- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 76 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Best Full Featured Mp3 Player Out there - Long Review"
Pros: Non-proprietary battery/software required
Cons: Weird proprietary 1/16" Line-in jack, weak mic
Summary: Okay, here we have the Creative Labs Zen Nano 1GB Version. I listen to mp3's for probably 20 hours a week. (Books/Music) so I use these things a LOT. They all play mp3s, so these are the features that set it apart from the rest. This is really is the best all around mp3 player, for the following reasons:
1. Flash based: Meaning no HDD spinning around thousands of times a minute, movable parts=easily breakable or they wear down. Meaning you can also jog with it and don?t fret if you drop it.
2. Size: This thing is small, about the size of a 17-stick pack of gum, but thinner. This is great for jogging, it's weightless.
3. Compatibility. You DO NOT have to use some weird 3rd party CRAP software like iTunes or Windows Media crap (like you do with Ipod's or IRivers) just drag, drop & GO! If you want some of your friends songs, you don?t have to load up itunes or your mp3 players proprietary software cluttering up your friends computer to get his songs.
4. Storage: You plug it in you not only drop any of your mp3s/WMAs on it, you can throw some pictures, some huge files, documents, anything, and use it just like a thumb drive. And still listen to your music.
5. It has LINE-IN: This is VERY rare indeed. Only the some of the flash based iRivers have line in.(and higher end sony mini-discs) The downside is they use some weird smaller than 1/8" standard stereo jack. (1/16"???) Looks proprietary to me. You'd just have to go to Radio Shack and get a little adaptor I suppose to use some high quality powered Mic's with it.
Now I've tested the Line-in recording @ 320Kbits MP3 Stereo and it's pretty, good BUT defiantly not perfect. Some of the bass get's a little muffled, this is partly due to it just being analog to analog. Digital Optical line in is asking too much for the price. I think you can vary the quality of recording a bit too.
6. It has an built in MIC. This is good for recording notes and crap, but I've noticed it only works when you're pretty close. You can't drop it in your shirt pocket and expect to get a clear recordin of a conversation you're having with someone.
7. Accessories: It comes with:
-Earbuds - Which all brands always just fall out of my ears I never even tried them, I have my own.
USB Cable - I like these mini USB cables, standard is good, I can use my digicams one if I loose it.
- Cd/manual Software, etc, never opened it, I just drag and drop.
- Line-in cable - A must.
- AAA Battery - (boring voice) wohoo.
- Case - It comes with a little 2/3 plastic case that you can slide it into, thus protecting it and making it a little bigger (harder to loose) and protecting it in case of a fall. This case has a CLIP on it so you can clip it to your belt, shirt OR the
- Armband - This is the cool thing, a custom little armband for jogging. I love it, you can just slide it right on. It?s velcro.
8. NON-proprietary battery: Good old AAA Normal battery, throw a few recharables in your bag, you?re good to go. I don?t have to ?dock? it or some crap like that.
9. Radio is a plus, when you?re done listening to your mp3s or books, it?s nice to have an alternative.
So there ya go. Does it have a color tiny screen like the Ipod Nanos? No! Who wants to see 200X200 pixel pictures anyways. Who cares. This beats the ipod nano on every count.
This is my second one, I had the 512MB one, but it broke after 1 month. Still under warranty, but they stopped making them, I got a 1GB for the same price 2 months later. Gotta love computers... until 3 more months.
So the ONLY downfalls is the following.
1. Mine broke after 1 month, other people had the same problem, turned it on, Creative?s logo flashed and turned off. RMA?d it.
2. It has the weird 1/16" line-in jack
3. Built in mic is a little weak
So, I will give it a 9/10. But in reality, nothing else touches it.
- 3 replies to this review
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I have just been looking to buy an MP3 player and thanks to Eckre's review, it's the Nano for me! Thanks Eckre!!
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Great Review. I just ordered mine from BestBuy and I can't wait. I have to admit; I had a hard time deciding between this and the Cowon Iaudio U2, seeing as how it's the editors pick. Question: Did you have to buy a separate 1/16" Line-in jack? I'm new to this, so how much did it cost?
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Great review. I was unsure if I could download pictures or other files and you cleared that up.
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