The 20-30GB Nomad Jukebox Zen NX is Creative's latest hard disk-based MP3/WMA player; an evolution of predecessor, the Zen. The model we reviewed was a 20GB unit, which equates to around 667 hours of 64Kbps WMA encoding, or 333 hours of 128Kbps MP3 encoding.
Navigating through all that could be a nightmare, so audio files can be automatically indexed by ID3 tags, and can therefore be, categorised by artist, genre, album and so forth. A find-function will also let you track your tracks alphabetically. Still, you don't want to have to play around with giant lists all the time - so, thankfully, creating and editing your own playlists are a breeze.
The Zen NX ships with Creative's MediaSource software - something that will help you rip your CDs and create digital libraries. Another handy feature is the Zen NX's Smart Volume Management feature- it will try to normalise volume variations across your digital tracks, thus preventing the annoying tendency of some MP3s to be too quiet, and some overly loud.
The Zen NX is also versatile enough to let you store any type of file. This means it's also functions as a portable hard drive, with a file manager thrown in to help manage storage. Connectivity is served by a USB 2.0 interface, so transferring files is nice and fast.
The nicest thing about using the Zen NX has to be its 'touchwheel' navigation. It's trivial - but cool - and it's in contrast to its other controls, that may require involvement from your fingernail.
Battery life is rated at around 14 hours, just like the previous model, but this time it's a rechargable Lithium Ion cell. Now, the Zen NX boasts 14 hours of continuous play with one battery - this means you can just swap batteries when you run out of juice.
We really feel that the music would have sounded better if not for the earbud phones. If you want to enjoy your music, you might want to buy a better set of cans. Line-in recording is absent - so, it can't offer even basic voice recording, while some cheaper MP3 players do. And even though the Creative has made the Zen NX slimmer than the Zen, it's looks chunky compared with the sleeker, and lighter, iPod.
The NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX ships with a designer black travel pouch with belt clip (looks uncannily similar to the iPod's), and power adapter.
The Zen NX does not break through any technological barriers, but it does offer technology equivalent to that offered in the iPod for just over half the price; a 15GB iPod flirts with around $600, and a 30GB teeters just under $1,000, while the 20GB Zen is under $500.