Olympus L400 Ultra-Compact Microcassette Recorder

I ordered this from Amazon, who had the best price on the internet or otherwise. When I received it, I spent several days thinking I might send it back. It has its problems and is a little "too" small for me. However, I've worked through the problems and gotten used to the device and it is pretty good.

First, the problems. Someone with real small hands will appreciate it. Others with bigger hands might find it too small. Those used to holding a microcassette recorder a certain way (using the thumb to work the controls for example) will have to get used to the small size. The controls on this device are electronic buttons instead of manual push buttons. But I have to shift the device up in my hands to access all the buttons with my thumb. In addition, only the rewind function works while the tape is playing. That is, you can't fast forward without stopping the tape first. Further, they didn't add a separate fast forward button, but you hit the rewind button twice to go...Read more

I bought this as a replacement for a previous Olympus pearlcorder for my father-in-law and he loves it. The Olympus microcassette recorders blow all those cheap recorders in the retail stores. Olympus can pick up your voice easily and play back loudly. The bonus is that the L400 is so small, it's cool. If my father-in-law can use it easily, then anyone can!

I bought the L400 and 500 recorders, and am disapointed in the sound quality with both. The 500 had a real "tinny" sound, and unsuitable for dictation. The 400 has a loud motor whine on playback (which doesn't happen if I play the same tape back on a Sony recorder), and a similar tinny sound. Olympus recorders seem to be well constructed, compact, and great gadgets. But, the sound quality is inferior, and causes me not to recommend them until Olympus makes this better. My various Sony recorders are so far superior in sound quality that Olympus should be ashamed. Is my experience unique?