Topic: Rugged recorder with built in mics <$400?

[sunjan]

Hi all,

A friend of mine is going on a field trip, interviewing native tribes in the jungle.
I'm helping him shop for a recorder.

His requirements:
Total budget <$400 (preferably incl. media and batteries)
Solid state (CF/SD)
AA/AAA batteries (no charging opportunity in the field)
Preferably built-in mics, if they are sensitive enough to record speech. (Willing to compromize for plug-in T-shape mic if necessary)
As rugged as possible, maybe even splashproof (no flimsy plastic battery lid that can break, etc)
Size/weight is not a problem

I'm now contemplating between one of these:
Zoom H2 $200
Zoom H4 $240 on eBay
Edirol R-09, $340 on eBay and BPM Music
Others that fit the bill?

On the verge of being too expensive:
Marantz PMD620, $400
Olympus LS-10 $399 (but not out yet)

I need your opinion on which one is most suitable for this field trip.
The main concerns are ruggedness, and quality/sensitivity of built-in mics.
I also need to find out which devices support large memory cards (4/8/16GB)?

Thanks a lot in advance!

/Jan

[aaronji]

As rugged as possible, maybe even splashproof (no flimsy plastic battery lid that can break, etc)

This will be the requirement that will kill you!  Certainly, none of them are bullet-proof.  I have a Zoom H2 and a Marantz PMD620 and have looked at the others, with the exception of the Olympus.  I find the Marantz to be the most solid, but that new Olympus is supposed to have an aluminum body.  Have you looked at the new Sony?  A bit higher than your specified price range, but it seems pretty well-built...

[colorado_bob]

As rugged as possible, maybe even splashproof (no flimsy plastic battery lid that can break, etc)

Depending how important splashproof is, as opposed to convenient access to controls, it might be worth looking into something like this case:

   http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=i1010

Should be able to connect an external mic through the headphone access and secure it somehow.  I've never actually seen one of these - so I can't say how well it will work.

-Bob

[Belexes]

The new Sony D50 is suppose to be built like a tank and may meet most of the other requirements, except price.  It sells for $450 - $500 depending on where you look, sales, etc.

I have the R-09 and it's as light as a Lego toy. I'd hate to see what happens if I ever drop it without it's Bodyglove on.

[guysonic]

For low cost, and better than R-09 build/improved audio performance, PMD-620 seems the best fit for all-in-one remote location recording deck.

[flintstone]

Ideally, you should purchase all four recorders: Zoom H2, M-Audio Microtrack II, Edirol R-09 and Marantz PMD620.  It will only take a couple of days to receive the recorders, check them out doing some interview-style recording, and choose a winner.  Buy from a dealer that will give you a few days to evaluate the equipment. For example, Guitar Center will give you a couple of weeks to evaluate a purchase, and offers a full refund if the gear is returned in as-new condition.

No recorder in the under-$400 class is really rugged.  I'd recommend that your friend increase the budget to include backup equipment.  An extra $400 is nothing compared to the cost and time invested in the trip. Keep a spare recorder in a sealed plastic bag, away from dust and water exposure.

Flintstone

[Nixoo]

I'd say, buy 2 zoom H2's If one breaks you have a spare one. Can he afford to be in the middle of nowhere and have no recording device left? Also, I'd spread my riscs over multiple smaller memory cards instead of a couple of bigger ones..

[sunjan]

Ideally, you should purchase all four recorders: Zoom H2, M-Audio Microtrack II, Edirol R-09 and Marantz PMD620.  It will only take a couple of days to receive the recorders, check them out doing some interview-style recording, and choose a winner.  Buy from a dealer that will give you a few days to evaluate the equipment. 
No recorder in the under-$400 class is really rugged.  I'd recommend that your friend increase the budget to include backup equipment.  An extra $400 is nothing compared to the cost and time invested in the trip. Keep a spare recorder in a sealed plastic bag, away from dust and water exposure.

I'm on the other side of the pond, so shop returns are slightly more complicated. It'll probably be a mail order-only affair... Not sure where the MT II comes into the picture, I don't think it has any built-in mics, right?

I agree with increasing the budget, but we'll see what's doable. Probably looks like PMD620 is the best option if he's strapped for cash. As an emergency he can throw in an old MD player or smth as a backup.

+T all around for your ideas!

/Jan