QUESTION: Opaque Projector/Document Camera Rec Needed, please!

[Joanna Drusin]

Hi!  Our school bought us Luna Document Cameras which are flimsy and really poor quality.  Using these, I can't project an entire paragraph at once, much less a full essay.  The quality also makes the text hard to read.  

I'd like to buy a good-quality document camera/opaque projector, possibly through a Donorschoose.org project.  I could really use some recommendations, since it'll be an expensive purchase and I don't want to waste anyone's money.

Requirements: 

-Ability to project a decent amount of text clearly, in real time

-Sturdy enough to use in a class with 6th graders who might present their work

Optional uses:

-Ability to record video

I've found MANY on Amazon, but really want an English teacher's perspective and recommendation.  Here's what I've seen:

• Elmo: http://www.amazon.com/Elmo-MO-1-White-Visual-Presenter/dp/B007T1YO6... (350 dollars)
• Ipevo: http://www.amazon.com/Ziggi-HD-High-Definition-Document-Camera-CDVU-04IP/d... (100 dollars)
• LED Desklamp http://www.amazon.com/Multifunctional-LampCam-Document-iPhones-Smar... (150 dollars)
• Hovercam Solohttp://www.amazon.com/HoverCam-Solo-Scanner-1080p-Megapixel/dp/B00D...(280 dollars)
• Ipevo Point 2 View HD model: http://www.amazon.com/IPEVO-Point-View-USB-Camera/dp/B002UBPBTC/ref... (67 dollars)
• Ipevo Ziggy HD http://www.amazon.com/Ziggi-HD-High-Definition-Document-Camera-CDVU... (100 dollars)

Finally, I read about an app where you can use your ipad as a doc camera in real time.  I haven't downloaded it yet but it was an interesting option.  Does anyone have experience with that?

Thank you in advance for any tips/recs!

Yours in annotation, 

Joanna

[Ryan Goble]

Joanna, I just caught this - maybe you should post it in the New Media and tech discussion as that is where people with thoughts on these type of questions are most likely to be!  RRG:) 

http://mcpopmb.ning.com/group/newmediatechnology