iPod Nano vs Zune

[cawblen]

Greetings all,

I know there are other threads about either one of these products but i need some assistance choosing between the two. I'm in the market for an inexpensive mp3 player to use mainly in my car (i spend alot of time driving/traffic). I'm hoping you all can help me indicate the pros and cons of each of these products and maybe a reason for your preference. The only thing i can safely say in advance is that i really can't stand iTunes but i guess i'm willing to overlook if necessary.

Thanks in advance!

iPod Nano (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10111565&catid=24613&test_cookie=1)
Zune (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10105604&catid=26478&test_cookie=1)
Wireless FM Transmitter (http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=017219&cid=MP.828) (same brand and price for Zune)

[Kagger]

I think I'm getting the 3rd gen Ipod Nano.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPod-nano-Black-Generation/dp/B000JO3N3S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227214480&sr=8-1

I read some pretty bad reviews on the 4th gen one.

Another reason is they changed the plug on 4th nanos, so it won't work with existing FM Transmitter docks, which is a problem for me. My dad and friend (who I ride to and from college with) both have an older one.

[Telefrog]

Well, if your going by price, it looks like the answer is obvious since one is significantly less expensive.

[Disgustipated]

Zunes are awesome. Period.

[cawblen]

Zunes are awesome. Period.

thanks for that really in depth analysis ;)

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Grab a 30gb Zune off eBay for less than either of those and be happier.

[Shadowstorm]

Hey, if you want to save a few bucks, go for this transmitter (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018P7WZ2).

I also would like to throw another vote in for Zune. Something to keep in mind, however: the 30GB Zune has an EQ function, whereas the newer models do not (the reason given by the Zune team on Zune.net was to conserve battery life).

For those of you who already own Zunes, I implore you to email the folks at Rockbox.org and ask them to develop custom firmware.

[cawblen]

Hey, if you want to save a few bucks, go for this transmitter (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018P7WZ2).


oooo this transmitter looks nice...do you have first hand experience with it? how does it perform? The reason i was going with the Monster FM cable is that i know it's reliable and static free. Thanks for your input!

[Hexxagonal]

The Monster transmitter is the best one I've ever used / had. It will even blow through regular FM channels w/o static.

Go Zune. I also hate iTunes but like the Zune app quite a bit (although there isn't as many features in it). I switched to Zune last year... and love it.

[cawblen]

WOOOO 100 posts!! :D

Ok back on topic...thanks for the input so far guys.

Come on, i know they're alot more of you that own these products...help me out here!

[Disgustipated]

thanks for that really in depth analysis ;)

The 30 GB Zune is still competitive with iPods. They add more and more awesome stuff each update. Thanks to the 3.1 update, I was playing Checkers in the doctor's office yesterday when I had no other entertainment available. Playing Checkers while jamming out to tunes is slick.

Plus, the 30 GB is so cheap, how could you not desire its beautiful little body in your big, warm hands?

[JayVe]

I got an old Toshiba Gigabeat S (40 gigs) and put Rockbox on it. The thing is a monster. Built a custom Metroid Prime Visor skin for it, loaded it with movies and music, and took it with me to Europe. Battery goes 16hrs + when listening to audio. Also has a few games, and a damn nice GameBoy Color emulator on it. Requires no special software... just plug it in and it shows up as a drive. Even the ID3 tags (usually indexed by desktop software) are indexed right on the machine IN THE BACKGROUND, allowing you to conduct searches on ID3 details

Cost me less than $90 on Ebay.

Edit: Also has text-to-speech, which can read aloud song info or battery levels.

[Disgustipated]

I got an old Toshiba Gigabeat S (40 gigs) and put Rockbox on it. The thing is a monster. Built a custom Metroid Prime Visor skin for it, loaded it with movies and music, and took it with me to Europe. Battery goes 16hrs + when listening to audio. Also has a few games, and a damn nice GameBoy Color emulator on it. Requires no special software... just plug it in and it shows up as a drive. Even the ID3 tags (usually indexed by desktop software) are indexed right on the machine IN THE BACKGROUND, allowing you to conduct searches on ID3 details

Cost me less than $90 on Ebay.

Edit: Also has text-to-speech, which can read aloud song info or battery levels.

I have the Gigabeat S 40 GB, I use it as a portable HDD. The thing is shit, to me. The fucking... finger-slider thing... awful. Always pissed me off.

[Shadowstorm]

oooo this transmitter looks nice...do you have first hand experience with it? how does it perform? The reason i was going with the Monster FM cable is that i know it's reliable and static free. Thanks for your input!

Never, ever buy anything with Monster on it. Monster-anything is extremely overrated and overpriced. You can get an equivalent quality cable for less than 95% of what you would spend on a Monster product.

Yes, I have first hand experience with what I linked to you. I own it. Ridiculously easy set up: just plug-in your Zune, tune the transmitter's FM station to 87.3 (or any other unused lower band frequency. Depends on the region you're in), tune your vehicle's station to the same station you tuned the transmitter and you're done.

As far as static goes, I really have not had a problem with it. Sometimes, I will pass a semi who is using the same station, but that's it, really. I say go for it. I'm quite happy with it.

I definitely recommend the Zune as well. It just feels like a more durable, reliable and better looking product in my opinion.

[cawblen]

Never, ever buy anything with Monster on it. Monster-anything is extremely overrated and overpriced. You can get an equivalent quality cable for less than 95% of what you would spend on a Monster product.

Yes, I have first hand experience with what I linked to you. I own it. Ridiculously easy set up: just plug-in your Zune, tune the transmitter's FM station to 87.3 (or any other unused lower band frequency. Depends on the region you're in), tune your vehicle's station to the same station you tuned the transmitter and you're done.

As far as static goes, I really have not had a problem with it. Sometimes, I will pass a semi who is using the same station, but that's it, really. I say go for it. I'm quite happy with it.

I definitely recommend the Zune as well. It just feels like a more durable, reliable and better looking product in my opinion.


thanks for the advice. in your opinion, what does the zune do better than the ipod? what does it have that the ipod doesn't? (and vice verse)

[KingGorilla]

If you can't stand iTunes, be sure you try the Zune software before you make a buying decision, it would be an understatement to say it is "not for everybody." As a podcast junkie, I found it particularly lacking on the store front.

I would strongly suggest not going with a 100-130 dollar flash player when comprable hard disc players can be had for a similar price, same battery life, but better storage. 4GB is not a lot of space, it is not a lot if you plan on video especially.

I did just read this gem though sort of a rent to own model for music.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081120-zune-pass-subscribers-get-to-keep-10-songs-not-yet-perfect.html

[Smoof]

Gigabeats are okay, pretty shit though. I have (had) an F-series before it shit out on me. The navigation was annoying as shit with the cross and Toshiba doesn't bother to support it at all. After the Gigabeat, I bought a Zune 30 from someone on EvAv for $60 and it's been the best $60 I ever spent.

[JayVe]

I have the Gigabeat S 40 GB, I use it as a portable HDD. The thing is shit, to me. The fucking... finger-slider thing... awful. Always pissed me off.
The finger slider is much better using RockBox instead of the shitty default software. Community developed software FTW!

[NoName]

Rockbox makes everything work better.

As for the original poster's question, I'd go with a Zune. Both choices will play music. The Zune has really nifty software (Microsoft's strong point [relatively]) which puts it on top. And it keeps getting better.

[JayVe]

Rockbox makes everything work better.

As for the original poster's question, I'd go with a Zune. Both choices will play music. The Zune has really nifty software (Microsoft's strong point [relatively]) which puts it on top. And it keeps getting better.

I'd read that Microsoft's music subscription service will let you keep 10 songs a month now. Normally, you get all the songs you want, until you unsubscribe from the service. But this new plan also allows you to tag up to 10 songs a month, and save them in a DRM-free MP3 format.

Maybe enough to get me to switch..;. as I hear great stuff about the software.

[Restlessavenger]

I'd read that Microsoft's music subscription service will let you keep 10 songs a month now. Normally, you get all the songs you want, until you unsubscribe from the service. But this new plan also allows you to tag up to 10 songs a month, and save them in a DRM-free MP3 format.

Maybe enough to get me to switch..;. as I hear great stuff about the software.

I actually just got back from Best Buy, picked up a 120 GB system (comes with a free dock pack). The 10 songs a month was exactly what led me to make the switch