Bell Sonecor BE310VTR Micro-Cassette Voice and Telephone Recorder

Like most recorders, this device has a microphone jack and headphone jack, but what sets it apart is the telephone handset jack. You use the included telephone cord to connect the recorder to the handset (or headset) jack on your telephone's base unit, and then connect the handset to the recorder. This is a great boon to those with multiline telephones, because most recording equipment can interface with only one of the lines. The Tele-Recorder records whichever line is in use at the time.

The unit runs on a pair of AA batteries and also accepts 3-volt DC power although an AC adapter (which is not included). There are two selectable recording speeds that let you either get double the amount of time from your tapes or achieve better recording quality. A switch on the side lets you choose whether you want to record calls or play recordings back through the telephone. The unit includes voice-activated recording circuitry that can cut down on the amount of tape used and conserve battery power, but like all voice-activated technology, it tends to slightly clip off the first word that triggers it. The only thing we really didn't like about this device was the switch used to fast-forward and rewind tapes. It's important to be able to quickly rewind a few seconds of tape while transcribing, but this switch is stiff and locks into place too easily. Simple fast-forward and rewind cue buttons that don't lock down would be preferable. But, if you can live with that, then the Tele-Recorder provides one of the easiest and most convenient ways to add a recorder to your telephone. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Has no problem recording all of the lines of a multiline phone
• Has all the input and output features you'd find in a normal minirecorder, plus a handset jack

Cons:

• Larger than many minirecorders we've tested
• Doesn't come with an AC adapter
• Fast-forward/rewind switch is stiff, making it difficult to cue just a few seconds of tape