Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Black) by Creative
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Digital camera reviews of Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Black)
Digital camera Review: Product Has Both Good and Bad Features
Summary: 3 Stars
I got this product so that I could listen to podcasts when MP3 files were too large to drop to an Audio CD. I don't like earphones, and this player has an external speaker (or can be used with with earphone provided).
PROS
* The player is easy to load with files. You really don't need even the Creator Lite software that is provided. The player is immediately recognized by Windows when it is plugged into a USB port. You can use the Windows Explorer (file manager) to copy and delete MP3 and certain other file formats on the player.
* The speaker projects remarkably well for such a small player.
CONS
* There is no digital display, so you don't know what file you are on or how far into the file you are.
* The control, which consists of a button in the middle and a circle around it for raising and lowering volume, and fast forwarding and reversing, is sometimes difficult to operate accurately if you have a bigger finger. Sometimes when I pressed fast forward, I apparently pressed something else too, and the player would begin at the beginning again. Very frustrating when I was already well into the file.
* The fast forward and reverse functions are slow. It might take a couple of minutes or more to fast forward or reverse through sixty minutes of a podcast.
The "Plus" version of this player costs about $15 more, but could be a better buy, at least to give some information on the digital display. Pressing the buttons may still be a problem, however. Some of the Plus versions, however, don't come with a "skin" (surrounding cover) with a clip. This seems to be an almost essential requirement for practical use.
UPDATE. I eventually had to give up use of this device because of the small-button problem. I got a SanDisk Sensa m240 MP3 player, which does not have this problem. It's size is a bit bigger, not not an inconvenience; it easily fits into a pocket.
Digital camera Review: Quality Mp3 player
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had my mp3 player for a couple months now and no problems have occured. The Zen is easy to use and works great, along with sounding great. The one downside with the Zen is the battery life. They market the battery as lasting upwards of ten hours. In reality it only last about half the expected time. For the price and quality I would recommend anyone to get the Creative Zen Stone 1GB MP3 player.Digital camera Review: Simple is Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great MP3 player. I learned the interface in about a minute, and had it playing as soon as it charged up. Sound quality is excellent, as is true of all Creative products. There's a palpable elegance to the integrity of the design; it really is sort of Zen.
Windows recognizes it as a portable drive without any restrictions or, really, any need for special software (Creative Media Lite is simple and straightforward, but really only necessary for firm upgrade). Explorer or similar file management software work just as well.
Also, there's a place to attach a lanyard and hang the Stone from your neck. I'm using one I got with a flash drive; don't know why Creative doesn't include one.
Only cons I can think of are that file transfer is really slow, varies from 200 to 500 kps. I assume this is an inevitable result of form factor, but it is annoying when you're in a hurry. Also, of course, earbuds are worthless. I ordered Philips clip on earphones at the same time for less than 10 dollars and they work fine.
One more con: my wife and daughter both now want one. And how can I deny them?
Digital camera Review: Simple to use, high quality
Summary: 5 Stars
I read about this product in a NYT "Best gadgets under $50" gift idea list. They said it was cheaper than an iPod shuffle and held more songs. I bought it for my boyfriend for Christmas and found it was exactly as advertised.
It comes with everything you need: the cord to connect it to your computer as well as earbuds, and the software you need is easily downloadable from the company's website. Even if you don't know much about computers, you can use this.
I'm old enough that I want tech things to be simple and reliable - I don't need every bell and whistle, I just want my mp3 player to play music and not give me any grief. And if it doesn't kill me price wise, that's ideal. That's what this gives you. I liked my boyfriend's so much, I'm probably going to buy myself one soon.
Digital camera Review: Small but mighty
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the exceptions where you get more than you paid for.
Sturdy, convenient, plays well, and less than $40.00, how can you beat that?