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[drumguy1975]

Hey everyone,

We are going on our first family trip in 35 days.  This will be our first trip as a family with our two daughters, 3 and 1. We haven't been to WDW since Jan. 2011, so there's alot that has changed since then.  I'm not sure how much time I will have to actually record audio/video.

With all of that being said, if possible I would like to get some recordings if possible, but the only thing that I have to use is my iPhone. I'm not sure how well the audio will turn out and  I know that it might not be the best device, but its what I have. I may be taking some video or audio while on a ride, so I'm looking to secure my iPhone as much as possible.

I am wondering though, does anyone know of anything that I can get to have a more secure hold on my iPhone while I am on a ride?  Something like a camera strap or similar?

[Wizzard419]

I guess it kind of depends on your definition of "A lot", stuff has closed, the fantasyland update, ride update, a different parade and possibly a show, but overall it should be roughly the same content as your last visit. So I wouldn't worry as much about overall recording rather than just going to have fun.

[eyore]

depends on what iPhone you have as to whether it has a space for a wrist strap or not.  How about this option :
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Dual-Fit-Armband-Apple-iPhone/dp/B003RFG87E

[witttiger93]

On my most recent trip I noticed a lot of people using these for family/group photos. I would think you could also use it retracted on some rides to give you a firm, two-handed grip.

http://www.amazon.com/Satechi%C2%AE-Bluetooth-Extension-Monopod-Telescoping/dp/B00MXC6OLM

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-X-ARM-Extender-Portrait-Handheld/dp/B0035H7W2E

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J53T9WS/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687502&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0035H7W2E&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1TNT4QH0DK7SK3220BQP

[pixelated]

You might want to get an external microphone to get better sound quality.  As SirLamer, the Owner of MouseBits, pointed out in 2009:

the iPhone mic is design to suck the life out of sound so that the loudest thing it picks up overwhelms the recording.  This is ideal for a telephone as it is trying to pick up the user's voice and suppress background noise.

Of course, using it is fine for your own purposes, but a ride-through recording should really use a stereo mic at the very least.  Some people even make a headphones-like microphone designed for "binaural" recordings, which sort of sound sharper and more natural.

Some iPhone mics to choose from if you're interested:
http://www.sweetwater.com/c1060--iPad_iPhone_Microphones
None of them are inexpensive because Sweetwater does not carry low-quality merchandise, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for".

[Wizzard419]

Though that also is a 2009 review of a product that has changed 5-6 (7 if you count the C) times since posting.

[pixelated]

True, but I don't expect Apple got rid of the iPhone's noise cancellation tech since then.
 The tech media would have been on that "upgrade" in a jiffy.

[Wizzard419]

Considering that voice recording functionality was not standard on the iPhone until (if I recall) the 4S, it may very well have. Throw in that tweaks to existing features do not make reporters/bloggers damp nor generate clicks compared to new features and you could see how easily changes would go unnoticed.

[pixelated]

Wasn't noise cancellation a feature of the first iPhone's mic?  I remember clearer phone calls as compared to other cellphones was an advertised feature of the iPhone 1.

[Wizzard419]

I think noise cancellation was added a few generations later, you don't need better algorithms in your phone to beat out a feature phone when better hardware is an option.

[eyore]

if it now uses the same tech as the ipod, it makes a reasonable recording for IDing purposes. I found I used my iPod more that the Zoom on the last few visits (CMs take no notice of phones/iPods it seems)

[Wizzard419]

It likely uses improved tech considering the last iPod touch model was created in 2012 and the only updates have been the storage size and camera.

[pixelated]

Take this review with a grain of Internet salt but then you do get actual sound samples:
Best iPhone external mic!
Best iPhone external mic!

[eyore]

can't comment on external mics as Apple, in their wisdom (!), decided to do away with the external mic turning off the internal ones with later iPod touch models. A backward step in my view.

[Wizzard419]

That likely was due to consumers realizing that you could have all the functionality of an iPhone without having to buy one. As long as there is Skype and a large quantity of free wifi, there is no reason to use networks.