Over the past few years we've had 3 of these (XM1 & XM2s) and ALL of them have been a nightmare. The build quality is shocking - the amount of headaches we've had with tape deck problems, not recording footage, etc. is ridiculous. In my experience, would definitely recommend going with another make - I'm going with Sony next time; they seem to be much more reliable.

The GL2 / XM2 is now a four-five year old product and is still a top seller at B&H. Even the Sony VX2100 can't make that claim. It must be the most successful miniDV cam ever, or close to it.

The transport has been an issue for some people. Probably a very small percentage, but only Canon knows that number. Anyway, how small the percentage is is no consolation to a victim. Statistically, your experience with three problem cams is like winning the lottery, only in a negative way. My condolences.

My own GL2 is still fine in its third year with a lot of miles on it. As I said above, the market speaks, and it says that my experience is much more typical than yours. BTW, I rarely use the transport for anything but recording. I never rewind with it.

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Fred

I'm a Canon fan, my 4yrs old Canon GL2 isnot for business use and never been abused but what's happen to it? Eat up tape, Rewind/Eject problem and now Bad moisture sensor that won't let you insert the tape.
My GL2 is currently in the repair shop.
I took out my 12yrs old Sony TR700 last month to use it temporary during my GL2 is in service. I'm surprised that it is still working great, only its batteries that didn't hold much charge any more.
I have had a bad experienced with Canon S9000 printer and G2 P&S also.
I'm moving to Sony. I'm regretted that I didn't pick up the Sony VX2000 before.

Fred,
I've had my GL2 for about 3 weeks now.. I've used it a little bit each day.. So far i'm more then satisfied with it. It's a great prosumer beginer camera for someone moving on from the normal point and shoot..
Do you think it's a good idea to buy an external DV player for editing?
My camera is obviously used and i haven't seen any problems, but if this is something that could extend the life of my camera... I might go ahead and buy one.
Thanks for the help.
Steve

Steve, I have a Panasonic GS200 camcorder I use for a playback deck. Like I said, I use the GL2's transport only for recording, and I do believe that extends the life significantly. An added bonus is having a second cam that's smaller and lighter if I feel like grabbing that and taking it with me instead of the GL2, not to mention the ability to set up a second cam for shooting events. A second camera angle can be invaluable.

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Fred

i agree with you 100% about having a second cam.. Unfortantly my second cam is a DVD camcorder :-( Not a fan of it at all..
I've been looking around and hopefully i can find a smaller DV camcorder for exactly what you said "the second camera angle during events". Using it also for the deck alone would be great...
I was thinking of buying this panasonic DV camera. It's 3 ccd. Do you think it's important to have two camera's that are 3 ccd. when it comes time to edit, i want it to look like it was all shot with the same camera...
thanks for your thoughts
steve

Yes, I'd definitely try to make the second camera a 3-CCD also. Then the color matching functions of any good editing program will let you bring them close enough that the viewer's eye will accept any remaining small difference as the lighting effects of the different angles

I've had good luck buying used cams from eBay. A lot of people genuinely find that they don't use their camcorder enough to justify the money tied up in it, and a lot of people are upgrading. I just make sure the sell has 100% positive feedback based on at least 10 or so sales.

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Fred

Its funny how everyone believes sony is more reliable when they have more camera problems then canon and panasonic combined. The vx1000-vx2000 have so many flaws im constantly reading about how somthing is going wrong with them. Canon is know for its flaws but there flaws have been known for years and are usally minor, oposed to all the recent problems poping up with the sony line, sxcluding the vx2100. If you bought 3 xm1/xm2s and had problems with all 3 you prob purchased all of them used. People who are usally selling there camera are the few unlucky percentage who get these malfunctions. so when you buy them used your more likely to run into theses problems.