Great product, probably the best all-in-one out there!
Written: May 14 '03 (Updated May 14 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Probably the only hand-held (mini) all-in-one out there!
Exceptional quality.
Cons: Older version better:
1)included built-inANDstereo-recording, clip-on, plug-in microphone
2)newer has unnecessary second speaker and3)lacks tapecounter!
The Bottom Line: Buy it and enjoy it, but also buy a plug-in, corded, clip-on, stereo-recording microphone to go with it. I know of no better product and I am a utilitarian!
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| josiahfreeman's Full Review: Panasonic RQ-A200 Personal Cassette Player |
I bought the older version of this while in France in 1998 (about 550 FF or $100 then). It was my dream product because it had everything in one portable, Walkman-sized unit (AM/FM radio; recorder which could record from radio or microphones; built-in AND stereo-recording, clip-on, plug-in microphone; tape counter; auto-shutoff; I don't recall if it had AC plug-in or voice-activated recording--maybe), the only one on the market I am aware of that did all in one. The only differences with the new model is that the old version included a two-sided rectangular clip-on, corded microphone that recorded in stereo and it had a single speaker, whereas the new version DOES NOT include the stereo microphone or TAPE COUNTER but has stereo speakers. To my knowledge, the trade-off is a strong loss because stereo sound is most effective when the speakers are physically distanced from each other; headphones, for example, accomplish this easily by tailoring a different sound message to each ear whereas two stereo speakers in close range blend their sounds instantly and are not perceived as well to be in stereo sound as with headphones. The clip-on, stereo-recording microphone had about a four-foot cord (about 1.4 meters) and could be used on the outside or your clothing or in your hand while the main machine remained in a pocket. The most disappointing change (regression, even) is the loss of the tape counter. A tape counter is very useful for lectures or recorded interviews (why I am again shopping for a product like this--I am a college newspaper reporter for a semester) to mark down the number position on the tape where you can find a quote or a part of lecture you want to come back to; it's a professional tool and taking it out of the system is an unprofessional move.
The second speaker is unnecessary, non-utilitarian and likely added just for the flashiness. I cannot give five stars because the tape counter and plug-in mic are no longer included; the extra speaker is not a big deal. I still justify four stars over three because hardly any other company offers a product with radio and a recorder in one that is mini, or hand-held. The other companies treat the consumer unintelligently. I would like my whole, original machine back, but I lost it to an acquaintance who I let borrow it and never returned it and had not yet compensated me for it. If I fail to find a better product, I plan to repurchase this one.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
josiahfreeman
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Reviews written: 1
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