<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: Before purchasing the "QuickCam® Messenger 2-pack" I was using the more expensive "QuickCam® Pro 4000". Until my dog chewed the wire.
Alone one of these web cams sells for 50 dollars, while the "QuickCam® Pro 4000" sell for twice that much, 100 dollars. The price reflects the quality.
CONS
Unlike the "QuickCam® Pro 4000" this is not USB 2.0 compatible. If your computer doesn't support USB 2.0 then this isn't a big deal.
It doesn't have a shutter (lens cover) for privacy. Meaning if you didn't want someone watching you on it, you have to turn it away from you. This might not seem like such a hard thing, but once you've gotten used to using a lens cover, you'll see how unprofessional turning away is.
Unlike the "QuickCam® Pro 4000" or other web cams, it doesn't have a swivel base. In fact the base comes unassembled and is composed of a large triangle shape of rubber. What's this mean? If you at all want to change the angle of the camera, you have to use both hands to (forcefully) rotate the plastic prong along the rubber slit. Even then it wasn't high enough to reach my face. I had to prop it up on a CD case for it to be the right height.
Also unlike the "QuickCam® Pro 4000" it doesn't have an "on" or "off" light. You won't know when it's on or off. This meaning if for some reason someone gained access to your computer without you knowing (i.e. a hacker) they can watch you on your webcam without you knowing (lack of on or off light) and you can't cover the lens with a privacy cover.
Lastly, the straw that breaks the camels back: picture quality. While the frame rate is adequate, the pictures are very "pixilated" and even grainy. Almost as if Logitech purposly added poor video quality as a feature. For those who are used to better quality web cams, this is a major disappointment.
Also, after installing the software, I pressed the "take a picture" button on the top of the webcam only to have it instantly restart my computer. It seems if you at all try to take a picture with it outside its mandatory software (either physically pressing the picture button or clicking it on the Windows[R] webcam feature) it either restarts your computer or "glitches" up so horribly you're forced to restart. Not even logging out resets it. At least this is what happens to me. I use Windows XP Professional, and have tried several times even after reformatting my hard disk drive.
But if you use the software to take pictures it does work.
PROS
It has a mike
It works when in sync with the software
Good for beginners
Comes with two 50 dollar cameras for only 80 dollars (saves money)
CONCLUSION
All in all, I suggest you spend an extra 20 dollars and get fives times a better camera (in my opinion). Get the "QuickCam® Pro 4000" which comes with photograph-like quality picture, a lens cover, swivel turn, working "picture" button, on and off indicator light, and a mike.
If you are strapped for cash and want to get you and a friend a web cam, go for it. Just expect less quality, and zero added features outside the mike.
Happy Webcamming!
<< 1 >>
|
