Ipod advice please

[Curlygurly2]

As my phone doesn't seem to have much memory space, I think I need to get some sort of music device. What should I get? Remember I am a complete technophobe so it has to be really easy to use, and also a real tight-wad so as cheap as possible!

[Zev1963 Graduate]

If you want cheap and simple then I sugest a Sansa Clip+

It is slightly smaller than a box of matches. It has plenty of memeory which can be further extended with a microSD card. To load it with music you just plug it into your computer via the usb port and drop music files onto it. It recharges by the usb port and one charge lasts me about 5 weeks of running.

It's firmware is pretty basic, but if you require something more snazzy in terms of firmware then other firmware is easily downloadable from third parties on the internet.

I recommend plugging better ear buds into it than the ones that come with it. You will find it easily on Amazon.

[kristina51 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

I've got one of these (actually I'm on my second one - lost one in India last summer) I preferred the older model which had a locking button, the newer one jumps to random bits of music when I accidentally press the on/off button.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

I should be able to put music onto my phone like that, but I've never managed it! I'll have a look online though, sounds good xx

[useitorloseit Graduate]

I bought a cheap ipod shuffle on ebay which is tiny and clips onto your shirt, but I think it must have gone seriously wrong because it crashes my computer every time I plug it in now! It was really good in the summer when I didn't have pockets though and before I bought the running belt. I also have an old ipod nano 2nd generation which go for peanuts on ebay and it's brilliant. My husband hates apple though, so when iTunes plays up (which is a lot if you don't run an apple computer) I have to try and sort it out myself without Mr IT.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

How do you manage if you have Runkeeper gong too? Carry both?I have RK set up to tell me distance and pace etc, I'd miss that if I didn't have it, but I need some way to listen to music or podcasts too...round and round in circles I go...

[5kOrBust Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I have an Ipod Nano for the podcasts and all my music and my Android phone goes in my pocket to run the Nike+ app. (My shorts have pockets). Ipods can be picked up quite cheaply on eBay, you wouldn't need one with a huge memory if you're only going to put your 'running music' and podcasts on it.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to 5kOrBust]

Can you hear you app while you're tunning? RK keeps me updated as I go, I'd miss that. Maybe I need a better phone!

[5kOrBust Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I don't tend to look at the app until I've finished. I wouldn't be able to do both to be honest. I think my phone could do it (run the podcast app at the same time as the Nike+) but I'd worry that one would cause a problem for the other, so it suits me to keep them separate.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to 5kOrBust]

My phone will do both easily, but I've not managed to get any different music than Laura on to it lol! I'm a bit sick of her now...

[suel18 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

oh poor Laura!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to suel18]

I've been listening to her since May last year...it's almost an addiction!

[5kOrBust Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP!!!! You're talking about the woman I love!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I only recently started taking the map my run - probably led to some of my problems now as I became a stats freak! I'm getting a garmin for my birthday, but I've now got into the habit of taking my phone with me anyway as I listen to audible audiobooks - it would be nice to see if I can download them onto the ipod clip on for the summer so I don't need pockets or belt ... so many complications to this running business!!!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Yes, it's complicated! When I get back to France I would need to carry my phone anyway, it's a bit rural where I run and if I fall in a ditch I'd need to phone home for rescue lol! I keep looking at Garmin, but I really like the way RK keeps you updated as you run. Plus I'm allergic to metal so probably couldn't wear one..

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I just worked out how to do it! I wanted the garmin so I didn't keep having to get the phone out of belt or pocket and take gloves off etc etc, and I don't hold the phone and look at it when I'm tracking running. Map my run only tells you anything every 2k, so it's not that informative. I like the idea of running in shorts and a vest with a garmin on my wrist and the ipod clipped on so there's NO MORE FAFFING!!! I am so fed up with having to put on fifteen layers, gloves, earwarmers, two pairs of leggings blah blah blah. Roll on summer!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

I get so much info from RK that it's barely finished the first lot before it starts telling you the next lot! Yes roll on summer, I'll soon be moaning I'm too hot!

[TenaciousP42 Graduate]

What about free Spotify app - you have to listen to add but it does the trick although I upgraded as I could t stand the interruption - just a thought

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to TenaciousP42]

Don't you need to be online for Spotify? I don't have a phone contract...

[katybaines Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

As long as you sync the music to your Spotify app whilst you're connected at home, you can listen to your music without signal! I use Spotify and it's a dream

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to katybaines]

Ah, I think that's beyond me? Sync???

[katybaines Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Sync is just synchronise... basically load the songs from Spotify to "store" in your phone so you can listen to them without an internet connection. There's a guide here which hopefully explains it better than I can! support.spotify.com/us/lear...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to katybaines]

Ah, that's really useful thanks! xx

[TenaciousP42 Graduate]

Ah sorry didn't think of that 😁

[misswobble Graduate]

I nave a sony mp3 player and i love it. It's physically small and thin and fits in my back pocket of my run pants i thread the lead down the back of my running jacket or running top

[AdamB Graduate]

You could always try singing to yourself instead of having to resort to technology.

It's free, much lighter than any gizmo and doesn't break down. It will also get you lots of looks and you won't have to worry about people not moving out of your way. That way you can still keep runkeeper going on your phone and you'll not have any interference.

OK - I'll get my coat...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to AdamB]

Yup, I do that already, I was trying to spare pedestrians the stress of listening to me..

[ButIlikemycouch]

When I'm out walking the dog, I listen to the radio via my phone. Would that work alongside RK? I know its not non-stop music but I enjoy the chat too.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to ButIlikemycouch]

I was thinking about that, what station do you listen to? I haven't listened to the radio since Capitol, when I left London about 100 years ago!

[ButIlikemycouch]

Im a Radio 2 gal!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I've seen this, it looks pretty easy to use and cheap! Any comments please?

ebay.co.uk/itm/8GB-MP3-MP4-...