Intel DX38BT Extreme Series X38 ATX DDR3 1333 3xPCIe 2.0x16 1333MHz FSB LGA775 Desktop Board - Retail Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm fan of Intel products. During many years I've been use motherboards of this brand. Without no doubt this is the better of all of them. This motherboard is for extreme and hard uses. If that not is your case It's a waste of money (there are many others Intel options less expensive).

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Manufacturer Product Description With resource intensive games and multimedia tools constantly evolving to the next technological level, you need equally advanced hardware to ensure the best possible computing experience. Hardcore gamers and multimedia enthusiasts can take solace in the fact that next-generation Intel® Extreme Series Desktop Boards combine with the latest Intel processors to run the most demanding software applications with ease.
Amazon.com Product DescriptionWith resource intensive games and multimedia tools constantly evolving to the next technological level, you need equally advanced hardware to ensure the best possible computing experience. Hardcore gamers and multimedia enthusiasts can take solace in the fact that next-generation Intel® Extreme Series Desktop Boards combine with the latest Intel processors to run the most demanding software applications with ease.Intel® Extreme Series Motherboards Product HighlightBuilt to deliver extreme performance for workstation needs, hardcore gaming, media editing, and still offer significant headroom for future upgrades, Intel Extreme Series Desktop Boards are the motherboard of choice for truly hardcore users who refuse to compromise.CrossFire ReadyWhether it's a single graphics card or ATI CrossFire, a system outfitted with the latest graphics cards can deliver unparalleled visual realism when playing 3D games. With compatible applications, multiple cards can share the graphics processing burden and allow for streamlined data processing that ensures high frames per second. Quad-Core CompatibleMaximize the performance of your Intel Extreme Series Desktop Board by capitalizing on its support for Intel's latest quad-core processors. Support for up to two physical quad-core processors enables Intel Extreme Series Desktop Boards to support up to eight processing cores. With more computing "brains", new multi-core processing systems can run more resource intensive games and multimedia applications simultaneously with ease.Overclocker Friendly1Built to be tweaked and pushed to the limits, Intel Extreme Series Desktop Boards include features and software that make it easier than ever to overclock while keeping an eye firmly fixed on system specs. And because these boards are built to Intel's exacting standards of quality, reliability and performance, you can push them to the limits with confidence. For performance enthusiasts looking to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their hardware, Intel Extreme Series Desktop Boards provide a stable foundation for a benchmark-shattering system.1 Warning: altering clock frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and useful life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specificationsOnboard AudioUtilizing the Intel® High Definition audio chipset, the Intel® Extreme series can deliver 360° Dolby Home Theater audio through 10-channel, 7.1 surround sound. Know exactly where your opponent is coming from by the sound of their footsteps as you dominate an online battle. Sit in the middle of a catastrophic explosion as you enjoy a five-star action movie in high definition. Whatever you do, enjoy every decibel coming at you in all directions. Advanced Technical Specifications
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type: Single or up to two identical LGA771 Intel® Processors
CPU Type: Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad-core / Quad-core Intel® Xeon® / Dual-core Intel® Xeon®

Chipsets
North Bridge: Intel® 5400 Express Chipset

Memory
Memory Slots: 4 Fully Buffered DIMM (FBDIMM)
Memory Standard: FBDIMM DDR2 800/667 MHz
Maximum Supported Memory: 16 GB

Expansion Slots
PCI Express x16 connectors: 4
PCI bus connectors: 2

Storage Devices
PATA: 1
SATA (3Gb/s): 6
eSATA: 2

Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset: Intel® High Definition Audio
Audio Channels: 10-channel (7.1) Dolby Home Theater
S/PDIF Out: 2 digital audio outputs
Audio Ports: 5 analog audio outputs

Onboard LAN
Max LAN Speed: 10/100/1000 Mbits/sec

Onboard USB
Onboard USB: 10 USB 2.0 ports (6 external ports, 4 via 2 internal headers)

Onboard IEEE 1394
Onboard IEEE 1394: 2 IEEE1394a ports (1 back panel connector, 1 internal header)

Physical Spec
Form Factor: SSI/EATX (Extended ATX)
Dimensions: 13 inches x 12 inches (3330.20 mm x 3044.80 mm)

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Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs Review

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(More customer reviews)My take on this lens is that it is an "L" quality optic in a fine, non "L" package. There is nothing else on the market to compete with it (nothing at all), and it produces supurb images. It isn't an f/2.8 lens, but it is close enough for most uses. The competition from Tamron is a full stop slower, not as sharp, and is awful in dim light compared to the Canon 10-22 lens (sorry, Tamron fans, but the Tamron lens isn't even playing in the same ballpark).
I use this lens on a 30D body, and I always keep it on hand if I'm doing any indoor, or tight group photography. It is the perfect solution to the perennial problem of not having enough room to capture all the kids at a birthday party in one shot because your back is up against a wall. This lens will just about get your toes into the picture at the widest setting, yet delivers tack sharp, colorful, and contrasty images. The auto focus is spot on, silent, and fast. It is a must have lens for the active amateur, or any pro using a 1.6 crop factor camera. You simply can't beat this lens with anything available on the market today.
That beng said, do not try to convince yourself that this will make a good "walkaround" lens. It isn't. Even at max length, it is far too short to live on your camera as a standard lens. You need this lens, even if you don't know it yet, but it should not be your first lens, as it will only be used 15 to 20 percent of the time. At those times, it's performance simply cannot be equaled by any other zoom lens on a 1.6 crop factor camera. You will be amazed by the quality of this lens. It rivals the performance of modern prime lenses, presents a bright viewfinder image, and delivers the goods in tight situations.
This is not a casual assessment, nor a Canon "feel good" moment on my part. I developed my first B&W contact prints in 1964, in my own darkroom at the age of 9 (my parents were concerned:)), and have been an avid photographer ever since. Small, medium, and large format cameras and lenses have passed through my hands over the years, and Canon has become my favorite small format brand. Still, Canon builds some trash lenses that should be avoided. The 10-22 USM is not one of them :).
Before you go out and buy this lens, you should already own the EF-S 17-55mm IS f/2.8 lens. That is the king of 1.6 crop factor standard lenses, and includes the awesome Canon IS feature. It will end up being mounted on your camera 80% of the time, and keep you smiling after every shoot. Get that lens first. Then, get the 10-22mm lens. Then, let your imagination run wild, and plan on serious telephoto lenses for the future. Trust me or not, the two lenses mentioned above will provide you with photographic tools that will astound you. Get them in your kit as soon as you can afford them.
A little warning about either lens.... Some here will argue the point, but with either lens, get a GOOD quality UV filter that is multi-coated on both sides, and built extra thin to avoid vignetting at wide lens settings. A good filter will cost a little less than one hundred Dollars, and can cost up to one hundred forty Dollars. The minimum brand would be Hoya Pro 1 multi coated filters, and the ante goes up from there.
Everything else is garbage, including the Canon "sharp cut" filter that costs less than fifty bucks. No kidding, no conjecture. If you use cheap filters, you will never see what your lens can really do. Ever. No doubt that many will respond with claims that their twenty Dollar filter works just fine, but they simply don't know any better, and have never used their expensive equipment to it's full potential. It's akin to a Chevy owner passing judgement on a Mercedes Benz. The Chevy might feel real good, but until you own the Mercedes, you just have no clue.
Bottom line.... Make sure that the quality of your filters exceed the quality of your lenses. Yes, at a hundred bucks a pop for a 77mm filter, it hurts, but you will never regret it. Also, Amazon does not stock lens hoods for all non L Canon lenses. The price is stupid high for those hoods, but they make a night and day difference in in picture quality. Whenever you order a non L Canon lens, find a web seller who has the hood in stock, and get it right now. Again, you will never regret owning it.
That's it for my review/rant. Buy this lens. Buy the 17-55 IS f/2,8 first. Buy the lens hoods for both. Toss any "kit" lenses that came with the camera in the trash bin (where they belong), and be very happy.


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With its effective focal length range of approximately 16-35mm in 35mm format, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3. 5-4. 5 USM is a remarkable lens with outstanding image quality that will take your photography into new dimensions and areas of dramatic expression. The super-wide zoom not only gives you the freedom to get exactly what you want in the shot, it dramatically alters perspective to allow for dynamic expression. The lens allows you to get extremely close to subjects, exaggerating the difference in size between a near object and its background. Creative photographers can use this phenomenon to create excellent separation between subject and background for a strong sense of presence, or for a pan-focus effect with everything from foreground to background sharply in focus. Exceptionally light and compact for its focal length range, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3. 5-4. 5 USM also has an incredibly close minimum focusing distance of just 24cm. A ring-type USM works in concert with the camera to provide super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking - with full manual override available at any time. Designed specifically for digital photography, the lens has specially shaped lens elements and Super Spectra coatings to suppress ghosting and flare, which can be caused by reflections off digital camera sensors. An exclusive optional lens hood can further reduce the incidence of flare. A circular aperture provides a pleasing background blur when shooting with a wide aperture; ideal for creating a sense of depth and getting your subject or model to stand out from the background.

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Olympus 17mm f/2.8 Lens Review

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(More customer reviews)This is small lens. That's its main claim to fame, not the speed at f2.8, nor the focal length, the equivalent of about 35mm in 35mm photography. But on the small Olympus PEN body, this lens gives you a small package that takes quite good pictures without messing around with a zoom. In particular, it works well as a walking-around street camera, much like an old Leica or a Canon rangefinder of the 1950s/1960s. (See also the optical viewfinder which has image lines specifically for this 17mm lens.)
I tried this package out, camera, lens, and viewfinder, and got a good number of excellent images walking through crowds of people downtown. It's wide enough to catch people in their immediate environment. The camera is unobtrusive and really helped with the casual picture taking. I'd strongly recommend the setup to folks looking for a forgiving digital imaging setup with modern features but much of the ease of handling and casual ability of old rangefinders (without having to focus of course).

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M. Zuiko Digital 17mm f2.8for EP1. (1). In order to use the E-P1 with ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, the Four Thirds lens adapter (MMF-1) must be mounted to the E-P1 body.Note: When using ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses that are not high-speed imager-AF compatible using the ?S-AF + MF? auto focus mode is recommended.

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JBL L820 6-Inch 4-Way Wall-Mountable Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)My theater room is 17 x 20 x 7 which makes it a decent size room. I was torn between buying these wall mounted speakers versus the tower models for fear the the L820's wouldn't be able to keep up. I am very suprized at how well these speakers fill up my room. I have four L820's for front left and right and surrounds. I also have the lc2 for center duties and the L8400 for sub duties.
With this setup I have all speakers wall mounted and all crossed over at 100 HZ. Honestly I don't hear anything missing in the mix. I hear the bass guitars full spectrum and snares and tom toms have alot of weight. These speakers four way design really sound awesome for critical listening. Voices, pianos, and guitars sound amazing.
I am completely satisfied with these speakers for a couple different reasons:
- Sound perfomance is amazing (especially for movies).
- Are wall mounted with all wiring in the wall/no speakers on the floor with unsightly cables.
- Powered them with a modest 50 watt harman kardon reciever. If you buy the towers you will have to shell out alot more money to buy and adequate reciever to power them.
With a proper positioning and proper calibration these speakers are an amazing deal for the money. There is always something better in every aspect of life, but seriously for the money I don't think there is a better deal.
Lastly I would like to add that Amazon has been nothing but a class act to work with and would encourage you to do business with them. You won't regret it!

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The JBL Studio L820 is a 4-way, 6" bookshelf loudspeaker that is wall-mountable. The pure titanium and Mylar transducers ensure crystal-clear highs, while the PolyPlas drivers guarantee tight and accurate bass.

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Chief PNR-U - Mounting kit ( wall mount, dual swing arm ) for flat panel - silver - wall-mountable Review

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(More customer reviews)With this you can rest assured your TV won't fall. It's sturdy, secure and built to last!

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Dual swing arm solution for large flat panel displays with extension up to 24 7/8". The PNR is designed for installations that require a solid dual swing arm with shorter extension.Accomodates Large 37-60"+ TVs.

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Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Section Tripod with Q90 Column and Magnesium Castings (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you can afford it, don't hesitate.
This tripod along with the 322RC2 Ball Head is a superb combination! Sturdy yet light weight. Great for long field hikes as well as studio work.
The legs can be positioned at four different angles with flat-out to the ground for low level shooting. (The Q90 Center Column lays horizontal with the legs in this position) The Q90 Center Column quickly switches from vertical to horizontal with the click of a button. Steadiness in the horizontal position is not compromised at all.
The first thing I tried was shooting several different exposures of the same scene for HDR prints. With the 055CXPRO4's steadiness, each exposure lined up precisely and provided a crystal clear image for HDR processing.
I highly recommend this carbon fiber tripod for the serious amateur, advanced photographer and professionals, alike!

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Developed to meet the needs of the most demanding professionals and photography enthusiasts who want the best in terms of performance and quality, the new 055CXPRO4 carbon tripods are extremely versatile and feature an eye-catching, ergonomic design. This tripod presents outstanding qualities in terms of height, rigidity, payload and setup, offering incredible lightness thanks to the carbon fiber structure. Equipped with a tri-faceted carbon fiber central column, magnesium top spider die casting and leveling bubble integrated on the magnesium top plate the renowned patented Q90° center column system (Quick Center Column System), which allows positioning the central column horizontally without having to remove the head or the column itself. One of the core pillars for Manfrotto is design. With the 055CXPRO4, all the locking collars, levers and main castings have been redesigned to allow for reliable, ergonomic and lighter tripods. By using 100% carbon fiber tubes, and not mixing any other types of fiber, the quality and performance is uncompromised. High-quality \'Pull-Winding" production technology has been used in order to guarantee constant high quality tube construction. The structure combines a perfect harmony between the number of layers and angle of the fiber directions to achieve an optimum balance between rigidity and compression resistance.The new angle selector levers have been designed to improve ergonomics. The new magnesium top plate now features a bubble to help in leveling the tripod and camera. It has also been highly refined to create a very appealing design that also reduces weight. The new ergonomic leg locking levers have been completely redesigned to improve functionality. They are much easier to operate and have become a seamless element of the tripod.

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Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7052 17.3-Inch Laptop (Fusion Finish in Helios Grey) Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased the Toshiba L675D-S7052 laptop for my daughter to use in college. After reading some reviews I was a bit nervous, but went ahead anyway.
I am not disappointed with this purchase. In fact, I'm quite pleased.
I have a lot of confidence in Toshiba Satellite laptops. I started off with a Compaq, years ago. It was nothing but trouble. When I replaced it, I purchased a Toshiba Satellite. I have stuck with Toshiba ever since. I have found that they are a hardly piece of equipment that just keeps going...and going...and going.
One of the things that concerned me, with some reviews, was the claim that this laptop is flimsy, bendable and liable to all sorts of bad things. I have not found that to be the case whatsoever. This laptop is nicely protected and is made out of a decent, sturdy material. It appears it can take a beating - bouncing around in someone's car and backpack. I'm both comfortable and confident giving this to a teenager.
I am a fan of AMD processors. In my experience, I have grown to prefer them over Intel processors. This Phenom II - Dual core processor appears to have plenty of power and speed. One thing my daughter requested, was that she could play games on it. She made me promise her. Guess what? This little laptop does just fine.
I am not too happy with the fact that this Windows 7 (64bit) version regularly sucks up 1.2 gigs of RAM just to operate. But then again, it comes with 4 gigs of RAM and is upgradable to 8. If I decide to add more RAM, it will take me all of one minute to install it.
One of my main concerns was with the number of USB ports. Many of the new laptop models only have two. That made me nervous for a couple of reasons. One, laptops get hot, so we're going to need to plug in a cooling pad. Two, some external hard drives require two USB slots to power themselves. Three, beside the other two...where is she going to plug in her mouse?
I didn't need to worry. I sat the laptop on the kitchen table all day long as I updated Windows, installed software and tested out the system. After sitting on the table without a cooling pad for 8 hours, i picked up the thing and it was still cool. I mean...really cool. My personal laptop gets so hot you need a cooling pad. After running hard for 8 hours, this little unit felt like it was still sitting at room temperature. This is nice.
It is also my understanding, correct me if I am wrong, but the newer external hard drives are back down to one slot. However, even if I am wrong, we still have three to play with. So, if it takes two to run an external hard drive, we still have another slot for a mouse.
Here is a nice feature: Ever had trouble with a laptop when you are typing and the cursor moves all over the place because of the pressure on the keyboard? I have experience this with IBM, HP, Compaq and Toshiba units in the past. However, on this unit...just below the space bar...there is a tiny button that can disable the built in mouse pad. When you want to use it again, just press the button and it starts working again. Nice!
Only thing I didn't like very much, was that the keys seem to show fingerprints easily. However, they are easily wiped off.
The 17 inch screen is beautiful.
I am very pleased with this purchase.
Awesomeness: Price, screen size, hard drive size, low heat, thin
Whine Factor: No Blu-Ray, no Bluetooth


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Samsung N130-13B 10.1-Inch Slate Blue Netbook - Up to 6.2 Hours of Battery Life Review

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(More customer reviews)Purchased this netbook from Amazon Monday evening and received it on Thursday; fast shipping Amazon. This is a super netbook for $299.99. Color is matte blue and white which shows no fingerprints. Actually like the color better than I thought I would. Build quality is solid as you would expect from Samsung. Screen is matte not glossy which I also like. Very little bloatware to remove. I bought this for my wife who travels and has to give powerpoint presentations. Needless to say she loves this little thing. It will certainly make her travel easier, as this netbook is so small and light(2.8 Lbs). It is a simple netbook; doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, like bluetooth, 1.3 camera, etc. The wifi card found my AT&T Uverse device quickly, so I was on the internet immediately. Battery life is as advertised; it took me about 6 hours to run it down from initial full charge. Wife likes the touchpad, too; I use the usb mouse. If you want a solid, simple netbook with middle of the road battery life, you will like this little gem.
Out of the box, fully charge the battery(light on left front edge of netbook will go from orange to green when fully charged). Next boot up and it will lead you quickly through windows XP installation. Then configure it with programs like you want it. Then enjoy. It is a great product and a steal at this price.

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N130 - intel - atom - n270 - 1.6 ghz - ddr2 sdram - 1 gb - serial ata - 160 gb -

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Pioneer DEQ-7600 DIN Digital Signal Processor and 15-Band Digital Graphic Equalizer Review

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(More customer reviews)Prior to my recent purchase of the above I had had installed a SONY Graphic Equalizer, but with time it died and I had to get a replacement.
After much search I came up with Pioneer's product above and had it installed.
As a product and as far as performance is concerned, it is a magnificent product..as was my Sony.Unfortunately it's graphic display is well below what I had expected it to be, especially when compared with my Sony.
The bars are of only one pale green or light blue color which in the sunlight it is difficult at best to see.
Whereas the SONY had bright yellows and reds and blues that were easily seen in all types of lights. Unfortunately SONY does not make Graphic Equalizer's like the model I had, or I certainly would have bought it instead.
It is a bit of a dissapointment to see such a PLAIN display for such a fine unit.
JP

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If you like to customize your music- even specific songs- the DEQ-7600 is a great add-on. A 15-band EQ- with 5 factory/3 user presets- tailors your music, while the Hi-Bit Legato Link digital processor provides truly superior sound reproduction. Other features include electronic dual-amp balancing, a multi-color display, and a remote sensor for an add-on remote controller.

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Pavilion Slimline S5260F Pc - Desktop - Slim Tower - Phenom II X4 - 925 - 2.8 Gh Review

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(More customer reviews)Excellent piece of machinery, unbeatable price, timely delivery. I use it as the multimedia hub for my home installation. Unbeatable. It is a bigger frame than the competition, but you can't have everything for that price.

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The HP Slimline offers a powerful PC where space is at a premium. Perfect for a small office or dorm, it can handle all your computing needs, like e-mail, word processing and more. And the Slimline is flexible, so you can easily add or upgrade features and functions. The HP Slimline's sleek, modern styling, with chrome and accent lighting, looks great in any room.NVIDIA GeForce G210 graphics card with 512MB DDR2 Dedicated graphics Combination Blu-Ray Disc player (BD-ROM) and SuperMulti DVD Burner with Lightscribe technology (DVD+-R/RW with DL) Built in TV Tuner to watch, pause, rewind, and record live TV High Definition Audio with up to 7.1 surround soundWireless LAN 802.11b/g/n featuring Single-band (2.4Ghz) 2x2 MIMO technology 10/100 Base-T Network interface Front panel 6-in-1 memory card reader xD, MMC ,SD & SDHC, MS, MS Pro, MMC+ Front ports -2 x USB, Headphone Back ports -4 x USB, IEEE 1394, Digital Audio Out, LAN, Microphone/Line-in/Line-out; Rear speaker-out; Side speaker out; Center (Subwoofer); DVI, HDMI, VGA Expansion slots -1 PCI Express x1 (occupied); 1 PCI Express x16 (occupied); 1 MiniCard slot (occupied) Drive bays -1 external 5.25 (occupied); 1 internal 3.5 (occupied) Dimensions -16.87(L) x 6.54(W) x 15.11(H/D) approx. Weight -11 lbs. approx. Monitor is not included

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Panasonic DMC-GH1K 12.1MP Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera with 1080p HD Video Review

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(More customer reviews)Bottom line up front: this is a great stills and video camera. It is a freshly designed stills camera that gives DSLR performance with P+S ease and DSLR abilities. As a video camera it is the best implemented video system on a "stills" camera today.
This is an amazing camera but before I tell you why I would like to make a comment on the current situation of this camera. First it is disappointing that Panasonic has region coded the camera and that they are starving the US market. Check out the price difference between the US and Japan at Amazon JP. However, you cannot change the language from Japanese to English due to the region coding. Also, punish the companies that are overcharging (Big VALUE Inc. is/was charging a 1.67 price premium). I for one will never ever do business with a company that does that. If everyone boycotted these predator type companies, they would go out of business.
When people first look at the GH1 there is an initial sticker shock. Why would I pay so much more than the G1? The major reason the difference is warranted is because it has a far more expensive lens. The price difference of the 14-140mm lens and the 14-45mm that comes with the G1 accounts for 5/7 of the price difference of the cameras. On top of that the 14-140mm lens is specially designed for video as it has utterly silent focusing and aperture changes. Also, the aperture changes are step-less. This allows for very smooth lighting transitions. The remainder of the price difference can be attributed to the inclusion of the best seen-to-date video implementation in a "stills" camera and an upgraded sensor from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Blue). If you are not planning on working with movies then the GH1 is probably overkill and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Red) would be your best bet. Also, the GH1 functions very much like the G1 for stills so any of those reviews will apply to the GH1.
STILLS
Panasonic markets this camera as like a DSLR only SMLR. I think that is a cool bit of marketing and is right on the mark. This camera has the best contrast detection autofocus on the market. It is as fast if not faster than my Nikon D40 and is almost as fast as my D700. This is a great technological breakthrough and is what allows the camera to be smaller than a DSLR while giving nearly identical performance. With this camera you will not miss photos of your children or other fast moving subjects while you wait for your camera to focus. Bravo.
What is also nice about a great contrast detection autofocus is that Panasonic was able to start with a fresh design from the ground up. The live view is the best implementation that I have seen to date. I never use live view on my D700, but I will always be using it with the GH1. It flips out and rotates 270 degrees. This means you can see it from the back, the front (for self portraits), the top, the bottom, and on one side. In addition, to the great screen articulation, the speedy contrast focus is the last piece that makes this live view great rather than painfully slow like it is on other DSLRs.
On top of the great live view, this fresh design allows this camera to handle exceedingly well. In many ways it takes the best of the point-and-shoot (P+S) world and mixes it with the best of the DSLR world. It doesn't have as many dedicated buttons as my D700 but the Q Menu system works very well and allows for quick changes of most shooting parameters. There is a detailed menu system but I don't find myself using it very much while shooting. I feel that this setup allows photographers moving up from the P+S world to feel immediately comfortable on this camera while also giving experienced photographers the control they need to work their craft.
I don't know what kind of plastic Panasonic uses on this camera but I love the way it looks and feels. Also, I think having a red or gold camera is cool and makes it look more like a toy rather than a "professional" camera. With the photographer unfriendly laws proliferating the world, it is nice to have an incredibly capable camera that doesn't look like a professional camera.
This is a micro-4/3s camera system. That has some pros and cons. The chip is smaller than most DSLR chips. A full frame (FX in Nikon speak) sensor is ~860 sq mm, a Nikon DX sensor is ~370 sq mm, the 4/3 sensor is ~225 sq mm, and the typical sensor used in a point and shoot range between ~25-50 sq mm. However, a 2/3 sensor like many TV shows are shot with is ~60 sq mm and a 1/4 sensor like most home video recorders is only ~10 sq mm. What does all of these numbers mean? From a "stills" perspective the 4/3 format is relatively small when compared to DSLRs. That means that for the same megapixel rating, the 4/3 sensor will have smaller photoreceptors and that means more noise. However, the 4/3 sensor is roughly 60% of a DX chip so while this is a great physics discussion, in real life you will not be able to tell the noise difference based on sensor size even with a picture blown up to 100%. This is born out by the GH1's excellent noise control up to ISO800. You can also still use shots taken at ISO 1600 and 3200 but those low light shots are usually better turned into black and whites for that noire grainy look. That is the "downside" (not really much of a downside especially when compared to the up side) of the micro 4/3 system. The upside is that because you have a smaller area to cover, you can make lenses smaller (less weight and less cost). You also get a 2x multiplication factor on your lenses. So now that 200mm lens gives you 400mm of reach. Yea. However, on the wide side of lenses you need a 7mm lens to get a 14mm viewing angle and those can get pretty expensive. The point of all of this mumbo jumbo is that this camera takes great pictures and the lenses are smaller than DSLR lenses. Less weight and smaller size with no noticeable image quality compromise equals great camera.
One thing that some people list as a negative on this camera is that in low-light the electronic view finder(EVF) gets dark, grainy and jerky (slow refresh speed). However, I look at it as a positive because that is how your picture is going to look. Unlike a DSLR which shows your eyes what the world looks like through the lens, the EVF shows your eyes what the sensor sees through the lens; an important distinction. So if you look through the EVF and see a dark (low light), grainy (High ISO), and jerky (slow shutter speed) image then you know you better shoot really carefully, move the subjects to more light, or light the photo with the built in flash (not recommended but if its all you've got..) or use an external flash.
On thing that is a negative is the slow 1/160 flash sync speed. This will be very limiting for off camera flash during bright light. With such a slow sync it will be exceedingly difficult (impossible?) to get shallow depth of fields while lighting. Most people probably won't use this feature but for those that do it will be a bummer. (FP mode and ND filters can help with this though)
I also love the face recognition on this camera. When I am taking group photos, the faces that I really care about are my families'. Now I can register 6 peoples' faces and it will focus on them. Nice
VIDEO
In many ways, this camera lacks some of the features of a dedicated video recorder. So why would I want to use this camera? After all, you can get a G1 and HD video recorder for the same price as this camera. There are two main reasons. The first reason is Depth of Field (DOF). As I mentioned earlier the micro 4/3 sensor has 4 times more area than the 2/3 sensor used for many TV shows and is 22 times more area than many video recorders. Smaller sensors = larger DOF. This makes it harder to isolate your subject from the background by having the background out of focus. Pay attention to movies when you watch them and you will notice how they shift focus to "highlight" their subject. If you have wondered why you can't do that with a home video recorder, now you know. If you shoot with a F4 lens on a 4/3 system you will need a .8 aperture on a 1/4 system to get the same DOF (by the way there is no such home video recorder). The second major reason to use the GH1 is the ability to change lenses. Right now there are not many micro 4/3 lenses. However, the micro 4/3 format is so flexible that, with an adaptor you can use just about any camera lens you want (Nikon, Canon, Leica, etc). The trade off is that you lose autofocus and metering with most non-4/3 lenses. The ability to change lenses grants two major benefits. First, you can put all sorts of exotic lenses on. For example if you put on a 7mm lens, you would give your video a perspective not often seen in home footage. On a 1/4 sensor of a video recorder you would need a 1.4mm lens to get the same perspective as the 7mm on the 4/3 system. (Most camcorders are not going to go wider than 4mm which is roughly equivalent to a 20mm lens on a 4/3 system.) Secondly, you can put exceedingly "fast" (a fast lens is one with a low aperture number. A lower aperture number means more light hitting the sensor so you can run your shutter speed faster. Hence fast lens) lenses on to get shallow DOF. You could easily put a f1.4 lens on this camera. You would need a f0.3 lens to get the equivalent DOF on a 1/4 sensor.
Anyway, it is relatively easy to make beautiful videos with this camera;...Read more›

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The Panasonic DMC-GH1 is called a Creative HD Hybrid because it records not only high-quality photos but also high definition 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD format. Continuous AF can be used while recording movies, to further boost operating ease. Taking advantage of its system camera design, the DMC-GH1 features the potential for unlimited photo expression by allowing the use of different lenses for specific shooting situations and subjects. High-quality sound recording with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator and a host of other creative options, including manual settings, giving the DMC-GH1 even greater versatility.Supporting the DMC-GH1's powerful full-HD movie recording function is a 12.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor and the Venus Engine HD image processor, which features two CPUs for outstanding processing capability. The LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S., which is a versatile 10x zoom interchangeable lens, was designed for movie recording by including a silent and continuous auto focusing function and seamless aperture adjustment.FEATURES:Intelligent Exposure (iA) Mode - Panasonic's Intelligent Exposure (iA) Mode simplifies face detection autofocus, AF tracking for moving subjects, optical image stabilization, scene mode selection, and ISO to make great pictures as simple as point-and-shoot. Concentrate on the subject in front of you--let the camera do the rest. The GH1 lets you enjoy making great photographs with ease!Super Zoom 14-140mm Lens - Coupled with the GH1, the newly-developed 14-140mm (10x) zoom lens provides excellent wide angle to telephoto coverage. From landscapes to dramatic close-ups, this optic ensures first-class image quality in an amazing 35mm focal equivalent of 28-280mm! The integrated optical image stabilizer keeps your photos sharp and shake-free while the silent autofocus motor keeps pace with the most demanding photo and video applications.HD Video Recordin

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Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG OS SLD Super Multi-Layer Coated Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF Mount Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have only had 2 days to play with this lens, but so far am impressed with it's performance. I bought this mainly for outdoor use as I have a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR lens for indoor shooting. I simply do not want that mammoth lens on my camera when hiking, etc., especially since fast aperture is not necessary in good light. This one looks like it will do nicely. Focus is pretty fast - hunts a little in lower light at telephoto, but that's pretty common for most lenses of this type. Image quality is very good so far. Some very minor fringing in a few of the shots (not an issue with JPEG's from my D90 because it automatically removes most CA). I'll shoot some RAW shots outdoors when I get a chance to see if it is anything to worry about, but so far it appears to be acceptable. Focus is extremely accurate - dead-on on every shot taken (no front focus issues that some Sigma lenses have). OS is also VERY impressive. I'd say really close to Nikon's best VRII lenses. I took a couple of 1/4 sec. shots handheld with only my elbows braced against my ribs, at full telephoto, and the shots were perfectly sharp. You can see the image start to float when the shutter is half-pressed, so you know the stabilizer is working. Lens mounts snugly onto the camera and has a good, sturdy metal mount like the better Nikon lenses have. Fits perfectly. I like the size and weight compared to the Nikon equivalent (it is somewhat more compact). The only drawback is that the lens is not internal focusing like the Nikon (which probably accounts for the compactness). This means that the lens hood must be a round one (not a petal hood, which I prefer) because the end of the lens rotates as it focuses. It also extends about 7/8 of an inch at closest focus, which makes the overall length pretty long at 300mm (about 8 inches without hood, around 10 with the hood attached). None of that really matters much to me, though. One thing that I liked about this one compared to the Nikon 70-300 VR was that the aperture starts at f4, not f4.5, so it's a bit faster than the Nikon. The shallow depth of field was surprising to me. Longer focal lengths tend to really amplify the effect at closer ranges, and that is very apparent with this one.
The best way to rate this lens would be to break down specific attributes, and then give a score (1 to 10) on that attribute, so here goes:
Image quality (so far): 9 (impressed with every one taken thus far - color, sharpness, etc. quite good)
Focus accuracy: 9 (low light the only issue)
Focus speed: 8 (could be a little better)
Focus noise: 7 (not as quiet to focus as Nikon AF lenses - even my huge 70-200 f2.8 VR lens is lots quieter)
Fit: 10
Finish quality: 7 (surface not as good looking or durable looking as Nikon, but not ugly either)
Optical Stabilization: 9.5
Size/weight: 9
Overall ease of use/functionality: 9
I will update with more information after using the lens more. I cannot give the lens 5 stars, although I believe it is not far from achieving that. I think most people will agree that this lens is worth the money spent and will do what it is intended to do, and do it well.
Update: Feb. 2010- Have taken a few more shots with this lens. All-in-all still very satisfied with it. The fringing noted earlier is there - a bit more than I first indicated. RAW shows slightly more than the JPEG's, but it is fairly easy to remove the majority of it in Lightroom. Some images look a bit soft. When I compare them to the 18-105 Nikon kit lens, I initially thought they were pretty comparable,but they are a tad bit softer when looked at closely. It is much softer than my 70-200 f2.8, even when that one is shot wide open - and the Sigma is FAR behind on anything stopped down to f4 or higher on the Nikon. However, I would expect nothing less from a lens that is over 5 times as expensive. Outdoor shots are very respectable from the Sigma - It is my recommendation that a person use this lens stopped down some outdoors, particularly at 200mm and above, as the fairly shallow depth of field when zoomed will render some subjects in front of the main subject out of focus, even on relatively distant shots. F8 to f11 fixes that most of the time. My initial rating of 4 stars still stands, as I feel that image quality is less than perfect, but as good as anyone should expect at this price level. The only individual rating that would change is the image quality that I rated a 9, is more like an 8 - still pretty good. Is is considerably better than a Nikon 55-200 VR that I sold recently - it was soft across the frame, with a very bad left side. Perhaps a bad copy? Anyway, the Sigma 70-300 OS is a lens I am proud to carry in my gear bag, and one that will work well for me for a long time.
Update 2: Mar. 2010 - Upon further inspection of the images, it appears that shots taken stopped down some are a fair bit sharper than when shot wide open. Stopped down shots look to be sharper than just about any of the Nikon 18-105 ones, but are softer than the Nikon when shot wide open. That being said, my recommendation in a sentence or two is: shoot this lens stopped down a bit and don't expect to use it in low light without flash or for indoor sports. The best shots will result from the lens set too slow to be of much use in those cases. If I have more to report, I will do so later.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG OS SLD Super Multi-Layer Coated Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF Mount Digital SLR Cameras

High ratio zoom lens housed in a compact construction and incorporating Sigma's original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This telephoto zoom lens incorporates Sigma's original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function and is housed in a compact construction. TheOS function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. The SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element provides excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high contrast images throughout the focal range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 150cm (59.1") throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.9, making it ideal for close-up photography SIGMA's own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) technology This lens is equipped with Sigma's own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This system offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. It makes telephoto shooting easy for many types of photography such as sport and nature. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an anti-shake function. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subjec

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Aficio Sp C431DN Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm writing this because this printer has been out for half a year or so and I couldn't find any good reviews. I bought it anyway and have had it for about three weeks. Setup went well and the optional gigabit ethernet board was very easy to install. The PCL driver installed with a minimum of fuss. The printer seems very fast to me and the 1200×1200 output is crisp even with a 12× loupe. I've only tested the duplex feature, but it worked well in the test. I haven't been through the color calibration yet, but the off the shelf calibration isn't bad. In all, I'm happy with it. I was put off by the lack of reviews, so I hope this helps someone.

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Aficio SP C431DN42-PPM for color and monochrome prints.Security model includes 550-sheet Paper Tray, 100 sheet Bypass Tray, integrated Duplex, 768MB RAM, 80GB Hard Disk Drive and Enhanced Locked Print NX (ELP-NX) standard.Ships with Starter Toner that yields 3K prints @5% coverage.

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XFX Black Edition HD 5850 1 GB DDR5 Graphics Card HD585AZNBC Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great product and recommenced it for those who are wanting to max their graphics. This will fit in a mid size tower which is one question alot of people is wondering. Runs quietly and doesn't take alot of power like the new Fermi does. Get it now!

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The XFX HD5850 Black Eidition is ready to elevate your gaming and multimedia experience to a whole new level.Armed with 1GB of DDR5 graphics memory and the latest GPU technology.

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Samsung TL320 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Schneider Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch OLED Screen (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)Samsung TL320 / WB1000 is Samsung advanced compact camera with full manual control for creative photography. There is two major selling point of TL320: 24-120mm f/2.8-5.8 lens, and 3' hVGA AMOLED screen. Today, Compact camera which has 24mm is considered rare because it is expensive for manufacturer to make. The lens also has decent maximum aperture. the 5 X zoom length is long enough for various shooting conditions.
LCD Screen
The 3 inches AMOLED LCD screen is very clear and nice to look at especially indoor. But when I use the camera outdoor, like other compact cameras, it still have problem under bright light condition. Glare and reflection obstruct your view, and it can be annoying when you are composing the picture . The LCD screen has 4:3 ratio instead of 3:2 ratio that we usually see in DSLR.
Sensor and Image resolution
One other thing that important to mention is the sensor and image size. The sensor size is 1/2.33 inch (1.09cm) CCD and 12 megapixel maximum resolution. The sensor size is considered small for advance compact camera. Competitors such as Canon S90 IS has 1/1.7 inch and Award winning Panasonic LX3 has 1/1.63 inch. AS a result, image in ISO 400 and above are not that clean. But to be fair, those competitors have a $100-150 higher price tag.
There are several aspect ratios we can choose. But to get full resolution (12 mp or 4000 X 3000) we need to shoot in four thirds (4:3) ratio. If you want to shoot in 3:2 ratio, you will get only 10 mp. and if you shoot in 16:9 ratio (wide screen), you will get 9 mp. Samsung suggests that 9 mp image is good to print up to A2 size and 12 mp is good up to A1 size.
Body and Handling
Samsung TL32 has a sleek, compact body. The lens is fully collapsible when camera is off. The size is relatively small compare to other advance compact cameras and it is very pocket-able.
Samsung also has rotating / round dial, which is use to navigate menu and changing aperture, shutter speed or other setting. I personally like it because I've used Canon EOS 40D and Canon G series before, and they have the same concept.
Build quality is relatively good. Its outer casing is made by metal which exudes confidence. However, the round dial (Samsung calls it smart dial) is a bit flimsy. Ironically, the tripod mount is made by plastic instead of metal. But it won't bother me because I won't use tripod when shooting with this camera 99% most of the time.
The body design is cool, especially the top part of the camera. It has two analog indicators of battery and memory card capacity. Some people might thing it is redundant, but I feel it is very informative. The color of the top plate is black, but in the body is primarily dark brown.
Operation and Auto Focus
Overall, this compact camera is very responsive. Start up time is about 1 second. Auto focus is fast. The whole camera operation is almost silent.There are three kinds of AF system you can choose: Full automatic, multiple focus points and user selector.
Changing basic settings of the camera such as AWB, ISO, photo style, face detection and exposure compensation are very easy and relatively fast. You only need to press Fn (Function) button, and then do the adjustments.
The camera also have macro focusing capability (focusing very close to fill small object to the frame). Unfortunately, the macro focusing is limited to 5 cm. So you can't get really close to the subject. It also affect depth of field. You can't really blur everything out of sight in macro mode. It is partly because of the limitation of macro focusing and also the because of the tiny sensor size.
Like other compact cameras, locking focus on fast moving subjects remain a challenge. If you are planning to shoot that kind of photography, I will suggest to get digital SLR camera instead of compact camera.
Image Quality and ISO Comparison
Samsung TL320 image quality is excellent in bright light and base ISO 80. The color is nice and the auto white balance is accurate. Shooting indoor, the camera does not disappoint. Thanks to the wide aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end and image stabilization which enable you to shoot in slower shutter speed.
Image quality up to ISO 400 is very good. At ISO 800, the camera starts to apply noise reduction software, as a result, the image becomes a bit soft. ISO 3200 is basically unacceptable because the appearance of noise is really apparent and the color of the image becomes dull.
Video Mode
Samsung TL320 is able to record 1280×720p high quality video with stereo sound. Depend on the size of the video, you can record at 15, 30 or 60 fps. In addition, you can choose photo style/filter to apply to your movie to convey the mood.
Competitors
Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR Price: $339- 12 mp camera that automatically process your images to reduce noise or increase dynamic range at the expense of image resolution. It also has a slightly bigger sensor 1/1.6', But it has slower lens (28-140mm f/3.3-5.1).
Panasonic Lumix LX3 Price: $499 - 10 mp camera that has very big aperture but short zoom lens (24-60mm f/2-2.8) The fast aperture and larger sensor (1/1.63) is making LX3 a better camera for low light situation. It also has a hot shoe to attach external flash or viewfinder. But LX3 is not pocketable because of the protuding lens. You can shoot in RAW mode as well.
Canon S90 IS Price: $425 - 10 mp camera that also have fast aperture in wide end (28-105mm f/2-4.9). It is not as wide as Samsung or Panasonic LX3. The design is as cool but simpler than Samsung. It is also pocket-able.
In Conclusion
Samsung TL320 / WB1000 is an interesting and fun to use digital compact camera. It is very light and pocketable, very easy to handle, has nice design and interface, produces very good image quality and has high quality LCD screen. It is also good for low light situation due to the fast aperture of f/2.8 in the wide-end and built-in image stabilization. It also cheaper than most competitors.
I recommend this camera for enthusiasts who like to to have a camera that is affordable, pocket-able, and has manual control plus wide lens for creative composition and control.
Subjective Rating - Relative to advanced compact camera
Image Quality : 4/5
Features : 3/5
Performance : 5/5
Body and Handling : 5/5
Value for Money : 5/5
Please check out my website for sample images, iso comparison and other reviews

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The Samsung TL320, with a 5x optical zoom and 24mm ultra wide lens, breaks ground by featuring the world's first 3.0-inch VGA AMOLED screen. The organic LED screen out performs conventional TFT LCD screens with better contrast and a brighter screen that really helps when shooting in both bright sunlight and dark conditions.The 960k pixel packed screen also shows fantastic detail when framing the shot and in playback. The 12 mega pixel TL320 also includes HD movie capture so you can "Pause and Re-record" high definition videos and super sharp movie-quality recordings in one movie clip - a Samsung patented function. The cameras also include "Smart Auto" (Scene Recognition) technology: 11 optimized picture pre-settings such as Portrait, Night portrait, Macro and Macro Color, to help take the perfect shot regardless of the conditions.

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Garmin Astro 220 Dog Tracking 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We use the Garmin Astro for K9 SAR. We put it on the dogs & record the areas they searched. The unit is nice, but frustrating to operate. It is advertised as being like the Garmin 60C series, but the operating system (menu screens) are very different and have much less functionality than the 60C's. I would have wanted to carry just one unit, but alas, I carry both because the screen functionalty on the Astro does not have features the 60CS has. The screen sequence for starting & stopping recording the dog tracks is very cumbersome and confusing. The harness that comes with the unit is worthless - dangerous really. It is a velcro 'vest' that is supposed to fit snugly around the dog's chest. It has to fit snuggly the way its designed in order for it to stay on the dog . . . but that snugness also causes the dog to not be able to breathe properly - for a working dog - that could cause major medical emergency. All of us who have them have designed some other attachment method to the dog's regular working harness. Garmin could save some money by removing the harness fromt the package & putting in a simple/better way to attach it to another harness. This all sounds bad . . . the unit works pretty well actually, but these pesky details cause it to be used less often that I would like.

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This is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.
The Garmin Astro 220 Handheld GPS Dog Tracking Device lets hunters and sportsmen spend their time looking for game, rather than looking for their dog. This unique dog tracker pinpoints your dog's position and shows you exactly where he is, even when you can't see or hear him.
The Astro 220 has a bright, color-screen display, and works with a wireless transmitter (not included), called the DC 20. Simple and easy to use, you just take the Astro outdoors and turn on both units to acquire a GPS satellite signal, then attach the DC 20 to your dog, either via the included neoprene harness or by threading it onto an existing 1-inch e-collar, and you're ready to go.
The DC 20 transmits your dog's position to the 220 every five seconds, showing current location as well as where he's been on the Map page. The Dog Tracker page shows you a compass that points to your dog's location, and lets you see your dog's current status, such as running, sitting, on point or treeing quarry. The Garmin Astro can even sound an alarm to let you know instantly when your dog goes on point.
The Astro 220's high-sensitivity GPS receiver can track up to 10 dogs at a time, up to five miles away in open territory. The Astro features a Covey Counter, which lets you place a special waypoint that tells you the exact location, time of day and elevation where you found your prey, as well as the number of birds flushed and taken from that location. The Astro also lets you save other important waypoints, such as Truck and Lodge, and choose special icons to represent food plots, tree stands and other hunting-related items.
The full-featured Astro handheld has all the same functions as Garmin's top-line handheld outdoor devices, including a barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot for maps, celestial information and an area calculator, as well as optional detailed city street maps, over 6 million points of interest, and exact turn-by-turn directions. This unit has an extremely rugged construction, with an IPX7 waterproof exterior that can withstand full immersion in water up to 1-meter deep for up to 30 minutes, and a revolutionary 3-axis compass that works no matter how the handheld is oriented.
What's in the Box Garmin Astro 220 handheld with VHF antenna, a carrying case, a trip and waypoint manager CD, a USB cable, a wrist strap, a belt clip, an owner's manual and a quick reference guide.

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Rode NT1A Anniversary Vocal Condenser Microphone (Includes NT1A, Premium Shock Mount, Pop Filter, 20 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a musician who is starting to move more into a producer role as well, and I needed a good vocal mic for the studio. Previously I was doing all of my vocals with a Shure SM57, which is a great mic but it is very directional and necessitates a lot of preamping, which tended to make it pretty noisy for picking up softer vocals.
I'd heard a lot of positive hype about the NT1A and claims of it being the "quietest mic in the market". I was very much surprised by the low-cost and comparisons to microphones in a much higher price range, so I picked one up figuring that if it didn't live up to the claims, I'd return it and buy a more expensive mic.
I didn't return it. And I don't ever see myself selling it either.
Quite simply, this mic is amazing. I plugged it in direct to Roland 24-track digital workstation and cranked the gain all the way to 10. Not even a touch of hiss. This never happened with my SM57, and I always attributed the hiss to weak preamps in the Roland. Guess not. The pickup on the NT1A is incredible, to the extent that I had to remove a small clock on the far wall because I could hear the second hand ticking. This wasn't audible to the naked human ear until you literally put your ear on the clock. I even had to add a couple throw rugs in the studio under the mic area because I could hear the carpet pad connecting with the cement floor. Amazing.
The mic sounds nice direct, but I typically run it through a good tube preamp and the sound is warm and pristine, with the only noise coming from the preamp. I've recorded everything from dreampop to industrial screaming and this mic handles it all.
Only complaint--with the exception of the XLR cable that came with it, I've had issues getting other cables to connect to the NT1A. The cables don't lock into the mic like they do on my other mics, and only a couple of occasions I lost connection briefly during a take. I'm guessing this is probably just a freak design flaw with mine, because I haven't heard this complaint from anyone else.
Regardless, incredible mic that that is worth every penny, and probably actually worth many tens of thousands of pennies more.

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The RODE NT1A raises the bar for value-priced mics! The NT1A Anniversary Model is a complete redesign of the now legendary NT1 classic studio microphone. From the new nickel plated body to the state of the art surface mount electronic circuitry, the NT1A will leave you asking 'how can RODE offer a microphone that sounds this good, for so little money'? The RØDE NT1A, Winner of the Electronic Musician 2004 Editor's Choice Award and the world's quietest studio condenser microphone. This redesigned version of RØDE's classic NT1 has only 5 dBA of self-noise.

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