Does anyone know how long the GL-2 will be available brand new and for the $250 rebate? What is the normal lifespan for those camcorders? I have one and am thinking about selling it to get a new one because there are not any camcorders out there that fit my needs and I don't want to have to spend 4 grand on a HD one.

The GL2 is still holding strong in sales and I believe is still being manufactured. For how long - who really knows. I personally feel the GL2 is Canon's last pro-sumer SD camera. If your looking for a replacement check out the HV20, while its not the same camera - it offers a lot for its much smaller price compared to the A1.

Chad

3CCD HD is closer to three grand than four, e.g., the Canon XH-A1, which is a nice step-up from the GL2 for only a bit over a grand more.

Historically speaking, Canon's prosumer camcorders have had a product market life of 3 to 4 years from introduction. But that is driven by market considerations including competition and demand for the product.

Anything beyond the above observation is speculation until Canon makes an announcement. Considering the rise of HD, the suggestion that the GL2 is the last of that series in the SD prosumer line makes sense, and that might drive a longer market life beyond the historical trend.

The HV20 is a nice product with a good HD image in good light, but it does not have the ergonomics or lens of the GL2, so consider carefully, and give one a test, before you make a jump. On the other hand, jumping to a XH-A1 from a GL2 is a no-brainer if you have the cash, want HD, and can take a bit of time to learn how to best use it.

Some other issues with the HV20 if you are used to the GL2:

No manual exposure control. In most cases I use the Tv or Av exposure modes, lock the exposure and adjust it from there, but sometimes I really need a manual mode.

The manual focus button is awkwardly placed and the dial is much harder to use than the GL2.

There's also no settings lock. When the camera powers down, you'll lose various settings.

These are a few of the main things that bug me about the HV20. There are a lot of things that I like about it, and I bought it with the knowledge that it is a consumer camera and is not going to operate like the GL2.

Instead of buying another “new” camera, have you considered having Canon refurbish your old one? Might be cheaper and you still end up with a warranty (I believe).

Don, what do they do to refurbish the GL-2? Thanks.

Tony

Actually I did not know if Canon had a refurbishing program for the GL2 when I suggested it. I just knew that in some cases you can purchase refurbished products. So I wrote a quick e-mail to Canon. The short answer is that they do not have such a program for the GL2. Here is the e-mail response.

“Dear Donald Boosinger:

Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and
appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your GL2. I am very sorry
you are having an issue with your camera which requires service.

Unfortunately, we do not have a refurbishing program for your camera.
However the camera can be repaired and adjusted to factory specs.

For service, please forward your camcorder to one of the Factory Service
Centers shown below. Be sure to include your name, street address (no
P.O. boxes, please), telephone number, and a letter describing the issue
with the product. Please do not send any accessories or manuals when
shipping the camcorder.

As we do not provide RMA numbers for service, we suggest using a
trackable and insurable service (i.e. UPS, Federal Express, Priority
Mail) to ship your camcorder. Please package the camcorder very
securely to prevent damage during shipment.

Canon Repair Facility
45-19 162nd St.
Flushing, NY 11358
Tel.# (800) 828-4040
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday

NOTE: This address is only for customers residing in: NY, NJ, CT, PA,
VA, WV, MA, IL, VT, NH, ME, RI, OH, MI, and IN. It is not valid for XL
series, DC series or HV series camcorders.

Or

Canon Factory Service Center
100 Ridge Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
Tel.# (800) 828-4040
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday

or

Canon Factory Service Center
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
Tel.# (800) 828-4040
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PST) Monday-Friday

Upon arrival at the Factory Service Center, your camcorder will be
logged in to our repair database and assigned a repair number. Next,
the camcorder will be examined.

A written estimate will be sent to you at the address that you have
provided. The repairs to your camcorder will not begin until you
approve this estimate and make payment arrangements. If, after
receiving the estimate, you do not wish to have the camcorder repaired,
please inform the Factory Service Center of your decision as soon as
possible. If you decline the estimate, the camcorder will be shipped
back to you un-repaired.

When the repairs are complete, the camcorder will be shipped back to you
via Federal Express. The length of time for the repair will be
dependent upon the nature of the repair and availability of parts, if
needed. Usually, repairs are completed within approximately ten to
fourteen business days upon the repairs approval at the Factory Service
Center.

Once you have confirmed with your shipper that the camcorder has been
delivered, you are more than welcome to contact us for repair updates.
Please include your name, address, and telephone number, as well as the
serial number of the camcorder, in all repair status inquiries.

Please note that our U.S. Factory Service Centers are unable to accept
packages from, or return equipment to, addresses outside the United
States.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we
can be of any further assistance with your GL2.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

James
Technical Support Representative

Special Note: Certain issues are very difficult to resolve via email.
If your question remains unanswered after you have received this email,
you may call our special toll-free number for email customers with
unresolved issues and speak to a technician by dialing 1-866-261-9362,
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight ET, and Saturday 10:00 a.m. -
8:00 p.m. ET (excluding holidays).

If you prefer to continue to communicate via email, reply to this
message and we will respond as quickly as possible.”

FWIW: sometimes it helps to include a video tape illustrating the problem if it is an image problem that is intermittent or hard to describe in words. Just be sure to indicate in your transmittal that a tape is provided and its content.

I plan to be buried with my Gl2.. It's a great camera. I echo what other say, it's a solid camera.

Be careful what you announce. - some of the other rabid GL2 fans reading this thread just might dig you up while the dirt is fresh to get your GL2.

Now that is the making of a great idea for a commercial for some product.