vivitar DVR 510N night vision review

[simon180399]

A while ago i was asking if the above would be any good for our hobby,well the two answers are yes and no., (well i was in toysrus the other day doing the dreaded Xmas shopping with the wife), (BORING!!!) and decided to buy one.

I will give a little write up then explain why there a two answers.

The camera has a 1.8@ screen, 4x digital zoom and a built in 2gb nand flash memory.
the memory can give 58 minutes recording at low quality and 28 mins at the better rate but the advantage is that it can be upgraded to 8gb with the relevant sd card.

It can either be used as a standard digi cam but photos are 640x480 resolution but it can take stills in n/v mode or as a normal video camera in daylight or as a night vision camera in the dark, the n/v is automatic with 3 led infra red led's coming on in low light and all 6 come on if its pitch black.

Its powered by 4 x aaa batteries which seem to last forever, it weighs the same as an average phone and is sized similar.

using it really is childs play its a case of 3 buttons with another 2 for zoom in/out, one touch record and it has an instant youtube,facebook and twitter function, there is a slide out usb connector that just plugs into a spare socket on the PC, the recorder also comes supplied with a tv lead (straight to the tv) , software disc (vivitar image manager) ive not used this as xp seems to work very well.

Also included is a waterproof plastic case that according to vivitar can be used underwater up to 10 metres (not tried).


Thats pretty much it as far as features go.

My conclusion-

There is no point trying to mount this on your rifle, as the infra red led's are dotted around the camera lens so when put up against the scope the n/v reverts back to daylight mode as it seems to reflect the i/r lights, ive tried various tubing solutions to overcome this but to no avail.

it only has a useful range of up to about 8-12 ft in pitch darkness .

The good points are its ideal if you want to monitor an area you may think has rats etc., (i actually left mine running behind my chicken run to see where how the rats were entering the run as the rear is panelled off to create a waterproof are for the birds, low and behold there they were burrowing under the panneling), i also put it under my chicken house just to see how many of the blighters were scuttling around in the daytime(i saw 2 youngsters so there's obviously more)

I could also see a use in the field if you were to leave it next to a warren you think might have some activity but you're not sure.

I suppose if you are into ghost hunting it would be ideal indoors lol, also i think it would be very handy if you are ratting in small areas such as feed stores etc, as you could place your self in a corner and just monitor whats happening before you go in all guns blazing.

Its certainly handy to have in your pocket to take a few clips of whatever you have shot or any other reason you would need a video camera.

Don't expect sony image quality because if you are expecting that you will be dissapointed, but then for 20 quid its worth a shot, even if you buy it for the kids for Xmas.

its a nifly little gadget that will have a multitude of uses

overall its a useful accessory to have and the best bit is the price all of 19.99 from toysrus and before you ask no its not a toy lol, argos are knocking them out for 70.00!.

hope this review can help if you feel ive missed something (usually the case) then please comment
atb simon

i will upload some pics and a sample video if its required but my camera batteries are flat so it will have to be later on once they have charged.


heres a link
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/T...Black(0088387)

[Titchgamer]

Just buy a IR laser

[Tadpole]

Thanks for sharing, at that price it's good value for the money ......................

[simon180399]

Just buy a IR laser

an i/r laser wont record or take pictures though will it? or am i missing something?(as in would i use the laser to illuminate a wider field?)

and they are bloody dear
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/940nm-Lase...ht_9303wt_1034