xda2 torch accessory

[Robson]

hey mates,

was in hong kong for a business meeting and naturally i passed by the ever-reliable pda shops for accessories. and true enough; i was able to get the xda2 backpack and a couple of flash cards. but what's even better is this little handy accessory i picked up called the pda-torch. not only does it act as a small flashlight; it also acts as a "flash" for the xda's camera. the bulb emits a rather strong white light which enhances the resolution when taking pictures in not-so-well lighted places. tried it already and objects taken in part-dark places come up quite well.

the torch swivels around via the rotating connector. the connector can be separated; thus the torch can be easily removed or clamped on. it doesn't fall of or anything; you have to pull it off with a little effort.

cheers
robson
:D

[Robson]

another pic with the torch light on. :D

cheers
robson

[thumper]

This is stunning!

But, when taking a picture, does it really 'flash', or does it act like a 'camera lamp'?

[Robson]

hey mate,

to turn on the light you twist the end and it clicks into position; keeping the torch on. twisting it further makes it "flash"...but you would have to get into the rhythm of timing your finger to press on the camera the same time when you need the flash. sort of like...and a 1 and a 2 and 3 "click"...oops no flash with that...so i'll try again.... :D what i do is keep the lamp on when taking pics. it's rather bright but it doesn't really blind someone who's on the receiving end...sort of like looking directly into a fluorescent bulb. and the beam is wide enough to illuminate quite a lot; the parcel says something like a "hallogen" bulb used. it runs on it's own set of batteries so that takes care of any issues about sucking out the xda's juice.

cheers
robson

[andyclap]

Hmm, runs on own batteries, need to time your button press with flash... this isn't an XDA accessory, this is a torch with a clip.

Now, a real camera flash accessory would be trully useful - the XDA's (and most other camera phones) camera quality in low lighting is dreadful. A little XDA powered flash add on that sticks in the expansion port and links to the camera application to provide a true flash would be neat.

[Robson]

hey mate,

i agree; the torch is not specifically designed for the xda2...however the parcel did say that aside from being used as a torch it can also be used as an aid for pda-cameras. the pic showed the torch attached to an ipaq with the flash card camera accessory.

i DID hear from this chap in hong kong that there is a plan to come up with an sd-card type of "flash-bulb" accessory for the xda2...sort of like the xda1's camera accessory which goes into the sd-slot (but a flash this time). that's something to cheer about i should say :D

robson

[ednap]

Is it available online or do I need to visit Hong Kong? :D

[Robson]

don't think it's available yet, mate....but then again once it comes out it should be availble in most, if not all, internet-based shops like expansy. you live in malaysia so it's still within asia. i'm like 3 hours away (thailand) but i do make frequent trips...keep you posted then on the availability :D