Logitech Quickcam Messenger > Reviews (22)

For those who are perhaps technologicaly challenged among us (of which I'm sure there are a few, I know I am!) a webcam allows us to actually see the person/s we're talking to on a chat service or for them to see us using the wonders of the internet. I picked this little number up a few years back from Dixons I think, it was around £25 at the time, but they seem to be much cheaper these days. Even more reason to buy one.

First off it's small. This is great if perhaps you travel around and need it to keep in touch with family and friends. Or if you're limited on space. I realise it's perhaps not the smallest webcam now available, but combined with its cheapness it means it wouldn't matter too much if it was stratched in transit etc.

Secondly it's really simple to install. It came with a cdrom that you just pop into your laptop/pc and it installed a little program that allows you to record yourself or to take simple mugshots. That said I've actually used it on both my pc and my laptop and on plugging it into the latter machine it didn't ask for the cdrom, it just did its own thing and was ready to use. Excellent.

The device itself has a fairly long cable should you need to focus it on an object far away from the computer. It has a USB connector which is also great as this appears to be the more common way of connecting things these days and means it will work on almost any model. It has it's own little 'tripod' that it sits in and which you can spin it 360 degrees around. Also within its seating in the tripod there is a groove that allows it to move up and down. It has a little focussy thing on the front that allows you to, well, focus on a particular object and stop it coming out as blurry and on the top there is a little button that allows you to take photos/freezeframes which is also pretty handy should you fancy taking a picture and don't have a digital camera around. There is also a little microphone hole that picks up your voice from a fair distance. Also very handy when in a 'call' or 'conference' as it saves you from typing out everything.

As I mentioned before, I've owned this product for some years now and it's never failed me yet although there have been times when picture quality hasn't been amazing. I'm sure there are probably tonnes more webcams available on the market that can do all sorts, perhaps in better quality and that are probably smaller, but this one is great to give to the kids or for travelling as I said because it doesn't matter if it takes a fall from a precarious position or gets a little scratched. (Obviously I don't suggest dropping it from a great height on purpose!) I would probably recommend anyone who plans on using a webcam regularly or requires a better quality picture to look at a different model, as at times this can be a little blurry. But if you intend on using it only occasionally, or are looking for a product for the kids then this is it.

It's a Logitech product which means it is made well and well known, which is always a bonus when buying electrical goods.

I've never had any problems with the product so have never needed to get in touch with the company, but I'm sure, being the large brand that they are they would be more than helpful if anyone did have problems with it.

I would recommend this to anyone who is perhaps new to webcaming as it is really cheap, simple to use and easy to install. As you can tell from it's name it's particularly useful for messaging services as you can just plug it in and away you go as opposed to some of these new fangled webcams that do everything and make the tea. Don't knock it til you've tried it, I know I wouldn't be without mine.