Olympus VN-4100PC (256 MB, 144 Hours) Handheld Digital Voice Recorder

Pros: Great quality and organization
Cons: There are only 4 folders. I need more!

It is true. I have a 300,000 word-a-day vocabulary quota. I run my poor husband ragged with the gift of gab. I have been yapping away since I was 9 months old and really haven't shut up since. What can I say? I have a lot to say, and I like the sound of ...

Pros: Very clear recording, even for music.  Lots of memory.  Long battery life.
Cons: Awkward connection to the computer, records only in WAV format.

This was my first foray into voice recorders.  I needed one to record my daughters' singing lessons so that they could practice at home.I paid $40 for it on Amazon.com.  The recorder comes with a USB cord (mini-USB port on one end to ...

Pros: Good audio, convenient, easy-to-use, small, light, built-in speaker
Cons: Inflexible and limited software and PC connectivity

The VN-4100PC is the version of this Olympus voice recorder with a USB port and supplied cable for connecting it to your computer. The physical unit is excellent in my opinion. It is smaller and lighter than most cell phones, easily drops in a shirt ...

Pros: Great features. PC interface is a definite plus.
Cons: Alarm can only be set for 24 hours maximum. XHQ mode is not as advertised.

Although the VN-4100pc is a top quality product, I can only give bad marks for Olympus' honesty in advertising this product and for their unresponsive support department. I want to make everyone aware of the fact that Olympus is deceiving the buyer by ...

Pros: Functionally well designed
Cons: Awful recording quality in all modes

Disappointed for sure. Got it home, figured out how it works and installed the software on my PC in a jiffy, so they get points for ease of use in general. However, the recording quality in XHQ & HQ was maddening. Why even sell a product with such terrible output? Maybe I was so disappointed because my MP3 player, which has a simple recording function in it, did an outstanding job, but lacks the functions needed I'm used to in a recorder. The bottom line is I'm returning it to Best Buy for the Sony P520 model (I believe). If that doesn't meet my demands for voice quality, then I'll try a plug in microphone. Interestingly enough though, my wife's voice sounder much better than mine, but still it didn't sound that much like her.

Pros: Good recording time in XHQ, Timer, USB
Cons: Garbled LP

I chose this model because of the timer. The sound quality in XHQ is OK, but not what I would consider even medium quality. The recording time is more than adequate. The LP mode is hopelessly garbled. The USB connector enables me to transfer files to a computer, a big plus.

Pros: Super compact.  Great features.  User friendly.  Excellent record and playback quality.
Cons: Can't think of any.

Light and very compact.  Pocketsize.  Comes with its own case which is very convenient.  Easily fits in any pocket.  Body is made of plastic and metal.

Pros: PC compatible
Cons: Speaker failed prematurely

I had a bad experience with the Olympus model VN-4100PC digital voice recorder. After about two months of use I lost the audio and had to send the unit back for service (shipping at my expense). I was disappointed that after only two weeks of use, the speaker failed again. I will not send it back again for repair as it is too costly to do so. Consequently, it is just collecting dust on top of my desk.

Pros: Great noise suppression. Hold switch. Reliable. Intuitive controls. Reliable. Great battery life.
Cons: Easily scratched (but they all are).

I've had a great experience with this model and it's predecessors. I can't tell you it's state of the art because I haven't looked recently -- but it works great. The directions don't tell you this but if you use it as I do (random 5-20 second voice jots while flying, driving, doing other things then I transcribe it myself later) be sure set the MIC setting to low. It blocks background noise including commuter plane engines very effectively. Use HI sensitivity settings only for recording group meetings. Whatever model you get, be very sure it has a "lock" or "hold" switch otherwise it will start recording randomly in your pocket. Or worse it will start playing back your inner most thoughts at the wrong time in a meeting. If you keep keys, etc, with it in your pocket, expect it to be scratched in a few weeks. I don't know of a work around.

I've only used the PC interface a couple of times. Frankly, it's easier to play back and type to-dos into Outlook. One of the times I did, I now have a archived WAV file of the remembrances from a family reunion.

Pros: Cheap
Cons: Everything else

Audio quality is just short of horrendous for this device, even with a mic. I've conducted interviews with it on the table (only two feet away) and it mostly picks up background noise and air... for 35 dollars I was still very disappointed with it performance.