ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam

Easy to use. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Q9WKXSM65XNJ Oregon Scientific ATC2K used on Rt 122 Barre, MA. ideo can be edited using Windows Movie Maker.

Publisher : Oregon Scientific
Company : Oregon Scientific
List Price: ~~$69.99~~
Our Price: Too low to display
Used Price : $55.95

Features

Operates with 2 AA batteries, not included
Full-function, hands-free, digital recording
Waterproof up to 3 meters and shock-resistant for extreme conditions
Mounts easily on helmets, handlebars, and other sports equipment
640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 frames per second
USB and RCA cables included for easy playback on PC or TV (NTSC)

Product Description

Dirt, Snow, Rain, or Shine, capture all the action with the ultimate, all-terrain digital video camera! It's even WATERPROOF up to 3 meters with NO additional casing! With a new expanded 48 degree Field of Vies, the hands free digital video and audio captures all the thrill of your adventure in 640X480 VGA resolution (up to 30 frames per second) with the 32 MB internal memory (expandable to 2GB with built-in SD drive, 2G card not included). It's 3 button operation mode makes the ATC2K incredibly user friendly. This product comes standard with a carrying case, and mounting accessories, making it easy to connect the camera to helmets, bikes, and a wide array of other equipment. It also comes with both USB and RCA cables for quick, direct playback on either your PC or TV (NTSC). PC requirements: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Vista, OSX10.4 and below.

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Customer reviews

Easy to use. by .. Carl Larson ()
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Q9WKXSM65XNJ Oregon Scientific ATC2K used on Rt 122 Barre, MA.

Video can be edited using Windows Movie Maker.

Good idea, good video, poor quality by .. Terry Hutt (Running Springs, CA)
I bought this after being involved in an auto accident and suffering an insurance rate increase because I couldn't prove what happened. Less than three months later I was hit by another driver who ran a red light. She and her passenger claimed she had a green light. I had this mounted on the dashboard and recording as I was hit and was able to prove she was lying. Without it I would have been blamed for the accident. It paid for itself already.

The camera provides reasonable quality video but very poor audio. It does not operate well in low light conditions (say 30 minutes after sunset). It's very easy to use and has the ability to change resolution, frame rate, date and time, and also to delete files using the built in display and buttons. At 640x480 30fps a 2Gb card (4Gb not supported) can hold about one hour of video. At 15fps it can record about 90 minutes. It only records videos up to 45 minutes, then seamlessly starts another file. It eats batteries so I bought two NiMh rechargables from Radio Shack and recharge them every other day. You probably don't want to use regular alkali batteries with this camera.

The construction is good with waterproof buttons and a waterproof end cap covering the USB and video ports, battery compartment and memory card slot. It has a good selection of mounts including a handlebar mount, helmet mount, and a big rubber strap that will attach it to just about anything. I used stick-back velcro to attach it to my truck's dashboard and it's steady over smooth roads, jerky over the rough stuff.

Recording is as easy as turning it on (press and hold the left button for two seconds) and hitting the record (middle) button. Stop recording by pressing the middle button again and turn it off by pressing and holding the left button. The right button is used to cycle through modes.

Downloading video files to your computer is done with the USB (about 45 minutes to download 2Gb) or by putting the memory card directly into the front of the computer which is much faster if you have that option.

As I mentioned, the only issue is the extremely poor audio capture. If you're most interested in video then this is an excellent choice for you.

----- Updated -----
I've owned two of these cameras for about 6 months now and I've noticed some serious problems...

1. Mounting clip snapped on one camera. It still mounts but when the other clip breaks the camera will be unmountable.

2. Slow response to button presses. For some reason it now takes 10-20 seconds between hitting the button to stop recording and actually stopping. Didn't do this when I first bought it.

3. Corrupts the memory card. Deleting files does not always release the memory so you eventually run out. I find I have to reformat the memory card every few days to recover the lost memory. The camera cannot do this so you need a computer with a memory card slot. If you don't have such a computer you are screwed.

I was thinking of upgrading to Oregon Scientific's newest model but decided not to given the quality problems I'm having with this one.

Best value helmet camera ever!! by .. Noah Chiu (San Jose, CA USA)
I've had the ATC-2K for a while now and I have to say it's exactly what I thought it would be. It's for extreme sports, is compact, no wires and all in one. The video quality is pretty good but can't be compared to my $500+ Sony camcorders. Obviously the camcorder will have much better quality but I'm not going to strap one to my head or bike, especially as it would be an expensive piece of equipment to smash if I wiped out!

To be honest, for the price, it's well worth buying. I mount it to wherever and then press record, after that I haven't got to worry about it. With the other helmet cams I've tried, the wires sometimes get tangled and I constantly have the thought of my camcorder, in my backpack getting smashed up, at the back of my head.

I was a little confused about whether the ATC-2K was waterproof or water resistant as some websites have different descriptions. I called Oregon Scientific and they said when the camera first came out they had not yet received the waterproof certificate so they had to advertise as water resistant. Upon receiving their waterproof certificate for the ATC-2K they changed the classification of the camera from water resistant to waterproof. They even put it on their website!

Oregon Scientific say they can confirm it is waterproof up to 3 meters. It makes a change from those cameras on the market pretending they're waterproof where you have to use a plastic case to make it water proof. Those things are so much hassle! It is kind of like putting the camera in a zip-loc bag!

The battery time (2 x AA alkaline) is around one and a half hours to two hours flat out. That's an ideal time considering I use a 2GB SD card and film on the highest quality. The max. recording time at 640 x 480 and 30FPS is 1hr and 1 min. If the batteries die I just change them with spares I bring with me.

I'm thinking of using it when I go snowboarding, the manual says to change to Lithium batteries, specifically Energizer E2. I think this is because the operating temperature for alkaline batteries is higher than that of a Lithium battery. If you tried to use alkalines in cold temperatures it would probably only last a few minutes! I also saw that there's a Cold Weather Pouch available. I'm hoping to buy one online, this is great, finally a company who think of multiple use scenarios!

I've made quite a few videos with the ATC-2K now and have to say that although there is a mic. It's not that sensitive. I asked Oregon Scientific, when I called them about the waterproof feature, and they said it was purposely designed this way as it's for extreme sports and underwater use. Thinking about it, who's going to be giving commentary hurtling down a hill at 40mph?!

Anyway, it's fine for my purposes, I'm usually traveling at high speeds when filming and wouldn't want to hear wind on my playbacks! I guess it would be more interesting to just add my own music or commentary to my ATC-2K clips. I've searched Youtube and so on and have found lots of people are using their ATC-2K's to post clips, there's a cool one of the ATC-2K strapped to a rocket! There's also a U.K. gadget show, 5 gadget show I think, where the host throws it out of his 1st/2nd floor window into a shallow pool below! Neat! Someone brought it back up to them and the footage was cool!

The Bottom Line is: For recording my kid's birthday party or my grandma singing, I'll use my camcorder, for my sports I'll use my ATC-2K! Worth the investment and does exactly what it says on the box!

Does a great job for the price by .. Jon Almada (Shingle Springs, CA USA)
I recently purchased my ATC2K here on Amazon and took it out for a spin in my 2005 Mustang. The video came out great and was one of a series of video tests that showed me how versatile this little unit can be.

Securing it was not too difficult and I was already well aware of the limitations of the microphone and really didn't expect or want it, since, for my purposes, an MP3 recorder and bone conduction microphone would be a better option for getting voice and to combine the video and audio track later when doing edits.

The interest I had was in getting the camera for was for a range of outdoor sports and also for chase support for motorcycle touring. I do wish there were a series of mounts either documented for the camera or specially built as optional purchases just for the ATC2K. I'm already researching some specialty mounts for the various sorts of missions I'm dreaming up for this neat little camera.

I bought a Kingston 2gb SD card and had no trouble at all using this card with the ATC2K. The unit is easy to turn on, is relatively simple to configure and turn on and, for the price, is at the top of it's genre. I didn't have to do any formatting as noted by others, so the Kingston SD 2gb card is a winner for me with this camera. I'm going to put the camera through it's paces over the winter, but my tests so far indicate the camera is a great little bargain and worth getting.

I won't rehash much more, since any Google search and the other reviewers have covered many of the strengths and weaknesses of the camera. My only observation that might be more of a wish is that I wish that Oregon Scientific would have a simple forum area on their site where people can trade knowledge and tips about the ATC2K and improve the product (and the manual). I found out most everything significant before my purchase from external reviews and Google searches rather than the manual...

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a great and inexpensive way to get into recording video with a rugged and wearable camera that can work almost anywhere, this is the one to get. If you can't handle the audio and other quirks that make it a truly individualistic and temperamental beast it isn't the one for you. For my missions and purposes, it's the right one. I hope this review helps you!

Lots of fun for little money by .. Mr. Patterson (Orient, Ohio United States)
Oregon Scientific ATC 2K Action Cam Flash Memory Camcorder

I'll have to admit I was skeptical when it came to this camera. I've shopped for helmet cams before and been terrified at the price - so when one comes around for under $100 with no moving parts and standard AA batteries for a power source, it caught my attention. Well, for the most part I've been very pleased.I bought this cam for dirt riding, so I figured it would take some abuse. It handles it very well. The only downfall I find is that the helmet strap is not the best way to mount this camera as it allows too much vibration. If you are using this camera for this application I would recommend using the handlebar mount instead. I actually mounted mine to the frame of the vehicle as it is much more steady.I have gotten some great footage and great entertainment for the money.Get yourself a memory card (unless you're into 1 minute vids) and have fun. Oh yeah, if your looking for a camera to film grandpa's 115th birthday, this isn't it. It is an ACTION cam. The microphone is set up for wind and motor noise, etc. and doesn't do real well with voices. Use it for what it's designed for and you'll be pleased.