Oregon Scientific ATC-2k Camera: Bah!
Jan 25th, 2007 by billb
This looks like a great product, and I had high hopes for it. But it’s turned out to be an unsupported piece of crap. I bought the camera and a 2GB SD card direct from Oregon Scientific (looks like Bizrate handles the transactions for them). I didn’t have much trouble getting the thing to work initially, though my Mac wouldn’t recognize its SD card. No sweat, I have a MacBook Pro so I can also boot Windows XP. Still no ability to format the card and XP reported problems installing the device (it’s recognized by the XP Plug ‘n Pray as a USB drive).
I sent numerous requests for help to their tech support folks, but all I got were bot confirmations that they would get back to me in 48 hours. A week later and four emails and I’ve heard nothing–though they have tried to sell me other stuff and have asked me to participate in their “product distribution satisfaction survey”. Nice.
The camera is nearly useless without an SD card–it records for 50 seconds with the internal memory. Wonderful.
Finally I took the SD card to a nearby Radio Shack and talked the clueless sales dude into letting me stick the card into one of their computers that has card slots. Turns out the card has been pre-formatted for FAT 32 even though the addendum to the documentation (a loose single sheet of paper) says it’s got to be FAT 16. Yea! Maybe it will work, but why are these guys sending me an SD card that won’t work the way they send it. And why does the documentation and addendum look like they planned to sell perhaps five or six of these things. If you dispensed with the legal mumbo jumbo saying that the “Waterproof Hands Free Action Cam” (title from the front of the documentation) is not guranteed to be waterproof in any way, then the entire documentation could be printed on a single sheet of paper.
I get back home, and the camera still doesn’t recognize the card.
I finally discovered that you’re supposed to put the SD card in upside down. No mention of this fact in the documentation, just a tiny icon near the slot that I couldn’t see until I put on the reading glasses I use to tie midges (tiny flies). I put the card in as the icon shows, was rewarded by it clicking in completely, and now the camera won’t work at all.
Dead.
Perhaps someday I’ll hear from Oregon Scientific. Perhaps someday I’ll get this frickin’ thing to work. Please understand I’m not a technological moron who can’t figure out how to stick an SD card in or turn a camera on. I’ve built networks back when it was hard (Novell), built computers when soldering skills were necessary. I can successfully install wireless repeaters, run a lathe and milling machine, build databases, configure MySQL, TIG weld, write a little HTML and PHP. I don’t spindle or mutilate hollerith cards (oh, wait, that’s not a good thing). If they’d said anywhere in the documentation that you should stick the card in label down, I would have done it. If this thing worked I’d love it. I race vintage cars–everyone I know likes to have an in-car camera but sticking a videocam in your car is always iffy. This camera would be the answer. There’s a couple of hundred guys in the Friends of Triumph racing list, and myriads of people in other racing groups that would like these things if they work, and I would tell them about them.
There’s windsurfers, surfers, sailers, kayakers and motorcycle riders who read my blogs or correspond with me that would all like these things. And I’m going to tell them that they suck.
So that’s one of the good things about this connected age. When some company screws you as a faceless little number in their customer database, there to be ignored when they have problems and spammed at all other times, you can screw them right back.
[...] not the only one complaining about tiny feature print and horrible documentation (see my article on the ATC2000 video camera). Seth Godin complains about it too in this article. As he notes, the cost of doing a good job with [...]
re ATC-2000 .
Same problem re the card.
Had a working camera for 2 whole days with 32mb internal storage.
Put a kingston 2GB SD in and hey presto, camera now won’t switch on with or without the card in.
Still waiting to hear from technical support.
Another thing. Had to destroy the blister pack the camera came in to get it out, so haven’t even got anything to keep/send it back in.
Not very impressive, 100 pounds down and a very disappointed son who was hoping to use the thing in 11/2 weeks time on holiday.
My skillset includes a stint as an electronic engineer and now as computer analyst/programmer. And yes I formatted the card first, so like the original author, not exactly stupid.
Thanks Andy, nice to know I’m not the only one with a problem. I sent my camera back with the required RMA about a month ago–nothing. No reply to the messages I’ve sent asking what gives, no repaired camera coming back, no refund–nothing.
Like most people I’d prefer a working camera to a refund.
Incidentally, the memory card I used came from Oregon Scientific
Hello
I’m french. I ‘dont speak English.
Perhaps someone can explain to my if there is a big problem with the cam? Because i have buy a cam today!!!
Sorry for my english…
Thanks
The camera stopped working when the SD card was installed. The company was unresponsive about the problem and it took months to get a replacement. They may have solved the problem now, but understand that if you need technical support or help you won’t get it.
Sorry I have not all understand. The problem is on yours camera or on all the helmet camera?
I don’t understand excatly the problem with the SD card: if i bought the SD card with the camera, normally is good?
Thank tom
Wow, this reads like my exact experience with the camera, too. Only addition is something rattles inside the camera and the SD card won’t stay in, no matter which side is up.
But it’s working or not?
What is the quality of the picture?
Mine is working now, and the picture quality is pretty good. I’ll post a sample today
thanks! i’m a little reassured… I enjoy to see liitlle video from this cam …and your fabulous country!
Tom
billb,
re SD card causing cam. to die.
You say that your cam. is now working – did you get a replacement, or did you fix it. If so how? What SD card are you now using?
Oregon Scientific told me to send mine back to retailer, but retailer hasn’t responded. And no further reply from Oregon Scientific. Frustrated.
I got a replacement from Oregon Scientific. It took them a month to give me an RMA, and another month for them to send a new camera to me, but it is working now. I bought both the camera and the SD card from them, though I note that Biz Rate handles their transactions.
If I were you I’d insist that they give you a RMA number and send the camera back to them. Lots of companies try the dodge–return the camera to the retailer–because it takes the pressure off them, but the warranty is their responsibility.
I would guess that the first wave of these cameras had big problems because they’ve been so unresponsive.
At the risk of sounding like a brain-dead AOLer (for you Weird Al fans out there), Me Too! Same problem(s) with memory card, camera won’t power up, SanDisk UltraII 2GB SD card (which is one of two recommended cards in their instructions). I formatted the card first, later did a read/write test on the card to verify the card was good (which of course it was). When I remove the card, 2 seconds later the camera briefly displays “ERR”, then powers up. I’ve sent an email to atc@oregonscientific.com as well as filling out the form on their website. We’ll see what happens. But for now, my opinion of this camera is “fscking worthless piece of crap”.
Background? 27 years in computer industry, last 7 writing test and service software for Nokia, including playing around with various kinds of flash memory. I, too, know what I’m doing. *sigh*
Well I had my Camera for a week, I got two ULTRA 2GB 150x SD Card’s the other day ($29.99 from Tigerdirect.com). Today was a nice day so I decided to test the unit out on my motorcycle before I leave in a week for a motorcycle trip.
I formated the cards using the FAT file system like the inclosed paper stated. Card was inserted correctly (however I can relate to a poster saying that he did not know which way was up). This should be a little more clear.
Well as I am riding down to my Uncles place (45mins away) the camera is rolling and seems to be working, and then it says Err. So as I am riding I am able to power cycle the unit (on and off). I then hit the film key and it starts again. In my mind I wonder if I went with too good of a card (150x 18mbps write time).
This time the unit just goes off, I’m thinking oh great I put in dead (old) batteries so I pull over and switch the batteries. Again down the road the unit goes off, at this point I give up, I figure maybe I will reformat the cards at my uncles house to FAT32 and try that.
So after showing the camera to my Uncle and cousin (which thought it was neat especially for $130) I reformatted one of the cards to FAT32 and stuck it into the camera. I start the camera on my way back and it records for like 19 mins then it just cuts out. I’m like what the heck. To me it seems like a power problem of the vibrations are causing a problem.
So I get home, and I delete the videos it cought and with the card still being FAT32 I get it started and leave it on my desk, at 40 mins I decide that it has to be the card vibrating loose or the write protect/lock on the SD Card is vibrating closed. So I yank the SD card out and the Write switch is in place. Okay what is the problem I think. So I put the card back in the unit and power it on.
I then pick the unit up and slap it on my hand. It goes off. I pull the SD card out and turn the unit on (now filming on internal memory). I again slap the unit and off it goes. I then take the batteries out and look at them (Energizer AA’s). I decide to put in my Energizer Rechargeable 2500mAh batteries. Again I power the unit on and slap it, this time it stays on, so I repeat the slap a dozen times and it stays on. The batteries feel like they have snug fit (slightly longer).
During this whole process I notice that on the positive battery side they have a plastic “O” ring. hmmm, that might cause the battery not to always touch the terminal. So with a swiss army knife I gentle pop that black plastic ring off the unit. Now with the standard battery in the unit, it fits better and stays on when slapped. I will again test the unit on my motorcycle tomorrow. I believe the vibs were shaking the batteries loose.
The lid does have a mark on the metal inside part to remind you wich is the positive and which is the negative side. Plus just remember the positive side in on the right (when lifting the battery door away from you).
My unit now seems to work…good luck
Dear ATC-2K users,
Thank you for your reviews and comments on the ATC-2K, they are extremely valuable to us. We would like to answer a few of your questions and give some more specifics about the ATC-2K action camera through this statement.
· ATC-2K can accept SD cards 8MB to 2GB. We recommend SanDisk SD cards and AData SD cards.
· Please ensure you insert your SD card with connect terminals facing up. This means, with the LCD screen facing you turn your SD card label side down/terminals up and insert it.
· The SD card must be formatted to FAT(FAT16).
· Ensure your camera is switched off before inserting/removing the SD card or batteries.
· We recommend users familiarize themselves with the button positions and sounds when pressed.
· The ATC-2K is waterproof to 3m/10ft. Please ensure the O-rings have been properly greased.
· The ATC-2K is intended for use with extreme sports. We have deliberately designed the ATC-2K with this purpose in mind and thus have made the microphone less sensitive. Through research and experience we have found that users would rather add their own music or commentary after their activity as opposed to trying to commentate live.
· The ATC-2K uses 2 x AA Alkaline batteries, however; we advise that users change to Lithium batteries during cold weather usage for longer recording time. We have a Cold Weather Pouch for the ATC-2K camera for use in cold weather. Please check our website for availability.
For troubleshooting please refer to the manual.
You are welcome to send any further comments to atc@oregonscientific.com
Best Regards,
ATC Support Team.
I got a replacement a week after getting the RMA number, so I guess my customer service experience was substantially better than most. As for the camera, the sound is kind of funky, but the video I shot with the thing attached to the roll bar of my Miata was a blast! Couldn’t convince my wife to watch all 20+ minutes of it, though. Can’t imagine why…
Same problem. Won’t power up with an SD card in. Take the card out and it powers up fine. Card was formatted to FAT16. I have tried another SD card of 512 mb… still will not work. It is almost as if by inserting the card that you are somehow causing a short or loss of power from the battery.
I tried removing the little O ring around the positive terminal side of the battery case and still it will not work.
Very frustrating.
Can not get ATC2k to record sound. I followed the vage manual. My atc 1000 records sound ok and it is automatic. I have been on the phone for 30 minutes but no answer and waiting for email answer since Monday,
Hi Jim, same problem for me, just bought the ACT 2000 and I tried some things to get the mic on, but no sound within the video. guess the mic is broken.
Re Sound issues.
I have found that the sound is there but sometimes media players like Windows Media Player don’t find the required codec to play the sound.
If you are missing sound try a player like VLC media player.
Note Not affiliated with VLC at all, but it plays just about anything.
The only problem I am having is the shaking of the video. I mounted the camera to my handlebar and it is mounted firmly. When I watch the video it is moving up and down. Any ideals on fixing this.
Don’t connect the camera to the bars, connect it to you–a helmet mount works well. You don’t shake around like the bars do.
i have no sd card issues or video problems but i do have no sound on playback
hired goon is right the sound is there just another player.had the same problem with windows media player but fine with apple quicktime
vlc player solved my sound issues.
This camera is garbage. It simply won’t recognize any SD Card that I put into the damn thing. Sure, I know that I have to format it to FAT16, but the SD card never shows up at ALL! What a waste of time and money! And the Oregon Scientific tech support BLOWS. They simply repeated what was already in the manual. Thanks!!!
My problem is different from the above…the camera seems to take video and sound without difficulty, but when it is plugged into the USB port of the computer (XP), it turns off and cannot be turned on again until it is unplugged. If I take out the card, the video playback (windows media) works fine. But it will not play from the camera via the USB port. Any ideas??
i bought this not too long ago and i have no problem with it.
i dont know about all you putting the card in the wrong way, it only goes in one way IF YOU DONT FORCE IT.
I have been having a problem perhaps in its own class. Turned the unit on and captured 10 or so quick videos for testing purposes. Later on i used the unit again and though the unit powers on as soon as you click the record button a “0″ is displayed and slowly fades out. In order to turn the unit back on, the batteries must now be removed? what a bummer. Contacted oregon scientific and hope to hear back. Menu and everything else works fine, just when you click record the 0 is displayed and dissapears and no final products! Not recording internal or external (sd).
hey all
well me and my friend both bought an atc2000 headcam each. we use them for surfing so they get fully immersed and thrown a bought a bit.
They worked faultlessly for about 2 years. his though one day just wouldnt recognise the sd card.
now today i went to format the card to remove some footage, using disk utility on the mac which i have used before to format the footage, and it seems to have wiped the DCIM file off the camera.
this means that it now wont turn on except when plugged into pc via usb, and there is no DCIM file that i normally clicked on to view footage.
If anyone knows if its possible to reload the software or recover it from my mac that would be great. email is ngm8x@hotmail.com
as for quality of footage it was quite good considering the price. check out my user name on you tube of “ngm8x” for some bore surfng videos, also try bristolsurfer as he is another mate with same camera but his is still working!!!
I recently purchased OS ATC-2K POS (piece of shit) from Compuvisor (worthless, don’t order from them) & am a Mac user w/ an IQ & have had no response from either OS or Compuvisor re Mac & SD card format instructions. Went to the Mac store & not one of the employee’s there were able to figure this out !! Absolutely disgusted w/ OS, Compuvisor & in general American Capitalism !! Give us your money & we will do as we wish, because we can !! Aren’t there any legal (lawyers) people out there that have been shafted by OS that can get a lawsuit going ?? I’m soooo pissed off because of the principle & not the $115 that I feel I threw away. I’m going to fight this to get a full refund because I CAN !!! WANKERS, the lot of them !!
The EXACT same thing happened to me!
Only addition is something rattles inside the camera and the SD card won’t stay in, no matter which side is up.
best mortgages
I’ve owned the ATC-2K helmet cam for 2 1/2 years now and still haven’t been able to take one minute of video. I couldn’t get it to work when I first got it, but I wsa on vacation, so I figured I’d get it working when I got home…Fast-forward 2 1/2 yrs (June 2010) and I remember I have it. All day I’ve messed with it only to come across all the same problems I’ve read above.
I’ve finally got it to turn on and stay on. If I try to record without the SD card, it beeps once (which is correct), but the counter stays at 00:00. When I put the SD card in (upside down of course) I get the “Err” message, so I figure my card needs to be formatted from FAT32 to FAT16. I’ve plugged the supplied USB both into my MAC book and my Dell desktop with Windows Visa…neither of them seem to recognize that anything is plugged in. The “Err” message stays on the camera, and neither cpu responds.
ANY SUGGESTIONS???