Home > Consumer Reviews > RCA RP5010 Digital Voice Recorder

The RCA RP5010 is an excellent voice recorder for those on a tight budget, yet needing a long (3 hour) recording time. It is easy to use, fits in a palm and offers outstanding recording quality. As for me, I use it a lot in college for taking notes. The only con I can think of is its short battery life; nevertheless, it comes equipped with a 3VDC adapter jack - a lifesaver for me.

Just wanted to make a correction: This unit DOES pause during playback. Just press PLAY during playback and it pauses. Press PLAY again and it picks up where it left off. I just tried it. The built-in clock will go through batteries if you just leave it sitting. Lots of features, but a fairly complicated menu structure.

My first DVR. I use it for my 2 weekly customer conference calls. Both meetings last about an hour, then I transcribe action items, release schedules, etc. In the two months I've had it, I've burned through 5 sets of batteries. Not too pleased with that result. Insult to injury, I am unable to find the 3 volt adapter that it will accomodate. Not on this site, not at RCA.com, not surfing the net. Next stop Radio Shaft. 'Zon should provide access to that assessory. Be prepaired to drop coin on AAA cells.

Skip back button is very tricky, and a feature I use heavily. Hold it down long, it skips slow, hold it down longer, it goes a little faster, which is the same as the skip forward action. But, if you just tap the back button, it goes all the way back to the start of the recording! So, I'm 1/2 hour through transcription, don't hold down the tiny little back button as long as it thinks is necessary, and I must start over. Keep a very close eye on the time counter when using any of these functions so you can navigate your way back to the moment you fat-finger it.
I also pick up a terrible screech that is undetectable during recording, but ear melting on playback. Only happens at the office (tested it at home with no problem). Since I bought if only for the office, this reduces its usability quite a bit. Had to do over, I would have shopped more.
Dennis Kucinich for President!

I think this handy little device is perfect for all of the times when I need a quick and easy way to remember things from my travels. I'd recommend this item to anyone without any reservations.

Whoever said this recorder doesn't have a pause button needs to look at the manual. While it's playing, you simply hit the play button again to pause it. And yes, that is in the manual.

This recorder is under $30 if you get the right deal, battery life is wonderful, the sound quality is just fine (I don't need to turn mine up past 5 or 6), and it's very small / lightweight.

It's definitely a shirt pocket item for me.