I needed a cheap and simple tape recorder for my daughter's music teacher to play some pieces that my daughter could listen to while reading the printed music. I paid $27 for this recorder, not really inexpensive -- but indeed I did get a 'cheap' one.
When it arrived last night, I tested it recording radio, various styles of music played from iTunes on my computer, and my voice -- all in fast and slow speeds, with the Voice Activation and normal, with the included "high sensitivity" microphone and the built in mic.
The results were all equally underwhelming:
Firstly - the recorder itself is completely plastic - except for the screws holding it together (as far as I could tell -- it just felt 'plastic). You're sort of are afraid to push the buttons too hard for fear of damaging the thing. Banish the thought of dropping it.
Secondly - upon playback, what you notice is the noise, noise, noise.No matter what method used to record (built in mic / external mike), and really no matter how close the mic is to the source, what you end up with is noise (like hurricane wind) -- with your target sound somewhere, far off, sounding like it's down in a deep well, in the background, and calling through a bullhorn.
Lastly - I don't think the thing would stand up to any kind of extended use.I was afraid I'd jammed the mechanism several times just using the forward/reverse slider, and stop/play buttons in the initial trials within the 15 minutes after removing it from it's shiny plastic packaging (which looks good -- but indeed, is too good to be true).
So, it's into the box and back to Amazon.I've bought hundreds of items from Amazon since they started -- not all of exquisite quality -- but this one really takes the cake -- and is the first I've felt compelled to comment on.
My sense is that the rest of the jWIN line will all be pretty much the same quality as well. You get what you pay for.
I think I'll spend a bit more money to get a recorder with more heft and reputation behind the name now.
But if it works for you -- great!
What I can say is *** Thanks to Amazon for taking the thing off my hands ***No complaints with their system.
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JWIN JX-R26 Voice-Activated Microcassette Recorder with Microphone/EarphoneProduct Description: Welcome to jWIN's new and exciting digital generation where quality is not just another word but a company philosophy. Since its founding, jWIN continuously put its efforts in R & D, and market research. And jWIN puts its pride in the products it manufactures and sells. jWIN's products have been engineered to ensure quality and reliability with the most updated set of features that the educated consumers demand. jWIN constantly works hard to improve its products and services by studying the current market. The company strives to be ahead of its competitors by offering the most up-to-date designs and features at the most affordable prices.PRODUCT FEATURES:Micro Cassette Recorder;VAS - Voice Activated System for Recording;2-Speed Play/Record Control;Built-in Wide Range Speaker;Highly Sensitive Built-in Microphone;Numeric Tape Counter and Reset;Low Battery/Rec LED Indicator;3.5mm Earphone Jack;3.5mm External Microphone Jack;DC 3 V Input Jack;Built-in Hand Carry Strap;MC-60 Micro-Cassette Tape and Case;Highly Sensitive Microphone and Earphone Included.
Buy cheap JWIN JX-R26 Voice-Activated Microcassette Recorder with Microphone/Earphone now Get 57% OFF
I ordered this transcriber but ended up returning it.Everything seemed to work well but I couldn't tolerate the noise the tape made during the auto-rewind.This transcriber requires that the play button is engaged in order for the foot pedal to operate.Because of this, as you let off the foot pedal and the tape rewinds just a bit to allow you to catch up, the tape screeches in your ear as it does so.I couldn't concentrate enough to remember what I was typing.Not a good feature.Probably wears tapes down, too, since it is under that stress as it rewinds.
