Pure Digital Flip Ultra Camcorder

You could be forgiven for thinking the Flip is a phone or an iPod-like device, because, let’s face it, that’s what it looks like. A pure white, plastic casing with very little to give the game away. On the front, just the logo, “Flip” which nowadays could mean just about anything along with a small round thing that on closer inspection turns out to be a lens and a teeny-weeny “stereo” microphone next to it. Although how on earth you get “stereo” recording from a single mike is beyond me.

Nothing gives it away until you take a look at the back of the thing and there is another teeny-weeny little device that turns out to be a view screen and control panel.

It’s pretty simple to use. Let’s put it this way, if you can tie your shoe laces, you will probably be able to use this camera. The 1 GB model sells for $149 and the 2GB $179. The only user adjustment is the massive 2X zoom, giving you the option of “a long way away” or “slightly less of a long way away.”

Picture quality is best described as, “garbage,” but if all you are interested in doing is sending a clip of the “hottie” you saw in the mall to your girlfriends, I am sure this will hit the spot. And judging from the rubbish I see all over YouTube at the moment, Pure Digital have sold a lot of these. I would label this the “McDonalds happy meal toy,” of the camcorder world, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see that happen after Christmas.