[Comrade Wolf]

I'd appreciate opinions, if anyone's got one. Are cybereyes worth the cost/Essence in a mage you're already throwing some ware into? And if so, what accessories would you put in there? I'm almost considering an ultrasound sensor instead, which seems like it would be a good way to get around visibility modifiers.

[UmaroVI]

It's debatable if ultrasound sensors work for targeting spells or not. If your GM will let you target with Ultrasound implants, then it is super awesome.

Cybereyes are also debatable - it depends on your metatype. On a human, yes, it's probably worth it. On a dwarf or troll, it's more iffy, especially compared to just implanting what you wanted directly into your eyes.

Thermographic, Low-light, and Eye Light System are all good. Microscopic is good for some people. Smartlink allows you to use that goofy glove to shoot Indirect spells. Retinal Duplicators are crazy expensive and high availability, but they do have a niche that's hard to duplicate. The rest is filler because it's either lolware or can just go in goggles.

If you are a metatype with some natural vision, you might just want to jam the 'ware directly into your eyes. For example, on a dwarf, if you just want Thermo, Low-Light, and Eye Light System, you'd need rating 2 cybereyes (.3 essence), or you can get Low-light and Eye Light System directly for .2. If you wanted more stuff, the cybereyes might start to look better. 

[Thrass]

When you go for ware anyway, go for it (and get the miracast spellslinger from arsenal if you happen to have an indirect combat spell).
Otherwise the Magic loss is most probably not worth it.

If you go for genetic enhancement (willpower and logic) and a logic booster for the +5 drain dice... and have a bit of essence left...
And are going for some indirect combat spell (flamethrower/screech) for which you can use the spellslinger, you probably benefit.

[Comrade Wolf]

Tight, thanks for the good advice.

Additional (completely insane) question: mages and ocular drones? I'm like 85% certain it's too awesome to be true, but... I mean, you did pay Essence for 'em. :3

[UmaroVI]

RAW maybe because the rules are incredibly vague. FAQ says no:

Can I cast a spell through an ocular drone, since I have paid Essence for it, when the drone is not in my body?

Magicians cannot normally target spells through electronic imaging devices; they can only target spells through cybereyes because they are paid for with Essence. A magician can cast spells through an ocular drone while it is “docked” in their eye socket, because it is acting like a regular cybereye. Once the drone has left the character’s body, it can no longer be used to target spells.

http://www.shadowrun4.com/game-resources/frequently-asked-questions/

[Shadowjack]

I think it's worth it if you enjoy it. It also frees up extra essence you can spend on other nice ware. But if you're worried about losing essence you can also use upgraded contact lenses.

[Blue_Lion]

The problem with upgrades contacts/googles is you cant use the vison mods they provide for spell casting.

The advantage of cyber eyes is you cant drop loose them like you can exnternal ones and you can use them for spell casting.
Are they worth it is amater of how you play your charter, if the only thing you care about is getting magic as high as you can to cast stronger spells then it might not be.
If whould perfer not to take some things to help you cast spells or do other things it is a good thing.

In my expearnce loss of a point or two of magic in any eddition has not realy been cripling on mages. (note I only started plaing in second so not shure about 1st)
Depening on what mods you take they can be helpfull. With a ation coprocessor triked out cyber eyes and ears you can be at +6 on visaul perception, and i belive +8 on audio. Good when you rember with a mage needs to find a target to hit it.

The ultra sound mod/cybeware is best for detecting invis charters but wether or not it works for spell casting is your GMs call, athou there I have yet to find a clear no on it, it is best to let the gm make the call.

[Shadowjack]

Why don't their modifications work for magicians?

[Thrass]

Glasses and contact lenses don't provide true LOS.

Cybereyes are an exception because you paid with essence for them and thus they are part of you and your soul which is targeting the spell... or whatever your tradition believes in.

It's all in the rules, you need to read about LOS (line of sight) and spell targeting.

[Medicineman]

Why don't their modifications work for magicians?

because Ultrasound (and Radar ) is not SIGHT
only Sight (normal, Infrared and Lowlight) qualifies for a Spell with LineOfSight.
Casting a Spell with Hearing ,Smelling,Ultrasound or Radar to be used instead of sight needs a Houserule .

with an Dance out of Sight
Medicineman

[Comrade Wolf]

Glasses and contact lenses don't provide true LOS.

Cybereyes are an exception because you paid with essence for them and thus they are part of you and your soul which is targeting the spell... or whatever your tradition believes in.

It's all in the rules, you need to read about LOS (line of sight) and spell targeting.

I'm not sure about that, necessarily. As long as it's an optical enhancement and not electronic, glasses (eg mage goggles, for example) can count as LOS. The section on accessories for glasses and contacts in the core rulebook says:

Vision Magnification: This zoom function magnifies vision by up to 50 times, allowing distant targets to be seen clearly. It is available as both an optical (ideal for spellcasting at distant targets) or electronic (with real-time image correction) enhancement.

Seems pretty clear.

[Medicineman]

......oO( for optical Vision Magnification You'll need Glasses like Prof.Farnsworth from Futurama 
 http://dyn1.media.forbiddenplanet.com/products/18884720.jpg.size-285_maxheight-285_square-true.jpg )

with a silent Dance
Medicineman

[Thrass]

Glasses and contact lenses don't provide true LOS.

Cybereyes are an exception because you paid with essence for them and thus they are part of you and your soul which is targeting the spell... or whatever your tradition believes in.

It's all in the rules, you need to read about LOS (line of sight) and spell targeting.

I'm not sure about that, necessarily. As long as it's an optical enhancement and not electronic, glasses (eg mage goggles, for example) can count as LOS. The section on accessories for glasses and contacts in the core rulebook says:

Vision Magnification: This zoom function magnifies vision by up to 50 times, allowing distant targets to be seen clearly. It is available as both an optical (ideal for spellcasting at distant targets) or electronic (with real-time image correction) enhancement.

Seems pretty clear.

Yes vision magnification is the exception that is always to be found, but only if you explicitly buy it optical.
There is no optical infrared or low light vision enhancement, and certainly no optical ultrasound enhancement.

[Blue_Lion]

Why don't their modifications work for magicians?

because they are a vsion enhament that substutes itself for the charters own vision not paid for with essence.

[Medicineman]

Why don't their modifications work for magicians?

because they are a vsion enhament that substutes itself for the charters own vision not paid for with essence.

Its not wether its paid for in Essence or not.
Radar (and Ultrasound) simply is not sight.
thats the simple core of why a Mage can't cast a Spell with LOS .
Just like he can't cast it with Hearing or Smelling

with a sweaty Dance
Medicineman