Cougar Cyclops Panoramic Camera

Introduction

Today, Cougar gave us two products to review, one of which is the Cougar Cyclops Panoramic Camera. But first… let's take a closer look at Cougar, a brand I've actually known for quite some time. Back when we used to organise LAN parties, Cougar was a familiar name. I hadn't heard much about the brand in recent years until I stumbled across it again. They're back! I certainly see room in today's market for a Cougar comeback. I remember them for solid products with a focus on gaming gear. My guess is that gaming isn't their only focus now. After all, we now have a Cougar Cyclops Panoramic Camera that isn't aimed exclusively at gamers: it's equally suitable for a business setting. RIGHT! Let's start with the specifications.

Specifications and design

The Cougar Cyclops is a panoramic camera with the following specifications:

Model Number	CGR-CYCLOPS
Models	Cyclops
USB Connection	USB Type-C 1.5 A
Video Capture Resolution	W: 1920 H: Depends on Mode
Aperture	F 2.0
Speaker Size	53 mm x 1
SPL	SPL 93 dB +/- 3 db
Microphone	MEMS x 2

First impressions

The Cougar Cyclops camera immediately stands out for its compact size and sleek appearance. Its cylindrical design brings together everything you need to start streaming with ease. A 360° speaker wraps around the housing and can handle both communication and game audio. Subtle RGB lighting sits just above the speaker, while the controls are conveniently positioned at the bottom. The buttons respond with a satisfying tactile click. On top, you'll find a video mode switch and a mute button, making it easy to stay in full control of the camera. A handy protective cover is also included for when the camera isn't in use.

Installation & Use

The Cougar Cyclops camera is incredibly easy to set up: just plug it in and you're ready to go! Operation is equally straightforward thanks to shortcut buttons such as ‘Mute microphone’, ‘Select camera mode’, ‘RGB lighting control’ and ‘Speaker volume control’. The camera connects via a USB Type-C port.

The Cyclops is therefore a fully plug-and-play device. Whether you're using a Mac or a PC, your system immediately recognises it as a webcam, microphone and speaker. OBS then lets you control each component separately, without complicated configurations or additional software.

Panoramic capture
With its fisheye lens and a resolution of 1920, the Cyclops lets you capture expansive scenes and unleash your creativity.

Multi-camera applications
The Cyclops lets you switch smoothly between camera views for different scenarios. As mentioned earlier, you can do this without installing a driver. All Cyclops controls are readily accessible, with the following camera modes available.

Squad mode – For two teams, interviews and conferences with multiple participants
Discussion mode – Debates and negotiations
Keynote mode – Speeches, teaching and individual presentations
Panoramic mode – Group conferences and family video calls
Team mode – Collaboration, work reports and discussions
Focus mode – Individual conferencing

Omnidirectional audio capture
Dual MEMS microphones capture every group member's voice clearly and accurately, with a range of up to around 3.5 m (11.48 ft).

What else…

The Cougar Cyclops has a mounting point on its underside, making it easy to attach to a tripod or arm. The box includes a USB-C cable approximately one metre long, which is ideal for comfortable use with a laptop. However, that length feels somewhat restrictive when you want to position the camera farther away for wider viewing angles; a longer cable would certainly have been welcome here.

The built-in 53 mm speaker handles speech well. Voices sound clear and distinct, making it ideal for conferences or online meetings. For music and gaming, however, the speaker falls short: the highs are too sharp and the bass is almost entirely absent. Bear in mind that this device is designed primarily for communication. During meetings, speech is easy to follow and the volume is adequate.

The Cyclops has a resolution of 1920, but in practice image quality varies depending on the selected mode. The lens aperture doesn't help enough in low-light conditions. I certainly noticed that quality can suffer when there is too little light, or indeed too much. Given the camera's versatility, this isn't necessarily a major issue, but it is worth keeping in mind. With a few adjustments, you can still achieve decent results.

Conclusion

An interesting camera that's easy to use and control. The Cougar Cyclops offers a good range of features, and it's certainly something a little different that you don't see every day. Cougar is making a comeback, and it shows. My only real criticism is the camera's image quality, which is a little below expectations. With a few adjustments, you can certainly make it work for you, but it's something to bear in mind. So… looking for a new webcam? A conference camera? One that can provide a 360-degree view, or a narrower view when you prefer? It can do all of that, and you can pick one up for around EUR 160.