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Cowboy Frank's Webcam Reviews

 First posted Nov 2002
Last update Jan 4, 2009
Camera Index |  Camera Reviews |  Lighting Comparisons |  How To Set Up |  Live Images |  FAQ
All content, except as otherwise noted, is © Frank Harrell. Text may be reposted only if credit is given and a link is provided to CowboyFrank.net
I am a private citizen, not a professional magazine reviewer. The webcam section of my site now receives more than 40,000 visits a month. These webcams are just a small part of my life. Other portions of this site, along with the numerous other sites I manage, take up most of my time. I post these pages as a service to you, my readers.

I no longer have the time to answer requests for which camera is best for your purpose, or for technical help with your webcam problem. You will just have to read my reviews and help pages, then make your own decisions. Many of the webcam related e-mails I receive ask questions that are already answered on these pages. If you ask any of these questions you will not receive a reply. I do appreciate compliments, suggestions and even criticism.

I will continue to review new webcams and to update pages as I can. I do appreciate and read all e-mails I receive, but unless your message contains some new and fascinating use of a webcam, you probably will not receive more than a brief reply, if any. I just don't have the time.
Some of the above photos by my good friend Adam Kirkpatrick

IgraCowboy@CowboyFrank.net
 
Camera Reviews & Reference Pages
Jan-04-2009 Camera Reviews what it's all about.
Nov-28-2008 Lighting Comparisons for currently available cameras.
Dec-19-2008 How Wide an angle will a camera show? USB 2 cameras
Apr-17-2008 About My Lighting how it is set up
Apr-17-2008 Webcam FAQ look here before e-mailing me.
Apr-17-2008 Frames Per Second what to expect
Apr-17-2008 Wireless Cameras why I don't review them.
Jan-04-2009 USB Video Class and Mac Compatibility
 
Instructional Pages
Dec-15-2008 How To Set Up A WebCam what are the options?
Aug-07-2008 Fairly Easy Streaming Camera or Internet radio station
Apr-17-2008 Lighting for your WebCam some suggestions
Dec-25-2008 Dynamic DNS Service point people to your computer
Apr-17-2008 USB 1-2 Questions and info
Apr-17-2008 How Fast a computer and connection do you need?
Apr-17-2008 How Big will my camera files be?
Apr-17-2008 CCD vs. CMOS: Facts and Fiction
 
Related Reference Information
Jul-26-2008 Blog on Circuit City Why the company is dying
Apr-17-2008 About my mobile cameras How they work
Apr-17-2008 How I Wide Screen my mobile camera
Apr-17-2008 About this page Why I do this.
Apr-17-2008 Streaming Webcams just a few notes
Apr-17-2008 Instant Messengers what to expect from your camera
Apr-17-2008 About FTP the basics
Apr-17-2008 FTP Servers setting one up
Apr-17-2008 Cable Pinouts for old video cameras
Apr-17-2008 Camera Drivers where you can find them
Apr-13-2008 WebCam Links Quality camera sites
Dec-31-2008 Webcam Software A few options
Apr-17-2008 Satellite Internet will it work for you?
Apr-17-2008 Glossary of computer terms
 

Mobile cameras. See my travels page for information
Some cameras here may only be on during certain times

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Trailer front view Trailer right view Trailer rear view Trailer left view At my computer
Live Webcams

indicates new camera under review
While I don't actually have reviews available yet for cameras under review, you can at least get a general idea of how the camera performs from the live images.
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Home study office Driveway, Looking North Front yard, Looking SE From dirveway looking west Driveway looking east Computer workbench
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HP Deluxe (2008) From driveway looking South WinBook WB-740 2mp Exercise room Logitech QC Communicate Delux Under ReviewHP Premium Autofocus
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Under ReviewD-Link DCS-910 IP camera My 1st webcam (1997) Under ReviewDynex 1.3mp (2008) Under ReviewLogitech QC Connect (2008) Under ReviewTrust WB-5400 (2007) Under ReviewWinBook WB-620
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Front door Living room and deck Front porch looking NE Side yard, Looking West
See all our cameras

My Webcam Reviews
Important: Please take note of the dates on each page. Some reviews mention current best, but those remarks were for date the camera was reviewed and may not still hold true.

If you cannot see any images at all on my site click here for an explanation
Currently Available Models Includes newest cameras
 
Creative
Common comments on Creative cameras
 
Feb-05-2008 Live! Notebook Pro
Purchased October 9, 2007		 Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $49.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Video IM Pro
Received September 10, 2007		 Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $54.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Video IM
Received September 10, 2007		     $29.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Cam Optia Pro
Received September 20, 2007		 Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista Best Creative Camera $79.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Cam Optia AF
Received July 29, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $129.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Cam Optia
Purchased February 27, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $79.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Notebook Pro
Purchased December 18, 2006		     $49.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Cam Voice
Purchased December 18, 2006		     $99.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Cam Video IM Pro
Purchased December 18, 2006 		    $52.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Ultra
Purchased March 13, 2005		     $99.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Ultra for Notebooks
Purchased July 14, 2005 		    $99.99
Feb-05-2008 Live! Motion
Purchased December 9, 2005 		    $149.99
Coming soon Rockfish 2mp AF
Purchased December 18, 2008
Camera made by Creative, distributed by Best Buy 		Certified for Windows Vista   [an error occurred while processing this directive] $62.99
Coming soon Dynex 1.3mp
Purchased December 18, 2008
Camera made by Creative, distributed by Best Buy 		Certified for Windows Vista   [an error occurred while processing this directive] $39.99
HP
 
Dec-18-2008 Webcam for Notebook PCs
Purchased October 9, 2007 		  Not Reccommended $69.99

Dec-21-2008		 Elite Autofocus Webcam
Purchased December 17, 2008 		Certified for Windows Vista Best HP camera $79.99
Coming soon Premium Autofocus Webcam
Purchased December 18, 2008 		Certified for Windows Vista   [an error occurred while processing this directive] $59.99
Coming soon Deluxe Webcam
Purchased December 18, 2008 		Certified for Windows Vista   [an error occurred while processing this directive] $39.99
Logitech
Common comments on Logitech cameras
 
Coming soon QuickCam Connect
Purchased Dec 31, 2008 		    [an error occurred while processing this directive] $29.99

Dec-08-2008		 QuickCam Communicate Deluxe
Purchased Dec 20, 2007 		Certified for Windows Vista Best manual focus camera $79.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Orbit AF
Purchased Oct 9, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $129.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks
Purchased Oct 9, 2007 		Certified for Windows Vista   $79.99

Dec-07-2008		 QuickCam Pro 9000
Purchased July 27, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista Best Overall
Mac version available 		$99.99
Nov-28-2008 QuickCam Pro for Notebooks
Purchased July 8, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista Best Portable $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Ultra Vision
Received October 1, 2006 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista 2nd best image, see focus problem with 9000 $129.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Communicate STX
Purchased December 18, 2006 		Mac Compatable Best camera under $50
Redesigned USB 2 version
Test images available only		 $44.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe
Purchased December 11, 2006 		Mac Compatable Redesigned USB 2 version $59.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Orbit MP
Purchased October 6, 2005 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista   $129.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
Purchased October 27, 2005 		Mac Compatable   $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Pro 5000
Purchased November 18, 2005 		Mac Compatable Best Low Light $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Fusion (2nd Gen)
Purchased March 25, 2007 		Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista New version with Right Light2 $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Fusion
Purchased September 13, 2005 		  $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Chat
Purchased November 1, 2006 		    $29.99

Dec-21-2008		 QuickCam for Notebooks
Purchased January, 2008		     $59.99
Microsoft
 

Dec-19-2008		 LifeCam VX-5000
Purchased December 8, 2008		 Certified for Windows Vista   $39.99

Dec-19-2008		 LifeCam Show
Purchased December 8, 2008		 Mac Compatable Certified for Windows Vista Best Microsoft Camera $99.99
Mar-13-2008 LifeCam VX-7000
Received November 5, 2007		 Certified for Windows Vista   $99.99
Feb-05-2008 LifeCam NX-3000
Received November 5, 2007		 Certified for Windows Vista   $59.95
Feb-05-2008 LifeCam VX-1000
Purchased November 19, 2006		     $29.99
Feb-05-2008 LifeCam VX-3000
Purchased October 1, 2006		     $49.99
Feb-05-2008 LifeCam VX-6000
Purchased October 19, 2006		     $99.99
Feb-05-2008 LifeCam NX-6000
Purchased December 15, 2006		     $99.99
Gigaware (Radio Shack)
 

Dec-08-2008		 VGA
Purchased June 4, 2008		     $19.99

Dec-08-2008		 1.3 MP
Purchased June 4, 2008		     $29.99

Dec-05-2008		 2.0 MP
Purchased June 4, 2008		     $49.99
Other Brands
 
coming soon WinBook WB-6120 (Micro Center)
Purchaced Jan 4, 2009 		[an error occurred while processing this directive] $11.99
coming soon D-Link DCS-910 IP Camera
Purchaced Jan 2, 2009 		[an error occurred while processing this directive] $79.99
Jan-01-2009 IPEVO PoV
Received June 1, 2008 		New camera, older USB 1 connection $29.99

Dec-22-2008		 Vimicro VC0305
Purchased December 8, 2008 		Infrared sensitive $29.99

Dec-21-2008		 Micro Inovations, In-Site Motion
Purchased December 15, 2008 		Motorized tracking $59.99
Older Models Most discontinued, some still available in stores, if you want it, and can find one, grab it.
Creative
 
Feb-05-2008 NX
Purchased June 3, 2004 		  $29.99
Feb-05-2008 NX Pro
Purchased June 3, 2004 		  $49.99
Feb-05-2008 NX Ultra
Purchased June 3, 2004 		  $69.99
Feb-05-2008 Notebook
Purchased December 26, 2004 		  $49.99
Feb-05-2008 Live
Purchased February 6, 2006 		  $49.99
Feb-05-2008 Instant
Purchased February 6, 2006 		  $29.99

 
Logitech
 
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Orbit
Purchased February, 2004 		  $129.95
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Messenger
Purchased January, 2003 		  $39.95
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Pro 4000
Purchased February 15, 2003 		Very Good In Low Light $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Notebook Pro
Purchased February, 2004 		  $99.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Communicate STX
Purchased March, 2005 		  $49.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Notebook Deluxe
Purchased May 1, 2005 		  $59.99
Feb-05-2008 QuickCam Notebook
Purchased May 1, 2005 		  $39.99

 
Philips
 
Feb-05-2008 SPC 200 NC
Purchased Apr 18, 2006 		Discontinued $29.99
Feb-05-2008 SPC 600 NC
Purchased Apr 18, 2006 		Discontinued $59.99
Feb-05-2008 SPC 610 NC
Purchased Apr 2, 2007 		Discontinued $29.99
Feb-05-2008 SPS 900 NC
Purchased Mar 31, 2007 (store closeout) 		Discontinued $ 59.99

 
Veo
 
Feb-05-2008 Velocity Connect
Purchased November, 2003 		Note: Veo appears to have gone out of busness, their website is no longer available, June 19, 2007 $79.99
Feb-05-2008 Mobile Connect
Purchased July, 2002 		  $59.99
Feb-05-2008 Advanced Connect
Purchased February, 2003 		  $49.99

 
Other Brands
 
Feb-05-2008 Labtec, WebCam Pro
Purchased May 5, 2005 		  $29.99
Feb-05-2008 BTC, PC-380
Purchased February, 2006 		  $29.99

 

Network & IP Models No computer needed, not compatible with instant messenger programs
 
Feb-05-2008 StarDot, NetCam MP
Purchased June 1, 2005 		Best Webcam Style IP Camera $1,448.00
Feb-05-2008 Swann, Max-IP-Cam
Purchased September 17, 2006 		  $250.00
Feb-05-2008 Linksys, WVC11B
Purchased April 29, 2004 		Discontinued $159.00

 

Very Old Models Maybe find one on E-bay. I include them here for reference
 
Nov-28-2008 Logitech, QuickCamPro VC (old)
Purchased 1997 		  ~$99.00
Dec-09-2008 Logitech, QuickCamPro 310 (old)
Purchased 1998 		  $130.00
Feb-05-2008 Intel, Pro CS430 / 431
Purchased Spring, 2002 		  $160.00
Feb-05-2008 NoteCam, Pro A310
Purchased February 14, 2002 		  $29.00
Feb-05-2008 IBM, 33L4889
Purchased Summer, 2002 		  $30.00
Feb-05-2008 Vivitar 3350
Purchased December 15, 2003 		  $19.99
Jan-04-2009 JVC, GS-DC1U
Purchased 1996 		Old Video Camera ~$1,000.00
Jan-04-2009 RCA, CKC 020
Purchased November 17, 1984 		Old Video Camera $850.00

 

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Jan 4, 2009