Zoom Q8 recorder, opinions or experience?

[MackBrass]

Does anyone have any experience using the new Zoom Q8 recorder? Here are my questions;
Sound quality at a distance of 8 to 10 feet?
Sound quality with mic that is standard issue with recorder?

Mic gain, adjustments?


Haven't recorded anything in a while but my set up is the Zoom Q3 set on high with the Zoom H1 as the Mic.

Thanks

Tom

[Slamson]

Zoom recorders still have the same problem as the H1 - and that's that the microphones aren't very good. They're convenient, cheap, and fortunately the designers have of the Q8 acknowledged that they've had their best success with models that allowed the owner to ditch the built-ins and connect high-quality, condenser microphones. The penalty for the cheapness is also that they are flimsy, but they'll keep working as long as they're not dropped (mine worked perfectly for 5 years, and then fell about 2 feet... hasn't been the same since.)

Bottom line - buy the box and you'll get convenience, pretty good video, lots of cheap storage time - but plan on dishing out another $400 or so for some decent microphones to go with it.