music for backpacking

[student_trap]

Hey everyone,
here's a non-intel related question:

i'm going travelling this summer and would like to take as much of my music as i can away with me. i had thought that this would be the perfect excuse to buy an ipod, however due to the fact that i will be backpacking and without a regular place to charge it, buying an ipod now strikes me as a silly thing to do!space is an issue, and i don't want to carry around loads of CD's with me, so i was thinking about an MP3 CD player, however i don't know whether this would be a good idea as all my music is in AAC, minidisc is of course another option, although i don't know if the can be used with MP3, or whether i would be able to use it with my PB at all (as far as i know the ones which hold lots of music are sony and need sony software)!
Basically, i'm stuck, and will be flying in just under a month. So if anyone has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou

 

[wordmunger]

Here's a page with lots of options for running an iPod from a battery pack.

 

[jeremy.king]

How about a solar charger from Solio?

 

[katie ta achoo]

or you could make one yourself, a la http://www.chrisdiclerico.com/mt/archives/001572.php that guy.

 

[student_trap]

thanks kingjr3 that solio looks like a good idea. however, seems to be a lot of kit to take away: ipod, chargers, solio. however im looking into gettin a digicam to go awaywith too and if it could charge that too it may be worthwhile! DOes anyone else know of any mp3 CD players that would work on AA Bateries? Also, does anyone know what specific cameras work with the solio thing?

thanks

 

[crachoar]

I had a RioVolt before my Sharp Minidisc recorder and before my iPod.

This was before HD players were an option. I think the Creative Jukebox had just came out - and it sucked.

The RioVolt had a decent interface. Kind of like the iPod, but with a D-Pad. I don't think it supported playlists - but you could play folders / set folders to repeat. Nice battery life too.

It was nice, but I really think you should invest in the iPod + the AA battery pack.