~~ TALKING TO MYSELF WITH THE OLYMPUS VN-4100PC HANDHELD DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER ~~

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 my own voice!

Which makes Olympus my new best friend. When everyone else is worn down and just can't listen to one more peep, I can just pour all of my thousands of thoughts into the Olympus VN-4100 Digital Voice Recorder. With 256 MB of memory inside, all of my dronings from what it must have been like at Woodstock, to how this country is going downhill, how the cost of gas is theft, how I need to learn to tap dance, to how to build my kids self esteem, to how crazy drivers are on the road, to how I want to travel the US in an RV someday and visit Mount Rushmore to how cute Steve Carrell is...I. CAN. TALK.

Ok, so I am not that shallow and I do use this for more important things, such as, remembering what to pick up at the grocery store, when the cable bill is due, who I need to call back on the phone, and when my son has a doctor appointment and more. I also use this in my writing techniques, if I come up with an awesome idea for a future screenplay, or a business venture I would like to try when I am in my Empty-Nest years, it is all there, for me to listen to over and over again. We are talking 8,660 minutes or 144 hours of chatting until my jaw drops. It requires 2 AAA batteries (which are included) that can last up to 24 hours. I always turn mine off when not in use. It has a large 23 x 25 LCD screen that allows you to see where you need to go.

This has 4 recording modes: XHQ for Extra High Quality, HG for High Quality, and SP or LP for faster or slower recording and playback. For example, if you are trying to fast forward through a professor's lecture, you can put it in high speed mode to get to what you want without wasting time. You can slow it down for important points like dates, times, or other critical info. It has a very easy thumb index that lets you swivel your choices around, much like an iPod or MP3 player has. It looks like a cell phone, and is not the most discreet. It has voice activation, so that is another unique factor. The voice activation allows it to only use recording time when it hears sound. If you take a break, or there are long pauses, it will save your memory time.

It is very organized with four folders to hold up to 100 of your audio files within them. Single files are easily erased to use space over and over again. For $39.99 you really get your moneys worth. It has a timer record and index marking so that you can note important parts of the recording so that you can quickly playback to what you want to re-listen to. The voice and sound quality is great. The recording format is CELP ~ ADPCM. You do not have to strain to hear and the background noise is minimal.

If you want to save your recordings, you also have the option of transferring them to your PC. These are easy and fun to email and share with others. I am always forgetting things easily, so this is a god-send. Say goodbye to the grocery and to-do lists! I love that I can back up what I have recorded, and start over if I want to erase it to make more room, yet, keep what I have recorded!


Whether you are recording yourself, or recording someone else, this x marks the spot! This is good to record sermons, business lectures, information in court, college lectures, to bring to doctor's appointments to recall everything they refer to you, or anywhere you are gathering information, interviewing or asking for advice. For yourself, this is a good reminder system, a safe place to store all of your hopes and dreams, if you are a musician and writing lyrics, if you are a businessman getting a memo ready, if you like to recall your own observations, anything! The sky is the limit!

This is a great thing to have for kids. Give them a tool to use their voice and have a safe audio diary. Just make sure that you don't record someone without their knowledge. Don't use this to get something to use against someone. Use this as a tool to enhance your life, and broaden your expectations in life! Makes the PERFECT Christmas gift!!