Oregon Scientific's ATC5K and ATC3K action cameras are ready for, you know, action

The new ATC5K and ATC3K, Oregon Scientific's action-packed followup to its ATC2K camera from 2006, bring a few common-sensical upgrades to the waterproof, shock resistant original. They still shoot VGA, but the 3K has new 48 degree field of view and a new CMOS sensor, while the 5K bumps it 53 degrees and a 1.5-inch LCD. The cameras run on AA batteries and can handle up to 4GB SD cards, but where these cheap-cams really "shine" is the multiple included mounting attachments for recording your various extreme sporting exploits. Or when you really just need to set yourself on fire and put it on YouTube -- that works too. The ATC3K will be out in July for $150, with the ATC5K following in August for $200.

[NHAnimator @ Jun 6th 2008 11:44AM]

Will these work for extreme sports in the bedroom?

Just curious.

[gad get @ Jun 6th 2008 12:34PM]

I don't reckon it matters much where the BMX-ing takes place.

[Reader @ Jun 6th 2008 1:10PM]

And where exactly would you find something to clip it on? Ouch...

[mike @ Jun 6th 2008 11:50AM]

release date for the 3k is sometime this month, and since no read link was provided here is a direct url to the 3k model. http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=895

[Lord John Whorfin @ Jun 6th 2008 11:55AM]

Looks like the GoPro Hero 3 is still the way to go.

[thomas Whatley @ Jun 6th 2008 12:11PM]

this looks an awful lot like the fire helmet cam created and sold here
http://firevideo.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=182

[Preston Ursini @ Jun 6th 2008 3:58PM]

It is, those people sell it as the "fire helmet cam" with a cheap little bracket. I have one, and have gotten some OK footage with it. The lens on it is very narrow, and you don't get a whole lot in your view.

[polvadis @ Jun 6th 2008 12:05PM]

I have the current ATC2k and the video is just awesomely crappy. I got it to shoot some mountain biking but the video is barely usable with all the shaking it captured. I thought an action cam should be able to catch, you know, action. But even without the shaking the colors and over all video quality just sucks. My Canon point-and-shoot records a better video, so why can't a device made for video match at least that?

I'd like to see how this improves on the current product.

[Grandalf @ Jun 6th 2008 12:15PM]

A worse video camera has yet to be seen. A friend of mine bought the "old" model, to be used when shooting airsoft action games. We tested it inside in a big CQB warehouse with pretty good lighting. Video was black. Tested it outside in modest light conditions ... black ... Then I think he tossed it out... Hope the new models are better. I'd love to have a such mounted on my RAS

[MikeKlein @ Jun 6th 2008 1:43PM]

That's called a defective unit...time to return.

[Wwhat @ Jun 6th 2008 3:36PM]

Or take the lenscap off maybe?
Classical.

[BB @ Jun 6th 2008 12:15PM]

Is there really good enough image stabilization to make a handlebar-mounted camera work well at all? I'd expect all you'd see is crazy juddering.

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Jun 6th 2008 12:38PM]

Just search for "gopro handlebar" on YouTube...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5s1YeoQQ-Vw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3ky18ZIaZY0
etc...

[MikeKlein @ Jun 6th 2008 1:44PM]

I have one mounted on the rail at bow of my boat and it works excellent.

My only issue is that it doesn't support SDHC cards and you can't fill the card with video (approx. 45mins)....only 20min clips are supported.

[Doggerts @ Jun 6th 2008 1:44PM]

I had the original, tossed it.
Even in extremely bright lighting (skiing on a sunny day) the video was almost black and white. The buttons on it (and this new one) were to small to press when wearing gloves.

[Mark @ Jun 6th 2008 3:54PM]

I have the ATC2K. The biggest problem is no image stabilization!!!

[gt2378b @ Jun 6th 2008 2:53PM]

Looks like a good option for autocross or track days; would mount nicely on a roll bar and the wide angle of view would be great.

Assuming the video works - sounds like a lot of unhappy previous customers.

[onewheelskyward @ Jun 6th 2008 6:26PM]

I've been using an ATC2k for a few months to capture the gauntlet that is bicycle commuting in Portland, OR. The device functions admirably, although the field of view is a large complaint of mine. I'm glad that has increased, but I wish I knew by how much. Oregon Scientific's site doesn't mention what the FOV is on the 2k, only that the 3k is wider.

Also, the video codec on the 2k (motion-JPEG) is what keeps it from being a real contender. I'd like to see if the 3k uses the same encoding.

One last thought about the 2k - the audio is useless. If you want to capture sound, you should look somewhere else.

[tekdroid @ Jun 7th 2008 3:02AM]

Just registering respect for removable batteries.
I also like shock and waterproof gadgets.

[engadget @ Jun 9th 2008 3:26AM]

Sadly, I have to agree with the other owners of the ATC2K. The video is quality is poor and the audio is far far worse.

[Jay Jones @ Jun 10th 2008 2:13PM]

The ATC is still a great model for the price. No doubt about it. I found it cheaper than the OS site here and actually got a pre-order in http://stuntcams.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/108