Looking for a handheld recorder

[SpookTheHamster]

I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a decent handheld audio recorder. Her university uses Marantz PMD660 SSD recorders but they're a bit pricey for a student who's also buying an Mbox.

Are there any other recorders anyone would recommend?

 

[robanga]

Someone recently told me that they really liked the M-audio product, also engadget and/or gizomodo had a blurb on a new one from Olympus today. I was looking at one of these to do podcasting but in the end just decided to go for a microphone.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

This is for recording in the field for film, so a computer with a mic isn't exactly an option. The M-audio one doesn't look like it really compares to the PMD660

 

[zimv20]

This is for recording in the field for film

why doesn't she either:

a) check out gear from uni?, or
b) use the camera as the recorder? (or is it film?)

 

[SpookTheHamster]

a) She wants to buy one for herself
b) She's an audio person, not a videographer. Using a separate recorder (booked out from the uni) has already saved one of her group projects.

 

[bgalizio]

Check over at taperssection.com as we deal a lot with handheld recorders over there. What features does she specifically need? And what is her budget?

 

[SigmundFraud]

What about the Zoom H2?

I won't go on about this. I, and 24 others have written a range of fair reviews of this product on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000VBH2IG/ref=pr_all_summary_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
(I'm "jamily")

Is US$199 in her price range? Build seems to be the only issue; in terms of audio quality there are steep diminishing returns as you spend more from here. I'm very happy.

 

[lancy]

Try M-Audios digital hand held recorder.

 

[Mark Morb]

I use one of these:

http://www.zoomh4.net/

Outstanding quality recordings.....

 

[Loge]

I use Sony minidisc for portable recording.

 

[zygo]

Roland R-09 if XLR isn't needed (has built in stereo mic as well)

 

[bgalizio]

Without any specific requirements, I can recommend the following recorders:

Marantz 660 - great 16bit recorder, has XLR inputs.
Fostex FR2LE - can be had fairly cheap ($450) on eBay. 24bit, XLR inputs.
Edirol R-09 - cheap pocket sized 24bit recorder. Only has mini-jack inputs. Input jacks are known to be fragile, but are an easy fix.
Marantz 620 - alternative to the Edirol
Sony PCM-D50 - alternative to the Edirol and Marantz 620

I would not recommend the Zoom H2 or H4 units. The preamps on those devices leave a lot to be desired. Instead, it's worth the extra money for the above mentioned recorders. All of these can be found very cheap on eBay or, as I mentioned above, taperssection.com.

I'm assuming these recorders will be at the max of her budget. If not, I have several other recommendations.