Sansa Clip Zip vs Sony E384 for AudioBooks

[ericycle]

Hi Everyone,

I had a brief experience with installing Rockbox on some old Sansa Clip, and I was amazed how convenient it became using the device. Now it has died, and I need to get a new device.

From what I was able to gather, I currently have 2 options, for players I can still buy, which would support Rockbox. These are the Sansa Clip Zip, which was mentioned in several posts here, and also I think I might be able to get a Sony NWZ-E384.

The main use for me, would be to listen to audiobooks, and moreover, switching between different audiobooks, so the bookmarking functionality is the most important.

I'd love to hear any advice, which of the 2 might be better, in terms of its support of Rockbox, etc. I'm more inclined to try the Sony. I think it has better battery life, etc. But I have no idea what Rockbox is like on it.

Thanks for any input!

[RufusA]

I have no direct experience of the E384, but the Clip Zip is now well supported by Rockbox, has a micro sd card slot, uses a standard micro usb cable, and has the battery calibration and cpu frequency scaling pretty much sorted so battery life is good. FM radio also works, but IMHO can be a bit noisy compared with an OF Sony.

The Sony isn't as well used / supported but has a bigger battery, and probably a better build quality, FM radio support under Rockbox is very much beta if it's important to you, but you can still boot in to OF.

Both however will have a very similar experience for audiobooks. If that's your main use it largely will come down to whichever you can get in a reasonable condition at an affordable price!

If you aren't too fussy about colour, and can find a US delivery address, Sandisk still have a few Clip Zips left at low prices e.g.

http://shop.sandisk.com/store/sdiskus/en_US/pd/productID.5132971400

[Pigoletto]

I read that there's a bit of a volume issue on the E384. I'm assuming it's the EU volume restriction.

Does anybody know if Rockbox cures this?

Many thanks,

P

[ericycle]

I intend to get one soon, so we'll see about that...

[Pigoletto]

I intend to get one soon, so we'll see about that...

Great stuff! Please report back