Customer Reviews

Logitech 961241-0403 QuickCam for Notebooks

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this camera to use on a Thinkpad. I have always been fascinated with the design since the original came out on the iREZ Critter cameras made for Macintosh laptops a few years ago. Those cameras died because of very poor image quality. After using this camera, I wonder if Logitech just acquired the origianl iREZ and did nothing to improve it. Shame on them for putting out such a camera with such low image quality, especially at the price.

Likes:
I loved the stylish design, but I'm also aware that this is completely subjective. The leg clips on the laptop or flat panel displays nicely. Though it is not as steady as some clamp-based notebook camera mounts, it is more compact and "integrated" as it can be turned over as a lens cover. The camera responds quickly to light changes to adjust exposure settings. It also has decent contrast handling (in spite of the poor images) and high shutter speed. It is very small and light, with a short USB cord true to its purpose as a notebook camera. Very decent construction quality, though the joint where the leg connects to the camera may be a weak link for a travel camera subjective to frequent handling or abuse.

Dislikes:
Very poor image quality. It is comparable to the worst of the logitech line, or the Quickcam Express (which uses very dated technology), despite its 640x480 rating. The image is full of noise produced with high gain, yet more significantly, the resolving power of the imager or the lens is abysmal (yes I adjusted the focus ad nauseam). The color is also terrible, with very poor saturation and hue no matter how I adjusted it. The image in short, is grainy, pixelated, blurry and with a grey-ish hue on everything. Even a cheaper Xirlink camera I tried did much better than this.

Conclusion:
Logitech tend to use "gain" function rather than prolonging the shutter speed for low light situations. This contributes to the noise of the images througout its camera line. The reason Logitech do this, I suspect, is so that the camera can "freeze frame" the moving subjects nicely even when under low light situations. The higher end Quickcam Pro 4000 has an adjustment for both gain and shutter, and this theory proved its own validity. Such control is not available for this travel camera, however, and grainy image is the norm. This factor was casted aside, since with better software controls the noise may be reduced and not be a "fault" of the camera's hardware itself. However, the image resolution as well as the color is quite terrible, even with all the controls played, looking more like a cheap 320x240 camera. These faults can be primarily attribued to an inferior CCD. Despite the favorable review on CNET among other sources, it is easily out-performed by a cheaper Xirlink made IBM Net Camera we also tried for comparison due to its comparable size and notebook clamping capability. The difference in image was phenomenal, so much that it truly put the little cute spider camera to shame. I sincerely do not want to reject the camera, but for this kind of price and image quality, even its innovatively designed and high quality plastic body cannot save it for becoming a very poor value indeed.

I've had no problems with my camara. The picture quality is that of many Logitechs, so don't expect movie quality, but it's more than enough for my needs. It's very small, easy to install and hook up to your notebook to keep in touch. I've had no problems with the plastic base, as other users, and I suspect you really shouldn't have a problem with it as long as you don't abuse it. Remember, this is a product for a notebook user on the road, so don't expect the heavy duty quality of a desktop camara either.

My unit has been great for what I use it for; online chatting (does not have mic) A great gift for parents to give to kids to stay in touch while away at college. Sure there are better units out there; but for the price and features you can't go wrong.
The Logitech QuickCam For Notebooks is a compact portable USB camera designed specifically for notebook PC users. Add video to instant Messenger Services such as Yahoo & MSN Messenger and AOL (AIM). Capture still photos and videos instantly. Conduct video conferences from anywhere using Microsoft NetMeeting. The USB connection allows for easy plug and play set up. Comes with camers and softwear

Features
* Attach the camera to your notebook using integrated mount that
as a lens cap.
* Rotate camera 360 degrees for better angles
* Get started quickly with the simple softwear and plug-and-play
USB connector.
* Broadcast live video over the web or instant messenger programs
* Take up to 640x480 pixels, softwear interpolated
* Capture video up to 30 frames per second.

Systems Requirements

* Pentium II 400, Celeron, AMD Anthlon (which I have)processor
Higher.
* Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME (I use) or XP
* CD-ROM drive
* Available USB port

I use the following criteria in my ratings

1. Quality of product
2. Ease of use
3. Features
4. Value for money spent

This camera works just great for me. I use it daily for web conference with my work team (I'm constantly on the road).

The plastic base is a great design that lets it sit easily on a desktop, hang on the top of a laptop screen, and fold over the lens to protect it while traveling with my notebook.

The image quality is pretty standard for a logitech camera. This is not photo quality, but works well for video conferencing.

I'm very dissapointed about the QuickCam for NoteBooks.Its construction is very fragil to carry out with your laptop and requires too much light to get a sharp and colorful image.

First of all, this is my first Webcam, but so far it's better than I expected. Yes, the quality isn't great like that of a digital camera, but it's more than fine for video conferences. You just need to adjust the image a little so the colors look better.
I'm a student in high school, and have friends and family in different countries, and this webcam works great for me! So no complaints here.

This does quick and dirty webcam video. So don't expect beautiful photograph-quality images.

The camera has a nicely designed base that can sit on a desktop or hang on top of a notebook screen. But that's where the nice design ends. The cheap plastic that attaches the base breaks easily and is difficult, if not impossible to fix (I'm talking about the black plastic screw that connects the base to the oval camera body. It can snap, and when it does, there's *no* way to glue it back together and still be able to re-insert it into the camera and base)

So if you buy one, keep your receipt. Mine broke on the first day, and with no abuse, I swear!

Image quality review - exactly like other Quickcams. It needs lots of light to get good shots, it has a manual focus that feels like cheap plastic (because it is), and colors are usually off.

On the plus side, the camera folds up in a clever way to protect the lens, and it is a pretty handy size for notebook users.

If it weren't for the base's weakness, I'd give it three stars. But with the base problem, I can't recommend it at all. One star.

Camera does not focus at closer distances. Picture is of low quality and color is terrible. Looks like something cooked up in lab and not ready for production. Their QuickCam 4000 is superb, though more expensive, it is fantastic and worth every penney. This camera, must use some old technology, though I don't know anything about it to have such lousy results. Either buy the QuickCam 4000 or keep your money in your pocket. Also, found that the lense rotates for some reason. Just weird thing.

I've had no problems with my camara. The picture quality is that of many Logitechs, so don't expect movie quality, but it's more than enough for my needs. It's very small, easy to install and hook up to your notebook to keep in touch. I've had no problems with the plastic base, as other users, and I suspect you really shouldn't have a problem with it as long as you don't abuse it. Remember, this is a product for a notebook user on the road, so don't expect the heavy duty quality of a desktop camara either.