Need a new sweat resistant mp3 player

July 3, 2018 11:43 AM

Unfortunately, the one I've been using and love, the lightweight, simple to use, and cheap 8 gig SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip, has been retired, but more importantly, my 4th one has died, and I'm pretty sure it's always because of sweat gumming up the works while running in the heat.

I installed rockbox on it because of its simple UI and more importantly, it just does what I want, namely:

- plays tracks in alphabetical order (I rip lectures from CD), organized by folder
- no software needed on my PC, I just mount the device and drag a folder of files over
- no need for iTunes or anything to manage podcasts or to sync the device (I just listen and delete)
- lets me turn it off quickly and when it turns on, it starts right back up where it left off, literally with one button touch
- uses a generic 1/8" headphone jack (no controls required on the headphones)
- screen and buttons to navigate UI and select tracks/folder

Anyone have experience with a device to replace the above functionality, but might be more sweat resistant, for less than $50 USD?

posted by Pig Tail Orchestra to Technology (5 answers total)

Best answer: Well, I'm not sure how the tech specs compare, but my Clip Sport has been soaked in my toxic-to-electronics sweat probably 200 times, and has never complained for a millisecond.
posted by ftm at 11:57 AM on July 3, 2018

What do you mean by "died"? Unit won't turn on? Won't charge? Have you tried the rockbox hard reset (holding the power button for 15 or more seconds)?
posted by Bangaioh at 12:56 PM on July 3, 2018

Response by poster: It was about fully charged and playing when it died. It was a little wet with sweat when that happened, so I made that assumption. It won't turn on, after 15 seconds, or 30+ seconds of hard reset, even days later. Same thing all the other ones have done.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 1:18 PM on July 3, 2018

Best answer: I know what you mean about that specific functionality - my list of criteria for mp3 players is almost the same, and they're increasingly hard to find.

Have you considered keeping it in a plastic bag while you run, with a small hole for the headphones? My Sansa Clip doesn't have a touch screen, and its buttons can be pressed through a baggie.

If this would work, you can consider buying a used player on Amazon or Ebay.
posted by aquamvidam at 2:38 PM on July 3, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Guess I'll try a cover on the next one! Thanks for the suggestions.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:14 AM on July 5, 2018