Don’t believe your mother when she says it doesn’t help to whine.

After blogging about a hand-me-down Flip Video, I was slipped a brand-new Aiptek GO-HD 720P camcorder to play with. If the $170 price tag (Amazon) doesn’t discourage you, the Aiptek has a lot going for it.

Like the Flip Video, this is a small camcorder, compact enough to carry around in a pocket or purse.

The camera shoots in HD (1280 x 720 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio), D1 (720 x 480 pixels) and CIF (352 x 240 pixels) to a maximum of 30 frames per second. More numbers: it has a 3x optical zoom and claims to capture stills up to 8 megapixels.

Built-in LED lights help boost the video image in low lights, and you will want to use the lights indoors. I shot video of our local news editor Steve Petranik in CIF without the lights, leaving him somewhat in the dark. It’s a condition I’m used to, but it’s not something you want to inflict on your video subjects.

The audio pickup is decent, though it would be nice to have a way to hook up an external mic, just in case you get a chance to interview George Clooney. Call me if you do.

The video records in .mov format and is easily transferred to a computer via a USB cable. You can also connect the camera to a TV or DVD to record programs on its SD card.

So, bottom line: Flip Video or Aiptek? I like the Aiptek because of the video quality. But for ease of use, the Flip Video’s controls and built-in USB stick are handier, particularly if you are buying a pocket cam for your mom.

Afterall, you owe her for that lesson on whining.