Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen Xtra 40 GB MP3 Player

I think that several reviewers are confusing this player with the last generation 40 Gig player. One reviewer pointed out the differences in the packaging and the protective case between the two earlier, and that reviewer was right on the money.

This model is shipped as described by the previous reviewer, and has the latest firmware installed. Mine is too new to give a long term report on, but it seems to be a top quality unit so far. The USB 2.0 port is awesome fast. I dowmloaded 1700 MP3 and WMV files to my Nomad this evening without a hitch, and each batch was completed before I could select the next batch. Very fast compared to the old USB standard.

The controls and layout are great. I don't know if there is a difference between new and old, but even the selector wheel has a good feel to it, and I have not had a misfire when selecting a menu item with it. I do agree that it would be nice to have an audio tone to go along with button movement, but it isn't...Read more

According to nomadness.net, Creative Labs fixed the problem (that being, of course, the faulty headphone jack) -- shipments of new, corrected Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra players have been in stores for a little over a month now.

There are two ways to tell if you have the fixed Zen version.

#1. If the package you bought it in was heat-sealed, then you have the correct version. Heat-sealed means that it takes a lot of manpower plus knives/scissors to open up the package. The plastic is literally sealed together, not just glued together like with the old version. (You may want to pick this up at a real store instead of amazon.com, because you'll be able to see the package for yourself before buying. That is unless Amazon can confirm details about the package.)

#2. If the carry case for the Zen has a hole for the display. The older faulty version does not have this case, as you can tell from some negative reviews. So, if you put the case on the Zen and...Read more

I will try to give the best explanation of why this device should be chosen over every other player out there. I am 19 years old (using my mom's Amazon S/N to write this review for you all) and in college so I need something I can commute with and listen to all my CD's. I have had an mp3 player ever since the first Nomad came out from the CreativeLabs. I use to care about the size of the unit, but after the experience I have had, I much rather sacrafice size for quality. I started with a Nomad Jukebox 3 which was not only the heaviest and largest mp3 player out there (but back then only 1 of 3 players on the market), but it was one of the BEST SOUNDING mp3 players I ever witnessed. Not only was the quality superb, but the features were so much more than others had to offer. I am teched out in my room from PDA's to mp3's so I love to search for the best and let everyone else know how good a product is. I went from the nomad jukebox 3, to the rio karma, to the ipod, then iriver...Read more