Oregon Scientific ATC-5000 Camcorder Review
The Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Camcorder is the most newfangled and amended model the Oregon Scientific has delivered in ATC range. Just like many drastic changes the ATC2000 made over the ATC1000, the ATC5000 has also obviously changed a lot. The new model is upgraded with radical changes and although ATC3000 was an ameliorated model it only got small improvements.
Normally, the utmost featured Camcorders are toughly simple matters that precede knottiness like LCD view finders in favour of compact and durable designs. Conserving its water proof and shock proof design, the Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Camcorder constricted a small, full-colour LCD screen into its small body. The only regrettable issue of ATC5000 is that one should compromise in one place, photo sensor of the device which should never be done. The device’s VGA resolution and poor low light performance holds it from producing great results though it can take photos and videos in extreme conditions.
Design:
Rubberised Ruggedness:
Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Waterproof Camcorder holds a tapered tube style look. It is a portable device with dimensions of 114mm long and 76mm at its thick end. It is also fairly furrowed because of rubberised bumpers on both ends and its solid construction too.
Small Recessed Lens:
Behind a raised rubber ridge and a plastic shield, a small recessed lens is tucked. An activity indicator light which changes to green when the camcorder is recording and to red when the device is busy writing, and an infrared receiver are placed just above the lens.
Rubber like Buttons:
ATC 5000 Digital Camcorder sports two rubberised buttons along the top edge: one for video and the other for still photography. The buttons must be held pressed for two seconds to start or stop video recording or snap a still shot, which avoids inadvertent presses.
Rear End of ATC5000:
A 38mm (1.5 inch), coloured LCD screen that acts as a digital view finder is located in the rear end, along with describing menus and playing back recently captured videos. A hinge is provided in the screen and is held in its place, which also has a locking closure along its top edge. The battery door for the two AA batteries that powers the device, the SD card slot, video out port and mini USB port could be found after unlocking and swinging down the screen.
Features:
Shock and Water Proof:
The Device can be submersed in depths up to 3m as the unit is designed to be handled pugnaciously and is also shock resistant and water proof.
Mounting Options:
A plastic mounting ring and base grip are included in the new ATC5000 using which you can connect the device to any other mounting options included. A handlebar grip, a webcam stand and a helmet grip included in the ATC5000 pack can be used with any one of the two Velcro straps or the silicon rubber head straps that the unit goes with.
1.5 inch LCD Screen:
The most significant amendment made in the camcorder is its Screen. The built-in LCD 1.5 inch screen is not monolithic, but is adequate to align the camera quickly and easily before filming and is also sufficient to view quickly any of the shot footage soon after it is done. It can be doubtlessly stated that any of the earlier camcorders do not have this capability and also can be said that the screen is missed out in previous models. It takes few hours to correctly align ATC2000, but with the new model you can attach it where ever you want and check how it looks.
Infrared Remote Control:
Another crucial feature of ATC 5000 Shock and waterproof Camcorder is that it comes with a remote control. The remote control permits you to stop and start video recording and take still photos. The remote is very small which makes it easy to store on you, when the ATC5000 camcorder in on your head shooting something. It is very easy to stop and start the recording with this remote control, preventing you from recording all the unnecessary scenes. This results in recording more worthy footage using the device. The buttons on the remote are easy to push even if you wear gloves or your fingers become numb because of cold.
Capabilities of Video and Photo:
Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Flash Memory Camcorder has the capability of recording video with a resolution of up to 640X480 pixels and 30 frames per second, which is at the top of the feature set. Just by using the video button at the top of the unit or with the included remote video, recording can be sparked. Two choices of resolutions such as VGA (640X480 pixel) or QVGA (320X240 pixel) are given to users in the menu. You can also record at 160X120 pixel resolution and 15 frames per second.
Using the still capture button ATC5000 can capture still photographs at 640X480 pixel resolution. Since the camcorder lacked the time-lapse feature which takes snaps photos at regular intervals, the user should manually spark the shutter every time you take the photo. And yet, photos cannot be captured whilst the video is being recorded.
Sideways Footage:
The Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Compact Camcorder has an ameliorated lens, which allows you to capture a bit more ’sideways’ footage, for instance, when you turn your head. The most significant advantage of ATC3000 over ATC2000 was that it had a greater field view and Oregon has improved ATC5000 a bit more by making it to a nice 53 degrees.
Memory capacity and corresponding features:
ATC5000 holds up to 47 seconds of VGA video, 1.5 minutes of QVGA video or 175 still photos of VGA with its 32MB internal memory, which serves you when you are in rush and forget SD card. As in the case of many other camcorders, the memory card is not included in its package too. You should choose a good SD card to get the best output of the device. By using a 4GB SD card, which is the largest readable card, ATC5000 can store up to 120 minutes of VGA video. It is fantastic, allowing you to record video up to 2 hours by using remote to stop during breaks or less exciting situations.
Performance:
Comparison With Panasonic:
A wide range of consumers prefer camcorders with many features just to show off either to the most important people or someone who wants to record their adventures in weekend and upload them to Youtube. Many camcorders like the Panasonic SDR-SW20 come in the same way to address these audiences, but they fail in providing some features. To name something, the waterproof, they are not really designed for attachment, such as helmet, or a set of handle bars which are featured by ATC5000.
Mounting Systems Performance:
The ATC5000 can be criticised with the attachment methods provided. A limiting test was performed on the attachments provided as a result they worked as they should, though the best way to get the cycling footage is fixing the camcorder to the handle bar mount. A really poor video footage was produced by the helmet mount due to the combination of constant movement and relatively low frame rate. If it is attached to something solid like dinghy’s mast may preferably give best results.
Menu Systems:
Users are permitted to adjust the capture resolution, preview captured video, erase unwanted files, enable and disenable audio button confirmation which comes in as a beep sound, adjust audio recording level to low or high or off, set the date and time for file-time stamps through ATC5000’s menu systems.
ATC5000 as Webcam:
The Oregon Scientific ATC5000 1.5″ LCD Screen camcorder can playback stored video or send a live video feed when it is connected to television or monitor through the provided RCA cables. When it is connected to computer via USB, it provides user with options like showing the files stored on the device or it even functions like a webcam. But there is a limitation on the webcam functionality, it only works successfully on machines running 32-bit versions of Windows, leaving behind 64-bit and Mac users unlucky.
ATC5000’s Bullet Shape:
ATC5000 remains most stable when it is used with the provided tube grip on, just like bicycle handle bars. You will find trouble in fastening the device in any other configurations provided without obtaining a beneficial deal of vibration and shaking. Because of the ATC5000’s bullet shape the centre of gravity is located at few inches in front of the mounting point when used with strap based attachments, which results in considerable shake of the lens.
Mixed Results:
The ATC5000’s building only dictates that the device is meant to use outdoors and its video capture reinforces this opinion. The video captured in sunlight is crisp and impregnated. The videos recorded indoors at twilight or on a clouded day using ATC5000 yields mixed results, ranking from muddy, are badly exposed to plain dark and are unwatchable.
For example when ATC5000 is transitioning from indoor to outdoor environment, it appears like the device takes some time to adjust to the changing light, which consequence 2 to 3 seconds of over exposed and snuffed out images. We can also observe the captured image changing from dark to light, when the camcorder is used as a webcam, because of the change in amounts of light caused by moving head about.
SD Card Reader:
It took 30 minutes to transfer 1GB videos from SD card using integrated USB port which is enormously slow, the device must be powered using its batteries for all these transferring time. As a result, the user should invest on SD card reader for fast file transfers and save on batteries. The files can be easily managed once they are transferred to the computer and it is highly recommended for a quick run of the files through Windows Movie Maker if you have an intention to share the files on Internet.
Video Quality:
The video quality of ATC5000 Mini Camcorder is comparable with other similar cameras, but it is not really great. The most worrying point is that the Youtube and Vimeo kill the quality of the video uploaded. If you do not have any interest to share footages on internet the device is also providing S-video and RCA audio output for showing off them on television.
Audio Quality:
During the video recording the audio recorded is really very slow and poor to hear, but if the camcorder is used as it is mentioned to be used like fixed to something moving, it quickly degenerates a mess of noise.
Few Downsides of the Camera:
Though the Camcorder is not prefect it is a Great piece. The main drawback is that it is very hard to change batteries. It is made difficult because of the little screw which holds them in place. There is also an advantage that, as it is waterproof you need not worry about it. And although it makes the changing of batteries harder but it is not really a massive deal to be worried of.
There is another problem included in the line of batteries. You have to use two AA batteries which makes it more expensive if using disposable ones. It is recommended to use rechargeable batteries which may not make it too worse.
ATC-5000 Package contents:
A CD with Windows drivers, an infrared remote control that resembles the video and photo buttons, a carry bag, an AV cable with RCS connections for video and mono audio, a USB cable and a pair of AA batteries are also included in the pack.
Warranty Information:
Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Camcorder is provided with two years of Warranty.
Verdict:
The Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Camcorder with its incorporated colour LCD display is very easy to pick and start using. The design of the device can be said as solidly built, with its easily navigable and well designed menus. The device is difficult to mount in an unchangeable manner and is more prone to be arrested on obstacles as it is not perfectly balanced. This device allows you to record all your extreme activities very easily.
The ATC5000 gains the “pros” because of its additional features like webcam and live monitor functions, inclusion of infrared remote control, but also gains some cons because of its poor image quality and low light functioning. Though this device a little expensive than the previous ones these additional features makes it worth. The model also has competing features like capturing better video, taking high resolution pictures and sports more mounting options. If the user requires LCD view finder for extreme photography, the Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Camcorder is currently the only option. If Oregon Scientific had just improved the video quality a bit and incorporated a decent microphone this would have been a great piece for hardcore and outdoor sort of things. As the device provides good amount of result for intended use you can say that it is providing good results for pretty reasonable price. Any user who wants to record his feats during mountain biking, sailing, sky diving or hand gliding though it is not an outstanding job, but then it will provide them with a reasonable one.
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Oregon Scientific ATC5000 – Technical Specifications, Features
| Manufacturer | Oregon Scientific |
| Model Name | Oregon Scientific ATC5000 Waterproof Camcorder |
| Product Code | ATC5K |
| Product type | Waterproof Camcorder |
| Dimensions (W x D xH) | 51 x 76 x 114mm |
| Recording Media | Flash Memory |
| Number of CCDs | 1 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Display Type | LCD passive matrix |
| Display Form Factor | Built-in |
| Display Size | 38 mm |
| Digital Video Format | AVI |
| Camera Flash | Built-in |
| Webcam Capability | Yes |
| Colour Support | Yes |
| Still Image Format | JPEG |
| Remote Control | Remote control – Infrared |
| TV Tuner | None |
| Video Capture | AVI – 640 x 480, AVI – 320 x 240 |
| Supported Flash Memory | SD Memory Card |
| Integrated Memory | 32MB |
| Image Storage | JPEG 640 x 480 |
| Media Type | Flash card |
| Min Focus Range of the lens | 10 ft |
| Digital Still Camera Function | Yes |
| Viewfinder | No |
| Audio Input Type | Microphone |
| Microphone Type | Built-in |
| Recording Media | SD Card |
| Connectivity | 1 x USB 1 x Composite video/audio output |
| Operating System Support | MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows Vista, Apple Mac OS X 10.3 , Apple Mac OS X 10.4 |
| Peripheral Devices | USB port, CD-ROM drive, SVGA monitor |
| System Requirements | Windows 2000/XP/Vista – Pentium III – 128 MB – 800 MB |
| Underwater Depth | up to 9.8 ft |
| Battery Type | Alkaline |
| Supported Battery | 2 x AA |
| Included Cables | 1xRCA, 1xUSB |
| Included Accessories | Strap, O-ring, Webcam stand, Tripod adapter, Silicone grease, Handle bar mount and Helmet mounting kit |
| Warranty | 2 years |
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