Sold Camera's for years
I worked in retail electronics for 6 years while in highschool and off and on in college. I worked at Sound Advice for 4 years and have used quite a few camera's. I would say that JVC has to be one of the most rugged camera's. I have one that I got for dirt cheap and it has never missed a beat. They may not have all the bells and whistles of the sony's but they are pretty damn tuff. Mine got hit by a guy on a bike 2 weeks ago mountain biking and it still works fine, after a roll down a nice big hill. I would say though to go check out sound advice and see what they have discontinued. Thats how you will get the best deal. If you can't find a good JVC though sony all the way.