Huckleberry II

Reviewed by Robert Pritchett

What They Say

Huckleberry is a unique mirror device that connects to the lid of any MacBook or MacBook Pro, reflecting the built-in camera's field of view back over the top of the screen. This allows users to create pictures and movies while still viewing and controlling their favorite Mac video application.

The Huckleberry works like the rear-view mirror in a car, so now your MacBook can see things that are behind the screen. In other words it can see what you can see. For the best view tilt the lid on your laptop all the way back.

Every Huckleberry includes the award-winning iGlasses software (http://www.maccompanion.com/macc/archives/October2006/Software/iGlasses.htm) from ecamm networks, for image enhancement and video mirroring.

The Huckleberry for MacBook consists of a mirror and two plastic mounting brackets, a carrying case, and a serial number to download and register the iGlasses software.

The two-mirror Huckleberry II for MacBook Pro consists of two mirrors and two brackets, and ships disassembled in a carrying bag. It also includes full instructions and an iGlasses software serial number.

The video image will be reversed by the one-mirror Huckleberry, and flipped upside-down and backwards when using the two-mirror Huckleberry. The iGlasses video enhancement software, will allow you to flip the video image back to normal.

Once iGlasses has been installed you'll notice a new little widget that pops up whenever you launch an application that uses the iSight camera. This is the iGlasses control panel.

iGlasses does a lot of cool things but just make sure you have the box labeled 'Mirror Image' checked when you are using your Huckleberry.

So that's it - you're all set up. To start recording video just hit the 'Record with iSight' button and you're off.

For MacBook Pro (50mm H x 71mm W x 82mm D) Huckleberry II

MacBook (32mm H x 67mm W x 51mm D) Huckleberry

What I Say

What a great idea! Apple should include one of these with each portable.

The instruction sheet for the Huckleberry Pro comes in the bag along with the unassembled unit comprising of two mirrors and 2 black Perplex brackets. Each is covered with a transparent film such as can be found on new LCD screens.

RTFM

I ‘m not the brightest bulb in the box and could not see myself in the larger mirror when I removed it from the bag. Since the material is acrylic and reflects off the back, I saw the front as being marred and decided to polish it. I used some toothpaste first and that didn’t help. Then I used some special glass polishing material and it just fuzzed the image further. Wait, it gets better…

I noticed a little bit of separation and the “A-hah!” light began burning a little brighter and I removed the film. Underneath was this perfect mirror. I hadn’t damaged the surface! Then I read the instructions. The first line reads; “Remove the protective film from all components before assembly”. Duh!

Okay, the instructions are in something like 6-point font, but I can ding Mungai mirrors anyway, because the printed link for the Huckleberry Pro doesn’t link properly. It does up above in this review after I did a Google search.

Oh yes, and the black bag has a trick up its sleeve too. Once the Huckleberry Pro is assembled, it can’t be put back in the bag unless it is disassembled. They should have provided a bigger bag….

However, partnering with ecamm networks was a stroke of genius, so the image seen through the iSight on the Apple portable acts like your eyeballs and shows images properly aligned with the ground plane (horizon) once iGlasses is installed on the MacBook Pro.

This is one of those, “I wished I’d thought of it” way cool products! If you use a MacBook or MacBook Pro, this might interest you.

Apparently, Mungai Mirrors is getting a lot of orders from MacBook Pro users for this one. Wonder why? Me neither.

Just read the assembly instructions first…

We do dumb stuff, so you don’t have to…no, wait, I thought our byline was, “We review so you don’t have to”. Yeah, that’s it.