Want a hard drive based MP3 player, please rate my 3 choices

[BoGMan1a]

I am gonna get one using a combination of Circuit City gift cards/credit card so I am stuck shopping there . I am choosing from either the Creative Nomad Zen NX 30gb $215.99, the RCA Lyra RD2840 40gb $269.99, or the Rio Karma 20gb for $269.99. I am planning on using them as removable HDD's as well as players since I only have about 9 gigs of music to add to them. I would appreciate any experiences with any of these to help me make my choice, and I am buying on Friday. Thanks all for any input.

[tazdevl]

I'd wait a bit if you can. Rio Karma 2 is coming out as is a new iRiver. When these hit the streets, they oilder ones will drop in price.

Creative just came out with the Zen Touch Ipics @ amazon, a preview @ IGN). Has a touchpad and 24 HOUR BATTERY LIFE. Not to mention the battery is user replaceable.

I'd watch out for the Karma if you do need to buy soon, poor build quality.

[hoxlund]

yeah for good mp3 player reviews go to http://gear.ign.com/audio.html

or you may try www.neoseeker.com not sure if they review mp3 players or not

i was very happy with both my creative nomad jukebox 3 and recently sold 40gb apple iPod

[BoGMan1a]

Thanks for the answers so far. Dang it, I was really itching for one right now, and the prices were feeling pretty reasonable, but I read the review for the Zen Touch and now I am not so sure. I am leaning towards the Zen line though, I just find them appealing to my eye, and they have really nice capacities hdd-wise. The Karma has a coolness factor although I hadn't researched very hard yet and didn't know about their quality issues. And the Lyra made the list simply for hdd capacity and price.That being said, I suppose that I can go another vacation with my trusty mini-disc player as my music box at the campsite . Darn it, I hate when I can't rationalise a purchase .

[digitaldoc]

Try to wait for a month or two. Apple is supposedly coming out with an 80 gb model. Should push the price of everything down a notch or 2. Will have to be out in time for holiday shopping.

[hoxlund]

im going for a archos right now on ebay:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws1/eBayISAPI.dll? ... =1&rows=25