GE 35365 Voice-Activated Handheld Mini Cassette Recorder

by GE

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 1.5 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00000J05Y
• Item model number: 35365
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,423 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Microcassette recorders are so cheap and popular that it's nearly impossible to get your hands on a portable recorder that uses standard cassette tapes. A recorder has to be relatively large to use standard-sized tapes, but these tapes are cheaper, more durable, and allow for longer recording times. In this regard, GE has come to the rescue with its 3-5365 voice-activated handheld cassette recorder, which uses standard-sized cassette tapes but comes with some of the features that make microcassette recorders so attractive.

As the name implies, the device has voice-activated recording circuitry that leaves the recorder powered off until incoming noise triggers the mechanism. It records until no more audio is detected, then shuts off again to conserve battery power and recording space. There's a switch on the top that lets you control the sensitivity and another that lets you shut the voice-activation off. We normally didn't use this switch because it clipped off the first bit of audio that triggered it--a problem all voice-activated technology suffers from to some extent.

The controls are basic, but the fast-forward and rewind buttons can be pressed slightly without locking them down to allow for variable-speed cueing. We were disappointed to see there's no microphone input jack, and therefore no way to connect this unit to a telephone, but that's on par for a unit at this price. There is a headphone jack, and playback is in stereo, which is far less annoying than the left-ear mono output most microcassette recorders force on users. The 3-5365 also has a variable speed playback dial that can increase playback speed by up to 20 percent for easier transcription. It's a basic recorder, but works as advertised and is a decent deal for the money. --T. Byrl Baker Pros:

• Variable-speed playback
• Stereo output
• Uses standard cassette tapes
• Capable of extremely high volume playback

Cons:

• No microphone jack (although it does have a built-in microphone)
• Few features and the controls are poorly labeled

Product Description

w/5 button, AVR

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inexpensive dictation on standard cassettes, June 25, 2000

By 

David M. Glasgow (Carlisle, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: GE 35365 Voice-Activated Handheld Mini Cassette Recorder (Office Product)

First, a few points of clarification that weren't available online when I ordered this recorder:

1. "Mini" refers to the size of the appliance itself, not to the cassettes it accepts. This recorder uses standard audio cassettes.

2. The unit runs on 2 AA batteries, which (as you might expect) are not included in the package, but which you can also order from Amazon.com if you like.

3. The package does not include headphones, but the unit does have a built-in speaker that works passably if you're listening in a low-noise environment.

As for evaluation: if you're looking for a way to make high-quality recordings, you're going to have to spend more than $20 on your equipment. This unit will provide adequately discernable dictation--especially when listening through headphones--but isn't great for recording music or filtering background noise.

"Plus-es" include a variable-speed playback option that allows you to review a recording at faster-than-normal speeds (handy if you're listening to get the "gist" of a lecture, or trying to locate a particular point), and a "hi-lo" microphone switch, which according to the documentation switches between long-range (e.g. lecture) and short-range (e.g. dictation) recording; even through headphones, though, I found that this switch makes very little difference in recordings.

One complaint is that the placement of the control buttons (play, record, rewind, fast forward, stop) is a little awkward for my fingers. This is probably a symptom of the "mini" size, although I've used other units that weren't quite as challenging.

All in all, I'd recommend this unit as a good buy for customers looking for good-quality dication on standard audio cassettes. Just don't expect any miracles from this unit.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars short distance only, August 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: GE 35365 Voice-Activated Handheld Mini Cassette Recorder (Office Product)

This was bought to use for meetings, seminars, etc. We tried it at home and it barely picked up our voices in the living room, much less a larger hall. The playback was barely audible, if at all. It would probably be ok if you speak directly in to it. Hope they will take it back.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great deal, July 3, 2000

By 

"zonked3999" (Kitty Hawk, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: GE 35365 Voice-Activated Handheld Mini Cassette Recorder (Office Product)

I bought this recorder in January of 2000 and i really like it. I was a great price and it works great for all my needs. I am a college student and whenever there is a class i just record it and listen to it. The little gadget picks up all the information i need. This is a great recorder for anyone who needs one. A great price, too!