http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/ Engadget Comments for Ask Engadget: best rugged PMP out there? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 1:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 1:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/

Ok, I honestly can't think of any PMP thats rugged, but anything is more rugged than an iPod touch :D.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
If you throw an otterbox case in with the ipod touch your brother will a nearly indestructible PMP. ]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
An iPod Touch is probably the best choice. Accessory support is better than any other PMP out there because they're so ubiquitous.

It's got WiFi, Bluetooth, fantastic browser/email that blows anything else on a PMP out of the water (so to speak...). It's also got fantastic apps and games, and since they're everywhere, they're great to play multiplayer with against other people.

The shells themselves are pretty strong, but the strongest accessory support in the market means you should be able to find a good strong case pretty easily.

It doesn't matter if you hate Apple or whatever: iPod touches are remarkably versatile gadgets with accessory support so broad you can use them in pretty much any situation.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/You may also want to consider Nokia 5800 Xpressmusic or Nokia X6 now. I know it's a phone, but it's also a PMP. 5800 was awarded as UK's best selling "music player" in 2009. You get everything in it with half the price of any comparable device out there.
It is very rugged, without any cover.
Has everything: 3.2 MP camera with flash, video recording, bluetooth, TV-out functionality, wifi along with Music player ofcz. Plus, you can install songs from anywhere in numerous formats. don't need to get tied to any particular program like iTunes,etc. Can even transfer songs from your friend's phone through bluetooth.
Similarly, thousands of apps also available, ofcz, not as much as ipod touch, but more than enough for a PMP atleast.
Plus it has GPS which works offline, no data needed.
Also support upto 32GB micro-SD card.

I can't think of having any other PMP that can do so many things at such a cheap price. ]]>Apr 2nd 2010 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/This is a silly post.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/I'm just hoping that your post is full of sarcasm my friend.
Just saying it for your own good.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/26/keepin-it-real-fake-part-lxvii-the-pasen-itouch/]]>Apr 2nd 2010 1:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
Yet my ~2-year old touch works completely fine. Scratched? yes (including the front. don't buy into the whole scratch resistance bullshit). But the hardware works perfectly.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 7:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
The Zune? Lol
I got an equally good idea... Sony walkman!

I'm kidding, I personally never tried the Zune, but in all seriousness, I would suggest an iPod Touch w/ case, or a Droid (I am aware it's a phone, but it can play music on it).]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
Well the Zune is a better PMP, the IPT has an advatage in the apps-section, but apps is not a part of a PMP imo.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/I agree. I have one, it is an EXTREMELY solid device.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 12:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 9:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Yep. I've stabbed my screen with a knife to demonstrate it to someone. And the whole thing is built around an aluminum "skeleton", which is what makes it so solid. Especially the headphone jack. My Zune 30 died there, finally after 2 years(Note, not a big loss, it was free, complements of Microsoft). I replaced it with a Zune HD because the headphone jack is securely anchored to the skeleton.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/As a Zune owner I tend to agree, but in terms of ruggedness can a Zune beat an iPod with a nice case?]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Not really. Now, the 2nd Gen Zune 80 and 120 can survive almost anything.

But again, no camera.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 12:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/I've had trouble with the Zune 80 when I would go running. Since it has an actual HDD in it with moving parts I killed it by dropping it and it bouncing around as I jogged. The case was crazy durable though.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 1:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
A "music" player that doesn't even play FLAC?

And before someone pops up saying what I need on my PMP.. it's not even about quality. It's about CONVENIENCE of not having to waste even a second for converting media for the PMP.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 4:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 12:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
Best hope he doesn't need to read the screen in direct sunlight...]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
every player has it's downsides, and i still think for what he's looking for the zune hd is the best choice.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 12:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 2:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
Of course, I don't know what part of the Marines he's destined for, so my thoughts may be off base, in which case please just ignore them.

You may also want to consider battery life too, because you never know how often he'll be able to charge it.]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
i had an ipod touch, and with just regular use it got scratched up pretty badly. i've had my zune hd a LOT longer than my ipod touch, and i only have 1 (ONE) nick on it. it's amazing! not a scratch on the screen. ]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
I purchased a 30gig Zune a couple of years ago. I would just toss it on my bed, and I dropped it a few times, The thing is like a tank. I upgraded to an 80gig Zune. I gave my 30 gig one to a friend who works in a machine shop. Sometimes he takes his heavy duty boom box to work, and the 30gig Zune is velcroed to it. My friend is known for destroying things. He has had the Zune for over 6 months, and it is still running smooth!]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
The Cowon S9 DOESN'T even have WIFI. Cowon is still stuck in 2005.]]>Apr 2nd 2010 1:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/-The UI Pretty much fails, but I knew that when I bought it
-It is NOT Rugged at ALL. Sure it may have gorilla glass, but that didn't stop my screen from cracking. I dropped i from about 3 feet off the ground, and since its insanely light, it landed face-down flat against the concrete and the screen cracked really bad. I have owned the Zune 80, Zune 120, Zune 30, Zune HD, iPod 2G + 5G, iPod Nano 1g + 2g + 4g, iPod Touch 1G + 2G, Creative Vision W, Zen, and Zen Microphoto just to name a few. I dropped those in the exact same situation all the time, and none of them broke.

In conclusion: the Cowon S9 has amazing sound quality, but its not rugged at all. If you want a rugged Cowon and can stand a small screen, go with a Cowon D2.. Its has a 2 day battery life, and will withstand pretty much anything. ]]>Apr 2nd 2010 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
My S9's screen was cracked bad, but it still worked. Well, it worked until it fell out of my pocket in my driveway and I ran over it with my car. Im pretty hard on electronics.

PS: If you want a great cheap stand-alone MP3 player the sandisk sansa clip will withstand anything. ]]>Apr 2nd 2010 10:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 2:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/
http://www.otterbox.com/ipod-cases/ipod-nano/ipod-nano-4th-generation-cases/ipod-nano-4th-gen-armor-sport-package/

Otterbox is one of the top brands of cases and I myself have personal experience with not only their cases, but also their customer service. Both are phenomenal! I HIGHLY suggest you look into and iPod with an Otterbox case.

-Christian]]>Apr 1st 2010 11:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 12:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 2nd 2010 12:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/ask-engadget-best-rugged-pmp-out-there/Apr 1st 2010 11:43PM