Creative Zen V Plus vs. Ipod Nano

[ncage]

Ok guys/gals im an avid running. I now have a Creative Muvo Tx that is giving me limitations. I wish i could get one mp3 player that would work for both my running and everything else but i have heard bad stories about running with HD based players. I'm wanting to probably get about a 4GB flash player. I'm seriously looking at the two players above. I guess since this thing is going to be used for running i will need a a good arm band too. Anyways the ipod ergonomically speaking is a little better but i don't think the creative will stick out that much. Has anyone compared the sound quality of these two players? How do they compare? I know someone at work that has a nano and the sound quality is far superior to my muvo (but we are talking a different class of product here). Sound quality is very important to me. Also its nice the Zen has FM (don't know how much i will use it though). I have been looking on ebay and the zen is just so much cheaper since its not nearly as popular as the nano. So what does everyone think? Do you think i ought to go with the zen or is there any good reason to stick to the ipod?

thanks,
Ncage

 

[Icepick]

I have never used a Creative MP3 player so take this for what it's worth. I got an Ipod Nano 2GB last year for free from work and have been using it extensively since then. I use it in the car, running, grocery shopping and walking to and from work. The flash drive (solid sate) drives are the way to go if you run. The Nano is simple to use - it's easy to flip between songs and to work the volume. This makes it nice for making changes when you don't want to stop running.

A friend of mine from work had the armband for a while and didn't like it. He got it because he thought it would make it more convenient for running. It was a pain because you actually had to remove the Ipod Nano from the armband every time you wanted to connect it to the PC for charging or song selection. He ended up ditching it and getting a case similar to mine. My case covers the entire Nano in a soft gel-like material that is water resistant.

Personally, I'd rather carry the Nano in my hand when I run. It's light enough so that I don't really notice it's there. Then when I want to change the volume or song all I have to do is move my thumb. I usually run three to four miles with it.

In summary, I recommend the Ipod Nano for use while running. I do not recommend the armband.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

i have the zen v plus, and it's a great little player. The joystick is a bit less dexterous than the touch wheel on the ipod, but other times, it feels superior because it takes less effort and requires less hand/eye coordination (like when running...).

Both should serve you well, I think.

 

[Elias824]

I had a creative Zen nano 1gb and I just got a 30gb ipod video. I actually sold nothing but mp3 players for a month at circuit city. The ipod nano is a little thinner and has better battery life it alot more accessories and they are easier to find then they are for the Zen, The navigation is a little easier on the nano then the Zen. The zens though are usually a little cheaper, have a voice recorder, and a FM tuner, the Plus models can do video. You also don need to use itunes (big plus for me), also seems like the screen on the zen dosent scratch as easily. Personally im not a big fan of ipods I actually got mine for free for selling the for circuit city. As far as flash players go id look into a 2gb san disk sansa player, it dose video, has expandable memory, and a user replaceable batter. all the ipod and creative players die out because the built in battery only lasts so long. they are usually priced about the same as the nano, and the navigation is actually pretty similar
seems like my little zen had better sound but maybe that was just me. I think it depends more on the quality of the music you download.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Love my Zen V. Getting video on it is a pain, because the program that came with it won't convert it So, I have to use third party app to "properly" format it so I can transfer it. I have a friend with an ipod, and the whole process looks MUCH simpler as far as transferring any video to it thru itunes, but WTH do I know

I must be stupid cause I can't finger out how to FF the video on it...

 

[n23sh]

Of course ipod. apple sold more than 100 million ipod in his history, so? I have a 30 GB ipod not nano and I love it.

 

[anarchyreigns]

Go for the Nano.

 

[ncage]

Ok thanks for the guys that came out with some "good reasons" on why i should go with either player. For those of you who replay with "because apple sold 100 ipods" or "go for the nano" how much help do you think thats really providing me? Anyways i think im going to go with the zen v because of two reasons: price primarily and a little bit because of FM. According to cnet the zen v even sounds a little better. I hope hope both are as easy to change the volume and switch tracks when your running and not looking at the unit. BTW i'm working on my first 1/2 marathon .

Ncage

 

[Elias824]

lol yeah forgot thats the other thing about the ipods you cant see what you are selecting, zen is better for blind navigation
seems like everyone likes ipods but they dont know why. I got really sick of people comming in to circuit city and asking for one without knowing what it is

 

[anarchyreigns]

Originally posted by: ncage
For those of you who replay with "because apple sold 100 ipods" or "go for the nano" how much help do you think thats really providing me?
Ncage

It's called confirmation of what's already been said, plus it gave you a bump. Jackass.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

lol

 

[Auric]

Sansa Express looks pretty good. There's a 1GB internal model and a 2GB shortly. Add up to 4GB external for gobs o' capacity in a svelte package.