Creative Nano Plus or U2?

ironbrandon · 10-08-2005, 22:22

I am going to buy an mp3 player in the next 2 days and I can't choose between the U2 and the Nano Plus from creative. They look about the same, but I heard the U2 was better and I was wondering if anyone has heard them both to compair and could tell me which is better in their opinion. I also was wondering what stores sell them in columbus ohio because I can't seem to find any other than target, and their price is about 180. I seen them online for 135 and up, but I can't find any stores that have them. Most stores have the Nano Plus...

usmc87 · 10-08-2005, 22:42

[fanboy review]
I think I could definitely help you out with this since I faced the exact same decision not too long ago. Btw, U2's are very difficult to find in any American retail store, I ended up ordering mine from newegg.com. Basically I think these two players are very close but it comes down to your lifestyle. If you're never more than 5 feet from a computer 24/7 then the U2 might be a better choice because you can charge it via USB--no AAA batteries to replace. If you're more of an outdoor person where you might want to use the mp3 player while spending several days away from a computer (ie. camping, etc.) the nano plus might be better so you can always just replace the battery quickly and never worry about charging it.

I was in Circuit City holding a Nano Plus in my hands when I decided to go home and order the U2 instead. The reason I did this is because I already owned an X5 so I know the quality Cowon puts into their products. Now that i've been using the U2 for a while I have to say I made the right decision. It's small, feature packed, imo has better sound quality than creative products, and I've definitely gotten a few wow's from it. I have no complaints about the battery either. I use the U2 for jogging (1hr/day) and randomly while working (1-2hrs/day) so with a 20 hour battery life I only have to spend 2hrs/week charging it.

EDIT: Thought I would also mention a big part of my decision was based on the navigation. I personally hate jog dials, the Creative Zen Xtra killed them for me. That made it a lot easier to choose the U2.
[/fanboy review]

ironbrandon · 10-08-2005, 23:26

Big thanks for the responce. You don't even know how long I tried to figure out this question on my own. It's going to be my first mp3 player and I really wanted to make the right choice. I use the computer a lot and will only listen to it during study hall or if I go snowboarding sometime winter break. If the battery life is 15 hours than thats plenty enough for me. I will go with the U2. It has more of a solid look to it and I like that. I will buy it online since I know its going to be too hard to find in a store for a reasonable price. Thanks for the help.

Now i just need to find a some good ear buds for decent price around 15-25 $

notguilty · 10-09-2005, 22:23

Creative players are good if you want super small, and a belt clip. There is a reason they're cheaper...

Oh, and forget ear buds! Koss KSC75

paps · 10-09-2005, 23:55

I just purchased a Nano V200 (similar to the Plus) for my wife -- I have a U2 and X5. She's not much of an audiophile like me, so I got her something simple for the gym. But I did test both devices using the same Shure ebuds. I didn't tell her this, but I was pretty disappointed with the Nano's sound quality and output. The U2 sounds so much better. It may be a little more expensive, but U2 better in terms of sound quality, overall build, LCD display, features, etc.

10-08-2005, 22:22	#1
ironbrandon Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 8	Creative Nano Plus or U2? I am going to buy an mp3 player in the next 2 days and I can't choose between the U2 and the Nano Plus from creative. They look about the same, but I heard the U2 was better and I was wondering if anyone has heard them both to compair and could tell me which is better in their opinion. I also was wondering what stores sell them in columbus ohio because I can't seem to find any other than target, and their price is about 180. I seen them online for 135 and up, but I can't find any stores that have them. Most stores have the Nano Plus... Last edited by ironbrandon; 10-08-2005 at 22:23.. Reason: miss spelled :D

10-08-2005, 22:42	#2
usmc87 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 100	[fanboy review] I think I could definitely help you out with this since I faced the exact same decision not too long ago. Btw, U2's are very difficult to find in any American retail store, I ended up ordering mine from newegg.com. Basically I think these two players are very close but it comes down to your lifestyle. If you're never more than 5 feet from a computer 24/7 then the U2 might be a better choice because you can charge it via USB--no AAA batteries to replace. If you're more of an outdoor person where you might want to use the mp3 player while spending several days away from a computer (ie. camping, etc.) the nano plus might be better so you can always just replace the battery quickly and never worry about charging it. I was in Circuit City holding a Nano Plus in my hands when I decided to go home and order the U2 instead. The reason I did this is because I already owned an X5 so I know the quality Cowon puts into their products. Now that i've been using the U2 for a while I have to say I made the right decision. It's small, feature packed, imo has better sound quality than creative products, and I've definitely gotten a few wow's from it. I have no complaints about the battery either. I use the U2 for jogging (1hr/day) and randomly while working (1-2hrs/day) so with a 20 hour battery life I only have to spend 2hrs/week charging it. EDIT: Thought I would also mention a big part of my decision was based on the navigation. I personally hate jog dials, the Creative Zen Xtra killed them for me. That made it a lot easier to choose the U2. [/fanboy review] Last edited by usmc87; 10-08-2005 at 22:48..

10-08-2005, 23:26	#3
ironbrandon Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 8	Big thanks for the responce. You don't even know how long I tried to figure out this question on my own. It's going to be my first mp3 player and I really wanted to make the right choice. I use the computer a lot and will only listen to it during study hall or if I go snowboarding sometime winter break. If the battery life is 15 hours than thats plenty enough for me. I will go with the U2. It has more of a solid look to it and I like that. I will buy it online since I know its going to be too hard to find in a store for a reasonable price. Thanks for the help. Now i just need to find a some good ear buds for decent price around 15-25 $ Last edited by ironbrandon; 10-08-2005 at 23:30..

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10-09-2005, 22:23	#4
notguilty ...not known as cerbie... Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 543	Creative players are good if you want super small, and a belt clip. There is a reason they're cheaper... Oh, and forget ear buds! Koss KSC75

10-09-2005, 23:55	#5
paps Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 42	I just purchased a Nano V200 (similar to the Plus) for my wife -- I have a U2 and X5. She's not much of an audiophile like me, so I got her something simple for the gym. But I did test both devices using the same Shure ebuds. I didn't tell her this, but I was pretty disappointed with the Nano's sound quality and output. The U2 sounds so much better. It may be a little more expensive, but U2 better in terms of sound quality, overall build, LCD display, features, etc.