Thoughts on used or refurbished cameras (HV20/HV30)

[TahO[e]HIOJibber]

Hey guys. So I'm considering purchasing a HV20 or HV30 for the season and for financial reasons am trying to get it at a more affordable rate and thus am looking at used and refurbished ones (especially for the HV20 since I can't really find any brand new ones anymore). I was just wondering what my best bet would be in terms of should I just lay out the extra couple hundred for a brand new one or if I'd be alright with a used/refurbished one? What sort of risks may I be looking at running by purchasing them? Sorry if there is already a thread relevant to this somewhere. Thanks for the help! +++Karma

 

[eheath]

With cameras, especially cameras that record on tape, it's always best to buy a new one. You never know how the previous user used it, if they actually took care of the heads and what not. I'd recommend throwing down an extra hundred or two for a new one, it will be worth it.

 

[kfilenda]

I made the mistake buying used, I did have to send it in to Canon, I was fully aware it no longer had a warranty, and they fixed it for free, but I too highly suggest buying new.

 

[dergblerp]

For a consumer end camera, you have no idea how the previous owner treated it. They could be using bad mixtures of tape brands, or dropped it, ect. HV30 isn't really all that expensive.
$624 on amazon!!!! Buy it new.

 

[mnjib]

my 20d is used but i got it from B&H so they fix it up and make sure its working fine before selling it plus a 90 warrenty.