Recording Device Advice

March 21, 2022 6:29 PM

I very much need to acquire some sort of wearable recording device -- I have in fact been advised by the police to get one and use it for my own protection in a scenario I can't be specific about. Cell phone options won't work as I don't have a cell phone. I need this device to be as inexpensive as possible as money is beyond tight. Suggestions?
posted by orange swan to Shopping (12 answers total)

Might be worth getting a very old cell phone (used ones can be gotten for very little or you might be able to borrow one temporarily) and familiarizing yourself with the voice recorder options. It would look the least odd sticking out of a pocket unless you go with something that looks more like a voice recorder which might be something like this.
posted by jessamyn at 6:48 PM on March 21, 2022

I googled digital voice recorder and got a lot of hits. Here's one: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0753XBWB8/ref=sspa_mw_detail_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw
posted by foxjacket at 7:10 PM on March 21, 2022

How long do you need to record?

If you need to be somewhat discreet, there's always the pen camera. It's a fat pen, it actually writes, but half of it is a video camera with a pretty decent microphone. You'll need a PC to access the recording though. $21 on Amazon. Supposedly records up to 2.5 hours when fully charged. Just clip it to your shirt pocket as a regular pen and tap the cap when you need it to start recording.
posted by kschang at 7:24 PM on March 21, 2022

Spouse of sol just bought a cheap Olympus digital recorder in stock at a Target. Tried it for a three hour recording with no time to prepare and it worked flawlessly. Does not require connection to internet, has no other function than recording.

https://www.target.com/p/olympus-voice-recorder-black-vn-541-pc/-/A-52174643#lnk=sametab<br>
It is dead simple to operate and runs for hours - it also has a voice activated option.
posted by sol at 7:30 PM on March 21, 2022

Just be aware that how you use/position the device and its mic, specifically, are important. If it's in your pocket and rubbing against fabric that is going to be very loud and heard over the top of whatever it is you are trying to record. Lots of bumps and thumps and rustling. So if it's important to record accurately just make sure you have it somewhere this is minimized.

Something that looks like a pen and clips onto a pocket is better than an iPhone in your jeans, in other words.
posted by cape at 8:32 PM on March 21, 2022

Ask if anyone has an old cell phone you can use/have. Most people have a couple stuck in the back of a drawer somewhere. The odds are good you know someone who'd let you have their old phone.
posted by stray thoughts at 9:21 PM on March 21, 2022

Ask the police for the loan of one of their 'wires'?
posted by Cranberry at 12:39 AM on March 22, 2022

It seems to me that the most discreet and easy to use would be the keychain type, like this one. I don't have any particular experience with this or any other recorder. I would just want something that everyone carries (I never carry a pen unless it's deep in a bag somewhere)and one button push to record (you may want to find a voice activated one).
posted by oneirodynia at 1:07 PM on March 22, 2022

Thanks everyone, for your suggestions. I have ordered this spy pen (and I think the term "spy pen" is never going to not give me the giggles), and a Metafilter member sent me a Amazon gift card that covered the entire cost with nearly $5 to spare. My God, the kindness and generosity of this community is so astounding.
posted by orange swan at 5:49 PM on March 22, 2022

Did you get a microSD card with that? (not included with the pen)
posted by kschang at 7:59 PM on March 22, 2022

Oh shit, no I didn't. Some 007 or even Maxwell Smart I would make, not to realize that. Well, I will just have to get one.
posted by orange swan at 11:54 AM on March 23, 2022

Pen arrived at my house yesterday. I ordered a microSD card today, using the $4.81 I had left on the gift card I was given to get it -- I just hope I bought the right kind.
posted by orange swan at 11:08 AM on March 25, 2022