Freecom Beatman Flash Recorder review

Like the Joybee 120, the Beatman Flash Recorder has a fixed 128MB internal memory, and like the Joybee it's small and sort of square. And, er, like the Joybee, it has an integrated FM radio to complement its MP3 and WMA playback abilities. It's a bit bigger at 55 x 13 x 64mm and, although the casing is mostly metal, feels cheaper and lighter in comparison. There's a 256MB variant too for £159.

A single AAA battery powers the unit, which is less convenient than the Joybee's lithium ion power, assuming you're not on the road and away from your charger often. However, there's a rubber insert in the Beatman's battery compartment, which, when removed, allows you to use a rechargeable NiMH square gumpack-type battery, but neither that nor a charger are supplied.

The white ring on the front of the Flash promises some sort of touch-sensitive iPodesque rotary navigation control, but it's all a ruse - it just sports mechanical EQ/Repeat and Record buttons. The record function works for the FM radio and voice dictation, while an analog line input allows for direct recording from external sources.

The supplied headphones are made by Sennheiser, which produces superb full-sized cans. Its in-ear efforts are less impressive, but still above average and fine for everyday listening. Sound quality leans toward the average side of good, with rock tracks sounding a bit splashy and less taut than the Joybee or the likes of the Creative MuVo NX (see issue 110, p300). That said, it's not something you're likely to notice if listening outdoors with attendant background noise.

To reduce the treble-heaviness, there's a user EQ mode in addition to the presets, although it's not graphical - you'll need to set each frequency band numerically, which is tedious. In fact, the whole control system is less than intuitive, with two control jog dials, one either side of the case. Quite apart from being confusing, it's difficult to pick the thing up or put it into the supplied carry case without accidentally pressing one of them.

The wired remote control sports an analog volume control as well as track skip, play/pause and a mute control. The remote feels very insubstantial, though, and we wouldn't necessarily trust it not to fall apart or get broken in the hurly-burly of commuter hell. The good-quality headphones get the Flash Recorder an extra half-point, but it didn't set our pulses racing.

Author: David Fearon