Samsung's SC-X205L and SC-X210WL sports cameras cut the cord

It was only a matter of time before Samsung's SC-X205L and SC-X210L helmet-mounted sports cams went all wireless on us, and if you've been tapping your foot at cutting the cable your wait is up with their new SC-X205WL and SC-X210WL. These devices are essentially the same as their wired counterparts: 512MB internal memory on the X205WL and and 1GB on the X210WL, both featuring the same 2.0-inch display, 680k pixel (720 x 480) CCD, 10x optical zoom, and image stabilization (on the full unit, anyway), as well as the obligatory SD slot for recording that MPEG-4 video. Expect 'em in September for $580 and $680, which is a steep price to pay for those whose finances are probably tied up mending broken bones.

[Via Sci Fi Tech]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2008 12:34PM]

I have the 205L. Nice camera, aside from the useless battery life. I found a car charger/battery combo on ebay for $35. That should help.
I used the external module bolted to my helmet last spring while wrafting the New River in WV. Before heading off, the joints were all sealed with silicone and the camera placed in a Pelican 1020 box. A 1010 box fits nicer, but the connector will not clear. The cable is routed through a slot that's also sealed with silicone. Like this, the camera survived several swims. Today I used the camera w/o tape covering the mic opening, and it ingested water :( There is no good way to get this thing open. I got it open anyway and it's drying right now. Hopefully it recovers.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2006 9:22AM]

The ultra-compact SC-X205L Sports Camcorder lets you capture the action – even while you're in it – thanks to a weather resistant external clip-on lens that lets you shoot hands-free. A 512MB built-in memory lets you record up to 34 minutes of high quality MPEG4 video, an SD/MMC slot allows you to add memory to ensure that you capture all the action which can be previewed on the 2" LCD screen, and then downloaded to a PC at high speed.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2006 11:36AM]

We need this in a waterproof model!

[johdaxx Posted Jul 20th 2006 4:53PM]

I have the precoursor to this product, the SC-X105L, which shoots great video under harsh conditions except that:

1. Battery life is abysmal. No worries about filling up the 1GB flash memory, because the battery won't last 20 minutes.

2. Accessories (car charger, more better batteries, etc) are unavailable, and none seem forthcoming.

3. Samsung's message board was shut down for this product, and they apparently 'strongly discouraged' private users from making their own discussion area.

Anyway, I think this is a good product, it even has the possibility of being great, but these problems hold it back. Hopefully this new product will address these issues.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 13th 2006 9:23AM]

The main advantage of this line of SC-xxxxx camcorders is tiny size and NO TAPES/DVDs.

You can pick up the functionally identical sibling of the X210WL camera sans external lens for as little as $300 (the SC-MM10S). (I'm not paying another $250 for the external wireless lens on the X205L/X210L, because the cam body is so small and light that you can rig it up to your helmet all by itself. It's smaller than a pack of cigarettes and 6 ounces.)

If you were thinking of getting a cheapie aiptek, forget it unless you like slideshows. For the difference in cash between the aipteks and the SC-MM10S, you get 10x optical and 100x digital zoom and TRUE 30fps.

The only other solid-state camcorder that is better would be Sanyo Xacti HD, but only if you and everyone you know has an HDTV because it's much more pricey.