Because Sometimes You Like To See Who You Are Talking To... 

Spending that left over Christmas money is always a pain, and when you're looking for a visual solution for IM applications that actually preforms to the price on the box you might as well throw that dream out the window along with the cash you have wadded up in your coat pocket. That is until you see the Microsoft savior sitting on the end of the aisle, suddenly all of you're dreams come true with the choirs of angels belting out the hymns of sweet webcam salvation.

The VX-5000 features a square shaped camera body on top of a bendable, rubber stand, which makes it easy to position on your laptop, LCD, or desk. Underneath the hood, the VX-5000 received a new image sensor and lens that results in stellar image quality, particularly in low light. Aside from an updated look, the bundled LifeCam software is unfortunately the same lackluster application that shipped with last year's LifeCams. Still, in the webcam price market, you won't find a better performing unit for $50.

Older LifeCam models, the NX-3000 (meant for laptops) and VX-7000 (for desktops), featured rectangular cameras connected to clips that were meant for the top of a laptop or LCD, but not your desk. The VX-5000's camera is a 1.75 inch by 1.75-inch square, and it's connected to a three and a half inch rubber tail. The middle portion of the tail can bend, and it holds its shape. The rubber is also heavy enough to counteract the weight of the camera, which lets you find a stable position whether it's resting on top of a thin laptop lid or thicker LCD or CRT monitors. Curve the rubber tail into a C shape, and you can perch the VX-5000 on top of your desk. This is a very cool aspect considering the most popular means of placement is a long curved piece of plastic or rubber (see Logitec) that rests on the depth of you're monitor. This works well and flawlessly don't get me wrong but the design isn't for me as I like a more vintage/modern mix when it comes to electronic design.

The camera body and rubber stand are black, but Microsoft offers a slight nod toward customization by making the camera in one of three colors. The camera swivels from side to side to about 30 degrees in either direction but it doesn't offer any tilt. To adjust the camera up or down requires you to fiddle with the rubber base to reposition it. A Windows Live Call button on the top of the camera brings up your IM contacts to start a video call, but you are almost certain to accidentally hit it when attempting to adjust the position of the camera. (I have.)

Under the hood, the VX-5000 features a standard VGA sensor that captures 640x480 video and still images (it can also snap 1.3-megapixel stills through onboard software). According to Microsoft, the pixels are 2.4 times larger than the NX-3000's. The lens has a large aperture that lets more light reach the sensor and the combined effect of the optics was readily apparent from the start.

All and all this little guy presents all the good things I love in a small package. It's a great little buy for video chatting since I originally bought it for Skype and other applications. The only area of the gadget I don't like is in the software which is very dated I feel. It's like Microsoft constructed the gadget and half way through the process became lost interest. 

Considering all of this if you're in the market for a cam I'd go for either this or Logitech's Quick Cam Orbit. But if you're like I am, bang for buck preformance without the bells and whistles is the way to go. It's like deciding between a Honda Civic and a Ferrari F350. Sure they both can get the job done and I, like anyone else, would go for the genius that came from the mind of Enzo Ferrari. Farming money trees is a pain though. I love this pocket sized wonder and I also love the fact that it does what I bought it to do and 200,000 miles down the road I'm sure it'll keep going.