Features:

  • High quality MP3 recording;Includes Olympus Carrying Case for WS Series Voice Recorders
  • USB Direct connect with battery charge function
  • 8gb internal memory
  • Micro SD card slot
  • Playback speed control 0.5X - 2.0X
Clear recording, easy to use

Bought to replace my previous Olympus recorder that my MIL took fancy to and took with her :-) Decided to get a nicer one this time and bought this model. Love the recordings so far, very very clear. Love the kickstand feature. Menu is simple and easy to use. For someone coming from using previous line of Olympus recorders, this was even easier. I intend to use some microSD cards lying around to expand the recording capacity, but onboard storage is more than sufficient to get started and keep going for months. And it comes with a case. I had added a soft shell case to my cart but decided to buy later just in case this one did not have a soft shell case. Very pleased to see it came with the box. So, did not need spend extra at all... Loving it!

Well-designed and easy to operate

This recorder is very well-designed and user-friendly. Its principal drawback is that the display is compact and can be difficult to read; older citizens might need to wear their eyeglasses. The "STOP," "REC," and "OK" buttons are large and easy to operate, and handle the record and playback functions superbly, but do read the manual -- this recorder has many tricks up its sleeve! Some of them can be disruptive if they emerge or alter your planned action because of ignorance. The recorder has several pre-defined recording curves, or "filters: Dictation, Meeting, Conference, Telephone, and DNS (for voice-recognition software). They are in the menus, of course, but there is a direct-access button in the lower-right corner of the control panel, marked "Calendar," with "--Scene" below. Pressing and holding this button opens the "Scene" menu, and the filters are selected by pressing the "+" and "-" keys on the central, circular button array, then pressing the "OK" button in the center. I have found these options to be very effective, and the noise-cancelling filter, which is engaged during replay, is outstanding. The recorder has 3 record "modes," 8-, 64-, and 128-kbps. The highest rate, of course, produces the cleanest, most accurate sound, while the lowest rate yields the longest recording times. 64-kbps is the best compromise, but the recorder's high 8-GB capacity provides 130 hours of recording time at 128-kbps, 260 hours at 64-kbps, and 2,080 hours at 8-kbps. In addition, the recorder can accept a micro-SD card up to 32 GB in size in its micro-SD-card slot. The 8-kbps mode produces very dull, low-quality sound (70 Hz to 3.5 kHz). It should be used only for maximum endurance. 64-kbps records from 70 Hz to 15 kHz (more than perfect for voice), and 128-kbps records from 70 Hz to 17 kHz, which produces good, but not perfect music recordings (weak bass). Battery life is excellent. I have recorded perhaps 500 hours at 128-kbps since I received the recorder, and the recording times listed in the manual for the Ni-MH batteries have been reasonably accurate. An unusual feature is the built-in USB plug, which is at the top of the recorder, and is extended and retracted by a slider button on the back. The recorder can be plugged into a computer for down-loading of files and/or to recharge the batteries. To accommodate this feature, the microphone and headset jacks are on the left side (as you look at the front of the recorder), which can be awkward for carrying the recorder in a pocket while a headset or an external microphone is plugged in. Because the recorder is very small, this configuration is not usually a problem. Recordings made with the recorder in a breast pocket have been excellent. The recorder can be plugged into a charger, and the USB plug system appears to be sufficiently durable to support the recorder's weight, but to eliminate the likelihood of damaging the recorder, a USB extension cable might be desirable. However, they are expensive. Finally, there is also a small fold-out stand in the back of the recorder, so that the microphones will be elevated and point up slightly for a group or conference recording.

surprisingly good recorder

It was initially frustrating, since I'm accustomed to the WS-802, and the design and software are considerably different. I'm accustomed to "record" and "music" base folders. After I downloaded a (much better than what was supplied) manual, I got things under control. The recording features are much better than I anticipated. Just had to change my mindset from "my mp3 player that also records" to "my recorder that also plays mp3 files"

Love the "simple" display and the built-in USB adapter

I'm a writer and I interview people almost daily (mostly on the phone) and for years I've used Olympus Pearlcorder microcassette recorders and they've always worked very well, but I just hated having to use tapes (scrolling back and forth through a tape to look for a particular part of a conversation is a nightmare--especially if the interview is an hour long or longer). With digital I can just upload the interview to iTunes and then search quickly by just fast forwarding through the file or making approximate guesses and jumping to that point. It's a trillion times more efficient. Also, the counter on Olympus digital recorders is very accurate, so you can jot notes while you're recording to find certain passages. I switched to digital a few years ago and this is the second Olympus digital voice recorder I've owned (the other is an older VN-702PC) and they both operate beautifully but there are two specific things I really like (a lot) about this one. For one, the USB connector is built in so I don't have to search the jungle of cords in my office when I want to download recordings. There is just a little sliding button on the back to reveal the USB adapter and when you're done, it retracts. The other thing I really like about this particular unit is the simplified display mode. My primary complaint about the 702 was that there was so much technical gibberish on the screen I never knew what half of it meant. Frustrating. Now if you choose the simple display mode, basically all that you see of importance is the word "record," a large counter (I can actually read it without my glasses--a miracle) and a levels meter. There are a few other things in the periphery (folder indicator and battery indicator, etc.), but they are off to the top and bottom and don't block the primary info. This simple mode is much easier to use and I'm sure it was created to respond to user complaints from older models. Another improvement is a much simpler and easier to see power switch on the side. The old one was almost invisible and very hard to see and use. Also, this model comes with rechargeable batteries, which is nice (and you can charge them via the USB port, so you charge them right in the unit). The audio quality of all Olympus recorders is excellent and this one is no exception. Also, the 8gb internal memory of this is huge--I can't imagine every filling it up and if you do, you can simply delete folders you no longer need. My only complaint about this recorder (like the old one) is that the manual while clear is also physically small. This makes reading the demo screens tough for my antique eyes. I solved this by scanning a few pages and enlarging them and then printing them out. But it would be nicer if the manual were just physically larger and the illustrations were bigger. Overall, a great recorder with substantial improvements over earlier Olympus digital recorders.

Buy This Recorder the FIRST Time!

I purchased this to replace a cheap Chinese recorder that stopped working the third time I used it. I need a recorder for monthly meetings. I haven't recorded a meeting yet, and will update the review once I do, but the tests I've run have shown me that this is a little powerhouse. It's easy to set up, easy to understand, and easy to use. I love that it has rechargeable nicad batteries and can be charged by pushing out a USB connector and plugging it into your computer or a USB charger. It's simple to find your recordings, as they're sorted by calendar date. You can choose different types of recording settings, to get better clarity for different situations. I'm thrilled that I was smart enough to buy this!

Fully satisfactory for 24x7 recording.

I wear this unit on my chest, mounted on suspenders along with two action cameras. It records 24x7. I change the rechargeable batteries daily, with time to spare. The sound quality is better than that of the action cameras, so for an important video I replaced the audio track with the audio from this recorder. This unit replaces Sony recorders that I've used for 10 years, and it is designed better. I do not use the external jacks but agree with others that they should not be on the side. Also, there's no way to easily display the time. (I could use the Sony to see the time and date.) My life depends on this voice recorder (and my cameras), which I wear for legal protection and to deter violence.

You will LOVE this Recorder...if you're Old Skool

I used the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder for the first time a couple nights ago and it worked flawlessly. The aspects of this recorder that I like are: 1. The easy-to-select settings - like conference, telephone record, dictation. These are like pre-sets (they call Simple Mode) and I've found that the conference and dictation work wonderful and were easy to select/program. 2. I like the size of the recorder itself - small enough not to be cumbersome or obtrusive like the old cassette recorder was! 3. I LOVE that it has the USB right in it - press down on the button and slide it to pop the USB out, then plug it straight into your computer. No wires to fuss with or keep track of. I had our meeting uploaded and saved as an MP3 to my computer within seconds of the meeting being over. 4. I like the size of the data capabilities. Difficult to find 8GB in any recorder anymore. The recorder comes with a case and rechargeable batteries. You put the batteries into the recorder and plug it into your computer to charge. There is a small charge on them to begin with, but it took around an afternoon to get them to fully charged. 5. Finally, I TRULY appreciated the fast and easy shipment from this seller. I actually had ordered this exact same recorder from another online company back in June. Just about weekly I would receive a message the delivery was delayed. When I got the message that it wouldn't be delivered until September (and in reality, it probably would have been delayed more) I got irritated and went to Amazon and Bluetek to order the same thing I should have been using since June. I had it in my hands in 2 days!!!! Can you tell I was irritated with the delay from that other company?! Now then, the CONS. 1. The instruction book leaves a little to be desired. It has pictures/diagrams and writing - in 24 languages! - but even being a "follow the directions" kind of girl, I still had to fiddle with the recorder on my own to get to where I wanted to go. It's not difficult, but the instructions don't really get you through all the final steps...especially if you have to back to change something. 2. The only other con I see...and this can be a big one...is that this recorder is an older model and therefore, will only work with Windows Vista,/ 7 / 8 / 8.1 and Mac OS X 10.5-10.10. I don't know much about Mac, but I do know that Windows is more advanced than 8.1, so keep that in mind when ordering.

Looks like me and this device are going to be lifelong ...

This device is a substitute for an older persons memory (at least in my case). Jokes aside, I have found this device most helpful in my travels throughout the day. I was a little worried about learning how to operate what seemingly was at first a complicated machine, but after a few minutes my fears where allayed. Looks like me and this device are going to be lifelong companions.

Excellent DVR

A professional quality stereo voice recorder. I purchased this to replace a Sony ICD-PX312 DVR which had failed about one week out of warranty. I could not be happier with my new unit. Operation is easy, flexible, and logical; sound quality is quite good; the speech recognition rate with Dragon Naturally Speaking is excellent. Overall, I expect this device to last a long time; unlike the Sony, it is solidly constructed--it's like a little brick. Its controls are solid and positive, unlike the Sony's--the Sony's broke even though it was hardly used at all, and then used gently. It's very well designed. It offers a male USB connector you can plug into your computer; using it you can recharge the recorder's batteries as well as transfer files directly to applications (like Dragon) on your system. Speech recognition is automatic (and very accurate); just drage a dictation file to Dragon and the rest is automatic. Finally, this has an owner's manual you'll never lose. It's stored as a PDF file in the recorder's memory. All in all, an extremely thoughtful, and very sturdy design.

Easy to use; just what I wanted

I bought the Olympus 853 because I have had an Olympus WS-321 for 10 years that I have used 3 or more times a week and have loved. As the old one was starting to get a little problem although still usable, I decided to get a new one. I use it to record a weekly choral rehearsal so I can practice it during the week. For good sound quality I use headphones when I play it back as I practice. It sounds as though I am there at the rehearsal-excellent recording! I like the rechargeable battery and it seems to last a long time. I have only recharged it once and that was to make sure that I wouldn't run out of power during a recording. I like that, like my old one, it can be easily paused and restarted with the touch of a button so that I only get the parts of the rehearsal that I need and is all part of the same file. Although I could make separate files if desired. I can hear all of the voice parts and piano in the room although I do hear my own voice a little louder than the rest since I have it attached to my music folder. It has a much larger memory for files (8 GB) and also a micro card can be inserted for more memory as well as upload the files to my computer or external hard drive. I haven't done that yet. I like that I can find the file I want by using the included calendar which shows the days I made recordings and I can just use the arrow buttons to go back to them. There may be other great features that I haven't even tried yet. The only thing I would like to see changed is a larger opening for inserting a strap. Only a very thin wire or strong thread can be inserted which is necessary so I don't drop it. But I am very satisfied with my new voice recorder. I hope it lasts as long as my old one!

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