Several threads on this, with some good suggestions. See especially 62781 Advice field recording
In this thread several mudcatters recommended the Sony Professional Portable MD Player/Recorder MZ-B10. Price US about $275, 0r about $400 Can.
I went to the local Sony shop, and they said I would have to go to a dealer in professional gear to get it (is just Canada peculiar in that way? Why is Sony so limited on their own products?).
This website will give you a description, and the manual can be downloaded. Minidisc
It uses the TDK 74-minute BIT FIRE Minidiscs. Recorder allows 4x extension. The recorder is very small and light.
I found it easy to use- done very little so far, haven't tried it in a large place.
Better ones coming? That is always the case.