I am considering purchasing an audio recorder to help me with remembering details of shops. I have a medical condition that can cause problems with concentration, focus and memory. The medications that I take also cause fatigue which can make my memory less than sharp at times.

I am asking seasoned shoppers for some general input about audio recorders.

How did you research which type? Amazon? The forums right here?

Was price a large factor in your decision?

Is the recorder difficult to hide?

Can you transfer the audio files to a computer?

That is all of the questions that I can think of for right now. Thank you in advance for any feedback that you might be able to share.

Just a final thing that I would like to share. I have found a wealth of information on the forum boards. I have only posted a couple of times and the answers I received were so helpful. I began mystery shopping a little over a year ago. I have a disability that is not yet severe enough to collect Social Security. Mystery shopping has bridged the gap for me. I work full time but was not able to survive on my income. I am now able to support both myself and daughter much better. Mystery shopping for me has become so much more than just scenarios, reports, and role playing. Mystery shopping has provided me with a sense of independence and pride in myself. I realize now that feeling sorry for myself only fosters concentrating on what I can't do.

For once in my life..I finally know that I CAN do!

I use my iPhone. I believe any smart phone these days will have that capability. With a phone, you can also review guidelines and schedule shops.

starry,
If you use the "search" function and put in "recording" or "DVR" and "all dates" you will find several detailed discussions of DVRs (digital recording devices).

Also, please be sure to read the second topic in the New Shoppers area of the forums to understand more about the laws governing legal recording and the 14 states where it may be illegal to record without the other person's permission.

There is a app called Italk for your phone, it works great and you can keep it in your pocket.

Thank you so much for the input..

As much searching and research that I have done on topics..I did not do a search on recording. I see that there have been numerous threads about exactly the type of information that I am looking for. Sometimes the answer is just so obvious..

And also thanks for the information about looking at the New Shoppers area regarding legal recording.

Thanks!

Recorders may or may not have the option of uploading to your computer. It is worth it to spend a few dollars more and get one that will upload so you also have the option of using it on audio recorded shops. I cheaped out on my first DVR and ended up replacing it less than a year later.

Another advantage of a recorder that will let you transfer the files to your computer is you can then fast forward to the the specific part you need. Also, you can use headphones and get better sound quality. I got a Sony for under $50 at Best Buy.

Plus the sound quality and sensitivity of the microphone will be significantly better on an audio recorder. I bought a very nice Sony that I love.

My Sony actually has a USB that flips out of the bottom. Downloading is a breeze! It was in the $50.00 range and worth every penny.

My mom runs a "paranormal investigation" group and has TONS of DVRs and other stuff, of course. Any time I need to do a shop that requires a TON of narrative, I borrow one of hers. I am thinking of purchasing my own though.

They really do help to caputre everything. My iphone works pretty good as well, but you have to put it in do not disturb or airplane mode, because if someone calls you while its recording, it will interrupt the recording and will basically just stop the recording altogether.

Your mom runs a paranormal investigation group??????? LOL!

I use a usb flash drive that has a recording function. $11 bucks and it can record for a full day. It recharges itself when you plug it into the computer. It's surprisingly sensitive.

I've used my android phone for this on numerous shops, I just put it in an open pocket of my purse, which I put on the counter or hold on my shoulder. The sound quality is very good, and those companies who need the recording uploaded have the software to accept the recording as a digital wav. file. I just plug my phone into the computer and it uploads. You may be able to save the $ instead of buying a recorder this way.

I use an iPhone app called Voice Record. It's free in the App Store but most of the free recording apps limit your recording time. I uograded my Voice Record Pro to have unlimited recording time. It also lets you edit a recording, upload to YouTube, convert to mp3 (which makes the files easier to email) and more. I am a musician so I use this app to record and send music as well as record shops. I live in a one party state so it's great for me. I don't see how you can possibly count seconds and minutes without drawing attention to yourself without using some kind of recording device. Since everyone is holding their smartphones walking around these days, nobody thinks they're being recorded by a shopper. They just think you're another smartphone geek/freak. Okay by me! I could not do MS without my smartphone. I can't remember all the mundane chit chat MSC reports ask for otherwise. I try to keep it in an open pocket in my handbag, but if it's noisy it's better to have it as close to the conversation as possible. You can't hold a DVR or take it out without potentially looking suspicious.

maranatha Wrote:
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> Your mom runs a paranormal investigation
> group??????? LOL!


Yup! That's a completely different forum

Actually, this weekend was supposed to be a big weekend at Preston Castle but the fire marshalls shut the castle down w tours because they weren't up to code with their sprinkler system. I was going to join my moms paranormal group (because it's fun sometimes) for a 4 day get-a-away staying at some super haunted hotels along the way. I just go along for the ride!

She has SOOOO much equipment and it's her full time hobby (besides being a grandma and crazy hockey fanatic - "Go Ducks" ). But ya, I borrow her ghost hunting DVR's when I need to record a shop that I don't want to use my phone on.

If you ever need your home investigated and you are in California, her group is a professional one - whatever that means