Well I am about to receive my third ipod in under a year. The warranty is good only from the original purchase date (Feb. 05 for me) and I figure this next Ipod will die on me as well. That being said I am actively looking at other mp3 players on the market. Don't get me wrong, I love the Ipod, but it's reliability is sub par. I was wondering if anyone on EOC has a Creative Zen. Any model. The 5G flash drive model seems pretty intriguing as does the 8G micro photo, and even the larger capacity models. They cost less have have pretty good reviews (Save for the touch wheel/buttons being overly sensitive).
So if anyone has input on these Creative Zen mp3 players I would really appreciate it! Also feel free to add imput on any other mp3 players as well!

Here is a link!

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=161&form_keyword=creative+zen&mode=g_us_e_s&skd=1&rd=1

I LOVE my Zen Touch.

Some input here...
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18271&page=4&highlight=creative

I have the ZEN Micro. I love it. You can get spare batteries. If you install the right firmware you can sync the player to any PC with XP and get music off it. So it is "like" a IPOD. The player and PC sync up fast and easy. I like the touch pad menu system. I have the 5gig. I have had a few palyers in the past and this one is the best so far.

Everyone I know who has a Zen Micro loves it. If I get a larger capacity HD player, it will be one of the Micros at this point.

Just curious where you saw the 5G flash player in their lineup? That would be really nice.

What is going on with your IPods? Batteries, HD problems or - ?

My personal opinion (and what I've been buying) has been to stick with solid state (no HDD). It won't wear out, and it uses much less battery power to operate.

Edit: In other words, the Flash based model sounds like a winner.

My ipods have both been Hard Drive problems. Yes the batteries have lost their length of charge hold, but so does every other ipod over time. All I know is they work for about 4 months, then they start to freeze on me often for a few weeks, then the sad face icon comes on and it is dead.

I read online that the back of the ipod is aluminum for heat dissapation and by using a cover of any sort hinders the heat from escaping. In the long run this can cause detrimental effects on the ipod because the HD is never suffeciently cooled. I can believe this, but without a cover the ipod gets scratched beyond belief!

Anyways the Zen seems to be the way for me to go after my next ipod will undoubtably meet the same fate.

Creative is releasing/released new ZENs, might be worth looking at. I've used Creative's flash based players and have been impressed with their sound quality...

http://reviews.cnet.com/Creative_Zen_Vision_M_30GB_green/4505-6490_7-31632697.html?tag=pdtl-list


http://reviews.cnet.com/Creative_Zen_Micro_Photo_8GB_dark_blue/4505-6490_7-31569816.html?tag=pdtl-list

Mike.

Wow that Creative Zen Micro Photo is awesome! Twice the space of a nano for the same price! Wish you could view photos while listening to music, but that isn't so bad since 75% of my mp3 player use is while I am driving and my eyes need to be on the road anyways! I am going to have to start saving up because when my next ipod dies I am going to be getting a creative zen!

Wow that Creative Zen Micro Photo is awesome! Twice the space of a nano for the same price! Wish you could view photos while listening to music, but that isn't so bad since 75% of my mp3 player use is while I am driving and my eyes need to be on the road anyways! I am going to have to start saving up because when my next ipod dies I am going to be getting a creative zen!

I have the 40gb Zen Xtra. Had it for a little over a year. Zero problems.. I think the wheel sensitivity you read about might have referred to an earlier generation. No HDD issues, great sound, charge gets me a consistent 30 hours or so. I have even been leaving it in the E through the winter! It has been subjected to many extremes, including impact and (obviously) cold. Still reliable. The only drawback: I haven't found a good mount for use in the Element. Maybe it's time to check that thread again..... Oh, and there's no signal output other than the phone jack. But I just leave the volume in the middle-ish and make adjustments on the head unit.

I bought a 30 Gig Creative Zen from Circuit City on sale for $199, saw a lot of 4 and 6 gig for $150 or so, figured for an extra $50 bucks I can be buried with my Element and Zen with plenty of music to spare...

Welcome Wilfred....looks good.

FYI...in the future look at the date on the thread. You just revived a conversation over a year old. A few people would pick at you...in a brotherly sorta way.:D

/me hates the iPod and Apple for their love of DRM.

Personally, I'm keen on Cowon's offerings since they support Ogg formats. I'm not sure if Zen does or not, but personally I'm glad to see anyone avoid the iPod that can. http://www.homebrewtalk.com/images/smilies/occasion14.gif

EDIT: Seems :mug: isn't a "default" icon.

Edit Redux:

You just revived a conversation over a year old.

Nah... Just about 2 weeks shy of TWO years.