RCA VR5320R 1 GB Digital Voice Recorder

This product is made of plastic. Which means it can possibly be easily damaged. But it does work well and is fairly easy to use. Once you get the recorder, plug it into your computer and copy the setup program for the computer and then run it. Keep a copy of the program for the future in case you need to reinstall it. Then delete the program from the recorder to give more space for taping. Windows 7 immediately recognized it and install the proper native driver for the recorder. It also comes with a $10.00 free music download with a trial period for the Music service. One Gigabyte is enough space for the short conversations I will be using it for at work. Overall, it feels cheaply made but seems to work well. The audio is loud and clear enough to hear on replay. So, For $30.00 bucks it not a bad purchase. I will update this review once I start using it extensively at work if I see anything that needs to be mentioned.Update: I stupidly left my recorder in my work uniform trousers which I machine washed and dried. Guess what, After letting it dry thoroughly, it started to work again. It records and plays back. Even though the playback was always quite low. But once I transfer it to my computer, The recording is nice and clear and loud. So at least I know that it is fairly rugged if it can withstand a cycle of washing machine and dryer. I thought I just lost 30.00 dollars down the drain. But was very surprised that it started to work again. Good Product, upgraded to five stars.

I had a 512MB one I bought years ago. It finally bit the dust even months after being dropped several times from the same 8' ledge to a hard floor. (You'd think I'd learn the first time.) I used it all the time for everything. I couldn't see the Alkaline batteries anymore, I started using rechargeable batteries, and doing the same for this one. This unit looks identical, works identical to my old one. This new one has all the same features as the old one, except that it has 1GB instead of 512MB. I only used the new one once. Hopefully, it will give the same service as the old one. Maybe even better? Anyhow, the complaints about the USB port are unfounded (AT LEAST IT HAS ONE!) So you connect it to a hub if you are concerned about the weight of the unit directly attaching it to the computer. Or better yet, what I did was buy a USB extension cable from the dollar store.The software that comes with the new one is radically different than the old software. The old software was very easy to figure out. The new software has the manual online and seems rather complicated. I have the old software on my desktop (and works with this recorder just fine, as the old recorder.) All the recordings are in .VOC format, which can easily be converted to .WAV format. I also use Audacity on both computers, which makes editing a snap.I like the fact it has a lock switch, which locks all other buttons from operating, including the On button, which will really save your batteries. I ALWAYS lock it when I have it turned off, or even on recording.In summary, when I bought the old one, I was so impressed, I talked 4 others into buying one. I hope this new unit will give me the same service. If this unit serves me just as well as the old one, I'll highly recommend it also.

...and I am the right person. I used to record voice/guitar demos on a handheld cassette before finally shopping around for the perfect digital recorder. After much comparison and a couple false starts, this is the model I settled on and I have to say, I'm very happy with it.The recording quality is fine [I record on the highest-quality, still more than enough hours of recording time, like 35!]and nice and loud. The controls are completely easy with nothing in a weird place, no odd functionality. It's light as a feather, too. And the added USB port is the clincher. Sure it's a wee bit awkward if plugging into a desktop tower, but not too much, and it's fine with a laptop. No file-type headaches, no software, just simple, intuitive and convenient as hell.I agree that having the clock running all the time is a waste, but so far it hasn't been a noticeable drain on the battery. If so, that would be the device's only flaw, though it would be a significant one. But as of this moment, I love this thing.

I bought this for my college-age niece and she loves it. Uses it everyday. It's simple to use, has a great mike, and is easily editable. It connects to any computer with a built-in USB plug for easy transfer and editing. It's compact size is very helpful--can easily slip into a shirt pocket. And the batteries last quite a long time. You can certainly record an entire 2-hour lecture without stopping. Sound quality is great and playback is very simple. Can be plugged into a speaker system for greater sound or earphones for privacy.PROS:--Very small and light--Good microphone--Excellent sound playback--Easy to useCONS:--The USB port cover can break (my niece's did), but it doesn't effect the operation--Reviewing the instructions is a must, not instantly useable without some understanding of how it worksOn the whole, this was a great purchase. My niece has been very happy with it and I've used it myself for work on occasion with great success. I may well buy one for myself.