Thoughts on MP3 Players
 

So I know everyone is going to say just get her the ipod but I am wondering if anyone out there has a "cheaper" alternative for an MP3 player that they love! We are taking the kids to great wolf lodge as their present from us this year so "Santa" is only bringing the kids 2 small gifts maybe $50 worth. My daughter really wants an MP3 player but there is no way I am going to drop 200$ on an ipod and take them to great wolf lodge. Thoughts or suggestions are happily accepted. :D

I LOVE my zune from microsoft but I guess they aren't making them anymore :( boo!!

I know they have the cheaper versions of the ipod, but I am sure you can find something better/cheaper offbrand...

We have a Phillips one and I think its just fine. I think it was maybe 40? can't remember. I've never had an ipod and never will - just not spending the money! I couldn't find the one we have on amazon, but this is close http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SA3VBE...s=phillips+mp3

Shawna I have an Original Zune that is mine its pink and was given to my husband for working on the darn thing so on the back of it it says welcome to the social nov. whatever the date was it came out. ITs good enough for me, but I dont like to share. LOL Kelley I am going to check out the one you suggested. Thanks! :D

I just bought my 6 yr old an MP3 player for her birthday. It cost maybe $35, and she LOVES it.

Jacinda what brand was it?

Cheyanne had a Sandisk MP3 player by Sansa for several years before she saved up enough to buy her own iPod Touch. I had an iPod Shuffle for quite a few years that I used before I got my iPhone. The shuffle is around $50 (might find it cheaper on Amazon?) and the Sandisk I believe was between $30 and $40.

Just beware of the ones that cost around $20 - tried a couple of those over the years that were just crap and didn't last long at all.

Just found this offer online at Walmart.

Yeah I am a big fan of reading all the reviews on Amazon before I make a purchase. But it's tough to decide because all the ones in the $50 range have around the same reviews. I'd get her the shuffle if it had a screen but it doesn't. Our original shuffle broke. The Scandisk ones seem to have good reviews though.

We both used her Sandisk for a long time and the screen is a nice feature. The one she had let her make playlists too.

We bought a Sandisk Sansa MP3 player. I don't remember exactly which model but they aren't expensive at all (exactly in your price range!) and come in a variety of colors. They are MP3 players so they don't have all the apps and games that you'd get on an iPod Touch. They play music. We didn't want to buy an iPod either. We'd always be worrying about it getting lost and we didn't think that our child needed all the extra stuff that comes on an iPod.

Last year my daughters husband bought her an Ipod (older version not a I-touch) for 60 dollars off Craigslist. Maybe that is an alternative? Other then that my sons and daughter all got a Sansa Sandisk MP3 player. They all still work too and my daughters is like 8 years old, my middle sons is easily 4-6 years old and my youngest sons is about 2-3 years old. Here is one I found for 40 dollars

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...LA&cagpspn=pla

It's this one - a generic store brand one. And wouldn't you know now it's on sale. :glare: We got it in purple.

http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/media/DSN...9835170656.JPG

http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/A...ayer-4gb-black

I got my oldest a Sandisk last year & my youngest one a Coby this year.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o04_s00_i00
Amazon had the Coby on a lightening deal on Black Friday. Apparently the video quality isn't so good on the Coby but he doesn't want to watch video on a tiny screen anyway. :)
I'm not going to buy an iPod when all they want to do is listen to music while doing homework or reading. :)

We have Zunes.

Also, when we were at GameStop this past weekend, I took note of the fact that they were selling refurbished iPods for about 30 bucks. They have warranties, so you might check into those.

Thanks gals! I knew I could count on all of you to give me some amazing ideas! :D

I have a Sansa Clip Zip, and now DH and DS have them, too. They're great basic MP3 players and run about $40. I love that they're tiny and have a clip built right in so you don't have to go buy an armband or something to attach to yourself.

My DH used to have a Sony one but it was such a hassle to upload music to that he eventually switched to an iPod touch instead. That was several years ago though so maybe they're better now.

Wonder if you could find a used zune somewhere????

I checked on ebay earlier when we were looking for an itouch to get for Connor..and Zune's are running around 60-90 used.

I had a Sony Walkman MP3 player before I got my iPod for Christmas last year. On Amazon it says $110, yet the newer version is from $60-100. You could probably get the newer version for cheaper elsewhere.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...AL._SY300_.jpg

I loved my little Sandisk. I paid $5 for mine a few years back. I used the heck out of it. Unfortunately, I found it under the couch... smashed. :( We have three shuffles around here but no one uses them, ever. In fact, I can't even tell you where they are. I have a Zune that I use too that works well.