Some visual observers have been using dictation devices / notetakers to record observations at the eyepiece. It seems to aid observing by helping concentration. I recently bought this one after looking around at what's available:
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail...ers/PHLFH0667D
While the price might seem steep compared to a simple cassette device, the packaging of a cut down version of the Dragon Naturally Speaking software means that recorded speech can be converted to text files via USB with an accuracy of up to 99%. Handy not only for astronomy but work as well. It is faster to read a page of text than having to type it (unless you're a typing speed demon.