Great Gadgets > Spy Gear > Voice recorder, Diasonic 5300

See the Uses tab for some interesting ways thisvoice recorder can work for you, even if you're not a spy, detective, or investigator.

• When conducting telephone interviews for a job, you can "take notes" without using any paper. Plus, you can replay the interview and compare interviews so you select the best candidate.
• The previous item works the other way around, if you are the job-seeker. Or the sales person, consultant, project estimator, bidder, etc.
• When interviewing for a job, you can follow up later on specific things each interviewer said, without having written any notes during the interview (you are, instead, paying attention). Amaze them by "remembering" names, dates, product names, and other vital info they just mentioned in passing..
• Get industrial traitors, snitches, informants, and suspects to talk, by hiding the fact you're recording their every word. Then follow the clues they give you to solve the case. On the phone, a person might say, "You didn't hear this from me" or "If you repeat this, I'll deny everything." Hmm.
• Record customer complaints, information queries, order followups.Not only do you get the facts for later review, but you get the spoken emphasis so you know what the speaker felt was most important. It may also help in the event of a chargeback or other conflict.

And you can think of many more uses, depending on your situation.Lots of possibilities for you!

• User selectable encoding.
• Plays MP3s.
• Can be connected to the telephone for phone recording.
• ARS sound detection helps prevent recording dead air.
• FM Radio.
• Can function as an MP3 player.

• Encoding formats: MP3, PCM.
• Storage: 2GB Internal - Supports up to 16GB Micro SD Cards.
• Battery: 2x AAA.
• Battery life: Up to 20 hours.
• Screen: 15mm x 32mm display.
• Dimensions: 100mm x 31mm x 14mm.

• VR5300 Diasonic Recorder.
• USB Cable.
• Instruction Book.
• Wrist Strap.
• Set of Earbuds.
• External Microphone.
• Telephone hookup kit.

• If your intention is to discreetly record conversations, keep the presence of thedevice secret. That means keep it concealed until you are in a place where you can access it unobserved. If you'remeeting at someone else's facility, don't adjust the settings in their conference room (they may have a hidden camera); make the adjustments before you arrive.
• Do battery charging and data transfer in a location where you can't be observed, not just where you are unlikely to be observed.
• Keep the existence of the voice recorder on a "need to know" basis. The fewer people who know, the better. This may sound obvious, but it's a rule many people break. And it's how everyone finds out, thus defeating the purpose of having it.
• If using to collect evidence for a lawsuit,consult your attorney or a licensed private investigator about proper evidence collection procedures first.
• Take a cue from Realtors. Location, location, location. It's critical you use the device where the ambient noise doesn't interfere with what's recorded or provide statements that you can't attribute to the intended target of the investigation. That leaves out places like bars.
• Run a test once you've determined how you're doing the setup. You want to ensure you can get a clear recording, undetected.

• If it's not a serious situation (e.g., not investigating a crime), you could say, "You say witty things, and I just wanted to catch those spontaneously. I didn't want a recorder throwing you off your game."
• If you're meeting with a client, you can say, "We're both being recorded. I'll send you a copy so you have it also. My intention was to make sure I didn't overlook a concern you have, by reviewing this later. I want to ensure you are listened to and your needs are met. Are you OK with that?"
• Suppose this happens during a job interview, and you are the interviewer. You could take the attitude that this person needs you or wouldn't be here. But isn't that why you are also in the interview? And do you think this person's going to be delighted at being spied on? You can say, "Sometimes people have very good questions and though I intend to answer them in a followup I forget. I don't want to add to the stress of an interview by making people feel they are being recorded, but I also want to make sure I don't drop some important detail."
• Suppose this happens during a job interview, and you are the interviewee. You can say, "I'm glad I made the long trip here, but it's a long trip back. For that reason, I coulddrop some important detail that concerns you and I just don't want to be careless. So I made use of technology and planned ahead so I don't inadvertently overlook something that matters to you. Because if it matters to you, then it matters to me."