I just bought this and was wondering who else here has one? I should get it anyday now.

Also what software should I use? I heard the bundled software that comes with it isn't so great.

The empeg is great and will be used for years to come but I cannot jog, workout, or use it on flights.

Mmm, with a 2.5" disk it's not an iPod killer - too big/heavy (apart from anything else, 2.5" disks necessitate a bigger battery due to the higher spinup currents, which again makes the unit bigger).

I've heard there's Notmad exploder (or something like that... try a web search for notmad) which is supposed to be much better, but I don't have a Nomad to try it on.

Hugo

Notmad Explorer

Yeah I am not sure if its an ipod killer or not. Maybe not. The size is not much bigger than the ipod at all. The battery life of 12hours will be good enough I think. Also these are $200 cheaper than the ipod. $350-$50MIR

It looks like it's not very much bigger:

101.6  61.0  21.3 == 132.1 cu. cm

112.6  75.9  24.5 == 209.4 cu. cm

or heavier:

204g

268g

I'd have to compare side-by side to get a good idea, though.

I still think the Creative Labs Nomad MuVo is the reall portable killer. The thing really doesn't weigh anything, it's super simple to use, you could probably beat the hell out of it, and you can do all those exercise-type things without even knowing it's there. Too bad it's Creative Labs. SB, you got a USB Memory device in the wing before I cave and by Creative?

Oh, and the fact that the MuVo is 128 meg is nice nice nice too. And at $150, it's a deal, I think. I wouldn't mind a digital briefcase for $150 that can play mp3s and fit in that little change pocket in my jeans.

Oh, and the fact that the MuVo is 128 meg is nice nice nice too. And at $150, it's a deal, I think.

???

You could get a 5GB iPod (forty times the storage) for twice the price. I realize that it's not as small, but still, it's not like it's big.

I have one and although it's not an Empeg killer (what is?) It certainly beats the Ipod in the value category. I use the Notmad software with it (redchair.com) as it is more explorer like. I think this shows some hackability.

The software on it is OK does a good job of queing things up (no gaps) and is reasonable at finding what song you want. Definitely get the remote as you can bury the player in your pack and still have reasonable control over it. My biggest complaint is that the display is hard read (too small) remote kinda solves this but is limited in info

It certainly beats the Ipod in the value category.

I didn't realise the Ipod was in the value category in the first place. However much cheaper it is, a Skoda is not a BMW-killer.

Peter

Your right, IPOD is not in the value category. But I would not infer that the Zen is a Skoda compared to an IPOD.
Simple fact:
IPOD 20 Gig is $499
Zen 20Gig is $299 ($50 rebate)

Zen has better sound (I know I tried both, FM option, Recording capability (10Min per file), IPOD has better display, software/interface is up for personal preference.

I would also bet that the Zen would be hackable too!

But I would not infer that the Zen is a Skoda compared to an IPOD.

I'm sure Skodas go along roads perfectly well, carry shopping, have headlights and stuff for when it's dark and generally work fine. I'm also sure few BMW owners would switch

Zen has better sound

Now that I'm interested in. Was that with the supplied headphones? The Ipod's headphones are, by a long way, the best I've heard on this kind of device. But I haven't heard the Zen.

Peter

Well according to tracking I should get the zen tomorrow. Can't wait to play with it.

AIB - What kind of headphones do you recommend? Looks like I will need to purchase notmad too.

I don't know anything about the Zen's sound, but my iPod sounds crappy. I have a pair of Panasonic HS35 (?) and the stock iPod headphones and neither sound very good. Nearly no bass, and the overall clarity is not so good either. I've plugged some other, much larger, headphones in too and they weren't any better. Even tried ripping my mp3's at high BR and it doesn't seem to help. Don't get me wrong, the iPod is still awesome at serving it's purpose, but it's far from being an audiophile piece.

BTW, just for refference, I've plugged my headphones into my Empeg via an RCA to stereo headphone adapter and the sound is great. Compared same songs, iPod to Empeg, and the Empeg sound is Night-and-Day better.

Here's my issue with iPod's sound.... It's too damn low. I hate the iPod headphones, so I use the wrap-around ones that came with my TDK Mojo. On both pairs the volume has to be almost all the way up for "comfortable listening."

I am to the point now that I would like a 20GB iPod so I can store all my tunes, but I don't want to spend $500 and risk crappy volume again.

Is anyone able to comment on converting a Mac iPod to FAT32? I did it to my 5GB first-gen mac-pod but the battery life seems to have suffered. Also, do the new iPods have a different type of dial? I think I heard something about that. It may have been only Windows ones though?

Whoah. The iPod too quiet? It's about the loudest portable on the market - something like 30+30mW on the headphone out... that's more than any other unit, I believe.

Obviously, if you don't have normalised MP3s then you'll lose some peak volume though.

Hugo

Oooo. Maybe mine is busted (too late now).
Mine is definitely lacking volume.

I also found the earbuds that came with it to sound pretty good. I can't use them, though, because they're much too large for my ears.

My point was that the IPOD and Zen are more closely related than skoda and BMW, to continue the car analogy I would say more like Audi and BMW. (being an M3 owner I would consider an RS4 if they were available here).

As far as the sound goes headphones are not really a test of anything but headphones. Hook them both up to a decent stereo and the difference will be apparent, especially in vocals and wide dynamic range stuff

"AIB - What kind of headphones do you recommend? Looks like I will need to purchase notmad too."

I have Sony noise cancelling headphones for mine (GOTTA have these if you fly a lot, I am definitely more rested on flights longer than 4 hours, someday I'll take SPL readings adn sue the airlines over the killer ambient noise levels in jets)

The headphones that come with the Zen are behind the head style and dont fit me very well. they have OK sound. I also have a pair of buds fron an old Compaq PA-1 that are fabulous for running

Also, do the new iPods have a different type of dial?

The 10 and 20gb models have a trackpad-like wheel with no moving parts that feels remarkably like the old physical wheel. They also come with an inline remote and belt holster case.

It's about the loudest portable on the market - something like 30+30mW on the headphone out... that's more than any other unit, I believe.

Just for reference/comparison, what is the output of the empeg's line-outs? Is it more than 30+30mW?

tanstaafl.

got the zen today.. Great device. I cannot compare it to the ipod because I don't have one but the zen is really nice and the sound quality is there.

ordered notmad for software. cost me $25 but its a snap to use and worth every penny.

now just need some good headphones (larger ones and small ear buds) anyone got suggestions? I think someone on here said ergo(sp) makes real nice ear buds?

-calvin

now just need some good headphones (larger ones and small ear buds) anyone got suggestions? I think someone on here said ergo(sp) makes real nice ear buds?

Best in-the-ear 'phones are Etymotics. But you won't like the price -- literally hundreds of dollars.

I have a nice set of Sony earbud phones that I cannot for the life of me remember the model number. Tony F. will know, he had to get them for me because the sellers wouldn't ship to Alaska. Cost about $40.

But the set I use the most (not as good sound-wise as the Sony, but very nearly so and much more convenient to use) is made by Optimus, got them at Radio Shack for a bit over $20.

tanstaafl.