Digital voice recorders

Hi everybody!

First, MODS if there is already a thread for this subject, by all means send me there (there's 106 pages of Tech threads and I am NOT that patient to sift through them all).

So, I tried using a voice recorder, back when we had to chisel the words onto tiny micro-tapes. I had some success but it just seemed clunky to me. I have not caught up with the latest technology, but thought I may give it a go.

I just did a google search and literally 100's of the little buggers came up! Just a bit overwhelming

Does anyone on AW use this tech with any degree of frequency? What are the beneficial and less than desirable features of these devices?

I know there is voice to text software available (not sure of pricing), but I'm looking for something that I can use while I'm working (I'm a machinist). And maybe there are devices that plug directly into the computer for voice to text? I may not be able to find a good fit anyway, simply because of the noise of the environment I work in, but I would be willing to part with a few dollars to try it out.

Thanks, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the info!

I did some research, and by research I mean slogging through all the available models in a moderate price range (_____ is the best thing since sliced bread!), and found a couple I am going to check out in store today.

I think I'm just going to have to take the plunge and try one for a while. The price tags aren't heart stopping, so at worst I can use it at home.

I would be using the recorder for dictating my own voice. I work alone most of the time but often get too busy for long stretches of time to stop and write down thoughts and bits and pieces of stories and dialog that come to me. Until recently it wasn't a big deal, but I have started on a new project and I'm spitballing ideas pretty rapidly over the course of a night. Some ideas are getting lost and I'd like to save them, even if they don't end up in the finished product, because they have a tendency to spark other ideas.

I work around/with machinery and it can get pretty loud. I'm looking at the possible use of an external microphone to plug into the device in case the built in mic(s) pick up too much of the surrounding noise.

Thanks so much for the help guys, it is very much appreciated!

I hadn't thought of using my phone! Going to check out the apps right now.

Thanks!!