herculesmomma Posted December 19, 2005 Posted December 19, 2005 Anyone seen any good camcorder deals lately? I had my heart set on the Panasonic PV-GS31 at BB on BF, but of course by the time I made it there they were out. Since then the best price I can find on it is for $282 AR w/shipping and tax. Are there any other camcorders out there that would be a similar deal? Any recommendations for alternatives and a better price? Or do you think there could be some Christmas Eve/after Christmas deals worth waiting for?
msvagardener Posted December 19, 2005 Posted December 19, 2005 We bought a JVC #GR-D244 mini-dv at Walmart a couple weeks ago. Camera, case,and 4 tapes just under $300. I wasn't sure about the camera but so far it's been great, of course I'm still working on technique :) . Camera alone was $248. Good luck.
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 Well, I sucked it up and bought the Panasonic PV-GS31 on amazon.com Price was $349.00, applied for the visa credit card for a $30 instant savings for a price of $319.00. Free shipping and no tax. After the mail in rebate of $50 it should bring me down to $269.00 total. Not bad I guess? Not as good as the BF deal that was at BB, but with tax that deal would have $215. So in the end I only paid $54 dollars more than the BF deal. Not too bad of a deal is it?
happyrat Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 Anyone in the Fort Worth, TX area, sears at Northeast mall has several returned "ie used" camecorders for under $150. These are digital ones also. They had one mini dv one for $107. Almost bought it. Thought I'd pass it along.
RossMAN Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 Well, I sucked it up and bought the Panasonic PV-GS31 on amazon.com Price was $349.00, applied for the visa credit card for a $30 instant savings for a price of $319.00. Free shipping and no tax. After the mail in rebate of $50 it should bring me down to $269.00 total. Not bad I guess? Not as good as the BF deal that was at BB, but with tax that deal would have $215. So in the end I only paid $54 dollars more than the BF deal. Not too bad of a deal is it?You also earned triple Amazon points which will come in handy Congratulations on your new camcorder, why did you choose that particular model?
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 Yes, thats true I forgot about the triple points! I chose it mostly for the price. The reviews I read on the camcorder were in the mid range. Consumer reports ranked it 25th, cnet ranked the next model up (the PV-GS35) as one of their best buy picks. E-opinions reviews gave it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. Camcorder info website gave the lower level model (PV-GS19) a pretty good review stating it was a good value for a camcorder under $300. Couple all of the reviews with the price and it seemed like a pretty good camcorder for the money. That and I wasn't sure what else to buy that would be a comparable camera at the same price! I can cancel my order if someone has a better suggestion at the same price!
Great Dane Mom Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 You also earned triple Amazon points which will come in handy Congratulations on your new camcorder, why did you choose that particular model? Points, what points?
bpr Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 I got a JVC S-VHS camcorder for $99 out the door at a midnight madness type sale at my local NEX. Not bad. Also got a Fuji 5.2 MP(E510 I think)camera for $99. It's at Target for $250.
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 I got a JVC S-VHS camcorder for $99 out the door at a midnight madness type sale at my local NEX. Not bad. Also got a Fuji 5.2 MP(E510 I think)camera for $99. It's at Target for $250.Thanks for the suggestion, but I was looking for a minidv camcorder or something along those lines.
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 Points, what points?Amazon.com visa. If you sign up for one it states: That you get $30 off your first amazon.com purchase (amazon.com must be the one selling the item) and..... Free rewards that come quickly, easily, and automatically† Earn 3 reward points for every dollar spent at Amazon.com Earn 1 reward point for every dollar spent on purchases elsewhere For every 2,500 reward points, you'll receive a $25 Amazon.com Reward Certificate
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 Okay, I take it no one has any suggestions for a comparable alternative??? :)
RossMAN Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 Okay, I take it no one has any suggestions for a comparable alternative??? :)Canon ZR200 http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007D9B9G.01-A1NDBS7YGOPBD6._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg Here is a review of this excellent budget camcorder. I've seen the Canon ZR200 as low as $230 + taxes and shipping from Dell.com after stacking multiple coupons. Camcorder Deals http://www.gottadeal.com/Deals/Category/camcorders
bpr Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 I have the Canon ZR85. I got it last year at BB for $240 after rebates. I have had no problems with it. It is my main camcorder. Very nice picture. It is basically the same as the ZR200, I believe, so I would recommend it. It depends on your budget too.
herculesmomma Posted December 21, 2005 Author Posted December 21, 2005 Rossman, the reviews on the Canon ZR200 only seem mildly better than the PV-GS31. Is there something more to that camcorder that makes you think it's worth the wait? I'm certainly no expert, so I could have easily missed a key feature etc. So do tell! My budget is the closer to $250 the better. I will only use the camcorder for occassional use (vacations, video of the dog etc) since I am not married and have no kids. My mother offered to buy one for me for X-mas, but I don't mind waiting until a few days after X-mas too. She has the $250 in the budget for me and anything over that amount I can make up the difference myself. I've been sitting on what to do for a while now. The reviews seem to be good on one site for the Canon, not so good on another and vice versa for the Panasonic. I've gotten myself quite confused at this point!
biomajor Posted December 21, 2005 Posted December 21, 2005 I bought the the ZR200 for my daughter on BF for $249 from Circuit City--it's very cute but I haven't played with it except to charge it.
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