Topic: looking for hard drive based flac capable player to use in my car

[prof_peabody]

What's the best route on this?  I'd like 60+ GB.  If I have to rockbox a device to get flac that's fine.  What are the options?  I just want to have something loaded with my shows that I can keep in the car or at work (I'm getting too lazy to convert to mp3). 

Thanks

[Nick's Picks]

I would think there must be some small Ipodish deck out there w/your name  on it.

[Nick's Picks]

http://tinyurl.com/6rkh23

[prof_peabody]

All I could find so far is the iaudio x5 - the 30 gb one goes for about $75-$100 on ebay.  There is also a 60 gb model.

[prof_peabody]

http://tinyurl.com/6rkh23

Yeah I saw that.  I guess I should also specify cheap! 
So... I'll probably be buying used as well...

[Colin Liston]

Kenwood Music Keg. 

I think I read this plays FLAC too but I could be wrong.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Kar72YGU6LL/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=113KHDCX91

Edit:

Looks like the music keg is discontinued.

Here's another

http://cgi.ebay.com/Omnifi-DMP1-CAR-MP3-DIGITAL-MEDIA-PLAYER-20GB-HDD-NEW_W0QQitemZ400008218912QQcmdZViewItem

[timP]

refurb'd Rio Karma. had one for a while til it took a spill off a tread mill while jogging...

i bought it off ebay.

[George]

refurb'd Rio Karma. had one for a while til it took a spill off a tread mill while jogging...

i bought it off ebay.

Yeah, but he wants 60GB+, it ain't happening with the karma.

Your best bet?  Buy a iriver H140 and dump a 80GB HDD in there.

[prof_peabody]

refurb'd Rio Karma. had one for a while til it took a spill off a tread mill while jogging...

i bought it off ebay.

Yeah, but he wants 60GB+, it ain't happening with the karma.

Your best bet?  Buy a iriver H140 and dump a 80GB HDD in there.

30 gig would be ok - seems like the iriver or the iaudio x5 is the way to go.

[JasonSobel]

the trekstor vibez is a great player that plays FLACs
http://www.amazon.com/TrekStor-vibez-Player-Black-Silver/dp/B000KDZR5U
it comes in either 8gb or 12gb, but I think* it's possible to open it up, take out the microdrive, and put in a flash card.  you could put in a 32 gb flash card, reload the firmware, and be good to go with much more space.

the vibez itself is ~$130 + $65 for a 32gb CF card  (from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211244) and you're in for about $200.

* I say I think it's possible because I seem to recall reading about doing this on the internet somewhere.  I've been meaning to do it with mine (to get more space & it should increase battery life - which I am already very pleased with.  I think I get 8-9 hours on a full charge), but I haven't yet done this, so you might want to do more research before making your choice.

[Nicola Fankhauser]

hi

a simple solution could be installing rockbox on an ipod. this will allow you to play (amongst other formats) flac and ogg.

http://www.rockbox.org/

regards
nicola

[George]

hi

a simple solution could be installing rockbox on an ipod. this will allow you to play (amongst other formats) flac and ogg.

http://www.rockbox.org/

regards
nicola

Good call, I always forget that rockbox is available for the ipods. 

[prof_peabody]

hi

a simple solution could be installing rockbox on an ipod. this will allow you to play (amongst other formats) flac and ogg.

http://www.rockbox.org/

regards
nicola

I'm really looking for a cheap/used item to leave in the car.  The used ipod prices are a bit high for my needs - there are cheaper devices I can rockbox.

[George]

refurb'd Rio Karma. had one for a while til it took a spill off a tread mill while jogging...

i bought it off ebay.

Yeah, but he wants 60GB+, it ain't happening with the karma.

Your best bet?  Buy a iriver H140 and dump a 80GB HDD in there.

30 gig would be ok - seems like the iriver or the iaudio x5 is the way to go.

Yep, you should be fine with the iriver or X5, both are supported by rockbox too which is a big plus.

[terrapinj]

perhaps just visit the rockbox site and see which players are supported, then start doing some ebay shopping to find your best deal

i use a toshiba player thats 60GB that works great

[airbladder]

I love my x5.  Don't look any further.  A big hard drive will come in handy if you want to load it with flac's.

[Idle Wind]

I picked up a 5.5 gen Ipod Video - 60gig on ebay for like $160 shipped.  got it from the "ipod_outlet" - supposedly a store return.  the thing looks brand new.  (better than my classic, which has never left its case....)  I rockboxed it, and it plays FLACs.  I had to fool around the the rockbox "themes" to get it looking right (large font for my failing eyes, displays "album art" - really just live pictures of the artists I've selected)

definitely a viable solution.  plus you get to hack stuff....

[EarlyMorningRain]

I second this comment.

perhaps just visit the rockbox site and see which players are supported, then start doing some ebay shopping to find your best deal

FWIW - I myself use a (Rockboxed) iRiver H320 to listen/play flac's in the car.

Bear in mind though that the OP wants something to leave in the car. Curious where you live though, seeing as I live in the (already) COLD Midwest, I wouldn't leave my player/recorder in the car all day long...........

[sunjan]

I'm really looking for a cheap/used item to leave in the car.  The used ipod prices are a bit high for my needs - there are cheaper devices I can rockbox.

OK, here's the cheapest player for you...

Like said, Rockbox has a great overview/shopping guide, listing all models and specs:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/BuyersGuide

If you are willing to settle for 30-40GB, the Toshiba Gigabeat F40 will cost you around $45 with a bit of sniping on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250328410877

Like others mentioned, it's possible to pick up a low-end player and upsize it, but it's probably not worthwhile, considering your budget.
A 60GB HDD will cost you another $40 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170283037164)  while a 60GB Ipod can be had for $50-$60 if you don't mind the scuffs!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270306346764

When researching Rockbox, also note that some of the older units (Archos) won't play FLAC, because of hardware limitations.