The Creative Labs Nomad IIc is one of those gadgets that are so much fun to play with, you find yourself forgetting they're useful, too. When portable MP3 players first hit the market, they were relatively simple devices good for one thing: playing MP3 files. Now, as companies have learned customers want more than just that, today's devices can no longer be described as just MP3 players. The Nomad IIc's most overlooked feature is that it is a digital voice recorder. Since voice recordings aren't the memory hogs that music files are, the Nomad IIc can record up to four hours' worth. This feature is perfect for dictating messages to yourself or for the fledging journalist recording interviews, and you can even upload voice files from the Nomad IIc to your PC.
From an audio perspective, the Nomad IIc couldn't have performed any better. The equalizer had good settings, and the ability to program user-defined settings was awesome. A wired remote control and bass-enhanced, behind-the-head headphones completed the package.
MP3 players are great for music lovers on the go. Because they have no moving parts, they're well-known for delivering skip-free music. To test the Nomad IIc, we loaded it up with some hip-hop and headed down to the local BMX spot in San Francisco. With the player clipped to a belt, we put it through its paces over a multitude of jumps, with more than enough crashes. We did our best to make it skip, but it performed perfectly (but beware--the Nomad IIc isn't scratch-proof). Only after the battery started to get low (the Nomad IIc offers 8 to 10 hours of playback) did performance degrade. But this was easily remedied by dropping in a new AA battery.
This version of the Nomad IIc has 128 MB of onboard memory, but it does include a slot for SmartMedia memory cards. As additional memory is still relatively expensive, and most of us don't have extra cards lying around the house, there will come a time when you'll tire of the songs on the device. And without the presence of your PC--and no additional SmartMedia cards--you'll be at a loss.
MP3 music, like everything else technology related, is in constant flux. Recognizing that, Creative Labs ships the Nomad IIc with reprogrammable firmware that should enable it to support digital audio formats and software extensions as they emerge. So you should be able to enjoy your Nomad IIc for years to come. --William O'Neal
Pros:
- Awesome sound
- Lightweight
- USB interface makes connecting to your computer simple and downloading fast
Cons: - Simple software could be more robust
- Navigating the LCD menu can be a pain
