tape recorders

LisaRN2B · Dec 21, 2003

Originally posted by kat57
Anyone used a tape recorder in class ? I'll definitely be getting one. What type and do your instructors get annoyed by them ?

I use a digital recorder I purchased at Radio Shack. Works great and I can upload the recordings to my computer and then burn CD's of them if I choose to.

My instructors encourage the use of recorders...but not all of the profs at every school will allow it, so check just to make sure.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Dec 22, 2003

I have an Olympus DS-330 Digital Recorder. Got it at Radio Shack as well and I like it!

If you are like me and like to research everything before you buy it (especially if its over $100) I went to amazon.com and epinion.com to read reviews. A lot of people gave Olympus brand of digital recorders good reviews and I have been happy with mine.

But like Lisa said they are nice cause you can download them onto your computer (thus no tapes laying all over the place to get lost) and on mine (and probably most digitals), I have 4 or 5 seperate "folders" for each of my classes and it runs 5.5 hours total.

Marilyn

LisaRN2B · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by marilynmom
I have an Olympus DS-330 Digital Recorder. Got it at Radio Shack as well and I like it!

If you are like me and like to research everything before you buy it (especially if its over $100) I went to amazon.com and epinion.com to read reviews. A lot of people gave Olympus brand of digital recorders good reviews and I have been happy with mine.

But like Lisa said they are nice cause you can download them onto your computer (thus no tapes laying all over the place to get lost) and on mine (and probably most digitals), I have 4 or 5 seperate "folders" for each of my classes and it runs 5.5 hours total.

Marilyn

Yep, and mine has a slot for a memory card so it can store even more recordings. Love it! Batteries seem to last a fairly long time, too.

Sarah Kat · Dec 22, 2003

I got a Sony digital recorder. It has transcription software with it too, so I can take my own notes when I am studying just by reading sections aloud then putting the recording in the computer and viola! it's typed out. Our instructors said we were welcome to use one, so I asked for one from Santa and it came early! It's easy to use, came with a carrying case and a set of earbuds.

Here's the link

lehua · Dec 22, 2003

Although digital recorders are lightweight and small I prefer the clunker cassette type myself. It goes from my home stereo to the car tape deck which is perfect when traffic is terrible-which is every drive on any freeway over here. So here's a thumbs up for the old school type.

LisaRN2B · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by lehua
Although digital recorders are lightweight and small I prefer the clunker cassette type myself. It goes from my home stereo to the car tape deck which is perfect when traffic is terrible-which is every drive on any freeway over here. So here's a thumbs up for the old school type.

Unless you have a CD player in your car!

I also have a personal CD player with an adapter for playing it in the car we have with no CD.

Transfering to CD can be time consuming, dependent upon how many recordings/class lectures you have, so for some the "oldie-but-goody" would be best.

jschut, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2003

I used one in LPN~ will definitely use one for RN too!

Sarah Kat, yours sounds amazing! (But I looked at your link, and surely can't afford $200 right now!)

I'd love to have something that typed out notes though...

Best of luck to all of us!

Love and hugs,

Julie :)

EyesForward · Dec 22, 2003

I am a big fan of digital everything, but I've spent so much money on electronics I decided to go skinny on my voice recorder. It's a tiny SONY M450, uses microcassettes, and works perfectly in a classroom. Last semester I had friends tape the classes I missed, and it saved me. At about twenty bucks it's not a wallet-buster either.

mitchsmom · Dec 22, 2003

I also have a Sony microcassette kind. I don't think the sound quality is very good but it was cheap so there ya go. It's serving its purpose. I do have to sit right down front to get a good recording though. I also use it before exams - I read my notes in question/answer form with pauses in between to quiz myself - I have a long commute so I can quiz myself for 2 hours while driving to the test. I got all A's last semester so I don't think it's hurting in any case

RN_N_05 · Dec 22, 2003

I don't think I could get through school without my recorder. I have a Sony or RCA (can never remember the name). It was $50 at Wal-Mart. It is digital, so no cassettes. Unfortunately, it doesn't do any of the fancy stuff the other ones do. It has a couple different settings to record, depending on what type of classroom you have. I keep mine on auditorium or something like that and it records about 2 1/2 hours. If you're room/class is small enough, it will do close to 6 hours.