Customer Reviews

Olympus Eye Trek FMD-200

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

 

 

If you are interested in the Olympus Eye Trek already you are surely aware of obvious limitations to video headware and are unconcerned about them. I had wanted to buy a piece of video headwear for a while now and made this purchase after viewing through a store version on display. The picture does appear to mimic a large screen several feet away (62' screen I wouldn't commit to, but it is comfortably like a 48 inch projection TV at 10 feet) and the video is ever so slightly pixelated (nothing horrible for video viewers). I havent tried it for computer use yet but I feel it might be too limited for computers. Because of the focus issue so as to preserve eye sight you must wear your corrective lenses while wearing the Eye Trek 200. The headgear does not encompass your eyes thus leaving you with a decent percentage of periferal vision. There are really nice little audio headphones in the ear pieces which come out to tuck in your ears. A line goes from the headset to a power and control box which is the size of a deck of cards without the battery attachment. There is an optional powercord for use with an outlet. From the control box you attach a cord to a variety of video inputs (S-video, RCA jacks, or small video jack). For my preference there are just a few too many cords used in this affair. Once encased in the video experience it can become a little disconcerting because you have little recognition of what might be going on around you in the real world. So far I have used it to watch TV privately at night without causing noise or light to wake the house: perhaps the greatest utility of this device. Other then that it is just a fun little gizmo. If you have the money or the overwhelming desire its a safe bet, but to all others I suggest waiting for a better version which no doubt will be cheaper within the following years.

I don't know how it started but I somehow got it into my head that I needed one of these gadgets. After tracking down a shop which would let me demo one I handed over my cash and rushed home to try it out "properly" !

I already own a portable DVD player so I thought the Eye-Trek would be a great compliment.

The unit is pretty easy to connect up. The glasses connect to a small cigarette-packet sized unit. You then connect this to the video and sound outputs on your device (portable DVD player in my case).

You wear the Eye-Trek like a pair of shades - I have to wear prescription glasses and the Eye-Trek fits comfortably over these. The side arms also contain the earphones which you just unhook and place in your ears. The unit is quite light but I felt a bit of an idiot with my specs underneath (contact lenses might be better).

Press a button on the main unit and the display appears. You have to go through a warning message and a password screen.

I tried out a few DVD's to test the unit - Gladiator, Fantasia and Kevin and Perry Go Large.

First impressions were WOW!. It really did appear as if a huge projection screen was in front of me. The image was in focus and it felt comfortable quite quickly. I'm not sure if it really is 52" display but if felt like the picture was on the wall on the other side of the room.

After a few moments though I did start to think the image was a bit grainy - nowhere near TV quality. The colours were a bit faded but you can alter the contrast/brightness settings although it won't be perfect.

After a couple of films I decided to return the unit. For me, the lack of decent resolution was the main reason - it's just too grainy.

Also, there are just too many cables - a cable between the Eye-Trek and controller unit. You then have a video connection and left/right sound connections and a power supply lead and PSU. This is supposed to be portable !

I haven't given up on the Eye-Trek though. Olympus produce a high-end version which I have ordered and so will report back with my findings.

This is a great product when a tv is not available. I have used another model (fmd-20p) before. Great with my PS2. ... a great product.

I travel a ton - and got tired of people sitting next to me watching my movies on my portable DVD player (panasonic). Now I watch in total privacy and ignore everyone around me - it's perfect!

As for the display - it's just like watching a 51-inch screen from about 6 feet away (my best guess). Much better than squinting at the tiny screen on a portable or the airline screens. I look forward to my next roadtrip in a car as well.

I highly recommend the eye-trek, I've only had it for a couple weeks and have already fallen in love.

Although the idea is sound, the technology just isn't here. This is at best a beta form of the future eyewear. This model is not decent, not even close, but it is a step up to the future.

Reason not to buy:
Hurt on eyes, the image impression of watching a "54 to "62 inch TV causes a .50mm strain on the eyes. A average 5 hours of watching TV on a 54" projection tv equals about 1 hour watching tv/video thru these glasses.

Reason to buy:
Neat invention to increase size of tv/video fairly cheaply.

This great device makes it seem like you are watching a 62'' widescreen tv! I love to use it on the airplane when I plug it up with my portable dvd player. It is very useful in many other ways and I highly recomend it.

IT IS COOL AND I LIKE TO GET ONE FOR MY FRIND WHEN I GET THE CHANCE TO.