Cheap Targus PA600U Total Recall Digital Voice Recorder for Handspring (Electronics) Price

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Customer Reviews of Targus PA600U Total Recall Digital Voice Recorder for Handspring

Not acceptable
I have been unable to use this item as intended. It seems to record when I don't want it to, yet doesn't work when I need it. <
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>The battery compartment is poorly manufactured, and the recording module does not snap in tightly. I must physically push on it when recording, and even then it runs intermittently. <
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>The record button is easily bumped, and there's nothing to protect it from turning on by itself while in a pocket or purse (independent of the visor pda), so the battery drains. <
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>You cannot record while it's installed in the PDA without using the touch-screen, as the buttons are inaccessible. <
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>I have also never figured out how to transfer the files to my PC; there are no clear-cut instructions explaining it.

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beware: fine print on box - transfer to PC req Win 98 or 00
On the side of the box:
"Voice Desktop Application to transfer you recording to your PC. (requires Windows 98 or 2000)"

The "Total Recall" worked fine in my Handspring and with its stand alone power source. However, I wasn't able to sync it with my desktop. After doing the normal uninstall/reinstall with no results, I wrote Targus. I also asked about the fine print noted above. They recommended I upgrade my Handspring OS, which I did, but to no avail. Customer Service was responsive, but ultimately unable to help me solve this problem. They eventually sent me a new "Total Recall". However, this time neither the stand alone power source nor the actual recorder worked. Unless you have Windows 98 or 2000, you might end up wasting a lot of time.

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For people with cluttered pockets and need dictation (Doc's)
The Targus Total Recall Digital Voice Recorder is a neat little gadget that adds to the usefulness of the Handspring Visor. (...) it will allow you to digitally record personal memos, lectures, etc. at the tap of the screen. It slides into the module expansion slot of the Visor, but can also be used independently as a stand-alone digital voice recorder. It's easy to use, has good sound quality, and makes life easier, though it is a bit expensive and bulky.

Personally, I find that I under-utilize my Visor. There are always moments when I want to jot down little notes or reminders, but find that writing things out using the Palm graffiti is sometimes more effort than it's worth. This situation is ideal for the Total Recall Voice Recorder. It's always easier to record a verbal message for yourself than it is to write out a long memo. And the Targus Digital Recorder is nicely designed to meet these needs. It's incredibly easy to use and install--just slide it into the back of your Visor and you're off and running. The recording quality is excellent (even on the lowest quality setting or in noisy environments) and you can record digital voice memos for up to 90 minutes (far more than I ever found the need for). Each verbal message is time and date stamped and is well-organized on the Visor screen for accessibility later. I was additionally impressed with the range of Voice Recorder. For recording personal messages, it is always loud and clear. But to my surprise, it was additionally usable for recording lectures from some distance.

There are numerous little features that I had not expected with the Voice Recorder. For one, the unit could be better described as a stand-alone Digital Voice Recorder that happens to also be a Visor module. Just pop it into its "shuttle" and you can record memos for yourself even when you don't have your Visor handy. There are four buttons that allow you to control the unit and record without the Visor. The shuttle operates on 2 AAA batteries. The upside to using the Total Recall as a stand-alone digital recorder is that it's a lot smaller and easier to transport. It can be later attached to your Visor for easy playback and editing. Moreover, using it in this manner will keep it from draining the batteries in your Handspring. The downside to the stand-alone mode is that the same time/date stamp is applied to all of your recordings (i.e. the time it was attached as a Visor module). The other big problem here is that it makes for one additional thing to carry...as if we didn't have enough.

The fact that it can be used with the Visor creates greater functionality and makes it more useful than a conventional digital voice recorder. For example, it is easy to edit messages. At the touch of the screen, you can insert new recordings into the middle of voice message, add to the end of a message, or even place bookmarks into a recording. Additional features on the Targus Total Recall unit include volume control, voice activation (unit turns off after 3 seconds of silence and turns back on when you continue talking), microphone and headphone jacks, and a PC desktop application that allows you to transfer recordings onto your computer

The biggest downside is the cost. Is it really worth (the price)? Despite liking the Total Recall Voice Recorder, I find the price to be a bit much for my needs as a student. However, for what you're getting in terms of portability, usability, and compatibility with the Visor, the cost does seem reasonable compared to other Digital Voice Recorders. The bottom line is that med students are busy people and have tons of information being thrown at them and the Total Recall Voice Recorder has the ability to make life a little easier. If you're someone that's in the market for a Digital Voice Recorder or if you find entering text into the Visor to be tedious, difficult, and slow, then this Total Recall Digital Voice Recorder might be right for you.