Sony Digital Voice Recorder (ICDMS1VTP)

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Summary: Sony Digital Voice Recorder (ICDMS1VTP)
Review: Excellent recorder with every desirable feature and ease of use. Included software is outstanding!!!

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Summary: Best recorder
Review: I have 2 recorders ICD-MS1. Sound quality is very good for such device. Microphone quality is much better than PC's or headset's mics. VOR works instantly. Control buttons are easy to use. Though I extended recording button with epoxy (it was too tiny and I use it a lot). Battery life is short and I bought 3 sets of rechargable batteries (no problem then). Software is very easy to use (drag and drop) and install. Big plus that it can convert files to .wav format and back. PC memory stick adaptor is not included. When you will buy adaptor, make sure it works with your PC and OS at Sony's website.
I had to send to repair one of recorders 3 times (!). Memory stick lost contact every minute. On 3rd time they replaced it with new one. I bought extra memory stick 64MB, but it takes more time to save or erase message and I use 16MB now. 16MB can fit 63 minutes with best quality.

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Summary: Now, this is the one you want!
Review: If you're serious enough about digital voice recorders to spend $250 or more, this is the one you should spend it on. I think Olympus beats Sony hands down in the ANALOG (microcassette) recorder department, but when it comes to digital, the exact opposite is true. I bought the MS1 (the one that is sold without the voice recognition software, for $50 less) after returning an Olympus DS2000, which cost the same. The DS was noisy, and the speaker was weak. The MS1 is strong and very clear in its output and has a surprisingly powerful speaker. In short it makes the DS2000 seem like a $30 cassette recorder, no kidding.
The MS1 also feels sturdy and well made, has a backlit display and easy to understand controls (at least to me, but then I'm a gadget nut).
There are two things, however, that can be considered shortcomings. One is that there is no way to directly connect this unit to a PC. That's understandable though, because with the memory stick, I'm sure Sony would rather sell me a reader to interface with a PC. Still, I wish they had made that capability. Two, this unit eats batteries like they're bonbons! This is probably due to the powerful speaker and the backlit display, but still, I'd highly recommend rechargeable batteries.
Overall, I don't think you can spend a better $250 on a digital recorder.