Compact units for field recordings

[fixed_up]

I also have an Edirol also and really like its functionality and ease of use. I cant really comment on the sound quality as I have nothing to compare it to, but to my ears it is more than satisfactory. One thing I like about the Edirol is its not invasive when recording in public places, it easily passes as an MP3 player, especially when you have headphones plugged in for monitoring.

It couldnt be easier to use either, you wont need to read the manual, everything on it is self explanatory.

I havent used it so much lately but thats purely due to my own time constraints. Its just great knowing that if you hear a great sound that you just have to capture there and then, its not going to be a hassle trying to set things up or search through menus.

[allanaceflyer]

yamaha pocketrak 2g size of mobi phone looks like one too.Good quality sound.
Allan

[PLacidBasilisk]

There seems to be quite a range of opinions. The H2 is almost ideal for mys situation, being cheap, compact and with decent recording quality, but one thing that has really put me off is something I heard about it having a 27 second start up time or something obscene like that. It would be a real shame if I missed out on an amazing short-lived sound because the infernal mechine operates at a snail's pace.

With this in mind, what are the differences in start up time with all the devices? Specifically, does anyone have experience with the Olympus, Edirol and H4 devices?

[Tarekith]

Edirol start up time is about 10-12 seconds, longer than I would like too, but not as bad as some of the others out there.

[PLacidBasilisk]

Interesting. I recall someone else saying it had a 5 second start up time. Still, 10 seconds is peanuts compared to 27 seconds.

[Willyum]

All the reviews say from touching power, to actual recording takes 5-8 seconds. Maybe someone had a bad unit or SD card, but 27 seconds is definitely wrong information.

[Nokatus]

Huh, I thought I had already replied to this thread. Oh well.

I'm also using the H2. It's a great little machine for spontaneous field recording. As its audio quality is well sufficient and it's both small and not hugely expensive, you tend not to think about it twice, and just routinely carry it around as a "snapshot" machine even in conditions you wouldn't necessarily lug a more expensive unit along. Over time, this can result in lovely catches of field audio.

The H2 is almost ideal for mys situation, being cheap, compact and with decent recording quality, but one thing that has really put me off is something I heard about it having a 27 second start up time or something obscene like that.

The startup time is definitely not that long. This sounds more like an unbearably slow memory card, most probably a defective one.

[littlepig]

I don't think it is 27 seconds, maybe it varies according to how big an SD card you have. I am using a 1 GB card. I will time it this evening

[subunit23]

Olympus LS-10 start up time is about 5s

[PLacidBasilisk]

I think we may have a winner... Just heard about Zoom's new unit which combines the H4N's microphones with 640x480 res video camera for only $250. Seems like a pretty amazing package to me. Might have to wait until some reviews come in though.

[littlepig]

Sorry, I forgot I was going to time the start up on my Zoom H2. Just done it 9 - 10 seconds with a 1 GB card