Yes, I agree, they can be very hit and miss. I got one from Chinaa few years back, for about €50 delivered. It has never given any trouble. In fact, it survived an overnight flood on the river. Don't know how it is still working. Opened it up, and left it in the hot press for a few months. Actually forgot it was there, till I needed it. At first, it left an awfull buzzing sound on the video's, but at least it worked. Now it's back to working perfect.
Around the time that one got water logged, I ordered another one off Amazon. Different make this time, and it coat around a hundred bucks.