Creative Technology Nomad Jukebox (20 GB) MP3 Player

Pros: Reliability, sound
Cons: Size, weight, overall design clunky

There are already so many reviews on this product that I'll keep this one short. I read quite a few positive reviews before slapping down my money for the Creative Labs product, so I was disappointed to find that it didn't meet my high expectations. ...

Pros: Price (160 bucks), Capacity (20 gb), Thoughtful features.
Cons: Software problems, small screen, battery life, eventual complete failure.

01-11-04 Initial Review: Bought to use in my truck through aux jack on receiver (Connector avail at Wal-Mart $4.). Jukebox locked up first two times trying to play introduction. Some trouble getting software to work on win98 at first - kept saying ...

Pros: None that I'm aware of.
Cons: Requires proprietary software to mount to USB port.

It's probably a nice unit if you use Windows, but Linux users are out of luck with this one. It doesn't mount as a drive on the USB port, requiring custom software instead. I did find a GTK program that will allow drag and drop operation. There is also...

Pros: Great software
Cons: Lousy warranty

Creative MP3 jukeboxes sound like a great idea but they come with laughably brief warranties. Creative offers a three month warranty, but considering the high cost, that is unacceptable. Keep in mind that an MP3 jukebox is nothing more than a laptop hard ...

Pros: Large Memory is big plus. Lots of cool features to adjust sound and customize playback
Cons: Once the storage begins to fill, the player malfunctions

I received my 20GB Jukebox for Christmas and within a month it started to act up. Originally, I was very impressed with all the features that allowed you customize the sound and the playback. But as the memory began to fill, I started to experience some...

Pros: Sound quality, easy use, look and other excellent attributes
Cons: Size, but is not too big.

I've bought some mp3 player and they're good, but this one is the best mp3 player. Awesome sound quality,easy navigation system, good look and other excellent attributes. The only problem is the size, is not too big, but is one of the biggest mp3 player I seen. But it worth every penny. I recommend it!!

I was searching for a home CD player/juke box. The systems I saw were large and hard to use. In addition, I didn't want to have all my CD's permanently fixed in the juke box. With the Nomad 3, I have all the music in one place, I plug it into my Bose Stereo. Great sound! Easy to manage my music library. I also have all of the individual CD's to use elsewhere. The best on the market.

This is a Great MP3 for a student, because now days teens are into music, and lots of it. The first day i got it, i had around 500 songs that i transfered from cds and from my computer. Another big part of the pace of music transfer is the speed of your computer. Even though it is big and heavy its a great mp3 player and i would reccomend it to anyone.

Pros: Reliability, easy to use, Fantastic sound
Cons: Battery life, a little bulky

I purchased this unit when they first came out in the 10 gig and also purchased the PlayDock 200. The sound is every bit as good as BOSE. When the 20 gig came out, I gave a drooling friend my 10 gig and upgraded to the 20. It has worked perfectly, every day, every time and being able to go on weekend vacations with a sound system that will rival most home systems ... and have ALL of my music with me... PRICELESS. 10 stars from me

The sound is excellent- better than iPod. The only real downside is the Creative software. Invest $25 for Notmad Explorer from Red Chair Software. It will make all the difference in the world. In conclusion, I am very happy with this purchase. The price was unbeatable- for the 20 Gb Nomad Jukebox I paid $200 which is about $250 less than the comparable iPod.

My son has a CD / MP3 player and has to take CD's with him wherever he goes. I don't take anything but the player and some portable speakers (when I'm traveling afar). Although its heavy and bigger than other units, I found a good carrying case that allows me to listen to music while I walk, but it is a little cumbersome, but definately do-able. The instructions were so complicated that after 3 months, I still haven't been able to organize my play lists in the order I want, but now I've learned to make do and just listen to the music in a random mode - but that's not a preferrable system of organization. It's just too hard to edit and download. I also bought new headphones and the sound quality is great. I bought one for my niece for college and am buying another for my daughter. I love the Nomad Jukebox and would recommend it to anybody.

The creative jokebox is a great way to take all your mp3's away with you to listen to, however for taking down town with you while you walk round shopping its hard to find a pocket that would fit it. Plus for everyday listening to music who needs 20gb of music anyway, i thought i did, but i aint even filled half of it. Also another problem is that it runs on 4 batteries and they dont last long enough, be lucky to get 6 hours out of them.

Pros: can record, nice menus, good firmware
Cons: scrollwheel, no Ogg-Vorbis support, not worth $300

To start, I've already been through three of these machines in the last 8 mos! I baby the machine; it is never bumped, rattled, shaken, or stirred! It has the protective cover, and sits in its own foam bassinet in my car... That said, the darn thing was built for a museum, and not to enjoy. The scroll wheel is the single most used part of the device, and it does not last... bottom line! If the scroll wheel worked well (and lasted) it would be worth the money. so far I have dished out half the price of the unit on paying for extended warranties for the three devices so far. I've had my fill of this thing, and have since upgraded when the last one failed on me. I am taking a new chance on the Rio Karma 20gig. so far so good. all the things the nomad does, but better.

Pros: worked well when it worked
Cons: COMPANY AVOIDS WARRANTIES go to web site or try a call BEFORE you buy.

While the company claims it has a warranty- just try to contact them! My expensive jukebox broke down within the one year warranty- no emails or calls are answered. I have a several hundred dollar pile of electronics- gee I can salvage the hard drive- big deal- it is only worth 80 if I needed it. I went and bought a DVD PLAYER THAT PLAYS MP3. NEVER BUY ARCHOS PRODUCTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully soon there will be a class action against these crooks.

Warner Recabaren
mailto:warnerr@4lightwave.com