Digital Camcorder Recommendations?

[SheMonster]

We are in the market to buy a digital camcorder.  I really want to take one with us for the 100 mile ride around Lake Tahoe that we will be doing with Team In Training in a few weeks.  It has to be small enough that I can carry it easily in a pocket of my cycling jersey, and preferably available from Best Buy or Amazon as I have a few gift cards for those places.  Please post up your recommendations and why you recommend them, thanks in advance! 

[cyrus buelton]

Are you looking for a traditional one or a sport camera?


If sport........go no further


www.gopro.com


They have a new HD one.


You can buy from their website or an authorized retailer (Best Buy doesn't carry them, not sure if you can get off amazon)

I can also put you in touch with a friend who is in the Coastal Ducati Club who is an authorized retailer. I'll post up his link to his site for his business.

I'd get the wide angle HD version.

Don't get the older version.

The new one is 1080p, re-chargeable battery, and can hold a 32gb SD Card.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yes-keep "those" videos-don't let him have copies.


You know what I'm talking about.

[SheMonster]

You know we are going to be staying a night at Spidey's during this trip, right?

Are you looking for a traditional one or a sport camera?

If sport........go no further
www.gopro.com

They have a new HD one.
You can buy from their website or an authorized retailer (Best Buy doesn't carry them, not sure if you can get off amazon)

I can also put you in touch with a friend who is in the Coastal Ducati Club who is an authorized retailer. I'll post up his link to his site for his business.

I was thinking traditional. As far as the GoPro one - can that be used for "normal everyday" use too?  And will your friend accept Best Buy or Amazon gift cards?

[Monster Dave]

We're leaning away from the gopro camera to have one that's more suited to everyday/event recording - more of a casual camera. Don't get me wrong, we like the GoPro camera for what it is, but it's not quite what I'm feeling will suit our use.

I really like the Samsung U20, so I think we'll be checking that one out tonight when we go out.



It offers some really nice features, is small, and light enough to have in our back pockets for the ride.

[SheMonster]

Hey, you are supposed to be working.   

[JEFF_H]

I just got a Sanyo Xacti from woot for $139
(this one- http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-ZH1R-Camera-Definition-Optical/dp/B00358ZFL8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273251880&sr=8-3)
so far so good....im planning to shoot exhaust sound clips with it...and maybe some roller derby  
i expect it to work well outside and crappy inside in lower light

if you are planning to carry it this might be better for you
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-CG20-Definition-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036TH80M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273251880&sr=8-2

or even more portable-
http://www.amazon.com/Flip-UltraHD-Camcorder-Minutes-Black/dp/B0023B14TK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273252018&sr=8-1

also consider one of the new canon point-shoot with HD video recording...those shoot pretty nice video and you would be more likely to have it with you when you need it
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD780IS-Stabilized-Silver/dp/B001SER47O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273252340&sr=8-3

be careful taking a camera into spideys house. mine came back with several people's dude junk, and boobies on it

[Monster Dave]

Hey, you are supposed to be working.   

Hey so are YOU!!  

[Monster Dave]

One thing that I like about the U20 is that it does very well in low light conditions.

I'd rather us get one that is at least from a brand that we recognize. We have a Samsung digital camera that we purchased within the last year, and it's great but not quiiiite where we want to be for a camcorder.

So the age old question - would you buy a camera from a camera company or a camera from a company that makes electronics?

[cyrus buelton]

I like the go pro not only because of the size, quality, and mounting brackets, but it has that nice plastic case it sits in which is waterproof up to like 50ft or something.

Not that I've taken it that deep, but it is nice if you are in the rain, you don't have to worry about make the beast with two backsing up a camera.


I am not sure what everyday use to you is, so I can't address.

I've filmed my dogs running around the house with it. The quality is great.

I am trying to figure out a way to rig a mount so I can put it on Greta's head and then take her to the dog park.

So far, I have no ideas how to secure a mount to her head.

As for gift cards........you'd have to ask my friend if he takes them 

[DoubleEagle]

I think I saw the Samsung on ShopNBC one night last week.

It looked almost too good to be true for the $149 they were selling it for.

I still have a camcorder that is a suitcase on your shoulder deal.

Time for me to get updated .

Dropped a lot of cash here lately and am thinking about a new Multistrada S which is like $20 K plus. so I've been letting some small things sort of go by the way side.

The Samsung definitely looked good.. The GoPro would be what I would want for filming my rides on the bikes.

Dolph   

[Monster Dave]

So we went looking for the Samsung this past weekend and couldn't find it. 

I think it's the way we want to go, but will still check out the gopro and see what I think.

As for the dog helmet cam - just get a helmet like this:



And strap it on! 

[cyrus buelton]

GoPro's are very hard to find at a retail shop.

I imagine if you have a big moto store like an Iron Pony or Cycle Gear, you might be able to find one.

Outside of that, good luck!

Here is my friend Stan from CDC's website and his side business. He rents them at tracks and then edits the video for the rider.

Not a bad idea. He'd be at the track anyway, so figured he'd make a little bit of track bike money in the process.


www.richardsonitpro.com


Love the picture by the way.

I'd have to cut holes in it to accommodate Greta's ears!

hahaha

[Monster Dave]

Thought you'd think that was funny!!

I've got some friends who run a local motorcycle shop here in town and they carry the gopro camera. I'm sure they'd let me check one out - they were renting them for a while so I think they've got one that's opened already.

[SheMonster]

So we are going out tonight to actually buy one.  As much as I'd like to also have one of the GoPro ones what I want is a small handheld camcorder.  Any last minute suggestions?  

Thanks!