HOT! 1.3 MP digital camera for 44.95 at Macys B&M

[tvarad]

err.. Transformer (British) = AC Adapter (U.S.). Sorry about that.

 

[jebbo]

Not fair, you guys on the west coast always get the better deals.
Plus you have Frys too. When is the east coast gonna get a break?

 

[DurocShark]

Heading to the Santa Ana MainPlace one today at lunch.

 

[bashman]

Anyone on the west coast want to buy one for me? I have macys 5 mins from my house I will look anyway. Did anyone goto the big macys in midtown nyc??

 

[uvgurer]

Thanks, Zap, for the info on the Largans. The Lmini was great at the time for its price range, but the flash was too bright. I wish Largan would come out with something new with CCD and a larger image size.

Veo is the manufacturer Xirlink's own brand. It is strange there seems to be nothing on the web about this model except the one Veo page. Anyone know if there is an IBM (also made by Xirlink) equivalent for comparison? Some IBM VGA webcams (the Pro Max maybe?) have CCD instead of CMOS, so this might too. I hope this isn't just software interpolated up from VGA size.

 

[Fuzzy]

Just a note...I just checked in the Phoenix, AZ area and here's what I came up with:

Camelback/Biltmore - limited possibly 1 left
Paradise Valley - 7 left
Metro Center - 9 left

Tucson - there are some left there, but did not get how many.

I hope this helps someone.

 

[cstring]

Anyone know why it flashes twice? and I have discovered one flaw so far, if you are low on battery, don't use the LCD and falsh at the same time, because if there isn't not enough power whlie the flash is being recharge the camera just shuts down adn all the pics are gone lol. And you can't save pics after that, you have to turn on the lcd and flash and let the camera shuts down again before you can save, this is weird.

I hope this doesn't happen when a compact flash card is in there.

 

[uvgurer]

If the camera flashes twice it is probably in some kind of 'red-eye reduction' mode - the idea is that the first small flash causes the subjects' pupils to contract and there will be less red-eye when the photo is taken with the 2nd flash. Of course it could just be that your camera is messed up - but it sounds like red-eye reduction mode to me. I don't really understand what you are saying about the pictures not saving if the battery is low. Doesn't it automatically save each picture after you take it? Or are all the saves corrupted if the battery runs out while you are taking a picture?

 

[bolido2000]

This is O/T but is the Largan Lmini 350 any good??? I just bought two for 25 bucks a piece. If any one want one I will sell it at cost. Just PM me.



<< Thanks, Zap, for the info on the Largans. The Lmini was great at the time for its price range, but the flash was too bright. I wish Largan would come out with something new with CCD and a larger image size.

Veo is the manufacturer Xirlink's own brand. It is strange there seems to be nothing on the web about this model except the one Veo page. Anyone know if there is an IBM (also made by Xirlink) equivalent for comparison? Some IBM VGA webcams (the Pro Max maybe?) have CCD instead of CMOS, so this might too. I hope this isn't just software interpolated up from VGA size. >>

 

[cstring]

<< I don't really understand what you are saying about the pictures not saving if the battery is low. Doesn't it automatically save each picture after you take it? Or are all the saves corrupted if the battery runs out while you are taking a picture? >>



We I don't know why, but it does show the pic is being saved, but if you go to playback it saids no photo.

 

[DurocShark]

Ok, got two at Macy's in Santa Ana, CA (MainPlace Mall).

They only had two left!!!

(No, I didn't hog 'em... I picked one up for someone else here...)

Edit: Errr... I meant there are still two there... Go to the 3rd floor housewares and ask at the register. They are on the register.

 

[ojai00]

<< Anyone on the west coast want to buy one for me? I have macys 5 mins from my house I will look anyway. Did anyone goto the big macys in midtown nyc?? >>



I'm headed there later today. I'll post later with the details.

 

[DAWeinG]

Just came back from the one at Cerritos. They have about 6-7 left. For $45 who can argue?! Mine came with a bad backup battery Thank God there was a radio shack a couple feet away

 

[bolido2000]

woohoo!! Thanks!



<< I just went through the same crap on my win2k laptop but finally got it to work. Here's what you do:

1) Remove the USB cable (if connected) and run the setup program (1.8meg file that you downloaded from their website) and click on uninstall to remove the previous drivers, but don't remove the applications that you installed off of the CD, leave them installed.

2) Now reboot your computer and make sure the USB cable is still UNPLUGGED. When your system boots back up you need to run the install program again (the new one off the website) and when it is finished you need to re-boot once more.

3) When your system has fully booted to the desktop you can now plug in the USB cable, with the camera turned on. Windows will find the camera and prompt you to install it. Since you've all ready loaded the drivers in step 1 you can now step through the install wizard as it finds the drivers and sets up the camera. At this point I re-booted once again but I don't think it was necessary.

Now you should be able to click on the "veo capture" icon located on your desktop and choose "download and manage pictures". After the app loads you can click on the "aquire" button and you should start to see your pictures download from the camera.

If you follow these steps you won't have a problem, just make sure you don't have the USB cable plugged in until the very last step (3)and that you re-boot between steps.

NickB >>

 

[RadioactiveMagpies]

Impressive! beaverhunter should get somekinda anandtech award for going above and beyond the call of duty!

 

[DurocShark]

Ok, quick impressions:

Out of the two I got, one must have been a return. I didn't notice at the store but when I got back to the office, I saw the tape was cut on the box. Turns out the batts were low and there were pics stored on the camera. ;-) (The one I got for someone else is still sealed. I figured it would be easier for me to return it than him...)

Installation on my Win2k box was easy. Ran the software installs, rebooted the machine, then plugged in the camera. No problems.

Feel of the camera isn't as bad as I had expected. Not as plasticky as some more expensive cameras I've seen...

Lens is multicoated (!) but not the sharpest in the world. Nice flare resistance though.

No lens cover! Ack!!!

1.5" LCD display isn't very bright except when the menu is up. No real problem though.

Fast image writes to memory. Dunno if writing to a memory card is as fast.

1.3gp image is just OK. Not great. Not as sharp as some I've seen

Flash is suck. I guess it doesn't have any thyristor circuitry to quench the flash when enough light has been put out. So it just dumps the cap every time it fires. Probably set for 7ft shots. That's fine for most snapshot use I s'pose.

Here's two pics. Before manipulation and after manipulation. I just used some quick ThumbsPlus tools to clean the image up.

Before (240k): BEFORE

After (55k): AFTER

They'll only be on that site for a day or so, so if you're gonna look... Look now.

 

[Hi8]

Scored 1 at lunch today from Sunnyvale. CA macy's. They had three more on the shelf. Be aware, all are open box. First one I took to the car did not have software and manual. I went back and swapped with another. Thanks to original poster bolido2000
and beaver.... for posting the inventory.

Update:
Buyers Beware: As I said all were open box. The replacement also turned out to be bad one. The menu button was pushed in and would not come out. Called all Macy's in 408 area code including Sunnyvale. All are out now. Stevens Creek shows 19 but I talked to the manager and he said that the inventory is not accurate. (There are thefts) but he was able to find one unit with missing manual etc. Just swapped the unit and brought it back home. Will try and let you guys know.

Moral of the story: I do not think there are any left in South Bay. If you find one, it is customer return. Open it in the shop make sure everything is in place then buy it.

 

[Nickb2b]

Hey, what about me, I should at least get a gold star for those excellent install directions I posted! Kidding, anyhow for all of you that are having problems with the camera shutting off and losing your pics from the internal memory, REPLACE your backup battery!

Mine was pretty much dead (although it still read 3.09 volts on my volt meter). Anyhow, I was having weird problems with the LCD screen when I would first turn it on and I would also loose the pics if I used the flash and LCD at the same time. After I swapped the backup battery out (it's the same "button" kind found on most motherboards for CMOS backup), and popped in some fresh AA's, the LCD fired up just fine and I no longer had a problem using the flash and LCD at the same time. Also, my camera flashes twice, it's definately for red-eye reduction.

The batteries that came with this unit measured 1.1 volts at best, so my suggestion is to go by a new backup battery and some FRESH AA's.

Good Luck,

NickB

 

[downer]

can anyone confirm it is only west coast Macy's? I am gonna try one in New Hampshire tomorrow just for the hell of it.
If anyone bought extra's and is willing to get rid of them shoot me an e-mail at eric@downerrecords.com.

Thanks

 

[kevisbrucelee]

Ok....picked one up at Pasadena, CA. I went to the Housewares section and asked the lady if she had any digital camera's.
She: "We don't carry those."
Me: "Yes you do here is the UPC."
Types away at the terminal and prints a receipt showing stock on the west coast. Gives me the receipt.
She: "We do have them"
Me: "So you have them here you just don't know where."
She: "Yes."
So excited my friend and I start wandering the store looking for the camera. Then a guy in the Men's Department stops me...
Him: "Can I help you?"
Me: "Yea, where are your digital camera's?"
Him: (With a tilt of the head and a confused look) "We don't sell digital camera's."
Me: "Yes you do. I have the stock receipt right here."
Him: "Hold on" (Calls manager and starts talking to her.)
So this is where I get really pissed!!!
Him: (Talking on phone) "Yea, do you know where we have those digital camera's that were selling for $85 around Christmas...near the Petites section...where are they now? <PAUSE> I don't know. <PAUSE> He has a stock receipt. <PAUSE> No, a customer is asking for it. <PAUSE> (Hangs up the phone) She will be out with one right now."
That guy knew they had them!!! I think they are just holding them in the back until they get the word from the Big Bosses to lower the price again. Then the employees scoop them all up and FleaBay them. Bastards!!!! (They killed Kenny) Anyways...this is not a <moan> this is just more info...Look hard cause if the stock receipt has them, then they have them. Ask them to check the stock in the back cause that is where they had to get mine. BTW, this Macy's crap EXCLUDES BeaverHunter.....Way To Go BeaverHunter!!!! Great job sharing that info!!!!

 

[beaverhunter]

<< Ok....picked one up at Pasadena, CA. I went to the Housewares section and asked the lady if she had any digital camera's.
She: "We don't carry those."
Me: "Yes you do here is the UPC."
Types away at the terminal and prints a receipt showing stock on the west coast. Gives me the receipt.
She: "We do have them"
Me: "So you have them here you just don't know where."
She: "Yes."
So excited my friend and I start wandering the store looking for the camera. Then a guy in the Men's Department stops me...
Him: "Can I help you?"
Me: "Yea, where are your digital camera's?"
Him: (With a tilt of the head and a confused look) "We don't sell digital camera's."
Me: "Yes you do. I have the stock receipt right here."
Him: "Hold on" (Calls manager and starts talking to her.)
So this is where I get really pissed!!!
Him: (Talking on phone) "Yea, do you know where we have those digital camera's that were selling for $85 around Christmas...near the Petites section...where are they now? <PAUSE> I don't know. <PAUSE> He has a stock receipt. <PAUSE> No, a customer is asking for it. <PAUSE> (Hangs up the phone) She will be out with one right now."
That guy knew they had them!!! I think they are just holding them in the back until they get the word from the Big Bosses to lower the price again. Then the employees scoop them all up and FleaBay them. Bastards!!!! (They killed Kenny) Anyways...this is not a <moan> this is just more info...Look hard cause if the stock receipt has them, then they have them. Ask them to check the stock in the back cause that is where they had to get mine. BTW, this Macy's crap EXCLUDES BeaverHunter.....Way To Go BeaverHunter!!!! Great job sharing that info!!!! >>



I feel your pain. We have 6 cameras in my store and no one even knows where they are. Keep in mind that most macys associates are 16-20, this is their first job and they are getting paid minimum wage. They really dont care if you get what your looking for. And most stores never get around to putting out these promotions because they arent nearly as important in selling as the brand-name products. Your best bet is to ask for the item by the UPC, then once they print that recipt that shows how many they have in stock, they really look stupid when they cant find it. Most of the time, if you ask for the manager, they will know who to ask to find the camera.

Again, good luck, and I will update the in-stock list when I get home from work tonight.

 

[DanFungus]

wow.....I might run over to Macys to get me one!

 

[bearauto]

I got mine at Cerritos as well, and I really enjoy the camera, especially since I had $20.00 store credit that helped pay for this thing...

Impressions:

1) No lens cap, the lens does not retract into the camera when off
2) Feels really cheap to me...and with the batteries, it's really heavy.
3) LCD is nice
4) Buttons next to LCD are not nice
5) I am having a hell of a time getting my computer to recognize this camera
6) I just bought some rechargable batteries from costco...$25.00 with $5.00 MIR for 2 AAA, 6 AA, 2 C adapters, and 2 D adapters, not to mention the charger. (made by panasonic)


Thanks again mates

 

[Apoptosis]

Mall of America....ZERO

 

[uCsDNerd]

Sup guys. My roommate just picked up the last camera from Macy's UTC, San Diego and we just came back from Macy's Mission Valley from where we picked up an additional two. Normal price for this was supposedly in the $120 - $130 range before Christmas and was selling on special for i think $89 during Christmas. So for $45 bills, i'd say it's pretty worth it for taking stupid pictures of nonsense occasions. I'd post some pictures up for you guys, but i'd need a place to put them up. PM me if you got such a request.

Oh yeah. Mission Valley now has 53 of these left