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November 10, 2009 3:07 PM PST

Unboxing Modern Warfare 2's 'Prestige Edition,' complete with night vision goggles

by Dan Ackerman
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(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

If simply playing the hotly anticipated shooter Modern Warfare 2 isn't enough, you might be tempted to shell out extra for the $149 Prestige Edition of the game (over the typical $59 standalone game disc).

Inside the oversize box, we found a copy of the game in a metal case, a small hardcover book of production art, and most importantly, a pair of plastic--but functioning--night vision goggles. Said goggles, which required five AA batteries, also came with a small plastic bust of a game character's head--perfect for storing and displaying your goggles when not using them to sneak around dark alleys or navigate poorly illuminated bars.

The goggles, while not exactly military grade construction, actually worked surprisingly well, offering two levels of light amplification, an optional green filter for the just-like-the-movies look, and an adjustable head strap. It took a few minutes to get used to the effect, which requires us to shift our focus onto the tiny screen inside the goggles, rather than trying to look off into the distance. Obviously, one's depth perception is going to be hampered by this as well, so we suggest staying off the stairs.

We snapped a few pics of the Prestige Edition box and its contents; check them out below.

> Need more? Follow me at twitter.com/danackerman.
> Games, laptops, and more every week on the Digital City video podcast.
> Read our analysis of Modern Warfare 2 here.

April 21, 2009 11:01 AM PDT

The 404 325: Where we can 'feel it calling in the air tonight'

by Wilson Tang
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It's just the three of us today, but that's when we have the best shows. Before we get into stories, please be sure to check out the preshow some time at the404.cnet.com or watchbol.com. During the weekdays, around 11 a.m. EST, Jeff, Justin, and Wilson spend about 20 minutes goofing off, and it becomes a riot.

(Credit: T-Mobile)

Today's show is jam packed with stories. First, Pizza Hut is trying to hire an intern, who's only job is to Twitter for the company. We think they should have advertised this yesterday on 4/20. So-called "beer googles" don't really exist, according to scientists. We never believed they did either. We just think that it makes most guys say, "Why not?" Last story for the first half is the release of the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX. It's no longer a brick. Justin is still intent, though, on keeping his iPhone since Hulu announced it would release an app.

Second half of the show, we've got Tuna Tuesday again! This time from Amsterdam! Also, the press seems to hate "Sit Down, Shut Up." Jeff and Wilson aren't big fans of the pilot, either, from "Arrested Development" creator Mitchell Hurwitz. Further along, we find out there's a Lego Rock Band game and a DJ Hero game! Finally, vote for CNET TV for the People's Choice Award at the 2009 Webby Awards. Our jobs depend on it... not really, but it would be nice to play dress up.

Follow us on the Twitter at @the404, and send us your comments. We listen. We promise.


EPISODE 325



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Originally posted at The 404
December 31, 2008 6:00 AM PST

Night vision for civilian pilots

by Mark Rutherford
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Flying your Bell Ranger in a ball cap is something of a fashion statement. But it lacks that iconic, ant-head panache that until recently only military pilots wearing restricted, government-use-only night vision-equipped helmets could pull off.

(Credit: Nivisys)

The NVAG-6 Night Vision Goggles change all that. They're the first night vision goggle certified by the FAA for civilian use, according to manufacturer Nivisys. Of course, looks are not what will sell this gear. It's the safety margin they can potentially add to low-light and nighttime flying (PDF).

"This is a historical moment for civil aviator night vision safety. Nivisys is now the first and only company certified for the production of night vision goggles under FAA TSO-C164," said Nivisys CEO Allen Harding.

The unit can be used with fixed and rotary winged aircraft, according to the company. You'll probably want one just to avoiding doing a "Bill Graham," but the company foresees wide use in many after-dark flight operations, such as offshore oil rigging, logging, power line and high-rise work, and search and rescue.

The NVAG-6 comprises a lightweight binocular made of anodized aluminum that can be mounted to a variety of helmets. The 25mm eye relief eyepieces are individually adjustable and even work for operators wearing prescription glasses or contacts. A flip-up base allows for fine tuning for fore/aft adjustments.

The goggles automatically turn off when the helmet mount is flipped up, which prevents tube damage in case of exposure to bright lights. They run on AAs, which are presumably not included.

Originally posted at Military Tech
Mark Rutherford is a West Coast-based freelance writer. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Email him at markr@milapp.com. Disclosure.
February 5, 2008 4:51 AM PST

All-in-one earmuff-headphone-goggles

by Mike Yamamoto
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(Credit: Dogfunk)

Maybe this is what Oakley had in mind before its sudden lapse in creating the "Medusa Hat."

Von Zipper's "Feenom Goggles" and headphone earmuffs may not score fashion points, but at least they don't look post-apocalyptic. They're also more functional than the Medusa ensemble, especially if you're on the ski slopes.

The whole Feenom set is geared toward active types, according to Book of Joe, with an "articulated helmet hinge" on the goggles and "large fluffy earmuff headphones" meant to stay put in mid-shred. We have no idea how they sound, but believe it or not there are even dorkier alternatives.

January 2, 2008 9:42 AM PST

Digital camera goggles let you shoot underwater, look like a pod racer

by Will Greenwald
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Liquid Image goggles (Credit: Liquid Image)

Underwater cameras are nothing new. Many cameras can accept waterproof casings for wet shooting, and the Olympus Stylus 790SW and Pentax Optio W30 can take a solid dunking without any armor. Still, until now I haven't seen an underwater camera you can strap to your face.

Liquid Image has revealed the Underwater Digital Camera Mask, a strange hybrid of bulky swim goggles and a waterproof point-and-shoot camera. It comes in 3- and 5-megapixel flavors, both offering 16 MB of onboard memory and 18-25 fps variable rate VGA video. It runs on two AAA batteries, and accepts microSD memory cards for additional space (and since 16 megabytes will only hold 30 or so photos, you'll need it).

The mask uses a silicone skirt and tempered glass lenses to help keep the water out of your eyes while you swim and shoot. Its displays and controls are extremely simple, consisting of a small LCD screen and two buttons. Of course, if you're enjoying a swim you might not want to fiddle with a lot of buttons, and the goggle-mounted shutter button lets you pretend to be Cyclops from the X-Men, which I think is a pretty significant bonus.

Liquid Image officially launches the Underwater Digital Camera Mask next week at CES in Las Vegas, though it won't start shipping until March. The 3-megapixel model will retail for about $80, while the 5-megapixel mask will go for $100.

October 10, 2007 12:46 PM PDT

A keyboard made for night-vision goggles

by Mike Yamamoto
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(Credit: iKey)

It's such a common problem: There you are, wearing your best pair of night-vision goggles, and you can't see the damn keyboard. What's a clandestine operative to do?

iKey claims to have the answer with a LED keyboard that it says is "compatible with NV goggles, featuring filters that remove unwanted light interference" such as halo glows, according to Ubergizmo. It's kind of a version of Stacco Switch's rugged M779 that provides the necessary discretion you won't get with an LED piano lamp. Unfortunately for amateur spies, it seems to be aimed at military agencies and therefore will likely be well beyond the usual budget. Which is too bad because it certainly beats a lot of the nocturnal alternatives.

June 15, 2007 6:52 AM PDT

Swim goggles from the future

by Caroline McCarthy
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(Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer)

Look, here is something we all need: "high-definition" swim goggles, for $24. With these, you can either stalk your underwater prey (insert Jaws music here) or at least just prevent yourself from smacking into the sides of the pool because you can't see a darned thing.

Apparently, they've been tested for "comfort, visibility, fit, and adjustability," which means they probably break easily if you don't treat them absolutely right. They're fog-resistant, UV-protective (UV rays underwater? Guess you learn a new thing every day) and filter blue light so that your submarine vision isn't distorted. They also promise to not pop the poor little capillaries around your eyes with all that suction. With that lineup of features, I'm surprised there aren't built-in gills.

I'm sure I'll spot a pair of these at the indoor swimming pool at a gym I occasionally frequent in midtown Manhattan, probably strapped around the face of some Bateman-esque financial type who's trying to swim off the calories from that morning's "power lunch" on the company bill.

They're sold, natch, by Hammacher Schlemmer.

(Via Uber-Review)

May 29, 2007 9:59 AM PDT

Arrgh...Movie pirates nabbed with night-vision goggles

by Tim Moynihan
  • 1 comment

Night-vision goggles: 100 percent more effective at catching pirates than X-Ray Specs.

(Credit: Fakecrap.com)

You'd think catching movie pirates would be as easy as preventing anyone with a camcorder from entering a movie theater. Or throwing a net over Johnny Depp's house.

Instead, Malaysian theater workers are employing a high-tech strategy. According to a Reuters report, the Motion Picture Association is training Malaysian theater workers to strap on night-vision goggles to catch pirates in the act of filming.

And it's working. In the past two months, 17 illegal movie-tapers have been caught by begoggled Malaysian ushers.

Could New York City be the next test bed for the night-vision goggle probe? According to a Motion Picture Association of America study, New York accounts for 43 percent of all in-theater movie piracy in the U.S., as well as 20 percent of worldwide DVD piracy.

October 26, 2006 9:14 AM PDT

Tunes via cheekbones, under water

by Mike Yamamoto
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After posting an item about water-resistant music players, we started to wonder how many situations would require them. Then we saw the SwiMP3 on Shiny Shiny.

SwiMP3

This waterproof player not only affixes directly to your head via goggles--which are provided, by the way, though you can use your own--but it also sends soundwaves through your cheekbones to enhance underwater listening. Judging by the photo, it's not the most flattering accoutrement, but you'll presumably be submerged while wearing it.

The SwiMP3 isn't cheap. It retails for $250, though it's available at lower prices. But if you're a regular swimmer who gets bored easily, this may help the laps go a bit faster.

(Update: We've been told that this product has been out for awhile--more than a year, actually. Our apologies for missing it. See CNET's review here.)

(Photo: Finis)

October 16, 2006 3:54 PM PDT

A night-vision dart launcher

by Mike Yamamoto
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Ever since seeing "Silence of the Lambs," we just haven't been able to think of night-vision goggles the same way. But this toy may have resurrected its image as something other than a surveillance tool for serial killers.

The Discovery store is selling a pair of the nocturnal lenses that can shoot darts, according to Coolest Gadgets. And they're even the old-fashioned kind with rubber tips that can stick to the foreheads of your targets--lessening the chances of recurring nightmares we might have about more sinister uses.

(Photo: Cool Gadgets)

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