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Alex
09-04-2008, 17:28
Hey,
I'm pretty much all set with gear for my 3 month section hike in March except for an mp3 player. Does anybody have a reccomendation for an mp3 player that uses regular batteries? A radio wouldn't be bad either, but the main concern is weight/size and it must use regular batteries. Anyone found the perfect backpacking mp3 player?

-Crab Cake

KG4FAM
09-04-2008, 17:38
Sandisk makes some that use AAA batteries. They put FM radios in a lot of their's as well. The only drawback is that they don't have near the space that things like the ipod have. I have one of them it has held up pretty well.

Lion King
09-04-2008, 17:49
I use the Ipod shuffle and love it.

It holds 250 songs and it lasts forever once you charge it. and if you're on the AT, you hit so many libraries its easy to recharge it. (USB cable comes with it)

Its tiny and it can clip right onto your pack or hat or whatever.


You charge it for an hour and its good for a while.

you can find them on ebay for like $45-$60

photo
http://sp1.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m2/2130435833

PS
why must it use batteries?

BigToe
09-04-2008, 18:04
I haven't section hiked with my mp3 player yet because I only go out for 10-15 days and mostly I want to get away from anything that uses electrons (except my headlamp). However I hike with several different mp3 players on my short hikes.

My only player that uses regular batteries is a 1GB iRiver IFP-799 which plays for at least 40 hours on a single AA. I have the older model but my wife has a newer one with the same results. The sound is very good. It weighs just under 2 oz with a lithium AA battery. It has a radio that works amazingly well.

My son has an Apple iPod nano 2GB w/ embedded proprietary battery that weighs 1.5 ounce. I'm not an iPod fan and am not in love with the sound characteristics.

I just ordered a Sansa Clip 2GB model for $20 from woot.com that uses a proprietary battery. It comes in at under an ounce. Supposedly it has a good sound. It includes a radio.

My "big" player is a Sansa SanDisk e270 6GB plus 2GB chip that weighs in at 2.5 oz. Again, a proprietary battery. I'm not sure how long the battery lasts because I use it intermittently, but it goes a long time between charges. I like the Sansa DAPs for sound quality. Also has a radio.

I don't think you can beat a flash based player versus a hard drive player in hiking or exercise use for durability, weight, battery life.

For any USB based charging systems that all the above proprietary batteries use, there are some wickedly expensive solar chargers like the Solio: http://www.solio.com/charger/

However, if you're handy with a soldering iron and duct tape, this guy http://yosemiteoutside.com/m/Blogs/02EA4A6B-8893-4F3E-87A8-C1E4B24C3AAB.html built a cool 2.5 oz solar charger which I have on my project wish list.

Of course, sunlight is often in short supply in the long green tunnel. I don't know what kind of times you need to charge by solar for these players.

I've had lots of discussions with engineer types about proprietary batteries because like you, I intuitively want batteries I can buy and pop in easily. The consensus on proprietary batteries is that they can be tailored to the application and thus can be made lighter weight and longer lasting.

Have you thought about getting a unit that can switch proprietary batteries easily like the Sandisk and put spares in mail drops? Or you can put a charger in a bounce box and charge in town.

My earphones are Koss "The Plug" at just over 1/2 oz. They have a good sound for in-ears.

My current favorite hiking album is Railroad Earth's Elko. Jamgrass that just seems to fit with the woods, particularly "Seven Storey Mountain".

That's my 2 cents worth!

Alex
09-04-2008, 18:44
I've actually got an ipod shuffle, as suggested by Lion King. I just didn't think it would be very convenient to have to get to a computer to charge it. I guess it's probably easier than I thought.

btw- Lion King, I just got Walking With Freedom, very cool

Lion King
09-04-2008, 18:46
I've actually got an ipod shuffle, as suggested by Lion King. I just didn't think it would be very convenient to have to get to a computer to charge it. I guess it's probably easier than I thought.

btw- Lion King, I just got Walking With Freedom, very cool

Thanks!

That means you just bought me a pizza on the ADT!

Blissful
09-04-2008, 18:57
Sandisk makes some that use AAA batteries. They put FM radios in a lot of their's as well. The only drawback is that they don't have near the space that things like the ipod have. I have one of them it has held up pretty well.

I used one throughout my hike last year and it also did well. But space is limited.

Slo-go'en
09-04-2008, 19:11
There are only about a zillion to choose from! I used an RCA "Pearl" on my DWG > MA section hike recently. About $50.00 at Wal-Mart and has 1GB storage and slot for miniSD card, FM radio and runs for a reasonably long time on 1 AAA. Just don't get it soaking wet, it might not work too well after that! (But that goes for any electronics)

karoberts
09-04-2008, 21:09
I have found the perfect AT MP3 player. I used it on the trail all summer. It has hiked nearly 700 miles with me. It is called the iaudio7.

Pros: has 16 gigs of flash memory, has an FM radio, does not require itunes and has no regard for DRM files, it has a bookmark feature (essential for me because I love audiobooks), and has excellent sound quality.

Cons: It does not have replaceable batteries. It costs about $250.

Pros: It has an internal lithium battery with a 70 hour battery life! That's right, 70 hours (ipod typically has about 10-20). It charges fully in less than three hours.

aaronthebugbuffet
09-04-2008, 21:22
I use an iRiver T10 1GB. 40hrs+ on AA battery. Mine is an older version of the one the sell now.
http://www.iriver.com/product/p_detail.asp?pidx=66 The newer one claims better battery life and fruity colors!

Toothless
09-04-2008, 22:53
Ditto on the iRiver products. My iFP-799 uses 1 AA battery and is both an mp3 player and an FM receiver. It records as well.

Sly
09-05-2008, 01:44
Lots to choose from. I have a 1 GB Creative Zen Nano Plus (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=12720). 1 AAA, FM, and voice recorder. I thought it was broke (three dead batteries in a row) and bought a 2GB Muvo (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=15441)
1 AAA, voice recorder, no FM. I was real tempted to get a 2 or 4GB Stone Plus (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=17437) with built in speaker, FM and voice recorder but need a USB to charge.

Homer&Marje
09-05-2008, 08:40
I use a Phillips Mp3 player. 1gig storage, uses AAA batteries it is about half the size of a cell phone, color display and really loud headphone earbuds that I like to use as "speakers" on the top of my pack vs using them in my ear, that way I can enjoy nature with a little rock and roll in the background. costs about 60 bucks at like wally world or target.

BAG "o" TRICKS
09-05-2008, 09:16
Lots to choose from. I have a 1 GB Creative Zen Nano Plus (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=12720). 1 AAA, FM, and voice recorder. I thought it was broke (three dead batteries in a row) and bought a 2GB Muvo (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=15441)
1 AAA, voice recorder, no FM. I was real tempted to get a 2 or 4GB Stone Plus (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=17437) with built in speaker, FM and voice recorder but need a USB to charge.

Hey Sly you must have bought those batteries from Wierd Larry in Dumascus

tatersalad
09-05-2008, 09:20
I know you can get a charger for the iPod nano that just uses an outlet. But I haven't taken mine on the trail with me yet, so can't give you a run down.

Obiwan
09-05-2008, 13:57
Any light and inexpensive players out there with the bookmark feature?

That take batteries???

Magic Man
09-05-2008, 14:03
Boo-Boo used the TrekStor i.Beat xtension. She had learned about it on the trail last year by another hiker by the name of Comet. Comet's wife said he had been really happy with his MP3 player. It seemed to work well for Boo-Boo too. She enjoyed the radio feature.

Here is the link:

http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=72 (http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=72)

It is available at Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/).

ZeroC
09-05-2008, 14:58
How about this? http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/trevor-baylis-brands/trevor-baylis-eco-media-player/ it's a MP3 player that you crank to generate it's electricity. Crank for 1 minute gives you 40 minutes of play time up to a 20 hour max.

BobTheBuilder
09-05-2008, 15:39
I use a cheap Sandisk mp3 with FM radio and monochrome screen that uses a single AAA battery (same size as the headlamp) with an SD card to expand the memory to 4 GB. No weight, little cost, simple.

Nightwalker
09-05-2008, 17:40
I just ordered the RCA Pearl MP3 TH1102 player from Amazon. I also got an extra 4 GB Micro SD card to go along with it. The total, with shipping, was $41.16, which was about what Mega-Lo-Mart wanted for just the player. The only difference is that this is last year's model and there were some very minor changes. (Model number TH1102 vs. TH1602.)

I've had two RCA players before, and they've always been great for me.

Hint: Always click the *"89 used & new available from $0.99" link on the Amazon product page. You'll often find it cheaper. Sometimes LOTS cheaper.

Player Link (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P6LA3K)
Micro SD Card Link (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q8623U)

*Numbers are only an example, duh. :)

Del Q
09-05-2008, 18:11
SanDisk - I think this is the only one that takes a single AAA battery and can hold 800+ songs. Love mine.

Spider
09-06-2008, 22:07
in my opinion having an mp3 player on the trail is.. for lack of a better word.. cheating. I go out backpacking to escape the commodities of the modern world and so I would never bring them with me.

If you absolutely have to have it though, I have a Sandisk e140 (I'm not sure if they still sell them). It runs on one AAA battery. It is 1GB but has expandable memory so mine has 3GB total. Works great for what I wanted - a simple mp3 player to listen to my music. It has radio as well. If you're looking for the fanciest and newest mp3 player out there that can store 100,000 songs, that you can watch 50 movies of your favorite movies on, as well as listen to all your favorite books on, this is not for you, and not be insulting but, the woods probably arn't either.

Spider
09-06-2008, 22:09
If you're looking for the fanciest and newest mp3 player out there that can store 100,000 songs, that you can watch 50 movies of your favorite movies on, as well as listen to all your favorite books on, this is not for you, and not be insulting but, the woods probably arn't either.

Sorry that was probably a little harsh but I'm just sort of offended by ppl bringing modern technology into the woods.

Skidsteer
09-06-2008, 22:42
Sorry that was probably a little harsh but I'm just sort of offended by ppl bringing modern technology into the woods.

Hey suit yourself. No one cares if you don't want to carry one.

Live and let live, right?

Alex
09-06-2008, 23:28
in my opinion having an mp3 player on the trail is.. for lack of a better word.. cheating. I go out backpacking to escape the commodities of the modern world and so I would never bring them with me.

If you absolutely have to have it though, I have a Sandisk e140 (I'm not sure if they still sell them). It runs on one AAA battery. It is 1GB but has expandable memory so mine has 3GB total. Works great for what I wanted - a simple mp3 player to listen to my music. It has radio as well. If you're looking for the fanciest and newest mp3 player out there that can store 100,000 songs, that you can watch 50 movies of your favorite movies on, as well as listen to all your favorite books on, this is not for you, and not be insulting but, the woods probably arn't either.

WOW! Thanks for the great opinions here, very positive and very very helpful. Commodities of the modern world? Like the petroleum in the glue that holds your shoes together? Or the chinese laborers that made everything in your pack?

Rocketman
09-07-2008, 10:21
I used an RCA "Pearl" on my DWG > MA section hike recently. About $50.00 at Wal-Mart and has 1GB storage and slot for miniSD card, FM radio and runs for a reasonably long time on 1 AAA. Just don't get it soaking wet, it might not work too well after that! (But that goes for any electronics)

I too have a Pearl from RCA, and it is the 2GB model 1102 with the Micro SD slot and runs on a single AAA battery.

You can fit an awful lot of music or voice (books) into 2GB, and with the SD expansion, you can have as big a library of music or voice as you care for.

The Pearl is "tiny" and you may need your glasses on in order to read the controls that you need to punch.

It doesn't come with a really good pouch or armband in which to hold it, so you need to look for one that holds the moderately long and skinny shape of the device.

Obiwan
09-08-2008, 11:07
Does the Pearl allow bookmarking for audio books???

Nightwalker
09-18-2008, 03:26
I just ordered the RCA Pearl MP3 TH1102 player from Amazon...)
It is as nice as I'd hoped. The 4GB card doesn't work for this one. 2GB is the max that it'll handle. Still, a total of 4 gig is a LOT of music.

Also, as little of time per day as I use it, a battery seems to last forever.

Obiwan
09-18-2008, 10:12
Please sir.....same question as above.....can you bookmark??

BrianLe
09-21-2008, 12:02
I carried a Creative MuVo 2GB model on my PCT thru-hike this year and it held up great throughout and worked very well. Lightweight, DRM compliant (digital rights management) so that I could put purchased audiobooks on it, no hard disc to get bounced and jostled, and 2 GB was enough, though a bit of a stretch in cramming in lots of audio books and a lot of music.

Turns out that I used it a lot less than I had thought I might; of course I like to be "in touch" with the trail a lot, I used the MP3 player for areas with no views and sometimes as a mood adjustor, but I ended up walking with other people a lot so with less solo hiking hours I came back with a lot of audiobook content unheard.

Anyway, it turned out to be a good choice, and the single AAA battery was easy to obtain and lasted pretty well, at least in the ballpark of the 18 hours they advertise (I didn't explicitly test this).

The one drawback I think for perhaps many small MP3 players is the UI --- tiny screen, a menu system that can take a while to navigate to get setup. Once setup to play a particular book or particular set of music, no problems, and with practice this hassle wasn't too bad.



Brian Lewis, http://postholer.com/brianle

ankaka
05-23-2012, 22:50
Yes, Cowon is awesome video mp3 player (http://www.sencart.com/Supply-mp3-players_c123)for sound quality and lots of format support. I have the Cowon S9 which I basically use to listen to Ogg and FLAC music files. Great battery life and nice screen for watching videos. No WiFi.

q-tip
05-24-2012, 10:04
I have the Sansa C lip + 8 GB. I added the 32 GB card and have 450 albums on the thing and it weighs with charger 2.5 oz.

barf_jay
05-24-2012, 10:27
Naure is my MP3 player, never hiked with one, but as I always say, hike your own hike. :)