We take FanVision for a test drive at the Jets-Patriots game. Can it be the ultimate piece of stadium gear?
Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
FanVision's compact size and ruggedized feel are a good fit for sporting events. It receives its video feeds via local UHF, plus stat lines across the league and a fantasy-player tracking tool. Text looks crisp on the 4-inch screen.
NFL games and the Red Zone channel are available before and after the game on Sundays, along with details stats for all games. The unit's range extends through the stadium and into the parking lot for tailgating.
Watching the Dolphins-Vikings game before the Jets-Pats kickoff--three different NFL games were available to watch, selected for relevance by the FanVision staff and the hosting team (divisional matchups and local interest teams.
In the stands, the screen's image was somewhat washed out, but it was still visible even in intense sunlight. It's comparable to a smartphone, and has six hours of battery life.
Behind the scenes at the three-man FanVision broadcast booth at New Meadowlands Stadium. Camera feeds from 10 angles are filtered and selected for instant replays sent to the device and cached after every down.
The FanVision unit costs $199, and comes with in-ear noise-isolating earbuds and a lanyard, along with an AC charger. Team-specific skins are being distributed later on, according to FanVision. Twelve teams will have the devices in stadiums this year.
