I have been using a Creative Zen Micro 5 gig model. I really like that the batteries can be changed just like a cell phone battery and they are very small. Each one lasts 10 to 12 hours on a charge. I carry 2 extra batteries (total of 3) for long flights. Pretty happy with the device, except the unit's headphone connector doesn't seem to like my Shure E3c's but works perfectly with the OEM headphones it came with. Don't know if this is still a problem on more recent versions. Thinking of trying a splitter to see if that would eliminate the connector issue.

My ideal travel MP3 player would be:

- iPod thin and very light

- 40gig (I never know in advance what I'll be in the mood to listen to, so I want to carry everything)

- simple monochrome display with decent backlighting

- no gimmicks like video, photo storage, games or fm radios

- 20-30 hours per charge (in case I don't have time or forget to recharge it)

- enough power to drive my Bose QC2 phones without using a headphone amplifier

- with a small remote, so I can hit "pause" when the FA comes for my drink order, or the pilot makes an announcement.

- balance control (my right ear has a little hearing loss, so the stereo field is shifted to the left -- I have a little outboard balance control that I use now)

- Under $300


The Creative Zen Touch 40gig comes closest to this. It's a little bigger and heavier than an iPod and still would need the headphone amplifier, but otherwise has everything on my wish list. The only problem is that it is shortly to be discontinued, and the remote control for it is no longer available, except on eBay from Malaysian sources for $100 or so.

It seems like the focus of manufacturers is on small, light, all-purpose media centers, which are not ideal for travel. All I want to do when I fly long-haul is put my seat back, have a drink or three, put on the phones and some music and just get lost until I land. There's a huge industry for travel luggage. Why isn't there a similar industry for personal IFE?

Thanks for all the info in this thread, very informative- am in the market for a MP3 player as a going away to grad school present for a friend.

Cowon HD based DAP's should fit ur needs. Go to iaudiophile.net and ask around there. Sony players should fit ur needs too given that u rip ur own music. dapreview.net is helpful as well as head-fi.org. Most people here are ipod biased and have not used other types of DAP's.

Ipod may be worth it if u install Rockbox on it(works great so far on the Cowon players ), which provides gapless,other codec support and freedom from Itunes. Rockbox is not for those Ipod users that want restrictive non-thinking options. Apple has very good hadware. I may actually buy a used 60g Ipod, install rockbox on it and test it out. If I don't like it then it will go on Ebay.