iPod Rugged iPod (Best pod for me)?

[seveej]

Sorry for having to come with such a noob issue.

My situation is this:
I'm an audiobook-addict. I usually spend beyond 40 hours a week with audiobooks, especially in what you might call stressful circumstances (washing dishes, digging trenches, moving grass, doing carpentry - a sample from last week) as well as more leisurely activities (walking, ironing etc.). My weapon of choice has been the 6th gen nano, attached to a wristband (doubling as a watch), and during the last four years I've worked my way through no less than five of those as well as an uncountable number of earphones. They're simply not made to take the amount of use and punishment: the buttons quit working, the earphone connectors start acting up. (Even so, I've yet to break a display or actually drown one)

Now, as my fifth 6th gen nano is starting to act up, I'm in trouble - they're simply no longer available the way they used to be. Also, the ones available are staring to show their age (even though previous users have been less punishing than I).

I've tried to look at the lineup, to find a perfect replacement model, and to be honest, I'm stumped. The one thing the specs won't tell is how sturdy they are, which is obviously why I turn to you.

If you have any experiences on an iPod, which is
- small (classic won't do)
- sturdy, reasonably dust resistant
- easily wearable
- min capacity eight gigs (audiobooks)
- readily and affordably available
I'd very much appreciate your input.

Rgds,

 

[gooser]

put an ssd in an old pod mini.

 

[rgarjr]

You're not going to find another iPod that is small like the 6g nano or that you can wear it like a watch. The old iPod Minis are pretty big and thick, so I don't know if that would work for you.

 

[GeneralChang]

I haven't actually used either the 6th or 7th gen nanos, so grain of salt recommended here. That being said, if you haven't had issues with breaking the screen, I'd think a 7th gen nano would probably last at least as long as a 6th has for you, with the advantage of being able to host bluetooth headphones. That removes failure points in the cable or the actual headphone plug.

Beyond that, the most outright durable iPod is probably the 3rd gen shuffle. You know, the little sliver with zero buttons? But those only came in up to 4 gig configurations. I also know a guy who sent his 1st gen nano through the washer AND dryer and it came out functional on the other side. The 2nd gen nano was pretty much the same hardware and those went up to 8 gigs. But I doubt nanos that old will be super easy to find in good condition at a good price.

 

[JustMartin]

I know the shuffle only holds 4 gigs, but I guess that just means reloading more frequently than you're used to at the moment and still, 4Gb is a lot of words. There's no screen to damage and you can get protective covers for it as well, which help guard against water damage. I have got through a couple (one through a washing machine and the other to a torrential downpour while out running, before I discovered silicon covers), but my latest one has lasted very well.

 

[Tritto]

I listen to a lot of audiobooks too and use a 4th gen 16 gig Nano. It's small, has plenty of capacity and I prefer a click wheel over a touch screen because you can pause it without looking. Battery lasts ages too. If you don't think it's tough enough, it went through a full wash cycle and still works fine.