mp3 player help

[Indi]

I'm going to be doing a lot of travelling in the very near future and I think that a good mp3 player is going to be a must. I'm torn between the creative zen 40gig "touch" at costco for $399, or a photo ipod for around the same dinero. Does anyone here have the zen? are they any good?? are there accessories available for them??My wife has the ipod, so I could use all her add ons

Help a brother out could ya??

[MarchHare]

I absolutely love my iPod. The only reason to choose any other mp3 player over an iPod is price...but that doesn't seem to be a concern for you.

I've never used a Creative mp3 player, but I've had enough problems with their soundcards over the years that I've sworn off ever buying another Creative product ever again.

Get the iPod, you won't be disappointed.

[AFireInside]

My Ipod's screen just cracked (it was just sitting in my car, and the screen cracked). I called Apple and the first suggestion the technician gave me was to buy a new ipod. That really aggravated me, if you don't fix the lcd screen fair enough but do not tell me to purchase another one as a solution. My brother got an ipod the same time I got mine (about 6 months ago) and his has already been sent in for repairs because it started working.

Google cracked ipod lcd screen on the internet, and you'll see a ton of complaints about how fragile the screens are... I'm looking at buying a creative zen in a couple weeks. The 20 gig is only $320 at memory express.

[Wookie]

I love my creative zen micro... more features than an Ipod.. except the itrip.. something I woulda loved to have, they were planning on making one but I have yet to see it @ the creative site.

[photon]

Yeah I got a Zen Micro a while back and like it as well.

The Creatives have superior sound quality, but unless you're playing super high quality files or are a freak about that stuff you won't notice a difference.

Battery life and features are other things to consider, though the newest iPods are very good with battery life.

Mind you I got my 5GB Zen Micro for $80, so that might make me biased!

[Indi]

yea, the itrip is very cool, I noticed that there is a definite lack of support for the creative zen. The thing that I really like about the zen is the battery lasts for almost 24 hrs, my wifes ipod barely half a day continuous use. The new 'touch' pad on the zen seems to work pretty good, but not as nice as the click wheel on the pod. Decisions, decisions

[metallicat]

I'd go with an iPod, but skip the photo version. Just get a regular iPod. I think this is only the beginning of things we are going to be able to put on the iPod via iTunes. Things like Podcasts are very promising.

[Indi]

I wonder if they would ever podcast hockey games....

[Winsor_Pilates]

I have had a creative zen, zen xtra and an ipod 40g.
They are all great, you should be happy with any choice you end up making.
here's some advantages to both creative and ipods that I have found.

Creative:
-Much better battery life(my 3 year old zen killed my bran new 4th gen ipod for life)
-Better playlist options (especially on the go)
-Can move files directly from CD to zen(without storing on harddrive first)
-Can move files back to PC from MP3 player (great if you don't keep your entire mp3 player backed up on your harddrive)
-Can use in multiple computers (Ipod will only work with 1)
-Can use software with more than 1 mp3 player (If you have 2 ipods and only 1 computer you are fata'd)
-Avoids new copyright protection on many CD's that can't be put onto ipods.
-Seems to rip CD's faster than itunes
-More durable
-Amazing value

iPod:
-Smaller
-Looks nicer
-Nice bold display
-Better accesories(way more than any other player, but IMO most of them are crap anyway)
-itunes has many features such as store, podcasts, radio. (Don't use them much myself, but others seem to like them)
*Drawing Blanks for any more ?

At the beginning of this post, I wasn't sure which I liked better, but now that I think about it, Creative wins!! :tup:
The only reason I bought and ipod was because I needed to upgrade from 20G to 40G. At the time they were clearing out 40G ipods for $420 and the 40g zen touch wasn't out yet. Knowing what I know now, I will probobly go back to Creative next time I need a new player. Ipods are cool, but over priced and over hyped.
Most people who tell you not to buy Creative, have never even used a creative mp3 player. They are really nice devices, and for the money I will have to say they are bargains.
Look at what's important to you, but don't write off creative just because everyone else has fallen for the hype.

[Hakan]

I have the iRiver H340. It's the best DAP on the market by far. Ipod is nothing compared to it.

www.misticriver.net for a great fanboard with all relevant info.

[Wookie]

Originally posted by Winsor_Pilates@Jul 28 2005, 10:47 PM
I have had a creative zen, zen xtra and an ipod 40g.
They are all great, you should be happy with any choice you end up making.
here's some advantages to both creative and ipods that I have found.

Creative:
-Much better battery life(my 3 year old zen killed my bran new 4th gen ipod for life)
-Better playlist options (especially on the go)
-Can move files directly from CD to zen(without storing on harddrive first)
-Can move files back to PC from MP3 player (great if you don't keep your entire mp3 player backed up on your harddrive)
-Can use in multiple computers (Ipod will only work with 1)
-Can use software with more than 1 mp3 player (If you have 2 ipods and only 1 computer you are fata'd)
-Avoids new copyright protection on many CD's that can't be put onto ipods.
-Seems to rip CD's faster than itunes
-More durable
-Amazing value

iPod:
-Smaller
-Looks nicer
-Nice bold display
-Better accesories(way more than any other player, but IMO most of them are crap anyway)
-itunes has many features such as store, podcasts, radio. (Don't use them much myself, but others seem to like them)
*Drawing Blanks for any more ?

At the beginning of this post, I wasn't sure which I liked better, but now that I think about it, Creative wins!! :tup:
The only reason I bought and ipod was because I needed to upgrade from 20G to 40G. At the time they were clearing out 40G ipods for $420 and the 40g zen touch wasn't out yet. Knowing what I know now, I will probobly go back to Creative next time I need a new player. Ipods are cool, but over priced and over hyped.
Most people who tell you not to buy Creative, have never even used a creative mp3 player. They are really nice devices, and for the money I will have to say they are bargains.
Look at what's important to you, but don't write off creative just because everyone else has fallen for the hype.

As well it cna be used as a flash USB drive (allocate certain space), and hosue all your mail stuff, contacts, schedule, appointments, mail stuff..