Panasonic SJ-MR200 Recorder

I picked up my Panasonic SJ-MR200 Recorder from a carboot sale in extremely good condition. It had the charger and all the excessories to go with it (including a case) and an extra blank disk, all for just five pounds. I thought it was great considering the cheapest mp3 player was about forty pounds at the time. It was working brilliantly for the first year and a half, despite developing numerous scratches on the body. But as you might expect, touch pads don't last forever and so now mine has a couple of options that don't work. But I continue to use mine on a regular basis, and, even though there are a few minor problems, I would recommend the Panasonic SJ-MR200 to just about anyone who's looking to buy a cheap mp3/minidisk recordable music player.

But as they scratch quite easily and the touch pad CAN go wrong, I would buy one that's new, then at least you would have a guarantee. But if you do buy them second hand, ask for a full demonstration of all the buttons and options (mainly the touch pad).

I bought my Panasonic SJ-MR200 just after they came out, which I think was around 2000 or late 1999. Still going strong.

My only complaints are that the head phones are a weak point and I have battled to get a replacement battery.

I have dropped it a few times, but everything still seems to function, and using it for interviewing (which as a journalist one does) it is absolutely brilliant, although I had to purchase a compact Sony mic to avoid cables.

But really brilliant. Not looking at getting a new one for the foreseeable future.

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.