Customer Reviews
Useless and Creative's Cistomer Service Department stinks 
2008-02-05
If this is your first venture into MP3 players like it was mine DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy this device. First of all, there is no legally downloadable music to play on this thing. Nothing is compatible. But, go to their website and click on the "Fill Your Zen" link from the Zen Stone Plus 2GB webpage and it gives you all kinds of links to compatible services. Go to the service, sign up for it, and Guess What? It's not compatible. But wait!!?? They advertised that it was? Now try to get help from customer service. They talk in circles, oh yea, by e-mail only... and then to top it off you have to wait at least 24 hours between e-mails to get answers that get you nowhere. In the last e-mail I got customer service finally told me..
"[We] Apologize for any inconvenience caused from this experience. Please allow me to assist you further in resolving the issue.
Prior sending us an email, our website suggested some solutions for the issues that you are having. Some information that I provide might be repetitive, but I want to get you the solutions that have highest probability of resolving your issue.
I regret to tell you that Zen Stone Plus doesn't support Online Music Subscription Services. Therefore you won't be able to transfer any of the online music that you have subscribe whether it is itunes or Yahoo!Unlimited."
Well now, there's some help. All that stuff that they linked me to on their website, its not compatible. And I'm not comfortable downloading pirated music. So now what? I've got a device that does not do what the website said it would do. I call that false advertising and, Oh Yes...hmmm, its a piece of junk.
Stay Away 2008-01-22
I ordered three of these and NONE of them worked. They performed when plugged into the computer, but failed to hold a charge once disconnected from the PC. This was after the tech-support recommended "all night" charging.
By way of background, I'm fairly computer savvy, have a new PC based system, and spent hours on the phone with Creative tech support trying to fix the problems. Ultimately, I had to return the units.
Stay away.
Perfect for younger child 
2008-01-18
This was a Christmas gift for my 8 year old daughter. She wanted an MP3 player like her 13 year old brother, but I wanted to make sure it was something easy to use. At the same time, I didn't want to make a big investment until I was sure she could be responsible with it. Well this little player does everything she needs it to do. The day she opened it, with some help from dad, the Zen Stone Plus was charged and was loaded with music. She likes the screen that tells her what song is playing, and she likes the option of listening to the radio. The lime green color also makes it very "cool".
Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB - Decent Value and Performance 
2007-11-17
The Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB doubles the size of the iPod Shuffle and adds a monochrome screen for viewing track names and settings. Add in the functionality of a built-in FM tuner and voice recorder at $65 and you have a great value.
Pros -
+ good stereo sound
+ nice capacity for a decent price
+ light-weight
+ FM tuner with 32 presets ( though it's just average )
+ voice recording
+ simple design (no more click wheel!) with more color options
+ great navigation and sorting features
+ Nice format compatibility (MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible)
+ USB 1.1 and 2.0 connectivity
+ Can be used as a USB drive / mass storage
+ Can sync music with drag & drop or via Creative software
+ Nice extras like stopwatch function
Cons
- average battery life of 10 hours (OLED screen sucks the battery)
- mediocre backlight ( but it can be disabled )
- some DRM song transfer issues with some firmware versions
- not expandable - few size options 1GB and 2GB
- Creative software is buggy
- larger than the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod shuffles
Creative's Zen Stone line was meant to be the upgrade to the Zen nano, aka Muvo mini. Unfortunately, the 1GB Zen Stone had some quality issues. With the new 2GB Zen Stone Plus, Creative has tried to improve on previous models and compete with the Sandisk Sansas.
I love the new Sandisk Sansa's. The Sansa Express has the advantage that you can plug it directly into your USB port without a cable. SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black) Still, the Creative Zen Stone feels nicer in the hand. It's not as sleek as the Sansa Express and doesn't have all the cool cache' of an iPod shuffle or iPod nano. But it is priced very attractively and has some NICE features. It's good for a starter, workout unit, or gift for a kid.
The Creative Zen Stone Plus is lighter than the competition, but is still larger than the new iPod Shuffle 2nd and 3rd generations. Unlike the shuffle, you can actually see your track names! The OLED screen is perfect for a player this size but does suck more power and shorten the battery life.
The controls are an improvement from the Zen nano days. While I didn't mind the toggle wheel, it has been replaced by intuitive buttons for the standard functions (select, up, down, play, pause, forward or reverse). There's a headphone jack, microphone hole, and a USB port.
Another change from the Zen nano days is the Lithium Ion battery, which gives you about 10 hours if your lucky. This is less versatile than the old battery operated unit, but more convenient.
What about sound? The sound is great, and it comes through in pure stereo. As usual, you will hear complaints about the earbuds. Most people replace their standard earbuds so I won't hold that against Creative.
The Zen Stone doesn't have larger storage options. For those needing more space, you will have to explore the Creative Zen, Sandisk Sansa or new iPod Nano. All of those units have higher price tags.
Creative Zen 4 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 8 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 16 GB (Black)
Sandisk SDMX4-4096 Sansa e260 4 GB MP3 Player with SD Expansion Slot
SanDisk SDMX4-8192 Sansa e280 8 GB MP3 Player (Black)
Apple 4 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Silver (3rd Generation)
Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Black (3rd Generation)
This unit is ideal as a player and not for those who primarily want to use it for recording. The built-in microphone is nice for short reminders.
The price isn't a give-away, and the plastic case could be more durable. Still, this is a nice starter unit that can last you a while. Check it out. Enjoy!!!
Zen Stone Plus 
2007-11-03
Creative ZEN Stone Plus 2 GB Blue
I just go the Zen Stone Plus and I think it's a great product. Its so easy to download CD and the sound is great as well. The best part is if you don't want to listen to the downloaded music you can always put the radio on. Definately recommend it.
Crapola 
2008-06-23
This is my fifth or sixth mp3 player, I've owned it for nearly two months, and I plan to buy another one already... First and foremost, this little energy sucker needs to be recharged at least daily. I listened to it on my way to work this morning (25 minutes), turned it off before I went to work, and, by the time I was ready to go home for the day, it was already dead. I charged it overnight, never turned it on, and woke up the following morning to go run... dead again. Never had transfer issues and sound quality is great, but what's the point if it only works for an hour before dying? Has no way to attach to a carry sling, so you have to buy the Zen Stone arm or wrist band or you're stuck carrying it in your pocket. (Did I mention the armband snapped as I was putting the Zen Stone in it for the first time?) This is my third "charge by PC" mp3 player, and my very last. I'm going back to SanDisk with a AAA battery, despite its size. (At least it actually works!)
Great Music Player 2008-05-10
Get the protection Plan!!! I bought this for my 8 year old because all her old MP3 players just stopped working. It is working well so far and the price was unbeatable!! I paid $[...] and I cannot find a deal like that now anywhere else.
Good Value 2008-04-08
Excellent MP3 player. Tiny and efficient. Good sound. My only complaint was that it did not come with a software CD. Had to download operating software from the internets.
Creative ZEN Stone Plus 2008-04-05
I was really excited to get my Zen! It's so cute and easy on the eyes. It's just pleasant to look at! It's simple to use too. It took me maybe 5 minutest to figure out all the stuff. It has pretty good radio reception, a nice sound. It held a lot more than I thought. I have more music on there than I listen too. I haven't tried to record anything. But I have full confidence in the product. The only thing I really don't like is the charge of the battery. They say it's up to 9hrs of continuous play. But I think it's more like 3-4hrs for each charge. Unless I'm counting wrong or they count differently or I'm not charging it right.
So cute and easy to program 2008-02-12
I was looking for an MP3 player I didn't have to fiddle around with and this one really fits with my tech skills, which are low. The sound quality is very good too. The only thing that didn't last were the earphones - one of the pads came off the 2nd time I used it, but it's no big deal as I had another set. Overall, I'm very happy with the product.
