Pros: Feels solid, No special software needed to transfer MP3's, user replaceable battery, expandable memory
Cons: Limited to only QuickTime format for video
The bottom line: Less expensive, yet feature rich, compared to the iPod. Great sound, solid performance - it's a solid "buy" recommendation from me.
E200 Series Overview
The Sandisk Sansa e200 series includes the E250, E260, E270 and E280. The 2GB, 4GB, 6GB and 8GB respectively are high capacity flash based MP3 players that compete in features, as well as price, with the iPod Nano. All four players have exactly the same features, only difference is the amount of flash memory.

Compare with iPod Nano
On a price basis alone this compares quite favorably to the 8GB IPOD Nano. At $180 for the Sansa E280 (or less, I purchased mine for $129 after rebate) this is significantly less than the IPOD Nano at $249. I suggest you shop around, unlike the iPod, you can find the Sansa models offered with discounts.

The Sansa E280 is not only cheaper than an iPod, but it has better features (in my opinion) including built in FM radio, voice recorder, expandable memory and a user replaceable battery.

Physically, the Sansa is a small, attractive-looking device. It's lightweight and has an anti-scratch back (Sansa refers to the back as 'liquid metal', very durable, unlike the Nano). Its dimensions are similar to that of the Nano, slightly wider and thicker but narrower.

The Sansa also has its own version of the "wheel" to control the unit (scrolling, volume, etc). Some may find the feel "cheap", but I've found it reliable and easy to use. There are also several buttons (play, stop, forward, backward, etc), these feel and respond well too.

The package also comes with a velvet case (very useful until you decide if you want some other case), earphones (I've not used these, I've been using the trusty Koss set I've had for over a year), and software.

Transferring Files
Loading MP3's to the unit is very simple. First connect your unit to your computer via USB. The Sansa E280 supports two different transfer methods, MSC and MTP (easily switchable). Using MSC you simply drag and drop files from your computer into the player's folder. No iTunes or extra software needed to transfer these files. MTP gives you the option of automatically syncing your media with Windows Media Player 10 and other DRM services. Personally I just keep it in MSC mode.

Additionally, the Sansa Media Converter (which comes with the product) will convert supported video files to a specific file type for the Sansa. Strangely converted videos are slightly larger, odd since I thought it would be smaller due to the reduced dimensions. Conversion only takes a few minutes for a 200MB file, the end video is really sharp and crisp to view on the 1.8" screen.

Battery Life
Lastly, battery life is very reasonable. According to Sandisk the battery takes 3.5 hours to charge and will play for 20 hours. Based on my own experience I've been in the 12-15 hours of play before the battery becomes too low to function. Actual hours will depend on how much you power up the 1.8" screen.

Accessories
The Sansa E200 series is getting plenty of third party support too. Sandisk has a "Made for Sansa" program and many third party vendors (such as Griffin, Macally, Altec Lansing, and DLO to name a few) are providing accessories. As an example, Griffin as a iTrip FM transmitter, similar to the unit they sell for iPod, looks to be very nice accessory (waiting for mine to be shipped).

Firmware Upgradable
I would also like to mention that you should update the firmware to the latest release. Sansa provides a update program that is very simply to use. Problems people have experienced have been resolved with the latest firmware.

Audio Sound and Playback
Personally I think the sound is quite good for the player. That said, the earbuds that come with the unit won’t leave you with that impression. Get a good pair of headphones (I like the Koss SparkPlug) and you’ll find that the unit sounds great even up to its highest level (which is really quite loud, at least to my ears). I typically listen in the 40-50% volume range. Adjustments to the sound is made via the wheel, just turn it right or left to increase or decrease the volume while playing any song.

The unit comes with several presets for equalizers, but with a recent firmware upgrade it also now offers a custom equalizer giving you total flexibility to set the base, mid and treble settings to your own preference.

Playback offers several options from All Songs, By Artist, By Album, By Genre and by Playlist (yes, you can create your own playlists and there is a nice freeware playlist editor (Amok Playlist) which really makes it simple to create custom playlists from songs already on your Sansa. Playlist can be created ‘on the fly’ while listening to your songs as well.

Additionally the Sansa provides options to set repeat the current song, no repeat or repeat all tracks as well as the option to shuffle songs to play in random order (my preference). Once a song is playing you can also scan through it.

One last feature, you can rate your songs (1-5 stars), you can then set your Sansa to play your top rated songs.

Video Playback
Playback is smooth and crisp. Unfortunately the Sansa plays QuickTime video format, this is the only format, a bit outdated by some of today’s other formats. Fortunately the Sansa Media Converter software included will convert from most popular formats including AVI, MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 in MPEG, MPG, MPE or VOB(unprotected) formats. MPEG-4 in AVI format, DAT, ASF, QuickTime MOV, and WMV. You can estimate that approximately 10MB per minute of video will be required for storage.

Photo Viewing
While of little importance to me, the Sansa does provide a nice way to store your photos and view them with friends. You must use the Sansa Media Converter however to transfer the files, this will automatically convert and resize the pictures to accommodate the screen. One nice touch is you can view a slideshow with music.

FM Radio
Reception on the FM tuner on this unit is average with other MP3 players I’ve had that offered such a feature. You can also save your favorite stations as presets. The first time you use the radio the Sansa will do an auto station search and store found stations as preset.

While not of major importance to me, you can also record from FM but the quality is so-so, nice feature to grab a quick song but not something you’d want to burn to a CD to listen to later. A nice feature is that you can set the duration of the recording when you start to record.

Voice Recording
Another item that is a “nice to have” but is not something I’d personally use much is the ability to record short messages. Handy for reminders and or short notes to listen back to later.

Update
Received the Griffin Itrip for Sansa, great unit for using your Sansa in the car by broadcasting through the FM.

Another Update 2/16/07
Still love this unit! Found several interesting hints and tricks available on a website. Here's two of my favorites:
1. Several reviewers on the Sansa units have commented about the inability to use the player when it's being charged. This tip is very helpful:

Hit the Voice Record button on the side and then plug in your player to the computer USB port. You will notice nothing really happens. Hit Stop Recording and then exit. You will be back in the main screen but yet the battery is showing that it is being recharged.

2. Other reviews have also commented about the size of the resulting converted videos using Sansa conversion program. This tip is very helpful to address this issue:

Changing the filesize of videos created by Sansa Media Converter

1. Go to the C:\Program Files\SanDisk\Sansa Media Converter\Profiles
2. Make a backup copy of SanDisk_E200_MSC.apr
3. Open the SanDisk_E200_MSC.apr in Notepad
4. Find the [OPTIMIZE] section
5. Locate the VideoBitrate= entry
6. Change the 70.
7. Save the file.

VideoBitrate=100 creates larger files of higher quality, VideoBitrate=0 smallest size of lesser quality. VideoBitrate=0 creates files that are less than 1/2 the size of the default files created with VideoBitrate=70.

Check out more tips and tricks here:
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=639
Great Stuff!



Enjoy!