Creative Labs Nomad MuVo² 4 GB MP3 Player
[Archived in $100 - $200, Creative Labs, Digital Media Players, MP3 Players und Accessories, Products, Up to 10 GB Jukeboxes]
Manufacturer: Creative Labs
Price at amazon.com:
New from $199.99
- Store up to 128 hours of WMA or 64 hours of MP3 tracks
- 4 band custom equalizer and 4 equalizer presets
- USB 2.0 for super fast file transfer - load a song a second!
- Up to 14 hours continuous playback
- Compatible with Windows 98 SE, 2000, Me, and XP
Product Description:
The Creative NOMAD® MuVo² combines cutting-edge 1" hard disk drive storage, high-speed USB 2.0 and superb sound quality in a remarkably compact, easy to use package. Grab it, load it, clip it on your belt and you're all set to go! Holds up to 128 hrs WMA / 64 hrs MP3 songs Huge hard drive capacity in a flash memory sized player allows you to carry all your music with you in a tiny digital music player. High fidelity 98dB SNR Crystal clear sound with full bass and exhilirating... read more
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Comment: Good MP3 Player + Portable Storage Rating:
I seriously considered both the Muvo2 4GB and the iPod Mini before making my buying decision. My needs are that I listen to a smallish music collections (about 4GB or ~800 songs), I wanted a small MP3 player that can serve as a portable storage device, and my budget was under two hundred dollars (Feb. 2004). The Muvo2 4GB fits the bill as a small MP3 player and it is recognized by Windows XP as an external drive once connected via USB (1.1 and 2.0 compatible). I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars and here's why:
The Muvo2 4GB isn't smaller than the iPod Mini as one reviewer mentioned. Volumetrically, it's 1.5 times as large the Mini. The Muvo2 measures 2.6" x 2.6" x 0.8" or 5.4 cubic-in. The Mini measures 2.0" x 3.6" x 0.5" or 3.6 cubic-in. However, the difference is minute because they both easily fit in any shirt pocket. Both weigh (light!!!) about the same: 3.2-oz (Muvo2), 3.6-oz (Mini).
The Muvo2 comes with the Hitachi (not Toshiba) internal CompactFlash II compatible harddrive. For a new unit, battery duration is as rated: 14 hours. I've tested the claim to hold true as I use the unit through out the day and it hasn't once run out of juice on me. I do charge it at the end of the day. You can charge the unit via the supplied AC adapter or via any self-powered USB port (not PCMCIA card). You do need to right-click on the device under My Computer (XP) and select "Eject" in order to charge it via USB. Otherwise, XP just treats it as an external drive. The Muvo's rechargeable battery is user replaceable and costs less than the Mini's.
I can drag-and-drop music and other data files to the Muvo2 from my computer with ease without the use of any additional software (simply plug and play). This is one of the reasons I chose the Muvo2. However, you can still use the included MediaSource software to manage your music collections. For the iPod, I believe you need to use the iTunes software to transfer music files.
If you compare the Muvo2 against the iPod Mini, the look of the Muvo2 feels a little cheap because of the plastic enclosure but it feels sturdy nonetheless (if you don't drop it). The Muvo's ergonomics can stand some improvement. The two smallish navigation buttons don't feel right. The larger joystick type button has imprecise navigation. The 3-second-hold-and-release in turning on/off the unit is annoying. After holding the smaller on/off button for 3 seconds, you MUST release the button before it turns on/off (meaning you MUST visually pay FULL attention to it when turning it on/off). Counter-intuitive comes to mind. Hence the 4 out of 5 stars.
As one reviewer suggested, you should download the latest firmware to make the unit function a bit more intuitive (the root folder and playlist are now the two first choices under the menu). The latest firmware also adds support for the optional (must purchase separately) external remote/FM tuner/recorder.
Why I selected the Muvo2 over the iPod Mini was entirely based on my own needs:
1.) very small, very portable MP3 player
2.) 4GB (800 songs) of music collections
3.) portable external storage device w/o need for additional software (just plug and play)
4.) two hundred dollar budget
5.) user-replaceable battery
Suggestions for improvement:
- need to mimic iPod Mini ergonomics (better navigation, better buttons)
- need to incorporate more software functions like the iPod (song rating, time(date), calendar, contacts, games :D)
- need sexy aluminum (real) enclosure
Overall, the Muvo2 sounds great, feels very small, priced right, and meets my needs. Nothing fancy or sexy, however.
March 2004
Comment: First MP3 player and it's great Rating:
Been trying to get this at amazon for a while since it comes in and out of stock very quickly. Lucky this time I was able to get it in mid-May and was delivered within 6 days via super saver shipping.
I bought this MP3 for myself not to resell it. Since this is my first MP3 player I have nothing to compare it to, but from using it the past two weeks I can say I'm very satisfied with it. I have about a Gig of music and audio books on it already.
Getting the Mp3s to the Muvo are so easy, just drag and drop and there you have it, you don't need their software if you WinXP as your OS. The battery life is awsome I have yet to see it drop even one bar during the time I have used it. I would have liked the case to have been aluminum instead of the cheap plastic.
Pros:
- long battery life
- small form factor
- 4GB memory
- great sound from the supplied headphones
Cons:
- small screen, they could have made it a little bigger
- carrying case covers the controls for the player, must take out the Muvo to use them
- out of stock often
- buyers that mistakenly buy this for $50 then complain they got ripped off because the 4GB drive is missing. READ THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT YOU'RE BUYING!
Nice product and get it while you can before it goes out of stock again.
Comment: Don't be fooled!! Rating:
Don't be fooled by the product name "MuVo2 4.0GB" or the product details and spotlight reviews. The MP3 players being sold here do not have the 4 GB hard drive installed! Come on, did you really think you could get a 4 GB MP3 player for $50? The hard drives are being removed for use in cameras leaving only the 128 MB flash card. Ask your seller about the hard drive before you buy.
Posted at November 11, 2003 07:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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