 "Just what I wanted. Good Quality and easy to use!" | 2009-11-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1FIMRQARNSS75 |
I did a ton of research and at first and wasn't sure what to choose between the $200 - $600 market. I bought the Flip MinoHD for the simple reason that it was small and portable and able to capture the moments you'd miss with a larger more expensive camcorder getting it out of it's case and turning it on. The most important factor in me determining what to buy was ease of use and what kind of software comes with it. During my evaluations, so many reviews of camcorders said something about being a Mac user and/or downloading additional software and converting it from one format to another or not being able to produce a feature film with a $200 camcorder.
That is not at all what I wanted. My wife is pregnant with twins and due shortly so I wanted something I could carry in my pocket to capture those precious moments and quickly/easily upload to my computer, edit, email to in-laws/parents, burn to a dvd or share to Facebook with a few clicks of the mouse. I will say that I am not too software savvy but you literally plug this in to the computer and the software takes over. It is fantastic how easy and idiot proof it is (take my word on it). I took a three minute video of my wife ten minutes after getting it delivered to my house and had sent it out to my in-laws and relatives less than 20 minutes after UPS dropped it off at my house (it was already charged). That is honestly how easy it is to use.
If you want a portable HD (720p) camcorder that is smaller than my Blackberry, that records up to 120 minutes that you can easily (software included with the device) upload and edit and then send to anyone, looks and sounds good too for a little over $200, then this is the product for you. I bought many things off Amazon but this is my first product review. I've never been so impressed with anything I've bought from either here or Ebay and thought I should sing it's praises because it rocks.
I don't think you'd be disappointed with what you get. I can't wait for my babies to get here so I can post some top notch videos for our friends/family to see. I'd at least advise looking at the Flip Mino video online that shows the features and ease of use. That's what sold me. Good luck!
|
| |
| "Impressed with the camera... and the company!" | 2009-11-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: AEK5KXHE92FZJ |
I've been looking for a camcorder for a long time and finally settled on the Flip due to good reviews and decent price.
Two days after I received my brand new Flip Mino HD, I started having issues with it. During one recording the camera totally froze up on me and I couldn't shut it off. I held down the power button several times with no response. I finally plugged it into my computer and that appeared to reset it. The following day while recording, the camera completely powered off on me without warning and I lost the video.
After reading some of the reviews here it was apparent that this model had some problems. So I went straight to the source and called up Flip. First off, I was impressed that they were answering their phones on a Sunday afternoon. The person I spoke to was very friendly and helpful. She told me that the product had JUST come out and I had gotten an item from the first lot, which they seemed to be having some issues with. The problems I described were exactly what others had been having issues with too. She told me to return it and that she'd send me a new one (from a different lot) in its place. Within minutes of the call I received an e-mail with the instructions for the return and a pre-paid shipping label.
About a week after dropping the package off, I received a box in the mail with a new camcorder plus an unexpected freebie--an action mount that looks like it's about a $16 value. I thought that was a very nice addition for my trouble.
I haven't yet had a chance to use the new camcorder and I expect that the issue won't continue. If it does, I will expect the same quality service from Flip Video. Regarding the camera itself, I love it. It's very easy to use--completely intuitive and doesn't require a boatload of instructions. The software is simple too. I think this camera will fit my needs quite nicely. |
| |
| "Flip Mino HD my experience" | 2009-11-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: AW0WNX2VH05NI |
| Good product have to read instruction to really understand how to use keys very sensitive to the touch. Video very sharp. puts video in MP4 format I have to convert to wmv so I can watch in windows media player or realplayer. If you have an old PC Flip program takes up a lot of Memory. Over all takes great pictures and sound is good also. This is just my experience for me. |
| |
| "Great device to save memories!" | 2009-11-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2P3514WD7NJQV |
| The Flip HD is AMAZING! It is very easy to use and a really fun device to save memories. The directions are a breeze to follow, and it synched up with my Mac very easily. I can view and send videos to my friends with no problem. It is also easy to watch videos on my home HD television- the picture quality was very clear. This device is super handy, simple to operate, and the sleek design makes it easy to store in a pocket or handbag. I definitely would recommend this device! |
| |
 "almost as good" | 2009-11-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1PFZ8MP5JVHO2 |
| I want to love this new version as much as the last ones, but I have two complaints: the buttons are too sensitive -- it's too easy to erase videos. And I liked the bigger screen on the other! (I know, I know, in technology, smaller is better). I still love Flip, no matter what. Genius. We gave one to my in-laws with videos of their grandkids already on there! |
| |
| "The camcorder SHOWDOWN: I've done the product comparisons for you" | 2009-11-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A17V9XL4CWTQ6G |
If I'm going to spend more than a hundred bucks on an item or somewhere around there, I do extensive research first to know I got the best bang-for-the-buck and, consequently, dodge any potential future buyer's remorse.
I've realized that the time I spend doing my product comparisons is often time that others don't have so I may as well share what I can.
I'll start by saying that you'll see my "Verified Amazon Purchase" on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder review because, obviously, that's the one I wound up buying and I'll share with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not suit your own needs so I'll break it down and let you decide what's best for you via what I found out:
Here are the pocket camcorders I compared:
Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as "F")
Flip Mino HD 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "M")
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "CL")
Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD (Will be referred to as "K")
Why HD cameras only? Brighter colors and better images, wider images
HD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 minutes with batteries they included, 120 minutes if you buy an SD card
MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally only 30 MB recording space but it has 32 GB expandable SD/SDHC card slot. Because it comes with such small recording space you really need to buy an SD or SDHC card to maximize its potential, but the potential is really good and this will increase your ability to shoot longer.
RESOLUTION:
All 720p which is excellent, just one step below the top 1080p format.
SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds
M:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds.
CL:Poor sound quality; had issues with sound and picture not being in sync.
K:Poor sound quality
ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor quality zoom on the one I tried but I still think it's 2x. It has a great macro focus for very close-up objects if, for example, you see a bumble bee and want to shoot it on a leaf a few inches away! Kinda cool.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 11.2 ounces
M: 2 x 0.7 x 3.9 inches ; 1 pound
CL: 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
K: 4x 5x 2.5" 2.4 lbs
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable pops out of the back so you don't need to keep up with a separate cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries. Note: Some sets come with the HDMi mini included and others come with the rechargeable battery pack on Amazon. Looks like one or the other but of course if you need both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable pops out of the back on this one as well. Has child safe button to prevent accidental deletion of videos. Internal lithium ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm
CL: USB cable in camera, Included in box are HDMI cable, (nice) USB extension cable, (nice) silicon skin (cool) & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist strap and rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Has built in USB arm.
SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: choice of 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second.
VIEWING SCREEN: All 2" except the Kodak was the largest at 2.4"
IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light performance for the mini cameras (though not perfect at all) and least amount of blurring and dropped frames in my opinion. You can get an underwater case for this one! Though that may sound crazy for a Texan, we use the camera non-stop on vacations and even when we aren't IN the water, we are around the water...on boats, in the sand with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and record the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software...just plug in to computer and it pops up.
M: Colors don't appear as good on the Mino as the other cameras. Thinnest camera. Make sure you get the one that only comes in the color aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any other colors it is the 1st generation MinoHD and they improved upon that one in the newer models. Great audio. Better shooting in low light than most mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low light. Software is preloaded in camcorder.
K: What appears to be metal in picture is actually a chrome colored plastic. That said, this had the largest viewing screen of all of them. 2.4" Very poor in low light and seemed to have far more shaking and blurring. It also takes still pictures but they are really really poor quality...same as a lesser-quality cell phone pictures but good in a pinch if you want a still shot and have no cell or camera I s'pose. Heaviest for a pocket camera. Software is not preloaded in camcorder but a cd comes with it.
And, finally, the reviews of the Flip Ultra HD from experts swayed me quite a bit:
Fast Company: "Flip Ultra HD is Pure Digital's "Best Pocket Camcorder Yet." 6-09
USA Today: "New Flip Ultra Video Cameras Might Flip Your Switch" 4-09
Business Week: How do you Invigorate a Recession? Look to i-phone, Flip, Kindle, and Zip Car For Answers
There were lootttts more I came across when researching the Flip Ultra HD but those are some of my favorites.
CONCLUSION: Clearest picture and sound was important to me, expert reviews that pointed to the Flip UltraHD as well and I liked the built in software and the case I can get to shoot underwater. It is the number one selling camcorder as well. So that was my personal decision-making process. However, keep in mind that if you need reading glasses none of that will matter if the 2" screen is too small for your viewing the shots easily for playback in which case you may wish to get the Kodak if that's important to you..
Also: No matter which one you get, you will probably want a mini tripod if you ever want to be in the shot yourself do don't forget those.
Hope my obsessive comparing and contrasting for my own purchasing assistance helped you as well even if what you wanted in a camera was different from me. :-)
|
| |
Expedited Available
