Community poll forum: What type of device do you use as a portable MP3 player?

I have radio!

My Muvo carries my music, can be used as a flash drive, tunes in FM radio, and can record as well. I thought, what am I gonna need any of this for? Well, it turns out that it's one of the best things I lug around in my purse for entertaining my 4-year-old son. The MuVo is quite small, it's just that I had to get a headphone built for kids, and that's big. Not only does he listen to my music, he loves to sing and record his own songs! And I can finish listening to that interesting NPR program while I'm washing him up without lugging that big stereo around. (He's thankful that he doesn't have to listen to the talking, too.)

I don't mind music - light opera, folk music and suchlike but rarely listen. If my husband is listening to a concert on televison I usually half listen while I read. However, if I'm alone, I either listen with full attention or turn it off.

I mostly listen to speech, not music. The BBC (I live in England) has a great variety of intelligent comedy and quiz shows. I also borrow from the public library a large number of unabridged books, recorded on cassettes, to listen to while in the car, or cooking, sewing etc. I don't actually have a CD or DVD player, except on my PC.

If someone begins recording books in a format to play on an I-Pod, I would probably buy one; otherwise not.

At home, I have all the music and radio I need, and via Internet a huge choice.

At work I don't like people wearing head phones, it craetes a barrier to inter-human communication.

In the streets and in walking the country I like to hear the real world sounds around me. Maybe because I am a bird watcher, and also a 'bird listener' i.e. I will register the birds around me almost subconsciously but react to something unusual.

We are all becoming so 'individual', so 'atomised' and self-focused - these personal players just add to that. (Of couurse, same applies to any Walkman tyope device).

If I took a lot of train journeys or long plane trips, then maybe... but I usually find people to talk to.

I know I'm in a minority, and perhps I'm getting too old for more gadgets (54).

I use WinAmp at home it's awesome...I don't use a portable MP3 player simply because people need to be aware of their surroundings when out in the public not tuned out with long cell phone conversations and earplugs.....

I have the iAudio X5L 20 GB HDD-based. It absolutely owns the competition.

I took an unbiased look at portable digital player before I made my decision, and though I am not fond of the Mac products I looked into an I-Pod mostly for the hype. I would say as a stand alone player you get more gig for the buck with creative over I-pod and I-river. Additionally, you also get a voice recorder. All of the players have slim designs and they all look cool and fit in your shirt pocket for the mini's and micro's. Even though you get more with your money with creative, if you do not need voice recording, and money is not an issue... I-Pods do have the best accessories such as the Bose sound dock, and direct plug-ins for car stereos. I have been trying to find comparable accessories for my Zen Micro, with no avail. The built-in voice recording and gigage per dollar is what sold me.

It is not built-in you need to buy an accessory for them to do Voice recording. The Zen Micro also has an FM tuner built-in.

I think it's great that Creative offers extras that people might be interested in. When I was looking for an MP3 player, I wanted extras without paying extra. If I could get stuff built in without having to by an extra part that is just something else to cary along and lose, I'm all for it!

Creative Zen Micro > IPod Mini

OK for real. I had a Diamond Rio 64MB (if I remember right) before most of you knew what an MP3 was. I was enjoying downloading music pre-napster era. The Rio was a great gadget, that definetly had its flaws. (printer port connection, slow...I mean slow transfer, etc etc)

2 years later I picked up a 20GB Creative Nomad 3--the iPod had just came out, but it was pricey--I settled on the lower priced, large capacity Nomad. That was one bulky thing. It did well, and actually my wife still loves it. One thing you can say is that syncing using Creative's Play center/media source is HORRIBLE.

Against everything PC inside me, I decided to pick up the 30GB Ipod photo when the priced dropped earlier this year...all I can say is there is nothing better. All of you out there trying to decide between a creative or a Ipod...please don't make the mistake I did with the 1G Ipod. You will not be sorry.

The player is sleek. The interface couldn't be easier to use. Although there are complaints for lack of built in features, I think that far outweighed by the array of compatible accesories. (try that w/ creative)Plus you score double with iTunes. I'm not a mac lover, but I'm affraid if I keep loving my Ipod like I am I might have to convert to the dark side.

I dare any of you to find someone that has and Ipod who can say they wished they had gotten something else.

Ipod>anything else

Odd you are worried about Creative selling me a microphone I don't need or an FM tuner I don't need when I still got a better player for less and don't have to hang $30 add-ons all over it.

TO make an iPod Mini work like a Zen Micro. I need to spend $200 and then it looks like a tinker toy with all the extras hanging off the outside!!!

the earbud has a microphone in it. I dont know if apple was planning on using it or not but it does work.

You have the software for the VR, but not the hardware. They either got sloppy here or did it on purpose to get more $$ on accessories

It rocks! Audio quality impeccable, 20hrs+ battery life, etc, etc, etc. Easy to use.

And the best bit... Its NOT an iPod! iPods are so ubiquitous they should stop making them...

Accesories, well, ones like speaker docks are stupid, and you can get FM transmitters for 3.5mm jacks.

I LOVE MY ZEN!

I currently use the UX300 (http://www.canakit.com/Contents/Items/UX300.asp), however mine is the 'export' version so the range is higher than normal. I am not sure how far the FCC approved version will go (for the USA).
The one I have has enough range for my home of approximately 3500 sq ft. Sound quality is good. The USB conection makes it seem like a second sound card to the computer, so I can have it broadcast some audio (mp3's/internet radio) and still have a free soundcard on the computer. The only drawback is the cost which was close to $100.