Getting ready to purchase a camcorder to take snowmobiling and tape the kids and what not. So many choices out there i dont even know where to start. So anyone that has some good info or choices please speak up. Id like to stay under $400-$450.
Camcorders
- Thread starter philsummers21
- Start date
thats a good question phil. does a person go with the new ones with hard drive or will they not work at all when cold. also batteries whats a good one so you dont have to carry lots with you.
Exactly tav. i want something thats small can be out when its snowing, works when its cold, and has a good amount of battery life. picture quality just needs to be good not excellent. Basically the less i have to haul for sledn the better.
I have the Sony DCR-DVD-305 and it has done a good job for me. It records on mini DVDs and does stills on a memory stick. Gets about 40 minutes of video on the small battery and it records in widescreen. It's small enough to keep in your jacket inside pocket but I have always kept it in the windshield bag. My first video camera didn't last one season from being bounced around so you gotta make sure it's in a secure place.
Canon HV20
The best buy right now is the Canon HV20. It's a little more than you're wanting to spend but it's very reliable.
It uses minidv's (no HD to fawk up) and records in high definition. The Canon optics are great. Check out www.hv20.com and you'll see what I mean. The new Canon hard drive hi def unit doesn't have as good pic quality as the HV20.
I like the HV20 also because you automatically have an archived recording (your mini DV) and it doesn't take a monster PC to edit the stream coming from the camcorder. Extra batteries are cheap and small and you can keep them in your pocket so they stay warm. I would recommend getting a step up ring to 52mm, a set of lenses to cut down on UV/glare, etc and at least one extra battery. BTW, don't spend the extra money for HD miniDV tapes. Just buy the regular run of the mill tapes. They work fine for high def.
Under the HV20 forum, check out "where to buy." There's a recent post showing a price of $749 along with a $150 gift card for a future purchase. That's a smoking deal.
PM me if you have anymore questions. I researched camcorders for several months before buying mine. I hope this helps.
Tim
The best buy right now is the Canon HV20. It's a little more than you're wanting to spend but it's very reliable.
It uses minidv's (no HD to fawk up) and records in high definition. The Canon optics are great. Check out www.hv20.com and you'll see what I mean. The new Canon hard drive hi def unit doesn't have as good pic quality as the HV20.
I like the HV20 also because you automatically have an archived recording (your mini DV) and it doesn't take a monster PC to edit the stream coming from the camcorder. Extra batteries are cheap and small and you can keep them in your pocket so they stay warm. I would recommend getting a step up ring to 52mm, a set of lenses to cut down on UV/glare, etc and at least one extra battery. BTW, don't spend the extra money for HD miniDV tapes. Just buy the regular run of the mill tapes. They work fine for high def.
Under the HV20 forum, check out "where to buy." There's a recent post showing a price of $749 along with a $150 gift card for a future purchase. That's a smoking deal.
PM me if you have anymore questions. I researched camcorders for several months before buying mine. I hope this helps.
Tim
W
Wish
Well-known member
Camcorder
I just bought a cheapy...JVC DR770 at Costco....and if you are looking for something inexpensive and easy to use for personal use...it does the job. Its a mini dv, and super user friendly. Small so you can pack on your person, I wouldn't recommend putting it on your sled (know from experience
)
These days I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you chose
I just bought a cheapy...JVC DR770 at Costco....and if you are looking for something inexpensive and easy to use for personal use...it does the job. Its a mini dv, and super user friendly. Small so you can pack on your person, I wouldn't recommend putting it on your sled (know from experience
) These days I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you chose
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