Logitech VX Revolution - Computer Mouse

The Logitech VX Revolution is a portable laser mouse that, because of its small size, is designed for laptop use while maintaining many of the features found in desktop mice. One of its most notable features is its MicroGear Precision Scroll wheel that can be set to two modes of operation from a switch on the bottom of the mouse. In the first mode, the scroll wheel operates with detented action (typical clicking scroll action), and in the second mode it operates in an almost frictionless fashion. In the frictionless mode, the scroll wheel keeps spinning when flicked, allowing you to very quickly scroll through large documents, and lists.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Tracks accurately
•Works instantly with XP and Vista
•Rolling middle wheel is very advantageous
•Very Durable
•Very nice fit for people with smaller hands.

Cons:

•The desktop version allows for a gradual switch between regular and 'free-wheeling'. This version is either ON or Off
•Pretty expensive relative to competition
•Middle wheel does not replicate the feel of the desktop version

More information

The VX Revolution includes a high-resolution laser engine for accurate tracking on almost all surfaces. It also includes a click-to-click scrolling function as a new method of scrolling through lists using mouse clicks. It operates wirelessly on a 2.4 GHz frequency with the USB transmitter/receiver dongle tucking away into the mouse itself when traveling. Reviews have suggested that you can get up to an 80 ft. (24 m) range from the dongle.

This mini-mouse weighs 4.2 ounces (119 g) and is about the size of a bar of soap. It uses a single AA battery (included) and features an LED battery life indicator on the mouse. Expect to get approximately 120 days use on a single battery. The package also includes Logitech's SetPoint software. The original retail was $79.99 for the VX Revolution when it was first released in August 2006, but you can now find it for $50 - $65.

The Logitech MX Revolution is the desktop version of this mouse.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700 - Camcoder

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700 ($600) released in late-October 2007 is the latest HD camcorder in the Sanyo Xacti line. Sanyo claims that this is the smallest 720p camcorder in the world weighing only 6.7 oz (189 g) and occupying a volume of only 171 cc. Along with the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000 (records 1080i, $1000), Sanyo has made significant improvements to their Xacti line that included the earlier Sanyo Xacti HD-2. It is a tapeless camcorder that records both video and still on a SD/SDHC memory card. It consumes very little power at 4 Watts and will give you about 2 hours of battery life with its included battery.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•720p recording in MPEG-4 AVH/H.264 format
•Good price for its features
•Included cradle has many output options including HDMI
•Improved compression means more recording on a single SD card
•Very compact and lightweight
•Low power consumption with decent battery life

Cons:

•Lens is a very small diameter and is only X5. Same lens as used to be on HD2 would fare much better.

More information

Features

•720p SD/SDHC memory card camcorder
•Smallest 720p camcorder in the world
•1/2.5" CCD sensor with 7.38 megapixels (1 divided by 2.5 inch: 0.4 inch)
•4.08 MP movies
•7.1 MP still photos
•Video format: MPEG-4 AVH/H.264 format (same as YouTube)
•Face chaser technology recognized up to 12 faces for autofocus
•Sensitivity: up to ISO 3200
•5X optical zoom
•2.7" widescreen LCD
•Includes a docking cradle with HDMI, component, S-Video, Composite outputs
•Records at either 6 Mbps or 9 Mbps
•Record time: 2 hours @ 9 Mbps on a 8 GB memory card
•Interface: USB 2.0
•Size: (171 cubic cm)
•Weight: 6.7 oz (189 g)
•Available in silver, red, and brown
•Release date: October 20, 2007
•MSRP: $599

The DMX-HD700 is an affordable, tiny camcorder with an impressive featureset geared towards consumers wanting a very compact camcorder that can easily share and upload videos over the Internet. Its default recording mode is MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 which most video sharing sites (ie. YouTube) use. It was released in the US on October 20th, 2007 for a retail price of $599.

Power Glove

The Power Glove (1989) is a controller accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System designed by the team of Grant Goddard and Sam Davis for Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, made by Mattel in the United States and PAX in Japan. Though it was an officially licensed product, Nintendo was not involved in the design or release of this accessory. It was the first peripheral interface controller to recreate human hand movements on a television or computer screen, and was commercially successful as almost 100,000 were made and sold in the U.S. alone.[1] However, it is often derided by gamers due to its imprecise nature of controls, and the fact that basic actions such as jumping or using an item may be very difficult or impossible to pull off reliably.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•It's so bad it's good
•Wicked vintage gear
•The first peripheral to use physical movements (pre-date Wiimote)
•Nice colour scheme with a definite Robocop feel

Cons:

•Imprecise control makes even basic moves difficult
•Not made by Nintendo
•No "Left Hand" model available to wear as everyday attire
•No SNES, N64, GameCube or Wii version

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Video Games

Metal Gear Solid 4 is the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed, and fan-obsessed Metal Gear Solid series, which is part of the larger Metal Gear universe. Hideo Kojima, the creator of the series, claims MGS4 is the last game that will feature the iconic protagonist Solid Snake who now finds himself old and decaying. In development for four years, MGS4 was anticipated by fans as the first and last next-gen installment of their favorite series with a budget to match the epic expectations.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Fantastic graphics
•Unparalleled presentation
•Satisfying conclusion
•Great attention to detail
•A number of new innovations to the series and genre

Cons:

•Cinematics can be very long, especially later on in the game
•Gameplay hasn't changed enough for modern standards


More information

Story

Metal Gear games are notorious for their convoluted, intricate and deep narrative that mixes serious themes such as war and free will, with supernatural elements. MGS4 takes place years after the events of MGS2 as Solid Snake who is rapidly aging since he is a clone is attempting to stop his rival Liquid Snake (who has possessed Revolver Ocelot through a transplanted arm) from taking over the world with nano-machine controlled soldiers.

Traditionally the story in MGS games have been told through "CODEC" conversations where two people spend copious amounts of time talking to one another with animated avatars. In response to criticism the traditional CODEC conversations have been replaced by full real-time cinematics. Some of the story presentation is presented while playing the game, most of the cinematics are non-interactive.

Gameplay

MGS4 introduces several refinements and changes to the traditional Metal Gear Solid gameplay, while retaining many of the core elements that make the series. The biggest change comes in the gameplay perspective which now defaults to a regular third-person view from behind Snake's back. Other camera angles are available including an over-the-shoulder view, the birds-eye angle, and even a first person view.

Snake has more tools and weapons at his disposal including the OctoCamo which is a cameleon-like suit that automatically changes colors and patterns to match his surrounding. The Solid Eye and Metal Gear MK.II are two other tools that Snake can use to help his progress.

Yamaha YZF-R125 (2008-current)

New price £2,999
Engine size 124cc
Power 14.6bhp
Top speed 75mph

Overall verdict

Since 2004, Honda has had the learner sports bike market sewn up – the CBR125R flew out of showrooms faster than its larger capacity counterparts. Yamaha’s range had a gap for a 125 sport motorcycle, and the YZF-R125 fills that gap by combining the Honda’s easy-going ride with a little bit more poke and grown up looks – it’s actually slightly bigger than the YZF-R6 that inspired its styling!

Engine

The Yamaha YZF-R125’s all-new engine has a longer stroke than other 125 motorcycles to give more torque, but it’s still no arm-ripper. Instead, the YZF-R125 gives flexibility two-stroke rivals like the Aprilia RS125 can only dream of. The Yamaha will crawl along at walking pace with the clutch fully engaged, and opening the throttle will give smooth drive right to the redline. It’s good for an indicated 80mph, which will satisfy most riders stepping up from a moped.

Ride and Handling

For a motorcycle that costs a shade less than £3000, has a steel frame and unadjustable basic suspension, the Yamaha YZF-R125’s bloody good. The forks and shock have controlled damping which allows you to chuck the bike around back roads, but they’re not jarring on rough city streets.

Equipment

The Yamaha YZF-R125’s digital dash, Brembo brakes, under-slung GP-style exhaust and a proper sized R6-inspired body is the stuff of wet dreams when you’re 17. The full-size body makes it reasonably comfortable too – the footpegs aren’t too high, the handlebars are mounted on the fork tops so your wrists don’t take a pounding and the seat isn’t massively hard either. The seat is reasonably high though – shorties may be more comfortable on the Honda.

Quality and Reliability

The Yamaha YZF-R125 is built in Europe, and although it doesn’t have a top-level finish, it looks sturdy enough. Previous Yamaha/Minarelli engines have been strong, and there’s nothing to suggest this new water-cooled lump will be anything different.

Value

The Yamaha YZF-R125’s is a great introduction to sports bikes without the drawbacks of two-stroke rivals – but so is the Honda CBR125R for £300 less – if you pay RRP, which many don’t. The Yamaha is better suited to larger riders, is more composed when you thrash it and looks better, but otherwise they offer the same thing. It’s your decision whether it’s worth the extra.

Model History

2008: Yamaha YZF-R125 launched.

Other Versions

None.

Ducati-696-Monster-2008-Current

New price £5,500
Engine size 696cc
Power 67.5bhp
Top speed 128mph

Overall verdict

The new 696 Monster is Ducati’s most important bike, this is the bike that brings in the money and the sales, and thankfully it seems Ducati have got it spot on with the all new Monster. Thankfully they’ve not played around with the styling too much, and just improved the old bike as a package, in terms of engine performance and handling.

Engine

The cylinder head of the new Ducati 696 Monster is now very similar to the two valve 1100 Multistrada’s. Bore and stroke remain the same but Ducati have managed to squeeze out and extra 9% of power. Thankfully it’s not lost any of its character, and still sounds and feels like a Monster

Ride and Handling

The Ducati 696 Monster is still distinctively a Monster, and feels like the old bike on board, but it’s not an uncomfortable over stretch like the old bike. It still feels light and is easy to throw around. The understeer feeling of the old bike has been rectified and so has the poor ground clearance thanks to the new re-routed exhausts.

Equipment

The Ducati 696 Monster’s clutch is feather light and comes as a slipper clutch as standard. The Brembo radial brakes up front are powerful but still progressive and ideal for novice riders. However, only the shock is adjustable and for the price we’d expect fully adjustable suspension.

Quality and Reliability

As you’d expect from Ducati recently the level of finish on the Ducati 696 Monster is very high even on for a budget model. The engine has not changed too much and the old motor took a thrashing in its stride, as many engine actually ended up on race tracks. Keep the bike regularly serviced by a Ducati dealer and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Value

This is the new Ducati 696 Monster’s only downfall really. Yes, it’s cheap for a Ducati, you’re buying into a quality brand and fashionable brand, but the competition is considerably cheaper, bikes like the ER6 and SV650. If you are buying with your heart then you’ll go for the Italian but if money is tight you may as well go for one of the cheaper Japanese bikes.

Model History

2008: Ducati 696

Other Versions

Ducati 696 Monster Plus: Same sas Monster but with cowling and seat hump but at £5750.

JVC SL Series - LCD

The SL Series is one of JVC's premier entries into the LCD television market for 2008 focusing entirely on a slim profile featuring a maximum depth of 2.9 inches and providing a 1080p native resolution. Using similar technology as Hitachi and LG-Philips for their slim offerings, the panel itself measures 1.5 inches thick with most of the circuitry located in the center of the back of the unit. Other benefits to the slim profile is decreased weight (26.4 lbs) and reduced power consumption (145 watts). The SL series is a step up from the P-Series and X-Series featuring similar specs, but in a much thinner frame. Located above the SL Series is the flagship Procision series which contains the next generation GENESSA processor and is available in limited quantities.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Low power consumption
•Light weight

Cons:

•Need a special JVC motorized mount to take full advantage of slim profile

More information

Specs

* 1080p native resolution
* 145 watts of power
* All other specifications are currently unknown

GENESSA Chip - traditional television manufacturers house different image processing functions on different chips. JVC uses their GENESSA chip which is similar to a general purpose 32-bit CPU to handle all the image processing demans. JVC claims the integrated nature of their technology allows for clearer and more vibrant images.

Models

The naming convention of the SL Series takes the form of: JVC LT-__SL89, where the __ are replaced by the display size.

* LT-42SL89 - 42" screen | June 2008
* LT-47SL89 - 47" screen | June 2008

BlackBerry Bold - Cell Phone

The BlackBerry Bold (aka RIM BlackBerry 9000) is the latest smartphone (announced on May 12, 2008) from RIM to be released sometime in the summer of 2008, expected to retail for around $300 - $400. The Bold has high-speed data connectivity with support for 3G networks (quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA) and WiFi (802.11 a/b/g). Other improvements over the BlackBerry Curve including a doubling of CPU speed to 624 MHz and a doubling of screen resolution to 480 x 320 resolution display (Half-VGA). The BlackBerry Bold is a competitor to the latest 3G version of the Apple iPhone announced on June 9th, 2008.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•3G network connectivity
•Faster CPU @ 624 MHz
•Built-in GPS
•Very similar in size to the Apple iPhone
•WiFi access (802.11 a/b/g)
•Twice the resolution @ 480 x 320
•Expandable memory with microSD cards up to 16 GB

Cons:

•Small display compared to iPhone
•Not a touch screen

More information

Features

* 624MHz Intel PXA270/Marvell Tavor PXA930 processor (increase from 312 MHz)
* data connectivity: 3G (HDSPA + EDGE), WiFi (802.11 a/b/g)
* screen: 480 x 320 (up from 320 x 240) (size ??) with 65,000 colors
* operating system: BlackBerry OS 4.6
* redesigned keyboard
* memory: 1 GB built-in + expandable microSD up to 16 GB
* dimensions: 4.5" H x 2.6" W x 0.5" D
* weight: 4.7 oz
* 2 megapixel camera + flash
* GPS functionality
* price: $300 - $400
* release date: Summer 2008 (speculative)

Best Carpet Cleaners

Hoover SteamVac Agility F6215-900 (Around $170)

Best carpet cleaner.We read over 300 positive owner reviews for the Hoover SteamVac Agility. This upright carpet cleaner succeeds with simplicity, according to reviews. It is easy to fill, empty, push and maneuver. The upright SteamVac Agility cleans carpets and rugs; its powered hand tool lets you clean stairs and upholstery. The tank uses a heated mix of hot water and cleaning solution to clean carpets with five agitating brushes. Best of all, the Hoover SteamVac Agility is one of the rare carpet cleaners that doesn't receive major complaints from owners for leakage.


Bissell QuickSteamer PowerBrush 2080 (Around $90)

Budget carpet cleaner.For light duty or tighter budgets, reviews say the Bissell QuickSteamer PowerBrush is the best carpet cleaner for the money. It isn't as powerful as the Hoover SteamVac Agility, so it will likely leave your carpets damper after cleaning, requiring more drying time. Owners posting comments to Amazon.com and Target.com say the QuickSteamer does a nice job on area rugs and carpets. Since its tank is small, however, it's best for small areas of about 8' x 8'.


Bissell SpotBot (Around $130)

Best spot cleaner.The Bissell SpotBot gets great reviews for a canister carpet cleaner -- much better than the Bissell Cordless SpotLifter. The SpotBot's best feature is that it can work entirely on its own. You park the SpotBot on a tough stain and the agitator brush will work away at it automatically. The SpotBot can also be used as a regular canister carpet cleaner, with a five-foot hose and small suction nozzle, but reviews say it's best as a spot cleaner. Experts also praise this model for leaving little residue behind.


Bissell Little Green Pro 14005 (Around $70)

Portable carpet cleaner.Small portable carpet cleaners often get mixed to poor reviews from owners, who say they aren't very durable. The Bissell Little Green Pro 14005 performs better than others in reviews and it's significantly less expensive than the SpotBot. The Little Green Pro is marketed primarily as an upholstery cleaner, but reviewers say it's also handy for cleaning cars and stairs. If you only need to remove specific spots, however, the SpotBot appears to be better-suited to that purpose.

Best Shop Vacs

Ridgid WD1850 Pro Utility Shop Vac (Around $170)

Best shop vac for general use.The Ridgid WD1850 wet-dry vacuum gets the highest ratings among mid-priced models for general homeowner use. Experts and owners recommend this 16-gallon shop vac for common household or workshop cleanup, praising its excellent power for both wet and dry pickup in reviews. It's relatively quiet for an inexpensive shop vac, and its tall handle and larger rear wheels make it easy to move around. A sensor tells when the filter needs cleaning, and when vacuuming liquids, the shop vac turns itself off when the maximum level is reached. It comes with a lifetime warranty.


Shop-Vac All-Around 971-02-00 (Around $50)

Budget portable shop vac.Despite its small 1.5-gallon capacity and relatively low suction, owners give this lightweight shop vac good reviews for convenience. The Shop-Vac All-Around is easy to carry on stairs or a ladder. Although the hose is too small for vacuuming large debris, reviews say it's fine for small jobs, and it doesn’t cost much.


Festool Cleantec CT 33 HEPA (Around $490)

Best heavy duty shop vac for workshops.If price is no object and you want the best power and features, reviews say this Festool shop vac outperforms others. Its variable speed lets you hook it up to a wide range of power tools, or tailor power precisely to the job at hand. Better durability also sets this shop vac apart from consumer-grade models. An anti-static hose, and a self-cleaning filter are other pluses. A separate tank with a drain makes vacuuming liquids easy. Tool-triggered design makes it convenient to collect dust from power tools. For general workshop cleanup, larger hoses are available. The Festool carries a three-year warranty.


Fein 9-77-25 Turbo III Dust Extractor (Around $400)

Budget workshop shop vac.Although it doesn’t get the same superb reviews as the Festool Cleantec CT 33, most woodworking experts say the Fein 9-77-25 is quiet, with better long-term reliability and durability than cheaper homeowner shop vacs. However, it lacks an internal filter-cleaner and is messy to clean, according to tests. The Fien shop vac comes with a hose sized for workshop cleanup without clogging, plus an adapter for collecting dust from power tools (up to 19 amps). It carries a three-year warranty.


Ridgid WD5500 Store-N-Go Shop Vac (Around $100)

Best wall-mounted shop vac.Reviews say the Ridgid WD5500 Store-N-Go gets the highest ratings among wall-mounted shop vacs, with excellent suction for both wet and dry pickup. Designed for use in garages and small workshops, this 5-gallon shop vac mounts conveniently on the wall, and the long 21-foot hose provides reach. You can also take it off the wall to use as a portable shop vac. The lifetime warranty is another plus.


Ridgid Pro WD4550 Pro Pack Shop Vac (Around $100)

Portable toolbox shop vac.Suitable for vacuuming a car or taking to a jobsite, reviews give high marks to the Ridgid Pro WD4550. Though not nearly as powerful as a full-size wet-dry vacuum, the entire 4.5-gallon shop vac is shaped like a toolbox. Reviews say this makes it easy to carry, despite its 15-pound weight. Hose, cord and cleaning tools pack neatly inside the lid. This shop vac doesn't include extension wands, but it does come with the Ridgid lifetime guarantee.

Best Portable Generators

Coleman Proforce PM0103000 (Around $350)

Budget midsize portable generator.If you need a portable generator mainly to power a fridge and a few lights in the event of an outage, and you don't care much about noise, the Coleman Proforce gets good ratings from homeowners. The voltage generated by the Coleman isn't especially consistent -- so it's not the best choice for powering a computer or sensitive electronics, but for other appliances and lights, this Coleman model should be fine. The Coleman generator is very loud, but it does have low-oil shutdown, which can save the generator if oil gets too low. A fuel gauge is also included. The control panel includes two 120-volt outlets and a circuit breaker.


Honda EU1000i (Around $790)

Best-quality small portable generator.Although it is expensive, the 900-watt Honda EU1000i has several advantages. Because it uses inverter technology, its voltage is consistent in quality, reducing risk of damage to sensitive electronics. Because it is small, lightweight and quiet, the Honda portable generator is also great for camping trips. The throttle adjusts engine speed to the electrical load for the best fuel economy. Included are two AC outlets and one DC outlet.


McCulloch FDD210 (Around $550)

Best value, small generator.Unlike most budget models, this 1,600-watt portable generator uses inverter technology for quiet, consistent electricity -- making it a better choice for powering computers and sensitive electronics. Like the pricier Honda EU generator, the McCulloch model shuts down automatically if the oil level gets too low. It's also quiet enough to be used at a campground. However, the McCulloch guzzles more gas and has more emissions than others. It has one AC and one DC outlet.


Briggs & Stratton 030244 (Around $1,000)

8,000-watt portable generator.If you need electricity to power an entire house (or most of it), reviews recommend the Briggs & Stratton Elite series for good power quality, and this large model uses a commercial engine with cast-iron sleeves and full-pressure lubrication for longer life. This also means less maintenance, changing oil every 100 hours instead of every 24 hours. A 30-amp cord is included, with four outlets on the end for your appliances. This model doesn't offer inverter technology, but large inverter generators cost more than $4,000.


Generac Guardian 04582(Around $2,000)

15,000-watt portable generator.Like the Briggs & Stratton 030244, this big electric start generator uses a Generac V-twin OHV engine with cast-iron sleeves and full-pressure lubrication for long life. The Guardian 04582 includes a 50-amp AC outlet for running an air conditioner. Reviews say this model can easily provide backup electricity for an entire house -- especially when equipped with a transfer switch. Auto-idle adjusts the engine to four speeds according to the load, but owners say this generator can really guzzle fuel. Wheels are included but, at 450 pounds, it strains the definition of portable.

Hot Diggity Dogger

This pop-up hot dog cooker operates much like a regular toaster, and will prepare two hot dogs (with heated buns) in minutes. The 660-watt electronic heating coil has various time settings to cook to your preference. A removal crumb tray slides out for easy cleaning.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Hot diggity dog!
•Perfect for the office

Cons:

•Hot dogs are easy to cook already
•Another counter-cluttering kitchen appliance
•Too specific application
•Only does 2 hot dogs at a time.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Video Games

Metal Gear Solid 4 is the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed, and fan-obsessed Metal Gear Solid series, which is part of the larger Metal Gear universe. Hideo Kojima, the creator of the series, claims MGS4 is the last game that will feature the iconic protagonist Solid Snake who now finds himself old and decaying. In development for four years, MGS4 was anticipated by fans as the first and last next-gen installment of their favorite series with a budget to match the epic expectations.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Fantastic graphics
•Unparalleled presentation
•Satisfying conclusion
•Great attention to detail
•A number of new innovations to the series and genre

Cons:

•Cinematics can be very long, especially later on in the game
•Gameplay hasn't changed enough for modern standards

More information

Story

Metal Gear games are notorious for their convoluted, intricate and deep narrative that mixes serious themes such as war and free will, with supernatural elements. MGS4 takes place years after the events of MGS2 as Solid Snake who is rapidly aging since he is a clone is attempting to stop his rival Liquid Snake (who has possessed Revolver Ocelot through a transplanted arm) from taking over the world with nano-machine controlled soldiers.

Traditionally the story in MGS games have been told through "CODEC" conversations where two people spend copious amounts of time talking to one another with animated avatars. In response to criticism the traditional CODEC conversations have been replaced by full real-time cinematics. Some of the story presentation is presented while playing the game, most of the cinematics are non-interactive.

Gameplay

MGS4 introduces several refinements and changes to the traditional Metal Gear Solid gameplay, while retaining many of the core elements that make the series. The biggest change comes in the gameplay perspective which now defaults to a regular third-person view from behind Snake's back. Other camera angles are available including an over-the-shoulder view, the birds-eye angle, and even a first person view.

Snake has more tools and weapons at his disposal including the OctoCamo which is a cameleon-like suit that automatically changes colors and patterns to match his surrounding. The Solid Eye and Metal Gear MK.II are two other tools that Snake can use to help his progress.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 - Video Games

The game has the player take the role of a male high-school student who joins up with other members of SEES—the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad—to attack Shadows and other beings that emerge during the "Dark Hour", a time period between each day which only few humans are aware of. The player uses weapons and magical abilities gained by the use of "Personas" to defeat foes in a turn-based combat system. An iconic feature of the game is the method by which the members of SEES release their Personas: by firing an Evoker, a gun-like object, at their head, which does no damage but causes sufficient emotional stress to cause the Persona to appear. In addition to typical RPG elements, the game includes elements of dating simulation games as the player character progresses day by day through a school year, making friends and relationships that improve the strength of his Personas in battle.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

Cons:
Do you agree?
•You can't stay in the dark hour forever otherwise your characters will get tired and will be unable to battle.

More information

The Main Character, a teenager who was orphaned as a young boy, returns to the city of his childhood. Shortly after transferring to Gekkoukan High School, he is attacked by Shadows—creatures that feed on the minds of their victims. The assault awakens his Persona, Orpheus, his only chance at defeating these creatures of the night. He soon discovers that he shares this special ability with other students at his new school; each is armed with an Evoker, a special handgun that they fire at their heads that does not harm them physically but causes emotional stress in order to summon forth their own Persona. The Main Character learns that he is unique among the other members, being able to use multiple Personas and that he is guided by the formation of Social Links to improve his power. From them he learns of the "Dark Hour," a hidden time that exists between one day and the next, swarming with Shadows. He joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), and with his new friends, confronts the threat of the Shadows by exploring Tartarus, a huge, chaotic tower that appears in the place of their school every Dark Hour.

After signing a contract in which he "accepts his fate of his own free will," the Main Character battles with the other members of SEES against the Greater Shadows, incarnations with traits and appearances similar to those of the first twelve Major Arcana of the Tarot. The group is told by Shuji Ikutsuki, the adult supervisor of the group, that defeating all the major Shadows will end the Dark Hour.

Kingdom Hearts - Video Games

Kingdom Hearts begins on Destiny Islands, where Sora, Riku, and Kairi live. The three friends want to leave the islands to explore new worlds and have prepared a raft for this purpose. One night, the islands are attacked by darkness and shadow creatures—the Heartless. Sora seeks out his friends, finding Riku, who disappears into darkness. At the same time, Sora obtains the Keyblade. The islands are destroyed, and Sora is left adrift. Meanwhile, King Mickey has left his world to deal with the increasing darkness and left instructions for mage Donald and knight Goofy to find the "key".

More information

Donald and Goofy use a Gummi Ship to travel to Traverse Town, to where Sora has drifted. Sora encounters the shadow creatures again, and meets Leon, who explains the shadow creatures are Heartless, beings that consume hearts, and that the Keyblade is the only weapon capable of defeating them. A man named Ansem, the leader of Leon's home world, is said to have studied the Heartless. Sora meets Donald and Goofy and the three decide to travel together: Donald and Goofy to find Mickey, and Sora to find Kairi and Riku. The three go to various worlds based on Disney films, finding that the Keyblade also locks "Keyholes", passages the Heartless use to take the heart of a world. A group of Disney villains, led by Maleficent, seek out the seven Princesses of Heart to unlock the Keyhole that leads to Kingdom Hearts, a repository of knowledge and power and the source of all hearts. This group includes Riku, whom Maleficent promises she will help in finding Kairi. Maleficent sows distrust in Riku, telling him Sora has abandoned him and Kairi for new friends and the Keyblade. An increasingly antagonistic Riku finds Kairi's body, but cannot find her heart.

Ninja Gaiden 2 - Video Games

Ninja Gaiden 2 is the true sequel and first next-gen installment to the critically acclaimed series. This game features the return of Ryu Hayabusa as he travels the world and kills a ton of monsters and bad guys along the way. The core gameplay remains largely unchanged from the first 3D Ninja Gaiden with a punishing difficulty, fast action, and an unparalleled variety of killing moves. Most changes in the game are an enhancement and amplification of previous designs, moves are more brutal, the action is substantially faster, the game is gorier, and the harder difficulty is even harder.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Super fast action
•Obliteration techniques are very satisfying
•Great level progression, no backtracking
•Unrelenting enemies force you to come up with innovative techniques and strategies
•Large variety in weapons

Cons:

•Unpolished experience
•Big slowdown in some specific instances
•Enemies can be TOO aggressive
•Still too difficult for casual players
•Still has camera problems

More information

Story

Ninja Gaiden's story is largely uninspired and quite silly, intentional or not. This time around the Black Spider Clan is attempting to ressurect the "arch fiend" to take over or destroy the world, and only Ryu can stop them. The story is told through a combination of in-game cutscenes and full motion cinematics, and works largely as a little filler to drive Ryu from one slaughterfest to the next.

Gameplay

The first 3D Ninja Gaiden game gained notoriety for the huge move-list and brutal action. In NG2 Ryu has 7 melee weapons available to him, each with one or two level of upgrades and a move-set with dozens of combinations. There are also 4 projectile weapons, including the popular boomerang shuriken, and the return of the ninpo (magic) arts for clearing rooms of enemies.

One of the bigger changes to the game is the introduction of cutting off limbs. From the surface this appears to be a more cosmetic change, but in the higher levels of play and difficulty the severed limbs and accompanying obliteration techniques become very important.

Another significant change comes in the way you can change your weapons and use items. The previous games required you to enter a menu screen and select your items from there, now you can select items just by using the d-pad which is a more streamlined process.

Sony STR-DG920 - A / V Reciver

The Sony STR-DG920 is a 7.1 channel receiver scheduled released in June 2008 for $699 that supercedes the STR-DG910 released in April 2007 for $599. The 920 offers several key upgrades to the 910 including 1) a fourth HDMI input, 2) Dolby TrueHD and dts HD-MA audio decoding, 3) upgrade to the HDMI 1.3 standard, 4) a second zone of audio, and 5) a small increase in audio power to 110 Watts / channel up from 100 in its predecessor. The STR-DG920 support 1080p video signals with a pass-through, and will transcode analog video sources (composite and component) to its HDMI output. The step-down model Sony STR-DG820 is $200 cheaper at $400 but drops video transcoding to HDMI.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•1080p video pass-through support
•Transcodes analog video sources to HDMI
•Decodes Dolby TrueHD and dts HD-MA audio formats
•4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
•Good price for the feature-set
•Slightly more power than predecessor and competitors
•Screw binding post speaker terminals
•All speaker terminals are binding post (including 2nd zone)
•Phono-pre amp input (yes, this has become a rare feature)
•Second audio zone

Cons:

•Does not appear to have a switched AC outlet (for active subwoofer)
•Any pre amp outputs
•No s-video inputs
•$100 more expensive than 910

More information

Features

•7.1 channel receiver with full-support for latest Blu-ray standards
•4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs / 1 x HDMI 1.3a output
•110 Watts / channel
•1080p pass-through support
•Transcodes analog video sources to HDMI (composite, S-Video, component)
•decodes high-defintion digital audio formats (Dolby TrueHD, dts HD-MA)
•second zone of audio (A/B switch)
•price: $599
•release date: June 2008

Kawasaki 250R Ninja (2008-current)

New price £2,995
Engine size 249cc
Power 32.5bhp
Top speed 110mph

Overall verdict

The American market has been a big success for the Kawasaki Ninja 250 range for years and years and… But even the septics need a fresh brew every now and then and the Ninja 250R is the latest offering. Fortunately for 33bhp probationary riders in mainland Europe and the UK, we are getting the bike too, complete with emissions compliant fuel injection. A brave move by Kawasaki because the Ninja is virtually in a class of its own. Trend setting? Maybe.

Engine

A major overhaul of the old, forgotten about ZZ-R/GPX 250 engine has bought Kawasaki Ninja 250R bang up date by being environmentally friendly and as easy to use as a Raleigh bicycle. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s claimed 33bhp is spread thinner than gold plating – there’s no sensation of the power coming into play or fading as the motor spins to 14,000rpm so very quickly. Fuel injection does what it does precise and cleanly, which kinda sums up the motor.

Ride and Handling

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a lithesome agile number that makes the most of narrow tyres, high-ish bars and minimalist 154 dry weight figure. It all adds up to make town work and B-road rides a hoot – think slightly more powerful 125cc sports learner motorcycle and you’ll be spot on. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s suspension is perfectly suited to all but the worst of UK roads but lacks any damping adjustment, which is a blow on the rear side because the single rear shock needs more preload to keep the bike from getting all floaty and bottoming out. The standard tyres are for upright city use in our book.

Equipment

You wouldn’t know it, even looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 250R up real close, but it is manufactured in Taiwan under strict quality control. The gear linkage looks budget but is no worse than other manufacturer budget-line specials. The clocks are olde worlde analogue and there’s even a front wheel driven speedometer cable, which is novel. But the styling and dramatic black or corporate green paintwork is choice and the wave-style brake discs are ultra-cool… on a what is essentially a learner bike.

Quality and Reliability

Good marks here because the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a good motorcycle – it works perfectly as a motorcycle, and works better as bike to gain confidence on. MCN’s only worry is what will the Kawasaki Ninja 250R be like after the 24 month probation period; a period of time where the bike will undoubtedly be hammered non-stop and (hopefully not) be treated much the same as a cheapy 125cc learner machine.

Value

You could do worse by buying a more powerful machine and getting it restricted especially if it’s a new bike where insurance costs will be horrific. Even a decent private-sale second-hand bike would be expensive and probably lose more money over the next 24 months.

Model History

2008: Model introduced.

Other Versions

None.

Best Cordless Drills

19.2-volt Sears Craftsman 11542 (Around $120)

Budget cordless drill. For everyday around-the-house jobs, reviews say the Craftsman 11542 is an excellent value. This variable-speed cordless drill has two built-in bubble levels and 420 inch-pounds of torque. The 24-position clutch helps prevent over-driving screws. Other features include a 1/2-inch keyless chuck and a spindle lock. It comes in a kit that includes a case, a light, two bits and two NiCd batteries with a charger. The Craftsman drill weighs about 6 pounds. Cordless drills with NiMH and lithium-ion batteries weigh less, but they’re more expensive.


18-volt Makita BDF452HW (Around $200)

Best cordless drill/driver overall. Cordless tools that use lithium-ion batteries weigh much less and have much longer run time, but they are more expensive. The lithium-ion Makita cordless drill weighs just 3.5 pounds, so it’s less fatiguing to use than cheaper drills that use different battery types. Performance is very good in tests, and owner satisfaction for this drill is exceptional. The Makita drill comes with a three-year warranty on the drill, one year on the batteries.


10.8-volt Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver (Around $120)

Best cordless screwdriver. For light screw-driving jobs like hanging shelves, building cabinets or assembling furniture, the Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver gets rave reviews for its comfort and ability to get into tight spaces. The 10.8-volt lithium-ion battery brings the weight down to 1.6 pounds, and the batteries hold their charge well between uses. An LED light makes the Pocket Driver easy to use in a closet or cabinet. It's not intended for big jobs, but reviews indicate that the Bosch Pocket Driver is a great small tool, with price as its main drawback.


3.6-volt Skil iXO2 (Around $40)

Budget cordless screwdriver. At 3.6 volts, the Skil iXO2 doesn't have much power, but as a cordless screwdriver that weighs only about 10 ounces, it's just right for simple jobs needing 2-inch screws or smaller. Reviewers say it's comfortable to use and gets into small spaces. The lithium-ion battery takes 3 hours or more to charge, but then holds its charge for up to 18 months between uses.


12-volt Panasonic EY7202GQW (Around $290)

Best cordless impact driver. For greater ease when driving lots of screws, reviews recommend cordless impact drivers, which save wear and tear on hand and wrist. While reviews say most pro-level cordless impact drivers work well, they praise this innovative Panasonic impact driver because it adds a clutch to keep it from stripping screw heads. It weighs less than 4 pounds, uses NiMH batteries for long runtime, and carries a one-year warranty.

Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 - Home Movie Camcoder

The good: Excellent video and performance; impressive still photos for a camcorder; adequate manual controls; docking station included.

The bad: No wind filter; USB on dock only, not on camcorder; doesn't include Mini HDMI cable; no viewfinder.

The bottom line: As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR7, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin.

Price range: $611.99 - $899.99

oin me, if you will, along the slow march toward the obsolescence of tape in video. We've definitely got a long road ahead of us, but it's fun to notice how much camcorders have changed already. On the one hand, tapeless camcorders such as Sony's Handycam HDR-CX7 give product designers the freedom to make smaller, sleeker camcorders. On the other hand, we've yet to see a model that records in the AVCHD format, as this one does, match the quality of the footage we've seen from tape-based models using the HDV format. However, for an AVCHD camcorder, this does produce very nice video, and will likely blow your socks off if you're used to a standard-definition camcorder.

Though it's been on the market in various camcorders for a while now, the AVCHD format has been slow on the uptake in software for editing and playback. Lori Grunin's recent blog post outlines which software titles are compatible and notes whatever glitches she has found when using those programs. Ultimately, the easiest way to watch your HD video is still a direct connection to your HDTV, but there is a modest, and slowly growing, list of software out there if you like to watch on your computer or edit your footage.

Sony's designers definitely made the most of the fact that the HDR-CX7 records its video to MemoryStick Pro Duo cards. The camcorder is little more than a lens and LCD screen in terms of size, though that's both a positive and negative thing. Sure, you can fit the CX7 into almost any bag, and even a large jacket or sweatshirt pocket, but the ergonomics of the grip are a little off. It's certainly more comfortable to hold than Panasonic's SD-based HDC-SD1, but since there's no eye-level viewfinder, I often found myself holding it higher than I would some camcorders, and at a slightly odd angle. Also, since your hand basically covers the right side and top of the CX7, Sony was forced to put a handful of buttons on the left side, behind the LCD screen. That's never a very good move, since you can't readily see that spot when you're shooting, and if you do need to use one of those buttons while capturing video, you'll likely shake the camera horizontally while pressing it. Of the buttons placed there, the backlight compensation button is probably the most worrisome, since it's highly likely you'll use it on the fly, while most of the others would be used before or after shooting.

As usual, the HDR-CX7's main interface is its LCD touch screen. Even though the LCD is 2.7 inches in size, it still felt a bit small as a touch-screen interface. The main virtual buttons are big enough, but ancillary buttons, such as the OK button in the upper-left, or the X (cancel) button in the upper-right of some screens are rather tiny. On more than one occasion, I accidentally hit one of the bigger buttons when trying to hit the tiny ones. Combine that with the fact that the touch screen requires such an extensive tree of submenus, and the thrill of a touch-screen interface starts to wane pretty quickly. Still, some people say they like this kind of interface, so make sure you try it out in a store first to see if you like it before you buy.

Following a recent trend in camcorders, the CX7 doesn't include a minijack microphone input. If you want to add an accessory mic, you have to use one of Sony's in the CX7's Active Interface Shoe (aka proprietary hot shoe), which provides an interface and power for accessories. You have two options to send video to your TV directly from the camcorder. You can either use a mini-to-full-size HDMI cable, or use the composite AV breakout cable included with the CX7. Given that they are rather rare right now, it would've been nice for Sony to include the special HDMI cable, as Canon does with the HG10. A third option is to use the dock, which has the same composite AV out as the camcorder, as well as a component output (also via a breakout cable), and a Mini USB jack to connect to your computer. I was surprised that Sony didn't include a normal-size HDMI jack on the dock. It would've been a really nice touch.

Sony did include some great features though, such as the automatic lens cover, flash for still photos, and a nice complement of manual controls. While it doesn't include the SR7's shutter speed control, the CX7 does have the same exposure shift; manual, indoor, outdoor, and auto white balance; Spot Focus and Spot Metering; Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization; and Super NightShot infrared mode for shooting in the dark. Since the CX7 doesn't include Sony's CAM CTL dial (as the SR7 does), you have to adjust focus on the touch screen, which isn't quite as nice as the dial, but works well nonetheless.

Since the HDR-CX7 records its video to a MemoryStick Pro Duo card, you should plan on buying at least one high-capacity card. On a 4GB Pro Duo card, the HDR-CX7 can fit 32 minutes of best-quality, HD video. Stepping up to an 8GB Pro Duo ups that to a little more than an hour. By contrast, the HDR-SR7 can fit up to eight hours of the same level footage onto its 60GB hard drive.

Footage from the CX7 is very nice. The camcorder's Zeiss T lens is very sharp and Sony's Super SteadyShot does an excellent job of taming hand shake. Its 10X optical zoom might seem tame next to the 30X+ zooms now finding their way into lower-end models, but at a 400mm 35mm-equivalent on the telephoto end (in 16:9 mode), it's got plenty of reach. Plus, by keeping the optical zoom range within reason, you get more reliable stabilization across the entire zoom.

Both the autofocus and metering systems perform quite well, adjusting quickly to changes in subject, lighting, and environment. I was particularly impressed with the autofocus' ability to keep up with changes in zoom and quick changes between near and far subjects. The camcorder's white balance does a very good job. While colors aren't quite as neutral as I've seen in some other models, it's still very close and colors are well saturated and look realistic. Still images are definitely above average for a camcorder. Depending on the shooting conditions, you should be able to get pleasing letter-size or smaller prints.

As long as you don't mind the limited software compatibility and added cost of buying a few high-capacity Pro Duo cards, Sony's Handycam HDR-CX7 is a really nice AVCHD camcorder. As software catches up and flash memory prices continue to drop, it will only become that much more attractive, and the smaller physical size that goes along with a flash-based camcorder will wow your friends and make it more practical to have your camcorder with you when you want it. If Mini-DVDs appeal to you more than flash-memory cards, Sony also makes the HDR-UX7, which can record AVCHD video onto 8cm DVDs and is very similar to this model, though not quite as small in size.