Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Zune mp3 player anyone use one?

I just purchased a 120 GB zune. I know it's an hdd player but I ride in a paved park, or fairly mellow streets / paths. I'm not doing anything agressive (I'm a clydesdale so jumping off curbs usually means a trip to the bike shop for a wheel truing).
Does anyone use a zune while they ride? how well does it work out compared to the ipod?
Is everything fairly easy to reach, is there a case that you would recommned for riding with it?
I've had 2 ipods and they have both failed right after the 1 yr. warranty with apple. (although I did an ipod off of craigslist for my wife 5 years ago and it's still going strong)

Thanks!

I think Bill Gates uses one.
No idea if he rides a bike or not.

I've never even seen one, I've used various iPods for years (with better luck than you though) but I don't see why it would be much different for bike use or any other use, by the way. It's a player and it's probably made in the same Chinese factories that make iPods too.

Adam

I use a Sansa Fuze, my son uses a Sansa Clip. If I had to buy something new right now, it'd be a Clip. Very nice player, extremely small, 15 hour battery life, comes with up to 8 GB internal and a microSD expansion slot for up to another 16GB. For $50 for the 4gb version, it's hard to beat. And it's unbeatable for features for audiobooks.

I hacked my MioC320 GPS unit and installed MioPocket, which basically converts it into a PIM with multi-media functionality and Internet connectivity (it has a large 4.2" color touch screen). I have a handlebar mount for my GPS unit, but I use it for GPS navigation. I've got music on SD cards and earbuds that I actually use with it for listening to music once and a while when I'm stuck in a waiting room, but I wouldn't wear earbuds while cycling and without them the sound wouldn't be that great.

I had a 30g and loved it, sold it on ebay after I received an Ipod Touch as a gift. Look on ebay for cases/skins, think I had a leather Belkin and a generic armband case - got both off ebay. I use 360share.com for my music(shareware) and would send my music automatically to the Zune. What I didn't like about it was that there aren't as many accessories - not compatible with Ipod accessories. BTW, I use to ride my bike with my Zune. The Zune felt better made than my Ipod - just my $.02

I have had an 80gb Zune for couple years and it has been great and still works like new. Since it has a hard drive with moving parts you can make it skip though if you bump it too hard, but I think it would be fine for riding paved streets. Also the hdd Zunes are quite heavy. I picked up a 32gb Zune HD when they first came out and the drive is flash based so there is no skipping and the screen on the HD is beautiful. I don't use them while riding so I can't comment on that, but so far I have never had a problem with either of my Zunes. I also have a Sansa clip that I bought before any of my Zunes and that still works fine. I did take the Sansa clip on a few rides and the beauty of it is the light weight and it's easy to use and inexpensive.

Have had the 80GB Zune for 3 years now....I commute just about every day with it on paved streets.....never a problem. I just put one earbud in my right ear...listen for traffic on the left. It is illegal here in Florida, BUT........

I got an 8GB zune 2 years ago as a present. I use it daily, on the bike, in the gym, and at work. Its been rained on, soaked in sweat and dropped many times. Works as new even though the metal back is scratched up and all of the button symbols have rubbed off. I have also been through 5 pairs of ear buds.

Have had the 80GB Zune for 3 years now....I commute just about every day with it on paved streets.....never a problem. I just put one earbud in my right ear...listen for traffic on the left. It is illegal here in Florida, BUT........

Is it? Many states only forbid riding with phones in BOTH ears.

I've had a zune 30 and now I have a zune 80. When I ride I've been just putting it in my pocket. I do have a armband case for it too, which is nice. I just bought a battery powered speaker case for it to strap to my front rack. I am hoping that it's loud enough to hear, so I don't have to use ear buds.

To my knowledge, Florida considers 1 earbud to be illegal.......2 will be spotted easily by Police.....so far, 1 in right, with wire under shirt has not been spotted.....when I come up on a corner with a police car nearby, I just pop the one out.....if they have spotted it, assume a 63 yr old, with helmet, full lights, following all other traffic laws, not a real problem....since I commute 23 mi R/T just about every day on the same route, same time, for the last 4 years, they are used to seeing me...

I figure when a police car comes from behind, my Dinotte tailight probably blinds him anyway....

Know I am in the wrong....will accept the ticket grudgingly, but politely.....he will just be doing his job, and it is a tough job.

California law says both ears, so ride with one..