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Posted in Electronics | No Comments »
septembre 23rd, 2010 by colleen4423148
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 Black Description:
Comfort and Style for Your Notebook or Desktop. The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 features a sleek, Comfort Curve design with Quiet Touch keys, instant digital-media access, and a wireless mini-transceiver.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1134 in Consumer Electronics
- Color: Black
- Brand: Microsoft
- Model: J9C-00001
- Platforms: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: 1.56″ h x 19.89″ w x 9.13″ l, 3.00 pounds
Features
- Flip 3D Key Experience this dynamic Windows Vista feature by pressing the key to display a 3D overlay of all open windows and cycle through them.
- “My Favorites” Keys Customize these 5 keys to instantly bring up the folders, files, and Web pages you use most.
- 2.4 GHz Wireless Mini-Transceiver - Connects the keyboard right out of the box with virtually no interference, and provides up to a 30-foot wireless range.
- Translucent Border and Polished Racetrack Brings the subtle elegance of Windows Aero to your desktop.
- Comfort Curve with Quiet Touch Keys Your hands sit more naturally on the quiet, responsive, thin-profile keys for comfort and productivity.
Customer Reviews:
solid keyboard, elegant styling
There are 2 big draws to this product:
Firstly, Microsoft’s name. They make great keyboards, and have for many years. Unfortunately, their products tend to be a bit more expensive than other brands, but I think the quality makes up the difference.
Secondly, the styling. This keyboard has a really classy style and contour. It reminds me of older ergonomic keyboard designs because of the curved layout, but it isn’t trying to dramatically change the traditional layout. The translucent border around the keyboard’s body is a very nice touch. It reminds me of the glass effect in Aero.
Facts about usage:
The keys have very quiet operation, and very short travel. They feel like a hybrid of traditional desktop and laptop designs. The added media keys around the border are very useful too.
My only gripe about the keyboard is that the F-key layout isn’t traditional which makes me second-guess my finger placement when I want to press and F-key. I end up looking down. That’s bad form. They layout they picked is more visually appealing and most users don’t use the F-keys that much, but I do because I am an enthusiast.
9.5 / 10 Do not hesitate to buy this product.
Barely Acceptible
I’m not asking for much from the keyboard industry. I just want the older standard layout in a wireless keyboard that I can use from 8 to 10 feet away. After buying this product, I am still searching.
I knew I’d be making a couple of compromises right away. While it has all the keys from the standard layout, the main group is curved in a mild attempt to be ergonomic. It doesn’t really feel any more comfortable than a standard keyboard, and now the keys are different widths, making it harder to type. Also, the function keys are tiny and are marked with pictures. While the older F1 designations are printed above the keys, on the keyboard itself, they’re printed in white on a light grey surface, making them very difficult to read. And then in a further attempt to make them even more unusable, they’re also arrayed in a curved line and evenly spaced. No matter what you use the function keys for, you now have to look at them to figure out which one you want to press.
The real sticking point with me though is that the marketing claims this keyboard will work from 30 feet away. I suppose that Microsoft might mean “if you have the keyboard and the receiver directly pointed at one another with absolutely no obstructions, at 30 feet it might accept a keystroke every once in awhile.” I don’t need 30 feet, I only need 8. When plugging the receiver into the back of my computer, the keyboard only worked if I typed very slowly and holding a key down (eg: deleting) was right out. Frankly, this level of performance was not any better than the 6000v2 which used infrared technology. So I plugged it into the side port to give it better line of sight. The keyboard works considerably better now, though it does seem to miss a few keystrokes every once in awhile. I really don’t understand why they can’t get this right. My gyroscopic mouse would probably work from across the street.
I’ll try using this keyboard for a few more days, but I expect I’ll be returning it. The 6000v2 has a better key layout. And while the older model won’t work from 8 feet away either, it has a dongle on a wire that I can stretch across the floor to shorten the length. I was really hoping this updated model would allow me to not have to do that anymore.
Excellent wireless keyboard
Usability and Ergonomics: 5 out of 5
The Microsoft 6000 Wireless keyboard is the most comfortable wireless keyboard to type on that I have tried to date. The gently curving key rows and low-profile, laptop-style keys making typing a breeze while increasing speed, accuracy, and comfort.
Construction and Design: 4 out of 5
The main deck of the keyboard is solidly constructed; there is no flex while typing. The extraneous keys (Home, Email, Quick-Launch, Volume controls, etc) feel cheap, however; some make a grinding or scraping sound when pressed, others occasionally stick. This applies only to the extraneous keys, not the standard keys. The trim around the edge of the keyboard is supposed to match the Aero Glass user interface in Windows Vista, but it looks like cheap, see-through plastic instead.
Battery Life: 3 out of 5
The battery life on this keyboard is very short in comparison with other wireless keyboards. Four different Logitech models I have owned each lasted between 6 months and 1 year on a single battery charge (all keyboards used several hours every day, 365 days per year). The Microsoft 6000 Wireless keyboard lasted slightly less than one month on a single battery charge.
Total Rating: 4 out of 5
The Microsoft 6000 Wireless Keyboard is hand down the best keyboard I have ever typed on, sticky volume keys, ugly border, and poor battery life aside.
From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer
Overview:
The Microsoft® Wireless Keyboard 6000 features a sleek, Comfort Curve design with Quiet Touch keys, instant digital-media access, and a wireless mini-transceiver.
Features:
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Flip 3D Key
Press this key to display a 3D overlay of all open windows and cycle through them. |
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Windows Live™ Call Button
The easiest way to start a video call. |
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Comfort Curve with Quiet Touch Keys
Your hands sit more naturally on the quiet, responsive, thin-profile keys for comfort and productivity. |
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2.4 GHz Wireless Mini-Transceiver
Connects the keyboard right out of the box with virtually no interference, and provides up to a 30-foot wireless range. |
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Zoom Toggle
Easily zoom in and out of digital pictures, maps, and other documents. |
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Translucent Border and Polished Racetrack
Brings the subtle elegance of Windows Aero to your desktop. |
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Additional Features:
- “My Favorites” Keys: Customize these 5 keys to instantly bring up the folders, files, and Web pages you use most.
- Media Keys: Control your media activities with the touch of a button.
- Hot Keys: One-touch access to e-mail, Home, Calculator, My Documents, instant messaging, and photos.
- Enhanced F Keys: Perform common commands from your keyboard.
- Gadgets: One-touch access to weather, stock quotes, and more.
- Windows Start Key: Press to launch your Start menu. If you have Windows Vista installed, search your PC or the Web right from there.
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System Requirements:
- Windows Vista® or Windows® XP
- or Mac OS X v10.2x–10.5x
- Windows-compatible speakers or headphones
- USB
- CD-ROM drive
- 2 AA alkaline batteries (included)
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Posted in Electronics | No Comments »
septembre 22nd, 2010 by colleen4423148
Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets KX-TG6413T Description:
Panasonic KX-TG6413T Dect 6.0 Cordless Phone with Answering Machine
- Color: Black metallic
- Brand: Panasonic
- Model: KX-TG6413T
- Dimensions: 5.50″ h x 8.60″ w x 6.40″ l, 1.00 pounds
Features
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Phone
When shopping for a phone system, I was looking for many specific features: one base with multiple cordless headsets, call conference ability, intercom, lighted display/keypad, speakerphone on each handset, and headset jack. I’ve discovered that most phones that have these features usually have a built-in answering machine, which I didn’t need. If I wanted a phone system without an answering machine, I was disappointed to find that I would have to sacrifice some of the features I wanted.
Then I found this phone system, and after some consideration, purchased it. Having used the phone system for a month now, I have been very pleased with its performance, not to mention all the features I’ve been looking for but without the answering machine.
Calls are clear from any place in the house and outside in our yard, the intercom system has come in very handy in our two-story house (no more yelling our daugther’s name to get her to come downstairs), and the batteries seem to last a long time. I work from home, and am on the phone a number of hours per day, using an attached headset (which is not included in this system). Speakerphones, found on each handset, are loud and clear.
Other features that have proven very useful are the “global” address book (add a name/phone number on one handset and it will show up on the others), and the “quiet time” setting (handset will not ring during specified hours of the day).
I am very satisfied with this phone system, and highly recommend it. In fact, we are about to purchase an additional handset to expand it even further!
Solid performer so far
I say so far because it’s only been a couple of months, and in my experience the real Achilles Heel of any cordless device is the battery recharging. So far, we’ve not had one of the handsets run out of power, but I won’t make a judgement on the battery behavior until I’ve had them a year. My last set were non-DECT Vtech phones, and the batteries stopped holding a charge after only 6 months.
So far, I’m very very happy with these. I wanted cordless phones that had reasonably good controls, caller id with at least some custom ring capability, and did _not_ have an integrated answering system (my phone service has one, and I prefer to use that).
The display is large and clear, the buttons are easy to use and backlighted well with nice large digits. The built-in directory is easy to program and shared between the handsets (the Vtech sets had to have the directory on each handset programmed separately - a pain). The custom rings are limited and not especially pleasing to my ear, but they are not obnoxious, and sufficiently distinctive that I have been able to set up rings so that I can tell family, friends, and others apart.
The in-handset speakerphone is very good - no one has complained about having trouble hearing, and the speaker volume is quite good.
I have not tested the range to failure - any handset works anywhere in my house and in all the nearer parts of the yard that I’ve tried, but I have not attempted anything all that far.
Simple, clear sound, easy to use/program/ AAA NiMh Battery
This phone system is just perfect. Small, lite weight handsets.
The bases’ and AC adapter (very small) are also small and lite. Sound quality is clear (have not gone but 25-40 ft .from base). LCD on the handsets are large and bright. The intercom is nice. (a toy so far for our 4 year old). AAA NiMh batteries. That means a low replacement cost when that time comes. Program one phone with a ph. no. and all are synced. Lighted key pad.
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septembre 18th, 2010 by colleen4423148
Logitech Webcam C500 - Silver Description:
- Color: Silver
- Brand: Logitech
- Model: 960-000572
- Dimensions: 7.00″ h x 2.80″ w x 5.20″ l, .75 pounds
Features
- Ships in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging
- Glass lens and 1.3-megapixel sensor for fluid video and vibrant 5-megapiel photos
- RighLight technology enhances image quality - even in dim light
- Built-in microphone with Logitech RightSound technology for crystal-clear audio
- Logitech Video Effects like animated avatars add fun to video chats
Customer Reviews:
Quality Hardware
The quest for a good replacement webcam can come to an end with the mid level Logitech C500. The thing that appealed to me primarily were the simple features. With a two tone silver finish, the glass lens C500 is packed with an attached 6′ USB cable, software CD, instructions and a two year product warranty.
The expandable clip easily attaches to my LCD monitor or it can free stand on the desk. I found that the webcam installs perfectly with or without the enclosed Logitech software. Just plug and play. It paired well with both Meebo and Google’s Gmail “G Chat” without stalling or interruptions.
I was very impressed by the clarity and sharpness of image transmission. The microphone picks up even the faintest of whispers. The jury is out on the product’s RightLight technology. I did not see that much difference in lighting over my older Logitech webcam. The manually operated privacy shutter is a nice add on.
The much hyped Logitech video calling network software package with its special effects and avatars is probably an okay add on for some but not for us. Personally I find it too intrusive. As I have mentioned earlier, its not required to get the webcam up and running. Other chat networks work fine without it.
Overall for the price and features, I find the Logitech C500 Webcam to be a step up over other internet communication tools in the same category. The C500 delivers on the basics and more.
5 Stars By A Hair
Actually, if I had nothing else in the product line to compare this with, I would give it four stars for less than satisfactory video quality. But that would not be fair. You get what you pay for. There are other models in the Logitech line that have better video quality for a higher price. If video quality is really important to you, shell out more bucks for a better model. Otherwise, you’ll be very happy with this one. For communication purposes, this is fine for me. If I were making stuff to post on YouTube, I would go for a model with the highest quality video.
I like the automatic face tracking. When it is on, the camera tracks your face. If your face moves, it pans to follow. It also zooms to keep your face at a good proportion to the field of view. In other words, whether you move closer or farther from the camera, it compensates by zooming in or out.
The physical shade is nice, but I also like the software’s “privacy shade” feature. Basically, you can select a photo to be displayed when you don’t want to be seen. There are other things that you can use to toy with your image - avatars and distortions. You can select automatic “fine tuning” (white balance, brightness, contrast, color intensity aka saturation, etc.). You can also adjust exposure and gain, or have the software set it automatically. I find the automatic settings to be quite fine - exactly what I would select myself or close to it.
There are other settings to tinker with and third party software tie-ins (YouTube, Skype, etc.).
Before this, I used webcams from the computing stone age, so the built in microphone is nice to have.
As I said, if you want to communicate with your friends and family, save yourself some bucks and get this one. If you want to post video, get the highest quality model. Online video is going to HD so you want to publish the best quality video that you can.
Easy to have my sister install remotely
I had this sent to my sister, 800 miles away, to install on my mother’s computer so we could set her up with Skype. I wanted something very easy to install and operate and it was a piece of cake. Everyone is impressed with the picture quality.
Amazon.com Product Description
Logitech and Amazon.com have teamed up to offer this item in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging, a recyclable, easy-to-open alternative to traditional packaging. A Frustration-Free Package comes without excess packaging materials such as wire ties, hard plastic “clamshell” casings, and plastic bindings. It’s designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging. This item ships in its own box, without the need for an additional shipping box, and Amazon.com is continuing to work with manufacturers to make the packaging even more streamlined.
From the Manufacturer
Enjoy exceptional image quality and clear conversations with the affordable Logitech 1.3 MP Webcam C500. The glass lens, true 1.3-megapixel sensor, light-correcting RightLight Technology, and built-in microphone make video calls look and sound so real, it’s like being in the same room with far-away family and friends. And with included Logitech Vid video-calling software, being there is finally fast, free and easy.
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Be there for the moments that matter in true-to-life video calling clarity.
Your life is crazy busy. You’d love to see far-flung family and friends more often. Yet, there’s never enough vacation time or money to go around. Problem solved. With the Logitech 1.3 MP Webcam C500 and included Logitech Vid video-calling software, it’s fast, free and easy to “be there” in person. The video and sound experience is so true-to-life, it’s like being in the same room with the people you care about most. In just one click, you can be there for your grandchild’s birthday, the graduate’s big day or to open holiday presents together, from across the country or the world. Thanks to Logitech, high quality video calling is dramatically simplified. So now, there’s nothing to keep you from sharing the moments that matter.
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Now crisp, clear video calling is also fast, free and easy.
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Included with your
webcam
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Video calls have always offered the promise of connection to your distant friends and family. But for many of us, getting the hardware and 3rd party software to work has been a challenge. Isn’t it about time for an all-in-one webcam and software solution designed to make video calling easy for everyone? Wait no more. Your Logitech webcam comes with new Logitech Vid, the easiest video-calling application ever. Vid one-click-to-call software works seamlessly, right out of the box, with any new or existing Logitech webcam. So you can just relax and enjoy sharp, clear video conversations without hassles. And it’s also free for anyone you call, no matter what webcam they use. |
Easy set up
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Logitech video calling software lets you
install and call in half the time.
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septembre 18th, 2010 by colleen4423148
Seagate Expansion 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005EXA101-RK Description:
Desk External Drive 1Tb Usb
- Amazon Sales Rank: #119 in Consumer Electronics
- Size: 1 TB
- Brand: Seagate
- Model: ST310005EXA101-RK
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 3.25 pounds
- Hard Disk: 1TB
Features
- Plug n¿ play with no software to install
- Simply drag-and-drop to save files
- 7200 RPM performance, 1TB
- Built-in power management ensures energy-efficient operation
- USB 2.0 Interface
Customer Reviews:
Works great on my Mac - I’ve always been satisfied with Seagate and this is a great price and great quality
I can’t speak to the issues that some of the other reviewers have had, but I have to say I’ve been very impressed by this drive. You’ve got to plug it in so it’s not really an “on-the-go” kind of drive, but that’s not what I needed. I have a couple of FreeAgent Go drives for that (and the reason I went with Seagate this time is because I’ve been so impressed with the other Seagates). This time, I wanted a big drive that I could use as a Time Machine backup for my MacBook Pro, and as a backup for all of the video files I’ve shot over the years. So far I’ve been very happy with this drive. One thing I noted right away is that it actually has slightly more than 1TB of space! With every other external drive I’ve ever used the actual amount of usable memory has been a bit less than advertised, even after I’ve reformatted them. With this one you get what is advertised. It’s a USB 2.0 data connection, and from what I’ve seen manages to move files more quickly than my older Western Digital 500GB desktop firewire drive.
For comparison, I tried moving a 2.15 GB video file back and forth between my laptop’s hard drive and a few of my external drives. This one was fastest at both downloads and uploads - it would download the 2.15 GB file in one minute, 17 s. as opposed to 1 min., 40 for the portable FreeAgent Go and 1 min., 37 for the Western Digital. Uploading results were similar: it would upload the same 2.15 GB video file in 1 minute, 10 s. while the other drives uploaded in about 1 minute, 20 s. So, it’s pretty fast and does exactly what I need - I’ve got no complaints and am very happy about the price (which turns out to be almost exactly what I paid a year or so ago for my 320GB portable drive and much less than what I paid about 3 years ago for my 500 GB desktop drive). What’s not to like?
One more thing, for Mac users. While this drive is set up out of the factory to plug and play on Windows it can easily be converted to a handy Mac drive. Here’s how:
1. plug it in to your Mac, using the USB 2.0 cable provided with the drive
2. open up your applications folder, search for the utilities folder and then run “disk utility” (or, just search for “disk utility” in finder or spotlight and click on it).
3. you should see an icon for your “1 TB Seagate Desktop Media” drive in the left column of “disk utility” and also a drive partition (as I recall it was called “desktop” but I changed the name) underneath that.
4. click on the icon labelled “1 TB Seagate Desktop Media” and you’ll see a few options in the window; click “partition”
5. after this steps will vary depending on what you want to do with this. For what I wanted, I decided to create two partitions on my hard drive. So, under “volume scheme” I selected “2 partitions” then clicked on the top one and set it to 250 GB and that left 750.10 GB on the other one. For the “format” I selected “Mac OS X Extended” but you’d want to select the journaled option if you want to use either of these drives as a “boot disk”. I didn’t. Then hit “apply” and it will erase everything on the disk and break it into two sections.
Now when you plug in the hard drive two icons will appear on your desktop, as if there were two separate external drives. I use the smaller one for regular backups and the larger one for storing all of my old video files. I’m sure there are lots of other ways to get an excellent value from this sleek and handy little drive. Enjoy!
The 1TB Seagate USB 2.0 Drive is great!
I (like everyone else) always read the reviews of an item before purchasing it. I was very skeptic about making this purchase due to the bad reviews that i’ve read, but a friend convinced me that it was a good deal, and I went ahead and followed through with it.
Let me tell you I WAS (and still am) VERY pleased with this purchase! The drive installs easily, however the only set back is that the drive isnt a true 1TB Drive, only 931GB’s of the drive are usable. Aside from that, everything runs perfectly with no problems what so ever.
A suggestion to anyone purchasing this, is to run a surface scan on the drive prior putting anything on it. This way if there are bad sectors, they can be fixed (which is part of the reason why so many people suffer with having their drives die on them). Once running the surface scan, if all is well with no bad sectors or errors (My Seagate was perfect with no errors or bad sectors), feel free to use at your leisure.
I recommend this to ANYONE looking for an external hard drive!
Seagate Expansion: Couldn’t stand it even for a day
Last week, I purchased a Seagate Expansion 1.5TB drive. I had read the product reviews on Amazon, however it seemed respectable enough. Last Friday, the drive arrived. Upon initial set-up, I noticed that it seemed extremely loud. After copying some data to it as a test, it began to make a very loud clicking sound. I have worked with many hard drives, and the sound was out of the ordinary (and, dare I say, reminiscent of the old Iomega click of death).
Upon calling Seagate, the technician warned me that the drive was probably in its death throes and to make sure I had a backup of anything on it. I put the product back in its box, and sent it back to Amazon, who issued a replacement.
When the replacement arrived, all seemed well at first. It formatted just fine, and seemed quiet and elegant. Once I connected it to my primary machine and began to copy data, however, it began making a similar noise to the prior model. Though it showed no signs of failure, the drive was so loud that I became annoyed with it quickly and called Seagate again. A representative, who was very helpful, had me run the SeaTools diagnostic tool, which passed. After I held the phone to the drive, however, he understood why it was so bothersome to me but couldn’t explain what the noise was. He did state that the 1.5TB drives are often louder than other drives due to the additional platters required in the drive, but not to the extent I experienced.
Needless to say, I called Amazon this past afternoon, and the representative I spoke with was very understanding. When I detailed the issue and he heard the drive, he was glad to create an RMA, citing on the ticket that the drive “sounds like a jet engine revving up.”
Though I’ve been very negative about this product, it does have its merit. When operational, it was quick to copy data (~15-20MB/s). It also has a very elegant profile, which looked wonderful on my desk; the small green LED on the front was a wonderfully unobtrusive drive activity indicator. Finally, it was preformatted as NTFS and included no unnecessary software, which was a refreshing change from many other external hard drives.
In short, this drive (at least the 1.5TB model) is worth consideration if noise is not a factor, however I have doubts to its longevity.
From the Manufacturer
Seagate® External Desktop Drive
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From the Manufacturer
Simple, reliable desktop storage expansion
With Seagate® External Desktop drives, you can easily and instantly add more storage space to your system. There’s no software to install—they’re automatically recognized by Windows Vista and Windows XP. Simply drag and drop to save files. Fast USB 2.0 performance makes saving and transferring large music and video collections quick and painless. Seagate External Desktop drives make “going green” easy too, with built-in power management that ensures energy-efficient operation. And they’re backed by a 2-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
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500GB |
1TB |
1.5TB |
| Hours of digital video |
500 |
1000 |
1500 |
| Number of 2-hour DVD movies |
125 |
250 |
375 |
| Number of digital photos |
160,000 |
320,000 |
480,000 |
| Hours of digital music |
12,497 |
24,994 |
37,491 |
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Seagate External Desktop Drive
View Larger
Posted in Electronics | No Comments »
septembre 17th, 2010 by colleen4423148
Nikon MH-18a Quick Battery Charger for the EN-EL3e Battery compatible with Nikon D80, D200, D300 and D700 Digital SLR Cameras Description:
This quick charger (100-240V (AC)) is identical to the MH-18 but smaller in dimensions for even more portability.
- Brand: Nikon
- Model: B0009PEU3Y
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: 9.00″ h x 9.00″ w x 9.00″ l, .60 pounds
Features
- Use to recharge Nikon EN-EL3a and EN-EL3 batteries
- Fully recharges exhausted battery in about 120 minutes
- Two charging lamp indicators
- Easy and safe to use
- Power cord included
Customer Reviews:
Does the job, nice and light
I’m always looking for products that will work internationally - this adapts automatically to different voltages, and seems to charge my batteries efficiently.
The cable is separate, so if you want to get a short one for travel, you can.
I use it for my D50 and D200 - no issues at all.
Excellent-Just like my camera came with
This battery charger is exactly the same as the one that came with our Nikon D50. It works perfectly, arrived packaged well and in a timely fashion, and of course, cost less than ordering from Nikon. A no brainer!
Questionable quality
I broke my original Nikon charger by dropping it about five feet onto a concrete sidewalk. No visible damage, but it would not work after that. No complaints at this point and I ordered a new one. It arrived and worked fine for a week or two. Then it began to exhibit comnnection problems. Found the contacts where the battery met the charger were weak. Finally bought a Torx screwdriver and opened the cover. The contacts were fastened to the housing with a small spot of glue that pulled away from the housing. I reglued it but was sure it will not hold. Filled the mostly empty part of the housing with foam rubber and reassembled. Works fine now with the foam rubber holding the contacts in the proper position, but you should not have to redesign a new charger.
Posted in Electronics | No Comments »
septembre 17th, 2010 by colleen4423148
Garmin nuvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #498 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Garmin
- Model: 010-00810-05
- Released on: 2009-07-30
- Platform: Windows
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: 3.40″ h x .60″ w x 5.40″ l, .50 pounds
- Display size: 5
Features
- Brilliant color on a 5-inch touchscreen display, integrated Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free calling
- Lane assist with junction view that guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate
- Includes advanced navigation features to take the worry out of traveling, including cityXplorer pedestrian maps
- Steer clear of traffic with integrated FM traffic receiver and free lifetime traffic updates
- NOTE: Model number on the box is 1490T because the traffic receiver is included; however, the model number on the device itself is 1490 as the “T” in 1490T refers to the additional component
Customer Reviews:
Nice upgrade
Update: August 15:
- My con I listed below about the buggy firmware (2.7)… it’s VERY buggy. The nuvi “forgets” my settings such as vehicle icon, map detail display level, time format whenever I plug my nuvi into my PC (to transfer waypoints and such). Still keeping the unit but looking forward to an update REAL SOON…hopefully.
I’ve owned many Garmin units over the years (GPS V, eMap, nuvi 350, 265W, 750, 755, tried 1260T, 1350). I decided to upgrade to the 1490T because of the larger screen and thinner form factor.
Just some observations:
Pros:
- The display is 5 in diagonal, that may not seem much bigger than the 4.3 but it is. The resolution is the same as the 4.3 wide-screens units but the extra space is well worth it and noticeable! It also makes it easy to hit the right button on the touch screen.
- User interface has received some minor updates, mostly in the cosmetic department. The font is new and contributes to a refined feel, everything is “smoothed” and looks very good. It’s also VERY responsive and doesn’t feel like it’s lagging.
- I like the new menu organization, they didn’t bury as many of the options and settings in sub-folders.
- You can change the map display so that the data fields are stacked along the right side as opposed to being in the corners. I like this view a lot. With this stacked view, you can see 4 data fields (3 are customizable) versus the two in the normal corner view.
- The unit is about half an inch thick, it’s very easy to carry around, even pocket-able in a pinch.
- (updated) The speaker on this unit is MUCH better than on my 755, 1260, 1350; perhaps they had room to add a larger speaker. The spoken directions sound not only louder but fuller and do not distort at high volume.
Cons:
- The mounting cradle is a two-step/two-handed affair, unplug the mini-USB then unmount from the two point cradle. The older, better quality cradle is literally one click grab and go from a nice powered cradle. Don’t know why they removed that (cost savings?).
- A common complaint: less detail shown on maps. The newer nuvi’s show fewer street names at the same zoom level as the older units. The argument being this reduces clutter. I’m not happy with it, but it’s not a deal breaker. Garmin has added alot of other information to the map display and I can understand they don’t want to overwhelm the user with text.
- The latest firmware is 2.7 and it seems to be quite buggy. Issues with Bluetooth, saving favorites, thats all I’ve experienced.
- Note, this comes with version 2010.10 maps. Garmin just released version 2010.20 maps. You only get one free upgrade.
- Very expensive…
I am planning on replacing my 755T with the 1490T. The larger screen size is just so overwhelmingly impressive it outweighs the cons in my book. If you’re not into that type of stuff then the 1490T is probably not for you.
Best Garmin GPS Yet
Received the 1490T around September 10, 2009. I am replacing a Garmin nuvi 680(cost $800) which is a good unit but becoming dated. I also have a Zumo 550 for my motorcycle. I absolutely love the large screen of the nuvi 1490T(cost $405). It is by far the best GPS screen I have ever used, both for size and clarity. As my eyes get a little older the slightly larger type helps immensely. I am not sure what all the complaints and fuss is about from some of the other reviewers. When I received the unit I immediately went to Garmin’s Webloader and updated the firmware. Then, I updated to the latest 2010 maps since Garmin gives you 1 free update in the first 60 days. I like this gps even better than my nuvi 680 or the Zumo 550 for that matter. The unit has lane assist and junction view which you will love if you live in a big city like I do. The traffic service is free and is as good as or better than MSN Direct that I have on the nuvi 680. And, of course the service is free. There is a small ad that appears in exchange for the free traffic service but the ad is tiny and inconsequential because it disappears when you change the screen. Route planning is a huge bonus. The 680 did not have route planning. The 1490T shows the speed limit of the road you are on and more data is available on the screen than was on my 680. The screen is bright and they have improved the volume immensely. I use it on 50% volume. The 680 I had to use on 100% volume. Must be a bigger speaker or something–or maybe even 2 speakers. The unit is thinner than the other nuvi’s and pretty light also. Garmin did not include a cover/sleeve with this unit like they did with the 680. The only negative I can think of is that the power cord is slightly thicker than the 680’s cord and the power cord plugs into the unit rather than the cradle. This is a small hassle because you have to unplug the cord from the unit when you want to take it off the windshield and hide it in it’s case on the floor(which I always do when I park in public). Overall, I gave the 1490T 5 stars. For $400 it is a very very good value. It’s a much better unit than my $800 nuvi 680 since it has more and updated features. I think this is the best automobile unit Garmin makes right now. I love it.
Worth moving up!
I have now had a couple of weeks to work with the new Garmin 1490T.
I should begin by mentioning that I have been using Garmin GPS units in airplanes for quite some time, and my experience with ROAD GPS units began with a Street Pilot III soon after they were introduced. Currently I also have a Garmin KNA-G510 which drives a 7″ in-dash Kenwood display and a nuvi 660. I compared the 1490T to both the G510 and the 660. I did not have any of the issues with “buggy” software forgetting my settings which others have mentioned.
For me, the 5″ screen of the 1490T was one of the attractive features; it provides almost as much viewable map area as the 7″ G510 display; the 510 has most of the data outside of the map, whereas the 1490T and the smaller 660 have these as overlays onto the map. The 1490T map appears more “crisp” than either older map display as smaller width lines are used for most features. The older, thicker lines look bolder, but the thinner lines contribute to a sharper looking display. The 1490T labels use upper case and lower case letters rather than upper case only, and this too contributes to a somewhat more legible display in my opinion. One unusual note: at night the 1490T background appears dark blue rather than black. I think the contrast is better with black and would prefer the more dim background of the older units.
The most dramatic new 1490T feature is HotFix ™, a feature present in the airborne units since introduction, but new to the road units. The result is a very rapid calculation of position when the unit is turned on. My 660 often requires a full minute longer than the 1490T which might require less than 3-5 seconds. I also have the impression that if my 1490 is charging in my car, it may be partially “on” and maintaining a fix in the background. In either case, the very rapid navigational fix is very noticeable and much appreciated.
For example, a rapid fix is really useful in a strange area, when you return to your car and need to start driving out of the city, for example. The long wait for a fix as you leave the parking garage, or pull from your parking space seems like an eternity.
One odd display change - while my older units will usually say something like “Oak St. Ahead” in the green boarder stripe at the top of the screen, the 1490T will say “Driving on Main St”. Now I will grant you that in answer to the “where am I now?” question, it may be more important to know that I am on Main Street, but when I am looking for Oak Street, the older displays seem better. While it is true that the 1490T will have a map label for Oak Street (most of the time) and it is located properly on the map, this is somewhat harder to read than the larger type in the green stripe.
This may also relate to the 1490T approach to placing map labels on streets but not on “things” like parks and neighborhoods. Others have commented negatively on this loss of map labels. I think the 1490 labels more streets, so I am OK with this.
The 1490T appears to calculate positions and speeds and/or display more quickly; it is hard to tell which. If I decelerate slowly, the 1490 displays the decreasing speeds more rapidly than the 660. This may be due to a more rapid calculation or it might be due to a more rapid display cycle. Either (faster fixes/calculations or faster display updates) could contribute to more rapid updates of map display. It is hard to tell for sure, but it does appear to me that the 1490T map display updates more often and this appears more smooth.
I have had only a little experience with traffic data, but my first impression is that this is somewhat better integrated into the 1490T. For example, you can tell when you are receiving traffic data on the 1490 from the main map screen and the color indicates traffic conditions.
I have not had a chance to see the Junction View or Lane Assist feature, but I did like the turn preview feature, which, after a short display interval automatically returns to the map display. If my other units do this, I must have missed it; this is a nice feature as it eliminates a longer glance at the screen and another button push at exactly a time when you might be busy.
One last positive note: the 1490 has a scale bar AND a north diamond, my 660 has neither. It is a little hard to accept anything as a navigator if it does not indicate “north”. Both 660 and 1490T do the same auto-zoom which for some reason I never noticed on the 660. Maybe it is more obvious now that I have the scale bar to read on the 1490. The 1490 shows topo features when zoomed out a ways, and this is nice - a cute feature to show off.
I was tempted to set up a double system in my car to mirror a double GPS display I have fooled with in the airplane, i.e. one screen zoomed in with track-up, and one zoomed out with north-up. But, aside from the question of whether you really need this in a car and aside from the odd looks one gets, perhaps this would invite one to spend too much time with their head in the cockpit and not on the road.
If I can have only one, I like the new 1490T.
Amazon.com Product Description
The large screen nuvi 1490T offers multiple-point routing and lane assist with junction view to help you manage busy highway interchanges. It also has subscription-free traffic alerts for most cities, hands-free calling, pedestrian navigation options and ecoRoute.
Navigation is just the beginning.
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See Even More
It’s easy to see where you’re going on nuvi 1490T’s 5-inch touchscreen display. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. With its large screen, you’ll always get the big picture.
Navigate City Transit
With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities, nuvi 1490T is the perfect travel companion for getting around town. Download optional cityXplorer content to help you navigate city public transit. Know where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other transportation and how long it will take to get there. cityXplorer maps are available for select cities throughout North America and Europe. And with prices as low as $9.99, you’ll have money left over to spend in the big city.
Take It With You
Twenty-five percent slimmer than other nuvis, you can take the ultra-thin 1490T anywhere. It easily fits in your pocket or purse, and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot.
Know the Lane Before It’s Too Late
No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist with junction view guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.
Plan Ahead
nuvi 1490T includes advanced navigation features to take the worry out of traveling. With route planning you can save 10 routes, specify via points and preview simulated turns on the 1490T’s large screen. In addition, nuvi 1490T automatically sorts multiple destinations to provide an efficient route for errands, deliveries or sales calls. A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you’ve been on the map.
Brilliant 5-inch touchscreen display. Click to enlarge.
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Steer clear of traffic with the included FM traffic receiver and free lifetime traffic updates. Click to enlarge.
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Get Turn-by-Turn Directions
nuvi 1490T’s intuitive interface greets you with two simple questions: “Where To?” and “View Map.” Touch the color screen to easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to your destination. It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator NT street maps, nearly 6 million points of interest (POIs), 2-D or 3-D maps and the speed limit for most major roads. Its digital elevation maps show you shaded contours at higher zoom levels, giving you a big picture of the surrounding terrain. With the 1490T’s enhanced user interface, you can slide your finger to conveniently scroll between screens. You can also upload custom points of interest (POIs). And with HotFix satellite prediction, nuvi calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.
Make Hands-free Calls
For hands-free calling, nuvi 1490T integrates Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 1490T while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with nuvi’s touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.
Receive Free Traffic Alerts
Steer clear of traffic with nuvi 1490T’s integrated FM traffic receiver and free lifetime* traffic updates. Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Next, simply touch nuvi’s screen to view traffic details or detour around the problem area. Watch informational video
Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter.
Go Beyond Navigation
Navigation is just the beginning. nuvi 1490T saves you gas and money with ecoRoute–a green feature that calculates the most fuel-efficient route, tracks fuel usage and more. The 1490T includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. With photo navigation, you can download pictures from Garmin Connect Photos and navigate to them. It’s also compatible with MSN Direct (receiver purchase and subscription required). With its “Where Am I?” emergency locator, you always know your location. Simply tap the screen to get your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations. The 1490T features Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage where you can download custom voices and vehicles. Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD cards.
What’s in the Box
nuvi 1490T, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America, Lifetime traffic, FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable, Vehicle suction cup mount, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
NOTE: The initial setup is crucial when first using your nuvi - it allows the device to find and sync with satellites. The startup screen will allow you to skip through this section but doing so could cause your nuvi to have difficulty working the way it should. Without completing this important step, your nuvi may default back to the location of Kansas City each time it is turned off and on again, not saving your settings. It also may not be able to pick up the satellite properly.
Which nuvi is Best for You?
Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
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Sleek, stylish design fits in on any desk. View larger image.
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Connect to a USB storage device to share files over network! View larger image
Pair it up with an Nfiniti Wireless-N USB adapter to get optimal performance! View larger image
