Creative - NOMAD Jukebox Zen Xtra 60GB MP3 Player Review

I originally purchased this MP3 player in 2005.  At the time it was the biggest MP3 player on the market and actually cheaper (by a lot) than the 40GB iPod.  I have an extensive CD collection and wanted something that would hold as much as possible.  Even though this player delivered a respectable 60GB, it isn't without it's flaws and I have probably had more issues than I would have liked including:

• Needed hard drive replacement just outside 90-day warranty after only very light use; luckily Creative agreed to do it for free since it was so close to warranty expiration.
• All files were stored in one directory with old firmware (1.x); newer firmware (2.x) fixed this and allowed for hierarchtical folder structure.
• Firmware update (to 2.x) kills player; I finally just recently revived this player have after a nearly 2 year hiatas.  To do so one MUST use a computer with the following: Windows XP SP1, Windows Media Player 10, Driver version 2.00.03.

Other than the above, the player is okay (i.e. it plays music and has a lots of capacity) but there are plenty of missing features:

• It doesn't have a jog dial (thumb wheel) though which would be nice.  The menus can get cumptersome to navigate with the up/down toggle dial, but I generally listen to full albums anyway, so this isn't a huge issue. 
• Since this player uses a hard drive for storage, you really need to be careful since dropping it or fast movements can cause problems. 
• Also, even though this player has a USB 2.0 interface, transfer rates aren't that great since the internal hard drive is probably only 4,200 RPM. 
• A protective case is included, but one issue with it is that you have to more or less take it off to charge the player since the flap with the snap that holds it one covers the power jack. 
• Also, unlike the iPod, there is no docking port so there really aren't any docks or accessories for this player.
• Player uses proprietary .zpl format play list.  It is not compatible with .m3u playlists.
• Creative MediaSource Player-Organizer does not seem to work with Windows XP SP2 at all due to MSXML and Jet Database issues (3rd party Notmad Explorer software seems to work okay though).
• Large physical size (About the size of a cassette player); not necessarily useful for exercising, but works okay in the car with FM transmitter which is why I originally purchased this player.

Never fear, there is at least one good feature:

• Unlike the iPod at the time, the battery can be removed and replaced in the Creative Zen Xtra. 

All my MP3s are at least 256 bit.  That means that this 60GB player can only hold about 60 full albums...