Panasonic RQ2102 Cassette Recorder

I don't write many reviews, but I felt compelled to write this one. First off, kudos to the vendor who is still selling this "retro" product. I know we have hi-tech digital recorders and what not. I own and use them too. I went back to school for a doctorate and record all of my lectures on a smaller tape recorder I bought from Radio Shack years ago. It's a workhorse and I'm afraid it will someday kick the bucket.So, I purchased this shoe box tape recorder which I got yesterday. I connected the AC cord to it and played one of my lectures. If you have the volume very low, you may get that "tinny" sound another reviewer mentioned about this product. But, if you increase the volume, it sounds fine. The 3 inch speaker makes a difference and it sounds just a close as you can get to being inside the classroom. The pause button allows me to stop the tape a critical points in the lecture to jot down important notes. Headphones work fine (for those people that keep asking, they are not included, and neither are the batteries).My generation (i.e. Generation X) ushered in the internet in the early to mid-1990s. Why am I using tape recorders? Well, I guess it's a habit. I used it in graduate school in the late 90s to mid-2000s. I trust the old media. To me, cassette tapes are somehow more "permanent." Thus, the tape counter is a very important feature for me. I can take any tape and listen to any part of a lecture with the tape counter. I'm sure this can be done with the digital recorders but I have yet to learn how.I think it's important to note that I use the Maxell UR-90 (minutes - 45 minutes each side) blank audio cassette tapes for voice recording (Position Type A). You can get longer tapes, but that actual tape gets thinner and therefore more susceptible for getting "eaten" by your tape player. I believe you get the best quality sound with the Maxell UR-90.Lastly, you can convert the lecture to MP3s and save them on a CD or cloud - whatever suits you. You just need a connecter cord from your tape player to your digital recorder. The digital recorder I'm using is the Sony ICD-AX412 Digital Flash Memory Voice recorder that I purchased here on Amazon. It's phenomenal! I record my own lectures. I haven't written a review for it because there are plenty of positive reviews for this digital recorder. I connected my old Radio Shack tape recorder to it and converted a taped lecture to an MP3.Overall, I thought this product deserves 5 stars for availability, reliability, good construction, sound quality (even though when the volume is very low you may get the tinny sound - but just increase the volume and it goes away), tape counter, pause button. Note: I use the product for listening to lectures recorded from the internet.

I bought my unit used and it works perfectly. It did not come with a power cord but batteries can be used inside to operate. In my case, I went to a place that repairs those kinds of things like TVs, turn tables, etc hoping he had a power cord laying around. He tested it and it works fine. It is hard to find a cord, he said and he told me the odd shape it had to fit in the slot on the side. He suggested I type in on my computer to google: Panasonic tape recorder AC power cord with its model number RQ2102 and it was available new as well as on ebay. He said if I had my old one that would not run, he could totally rebuild it and would sell it for $140 and guarantee it. This is a well made product and would be worth it had I known.

This recorder works great, but it feels somewhat cheap ... the speaker delivers decent sound, but I think it would sound even better if I plugged in an external set. I haven't tried to record anything with it. I only use it to listen to audio books and some of my old albums, plus I plug into it with a digital voice recorder and record audio books, personal cassettes and albums to mp3 format. The controls are very easy on the tapes, with a smooth shut off when it gets to the end or when rewinding. It doesn't sound like it's trying to pull the tape apart the way some recorders used to do back in the day. So far no harm to any tapes. I've run about 30 to 40 tapes through it with no issues. Except for a less-than-exceptional speaker, everything works great.

I ordered this to take with me to a conference that was held in the middle of May. The first tape I made came out quite clear on both sides. The second tape I made had this clicking sound constantly (about every second or two) throughout the tape on both sides. The third tape I made was the same---a clicking sound and heard on both sides of the tape. The fourth tape I made came out clear on both sides. I cannot understand this---as this recorder was to be a new one. The box was a little battered, but the recorder appeared to be in good condition. I made a little tape this morning and this one did come out clear. I had a Panasonic recorder many years ago and did not ever have any problems like that with it. I will not be using the recorder again fall when I hope to attend another conference, By then it will be much too late to exchange it. I just don't know what to do.