Oregon Scientific ATC3K Waterproof Action Camera

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.0 stars Mediocre
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 6.0
  Features : 5.0
  Performance : 4.0
  Image quality : 3.0
  Overall score: 4.8 (2.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Antuan Goodwin
• Reviewed on: 08/07/2009

The Oregon Scientific ATC3K Action Camera is a bit like the Jeep Wrangler of digital camcorders. On paper, the bare-bones digital camera is only capable of capturing VGA video. In a civilized world filled with pocket HD camcorders, that's not a particularly impressive feat.

However, take the ATC3K into the rough and tumble great outdoors and you'll find that its rugged construction, waterproof design, and compact size allow it to be used in conditions that would instantly void the warranty of more complex and more delicate pocket cameras.

Design
The ATC3K is a tapering tube style camera. Measuring 4.25 inches long and 2.25 inches thick at its thickest end, the camera is quite portable. With a rubberized bumper surrounding the lens and solid, waterproof construction (up to 10 feet), it's also quite rugged.

At the business end, the ATC3K's small recessed lens is tucked behind a raised rubber ridge and a plastic shield. Along the top are a monochromatic LCD screen and three rubberized buttons for record, power, and menu. To prevent accidental presses, the buttons must be held for a second or so to register an input.

At the rear end of the device is a twist-off cap sealed with a pair of rubber o-rings that covers the battery door for the two AA batteries that power the device, as well as the SD card slot, video out port, and a Mini-USB port.

Included with the ATC3K is a plastic mounting ring and base grip that the camera can be inserted into to connect to any of the included mounting options. The ATC3K kit includes a handlebar grip, a Webcam stand, and a helmet grip that can be used with one of the two Velcro straps or the silicon rubber head strap the unit ships with.

Also included is a CD with Windows drivers, a carry bag, an AV cable with RCA connections for video and monaural audio, a USB cable to interface with a PC, and a pair of AA batteries.

Features
The ATC3K's main feature is its capability to record video at up to 640x480 pixels and 30 frames per second in an AVI format. Video recording is triggered using the record button on the top of the unit for 2 seconds to start the capture and again to stop. People are given the choice of VGA (640x480 pixels) or QVGA (32 0x240 pixels) resolutions using the devices menu.

A 32MB internal memory will hold up to 47 seconds of VGA video or 1.5 minutes of QVGA video, if you're in a pinch and forget your SD card. However, to get the best use of the device you'll want to pick up an SD memory card (not included). The device will store up to 120 minutes of VGA video on a 4GB SD card (the largest readable size).

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Where to buy

Oregon Scientific ATC3K Waterproof Action Camera: $104.95 - $139.99

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$139.99	Yes
Amazon.com Marketplace	$104.95	Yes

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	Amazon.com	$139.99
	Amazon.com Marketplace	$104.95

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 3 of 4 user reviews

• 1.0 stars

  "Low quality video, terrible sound, no date time stamp."

  by fisher_king on September 30, 2009

• 2.0 stars

  "Good Video Quality, Very Bad Audio, WARRANTY INEXISTANT"

  by CrazySte on September 16, 2009

• 3.0 stars

  "Mount it on ATV and you can't go wrong, indestructible"

  by fkmc on August 24, 2009

• See all 4 user reviews Write review

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 87

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 37 reviews of Oregon Scientific ATC3000 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 67/100 and users 54/100. Comparing these reviews to 108545 other Camcorders reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 87/100 = Very Good.

  Read full review

• news.com.au

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: While not without its flaws, the Oregon Scientific ATC3K Action Camera is an excellent product for the asking price. If you're an outdoors enthusiast keen to chronicle your exploits, look no further. It's the best valued sports camcorder on the market.

  Read full review

• pocket-lint.com

  Editors' rating: 70

  Summary: A robust self-contained unit that can capture good images but let down by poor sound and overall weight

  Read full review

• goodgearguide.com.au

  Editors' rating: 75

  Summary: While not without its flaws, the Oregon Scientific ATC3K Action Camera is an excellent product for the asking price. If you're an outdoors enthusiast keen to chronicle your exploits, look no further. It's the best valued sports camcorder on the market.

  Read full review