Tao 80001 1.5-Inch Digital Photo Keychain (Brushed Metal) Reviews

• More techincal specs

  
  By A3F7T1K4UWF9RZ on 2007-08-05
  I looked all over the web for these specs (including the TAO site), so I am adding them here:
  - Display is 128x128 pixels in 24 bit color
  - USB interface is NOT a standard block file device (e.g. does not show up as a disk drive), but uses a proprietary interface, so you MUST use the included software, which is not available for Linux.
  
  Also, if you think you should be able to fit a lot more than 30 128x128 pixel JPG images into 8MB, you would be right, but the software limits you to a fixed 30 pictures, which you can (re-)extract from the device as a entire batch (for re-use later) into a (seemingly proprietary) ".itc" file (which is actually 66 bytes of header followed by the images in 49,152-byte blocks (128 x 128 x 3byte color) in simple RGB bitmap format. Even if the device stores the images in the uncompressed bitmap format (which it probably does), it is using no more than 1.5MB of the "8MB internal memory" to store your pictures.
  
  The casing is clearly not bulletproof, and the buttons to stick out from the edge (which would explain why they are "falling off"), and the software is poorly written (bluescreened on second use -- "Handy with a soldering iron, but a menace to society behind a keyboard") but includes a built-in rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, and a surprisingly high-quality jewelery-type box, for which I paid <$40. I think if expectations keep in line with this nearly disposable price-point, I think this product will meet them.
  
  I have not had any problems with the device itself (in the first 3 days), and it seems ok with a few keys on it, but can see where the design may have trouble in a high-stress environment embedded in a wad of keys, and a menagerie of other key fobs. I found the display to be adequately bright (I'm sure these are mass-produced cell-phone and digital camera displays, so you can use them for a rough idea)
  
  
  

• Disappointed

  
  By A1UR3B1Q524XC9 on 2007-06-20
  Bought for my wife to show off pics of new grand daughter. Loading pics easy-great display of pics. The problem I had was very short viewing times between battery charging. On two occasions after a full charge for 30 min. and maybe total viewing time of 3-4 minutes over 5 days the unit had to be recharged. Returned unit to amazon with full refund without a problem.
  
  

• Surprisingly clear

  
  By A3N4CUW4UYC9I3 on 2007-05-09
  I bought this for my mom as a Mother's Day gift and loaded pictures onto it. I was extremely surprised at the quality of the pictures/screen. I'm glad I ordered this newer model. The older Tao held more pictures, but from reading the reviews on it, I am guessing the quality of the pictures on this newer model is much better. The software is extremely simple to use and makes it very easy to crop photos for close up shots. I expected the keychain to be a bit bulky, but it's not too bad at all. I am very happy with this purchase, as I'm sure my mom will be, also.
  
  

• Great gift, great customer service!

  
  By A2KT9JFDB012K8 on 2007-05-22
  We bought this keychain for my mom (a new grandma) for mother's day and she loved it! The picture is very clear, the software easy to use, and loading was super simple.
  
  A few days after she'd been using it one of the buttons broke-off. She called the company who shipped out a new one right away - and somebody even answered the phone when she called!
  
  I would definitely recommend this as a fairly inexpensive gift for anyone who loves to show-off and hang-on to their photos.
  
  

• Broke in less than a week!!

  
  By A2YQX6BYHDE3HF on 2007-07-02
  I was so excited to give this to my husband for Father's Day and he loved it. However, after only one day, the keychain part of it broke (the part that hooks). If that weren't bad enough, just a few short days later, you can't even turn it on anymore. It's been charged but still will not turn on. My husband has not dropped it or banged it around. He's only used it to drive back and forth to work on his car keychain (after rigging something up to make it stay on his keychain when that broke). Turned out to be a complete dud. Horrible, horrible quality. I'm in the process of trying to exchange or get money back from Amazon .... very disappointing.
  
  
• digital keychain
  By A2Y43SEA7RD2DA on 2007-05-07
  I got this as a birthday present (would have never bought it myself) - the pictures are surprisingly clear. It only holds 30 pix - i think the ad online said 50. it is a fun toy to have - you can show off your lastest vacation or kids whatever... It is v. easy to install the software and add the photos...took maybe 15 minutes from start to finish (assuming you have photos on your computer) We have really enjoyed it.
  
  
• Beautiful
  By APFHSX8AAOGGL on 2007-07-05
  I was hesitant to buy this product after reading the reviews, however I decided to give it a try and was very pleased! Everyone in my family wants one now!
  
  The screen is OLED which is known for being very bright and colorful, and is used on many newer cell phones and devices out of Japan.
  
  I tried many different pictures just to test out the quality. Pictures of a full person, head to toe, were a little fuzzy due to the screen being so small, however using the included software I easily cropped the photos and they looked great. You have to remember that if you crop a low or mid resolution picture it is going to look fuzzy, no matter how good the device is, so make sure that the pictures you are using are high resolution (mine were all at least 1600 x 1200). Also remember that the smaller you crop the picture from its original size, the higher resolution the original picture needs to be. I had no problem getting any pictures (out of about 50 that I tried) to show up clearly. Pictures that were already portraits showed up beautifully, however those that were cropped were very clear as well. I showed the pictures to friends and family, and there was no doubt as to who was in the pictures or what they were of, they were all very clear and bright.
  
  I would definately buy this again, and am planning to buy a few more around Christmas...
  
  
• disappointing:(
  By A19GNYZXQEZO4T on 2007-06-13
  I was so excited to get the digital keychain. The software loaded easily and was very simple to load my pictures into it (30!), change them, etc... However, within days, the buttons fell off (they turn it on\off and forward the pictures). Before the first week was up, while viewing the pictures the screen went blank - I assumed it needed recharging - after a full charge - it has never come back on. Before I could take it off the keychain and return it (day or 2 more)the picture part broke off the keychain. It was REALLY cool for about 3-4 days! Very poorly made, I guess. Disappointing:(
  
  
• 1.5 Excellent digital keychain
  By A2J7AWRQJ4LSZD on 2007-10-17
  I was skeptic at first, as many of the keychains that I have seen in stores, are made of plastic and the screens are small and very dim. I am cery impressed with the quality of this keygen. The metal housing is rugged and practical for a keychain. The only drawback, to all of these plastic screens, is that they can scratch very easly. I purchased a plastic stick on screen saver, used for ipods and PSP and cut it to size and my screen is as clear today as when I purchased it. The software is very eay to use, but I wish I could put more pictures than 30. The charger is handy and easy to use. I have yet to see a 2 hour on time, as the battery seems to drain within about 15 minutes of use. I like the fact that the pictures transition, but it would be nice if there were different transition types. I would reccomend this to anyone and it is a very nice gift. A gift that I know, I will be purchasing soon. Happy Viewing,
  Gennaro
  Niagara Falls, Canada
  
  
• Very neat little gadget
  By AFBJPPGNCA5X1 on 2007-05-29
  Even though the screen is quite small the pictures are quite clear. This device is not made to view large group photos but works well with individual or average family size groups. Battery life is not as good as I would like it to be but it charges quickly. Very neat little gadget for the person that seems to have everything. Well worth the purchase price.
  
  
• Burst my bubble.
  By A2BGYRMJOY71CO on 2007-06-25
  I didn't have high expectations for this item.... I just wanted something simple that would display a few pics of my neice for my mom to show off to her friends. It was going to be a gift, but after receiving it, I realized that it was a piece of junk. Sure, the software is easy to use, but after resizing the pics to the manufacturer's specifications, I realized that nothing would help this thing work the way it should. After uploading about a dozen different pictures, there was not one that would allow the viewer to comprehend what the picture was of. The display was fuzzy, and just a general disappointment. Save your fifty bucks and go develop your photos on snapfish dot com into a hardcover photo album, and enjoy! That's what I did, and I only regret that I wasted so much time on this crappy product.
  
  
• Very disappointed
  By A1W4OV8YHO4XOP on 2007-07-13
  I was really excited about this product and thought I had finally bought the perfect gift for my husband. This was supposed to be his father's day gift, however, when he loaded the pictures onto the keychain, the pictures were so dark that you couldn't even see them. I'm not sure if this is typical or if I got a defective keychain, but either way, we were both really disappointed. I would not recommend or buy this product again.
  
  
• great idea - but it doesn't work
  By A3FOKVTHF0RGOL on 2007-07-05
  I purchased the keychain as a gift for my son-in-law. It was easy to set up and he was thrilled with it. It worked for one day!! It just stopped working - went dead. I tried charging it - but nothing. I returned it to Amazon (no problems there). They quickly sent me another. I downloaded all my pics, tired turning it on - nothing. I charged it for an hour (they say you need 1/2 hour). Still nothing. Returned it again. Amazon said the problem was too wide stread - they wouldn't send another. Just as well, I guess. Great idea, nice looking product. I really hope they fix the problem!!
  
  
• Chain Problem
  By ALMN5V50USETU on 2007-07-06
  Great product. I bought this item for my husband to show off pictures of our kids to friends and collegues. Very, very easy to use and upload the pictures. The quality of the pictures on the device is very crisp and comparable to what you see on your own computer. My only gripe with it is that the chain broke, the very first day he took his keys/keychain to work. I know he can be a little clumsy but a keychain with that kind of device hanging from it, should withstand more than the everyday tug of war we inflict on it.
  
  
• WOW! Better than expected
  By A2ME89MSWVG9NF on 2007-12-11
  When I ordered this keychain as a gift for my wife and parents my expectations were low. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the picture! Better than what I get on a cell phone. The images are crisp and clear, and the quality of the keychain is fantastic!
  
  The software is a little awkward, but very easy to learn.
  
  High recommend. The price is worth it!
  
  
• Great Gift
  By A3T4TVCPZFNCF0 on 2007-06-08
  The setup was really easy, and managing pictures is a breeze. It takes less than five minutes to change and upload photos. The good lighting makes it easy to see in the day and night.
  
  
• Chain broke
  By A3FO5BP0R1FDI8 on 2007-07-08
  2 days of my husband using this idem on his key chain it broke. Very expensive disappointment. Easy to use. Need now to find a replacement piece.
  
  
• TAO 1.5-Inch Digital Keychain Frame (Brushed Metal)
  By A5FEWQZOE8UER on 2007-10-22
  This is my second order of this brand of keychain. The first one was the smaller size of the TAO and then I ordered two of the 1.5" keychains. The 1.5" only holds 30 to 32 pictures whereas the smaller screen TAO will hold 50 or more. I had to send one of the 1.5" TAO's back as the picture was so dark and even if I lightened the pictures to the lightest they were still dark. That is why I will only rate this product a three. The picture quality was pretty good and you can crop and adjust the brightness of the pictures with the software that comes with the product. My daughter really likes this product.
  
  
• Love This Keychain
  By A305XF6V25VUT0 on 2007-06-27
  I had been wanting a photo keychain for quite some time, but after doing the "homework", I discovered that they weren't very high in photo quality...and then I found this one. I love the quality of the photos and the program for uploading the pictures is very easy to use. It holds 30 pictures and although that doesn't sound like a lot, it really is a nice capacity. I love the fact that I can manually view the pics with the push of a button, or choose to let it display a slideshow. I am very happy with this keychain. I feel the price was very reasonable, especially when compared to others of lesser quality for the same cost or more.
  
  
• Great gift for the gadget lover
  By AD064CIXDTLPC on 2007-07-04
  We got this for my husband for Father's Day because he likes gadgets and toys. He was happy with the gift and so far, it has worked just fine. The pictures look good and it was easy to download them.
  
  
• Great Picture
  By A4ZULMTOJTT7Z on 2007-07-05
  The picture is very clear. The chain attached to the digital frame broke after two day in different areas. Easy to install and download picture.
  
  
• Excellent idea
  By AUB08N4ESWQFJ on 2007-07-05
  Such a great product. You can keep handy atleast 30 pictures and show your friends and family time you want. Nothing go wrong. Worth it for 40 bugs.
  
  -thanks
  Firoz
  
  
• Be careful
  By A2T8NGR4ZB37V3 on 2007-07-08
  When I received this item. I thought it would be great. Easy to install pictures. However, 2 concerns. First, I was constantly concerned about the face being scratched since keys are often thrown around in purses and pockets. The keychain is also big and heavier then expected. Not recommended for dads.
  
  
• Great gift
  By A2509P6ICGF5CP on 2007-07-09
  I bought this as a gift for my dad on Father's day. It works very well and was greatly appreciated. My only problem, however, was after loading the software onto my computer, the screen was too large and I couldn't add any pictures. I ended up using a newer computer and the software worked fine. Older computer owners beware.
  
  
• Cute Gift
  By A1849BKF4HG5WK on 2007-09-12
  I bought this for my husband on Father's Day. He loved it and showed it off to all of his friends. The program was very easy to set-up and use. I cropped most of the photos and the resolution was excellent for it's size.
  
  The only problem is it's very fragile. My husband dropped the keys a few times and it hasn't worked since. Be careful and don't keep it on a key chain. I would buy this again.
  
  
• Great Gadget!
  By A2XYQBKENENLOI on 2007-12-01
  The installation is super easy...just follow the simple instruction manuel that comes with it. The software is idiot proof and charging/downloading the pictures are a snap. It maybe took 30 mins. from start to finish. However...the three side buttons are tricky to figure out at first! Instead of pushing in toward the unit to turn on and scroll through the pictures, you must pull the button toward you in an upward motion while looking down at the face of the keychain. After you figure that out it runs great! I bought this for a grandparent, but am seriously thinking about getting myself one!
  
  
• Had to send it back!
  By A5PN9568IBXKJ on 2007-12-10
  This item was easy to use and the software was simple. But after I downloaded my photos a red line appeared right through the middle of each picture and even on the "downloading screen". I emailed TAO but of course received no response. The picture quality was poor and once you save the photos to the software you can't edit them. You have to erase them, upload them to the software, edit them, and then redownload them... daunting! I ultimately had to return the item.
  
  
• maybe it's just me...
  By A2GUP4MGG7WU36 on 2007-12-12
  The picture quality on this item was so awful I returned it. Maybe I was expecting too much. The interface was super easy to use but, boy, its kinda useless if you can't even see the pictures.
  
  
• Unacceptable
  By A237MCZKUE7EAR on 2007-12-18
  Device only displays when connected to USB or AC power. Picture quality is horrible, appears to have high density red/purple filter - makes color photos appear as washed out negatives. B & W look a little better but not acceptable. I bought one for my wife and foolishly bought another for my Mom before first one arrived. Based decision on 4+ stars on Amazon site. If negative stars were an option, I'd give it a -5 stars.
  
  
• Junk
  By A1CH4ROMNSXGAI on 2007-12-21
  This is an absolute piece of junk. I rather use a better word to describe it but junk will do.If i could go lower than 1 star, i would do that too. At first my wife loved it. She loved the idea of carrying around pictures of our daughter and dogs. But it seemed that eveytime she wanted to show off her new present, it was dead. The dam thing wouldn't hold a charge. Within 2 and half months the thing is dead. Wont turn on, wont do nothing. I think maybe 10 people saw it working the whole time we had it. The next time it comes up, we will be sure to let those 10 people know not to buy this one. Find another one cause this one is JUNK.
  
  

• Power 2000 COMP-1 Aluminum Compactflash Card Case
• SanDisk 2 GB SD Memory Card ( SDSDB-2048-A11, Retail Package)
• Power 2000 SD1 Aluminum Case
• JOBO CF6IUS 17 in 1 CompactFlash(TM) Card Adapter
• SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 4GB SD Memory Card (SDSDRH-004G-A11, US Retail Package)