Originally Posted by
LeifAndersen
There both rockbox-able (both v1 and v2 for both the e2xx and fuze series), the fuze has a smaller body and is much lighter, also the chipset in the fuze is much better than the e200. I had both (the e200 recently (as of 6 months ago) died and I replaced it with a fuze), and I could actually hear what I think was the processor 'thinking' through my headphones, not to big of a problem, and any actual audio completely drowned it out, but if you do get anoyed by a pseudo-buzz like sound in between tracks/podcasts, and especially while your in the menu, I would stay clear of the e2xx, apparently it's a common problem).
The e200 has a metal back, while the fuze is much more plastic. In fact, the fuze seems like it is the perfect size to grab some sort of cohesive, and stick it on the back of my left hand, somewhat like the com system in Babylon 5, the e2xx is much to big for that.
True, the fuze doesn't have a replaceable battery, but for systems such as this, I don't think it matters. Like a cheap watch you buy at walmart (which has a battery life of 1 year, and the one time you actually put a new battery in, the watch only lasts 2-6 more months anyway), these devices are much more 'disposable'. I don't mean you'll be throwing them away all the time and getting a new one, but it should only last you for 1-3 years (depending on your usage), which is okay seeing as you can get them refurb for >$45, and new for not much more.
Also, the original firmware on the fuze is much better than the e2xx. You could not use the e2xx without roxbox (IMO anyway), but the fuze does have a usable firmware (although still not great). It lets you actually browse your collection with both ID3 tags, and a file browser, as well as having OGG support. (Both should have FM radio, and the fuze is 'slightly' better, but not enough for me to say that definitively, I may have just had a bad e260 and a good fuze for example).
A few things about the e2xx I did prefer over the fuze: 1. The battery life on the e2xx seems to be longer than it was on the fuze. I could go 1.5 weeks without charging my e2xx (although usually less as I used it more), I have to charge up my fuze every few days. (I could probably go a week with very little playback though). 2. The location of the headphone jack on the e2xx is on the top, and the fuze is on the bottom. I prefer it being on the top, but it's okay on the bottom, if you only get striate headphones, and put it in your pocket upside down).
So, in all, I prefer the fuze, but the e2xx is still a nice little device.
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