Creative Zen Stone 1 GB MP3 Player (Lime Green) | List Price: $46.50
Discount Price: $25.00
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Brand: Creative Labs
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Product Type - MP3 Player
- Connectivity - USB 2.0
- Memory - 1 GB
- Dimensions WxDxH - 2.1" x 1.4" x 0.5"
- Playback Formats -- MP3, WMA, and Audible
Creative Zen Stone 1GB - Nice starter or spare MP3 [Posted on 2007-11-17]
The Creative Zen Stone 1GB is a nice value in starter MP3 players. It has the same capacity as the iPod Shuffle at $40. For $20 more, you can get the 2GB Stone Plus which also has a screen, FM Tuner, voice recording and more.
Pros -
+ good stereo sound
+ nice capacity for a decent price
+ light-weight
+ simple design with more color options
+ Nice format compatibility (MP3, WMA, Audible)
+ USB 1.1 and 2.0 connectivity
+ Can be used as a USB drive / mass storage
+ Can sync music with drag & drop or via Creative software
Cons
- below-average battery life of 10 hours or less
- software issues - Creative software is buggy
- DRM song transfer issues with some firmware versions
- not expandable from 1GB (no SD card slot)
- no FM tuner or voice recording
- larger than the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod shuffles
- for just $20 more you get the 2GB Stone Plus with added features
Creative's Zen Stone line was meant to be the upgrade to the Zen nano, aka Muvo mini. The 1GB Zen Stone is decent but not perfect. It suffers from quality issues and is really ideal for specific uses. I love the new Sandisk Sansa's. The Sansa Express has the advantage that you can plug it directly into your USB port without a cable. SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black) Still, the Creative Zen Stone feels nicer in the hand. It's not as sleek as the Sansa Express nor as cool as an iPod shuffle or iPod nano. But it is priced very attractively. It's good for a starter, workout unit, or gift for a kid.
The Creative Zen Stone is lighter than the competition, but is still larger than the new iPod Shuffle 2nd and 3rd generations. The controls are an improvement from the Zen nano days. While I didn't mind the toggle wheel, it has been replaced by intuitive buttons for the standard functions (select, play, pause, forward or reverse). There's a headphone jack and a USB port.
Another change from the Zen nano days is the Lithium Ion battery, which gives you about 10 hours if your lucky. This burns out faster than the old battery operated unit, but is more convenient.
The sound is nice, and it comes through in stereo. As usual, you will hear complaints about the earbuds, which most people replace.
The Zen Stone Plus is the only larger option at 2GB. For those needing more space, you will have to explore the Creative Zen, Sandisk Sansa or new iPod Nano. All of those units have higher price tags.
Creative Zen 4 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 8 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 16 GB (Black)
Sandisk SDMX4-4096 Sansa e260 4 GB MP3 Player with SD Expansion Slot
SanDisk SDMX4-8192 Sansa e280 8 GB MP3 Player (Black)
Apple 4 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Silver (3rd Generation)
Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Black (3rd Generation)
The price isn't a give-away, and the plastic case could be more durable. Creative has fixed some of the software issues. Still, this is a nice starter unit that can last you a while. Check it out. Enjoy!!!
Great little MP3 Player [Posted on 2007-12-26]
I got this after doing some research on small, flash-based mp3 players that I could go jogging with. I have a 30gb iPod but was concerned with all the bouncing it did while I ran. These zen stones got good reviews. So far, it's great. It charged up faster than I expected and all I did was drop files into a "Music" folder. While it is disappointing that it does not support OGG format, I expected it from reading the specs. Also works flawlessly with Ubuntu. The color of the player is much better than in the picture. It really is a cute lime green, not so much a fluorescent yellow color as depicted.
gotta love creative zen! [Posted on 2008-01-04]
The Creative MP3 players are great! I have 4 of them in my family and love every one. No need to use software or music download sites, just plug it in and it shows up like a hard drive on your computer. You can then just drag and drop files to it, uplug, and go! Its that easy. Great sound quality, and easy to use. What more could I want?
Looks nice, but doesn't deliver [Posted on 2008-05-03]
I purchased this MP3 player for my niece's 15 birthday and it worked for about five months and quit. It looks really good, very small and sleek in design. I wouldn't purchase this one. I have purchased two of the Zen Nano's, one for myself and one for my nephew, and they both worked for years, mine is still working like new, my nephew, took his with him to football practice and when traveling to games, it took a beating and keep on working.
Good little MP player. [Posted on 2008-07-08]
This item was a perfect replacement MP3 for my daughter. She was leaving on a trip and her MP3 was worn out. It was an affordable, quick replacement.
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