So tell me what kind of 'secret' camera you have.
I would like the glasses but what I have seen look like, big framed trifocals and say 'hey, look again'.
What about the 'button'?
I did a search and did not find any information here.

cruising middle TN

As of now the glasses are not an accepted covert camera for the major video companies. Below your post is a link to "More About Video Mystery Shopping." There are a lot of threads about the genre. Most of us have purchased cameras from Measure Consumer Perspectives because they have been able to provide the best price on a rig which includes everything a shopper needs except for the training. They do not sell the cameras for profit, but to promote the video shopping industry.

What Lisa said.

Cruiseguy,
You might want to go to [www.videoshoppingnetwork.org] where you will find considerable discussion of what does and does not meet current video MS technical expectations, and why. The eye glass cams are specifically discussed. They have very, very limited usefulness, mostly for drive thru ff or banks, where the shopper can remain stationary and just looks at the target. Anything that requires head movement produces a dizzying visual effect that clients have totally rejected. The PV-500 remains the only set up currently endorsed by he eight video MS companies that have about 95% of the market. That is the set up offered through MCS. If you try to buy the identical set up elsewhere, you will pay more. If you see a PV-500 offered for less, you will end up having to replace the camera/mic portion for a couple more hundred dollars, and may also have to buy an additional battery pack. The cams shipped with the less expensive rigs do not meet current tech specs for video shopping, even tho the "base unit" (the PV-500 itself) may be the same as that shipped by MSC.

I bought my PV-500 from a Security/Spy store. The whole set-up was $350 + tax (buttons, ear phones, charger, remote, usb cord). It was definitely brand new. This was before I even started reviewing the forums on here and on the "other" site. I initially bought the pen video cam, but was not happy with the portability (very heavy for me to affix to a shirt collar) or the quality. I've not been disappointed and happy I traded up.

Since I've been doing this consistently for several months, not full time, sort of a hobby if you will, I am thinking of upgrading to the HD model and possibly the touch screens.

rgolen,
Please check out recent reviews of equipment on the VSN site. The PV-1000 product is so difficult to edit/render that the large video companies are not accepting the product. BE SURE to check with folks at at least half of the video companies before buying additional equipment. Some model are about to be discontinued by the manufacturer because of persistant failures, and they may be trying to sell the remaining stock off at big discounts!

I am all for touch screens, but thought there had been issues.

As far as eyeglass cams versus body mounted button cams, with the button cam you can face your target so they are kept in frame while you turn your head to look at whatever they are presenting.

All that said, I am curious about how much the glasses cost. I have two types of shops which may be a good fit. For one I have issues because of my height and those were actually presented as an option by the MSC.

cruiseguy-

For a few weeks until I bought the PV-500 I would use my cell phone video and audio feature.

I would turn it on prior to walking up to the establishment, and hold it up to my chest to get good video. I was not able to use all the video, but for descriptions of employees, surroundings, etc. it helped and also with timing. Depending on the shop, I would "talk to myself" and audibly say the exact time to myself so that it was embedded in the video. I would lay the phone face down so as to record a servers comments if I was recording service times (taking drink orders, placing entree orders, check back, tendering the guest check, etc.) The same would hold true when I entered a retail establishment to see how the representative would try to sell me on a product or service. I would use the audio function of my phone and place in my back pocket.

Make sure you have ample storage on your phone. One time I ran out of space on my sd card. if you are doing drive thru shops and you don't have a phone you can always use a camera with video capability. When I do dt shops, I mount the hidden camera on a small backpack and place it facing out the driver's window so I can capture facial features, clothes, timing etc.

Hello Lisa,

I was the who posed the topic on the VSN forum about the 'sleek new video glasses.' It was due to seeing the CM-SG10 and the CM-SG10blk (sunglasses). The clear glasses sold for $179 and compatible with the PV 500's. I ended up purchasing the PV 500 ECO with button cam and the additional 7.5 hours battery due to the feedback I received about the "dizzying effect" for the client viewing the completed video. Kathy Hart said her company tried the glasses with drive-thru and basically sit down shops where you just look directly at your subject. She said it was great for that purpose. I may still purchase a pair. I do use my rig to gather detailed information with some of my more difficult written shops. The glasses would be good for me, since I wouldn't be the one complaining about the jerky head movements.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am all for touch screens, but thought there had
> been issues.
>
> As far as eyeglass cams versus body mounted button
> cams, with the button cam you can face your target
> so they are kept in frame while you turn your head
> to look at whatever they are presenting.
>
> All that said, I am curious about how much the
> glasses cost. I have two types of shops which may
> be a good fit. For one I have issues because of my
> height and those were actually presented as an
> option by the MSC.

Thanks for the 411. It sounds as if they would be perfect for one specific shop I've had lately. The problem, I don't know how long they will last and the investment is too high just for them. I also have some FF shops and may check with that company to see how they feel about the eyeglass cams.

I needed a new PV-500 and opted for the HD. LOVE the touch screen!!! So much easier than using the remote! The camera that came with the PV-500 ECO is a BU-18 and will work with the HD model (PV-500 EVO). I recently needed a new camera and purchased the HD camera (BU-13). The BU-13 is about $20 more but makes a HUGE difference in the video quality. The digital BU-13 will not work with the PV-500 ECO (analog).

rgolen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I bought my PV-500 from a Security/Spy store. The
> whole set-up was $350 + tax (buttons, ear phones,
> charger, remote, usb cord). It was definitely
> brand new. This was before I even started
> reviewing the forums on here and on the "other"
> site. I initially bought the pen video cam, but
> was not happy with the portability (very heavy for
> me to affix to a shirt collar) or the quality.
> I've not been disappointed and happy I traded up.
>
>
> Since I've been doing this consistently for
> several months, not full time, sort of a hobby if
> you will, I am thinking of upgrading to the HD
> model and possibly the touch screens.

I should probably "invest" in a seamstress to custom fit my shirts for the hidden button, but the frugal side of me says I can figure this out for less. I would interested to see some of the different ways to affix your hidden button on your shirts - sorry, not wearing a scarf. haha

How many buttons down your shirt do you place the camera (I realize with different heights of shoppers this will vary).

I have one older polo shirt that I have cut a hole where the button used to be and pushed through the camera and screwed on the button, but I don't really want to do that with all my shirts (I have a full-time job and don't want to mess up my wardrobe).

Do polos work better for you? Full button down shirts? I've thought of using a lapel pin (like a US flag) but still trying to figure out how logistically I could place it on the shirt without puncturing through the shirt and ruining the shirt.

Private message me and I will provide my email. I am interested in seeing the pictures of your set-up.

BTW, the majority of my shops have been fast casual, FF, or service related.

TIA

I prefer polos for video shirts as long as the placket is long enough to get the button placed where I need it. You are right it is going to vary drastically depending on your height, body type and even between a man and a woman. I just had a seamstress remove one of the buttons and create a second button hole. The camera secures it all and when it is removed the lack of a button is not noticeable so I don't have to carry a second shirt. I also bought dedicated shop shirts. It really hasn't been such a large investment since all of them were purchased at Target. I currently have five and have found that to be sufficient since my road trips tend to be in the five to six day range. Since I'm cheap, they are all short-sleeved. If I have shops in the winter a jacket has been sufficient.

Who do I contact to purchase a video set from Measure Consumer Perspectives? I have been waning to get started on video shop. The cost of the video and me worried about the proper video to purchase as restricted me.

It is often better NOT to affix the button cam semi-permanently to the shirt.

As for buying a camera, PLEASE start by doing some video shops with a camera sent to you by one of the severn sponsor companies at VSN, or by EPMS. Why invest $400 + in equipment without knowing whether or not you are comfortable with these shops and the scenarios and the technology?

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I prefer polos for video shirts as long as the
> placket is long enough to get the button placed
> where I need it. You are right it is going to vary
> drastically depending on your height, body type
> and even between a man and a woman. I just had a
> seamstress remove one of the buttons and create a
> second button hole. The camera secures it all and
> when it is removed the lack of a button is not
> noticeable so I don't have to carry a second
> shirt. I also bought dedicated shop shirts. It
> really hasn't been such a large investment since
> all of them were purchased at Target. I currently
> have five and have found that to be sufficient
> since my road trips tend to be in the five to six
> day range. Since I'm cheap, they are all
> short-sleeved. If I have shops in the winter a
> jacket has been sufficient.




Thanks LisaSTL.

I am 6'0, and after reviewing some of my vids, the majority are at a higher view point. Somehow the camera keeps pointing up and you can sometimes see the bottom of my chin. I find myself tugging down at times to point the camer down. I guesss I need to get a 3 button polo and put it on the lowest button. Although having it higher does help me when I am at a fast casual restaurant that has bar-type tables (higher than normal chairs) and the server comes by.

From what I have seen, the replacement buttons have all been black. Have you seen different colored buttons?
Do you paint your buttons? What do you use? I had no paint so I improvised and used my wife's white nail polish? What have you found that works well? TIA

So far I've stuck with the whole black on black thing even though it bores me to tears While the origin escapes me, there has been information on someone who can make custom buttons in different colors. I considered it, but it all goes back to me being cheap. Any extra funds would be spent on a new PV-500 rather than spicing up my video wardrobe, lol!

rgolen Wrote:

> I am 6'0, and after reviewing some of my vids, the
> majority are at a higher view point. Somehow the
> camera keeps pointing up and you can sometimes see
> the bottom of my chin. I find myself tugging down
> at times to point the camera down.

Something you could do, which most of us do, is put some of the soft side of self-stick Velcro on the back of your cam (being sure not to cover the vent!) and the soft side of iron-on Velcro on the inside of your polo, above and below the button hole where your cam goes. Take a piece of the prickly side of Velcro and stick it to some fabric so there is no more stickiness. Use that piece to span the soft pieces you've affixed to the cam and your shirt. This way, you can tilt that wayward button cam to where you want it and it will stay put. For a more permanent solution, sew the iron-on Velcro squares to the inside placket of your polo shirt. You can stitch carefully with small stitches and it shouldn't be noticeable.

Huh? I always love reading "you can sew it on." I can't even sew on a button, lol!

I had to search YouTube to see how to sew of a button so it had the gap between it and my shirt. LOL

MrsFrank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I needed a new PV-500 and opted for the HD. LOVE
> the touch screen!!! So much easier than using the
> remote! The camera that came with the PV-500 ECO
> is a BU-18 and will work with the HD model (PV-500
> EVO). I recently needed a new camera and purchased
> the HD camera (BU-13). The BU-13 is about $20 more
> but makes a HUGE difference in the video quality.
> The digital BU-13 will not work with the PV-500
> ECO (analog).
>
> rgolen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----


Mrs Frank-

So the mic and the button cam portion are responsible for the HD quality picture? Or is it the actual pvr portion attached to the battery pack? During playback I wish the playback were in HD because at times it seems somewhat grainy or cloudy. I am thinking of upgrading to the hd version, but wondering if I can get by with just getting the mic and cam attached to the cord.


> > I bought my PV-500 from a Security/Spy store.
> The
> > whole set-up was $350 + tax (buttons, ear
> phones,
> > charger, remote, usb cord). It was definitely
> > brand new. This was before I even started
> > reviewing the forums on here and on the "other"
> > site. I initially bought the pen video cam, but
> > was not happy with the portability (very heavy
> for
> > me to affix to a shirt collar) or the quality.
> > I've not been disappointed and happy I traded
> up.
> >
> >
> > Since I've been doing this consistently for
> > several months, not full time, sort of a hobby
> if
> > you will, I am thinking of upgrading to the HD
> > model and possibly the touch screens.

Bot the base unit and the button cam have a role to play in picture qualit. Typically, the cams sold on the internet are not up to the v-shopping industry standard, and shoppers end up buyong an upgrade cam. For detailed cam specs and base unit specs, please see the VSN forum area on Technical Specifications.