The LightSpeed system exploits free-space optics—the ability to pass data between two points via an optical beam. The method usually involves lasers, but this system uses eye-safe infrared LEDs, similar to those used in TV remotes, says Leo Volfson, president of Torrey Pines Logic, which created LightSpeed. “The binocular has an attachment that fits over the ocular side,” Volfson says. “It produces a beam that comes out of the right eye of the binocular. On the left side is a receiver. If you look at me and I look at you, we’ll be able to talk or send information.” Range is determined by the strength of the optics. Unlike radio-wave transmissions, data transfer through the LED beam is undetectable.

There is no word on how much these things might cost, but the Volfson believes that his product has potential outside of the defense industry. That's right—bird watcher's worlds are about to get rocked by technology. [Popular Mechanics]

The technology is described as an example of “neuromorphic engineering”—hardware and software that tries to emulate human intelligence. Basically, the binoculars point out objects that our brains might have noticed, but not fully processed. The subconscious can detect multiple things at once, but the conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time. By collecting data using human eyes and then passing the data back to the brain, the binoculars more or less add a second processing loop.

One possible problem: How to fine-tune it so that the binoculars don't just pick up on useless, distracting noise. Brains look for patterns in everything, and will sometimes find them even where they don't exist (i.e. Astrology). What if for every rocket launcher it did notice before us, it also pointed out how one specific mountain range in the distance looks like your mother-in-law's face? [Slashdot via Gizmag]

It's got a 1.5-inch LCD screen, can do video, and plugs into your computer via USB. Not too shabby. It's available now for $236, pervs. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Crave]

Product Page [Via Coolest-Gadgets]

The binocu-cams are powered by two AAA batteries and have only 32MB of built in flash memory. And since readers accused us of projecting our perviness when we wrote about another set of photo binoculars, we'll just come out and say it. We'd use this for taking pictures of old ladies at the pool. – Jason Chen

Thanko BINOCA01 4-in-1 Binocular [Far East Gizmos via New Launches]

The binoculars/camera feature a 8X zoom, a paltry 16MB of internal memory and an SD/MMC slot.

While you're busy taking pictures of your helpless victims from afar, may I suggest a few other items to go along with your slow descent into madness, like the video spy glasses and the ever-popular rearview mirror sunglasses?

The binoculars will retail for around $388 when they're released in Korea. – Nicholas Deleon

Digital binoculars equipped with 2M digital camera [Aving]

The system contains an LCD touchscreen, an uninterruptible power supply, and a mini CPU. The camera actually includes a motorized zoom and is currently used at Pinhel Castle in Portugal.

The system is completely weatherproof and works with most currencies. You drop in a Euro or quarter and you get to view the terrain for a few minutes. There's even a group viewing feature so you and the rest of the folks from your Everquest clan don't all have crowd around one pair of binoculars. Not for sale to the public, but if you own a tourist trap, drop them a line.

Product Page [YDreams]