Creative MuVo V100 2 GB MP3 Player (White)

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!!

(I'd like to see more reviews which talk of access issues, similar to the following review.) First I'll give the pluses. What I consider a plus for the MuVo V-100 is the direct plug and play access without any stinkin' proprietory software to muck around with. That, to me, is more a must than a plus! Second plus, although, not necessarily anything real big or important, is the fact one can take this equipment apart and just use the guts of the unit, when separated from the battery pack, as a thumb drive. Third plus and must, is the multiple level directories one can work with, the way mp3 players should work in mine humpble opinion, not this single directory junk where the device does it's own numbering system according to when each file was loaded into the player. That's a big fat minus where the Ipod shuffle, or any other device like that is concerned. Fourth plus is, of course, the space at 2 gigabytes. Now for the minuses, which are unfortunately way more than the plusses. Firstly, there are only four buttons or switches on this device, volume up and down, scroll switch, and play/power button. So, right there, you know that the scroll switch is going to be the main controlling factor on this unit as far as moving from track to track, or going through menues which I'll get to in a bit. Secondly, no audio feedback, of course, unless you stay in "Music" or maybe "recorded tracks," and you turn the device on by holding the play/power button for roughly five seconds, then wait for the unit to boot up, which can take upwards of 12 seconds, depending upon how much data is stored. As for the menues -- which are accessed by pressing the scroll switch -- they do not default. So, even if you memorize the menues, you have to remember where the heck you left off at. So, if you left off at Microphone, there's a possibility that once you manage to turn the device on, you might be continuing the recording. Oh, to select what you want in a menu, you press the scroll switch again. And, of course, there is no audible monitor through the headset when you record. So, of course, you have to ask a sighted person if the recorder is going. Oh, speaking of having a sighted person help, what is with these stupid symbols rather than actual written text stating where one is in the menues? Furthermore, what is with this bad habit of these devices that stay in a menu for no more than maybe 5 seconds at the most? For someone trying to help a blind person out, or for someone with difficulty with focus issues, that just does not work, people! Hellllllllo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for recording, the quality is poor. Now, I'm taking into consideration the fact that the recordings are being done in low bit-rate wave files. However, the recording volume -- or maybe it's the volume setting used for "recorded tracks" -- is very much lacking. We won't discuss how badly put together the mannual provided on the accompanying CD-rom was. No step by step instructions on how to work the device, just some cursory explanation of some of the features. So, here's my final grading of the MuVo V-100 by Creative. I give it an A for concept, an A for space,, However, for ease of use and accessibility, I give it a D minus. Why a D minus rather than an F for accessibility? Well, as long as you stay in "music" and as long as you don't accidentally press the scroll switch before moving it left or right to go from track to track, or for scanning tracks, then you're okay. Secondly -- for folks who are left handed, one can go into the settings menu and rotate the display. I guess that can actually be a help if a blind person is getting help from a sighted person and it makes it easier for the sighted person to se the screen. Creative seemed to have had a neat idea when they made the first MuVo with no display. However, I got the impression that those particular models were lacking in space.

I bought this mp3 player over 3 years ago. I see now that this model is no longer available, but it is the best mp3 player I have ever owned. I have my entire music collection in mp3 format and I am not fond of the iTunes system so iPods are out for me. I really like the fact that you can remove the hard drive portion and plug it into a computer like a USB thumb drive. The sound quality is very good, better than I thought it would be given how little I paid for it. I also like the fact that it uses a single AAA battery, which is easily replaced almost anywhere in the world if it runs out. The battery life is simply amazing and I have never used more than 3 batteries for extended vacations.

I purchased one of the Creative MuVo TX FM 1GB units about two years ago and spent hundreds of hours listening to books on tape and downloaded lectures on it. I loved this thing and when the jog wheel/switch finally gave out, I ordered its successor, the MuVo V100 2GB player. What a difference - they've cheapened the quality of the plastic so that the whole device flexes. I don't care to see light through the gaps in an electric device. I couldn't believe that this unit would last as long as the previous device, so I immediately returned it and ordered another MuVo TX FM. I'm not sure how much longer this older unit will be around, so I may have to order a second as a spare. BTW all of these units have the same multifunction jog wheel/push button switch and it is their one great weak point. Too much stess is put on that one critical piece.

I have a few other flash players and, in comparison, this is the poorest purchase. I bought it because it plays audible and fits a niche between my 1g players and my much larger ones. The sound of the music is comparable to the other players. The cons for me are as follows: 1. I always lock my player both while listening and while off. The muvo's lock is in the settings section rather than being a simple switch. That makes it inconvenient to lock quickly. 2. Transferring files to the muvo takes much longer than with the other players. 3. The usb needs to connect directly to the computer- not to a hub. It's thicker than a regular usb connection. On my computer the way the usb ports are set up, it took up two slots. 4. The navigation system is similar to the one on my Iriver t10 but not as stable. 5. A minor complaint is that it came with no case or arm strap. The size is comparable to the Iriver t10 and to the Sansa both of which come with cases. For someone who is new to mp3 players, I would recommend the comparably prices Sansa m250. It is far simpler to use and has similar features with fewer negatives. An update: I've been using this player now for a few months. Far from growing on me, I am even more unhappy with it. I'd lower my rating if I could. I alternate between this and my older 1GB Sansa. It takes 20 minutes to transfer 1 book to the Muvo and 5 minutes for the same files with the Sansa. Possibly the Muvo still uses the defunct 1.1USB format. The 2GB version of my Sansa is the same price as this player and is a far better player. It also has a radio and voice recorder. SanDisk SDMX3-2048 Sansa M250 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)

I've had two Creative MuVo players before this one: Creative MuVo 1 GB player (the red one) and 512 MB version (blue). My husband accidentally destroyed his (the blue one) so I gave him my red one. Well, I was finally getting around to replacing mine, and I was looking for the red 1 GB player. Unfortunately, it's discontinued. Should I buy the new V100 2 GB, I wondered? (One of the reasons I didn't because it was white. What a let down compared to the great-looking previous versions. Ugh.) I impetuously bought a Philips 1 GB player, but after looking at it in its package once I got home...I just couldn't open it. It was chunky looking--a gray rectangle the size of an extra-large Wrigley's chewing gum package. Plus, the USB wasn't connected to the player like the Creative MuVo's. So I returned it to Stuff Mart...and then bought the MuV100 2 GB. I've been using it for a few days now and it plays just as great as the older version in terms of sound. In fact...I think it plays better. I'm listening to all my Rush songs and, I swear to God, I'm hearing things I've never heard before! However, navigation is a pain. I can't figure out how to arrange the folders--they've added extras like "favorites" and such...ack. I just wanted a simple player to arrange my music by folder! I've even tried to mess with the Creative Media Solutions that comes with it to organize the music, and I can't figure it out. So I just went back to burning, going to My Music, and sending to my J: Drive. I love the fact that the USB part disassembles and goes directly in the port, as opposed to having to use cables (which is what most, if not all, MP3 players other than Creative use.) There is supposedly a feature where you can get lyrics, but I don't plan on using that feature, nor the recording features. The earbuds are large like the other ones--and not very comfortable. I'll no doubt be switching to my other headphones. The reason I gave this MP3 player four stars is not only because of the color and frustration with navigability, but also because of the lack of the rubbery plastic holder that came with previous versions. That's right--there is NOTHING provided for hooking your MP3 player to your pants or belt. However, my husband happened to save the holder from the MP 3 player that he dropped/broken--and it works fine with this MP3. Whew! Light as a feather with good sound, the Creative MuVo V100 is a fine MP3 player. I just wish Creative hadn't messed with a good thing by complicating the menus...

this is my second creative mp3. my first (the zen nano plus) lasted over 2 years through rain, sweat, dirt (trail running). i searched high and low to see if there was anything better for running and did not find it. the flash memory is perfect for the jarring it takes. it has an optional belt clip (i hate the arm thingy). it's the smallest thing out there that's not an i-something. i got the 2gb this time. the technology has improved since my last purchase and while it won't shuffle between folders, each folder will now hold 500 songs. the headphones still suck and are obviously not made for runners so i'm using some from sony that have more comfortable earbuds. i love that i just pull it apart & it is it's own usb to my computer. so easy. no wires. also, i love the fact that it uses 1 AAA battery. no recharger necessary. one battery lasts a long time even for 5-6 hour training runs. it's a great product and a huge value for the money.

This is my second MUVO and I find them rock solid players that do what they're supposed to do: play music. And they do it without bells and whistles I don't need. I've bought and returned more expensive players but my MUVOs have never let me down. My little 256 lasted for years and is still going strong. I only bought the 2 gig for more space. I also like being able to pop in a new AAA battery and keep on my way when the old one dies as opposed to trying to find an outlet and waiting for a battery to recharge. I have been things to do with my time. And one AAA easily lasts abotu 20 hours. If you're seeking snob status, this one isn't for you. If you just want one great little mp3 player that'll last forever, then here it is. Oh, and you can plug it directly into you computer and use it as a thumb drive, too.