Olympus S-711 Microcasette Recorder (Blue)

If you are a student and just need a cheap, good quality recorder for classes- like I did- this is a real gem. Its just a plain old fashioned tape recorder- but compared to digital, the sound of this recording is excellent. For techno-freaks, be aware: It doesn't hook up to your computer to translate from recorder to printed notes via voice recognition software, it isn't the size of a pen (although it IS pretty small and lightweight), and it won't stand up on your desk and tap dance. It'll just make recording your lectures a cheap and easy proposition. As an aside: you will need a little adaptor ($2 on Olympus website)in order to use standard headphones with it (it has a mini-mini plug port, which is not standard) or else you will have to listen to it out loud. At this price, I think its worth grabbing these up while they last and while Olympus hasn't discontinued them yet (assuming that digital will eventually cause them to discontinue all 'tape recording' machines). So, even though I like computer stuff and have lots of gadgets and gizmos myself, I ignored 'image' and was very happy with this inexpensive little purchase! Footnote: I would have given it 5 stars IF it had a tape counter (this model doesn't) and IF it included the adaptor for standard headphone plug OR had a standard size port so you wouldn't need their own brand headset or adaptor.

This microcassette recorder does just what I need it to do - records my thoughts when I am not in a position to write them down immediately. For me, this most often translates to "when I'm driving". And if I'm going to be using it in the car, it has to be VERY simple so that operating it doesn't take my eyes or my mind off the road. The set up on this recorder really fits the bill for me. I never have to fumble around to find the record button; in fact, after using it in the house for half an hour the day I received it, I never even have to look. I just reach over, press, talk. Yay!I use this recorder most often on my way to work to help me organize ideas for meetings, to remind myself of appointments I want to set up or phone calls I need to make. If I'm in the midst of a creative project at the office, I've also used the recorder to "talk out" specific wording for a brochure or ad. If it's a big project, I might even lay the recorder next to me in bed, in case I have a Really Good Idea just before I fall asleep. (Oh, come on! You know that's when the most marvelous concept or the perfect word or phrase comes to you!) :-)To sum up: Easy to learn, simple to use; good price; recommended.

Not too difficult to use

I drive long haul truck. Driving truck is boring, so I write novels by dictating into a tape recorder and transcribing to laptop during down time. My first recorder was a micro-cassette SONY. The SONY broke after a couple chapters of a book (maybe a month.) Then I bought an Olympus Blue Pearlcorder. It lasted me during four complete books before the motor wore out. Generally, I tend to torture my Olympus--I constantly rewind, edit, play, rewind again and again, edit some more, play some more. I do this hour upon hour everyday. My first Pearlcorder lasted three years. A Best Buy salesman told me that I needed to go digital, far superior. I bought one. I took it back to Best Buy. I couldn't edit with a digital--I couldn't rewind, drop in a new word or change a sentence without erasing everything behind it. Some of the other reviewers complained of the sound quality for the Pearlcorder. I didn't buy a home-entertainment system, I simply bought a device to record my words. Works for me, book after book.

So-so for me.I would have given it 5 stars if I use it only for voice note. It does what it is supposed to, and it does it well.However, it didn't work well for my daughter's violin lesson. The idea was she records herself and/or her teacher, and later she plays along with the recorded thing for practice.The problem is, the recorded notes sound always a bit higher than originally played on the instrument. I guess the tape speed is faster when playing back than when recording, for some reason. Maybe you wouldn't notice at first, but as soon as you try to play along with the tape it becomes apparent.Probably I was hoping too much for an inexpensive microcasette recorder, though. I wouldn't blame the manufacturer.

I am a musician, and I own an eight track digital recorder for completed musical ideas, but sometimes i wake up at night with a vocal or lyrical idea that i just don't want to forget. I can keep this handy little recorder by my bed, that way i won't forget my great ideas. This product does what i want it to do, it helps me get my ideas out so that I don't forget them the next day. I heard that the idea for the opening riff for "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones was recorded as Keith Richards awoke with an idea in his head. It has been said that all that could be heard on the rest of the tape is Keith snoring! lol!! this may not be that very recorder, but it'll do fine by me.

Was used and scratched all up

I guess you get what you pay for ! It's good enough for my needs but I would not reccomend it for someone who needs it for every day use. The sound quality is very poor and you have to be close to the microphone to get any clarity. I must say that although I am a new Amazon customer, I highly reccomend them, they have an excellant return policy and stand behind their products.

Excellent works well and very clear.