What to replace iPod with?

[dory_breaux]

Hey gang.

I've got an iPod 5.5 gen I bought refurbished about 9 months ago from one of the ebay places.

So about a month ago my ipod stopped playing audio out of the right channel. Today I finally got the replacement part and installed it, stoked that I could listen to stereo music again! Whoooo! not so much. when I put it all back together and "turned it on" (how DO you actually turn an ipod off or on? not the sleep mode but off), I got the "connect to computer and use iTunes to restore" message. Well, I figured what the hell its all backed up why not. SO I connect it, expecting it to go smoothley like the other two times I had to do this (when I dropped it in the snow and when i first got it). Of course, with my luck being what it is, it didnt work. I'fe come to the conclusion that its permently screwed. Squaretrade said that its likely they can get it fixed or possibly replaced (that would make me feel soooo good), but theres always that other chance...

So, my question is what do you guys like? I was thinking about getting one of those ipod nock-offs to hold me over till I can afford a touch. But thats alot of cash (NOT buying used or referbed ones anymore). I'm wondering if theres anything else out there thats as easy and versitile as teh ipodage that uses flash drives as opposed to hard drives (hdds go to absolute dick in cold weather, like when i'm skiing i get MAYBE 30 minutes out of my 5 gen).

Any reccomendations would be much appreciated...

[HorseFilms]

SanDisk is making some really nice players:
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Fuze-Player-Black/dp/B0015L0T68/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1220706830&sr=8-2

[JasonFox]

I've heard they're updating the Touch this week and lowering the prices, too. So maybe just hang until the 9th and see what happens. Man, I still haven't upgraded my 3rd gen, b/w, no-video iPod I got for Christmas almost 4 years ago -- but I use it almost exclusively in the car, so video doesn't really matter. I think I'll finally break down and get an iPhone when our T-Mobile contract expires next month.

[Aroon_Narayanan]

Archos makes great portable video and music players. The 605 Wifi has all the cool features of the iPod Touch (touchscreen, web, video, music photos), and some extras (DVR dock, GPS dock), without being locked to just iTunes. The low-end version of the 605 uses internal flash memory and SD cards. Archos also is coming out with a hard-drive model that can use a SIM card to connect to a 3G network.

The prices are also surprisingly decent, especially compared to the iPod touch.

[TwistedLincoln]

I really like the iAudio players by Cowon. They work with GNU/Linux, and they play Ogg Vorbis, and depending on the model, FLAC.

[Mark Harris]

I have a Creative Zen and love it. Plays music, movies, etc. Solidly built and cheap as hell. The 2gig cost me about $60. And it takes SD cards to the storage is expandable. The more expensive models also have wifi I believe.

[pfista]

I'm pretty sure the new ipod touches are coming out soon like Jason said. I have a first gen and it is so amazing. And now that there is an app store the possibilities for it are nearly endless. I definitely think it is worth the money; it is pretty much a pda. So just wait a little and see what the prices are. If you only want it for music though, then don't get it. There are much cheaper alternatives.

[dory_breaux]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm set on something that uses flash as opposed to HDD, and I'm pretty set on WiFi ability, so it sounds like its the ipod touch if I cant get this thing warrantied.

[Aroon_Narayanan]

If you want something not tied to iTunes, the Archos 605 WiFi has all those features.
However, if all your music is on iTunes (it probably is), then I could see how that would be inconvenient for you.

Just another suggestion.

[dory_breaux]

I have all stuff setup just so in itunes, so I'd rather something that integrates with ituneage seamlessly.