Product Review: Kogeto Dot

What Is It: The Kogeto Dot, “the pocket-friendly 360-degree panoramic video thingy.”

Price and Where to Buy: $49 from Kogeto’s online shop.

Pros: If you’re the type of traveler who likes to take video, this is a decent (and inexpensive) option. Snap the lens onto your iPhone 4 or 4S, calibrate with a few quick clicks, and you’ll have a moving-picture memory of everything you see. You will need a free app called Looker to shoot and post video, but once that app is downloaded, you can easily share your home-and-away movies via Twitter, Facebook, and email. The Dot is fairly easy to install and use, and at less than $50, it’s certainly one of the cheapest video solutions we’ve seen. Best of all, it’s lightweight for travel and can easily be tossed into a carry-on.

Cons: Pocket-sized? Not so much, unless you are willing to run the risk of the lens sticking out. Also, you will have to remove your iPhone case to snap the lens on, which can be a dangerous prospect in a crowded tourist area where you are likely to get bumped or jostled. Moreover, the image quality won’t exactly excite tech nerds.

How it Rates:

• Usefulness: 7/10. If you like taking short, sweet videos of your stay, this will do the trick, as long as you don’t expect Oscar-winning cinematography.
• Portability: 8/10. It weighs almost nothing; while I’m still wary of placing it in my pocket, the Dot fit perfectly in an evening clutch (added bonus: I felt like a spy).
• Value: 8/10. $49 for a video camera? Sure!
• Durability: 5/10. The clip itself is plastic, as is the lens cover. While the Dot made a transatlantic journey without issue, I didn’t take it anywhere rugged and would fear for its safety (and my iPhone’s) in crowds.
• Cool Factor: 9/10. It’s cute, comes in adorably named colors (“hug-inspiring pink” and “surprisingly-attractive green”), and it’s made for Apple, the epitome of cool. At this point, you could glue a sheep to an iPhone, call it the iSheep, and sell it for millions.

Final Verdict: Not a bad buy! If this were $10 or $20 cheaper, I could see this being a cute stocking stuffer come Christmas. But for the price and the video quality, this cam is definitely more novelty than must-have.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.