Buying a Digital Voice Recorder
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Lots of shoppers ask me what Digital Voice Recorder (DVR) I use. It happens that I bought a new one a few months ago, and I love it! It has everything a mystery shopper could want and more.
The recorder I use is made by Olympus. You can buy it at Amazon.com by clicking on the picture to the left. Here is what I like about it:
- It will record up to 66 hours of audio. More than enough to get you through a long day of mystery shopping!
- One AAA battery will last up to 15 hours.
- The display shows elapsed time, so it is easy to use it to verify timings.
- It has a jack to plug in an external microphone for better recording quality.
- You can play back at fast or slow speeds, so you can quickly review the audio or slow it down to get exactly what was said.
- You can use it to store other files, such as photos (although you can not view files on the recorder).
- Best of all: It has a USB connector for easy upload of files to your computer.
I have used this recorder on several shops, and the quality of the recording has always been excellent. In fact, the first shop I did with it had to be uploaded to the mystery shopping company. The employee I was shopping was a “low talker” and I was afraid she was speaking so quietly I was not getting her on the recording. When I played it back, she came through loud and clear.
This recorder has become an indispensable tool on my shops. If you do not have a good DVR, this one is an excellent choice.
I also recommend getting an external mic to use with the recorder. The one shown on the left is made specifically for the Olympus recorder. I use one I bought at Radio Shack before I owned this DVR.
Or, check out the links below. I find that Amazon.com has great prices on electronics–that’s where I bought my DVR.
3 Responses to 'Buying a Digital Voice Recorder'
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on July 27th, 2007 at 8:37 am
I agree, I use mine to make notes when I am doing a shop. For instance if I see that there is a size missing or out of place I will discreatly go to where I can’t be seen and make a note on my recorder, I love it!! Cathy’s sounds better than mine, I own the olympus VN-3100PC, but it does the job. I set the recording quality and let it go. Best of all, it stops recording automatically when it doesn’t hear anything above a set, and adjustable, volume.
on October 24th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
[…] writing reports. The recording helps me to verify times and other specifics from the shop. You can learn more about DVRs and the model I use at: […]
on October 29th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Thank you very much Cathy I have a recorder but not this type you are talking about. I will purchase one because it will be well worth it. We do appreciate you and all of your tips on Mystery Shopping.
We love the advice and knowledge that you share with us Shoppers. I was not getting too many job offers but I am hanging in there because I love it or obsessed with it and now by being patient the offers are coming in and close to where I live and I love that.