I can't stand the employees at my local Sam Ash. they love to grandstand and sell you h4n even though you've told them 30 times you don't want it.
The best one out there and easily available right now I would say is the TASCAM DR-40. its very simple: either built-in mics, line in, or external XLR mics... and you can actually record 4 tracks at once. $200 retail price. and the preamps are pretty darn good.