Touring - Best Camcorder for Touring

I am going on a 1-year touring trip and I would like to buy a good camdorder/video camera that provides excellent quality with no background noise. Parts of our trip will be in third world countries and we will not have a laptop or an Ipod that we can download the footage to, so I'm leaning towards getting one that uses casettes.
I will appreciate your suggestions.

I am going on a 1-year touring trip and I would like to buy a good camdorder/video camera that provides excellent quality with no background noise. Parts of our trip will be in third world countries and we will not have a laptop or an Ipod that we can download the footage to, so I'm leaning towards getting one that uses casettes.
I will appreciate your suggestions.
Why not one that records onto MiniDVD
http://www.dealtime.com/xPP-camcorders-mini__dvd_camcorder--price_range_0_400

I just bought a Canon Elura, because it was one of the highest rated camcorders under $400. I didn't buy it for cycling, but it turns out it's very small and light. I may bring it on my next tour.

I just bought a Canon Elura, because it was one of the highest rated camcorders under $400. I didn't buy it for cycling, but it turns out it's very small and light. I may bring it on my next tour.

Hope it works out better than mine. My Elura has been a POS overall.

-D

My Sony MiniDV camera had an unfortunate incident with a canoe trip tip and a dry bag that wasn't so dry. Aired it out and it still works. It's been abused as a helmet camera and everything else and keeps on ticking. I keep it in my handlebar bag.