Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Do any of you have one and use it on a semi-regular basis? We've been debating purchasing one over the past year for family gatherings, grandparents memories etc. My Granddad passed away recently making me wish I'd purchased one earlier, so I'm pretty commited to purchasing one within the next month.

After having done my online research I'm leaning towards a Sony Mini-DV DCR-HC96. Seems to be one of the best point and shoot cameras, and since I have interest in the manual adjustments (shutter speed etc.) I'm quite happy with that.

How do you'll use yours, and how do they hold up? Is it worth buying the extended warranty? Thanks.

extended warrenties are usually a waste of money, due to the amount you pay for it VS the chances of something breaking on the thing worth that much.

Ive got a sony handicam that I bought two years back, and its fine, still takes videos and what not, I do wish I had gotten one with digital capabilities though.

I should have mentioned in the orginal post. The camcorder retails for $800, found it online from ButterflyPhoto for $600 including shipping. Their 2 year extended warranty is $80, and they offer a one time battery exchange.

I have 2 MiniDV camcorders, and do some amateur video work (although not lately...).

You can't go wrong with Sony for camcorders. For the same specs, Sony costs a little more. But there lens and image quality is always great to fantastic. JVC is also very good.

About warranty-- if you have an American Express card, they (American Express) automatically double the warranty of items purchased with it. Go to their website to look at details under card benefits.

One note-- camcorders are sensitive to sudden temperature changes. If the camera has been an air-conditioned room and you want to use it outside where its warm, let it sit outside for 10-15 minutes first to come to temperature before using it. And vice versa from outside to in. Nowadays, it probably won't hurt the camera if you don't, but the lens may fog up and the camera will give you an error.

We have a camcorder but...theres a video feature on our digital camera. If we want to take video, its usually something spur of the moment. Wed never get video otherwise, because we'd never remember to bring the camcorder. They are good if you have a specific purpose in mind, but for the money I think youd get more use out of good digicam with video option.