Creative Labs NOMAD II Digital Audio Player

Creative Labs NOMAD II Digital Audio Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
Dubbed a Personal Digital Entertainment (PDE) device by Creative Labs, the Nomad II is one of those gadgets that's so fun to play with you'll find yourself forgetting it's useful, too.

When portable MP3 players first hit the market a year or so ago, they were relatively simple devices good for one thing: playing MP3 files. Now it seems, as companies have learned consumers want more than just that, today's devices can no longer be described as just MP3 players.

This version ships with a 64 MB removable SmartMedia card, but we had mixed feelings about Creative's decision to rely solely on removable media. While it has its advantages, in the form of being able to swap out the kind of music you're listening to, we would have preferred 64 MB of onboard memory, with a SmartMedia expansion slot so we could increase the capacity even more if needed.

The Nomad II ships with software called the Creative Digital Audio Center, which is basically a full version of MusicMatch Jukebox Deluxe 5.0 with a Creative Labs skin on it. We liked this addition simply for the fact that MusicMatch Jukebox is simple software to use for creating MP3s from CDs and other audio files. Likewise, while we found the Nomad II Manager software easy to navigate and use, we were left with the feeling that some options were sacrificed in the name of ease-of-use. For instance, the ability to change the order of songs in memory would have been welcome.

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

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're at a loss. This is when the Nomad II's FM tuner came in handy. During morning commutes, it was easy to toggle between The Howard Stern Show and NPR, as the player holds up to 32 FM station presets.

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

MP3 players are great for music lovers on the go. Because they have no moving parts, they're well known for skip-free music. To test the Nomad II, we loaded it up with some hip-hop and headed down to the local BMX spot in San Francisco. With the player clipped on 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 (though beware--the Nomad II isn't scratchproof). Only after the battery started to get low (the Nomad II offers anywhere from eight to 10 hours of playback time) did performance degrade. But this was easily remedied by dropping in a new AA battery.

MP3 music--like everything else technology related--is in a constant state of flux. To that end, the Nomad II ships with reprogrammable firmware that should enable it to support future digital-audio formats and software extensions as they emerge. So, hopefully, you'll be enjoying your Nomad II for years to come. --William O'Neal

Pros:

Awesome sound

Lightweight

Excellent behind-the-head style headphones

Useful wired remote control

USB interface makes connecting to your computer simple and downloading fast

Intuitive software

Supports numerous digital-audio formats

Cons:

No onboard memory

Simple software could be more robust

Navigating the LCD menu can be a pain

Product Description:
Creative NOMAD allows you to customize your own digital music and audio content and take it anywhere you want. Mix your favorite selections by recording from your personal CD collections or MP3 files and transfer them directly to your player.With the versatility of removable flash memory, you can enjoy your favorite digital audio anytime, anywhere with the NOMAD II family of compact digital audio players. NOMAD II offers a built-in FM tuner, voice recording, upgradeable technology, and plenty of features designed specifically for your active lifestyle. Plus, Creative offers different models so that you can choose the NOMAD II digital audio player with the memory configuration that best suits your needs.

Creative Labs NOMAD II Digital Audio Player

Creative Labs NOMAD II Digital Audio Player

Average customer rating:

A good player that is now dated
Reliable . . .
Good until it broke
keeps breaking!
Does not work right

Creative Labs NOMAD II Digital Audio Player

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
Viking 32 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/32)
Energizer E91BP-4 AA Batteries (4-Pack)
Energizer E91FP-12 - Battery - AA - alkaline x 12
SanDisk 32 MB SmartMedia Card

Product Features:

USB connection offers faster transfer rates and ease of connectivity
64 MB SmartMedia card allows hours of CD-quality audio or voice recordings
Built-in FM tuner stores up to 32 preset stations
Large icon-based LCD screen with backlight for easy viewing in any environment
Upgradable to support multiple digital-audio formats and future software extensions

ASIN: B00004RG6K

Product Description

Creative NOMAD allows you to customize your own digital music and audio content and take it anywhere you want. Mix your favorite selections by recording from your personal CD collections or MP3 files and transfer them directly to your player.With the versatility of removable flash memory, you can enjoy your favorite digital audio anytime, anywhere with the NOMAD II family of compact digital audio players. NOMAD II offers a built-in FM tuner, voice recording, upgradeable technology, and plenty of features designed specifically for your active lifestyle. Plus, Creative offers different models so that you can choose the NOMAD II digital audio player with the memory configuration that best suits your needs.

Amazon.com Review

Dubbed a Personal Digital Entertainment (PDE) device by Creative Labs, the Nomad II is one of those gadgets that's so fun to play with you'll find yourself forgetting it's useful, too.

Pros:

Awesome sound
Lightweight
Excellent behind-the-head style headphones
Useful wired remote control
USB interface makes connecting to your computer simple and downloading fast
Intuitive software
Supports numerous digital-audio formats

Cons:

No onboard memory
Simple software could be more robust
Navigating the LCD menu can be a pain

Amazon.com Product Description

The Nomad II is a compact nonmechanical player designed for crystal-clear, skip-free digital audio no matter where you take it. Designed to be the next-generation portable digital audio platform, the Nomad II is futureproof, offering reprogrammable firmware to support multiple digital audio formats and software extensions. Supporting the current MP3 standard, Nomad II will allow owners the flexibility to upgrade to future audio compression standards such as WMA (Windows Media Audio) or other emerging codecs, and digital rights management technology, including SDMI compliance, via download at Creative Labs' Web site.

With a 64 MB SmartMedia flash memory card, the Nomad II lets you enjoy hours of CD-quality audio and 4 hours of voice recording. And it is the first portable digital audio player that offers you a built-in FM tuner that stores up to 32 preset stations. The wired remote control give quick access to playback controls during extreme activity, and the unit ships with bass-enhanced stereo backphones.

You can manage, access, upload, and download content to your NOMAD II player in seconds using the NOMAD Manager Software. The Creative Digital Audio Center by MusicMatch allows users to encode, decode, and archive high-quality MP3 files and Windows Media files, as well as convert an unlimited number of CD tracks and compile them according to preference. The SSFDC (Solid State Floppy Disk Card) compliant SmartMedia flash memory card allows audio content to be swapped with other SSFDC-compliant devices without the need for reformatting, and the SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) ready device ensures listeners play digital music in secure formats.

Customer Reviews:

A good player that is now dated.......2006-02-18

I first got the Creative NOMAD II in late 2000. At this time, this player was the best you could get back then. The NOMAD II came in two varieties. One model, the DAP-0001, had no memory built-in and the other model, the DAP-0002, had ether 32 MB or 64 MB of memory built in. I had the former. The NOMAD II had an FM radio, which depending on the area I lived in the radio was good or bad. Voice recording was also in the NOMAD II, but I never really used it. The only format support was MP3 (Microsoft's WMA format came in a later firmware upgrade). Nowadays, when one buys a flash memory based player like the NOMAD II, you can expect the player to have the built-in. The model I had did not. This meant I had to juggle multiple cards, which thinking it over now, defeats the purpose of an MP3 player. The type of card the player used was SmartMedia. While I don't have a problem with this card type, I feel Creative picked the wrong card type. When I was going to upgrade the memory, I found it difficult to find SmartMedia cards greater than 128 MB. I later found out that the player refuses to accept cards with 128 MB of memory without a firmware upgrade. Playlists are basically non-existent on the NOMAD II. The closest thing to a playlist is the order the songs were placed on the NOMAD II. Battery life is pretty good for one that does not have an internal rechargeable battery. However, in saying this I do recommend that a user stick to disposable batteries as I have found rechargeable batteries to unpredictable for this type of gadget. The NOMAD II itself is easy to use once you get used to it. Uploading songs from a Windows computer to the player is not easy and can be tricky for a user unfamiliar with USB and Windows' relationship with it. On a Macintosh, there is no stress needed to find drivers for the NOMAD II or to troubleshoot connection issues; the player interacts with iTunes and allows a user to drag and drop music onto the player and pre-set radio stations in the preferences. On both platforms, the NOMAD II uses USB 1.1, although it should work just as well with the newer USB 2.0.

Overall, the NOMAD II is a good player for a newcomer to digital music. It's durable, easy to use, and small enough without being too conspicuous. Even with it's flaws, the NOMAD II holds it's own against the iPods, Zens, MuVos, Chibas, and iRivers of the world. For me personally, the NOMAD II was a realization that digital music was more than putting a CD in the computer's CD tray and clicking "Play". For that, I will be thankful forever.

Reliable . . ........2005-03-14

The Nomad II is an MP3 player with voice recording capability. Internal memory capacity is 128MB, expandable up to 256MB as the unit accommodates smart media memory up to 128MB.

The thin, palm sized player is powered by a single AA battery. A fully charged 2000mAh NiMH battery provides power for around 6 hours. The display is readable, with a backlighting feature. The controls are reasonably convenient, and fairly sensitive. Located near the top of the unit are the volume controller and a switch to lock the controls. The unit produces an adequate volume level, with the headphone jack being located on the top of the unit. A set of low quality headphones is included, but you will experience better results when using better quality phones.

You can select random play, or repeat play a single track or all tracks. The DISP function button provides several preset equalization levels, with one customizable "user" setting available. The microphone is a tiny dot on the front of the unit, and the voice recorder does just an average job of recording conversations. The PlayCenter2 software is a little clunky for those accustomed to working with drag and drop, as the transfer speed is not especially swift.

Solid reliable performance and sturdy construction make this product an attractive buy if you are considering a product with this relatively low memory capacity.

Good until it broke.......2003-02-08

The unit broke a year after I bought it. I wouldn't buy another player from Creative Labs because it is too fragile. I only used the unit at the gym a few times a week. The first thing that broke was the wired remote, which I found to be very useful. The menu on the unit is easy enough to figure out, but rather slow to navigate. It takes several steps just to check the time. I liked the behind the head ear phones, they don't pinch my ears, but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. The ear phone sound quality is just average. I'd have to say the quality of the product as a whole is just average.

keeps breaking!.......2002-07-10

I own a Nomad II 64 MP3 player and it has broken for a second time - the warranty was only 60 days, and shortly thereafter, it stopped working, so I had to send it back and have it repaired for [$$$] (on the phone you can only talk to customer service reps, not technicians, and none of them could ever tell me what happend or how to prevent it from happening again in the future). The repair came with another generous 60 day warranty. The repair lasted about a year, and now it is broken again (in a similar but different way) - and I have always been very careful with it and it has never been physically harmed. Now that it is broken a second time I don't see the need to put more money into it, only to have it break again.

Does not work right.......2002-06-16

the player worked right for like 2 or 3 days then started to turn on and off by itself also would not turn on correctly.

Creative Labs NOMAD II C 64 MB MP3 Player

Average customer rating:

Great Little MP3
Only get this if you want one album of songs on here!
This is ridiculous
Great Design/Sound/Durability
Terrific Player-Great Quality

Creative Labs NOMAD II C 64 MB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub
Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub
NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

ASIN: B00006F6ZI

Product Description

With the versatility of removable flash memory, you can enjoy your favorite MP3 and WMA digital audio anytime, anywhere with NOMAD IIc compact digital audio player. NOMAD IIc offers voice recording, upgradeable technology, and plenty of features designed specifically for your active lifestyle. NOMAD IIc supports standard MP3, WMA, and WAV digital audio formats and it is geared for access to future audio formats, too. SDMI-compliance offers standards support and potential access to label-released content. Upgradeable technology allows new features and enhancements to be downloaded to it when available. With NOMAD IIc, you can keep up with the ever-evolving world of digital music and be on the cutting edge of digital audio technology.

Customer Reviews:

Great Little MP3.......2007-02-28

This was the first MP3 player I ever had gotten. I got it at a bargin price, so I figured, "let's just see how good can it be?" It turned out to be wonderful for the price, and size, and ease of use! Yes, as is it only holds a small amount or songs. BUT, you do have the ability to upgrade to double or triple the amount with a Smart Card. Why not, for this low price. The sound is wonderful also. For this price, buy it, it's worth it. I do slao now own a Creative Zen Micro. I still use the Nomad for hard trail stuff, it is worth it!

Only get this if you want one album of songs on here!.......2006-06-13

I wish I made a better choice when I gave my father my christmas list with this on here. I should of known that 64MB only holds about 25 songs. I have 42 CD which is 566 songs on them. That 13.5 songs per album.The headphones don't last over six months, you're always buying batteries like crazy and sometimes the little thing lock up on you. I have drop this thing like crazy so many time that I have to give it some time to play again. The next on I'm getting will be between 1-4GB which is 250-1000 on mp3 fomat!

This is ridiculous.......2005-12-05

I live in the mountains of North Carolina and engage in many fun wilderness activities, and I was thinking that I would need a nice, simple mp3 player to suit my needs.

This mp3 player has 64 megabytes of space. It is horrible.

512 mb = 120 songs
256mb = 60 songs
128 mb = 30 songs
64 mb = 15 songs

That's ABOUT what the sizes are. I can't even fit a whole King Crimson CD on it. Hell, I can't even fit a whole King Crimson SONG on it. How bad is that?

Either way, no matter who you are, you don't need this thing. Hell, it's 100 dollars anyway. Buy some other mp3 player that has more space and get happy. Go for a Creative Zen or something.

Jesus.

And don't talk to me about "upgrade cards" because those are even more retarded.

1/5 stars

Great Design/Sound/Durability.......2005-08-04

I bought my Nomad IIC when it first came out years ago. It is now beaten up from bouncing down the Mt Bike trails or flipping off the elastic band of my running shorts and hitting the street. That it still works is amazing! I have really used this player nonstop...and now enjoy podcasts with it!

It is so easy to change volume...FF...RW...skip, etc. All buttons you need...right there and easy to access.

I have sampled the newer Creative sports type version and it's sound did not compare. Tried Rio's newer players too. The ipod is the only one that may have a slight edge.

This unit should go into the Flash MP3 Hall of Fame!!!

Terrific Player-Great Quality.......2004-08-06

I received this player Christmas 2002 and was skeptical before opening it, as I had been previously searching for an mp3 player and had one in mind. Finally, after much thought, I decided to open the package and use the player. It was incredibly easy to use the player, considering I had no prior training. I could store a decent amount of music in the player(about 20-25 songs, depending on length), but still decided to buy a 128mb Smartmedia card(Good Investment). The memory card then allowed me to store approximately 45-50 songs. The player was also incredibly durable, considering i carried it in my pocket most of the time, and it survived a few light drops.
Now, if you are observant, you've probably noticed i've written this in past tense. The player was stolen from me by my brother's friend right off my kitchen table! I, as anyone would be, was very angry, and to add insult to injury she moved the next week!
I would, however, highly recommend this player to anyone looking for a decently priced, highly upgradeable mp3/digital music player.

Creative Labs Nomad II C 64 MB Digital Audio Player

Average customer rating:

Creative Labs Nomad II C 64 MB Digital Audio Player

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Digital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Viking 64 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/64)
Viking 128 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/128)

Product Features:

64 MB onboard flash memory; upgradeable to 128 MB via SmartMedia cards
Doubles as a voice recorder for capturing classes, meetings, seminars, and notes
4 presets and 1 custom setting; bass and treble control
Up to 10 hours' playback on 1 AA battery
Includes USB cable, headphones, installation CD-ROM, and AA battery

ASIN: B00005Y1RU

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.

Creative Labs Nomad II "C" 32 MB Digital Audio Player
Average customer rating:
Creative Labs Nomad II "C" 32 MB Digital Audio Player

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
Up to 64 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
MP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Koss KTX-Pro Portable Stereophone

Koss SportaPro Stereo Headphones

SanDisk 16 MB SmartMedia Card (SDSM-16-490)

Viking 32 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/32)

Product Features:

32 MB of built-in flash memory

Plays both MP3 and WMA files; upgradable to future formats

USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac

Expandable using SmartMedia memory cards

Comes with one AA battery and USB cable; does not include docking station, carrying pouch, wired remote control, or headphones

ASIN: B00005ICC7

Product Description

Compact, shock-proof and designed for crystal clear, skip-free digital audio, NOMAD II is a perfect complement to your active lifestyle. With a Smart Media flash memory card, NOMAD II lets you enjoy hours of skip-free CD-quality audio or voice recording. You can even customize your music by swapping memory cards with different audio content or between your NOMAD II and another compatible device. NOMAD II features a built-in FM tuner that allows you to store up to 32 of your favorite stations. Now you can listen to your favorite music, news, or talk radio anytime, anywhere. Additionally, NOMAD II allows you to record classes, meetings, seminars, shopping lists, or keep a voice diary. The flash memory card stores up to four hours of your personal voice content, and it can be uploaded directly to your PC in WAV format! With Creative PlayCenter software, you can convert all of your music to MP3 or WMA format, organize them, and transfer them to the NOMAD II. Whether for your daily commute, the gym, parties or for that multimedia presentation, the Creative PlayCenter allows you to customize playlists for every mood and event. EAX audio technology delivers an unsurpassed listening experience by adding customizable effects to your audio files. With a whole range of EAX effects and applications, you can create the listening experience that's right for you. Complete with backlit LCD display and built-in microphone, the NOMAD Wired Remote provides quick and easy access for your convenience.

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 consumers 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. Furthermore, 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 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 (though beware--the Nomad II C isn't scratchproof). Only after the battery started to get low (the Nomad II C offers from eight 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 32 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're at a loss.

MP3 music--like everything else technology related--is in constant flux. With that in mind, the Nomad II C ships with reprogrammable firmware that should enable it to support future 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 Product Description

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. Intended 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 32 MB of built-in flash memory and is expandable using SmartMedia memory cards. It supports both MP3 and WMA file formats and is upgradable to future audio compression standards. Additionally, the Nomad II C includes a voice recorder, allowing you to store up to two hours of spoken word recordings on the 32 MB memory.

Product Description

Customer Reviews:

Great mp3 player.......2000-12-02

I got the Nomad 2 32 MB mp3 player about 5 months ago. This version is probably the same but you have to buy your own memory. It is a great player and can take a lot of abuse. I drop it a lot more than I should, and it is fine. The backlight is great for playing in the dark, and the player has a flash bios system to upgrade to new technologies. The sound is loud enough almost all the time unless I am downtown in the city. It only takes one battery which really does last a while. The best part is that it has an FM tuner to listen to the radio when you get tired of your MP3s. Also, the remote on the headphones is a great idea. Great player, I would easily reccomend it.

Creative Labs Nomad II "C" 32 MB Digital Audio Player (Silver)

Average customer rating:

Great little player
Great player... while it works
Nomad II "C" Series
Software doesn't work
Best player for the money!

Creative Labs Nomad II "C" 32 MB Digital Audio Player (Silver)

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player
Koss KTX-Pro Portable Stereophone
Koss SportaPro Stereo Headphones
SanDisk 16 MB SmartMedia Card (SDSM-16-490)
Viking 32 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/32)

Product Features:

32 MB of built-in flash memory
Plays both MP3 and WMA files; upgradable to future formats
USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac
Expandable using SmartMedia memory cards
Comes with one AA battery and USB cable; does not include docking station, carrying pouch, wired remote control, or headphones

ASIN: B00005ICD1

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.

MP3 players are great for music lovers on the go. Because they have no moving parts, they're well known for 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 (though beware--the Nomad II C isn't scratchproof). Only after the battery started to get low (the Nomad II C offers eight to 10 hours of playback) did performance degrade. But this was easily remedied by dropping in a new AA battery.

MP3 music, like everything else technology related, is in constant flux. Recognizing that, the Nomad II C ships 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 Product Description

Customer Reviews:

Great little player.......2002-05-12

I've had the Nomad IIc for about three months and couldn't be more pleased. It's extremely light weight, it's durable, dependable, easy to operate and the quality of the sound is wonderful. The software was easy to load and easy to use. Downloading into the IIc is a snap. I had a 128m card in the desk drawer when I got the IIc and immediately filled it will music. I also had a couple of 64m cards from a previous I-Jam player that I gave away (piece of junk) and I filled those. Changing genres is easy...jazz on one care, blues on another, classic rock on yet another. Using the 128m card, plus the onboard memory, I can get about 3 hours of music into the little guy. You can pay a lot more and not get the features and quality of the IIc. It's a great product from a great company. If you get one, you will not be disappointed.

Great player... while it works.......2002-03-02

I actually bought this as a gift for a friend, and she loved it. The player was small, light, had decent sound, and was working great until just a short while ago. The player just spontaneously died (just sitting on a desk... it wasn't being jostled around while running or anything). To my horror, I've discovered problems with the Nomad II line are fairly common ... To top it off, the unit was past its short 90 day warranty, so there's a [monetary fee] (plus shipping) just to have Creative examine the player for repairs. After they assess the problem, they'll charge extra money for repairs. For all that time and money, you may as well just buy a new player from another company. Stay away from this product. It seems like a great deal, but they are manufactured cheaply and prone to break down. Creative itself doesn't even have enough faith in their own product to back it up with a better warranty.

Nomad II "C" Series.......2002-02-03

This is the BEST MP3 player out there. It is my 1st one and i am completely satisfied with it. I got it for my birthday about 5 months ago. It still works well without any problem.
I use MusicMatch to put music onto my Nomad IIc. With MusicMatch i can compress the audio files so i can get 73 songs onto mine with a 128Mb memory card plus the built in 32 MB. If anyone doubts this player, DONT, buy it its the BEST player for the money...
Much better than a MiniDisc Player. Don't buy one of those.

Software doesn't work.......2002-01-26

We did a lot of research before buying this and saw that a few people had trouble with the software, but didn't hear it from others. Well, we can't get it to work at all, and there's no custoemr support available from Creative since you can never get through on their 800 number - and it took 20 minutes to even find a phone number, it's extremely well hidden. Terrible disappointment!

Best player for the money!.......2002-01-13

I'll keep this short...I did fairly extensive research on portable digital audio players, particularly after trying several other products at the suggestion of friends and colleagues (don't even get me started on Rio...which is a Harvard case study on a company that has excellent packaging/design and absolutely now QC.)

I finally purchased the Nomad IIc (64 MG)and have been 100% thrilled with it's performance. The software, while simplistic and somewhat ham-handed, actually WORKS - and the player delivers on its promise. Bottom line - this is a nice entry level player with plenty of memory for a run, workout, or chill time.

Creative Nomad II MG - Digital player / radio - flash 32 MB - WMA, MP3 - silver
Average customer rating:
Creative Nomad II MG - Digital player / radio - flash 32 MB - WMA, MP3 - silver

Manufacturer: Creative Labs
ProductGroup: CE

CD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
MP3 Players & Accessories | Creative Labs | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
ASIN: B00005RWGJ

Product Description

Sleek, compact and cool, NOMAD II MG doesn't just look good but is built to enhance your digital lifestyle. Dance to crystal clear, CD quality audio for hours without missing a beat. Make real-time FM radio and voice recordings. With the EL backlit LCD, you'll have no hassles operating your NOMAD II MG even on your late nights out. Keep up-to-date with the latest audio technology. Play your favorite MP3 music now but NOMAD II MG is versatile enough to support future audio compression standards and also WMA (Windows Media Audio) management technology.With EAX Time-Scaling, you are free to vary the playback speed of voice recordings without affecting audibility or clarity. Perfect for listening to recorded lectures, seminars, meetings and conferences (up to 2 hours' worth on 32MB of built-in memory). The EAX Time-Scaling supports up to 1.5x faster or 0.5x slower playback speed for voice. It also supports real-time recording from any FM station. The NOMAD II Manager software allows you to manage, access, upload, and download content to your player in seconds. The Creative Digital Audio Center by MusicMatch allows users to encode, decode and archive high quality MP3 files and Windows Media files. It also allows users to convert an unlimited number of CD tracks and compile them according to preferences. The SSFDC (Solid State Floppy Disk Card) compliant SmartMedia flash memory card allows audio content to be swapped with other SSFDC compliant devices without the need for reformatting. The SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) ready device ensures listeners play digital music in secure formats.