Is the Sansa Fuze similar to the Sansa e280R?

MP3 players Sansa Fuze
1

Here is a broad question. 

There are two versions of the e200 series.

The e200 and then the e200R, or Rhapsody.

Remember how the e200R series had a cleaner interface, will that do the same for the Fuze?

I haven’t bought a Fuze but want to buy one badly.

Another question, does it come with Rhapsody To Go, or do I have to add it myself?  Also, if I have to add Rhapsody to the Fuze, will it give the Fuze that cleaner interface?

When I say cleaner interface, the Rhapsody version had smoother transitions between menus and the text was smoother and much more readable.

Thanks in advance! :smiley:

2

The Sansa Rhapsody (e200R) had some cool features, like the “ballooning” font while rolling through the menus.  The later device, the e200v2, also had the font improvement.

The later device, the e200v2, became the Sansa Fuze shortly thereafter.

The latest Sansas, including the e200v2, the Fuze, the Clip, and the new Clip+, are all RhapPFS compatible, meaning that Rhapsody functionality enhancements are integrated into these devices.  Rhapsody Channels appears in the main menu once the device is authorized using the Rhapsody service.

You also have several options, like adding a Rhapsody Channels music track to your device’s library, and a Purchase function that flags an individual track for purchase later, when the Sansa is signed on to the service.

The Sansa Rhapsody used the RAX format from RealNetworks, a unique DRM system (device-based license), while the new devices use 160kb/s WMA for the tracks.

µsansa

3

Wow! Thanks a ton!  That was really detailed and helpful information!

Again, thank you!

4

The Sansa Rhapsody used the RAX format from RealNetworks, a unique DRM system (device-based license), while the new devices use 160kb/s WMA for the tracks.

This is a HUGE difference between the two.  The Sansa Rhapsody (E2xx-R) could play the .rax files natively as long as the device license was valid.  This made transfers faster and more reliable.  The Fuze WMA file transfers to “emulate” the seamlessness found in the Sansa Rhapsody. 

To mixed results.  The latest firmware and software from Rhapsody has seemed to clean up some issues in renewing track and appliance licenses, but channel updates are still slower, and the 160kb/s WMA files take 25% more space than their 128kb/s RAX files.

Hope this helps