b) Battery life. Current drain is about 220Ma recording/playing (16/48Khz). I’ve tested a variety of alkaline, lithium, and NiMH cells. On average (3 runs)of each type) Good brand-name alkalines gave just over 5 1/2 hours. Lithiums gave gave 9 1/2 hours, and NiMH cells lasted from 9 1/4 to 10 hours. Given that NiMH cells are so much more economical (even allowing for the cost of a really good charger) I just have several pairs on hand and rotate them regularly. I do keep a couple of Lithiums in my bag also as they have at least a 6-8 year shelf life, and thus are good insurance.
c) I agree that the lack of a track duration indication/bargraph on playback is a pity – who cares what the remaining blank time is when listening to a track, although it can be useful when recording.
I’d also like to have the ‘File’ menu at the top of the list, and some of the functions I don’t use placed at the bottom. (or the facility for users to rearrange the list to suit their own needs). Minor quibble!
c) The sound quality. Maybe not exactly ’studio’, but I compare it to the results I was getting from good condenser mics, metal tapes and a hi-grade cassette recorder with Dolby C and HX-Pro. It is very acceptable, both in terms of sound quality and noise level, even using the in-built mics. It is succeptible to handling noise unless one is very careful, so I usually tripod mount it, or else don’t move a muscle while hand holding it. With an external pre-amp and mics the results are better still (with some care with levels to avoid overload on the line input.)
d) Ruggedness. What ruggedness?! I keep it in a stiff, close fitting,velvet lined digital camera case (still fits in a trouser pocket, or a baggy shirt one)and it has taken any number of bumps and drops unscathed. The battery and card covers will probably break eventualy, but it will work without those anyway.
e) Overall. Given its size, convenience and the fact that it cost less than a single mediun quality condenser mic. the results are quite amazingly good for the things I use it for. These include: School music practices/performances, concerts (Including Andre Rieu) organ recitals, church services etc.

And what’s about using the H2 as an audio interface. If I run a record AND a playback track in Cubase/Logic do I hear the mix on the phone line out?

I haven’t had it for long, so sure theirs lots to learn. To keep this some what short, I’m basically raving about the quality the H2 gives. The internal microphones I’d say are amazing, for a peace of equipment in this price range. Already I’ve put them through several tests and they, for the most part have proved themselves. When almost no sound is present, their is a very low hiss, which would only b expected. A recording of voice in 44.1 wave format yields an almost studio like recording (sounds like a nice microphone plugged directly into a sound mixing board). Loud sounds if levels are set right sound great to!

To backup my statements, check out these audio samples I have recorded. These samples will cover loud sounds.

Recorder Setup at time of recording: internal microphones were in surround/stereo mode. (all four microphones were active and mixed down into two channel stereo). Samples were recorded in 44.1 Wave format, volume was maximized in Goldwave and saved to mp3 128 KBPS.

H2 Drums Sample
H2 LFE Bass Test
H2 Loud Guitar Amp Test