Zoom Handy Recorder (H1n) Blue

So far the sound quality is acceptable. However something that absolutely blows my mind is how she the enclosure is for this unit. In my hands, it seems to make creaking noises. When you rotate it or move it from side to side you will hear a noise that sounds like a piece is rattling around on the inside. This is actually the volume control rocker. If they had used a silicone rocker it would’ve dampened the sound. Also, the battery compartment door opens very easily. If this unit or to fall just a foot or two, I would imagine that the battery compartment door would fly off and the batteries shoot out all over the place. I would have gladly spent an extra five dollars on this unit if it had a more robust Enclosure.Why would a volume rocker shifting around be a problem? Because these microphones are so sensitive the shifting of the volume rocker within its slop causes a rattle sound in the audio recording.A quick fix for the volume rocker is putting a piece of tape over it. This prevents it from shifting when you rotated or move it around and eliminates the sound.Aside from these quirks it seems to record very well.

I got the Zoom H1n so I could record separate audio for my videos, which many are shot inside in a room with an annoying amount of echo. The sound quality is great, it does exactly what it was intended to, light weight, easy to use, and easy to transfer the audio files to my computer via the micro USB cable (sold separately). Also comes with 2 AA batteries. The only issue I have is that I think it should come with the micro USB cable. Otherwise you will have to transfer the files from the SD card, which is also a separate purchase. Hopefully you have a card reader. I think it should also have some internal memory built in so that the purchase of an SD card is optional.

After watching a million reviews I decided on the h1. It fits my needs better than a larger recorder. It does feel cheap and light BUT if it were heavy it would defeat the purpose. I am very impressed with the quality it records at and what it lacks in the "feel" it more than makes up for in function. I made a parabolic dish for it and it amazes me at how far it records clearly. You can hear a nat pass gas at a hundred yards in stereo! Cons on/off button rattles ....that's it. Worth every dime.

I bought it twice, returning it twice. The USB never worked on the first one (I am mac). The second one the USB worked as it apparently is supposed to: as soon as you plug in the cable it comes up with a menu to transfer. But this stopped working after a few hours. This is a major problem as other reviewers have mentioned. How a company can continue to sell a defective product is beyond me. I will simply spend a bit more and get that Tascam. It has a lot more features anyway.The feel of the H1N is very light. As noted by others you can not hand hold it. Even on a tripod you have to not touch it or you get massive noise. Why they couldn't shield this is beyond me. No attempt was made. If it is on a tripod or resting on an undisturbed surface it does make decent recordings. The interface is not bad but incredibly poorly explained. Is Zoom a Chinese company? IF not, then WTF? IF so then why in Xi Jinping's name can't they hire a native speaker to help explain how to work the thing. So cheap and mass produced. I am frankly surprised there is not more competition in this product category.

The device works fine but... In the old days the ad would say xx size batteries required but not included. This ad should have said, "micro SD card required but not included". Amazon did list a micro SD card with items frequently bought together but I thought this was for expansion memory. It's not. There is no internal memory. You also need an external speaker to hook the device to and an aux cable to run from the recorder to the speaker. You also need a USB cable to hook it to your computer. Interesting though 2 AAA batteries were required to operate the recorder and they were included.