Opinions on Creative Zen Micro

[suklee]

Zen Micro owners/potential owners:

Just wanted to let you guys know about the "headphone jack" problem. (which, I've heard, affects IPOD mini's as well)

Essentially, if you leave your headphones plugged in ALL THE TIME, the "back and forth wiggling" of the plug exerts force on the jack, to the point where tiny cracks will appear in the soldering joints between the jack and the circuit board. This will cause problems and glitches such as no vocals, only background music... random and intermittent power off/on ... and other odd behaviours.

We bought a Zen Micro back around Xmas 2004 and about a month ago started to experience problems as described above and believe it was directly attributed to this headphone jack problem. Took it into our local repair center : the guy tried it out for less than 30 seconds, then simply gave us a free replacement! So needless to say, this is a widely known problem at Creative.

Look here for more info, but be warned, it's over 50 pages:

headphone jack?

 

[suklee]

Another site that details a DIY fix-

http://www.noboundrees.com/micro_fix/

 

[jgbishop]

Thanks for the information on this, Kai920. Perhaps Creative will issue more robust models that solve this issue?

 

[GODzillaSDM]

I bought a zen micro for my girlfriend in Nov 2004. We used it a couple times, and liked it. functionality seems a lot nicer than the iPod. However, after using it a few times, she put it away, and hasn't used it for a while. Recently, i got her some speakers to play the Zen Micro, and yesterday, while trying to transfer more music on to the player, it crashed. The player got really hot, as i had left it plugged in the USB. I pulled it off, tried to reboot it cuz it froze, but it would NOT reboot. I tried to go into recovery mode, but nothing in it would work. I called CREATIVE, and the thing that pisses me off the most, is that it has been 6 months since i purchased it, but they only cover LABOR for 3 months.

THREEE MONTHS!!!!! what name brand company covers their product for 3 MONTHS?? On top of that i know the problem is a CREATIVE problem because, 1, ive read that MANY people , including one of my best friend, has had his ZEN MICRO lock up on him while transfer. Secondly, altho we have had it for 6 months, we literally have used it about 10 times. Creative said they will not waive the repair fee, but will try to fix it over the phone. They will call me tomorrow, but I highly doubt it will work. I swear if they don't fix it for free, i will never ever buy another creative product again.

Warranty good for 3 months..... *shakes head. If i would've known, i wouldn't have bought this product. They are asking $40 for labor fee, plus shipping.
sigh.

 

[suklee]

Did you try a firmware update?

 

[jgbishop]

I've noticed that the Zen Micros for sale at amazon.com do not come with an AC adapter. In fact, one of the more recent comments is about this very thing. Did people here receive an adapter in the box? Was this some sort of promotional thing that Creative is no longer taking part in?

 

[GODzillaSDM]

The pc doesn't see the zen micro player, so it can't upgrade the firmware. Creative said they would call me back yesterday, but they didn't. I called them up, and the guy said, he'll message the person that is suppose to call me. He hasn't called me back yet. Im hating creative even more now. Anyone know how to do a firmware upgrade, if my pc can't detect it? Thanks.

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: jgbishop
I've noticed that the Zen Micros for sale at amazon.com do not come with an AC adapter. In fact, one of the more recent comments is about this very thing. Did people here receive an adapter in the box? Was this some sort of promotional thing that Creative is no longer taking part in?

Not sure where mine came from since it was an gift. It came with the battery, charger, player, cd, ect I think it came fully loaded with the required stuff and 3 demo songs

 

[Twista]

ok, this thing rocks! =) Like it way better than a ipod... Recording off an radio station is nice.. dunno if ipod has this feature

 

[Geomagick]

I really like mine, the only gripe is that the OS is a little on the slow side when using subscription based music.

Fine when using normal ripped MP3's.

I got 2 batteries with mine which has made it even better for those long trips.

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: George Powell
I really like mine, the only gripe is that the OS is a little on the slow side when using subscription based music.

Fine when using normal ripped MP3's.

I got 2 batteries with mine which has made it even better for those long trips.

:shocked: I only got one of the babys but i still give the thing a :thumbsup:

 

[suklee]

Just be careful of the hadphone jack guys! Enjoy your Zen micro's :beer:

 

[ShadowBlade]

hows the big ones that play video?
(dont mean to thread jack)