Compaq PA-1 iPaq Personal Audio Player
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $249.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Compaq's Personal Audio Player PA-1 has most of the features one looks for when buying a portable MP3 player--a compact design, backlit display, and 64 MB of expandable memory--but unfortunately comes up short in sound quality. The sturdy little player measures only 2.7 by 2.1 by 0.8 inches and comes with all the software and cables you need to start transferring MP3, WMA, and AAC files right away. It can run for more than 12 hours on a pair of AAA batteries under ideal circumstances and comes with a handy belt clip for listening on the go. The solid-state design uses no moving parts, meaning that it won't skip when jostled and it's less susceptible to breaking if dropped.

The backlit LCD scrolls the track number and title of the song that's currently playing. It also shows the volume level, battery strength, and selected playback mode (regular, shuffle, or repeat). Dedicated volume buttons on the front can also be used to change the bass and treble levels, or you can choose the jazz, rock, or classical presets. We didn't notice much difference between these modes and used either the default or custom settings for most of our songs.

Overall, the sound quality from the player didn't match the crispness displayed by the best players we've tested, and the flat bass response was particularly disappointing. It's hard to notice with the wimpy earbud headphones that come with the iPAQ, but it's immediately apparent when a more capable set of headphones is connected to the device.

The PA-1 comes with 64 MB of memory, but it's split into two 32 MB Multimedia Cards (MMC). This makes managing music far more involved than it would be if 64 MB of contiguous memory was included, because each card must be filled separately. Although the product uses a USB connection to communicate with the PC, transfer rates were a little sluggish. It took more than six minutes to fill one of the 32 MB cards, but reformatting a card to make room for more music took only a few seconds.

Overall, the PA-1 is easy to use, its expandability is nice, and it would be a good choice for those who listen mainly to pop and other types of music that don't rely on deep bass lines. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Plays WMA and AAC files in addition to MP3 tracks
• Memory is expandable
• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• Included headphones have virtually no bass response
• Overall playback quality is somewhat flat relative to the best players in this price range

... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• Shuffle/repeat functions, backlit LCD screen
• Fast USB connection
• Small, lightweight digital audio player--size of a pager
• Supports MP3, WMA, and AAC--upgradable to new formats
• Bundled software makes it easy to organize and play music

Reviews (90)

They tried...
Honestly guys, I'm a big pc, compaq, bill gates guy. I really like them. But I must admit that this attempt at mp3 players crashed and burned. This is an older model. DO NOT GET IT. Mine came with ZERO internal harddrive. Get one that COMES with something. Like a rio chiba like I now have. I might pay 40 bucks for this. I received this as a gift and kinda liked it. I could only get 20 songs on it with my 64 megs of space. I would only recommend this, more like give it another star, if you had a couple of 128 or 256 meg mmc's lying around that you're dying to sell. (...)

Excellent Product But Easy To Lose
This mp3 player is the best I have seen in terms of the different formats it can play. It is small and lightweight and easy to use. It is also a durable product unlike the roxio mp3 player.

Compaq PA-1 iPaq Personal Audio Player [MP3 AUDIO]
Great MP3 player when it works.The sound quality is awesome and this is one small and very portable MP3 player.I have had it for about 7 months and have had quite a few problems with it.It is always a pain to put new music on it.

The day after I purchased this PA1 I had to install a new driver and reformat the memory card on the mp3 player.The only way to format the media card is to download RioPort audio manager, which would be no problem but it is something that you have to buy after you use up your trial membership.Now I use Window's media player to download songs to it.The only problem is that media player often tells me that the card is not formatted, or tells me there is no media device present.I have removed and reinstalled the driver numerous times and I still get the same problems.Also Windows media player often freezes in the middle of putting songs on to the mp3 player, which means that I have to restart it and the task of putting music back on it.

A great deal if you don't mind dealing w/the occasional headache. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Z476
Subjects:  1. Portable Audio    2. MP3 MP 3 Player    3. MP3 Player (MP 3)    4. Compaq   

Nikon Coolpix 990 3.34MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (01 May, 2000)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Nikon Coolpix 990 takes all the features of its popular predecessor, the Coolpix 950, and improves upon them. This 3.34-megapixel CCD offers true (noninterpolated) image resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 for easy cropping and high print quality. The built-in 3x zoom Nikkor lens provides 38-115mm coverage (35mm equivalent) for clear, sharp images with 4x stepless digital zoom. It also features a 1.8-inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD screen for easy composition and playback. Nikon's own 256-element matrix metering and white balance promise outstanding exposure and color balance in every image.

Fully automatic with manual capabilities, the Nikon Coolpix 990 provides 4,896-step multi-area autofocus for quick composition without interruption. It provides a built-in five-mode flash and seven capture modes, including 1.5 fps (frames per second) full-resolution image capture, 30 fps QVGA, and 15 fps QVGA movies for 40 seconds in motion-JPEG mode.The 50-step manual focus gives complete creative control, while the macro focus mode allows you to shoot pictures from as close as 0.8 inches. You may choose between shutter priority and aperture priority exposure modes for greater artistic flexibility without added hassle. This camera also accepts all optional Coolpix lenses and accessories, including fisheye, wide angle, and telephoto lenses and up to five Nikon speedlights (with optional bracket) to light up any scene.

Convenience features of the Nikon Coolpix 990 include its easy-to-use and easy-to-upgrade CompactFlash memory (16 MB card provided). This camera is capable of both NTSC and PAL video playback, and it works with both Macintosh and IBM platforms. Although the Nikon Coolpix 990 can connect to your PC via serial connection, it also offers high-speed USB connectivity for plug-and-play simplicity and faster picture downloads. ... Read more

Features

• 3.34 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality prints at 8 x 10 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 4x digital zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 20 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses 4 AA batteries alkalines, included; special features include movie mode, slide-show playback, and 9-image review

Reviews (95)

Awesome
I've had mine for 3 years and it's just what I wanted for what I use it for. If anyone wants a great camera to use for just about any task or just fun? Buy it. Buy it now!

Old and tired
This product, if still available, isn't a great camera. Look up the canon G2 or G3 or a newer Olympus model.

Better than average, but not stellar.
I picked up this camera used to do some assignment work for an online publication.I specifically wanted full manual control and the ability to use an external flash (the internal flash is almost useless).

The large handgrip is a welcomed change from most other digicams out there.It feels nice and solid in your hand while the no-slip surface does its job admirably. The shutter release button is solid and the mode jog dial is placed perfectly.The user interface could benefit from minor usability improvements, but for the most part is easy to use and learn in seconds without consulting the manual.And to echo what everyone else mentions, battery life lasts me about 40 shots with the monitor and flash turned off.I take along a spare set of AA batteries for short outings.For longer outings, I mount a DigiPower DPS9000 external battery pack into the tripod mount

Overall picture quality is good, but not to the level of my 35mm film cameras under moderate scrutiny.For web content, picture quality is awesome, though.Resolution and sharpness are perfectly acceptable for 4x6 prints.Nice to have the 3:2 ratio to let you print uncropped 4x6 images.Macro capabilities are great.

Since I prefer to print my personal images, I feel the Coolpix's weakness is in its color reproduction.Photos printed on a Fuji Frontier 370 system seem to lack a certain saturation or 'punch' in various colors - things seem to be on the dull or compressed side and not very vibrant, even if the original scene was. This is especially noticeable when you hold a digital print next to a film print when both have used the same exposure and focal length and have been printed on the same machine.

Sure, I can spend time in PhotoShop adjusting curves and levels, but that's more time consuming than it's worth if you ask me. For a few photos, no big deal.But if I just shot 50+ images that are keepers, I'm not going to spend countless hours tweaking each one.

I found that a semi-decent shortcut is to get the ICC profile for my target printer and batch up all the images in PhotoShop to have the profile applied automatically.I then spend $0.29/print at my local camera shop getting them printed.Inexpensive, fast, sharp, and durable -there's no way I can print at home at that price or time savings, and I doubt anyone else can.

PROS:
Sharp images (provided you keep the sharpness setting on Auto)
Easy user interface
Inexpensive on the used market
Decent build quality

CONS:
Condensed color range
Slow to focus and fire shutter (2-3 sec.)
Supplied software is almost useless
Viewfinder shows too little of actual image (85%?) ... Read more

Asin: B00004RDMR
Subjects:  1. Cameras    2. Cool pix    3. Digital Camera (Cameras)    4. Photograph (Photography)   

Garmin eMap Deluxe with MetroGuide USA Mapping CD-ROM (12 Channel, Map Compatible)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $374.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The size of a small, flat calculator, the eMap contains a 12-parallel-channelglobal positioning system receiver and weighs a mere 6 ounces. Even withits compact style, the eMap boasts an extralarge display for showing more mapdata and the same power you've come to expect from Garmin handhelds--even whileoperating for up to 14 hours on two AA batteries.

The eMap features an internal base map containing information on North and SouthAmerica including state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams,airports, cities, towns, coastlines, and U.S. state and interstate highways. Inaddition, the eMap provides exit information for the federal interstate highwaysystem. With the eMap, you will know when you are near services such as food,lodging, and service stations.

With the bundled MetroGuide U.S.A. CD-ROM and 8 MB memory cartridge, you'll beable to easily transfer areas of interest from your PC to the eMap--just selecta desired location and download the data. You'll see details like the locationsof restaurants, banks, gas stations, tourist attractions, and more. And you canuse your GPS to look up street addresses and points of interest, then navigateto them with the help of onscreen arrows and street-level detail.

The eMap features 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbol, 2,000 track logpoints, 10 saved tracks, and 2 resettable odometers. It also has rising andsetting times for the sun and moon, sun and moon position, and moon phase forany day of the year anywhere in the world.

This deluxe package contains the MetroGuide U.S.A. CD-ROM, 8 MB data card, and aPC interface cable. ... Read more

Features

• Features large backlit display and includes 8 MB data cartridge and PC cable
• 12-parallel-channel receiver tracks current and average speed, location, and distance
• Automatic track log lets you retrace your path in both directions
• Includes MetroGuide U.S.A. CD-ROM; displays restaurants, banks, gas stations, tourist attractions, and more

Reviews (17)

Reliable and Accurate
I've owned a Garmin eMap since December 2000.I have used it on four continents (Asia, North America, South America, and Europe) and in some of the South Pacific islands.I only use the European and US MetroGuide CD sets relying on the built-in world map for the rest of the world.Obviously I can get great detail in a good part of Europe and in the US, with very general information in Canada, Mexico and the rest of the world.I use the eMap when walking about, in cars and trains.The accuracy of marking trail heads, rail stations, hotels and other points I may need help returning to is excellent even without the MetroGuides.The eMap has never failed, never malfunctioned and has always been accurate.

I understand the eMap is no longer being manufactured but some are still in the supply chain.I am purchasing eMap accessories (data cards, cords, map CDs, etc.) while still available as I intend to continue using the e-Map for years more.I wish all the electro-techi stuff I buy worked as well as eMap does.Top ratings from me on the eMap.

Poor Receive
Lowrance has a better GPS engine, and do to the fact that Garmin seems to sell maps that are out of sight in cost I use the I-finder, these maps are on a web site for the down loading. I have ran Lowrance and Garmin Side by Side and find the Lowrance will out do the Garmin by about 25 percent. The buy in cost is an issue when you do not have extra money to spend.

Best bang for the buck.
I've been using an eMap since July 2000. This is one of four GPS receivers I own. The eMap was designed to be an alternative to paper map and has some really useful features without the fluff. No barometers, fishing & hunting times, calenders, tide charts, etc.
The display is relatively large and easy to see in a car.
The overall size and shape of the unit is very handy
It will store 50 routes.
Memory cards are available from 8mb to 128mb. I use a 64mb and it holds a bunch.
The external antenna port allows for use when the unit can't "see" the sky. GPS receivers need a pretty open view in all directions to get a good fix. There are times when an antenna makes a big difference with any GPS receiver used in a car.
This unit has waypoint averaging which allows for more accurate waypoint positioning, if you need it.
With Metroguide software installed, it has an option on the map screen called "SHOW NEXT STREET". This feature shows the next street on the map as you approach it. This little goodie is worth the price of admission.
The Trip computer function is great on a trip.
Sunrise & set, Moonrise & set as well as Moon phase are available for any location & date.
The base map data that is in the unit shows principal roads, rivers, lakes, cities and towns. This level of map info is probably enough for some users.
The latest Metroguide USA mapping software may not be perfect,but has been reviewed as the most up to date mapping software available for this type of receiver. All maps go out of date eventually and there are streets in my town that are not on the GPS. But this is supposed to be the most current right now. The new Metroguide has "auto-routing" and is easy to learn and use. We have have created routes on our computer and then "loaded" them into eMap. Loading the routes take seconds.We have done whole vacations this way, and it is pretty cool not to miss turns anymore.
With Metroguide you can look up addresses, intersections and a wide range of "Point of Interest". Eleven categories are in the Point of Interest menu. This is a very comprehensive search function.
There are other mapping software packages available,including Topographical, Roads & Recreation, but Metroguide has more features than the others.
Garmin has software updates available on their website for eMap & Mapsource Software. The current(12/02) version of eMap is 2.75 and 4.10 for Mapsource.
There are cigarette lighter cords and a couple of different mounting options available as well as a bunch of other accessories.
On the downside
The unit is water resistant, not waterproof. (Don't drop it overboard)
The case is not as "armored" as some other Garmin units.
The basemap is not upgradeable.
This GPS doesn't have WAAS. (I have WAAS in two other units and it isn't as wonderful as advertised. Standard GPS accuracy is plenty for general use.)

All in all, eMap has more going for it than anything else I've seen FOR THE MONEY. For me, it fulfills its intended role as an electronic map better than two more expensive units (Garmin Vista and GPSmap 168) I own. Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Asin: B000050FGQ
Subjects:  1. GPS (Global Positioning System)    2. Units    3. map (mapping)    4. navigation