I've had the DR-70D for about a month now, and overall it's a very nice unit. Two negatives though - first, the big plastic door behind which you put the batteries and the card - terrible, just terrible; it's just a matter of time before it snaps off, but worse, it's actually hard to have it stay out of the way when you need access to the SD card - and since I need access very often, it's a royal pain. Second: the DR-60D has a dedicated phantom power button - for the 70D you have to switch the phantom power on and off in the menu... a big nuisance, especially when you're using several mics; now I understand it's a very compact unit and quite narrow, so putting in another button would be a challenge, but I think they could've squeezed one in between the record and slate buttons.

Gotchya! Thank you for the explanation.

I'm getting my 70D next week from B&H, so I'll be able to tell then, but from what I understand, they are stepless to the same degree that the newer 60Dmkii is stepless, which compared to 60D is an improvement, but people describe still having issues with twisting rapidly from min to max in one move, there is some kind of sound, so it's not really analogue pots, but digital except "massaged".

But I am curious as to how people factor in such an issue, to the point where it's a deal-breaker. I'm not saying this critically, just trying to learn how other people use their gear. I have the "steppy" 60D and I never found a circumstance where that was an issue - but that's what I use it for, you probably use it differently where it's a problem. I use it for narrative film. When I record dialogue, it never happens that I change the pot levels while the dialogue is ongoing, because if you do that, you change the level of everything, including the background noise, so why would you do that? I mean, if the background noise level suddenly changes that's far more noticeable than a couple of faint clicks on the track, and that background noise level change would happen regardless of what gain pots you are using. If you are doing it while there is silence the same deal, although, funny enough, you can take out those clicks in post in that situation. And you hardly notice them at all, unless you're really trying to listen for them. But bottom line, I have never seen a real-world scenario where that was an issue at all (at least how I use it). So I'm a little puzzled by the whole controversy... I mean, I know why it started, because Robert from JuicedLink was doing a comparison between the JL unit and the 60D, so of course he was trying to find anything negative to say about the 60D, but even then I thought it was very weak sauce. Regardless, I'm interested in other people's opinions, so I ask: what is the issue with stepless vs steppy pots?

I have had bad experiences with tascam stuff it always seems to be faulty. I think the price is so low because they are just cheap chinese made plastic crap. Sounds great when it does work though!

Adorama has them in stock now

@giuliobottinigiuliobottini: I would get the Zoom H6 ^^.

Sure - It´s more expensive (H6 over DR-60D). But it has a WAY longer battery life (which is essential in field) - And you can also use it with external USB batteries (like the DR-60D through the Mini USB port - Thank god no micro port there either ^^). But even on batteries it´s running multiple times as long as the DR-60D (at least compared to the Mk-1 which I use quite often). And it´s not suffering THAT extreme from using phantom powered external mics - That´s sucking the DR-60 empty like hell =/. Though don´t forget to use GOOD batteries / rechargeable batteries (!)

The Mk-2 (DR-60D) is maybe better now. It´s coming with a few bugfixes (better XLR ports and updated potis - And for sure a few other points). But as it seems like it´s basically the same unit like the Mk-1, the battery life is also a problem there (for sure). And on the other hand you can also use the H6 with the different add-on mics. I also like the fact, that you can even use it WITHOUT any add-on mic - So you can choose freely: Do you want to use it just as an external recorder (with phantom power for example) - Or do you need one of the multiple add-on mics (directly on the unit) ^^. Also reduces the risk of damages on the mics (as you can remove them if you don´t need them).

Sure. You can use a powerbank. But WHY is the DR-70D using a micro USB port? Why not at least the Mini Type-B (like on the DR-60D) - Or the even more stable standard USB Type-B ... It´s the same like with the HDMI ports - Micro is the new standard on (nearly) every new camera body. =/

In general I am quite happy with the DR-60D (Mk-1) for example - Nice small recorder (with good features). But the power solution is quite annoying there too. (Also only USB power is possible.) Though: At least it´s using the Mini Type-B Port (not the way more unstable micro edition). A HUGE pro for the DR-60D (also Mk-ii). At least for me ^^.

I reckon you can use a usb powerbank to power the unit.

I wonder if the screen is the same size/quality as on the 60D, and what it displays.

Wow! So many features are improvements on my DR-680. I love the individual levels for each track. Also, recording at multiple levels for each track to protect from clipping. I've really enjoyed my 680 but it's only a 6-track recorder really, and that's usually at least two more than I need. This thing seems fantastic.

Very interested. I can still return the 60d mkii. Everything sounds better Any news about battery life would be nice.