Lightweight 2 GB flash audio player with support for MP3 and WMA formats
Reversible, blue backlit LCD flips for viewing in either direction; holds 1,000 WMA songs
Built-in microphone for voice recording; doubles as portable mass storage drive
Integrated USB 2.0 connection plugs directly into PC; runs for 18 hours on AAA battery
5-band equalizer; measures 2.93 x 0.59 x 1.44 inches (W x H x D); 1-year parts warranty
Rating: - Excellent mp3 player!
I debated whether to go with the Muvo 100 or an ipod and I'm glad I went with this one. What I like:
-you plug it straight into the computer and can just drag and drop whatever you want into it. My husband has an ipod and personally, itunes is just plain frustrating as a middleman.
-it runs on one AAA battery and it lasts a LONG time (and its easy to carry a spare).
-it has three "favorites" folders (Library A, B and C) to sort your music into. Side note: I've also used one of the libaries to hold an audiobook that had too many tracks for the "root" menu. It worked wonderfully.
-it is light and small and I can stick it in my pocket or clip it on. Side note: if you get the armband for it (if you cant find it, look at the Creative website for it), it comes with a silicone case with a clip on it and you dont have to use it with the actual armband.
-it puts each audiobook into a folder (you can create folders). On my husband's ipod, when he goes to the "audiobook" section it doesnt list just the books, it lists all the tracks for every book and you have to scroll thru them all. Of course these are imported books from a disc, not downloaded from itunes or audible. It may be different if we used that instead. Side note: dont try to rename Library A, B or C...it doesnt like that.
-it's price! I didnt want to spend big bucks on something that can break so easily. If I break this one it wont be hundreds of dollars down the drain. (I've had it 3 months and it's actually pretty tough!)
-you dont have to worry about fingerprints or scratches
What I dont like:
-I'd like more than 2GB, but it's not a deal breaker (I can get 3 of these for the price of an ipod nano!).
-no bookmark feature. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and it does start playing where you left off, which is nice. But if you go listen to something else (like music), you lose your place.
-you cant arrange the folders however you want, but this is a fairly minor issue. At least you can create folders!
The main problem I have is the bookmark feature. That would be really nice. But all in all, I like this Muvo a lot. My husband's ipod is the brand spanking new 160GB one and I was overly impressed with the space!! But I was less than impressed with the player itself. It's big, bulky, and not as user friendly as you'd expect for the price. At least with this 2GB Muvo, you can afford several of them!!
Rating: - How to Increase Battery Life
I've had a much older version of the product for years and it still works great. Mine has no voice recording or LCD display, so I can't say anything about the those new features, but presumably it is otherwise quite similar to (if not better than, with improvements) mine. So with that qualification, I highly recommend Creative MuVo in general and plan to buy a newer one with more memory.
HINT: The most useful information I've discovered about the MuVo is that you can *drastically* increase battery life by unplugging the battery pack while it's not in use. You don't have to completely separate the two parts; just pull them about 5mm apart, i.e. far enough that the USB is disconnected and the MuVo can't be turned on. Otherwise there's a constant, small power drain even when the MuVo is off.
I don't use my MuVo everyday, and if I leave it plugged together for a week the battery will be dead, so I just leave it slightly unplugged. It's possible this aspect has been improved somewhat with newer models, such that it would drain more slowly than mine does, but some battery drain is inherent in the design. This kind of power button basically has to stay "semi-conscious" waiting to be pushed. But if you disconnect the USB plug, it's the same as removing the battery entirely.
Also, other reviewers noted that the MuVo V100 plays MP3s in order of filename, folder by folder. If so, that seems great for full albums, since the default for most CD-ripping software is to name audio files starting with track number. (Or you easily rename them later with such software as the extremely useful "MP3Tag".)
On my older model, however, MP3s are played in the order that they were copied onto the flash drive. The tricky bit is that Windows does not copy files in the order you'd expect. For example, if you copied a whole album at once, Windows might actually copy the files in this order: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,1,2,3. Almost in order, but with one or more from the beginning shifted to the end. You can work around it one way or another if you care to trouble yourself, though apparently it shouldn't be an issue with the MuVo V100. But it's the kind of Windows idiosyncrasy it can come in handy to be aware of, just FYI.
Rating: - This beats the IPOD hands down!
The Creative MP3 players get 10 stars from me. Very compact and incredibly versitale, excellent sound quality. And I LOVE these units that use changable AA batteries and not the ones you have to charge. Nothing worse then running out of battery power in the middle of a workout etc!
Rating: - Almost Perfect
I had one of the little red Creative MuVo players and I used it constantly for audio books - one right after the other for several years. I also used it when I jogged. Unfortunately I think I left it in a shower room at a campground, so I thought I'd treat myself to another one. This time I got the 2GB white version. Aside from the color... wish it was something other than white, the only thing I dislike is that it did not come with a belt clip. I can not live with an MP3 player without a belt clip and finding a reasonably priced one that will reasonably fit this player has been very difficult. That's a real bummer.
Creative MuVo V100 2 GB MP3 Player (White) Reviews
- 
-