Situation:
- My new job has an 1hr commute.
- My car lacks a Cassette/CD player (FM/AM radio only)
- Would like to dedicate my commute time to audio books for my school classes
The car is older and I don't necessarily want to spend $100+ on a CD player with MP3 support and then have to figure out how to install it and uninstall it in the next year two when the car goes kaputs.
I found some FM Modulators with MP3 built into them (e.g. from Roadmaster). The FM modulators that take USB Flash drives sounded really cool and had a good price. Only problem is they don't read folders and only read files in the order they were copied to the USB drive; they also have a 13 minute track limit which is a killer for audio books.
There are a couple other transmitters I have looked at. iRiver's AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter seems to be $37, and the Belkin F8V3080 TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter at $20 also seems servicable. The iRiver looks really nice, meaning it may need to be hidden which could be a problem in my car (no place to hide it).
As for MP3 players, the Sansa M240 line seems to be a nice compromise of features & quality and price. 512MB version for $46, 1GB for $58, and 2GB version for $83. MP3 and WMA support, FM and Mic, ~20hrs battery time.
I am a little weary of "no name" brands because I have heard many have poor workmanship and horrible return/repair policies. Of course that means I may be overlooking a real gem :? Any comments, suggestions, recommendations on this little quest? I have heard the Samsun Yepp devices are pretty nice as well and have 40hr+ battery time.
Anyhow, any general or specific suggestions welcome.
Ps- Not really interested in an iPod due to expense for what you get, I don't have iTunes, and I own all my own audio CDs and have already ripped them to MP3 and don't want to hassel with Apples proprietary junk. Preferrably something that could use folders as play lists, or at least navigate them, would be perfect for my needs.
- My new job has an 1hr commute.
- My car lacks a Cassette/CD player (FM/AM radio only)
- Would like to dedicate my commute time to audio books for my school classes
The car is older and I don't necessarily want to spend $100+ on a CD player with MP3 support and then have to figure out how to install it and uninstall it in the next year two when the car goes kaputs.
I found some FM Modulators with MP3 built into them (e.g. from Roadmaster). The FM modulators that take USB Flash drives sounded really cool and had a good price. Only problem is they don't read folders and only read files in the order they were copied to the USB drive; they also have a 13 minute track limit which is a killer for audio books.
There are a couple other transmitters I have looked at. iRiver's AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter seems to be $37, and the Belkin F8V3080 TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter at $20 also seems servicable. The iRiver looks really nice, meaning it may need to be hidden which could be a problem in my car (no place to hide it).
As for MP3 players, the Sansa M240 line seems to be a nice compromise of features & quality and price. 512MB version for $46, 1GB for $58, and 2GB version for $83. MP3 and WMA support, FM and Mic, ~20hrs battery time.
I am a little weary of "no name" brands because I have heard many have poor workmanship and horrible return/repair policies. Of course that means I may be overlooking a real gem :? Any comments, suggestions, recommendations on this little quest? I have heard the Samsun Yepp devices are pretty nice as well and have 40hr+ battery time.
Anyhow, any general or specific suggestions welcome.
Ps- Not really interested in an iPod due to expense for what you get, I don't have iTunes, and I own all my own audio CDs and have already ripped them to MP3 and don't want to hassel with Apples proprietary junk. Preferrably something that could use folders as play lists, or at least navigate them, would be perfect for my needs.
