Question about the hour meter

[jeff jassky]

Hey, guys.

So I'm trying to pick up an HVX200/A or HPX170 soon and I'm wondering about the hour meter.

I understand that assuming P2 use (no dv tape), the concept of an hour meter has little relevance. However there's an HVX that i'm looking at that has 800 hours logged on the meter. I'm wondering how average (or not average) that number is. Should I stay away from it? Or is that considered low hours? Should i get it only if the price is really good? That kind of thing.

Thanks everyone!

-Jeff

 

[righteous.]

800 seems really high...I've had my DVX100b for almost 4 years now and I only have roughly 300 hrs on the heads (which is surprising because it has been my main camera this whole time, and I was expecting at least 500+). At ~300 hours, I'm starting to notice minor errors and dropouts. I would personally never buy a camera with 800 hours on the heads, but then again if you're using mainly p2, I don't see it being a big issue.

 

[RedRobotEnt.]

I have 3 HVX cams, each with 800-1200 hrs. Shooting to P2 I have seen no difference. We haven't shot much to tape and usually only use the tape drive to log a dv tape that might show up. I'd be concerned about the feel of the zoom/focus rings as well as the rocker zoom switches. they get dirty and need to be working well. I have one cam that has seen more outdoor use, nothing too crazy but in cold weather the zoom (both manual and servo) is sticky and not smooth. Internally, other than that they are great.