Return to the archive index

Re: Re: New eyetap candidate from Wild Planet?

From: Abe <>
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 13:49:10 -0400

> Got a picture of it originally? I don't like the one they have on
> their website.

Not right now, but I could take one.

> Also, did you try it out before taking it apart? How
> did it seem to you?

Overall, I was happy with it.

The display resolution is about equal to a cheap pocket TV. I don't
think I could read small type through it, but I haven't tried. I think
an 80 column font would probably be too small, but 40 column fonts
should be readable.

The IRLEDs have a maximum range of around 10 feet in the dark. Beyond
that, it gets too dim to see. The spot they cast is about 3 feet
across at that range, so there is a bit of tunnel-vision. Indoors, the
IR tends to wash out the center of the display. I'm planning to add a
cutoff switch to the LEDs to avoid this problem.

The camera has automatic gain control. I looked at a household light
and over the course of about 2 seconds, the camera or display dimmed
so that I could see the fixture. The bulb was still washed out.

The display backlight is comfortably bright, but the color needs work.
It's a yellow-green LED, probably because everyone who's seen a spy
movie thinks "night vision =3D=3D green."
Shouldn't be hard to replace, though.

The head strap is a bit short for my head, but the adjustable piece is
just a bit of elastic and velcro, so it can easily be extended. For
extended use, the padding for the part that sits against the user's
forehead should probably be upgraded. Moving the battery pack to the
belt was a good design decision on Wild Planet's part, as it puts a
fair chunk of weight and bulk out of the way.

It's also easy to take apart, which is not something that I can say of
all toys. There are no clips or glue to break. There are some screws
hidden under the stick-on forehead padding. The main thing to watch
out for is that you don't rip the cyberdisplay ribbon connector while
seperating the two halves.

_______________________________________________
Wear-Hard mailing list

http://www.haven.org/mailman/listinfo/wear-hard

+Previous Message in Thread | Next Message in Thread

From Wear-Hard Mailing list Archive (WH)
Maintained by R. Paul McCarty

Archive created with babymail