USBFever.com has some of the coolest items available for gadget geeks and freaks (Hey, I resemble that…) A couple of items making their way into my hands recently (and onto my iPhone 3GS) are the 8X Telescope and the Custom Made Powered Cigarette Socket Mount with Dual USB Charging Ports.
I will admit I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the release announcement for the Telescope. I wondered what kind of quality one could expect from a device this small and, well, cheap. I have to say this is one of those cases where you get more than what you pay for. Not only does the kit come with a hard case for your phone (necessary for the lens to attach to the body) but there is also a mini tripod and squeeze-type mount for your device as well.
What all this does is truly expand the limited range of the iPhone’s built-in camera function and lens, and does it with optics as opposed to those apps that just supercrapsize your pixels. The kit comes in a box about the size of the one your iPhone was packaged in and includes a little drawstring bag to carry the lens (which comes with lens caps too).
The telephoto conversion for this item is fixed at eight times what the standard iPhone lens sees, no zoom (other than your feet). There is, however, a manual focus ring that brings the scene into true clarity from about 3.5 feet out to infinity.
Full frame of image made with iPhone lens only.
Full frame image made from same spot but with 8X Telescope mounted on iPhone.
For less than 30 bucks, this is a must have item for parents getting ready for spring sports with the kiddos. Hold the iPhone with both hands when using the telephoto (sorry, telescope) lens and hold still while taking the picture. And PRACTICE first. Geez, I see so many folks trying to capture the perfect moment and it is the first time using a device. Even Brett Favre practices first, folks.
The next item is made specifically for the iPhone. USBFever.com does offer a similar item for multiple devices but I had them send me one with a mount dedicated to my model.
The Custom Made Powered Cigarette Socket Mount with Dual USB Charging Ports (for the iPhone) plugs into the 12V outlet in your vehicle (or any standard cigarette lighter-style 12V socket for that matter) putting your phone where you can see it easier, use it hands free through bluetooth, and keeps it charged up along with one other device utilizing a USB cable for that purpose. And you don’t even lose that outlet’s function when the device is plugged in as there is a 12V socket opposite the plug end.
Can’t quite see the phone because of a weird angle in the vehicle? No problem, just bend the flexible stalk and turn the device mount to any angle that suits you better.
As I said, I received a unit that came with a mount specifically designed for the iPhone, and an iPhone without a case on it I might add. If you keep a case on your device order the universal mount.
The device is mostly plastic but built very well. The flexible neck is very rigid so it will not move on you as you head down a bumpy road. There is even an indicator light to let you know power is flowing to the unit.
About the only thing I found I needed to do once I got the mount angle right was to wrap my device charging cable around the stalk of the mount so it is not flopping around getting tangled on anything.
The 8X Telescope and the Custom Made Powered Cigarette Socket Mount with Dual USB Charging Ports are available from USBfever.
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