camcorder suggestions

1648 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by nigelcorn, Feb 18, 2009

jeopardy98

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2009

My wife and I are looking to purchase a camcorder with our tax return. I would like something that I can use on the bike as well as for family memories. Can anyone make some suggestions? I have a few criteria:

Flash memory supported but a hard drive is fine too.
It must have an available DC power cable that can be used without the battery.
Must have decent video quality but HD is not necessary.
Must have the standard 1/4" threads on the bottom for a tripod mount.
I'd like to stay around the $300 mark but a little more is definitely doable.

Please let me know what you personally have or have heard good things about. Thanks in advance.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

jeopardy98

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 11, 2009

Anyone?

eaglefrq

· #3 · Feb 11, 2009

I got a Samsung SC-MX20B from Best Buy for $249. It takes flash memory (SDHC) and does a great job. I talked with a person in a camera shop and was advised that you don't want a hard drive camera because because the shaking/vibration.

Gerard7aa

· #4 · Feb 11, 2009

If you plan on using it on your bike dont go with a HDrive (moving parts).
Stay with a Flash Mem camera.

ParceroSV

· #5 · Feb 11, 2009

Check Circuit City out, they have some "deals" going on now that they are out of business. about 25% off on cameras is not that bad.

GGGone

· #6 · Feb 11, 2009

I have the Panasonic SDR-S7 and it is a excellent camcorder! Great for riding and everday use.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SDR-S7-Memory-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B0011G0NKO

jeopardy98

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 11, 2009

Hey thank you for the suggestions. I will try and stay away from the hard drive cameras. What about the DVD ones? Do you work with the vibrations?

jeopardy98

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 11, 2009

GGGone said:
I have the Panasonic SDR-S7 and it is a excellent camcorder! Great for riding and everday use.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SDR-S7-Memory-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B0011G0NKO

It looks good. How is the battery life and how much record time from an 8 gb card? Do they offer a DC power adapter?

eaglefrq

· #9 · Feb 11, 2009

jeopardy98 said:
Hey thank you for the suggestions. I will try and stay away from the hard drive cameras. What about the DVD ones? Do you work with the vibrations?

I would assume the DVD would have the same issue with skipping while trying to write.

On the Samsung, video / sound quality is good. I have a 4GB SDHC card and it shows approx. 2 hrs record time (I believe).

Here is another link: http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=92334

Gerard7aa

· #10 · Feb 11, 2009

jeopardy98 said:
Hey thank you for the suggestions. I will try and stay away from the hard drive cameras. What about the DVD ones? Do you work with the vibrations?

The DVD writing units will work but expect early malfunction. These cameras are exposed to harsh continuous vibrations. Flash Mem cameras are the better choice due to the lack of affected moving parts.

of_the_troops

· #11 · Feb 11, 2009 (Edited)

jeopardy98 said:
Hey thank you for the suggestions. I will try and stay away from the hard drive cameras. What about the DVD ones? Do you work with the vibrations?

In addition to the moving parts of the DVD camcorder (which you don't want, of course), consider that w/ flash memory all you have to do is buy one that had a lot of memory and you can use it over and over again, vs w/a DVD one you have to keep buying DVDs. Also, flash memory will be more durable than a DVD in the long run, and will be easier & faster to save and transfer from computer to computer.

I bought a Samsung camcorder from QVC for just over $200 and it had a built in 16GB flash. I also bought a 16GB SDHC (online for only $30) to increase the memory capability to 32GB.

jeopardy98

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 11, 2009

Okay, I'm having a hard time finding any that have a dc power cord as an accessory. I used to know a great site that had all kinds of stuff like that but I can't find it anymore.

of_the_troops

· #13 · Feb 12, 2009

Here's the one I bought:
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/...ical-Zoom-Digital-Camcorder-w16GB-Memory-Dock

It comes w/ an AC adapter. I'm not sure if you're specifically looking for a DC adapter.

ari211

· #14 · Feb 12, 2009

It doesn't meet all your criteria but IMO the cheapest, easiest, most reliable on-bike camera to use is the GoPro Hero. They just came out with a new wide-angle version that works great.

GGGone

· #15 · Feb 12, 2009

jeopardy98 said:
It looks good. How is the battery life and how much record time from an 8 gb card? Do they offer a DC power adapter?

@ 1hr. of recording time and only a AC power adapter is supplied. I'm pretty sure a universal DC power adapter would work. The video quality is amazingly clear! The size of the camera is about the size of a pack of cigarettes if not smaller. Love it!
8GB:
XP(1hr 40mins)
SP(3hrs 20mins)
LP(6hrs 40mins)

cnels1

· #16 · Feb 18, 2009

Check out the JVC camcorders I have the Everio GZ-MS100. I got it at Circut City for 30% off and only paid $230 + tax. Just orderded a camera mount for my SV on ebay today, can't wait to try it out! I'm also using it for snowboarding.

eaglefrq

· #17 · Feb 18, 2009

I ordered the mount from this thread.

http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=94200

It came in Sat and I tried it out and it seems to work great. I know it's a suction cup mount, but I **** near pulled my fairing off testing it to see how secure it was. Plus the OP of the above thread lowsided with his and it didn't come off.

nigelcorn

· #18 · Feb 18, 2009

Whatever you end up getting, make sure to post pictures of how you mount it.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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