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Only the Best Earn the
PET Seal of Approval from
The 15 Minutes Products
Evaluation Team (PET) |
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Nice Grip
UJIFILM’S
FinePix HS10
is one of the most comfortable digital cameras you can hold
in your hand. The front right-hand grip is recessed so that
your fingers bend around it for a steady hold. That makes it
easy to walk around with it, even without the strap, assured
that it won’t easily slip from your snug grasp. (But it’s
always wise to attach the strap to the camera and around
your neck.)
Another wonderful
quality is its zoom lens making it, as Fujifilm claims, the
world’s smallest digital camera with a 30x optical zoom
lens. Rotate manually the zoom ring from a wide 24mm to a
tantalizing 720mm. It’s F2.8 wide and F5.6 telephoto.
 This 10 mega pixel
camera takes four AA alkaline, lithium or rechargeable Ni-MH
batteries plus an SD or SDHC memory card by Fujifilm or
SanDisk and you’re good to go to shoot stills and movies.
ISO ranges from 100
to 6400. The size of the LCD monitor is a generous 3 inches.
The monitor flips out, up and down so you can shoot every
which way, especially over the heads of crowds.
The mode dial has,
besides Auto, Scene Recognition, Aperture and Shutter
priority, a Panorama choice. This allows for capturing a
sweeping panorama while shooting instead of creating one
later with your editing software on the computer.
The printed owner’s
manual is more helpful than most other camera manuals I’ve
seen. Not only does it explain the various operations of the
HS10, which are numerous, but the booklet also delves into
various photo tips and advice. Camera priced at $599.99.
Photo: Products_:
FinePix HS10
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 Travel Gear
AGELLAN’S sends out a catalog every couple of months touting
their latest products they deem essential for the road
warrior. The latest array of items includes the smallest
umbrella I’ve ever seen. It’s only 5.5 inches long folded,
so it fits in your pocket or handbag. You’ll always be
prepared in case of a sudden shower.
The Short Stuff Umbrella
is pegged at $24.85 at
www.magellans.com.
 Coolibar Favorite Shirt
keeps you safe from sunburn as you browse outdoors. The
trifold collar keeps the rays off your neck, the vents in
the sides keep you cool, and the 50+UPF construction
protects you over all. This lightweight, quick drying nylon
shirt is a favorite of the women on dedicated sightseeing
tours. $69.85.
Eagle Creek Cloudstream
Collection
of stylish luggage is a favorite of everybody. These Rolling
Uprights come with two-way lockable zippers, an extras
expansion zipper to give you an extra 2 inches of space, and
inner straps to keep everything in place. Two outside
pockets are provided. The large wheels allow for easy
pulling. This is one of best suitcases I’ve seen. The 22"
Rolling Upright is $199; 25" is $224; 28" is $249.
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Seawalk Sandals
promise a breath of fresh air for your feet. The textured
foam footbed and rubber soles make walking a delight. The
adjustable Velcro closures make for a comfortable fit. They
come in Pewter, Black patent and Stone colors. $75.
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Electronics Case
is perfect to stow away your gear and accessories.
Adjustable protective dividers let you pack items in their
separate places. Put adaptors and cords in the secure
zippered pocket in the lid. That’s a nice touch. Made of
nylon. Check the catalog online for more of Magellan’s Stow-Aways
to organize the contents of your suitcase. Electronics Case
is $19.85.
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 RetractaSafe
is one of many locks available at Magellan’s. This one
allows you to loop a 36-inch stainless steel retractable
cable from the handles of your luggage, skis, helmet, camera
or other gear and lock it on any permanent fixture. The
cable is slashproof so your property is well protected. Lock
it with the four digital combination. Available in red or
smoke colors. $18.95.
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 Personalized Luggage Strap
doesn’t replace ID tags but is the ideal way to easily and
quickly spot your luggage on the carousel or at pickup
point. You can personalize the strap with your name or any
phrase up to 22 characters. Magellan’s will imprint your
choice of words on a yellow 2-inch wide strap. Other straps
available in solid colors of red and blue. The strap wraps
around the suitcase and adjusts from 37 to 65 inches.
$20.85. |
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Must Haves
ONY NWZ-W252 Walkman
allows you to listen to music hands-free and
cord-free
as it eliminates ambient noise. This MP3 Player floats over
the back of your head for a comfortable fit. With the USB
cable you can recharge the built-in Li-ion battery in 3
minutes for a 1.5 hour quick charge. Full charge carries you
for 11 hours. Drag and drop your music selections from
iTunes or Internet Explorer. It’s a pleasure to work out
with intensity with these noise-canceling and moisture
resistant earbuds. $59.95 at
www.sonystyle.com.
 OTTERBOX ,
based in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a leading manufacturer
of product protectors.
There’s an Otter
Box for every handheld device. The
iPad Defender Series Case
is made with three layers of hardcore protection. When
stowing away it away for the night, or when you’re on the
move, remove the rear polycarbonate cover and snap it on the
front for touch screen protection. A built-in stand makes
for convenient viewing for watching a movie. $89.50 at
www.otterbox.com. The
iPad Defender Series Case,
at $64.95, is made to slide easily out of your bag or purse.
 iPhone 4 Defender Series Case,
like all OtterBox
cases,
protects from abuse and
bumps, but not against water, so if it rains close it up in the
Otter Box and open your umbrella. The polycarbonate shell is
made of high-impact, shatter-resistant material. The holster
style clip on the back allows you to wear if on your belt.
Worried about signal drops? OtterBox engineers have found
that the Defender Series case acts as a dielectric between
the two antennas to prevent loss of signal strength. $49.95.
 PANDIGITAL PHOTO/SLIDE/NEGATIVE
CONVERTER is
a neat little one-touch gadget that allows you to take all
those old slides and pictures out of your shoebox and
digitize them. Insert them into this little machine and scan
your photos (up to 4x6 inches), unmounted slides and 35mm
negatives at 300 dpi resolution to an SD card. Transfer
these jpeg files to your PC and store them or print them.
Put your slippers back into that shoebox. Quite a useful
item for $99.99 at
www.pandigital.net.
 LOGITECH PERFORMANCE MOUSE MX
is ergonomically designed to fit your right hand like a
silken glove, with controls under your thumb. Fly through
long documents or click line by line. Jump between web pages
or open windows, and zoom in or out of photos and maps. It’s
a joy to roll with it anywhere, even on glass surfaces where
other optical and standard laser mice don’t tread. The tiny
wireless receiver stays in your notebook’s USB; you don’t
have to unplug it. It allows you to add a wireless keyboard
or number pad through the included Unifying software CD.
Recharge the mouse by plugging it into your computer or a
wall outlet. A nice zippered leather case holds the two
charging cables and power supply. Buy for $99.99 at
www.logitech.com.
 APC BATTERY BACKUP ES 750
also assures surge protection for your computer. If you
don’t have a battery backup, this is the one to get to
secure your data and equipment during power outages. Of five
models this is the top of the line, providing the most
battery backup (70minutes) in case of power failure. With an
extended power outage the included software saves your files
and shuts down your computer. Peace of mind! There are ten
power outlets: five battery and surge protection and five
surge protection only. An indicator will light up if battery
needs to be connected or replaced. Be safe not sorry so get
it for $99.99 at
www.apc.com.
 MOTORMOUSE ,
inspired by the Porsche 911, is a unique conversation
starter. This wirelss mouse has a trunk that actually opens.
Yo9u wouldn’t expect anything less in a Porsche, would you?
You can store batteries and the 2.4 GHz USB receiver in it.
It even comes equipped with chrome alloy wheels and rubber
tires. Includes two AAA batteries. You don’t get that in a
Porsche. Available for $49.95 at
www.motormouse.us.com.
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