Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

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    • Not sure you’re going to get that below $325 or $350 on sale anytime soon. The H6 is one of the best recorders out there, and Zoom knows it. I own and use several H6’s. Biggest gripe is the 4 batteries, but can’t see it ever working well on only 2 in a future updated version. Also have an H5 and default to using the H6’s over that more often than not due to the backup track limitations. This multiple input form-factor has been very successful. Now they make an 8-channel field recorder unit that can use the same expansion & mic modules.

      Maybe if RODE actually releases a recorder in the future they’ll budge more on prices? Was rumored awhile back, but don’t think RODE would be extremely successful with that. Been waiting over a year for the wireless kit with XLR that’s been delayed numerous times. (Not exactly thrilled with the filmmaker kit vs Sennheiser anyway.)

      • Yeah, at $325 the H6 would be a steal! I have the H4n right now, but will likely upgrade later this year. I think the 4 batteries is a good thing for battery life.

        Zoom’s 8-channel field recorder looks great, but I’m not at that level, yet. Still able to get the job done with my H4n and RØDE NTG4+.

    • This is probably the new manufacturer price point and not just a B&H deal of the day sale. Amazon and Adorama are both listing at just under $160 and still same at B&H. Best Buy and Guitar Center have at $200, but they do honor price matches…

      Maybe Zoom is finally ready to clear stock of this recorder and move on?

      • This a great recorder, I have 2 of them, but I think you are right – they are probably trying to clear them out because the H6 is supposed to be even better.

        • The H6 is hands down a better recorder, but it’s more than double the price and has more features (and inputs) than many will ever need/use. I love the H6 recorders – use them often, but at $400 it isn’t a purchase everyone will make unless they have a need.

          The H5 is really the modern replacement to the H4(xxx) versions. Uses two batteries, smaller form-factor, much lighter, swappable mic capsules, and all (or almost all) of the functionality the H4-series has. Also feels like it has a faster processor and is more more responsive than the H4 ever was. Can usually be found for around $250-$275 these days.

          My guess is they want to tap into the “up-sell” market with the swappable accessories and expand the user base who has recorders that are capable of using them (H5, H6, F8). These recorder bodies are mostly tanks, which may hurt their bottom line a bit. At least now if a mic capsule breaks, you can easily replace it, upgrade it, or add on another accessory.

          Would expect to see a new H1 model at some point in the next year. Maybe at NAB this year?

          • The other nice thing about the H6 is that it boots up much faster than the H4n (or so I’ve heard). The original H4, and the H1 both boot faster than the H4n. I know because I own them all.

            Nothing more frustrating than waiting for the H4n to boot up before you can begin recording.

          • The H6 is faster than the rest I’ve used, but there still is a brief waiting period for boot. Keeping the card in the recorder after reformat does help a bit. But enabling the pre-record function slows boot time down a little bit while the cache is built. I find that trade-off well worth it.

            The H1 has always been a strange product. On one hand, it’s a memo-style voice recorder, but it’s also been used as a shoe mounted mic source by many. (Personally not a fan of that.) For me, the benefit of the H1 has almost always been the rather small size and ability to accept a lavaliere style 1/8″ mic input. But for this use, it’s almost 1/3 to 1/2 larger than it needs to be.

            Despite the advances in WiFi based wireless audio options (not as perfect as advertised), I do believe there is a market for an “H1” type device that can just record a single input source, as long as it’s small, provides plugin/phantom power, and can be comfortably clipped or attached to a belt in some way. Not sure if RODE wants to develop something like this, but the Tascam DR-05/DR-22 and Zoom H1 form factor can be improved. The Tascam DR-10X was supposed to sort of be this, but it fell short and doesn’t even work that well compared to alternatives.

          • Completely agreed! I use the H1 with lav mics (just did it yesterday in fact). That’s the reason I have three of them. I don’t trust wireless. I do wish Zoom could make a new version of the H1 that’s a little smaller and better suited for this purpose.

            As it is, I recently found a nifty little belt clip for the H1 that screws into the 1/4-20 thread, leaves room to get to the battery and switches on the back, and even allows you to run the mic cable through it for strain relief and to prevent accidental unplugging.