Cowon iAudio U5 8GB

Advantages: Outstanding value for money and extremely slick design
Disadvantages: FM radio is not very clear

...to connect to the PC and transferring music is very easy as the iaudio shows up as another hard drive in my computer and it also has a program - Jetshell - which splits the screen in half with your PC in the top half of the screen and the iaudio in the bottom half so its as simple as a drag&drop and you're ready to go. Extra features such as the FM radio, line in recording and an integrated microphone make this my favourite mp3 player of all time. I cannot praise Cowon enough for their excellent design and features although the radio can be a little fuzzy in certain areas. This iaudio is the 20gb version although there is lso a 40gb version. It cost me £160 about a year ago, so I'm sure it will have dropped in price slightly. I have seen several second hand iaudio on ebay for under £100, and as the iaudio is metal, unless they have been dropped... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Multi-use; very very stylish; light; robust
Disadvantages: controls on the remote can be fiddly for we old codgers. Don't always work as expected.

...This is one amazing machine. It is small light and very very stylish with a metal casing finished in metalic colours (mine is gunmetal grey). I have is the 20Gb version but there is a 40Gb one with the same physical size. A real shame to hide it in a pocket - it's far more stylish than ALL competitors - but then the tiny in-line remote with screen makes it un-neccessary to take the machine from the pocket to change channels or tracks - or to turn it on or off. A major advantage over competitors. The remote includes a clip to attach to a collar or pocket. The FM radio is a boon but reception can be iffy as you move around because the aerial is the cabling. The remote is a bit fiddly for we more elderly people but the small screen is amazingly easy to read without reading specs! But then the remote doesn't always properly adjust... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sound quality, battery life, radio, microphone, ease of use
Disadvantages: Only a screen on the remote

...I love this little mp3 player. Really sleek and the main body is made from high grade metal which is a lot more scratch proof than plastic. What makes this device special is it's separate remote control that can clip on to your clothes while the main body sits in your pocket and still gives you full control of the main device. It's price vs capacity is excellent and as well as playing music, it can display .txt files and be used as a portable hard drive to carry your documents and pictures around with you. This player also comes with several in built must have features like FM radio, radio record and in built microphone. Battery life is also second to none and the player has generally never given me any problems...consider this option carefully as an incredibly competitive player with a load of features and great value for money to offer.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful