Creative Labs Nomad II

Creative Labs Nomad II

WHAT'S HOT: A welcome upgrade to the first iteration of the Nomad player, the sleek, contoured Nomad II includes a remote control that offers standard functions such as fast forward, reverse, play, volume controls, and others. The remote control attaches to the device, making it easy to operate if you're on the road or on the move. The FM tuner also supports 32 preset stations, ensuring that your favorite stations are readily accessible. Creative bundles MusicMatch 4.0, which includes many welcome personalization options for managing your tunes, as well as more than 70 free MP3 songs. What's more, the headphones provide the best overall sound quality, with no distortion even at loud volumes. The user's manual relies heavily on illustrations, making initial setup a snap.

WHAT'S NOT: At $330 the Nomad II is one of the most expensive players on the market. Most other players cost less than $300, with the average price being around the mid-$200 range. The steep price doesn't include future compatibility either--you can't upgrade the memory; 64MB is as much as you'll be able to use. The backlighting wasn't as bright as on other players, making track information such as song title and artist difficult to see. The Nomad II's warranty period lags most others: The player is guaranteed for 90 days, though most players offer a year's warranty.

WHAT ELSE: The Nomad connects to your PC via USB, so Windows 98 is a must for successful MP3 transfers. The Nomad II offers voice recording and comes with a convenient docking station that cradles the device while you transfer songs. The docking station also doubles as the device's battery recharger, a handy and money-saving feature.

BEST USE: It's pricey but swank, and it offers features such as solid design, great headphones, voice recording, and a radio tuner that make it a worthwhile choice.

SUMMARY

Creative Labs Nomad II $330; 64MB SmartMedia, USB interface, one AA battery, MusicMatch 4.0 audio software, 90-day warranty, 13-hour toll-free tech support on weekdays only. Creative Labs 800/998-1000 www.creative.com