Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation)

I currently have one Flip that I bought in 09 and am considering purchasing another one. It's a great camera that has good video quality, sound, and best of all it's easy to use! Turn it on, press the big red button and you are recording! A few things I don't like about the camera are the lack of editing abilities with the software (like flipping the video) and not being able to fast forward while viewing a video on the camera. They aren't super huge issues but it would be more convenient. Otherwise I really love this camera! Unfortunately the company is discontinuing it. So I'm going to enjoy using my Flip(s) for as long as I can! (Thanks to the CTFxC for introducing me to this awesome camera!) Update: I now have two Flips (First gen and second gen) and have noticed that the first gen's batteries die a lot quicker than the second gen's. I use rechargeable batteries and charge them at the same time. After the first few times I switched the batteries from one to the other and the first one still died first, so I know it's not the batteries. Other than that they are both the same and work beautifully. Update 2/19/14 So I discovered something interesting. These cameras record up to two hours of video and once the two hours are filled up you can't record more unless you delete footage you don't want. It shows you how much time you have left after each video you take. I use my Flips as a dashcam for my car while I'm driving, and when the drive is over I usually turn the cameras off with the side power button while the cameras are still recording. Sometimes they don't turn off and I don't notice it and put them away so they end up recording blackness and noises. Usually the batteries die first so I've never noticed anything strange, but the other day when I checked to see how long the video was I was shocked to discover it recorded up to TWO AND A HALF hours?? And it was STILL showing time available to record video with. I experimented to see how much more it would record by placing the Flip face down so it would record darkness only, and was able to record much more. There was almost four hours of recorded video on my Flip before I stopped. Now, I'm not tech savvy so I don't really understand how it does it, but I'm guessing the lack of light and imagery allowed it to be able to record past its two hour limit. It doesn't help if you want to take regular videos, but if you want sound only? It's pretty neat!

Just by chance I happened to come across the Flip Ultra 2nd Generation last week when the price was at $89. It lists at $149. Even for a bit higher this little gem is so worth it and thanks to Laura I's video review- in which she actually uses it and shows the quality of the imaging and ease of use with this unit- I was sold in the few mins that it took to watch her vid. Mine arrived this past week and I have been experimenting with it and believe me- it is so easy to use- I can't get over that even someone like myself who hates to mess with a bunch of buttons, but at the same time, loves to preserve those once in a lifetime moments, could be more happier with a purchase! This is the most economical and best investment for just that. For myself- I don't feel the need at this time to worry about having the HD option on the higher end items. I mainly use these vids to upload to emails, blogs and what not- I suppose down the road if I the need for HD, I would consider upgrading to HD, but I have viewed a video I shot with this unit on our HD televsion and honestly- I'm content with the quality of the video . The main things for me, is that I was able to open the package when it arrived, put the AA batteries in, and after reading the rest of the instructions, which are short and right to the point note card- shot some short clips- slid open the side USB stick- connected it to my computer- and at the same time- the FLIPVDIEO software package was being uploaded onto my computer-how nice- no extra disc to worry about, it's all in the FLIP, then uploaded and emailed the video shorts I had just created within the first hour of receiving this. How great is that? I give this 5 stars all the way and have now ordered the tripod that goes along with it- another great investment that I know will come in handy. So for a minimal investment, during these tight economic times- I say this far exceeds my expectations and am so looking forward to the holidays and being able to capture roughly 120 mins of video-more than I'll ever need at any one occasion. The only concern is to make sure to keep enough extra AA batteries (2 needed) on hand- I have used it quite a bit so far and am still on the same batteries that came with the unit! Take a look @ Laura I's video - you will be sold- and apparently quite a few people are- as while I am writing this- it is out of stock- again. I just wish I would have taken the leap and ordered 2, as I was thinking- this makes a perfect gift as well! I am still considering ordering another one for a gift as I know they would just love this one as much as I do. My advice-if what you are looking for is similar to what I had in mind- when this comes back in stock- jump on it- It's a purchase that I'm sure you won't regret! JUST POINT AND SHOT- How easy is that?

I admit, I'm technically challenged. I love this camera. Its so easy to use and the pictures are pretty darn clear. The problem starts once the pictures are taken. Yes, I plug it into my computer using the handy little arm. I download the pictures. And that's where the challenge starts. How do I send my video to others? How do I burn it to a disk? How do I do ANYTHING with the pictures??? HMM. Let me look in the instruction booklet. Oh yeah, there ISNT one!! I'll go to the website! What they tell you doesnt make sense and if you write to their techs, they don't make sense either, just quoting what is on the website. I believed the hype. I read the reviews on Amazon and thought it would be easy to use. I would love to send a video to friends and family, but I just don't have a clue how to do it. I spent hours on the computer trying to figure it out, either on my own or through the website. Not happening!!! If you're not informed about video you might want to think about buying this camera. An instruction booklet would be really really nice!