DESCRIPTION

Creative takes a somewhat different approach with the Vision:M’s controls, answering the iPod’s Click Wheel with a vertical touch pad–which allows you to scroll up and down menus and control volume–plus four buttons that offer navigation through the user interface. The contextual menu button on the bottom right is a welcome addition, allowing you to make quick settings changes and view information about media files on the fly–functions that are more cumbersome on an iPod. Creative could have made the buttons a bit more sensitive–they require a firm press that gives an overall feeling of clunkiness to an otherwise well-designed user interface. Another annoyance is the touch pad’s over-sensitivity; it’s easy to make selections unintentionally, sending you on a wild ride through the user interface.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• screen, which measures 2.5 inches diagonally
• 320 x 240 resolution
• dimensions 4.1 and 2.4 inches respectively
• .7 inches thick

FEATURES

screen, which measures 2.5 inches diagonally, offers sharp details, vibrant color, and excellent response with little or no video ghosting during high-action sequences

The 320 x 240 resolution is to be expected from a device this size, and although it’s small, you’ll likely have no trouble enjoying video while you’re sitting on the subway or a flight, or in the back-seat of a car. Our only nitpick was the screen’s less than stellar viewing angle