Avatar Digital Binocular Sports camera is a little bit KIRF-y, a little bit crazy
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jul 22nd 2009 9:38PM
posted Jul 22nd 2009 9:38PM
Sure, you can get a relatively compact camera with a nice built-in 10x, 15x, or even 20x optical zoom, but where's the fun in that? This new so-called Avatar Digital Binocular Sports camera, however, will never be saddled with labels like "boring" or "practical." It's big selling point, as you can see, is 21x optical zoom that gets further bolstered by a blinding 40x digital zoom, all of which apparently must be managed without such niceties as auto focus. On the business end of the equation is a 2-megapixel camera with a 2.5-inch LCD, which just so happens to also double as a full-fledged media player with a curiously familiar-looking interface (check it out after the break). The best news? It's available to order right now for just $128, or even less if you buy 'em in bulk. Never to early to start that holiday shopping.
[Via Red Ferret]
[Via Red Ferret]
I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm sure i've seen a UI similar to that before.
Oh wait, I remember now. It's a rip off of the HiPhone.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/06/keepin-it-real-fake-part-cix-c-002-hiphone-ups-the-ante/
_Bi_nocular camera..? Looks like _Mono_cular to me.. unless I am missing something. 2 for 1 deal?
This would make a great cheap scope for a proctologist.
UI IS GENIUS! HA HA HA
is that a game pad to the right? what kind of games would this thing play? do you use the lens as some sort of a controller? if so, that game would just be wrong...
Well isn't that something!
From the pics I've seen from the manufacturers website, the pic wherein the camera & scope itself sit safely on top of the tripod, is the best way to have it set-up (if you're not holding it yourself).
What exactly are you going to be seeing with a 40x digital zoom on a 2 megapixel camera?
pixels
Artifacts.
hot neighbor?
This camera is for pervs on a budget. It can also be used as a weapon, simply swing like a bat. All this for only $128, and if you call now we will include a 6 month subscription to voyeur photography magazine!
If you scroll down a little bit on their website it says that it has a 5Mpx image sensor?
@Gerii
Yea this is one of those specs that manufacturers like to jerk people around on. See, the space page shows:
Max. Resolution: 2.0 Mega pixel
Image Sensor: 5 Mega pixel CMOS
Photo - Capture Resolution: Single: 320x240, 640x480, 1280x960 - Multiple: 640x480
This is one of those cases where you have "effective resolution".
Aint that a site for sore eyes. Craptastic housing, craptastic internals (2.1MP really?) and a rip off OS...lovely..
do you honestly think that anybody is stupid enough to click on the link? no. go kill yourself you worthless piece of shit.
@ i.c. weiner - lmaooo you just made my day. thank you.
WTF? and whats up with the UI looking like the iPod touch/iPhone 0_o
Is that a binocular sports camera in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
There's something seriously wrong with the name of this product. Can you figure it out?
. . .
Yup. That "bi" in "binocular" refers to the fact that binoculars have TWO scopes so you can see with both eyes, in 3D. Avatar's odd little number here has only one. So it's not a binocular. It's a telescope. Oops!
Or simply a "monocular".
Indeed, only one nocular = monocular.
Or tubesuck.
They should read up on prism, a world of wonder will open up to them..
And still there's something about the design that appeals to me, what's wrong with me?
it's just a pair of PVC tubes with a plain lens in front, perhaps I was a plumber in a previous life.
I bet it good macro capabilities too though, so that's something..
'..it has good macro capabilities..' I was trying to say.
It looks like this could be used for a colonoscopy.
Nice, the lady's object of desire appears to be MS Office clipart.
http://usa.chinavasion.com/images/thumbnails/chinavasion-CVSD-DC06-13.jpg.thumb_164x164.jpg
Very inspector gadget-esque
EXTERMINATE!
You better hold that 21x zoom really really really still when you take photos.
with a sturdy body like that, shouldn't be too hard.
I think that's why they included a Mini Tripod in the package, so you could exercise that option instead.
I'm feeling Freudian for some reason...
You may not want to use this for serious birding, but with such low price tag, it's sure a fun gadget to have.
"Never to early to start that holiday shopping."
Never too late to take grammar lessons...
I remember when this was an engadget april fools....now it's just...wtf....
"21x optical zoom that gets further bolstered by a blinding 40x digital zoom"
Blinding is exactly the right word I'd use when describing any optical zoom, especially a ridiculous number like 40x. Either you're blind to begin with, or you see the image quality and go blind, but one way or the other you're not coming out with your vision intact.
YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!!!!
Sorry, just looks like a Dalek eyestalk to me