Magpix B350

We recently reviewed the Pentax DigiBino digital camera binoculars and liked the idea of them more than the execution. At £300, they were pretty pricey.

Magpix is a new company with a similar idea that is put together very differently.

The product looks much like the small, modern binoculars used by bird-twitchers and ramblers. They are covered in rubber, great for protection against bumps when you are out and about.

They have a magnification of approximately 5x and are great for looking at things about 10m away and further.

They are small and inconspicuous enough to be used as normal binoculars but the fact they can take photos adds an impressive string to their bow.

With a resolution of 640 x 480 super-high quality images are not expected, but in actual fact the pictures aren't too bad.

The memory in the Magpix cannot be expanded but with room for 52 images at top quality and 104 at the lower setting, it shouldn't be needed.

Granted, the images from a £200 digital camera will show them up on quality, particularly if they are enlarged, but Magpix argues that because the images are zoomed in on before the picture is recorded, there is less need to enlarge.

With a £200 digital camera, the picture may have to be zoomed in or enlarged using software. By the time the 5x magnification that the B350 manages is complete, the camera pictures could look very pixellated and grainy by comparison.

Setting up and using the product is very simple. There are only two buttons and a tiny display tells you how many photos have been taken.

Images are downloaded using a USB connection, which restricts use to owners with Windows 95 or better.

The Magpix B350 is a nice device. It is not a tremendously complex one but it is very easy to get good results and for £90, it's not an expensive risk to take.

DETAILS
Price: £90

Contact: MicroDirect 0870 444 1241
www.microdirect.co.uk