So you want a digital camera, a digital
camcorder, a PC web cam, a voice recorder and a data storage device. So many
gadgets but so little money after Christmas. Will say hello to the
Nisis Pocket
DV2 Digital Video Camera which delivers all these features in a truly pocket
size gizmo and for only $140.
Well if you are like me I was very skeptical about this device. We all know
the saying " You get what you pay for ", but there is also another saying " All
good things come in small packages " and this small package really does deliver
what it says on the box.
I ordered my DV2 camera from
www.amazon.co.uk along with a extra 128mb compact flash card. It arrived in
a couple of days and my first impressions of the packaging where not great, a
bit cheap looking. As always I ripped opened the box, threw the instructions on
the floor and set about playing with my new toy. This camera really is pocket
size, about the size and weight of a standard PC mouse. The camera is a bit plasticky but appears to be fairly sturdy.
After playing with it for about 10mins, you soon realize that it is packed
full of simple but useful features. There is a colour LCD screen that can be
used as a view finder, a preview screen and also to navigate around the simple
program interface. The screen is easily viewable indoors but doesn’t show up very
well outside in bright light. Taking pictures / video is as simple as pushing
one button and the picture / video can be viewed or deleted via the LCD screen.
Picture / video quality is not bad considering the camera uses the cheaper CMOS
image sensor and certainly is great for capturing those holiday snap images.
Picture / video quality does really suffer in bad lighting conditions and seeing
as
there is no flash pictures taken inside a pub or club are a waste of time. You
soon realize that this little camera eats batteries alive and the original
batteries it comes with only last for about 45 – 60 mins. You must invest in
some rechargeable batteries. The other worth while investment is a compact flash
card.
Outdoor picture. Click to see full size image.
Indoor close up picture. Click to see full size image.
Although the built-in memory can store up to 80 pictures at normal resolution
it will only store about 2-3 minutes of video footage. With a card you can hope
to achieve the following, also loads of space for pictures.
- No card – approx 2-3 mins
- 16MB CF Card – approx 4 mins
- 32MB CF Card – approx 6-9 mins
- 64MB CF Card – approx 20-30 mins
- 128MB CF Card – approx 30-50 mins
- 256MB CF Card – approx 50-70 mins
- 512MB CF Card – approx 80-120 mins
The camera will also capture sound along with the video footage or can be
used as a voice recorder for recording memo’s etc. Unfortunately recording and
play back is of poor quality but it does help to capture the moment. You could
also use the camera to transfer any data from PC to PC via the compact flash
card.
Other useful features are the included tripod, to help with those shaky
hands and A/V leads (to connect to TV/Video) for when you don’t want to use your
PC to preview your images / movies.
The included software does the job well but a tip to improve video capture
when attached to a PC is to use some freeware software from
www.virtualdub.org. This
allows higher frame rates amongst many other tweaking settings.
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In conclusion I have found this camera to be more than adequate for my needs.
I wanted a pocket size snapper that if I lost or broke it, it wouldn’t break the
bank and something that didn’t need a new mortgage to purchase in the first
place. This funky little tool filled this criteria and also came with the fun
video capture, sound recorder and data transfer capabilities. This camera may
not match up to a $800 camera but then it doesn’t cost that much, but for what
it does cost it certainly delivers.
Price: About $140…..99 pounds Sterling
Pros:
Size
Cheap
Features ( Digital Camera, Digital
Video, Sound recorder, Data transfer )
Cons:
Battery Life ( needs a AC adapter )
Photo
quality in bad light ( needs a flash )
Sound Quality could do with improving
Product Information
| Price: | |
| Manufacturer: | Nisis |
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I love Gadget bags but can you imagine the cocophony of noise as you pull open the different velocroed pouches to get to your stuff.
Not one to hold your gadgets on your cat burgulary jobs!!
I can imagine as your wrapping up your undercover sting operation..
*RIIIIIIIIIIPPP* 1..2..3.. Police! Freeze!
I wonder what people who use this bag for its intended purpose think?
As many pockets as my Waterfield cargo bag has, I’m always game for more, however I’ll get thrown out of class if I use this one. I’m always reaching into my bag.
Great review though, thanks for shedding light on a new gear bag. 🙂
Bags like this are handy for transporting misc gear to and from the range/staging area. For an actual assault, your primary weapon is already in your hands. Your gear is attached to your tatical vest. You almost never have a use for anything you are carrying until after the shooting starts. Velcro is amazingly quiet when compared with gun fire, flashbang grenades, and sirens. 🙂
All that said, I plan on purchasing one of these, my day to day job is programming heating and cooling systems. Mechanical rooms are noisy and I’m happier having my gear secure rather than quiet.
I agree that it all depends on where you’re going to be using the bag. I take mine with me to my day job which is in an office setting. I’m sure people 3 aisles over could hear when I open a compartment. 😉
10 years ago, I saw a US Army solicitation for “quiet velcro” research. There was a fair bit of funding available, I wonder why nothing has “leaked” to the civilian side yet…
http://botachtactical.com/hatd1patdutg.html
might be more in line for those who don’t want velcro (it has a few velcro strapdowns, but is mostly zippers)
The only bag they make is with velcro?
How much does the bag weigh? It’s very important for me that the bag not add much to the weight of everything I have to carry.
I love Velcro, so this might be the bag for me!
This would be a great ‘duty’ bag for any LE officer out there. I used a larger bag for a few years carrying all my stuff. This bag would have been perfect for carrying:
Extra accident forms, report forms, fam violence handouts, citations :), my 30 round mag for my glock, extra ammo boxes, road flares, my personal (not dept. issue) handheld scanner/radio, handcuffs, plastic cuffs, hog tie, clipboard, cell phone, PDA :), traffic vest, etc., etc.
Nice adaptation to the gadgeteer ladies!
Empty, it weighs 1 lb 13.3oz.
Good Heavens! LE Officer or Rambo! 😀
CE thats what i was thinking , Rambo!!:D
If you want tactical gear, you should only buy from Blackhawk. Heres the link:
blackhawk
.
Wow, they have alot of cool stuff at blackhawk web site.
Rambo? not me.
I’m sure any other cop out there can vouch for what’s listed as normal stuff. And to be honest, that isn’t near the amount of stuff that my other buddies have in their bags.
For anyone interested in this bag, Countycomm
sells an identical
one for $40.