The Nomad II offers all the above, a headphone remote control, USB cable support and much improved software. The headphone remote extends the headphone cord a much-needed two feet to your hip (oddly the headphones are too short without it) and lets you fast forward, pause, and move up or down the volume without unclipping the player. You'll also get a semi-useless leather pouch for your device. The pouch doesn't let you access the controls and, therefore makes the point of the remote obvious. Extra-cost options include a car-kit for car stereo fun and a docking station (so you don't have to keep plugging and unplugging the USB cable).

What differentiates the Nomad II from the rest of the pack is its support for up to 32 preset FM stations and its ability to record up to four hours of voice. It voice records in APCDM file format, so it isn't good for recording live music, but it's more than adequate for voice, making it perfect for interviewers, students, people who talk to themselves (Note to Self: stop doing that) and parents who want to record baby's first words. You know, kind of like you. Anyway, you can record a two-hour lecture with the 32MB version and a four-hour one with the 64MB (currently the technology is limited to 64MB Smartcards). These cards are removable, so you can buy extras, fill them, and load the card you want without having to download.

The Nomad II also comes with a registered version of the MusicMatch Jukebox software, which makes CD ripping at 128kbps speed a breeze, and the detection software was easy to use. Plug the Nomad II into an available USB port, the window launches, and then you can browse to find your MP3s and load them, at 1 MB per second speed over USB, to the player quickly and easily. The player itself is remarkably easy to use with simple buttons and a very intuitive interface.