one flaw
I used the image view to take 17 really good pictures. However, holding the binoculars in my hand as I walked to the beach, somewhere along the way the on/off switch simply fell out! I returned it for full credit but I would rather have had another pair. They were not in stock.
Published on July 25, 2006 by Robert B. Lineberger
58 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
Great Fun, Great Pix, some limitations
I was SURE I "invented" Bushnell ImageView in my mind (but didn't have the foresight to go patent the idea, alas!) Every time I'd look in my birding binox, I would think, DARN! Why can't I snap that picture RIGHT NOW? Well, Bushnell, who is the maker of my birding binoculars, certainly was channeling my thoughts, and they came out with the ImageView, which is a pair of...
I was SURE I "invented" Bushnell ImageView in my mind (but didn't have the foresight to go patent the idea, alas!) Every time I'd look in my birding binox, I would think, DARN! Why can't I snap that picture RIGHT NOW? Well, Bushnell, who is the maker of my birding binoculars, certainly was channeling my thoughts, and they came out with the ImageView, which is a pair of 8X30 binoculars with a built-in digital camera. So, how does it work and will this hybrid binox-camera combo work for you? Let's discuss...
1. Specs and Features
Bushnell 8x30 binoculars
Built-in 1.3MP digital camera
8MB internal memory
Hi-res (default mode) stores about 45 pix, low-res maybe 55-85 pix
AVI movie mode
Photo Suite 5 software
USB cable
neck strap and case strap
soft case with zipper and pocket inside
Requires 2 AAA batteries
Computer with USB port that can support USB devices like camera; XP is recommended but you can use other Windows that support USB. You may require internet access to download different drivers to download your pictures to your computer if you don't have XP.
2. Using the ImageView
The out-of-box experience with the ImageView is excellent; all the user has to do (assuming he or she has an XP operating system on their PC) is to do the following:
a. Open box
b. pop open the battery port
c. Install the 2 triple-A batteries.
d. Hold down the MODE button (one of two on the top of the center-mounted camera module)
e. Snap a shot
f. plug in the USB cable
g. Put the cable on the computer and download the pictures.
DONE....easy as pie.
3. Quality, Usability and Pros & Cons
The binoculars are clear and free of most distortion. But..here's the rub; if your eyes are very close-set (mine are) you will NOT, repeat NOT be able to use the CaptureView. I have extremely deepset and close-set eyes and normally, on binoculars, I move the eyepieces in to the most narrow setting possible. On the ImageView, due to the camera taking up space in the middle of the two scope sections, the narrowest setting is not narrow enough to suit my eyes. Boo. In fact, Boo HOO! I was quite dismayed. The man of the house tried them. He too has close-set eyes but a far bigger head (hahah!) than mine and he put the ImageView down to the narrowest setting. He can see fine out of the binox. Lucky guy, he just got a pair of binox AND a digicam. I can barely see out of them if I hold it JUST so. So if you are a small woman or a narrow-headed kind of person like me, you must try these before buying or plan to possibly have to return them. And if you intended this for your child or grandchild, it probably won't work. So beware. This is a serious issue with the ImageView--I am sure there were arguments about the average distance between pupils on people's eyes, and they hit the sweet spot of the happy average, but I was NOT happy to find out I'm not able to use them. *IMPORTANT* TRY BEFORE YOU BUY or check out the return policy.
The camera is 1.3MP. This is NOT a high res, but it keeps the price down to something reasonable and not outrageously expensive per pair. This is because 1.3MP cameras are not state of the art any more and are being used for toys, phones and other "and it has a camera, too!" electronics. In other words, if you expect high-quality pictures you can enlarge greatly, this isn't for you. BUT...the opticals are good enough to get a reasonably nice picture from the camera, one that is bright and clear enough for most amateur work. For blowing up a picture of a rare warbler hiding in a pine tree? No. For sporting events? Yes. As to the low resolution setting (which Bushnell wisely decided NOT to make default), you can use it to get many more shots, but you won't be happy with the quality. I found I needed to stick with the high resolution to get a good picture I could use.
The focus for the camera is MANUAL. It's a knob on the top of the camera mount and easy to use but in this day of autofocus, it will fox a few point-and-shoot folks. Just focus as you home in on your subject in the binox and all is well.
AND there is NO flash. But these aren't night binox and you won't need one anyway. But be aware, low light is not the time to be using the ImageView.
The movie feature allows you to take a short movie clip. I love this! Soccer moms, take note; you can get a short (30-70 second) clip of your home-grown athlete when you are sitting cheering in the stands. But the 8MB memory onboard means that you will max out the storage and will have to download that AVI to a waiting laptop or computer. I have done digital photography in Asia back in the days of low memory storage by keeping a laptop near me for downloading shots and then clearing the storage on the camera. With the arrival of larger memory cards for newer digicams, I don't have to do this anymore, but if taking small shots and many of them is your thing, and you like the CaptureView, you will want to think about taking a laptop with you to do this.
The case is well-thought-out and good quality. Easy to access the binoculars, and sturdy enough to keep it clean. It's soft-sided, though. Not a hardshell. The straps are flimsy--this is not surprising, so if you don't like the strap, buy one of your own. I found it adequate, however. And it fits into the case when on the binoculars.
Summary
The ImageView is a reasonably priced pair of binoculars with the added kick of a great little camera. It's something you can keep in your briefcase or handbag for snagging fun shots of sports events or nature scenes. Or just for fun around town. The quality is what you'd expect from a 1.3MP camera, and there are some limitations, like limited picture storage (8MB) and the width of the oculars is liable to be TOO NARROW for kids and some smaller women and men. So try before you buy.
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This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
I bought this as a gift for a friend. It worked great the first time he used it. The second time it started malfunctioning a little. The third time he couldn't even get it to turn on (and yes, he made sure it wasn't a battery issue).
I think it's a great concept but it needs a lot of work.
I'm going to send it back to Bushnell and see if they will let me exchange it for a good pair of regular binoculars.
I don't suggest buying it until they have an opportunity to take care of all the problems.
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This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
The optics used in these binoculars are semi-sharp in the middle and blurry around the edges, the quality of the images lack contrast and the life of the camera can be measured in weeks. Avoid Bushnell products in general. The optical quality has been horrible in every pair of binocs I've ever purchased (though I did like one of their easy focusing systems). On one pair, the images didn't even line up and it's not worth the postage to have them returned.
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This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
I used the image view to take 17 really good pictures. However, holding the binoculars in my hand as I walked to the beach, somewhere along the way the on/off switch simply fell out! I returned it for full credit but I would rather have had another pair. They were not in stock.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
These are great binoculars! The binoculars are of the quality you would expect from Bushnell. The digital cameera is fantastic. We went to Alaska and now hav wonderful up close photos af whales, eagles and a rarely seen black fox. Also we now have a wonderful close-up of Ichiro blown up and posted in our son's bedroom. The one downside is you have to hold it steady. Some of the photos in Alaska were taken while rafting and they were blurred. We aren't big bird watcher fans....but I imagine this would be fantastic for bird watchers! Great Binoculars! I highly recommend purchasing a gig or more storage card as you will need it for lots of photos. Download and working with the photos are a snap. This was fun and a great product.
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This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
The second time I used it, two different pieces of the battery section, including the cover, broke: the metal sprial thing for one end of the battery just fell out when I opened the battery section; and the cover prong just broke off. Man, what a waste of $[...] plus dollars, and what a dissapointment.
I bought it to look at birds. Well, unless the bird is five feet in front of you, you can forget about it.
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This review is from: Bushnell ImageView 8x30 2.1MP LCD Digital Camera Binocular (Electronics)
The binoculars are OK as binoculars, but are heavy and bulky with so-so eye relief and clarity.
The camera menus on mine are in Asian characters and cannot be switched to English, Spanish, etc. The camera functions are therefore useless unless you can read Kanji. Or whatever.
The display flickers and shows a low battery indication on two sets of brand-new batteries.
The central focus dial is loose.
Need I go on? This is a very poor quality item and ludicrously overpriced. Bushnell -or whomever owns the brand- should be ashamed.
Update:
Apparently Bushnell has no shame. The DOA binoculars were returned to Kansas for repair at my expense along with a ten-dollar check to cover their return shipping. Another 20.oo invested.
Weeks later, a box appeared with a loosely packed and grubby model 118322 ImageView refurb rattling around inside.
This is a cheaper, inferior model with no popup color viewing screen. The terse note enclosed tells me this is the closest model to mine, which is out of stock.
The binocular optics are terrible with a fairly clear center and horrible blurring at the edge of your field of view. The center focus is gritty. The camera produces very poor image quality. It is slow to respond when taking a picture and therfore prone to blur.
This is my last Bushnell purchase, period.
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Having relied on the Bushnell reputation for quality, I expected my Bushnell Camera Bincular to be a superior product. Once it was received (within a few days), everyone who sees them are impressed and remarks the high quality of their make and the quality of photos produced. You cannot go wrong with this product.
David in Conyers, GA
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