Service Plans Help/Advice: Panasonic GS500

[Gromit137]

I'm going with the PV-GS500 camcorder from Amazon...seems to be the absolute lowest price right now.

Now...I'm not a fan of extended warranty plans...'except' for camcorders...dropping, shaking, hitting...all sorts of possible accidents. However, I can be talked out of the idea by someone at this site if need be.

Do I need to get it with the camcorder...right away? Can I get a plan after the original warranty expires...or in a month? How is that one at Amazon... N.E.W. something or other? Wouldn't the Panasonic plan be best?

Do I get that after I receive the camera? Can I get the camcorder one place and the extended service plan somewhere else (ie Panasonic)?

Side questions... a good, smooth tripod under $100? Under $75 even better. How are evaporative metal tapes...used them with my digital8 and they seemed great? Any other accessories you'd rec right away? Something I'm definitely gonna wanna have. Does the camera come with case?

I'm planning on a Rode Videomic. I'm a bit confused ...it uses a 9volt battery but yet says it needs the 'hot' shoe that the GS500 offers. Why the battery if the shoe is 'hot'?

Thanks for the help all.

Mike

[dwill123]

As Gilda Radner's character Roadeannadanna (from Saturday Night Live) would say, "Boy, Mr. Feder, you sure do ask a lot of questions." I highly recommend that you checkout the following web site: http://www.pana3ccduser.com/. There you can get all your Panasonic camcorder questions answered by users. I myself got the GS400 and love every minute. I used my American Express card which doubled the manufacturer's warranty. So far the machine has operated flawlessly after one year ownership. Good luck.