Liquid Image XSC Summit Series HD Ski Goggles: Handsfree Photos and HD Video

'Tis the season for hitting the slopes whether it is by ski or snowboard. This winter, with the?Liquid Image XSC Summit Series HD ski goggles, ski and board enthusiasts can protect their faces from bitter mountain winds, while also capturing handsfree POV still images and HD video.

The XSC Summit Series ski goggles record in HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second, 720p at 60 fps, and in photo mode, they capture 12 megapixel images with a 135 degree viewing angle. The goggles come with a rechargeable lithium battery (advertised to last 1.5-2 hours while in HD video mode) and a 4GB micro SDHC card. They can hold up to 32GB, and Liquid Image states that for every extra 1GB of memory, the camera can hold at least an additional 1,000 photos or 30 minutes of video.

The goggles come in both white and black; the white model comes with a gold ionized lens, the black model comes with a regular ionized lens, and both models also include an extra interchangeable amber lens, with more available for purchase online.

The XSC Summit Series goggles are somewhat large, mostly due to the plastic frame around the goggles, which houses the battery on one side and the mini SDHC card slot and microUSB port on the opposite side. They were by no means uncomfortable and I can imagine the size would be less dramatic when worn with full winter gear. I would say it boils down to personal preference, and maybe head size.

A small LCD screen on the inside of the goggles displays how many files are on the camera, if the SD card is loaded, and what mode the camera is set to. Two buttons on the front of the lenses (on the right side if you are wearing the goggles) act as function buttons; the top one as the shutter or select button, and the bottom one as the power and mode button. There is an LED light inside the goggles that lights up to let the user know what mode the camera is operating in; green for 1080p @30fps, blue for 720p @60 fps, red for still image photo mode, and purple for continuous photos every two seconds. The liquid image summit goggles also can be made compatible with a helmet by making a few small configurations and using the included attachments.

For a pair of ski and snowboard goggles, priced at $199.99 USD at the time or this writing, the Liquid Image XSC Summit Series HD ski goggles pack in a wealth of great features that can be easily accessed on the fly, or while dodging newbies on the slopes. They could make the perfect gift this year for the snow enthusiast in anyone's life.

Be sure to check out our full?12 Tech Days of Christmas?list for new suggestions and picks by?TechnologyGuide?editors through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24th! Spend some time with our?2012 Holiday Buyers Guide?as well, for high-tech gift suggestions from across our product news and review sites.