iPods!

[Molli526]

Ok, I am about ready to join the rest of the modern world and get an iPod. I have an MP3 player that is 3 years old, and is 256 mb.

I have seen mixed reviews on the Classic and now I am not sure what to get. I really just want it for music playback - not videos or pictures. I wouldn't be happy with the shuffle - not enough songs. I will be using this while exercising - mainly running.

I am only able to get up to the 80 GB Classic. I have some award points through work I don't have points for anything more expensive.

Thanks!

[Angelina]

What are the problems with the Classic? I just got one for my husband's birthday, and then I found out we have corporate discounts at work (with a special sale last Friday), so I got one for myself too! I had a Nano before, and I wanted to upgrade. :cool:

If the 80GB (Classic) is too much for you, the Nano would be cheaper. 4GB for $149.00 and 8GB for $199.00. But for only $50.00 more and 10x the GB, I would just go for the Classic...

Angela

[Molli526]

On Amazon, the classic is getting about 3 1/2 stars. I would expect something that has been available for awhile to be higher.

[lindrusso]

On Amazon, the classic is getting about 3 1/2 stars. I would expect something that has been available for awhile to be higher.

I think you have to take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. There are some who are really, really into electronis and will gripe at the slightest little supposed problem. However, they are things that the average person might never notice or even care about.

I've read bad reviews on things that I thought were perfectly fine - it just depends on how picky you are - I think there are a lot of people out there with unrealistic expectations.

If I went solely on Amazon reviews, I don't think I'd ever make another purchase - they seem to have a fair amount of negative reviews on just about every product out there.

However, it IS quite useful to read through some of them and see what the complaints are - then you can decide if the lower ratings address any of your concerns or if they are just nit-picking.

I know quite a few people with iPods and they seem happy with them. I doubt you'd have any more problems with an iPod than you would with any other MP3 player.........

[Miss Giggles]

If you run I would get the Nano and the sport kit if you run outdoors. You want a flash based drive for running, not the regular hard drive. It will not skip and it might last longer.

I love the sport kit (its only 29.00) and you do NOT need Nike shoes. I've got mine velcroed in but you can buy shoe pouches online that you run the laces through and it holds it in place. Plus it fits in the Ipod pocket on some of the newer running jackets.

[blazedog]

I think you have to take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. There are some who are really, really into electronis and will gripe at the slightest little supposed problem. However, they are things that the average person might never notice or even care about.

I know quite a few people with iPods and they seem happy with them. I doubt you'd have any more problems with an iPod than you would with any other MP3 player.........

I completely agree with Lindrusso regarding the value of amazon reports -- it can be interesting to read but ultimately the reviews don't have as much validity as other sources since they can be skewed -- for the reasons stated above and also because human nature being what it is, someone who is UNHAPPY with a product is more likely to feel the need to vent.

There is a reason beyond hype why the iPOD in all its manifestations is the overwhelming choice of most people seeking an mp3 player.

Although the Classic works on a hard drive rather than a flash drive, it has a buffer built in and most people who run don't have issues -- especially if you use something designed to hold it when exercising to minimize the machine bouncing around.

The Nano is a good choice but doesn't hold enough music for me as I use the iPOD in the car, when doing errands and also have a portable speaker system to play it at work.

[aggie94]

Ditto Miss Giggles - the Nano and sport kit for running, hands down. Can't live without mine.

[alicerh]

If you run I would get the Nano and the sport kit if you run outdoors. You want a flash based drive for running, not the regular hard drive. It will not skip and it might last longer.

That's exactly what they told me at the Apple store. Love my Nano

[KristiB]

I'm mourning my ipod....

They don't work so well after bouncing down 2 flights of concrete stairs. :(

I'm getting a Nano for Christmas, otherwise I would have replaced it right away.

[Molli526]

Thank you! Thank you!!

Do you have headphones you like for running?

How about what style armband?

[aggie94]

Molli,

I have Sony earbuds that I use for running. DH uses the earbuds that came with his iPod but I didn't like mine. I have weird shaped ear canals. :rolleyes:

As for the armband, Nike makes one for the Nano:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/nikenano.jpg

I actually prefer the earlier version of the one I posted. I tried this one but didn't love it as compared to the earlier one (so I got on eBay and stocked up on the earlier version after it was discontinued and before it disappeared). It would probably be fine if you didn't have another one to compare it to - I just found the earlier one a little more comfortable and easier to use.

[Miss Giggles]

I use the earphones that came with it.

As for the armbands, I have a very small arm. I bought the standard one they sell at the apple store for walking or going to the gym and using the treadmill, but when I got the sport kit I had to get a new armband. So I found a cheap one at Target that has an opening for the sensor. Its still too big but I figured out how to loop it around so it doesn't slide off. My winter running jacket has an opening for it though. A lot of the new running jackets have zippered pockets on the left arm for them, esp Nike.

[Molli526]

I ordered the 8GB Nano and the Nike Sport Kit - yay! I am so excited!

[Gracie]

I run with a pair of Nike earphones I got at the Apple store. They fit in your ear then have a movable piece that goes around your ear like eyeglasses do.

They do not move at all and are very comfortable. But I have to look in the mirror to put them on! :)

I found them - here they are. (http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1731/.f)

Loren

[green1]

Check out the Apple store web page. You can compare all the models.

[Molli526]

I run with a pair of Nike earphones I got at the Apple store. They fit in your ear then have a movable piece that goes around your ear like eyeglasses do.

They do not move at all and are very comfortable. But I have to look in the mirror to put them on! :)

I found them - here they are. (http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1731/.f)

Loren

Thanks!

I am usually not a fan of the ear buds, so I know I am going to be searching for something better!