HccToo 8GB Multifunctional Digital Voice Recorder Rechargeable Dictaphone Stereo Voice Recorder with MP3 Player Perfect for Recording Interviews, Conversation and Meetings (Black)

This works, but doesn't suit my main need - taking *quick* notes (especially while driving.) Here's why.To record a memo:Find the *tiny* power slide switch on the side. Slide it up.If it previously went into power save, you'll have to switch it off then on.Wait 10 seconds for it to boot up.Press the Record button on the front.Wait 4 seconds for it to start recording.Speak into it.Hit Stop button. (Or Pause.)Compare this to my Olympus VN-541PC.To record a memo:Slide up the prominent Record slider on the front.Speak into it.The difference in usability is night and day.One advantage the HccToo recorder has is that you can pause recording, which may help to offset its limitations. However, it's too easy to lose the first 4 seconds of a memo if you forget about the recording delay, and operating it without looking at it (eg while driving) is difficult and runs the risk of it not doing what you think it is.This is still usable and worth the money if the delays and clumsy user interface don't worry you.The sound quality is pretty decent.Update:If you turn off by the power switch it resets the date and time to 2014. So only use that switch for long-term storage to protect the battery.You can instead wake it from standby by holding down down PLAY/PAUSE button for 2 seconds. The clock runs very, very slow on mine anyway, so it will never be accurate, but at least the time stamps on each file will be in order.NB if you delete files from the recorder it will always try to name new recordings REC001 and up, only skipping numbers of existing files that it encounters. This will cause problems if you want to archive recordings, since copying will overwrite older files with the same name. Could be disastrous for important recordings, so be aware and think of a workaround.

Updated 06.12.16I loved this product so much I bought a second one so I could record a separate module of study on it to aid with revision. However, whilst it looked almost identical it is not as good as the first. The box did not come with a charging plug (unlike the first) - it has a USB charger instead, it felt flimsier and recording playback was more crackly than on my other recorder despite being used in exactly the same way and, frustratingly, after spending almost 3 hours recording more chapters for revision, I got it out of my bag as I had done numerous times with my first device with no problems, only to discover the small magnetic clasp at the top of my bag had apparently wiped the memory and deleted all the recordings made earlier. As such other users please be aware and keep yours away from magnetic fastenings, however small! In future I will back up to my laptop as well to avoid having this happen again. That is, if the recorder still works!---------------------------------------I bought this to assist with studies and revision (as a mature student returning to education after over 20 years). I didn't want to spend a fortune, just wanted something that was easy to use, inexpensive and allowed me to record long passages of text which I could then play back and listen to at times when I would otherwise be unable to study, such as driving etc. This gadget meets all those criteria. It is surprising small - a little larger than a standard box of matches, lightweight and whilst basic (the instructions are translated in a somewhat amusing way as another reviewer has commented) was nonetheless easy to get to grips with in a short space of time and the playback quality is remarkable. It fits neatly in my bag, comes with earphones and other paraphernalia and means I can make use of otherwise lost time such as walking to my car, driving home from work or doing a weekly shop (or even before I go to sleep at night). Whilst it is basic it is, in my opinion, very good value as does exactly what I need it to so am very happy with this purchase and wish they had had such affordable gadgets when I was studying first time around!

Received this speedily via Prime as usual. As others have said the first thing that strikes you is it's small size and also the fact it is lightweight. In fact it feels a little bit plasticity but don't let that put you off because it works remarkably well. I would advise taking 10 minutes and cup of coffee (or two !) to logically work through the instructions. I think this is probably what sets it apart from more expensive models from the big known makes as they are not particularly intuitive. In fact I am sure when I come back to use this after a gap of a few months I will have to read them again :) However what counts is the performance and as soon as I worked out what to do I did a trial recording in our kitchen. I put the recorder on the table and talked to my wife for a few moments and she replied. As soon as I started the playback I was genuinely very surprised how good the quality was. Both our voices were very clear despite me being much closer to the actual unit. You could also head the radio in the background. All in all the best way I could describe the sound is balanced.I have since used the recorder to make a few videos for YouTube and the difference in quality between using the camera sound and the sound from this is really like chalk and cheese. The only point to watch is that it takes a few seconds to start recording after you press Record. The elapsed time counter tells you this but if using to make a video like me then you should use a clapboard like Hollywood uses which is fun anyway ! You can see the noise the clapboard makes in your video editor and it makes syncing sound to vision a doddle. The only other thing to point out is that is uses the older larger mini USB connection so I guess this player was designed a fair bit of time ago.Don't get worried about the complicated instructions - it is pretty easy to use and the great quality puts you in a forgiving mood.Great little item !