Ten Top-Notch Flip Video Camera Alternatives

The Flip Video camera marked the birth of a revolution that turned parents, grandparents, and other everyday people into videographers. The Flip put high-def video into an affordable, pocket-size, dead-simple-to-use package. Alas, it is no longer. Cisco, which purchased Flip in 2009 for $590 million, has decided to restructure its consumer business, which in part entails ending the Flip's life.

There's an obvious culprit behind the death of the Flip camcorder: cell phones. A Flip Video camera was at one time portable and convenient, but that was before almost everyone was carrying a powerful, multimedia-capable cell phone or HD-video-capable digital camera. These days, an extra dedicated gadget just doesn't make as much sense. That's not to say, however, that a large number of people won't miss the brand and its high-quality devices like the Flip UltraHD.

Luckily, Cisco hasn't been the only company making good, inexpensive video recording devices the last couple of years. There are a number of excellent, inexpensive pocket HD camcorders still available, as well as many compact digital cameras and cell phones that excel at capturing high-definition video.

Whether you want a video-focused device, or a swiss army knife gadget like the iPod touch, we've rounded up 10 excellent, inexpensive, and simple ways to record on-the-go video. Hit the slideshow for more on how to replace the Flip-sized hole in your life.