1983 Philips Mini Cassette Recorder Troubleshooting 🛠️🎙️
Channel: Scott Schiller
Date: 2024-04-09

The Philips LFH0595 System 500 "Pocket Memo" is a dictation-type recording device that uses Mini-cassette tapes. (Not to be confused with "Micro-cassette" from Olympus, used in devices like Dictaphones.) These units have an elegant design, with an aluminum exterior.

I got both an LFH 0595 (1983) and an LFH 0195 (1981) from eBay. A Philips 0195 model made an appearance in the James Bond film, "For Your Eyes Only." The 595 "pocket memo" looked to be unused and new-in-box, but turned out to be faulty. Power would come on, but it wouldn't play or record.

This video shows my attempt to troubleshoot and fix the playback issue on the LFH0595.

The first problem on the 595 was the motor. I was ultimately able to get playback working, but then I found that recording was faulty - and despite some tinkering, I was not able to fix that without further risk.

For fun, I recorded the voice-over for this video using the working 0195 unit. Ironically, it plays and records better, but cost less than half of the "new-in-box" but ultimately faulty 0595 that I received.