Panasonic SJ-MR200 Recorder Review

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Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 0 ratings and 3 reviews

67% of users recommend this product

smithdown's Review of Panasonic SJ-MR200 Recorder Portable Mini Disc Player

5th Dec 2003

Overall Rating

Value for money

Sound Quality

Good Points

Tiny! Looks v cool. Brushed-aluminium is a classic look.

Bad Points

Feeble! Bit Tiny. Scratches easily. Touch-pad is a bit dodgy

General Comments

This Panasonic SJ-MR200 Minidisc player-recorder is extremely small, even by today's standards, and considering its a few years old that's not bad! I picked mine up cheap (refurbished) and loved it, and I still do. It looks amazing, and you hardly even notice it when its in your pocket. The battery lasts as long as the Ice Age (although mine is now a bit sporadic after being mis-treated over three months travelling around the States) and its all very easy to use. It is simply a great machine. However, after dropping it for the umpteenth time it has ceased to record, much like the experience of another reviewer here. It appears to be working, then stalls when you are saving it and shouts ERROR at you. Hmmm. The screen and surround scratch WAY to easily, making the bag (provided) a necessity. The touch pad is ok, but occasionally mine got 'stuck' and would do stuff without me touching it. It also makes it a nightmare to use in the dark, cos you can't feel any buttons. Also, the sound is a bit feeble, with a distinct lack of bass even with the SXBS system switched on. Its great for acoustic stuff, but if you are listening to bangin' house or hip hop, it lacks depth. I would recommend not using in-ear headphones to tackle this problem. So in summary, a great liitle machine which you can pick up cheap now (I saw one go for £25 on ebay the other day, with all the gear and an optical cable!) and is a great MD to start with. However, don't expect it to keep its looks forever, nor will it be the sonic equivalent of other, more expensive models.