With a good selection of field recorders out there, it is hard to decide. It took me nearly 3 months to decide, I even bought a Tascam DR-1, when I opened the packaging the jog wheel fell off, sent it back and started looking again! The MicroTrack II was my original choice and I'm glad I got it!
It's light, easy to use, the menus are easy to navigate through and see (at night the light is great), I like the feel of the buttons on the front for mic/volume control, Nav wheel feels good, all the other buttons are very well placed and easy to use (a HOLd button is always useful), lots of inputs for various audio plugs/sockets,
Charging it up can take a while and I'd use a plug socket to do that not USB. Registering with M-Audio and downloading firmware updates are on a leaflet inside the box with the links to do this. What you get with the recorder are very useful, Editing Software Audacity(if you need it), Carry case, Earbuds, stereo microphone, an extension for mic to clip on your tie etc, A power pack with a great selection of plug sockets for when you go overseas and charge it up via plug socket, USB cable, no Compact flash card (but they're quite cheap now).
I've recorded many things indoor and out in the streets, it does perform well with the included mic, pics up alot of things you don't hear yourself, it can stand a bit of wind and can be discreet with the extension mic/clip to hide. the mic does pick up on a bit of handling noise when connected directly to the recorder (not alot though, IMO), so it's best to keep earphones in and check out how to handle it so it doesn't pick up on what you do too much. When connected via the extension clip, i connect it on my cuffs, walk round it does work very well.
The mic does sound good, the stereo sounds does work well and I am happy with it.
This is a good unit, I weighed up all the the plus and minus point with all the other recorders out there and this one won for its weight, ease of use, sample rates, accessories (the various plugs are great, for people who travel the globe!), I like the look and the menu design is very good.