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General discussion

iRiver h10 5GB vs. Zen Micro 5GB

Jul 7, 2005 6:46PM PDT

I'm looking to buy my first mp3 player and these two players seem like good choices. I have heard some problems about both models' scrollpads. I have also heard that you made need some pricey accessories to attach the iRiver to a power adapter and you need a cradle for line-in recording. I also heard that the FM on the Zen has bad reception. Could you guys tell me if wut i heard is true? It would also help if you recomended one ( and a reason why, of course ) ; thanks in andvance : ) .

Discussion is locked

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Zen Micro
Jul 8, 2005 12:09AM PDT

Both pads are touchy.
Both don't really get good FM reception.
Creative is a trusted brand.
iRiver tends to overprice their products.

I like the Zen Micro.

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Zen Micro has good FM reception
Jul 8, 2005 6:04AM PDT

I use a Zen Micro and the FM reception is fine (and the preset function is a dream). Just keep in mind that with any player, reception depends on the headphones acting as an antennae, so if you decide to plug a player into some speakers or something, FM reception will be awful.

The good, the bad, and the ugly:
*The Zen Micro's touchpad can be overly sensitive, and takes some getting used to, but overall, having all the controls on the front of the player makes for easier navigation. The H10 has the touchstrip on the front and other controls on the side, so you have to constantly move your thumb/finger quite a bit. To me, the H10 touchstrip responded "interestingly" - too sensitive sometimes, and not sensitive enough others.
*No line-in option for the Zen Micro. The H10 requires a cradle for this, which I believe costs $40 extra (!!), and I've seen it in person and it's a cheapish plastic deal.
*Neither the Zen Micro nor the H10 include a power adapter in the box, though both can be charged via USB.

I have the option of using either of these players on a daily basis and I consistently choose the Micro.

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Rio Carbon Pearl
Jul 8, 2005 9:36AM PDT

I was just going thru this same thing about 2 weeks ago. I chose the Carbon Pearl 6g. I got it for 198.00 Shipped 2 day, and I couldnt be happier.

I wasnt in need of radio and the Carbon doesnt have a FM tuner but from what I heard, none of the daps (in this range) get good reception. It also gives you an extra gig for pretty much the same price. I liked the feel of the scroll wheel and premium case that it came with is very nice. I personally didnt like the feel of the zen or the H10. Another big factor for me was Audible support. I like listening to ebooks and the only players in the 5-6g range are the carbon and the ipod mini.

The only thing I dont like about the pearl is the screen. I wish it were color, but hopefully by the time Im ready to upgrade there will be a nice colored screen dap that supports Audible.

If I were to choose between the H10 and the micro, I would go with the Micro. Because it does have a better sound.

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h10 vs, zen micro
Jul 25, 2005 8:06PM PDT

I have a iriver h10 and my brother has a zen micro so i have used both. The zen is smaller and feels better in your hand. The sound quality of the two is the same when set to the same EQ or when its off but the H10 has more EQ so i have found one that gives better sound over the zen. Is this a Amercan site coz i have heard of americans complaining that they don't get charges or software. Im from Aus. and i got everything other then the stand. The touch strip is real sensitive on the zen but is set well on the H10 which also has sensitivity settings. The H10 strip can also be used as a button so if you dont like the pad use it as a button it does the same thing. The problem with the zen is the OS is not as easy to use, no coloured screen good earphones. The H10 is a bit slower but has coloured screen and the OS is set out better. also the H10 the screen completely turns off not just the backlight.It can't have screen on heaps, if you get a H10 try to keep the screen off because the screen does suck the battery dry.