Real Night Vision Technology! For under $80
I purchase this for my 9 year old son for his birthday & he loved it!
We all gave it a shot and were amazed with it! A must have for any kid
that is into spy gadgets, etc.!

EyeClops Night Vision Goggles - Surprising Performance With Some Warnings

The EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles are being sold as a toy, and I'm not so sure this is a toy. Anybody who has seen the movie The Silence of the Lambs has probably wondered where somebody would get goggles like the kind used in one of the final scenes of that movie. These only show you one eye at a time but work just as good as those.

These performed much better than I expected. The box says it's made for ages 8 and up, but I think this is probably more suited to VERY mature kids or your older friends. An immature person could get into a lot of trouble playing pranks with a toy like this. Still, I could see this being a learning aid for kids studying nocturnal animals. I could also see this being a fun toy on a camping trip. However you use this, it's a great gift idea and a pretty good value.

PROS:
+ The performance in the dark is surprisingly good!
+ The price for this type of item is very reasonable
+ Nice adjustable power lets you see farther at night
+ Very good fit makes them relatively comfortable once you size them
+ Works well in both *green* or *black and white* modes
+ Easy installation (though time consuming! See below)
+ Nice portable unit that can be taken on camping or hiking trips
+ Allows you to wear glasses under the goggles
+ Left eye flips open so you can see a little before you turn them on
+ Included safety list is well thought out and should be read and followed

CONS:
- Plastic body and rubber straps do not feel durable; handle with care
- Somewhat large lens and sensor on the top makes this top heavy
- Only shows the image in one eye
- Your depth perception is way off while wearing these
- Takes 5 AA batteries and uses up juice fast!
- Really difficult and time consuming to remove from packaging
- You have to be careful who you give these to!

SETTING UP

While I normally would not quibble about this, taking this guy out of the packaging took me 30 minutes. This is a very poorly designed interconnected system of cardboard and plastic, held together by tape everywhere. When you are done you have a pile of cardboard and plastic that would be difficult if not impossible to put back together. The goggles come attached to a half face made of green plastic, but that is hardly adequate for storing them.

Then you have to slowly adjust the rubber bands holding the unit to the plastic in order to get enough room to fit your head inside. Finally, you have to unscrew the battery top to add in 5 AA batteries. So this was a long installation, about 45 minutes in all. Just be warned if you are giving this on Christmas. If your kids try to quickly tear through this package, they will have a surprise coming to them. So take your time when you're opening this on Christmas morning.

PERFORMANCE

Once you do get to the point of adjusting the rubber and putting this on, you will find that the inside of the right eye has a small screen, almost like a min-TV screen. When you turn them on, the screen comes to life just like a TV. The performance in darkness was absolutely better than I had hoped for. These things really do work.

The only thing that makes them less than ideal is that your depth perception is WAY OFF. It looks like things are closer than they are. This may be due to a delay in the image being processed to that screen. Whatever the reason, you should not be doing any obstacle courses with these on.

TIPS

= The left eye actually flips open, but you have to gently apply pressure till it opens. Make sure not to apply too much force, because once it opens it snaps back all the way and seems like something that would easily be broken.

= The small knob next to the right eye is supposed to adjust your sensor for distance between the *stealth mode* for close proximity or the *surveillance mode* for far away. In my opinion, the stealth mode works best and allows you to see far enough (20-25 feet). The surveillance mode also emits a little bit of light so others may be able to see you.

= Under the right eye, there's a small button to switch between green coloring (like the Silence of the Lambs) and black and white. The image seems equally visible in either, at least in my opinion. Perhaps this might matter more for somebody who is color blind.

= The included booklet has a list of "Stealth Safety" tips on the second to last page (page # 6 in my book). These tips are very sound and should be read carefully. The best tip among all of them is to make sure you have extra batteries (5 AA) and a small Phillips screwdriver, because the batteries are supposed to last 3 hours or so.

= While it says that you can fit glasses within the goggles, there is not too much room in there between the screen within the right eye and your eye. So if you have glasses that fit close to your face you should be fine. But curvy lenses that are far from your eye may be too big for use with these goggles. Plan to use contacts or a closer fitting pair of glasses if you can.

= Invest in rechargeable batteries! Nice sets with batteries, spacers and a charger can be had for $20 to $40. You will be glad you did.

CONCLUSION

When I saw this up close and started getting it ready, I thought I was in for a disappointment. When I put them on, I was blown away. These perform much better than they look. I wish they were more solidly constructed, but perhaps that's how they were able to keep the price so low. Give them a chance. Just be careful who you give these to!

Enjoy!

Wow From the Unwowwable Parent
I am not easily impressed, but this toy is amazing. Yes, the screen is tiny and can only see 50 feet or closer. But the picture and is amazing. In a completely blackened room I can see my husband's fingernails from 20 feet away. I can read the titles off books and such from the other side of the room.

The construction feels rugged for the price point. This is an outstanding value for the price.

I am sure this is not military grade night vision, but your 10 year old will love it.

See in the dark!
We have all wanted to give night vision a try. Having seen it often enough in the movies and on television, we want to see if it really works. However, price keeps most night vision goggles well out of the range of casual interest. Enter the "EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Goggles".

Now, this is a toy more than anything else. Vision is extremely limited, and I can't imagine anyone using this for practical purposes. Once you have it on, it is hard to walk around, as your depth perception is distorted and you have no peripheral vision whatsoever. However, it is an extremely cool toy.

The night vision works amazingly! I tried it out in a pitch-black room, and I could see everything perfectly. It really is stunning. It reminds me of the first time I tried on a scuba tank, and the mere act of breathing underwater was so much fun. This is the same sensation. Just being able to see in the dark is a lot of fun, like you are in some sort of secret world outside of your everyday experiences. It is even a little spooky, wondering what might be there when the lights are off. Going outside is even cooler, being able to see animals that would otherwise be completely hidden.

There are two modes on the EyeClops, one which gives you a better field of vision but projects a red light so that you can be seen. The other mode is slightly impaired, but you get to be invisible. The screen can be switched from green to black-and-white, although there is no real advantage to either. It is just what you prefer.

If you are giving this as a gift to someone, be prepared that it is not useable right out of the box. It requires quite a few AA batteries, and a screwdriver is necessary to get it all set up. Other than that it is really easy to use. It is a little bulky, and heavy to where. Adults can have a great time with this, but I imagine if I was a young kid I would think this was the coolest thing ever.

And hey, it even sets you up for Borg costume for next Halloween!

Great Fun For Kids - Adult Supervision Required!
Eye-Clops Night Vision is a very cool toy, but it does require adult supervision and some parental warnings. This is a state-of-the-art Night Vision Goggle that truly lets you see in two modes (green or black/white) in the complete dark up to 50 feet! The top and side straps allow a comfortable fit for any sized head. The left eye has an eyepiece that opens and closes to allow normal vision, but when closed, the right eye takes in all the night action. Note that this greatly diminishes the sense of perception.

There is the Maximum Surveillance Mode for seeing up to 50 feet (the nearly invisible red ring shows on the outside of the helmet) or the Close Proximity Stealth Mode. Both are amazingly clear. If you sit out long enough, you can not only see people, but cats and squirrels and other creatures roaming the darkness. It's very cool.

However, adult supervision is required. One should never ride a bike, skateboard or run with the goggles on for the lack of depth of perception and not being able to see with your peripheral vision. The view is a small square slot straight ahead. A very good idea is to carry a flashlight with you, in case you get lost or disoriented. But for simple fun, sneaking around and spying in the dark, kids will love these goggles. They will amaze adults, as well, but I wouldn't go walking around my neighborhood at night alone with these on! Too creepy for adults!