eForCity 25ft Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, Version 1.3, 1080p, Black

I ordered 2 cables and could not use them right away, after thirty days I hooked them up and the hdmi would not produce a clear picture or audio. I tried other cables I had that were shorter to test the system. all perfect picture! I do not reccomend this seller or this product. DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE! Try Aurum Ultra series for better quality at an affordable price!

Please do not go out and spend $$$$ on expensive HDMI cables

if you do not actually need them. These work just fine.

I am using them in applications where the video and sound are going

from a laptop to a 60 inch LCD HDTV and from a Blu-ray player to a 52

inch LCD HDTV. Both work perfectly. I have heard you need higher quality

cables for carrying multi-channel surround sound signals, but I think that is

a lot snobbery and wishful thinking.

The male ends of these HDMI cables fit nice and snug in the female receptacles

of the various equipment I am using.

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Works really well to connect my tablet to my tv and being able to see everything. Quality is great and sound is perfect

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Flexpod Flexible Tripod

I was looking for a tabletop tripod for my DSLR but everything out there was just too flimsy. I needed something small, lightweight, and sturdy so I could carry it in my camera bag. So far I'm pleased with what this weird looking thing can do.

Pros:

1. Very light but strong enough to hold up my DSLR. (struggles with a heavier lens, but can be positioned to compensate for weight)

2. Stable when set up properly. (Easily positioned)

3. Easily attached to random objects to take pictures.

4. Price

5. Works as a standard tabletop tripod for any travel night shots.

6. Stays still for long exposures.

Cons:

1. Non-adjustable height.

2. Head rotation ability is not great if you want to take a vertical picture.

Overall, I suggest this for someone who is traveling and doesn't want to take a tripod (even the travel size ones). This is easily set up on any table and can easily fit in your camera bag or backpack. A tripod is a necessity for night exposures so this is a great investment if you're looking for something that won't break the bank. On the otherhand, if not traveling, then I suggest buying a proper tripod.

This is an acceptable product. I own a Gorillapod and the two products look almost identical. The Sunpak tripod legs are not quite as stiff. I am going to use it mostly for supporting an auxiliary flash outdoors in the woods for macro work. I would not try putting a heavy camera on it. It is much less expensive though so actually a good deal for the proper usage.

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If you want a gorrillapod...get a gorillapod. don't go cheap and get this, it's absolutely horrible. got one, opened it, went to adjust the legs right out of the package and it broke. no camera, no stress, just broke.

not worth it

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Though this product looks exactly the same as the more expensive gorillapod made by Joby, it is clearly inferior. This was evident as soon as I received it in the mail. The unit feels very light and seems to be made from a lower grade or thinner plastic. The joints are very weak and do not stay in place very well unless the camera's weight is perfectly balanced by all three legs. I found myself readjusting the positioning constantly. The Joby's joints are much stiffer.

Having owned the original gorillapod I was looking for a cheap replacement when my Joby broke after 2 years of use. I thought I'd save some money by ordering this "flexpod" instead. HUGE mistake. It broke after one day. I'm not really sure what happened, I heard something snap while I was positioning my camera in portrait mode. Now the ball joint that connects to the three legs is no longer stiff enough to support the weight of my camera (a Lumix DMC-TZ5). Orientating my camera into landscape mode, it simply succumbs to gravity and then proceeds to fall over on its side. Luckily the tripod broke towards the end of my day so most of the shots that I needed it for had already been taken. Had it been any earlier in the day I would have been even more upset with myself for buying this piece of junk.

I'll save you the trouble of trying to rationalize this purchase. Currently its running around eight dollars including shipping. The original Gorillapod by Joby costs around eight dollars more, so twice as much. I bought this thinking, well if it's crap then I'm out eight bucks no big deal. Except for the fact that if it turns out to be crap then I'm also out whatever amount I spend to replace it. I'll likely want to get the REAL gorillapod and now I've spent twenty-four dollars in total (8+16=24).

If you're a stubborn person (or a gambler) you may choose to purchase the same crap product again hoping not to get a lemon this time. But guess what? You have now just spent the equivalent amount of money had you purchased the Joby in the first place (8+8=16). The only difference is that you now you have two crap tripods (one of them broken, and the other a ticking kodak moment ruining time bomb) instead of one fully functional tripod.

Imagine the following scenario which actually happened to me this past weekend. You're out in the middle of nowhere hours away from civilization, on a remote beach waiting to get a perfect shot of that glorious sunset you've been waiting for all day. Your tripod suddenly fails. How much would you pay to preserve the priceless memory of that moment? How much would you pay for a working tripod right then? If the answer is "more than eight dollars" give yourself a pat on the back and move on. If your answer is "less than eight dollars" then my followup question to you is: Why are you even bothering to purchase a tripod? Since you obviously don't care about taking decent photos.

Bottom line: You get what you pay for. Do yourself a favor, spend the extra money on a quality product and skip this piece of junk.

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Bought it for my solo trip to Europe. Broke on the first day, during my layover, BIG FAIL. Don't waste your money. I should have listened to those other unfavorable reviews.

Digital Concepts Universal Digital Camera and Camcorder Screen Protectors (12 Pack)

I bought these because of the price and supposedly you get "12" for such a low price. Three things you should know about them.

1) You don't get 12, you only get 3. On the back of each sheet, is a template that helps you cut each sheet into 4 smaller sheets, hence the "12". But no camera made today could use such a tiny size sheet if you cut it. You can probably get 6 sheets though if you cut them in half. The actual dimension of each sheet is 3 1/8" x 3 7/8".

2) These use a glue of some kind to stick them to your screen. It looks fine when you put it on, but I hope I can remove this glue at a later date when I need to replace the protector. And I hope it doesn't damage the screen. I will look for a "static" kind or protector next time.

3) These protectors are fairly reflective. I put one on a GPS in my car and I can hardly see the screen anymore on a sunny day. I would definitely recommend an anti-glare protector.

Hope this helps someone...

This is one of the smart buys that any digital camera owner can get. It's not a glamorous product, but it's practical: it protects your LCD screen on your digital camera with a thin, clear plastic polymer. You get three generous sheets that are 3 1/8" by 3 7/8". It comes with a double-edged squeegee, and a tiny packet of screen cleaner and equally teeny dry cloth. The price is right, and much cheaper than an ugly gouge or a nasty scratch on your LCD screen.

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I bought these for a Canon digital camera. Seller offered to cut these to the size of my camera's LCD, but I was unable to find the exact dimensions, so I was sent a few uncut protective films, and did the cutting myself. Worked like a charm--I put one of these puppies on my camera, and now it feels protected, and doesn't materially change the clarity of the LCD. No glue or anything needed to make it stick, it just does, and well.

All in all, I'm glad I made the purchase to protect my investment.

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After trying this product and being completly unsatisfied with it after finding all the faults listed in past reviews I decided to try a little experiment.

First I measured the LCD screen on my Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a ruler and mapped them out on a piece of paper. Then (on the same piece of paper) I drew the dimensions of the LCD screen so I had a drawn out square the exact size of my screen.

Next I took a piece of Glad Cling Wrap and laid it down over the square on the piece of paper. After taping it down so it couldn't move, I used a picture (rotary) trimmer to cut out the saran wrap laid over the paper square.

I then had a perfectly sized protective sheet for my LCD. I simply laid the saran wrap over the screen and had a better protector then the Digital Concepts product. And it was free.

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Let me tell ya what this thing exactly is. At first I was a bit confused about how this thing works. I bought one and here goes the description. The LCD protector is a self-adhesive thin plastic sheet. There are three of these stickers in the pack. Each sticker can be cut into four pieces (max size of each piece is suitable for 2.2 inch LCD). This way you could get 4x3=12 stickers altogether. If you have a camera that has say a 2.5 inch LCD (e.g. a Sony digicam) you can only get 2 pieces from each sticker that's a total of 2x3=6 stickers.

You cut out a piece according to the size of your camera LCD and stick that on it. Then as it becomes dirty or comes off over time you replace it with another one.

It is pretty simple and a good value for this price.

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Pentax K-x 12-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit/1 - Blue

I got this camera two weeks ago (an early Christmas present for myself). Last week I took it to Disneyland for its first big test, and I'm happy to report that it passed with flying colors. The camera feels really good in my hand(s), solid, and ready. It powers up quickly so I didn't miss a shot. And the pictures were terrific in bright sunlight and in low light situations as well. And when the sun went down and the Christmas lights came on, I was able to get some nice shots, handheld. Image stabilization and auto-focus worked like a charm. This is my first experience with a DSLR so I can't make comparisons (but a friend's new Canon was having difficulty focusing in low light); I can only say that this little camera is great! And the price is hard to beat. And the color? Nothing else like it. If blue isn't your thing, try green, orange, pink, etc.

First know it uses AA batteries. You are never far from more. The 8x Energizers have lasted more than 800 pics so far.

Easy lens swapping from earlier K mounts gives you a great base.

Great for point and shoot or technical set your self work.

Way more camera for the money than the department store Canon or Nikon.

A 5 star all the way around. The second one I have gifted.

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I bought it from another retailer. Really love the blue, which makes the camera special in your hands! The features and performance are great.

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Don't worry the color would peel off, it look pretty firm and nature on the camera which makes the camera fashioned

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Panasonic DMC-G5KBODY 16MP SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD - Body Only (Black)

To start with I have both the Panasonic GF5 and the G5 and I also shoot Nikon digital cameras. I've been very happy with the Panasonic G5 and M43 system. Many of the little things that bothered me with the GF5 like AF accuracy, AF hunting when recording videos, limited number of customizable function buttons, zoom lens blocking flash coverage at wide angle focal lengths, and no 1080p/60fps videos are resolved with the G5. Plus the G5 is 16MP vs the GF5 only being 12MP. The G5 also has features which my much more expensive Nikon doesn't have like an articulating touch screen and the ability to shoot 1080p/60fps videos.

What I love about the G5:

1. The G5 has a nice balance of buttons and customization which meets the needs of both novices and those wanting more control of their camera. For people purchasing a DSLR/DSLM camera for the time it probably won't feel as overwhelming as some DSLR's would. While it doesn't have the number of buttons as my Nikon DSLR with the use of the "Q Menu" I can get to more of what I want quicker than with my DSLR. The "Q Menu" allows you to create your personalized mini menu for quick access for those settings you adjust the most. In addition there are function buttons on the camera and touch screen which can be customized for the features you use all the time.

2. The articulating screen was one of the main selling points for me when purchasing the G5. The articulating screen is great when photographing with the camera above your head and near to the ground. I actually use it almost all the time when I photograph. You are steadier when you shoot with your hands and camera at your chest versus held up to your eye. If you like shooting candids or documentary of people you can get better shots if the camera is at your chest or waist level. As soon as your camera is at your eye and pointed at a person, that person starts acting different.

3. The articulating screen being a touch screen was another big selling point for me. The combination of the touch screen and pin point or single focus area creates a powerful tool for any photographer. I only shoot single focus area on my DSLR's. Unlike my Nikon DSLR which I have to hold a button down and use the pad on the back of the camera to scroll through the AF area points, with the G5 all I do is touch the area, any area except the very edge, on the screen I want the camera to focus on. Person moves from the right to the left of the frame, I touch their face, and hit the shutter button...that quick and simple. It is worth noting that the touch screen isn't as sensitive as a smart phone touch screen but it seems better than the GF5 screen.

4. I found that the GF5 when shooting in the 23 AF area where the camera selects the AF point would commonly focus on the background instead the person in the foreground who was in the center of the frame and filling up a majority of the frame. The G5 doesn't have that issue. The AF with the G5 is speedy and silent which is great for photography but a must have when shooting videos. It's focus speed is as fast as much more expensive prosumer DSLR cameras. The only issue I've run into is that when shooting sequential frames in continuous AF the AF doesn't perform as accurately as my Nikon DSLR.

5. The 1080p/60fps videos from the G5 are nothing short of beautiful. The 60fps produces very smooth looking videos. The 1080 resolution is very sharp and crisp looking, better than any other P&S, ILC, or DSLR I've had. The only other camera I have that shoots 60fps is the Sony HX20V. The G5 having a much larger sensor than the Sony HX20V produces a much shallower depth of field for beautiful videos. I actually like the depth of field with the G5 better than videos from APS-C cameras. The depth of field is shallow but a little greater than those from APS-C sensors. I find it to be a perfect blend for everyday videos. The AF while shooting videos is excellent also. Unlike my Nikon DSLR there is no focus hunting when shooting videos with the G5 and because the AF is silent I also don't hear the lens focusing. My GF5 even does some focus hunting.

6. The digital viewfinder is actually usable with the G5. There have been considerable improvements in digital viewfinder resolution, color, and contrast in the last few years. I remember playing around with one of Sony's first DSLM cameras a few years ago which had a digital viewfinder and thinking to myself there is no way I could shoot with this camera because of the digital viewfinder.

7. The G5 has an electronic shutter, E Shutter, feature to prevent shutter shock. Shutter shock occurs when the slapping of the shutter causes the sensor to vibrate when the picture is taken, some believe it can impact the OIS also, which results in a soft or slightly blurry image. It seems to primarily occur at shutter speeds of 1/60-1/250. When I heard about shutter shock and the E Shutter feature I was bit skeptical. I did a test shooting 100 frames with the E Shutter on and 100 with the E shutter off at shutter speeds of 1/60-1/320. For 50 of the frames with the E Shutter on and 50 with the E Shutter off, I used image stabilization. The other 50 for each I turned the stabilization off. People have tested the E Shutter photographing a chart while the camera was on a tripod (copy stand work), I wanted to see if there was a noticeable difference in real life photo situations. The images shot were of still life and I was hand holding the camera. When I used a telephoto focal length without stabilization I made sure my shutter speed was on the higher end of the range. The electronic shutter did give better results! I had no incidences of soft or blurry images with the E Shutter on and stabilization off. With stabilization and E Shutter on I had 2 soft or blurry images. With stabilization and E Shutter off, I had 4 soft or blurry images. The worst results came from stabilization on and E Shutter off in which I had 6 soft or blurry images. After the test I started photographing regularly with E Shutter on and have noticed more consistent, better results. Before doing the test I wasn't using E Shutter and was getting some mysteriously soft, blurry images. The downside of E Shutter is that it can't be used with the flash or ISOs greater than 1600. There can also be bending or distortion of shapes which are moving in the frame. I have witnessed the distortion once when taking a picture of someone moving in the frame while the picture was taken.

8. The compactness of the G5 is a nice selling feature. While the G5 isn't as small or pocketable like the GF5 it is significantly smaller and lighter than any Nikon DSLR I've owned. It is much easier to carry around the G5 with a couple extra lenses than my Nikon with a couple extra lenses. Some people may equate the compactness and lightness of weight as being cheap or like a toy camera but I think they are missing one of the advantages of the camera and M43 system in general.

What I don't like about the G5 kit:

1. The biggest down side of the camera outfit is the 14-42mm kit lens. The kit lens is kind of what it is, an inexpensive lens with a plastic mount, plastic body, and sticky zoom. It takes decent enough pictures but the corners and edges are pretty soft, at times even when stopped down to f/8. I do have a full review of the kit lens for anyone interested.

2. With the lowest ISO being 160 and a top shutter speed of 1/4000, on a sunny day the widest open your lens can be is f/2.8 or more commonly f/3.5. This really limits your ability to create images with a very shallow depth of field when using fast lenses.

3. If you go back and forth between the screen and viewfinder the eye sensor on the camera is nice to have. It is designed to sense when your eye goes to the viewfinder. It then turn the display off and viewfinder on therefore saving battery life. Even with the eye sensor sensitivity adjusted to low it is WAY too sensitive. If a shadow passes over the eye sensor the display turns off and viewfinder turns on. Even on a cloudy day if my hand passes over the sensor, 3" inches from the camera, the display turns off.

If you are already in the M43 system this is a great camera to add to your system or upgrade to. If you are looking at getting into a DSLR or DSLM camera system the decision to purchase this over other cameras similarly priced is a little more difficult decision to make. The G5 is a little more compact than an introductory DSLR. It is roughly a centimeter shorter in each dimension and weighs about 25% less than Nikon's D3200. The G5 has an articulating touch screen vs the D3200 which doesn't. The G5 shoots 1080p/60fps videos whereas the D3200 shoots 1080p/30fps. The G5 also costs $100 less than the D3200. The D3200 on the other hand has a larger sensor that performs better in low light. The D3200 has a better kit lens. The D3200 is 24MP vs the G5 which is 16MP. While M43 cameras have the best variety of lenses of any mirrorless system it still can't compete with the selection you have with Nikon or Canon. In the end it depends on which of those features are the most important to you as a buyer.

I have a few friends with DSLR and micro-4/3 cameras and I was told to look at micro-4/3 due to it's lower cost of entry and portability. In the short term I wanted a new camera to take on my honeymoon, but my long term goal was to improve my photography skills beyond a compact point and shoot.

After much research I decided between the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Panasonic DMC-G5KK. While I feel the Olympus is a better camera on paper, I didn't feel the cost differential was justified in my case. Micro-4/3 is still a relatively new platform, and I think the cameras will improve quite a bit in the next couple of years. Perhaps in that time I'll upgrade to a camera with a more rugged body and in body stabilization. FWIW, I purchased the DMC-G5 ($699), which included the 14-42mm zoom lens, along with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens ($332).

The combo is low profile and lightweight due to the pancake lens. I purchased the Crumpler "4 million dollar home" camera bag, which comfortably fits the G5, 20mm pancake, 14-42 mm kit lens, spare battery, charger, snackbar, and hand cleanser (a nice to have on vacation). I highly recommend this to anyone look at the G5 or other similarly sized micro-4/3s.

The 20mm pancake shoots amazing pictures with the G5. Landscapes and interiors look great, but portraits are amazing! I was overall quite impressed with photos I took on my vacation, the majority of which I used intelligent auto since I didn't have the time to learn about the camera. I would say I took 90% of my photos using the pancake since it was more convenient and much faster. I only used the zoom lens when I couldn't zoom with my feet.

My favorite things about the camera thus far:

1) Autofocus speed (combined w/ the 20mm)

2) Ergonomics and weight

3) HD video w/ autofocus

4) Large articulating touchscreen w/ AF tracking (touch screen and it will focus and track the subject!)

5) Depth of focus adjustment/box

6) RAW photos (works with Lightroom)

Things I dislike:

1) EVF sensor: even at the low sensitivity setting, my finger occasionally disables the LCD. I wish they put the sensor at the top of the EVF or something

2) Panasonic software: it's not well designed. You're better off buying Adobe Lightroom to handle the importing and post-processing.

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I ordered my G5 after having seen nice early reports from a few online testers. I bought it within the first few days of it's release. I had considered buying the E-M5, but I had a few reservations about the way the LCD articulated and the higher price. I have a preference for the LCD articulation mechanics used on the G5.

I was pleasantly surprised by the images I captured at a high school reunion the day I received the camera. I immediately noticed an improvement over my previous Olympus Pen models in dynamic range. The high ISO noise levels were simply impressive compared to the Pens. I learned quickly how to use the custom white balance setting and my out of camera jpeg files have consistently accurate color rendition. The images are nice and sharp and will likely print well at print sizes larger than 16"x20".

I believe this camera is an excellent option for those considering the E-M5 based not on a direct personal comparison but from what I seen published at many sites online.

I recommend the G5 highly.

Panasonic DMC-G5KBODY 16MP SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD Body Only (Black)

Dan

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I was a 35mm film Minolta owner for a long time, then Nikon (FM/FE), then more recently D50/D40/D60. I've had Panasonic FZ28/35 and found the sensor size and quality wanting. I looked at the Sony Alpha but found the a37 lacking a few things I wanted and the A57 too large/heavy. Earlier this year I had a Nikon D5100. Great camera. But I was looking for something smaller and lighter. The M 4/3 (MFT) platform is a clear winner. So much so that I no longer own the D5100. And it feels great to use the DMC-G5. I'm excited about shooting again!

Technically, the sensor on the DMC-G5 is a very strong performer. The UI gives you hints when you need them (like a flashing icon to push in and rotate the control wheel when you have overridden the standard exposure (EV) controls). The focus is among the fastest of any camera I've ever used. I really like the level indicators that appear in the viewfinder to let you know you are square to horizontal or vertical.

Overall the camera feels great in the hands and it is very light and yet not too small. So far I don't feel like there is any feature that I would use that is missing. I did sell the 14-42mm kit lens and put on an older Panasonic 14-45mm lens and the results are very solid.

The EVF is adequate. I would not use a MFT camera that did not have a viewfinder. LCDs are still hopeless in strong sunlight. I've found the EVF in this camera so good that most of the time I'm shooting with LCD folded in and turned off. It's that good. (And means I get more shots on one battery charge. And getting a second battery is recommended for this any any camera with an EVF.)

The ONLY thing that bugs me about this camera, and it's a nit, is the operation of the power switch. It's on the right of the control dial and it's the same place thus far on all the Lumix MFT. I would rather have this been a reactive switch where when you push it forward it changes the current power setting (push forward to turn on, push forward again to turn off). The absolute positioning seems strange but that's just to me. I've found myself pushing it forward when I want to turn the camera off. It's certainly not going to take away from the rest of the performance of the camera. (I think because my first digital camera as a Sony DSC-S75 who's power switch worked that way that's why I'm doing it on this camera.)

In the past a primary selling point for cameras, for those who cared about the future and building up a personal kit, was that you were buying into a system. This is still true. But now the system is more like a wider MFT 'system' which crosses manufactures and equipment both new and old. The fact that you can use Panasonic and Olympus lens AND many legacy lens with adapters is an astounding eye opener. Why not, like in the PC market, have uniform standards with many if not all interchangeable parts? Let the camera makers compete on features that are exchangeable. Thus far the other major camera makers have balked at joining the MFT party and they are missing out. Check The Online Photographer article entitled 'Micro 4/3 is the Big Kahuna' for some more perspectives. You should also be visiting 43rumors and sansmirror to be informed in MFT.

To me this is a great camera for the enthusiast who is looking for a lightweight highly versatile camera for a wide range of uses and who wants to spend less than $600-700. (DXOMark puts this camera ahead of DMC-G3 and DMC-GH2 in sensor measurements in all marks except for effective low light ISO which is strange because it's pretty good in low light.)

If I was going to buy up the chain in the MFT systems then either the OM-D E-M5 or DMC-GH3 would be the next steps up. (And keep the DMC-G5 as a second body.)

Update: 11-MAR-2013 I have found a bug that the firmware needs fixing for. I discovered yesterday that if you switch back to review mode from standard still shooting mode like P or C2, it may not always make it back into review mode. It can appear that you are still in the standard view mode (through the lens). I was pressing review like four or five times and it would not switch over. Then I realized that if after you hit review, and nothing seems to have happened, if you click the command dial to the left or right, it will actually become unstuck from the TTL view and start showing you photos you have taken, Viola, you are in review mode. If anyone else has found this please comment.

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I have not been on board with these compact system, MIL, DSLM, or whatever acronym Amazon is using to describe the mirrorless cameras these days...until now! While the concept of having small, compact, lenses has been quite appealing to me (who doesn't want a 400mm equivalent lens smaller than a coffee mug!), the cameras themselves just never felt "right" in my hands. I have above average size hands, so the Panasonic GF, Sony NEX, and Nikon 1 systems always felt like point & shoot cameras and didn't give me a well balanced feel when framing shots. The G5 has a nice grip to go along with all those great lenses! It seems Panasonic has realized there are still some of us who like to use a viewfinder because the 1.4M dot Electronic viewfinder is INCREDIBLE. And while I tend to be a bit more of a traditionalist when it comes to taking photos, the 3" articulating LCD is fun to use when I'm shooting HD video of my 2 year old daughter. I'm quite impressed with photos I'm getting out of this camera, even with the kit lens. If you have been waiting to enter the mirrorless world, wait no longer. This is a terrific all-around camera and now that I'm in the Micro 4/3 world, it's time to start saving for those lenses!! My wife will be happy that I'm not using her allotted TSA carry-on limit to pack my lenses on our next trip. I'll be able to fit a whole system of lenses in her purse next time!

Digital Peripheral QT474-411-5 Q-See 4-Channel Video Surveillance System with 4 Weatherproof Night

Just as described it works great and has added a sense of security to our business. Easy to install and use

I purchased this DVR system after someone managed to get into our garage. I have another Q-See system that included a built in monitor that I use as a mobile IR camera set up. I was happy with Q-See for the most part so I trusted them again. My system is actually the QT474-452-5, the difference being the cameras included with the package

This DVR is very compact and small compared to the 4 channel I purchased a few years ago. However, the interface is improved, and the BackUp USB port is on the front so I don't have to lean and reach over the DVR or turn it around with all the wires attached to get my zip drive into the port.

I have a new Cable Modem, and new Router so I have all of the latest technology updates. This system almost installed itself including the remote monitoring. Q-See includes a few large instructional posters with the unit, one to do your basic set up and one to configure the remote monitoring.

I chose a spot in my basement, and was set up and running with remote monitoring in a little over an hour (Camera installation took more time.). Because my equipment was newer, the Plug N Play feature worked and automatically set up my connection to my router. All I had to do was test it using the supplied web page URL and grab the DSN number and I was pretty much done. I was able to log in remotely from all PC's in the house. The first time you attempt this on each machine it will prompt you to install a web interface program from Q-See. It says its compatible with Firefox, but I never got it to work with Firefox on my PC's. It needed a plug in that I never found. I just used IE instead. I was also able to get in using my iPhone by simply downloading the correct app from the app store and entering in the IP and password.

My only issue was that when you want to shut down the system, you go into the main menu and select Shut Down, wait a minute or two and you'll get a message that it is OK to power down the DVR. This requires you to pull the power plug from the back of the unit or unplug the power brick. My other Q-See has a little power switch on the back, that would have been nice to have here.

With this system you will need to invest in a monitor or a TV so you can set it up and view the menu or video streams from your security center. The DVR includes the RCA to BNC connector for TV hook up, and a HDMI cable. When you buy a monitor, it should include the VGA cable or you'll need to purchase that too.

All of the cameras worked perfectly out of the box. My cameras are the 500/100 where these cameras are the 400/70. This refers to the IR power and distance they can see. The higher the numbers the better. Installation was not too hard. I wanted to avoid mounting to my siding or soffet, so I mounted them to the downspouts under the soffet and ran the cables down the C channels on the corner and then tucked it under the siding and through a hole into the basement.

So far I am pleased with the ease of set up and installation. My other system I never did get the remote monitoring set up and working as the interface is rather crude, but I don't need to use that feature as its not a permanent installation use system. We'll see how this system does at capturing things going on at night while we are asleep.

Buy Digital Peripheral QT474-411-5 Q-See 4-Channel Video Surveillance System with 4 Weatherproof Night Now

Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (White)

Several people complained on various internet review boards about how this camera does not deliver very high quality video, etc. I'm a technology enthusiast, computer specialist, amateur photographer and have about 7 or 8 different cameras so I feel qualified to give a good review.

This is a camcorder meant for internet uploads/sharing, quick shots, etc. This is not what you want to film your wedding with. So don't expect broadcast quality.

Having said that I think the image quality is VERY good for its size. One huge advantage over Flip/etc... is the swiveling lens. This was the main attraction for me. I'm always embarassed waving a big camera in public. Just don't like when people stare at me for filming something. This is why Sony bloggie is a great product. You can turn the lens to an angle you like and hold the device like your cellphone. People will actually think you are just playing with your phone.

Let's get done with my complaints list quickly:

-CMOS sensor means you get the rolling shutter a.k.a jello effect when panning too fast with the camera (vertical objects appear skewed)

-Smaller lens angle when using 1080p mode. (i.e. picture is too "tele")... you get a nicer wide angle if using 720p.

That's about it, image quality -especially in daylightis very very good for such a camera. I actually prefer to record in 720p 60fps mode, the high frame rate gives it a very smooth motion.

FYI, it's compatible with Apple's iMovie. Will take some time to import your videos but once it's done, editing is super easy!

I hesitated for a long time before buying this camera but I'm glad to say I don't regret it at all! Very satisfied with my purchase.

My actual rating is 3.5 stars but I've rounded up for now.

First, I read the specs of this before I ordered it so I knew what I was getting myself into. I did not buy this for great recording capabilities and did not expect that. I bought this device to have a easily portable recording device for cheap and it delivers.

The negatives for me so far has been the awful sound recording and the lighting. I did not expect a great mic but the quality of sound recording is far below my expectations. Combine this with the inability to attach an external mic (let me know if there's a way that I don't know of) makes this device subpar. The lighting recorded fluctuates quite a bit. Sometimes I would have to set the setting a couple times to get video to appear versus a dark/black screen. Let me note that I was recording in the evenings indoors without much light in the first place. Yes, this isn't ideal but if it is not able to handle that lighting, setting the device's settings a couple times should not magically "fix" the issue.

The overall design works well and the navigation is a breeze, similar to other Sony cameras. You can also easily pull this device out of your pocket and start shooting either in camera mode or camcorder mode within seconds. I do feel that they could have utilized the screen space much better; video is displayed on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen is basically wasted IMO. There are no exposed ports so the unit is nice and sleek. The area that goes over the USB doesn't completely move out of the way so depending on the USB port you are connecting to you might not be able to plug it in. No worries though, a USB extension is included. Oh, and you can use both SD and the memory stick, yay!

Buy Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (White) Now

I was really excited to see the next generation of pocket camcorders come out for 2010 and the Bloggie is the first I know of. It has a larger, updated optical sensor and presumably updated firmware and hardware to render better video quality. I bought it as soon as I found out it was available.

My initial impressions are less about the Bloggie and more about what an achievement the Flip cameras are. Here's why:

The Sony Bloggie seems brighter but is more sensitive to movement than the MinoHD. I go over my videos frame by frame to get screen captures and the majority of the frames the Bloggie seems lost on the action and repeats the same bad exposure for many more frames before it adjusts to get the best exposure. The MinoHD on the other hand, even though it is over a year old, is much quicker at correcting exposure, frame by frame, focus and light, to provide overall better video resolution. This is in spite of the fact that the Sony Bloggie has a bigger optical sensor and the newest hardware. Flip just seems way ahead of every pocket camcorder (haven't tested the Kodaks) in its internal intelligence in detecting focus and exposure. This is what truly gives it the edge.

The Bloggie does have a removable battery or memory card unlike the Flip. But I can't wonder if it's even necessary. I've never needed more memory or another battery in my Flip. Also it presents open compartments that will no doubt gather dirt in the electronics and buttons, unlike the Flip which is mostly sealed.

Playback mode? I'm a software developer so I'm not afraid of complicated stuff but I found the playback controls on this frustrating over and over. There are 6 or 7 different buttons you can push on playback to pause, ff, rw, etc and I kept finding myself pressing the wrong one and getting kicked out of play mode. Yes, the Flip had this right and so simple! I actually feel like I have taken the Flip's playback for granted thinking it was just without features. But for the same functionsplayback, pause ff, rw, the Bloggie feels like it is many times more complex and mysterious even though it's attempting to do exactly what the Flip does so effortlessly, mindlessly. As for uploading to Youtube, etc., like it is featured to do, I guess that's like programming your VCRpossible if you really want to learn it but more like a punchline than useful.

The Bloggie has still image, movable lens, and other bells and whistles the flip doesn't have, but is an order more complicated to use than the Flip. In the end the video, even at 1080p, is still not as sharp and clean compared to the smooth 720p of the Flip MinoHD.

Other features such as an external mic input are not available on either the Bloggie or the Flip MinoHD but are available on others such as the Kodak Zi8 etc. But this wasn't a factor for me.

I will also ad that looking at the instructions made me understand why this has the stupid name of Bloggieit is a uniquely Japanese product rushed to market without alot of careful insight into the aesthetic of the American consumer (If I may, nothing against Japanese products, usually I think them superior.) The instructions are pretty poor considering some of the dummy proof large font easy-to-read stuff I've gotten used to from places like Ikea and yes, Flip. These look like they were put together by a technical person in a tight deadline who doesn't speak English well...

Keep trying Sony, some good ideas here but mostly I think you need to improve on that smooth auto exposure algorithm!

Read Best Reviews of Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (White) Here

Here are the PRACTICAL reasons I bought this camera ...

1) I love having an SD card ... and "unlimited" video memory space

2) I love having a replaceable battery ... that can be charged either in the camera or in a charger

3) I love the fact that it is small, and compact and easy to use

4) I love the included USB extension cord, so that the USB doesn't block my other cords

4) I especially love the swivel lens ... you can set it down and aim it anywhere.

I will mostly be using this camera (as an adult) for videotaping family, but no matter how old you get, you never lose your imagination.

I keep thinking how great it would be to be a child again ... playing spy. I would sneak videos over the fence of my neighbors yard. I would set it in the corner of the porch and record my friends and me just hanging out. It would go up in the tree house with me, and I'd peek it over the edge and video what was going on below. Gosh, if I were a boy with imagination, I'd find a way to use it to sneak a few shots of my sister and her friends.

Just a quick suggestion, if you are into really fun features, you might want to pay a few extra dollars and get the Sony bloggie MHS-PM5 Camera Kit Camcorder High Definition widescreen 5.0 Mpix supported memory: MS Duo, SD, MS PRO Duo, SDHC flash card white which has the 360 degree lens included!

There is photo software included if you want to install it ... but if you don't need it, it's on a disk and you can leave it off.

I have used the Flip, the Aiptek pen camera, but of all of them, this is the most fun, and for sheer flexibility of things I can do the most practical. I purchased it with an 8G memory card, and will be purchasing an external charger for trips.

***Edited***

I used the camera on vacation and have further reporting

1) I recorded both indoors and outdoors and the quality of recording was very adequate under both lighting conditions.

2) The mike recorded well indoors and picked up a lot of ambient sound when recording outdoors.

3) The one difficulty that I had was in being able to clearly see the screen under very sunny conditions.

4) It was extra super to not have to change between video and camera click one button it is camera the other and you are videotaping.

5) The battery charge lasted for the full week I recorded a number of small clips rather than a single large event.

As I anticipated, having the SD card was super I simply popped it out, handed it to my daughter and she copied the videos and pictures on her computer before I left so we both have our own copies.

Want Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (White) Discount?

I bought the Sony Bloggie from Amazon along with a high speed Sony Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 8 GB Flash Memory Card with USB Reader MSHX8G for a 3 week trip to Bermuda. The camera is very compact so it was easy to carry in my pocket in an old cell phone case. It's actually smaller than an iPhone or a G1.

It was easy to quickly take a photo or a video. The built-in software also makes it simple to upload videos and photos to the Internet. There are several sites programmed into the software but I just used Picasa for photos and YouTube for videos.

I shot all my videos in 720p and was very pleased with the quality of the video and sound. I only took a dozen or so photos with the Bloggie but they were acceptable. It was so much fun and so easy to take videos that I didn't even think about taking photos.

The Bloggie is not without its drawbacks. A jack for an external microphone would have been a nice feature but I found the built-in mic to be fine. Oddly the most irritating thing about the Bloggie is sliding the USB connector back into the camera. I always felt like either it would never go back in or that it might break. The USB extender cord that comes with the Bloggie is about 6.5" long; a longer one would have been more convenient. The screen is way too reflective and washes out in daylight so an anti-glare screen protector will be my next purchase for this camera. Documentation, once you have set the camera up is pretty much non-existent, so it's a learning experience as you use the camera. The will be some shake to your videos if you aren't firmly holding the camera or not using a tripod but that is true of all video cameras regardless of size unless one has a Steadicam or other camera stabilizer.

My bottom line is I really love this camera. It met all of my expectations; not too cold, not too hot but just right. I highly recommend it and would buy it again without hesitation.

Addendum: Took it on a cruise to Mexico and, well CURSE swimsuits with large pockets! I hopped into a hot tub with it in my pocket on the last day of the cruise! The camera died BUT the good news is that the Sony memory card survived with all my videos intact. Whew!

Now considering purchasing the Sony MHS-CM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet) NEWEST MODEL with the 5x optical as a replacement.

TriVision Ip66-rated Waterproof Outdoor Ip Network Camera, Infrared Night Vision Max 45 Feet , Buil

I purchased several of the TriVision NC-107W (appears to be similar to the Sharx Security SCNC2607), TriVision NC-107WF (this unit, similar to the Sharx Security SCNC2700 with a non-detachable antenna), and TriVision NC-306W (appears to be similar to the Sharx Security SCNC3605N) wireless IP security cameras over the course of the last month. All three TriVision camera models provided very good first impressions, but in several cases those good first impressions diminished. If it were not for the stability problems of some of the NC-107WF units, this camera would easily achieve a 5 out of 5 rating; as a direct result of the stability problems, as a _security_ camera this model would be lucky to achieve a 3 out of 5 rating.

Positives:

* Extremely compact design at about an inch deep, making it easier to disguise as something other than a security camera. The power light may be disabled, and black electrical tape works well to cover the white lettering on the camera body. The infrared lights may also be optionally disabled.

* Very well written manual.

* 640 x 480 resolution at 30 frames per second is likely higher resolution than old style CCTV type DVRs solutions (the resolution may be set to a lower value and the sound quality is adjustable).

* Video is recorded in Apple QuickTime standard format, which is viewable by the Windows 7 Windows Media Player (but not the Vista version of that program) and the video format is compatible with the Windows Live Movie Maker application (free from Microsoft).

* Includes MultiLive software that allows simultaneous connection to as many as 36 TriVision cameras per computer. The MultiLive software features motion detection, with automatic recording to a specified file location (this capability was tested for a week with a single camera, motion detection works but was slower to activate than the motion detection built into the camera, and the Windows 7 color scheme automatically changed to Basic when the MultiLive software was running).

* Includes an automatically downloaded ActiveX control that allows viewing live video from a camera using a web browser.

* Includes a NC Setup utility which quickly locates Trivision cameras on the network (all cameras send a full broadcast packet to port 22330 roughly every 3 seconds the NC Setup utility sometimes fails to see any network attached cameras, even if a Wireshark packet capture shows the full broadcast packets).

* Integrated storage of video on MicroSDHC cards (all cameras tested with SanDisk 32 GB MicroSDHC cards).

* Automatic upload of video and still frames to FTP servers (tested with Microsoft Windows 2003 Server's FTP service and a Synology DiskStation DS212+), a feature which seems to require the additional cost memory card.

* Automatic sending of still frames to email (not yet fully tested, did not seem to be successful in sending to an onsite Microsoft Exchange server).

* Allows remote viewing of camera video from outside the network (not yet attempted, but there seems to be no reason why this would not work once the network firewall was configured to permit connections and port forwarding was enabled on the firewall this setup is supposedly automated with routers that support universal plug and play (uPNP)).

* Connects wirelessly to 802.11b/g/n WEP and WPA2 encrypted networks (tested with multiple Cisco Linksys E2000 routers acting as access points, and industrial class Cisco Aironet 1252 and 1262 access points) with and without SSID (network name) broadcasting, and wired through a 10/100 Ethernet port.

* Automatic light intensity adjustment, automatically switching to black and white night vision if the automatic infrared lights are enabled (the lights must be disabled if the camera faces a window).

* Two-level user access security to the camera for administrators and regular users.

* Allows download of video from the optional integrated storage media, so that the video may be played back on a connected computer once the download completes.

* Allows defining four motion detection sensitivity areas on the camera so that motion in one or more areas of the camera picture does not trigger video capture.

* Allows periodic (for example once every 30 minutes) capture of the camera picture to an FTP server or email.

* Recorded video may be broken up into 60 second intervals (configurable between 10 and 600 seconds) to make certain that the video is transferred quickly to a FTP server recording will continue for a user specified duration after motion detection ends. Continuous recording is also possible, but only to the optional internal memory card.

* Supports mobile devices (iPad, Android, BlackBerry) through third party software, as outlined in the manual (tested as working OK with the "IP Cam Basic" app on a Motorola Xoom when setting the camera manufacturer to Sharx, also works with the Synology DiskStation Surveillance Station when setting the camera manufacturer to Y-Cam).

* The mounting stand, while a bit primitive, works well for mounting the camera to a window sill or attaching to a metal beam with a user supplied beam clamp.

* Configuration is not terribly difficult, but is a bit time consuming when multiple cameras need to be configured.

* Cameras are able to automatically synchronize with external time sources (NTP servers found on the Internet), however the time on the cameras tends to drift a bit more than what is acceptable.

* Very good color accuracy in captured video.

Negatives:

* 640 x 480 resolution is decent if the subject captured by the camera is within about 15 feet of the camera; however the need for high definition video capture is quite clear after watching several thousand video clips created by the cameras.

* While the camera probably is capable of 30 frames per second at 640 x 480 resolution, motion in recorded videos is often accompanied by several short pauses in the motion.

* Viewing the cameras using the MultiLive software seems to temporarily disable the built-in video capture and FTP uploading capability, this also seems to be true when using the Synology DiskStation Surveillance Station to monitor cameras.

* The live web-based video stream of the camera is only compatible with Internet Explorer, and the video stream does not scale down in size if a smaller zoom percentage is specified in Internet Explorer, although the edges of the video stream will be cropped at smaller zoom percentages. The restriction of only working with Internet Explorer means that, for instance, a Motorola Xoom tablet cannot be used to watch live streams of video from the cameras through a web browser.

* The NC Setup utility seems to be a bit unreliable, intermittently not able to see cameras from one computer, while the software works fine from another computer at the same time; the broadcast packets sent by the cameras, which is used by the NC Setup utility, cannot be disabled.

* Retrieval of video from the internal memory card is often a slow process.

* Uploads to FTP servers (both types tested) occasionally fails, leading to some corrupted videos.

* There are two options for taking still frames when motion is detected and uploading those videos to an FTP server one of those options does not honor the specified destination directory setting.

* While the cameras connect wirelessly to 802.11b/g/n networks, and also work with 10/100 wired Ethernet connections, the stability of those connections is poor on all EXCEPT the TriVision NC-306W outdoor cameras and two of the TriVision NC-107WF cameras that I tested. Problems include complete lock ups where the cameras record nothing to the internal memory card (possibly heat related, seems to happen most often when the NC-107W / NC-107WF cameras are exposed to direct sunlight for more than a few minutes the white colored version of the cameras might survive better in direct sunlight); falling off the network (happens even when a Cisco Linksys E2000 is moved within 12 feet of the camera) and not attempting to reconnect ; losing DHCP settings and failing to recover (one camera automatically reverted back to using the IP address 192.168.0.100 twice, while an hour later one of the other cameras kept repeatedly broadcasting DHCP requests every 3 to 7 seconds despite the DHCP server responding to the camera roughly 0.0002 seconds after each request hardcoding an IP address is a work around for this problem; and inconsistent ping times that might cause network monitoring software to false alarm outages (3456ms ping time surrounded by a 21ms ping and a 23ms ping).

* The automatic light intensity adjustment feature may contribute to some areas of the picture becoming completely whitewashed due to indirect sunlight this problem seems to affect the NC-107W camera much more than the other camera models, although there occasionally appears to be a slight whitewash effect near the top of the NC-107WF camera's video.

* Motion detection seems to still need a bit of development. Moving an object (a person or a car, for instance) directly toward the camera may not trigger motion detection until the object is within 10 to 15 feet of the camera. Motion detection seems to work well when the object is moving from one side of the picture to the other side, often triggering in a second or less. On a windy day with a couple of cameras pointed through windows, it is not uncommon to see 500+ one minute videos of tree branches swaying in the wind during a 10 hour time period.

* Long term durability of the cameras is still a significant unknown.

Description of the Attached Video:

The video shows an example of video captured by several NC-107WF cameras, and a color accuracy comparison with a NC-107W camera in an industrial setting. The first half of the video shows some of the problem areas of the camera when the cameras are pointed through a window and image issues when the cameras are exposed to varying degrees of sunlight. The second half of the video shows video clips labeled "Caught on Camera" (demonstrating the cameras' motion detection capabilities), and a color accuracy comparison with the NC-107W camera. The video clips were imported into the Windows Live Movie Maker application where subtitles were added, and the video was output as a 640 x 480 resolution WMV video file with no apparent video or sound quality loss the occasional pauses in the video were present in the MOV files recorded by the cameras. The timestamp at the top-left of the video was added automatically by the cameras during recording.

There is essentially one supplier of the Trivision security camera, ATC LLC, so I thought that I would also provide a comment on the supplier in this review. Individual orders of the NC-107W and NC-107WF security cameras shipped quickly through U.S. mail, with the camera enclosed in a thin cardboard box inside a large plastic mailing envelope. A larger order of four NC-107WF and NC-306W cameras shipped by FedEx, arriving the day after shipment except that the four NC-306W cameras were not included in the box and no packing material was included in the larger box to prevent the smaller boxes from shifting position in the larger box. At 6 AM the morning after the package arrived, I received a somewhat frantic email from the supplier stating that they mistakenly shipped eight of the NC-306W cameras, rather than the four that were ordered due to a "system's issue", with a request that I either return the four extra cameras (prepaid return shipping was offered) or pay a discounted rate for the extra four cameras (thoughts of toner pirates were dancing through my head as I read the email). An hour after the supplier's email was sent I returned a replying email requesting tracking numbers for the eight NC-306W cameras, since none were included in the package that was received. 24 hours after the original email I received a response from the supplier stating that due to a "system bug", none of the NC-306W cameras shipped four of the NC-306W cameras arrived the next day. While this shipment resulted in a bit of panic, I am willing to consider this problem to be caused by a computer glitch and not a case of a supplier attempting to over-ship a product and then expect the recipient to pay for the over-shipment (one of the methods employed by a toner pirate). In all orders, the cameras were shipped without shipping charges.

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C2G / Cables to Go 54206 Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.1 Cable with Latches, White (2 Meter/6.5

Get cable cheap as all get out. displays MPB at 2550x1600 on U3011 Dell monitor. Should have gotten the 6' though. perfect for a notebook on monitor intallation. What's with the 99.00 apple contraption?

Does not work for Apple Mac Mini Mid 2011 to HP L2201x monitor. The problem is that there is occasional video jitter every 20 seconds or so.

This is not the only cable that I have tried and fails for my configuration, but the following cable from Amazon does work for me: Accell B119B-007J UltraAV Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable

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GTMax 10FT Micro-HDMI to HDMI Cable for Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7 inch , Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch / Ki

Got my hubby the Kindle Fire HD for Christmas. This cable allows him to see things from his Kindle Fire on his TV. Great for games or Netflix.

This is the best accessory that I have purchased so far for my Kindle Fire HD! The length is perfect for streaming to your HD TV. The quality is exceptional! Highly recommend this item!!

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The cable performed flawlessly! The 10-foot length is perfect. I easily attached it to my LCD-TV and to my Kindle.I was able to sit at my couch and operate my Kindle with ease.

Read Best Reviews of GTMax 10FT Micro-HDMI to HDMI Cable for Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7 inch , Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch / Ki Here

I have the Kindle Fire 7" HD small screen a hoped that this would connect me to TV's with an HDMI input. A waste of money chose this one beacuse of the reviews but never got it to work. I tried it on a Sony, Dynex, Vizio, and LG all with the same results, the Kindle could not make the connection. The Sony got it once but when I paused/shutdown the movie and came back it would no longer connect? Kindle gave error message stating input connection was not there? I'm still trying to get to a person from Kindle support to check it out.

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Better cable than I'd been using on my Kindle HD. 10 foot length gave me a lot of options for placement from my TVs HDMI port.

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Pelican Products 1095 HardBack Case with Foam (1090-020-110)

I purchased the Pelican 1095 HardBack Case with (Pick-and Pluck) Foam to hold a 15-inch retina MacBook Pro.

The laptop fits snugly in the 1095 case when allowing a single row of pick-and-pluck foam inside the non-removable foam border, leaving a total foam padding layer of 2-3cm around the edges of the laptop.

The 1095-CC's liner seems to snugly fit a 17-inch laptop, so purchase the 1095 with pick and pluck foam if you have a smaller laptop.

Pros:

+ quality plastic, less of a military design than previous iteration.

+ discrete.

+ snug fit.

+ easily customizable foam.

+ more waterproof and dust-proof than aluminum briefcases.

+ small form factor.

Cons:

slippery plastic.

no handle, only cheap shoulder pad.

padlock holes are small. It would be nice to have an alternate way to secure the latch for transport without resorting to a padlock.

latch looks like it makes 8 inches of contact but really there are only two 2-inch plastic tabs at either end of the latch plate holding the case shut-the purge valve is in the middle.

no room for charger with 15-inch laptop.

(SPECULATIVE) I worry that over time the plastic latch will wear, but Pelican offers a lifetime warranty.

Bottom Line:

The 1095 is a great solution for protecting your laptop chassis, but you will need additional gear to carry the power adapter and other accessories. The sacrifice of an all-in-one briefcase to hold accessories and laptop is recovered in the 1095's small form factor and better foam cushioning.

3-MONTH UPDATE:

:::More Pros:

+ The shoulder strap has held up and the nylon strap has not slipped through the plastic ladder buckle as I feared. I may upgrade to a ladder lock style of strap buckle.

+ I use a mini carabiner rather than the "Pelilock 1506" or padlock because the mini carabiner provides a tighter fit, although the case could still potentially crack open if it fell. A mini padlock may be ideal in fit but unlocking with a key would consume too much time/effort.

+ I can literally toss the 1095 in the car without worrying about crushing my laptop's screen against its keyboard, knowing that the case will not deform. In the past without the Pelican case, just packing too many things into my briefcase could cause keyboard marks on the screen.

:::More Cons:

The plastic lid will scratch easily, to the point where I feel that the old design with two ribs running down the front would better serve scratch protection.

The 1095 may be too big to fit into a carry-on backpack for airline usage, so the 1085's tighter fit might be better for flying.

:::More Bottom Line:

I still feel that this case is better than purchasing a metal briefcase, because the Pelican is slick and covert.

Yes it protects you computer from everything but, it dosent fit in any of my bags efficiently or at all and the cary strap option sucks. It is such a hassle that I've just been putting my computer straight in my backpack. I would strongly recommend the bigger case with handle.

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It fits my Macbook pro 15.4 early 2011 very well. I highly recommend the "1095 pick-and-pluck foam" model over the "1095CC(Computer Case)". I feel that a custom cut case for your laptop

offers more protection than a universal laptop case, also with the ("1095 Pick and pluck" Model you can store a 13" laptop in it safely, by utilizing the leftover foam). I believe this case would

also fit some 17" laptops. There are some draw backs to this case though. First, it is heavy, though it is worth the extra weight. Second, It scratches easily. Third, This WILL NOT fit in a

messenger bag or backpack, I read some reviews online that said otherwise, but it would have to be a very large backpack. Lastly, there is no room for a wall charger.

I still firmly believe these minor drawbacks are worth the inconvenience for this level of protection though.

Read Best Reviews of Pelican Products 1095 HardBack Case with Foam (1090-020-110) Here

The Pelican 1095 case is made to fit 15" laptops, such as the MacBook Pro 15 (there are other models available for 13" and 17" laptops). It comes in two configurations: the 1095CC, which has a pre-molded foam interior, and the "standard" 1095, which comes filled with "pick and pluck" foam. I am told that the molded foam interior leaves slightly too large a space for a MacBook Pro 15, so that it rattles around a bit inside the case. I got the pick-and-pluck foam, which is basically a slab of foam precut into half-inch squares; you can then measure how big and what shape a hole you want for your item, and then cut or pull out squares to create exactly the space you need. As it happens, with this foam you can get an almost perfect fit for a MacBook Pro 15.

The case is sturdy, has a gasket and closes securely, you could likely throw it into the open ocean for hours without water leaking in and damaging your computer (although this is not a test I am willing to do myself!). This is not a true briefcase though, there is no handle, just a web shoulder strap. Still, the case is sleek and elegant and would not be out of place in a boardroom.

The case is by necessity larger than the computer adds about two inches to each dimension so it will not be as easy to stow in a knapsack or shoulder bag. But if you absolutely, positively need a 100% jump-in-the-water-proof case, this is the one you want.

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Bought this case for my Sager NP8130 and it fits very well...snug enough to hold it in place with no wiggle room yet it closes without squeezing the laptop too much. It also doesn't add too much to the original size of the laptop so it still fits in a carry on bag. I highly recommend it!

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