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Nomad Zen or iPod?

post #1 of 10
5/2/03 at 10:28pm
Thread Starter 
I've been indecisive for the past three days over whether to buy the new 10gig ipod or the 20 gig Zen. Let me run down the pros and cons of each:

iPod 10 gig
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Pro: Small, thin, light
Sleek, nice design and interface
8 hours battery time

Con: Sound quality not the best
Requires firewire now, which means id have to purchase a 30 dollar firewire card now in addition to the player. Of course, when I get my sager this summer that would be alleviated.
Not extremely Windows-friendly

Conclusion: Has much better design and is very compact. Cost: 300, plus the 30 dollar firewire card

Nomad Zen 20 gig
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Pro: Lots of space
Best sound quality in an mp3 player
Best used with Windows
Currently has USB 2 support, and is backwards compatible with 1.1
14 hours battery time

Con: Bulkier, overall larger, heavier than ipod
Not as sleek, buttons not placed as nicely

Conclusion: While larger and not as well layed-out, it has double capacity for 30 dollars less.

Now, while it seems the Nomad is the clear winner, there is just something about the ipod that calls to me. It is smaller and lighter, and just seems sooo cool. However, the fact that the Nomad is the same price (300) for double the capacity just pulls me over. The fact I'd have to buy a Firewire card to use the ipod now till I get the sager is also a downside...but there comes the other option: Waiting to buy the ipod when I get my Sager. I'd love a plyer now, though. So, having looked att he two side by side, what would you buy?
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post #2 of 10
5/2/03 at 11:46pm
if sex appeal is your thing, go for the iPod. for $20 you can usb/firewire dock adapter whcih will save you from purchasing the card
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post #3 of 10
5/3/03 at 12:26am
I just read on CNET that Creative Labs is going to release a 60GB Zen that will sell for $100 less than the 30GB IPod.
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post #4 of 10
5/3/03 at 12:29am
the ford country squire station wagon with wood veneer side panels may have more trunk space, but i'll be opting for the BMW 750li.
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post #5 of 10
5/3/03 at 7:38am
yes, but your analogy is a bit off, the Zen is more like a sportscar. the sound quality of the Zen is better than that of the Ipod.
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post #6 of 10
5/3/03 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 

ok

I think I'm gonna go with the Zen, as sound quality is the most important feature to me. I've heard the ipod is just mediocre in quality, so I'm gonna go to Best Buy today, hold the both of them, and make sure the Zen isn't too huge.
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post #7 of 10
5/3/03 at 12:45pm
Well, what kind of speakers do you own now? What kind of headphones are you going to use? Before you believe judgements on sound quality, be sure you know where you stand!

I don't own either, as I don't like portable players of any kind, but I do know that some people have bought "more expensive speakers" and really are not able to see the difference (read: they were not audiophiles).

I'd take Firewire over USB2.0 any day of the week, and the next thing I would think about would be INTERFACE. Trust me, there is NOTHING more important than the interface on a portable device. Why? Because when you fill up the 10GB or 20GB (or whatever size you get) how many songs / directories do you think you'll have? How easy will it be to get to a particular song with only a few buttons?

User interface would be a HIGH priority, at the least. Heck, it's a priority on OS's and applications... ever used a CAR STEREO that was HORRIBLY laid out? The terrific sound quality quickly takes a back seat.

In short, I suggest actually USING both devices (if you can) before deciding. A friend owns an iPOD and an Archos Jukebox (or something like that) and he said the iPod simply blows it away for ease of use (and he is quite computer literate).

-myrkat
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post #8 of 10
5/4/03 at 3:11am
why not just drop by your local compusa, bring the headphones you plan to use, and try out both players and see if you actually hear any difference.

i don't own an MP3 player, well scratch that i am the proud new owner of the $0.99 player in my 8887....but anyway i watched a tv special on Moby and he had nothing but good things to say about his iPod...if anyone on this planet knows sound quality, it is moby. i can't imagine moby buying any musical device with second rate sound quality....

my two halfpennies.....
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post #9 of 10
5/5/03 at 5:45am

if anyone on this planet knows sound quality

...it's Moby..? hm.. he s a cool guy and does know around an SSL ..but..
but regarding the iPod, if there is a problem it must be those ugly white headphones..before you go down to Apple store/compusa get yourself a Koss Sportapro ( cheap and amazing sound really..)
the way to get around/feel the pod is pretty slick..you should definitely check it outbefore your final decision...
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post #10 of 10
5/11/03 at 11:36pm
I have the Jukebox Zen usb2.0 and think it is a great player. I have never used an ipod. (I had the Jukebox III for several months and the Zen sounds every bit as good).

I would highly recommend that you purchase software called Notmad. It is third party software made exclusively for the Jukebox players that is much better than what comes with the player in the retail box.

Check out the software here:

http://www.redchairsoftware.com/notmad/

I took my Zen on a week long vacation to Jackson Hole. The condo had a small home entertainment center. With one of the radio frequency sound feeders I was able to pump the Zen through the system. Sounded great and only had to recharge once all week.

I also use it at the gym. It is too big to strap it to you arm or shorts but you can set it in where a water bottle goes and it is just fine. I think the Ipod would also be too big to strap to your arm.

Buy.com seems to have good prices on the Zen.
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