The Flip family consists of three simple, inexpensive, pocket camcorders: the original Flip Video, Flip Ultra and Flip Mino in several color mutations.
These are popular gadgets and you can find reviews and a lot of information on the web. Here is CNET editors’ review of Flip Ultra:
At the time of this writing, the best selling camcorder at Amazon.com isn’t a model from Sony, Canon, or Panasonic. It happens to be the Flip Video Ultra, the third iteration of Pure Digital Technologies’ simple plug-and-play video camera that features a hideaway USB connector and built-in software that makes viewing and sharing your videos incredibly easy. That may be a little surprising to some, but the fact is that cheap sells–the Ultra starts at $149. And when you combine cheap with easy, you can see why the Flip and its RCA relative, the RCA Small Wonder EZ201, are finding success in the marketplace.
The bottom line:
With improved video quality, a slightly trimmer design, and upgraded software package, the Flip Video Ultra is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the emerging low-end digital camcorder category.
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Flip Ultra is the model interesting for paddlers because you can get a waterproof case for it just for $30 or so. Waterproof cases for Canon point-and-shoot cameras are almost 10 times more expensive. Of course, you don’t have so many control buttons in Flip camcorders.
Unfortunately, there is no tripod socket on this waterproof (there is one on a camera) case which limits paddling applications of the Flip from my perspective. I like to shoot movies with a camera mounted on a kayak deck or use it as a helmet cam. There are at least three solutions to this problem.
- You can get creative with some foam, bungees and/or duct tape as I did when transforming my Pentax Optio W10 into a helmet cam.
- It is not so difficult to add a standard 1/4″ tripod socket to the waterproof case. I’ve found the simplest do-it-yourself approach at PopPhoto.com. I am not sure how strong it is. If you are going to paddle through rapids or waves with your camera mounted on a bow you may considered a more solid design.
- Finally, I’ve got a prototype of a “flip grip” together with the Flip Ultra in a waterproof cases from WetStuff.com for testing. It is a neoprene pouch designed for carrying the camera on your chest. I used it for some paddling and inline skating including comparison with a video from my Pentax Optio W30. I am also trying to mount it on the sticky pod suction cup. I will post my comments and some movie examples in the next part (or maybe even parts) of this article.
If you would like to buy Flip Ultra or check other models (Mino looks interesting for dry environment) you are welcome to use my amazon.com affiliate links – just click on pictures.
If you are using Flip Ultra please write some comment about your experience, especially, if you had a chance to compare it to other cameras. The comparison with GoPro Hero or Oregon Scientific video recorder would be really useful.
Comments
12 responses to “Flip Ultra Camcorder + Waterproof Case = Video Camera for Paddlers? Part 1”
I have not used the Flip but would love to try one, I use the Sanyo EC1 for my digital video recording on my kayak. It has served me pretty well so far. Good video and audio, poor stills though.
[…] laps in his Spencer Xtreme Canoe. I took my Thunderbolt-X kayak for easy paddling and testing a Flip Ultra camcorder as a bow camera. I attached the Flip grip from Wet Stuff to a suction cup mount from Sticky Pod. […]
I love the flip. Th waterproof case is the cats meow for sure. Thanks for the heads up review!!!
Amazing Site I like it. It Was Quite Interesting NiceWork I appreciate the information you provided Excellent post. Keep it up! Good day!
The waterproof case? I just got back from Cuba and I tried to use it and what I got? Flip cam don’t work anymore. After a few minutes using camera snorkeling, water entered and and that is end of the story. Now I have to get another camera. What I’m trying to say? Be careful. Case don’t work as they advertise
I’m introduce website about waterproof digital cameras. http://astore.amazon.com/sale-underwater-digital-cameras-20
Wow! This is very interesting.
I’ve made a lot of paddling videos with the original Flip (which I unfortunately lost in the canal last week). I used this case and just drove the tripod mount through the plastic. I used The Panavise suction mount. I usually remembered to tether it to the boat somehow, usually with a light line to the front tie down loop, but unfortunately last week I forgot. The bag case probably wouldn’t have survived an immersion, but it kept the spray off. You can see some of my videos on my youtube channel (search for ptomblin).
i was just wondering if this works for the original flip video
My family and I are obsessed with our flip. These ideas are great. We have awesome footage of our older son on a zip line. Similar to your helmet cam, we strapped it to his hat elastic straps. My daughter attached it to the dog once and left it for the full hour. Mostly a lot of footage of napping.
And the underwater cases are great.
The Flip Ultra with the underwater casing seemed a good combination. But after several attempts, I still find using those underwater digital point and shoot camera being more versatile, even for videos, in a wet filled environment.
I also love the Flip. I have the newest 3rd generation UltraHD. I am also a kayaker as well. If you didn’t already have a flip you might also try one of the newer waterproof video cameras they are very good too, like the Kodak Zx3, great video camera.