Customer Reviews

GE 35365 Voice-Activated Handheld Mini Cassette Recorder

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Great choice if you want the quailty of a full size audio cassette, but want to be able to tuck it into a music bag or backpack. My daughter uses this recorder to tape voice exercises as well as lectures. Great quality for the price. Cannot go wrong with this one!

It's inexpesive but the overall features are good. It's playback features are O.k given the fact that the micropone does not catch the sounds around you very well. I would not recommend it for lectures, business meetings etc, but it's just the product for you when you just want to get your thoughts on tape or make notes.

This recorder is the ideal companion for us in the paperless society. It fits perfectly inyour hand and once you become attached to it you'll be operating it without have to look to see what button to press for a particular function. Great price, too!

The GE 35365 voice-activated cassette recorder is very similar to the GE 35364-A model that I have. Mine has voice activated recording, variable speed playback, built-in mic(with high or low sensativity settings), ear jack. It has a DC input jack for an AC adapter(not included). The recorder, even though it is a hand-held size, uses full size cassette tapes, and has lots of volume. It can record Church musical concerts(in a large sanctuary) with ease! It has auto-shutoff at end of tape, and cue/review while play button is in use. You will not go wrong with this machine. It can handle music fairly well, even though speaker is tiny, and on the back side of it. Sound sounds better through the earphones(not included). The model 35364-A does not have stereo playback. You must be carefull what mic setting you pick; cause sometimes, picking the high setting, makes the recorder pick up more tape motor noise. Recorder uses two AA batteries(not included), and they seem to last awhile. You can pause playback or recordings too! Tape loads easily into this machine. I recommend it!

I'm a student journalist who tends to rely on tape recorders for interviews, preferring them for accuracy's sake. I bought this one about a year ago, and it's given me nothing but trouble ever since. Playback is atrocious, especially in really quiet settings, where all it seems to pick up is the horrible white noise of nothingness ...

the product is good, but if it was smaller and lighter, i would have gone for it.