Recommended players for running RockBox on?

[thither]

Hope this is the right forum for this - sorry if this is noise.

I'd really like to run RockBox - among other things, I love the idea of an open-source firmware, and I'd hopefully be able to contribute something to the project in terms of development.  It's been in the back of my mind since I first read about the Archos release on slashdot back when.

As it happens, I'm also in the market for a new player, having gradually sickened of my Sansa e120.  So can someone give me a recommendation for an MP3 player, with the understanding that I'll be loading RockBox on it?

My requirements are:

• Decent battery life (8 hours minimum, hopefully much more)
• Minimum 2 GB storage (for a Flash player, HDD ones are OK too)
• FM Radio if at all possible (and RockBox supports it)
• Runs RockBox well
• Not an iPod
• Not humoungous (it and a pack of smokes should fit in my pocket)

Ideally I want something fairly cheap, too, but that's fairly low on the priority list.

From what I've read, I'm currently leaning towards the iAudio X5L.  The thing that scares me off is that their customer service seems to be even worse than most DAP makers (for a good laugh, search through their official forums for "customer service").  Obviously I won't want their help with the firmware side of things, but if whatever I get has a hardware problem I'd like to be able to RMA it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

[Llorean]

If the X5L is acceptable physically, it is very likely your best bet among things on sale right now.

[thither]

Thanks for the quick reply!  Can you tell me if the remote is supported on the X5, for navigating and such at least?

(PS: I did grep the manual before asking this, and I googled the forums but the last post I saw was this one stating it was being worked on - please let me know if there's somewhere else I can look for up-to-the-minute status report type things.  Oh, and your native forum search seems to be down at the moment, BTW.)

[Llorean]

Yeah, I'm actually talking to someone about fixing the search right now. It's one of the things I personally cannot do.

As for the X5 remote, I can't speak as to its current status (don't have an X5). Sorry.

[red]

I just picked up a refurbed iriver h320 on ebay for under $100 (and can get an extended warranty on it).  They seem to go from $100-$120ish, but if you're patient you might be able to snag one for $90-$95ish.

[Davide-NYC]

The H1x0 is in my opinion the best HD-DAP (emphasis on 'Audio') ever made.
The H120 in particular is very pocket friendly and Rockbox is very mature on it.

It will not satisfy any RMA requirements since it has been discontinued for quite some time. It is also 4-gray and thus not very visually satisfying. (games)

We have an H3x0 as well (the wifes) and neither of us ever touch it, except to play 'tetris' and test new builds of Rockbox.

My $0.02. :-)

[highsun]

My x5 with dual boot for OF and Rockbox has supported the remote control, I remember, just 2 months ago. X5L should do, too.

[RaeNye]

Thanks for the quick reply!  Can you tell me if the remote is supported on the X5, for navigating and such at least?

It works well, although some mappings are either missing or obscure
(but you can operate the DAP with it, listening to songs, etc.).

P.S.
Dual boot has nothing to do with the remote (except supporting it as well).

[highsun]

Yes, dual boot has nothing with the remote indeed.
I just tell him the fact I use the dual boot in x5, because I dont try the single Rockbox

[ImagoX]

The H1x0 is in my opinion the best HD-DAP (emphasis on 'Audio') ever made.
The H120 in particular is very pocket friendly and Rockbox is very mature on it.

It will not satisfy any RMA requirements since it has been discontinued for quite some time. It is also 4-gray and thus not very visually satisfying. (games)

We have an H3x0 as well (the wifes) and neither of us ever touch it, except to play 'tetris' and test new builds of Rockbox.

My $0.02. :-)

  I second that...  If you want NON iPod the iRiover H120 is a GREAT way to go.  I've used mine for years now, almost always out of the house, in fanny packs and clipped into my car, and the thing still runs like a champ.  It's very pocket friendly like was said above and RockBox works GREAT on it.  It IS all grayscale though, so it's a bit hard on the eyes for car use, but that's a minor complaint IMHO.