I've had an archos before (a gmini402 camcorder) and i loved it. its just a shame that the dog knocked it off my desk onto a wooden floor cracking the screen. the only thing i didnt like about it was the battery life. it would last about 3 hours on video, but then again it was second hand (not going there again)

The main problem i have with the Archos is the reliability issues. apparently with some models archos didnt fit the correct type of charge controller for the battery, meaning that they'd burst if you left them plugged in for a long time. Hopefuly i won't encounter that issue and even if i do i should be able  to get a replacement.

I've had 3 creatives in the past, 2 zen micro's (one broke, one 'borrowed') and a zen microphoto (broke). The current  zen apperently had loads of problems with firmware when they first came out but that's apparently been fixed now.

I'm not so worried about size. in fact i'd quite like a heavy, chunky piece of kit. That was one of my main considerations when i bought a camera in NY in October. I currently have a Sony NWZ-A818  but its 8gb capacity is just too small for storing films and the like. its screen as well is just too small. I may sell it on once i get probably-the-archos-after-your-recommendation. Its battery though lasts forever. I got it in march and i charge it so rarely i can actually remember most of the times I've put it onto charge. it just doesn't die. I may decide to hold onto it though if i find the Archos too big to take with me cycling/skiing (i like).

thanks a lot. (+rep on the way)

EDIT: just had a look at the Fuze, and i agree with you. i don't like the look of that GUI. overclomplicated. hell, i find the psp's XMB confusing sometimes. What's wrong with plain and simple icons in a grid?