MP3 players... pros n' cons n' stuff

[Cheebs]

The only bad side about Creative is their shitty, shitty software, but at least you don't have to use it if you don't want to.

Notmad Explorer 3rd party software FTW.

[JefmcC]

I've got the Zen Touch too. Had it for about two years now with no problems. Positives include great sound quality, long battery life, blue back light, and cheap price. For strictly music, it's been a great device for me. I use it in the car all the time, connected to my head unit's AUX jack. If you don't have a good amp in the car though, the levels will be too low.

Negitives are it only does music, no color screen, and it always defaults to shuffle mode. There might be a way to change that, but I don't see it.

As far as software goes, the included software was a little clunky, but it was fully functional and did what I wanted it to. Also, you could only dock the player on a PC with their software installed. And there was no support for streaming audio through the USB cable.

However...

A firmware update fixed most of these problems. It now can be connected to any PC with Windows Media Player, and files are drag and drop. Also now plays through the USB cable if I want to. Which is useful for connecting it to the Xbox360.

All that said, if I was in the market today for an MP3 player, I would seriously consider the Archos 604 WiFi. It's like the uber gadget.

[SpoDaddy]

Negitives are it only does music, no color screen, and it always defaults to shuffle mode. There might be a way to change that, but I don't see it.

You can make the play mode default to whatever mode you want in the settings; I'll check which firmware I have.

Basically the 40GB Touch has been the perfect mp3 player for me, here's why:

-It's got enough memory to store my entire collection

-It's sound quality destroys most other mp3 players

-It's got a 24 hour per charge battery life

-It's the most durable mp3 player I've ever encountered

-It's drag and drop compatible with Windows Explorer

-It plays out it's USB port

-It charges it's first 3 bars of power in under 45 minutes

-It can be used as a portable data storage device

-It powers a quality set of headphones really well (it pumps a full bodied sound into my Sennheiser HD 497's that most other mp3 players can't)

-The battery can be replaced by the user pretty easily

-External volume control (this is an often overlooked feature in mp3 players)

-The touch pad lets me navigate my library quickly and efficiently compared to other players that usually either have clunky interfaces or interfaces that don't offer enough control

The popular knocks on the unit are irrelevant to me because I'm willing to accept a little extra bulk if it comes with extra durability, I have no need for my mp3 player to play movies or display photos, and I do not need my mp3 player to double as a fashion accessory. I have no difficulty whatsoever operating the touchpad and haven't since I set the sensitivity to a level I was comfortable with and operated it for 5 minutes. I can't recommend this player strongly enough, especially considering it's now one of the cheapest 40GB players on the market. It's a budget-friendly workhorse.

[JefmcC]

You can make the play mode default to whatever mode you want in the settings; I'll check which firmware I have.

When I change the default, it doesn't keep. I remember reading the same complaints on Creative's forum.

I haven't tried to set it again since I upgraded the firmware, so may they fixed it.

[Cheebs]

It is done. I liked my Nomad Zen too much, so I stuck with Creative. The allure of a plastic clit front-and-center on my player was also too much to resist, so I am now the owner of a 40 GB Zen Touch.

*waits by mailbox*

[voltz]

It's too bad they didn't keep this design with the new models, I would have labeled it the Zen "pussy-vision".

[Cheebs]

It's too bad they didn't keep this design with the new models, I would have labeled it the Zen "pussy-vision".

The new models keep the slit, but the clit is sadly missing.

[GohanX]

It is done. I liked my Nomad Zen too much, so I stuck with Creative. The allure of a plastic clit front-and-center on my player was also too much to resist, so I am now the owner of a 40 GB Zen Touch.

*waits by mailbox*

How much did that cost you? I think you guys may have almost talked me into replacing my old Xtra.

[Cheebs]

I found a new one on Ebay. $185 after shipping. The 40 GB used models were going for about $130.

[Glass Joe]

I've had the Creative Zen Touch 40 gig player for a couple of years now too and I love it. The 3 biggest selling points for me was the HD size, the battery life, and the sound quality. You're going to love it. My only complaint is I can't find a decent case for it. I wasn't too fond of the one that came with it because you can't see the face of it where all the buttons are. I found a couple of places online that make custom leather cases for it but they are on the expensive side.