Is
It Practical, Or Just Hype….
© 2017 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
The SmartPhone has perhaps become the most practical
camera that you own. With every model release we see vast improvements in
megapixel picture quality, better lens quality, dual lenses and built-in
extended zoom ranges, not to mention that it’s usually with you when that photo
op presents itself. This has opened the door to many options designed to
enhance your digital photographic experience. Such options include snap on
lenses for wide angle and close up photography. These adapters used self-stick
magnetic rings affixed to your smartphone that easily grabbed the metal lens
housing. They work well, but do come with their shortcomings too.
Zoom+, a marketing company, is offering the HD360x, an
8x zoom measuring less than 3˝ long, and weighs fewer than two ounces. Designed
by a German Technologist, the lens easily attaches to your smartphone by means
of what looks like a clothespin. By using your smartphone’s zoom control you
can quickly adjust the desired range. Removing it from the clothespin mount it
can double as a monocular. There is no zoom capability in this application, you
simply see a close-up of the scene. In either case the lenses’ focus ring must
be utilized. Two rubber lens caps are included, but no instruction sheet,
warranty or return policy.
My tests concluded that the mounting process on to the
smartphone, while unique, is quite clumsy. It takes some fiddling to get a
position that properly fills the screen. The smartphone’s zoom control does
indeed work. Like any wide range zoom a tripod is desirable as the slightest
shake blurs the image. Even a steady hand has its limits when adjusting the
zoom. I would suggest the Arkon Tripod Adapter for adapting the smartphone to
the tripod. http://bit.ly/2du9Jh4 When used as a monocular you may wish to
lean on something to avoid the shakes. A rubber eyepiece would
make this much more user friendly.
While the ads tout the HD360x as a replacement for expensive
DSLR cameras, don’t throw them away. This lens is at best, perhaps, a quick
substitute in a pinch, but certainly not a replacement. The ads can be
deceiving! The MSRP price point is high so as to make the special offers look tempting.
What’s the old saying, “you can only expect to get what you pay for”. That
certainly applies here.
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★
HD360x: MSRP: $224.45 (Significantly discounted deals
available on line)
Arkon Tripod Adapter: MSRP:
$14.95
Graphic
credits: Manufacturer
Bob
Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other
compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he
feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason
for many superior ratings.
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