CENLUX Professional Digital Voice Recorder Microphone HD Recording MP3 Player with Built-in Speaker Noise Cancellation Mic 8GB Memory

As usual, Amazon got the package delivered on, or before, their estimated date. Sadly someone at the warehouse chose to throw the recorder into a large envelope without any other packing. Needless to say, the fragile retail box didn't fare that well in the hands of the shipping gorillas as it swung tree-to-tree on the journey here.When the box was carefully opened, the device was plugged into a USB cable for charging as the product implies Lithium-Ion battery with their description 'SUPPORT DUAL POWER SUPPLY'. Guess they forgot to put a Lithium-Ion battery in the unit I got.Next the 'alkaline' batteries were extracted from the accessory box and were discovered to be some way off brand if Ni-MH rated for 900 MAh. An overnight charge in the device only produced 2 bars on the power indicator. After an artificial break-in on the Opus charger, one developed around 740 MAh, the other around 820. It was enough to show 4 bars however, (same as 2 fresh AA alkaline cells). The battery cover is flimsy to the point I felt it might break opening it were the cells in or out of the unit.Now, having absorbed what was possible from the Chinese manual with English subtitles, there was difficulty getting the device into 'English' mode. Finally by counting down so many lines of Chinese, luck smiled down on this grasshopper and there was English on the screen, (mostly).At this point I wasn't aware that the 'OK' button doesn't always make contact the same way, or at all, when pressed. When that was finally figured out, things got less confusing. Sometimes when pressed in the center like a normal button, it could take 3 or more tries, but other times the very bottom of the button had to be pressed with a thumb nail to work, (sometimes several times).The time varies by several seconds from the time the button is pressed until the device actually starts to record in all but the voice activated recording mode which seems pretty consistent in contrast. Odd for an electronic device, and not good for dependable recordings.Never was able to figure out how to 'mark' the tape to aid in finding certain parts of a recording. Maybe it just doesn't work?It is difficult to change parameters and menu settings due to the nature of the quirky 'OK' button, which takes the joy out of this device. Still don't know how to switch between the sample recordings that were made while learning the operation to listen to or delete.The only place a net contact address could be found is a small slip of paper printed both sides with Chinese, looking like a QA certificate, (however none of the boxes had an inspectors stamp or initials), so it was almost overlooked. It is Cenlux.com for those interested.Though the upgrade downloads are mentioned in the specifications area, there are none on that site under this device's designation.Didn't find speeding/slowing playback speed, The speaker on this device does not play back at high volume as stated, and is rear mounted.Seems like most of the 'Great' reviews for this device are written by folks who may not claim English as their first language... Sorta shady.Seems like the better manufacturers tend to offer some kind of support to lower star reviewers, but none have popped up here which is telling.I am mostly disappointed in myself because many an hour over 3 weeks was spent researching digital voice recorders, and sadly, this one was chosen.Maybe there is a reason some of those pre-sale questions that were asked went unanswered.Thankfully, Amazon has such a great Customer Service philosophy and team, that arrangements have been made for this Cenlux DVR to make another trip. Too bad too, because I was eying the 16GB big brother that Cenlux posted on Amazon about 2 minutes after this one was ordered...

I'm just now opening the item. However, the following items are missing; (1) warranty card, (2) certificate, and (3) wall charger. I would rate higher as this item is exactly what I'm looking for, but there is no reset to factory settings as the language is in Chinese. Please note: I don't check for replies. I can be contacted at [email protected] for a resolution in a timely fashion. If not, I'll send the item and its contents to Goodwill and find similar product with another company. I thank you very much for working with me on this.Respectfully,

This was exactly what I needed for the long lectures that everyone has to go through in college. It is an easy device to work with even if you are as technologically impaired as I am. This recorder comes with batteries, and a charger as well incase you need to charge it in a hurry. 5 out of 5 stars would recommend.

More complicated than I thought, I returned it as it was more than I needed, I now use my iPad with an app! It was sent promptly and my fault for ordering something more than I needed

Works well most times. Some times the static is overwhelming, though when I put the headphones in the left side is fine. The right side is all static. Not all the time it does this. Also, it will freeze up and i'll have to pull the batteries to do a reset.

Works great. Still working months later.

Awesome. No issues!

Unusable. Battery life atrocious. Menu design awkward, convoluted. I gave up on it so it was a waste of money to buy it. Do not buy it.