SanDisk Sansa Fuze

And now the exciting conclusion…

Day #5:

I resume my lazy shuffling routine both to and from work, happily taking in the cornucopia of my music collection (or at least a lot of it; I can’t fit all of the music on my computer on just 4GB). Again I take the Fuze to the gym, and again my experience is good but uneventful.

When I get home I reluctantly decide to check out the Fuze’s photo and video capabilities. I say reluctantly because, save for long trips on buses or airplanes, it is very rare that I have a use for photos or videos on my 5G iPod’s 2.5-inch LCD display.

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My audio saga continues…

Day #3:

While I tote my MP3 player around New York City during my commutes to both work and play, my audio experience with the Fuze wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t incorporate it into my workout routine.

Studies have shown that listening to your favorite tunes while working out actually boosts your energy and productivity, so I can’t settle for the blaring techno and hip hop my local gym provides its patrons. I mean, I like a good beat as much as the next guy, but the third chorus in the techno version of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” isn’t going to coax those extra reps from my aching trapezoid muscles. Sorry.

Before I head to the gym I create a kick-ass gym mix (titled “Kick-Ass Gym Mix”), featuring the likes of Three Days Grace, Sugarcult, Digitalism, Bowling for Soup, Fort Minor, and other favorites of mine. I don’t have an armband or anything for my borrowed Fuze, but it’s so small it fits snugly in my fist as I jog to the gym.

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It was 2005. Having just moved to Boston to complete a summer internship before my senior year of college, I soon found that the locals all seemed to possess two mobile staples: backpacks and iPods. It wasn’t long before I purchased my first Apple product—a 4GB iPod mini—and soon I was blissfully meandering down cobblestone streets, lip-syncing and jamming out to my favorite tunes just like the rest of the population.

The iPod mini, as most should remember, was a much clunkier version of today’s nano, and I couldn’t play videos or view pictures on it. But at around $200, it was still by far my best investment of the summer. My addiction to mobile music hasn’t changed in the last three years, but the choices for MP3 players has, and I’ve since upgraded my mini to the way sleeker 5G with video (which is still a step or two behind today’s classic and not as cool as the touch, but I’m at peace with that for now).

Diehard iPod fan that I am, I still like to consider myself open minded, which is why for a week I’m going to give up my 5G iPod for the new flash-based SanDisk Sansa Fuze. At first glance it could easily be mistaken for the iPod nano, but this 4GB player differentiates itself with cool features like an FM radio, voice recorder, and microSD Card slot.

When I’m outside my New York City apartment, my iPod is like my baby blanket; it goes wherever I go. I don’t think most babies trade their blankets in for smaller, sleeker versions to keep themselves pacified, but I’m willing to give it a shot for a little while. So kudos to me, right?

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