Favorite digital recorder???

[maki]

So here's the question again-
Whats your favorite digaital recorder?
From what I've read the Zoom H2 seems to be very well liked but I wonder if there are any
in the 50-60 dollar range that work OK?

I need to start recording the local session and would also like to do face to face lessons.
Thanks!

[maki]

Maybe I asked the wrong question.

Is the Zoom H2 so much better than its competion that anything else is not worth having?

[ketida]

It's been a few years since I bought the Zoom, but my main reason for paying the higher price was the multiple track feature that the other recording machines did not offer. The Zoom has way more tricks than I need, and that made it more confusing. But being able to record myself, by myself, with different instruments, harmonies, etc, made it a valuable purchase. If you don't need multiple tracks, go for something less expensive.
So, yes I would say, if you only want to record sessions and lessons, don't spend the extra money for a Zoom.

[srleslie]

Anyone try the H1 (for half the money?)

[highland-piper]

I have H2 and H4n. I love them both.

If all you want to do is record, then the H1 should do a good job. It has the same microphones as the h4n, which are a good bit better than the h2.

The Zoom recorders are so crazy good I wouldn't buy anything else if I needed another one.

[Jäger]

Anyone try the H1 (for half the money?)

I've got the H1, and for recording sessions in noisy pubs and doing some rudimentary home recordings, I say it's absolutely fine. I made a home recording for the clips & snips archive about six months ago with it that you can hear here as an example of how it sounds. I did nothing to process the sound, but I would guess that Tony reduced the bitrate quite a bit, but that's the sound of the H1 au naturale.

[maki]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I guess I'll save my nickles and dimes for the H1.