i have a Rio Karma (20GB). What sold me on it was the up to 3 second cross fade between songs. the rio also has this delightful blue pulsating cradle, an ethernet interface (in addition to USB) for tranferring songs, ogg vorbis support, and fantastic sound quality. I compared the same mp3 on the Karma to an Ipod, and I have to say... the ipod just didn't cut it. i never compared it to the Zen or the iRiver, so I can't comment on those.

there are people who say that the karma will break, freeze, or otherwise let you down, but i don't believe them. i'm on my second one only because i donated the first to British Airways. ugh. IDIOT! (said in my best Napolean Dynamite impression) Anyway, several friends of mine have them now, too, and none of us have had problems. so we're all just very lucky people, or the karma isn't nearly as problem prone as some say.

just my 2 cents. YMMV.

So you have used it for running?

Anyone else? Like, is it fine if you strap it into one of those armband carriers and just GO?

Only a couple of times.

I just can't get into running. Rather ride my bike for 20 miles than run for 1

I now will run only when being chased.

i don't think i'll be getting another ipod to replace the busted one. i'll just go with a different make/model altogether.