Wash Away Wrinkles with Low Resolution!
Written: Nov 21 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Gadget and Fun
Cons: Low Resolution and Awkward camera position
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| hakchang's Full Review: Handspring Eyemodule2 Digital Camera for |
Finally! It has been a long wait since I got the Visor without any desirable modules. Eyemodule is one of the first to come out with something interesting, and to date, remains the only company producing a digital camera for Visor users. This is the first generation module, so there are bound to be plenty to complain about. But at the same time, the possibilities are still there!
Pros:
1) Fun: This is pure gadget. I was first amazed a the tiny size of the camera. It is fun to take candid shots of people, as long as those people don't mind you sticking the Visor two feet from their face.
2) Software: Extremely user-friendly. There are a series of self-explanatory icons on the bottom, like slide show, image list, preference, zoom, image info, notes, beam, and trash. Dots located on the upper right of the screen indicate the picture resolution. One dot is black and white photos at 160x120 pixels; two dots are black and white photos at 320x240 pixels; and three dots are color photos at 320x240 pixels.
3) Timer: A fun feature is the ability to leave your Visor unattended (in a secure spot) and let Eyemodule take photos at timed intervals. In theory, you can set the timer to take 999 images within an hour. In reality, you can take 500 small black and white shots, all depending on the amount of battery life the Visor has. See con #4 below.
4) Slide show: Once the images are taken, you can easily show off the images by toggling between the up and down buttons.
5) Design: Nice, simple, and inconspicuous. The Eyemodule fits the slot snug with only a half an inch protruding out from the top of the Visor.
Cons:
1) Springboard conflict: The idea behind the modules are that the Visor can become anything the user wants it to be. The Eyemodule is a big step toward that versatility. However, the act of changing modules can also be quite cumbersome. Since my leather cover relies on the same module cover to snap to, I had to take the Visor out of the cover, detach the module cover, and then insert the Eyemodule. This might sound like three simple steps, but each of the steps require the user to balance two of the three items. I have tempted fate numerous times already by almost dropping either the Visor or the Eyemodule on hard asphalt.
2) Picture quality: The Eyemodule does not handle long distance shots well.
3) Color: The color is often faded. This is probably due to the limited pixels.
4) Battery hog: Since the Eyemodule has a 11 frames per second view while the user can decide to take the picture or not, it can consume be quite tortuous on the two AAA batteries. The power consumption is worst when the timer is turned on. This is because the screen remains on while the timer ticks away, draining valuable fuel. I tested a 30 second interval with a picture taken at every 5 seconds, and it drained 40% of the battery life.
5) Design: The fixed lens is in line with the screen, making it difficult to take any pictures in a eye level position. The only way to see the screen is to hold it between the chest and the waist. The natural way of holding a Visor is at about a 45 degree angle. However, the typical angle to take a photo is at eye level. Unless you want to be artsy in every shot, you'll find yourself holding the Visor in awkward positions. Most of my initial photos are of my friends nostrils! Not the most flattering shots. No wonder the samples shown on the box are of kids and four seated adults.
6) Misc: A little annoying is that the Visor turns on automatically to the Eyemodule software everytime the module is inserted or detached. This happens even if the Visor is turned off.
7) Price: Let's just say I'm glad I got this gadget as a present. It's a $149 toy.
Next generation (or My Wishlist):
1) Zoom! The best photos with limited resolution are closeup ones, and the first generation does a reasonable job of it. But it's not much fun sticking the Visor closer to people than you would typically stand near them. There is actually a zoom function in the software, but at such low resolution, it's practically useless. All one sees is bigger pixels.
2) Rotating lens! Because of con #5, rotating the lens at 15 degree intervals will assist in taking photos at eye levels.
3) Detachable lens! Wouldn't it be great if the camera can be clipped onto something else while you take photos?
4) Design that works with the leather covers. It's tedious to insert and detach the module - it delays the spontaneity of having a inconspicuous device.
5) Higher resolution of course. If this little puppy can approach the mega-pixel range...
This is 007 material... well, not quite. Maybe if my wishlist is answered.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hakchang
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Location: Emeryville, CA
Reviews written: 60
Trusted by: 27 members
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