sr=8-1

Seems to get good reviews...their support forum is also deader then a doornail and they don't seem to show any support for SD card upgrades.


I am just looking for a simple wma/mp3 player to replace my Iriver T30 I want to not give Apple any money so nothing with a I in front of the name.

If it has a AAA battery instead of these lithium batteries it is also a major plus since I do a lot of camping for 1-2 weeks at a time.


Thanks for any help you can provide.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Be careful
Apr 7, 2009 4:52AM PDT

Your choice of Sansa is sound.

But I think stay away from the "Prolynks" -- it looks like a pretty standard SigmaTel chipped stick player.

These are characterised by barely readable display, dismally confusing controls and a quick appetite for overpriced AAA batteries. Support is usually non-existent.

- Collapse -
reply
Apr 7, 2009 5:20AM PDT

Well not really its just that Sansa seems to be the only player one in the price I am willing to spend. I don't want a Ipod type...$80 so I can watch movies on my player isn't what I want.

I just want a MP3 player.

The issue with the Sansa appears to be Firmware + poor design of the headphone jack.

I spent $35 or so on the T30 5 years ago and it worked perfectly sadly no longer made.


I don't care about the brand I care more about quality and the ability to last longer then a year before problems set.