Creative Zen Review With the AudioBook Listener In Mi

Here is a copy of my review of the Creative Zen which I just published on the amazon.com mp3 player forum in the thread I started over a year ago entitled "What's the best player for AudioBooks " It is the longest thread in the forum with little indication of slowing down, and it can usually be found as the first thread in the forum.
http://www.amazon.com/tag/mp3%20play...MxM6KCQW5Q9B6C
I wound up getting the Zen 4GB a few weeks ago but delayed posting until I figured out how I liked it.
- I like that it has a big screen with big text that I could get by using without my reading glasses (old eyes) in a pinch. That is a very toughtful touch I have't seen on any other players (not that I've seen them all.)
- The big screen will also show pictures and videos which I don't care much about but is a nice feature if desired.
- The big screen doesn't come with a cover and it will get scratched up fast. It took me a while to figure this out so my screen got a little scratched up before I realized it.
Consider screen covers mandatory. They are sold seperately in a 3 pack for around $8. This is so important the device ought to have come with at least one screen cover in the box, even if it raised the price $2. My screen cover has been on for a few weeks and shows no sign of wear or coming loose. I did combine it with a rubber device cover I got on amazon for $3 which protects the whole device and covers the edges of the screen and screen protector. The unit is now protected. The cover comes with a little strap and D-Ring clip which is good for hanging onto some piece of clothing.
- It has a built in battery which is good. It supposedly takes a long time to recharge but that is not an issue for me. I just plug it in to a USB port with the included 4" long cable and it has plenty of time to charge during the day for my use. A fast AC charger is available at extra cost (~$25 I think.)
- Defect: The unit shuts off after being on pause for a few minutes (good) but it starts up at the beginning of the track when you restart (bad.) If you turn it off, it restarts where you left off as it should. This would not be an issue for music listeners, but it is for audiobook listeners when the track may be an hour to several hours long.
- Defect: Bookmarks are not at the top of the Menu list and although some menus are customizable, the one with Bookmarks is not.
- Defect: You can't get to Bookmarks when in the book. You have to back up to Music Menu, click to get to menu, and scroll 2 spots to get to Bookmarks. Not a deal breaker when you get used to it, but clearly not designed properly with the audiobook user in mind.
- Sound quality: very good. Even with music, very nice.
- Included headphones: Nice sound. They fall out of my ears and get tangled up a lot but I think thats true of most earbud headphones. I'm going to get the Sony Sport headphones I've had before with a foldable over the head strap.
- Bookmarks: 0. Plenty for me. (Who listens to more than 0 books at a time )
- Price: $90 for 4GB. I thought that was quite reasonable.
SUMMARY: With a few menu enhancements and the ability to return to it's place after a pause/shutdown, I'd consider this device close to perfect for the audiobook listener.

Try going into "Control Panel->Administrati've tools" and clicking on "Computer Management". Find "disk management" in the left pane and click it. Your Stone should be in the right somewhere. I think you need to right click, then "choose dri've letter and paths" and give it a dri've letter with the "add" button. Let us know if that works.

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Try going into "Control Panel->Administrati've tools" and clicking on "Computer Management". Find "disk management" in the left pane and click it. Your Stone should be in the right somewhere. I think you need to right click, then "choose dri've letter and paths" and give it a dri've letter with the "add" button. Let us know if that works.

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What Zen do you have, and what software are you using?

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Creative Zen Review With the AudioBook Listener In Mi

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