Sony M-450 Microcassette Recorder with 30 Hours of Battery Life

This product seems to work ok, but seller didn't include part of package that was advertised.

I found this Sony recorder perfect for making quick dictation notes, so much so that I constantly use it and may well purchase a second one as a backup. It is ergonomically well designed, the appropriate control buttons easily accessed, and doesn't attempt to look fancy like the Olympus models. It has a clear voice replay, with a very well designed Cue and Review Control (rather oval shaped, so you don't accidentally hit any wrong buttons), the record button is prominently red and the microphone silver, so it's hard to make any mistakes in recording or accidentally erasing information. Similarly, the Pause control reveals a red spot when activated, so you don't have to guess if the machine is actually on pause or not. An unexpected feature is the stereo sound when you plug in a pair of earphones: unlike your standard tape recorder that will only provide sound through one phone in a headset, this recorder feeds sounds to both sides of a headphone. As the manufacturer description indicates, it has two speeds to extend cassette length. If you want a personal dictation recorder that is as small as can be expected, is inconspicuous and literally compact, then this is a wise and economical purchase.

Your recorder must have a fault mine doesn't make any sound at all and doesn't use any battery power when not listening or recording. That's what the red light is for.

Advantages:
One touch recording
Speed of tape switch
Clear voice thingy
Looks pretty cool

Disadvantages:
No voice activation

I would not buy this product again. My unit emits a constant electronic hiss even when all controls are in the neutral position. As far as I can tell, there is--incredibly--no switch that disconnects battery power when the unit is not in use.