Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony ICD-B500 Digital Voice Recorder, Flash 256 MB

I've been using one of these (and similar) for legal dictation for a number of years, and they're pretty much indispensable. So, all in all I would agree with both reviews here.

However, the market has shifted up a gear in recent times with mobile dictation software from the likes of nflow etc. Digital dictation via a Blackberry (or other Windows Mobile device) means one less thing to carry in your pocket, but the benefits don't end there when you can also send messages from anywhere to anywhere in the world.

If you've only got a small budget you can't go far wrong with one of these old style dictaphones. But if you want to take dictation to the next level you should certainly consider the new offerings in the marketplace.

This voice recorder is exactly what I needed.
As an postgraduate student conducting interviews for research, this voice recorder was quite simply the perfect tool.

While my recordings usually take place in quiet offices or rooms, such is the power of the mic and the clarity of the recording that one is able to hear voices over unwanted noise or traffic.

The controls are clear (and there are ample instruction booklets to help), and reasonably intuitive. Needing the fast-forward/rewind while the recording plays can be slightly tedious, but doesn't detract from the quality overall.

Excellent Product.

I do quite like this recorder, it's small, has clear buttons and functions (it's quicker to use than the other recorders in my possession and it doesn't attempt to do too much), records with a decent clarity and seems to have a good amount of storage and battery life. In quiet enviroments it's very clear, and can be okay in noisier environments like cafe's - but seems to pickup almost everything.

The one frustrating thing about this recorder is it's tendency to pickup and record the noise from mobile phones (the rhythmic beeping and buzzing) even when they are 2 metres away. I've had a number of otherwise great recordings rendered useless by this, and without warning! Other recorders seem far less affected by this.

The only other disappointing lack of feature is there is no USB or other port to get recordings off the device, so creating MP3s from recording takes as long as the original recording. Still, it is quite cheap!

Yes i like my Sony Digital voice recorder found it very useful and a good recording as somtimes i had to whisper in mine and it picked it up. Very easy to use too i would recommend this product.

I am satisfied with my purchase. I wasn't looking for a state of the art equipment to record my thoughts and also occasionally people's opinions. This particular dictaphone has met my needs and is easy on the pocket too.