Best player to get for RockBox?

[Romanian]

Hey all,

The other day I held my dead X5L player, and I remembered how much I absolutely loved the black background and bright green text I had on it, and how much I loved to hold it and just look through my songs late at night. Sadly, I don't think any other players quite live up to what he X5L + RockBox was.

I just... can't live without RockBox. Using a Cowon U3 with native firmware is disgusting. I'm wondering what the best current/near-future MP3 players with high capacities, which also support RockBox, are? I've been taking a gander at the D2, but the touch interface is a huge "do not want" for me. Any news on new products like the X5L which don't sport touch interface, and might be RockBox-able?


Thanks,
Romanian

[keuleJ]

Take a look at this:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/BuyersGuide

[bYOndo]

I cannot look to that guide anymore, that 4th column is so sad...
yes, you can try searching ebay for some refurbished model, in that case anyone will suggest Sansa E200 series, surely the most powerful supported flashbased non-ipod player.
Or, if you can wait, I would bet on the Sansa Fuze, it seems there's a very active development on "Sansa v2 family".
I personally would buy Cowon Iaudio7 for its hardware and soundquality, but its porting, like D2, seems to be stalled at the moment. But hey, it's a gorgeus player even with its limited native firmware.
Anyway, "Patience is a virtue" 

bye,
Massimo

 

[markun]

A lot of people agree that the Gigabeat F is a good rockbox target. It's good value for money if you don't mind that it doesn't have radio or recording, is HDD based and the touchpad needs some getting used to.

[LambdaCalculus]

I also will vouch for the Gigabeat F. They're a bit in short supply on eBay, but are never too expensive, and worth the hunting.

[soap]

Earlier this morning Romanian stated in IRC he wanted FM, perhaps recording, and would rather not buy used.

That leaves him pretty much with a Sansa, either refurb or new old-stock.

[LambdaCalculus]

Then the best bet, if he's based in the USA, is to buy from Froobi, as they still have Sansa e200 v1's in stock.

Romanian: http://www.froobi.com/SanDisk-Sansa-e280-MP3Media-Player-Factory-Recertified-Rockbox-Ready_p_78-32283.html