Phuket Thailand

ratz · #1 27-05-2007, 05:32

Hi all,

am thinking of making a minor investment in a small digital video camera (for my trip among other things!) .. anyway, question is should I wait and buy in duty free in abu dabi (half way stop off) or just get it locally? ... there is one going cheap enough in a local chain near me from tomorrow:

ALDI Ireland: Offers, special buys, sales promotion articles

think I would spend up to 150/200 euro for a nice small one that has a reasonable enough quality and will have image size of at least 800x600 in PC playback? ... also, how much card memory would one need to have for a reasonable about of recording?

thoughts?

R.

MrDK · #2 27-05-2007, 08:28

If you are only going to save a little bit I would buy locally. If you ever have a warranty claim that would make it a lot simpler.

dawsey · #3 27-05-2007, 17:04

Agree with Mr DK. If its only a cheapie, get it locally. Although some great electrical bargains to be had in AUH Duty Free, the saving on a cheapie would be minimal.
Guarantees/warranty should be honoured wherever purchased.

MrDK · #4 27-05-2007, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Guarantees/warranty should be honoured wherever purchased.

Last time I was in LOS my camera was stolen, so I had little choice than to buy one there. Price about the same as the US. After a few weeks I had a small mechanical problem with the camera. Was told by two dealers that they could not help me and that I needed to send it directly to the manufacturer. Called the manufacturer and even though it sounded like they would take care of me there was a lengthy registration form to fill out and I would have to pay for shipping, at least one way.

I took the camera apart and fixed it myself, however, it would have been infinitely easier to bring the shop where I bought it.

oneday · #5 28-05-2007, 02:31

What do you mean about the memory card? My cam comes with a memory card, but it is only used to take pictures, which I think you will do little of, unless this is the only device you have for picture taking.

As far as I know camcorders come with Hard Drives or DVC tapes or I believe small CD/DVD disks.

I got a 2G memory card for my cam, but it is definitely wasted. I took all my pics with my Casio point and shoot and none with the cam.

BTW, I got the Sony High Definition camcorder (Sony HDR-HC3) and it was the best damm decision I ever made. The quality is incredible, just like watching HDTV and in some respects better. Cost was $1100 USD.

dawsey · #6 28-05-2007, 02:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Last time I was in LOS my camera was stolen, so I had little choice than to buy one there. Price about the same as the US. After a few weeks I had a small mechanical problem with the camera. Was told by two dealers that they could not help me and that I needed to send it directly to the manufacturer. Called the manufacturer and even though it sounded like they would take care of me there was a lengthy registration form to fill out and I would have to pay for shipping, at least one way.

I took the camera apart and fixed it myself, however, it would have been infinitely easier to bring the shop where I bought it.

Who was the manufacturer of the camera you bought in LOS?

Very poor customer service if they took that stance over a repair.

The repair should have been done in your country irrespective of where the camera was purchased. The small print in my Canon warranty tells me I can have it sent to any service dept of my choice if there is a problem.

You should have contacted the manufacturer's service branch in the US. They would have dealt with it. Dealers never want to know about problems, just sell you a replacement.

dawsey · #7 28-05-2007, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneday

BTW, I got the Sony High Definition camcorder (Sony HDR-HC3) and it was the best damm decision I ever made. The quality is incredible, just like watching HDTV and in some respects better. Cost was $1100 USD.

That may well be, but hardly fits the OPs choice of something "between 150 - 200Euros" You get what you pay for in general, and usually won't get much for under 600Euros for Digital quality. Your camcorder is roughly 900Euros

oneday · #8 28-05-2007, 02:52

And I didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out.

I am not sure what 200 euros is in USD, but I didn't think it was close to $1100 US, but I thought I would throw it out there if that's OK. That's why I gave the price so there was no mistake in thinking it WAS in his price range.

Be nice.

MrDK · #9 28-05-2007, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Who was the manufacturer of the camera you bought in LOS?

Very poor customer service if they took that stance over a repair.

The repair should have been done in your country irrespective of where the camera was purchased. The small print in my Canon warranty tells me I can have it sent to any service dept of my choice if there is a problem.

You should have contacted the manufacturer's service branch in the US. They would have dealt with it. Dealers never want to know about problems, just sell you a replacement.

The manufacturer is Kodak, however, they did not give a hard time. The local dealers did. Kodak did email me a form to complete the warranty registration, but I did not care to do any paper work.

dawsey · #10 28-05-2007, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneday

And I didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out.

I am not sure what 200 euros is in USD, but I didn't think it was close to $1100 US, but I thought I would throw it out there if that's OK. That's why I gave the price so there was no mistake in thinking it WAS in his price range.

Be nice.

No problem oneday

Its nice to be informed about all good products.

BTW 1 Euro = 1.31 $US

oneday · #11 28-05-2007, 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

No problem oneday

Its nice to be informed about all good products.

BTW 1 Euro = 1.31 $US

I was just too lazy to look it up on the exchange web site. So that would be about $262 for 200 euros, I guess. I know sometimes I go cheap, but I can often afford better. I am sure glad I put the money out for this camcorder. I bought it because I was going to buy a custom underwater housing at $2500, but I backed off of that. It was just too much.

Maybe the OP will consider HD; maybe not. It really is the way to go these days.

Have a great day Dawsey.

Thanks

ratz · #12 28-05-2007, 04:27

Hey all,

thanks for the advice! ... jeez, equiv. $1000 for a vid camera ... ouch! ... I could do it, but its the "I may *want*, but do I *need*" dilemma

... same same on a camera, I bought a good one a few years back, Minolta DiMage A1, served me well until recently when I dropped the bugger! ... lens cracked and gives focus problems mainly. Oh well, think I may just see whats about in the duty free !

thanks again!

oneday · #13 28-05-2007, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratz

Hey all,

thanks for the advice! ... jeez, equiv. $1000 for a vid camera ... ouch! ... I could do it, but its the "I may *want*, but do I *need*" dilemma

... same same on a camera, I bought a good one a few years back, Minolta DiMage A1, served me well until recently when I dropped the bugger! ... lens cracked and gives focus problems mainly. Oh well, think I may just see whats about in the duty free !

thanks again!

This is not the same old camcorder of past and present, it is High Definition and the wave of the future. $1000 is cheap for this technology IMO. The playback is absolutely unbelieveable. When I played the video from Thailand it felt like I could just step into the picture and be there.

But I understand if you aren't prepared to go that expensive yet. After all, it's more money for your barfine. I can certainly understand.