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regarding the slate:
I have and use an iphone app that slates very well. The only problem is that sometimes my little iphone speaker is not loud enough to overcome the ambient noise in a crowded bar or other such environment. There are several such apps in the app store.
regarding stereo equipment:
If you need a superlight stereo rig you can consider the zoom h4n or the sony pcm-d50. I own both and love what they are capable of out in the field. My pcm-d50 just about never leaves my hip, and some of my best and most useful indoor and outdoor ambient recordings have come from it.
upsides:
-entire rig fits in your pocket (this is significant)
-mics and pres are worthy of doc production
-entirely self-contained - no moving parts
-AA battery powered
-tripod mountable
-relatively inexpensive
PCM D50 upsides
-ridiculously long battery life
-swivel mics for super wide ambiances or XY for tighter ambiances
-quality build
H4n upsides
-XLR inputs and phantom power (can be used for spot aquisition with boom mic, etc)
downsides:
-all eggs in one basket with these devices (if it gets crushed you lost your stereo mics, preamps, and recording device)
-mics are very sensitive to wind noise
-difficult to protect mics from winds above 10-15 mph (can't mount in a blimp very easily)
-built in mics are OK but not optimal for dialogue, foly, etc.
PCM D50 downsides:
-no XLR inputs or phantom power
H4n downsides:
-poor battery life
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