Sony ICD-B25 Digital Voice Recorder

I did quite a bit of research before I bought my Sony ICD-B25 recorder and I am quite comfortable with what I got for $. To begin with, the recording time of around 2 hours for the standard mode and 5 hours for long mode is sufficient for what I use it for (recording college lectures), and I have to say that the sound quality is quite good. I don't believe that you are going to find so-called sound perfection with any digital recorder at $1. For me, I find my recordings to be highly interpretable, which is what my goal is when it comes to sound quality from any voice reorder. However, I do suggest sitting the recorder as close to the source as you can to enable optimum sound quality. It's also nice to know that I don't have to fumble around with micro cassette tapes, which aren't exactly cheap. Instead I burn my recordings on to cd from my computer for a fraction of what micro cassettes cost.

Unfortunately, as with many products, there are some down sides. First of all, I sure as hell wouldn't want to drop it because it would probably have a good chance of breaking. And for a $ investment, it would be nice if the recorder came with a carrying case to help protect it. So, the first thing that I did was run down to Best Buy and bought a mp3 case made out of neoprene for $10 that fits great with this compact recorder. Also, it is a bit odd that there is no on/off switch, which does leave the unit on all the time. However, the only power drain problem that I have had is when I use the pause button because it flashes the pause message until you either push play or stop. I suppose that you could take the batteries out if you become worried about excess power drainage. Finally, I could do without the mic jack that comes with it. I feel this would be a great place to to put a D.C. inlet instead. Oh well, I still highly recommend this recorder to anyone that is looking at recording time, quality sound (not bad in long record mode either), and file bins to store different messages in. If I broke mine today, I would not hesitate once to go out and buy another ICD-B25 just like it.

Acutally, 4.5 stars. But that wasn't a choice.

This is a highly functional unit for the price, though clarity and record time is what I focused on. As such, I'm amazed at the clarity of the recordings even in long-play (LP) mode. Compared to one other I've used (Olympus VN-90), there is no comparison. In LP, there is virtually no static (as with the VN-90), but the voice does sound a little like you're speaking into a tin can. But even then it's still not bad. One could operate this unit in LP mode all the time and miss very little, I think, of what you gain in standard play (SP) mode. But for those times when a clearer recording is required, SP is there, and it is noticeably better. Don't get me wrong, this is not MP3 quality by any means, nor is it designed to be. And of course there will a decrease in quality with distance from the source, as there would be for any device like this. But relative to what I was expecting for LP quality, this is fantastic.

As to the record time...it's up there: 127 min SP, 339 min LP. This is a plenteous amount for recording long meetings or lectures. It will take a long time to fill the memory if the unit is only used for simple reminders.

Some other niceties include a back-lit display. It comes on whenever a function button is pushed. The display itself is large and readable. There's also plug-ins for an external microphone and ear-piece. The unit is small, lightweight, and easily fits in a shirt pocket without a lot of bulk.

As stated above, I'd rather have given 4.5 stars if I could since there are some quirky things with this unit. One, the buttons on the front of the unit are small and sub-flush. Those with other-than-stubby fingernails or small, pointy fingers will have no problem. That, and you have to use two hands at times for some of the operations. For this I gave a quarter star demerit.

Second, the time display is in military format only. I've yet to read in the directions for an option to display in regular 12-hour format. Again, this is rather picayunish, but does deserve another quarter star demerit. Even less worthy of mentioning is the fact that there seems to be a spot to attach a wrist-strap. But none was provided. I didn't give any demerits for this since the unit fits so well in a shirt pocket as stated above.

Over all, I'd recommend this unit to anyone who wants clear sound, with long record time. Perhaps there are better out there, but I'm satisfied with the Sony ICD-B25 thus far.

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I really love my Sony IC recorder. I splurged, and spent more than I had wanted to, but the extra 25 dollars was worth itthe sound quality is great, perfect for recording dialogue or lectures. The incredible recording time (5.5 hours LP, 2.1 hours SP) and tiny size make this a fantastic buy for someone who wants to record conversations or have audio to transcribe notes from.

Read Best Reviews of Sony ICD-B25 Digital Voice Recorder Here

I generally have found Sony to make some pretty good stuff. Of course, I will stand back from such a Brand-Bias as I write this. But, even when I do: I am left with mostly positive things say about this recorder. The sound quality is just amazing. Indeed, the speaker is a bit cheesy, but I wouldn't expect much better from something that has such high power-consumption and preferable-size constraints.

I admit that the interface of the device has some oddities (like how you go about searching, and moving messages), and the fact that some functions require pressing two buttons simutaneously. But, through time: it isn't too difficult to get used to and it is nice and flexible. Plus, I am awestruck by all the incredibly useful features it has (such as playback and recording alarms, the backlit display, repeat functions, message splitting/combining and moving, etc.). That "Hold" function (that prevents accidental button pushing) is invaluable.

And let's face it ... it looks so cool! =) I tend to really dig gadgets with geek-appeal: so this contraption has a lot going for it. Honestly, I love this little recorder because it really is both effective and fun to use. Of course, you don't have to be "tech-type" of person to realize how this is such a great recorder. To Anyone who wants to record a series of lengthy lectures/meetings or just a lot of personal notes: this is well worth the price.

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I am a program manager who needs to capture a lot of details in many different meetings. Electronic note recording is the only way to go to keep track of everything. After my last microcassette recorder broke a tape, I decided to go all digital. The Sony ICD-B25 is has the best value and features for the money. Five folders with up to 99 messages in each. My favorite feature is the ability to index by topic on the fly. Showed this to my daughter and she said, can we download MP3's to it? I said no, but you can record any audio source into the microphone jack and simulate the same effect. This product would be perfect if it had USB and MP3 data storage features!!!