Creative Labs Nomad II C 64 MB Digital Audio Player

by Creative

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005Y1RU
• Item model number: 7E+12
• Batteries: 1 AA batteries required. (included)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,901 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Creative Labs Nomad II C is one of those gadgets that are so much fun to play with, you find yourself forgetting they're useful, too. When portable MP3 players first hit the market, they were relatively simple devices good for one thing: playing MP3 files. Now, as companies have learned customers want more than just that, today's devices can no longer be described as just MP3 players.

The Nomad II C's most overlooked feature is that of a digital voice recorder. Since voice recordings aren't the memory hogs that music files are, the Nomad II C can record up to four hours' worth. This feature is perfect for dictating messages to yourself or for the fledging journalist recording interviews, and you can even upload voice files from the Nomad II C to your PC.

From an audio perspective, the Nomad II C couldn't have performed any better. The equalizer had good settings, and the ability to program user-defined settings was awesome. A wired remote control and bass-enhanced, behind-the-head headphones completed the package.

MP3 players are great for music lovers on the go. Because they have no moving parts, they're well-known for delivering skip-free music. To test the Nomad II C, we loaded it up with some hip-hop and headed down to the local BMX spot in San Francisco. With the player clipped to a belt, we put it through its paces over a multitude of jumps and with more than enough crashes. We did our best to make it skip, but it performed perfectly (but beware--the Nomad II C isn't scratch-proof). Only after the battery started to get low (the Nomad II C offers 8 to 10 hours of playback) did performance degrade. But this was easily remedied by dropping in a new AA battery.

This version of the Nomad II C has 64 MB of onboard memory, but it does include a slot for SmartMedia memory cards. As additional memory is still relatively expensive, and most of us don't have extra cards lying around the house, there will come a time when you'll tire of the songs on the device. And without the presence of your PC--and no additional SmartMedia cards--you'll be at a loss.

MP3 music, like everything else technology related, is in constant flux. Recognizing that, Creative Labs ships the Nomad II C with reprogrammable firmware that should enable it to support digital-audio formats and software extensions as they emerge. So, you should be able to enjoy your Nomad II C for years to come. --William O'Neal

Pros:

• Awesome sound
• Lightweight
• USB interface makes connecting to your computer simple and downloading fast
• Intuitive software
• Supports numerous digital-audio formats

Cons:

• Simple software could be more robust
• Navigating the LCD menu can be a pain

Amazon.com Review

The Creative Labs Nomad II C is a compact nonmechanical player designed for crystal-clear, skip-free digital audio, no matter where you take it. Built to be the next-generation portable digital audio platform, the Nomad II C is futureproof, offering reprogrammable firmware to support multiple digital audio formats and software extensions.

The Nomad II C includes 64 MB of built-in flash memory and is expandable using SmartMedia memory cards. It supports both MP3 and WMA file formats and is upgradeable to future audio compression standards. Additionally, the Nomad II C includes a voice recorder, allowing you to store up to four hours of spoken-word recordings on the 64 MB memory.

You can manage, access, upload, and download content to your Nomad II C player in seconds using the included software: PlayCenter 2 for Windows and SoundJam MP for the Macintosh. Both enable you to encode, decode, and archive high-quality MP3 files and WMA files, as well as convert CD tracks and compile them by preference.

The Nomad II C offers USB interface for lightning-fast data transfer between your Nomad II C and your PC or Macintosh. It includes one AA alkaline battery and a USB connector cable. Note that the Nomad II C does not include a docking station, carrying pouch, wired remote control, or headphones.