Easy to use MP3 player for a senior citizen?

[janey99]

Boy, would my dad kill me if he saw that title!

I'd like to get him an MP3 player for his birthday. I'd like it to be intuitive/easy to use, both in loading and listening. I've heard from several people that the actual Apple Ipod is neither.

It does not have to have the hugest memory - in fact, he has commented that he likes the ones he sees at the gym where people have the tiny little one wrapped around their arm.

What's a good brand to look at? (I am likely to buy this at a bricks and morter store, so something that is easy to locate would be great too!)

TIA

Jane

 

[DisneyHumbug]

My kids got me an Ipod Nano for Mother's Day. I love the size and it's so easy to use. I just wish I could use it in the car. Lately I've been exploring ITunes - but have yet to purchase anything!
PS - I don't consider myself a "senior", but I am old!!

 

[becky7953]

I have sansa mp3 player and also a creative muvo mp3 player. I just ordered for my kids (ages 5 and 7) the creative zen 1 gb. All of these, I think are easy to use.

The creative zen 1gb is on sale at buy.com for 29.99 and if you sign up for google check out you get 10.00 off.

 

[merekc]

Subscribing. Love the title!!! I was just thinking, maybe we should get Dad an MP3 player for Xmas, but do I really want to have to deal with loading all his songs, because he is barely computer capable.

 

[debsays]

Best Buy has some nice inexpensive MP3's. You can even look online prior to going to the store. I have a SanDisc and like it. The memory is enough for me (I'm 50). Our son has the IPOD. I was thinking of an IPOD but don't like the idea about the battery. Our son is on his second battery already and after this one the extended warranty is gonzo. So I guess that means a new IPOD. He uses his continuously. I'm sure your dad will enjoy whatever you choose for him.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Sony has one that fits the arm really nicely - it is round like a short cigar, and is intended for working up, can even pick the music according to your pace. I have a Creative Labs Zen V Plus, and really like it - easy to use, great sound quality. I am in my late 50's, DW in her early 50's. She loves hers, and I am amazed at mine - I never would have thought that I would use it as much as we do.

 

[janey99]

I got the Zen 2 gig - I will load it with his favorite sounds tonite - I am so excited!

Thanks everyone for your comments!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Just an FYI - I don't know if the one you got works the same as the Ipod, but my DS loaded "Dean Martin" onto my Ipod and in order for me to load my CDs onto it, I had to delete the Dean Martin. It said I could only be associated with one computer. Hope you know what that means!! LOL

 

[janey99]

I am up early to do the downloading - I will check whether I can load cds using my computer and then give it to him to load more cds from his computer before I start - thanks for the tip!

 

[ducklite]

My first question--does your dad actually want an MP3 player?

Anne

 

[janey99]

Oh yes - he works out at the gym and always comments how he has an old portable CD player but everyone else has the slick MP3 players strapped to their arms!

The one I got also has video/photo capabilities, so he'll also like being able to whip it out to show pics of DS and the cousins.

He's hep for 64!

Jane

 

[flying_babyb]

I got one for my tech impaired ma. A cheap 40 buck ilo from walmart. Its just simple with buttons that are alot like a cd player. Its just a simple plug in the cord and drop the songs on. Its got great sound quality and is a nice size. its also got a slot for a memory card to hold more songs.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5750608

 

[minnie10]

my mother is a senior citizen and she is not really savy with the new tech things-i purchased her a disney mix stix and my dd loaded some of her favorite song-my mom was just telling me tonight how much she liked it and wanted some more songs loaded on it-i was shocked she even used it- very reasonable on disney.com-just an idea-

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

I just wanted to share some news I recently learned. My local library has an online program that you can download Audiobooks for free. BUT.... you cannot put them on the ipods. The site provides a list of MP3's that work. So it may be worthwhile to see if your local library has something similar for free audiobooks. I have an I-pod but now I am picking up an inexpensive MP3 so I can take advantage of the audiobooks.