Flip Mino Review

The Flip Mino from Pure Digital is a slick, little video camera that does its job, all while drawing jealous stares from those passing by. Whether you choose the black or white version, it’s small, shiny and a gadget-lover’s dream. Being able to record an hour of video is almost an added benefit to this little gem.

The Flip Mino has many of the same pros and cons as its older sibling, the Flip Ultra. You may want to read that review for more details. I'll focus here on the biggest pros and cons, as well as features specific to the Mino.

Pros

• Small and light-weight
• Rechargeable batteries
• No cords to lose/forget
• Built-in software
• Trendy Design

Cons

• Ultra-sensitive touch controls
• No way to charge the camera away from your laptop/computer
• Shows fingerprints and dirt
• Missing higher-end features like a strong zoom and motion stabilizer

Ease of Use. The Flip Mino is incredibly easy to use. Turn it on, press the red record button and it is recording. My two-year-old is forever sneaking the camera away to record his little sister. He likes to go back and watch videos of himself singing and sing along, like video karaoke. If he can do it, you can too!

Small Size. This is one tiny little video camera. People who see it are surprised that it can even capture video. It’s great for putting into a pocket to capture special moments on the run.

Great Fashion Accessory. I’ve said it before, but the Flip Video Mino just looks amazing. The black and white versions both have a glossy sheen. They have touch-sensitive buttons, a la the iPhone, that make the camera look incredibly high-tech and modern.

What about the video? Ah, yes. And it takes quite good video, too! With a 2X zoom, it nicely captures special moments in your every day life.

All-in-One The Mino has everything you need, all in one little package. With a flip-out USB connector, you don't need any extra cables to download your videos. And the software you need for viewing is already installed on the camera, so you can visit a friend's house and share your videos with them as well.

Limited Video Length. The Flip Mino holds about 60 minutes of video. Once you reach capacity, you’ll need to download the video to your computer and delete it from the video camera. I find that with normal usage, I rarely fill up the camera, but it is something to keep in mind.

Dirt Magnet. The slick-looking exterior of the Flip Mino is also one of the downsides to the video camera. This case shows every finger print, smudge or bit of dirt. Not ideal if your kids will want to use it, too! Now, I can ignore the stray fingerprint or dusty patch on my laptop screen, but even I found myself compulsively wiping off smudges each time I glanced at the camera. Maybe that urge would go away over time, but I doubt it. The black case, in particular, looks so lovely when it’s smudge free.

Rechargeable Batteries. Another improvement of the Mino that may turn out to be a hardship is the rechargeable batteries. My kids always want to watch themselves over and over on the little video screen, so I can easily imagine running out of battery power on a family day trip or at a special event. Unless you’re toting your laptop (or some other form of USB charging device) with you, you’ll be flat out of luck. You also need to make sure that your computer has powered USB ports, as some older computers do not.

Location of the USB Arm. The pop-out USB arm used for connecting the Mino to your computer now sits at the top of the device. I had concerns on the Flip Ultra about the arm getting damaged as the camcorder dangled from my computer, but the Mino seems even more likely to suffer this fate.

Touch Sensitive Buttons. Part of the glitz and glam of the Flip Video Mino is due to the touch sensitive buttons. They look lovely, but are easy to press by accident. Once again, these will appeal to gadget lovers, but will be a bane for parents. It’s very easy to delete a video by simple brushing your hand across the back of the camera. If it's accidentally put into a pocket without being powered off, your family memories are likely to disappear as well.

The Bottom Line

The Flip Video Mino does what it is supposed to do very well. It takes quality video clips, is simple to use, and makes its owner look stylish at the same time. This little camera is great for college students, video bloggers, and any adults who need to be able to capture short amounts of video close up.

The Flip Video Mino is less ideal for families, especially those with younger kids who will want to see how it works. It will still do its job, but the older Flip Ultra is probably a better choice.

Manufacturer Specifications

• Dimensions : 4” x 2” x 0.6”. Weight: 3.3 oz.
• 2GB of on-board flash memory records up to 60 minutes of video
• Sealed, internal rechargeable lithium ion battery that recharges through built-in USB arm
• Flat back-panel with touch-sensitive buttons
• No Glare display screen (1.5”)
• TV quality video
• Compatible with Mac or PC
• MSRP of $179.99