Logitech's QuickCam Orbit MP appears more like a science-fiction accessory than a webcam. Featuring a 9-inch stand, the Orbit MP can look you in the eye when it's sitting on your desktop, and it often does, thanks to the built-in face-tracking software.

The Orbit MP can also sit lower in its base -- using the arm that extends its height is optional -- but it works much better when standing tall. The lens housing is transparent, so you can get a glimpse at the inner workings of the webcam. There is also an activity light that lets you know when the camera is on and recording.

When it's tracking you, the Orbit MP pans and tilts and can cover 189 horizontal and 102 vertical degrees of a room, so it's a great webcam if you like to pace while you're engaged in video calls

Logitech has incorporated high-end hardware inside the Orbit MP. Its true 1.3-megapixel sensor is close to the top of the industry right now, and the webcam can capture sharp 640X480-pixel video, as well as true images at up to 1,280X960 pixels.

Installing the Orbit MP took little time. After loading the software, we plugged in the webcam, configured the audio and video settings and were ready to go. An integrated microphone picks up your voice even at a distance, so you don't have to put on a headset mike when you're chatting.

In addition to the face tracking, the Orbit MP's bundled software features a variety of clever effects to add to your video. There are filters to give your video different appearances, from grainy old footage to funky black-light effects. There are also cartoon avatars that can match your facial expressions -- a shark that mirrors your smile, for example -- although these seem more for novelty than utility.

There are, however, some more useful add-ons for Vista users. If you're running the new operating system, you can download a gadget that turns your webcam into a motion-sensitive security camera, recording and time-stamping video when it senses movement. This is both nifty and quite handy.

At $130, the Orbit MP is one of the more expensive webcams on the market. But if you're searching for a webcam that can look back at you no matter where you are in the room, the Logitech QuickCam Orbit MP might be worth the investment.


Pros:  Wide range of movement, great software
Cons:  Pricey

Warranty
2 years, hardware