What are the defects that occur in the Creative Zen produc

Question

Hi! I am new to all these MP3 players (I am still stuck in the CD player era) but I have been wanting to upgrade to a new, high tech player. After researching for a LONG time (I have considered the Creative Zen micro, Creative Zen Micro photo, Ipod mini, Ipod Nano, 4th gen Ipod, Cowan Iaudio, Olympus M:Robe500i, and Archos Gimini 402) I have concluded with the Creative products, that unlike the Ipods, have more features for the same price or lower. I briefly thought about the IAudio and the Archos since they play movies but decided that they were too expensi've. Plus, it having a removable battery was enticing since do not li've int he United States and I wouldn't have to be sending things in for repair or replacement of battery.
Now, I was very pumped about the Zen Micro but have since learned that there are a few defects.
the Creative Zen micro, from what I gathered, has a problem that the player stops working and only boots up to the Creative logo. I think I understand that this comes from something disconnecting from the HD inside. ANOTHER problem seems to be the earphone jack breaking and being pushed in.
I want to know if this is fixed in any of the versions of the Zen Micros. I think I heard that the 5GB ones are the ones that do this. If anything, i would get the 6 GB version and would like to know if the 6GB Zen Micros do this. It is at Best Buy for $50 plus tax ($60+ total).
I am also considering ordering the Zen Micro Photo (though it costs $40 bucks more just for color) form Best Buy ($202 total). Does the Zen Micro Photo fix the problems of the past players? Does it have any new defects?
Another player I am interested in is the Zen Sleek, which is the same price of the Zen Micro Photo, but has 2 GB more (though I don't really need it). It doesn't have color but whatever. Does this player have any of the previous defects or any defects at all? Can I use it to transfer files, like the the Micros can (I assume the Micro Photo can also) without having to install software on a PC (like the whole partition thing from the Micros). Does it have a removable Battery?
ANY HELP would be appreciated. I am a very cautious buyer and I do not want to hassle with stuff. I li've in the Dominican republic and I do NOT want to go shipping stuff overseas to get it fixed. That is why I am buying a Zen product, since it has removable Batteries and I don't have to send it in to get replaced. I do not want to spend 00 bucks and 3 months of waiting for things.
Also, on any defect, what seems to be the percentage? I know creative has not acknowledged any defects but there obviously are, since things happen to the same product, the same way, the same place.
Thanks for any help, again. Sorry for being so lengthy. I just like to have as much info down. It is that that Best Buy deal is too good.

Answer 1

jimm20 wrote:
the Creative Zen micro, from what I gathered, has a problem that the player stops working and only boots up to the Creative logo. I think I understand that this comes from something disconnecting from the HD inside.
I wouldn't call this a common problem.
ANOTHER problem seems to be the earphone jack breaking and being pushed in.
Not sure about being pushed in, but the solder connection on some Micros was too weak and easily broken.
I want to know if this is fixed in any of the versions of the Zen Micros. I think I heard that the 5GB ones are the ones that do this. If anything, i would get the 6 GB version and would like to know if the 6GB Zen Micros do this. It is at Best Buy for $50 plus tax ($60+ total).
No-one knows for sure if it was fixed. Creative Support didn't confirm or deny it had been fixed on the board here. Others have had emails from Creative saying that it has been fixed in newer players.
I am also considering ordering the Zen Micro Photo (though it costs $40 bucks more just for color) form Best Buy ($202 total). Does the Zen Micro Photo fix the problems of the past players? Does it have any new defects?
People say the sound quality isn't as great as past players, and there is some slight noise when the backlight is turned on. Aside from not being able to view photos and listen to music at the same time. Search back for reviews by other folks.
Another player I am interested in is the Zen Sleek, which is the same price of the Zen Micro Photo, but has 2 GB more (though I don't really need it). It doesn't have color but whatever. Does this player have any of the previous defects or any defects at all?
The Sleek seems to be a great player. I don't recall seeing any common issues with it.
Can I use it to transfer files, like the the Micros can (I assume the Micro Photo can also) without having to install software on a PC (like the whole partition thing from the Micros). Does it have a removable Battery?
It doesn't have a removable battery.
It has the MTP/PFS firmware that means you can only use it to copy audio files with Win XP.
It has the USB mass storage function that means you can copy data files to it with Win 98/Me/2000 and XP.
Also, on any defect, what seems to be the percentage? I know creative has not acknowledged any defects but there obviously are, since things happen to the same product, the same way, the same place.
No-one except Creative knows these figures.