has anyone used the Sony HDR-HC3?

i'm looking for an inexpensive second camcorder and am thinking HD so i wondered if anyone here has used the Sony HDR-HC3. i know it has no mic, but other than that, how is it to use and how is the video quality?

I have one.

It's great. The video quality is almost to good! You see lots of things on the big screen, or computer screen, that you don't see through the viewfinder and don't notice in person.

Conversion software is tricky as all the new HDV software is a bit tempermental, but it's doable.

Overall it's a kickass small camera (relatively speaking) with great image quality and depth.

The zoom isn't slow enough on the camera... so zooming in and out is a bit tricky, even doing it manually. Off the top of my head that's the only major drawback that's gotten under my skin with this camera.

What other HDV cameras are you donsidering?

Looks like a nice cam here is a good deal

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewprodu...l=Pricegrabber

originally i was thinking of a non HD for a backup. the prices are going down so you can get some pretty good stuff for $1500 or under and i'd say there is a good year before HD becomes a must for me. then i saw the Sony HDR-HC1, but i've read it wasn't the best. but when i saw the HDR-HC3, it seemed pretty nice - light, too. while i've heard good things, i haven't actually seen any video from it yet, though.

thanks, pierre - nice price :)