Garmin nüvi 2557LMT 5-Inch Portable Vehicle GPS

Garmin nüvi 2557LMT 5-Inch Portable Vehicle GPS with Lifetime Maps and Traffic
  • Easy-to-use, dual orientation, touchscreen interface
  • Garmin Real Directions with Garmin Real Voice guide using recognizable buildings and landmarks
  • PhotoReal and Bird's Eye junction views offer detailed images of junctions along your route, to ease the stress of merging on or off a roadway
  • Up Ahead displays nearby services info -including restaurants, stores, hospitals and fuel -alongside your map and updates as you drive your route
  • Sleek mount attaches from behind, for less distraction

Long story short and why I'm even writing this: Over complicated routes to get to simple places. If it takes more time and more turns on nastier roads to get to my destination going somewhere I know, why would I trust this GPS when I was away from home?

Elaboration:

I live in a rural area, and you can explain to me like I'm a child how to change all the options (I'm a big boy and read the book, played with every button), but no matter what options you pick this device will NOT stick to main roads. There's a city an hour from me, you take one main highway and get onto another, and you're there. The Nuvi 2557lmt does NOT take this route, however, it cuts a corner on a nasty back road rather than sticking to the main roads and ads several minutes to trip (personal experience from knowing the area where I live). Even when I use Google Maps to trace where the Garmin would have me go it says it takes one extra minute, but Google is assuming you'll risk your struts by blasting through potholes at the posted speed limit on that forsaken back road. There are two main highways you can take to this city, neither of which were presented in their simplest way, there was always the addition of back roads.

This unit is new and based on my experience quite expensive. I decided to move over to this device from a 4 year old Magellan because the maps were unable to be updated (a real issue for Magellan so I hear), and the battery no longer held even a 2 minute charge. I almost went with a Magellan unit that had every single feature this device did but was less than half the price for a 2012 model, but decided to risk spending much more to get the map updates that Garmin does a good job of upkeeping. You can call me a fanboy if you want, but I'm a little disturbed to see that all the software features the Magellan had have taken this long to reach a 200 dollar Magellan. Basically new maps mean nothing if this device's software is unable to pick a decent route.

Closing Satement:

The device is fine hardware wise, it's decently quick and the touch screen is considerably more responsive than my older GPS, and the build quality is lovely. Really the hardware is the only reason I've left this at 3 stars, and while it will get you to your destination I have serious doubt that it'll do it the best way as I have gone on wild goose chases with this device in the few days I've owned it. Don't forge your own path, Garmin, stick to the road MORE traveled.

Firmware as of now: 2.40

Maps as of now: CN North America NT 2013.40 ALL

GPS Firmware: 3.03.04

Buy Garmin nüvi 2557LMT 5-Inch Portable Vehicle GPS Now

Ultimate Garmin GPS Comparison Guide for 2013 Models

I wanted to share with others my research on all the Garmin models out there in one easy to see spot. For those unfamiliar with the basic family differences Garmin breaks them down into 3 categories.

Essential Series These are the everyday GPS units with basic features. They are the most affordable, simple, and user-friendly.

Advanced Series These are the next step up from the essential series. They have additional features that go beyond basic navigation.

Prestige Series Most advanced, premium line of GPS units available from Garmin. Top notch performance and cutting edge features.

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The letters after each model number in all series mean the following:

LM Lifetime Map Updates

T Live Traffic Updates

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The model numbers that Garmin uses are in different formats for each series. I will detail them below mentioning only the differences between each model. Any models not seen here are old models and have been replaced by these for 2013.

Essential Series (Split into screen size categories):

4x Series (4.3" Screen):

Nuvi 42

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY7NSTY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AY7NSTY&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Unit Dimensions 4.9"W x 3.1"H x 0.8"D

US Maps ONLY

Nuvi 44

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY7NSX0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AY7NSX0&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as Nuvi 42 but with...

US AND Canada maps

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5x Series (5" Screen):

Nuvi 52

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY7NT2U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AY7NT2U&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Unit Dimensions 5.5"W x 3.4"H x 0.8"D

US Maps ONLY

Nuvi 54

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY7NV0K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AY7NV0K&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as Nuvi 52 but with...

US AND Canada maps

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Advanced Series (Split into screen size categories):

24xx Series (4.3" Screen):

Nuvi 2457LMTHD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0I7Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0I7Y&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Unit Dimensions 4.8"W x 3.0"H x 0.76"D

Lifetime HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals

NO Voice Activated Navigation

NO Bluetooth

Nuvi 2497LMT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0JP0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0JP0&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as the Nuvi 2457LMTHD but with...

Lifetime traffic updates but with less frequent updates

Voice Activated Navigation

Bluetooth

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25xx Series (5" Screen):

Nuvi 2557LMT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0IEC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0IEC&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Unit Dimensions 5.4"W x 3.3"H x 0.76"D

NO Voice Activated Navigation

Lifetime Map Updates

NO Bluetooth

Nuvi 2577LT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0JNW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0JNW&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...

NO Lifetime Map Updates

Voice Activated Navigation

Bluetooth

Nuvi 2597LMT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0I88/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0I88&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as the 2557 but with...

Lifetime Map Updates

Voice Activated Navigation

Bluetooth

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27xx Series (7" Screen):

Nuvi 2757LM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0I6A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0I6A&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Unit Dimensions 7.4"W x 4.5"H x .9"D

Screen Size 7"

NO Voice Activated Navigation

NO Lifetime Traffic Updates

NO Bluetooth

Nuvi 2797LMT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0JOQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0JOQ&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

Same exact specs as the 2757

Voice Activated Navigation

Lifetime Traffic Updates

Bluetooth

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Prestige Series (there is only one model in this series):

Nuvi 3597LMTHD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXX0IC4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AXX0IC4&linkCode=as2&tag=stupisms-20

This is the current Garmin Flagship model

Screen Size 5"

It carries any and all of the features seen on other models but it includes a high resolution screen

It also has a touchscreen and supports multitouch

HD Digital traffic providing updates at 30 second intervals

Read Best Reviews of Garmin nüvi 2557LMT 5-Inch Portable Vehicle GPS Here

Being as how I have owned four other GPS's (all Garmin) I asked for, and received a Garmin 2595LMT as a Christmas gift to replace my old NUVI 650. Even though this item is not the 2595, they are very similar and I will have to say that this one is by far the best one yet of all of them. For a reasonable price, it cannot be beat. I did not think that I would ever use the traffic function, but it does come in handy at times. I have wired it into my car's electrical system so that it is almost 'built-in' and have bought another mount and cable so that I can us it in my wife's car that has a built-in navigation system. The Garmin is so much better and user friendly I strongly prefer the Garmin over the OEM in her car.

FYI I am not employed by either Amazon or Garmin, just a faithful customer for many years.

Ravelli ATD Professional Tripod Dolly for Camera Photo Video

Ravelli ATD Professional Tripod Dolly for Camera Photo Video
  • All Metal Ball Bearing Casters with Rubber Wheels for Ultra Smooth Roll
  • One-Step Easy Lock Locking Wheels
  • Universal Fully Adjustable Leg Locks
  • Easy Folding Design with Carrying Handle
  • Heavy Duty Construction for Professional Tripods

This thing is easy to use, sturdy, complies with even the cheapest tripod, folds up nice and comes with its own little carrying case. Rarely do you see dolly shots in no-budget films, so this item is your chance to cheaply achieve a professional camera effect. It's got thick rubber on the wheels and rolls smoothly on carpet and bare floors. If you're using it on asphalt or uneven surfaces you'll want to put down cardboard as a "track" to even out the bumps. Coolest of all, I was able to pull off a Hitchcock-style dolly out/zoom in shot. Get this and have fun.

Buy Ravelli ATD Professional Tripod Dolly for Camera Photo Video Now

Having read previous reviews, I knew what I was buying. This product does not replace a true dolly unless your shot is on a gymnasium floor. That had been iterated more than once in the reviews. My comments will concentrate on the product, not its applications.

DISCLAIMER: The following comments take into account the price of the item (~40 USD.) This is not a high-dollar item.

The tripod-"foot" locking hardware is plastic with threaded metal inserts. While not a machined piece of engineered aluminum, they work well and seem moderately durable. When locked onto my Manfrotto 3401, the dolly became one with my sticks and remained as stable as legs alone.

The wheel locks function at the touch of a toe and unlock just as easily. Very snug when engaged.

The base is metal yet lightweight. I wouldn't stand on it, but it seems durable. There is no slop when locked in the "open" position. Again, very snug/stable. The pins that lock the two moveable base "legs" snap into place and are pulled to release. The spread is adjustable. For my particular set of sticks, it doesn't quite extend to allow full separation of my tripod legs, but this does not affect the stability.

The dolly folds nicely and carries well with the integrated handle. The bag is what you would expect: minimal, but clean and well-fitting.

OVERALL: I recommend buying this dolly immediately after you get a good tripod. (Repeat: GOOD TRIPOD) A good tripod is a necessity. A good means to move that tripod efficiently and safely comes next in my opinion. This item certainly fits the bill.

BONUS!!! I also got (unanticipated) a free mini-tripod in the box. It has little telescoping legs, 1/4" thread, and supports my mini cams. Totally cool. Almost surpasses my affection for the new dolly.

EDIT EDIT EDIT:::

I just finished a shoot this evening with the dolly. This was my first "gig" with it. Here's the scoop.

GYM FLOOR! Yes, bumps and shakes are evident on all but the SMOOTHEST of surfaces. I had a flat marble lobby with VERY tiny joints (the cracks between the pieces)to use for some venue shots, and it was pretty good. If you weren't aware that I had some roughness in the shot, you might not notice... but, now that you know, you would see the very slight bumps in the footage. So, unless you are running on a gym floor for dolly shots, there will be slight bumps (almost unnoticeable.)

HOWEVER, the dance floor shots with the dolly were magnificent. I'll try to post a link to a clip or two. But for now, take my word for it: this dolly will get you some VERY professional shots under the right conditions.

Lastly, simply for moving the cam from shot to shot, this was a time saver and total breeze. The carpet I was on was a tightly knit, Persian-style surface. The dolly moved freely and without much overall rattle. Still, not for filming, but great for getting around.

I recommend that you buy this. Period. (And I do not work for or have any affiliation with the maker.)

FINAL EDIT (this is getting long-winded....)

Here is a link to some test shots from the aforementioned shoot:

youtube(watch?v=fDIxOr2HSW8) Dolly begins at 0:11 and continues for about 20 seconds.

In the first scene, I was on the marble floor. Next you will see dance floor dolly shots.

Read Best Reviews of Ravelli ATD Professional Tripod Dolly for Camera Photo Video Here

Wow! The Ravelli AVT Professional Tripod Dolly for film and video is perfect for any project requiring truly smooth dollying and tracking. Furthermore, the dolly adjusts to receive absolutely any floor tripod, from the most economical aluminum to the most elaborate fluid head model.

Want Ravelli ATD Professional Tripod Dolly for Camera Photo Video Discount?

It rolls, it has wheels, it folds up nice. It's a good product. Don't try to build one yourself, it won't be as nice, it won't fit in your hatchback and you'll still spend 45 dollars and two trips to Home Depot. This is well worth the money. Do it. Of course, you better be dollying around on a really smooth floor because there's no optical or digital stableizer that is going to help when you go over those wood floor joints.

Why spend $300 plus for a Manfrotto tripod dolly when your intentions are just moving your 20 pound gear from one location to another or doing a short 3-5 feet dolly shot? For a measly $39, this guy does the job well. In fact, it went OVER my expectations when I unpacked it and placed my Manfrotto 475B tripod on it. The built is solid and the wheels roll down smoothly (of course on wood or concrete and not on carpet). To do a smooth lateral shot, I simply pre-position my three wheels towards the direction I intend to move to and it gives me a smooth shot.

Since some of us here are sold on its built and performance, let's compare values. I just spent $36 on a set of Manfrotto casters for my light stands. Though they serve a different purpose, that's $36 of casters vs $39 for a fully assembled tripod dolly.

Now that I can get a smooth lateral shot with this $39 tripod dolly (assuming I'm always on smooth hardwood or concrete floors), what the heck am I going to do with my $700+ Pocket Dolly which can only give me 30 inches of lateral movement? And to think that I just ordered a $50 BRAKE for this guy! Bottomline, if you're on a tight budget and want to get those nice silky dolly shots, try this Ravelli dolly....HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
  • In the Box - Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with built-in Thunderbolt cable
  • Compatibility - Mac OS X v10.7.4 or later, MacBook Air with Thunderbolt, MacBook Pro with Retina display

Granted, this product is nice but I'd advise anyone to think twice about their needs before purchasing. I realized after I got it that a MacBook Air can only take one thunderbolt adapter. And the reason I usually need an adapter is because I'm at a conference podium where the wifi isn't usable. You can't use both this and a display port adapter at the same time so I had to also get a USB adapter.

This adapter is super fast so I plan to keep it for any time I need to do big transfers. But definitely consider your needs a bit more carefully than I did.

Buy Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Now

i found the thunderbolt to gigabit ethernet adapter practical when needed, works okay for what it is, although it's a bit over priced.

Read Best Reviews of Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Here

I have a MacBook Air that I needed to connect to a wired network *and* use my Thunderbolt RAID. I thought I was out of luck. Turns out you can plug this adaptor into the end of your Thunderbolt daisy chain so you get both Ethernet and Thunderbolt connection at the same time! It doesn't have to be directly connected to your Mac. Just make sure your Thunderbolt drive has two plugs so you can daisy chain it.

Want Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Discount?

I use this cable with my 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display, which has two Thunderbolt ports. I am in a University setting where I get pervasive wireless coverage, but I prefer the hard-wired connection's speed, the constant connectivity, and the ability to access networked drives. It is expensive but I very happy with its performance.

Things I really like about this connector:

1. It makes a fast connection. The speed of the data transfer through the connector is a bit hard to gauge in a 'normal' setting since I get almost 100 Mbps on my connection (thus I am not sure I would notice if the connection was slowed some due to the connector).

2. The connector is easy to use and mostly unobtrusive (see below). I am able to plug it in and nearly instantaneously have an internet connection. In addition, my internet connection is up and running as soon as I wake my computer up, which is not always the case with my wireless connection. I am particularly pleased with this re-connection speed.

I do wish they would have used a slightly more flexible cable though. The cable that connects the computer side (the Thunderbolt connection) and the internet connection (the ethernet connection) side is fairly stiff and it unfortunately does not bend out of the way of other cables very easily. It does not interfere with the power cord at all (that connector is quite small), but if I plug in another thunderbolt connector in the real estate on the left side of my desk gets crowded.

A couple other things I have noticed, but that have not yet caused me any problems. The ethernet connection side gets warm during use, though not hot. Also, as other reviewers have pointed out, there is some wiggle room in my Thunderbolt port. I do not think this is this cable's fault I notice the same behavior with the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter MB572Z/B. The cable has not yet fallen out, nor has my connection dropped so I do not consider this a significant problem.

All in all, the cable works and works well. If you need a hard connection to the internet and have a Thunderbolt port on your Mac, this cable is a fine choice to fit that need!

I am running the 2011 Macbook Air which has a Thunderbolt port. It's running OS X v10.7.4 which is the latest and required. I also did a software update check and it found the update required for the Thunderbolt adapter to work. Pretty easy setup.

But who bought this to use on the Mac side anyways!

Here's how it went down on Windows 8 32bit Consumer preview. The same will apply to Windows 7 32bit users also. In order for the device to be found, you must have it plugged into the Thunderbolt port, then turn on your computer. I found no matter what I did, unless it booted with it plugged in, it would not work. The drivers will not auto install nor are they available from Windows Update. You must download them from Broadcom. Google "broadcom driver windows netxtreme desktop" and it is the first link since it cannot be posted here.

I used the Windows 7 drivers and they worked for Windows 8. Just go into device manager and update the driver that way, selecting the file you just downloaded.

Very simple process. Remember to have it plugged in before you boot into Windows. Also an FYI, the adapter gets surprisingly very warm to the touch.

Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera (Blue)

Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens a 3.0-Inch LCD and GPS Tracking
  • Waterproof to 33 feet, temperature from 14-104 degrees fahrenheit
  • 12.1 MP Canon HS SYSTEM with a High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • 5x Optical Zoom with 28mm wide angle lens
  • 3.0-inch Pure Color System LCD for easy viewing
  • GPS tracker to record image locations on a map via Canon's software (does not work under water)
  • Waterproof to 33 feet, temperature resistant from 14-104 degrees Fahrenheit and shockproof up to 5 feet
  • 12.1 effective megapixel, 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor
  • 3-inch TFT PureColor system LCD
  • Full 1080p HD video with dedicated movie button
  • 28mm wide-angle lens (5x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 20x combined zoom) with optical image stabilizer

I preordered this camera when it was first announced. I was a little disappointed when Amazon dropped the price before it even reached my house. I anticipated this camera not only for the waterproof capabilities, but also because it is shock proof...and probably because it was a Canon. I live in Hawaii and intend to take this to the beach to take photos and videos in and out of the water. I'm a special education teacher and wanted to have my students to create their own learning stories with photos that they took themselves. I am very reluctant to have them use a DSLR or even a regular point & shoot camera with the fear of them dropping $1000+ worth of equipment.

When I got the camera, I quickly looked over the manual for any waterproof information that I might need to know. Everything was straight-forward with no hard-to-find switches to lock any waterproof seals. In other words, feel free to take this out of the box, put in the card and battery, and take underwater photos. I didn't even charge the battery and was able to take about 100 photos and 15 minutes of video right out of the box. I used this opportunity and the next 2 days to extensively test my camera in order to create this review.

DESIGN: 6/10

It's feels very sturdy like it should. The blue metal panel on the front is very nice to look at. Unfortunately, I think the shape is a little too "showy". If you want to show off the fact that you have a waterproof camera then this is the one for you. (I sort of liken it to a Prius, which everyone knows is a hybrid. At first glance, many people will know there is something special about this camera.) I'm a little confused about the left-hand side of the camera which is a little curved. You can put a strap there, but I don't really see the functionality of it being that shape.

My biggest gripe is that the included handstrap can be "twisted" on and clicks into a metal plug. It can be EASILY removed with a very light press on the button and twisting it off. It gives me the fear that it could be accidentally bumped and twisted and the camera will detach from your wrist (though you'd probably have to be mighty clumsy to do so). I would have wished that the strap attached directly to the camera instead of this metal knob. The strap clip also protrudes diagonally out of the bottom corner and you need to remove this if you want to lay in on a flat surface to take photos or video.

IMAGE QUALITY: 9/10

I am a camera enthusiast and mainly use Canon DSLRs (5D, 7D, 1D series, etc...) with L lenses. I also have an Olympus micro 4/3s camera and even have a Nikon D2x, so I'd like to think I know my stuff. Prior to this point & shoot, I used a Canon SD1100 before it got stolen. With this SD1100, I took over 10,000 photos and took hundreds of hours of video (which I made into DVDs to view on TV, or straight from iTunes to a TV...it's only 480p) edited with iMovie. I've always gotten compliments on the video quality of this older model P&S, and was quite impressed with it myself.

As far as photo quality of this camera, I've got to say that it's good, but nothing more than what you'd expect from a P&S camera from 2012. Color is nice and even zoomed in at 100%, the image quality is as great as one might expect. As with any camera, keeping the ISO as low as possible will keep any noise or grain to a minimum. Remember, you're paying a premium because this camera can go underwater or in the snow. It would be unfair to expect DSLR quality from this camera because that's not what it's meant for.

The same goes for video quality: the reason you bought this camera and paid more for it than another P&S is because it is waterproof. If you want that IMAX look, you've got to spend thousands of dollars. If you can't afford that, this is the next best thing. The quality of the out-of-water and underwater videos was superb. I took it to our pool and took videos of various colorful toys underwater. It was a sunny day and the quality was great, vibrant, and clear. I wasn't able to test it in low light situations. I also have a Panasonic TS-10 (underwater camera from 2010) and the Canon D20's video and image quality is surprisingly better.

For on-land videos, the microphone is not as good as normal P&Ss. I'm assuming that it has another waterproof protective layer over it. I don't think this should be surprising to anyone.

One last note on video. This camera has a 5x zoom. When shooting video, it can optically zoom in and out. It will also focus all the way from macro to infinity while still recording, which is different from other cameras that I used in the past, where if you started your video, it couldn't refocus or optically zoom. It even adjusts exposure, meaning that if you're recording in a bright area and come into a dim area, it will adjust automatically while still recording video. Thank you Canon!

ERGONOMICS: 8/10

Buttons are nicely spaced. There is a large thumb rest button that I just can't figure out why it's there except for cosmetic purposes. I thought the playback button on the top was a little strange, but the shutter button is much larger and protrudes so you shouldn't get them confused. It's somewhat on the larger side for a point and shoot, but it probably has something to do with the waterproofing, shockproofing, and freezproofing. It can still fit in pants pockets. I thought the black parts of the camera would have a little more grip, but they are plastic and not rubber. I have no complaints about the design or shape and it felt comfortable to hold. I was able to press buttons underwater very easily.

The screen is very bright at the default middle setting. It is bright enough that it was not necessary to brighten it while underwater. It is very clear and easy to look at. I hope sand or other earth elements don't scratch the screen since I don't know if I'll be able to apply one of those protective sheets over the LCD as it might fall off while underwater.

Snowboarders or divers with gloves might have different experiences than a casual user like myself as far as the button spacing is concerned.

The lens doesn't have a cover. It is in the upper corner, similar to other waterproof cameras. Not much out of the ordinary to comment on this. I got some sunscreen on it and wiped it off harshly with a t-shirt. No scratches at all. I'm hoping it's made of durable glass like other waterproof cameras.

The flash is moved to the middle. I find this makes it easier to avoid covering it with my fingers as I do with other cameras where the flash is in the upper corner. Definitely a plus.

BATTERY LIFE: 9/10

With a full charge I took 150 photos and about 30 mins of videos and still had 1 of 3 power bars leftover (approximately 33%? remaining life). If this is a vacation camera, it should easily be able to last a full day before you need to charge it at the hotel. If you're taking this camping or somewhere with no power, practice using it to gauge how long it will last. When the battery starts flashing, you still have about 10 minutes of video left before it completely dies.

In comparison, the Panasonic TS10 seems to die out before taking even 200 shots with no video. I am not pleased at all with the Panasonic's battery life.

WATERPROOFING: 10/10

I've used this only a few times so far (though intentionally submerged it in water overnight for this review) and have experienced no leaks. I have never experienced leaks with my Panasonic waterproof camera either. If it did leak it would get a zero, but for now, I can't say. It seems to be waterproof. I was a little skeptical about the latches on this camera and felt that there might be a chance that they could get accidentally opened since they only require one flip rather than use a 2-step safety switch, but I tried rubbing it and dragging it over areas that could possibly open the battery and input/output latches but they seem to stay closed as expected.

As with other waterproof cameras, be careful when taking this out on a boat or to the dock where you aren't in the water yourself. In my pool it took only 4 seconds for it to fall 8 feet. They don't float! Imagine if you're over the edge of a pier in 30 feet of murky dark water. It will hit the bottom before you can take your sunglasses off. The detachable strap (as mentioned above) is so easy to intentionally remove that I feel that it could also be easily removed accidentally. I am highly considering a floating strap.

SHOCKPROOFING: ?/10

Uh, I'll trust Canon and not attempt to drop this camera just for the sake of this review. The box says it can withstand a 5 foot drop and I'll take their word for it.

BELLS AND WHISTLES: 7/10

GPS: Works I guess. It has a little trouble getting a signal inside, and this is my first camera with GPS, so I'm not sure how accurate it should be. But it was able to record the coordinates of my outdoor shots (though not all of my indoor shots).

Camera features: It has SMILE DETECTION that seems to wait for the whites of the subject's teeth to snap the photo (a big grin doesn't seem to work). This will work great with my special needs students, who can just hold the camera and ask for the subject to smile. SUPER SLOW MOTION is pretty cool. It needs a lot of light and can only take it at low resolution. It also includes other more commonly included effects such as FISHEYE and MINIATURE. I don't think I'll find myself using these effects quite often. You can go to Canon's website or other review sites to find out more.

Playback features: Includes commonly found features such as slideshow functions and a photobook set-up. What confused me was the ACTIVE DISPLAY which lets you scroll through photos by tapping the corners of the camera with your index fingers during playback. A cool gimmick perhaps meant for snowboarders with thick gloves. I found it easier to scroll with my thumb on the directional keys.

Macro: (added this part in later) Forgot to mention the macro capabilities of this camera. It is unbelievably versatile. It can clearly and easily focus on items even 1cm away from the camera. And it's smart so you don't have to change settings from normal to macro modes (although it does have that capability if it can't detect it automatically). I haven't used any of Canon's newest P&S's, so don't know if this is normal to be this good. Feel free to take macro pictures of bugs, wet plants, or rocks, without worrying about the camera getting wet, dirty, or knocked around.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

This is a very solidly built camera that is very eye catching. Image quality is EXCELLENT for a point and shoot camera. After using a waterproof Olympus, as well as a Panasonic one, I would definitely recommend this Canon D20 for the superior image quality. I was originally going to give this a 4-star rating, but that would mainly be because I thought the strap placement and it's funky non-rectangular design were huge issues. However, after reviewing my photos and videos, this is definitely the waterproof camera to buy! The image quality is very exceptional for a point & shoot. If you're trying to capture those underwater photos during a trip-of-a-lifetime, spend a little more and get this camera.

Update: 5/31/2012

I'd like to add just a few more things since using this camera for about a month now.

Image Quality: No RAW. There are a number of mid to high-range P&S's with RAW. This does not have RAW. I don't want to get into a debate about the necessities of RAW on a P&S. This is what you get with this camera.

I took this to the beach and had it around my wrist for about 3 hours in salt water. The water was shallow, but I did not feel like I might accidentally undo the strap like I had originally thought. I also took it into the pool as well as in a jacuzzi (for about 30 minutes). No leaks, no indications of leaks, no water issues. I've had smaller P&S cameras before, and when looking at the size of this thing, it's quite large for 2012. However, I had it in my pants pocket and swim trunk pocket, and I didn't notice or mind the weight. I was able to take a number of low-light video...of course there's noise, but it was very acceptable and looks great in HD. Over 3 days I took about 12GBs of videos and photos. As I had guessed earlier, the battery should last the whole day until you're able to charge it overnight. I feel that the GPS sucks a lot of battery power, as I did get the flashing red battery towards the end of each day. And I couldn't get any videos of fish. They kept swimming away from me and I didn't have a snorkel. I will try to go to Hanauma Bay one day with this camera.

Students in my class have been able to use it, and it just feels so much less stressful letting them use a shockproof camera versus even a $90 regular P&S. It really allows them to experiment in their own way without restrictions or having an adult pay more attention to the camera than anything else. It's a pricey investment for children (so don't get one just because you'd like your 3 year old to become a photographer), but we used our other P&S for 3 years+ very diligently (until it got stolen) and know that we will use this one just as much as the other one.

Buy Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera (Blue) Now

It's easy to be mislead by the marketing hype and glowing reviews, as I was, that this is a high-end general purpose pocket-sized 12 megapixel camera that takes stunning photographs and just happens to also be waterproof. But after evaluating the camera and very nearly returning it in disappointment I just want to caution others that this isn't the case.

This is a specialty camera for taking passable snapshots underwater and under inclement conditions. Significant concessions in image quality were made to "ruggedize" the camera, and these are apparent even under ideal conditions. This is true of all cameras of this type to date, and this camera is no exception. Shadow and background areas are suffused with noise pixels. Focus is soft, especially in low light. Chromatic aberration (colored fringes) is/are easily visible in areas of high contrast, even when images are reduced in size. Unless your standards are fairly low, I doubt you can get prints larger than 8x10 from the images the camera takes, under ideal outdoor daylight conditions. For pictures taken indoors, there's so much noise, even using the flash, that 5x7 is probably the limit.

If you're content to use the camera for what it's made for, it's a lot of fun. It works in the rain. It works under the lawn sprinkler. It works in the pool. It works at the beach. You can prop it up or set it down on wet or snowy or muddy surfaces to stabilize a shot, and just rinse it off later. It can sit in the puddle at the bottom of your kayak between shots. It's certainly adequate for uploading proof of your adventurous nature to Facebook. It has a very nice feature set, although it can be hard to figure out what some things are for, and hard to remember where some settings are located. It takes surprisingly nice video for a pocket-size camera, with zoom available while recording (the sound is mono though.) I actually like that the camera is fairly large pants pocket size, not shirt pocket size well suited to large hands, or gloves. It feels very solid. (The strange grip on the left is weird though. I couldn't possibly hold the camera the way the manual shows, but I make do.)

If you also want to take tack-sharp pictures, especially indoors, or make big enlargements, or be able to crop the pictures down a lot later, you're going to need a second camera for that. If you don't want two cameras, you need to decide what you want more, and how often you'll benefit from a waterproof camera. If rainproof is all you really need, you might be better off making strategic use of a ziplock bag. (Cut a hole in one side for your hands, and point the camera toward the zipper opening, like a poncho.)

If you truly need a rugged waterproof camera, this is a very nice option. If waterproof is just a "sounds-nice-to-have" for you, the image quality may be a big disappointment.

Read Best Reviews of Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera (Blue) Here

We purchased this camera for a trip to Hawaii for taking pictures while snorkeling. We were a little concerned because we had purchased a Kodak waterproof camera last fall when we last went to Hawaii that flooded after the first time using it in the water. We didn't know if it was because the Kodak camera was cheap/poorly made or if waterproof cameras always ended up leaking, as all the waterproof cameras seems to have a bunch of "it leaked" reviews. We had read good reviews about this camera's previous version, the D10, so we decided to take the gamble with this one.

This camera worked great, no leaks at all. We used it in the water almost everyday of our 10 day trip, for hours at a time. We got some really great shots, including out of the water. It also has an underwater macro that we think works really well. Taking pictures underwater takes some practice to get good looking shots, but we got some really great close ups of turtles, fish and eels. We also like the wrist strap attachement on the camera, which some people have complained about. We like it because you can remove the wrist strap from the camera fairly easily when putting it in a case, which was convenient for us, because we use a floating wrist strap that is kind of bulky.

The one thing I would stress is to make sure you rinse off the camera after each use in the ocean. We would just fill a ziplock bag with fresh water, drop the camera in for a couple of minutes (make sure to press the buttons too when they are submerged in the water) and then dry it off completely. We have read that this is the key to keeping the waterproof gaskets on the camera from getting salt and sand build up that can cause leaks (says this in the manual too, but not sure how many people actually read the manual).

We couldn't recommend this camera more, we know it is not the cheapest, but it works great.

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We ordered this camera the day it came out. Of course they lowered the price $20 two days later, but it is still a very good value for what you get. This camera is replacing a Sony Cybershot that also was a 12MB camera. The reason we decided to go with this camera is because we found that having a good camera and a separate camcorder was becoming cumbersome. This camera gives you an all-in-one advantage as it is a good quality point and shoot camera as well as an HD video camera and it is rugged and waterproof. I also recommend getting a Sandisk Extreme Card for this camera because those cards have the speed to handle Full HD video. We went with the 32GB version just to make sure we had plenty of space. Also buy extra batteries!! You can also find an inexpensive (under $4) HDMI Mini to HDMI cable to hook this camera up directly to your TV to showcase your HD footage.

If you are looking for a very high quality camera, you will never get that in a point and shoot which this is. If you are looking for good quality pictures, this camera will meet those needs. If you are looking to shoot an academy award winning movie, once again this is not the right choice for you. This camera is for the everyday user that wants to have good pictures and HD video in one place. This is perfect for families and it can go in the pool, to the beach, and can still be handled by a toddler as it can handle some abuse. You can get a much better camera (with 20x+ optical zoom versus 5x) for the same price without the waterproof feature so make sure that is what you are looking for. Being able to take it anywhere was our number one feature.

Features we loved:

--Waterproof and Rugged

--Full HD Video (also allows you to zoom while recording which most cameras do not allow)

--Has a good look to it (some of the competitors have a very boxy look)

Features that could have been done better (why it is 4 stars instead of 5):

--The camera has a place for the strap on the left side. They intended that to be for the shoulder strap, but the screw in handle strap attachment made for the lower right side is very awkward. In other words, I have always had my camera strapped to my right hand and now I need to get used to strapping it to my left hand. They should have had a built it strap loop on each side.

--They put the on/off button, picture taking button, and playback button lined up all on the top side of the camera. Be prepared to line up that perfect shot, but miss it because you hit the playback button instead of the picture taking button. The playback button should have been on the back side of the camera.

--The camera is quite big for a point and shoot. It does not bother me, but this is not going to fit into a tiny purse or your back pocket.

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I've had my Canon D20 for about a week now, so this review will not be exhaustive. However, I've played around with it enough to provide some helpful impressions.

LIKES

* Overall image quality is good. Considering the conditions in which you can shoot with this (wet, cold, hot, dusty, etc.), I'd rate image quality as very good.

* Low-light performance. Most of the underwater pictures I've shot were in the pool in the evening with no direct sunlight. Given the lighting conditions, the images far exceed a typical point-and-shoot. Considering they were shot underwater (taking away quite a bit more light), the increased challenges of automatic focusing, etc. and I'd rate the image quality fantastic.

* Form factor. A little awkward, but fun and easy to hold & use once you get the hang of it. The included strap is well done, rugged, and can easily cinch tight on your wrist for times when you are in the water or in other settings that might make keeping hold of it a challenge.

* Video quality. Excellent! I've been shooting videos in full HD and watching them on my 42" HDTV. The quality far exceeds what I expected.

* LCD. It is 3", bright, and easy to use underwater.

* Battery life. Very good considering it has no optical viewfinder, meaning the LCD is constantly on.

* Zoom. Haven't played with this too much, but the wide range on this camera makes this quite versatile.

* Exposure. One pleasant surprise is how quickly and how well the exposure adjusts to/from underwater and out of the water lighting. It does have a dedicated underwater setting, which might further improve my underwater shots, but Auto works great if you are moving back & forth often.

DISLIKES

* Very limited manual controls. On the plus side, the Auto mode works well, and how much do you really want to fumble with manual settings while underwater or in other challenging settings?

* Price. Yes, it is a bit too expensive for everyone to grab one. But $ for $, this is a fantastic bargain for a high-quality rugged, waterproof camera.

* Limited flash control. Most point-and-shoots nowadays allow you to force the flash to fire, which can be really helpful at eliminating shadows, among other things. In Auto mode, you can't do this (though it might be possible when you use other modes). On the plus side, it does so well in low light that this is less of an issue.

* It is not the best all-around point-and-shoot camera. If I were to have just 1 camera in this price range, it would be the Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) or something similar. My S95 produces FAR superior images and offers full manual control. BUT... what you are paying for with the D20 is something that you can knock around, drop, take in the water, use in the rain or snow, etc. and not worry about.

If you are an outdoor enthusiast and find yourself missing a lot of shooting opportunities because the conditions aren't safe for a regular point-and-shoot, I don't think you can much better than this. I thought of just using my S95 and getting an underwater housing for it, but those are costly. The D20 is capable of great shots, especially in tough conditions (see some of my samples from time in a pool), and is easy to grab at a moment's notice. And that fact that it is rugged makes me a lot more willing to allow my kids to shoot with it. Given the balance of features, image & video quality, and price, I happily give this 5 stars.

Streets and Trips 2013 with GPS

Streets and Trips 2013 with GPS
  • Updated street-level maps of the United States and Canada with more than 2.5 million points of interest from America's #1 travel and map software.
  • Plan your trip including multiple destinations, rest stops, scenic detours, fuel stops and more-all with no Internet connection required.
  • New! See customer ratings and reviews on businesses and take the guesswork out of deciding where to go when online.
  • View the quickest routes with one-click trip optimization; add notes for planned stops, reservations, phone numbers and more.
  • Change your plans on the go, with no Internet connection; choose specific roads by dragging and dropping the route.

The new Streets and Trips 2013 installed and ran without a problem on my laptop and on my desktop. The program seems to be a little quicker in calculating a route. There are more points of interest. It was a worthwhile upgrade for me.

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I just got Streets & Trips 2013 to replace the 2010 version. I expected to get revised maps but there is a lot that is still missing, it's not much better than my 2010 version. Software is updated and good but without three years of mapping revisions it's no better (Map wise) than the older versions. If you can get along without the software upgrades stay with what you have.

Oh, I have two Garmins & both have current maps, both are far superior to the maps in Streets & Trips.

Rating reflects good software & poor maps.

Read Best Reviews of Streets and Trips 2013 with GPS Here

generally okay for planning. has some good tools like finding what's near here and estimating the trip. I found it awkward at times with some panes disappearing and trying to figure out how to get them back. the software also routed me the long way around in multiple instances, adding about 200 miles at one point to my vacation. I also didn't like the way it broke up a road that changed its name, making it difficult to calculate how far to drive on that part of the route. It did let me add new points so i could try 'what if' scenarios. Haven't yet found the magic button to pick the most efficient route based on the stops I wanted.

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S&T is inherently easier to work with for trip planning than a stand-alone GPS because PCs have larger screens and because you can pan and zoom the map with a mouse. A PC also makes it easier to scroll through the turn-by-turn list of directions.

Entering destinations is easier because typing on a keyboard beats tapping individual characters on a GPS screen, and creating a multi-destination route with S&T requires nothing more than inserting another destination in a list.

S&T could replace a portfolio of AAA maps, if you have your computer handy and turned on, but those old 2' by 3' sheets of paper still allow you to view more at a glance -and they don't require batteries.

Travel routes are highlighted with the equivalent of a fat, blue magic marker. Something a little less gross would be an improvement.

S&T's absolute worst feature is the font used for street names. It is ugly and hard to read.

Even though the map data supposedly was updated in 2012, it still is not fully up-to-date. In my subdivision, streets existing for five years are not shown. S&T has the same incomplete data as Bing maps and MapQuest. It's odd that the streets are missing, since the Bing aerial photos show the paved streets, and Google maps has shown the streets correctly for a long time. Also, Places fails to show some gas stations that have been operating for at least a year.

The GPS sensor included with the combination package seems quite sensitive. For example, it will create a clear track for a walk around my back yard.

Streets & Trips could serve as a substitute for a standalone GPS, but it really is more of a companion. A big drawback to using S&T in a vehicle is that PC screens (glossy and matte) tend to be washed out and difficult to read, even up close, in bright daylight. And you certainly don't want to put your nose up to a PC screen while driving. In contrast, my Garmin GPS is readable unless the sun is at a low angle and directly hitting the face of the unit.

Safety Note: If you want to use S&T on the road, be aware of distraction. In most cars, a GPS can be mounted on top of the dash, well within the driver's line of sight. However, a PC is going to be located well away from the driver's forward view, and thus require the driver to divert his/her eyes from the road and traffic. As with texting, that could be a fatal diversion.

The audio navigation is barely acceptable. The text-to-speech voice of "Microsoft Anna" is somewhat robotic, and oral instructions need to be more concise than written directions. PC speakers may not be able to cut through road noise at highway speeds.

Bottom Line: Streets & Trips is good for trip planning and map-making, but not the best option for navigation. If you want S&T, just get the software and ignore the GPS.

I'm giving S&T a 4-star rating because of the somewhat stale data and because after so many years on the market this product should be refined to the point that is has almost no negative issues.

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After wasting hours, loading and reloading the device driver I went to Microsoft Help where there are many posts from other people with 64 bit operating systems with the same problem. If Microsoft is not going to fix a well known problem, the least they should do is mention it will only work with 32bit OS in the system requirements.

USB Wall Adapter Charger with USB to Dock Connector cable

USB Wall Adapter Charger with USB to Dock Connector cable compatible with ALL iPhone 3 3G 3GS 4 4SI made the mistake of purchasing this charger. HUGE MISTAKE!

As soon as I connected my iPhone 4S to the charger, it started to overheat and within 5 minutes, the charger was burning hot. Lucky enough I happened to check as it would have burnt a hole in my desk.

The bottom line is that the price on these chargers should ring alarm bells! I learnt my lesson.

STAY AWAY and buy a genuine Apple charger instead!

I made the mistake of buying 2 of these, hoping to use one at home and one at the office.

The first charger literally fell apart the first time I used it.

The second charger nearly burnt a hole in my desk at home, 5 minutes after using.

Why oh why do I fall for these ridiculously low prices? Lesson learnt...

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The plug (adapter) is not the proper amperage and therefore it will take 5+ hours to charge your phone.

The clips on the sides of the wire are static and don't bend in to make a smooth in and out connection to your iphone. I'm afraid that if you aren't careful, you will rip your iphone apart trying to unplug it.

Do not buy.

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The online listing labels this as a charger for the iPhone 3GS. The shippling label repeats the claim. The adapter, however, does NOT charge the iPhone 3GS. I receive "Charging is not supported with this accessory" when connecting. It is not worth your time or money to try this product. Dragon Imports is either blatantly engaging in false advertising or they are not aware of what their manufacturer is producing. This junk is going back.

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I wanted this to take to work for charging my phone. I was very disappointed. It is useless for the my intended purpose. While the cable works fine for charging my phone from my computer I cannot plug it into an outlet and charge because the adapter plug does not work. The cord itself will not transfer data. What you really get is a cheap cord for only charging your phone by attaching to your computer.

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APC BE450G Back-UPS ES 8-Outlet 450VA 120V Uninterrupted Power Supply

APC BE450G Back-UPS ES 8-Outlet 450VA 120V Uninterrupted Power Supply
  • Output Power Capacity 257 Watts / 450 VA Nominal Output Voltage 120V
  • Nominal Output Voltage 120V Output Frequency (sync to mains) 60 Hz
  • Output Frequency (sync to mains) 60 Hz
  • Stepped approximation to a sinewave Waveform Type
  • Maintenance-free sealed Lead-Acid battery with suspended electrolyte : leakproof
  • 4x NEMA 5-15R (Battery Backup)
  • 4x NEMA 5-15R (Surge Protection)
  • Nominal Output Voltage: 120 V
  • Output Power Capacity: 257 Watts / 450 VA
  • Waveform Type: Stepped approximation to a sinewave

This is my second UPS from APC (I have a review posted on the ES 550VA also) and I continue to be happy with their products. I am enduring a home remodel and bought my first APC UPS (an ES 550VA) to protect against tripped breakers and electrical interference from all of the power tools running on the same breakers as my electronics. These two units have been absolutely essential in keeping my equipment safe. My ES 550VA runs my desktop PC and monitor. It has reported numerous, almost daily, power fluctuations that it has compensated for and has provided me several opportunities to go and reset a breaker while the PC ran happily off of the UPS battery. Both of the UPS were plug and play with Vista for monitoring via the PC but also come with software that adds additional functionality. For my Windows 7 laptop I downloaded the latest PowerChute Personal edition software from APC (just so I could plug into a UPS and check it's status without it being connected to a desktop computer) and It also works great.

I use this 450VA model to keep my wireless phone, router, and video surveillance system running during short outages. The ES 450VA will run these devices for about 30 to 35 minutes on battery according to the PowerChute software and, when I unplugged the power to check it out, watching the battery drain via the same software seemed to support this. Both models have 8 plugs, 4 for battery backup and 4 for surge protection. There is also surge protection for a phone/fax/dsl line which I have my DSL line plugged into without issues. Finally, there is an on/off button and an LED that lets you know if the battery needs replacement. On a side note, you need to open the unit up and remove protective contacts on the battery prior to the first use.

I picked up one of these on "black Friday" for about the price of a surge protector and couldn't be happier.

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To me, the entire purpose for buying a high-end surge protector/UPS is *protection* against loss of expensive equipment, and in the case of a computer attached to a UPS, protection against loss of work.

The APC UPS units do what they are advertised as doing, as far as functionality is concerned; I cannot complain about that. However, the thing that really broke my heart on these units was the draconian "Equipment Protection Policy" which many users will overlook until it is too late. I did not read the fine print until months after I set up my UPS, after a blackout killed an Xbox360 I had attached to the unit.

To summarize my complaints on this policy:

1) You must register within 10 days of *purchase*, using a warranty card that comes inside the product box. Considering normal shipping time for internet orders, this requires you to *really* be on your toes. You're probably better off buying one of these in a brick and mortar store so you have more time to submit the required info.

2) You must provide a detailed listing of all equipment that you will connect to the unit; any equipment not listed (i.e. anything that you decide to connect in the future) will probably not be covered.

3) This policy only covers damage from AC line transients (surges). Nothing else is covered; presumably even damage caused by manufacturing defects in the unit are not covered.

4) You need to pay to ship the unit back to them.

5) You may need to pay to ship the damaged equipment to them or bring it to "an authorized service center".

In addition, some other users who have suffered from surges and attempted to submit claims, even after following the above restrictions, have been rejected. I cannot comment on their situations, but I will let them speak for themselves:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SKL73LLAYV4U/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3SKL73LLAYV4U

Even some plain old surge protectors I've bought in the past have less restrictive policies...

Here are some excerpts from the actual policy, which is also available online:Eligibility for coverage under the Equipment Protection Policy:

1) You must register the product by returning to APC the warranty card provided with the product within 10 days of purchase. All information must be filled in, and you should retain a copy for your records. The warranty card must clearly identify the types of electronic equipment that will be plugged into the APC product for which protection under this policy is claimed. All connected equipment must be UL or CSA approved.

2) The APC product must be plugged into properly wired and grounded outlets; no extension cords, adapters, other ground wires, or electrical connections may be used, with the sole exception of other standard APC 120 volt products. The installation must not include power protection products made by any manufacturer other than APC. The installation must comply with all applicable electrical and safety codes set forth pursuant to the National Electrical Code (NEC).

3) Any claim under the Equipment Protection Policy must be made within 10 days of the date of alleged damage to the connected equipment.

4) The Equipment Protection Policy covers only standard APC 120V products used in the 50 U.S. states, Canada, Bermuda* and/or Puerto Rico*.

Read Best Reviews of APC BE450G Back-UPS ES 8-Outlet 450VA 120V Uninterrupted Power Supply Here

A good price, and provides good protection. Even a very minimal ability to be warned when the battery's failing would be nice, but what would really improve things is if replacement batteries were readily available for less than the UPS.

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I bought this to use only for my ADSL2 modem, VOIP box, and wifi router so that if the power goes out, I can still get online and make phone calls. It works well and I was even able to disable the constant beeping it does when the power goes out using their Windows software (their Mac software does not allow you make that change which is unfortunate though).

My only complaint about this unit is that it is not totally silent. I can hear a slight buzz if I get within about 2 feet of it and listen carefully.

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The PowerChute software included for power management is almost useless. Once the hibernation process is triggered, it cannot automatically abort in response to restored AC power. More problematic is that the UPS has to complete a shutdown cycle after computer hibernation procedure is initiated, which takes as long as 2 minutes. The implication is that if you switch on the hibernated computer during this period of time, the computer will boot and then crash in one or two minutes due to loss of power, resulting in loss of the data stored in the hibernation state.

eForCity Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter

eForCity Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 AdapterAMAZON is lumping several sellers of this product with this single review thread. THAT IS A REALLY BAD IDEA because some sellers are shipping products that DO match the Amazon product photo and some are shipping inferior bad-fitting versions that DO NOT match the photo and either DO NOT WORK or just fit poorly and barely work. Since product quality varies so much, to be useful, reviewers really should state their seller's username in reviews.

Great news there is now a $2 Android app called Nexus Media Importer that lets you view/listen to your USB media files without "rooting" your Nexus 7 tablet. It works great. I have a short review with images at LasValley702 forums.

First, the "only" good news shipment from this seller "Crazy-Stores" from Hong Kong was quick. This one arrived several days ago and an identical one bought from a different Amazon seller "Warm Mart" ordered on the same day still has not arrived. I will note that the shape of and markings on the received micro-USB OTG adapter do NOT match the seller's Amazon product photo.

The micro-USB plug on this adapter will not make electrical contact with the Google Nexus 7 tablet because it will not insert fully into the N7's USB port (bad fit or poorly made, your choice). If I wedge something between a USB keyboard case I bought for the N7 and N7's USB port, the keyboard will work BUT constant pressure must be maintained or it will not. BTW, wedging something against the N7's USB port is just not a good idea and could eventually damage it. So, for me, this micro-USB OTG adapter is worthless.

As I said, the 2nd OTG adapter I bought from the other Amazon seller "Warm Mart" still has not arrived from Hong Kong. So, I bought a 3rd adapter from Ebay seller "itrimming". This one from Ebay fits snug and works perfectly with my Google N7 tablet.

If you have a Google N7 tablet, avoid this seller's adapter. (It "might" work fine on other devices.)

BTW, this adapter came in the mail with nothing but the adapter inside. There was no indication which Amazon seller had sent it so I had to email both of them to inquire if "Tom Tang" and the SKU-XXX belonged to them or to someone else. I don't think it is too much to ask that Amazon sellers at least mark their packages and/or contents with their seller name.

UPDATE #1: see my two user images at the top to see the difference between this Amazon purchased adapter (not compatible with the Google N7 tablet) and the one I bought on Ebay.

UPDATE #2: I received the 2nd Amazon purchased adapter (seller: Warm Mart) today. I notice that the seller names (1) Crazy-Stores and (2) Warm Mart from my order now seem to point a link to a new one "Digital Center". Both Amazon purchased adapters look identical (and not the same as the product photo). Both have a plug too long for the Google Nexus 7 tablet. Surprisingly, the 2nd one actually works anyway (at least for the moment) even though it sticks out from the N7 USB port way too far.

I ordered two to use with my Galaxy Nexus. At first, it took a minute for my phone to recognize the adapter. Now, it will instantly recognize everything connected to the adapter. I am able to power a lit keyboard and a mouse attached to an unpowered USB hub connected to the adapter without problems. Mounting a flash drive works great as well.

Be warned, using a keyboard and mouse will drain battery life quickly and there isn't a way to charge while using the adapter.

For other Galaxy Nexus users: The phone doesn't have drivers included to natively mount USB storage devices. Download StickMount on the market if you have root access and mounting flash drives will be quick and simple.

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I ordered several of these from this seller and another. They were all the exact same cable. They do not work. The micro plug appears to be too long and it does not seat all the way. I tried with an HTC Flyer and a Nook Color, both do have host mode. Nothing would be recognized because the plug does not fit.

Too cheap to bother sending it back, but PLEASE SAVE YOUR MONEY.

DOES NOT WORK.

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DO NOT INSERT DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT FOR YOUR NEXUS 7 TABLET UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!! (READ and know that you have been warned.)

Also tried on my HTC EVO and it did power it, but causes unusual program anomalies (as soon as I plug it in, it starts the EVO Dashboard Program and unit Camera at the same time -a good indication that the unit is probably shorting somewhere???)

Ordered 3 of these, price was cheap. 1 came obviously defective (connect teeth "hold in place" pins missing.) Next, tried all 3, connector end that goes into the Nexus 7 tablet is WAY too long for the device (at least it's not too short, that's a good thing? How about just right?) No connection made. 100% failure rate.

Even worse: After plugging this into My NEARLY BRAND NEW NEXUS 7 tablet that I love so much, it will no longer power up. WTF!!! $280 down the drain? I am SOOOOOO MAD RIGHT NOW!!!

So, summarize: 1 cable has obvious visual physical defect, and all 3 have electrical connect defect for the Google Nexus 7 Tablet. Sounds like I'm not the only one having problems with this product, especially on the Google Nexus 7 Tablet. Product less than $1 is it really worth returning? Probably not.

Better to just do a review and share my experience and hopefully the sellers with defective products will just go away! Amazon should consider whether or not this seller can stay on the network if the products can't meet basic expectations. Providing the seller name in the title because Amazon is apparently (based on other reviews) combining reviews from a number of sellers for this item... THIS EXPERIENCE WAS NOT COOL AMAZON!

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I purchased a couple of these from the seller: ExertaTech (I prefer to order from a store in the US than China). I initially attached it to the Nexus 7 using a USB drive, but nothing happened. After purchasing Nexus Media Importer app, I plugged back in the USB drive and was able to play a movie! Great tool to have additional storage for my Nexus 7! (I uploaded a couple of pictures of the micro USB cable being used with Nexus 7 to play a movie)

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neXplug iPod Adapter Charge and Audio Cable with USB and 3.5mm

neXplug iPod Adapter Charge and Audio Cable with USB and 3.5mm for Select BMW and Mini Cooper Car Models - Control From Your Wheel
  • This cable makes the connection to the USB and 3.5mm input found in the center console
  • Replaces BMW Part #61120440796 or 61120440812
  • Fits BMW and MINI COOPER MODELS with AUX and USB inputs
  • All BMW 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X5 and X6 models (2007 and up)
  • All Mini Cooper R55, R56 & R57 (2007-2010)

I have a 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe with the 6FL AUX/USB option and an iPhone 4. This cable replaces the $370 OEM BMW iPod cable. For $22, this is an amazing deal. This cable works perfect. I connect my iPhone and the iPod option on the display enables. It shows all music by artist, album, playlists etc. Sound quality is great and volume/change song buttons from the steering wheel work perfectly. I also use bluetooth with my iPhone and the system can handle both at the same time!

The "this accessory is not optimized for iPhone" message pops up upon connecting, but just tap "dismiss" and it works flawlessly. It even charges my iPhone, which the $370 BMW cable needs another $110 adapter to charge. I highly recommend this adapter. Works GREAT!

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I recently got a 2008 BMW 335xi which came equipped with the iPod/USB adapter in the armrest. But, it didn't have the iPod cable. The one from BMW is something like $100. I hooked this up and the iPod option on my car radio appeared and when I selected it, the radio quickly loaded all the songs and playlist information and I can now listen to my iPod through my car's radio system. And, I can control it with the steering wheel controls or the controls on the radio. It even allows me to browse and select songs by playlist, artist, genre, etc right from the radio. Nice! I couldn't be happier with this.

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I have a 2008 BMW X5 and it works extremely well with my iPhone 3GS. I connected it to the USB and 3.5mm inputs inside the arm rest. I can navigate through the various iPod functions on the navigation screen and also select different tracks from the playlists using the buttons on the steering wheel. As a bonus, my iPhone gets charged while connected. Great product at a very reasonable price.

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I have a 2011 MINI Countryman. I bought this cable to replace the OEM cable that was stolen from my car.

Sadly, after connected my iPhone 4 to the car I found that it does not work at all with MINI Connected.

If all you care about it audio and charging the cable will probably work OK. But for the more advanced iPhone integration of MINI Connected, this cable will not wok.

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I asked my dealer about this missing adapter after purchasing a CPO 328i BMW. He said that it does not come with the car even if you purchase a new car. I couldn't believe and called BMW North America and they said that I had to purchase it for a CPO. My dealer was asking $70 + tax and then I came across this one online and I am glad I saved money.

I tested this adapter with iPhone 4 & iPod nano and both works fine.

Thanks,

Trushar Mistry

High Quality Made In Taiwan Black Finish Professional Double Locking Handcuffs

High Quality Made In Taiwan Black Finish Professional Double Locking HandcuffsThis handy little item is a genuine set of handcuffs these are NOT play cuffs or a cute piece of jewelry, it's the real McCoy! It comes with two keys, and can be "double locked." That is to say, they can be placed on someone's wrists, and then locked in place so that they do not become any tighter.

OK, where do I start? If you are already into BDSM, you will find these to be a great item, restrictive and rather intimidating in appearances. But, you MUST have absolute faith in your partner, as these things do not have quick-release button, and cannot be removed without help. This is for-real bondage.

If you are just starting out into BDSM, then I would NOT recommend these. Like I said, they require a lot of faith in your partner, and if they are locked on too tightly, your hands will be in danger. Plus, who can forget Stephen King's Gerald's Game?

So, I recommend this item to those heavily into BDSM and who want some really restrictive cuffs. I do not recommend it to those just flirting with BDSM.

(Review of Black Finish Professional Double Locking Handcuffs)

You get what you pay for. These cuffs would be great for the bedroom and could even be used as perhaps an emergency spare set for real arrests. They are better than the toy cuffs you would find in many stores, but not as heavy duty as the kind most police use (Smith & Wesson). Considering the low price I give them 4 stars, but if you are looking for a pair for daily law enforcement work, you should buy a better and higher quality pair.

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Very heavy, sturdy and a great deal. My girlfriend broke the first pair of cuffs I bought, but she can't do anything to these. I love the black finish, amazing cuffs.

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This is a very good set of REAL cuffs. Sure they might not be the same as what an official of the law would use. But these are definately not "toys" from the typical sex store. Great fun, But yet another warning like others have said before.... Be careful...this is the real deal. You better really know and trust your partner.

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I was very skeptical about purchasing handcuffs period I figured since the fake "toy" handcuffs were a few $ cheaper, why not try the real thing! These handcuffs are absolutely amazing! Yes, they are real! I tried them on and could not get out of them. I literally had to wait for my husband to come home and take them off. They are steel and heavy duty. I have never used handcuffs before but I know these will last a great while!:o)

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Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder (Black)

Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom and 16 GB Embedded Memory
  • 8.9 megapixel still image
  • 30X Optical, 55X Extended Zoom
  • 3.0 inch touch-screen Clear Photo LCD display
  • 1920x1080 Full HD 60p Recording
  • Up to 5 hours of recording with 16GB embedded Flash Memory

Recently while preparing for a trip to Africa, I purchased an entry level Samsung camcorder. I was extremely disappointed in both image quality and overall functionality. In fact, I did not even take it to Africa, as it offered no advantage over the camcorder functionality built into my Canon Elf digital camera.

So, I was very excited about the chance to get this higher end Sony Camcorder. After my experience with the Samsung, I came into the deal somewhat skeptical. After spending some time with this Sony, I have become a true believer. In this review, I will focus on the things I liked about this camera, as compared to the entry level cameras I have used in the past.

First, the camera is easy to use. I was able to get going with it without reading the instructions. I am of the opinion that a well designed product should be intuitive, and not need instructions. This camera receives high marks in this area. I got all features working without the manual.

Second, the quality of the video was extremely good. The camera focuses well, and the images are brilliant and have excellent contrast.

Now, some of the things that were pleasant surprises compared to my other camcorders. I was delighted to see that there was no detectable "noise" from autofocus or zoom motor. In all my other cameras, you can hear an annoying buzz as you adjust zoom, or as the camera focuses. This camera is completely quiet, and the videos do not have the annoying hum.

Next, I was happy to see the camera has jacks for an external microphone. In some applications there is no substitute for a good external microphone, and this camera is compatible with industry standard microphones.

I was also pleased with the wind reduction technology. I took several videos in relatively high wind, and the wind noise was not noticeable in the video.

The camera came with all the needed cables, and the remote.

Finally, the jaw dropping surprise. I had expected the projector to be little more than a novelty and perhaps even a nuisance. I was shocked to see that the built in projector is actually usable. In a normal room light, you can use the projector for 8X10 projection. In a darkened room, you can project a Big and Bright movie. In addition, the playback speakers provided suitable sound, especially considering their small size.

Overall, I am BLOWN AWAY by this camera. If you check my reviews, you will see I am a picky reviewer, and am often disappointed with gadgetry. Not in this case. You will not be disappointed with this camera, and it is worth every cent of the price.

I am now preparing for another trip to Africa, and this camera will definitely make the cut and go in the carry on bag. I will be visiting the Mattaw Orphan Village and can wait to take video of the children, and then project the videos for them to see.

Review Update 7/14/2012

I have returned from a two month stint of using this video camera in east Africa. I must say that I am completely blown away by this device. In addition to taking exceptional video, there are several features I found invaluable. First, the feature where it snaps still pictures as you are making videos any time it sees a smiling face. On my trip, I focused on making videos. When I got home and looked at the video card, I was delighted to see a wonderful set of still pictures which it had taken on its own (when it saw a smile). This is an excellent addition to the media material from my trip. Secondly, the built in projector. I was able to make videos of children who had never even seen their own faces. I could take them to a dark area, and show them the video of their song or dance. Absolutely incredible. This is a great piece of technology, with features that actually have value!

Buy Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder (Black) Now

While I've yet to use this product sufficiently to review all its features, I felt compelled to warn potential buyers about the fact that Amazon misleadingly aggregates reviews for at least two different models--the HDR-CX260V and HDR-PJ260V. While the two are almost identical, the PJ260V contains an additional built-in projector for watching your movies without needing to hook up the camcorder to a TV or laptop. Amazon uses the same product description for both, however, and applies the same reviews to both models. Therefore, unless you have a sharper eye than I, it's entirely possible to search for the CX260V, then read a number of reviews describing the product's projector; and end up mistakenly buying the CX260V instead of the PJ260V. As I see from at least one of the other comments to comments, moreover, I'm not alone in doing so. As such, if you want the projector, make sure you select the more expensive PJ260V and not the CX260V. While it's not a dealbreaker for me and I'm not sure the projector is worth the extra money, it would have been nice to have made the decision with full knowledge of the distinction.

Read Best Reviews of Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder (Black) Here

After spending hours researching about this camera, I bought it because I decided it was the best. Now that I have used it for several months, I know for myself. Why? Several reasons.

1. The image quality was my #1 concern and this camera doesn't disappoint. Indoors, the quality is definitely more than acceptable, but outdoors is where it really jumps out at you. Color was amazing and there was absolutely no blurriness, fuzziness or grain. It's really as good as it can get.

2. The photo mode is very useful and more than just an added feature. In 8.9 mp, the quality was better than expected (outdoors at least).

3. The touchscreen interface is easy to understand and people with steep learning curves will adjust without trouble. Also, the physical buttons on the camera are few in number, with only the most used and most logical functions being present; everything else is handled one step at a time on the touchscreen.

4. I thought that the GPS function would only be a software gadget that didn't really do anything, but it is nothing short of phenomenal. I live in Ukraine, so naturally I got it shipped here. When I charged up the camera and looked at the GPS section, I saw that the map said I was in New York, presumably the place where the camera was manufactured. I told the GPS to refresh itself and went outside. The camera brought up a satellite map and started connecting with nearby satellites. Once it connected with four of them (after about 2 minutes) I got an exact map of where I was complete with coordinates and exact date and time. The map could zoom way in and I was shocked to find that not only were the names of local areas written in the local language, but the small, almost nameless street that I lived on was present on the map! Nice.

5. The projector is worth every cent of the extra $100 you need to pay for that option. It is extremely clear and the colors are almost as good as on the LCD screen itself. It's a great way to show others the videos you just took. The projector is only a few lumens though, so naturally it works better the less light there is.

6. Another cool feature, the camera takes pictures when someone on the screen smiles, great for catching moments that you would have missed otherwise. Also, you can play a video in slow-motion and then capture an image from it as a separate picture.

Now for a few important notes.

I stand by my decision that this is the best video camera out there for about $600, but that doesn't mean there are things for the buyer to keep an eye on.

First, there's the battery. I think that Sony made a good choice when balancing battery life and the size of the battery, but realistically speaking, most people will only get about an hour and a half of recording time out of a full charge, and that is only if you avoid lots of playback, projector use, and standby time. You can't really complain when you see how small the battery is and how big the LCD display is, but for those hoping for longer recording time, your best bet is to buy the optional NP-FV70 battery like I did. It provides about twice the recording time and honestly, is completely worth the extra $60. Just look out for the NP-FV100 battery pack: It's almost half as thick as the entire camera.

The other thing is the memory. Sure, 16 GB sounds like plenty, but by the time the manufacturer formats the memory and the basic camera software and satellite maps are on there, there is about 12.6 GB of space left. That's adequate, but if you like to record in medium-high quality like I do, then you might want to buy a high-capacity high-speed SD card. If you want to make good use of the GPS tagging function and the projector function, you pretty much HAVE to get an SD card, because once you move your pictures and videos off the camera, there is no way to use the projector function and using the GPS function requires that you install their software and run all of your data from there. I prefer to record in high quality FH mode which allows for full HD resolution, yet doesn't take up as much space as the higher bit rate FX mode. Not only that, but it's the highest quality mode that still allows for simultaneous picture taking and recording; anything higher and you have to quit recording to be able to take a picture. In FH mode, you can record for 1 hour and 43 minutes. By the way, don't bother recording in 60p PS mode unless you have a high-speed solid-state hard drive to put it on. Otherwise the footage will look jerky on your computer. Hard disks are too slow to adequetly process such a complex image.

These notes aside, I think that this camera is flawless except for a slightly squeaky sounding LCD screen (update: it went away after a little while.) I'm sure it's nothing more than a minor issue unique to this one camera that I received. Oh, and still images taken inside usually look grainy even in 8.9 mp; keep in mind that if quality is important, the camera function should NEVER replace a seprate still-image camera.

If you are looking for a video camera that has great video quality and a lot of cool features without bulky size or an eye-watering price, this is definitely it.

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"WOW".. that about sums this amazingly small yet ultra powerful Video Recorder!

I have only started to use this camera but I HAD to write about it. I WILL be adding more content and showing video samples to supplement this review. But let's do a "quickie" review: 10 things that Impressed me:

1) OK.. first off.. tiny! It's amazing how small these guys are .. even compared to 2 years back!

2) The battery is rated for *up to* 9 hours.. so far I charged it only once, been setting it up, and taking small videos for about 4 days now and it still has about 1/4" left.

3) Internal Memory is 16 Gig that represents about an hour of High quality vid. and about 5 + hours at lower res.

4) It is SONY so it readily connects with Newer Bravia TV's and the PS3 but of course you can pretty much connect with anything these days.. but what is wild it has a built in Projector that will project a 100" image! I have tried it (not to 100"), and it works pretty good.. actually VERY good!

5) I like the built in USB cord.. it is not long at all, but it is nice to have a cord ready to plug in to re-charge, or synch with etc... if you don't have your case with all your stuff with you.

6) 30x OPTICAL ZOOM! -OK for ME this is the main reason I wanted THIS model. (They have many models with more memory etc..)

-I wanted the zoom because I take pictures and videos of nature, so it is not always easy to get close.

Many people already know this, bu just in case... when you see "Zoom" you ALWAYS need to see what the "OPTICAL Zoom" is.. that is the true power of the lenses.. no software is involved. The term "digital" or "extended" uses the processor in the camera to "fill in" data, and it is never as crisp in my opinion. So.. for this camera it is 30X Optical , and 55X "Extended" which is.. whoa.. VERY strong!

With that much zoom power you need....

7) Optical "Steady Shot" -This is a very good image stabilizer, it reminds me of my Canon it takes the "jitters"

out of zoom shots, and is supposed to even hold steady while walking. (I haven't tried it walking around..yet!)

8) Face detection & SMILE detection check this out..not only does he camera have face detection.. but when set up, when taking a video, if it detects a smile, it takes a picture! That's pretty cool.. you may get that "one in a lifetime" shot while shooting a video!

9) Built in GPS receiver To be honest this is kinda funky and I am just learning it., But when on (it is on by default) when you take videos (outdoors naturally) it tracks WHERE you took them.. so later on you say for example: "Remember when we were in Time Square?" Instead of looking for a file number & date on the camera, (which you can) you simply touch the "map view", find Times Square and there you are.. it will show what you shot there! It is pretty neat :)

10)"Tracking Focus" This IS cool.. lets say you are shooting a video of you kids.. or better yet your pets.. start shooting..

and from the screen you select your pet -just by touching the screen -.. it will auto track them AND keep them in focus!

THAT is pretty cool.. and it works REAL WELL. I focused in on a Cardinal, it tracked it as it went from branch to feeder to ground.. it was seamless I was pretty shocked.

Well that is 10 things that first impressed me with this camera.. again I WILL add to this and put some vids up.

I am extremely impressed by this video camera.

About the ONLY thing so far I can say against it.. and I am nit-picking, is that I like a viewfinder, I use a Rebel and I am always used to literally looking through the camera. There may be times in bright sun that there may be a glare or the screen may be washed out., but again, that is a small complaint and more of a personal preference and in no way a knock against this wonderful camera!

*****

Jim

** SEE UPDATE AT END **

When reviewers tell you something is spectacular, it makes you wonder. It also prepares you to be disappointed, since your expectations are raised.

This Sony camcorder exceeded even my raised expecations. Sure, the projector is better than a host of far more costly standalone units. Yawn. Sure, it takes HD video, but isn't that what it's supposed to do? Really, what amazes me about this is everything: the total design and outfit, and in particular, the razor sharp focus.

First, a quick intro: I bought a camcorder after more than 10 years of waiting. Prior to this, I bought a Sony Digital-8 to replace my Hi-8, then bought a cheap Panasonic DVC because of its portability and because it fit nicely into a diaper bag. Somewhere in between all of this, was another DVC by JVC that broke. (I seem to say that often of JVC) So, readers take note: I haven't bought a new camcorder in more than 10 years.

Why? Because I really didn't think I needed it. I've seen a few videos shot by my friends with their newer equipment. It was nothing I didn't already get with the two working camcorders I had. In other words, I was content with the older models, in particular the very old Sony Digital-8 with ridiculously good video and low lux capabilities. Besides, with the birth of #2, we weren't using the camcorder as much, and we had smartphones with video-taking ability.

I recently completed a family presentation. It started with a video from the 1960s. This reminded me of how precious video can be. I ran to my favorite store, Amazon, to see what I could get for a reasonable price. I picked this camera for its combination of value, portability, and yes -because it had a built-in projector. It arrived this week. Here are my impressions:

** PROS **

Still shots at 8.9 MP that are superior to a number of still cameras See attached photos

True color Sony gets the color right and is not oversaturated as seems to be the trend

30X optical zoom. Nice!

Razor sharp focus Nice X2

Projector Oh wow! How? The projector puts out sharp video through a tiny little aperture,

and with ample lux

Smile detection Weird feature, but when I went back to output the video, found still images

with big smiles on the subject. I can appreciate this.

Intuitive design touchscreen is nice, menus are well thought out

Form factor Size is 13 ounces with supplied battery: fits in average person's right palm. (I'm

a lefty and I think it's not bad at all, considering lightweight nature)

Software the Sony PlayMemories Home package is excellent, and embedded for installation at

your command. Software add-on allows for easy HD recording to DVD (to play on Blu-ray, not DVD

The software also allows for quick social media posts, if you're into that.

** CONS **

Battery It seems that camcorders never come with reasonable life batteries. This one ships

with a NP-FV50, a little over 1 hour of battery life, according to the manual.

Built-in USB charger A great idea, but the cord is about 1 or two inches too short to be

useful without the (included) extension.

I'm sure I'll be posting updates as I take the camcorder from testing / learning mode to real everyday video. For now though, I'm reminded of why people still own full-version camcorders in this day and age of smartphones and Facebook.

**UPDATE**

I can now officially say my favorite feature on this camera is the razor sharp still image captured surreptitiously through smile detection. There's nothing like genuine, candid smiles and this camera -excuse me -videocamera, catches the moment perfectly. It's also pretty clear from friends' reactions that this is what impresses them too. That said, some additional observations:

Taking video in broad daylight with a LCD monitor isn't always easy. I would have liked a viewfinder, even a black and white one.

The built in lenscap (open shut switch) sometimes gets stuck and the camera has to be closed and reopened in order to get it to reset.

Video conversion has never been easier though, particularly with the enclosed software. (PC user, can't comment on Mac)

A side by side comparision of video taken through this camcorder and my older camcorders are no contest. This model is markedly superior.

Anyhow, those are my additional thoughts. The five star rating still stands solid.