Hi Herman (of 1:106/2000.7),
On , you wrote:

 HT> I just bought my first one.  RCA Lyra 256 MB with an expandable
 HT> memory slot.  I also baought two 500 MB Sandisks for my two
 HT> grandsons.  They're all about the same, I think.  The memory
 HT> expansion is just as expensive as the player!

There are several models of the Lyra /256, but they all seem nicely
designed.  How many hours of play time do you get  from one battery?   The
SD MMC expansion slot is pretty darn slick too.  What size maximum
expansion card you use?  Can you use your Lyra as a flash storage device
for regular computer files?

The closest flash-based SD/MMC expandable Nomad would be the C100 model. 
But I didn't hear about that one when I came across the MuVo NX.  Infact..
I jumped on the MuVo purchase when a supplier mentioned that they were at a
2-week promotional price $60 less than retail.   I bought it immediately
because the promotion was ending in 3 days.  It was also a great
opportunity to upgrade from an exisiting 64meg flash thumb drive to a
256meg device if I needed that.  Today, the MuVo 128meg model sells for
more than the 256meg model at the promotional price I got.

I get about 15 hours of play time with my MuVo NX on one AA alkaline. 
That's not too bad when battery is well under $1 each.


 HT> I saw an ad for one that had a 4 GB hard drive in it! 
 HT> ... I carry a 512 MB thumb
 HT> drive around for data storage, so it would be possible to put that
 HT> plus my music on the 4 GB player.  Probably won't do it, though,
 HT> until my needs for storage space exceed the capacity I've got now.

I don't like the micro-drive concept in portable mp3 players.  Too
mechanical.  I think the solid-state flash approach is much more
interesting and reliable.  As you, I don't have a need for carry-around
storage greater than 256meg or 512meg.   Meanwhile, I manage just fine with
CD-RW's that can store up 800meg for my "carry-around" file
storage.

My next investment might be an SD-MMC exandable mp3 flash drive.


d(-_-)b  ...August

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