Customer Reviews for Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
Model: H2N
SKU: 3088678
UPC: 884354010065
Create 360° surround sound recordings with this portable recorder that features Mid-Side microphones that capture sound directly in front of you and a bidirectional side microphone that can be independently adjusted for recording flexibility.
Average Customer Rating:
5.0
out of 5
(1 Review) 1
Rating Snapshot 1 review
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100% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
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Customer Reviews for Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
Review 1 for Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
Awesome Recorder!
Customer Rating
5.0
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
4.0
Craftsmanship
4.0
What's great about it: unto 320kbs MP3, sd memory card, surround sound, 3 gain levels, foam wind breaker-good one, detachable stand,
What's not so great: battery meter does not accurately read batteries, does not have power adapter, uses a lot of electricity
I'm glad to see Best Buy is still carrying this recorder, and that the manufacturer is still producing it, it's a great recorder. The thing to be aware of is this is a professional recorder and is priced accordingly (this after all is the cancerous economic system called the monetary system we live under). So if you are a student looking for a recorder just for recording professor's lectures, and what not, this recorder might be more of a monetary investment than you would necessarily want to make for a simple application of that kind of nature.
I have had the H2 Recorder since 2009. I am an independent journalist so I use it when I am interviewing someone locally in person or recording an event like a protest or something, and it produces awesome recordings in high gain mode even in large spaces in a building. I use it for all kinds of other applications as well such as making audio recordings of documentaries off the internet, and one's I own copies of for my personal use, and it produces professional quality audio recordings for every single application I use it for.
The good points:
1. It records in MP3 format up to 320 kbps
2. It uses an SD memory card so it's universally compatible with all operating systems, Windows, Apple, Linux, and possibly Android (I would check on that if you're using an Android device). The reason I bring that point up is because most voice recorders will only work with Windows. Keep in mind though this is a field recorder, not a voice recorder, there is a difference. A field recorder is a professional level recorder. If you are looking for a recorder that's less expensive than this one's price point, I suggest looking for a voice recorder that uses a memory card, those will always have universal compatibility.
3. Very portable for a professional recorder, you could carry this in your pockets though I would not recommend it.
4. It comes with a detachable stand for setting it on a table or on the ground.
5. It has surround sound which makes it great for recording a concert or any other type of event including a protest, the kind I like to cover!
6. It has 3 different gain levels which is very advantageous, if you're recording a high decibel level event, you can set it at low gain level and not get distortion.
7. It has a line in port so you can record off a computer, or a multi media sound system.
8. It has a headphone port so you can listen while you're recording to monitor your recording if you need to.
9. It comes with a foam wind breaker, a nice one for outside recording and if you're going to be recording anything outside, I highly recommend using that foam windbreaker, it will make all the difference in the world.
2. It uses an SD memory card so it's universally compatible with all operating systems, Windows, Apple, Linux, and possibly Android (I would check on that if you're using an Android device). The reason I bring that point up is because most voice recorders will only work with Windows. Keep in mind though this is a field recorder, not a voice recorder, there is a difference. A field recorder is a professional level recorder. If you are looking for a recorder that's less expensive than this one's price point, I suggest looking for a voice recorder that uses a memory card, those will always have universal compatibility.
3. Very portable for a professional recorder, you could carry this in your pockets though I would not recommend it.
4. It comes with a detachable stand for setting it on a table or on the ground.
5. It has surround sound which makes it great for recording a concert or any other type of event including a protest, the kind I like to cover!
6. It has 3 different gain levels which is very advantageous, if you're recording a high decibel level event, you can set it at low gain level and not get distortion.
7. It has a line in port so you can record off a computer, or a multi media sound system.
8. It has a headphone port so you can listen while you're recording to monitor your recording if you need to.
9. It comes with a foam wind breaker, a nice one for outside recording and if you're going to be recording anything outside, I highly recommend using that foam windbreaker, it will make all the difference in the world.
Bad points:
1. Battery meter on this recorder has a technical flaw as of the 2009 model that is which is the one I have. You can put in fully charged batteries and it will not register full battery capacity, so the battery meter does not read the batteries accurately, now keep in mind mine is the 2009 model so by now the manufacturer might have fixed that particular problem.
This recorder does not come with a power adapter. It does have a port for a power adapter so you could use a universal power adapter with it, make sure it has the appropriate amperage, voltage, and pin.
This recorder uses a lot of electricity! For Real! I strongly recommend getting HIGH CAPACITY AA RECHARGEABLE batteries for it, and a smart charger. DO NOT USE DISPOSABLE BATTERIES WITH THIS RECORDER! I'm emphasizing that because if you use disposable batteries for this recorder you will seriously end up wasting a lot of money on batteries. I recommend rechargeable batteries of at least 2100 milli amp. This recorder uses 2 AA batteries. I recommend using the hybrid kind because those don't drain in a week like nickel metal hydride, and nickel cadmium do, they last a year on a full charge when idle.
Conclusion: The price is high (Average for a professional level audio recorder) keep in mind though this is a professional recorder, if price is an issue for you check out voice recorders however, I recommend strongly a voice recorder that uses a memory card because those will work on virtually any operating system except maybe Android. Next time you’re shopping Best Buy for a recorder, ask about voice recorders that use memory cards instead of internal memory. Ones with internal memory all use a software, and the software will only work with Windows.
If you do decide to get this recorder, I recommend Best Buy's warranty just incase the unit quits working in 3 years which is possible with anything electronic due to planned obsolescence from manufacturers, the good thing about their warranties is they are renewable, especially with something like this recorder, it's worth that little extra money to be able to have it under warranty for 6 or 7 years which is way beyond what you get from the manufacturer.
This recorder has it's good points, and bad points like anything else, do the good points outweigh the bad, from my experience with it, yes!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+28points
28out of 28found this review helpful.
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