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==Clip Zip Cons==
* The biggest problem with the Clip Zip is that it's best with the open source firmware from [http://www.rockbox.org/ Rockbox]. This is not difficult, but requires some technical knowledge and confidence. (The SanDisk firmware has a reputation for being buggy but mostly workable.)
* The buttons on the Clip Zip are not easy to locate with gloved hands, so I glue some small bumps onto a [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHappyZone-Silicone-Fishbone-Keychain-SanDisk%2Fdp%2FB005ZQXZHO dp/B005ZQXZHO silicone case].
* The Clip Zip is not waterproof, but like the Shuffle, a Ziploc bag works well even in heavy rain. However, there are no fully waterproof cases available.
* The open source Rockbox firmware does not support DRM formats, including Audible books. (The stock firmware does support Audible.)
=Motoactv=
The [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=BestWatchMoto&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMotorola-MOTOACTV-Sports-Watch-Player%2Fdp%2FB007C1KKW8 dp/B007C1KKW8 Motoactv] is a brilliant but rather flawed [[Best Running Watch| Running Watch]]. While the Motoactv is not intended to be used primarily as an MP3 player, it fulfills this role well. The pros and cons below are focused on the MP3 capabilities; for a look at the Motoactv as a sports watch, look at [[Best Running Watch]].
==Motoactv Pros==
=iPod Nano=
The [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0097BEDOC seventh generation {{iPod Nano] }} is an elegant player that can be used while running, though its flaws make it hard to generally recommend.
==iPod Nano Pros==
* The {{iPod Nano }} has 16 Gb capacity, far more than the Shuffle (but less than an expanded {{ClipZip}}).
* The large display is bright and high resolution.
* The Nano has a simple pedometer that can be used to roughly track your workouts. This is not based on the more sophisticated [[Footpod]] technology or GPS, so its accuracy is rather poor. (The 7<sup>th</sup> generation Nano does not support the Nike+ Footpod.)
==iPod Nano Cons==
* The {{iPod Nano }} is expensive to buy at $150 ($9/Gb).* There is no clip to attach the Nano to clothing, so you have to buy a case or put it in a pocket. There are reasonably small clips available for the Nano, such as the [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB009F837HG dp/B009F837HG Cygnet].
* While the Nano has some buttons, they are badly placed on the side of the player making them easy to press by accident. The buttons are also remarkably hard to find, especially if when wearing gloves. Like most touch displays, the Nano's works badly when wearing gloves or when sweaty.
* There is no way of locking out the buttons against accidental presses, which can make it frustrating to put into a pocket.
=Discontinued iPod Nanos=
The older iPod Nanos were a little large, but had a display and hard buttons. I've used several different models over the years. You can still get the [http://gowww.fellrnrebay.com/sch/i.html?id_nkw=35454X937677iPod+nano+3rd+Generation&xs_sacat=10&_odkw=iPod+nano+4th+Generation&xcust_osacat=OldNano0&urlafsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3DiPod%2Bnano%2B3rd%2BGeneration%26_sacat%3D0%26_odkw%3DiPod%2Bnano%2B4th%2BGeneration%26_osacat%3D0 1 older iPod Nanos on eBay] for a reasonable price.
* Generation One Nanos are too expensive to recommend as they have become collectable.
* Generation Two had a poorer physical design than the first generation, with slippery, rounded edges that made them rather easily dropped. Available as 2, 4 or 8Gb.
* Generation Three is my favorite form factor, and I didn't find them as slippery as the other generations. Available as 4 or 8Gb and it seems to be slightly cheaper than the other generations of Nano.
* Generations Four and Five returned to the form factor of Generation Two, but with larger displays. They had greater capacity (8 or 16Gb).
* The [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9?idurl=35454X937677search-alias%3Delectronics&xsfield-keywords=1ipod%20nano%206th%20generation&xcustsprefix=ipod+nano&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-Slate-Generation-NEWEST-MODEL%2Fdp2Celectronics%2FB0097BEDPG 2C207 sixth generation Nano] had a touch screen only, which makes it a poor choice for running. It's also expensive, at $140 for the 16Gb unit.