Digital With Longer Recording Time
Written: Aug 22 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Small, Longer Recording Time
Cons: Alarm Is Difficult To Set
|
|
|
| RichBoston's Full Review: Sony ICD-55 (1 Hours) Handheld Digital Voice Recor... |
This is a handsome looking and wonderfully designed device – the bigger brother to the Sony ICD-35 which has less recording time.
The “IC” stands for Integrated Circuit which is used in the ICD-55 instead of tape. The “D” stands for digital. Having no moving parts outside of the external buttons makes it a more compact and lighter package of only 3 ounces. Digital also produces better sound quality.
The Sony ICD-55 uses only 1 low cost AAA battery which can be found anywhere. This differs from some other devices that use far more expensive flat batteries. Sony suggests battery life of 1 to 1 ½ months which is reasonable based on my experience.
For about $100 you’ll get a full 64 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.
Note that you CAN record in SP with even better sound quality but you trim your recording time by half.
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 as noted above. 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 the hold button which keeps the other buttons from activating until released. This comes in handy when carrying it in your pocket. I always activate this before putting it in my briefcase or pocket. I forgot one time and got a 64 minute recording of change jingling in my 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.
If you need the longer recording time, choose this over the Sony ICD-35. If you feel your needs are more modest go with the lower priced ICD-35.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 134 members
About Me:
I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.