Minidisc.org just announced an awesome new Sony Hi-MD.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14640

If it delivers on everything they claim, it would solve almost every criticism I have had with these units -- no more defaulting to auto, no more fiddly controls, and the meters are on the edge so you can read them easier. One of these velcroed to the side of my mixer would be just the ticket!

i really love the himd, and the quality is brilliant. Only thing that i didn't like was the 1 time transfer of files...Discs are relatively cheap (the 1gb versions) The 3rd party battery add on is jut brilliant!It is just such a good investment.

Re the included add-on AA battery holder:

Discovering my Sony MZ-M100's internal NiMH battery to be completely discharged a few nights ago, I was able to record a 75 minute concert in PCM mode with just an AA alkaline battery I desperately pulled out of a digital camera. It was still going strong at the end of the concert.

My Hi-MD recorder's good enough. No need for an upgrade.