Topic: FOSTEX FR-2le... Demo unit with NO accesories.... OR??

[cavernut]

I found a Tascam FR-le2 with no accessories including the battery box on sale for $99.

Is it worth it to buy it as a project?  Or even as something I will have to buy at least the battery box for from Tascam?

I also found a Demo Microtrack II but I imagine the batteries are Long Dead......
 

[flipp]

Tascam FR2-LE; never heard of it. If it is a Fostex FR2-LE for $99 jump on it even without a battery sled. You can use an RC battery connected to the stock connector or use a myriad of other options going into the walwart connector.

If the FR2-LE is too big for your intended use, check the MT. The battery in my original MT-24/96 is still going strong - not sure if my using an external battery has anything to do with that or not.

[cavernut]

Oooops, your right, sorry it was a very rainy day down here in Tampa and when I got back, I wrote this in a hurry…
Yes it is the Fostex…

The choice is between a Fostex FR-le2 and a MT II…. They are both pretty much the same price $99 & $79 respectively…
I have an MT II and it was destroyed in an unfortunate accident relier this week…

Both just come as they are, period, out the door…

I guess at this point, is there an advantage in the Fostex over the M-Audio?
I did notice the XLR Connectors on the Fostex are Neutric 2 in ones..
Is the quality better?

[willndmb]

I had a fr2-le and really liked it
The option to use rc batteries was great and in your case the only option without finding the sled, which isn't going too run it long enough for most recording situations anyway
Uses cf cards' I used adata 16 gb without issue
Does have a small concern of starting a new file, can't recall exactly if it just stops recording or what but at 24/48 I never ran into it, at 96 you def would
The box never seemed to really take off around here and sells complete for 350 range

[cavernut]

Thanks willndmb,

So in your opinion would you go for the MT II or the FR-2le?
I have and love the Microtrack II
I have always looked at the FR-le2 as a big step up, but if I am going to run into operating problems, its not going to work for me…
What are the best options for an aftermarket sled for either one?
I am sure the little flat pack in the MT II is dead from not being charged for a decade…..

Thanks, Michael

[Jamos]

My humble opinion:

Unless you absolutely need the size of the MTII, without a doubt go for the FR-2LE. 
It is MUCH higher quality in all regards.

The Fostex was modeled after it's big brother, the FR-2, which was a professional-level recorder.
The MTII was M-Audio's response to the original MT, which proved to be a complete POS very quickly.

I owned a FR-2LE with the busman vintage mod done to it, and I thought it sounded fantastic as an all-in-one box.

[willndmb]

Agree with above, unless you need digi in and/or size I would go with fr2le
I used busman mics and akg > fr2le with nice results. Not as good as littlebox > m10 though
I owned a mt too if you were curious

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

If I found a FR-2LE for $100 I'd buy it even though I have no use for it. Good little recorder.

[page]

If I found a FR-2LE for $100 I'd buy it even though I have no use for it. Good little recorder.

yeah, pretty close. This is a no brainer to me when compared to the MT2 (which has only one redeeming value; spdif in).

[John Willett]

No brainer - get the Fostex FR-2LE.

I reviewed the FR-2LE for LineUp magazine when it first came out in 2007 - you can read the review HERE if you wish.

[cavernut]

Today is Sunday and my plan is actually to buy both… I am going to make an offer of $150 for the combo…
There are no boxes, no manuals, no power cords, battery boxes, remote controls… nothing, just the units themselves….

I'll write back after play "Lets make a Deal" at Guitar Center….
….

[cavernut]

I got both the FR-le2 & the MT-II for a grand total of… $145.00

The MT II is currently charging, I doubt that it will actually charge….

Now I need a connector for the FR-le2 so I can see if it works… I may just dig into my wall wart box & see if i can find a 12v that fits the outboard connector...

[willndmb]

Hot damn
Grab a 7.2v rc battery for the fr2le
I have a 3400 or 3600mah and it ran 48v for over six hrs

[cavernut]

I need to build a battery sled or just go external full time, do you have any of the specs for this?

[Massive Dynamic]

I think these might possibly do -
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4273066
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tenergy-72-3000-pack.html

It is a 7.2v rechargeable battery intended for remote controlled vehicles (has a Tamiya-style connector to connect to the Fostex battery compartment). You'll also need a charger for the pack.

If you haven't read the owner's manual, find it here at the bottom of the page.
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/FR-2LE.shtml#content-4-tab-tab
Page 21 has info on battery operation.