This is what it all boils down to. Which module does the best job at
what it's intended to do?
The My-Vox begins recording by using either the 'Hot Recording
Button' or tapping on the recording icon in the application. When recording begins, the
user hears a beep. When it stops, the user hears.... nothing. This was aggravating while
using the module in the car or at night as there was no way to tell if I had successfully
ended recording. This isn't a desired outcome considering the My-Vox only has 8 minutes of
recording time. Any other time, the 'Hot Recording Button' was very useful. It didn't
matter if the Visor was off or in another application, one tap of the button and it would
open the My-Vox application and begin recording.
Sound quality on the My-Vox was a little disappointing. There was a
strange mechanical sound in the background of the recording, which confused me because
this was supposed to be a digital voice recorder, not a mini-cassette recorder.
If Shinei Technologies can improve the sound quality and increase
the recording time, this module would be well worth using.
To begin recording on the Total Recall, the application must be
started. Unfortunately, the module did not have a 'Hot Recording Button' that is useable
when inserted in the Visor. As mentioned earlier, the 'New' button in the application was
small and poorly placed, causing quick records to be more difficult than needed.
Targus did, however, exceed expectations by providing the user with
1.5 hours of recording time and the ability to change recording quality.
In my review of the Total Recall, I recorded a twelve second message
in the three quality levels. Low quality resulted in a 6KB file, Medium quality was 7KB,
and the Best quality was 31KB. The actual recordings are accessible so you can judge for
yourself. Low quality also exhibited that strange mechanical background sound, however,
Medium and Best quality were more than acceptable.
Recommendations for Targus include, increasing the size and location
of the 'New' button in the application. Or, for the ultimate fix, moving the current
module Record button to the top of the module to serve as a 'Hot Record Button' when the
module is in the Visor's springboard slot. Otherwise, recording quality is great.
With only 8 minutes of recording time at a quality that reminds me
of the old mini-cassette recorders, the My-Vox loses my vote in this category. The point
goes to the Total Recall and they'll make me happy once some minor changes, mentioned
above, are implemented.
Bonus!! >>
