Which digital voice recorder?

[Ivanhoe]

If this is in the wrong forum pls move - As the title states, for those in the know, which recorder would be good to have? Don't want to break the bank but have no clue on these things...And yes, I tried ye ole search function....

[cj cake]

It depends on what you are going to use it for. I have a smart phone and downloaded an App called "Cop Recorder". It is a widget on the phone screen. If I need to use it, I just touch the icon and it will run in the background without any indication until I open the program and manually stop it. Then I just place the phone in my shirt pocket.

I used to live in "Klink" once.

[vincnet11]

Radioshack has digital recorders for around $30. Check the site for reviews.

[bulgron]

It depends on what you are going to use it for. I have a smart phone and downloaded an App called "Cop Recorder". It is a widget on the phone screen. If I need to use it, I just touch the icon and it will run in the background without any indication until I open the program and manually stop it. Then I just place the phone in my shirt pocket.

I used to live in "Klink" once.

I tried Cop Recorder on my Moto Droid. It works well enough, but to play back recordings on the phone you have to use an application called LukLuk which crashes every time I try to start it. However, I can play the Cop Recorder audio files using my Mac with no trouble at all.

That said, I like an Android application called, simply, Voice Recorder. I'm still testing it out, but it seems to record in the background and while the phone screen is locked with no problems, and audio playback is right there in the application too.

I suppose if you're paranoid about cops deleting recordings from your phone, then Cop Recorder is the way to go.

[wheels]

I picked up a Sony unit at Walmart, I paid around $32. It has a ridiculous amount of record time - like 23 hours and uses 2 AAA batteries. I just keep in my EDC carry pile and throw it into a shirt pocket. What I really like is in a shirt pocket I can turn it on and start recording just by manipulating two controls right through the shirt material - don't have to pull it out.

[sandman21]

Voice recorder also has a widget that allows recoding with one click. Make sure you have pattern lock. Its impossible to know the recorder is working.

[CCWFacts]

What about a discrete video recorder?



It captures audio and video and does not give any visible indication that it is recording, and is easy to stop and start discretely.

Many sites sell similar things. I found many on this site, but shop around also.

I have one (not from that site, a bit older) and it works great for voice and as well as can be expected on video.

[GrizzlyGuy]

I like the Olympus 510M. It uses a rechargeable AAA battery and can recharge from your USB port. I had a Sony ICDUX80 but it would kill the battery after sitting for a few days even when off. I use a voice recorder app on my iPhone as a backup.

[2009_gunner]

I got a SanDisk Sansa Express a year ago for $20, but they're charging more for them now.

The other Sansa looks like a better deal for $34.

ETA: looks like they're going for $17 here.

[Stonewalker]

This was just addressed a couple days ago I believe. There is an Iphone app called Qik - it streams the video to a website so the LEO cannot tamper with it just in case they decide to haul you in or whatever.

[chiselchst]

I like the Olympus 510M. It uses a rechargeable AAA battery and can recharge from your USB port.

I also have that one, it's very easy to use.

But I prefer Alkaline batteries, as mine is always standby mode, the rechargable batteries do not seem to last long in S/B mode.

Easy to move files to/from PC. I saw this one at Fry's for $30.

[N6ATF]

Go with the most expensive one possible (i.e. a smartphone with lockout capability).
Advantages:
1) Not aware it's recording their public and legally unprotected communications of civil rights violations.
2) Less likely to destroy or break it if it's worth hundreds of dolllars.

Disadvantages:
_____

[bombadillo]

If you're going for music recording or anything where you really need a great dynamic range, the Zoom H4N is AMAZING at $300 bucks. I got it for my wife and our recordings occasionally, and the sound literally rivals what I hear on low end studio setups.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/H4N/

If you're going for a recording of a cop, get an HTC Evo and rock that bad boy. It works amazing for vocals.

[Window_Seat]

Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:


It's a bit on the high $$ side, but it's well worth it.

I bought mine for a much lower price than what they are going for right now, for whatever reason, but I got a bargain for what I was getting.

Mine has a "standby" mode where if you press record, it stands by until there is voice or sound of any kind, and then it begins to record automatically.

I use it for all kinds of things, including recording loud birds, especially the backyard Western Scrub Jay that squawks continuously while claiming my apple tree goodies. I play back the call, and it flies away mad just about every time.

Erik.

[command_liner]

We need a recorder that will fit inside a standard 1911 magazine.
When the last round is removed from the magazine, or when the
magazine is removed from a holster, recording starts.
(Hmmm, perhaps I should patent this idea, then assign the patent
to the Calguns Foundation.)
This, combined with cell phone, smart pen, and video watch, plus
somebody doing independent filming, should do the trick.