Import Model?

Hello, I am new to the forum.

I am interested in getting a waterproof camera for the boat, that can take a beating & also something that is pretty inexpensive. I have found a few I like that retail on the website for around $375. I looked at other places online & have found the same models for $232, but it says Import Model.

What does Import Model mean? I have looked into some other posts about it & I hear horror stories of people not getting a battery or some other important thing is left out. Does anyone have experience buying one of these cheaper import models? The advantage though is that the import says it is 7.4 megapixel & the website says 7.1, not that I care about .3 megapixels but I just want to make sure I get the best deal w/o getting ripped off.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

look here, there are plenty of different cameras that will fit the bill.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_w​r.html

Import means the camera is not brought into the US through authorized importers, The camera stoor itseld buys them overseas and then distributes them in the US. Be careful, sometimes the manual wont be in english, it may come with a euro power coard or may be missing accesories that should have been included in the box.