Perfect!
Written: Jul 08 '00 (Updated Jul 31 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Just about everything!
Cons: The alarm function is not user friendly
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| RichBoston's Full Review: Sony ICD-35 Handheld Digital Voice Recorder |
If you read my last Epinion you know that I gave that item a poor rating, not for performance but because it used 4 high cost batteries. So let’s get that out of the way first. The Sony ICD-35 uses only 1 low cost AAA battery which can be found in virtually any store.
Now for the heart of the matter. This is much more of a state of the art high tech item. Its styling reinforces this – it’s a beautiful little gadget.
For about $70 you’ll get a full 32 minutes of recording time so it CAN be used as a mini Dictaphone of sorts. If used for shorter, reminder type messages you can break the time up in as many as 297 messages in 3 separate files. The files allow you to keep business, personal and other messages separate allowing for better organization. This is important as the longer recording time means you can keep the messages stored for as long as you want.
A great feature is the flash memory. This means that even if you ignore the low battery warning and let the batteries expire you won’t lose any of your recorded messages. This is also the case when changing the batteries. You just won’t lose your data! (I wish this was the case with my Palm IIIxe PDA)
The sound is digital and is very high quality. The microphone is very sensitive though and picks up background noise. I’ve learned to turn the radio down in the car when I use this.
Another handy feature is a hold button which keeps the other buttons from activating until released. This comes in handy when carrying it in your pocket.
Other features:
> Volume control – Very important. Not all of these type devices have this.
> Earphone jack – Great for on a plane or train.
> Full access to messages – Go to any message without scrolling through them all.
> Variable playback speed – Normal, slow and Alvin the chipmunk speed.
> Alarm function – Works OK but not easy to set. I tend to ignore this feature.
> Message dating – Each message shows the date and time it was recorded.
> Full LCD screen – Easy to read.
> Low battery warning.
> Erase option – Erase all your messages at once or only one.
> Hand strap – Handy but I wish it came with a nice, small, leather case.
> Sized for your pocket - Hides easily in your palm.
Sony has outdone themselves with the ICD-35. It’s as close to perfect as I’d hope to find in a small digital recorder!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
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Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 134 members
About Me:
I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
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