Customer Reviews

RCA RP5010 Digital Voice Recorder

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

 

 

The RCA RP5010 is an excellent voice recorder for those on a tight budget, yet needing a long (3 hour) recording time. It is easy to use, fits in a palm and offers outstanding recording quality. As for me, I use it a lot in college for taking notes. The only con I can think of is its short battery life; nevertheless, it comes equipped with a 3VDC adapter jack - a lifesaver for me.

Just wanted to make a correction: This unit DOES pause during playback. Just press PLAY during playback and it pauses. Press PLAY again and it picks up where it left off. I just tried it. The built-in clock will go through batteries if you just leave it sitting. Lots of features, but a fairly complicated menu structure.

My first DVR. I use it for my 2 weekly customer conference calls. Both meetings last about an hour, then I transcribe action items, release schedules, etc. In the two months I've had it, I've burned through 5 sets of batteries. Not too pleased with that result. Insult to injury, I am unable to find the 3 volt adapter that it will accomodate. Not on this site, not at RCA.com, not surfing the net. Next stop Radio Shaft. 'Zon should provide access to that assessory. Be prepaired to drop coin on AAA cells.

Skip back button is very tricky, and a feature I use heavily. Hold it down long, it skips slow, hold it down longer, it goes a little faster, which is the same as the skip forward action. But, if you just tap the back button, it goes all the way back to the start of the recording! So, I'm 1/2 hour through transcription, don't hold down the tiny little back button as long as it thinks is necessary, and I must start over. Keep a very close eye on the time counter when using any of these functions so you can navigate your way back to the moment you fat-finger it.
I also pick up a terrible screech that is undetectable during recording, but ear melting on playback. Only happens at the office (tested it at home with no problem). Since I bought if only for the office, this reduces its usability quite a bit. Had to do over, I would have shopped more.
Dennis Kucinich for President!

I think this handy little device is perfect for all of the times when I need a quick and easy way to remember things from my travels. I'd recommend this item to anyone without any reservations.

Whoever said this recorder doesn't have a pause button needs to look at the manual. While it's playing, you simply hit the play button again to pause it. And yes, that is in the manual.

This recorder is under $30 if you get the right deal, battery life is wonderful, the sound quality is just fine (I don't need to turn mine up past 5 or 6), and it's very small / lightweight.

It's definitely a shirt pocket item for me.

I have had this recorder for about 3 years and have used it off an on. If you are left handed, it it better to learn to use it in your right hand as important controls are on the right edge of the device.

It has good sound quality and is reliable. Buttons on the front are a little small but you get used to them. It is worth the price.

Aside from the fact it is French. I found this recorder to be quite versatile and quick to learn. Care has to be exercised when using the buttons since they are marked but have no tactile cues. This was not an issue when I used it to take notes during an investigation. Playback quality is acceptable. Very understandable with all clearly spoken voices. I didn't have a problem with battery drain since I use rechargeables. For what I paid for the recorder, it performs very well.

I bought this recorder to record lectures, and it does record lectures reasonably well.

However, in playback mode - the silly thing has NO PAUSE BUTTON! What were they thinking?

Normally, a device of this kind has a "playback pause" button - so you can pause playback. A Pause feature is always standard, because it is an essential recorder function. But not this RCA unit!

Instead, you can only stop the playback - which is like a playback reset - and then you have to hold down the "fast-forward", (which is only about double normal speed) - in order to get back to where you left off!

It is so incredibly frustrating - I felt compelled to write this review about it!

Normally, a "pause button" is standard - it is on EVERY OTHER recorder I have ever owned. But it is not included on this RCA unit.

What were they thinking?