Creative ZEN Armband Arm pack MP3 player

Author's product rating:   

Sound Quality	Good
Comfort	Excellent
Looks & Design	Good
Durability	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Good fit, comfort
Disadvantages:	Only fits the Zen

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

As some of you may be aware, ive been on a major health and fitness kick since 1st Jan and part of this has been jogging/running. However, spending time on my own pacing across the forest or more importantly, down at the gym can get a little tedious without some entertainment.

My Ipod is a little large to take out with me and the headphones are a little restrictive with it in my shorts pocket. So I needed an alternative method of listening to my music on the move.

My wife came up with the solution. "Borrow my MP3 player. you can get an armstrap for it as Claire has one for the Gym."
My eyes lit up. There was the answer.
However I was a little sceptical with the thought of the band loosening/slipping mid motion and the Zen ending up on the floor as I trample it on the running machine. But oh no, this is ace.

So now you know why I have it/need it, here is what it does.

Looks/Feel

Well, its not the most complex of items! Its a material band that has a black carry case attached via a belt loop. Its descreet enough to fit under most T shirts, should you wish to hide it away on your biceps! The strap part is perforated along its length which seems to give it more stretchability (is that a word?) and hence, more snug fitting to your body without cutting off the blood supply to your arm.
The carry case part is finished in a rubberised material that the Zen fits inside neatly. It just slides in without any problems and you have full access to its controls through the opening in the case.
==Comfort==Suprisingly good. Due to its Velcro and stretchy material, you dont need to wear it so tight that your arm falls off. It also has a towelling type surface that sits on your arm so you do not get itchy or irritated from course nylon. The case holds the Zen pretty rigid on the band so there is little movement to work it down your arm.
==Protection==The rubber case actually claims to be shock proof, scratch proof and moisture proof. To some extent it is as the tracks play seemlessly on the move and there is no interruption in play. Then again its not like the needle is jumping is it? Scratch proof, Yes thanks to the protective cover. Moisture proof. I guess this means sweat proof as the cover itself would offer very little protection in the rain. Dont go running in a rain storm!
==Compatibility==Hmmm....I guess at a squeeze you could fit your Ipod in one of these cases (ive not tried personally) but you would have no access to the controls and it would not be tailored correctly to its size. Leave this strap purely for the Zen.
==Pricing==Not bad. You can pick these up for between £10 and £15 and are an essential addition in the Gym. I noticed quite a few people using these straps and they prove very popular amongst road runners.

Oh and for those of you interested, im 20lbs down since the 1st Jan so something is going right!