I use this for class to record lectures. I sit in the front and I pick up adequate amplification. However, if someone in the 4th through 6th row asks a question, it is a difficult to hear. During playback, I have to turn up the volume on those sections.
A few things I wish I had were
* a LED light signalling that I was recording. I have accidently forgotten to press the record button and just hit play. So, I have dead air.
*Auto shutoff when I am recording and get to the end of the tape. It doesn't shut off and it makes this screeching (but not too loud) noise when it hits the end of the tape. Which is kind of embarrasing. i have to pay attention to where the tape is at, which you can see through the window.
* It doesn't have a counter on it, so if I am taking notes, I can't write down the position I am at during the note taking.
Yet, for the price, I got what I paid for. It is a decent recorder. I have no complaints, only suggestions I want to get when I upgrade to another recorder.