Digital Recorders?
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I have a old Sony ICD-MX20 that I dearly love enough I purchased spares on eBay used for the eventual if/when it croaks because it is a discontinued model I believe.
If I had to buy a DVR today I would probably buy another Sony because it (and my old Sony Cybershot camera) have given exceptional service.
Whatever you buy, I would recommend that it be able to accept an external microphone (which you may not want now but may choose to try in the future) and some ability to transfer the files to your computer. Playback on the computer is infinitely easier than trying to fast forward or fast reverse on the DVR itself. Being able to transfer the files to your computer can also come in handy if you subsequently decide to perform recorded shops (there are some storage shops I know of that are recorded) from which you need to upload recordings.
If I had to buy a DVR today I would probably buy another Sony because it (and my old Sony Cybershot camera) have given exceptional service.
Whatever you buy, I would recommend that it be able to accept an external microphone (which you may not want now but may choose to try in the future) and some ability to transfer the files to your computer. Playback on the computer is infinitely easier than trying to fast forward or fast reverse on the DVR itself. Being able to transfer the files to your computer can also come in handy if you subsequently decide to perform recorded shops (there are some storage shops I know of that are recorded) from which you need to upload recordings.
I use a Samsung I bought from Best Buy quite awhile ago. I have to be careful, though, with the buttons on it not deleting my information before I hear it, but it's the best one I've had out of two others. In the event I do decide to replace it, I will definitely buy another one from Samsung even if they don't make the one I have anymore. It's flat, descrete and can be placed right underneath my bra strap without being seen. It also picks up extremely well and I can download files to my computer.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."
I like my Olympus and it's still working after 6 years.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
I have one, I forget the model but it was talked about on another board. I think it's an Olympus, it's white. about $90 in Staples.
It's worth it's weight in gold. I basically only use it for restaurant shops. to keep track of timings and such. My SO keeps it in his upper shirt pocket. It picks up almost everything.
LOVE IT !!!!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2012 06:32PM by vloglady.
It's worth it's weight in gold. I basically only use it for restaurant shops. to keep track of timings and such. My SO keeps it in his upper shirt pocket. It picks up almost everything.
LOVE IT !!!!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2012 06:32PM by vloglady.
Another criteria to consider with DVRs is sturdiness. My old Sony has some dents and dings from being dropped. The metal case on it has preserved it well and it keeps on fuctioning. My very first DVR was in a plastic case with no external microphone possible and no ability to transfer files to anything else. It was money not well spent and was retired pretty quickly. My son borrowed it to record a class he was teaching and knocked it off the table. It landed on its corner, which cracked. That was the end of it.
I still use my trusty old Olympus VN-3600 the most. They probably don't even offer this model anymore, but it works like a charm for me. I have a much newer Sony that I only use for audio assignments because the Olympus doesn't download. The Sony has a black case which shows through light colored clothes when tucked between "the girls", so I have to hide it another way to be sure it can't be seen. The Olympus has a silver/pale gray case which nestles invisibly in all my bras.
My Olympus came with a cable, so it does d/l to my computer. The newer Olympus have the usb connector. Sound quality is really important, and I wonder if the $39 ones are as good at picking up sound in a noisy room as the higher price ones.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
@1980dory. Which Sony model do you have? I saw a Sony for sale and it's about time for me to get a new one. The Olympus I want is now closer to $100, so that makes the Sony at $39 very attractive. I worry about the sound quality. Office Depot have a very strict return policy for DVR.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
I have one from Radio Shack. I bought it when i was first starting out for under $20. I did not look around for any other as i had no idea whether I would even like mystery shopping and this was a small enough investment to take a chance on. Here I am 6-8 years later still using my trusty $18 model from Radio Shack. I have no idea if I can download to the computer as i never tried. It times really well, picks up most conversations unless it is a really noisy place, is relatively small. I just discovered about mics and there is a place to plug one in. It is pretty simple to use, can record for several hours, has 20 files on 4 channels (80 total?) easy to fast forward and backward, but I just erase every time I report a job. I do not do this full time so this is great for my purposes. If it ever breaks I might spring for a more expensive model but this one is just fine.
Any shoppers in 2-party states who can chime in on how to do this without violating state privacy laws? These ideas are awesome, but some of us won't be able to use them. Or should I start another thread?
In a 2 party state there is no reason why you cannot be recording shop notes as you go rather than writing anything or trying to remember anything. This evening I stood in front of a sign and read it aloud on a shop so that I would be able to relay verbatim what it said.
Where does everyone put their DVRs? I stuck mine in a side pocket of my purse for a couple of shops recently and it worked for one but seemed to pick up a lot of friction noise in the other. I think I need a smaller pocket to tuck it into.
Before I got an external microphone I used an outside side pocket of a purse or inside a cigarette package in a shirt pocket. I have dropped it in a bra 'between the girls' and for drive throughs, put it under the visor with the microphones towards the open car window.
Any thoughts on the ones that look like USB/thumb drives?
Silver Certified - and, on occasion, Certifiable 
To Live ~ To Learn ~ To Grow ~ To Share
To Live ~ To Learn ~ To Grow ~ To Share
I saw one on HSN, that is a spy pen(it writes) that does video and voice for $99. You plug it in the usb, not into to video shops yet, but who knows.
MnM,
Those video pens will NOT produce video or audio of the technical quality required for video MS. Moreover, you need to have the target's head and torso framed in up to 85% of the video footage, and it will be hard to aim a pen to do that for 30-120 minutes. For that you need a camera that is in a fixed position, like on a shirt button, so that, for instance, you can move your hands or turn your head during the shop, without losing the image of the target.
Those video pens will NOT produce video or audio of the technical quality required for video MS. Moreover, you need to have the target's head and torso framed in up to 85% of the video footage, and it will be hard to aim a pen to do that for 30-120 minutes. For that you need a camera that is in a fixed position, like on a shirt button, so that, for instance, you can move your hands or turn your head during the shop, without losing the image of the target.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
@walesmaven - I've seen some cheaper versions than that. Would they work for backup audio, at least? (Internal reference only, not "official" recordings).
How about the keychain styles?
How about the keychain styles?
Silver Certified - and, on occasion, Certifiable
To Live ~ To Learn ~ To Grow ~ To Share
To Live ~ To Learn ~ To Grow ~ To Share
I have an Olympus VN-8100PC, which I bought at Best Buy for under $50 on sale. The clarity is excellent, and it comes with a USB to download to computer. It has various settings for conversational recordings, and can record meetings. It has an option to attach an exterior microphone. It offers MP3 (which I use) as well as WMA files. It also comes with a carrying case which is foam filled. When I go on shops, I keep it in my purse in the pocket made for a cellphone. It's the best!!!
I have an Olympus WS-400 and I love it. I got it refurbished from Amazon for $40 and have never had a problem with it. There's a USB thing built right into it that you slide in or out to plug into your computer - no cords to lose or mess with.
[www.amazon.com]
[www.amazon.com]
Thanks, Walesmaven won't be doing video. Will just a voice recorder, just because my memory is'nt that good after a few shop. Take notes after each shop, you say?? See above:Bad memory 
I love the idea of a pen for audio recordings. Not for the MSC but for personal use. A hundred for so-so audio seems steep though. I think there's a spy store near me. I should check it out. My one DVR failed me while at a quack doc's (works for insurance companies) office visit...grrr! My other one, I think my couch ate it. Not sure. Damn, but that was an excellent piece of equipment with the USB plug-in built right in. Just had to slide it out.
Shoptilyoudrop Wrote:
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> I'm thinking about making the plunge for a DVR to
> assist me with shops. What kind do you have? Do
> you like it?
>
> Thanks!
The Olympus VS701pc or VN5200 PC are good. Play with it before you go to test in different environments and on different settings , I use both like wearing suspenders and a belt so my pants does not fall down during a shop.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm thinking about making the plunge for a DVR to
> assist me with shops. What kind do you have? Do
> you like it?
>
> Thanks!
The Olympus VS701pc or VN5200 PC are good. Play with it before you go to test in different environments and on different settings , I use both like wearing suspenders and a belt so my pants does not fall down during a shop.
StacyP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Where does everyone put their DVRs? I stuck mine
> in a side pocket of my purse for a couple of shops
> recently and it worked for one but seemed to pick
> up a lot of friction noise in the other. I think I
> need a smaller pocket to tuck it into.
I put it in a shirt pocket with my cell phone and eyeglasses and pens. It does not move..no swoooshing noises when I move.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Where does everyone put their DVRs? I stuck mine
> in a side pocket of my purse for a couple of shops
> recently and it worked for one but seemed to pick
> up a lot of friction noise in the other. I think I
> need a smaller pocket to tuck it into.
I put it in a shirt pocket with my cell phone and eyeglasses and pens. It does not move..no swoooshing noises when I move.
cubbiecat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> @1980dory. Which Sony model do you have? I saw a
> Sony for sale and it's about time for me to get a
> new one. The Olympus I want is now closer to $100,
> so that makes the Sony at $39 very attractive. I
> worry about the sound quality. Office Depot have a
> very strict return policy for DV
I can't find a model number on it. As I recall, it was about $30 or $40.
It's black and has batteries, so that should help you. (LOL)
The sound quality IS good though.
-------------------------------------------------------
> @1980dory. Which Sony model do you have? I saw a
> Sony for sale and it's about time for me to get a
> new one. The Olympus I want is now closer to $100,
> so that makes the Sony at $39 very attractive. I
> worry about the sound quality. Office Depot have a
> very strict return policy for DV
I can't find a model number on it. As I recall, it was about $30 or $40.
It's black and has batteries, so that should help you. (LOL)
The sound quality IS good though.
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