If video cameras are your thing you may recall that a blink ago I wrote a review about the Flip Ultra [see review here] – and loved it.

However I was also sent the Flip Mino - 'big' sister to the Flip Ultra. Big insomuch as it is more function loaded whilst being a lot slimmer and sleeker in design.

It has in essence all the elements of the Flip Ultra that I loved - great ease of use, simple set-up, simple transfer, 1 hour of record time etc etc.

The differences, for a minimal adjustment to price, might ensure that you want to check the Mino out - or not.

Firstly, the Flip Mino is rechargeable with a life expectancy of up to four hours between charges. Ample time considering you can only record an hours worth of footage.
Charge time is 3hrs via USB or 2 hours via a power adaptor.

One thing that made me raise my eyebrows however is that should you need to replace the rechargeable battery you can only do so through Flip Video Support. Monopolies make me nervous!

The next addition is a noticeable improvement - or should be but I remain unconvinced - not because of the functions themselves but in how they've been added.

The Mino has a Pause, Fast Forward and Rewind facility.
Now the Pause facility definitely got my attention immediately as there were elements of the conversations I was recording that I really could have done without (I blame Sophie and her Adam Sandler song - email me if you're completely politically incorrect, have a filthy mind and not easily shocked to the core and I'll send you the link...)
However, in adding these functions to the Mino, Flip Video have changed the buttons themselves on the machine. They are imbedded touch sensitive nodes and look great. They even light up in the dark - very snazzy to look at. However I found in trying to use them to zoom in and out and pause and recommence recording that quite often I was struggling to make the buttons work. Therein I was missing key moments of a great evening and became both frustrated and disappointed. What should have been an innovative upgrade became a failing.

So, the Mino looks smarter and sleeker, weighs less, has more functions, costs only slightly more .... and I frankly preferred the more basic Flip Ultra.
A monopoly on battery replacement and additional functions that I couldn't get to work seamlessly every time I fear ensured this device most regrettably didn't make the grade.

Available from a variety of online & high street retailers for £119.99
For more information check out www.flipvideo.co.uk