Handy pocket size. Panasonic IC Recorder®.

A couple of weeks ago Len and I were in Office Depot. He writes the newsletter for our sub-division. While he was picking them up, I wandered over to the clearance area. They have some amazing stuff there. We have picked out several items 50 to 75% off.

On the bottom shelf were a stack of Panasonic RR-QR150® IC personal recorders. The original price was $59.95 reduced to $34.95, and again to twenty bucks. My first thought, Epinions. I could take this with me instead of my pen and little notepad. Now be truthful, how many of you would have had the same thoughts.

I took it up to the counter and the gentleman assistant said $34.95 and I took him over to clearance to show him the price. Well, he picked one up for himself, and a colleague did the same. They didn't even know they were there.

When I got home I felt really good about my purchase. It was in one of those tightly sealed clear plastic containers, where you have to cut into the plastic to get it out. The package was large the machine was small. It fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, leaving my fingers to utilize the buttons. It is four and a quarter inches long and one and a half inches wide. About half an inch in depth. It is metallic silver gray.

Len put the 2 AAA alkaline batteries in the back of the machine. He switched it on and started playing with it. I was at my computer, either at Epinions, or checking my e-mails that run into the hundreds. It was a day or two later when I went to play with the recorder. I couldn't get anything to work. I was getting really frustrated and calling the machine names. Okay, I finally came to my senses and realized that the piece of sticky plastic covering the display and meter was still on it. They had put all the settings on this plastic as if it was working. I am sure none of you are as dumb as I was, but thought I would share how stupid we get, when the years creep by.

New batteries and everything is working fine. I press the record button, and do the normal 1,2,3, etc. Press the play button and it works. That is really enough for me, but I will go into more details for the review.

The recorder is so light you would think it is a child's cheap plastic toy. However, it does look elegant. The built-in microphone is at the top left. Middle top is the meter display and below that is the main display area. Right top is the recording indicator, then the record button. Stop button. Hold switch (which is the on/off). Below that is the volume control. Below the display area are the folder/menu, record mode, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, and select button, then to the side the erase button, and the microphone sensitivity switch. Speaker area at bottom. On the top are holes for an external microphone, and earphone jack (neither of these are included). At the bottom of the back of the recorder are 2 small holes to put a carry/hand strap through. Again not included.

Before you do anything you have to move the hold button. This allows you to use the unit. Remember to move it again at the end to switch the machine off.

I used the 12 page leaflet to set the time. This is relatively easy.
Next diagram is for turning the beep on or off.
Then it goes into recording. There are 4 folders, A,B,C, & D to store files in. Len got to store in A, and so did I. It tells you that you are in file number 01. Also gives the recording time.

You can also choose High quality. You get 33 minutes.
Standard quality 65 minutes.
Long play 210 minutes.

Next there is a section for timer recording. How to set it and to cancel.

Then comes playback. By using the folder/menu to select the A,B,C, or D, you can use the circular button i.e.play, stop, etc. Just by pressing the symbols or the little square it will perform the play, f.f., rewind, or stop. There is also a timer playback.

The next diagram is on locking and unlocking files. I have my A file locked. I have tried hundreds of times to unlock it, and I can't get it to work. I need it unlocked to erase the original testing Len and I put on the machine.

We have both recored in B, C, and D files, and erased the talking. However, none of these got locked and we don't intend to lock them.

There is also details of how to move files.

Then the leaflet goes into Care and Use. Caution. Product service. Troubleshooting guide. I love the symptom, "Cannot erase a file or folder". Answer. " The file is locked". Don't I already know that.

Then the Panasonic audio warranty. The recorder for 1 year, parts and labor.

From the box:-
Easy to see Dual Display. Recording level and memory remains.
Easy operation with the Play-functions key.
Recording of maximum 99 files each in 4 folders.
High-sensitivity electret condenser microphone.
Voice activated system.
Slow and fast playback.
Intro-Scan function.
Beep tone confirms operations.

So what do I like about it.

The design, color, and being so lightweight. It is simple to record, and playback. I can use it instead of pen and paper, when I am doing a travel or restaurant review.

Also that you don't need tapes, as in older hand held recorders.

What I hate.

That it is really complicated for other features. I know I am not technical minded, but give me a break. The same buttons do numerous functions, and I know what I want to do and have to read the instructions each time to perform them.

I waited until I had played with this machine for 2 weeks before completing this review. I have finally worked out how to unlock the files, and I was able to delete all the original useless talk.

However, when I go to England next month, I will have to take the instructions with me. I cannot think of anything worse than reviewing the Guest House I will be staying in, and then perhaps a restaurant, and not knowing whether I have inadvertently gone over one, or gone into another file I can't get back into.

Specifications.
Power output: 200mW (max)
Frequency response: 350Hz - 4,300 Hz (HQ mode)
S/N: 38 dB (HQ mode)
Speaker: 28 mm (1 3/32 in.)
Power requirement: DC 3 V
Mass: with batteries: About 64g (2.2 oz.)
Mass without batteries: About 44g (1.5 oz.)
Operational temperature range 0C - 40C (32 F - 104F)
Battery life: Panasonic alkaline batteries: playback = about 18 hours. recording = about 68 hours.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company,
One Panasonic Way,
Secaucus,
New Jersey. 07094.

This product was made in Japan. Questions call: 1-800-211-7262.

Do you remember the old days. You did a tape and then listened to it. Put another one in if you needed more space. Technology is wonderful, but this lady has a hard job trying to keep up with it.

You youngsters would probably give it a 5*, but if it hadn't have been for the price, I would have taken it back. If you get confused like me, you may want to give it a miss.

Susie.