WTB an MP3 Player for a Senior Citizen - Help Please

[goks]

I'm thinking about getting an MP3 player for my dad and am curious to know if anyone has suggestions for MP3 players for people who are 60+

The iPod is the obvious choice but I'm concerned that the screen is too small and that scroll wheel might be tough for him to manipulate.

Ideally, he would use this when he's going for walks. I would put different ethnic music on it as well as podcasts (related to his interests) or maybe "books on tape"?

Any (and all) suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.

[freddyprinze]

I bought my 67 yr old mother a 4GB SansaDisk MP3 player from Future Shop and typed up some instructions for her after I pre-loaded a few hundred songs for her.

She likes it, except she had to buy new earbuds as the OEM buds were not very loud.

The player is relatively easy to use with no need for the software CD that comes with it unless loading video. For music, it's drag & drop.

[matkun]

I'd say just buy a simple yumcha no-name solid-state mp3 player.

Something that just acts as a removable disk and you can just drag & drop files onto it. Then when using it, it has the songs just one after the other, so you just click next/prev or pick the one you want, instead of going through a catalogue system, which could be confusing.

[goks]

I bought my 67 yr old mother a 4GB SansaDisk MP3 player from Future Shop and typed up some instructions for her after I pre-loaded a few hundred songs for her.

She likes it, except she had to buy new earbuds as the OEM buds were not very loud.

The player is relatively easy to use with no need for the software CD that comes with it unless loading video. For music, it's drag & drop.

How much is the Sanadisk player?
Also, do you still have that "instructions sheet" saved on your computer? Maybe I could "borrow" it and tweak it for my dad... ;o)

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely check this out

[goks]

I'd say just buy a simple yumcha no-name solid-state mp3 player.

Something that just acts as a removable disk and you can just drag & drop files onto it. Then when using it, it has the songs just one after the other, so you just click next/prev or pick the one you want, instead of going through a catalogue system, which could be confusing.

I'm sorry but I'm not sure which MP3 players are "simple yumcha no-name solid-state" players. Can you suggest any brands?
The idea of using one that acts as a removable disk with simple drag/drop capabilities makes a lot of sense so if you can provide any actual product suggestions, that would be awesome!

Thanks.

[goks]

I'd say just buy a simple yumcha no-name solid-state mp3 player.

Something that just acts as a removable disk and you can just drag & drop files onto it. Then when using it, it has the songs just one after the other, so you just click next/prev or pick the one you want, instead of going through a catalogue system, which could be confusing.

Some great feedback so far. Just wanted to know if anyone else had any other suggestions...

Thanks a lot.

[Emancipated]

Eliminate the screen entirely. Get him a flash based player where he can preset his playlist in advanced.

Sony Jelly Bean. Those I've heard have 90+ on 1 AA battery. Hell yeahz!

[GTT1]

Some great feedback so far. Just wanted to know if anyone else had any other suggestions...

Thanks a lot.

From a 60+ this is what I have and find it perfect. I even use it to move files (photos) to my son and fathers computer.

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=670779&affixedcode=WW

[freddyprinze]

How much is the Sanadisk player?
Also, do you still have that "instructions sheet" saved on your computer? Maybe I could "borrow" it and tweak it for my dad... ;o)

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely check this out

The SanDisk MP3 C150 player was $59.99 + taxes at FutureShop, on sale from $119.99 but it was only 2GB not 4GB (sorry). The WebID# is 10077709 on their website. I would wait for it to go on sale as it's not worth the regular price. It has gone on sale again after I bought it.

My mom is using it while on her morning walks and she loves it.

I just bought the 8GB Sandisk MP3 player (on sale for $199 from $249) and I'm very happy with it thus far.

I do have the instruction sheet if you want but it is specifically tailored to the Sandisk player. :D

[ReDmAn]

i recommend a casette tape player



:cheesygri


j/k

[gsrce]

i recommend a casette tape player



:cheesygri


j/k


Or better yet, MiniDisc. MD players are easy as hell to use. They're throwbacks to casette players in the way the buttons are laid out on them. One button turns it on/stops the music, and two smaller buttons for volume (one for up and one for down). They're very very very easy to use, the only pain is sonic stage, but if you put the music on the discs for the person, you won't have a problem.

With a MD player, they also get discs that can be labeled with different artists or whatnot, so they can choose what to listen too easily, as opposed to scrolling through music tracks in an mp3 player.

[freddyprinze]

FYI, the Sandisk Sansa 2GB MP3 Player I mentioned above is on sale again at FutureShop for $69.99 (reg. $119.99-I paid $59.99).

It is a solid state drive with drag & drop, no need for software.