Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin's nüvi 260W combines the thinprofile and attractive price point of other nüvi 200-series GPS with directions in real street names and a wide screen that lets you see more of what's around you as you drive. Garmin's line on the device is that, "the nüvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style." As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of a high-sensitivity integrated receiver, a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that lets  you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface.

Beyond Navigation

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 260W features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Amazingly Accurate

I bought the GARMIN nüvi 260W to help with work and family travels. After extensive research with Magellan, Mio and Tom-Tom, I bought the Garmin for three reasons. 1) Ease of use. 2) Screen clarity. 3) Amazing accuracy. And no, despite where I live, I have no affiliation with Garmin. I don't even know anyone that works for them. I am in the architectural business.

I have tried several GPSs while traveling with business associates, friends or in rental cars. As such, I have seen them in real world action. All of the devices saved me time and most found the place I needed to be. I could used any of them and been somewhat satisfied.The problem: I am a perfectionist. As such, I want the unit to be the best. So, after using a text-to-speech Garmin GPS unit earlier this year, I knew that was one feature I could not live without when I pulled the trigger on a purchase. Text-to-speech is a must have on GPS. A MUST. If you have never used a GPS, trust me, you have to have text-to-speech. It eliminates the frustration of urban driving and having the non text-to-speech units tell you to turn right in 200 feet, only to find two roads that are 200 feet away and have to pick one and hope it is right.

I decided to wait until a wide screen GPS came out that didn't have so many bells and whistles and was priced fairly. The GARMIN nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch fit the bill. Pulled the trigger still knowing that GPS units drop in price every month it seems and I would knowingly be mad in 90 days when the unit was 20% cheaper (oh well).

Back to the GARMIN nüvi 260W...I am amazed how it can find the driveway of my house at the end of a cul-de-sac directly adjacent to a road that is named the same. It is so accurate that it lets me know if I pulled into the wrong driveway 15 feet away from mine (I know, I tried it). It is so easy to use; I didn't even use the manual - once. It is that user friendly. I even downloaded new voices via the Garmin site without a manual. I like the fact the screen is very clear and refreshes quickly. I can even use my polarized sunglasses with the Garmin 260W screen and it does not distort the screen colors or have numerous horizontal lines (if you use polarized glasses, make sure to try out any GPS screen before you buy. Many look blank when using polarized glasses).

The POI seem to be pretty good, but I really haven't used it long enough to evaluate POI depth. I do know that the maps seem to be fairly accurate in terms of new roads since I have yet to find a road that does not exist on the map.

Not everything is perfect with the Garmin 260W. The downside is the time to acquire a satellite. The 260W takes longer than I like...sometimes up to one minute. However, once it gets a hold of the satellites, it never looses them. Plus it gets such a strong signal (with no external antenna); I can use the device on my lap in the passenger seat (when I am not driving and after it finds a satellite). Another couple of downers are it has very few voices that work with the text-to-speech feature. I hope Garmin increases the choices via a web download in the future (I want celebrity voices...please). Plus, I would have liked a case, any case to be included for the price I paid.

Overall, the unit is amazing and the larger screen size of 4.3 inches really helps those with fat fingers and those that don't want to squint to read a map. I am just sorry I had to wait this long to own one. It is a must have for those that travel to unfamiliar areas.

Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Disc Player, Black

 The Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Disc Player combines high quality images with enhanced networking functions. Continuing its commitment to producing products that stress ease of use, the 2009 line of Blu-ray Disc players continue to incorporate VIERA Link, allowing the consumer to operate their audio/video components, via HDMI, with one remote. And, in keeping with Panasonic’s pledge to reduce the planet’s carbon footprint, the new Blu-ray players have been designed to reduce power consumption.

Experience Movies Like Never Before
The DMP-BD60 employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear, vivid colors that are faithful to the original film. Recognizing that audio is important to the overall entertainment experience, this Blu-ray Disc player features a high definition audio decoder (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential) to take advantage of the exceptionally high quality 7.1 channel surround sound now integrated in Blu-ray Discs.

Experience Movies Like Never Before
The DMP-BD60  includes an SD Memory card slot and USB slot, making it easy for the consumer to view and share both digital still images and HD video recorded with an HD camcorder in the AVCHD format.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews 

More Than Blu,

With the BD60, Panasonic adds VIERA Cast online content access to their previous entry-level model, the DMP-BD35. You would think this makes an excellent Blu-ray Player even excellenter (yes, I know that's not a word), and it does. The BD60 excels in its Blu-ray Disc playback and is very good at DVD upconversion as well, passing difficult tests like the HQV benchmark discs with flying colors (as well as looking good on real movies). The BD60 can decode all of the latest surround codecs (including DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD) to PCM over HDMI or it can stream these to a compatible receiver in their native formats. Also, if past Panasonic players are any indication, the BD60 should prove to be among the best at disc compatibility, something which has plagued many players from other brands.

But there are still a few drawbacks with the BD60 that keep it from getting 5 stars:

* Speed: the BD60 is not quite as fast to load discs as the Samsung BD-P3600 or the LG BD300, though it is faster than last year's Samsung models.

* Limited online content: YouTube on a Blu-ray player is cool, but it doesn't compare to Netflix online streaming in terms of quality and selection of content (Netflix is available on LG and Samsung players). Amazon's On-Demand streaming service has been announced for VIERA Cast but is not yet available. The good news is that VIERA Cast can be enhanced with more content over time without requiring the purchase of a new player.

* Less than integrated operation: moving between Blu-ray and VIERA Cast online content is not as seamless as it could be. You have to completely stop playback and exit back to the Panasonic player's splash screen in order to get to the VIERA Cast "home screen" to access online content. And what's with that annoying BEEP when you go through the VIERA Cast menus?

* SD card requirement: Like its predecessors, the BD60 lacks on-board storage so you'll need to add an SD or SDHC card to enjoy BD-Live content. Panasonic at least could have thrown in a 1GB or 2GB SD card in the box.

Also, while the BD60 adds a USB port to the front panel, it does not support DivX or Xvid video playback so this limits the USB port's usefulness. A USB storage device connected to the BD60's USB port can only be used for playback of MP3 music files and viewing of JPEG digital images.

If your primary goal is to get a reliable, high performance Blu-ray/DVD player then none of the above should really matter to you (except possibly the operation speed, which is really about average as far as the current players go) and you should strongly consider the BD60. But if you're more interested in viewing content online as well as on those shiny silver discs, then you might want to wait to see what else VIERA Cast has to offer over the coming months. Or get the best of all possible worlds by buying the BD60 for Blu-ray and DVD and picking up a Roku box just for online streaming.

In terms of differences between the BD60 and the step-up DMP-BD80 model, the main enhancements in the BD80 are multi-channel analog output (for compatibility with older non-HDMI receivers), Divx playback, vibration isolating feet and "High Clarity Audio" which allows you to disable the analog video processing if you're using HDMI for the video signal, therby (theoretically at least) improving overall sound quality. If these features are not essential, then save yourself some money and get the BD60 instead.

LG BD 370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player

Technical Details

• Blu-Ray Player with NetCast for YouTube
• BD-P NetFlix HD BD live
• Full HD 1080p output via HDMI with Cinema mode at 24 or 60 frames per second USB Media Host
• Superior audio performance with 7.1 channels with Dolby Digital Plus & TrueHD & dts-HD
• Quick boot with instant tray opening

From the Manufacturer (August 17, 2009)
If you think you’re looking at a Blu-ray player, you may need to take another look. This is the LG BD370 Network Blu-Ray Disc Player and it comes with the most exciting entertainment technology available. With NetCast Entertainment Access, you get unlimited access to streaming entertainment services like CinemaNow, Netflix, and YouTube, direct from the Internet. That’s thousands upon thousands of movies and online videos the moment you want them. That’s real entertainment.

Product Description

Blu-ray Disc Player w/ BD-P, Netflix HD, YouTube, CinemaNow Full HD 1080P Output via HDMI, DVD 1080p Up-conversion.




Most Helpful Customer Reviews
A great step up from the BD300, my favorite Blu Ray on the market right now.
Of the new model year '2009' Blu Ray players, we own the LG BD370, Samsung BD-P1600, and a PS3. By far, the BD370 is the nicest for Blu Ray content. Loading is FAST and the drive is completely silent (this is not the case on the BD-P1600 by Samsung). Piano Black finish on the face is plastic, and looks good. We have found that it does not scratch easily too! The rest of the case is black-ish metal and sturdy.

One of the great things about the LG BD370 is you can customize the look of the interface on your TV. There are 4 themes and all are in high-definition. The remote on the BD370 changed from the BD300, and I feel it was a step down. It's got a faux-leather finish on it - why? No idea. The one improvement is buttons that don't get used much are hidden behind a panel on the remote.
Netflix 'Watch Instantly' is very cool and the setup is literally 30-40 seconds if you already have an account. Just after we got ours, it alerted us that a firmware update was available! It added CinemaNow - we hadn't used CinemaNow before, but a quick registration on their site and connecting was just as easy as Netflix. Rented a couple movies to try it out - VERY cool. YouTube is also available on the player and it's AWESOME. I'd easily compare it with an AppleTV, though believe it or not, the BD370 is a bit faster at searching and playing YouTube videos - it also does them in Full Screen, no problem.
One odd thing we've noticed... with Netflix and CinemaNow and YouTube we have only watched 3 or 4 movies on Blu Ray. So much other content available that this player is really a STEAL - it's a fantastic Blu Ray player (audio and video as good as you imagine it would be), but WOW is it awesome to have a player that does so much other stuff.
No wireless on this player, nor does it have built-in memory for using BD-Live. Neither of these items should be cause for concern - I haven't seen a BD-Live feature YET that has been worth while... all the good stuff is usually already on the Blu Ray disk itself.
The thing that makes it just a bit better than our Samsung BD-P1600 is the front display. The circular button assembly on the front glows a soft blue when playing Blu Ray, soft red when playing DVD, and purple on certain Netflix, YouTube, and CinemaNow video. The main display is also helpful, showing 'NETFLX', etc and most importantly, you can SEE the display (the Samsung player's display is so dim you wouldn't believe it).
For the price and feature set, I don't think there's another player I'd even consider after having used them all!  

Garmin nüvi 780 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Gamin nuvi 780Garmin nüvi 780 4.3-Inch         Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Service

Amazon.com Product Description -- January 8, 2008 The nüvi 780 adds enhanced MSN direct content to themulti-destination routing and "Where Am I?" features and gorgeous widescreen display of other nüvi  700s to create a superior navigation device for business as well as casual drivers. As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest. All of the 700-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system.
New Features -- Enhanced MSN Direct Content (3-month free subscription)
An integrated receiver allows you to access enhanced dynamic content from the MSN Direct service. Check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send custom to your nüvi.
Multi-Destination Routing
This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the "Route Planning" feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, "the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls." The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about).



Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Great Device and Easy to Use
This is my first automobile GPS, and I did a lot of research before settling on the Garmin 780. I live in the Washington DC Metro area, so all of the extra features work here. Upon its arrival, I downloaded and installed the latest Garmin WebUpdater v.2.41 and then updated my 780 from software version 2.50 to 2.90. I also updated the Bluetooth and other firmware, along with the languages that I use. This all worked flawlessly in a Windows XP virtual machine on a Linux host. FWIW, the 780 will charge off of the supplied USB cable.

The 780 acquired the necessary satellites in just a few minutes when first activated, and does so in less than a minute for subsequent activations. I found the screen brightness to be fine for both day and night. I'm using the 780 with the Garmin Portable Friction Mount. Smashing windows and stealing GPS devices is the sport of choice in the DC Metro area, so I wanted no evidence of a GPS extant when I left the car. The friction mount works perfectly on my Honda Accord dashboard and stores easily in the center console, leaving no trace of a GPS behind. Very cool. The 780 easily fits in a shirt pocket, so it's not necessary to leave it in the car.

I tested the 780 immediately by driving during rush hour to a residence across the river in a tangle of park roads off of the beaten track, then returning at night. The Garmin had no trouble creating a very fast route to the destination that bypassed most of the heavy traffic during rush hour. On my return, I bypassed a turn on its preferred routing. It recalculated a new route in less than a second which was the exact right answer. The new route wasn't a recapture of the original route, which wasn't possible from that location, but an entirely new route. The routes it picked were appropriate for the times of day traveled, which can be a daunting task here if you don't know which roads go which direction during the appropriate rush hour. DC is a notoriously difficult area to navigate, but so far the Garmin seems up to the challenge.

I found the volume of the internal speaker to be more than adequate even with the radio, air conditioning, and windshield wipers going. Voice notifications led upcoming turns by an adequate amount, and the voice prompts always helped me get into the correct lanes in plenty of time for upcoming turns. During a particularly tricky section where several major roads converge on a bridge, then diverge on the other side, the Garmin gave almost constant appropriate guidance to ensure that I took the correct forks and turns. I was quite impressed.

The Bluetooth paired quickly with my Motorola Razr V3. It even provided its PIN code at the appropriate time. The phone functions work great and it's easy to hear over the 780 speaker. The party on the other side of the phone said that I sounded like I was in a tunnel, which is typical for remote devices for autos. I have another BT hands-free device and it garnered the same comments. The Garmin's on-screen phone cues make hands-free easy.

Activation of the MSN Direct service was simple over the Net. On initial activation of your free 3 month trial, they offer a 6-month extension for $9.95 which gets you to 9 months of service total for less than $10--a very good deal. MSN Direct information took a while to load the initial information, but then it said that in the Quick Start pamphlet. Once loaded, the traffic, weather, and news worked great. Gas prices were behind by several days, which is an eternity these days. My favorite (and cheapest) station wasn't listed.

Overall, I'm very happy with the 780. I'll be working it out heavily in the coming weeks, including on a road trip to another city with MSN Direct service. I can't believe that I waited this long to take the plunge to a GPS device for my car. Even though I'm a master with maps, the Garmin suggested a clever routing that I did not previously discover on my own. From what I've seen so far, the 780 will be a highly valued addition to my road warrior kit bag. I can recommend the 780 without reservation. 

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera

Canpn Digital Rebel XSi 12.2

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)

For stunning photography with point and shoot ease, look no further than Canon’s EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS Rebel XSi’s refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi Highlights   New Technology for Outstanding Images
New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC III image processor Canon's CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. It offers many of the same new technologies to maximize each pixel's light gathering efficiency that were first seen with the professional EOS-1D Mark III model. It's an APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm), and there's an effective 1.6x increase in the lens’s marked focal length when attached. Canon’s DIGIC III Image Processor dramatically enhances image quality and speeds up all camera operations for intuitive operation. It works in concert with the EOS Rebel XSi’s sensor to achieve unprecedented levels of performance in all lighting situations.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews   

Great camera, one of the best low(er)-end DSLRs on the market

My journey with DSLRs began back in 2003 with the original Digital Rebel. DSLRs changed my photography for the better like nothing else. Five years and some 25,000 shots later, it's still going strong. Along the way I upgraded to the Canon 30D, which is a fantastic camera as well. When the 40D was announced, I decided to wait until the 50D sometime in 2009, but wanted a newer backup/second body for my photography needs. So when the XSi/450D was announced, it sounded like a perfect fit for my needs.

I got it from Amazon.com three days ago, and have given it a pretty good workout since then, having shot about 650 shots under a variety of shooting conditions and with a number of different Canon and third-party lenses. The following are my impressions.

The build feels very good. The camera feels wonderfully light yet well built. I'm 6ft tall with average size hands, and the camera feels good in my hand. The battery grip, to me, defeats the purpose of having a small, light DSLR, so I opted for a Hakuba/Opteka grip (it's a plate that screws into the tripod socket that enables you to use the excellent Canon E1 hand strap with it) and I couldn't be happier. I'm not a fan of neck straps, so this works well for me (see the uploaded photo for the configuration).

Most of the menu buttons on the back feel different from the ones on the original Digital Rebel and the 30D; the XSi buttons feel more tactile and have a definite "click" to them when you press them. The exception are the Exposure Lock (*) and AF selector buttons, which have retained the deeper, softer feel of the older cameras. Just different, not better or worse, for me.

The LCD is now 3" with 230K pixels. The playback images look great, and probably because of the higher resolution of the sensor, there's a very slight delay when you zoom in to 10x while the image loads and displays properly. People coming from other cameras or brands might not even notice it--I only did so because of the difference between it and my two other Canon DSLRs (which have lower resolution sensors). The viewing angle of the LCD screen (how clearly you can see the screen from side and up and down) is excellent; you can still see the screen holding the camera almost straight up for an overhead shot (more on this later). I'd estimate the viewing angle is about 160-170 degrees both horizontally and vertically.

The Digital Rebel has a separate status screen above the main LCD screen, and the 30D had one on top of the camera, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like the big LCD acting as the status screen and no top screen. I'm happy to say that this arrangement works well, at least for me. The back screen makes it really easy to take all the settings at a glance. The viewfinder is much larger and brighter than that in the Digital Rebel. A humongously welcome feature for me is the always displayed ISO value in the viewfinder.

Western Digital My Passport Elite 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAC3200ACH-NESN

Western Digital My Passport Elite 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAC3200ACH-NESN (Charcoal)

Technical Details

• Automatic, continuous backup
• Password protection and 256-bit encryption
• Grab-and-go USB dock
• Illuminated capacity gauge
• Premium finishes

Handy USB dock included.

A convenient USB dock makes it easy to connect your drive to your computer.

See your life safe in one place.

WD SmartWare software - A visual control center with a single screen view of all your data. From it you can back up, retrieve, and secure your files.

Drive security and illuminated capacity gauge.

Enjoy the security of password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption. At a glance you can see security status and available capacity.

Product Description
Take your digital life with you on WD’s ultra-portable My Passport Elite drive. It’s our smallest drive but it’s packed with smart features.Our smallest portable drive ever – WD are experts in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside a premium finished package. Smaller is always better for a portable drive.

WD SmartWare - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to:Protect your data automatically – Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.See your backup as it happens – Seeing is believing. Visual backup organizes and displays your content into categories and show the progress of your backup.Bring back lost files effortlessly

– Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.Take control – Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.Drive lock

-- Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and military-grade 256-bit hardware-based encryption.Illuminated capacity gauge - Connect the drive to your computer and see at a glance how much space is available on your drive.Grab-and-go USB dock

– Convenient one-hand connection to your computer.Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PCs – if you’re a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product. [link to] USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC.

No separate power supply is needed*. An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.Planet friendly

– We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Western Digital My Passport Elite 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive

Western Digital My Passport Elite 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAC3200ABL-NESN (Metallic Blue)

Technical Details

• Automatic, continuous backup
• Password protection and 256-bit encryption
• Grab-and-go USB dock
• Illuminated capacity gauge
• Premium finishes

My Passport Elite - Premium backup and storage.

This ultra-portable drive is smarter than ever and features automatic, continuous backup, an illuminated capacity gauge, and convenient USB dock for storage on the go.

Our smallest portable drive ever - We're experts in portable storage, so we designed a smaller, high-quality, integrated USB hard drive inside a premium finished package.

WD SmartWare™ - See your life safe in one place.

-- Protect your data automatically - Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.

-- See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup.

-- Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

-- Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.

Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

Illuminated capacity gauge - Connect My Passport to your computer and see at a glance how much space is available on your drive.

Grab-and-go USB dock - Convenient USB dock makes it easy to connect your drive to your computer.

Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PC's -If you're a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product.

USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed.

Planet friendly - We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Product Description
Take your digital life with you on WD’s ultra-portable My Passport Elite drive. It’s our smallest drive but it’s packed with smart features.Our smallest portable drive ever – WD are experts in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside a premium finished package. Smaller is always better for a portable drive. WD SmartWare - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to:Protect your data automatically – Relax, your data is secure.

Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.See your backup as it happens – Seeing is believing. Visual backup organizes and displays your content into categories and show the progress of your backup.Bring back lost files effortlessly – Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

Take control – Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.Drive lock -- Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and military-grade 256-bit hardware-based encryption.Illuminated capacity gauge - Connect the drive to your computer and see at a glance how much space is available on your drive.Grab-and-go USB dock – Convenient one-hand connection to your computer.Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PCs – if you’re a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product. [link to] USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*. An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.Planet friendly – We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAA5000ABK-NESN

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDBAAA5000ABK-NESN (Midnight Black)

Technical Details

• Automatic, continuous backup
• Visual backup control center
• Password protection and 256-bit encryption
• USB 2.0 interface
• Several colors to choose from including Black, Pacific Blue, Real Red, Cool Silver

Amazon.com Product Description

The world’s most popular portable drive is now smaller than ever. And it’s smarter than ever with automatic, continuous backup software and password protection. Choose your favorite fun color to look smart and stylish.

Our smallest portable drive ever - We're experts in portable storage, so we designed a smaller, high-quality, integrated USB hard drive inside a stylish package. With a variety of fun colors, there's sure to be one to suit your style.

WD SmartWare™ - A control center for your drive that gives you the power to:

-- Protect your data automatically - Relax, your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file.

-- See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content in categories and shows the progress of your backup.

-- Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file.

-- Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, manage the power settings, and more from the WD SmartWare control center.

Find out more about WD SmartWare™

Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption.

Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PC's - if you're a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product.

USB 2.0 interface - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*.
* An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.

Planet friendly - We designed a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Ideal For

• Protecting your data with automatic, continous backup
• Retrieving lost data effortlessly
• Adding extra storage space for photos, videos and music
• Securing private or sensitive data

Compatibility

Formatted NTFS
Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows 7
Mac OS® X Tiger®, Leopard®, Snow Leopard™ (requires reformatting)

Note: Compatibility may vary depending on user's hardware configuration and operating system.

What's in the box
Ultra-portable hard drive, WD SmartWare software, USB cable, Quick Install Guide

Backup software you'll really use � WD SmartWare Five great reasons to love it

1. It's easy - Data backup can be a chore, but it's your family photos, your movies, your music - your life - and it's important to protect it. So we made this software extra easy because we really want you to use it.

2. You can see your life safe in one place -
See your content displayed in easy to understand categories like movies and photos. Watch the progress of your backup as it happens with the instant-feedback color bars. Now you can truly be sure that all your stuff is backed up.

• A unique visual interface lets you see the drives connected to your computer.
• WD SmartWare will automatically scan your computer and find all of your personal files, including e-mail.
• Content category gauges show how much information you have to be backed up in each category. You can even mouse over a category to see a file count.
• Simply click Run Backup and WD SmartWare will automatically start backing up your files.
• As your backup is running the category gauges will change color showing you the backup as it happens.
• When finished, you’ll see a status screen and information about your backup. You only have to do this once. After the first backup your files will be backed up automatically every time you change or add a file.

3. It's always on the job - WD SmartWare is always watching your computer, so when you change a file and save it, create new files, add new pictures, movies, or songs, WD SmartWare will instantly back them up.

4. You can bring back lost files effortlessly - If you ever accidentally delete an important file, or need to get an earlier version of a file, you can find and retrieve it in seconds with this easy-to-use interface.

• Restore files and folders by categories – photos, music, video, for example.
• Find a lost file with the search function.
• Go back in time to retrieve an older version of a file.

5. You're in control - WD SmartWare software is also a control center for your external drives. From it you can:

• Customize your backup
• Set drive security
• Run diagnostics
• Manage the power settings, and more...

Product Description
The world’s most popular portable drive is now smaller than ever. And it’s smarter than ever with WD SmartWare data management and backup software that backs up your data automatically and continuously, shows your backup as it happens, and restores lost files effortlessly. Password protection and military-grade, 256-bit hardware-based encryption lets you secure your data. One of the five beautiful colors is just what you need to make you look smart (and very stylish). WD’s smallest portable drive ever - WD is an expert in portable storage, so they designed a smaller, high-quality integrated USB hard drive inside a stylish package. With a variety of fun colors, there’s sure to be one to suit your style. WD SmartWare - control center for your drive that gives you the power to: Protect your data automatically - Relax. Your data is secure. Automatic, continuous backup will instantly make a second copy whenever you add or change a file. See your backup as it happens - Seeing is believing. Visual backup displays your content categories and shows the progress of your backup. Bring back lost files effortlessly - Retrieve your valuable data to its original location whether you’ve lost all your data or just overwritten an important file. Take control - Customize your backup, set drive security, run diagnostics, and more from the WD SmartWare control center. Drive lock - Gain peace of mind knowing that your data is protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and military-grade 256-bit hardware-based encryption. Ready to plug-and-play with Windows PCs - if you’re a Mac user, check out our Mac version of this product. USB 2.0 powered - Powered directly from the USB port on your PC. No separate power supply is needed*. * An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port. Planet friendly - We designed a small box that uses recycled material and minimizes waste. We encourage you to recycle it.

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive WDME5000TN (Midnight Black)

Technical Details

• Box Contents - My Passport Essential 500GB Portable USB Hard Drive, USB 2.0 cable, Quick Install guide
• 500GB Hard Drive Capacity
• Installation is a snap because you don't really install this drive; you just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is no CD to install.
• Powered by the USB bus. No separate power supply is needed
• This ultra-portable drive fits easily in your pocket or purse, weighs only a few ounces, and holds tons of valuable data

Product Description
These elegant portable drives are simple to use, light and easy to carry, and require no power adapter -- they are powered directly through the USB cable. Pack up your office files and take them home. Carry thousands of songs or pictures. Synchronize files between home and office and encrypt everything on the drive for added security. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you take your critical data with you.
Plug My Passport into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos. Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer.
Your data is protected with 128-bit encryption (Windows only).
Perfect for the business traveler who needs to transfer large amounts of data from laptop to clients or just daily backups in case of accidents from mishandled luggage to coffee spills. Also comes in handy if you're worried about laptop theft and someone else having access to your important data, you can store it on this portable encrypted drive instead.
For all those precious pictures, videos, music and data files, this external hard drive is a must have. WD Sync synchronization and encryption software lets you save your critical data and take it with you. Plug your drive into any PC, edit files, read e-mail, and view photos.
Then sync all of your changes back to your home or office computer (Windows only) Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software (Windows only) Up to 480Mb/sec Bus Transfer Rate with USB 2.0 System Requirements - Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later), Available USB port Approximate Unit Dimensions - 0.59 (H) x 4.96 (L) x 3.14 (W) Approximate Unit Weight - 0.23lb





Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Western Digital Passport - A Great Value In Portable External HDs

This review is from: Western Digital My Passport Essential 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive WDME3200TN (Midnight Black) (Personal Computers)

The Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive (Midnight Black) is the largest capacity in the portable essentials line-up. This comes in a variety of colors including Pink, Real Red, Artic White and Intense Blue. They say that this is the update to the regular Western Digital 320 GB Passport Hard Drive and I own both of them. In fact I also own many other portable hard drives in the Western Digital passport lineup and so far I couldn't be happier. All of these are great for mobile backups of data, though slower to copy large backups than their A/C powered MyBook big-brothers.

Some will be considering the Western Digital My Passport Essential 250GB and the Western Digital My Passport Essential 160 GB sizes of these drives. I started with the 160 GB and have owned multiple versions in all sizes, and capacity aside these drives are basically the same. If you are on the fence between a smaller or larger size, the decision will come down to what you really need most. If you need a drive for complete backups, don't box yourself in purchasing a 160 GB model when your hard drive is 120 GB. Give yourself some room and go with the 320 if you can.

For those with backup needs of 80 GB or smaller, look into the other capacities. Periodic specials are being run on some of the smaller sizes, making them very attractive. Plus a 500 GB model should be on the way soon. So if you need the largest size, then by all means get the 320 GB version. But if you can make do with the smaller size, then the value pricing may entice you. Weigh your options but whatever size you pick now make sure it's enough to meet your needs right now and for at least the next 6 months. In fact, some people who are extremely picky like me are going to want to buy at least 2 drives so that they can have 2 copies of their backups, just in case.
Pros
+ Great capacity options at good prices available in this line of products
+ Nice portable form factor that easily connects via USB
+ USB powered, no A/C required, which is great for portability
+ Works well on Windows Vista, XP and Mac OS X
+ Easy to set up disk encryption for security and privacy
+ Nice looks, and cool color options for those that care about that
+ Turns on and off with your computer or easily ejected via system tray
+ Easy plug-and-play installation
+ Integrates nicely with my growing stable of WD MyBook drives
+ Included software may be useful for some novices
+ Drives are sufficiently durable holding up to normal use over time
+ 320 GB capacity is just about right for most users

Cons
- Somewhat slow file transfer speeds for larger backups
- Included software not useful for power users
- Shiny body attracts scratch, fingerprints and dust
- Only USB, so look to the LaCie 250 GB Rugged Hard Disk if you need fire-wire ports too
- Only up to 320 GB right now, so look to the LaCie 500 GB Rugged Hard Disk with FireWire and USB if you need more capacity in a portable drive
- Have to spend your cash to get a case that should have been included

The Looks

The drive has a nice shiny exterior. The case can scratch in transit and the surface also attracts fingerprints and dust. But the look is still nice and you can easily purchase a case or holder for the drive if it bothers you. Most versions don't ship with the case included, but you can pick up the CaseLogic Small External Hard Drive Case (Black) for $10 or $15.

The Features

I had no problem connecting this drive to any computer, including Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X. Keep in mind this is a USB 2.0 device so ancient computers may not yield the same results.

Transfer speeds are ok but definitely slower than the A/C powered MyBooks. This guy is still limited by the 480 Mbs connection speed of USB 2.0, but performs somewhat slower than this when performing large backups. The USB 2.0 speed rating can not really be achieved in production and you will get a fraction of that. But it's a trade-off that's worth it since it's USB-powered. Check out the LaCie 250 GB Rugged hard disk if you need fire-wire ports too. Or try the LaCie 500 GB Rugged hard disk if you need more portable capacity.

The software utilities included with this device will be most useful for beginners. I tested the backup software in particular but found it to be slow and impractical. I mean REALLY slow. It works, but cutting and pasting is better. Take my advice: don't use these utilities and just do cut and paste backups and saves to this drive.

Reliability

I've had good luck with the passport line of drives. They seem to have lower failure rates than many MyBook drives, though I also own those and haven't had issues there either. Maybe my gentle care has helped me to get lucky with these guys so far. Maybe it's because these drives are generally off when in transit. Regardless, these guys have held up fine.

Conclusion

This drive is great or those who want a portable drive for backups on the run. It's nice getting the 320GB capacity in one drive. There are smaller drives but other than capacity there is no real difference between them. Watch the price changes and choose the sized drive that's right for you.

Enjoy!

Western Digital WDML3200TN My Passport Elite 2.0

Western Digital WDML3200TN 320GB My Passport Elite 2.0 USB Hard Drive - Titanium

Technical Details

• 320GB Capacity
• Stores up to 91,400 digital photos or Up to 80,000 songs (MP3) or Up to 8,000 songs (uncompressed CD quality) or Up to 24 hours of Digital Video
• Use with Windows and Macintosh computers - some included software applications may not be compatible for both
• XP and Vista friendly / Mac OS 10.4 / 10.5.2
• Soft-touch finish - A luxurious, soft-touch, finish makes these drives easy to grip, comfortable to hold, and beautiful to show off to your friends

Product Description
A luxurious soft-touch finish makes these drives easy to grip, comfortable to hold, and beautiful to show off to your friends. Combine that with mega-capacity that fits in your pocket, plus a whole host of powerful features and you'll understand why man call these little drives Elite.




Most Helpful Customer Reviews
One of my best investments
This is an excellent product. I was needing to backup al my Cds collection (over 2500 CDs) an this drive helps me in all. The speed is good, the usability incredible. The only tip that I post for all the future users of this item is "Don't use the soft included in the HDD" Just plug and play the drive and use it with the Windows explorer with copy and paste. Following this tip the use is easy and simple as ABC. I'm very happy with my new HDD.

Excellent mobile storage
I have owned several Western Digital Passport drives and a few other mobile drive brands. This drive is great for backups, as you can hook it up fast without a power supply and store it anywhere. Put it in your briefcase, put it in your safe, take it with you anywhere and keep a copy of your data. It is almost pocket-size and the only thing you have to keep with you is a short USB cable. Some people consider the short cable that's included to be too short, but it's mobile!

Some owners have commented on needing a power adapter or extra usb cable for it, but I've never had that issue. I've used it on multiple desktops and multiple laptops with no issues at all, but you'll have to try it on your own system.

The surface of the Passports can be easy to scratch if you throw it around or keep it in your bag with other items. That would be my only complaint, but it doesn't really bother to me.

All WD Passports that I've owned, including this one, have stood up very well. I've never had a drive failure, the transfer speed is always quick, and the case is very sturdy. I have these drives everywhere, because of their mobility and performance. You can't beat them!

The speed is very responsive. I've used it on an XP and Vista machine and both have copied data to it fairly quick. I haven't performed tests on it, but it always gets the job done for me. The 320GB version is a great upgrade on the previous Passport models.

Check back often for pricing. Amazon and other retailers change the prices of the WD Passport drives all the time!

ATN Viper Night Vision Goggle

Ideal for hunting, camping, boating, or surveillance, the ATN Viper expandable goggle system makes it easy to see in the dark while keeping your hands free for activities.
The first-generation, high-resolution night-vision unit features a magnification ratio of 1x, but offers the option of expanding to 4x or 8x. More significantly, the unit is extremely versatile: you can use it for hands-free activities such as fishing or paintball, as a compact monocular, or attach it to a camera for nighttime photography. And even though ATN outfitted the Viper with a heavy-coated glass lens, the company managed to keep the weight down to only 9 ounces.
The Viper fits around your head via a comfortable fabric strap, which includes both forehead and chin pads for security.
The goggle itself, meanwhile, offers such features as a built-in IR illuminator, an automatic brightness control, an adjustable eyepiece, a manual focus system, and single-switch button operation.
An excellent alternative to night-vision binoculars, the Viper is water-and dust-resistant and comes with a soft case.
Product Description
ATN Viper Compact Gen 1+ Night Vision Goggle with IR illuminator for Hands Free operations. 1x magnification with the option of 4x or 8x (additional lens and doubler required, not included). Unit is one of the smallest night vision devices ever produced and can be used as compact monocular or goggle (headgear included). Requires one 3V lithium battery, CR123A, included. ATN Corp manufactures and distributed the widest array of Night Vision and high quality optics in the world. We are a sales and market leader in the US. Unsurpassed customer service on both our website and 800#, our technicians are the most knowledgeable in the world. We manufacture for the US Military, law enforcement, the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security,
See More in Night Vision Goggles Store

ATN Night Vision Goggles VDO from Youtube.com

Biological night vision

Biological night vision:

In biological night vision, molecules of rhodopsin in the rods of the eye undergo a change in shape as light is absorbed by them.
Rhodopsin is the chemical that allows night-vision, and is extremely sensitive to light.
Exposed to a spectrum of light, the pigment immediately bleaches, and it takes about 30 minutes to regenerate fully, but most
of the adaptation occurs within the first five or ten minutes in the dark. Rhodopsin in the human rods is less sensitive to the longer
red wavelengths of light, so many people use red light to help preserve night vision as it only slowly depletes the eye's rhodopsin
stores in the rods and instead is viewed by the cones.

Many animals have a tissue layer called the tapetum lucidum in the back of the eye that reflects light back through the retina, increasing
the amount of light available for it to capture. This is found in many nocturnal animals and some deep sea animals, and is the cause
of eyeshine. Humans lack a tapetum lucidum.

Nocturnal mammals have rods with unique properties that make enhanced night vision possible.
The nuclear pattern of their rods changes shortly after birth to become inverted. In contrast to contemporary rods, inverted
rods have heterochromatin in the center of their nuclei and euchromatin and other transcription factors along the border.
In addition, the outer nuclear layer (ONL) in nocturnal mammals is thick due to the millions of rods present to process the lower light intensities
of a few photons. Rather than being scattered, the light is passed to each nucleus individually.[3] In fact, an animal's ability to see in low light
levels may be similar to what humans see when using first- or perhaps second-generation image intensifiers.
Large size of the eye, and large size of the pupil relative to the eye, also contribute to night vision

From: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision

Youtube VDO about Night Vision

If you are looking for a night vision goggle that's effective, but relatively inexpensive to own, check out the ATN Viper.
It is designed primarily as a goggle system for hands-free operation, but it can also be used as a compact monocular or attached to a camera for night time photography. The Viper is a high-resolution 1st Gen.+ night vision unit that comes with a coated 35mm F1.0 glass lens capable of 1x magnification, and the option of being 4x or 8x.

See more in Night Vision Goggles Store

Samsung LED: Samsung - Samsung Luxia UN46B6000 46" LED

Samsung led TV- Samsung Luxia UN46B6000 46" LED 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV UN46B6000VFXZA

TV Samsung LED:Technical Details

-Wide Screen- LED Flat Panel1080p (1920 x 1080) -Full HD Resolution
-Ultra Clear Panel
-Full HD Resolution/ Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio/ -Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
-Ultra Slim 1.2" / Touch of Color Design/ Wide Color -Enhancer Pro/ Built-In ATSC/Clear QAM Tuner/ 4ms Response Time/ USB 2.0/ InfoLink /Picture-In-Picture (PIP)/ Single User Interface/ SRS TruSurround HD/ Anynet Plus (HDMI-CEC)/ Crystal Neck Swivel Stand/ Black Finish

Samsung LED:
Samsung UN46B6000 46-Inch LED HDTV deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity while also helping you reduce your carbon footprint with the reduced power consumption of the LED screen. Using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as its primary light source rather than traditional Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL) this cutting edge HDTV also offers the benefits of an ultra-high contrast ratio and a slim depth that allows for a more artful design.

Samsung Led: Samsung LN46A950 46" 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung Led: Samsung LN46A950 46" 1080p LCD HDTV with 120Hz refresh rate and LED backlighting

Product Description

45.9" screen (measured diagonally)
* widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio * Touch of Color high-gloss finish
* built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
* built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * Ultra Clear LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels)

Shop for Samsung Led TV at Amazon.com

Led TV: Samsung - Samsung Luxia UN40B6000 40" 1080p LED

Samsung Led TV- Samsung Luxia UN40B6000 40" 1080p LED 120Hz LCD HDTV UN40B6000VFXZA

Introducing Samsung's LuxiaTM LED HDTV. Samsung's best TV ever. This new series includes amazing contrast via LED technology.
At only 1.2" thick, this HDTV inludes 120Hz Auto Motion Plus and consumes 40% less energy than conventional LCDs! Get instant access to news, sports, weather and more with Samsung's InfoLinkTM RSS Service.

The Best Way to Watch Movies at Home. Ever.
Samsung Led TV:
With superior video resolution and audio playback, Blu-ray Discs are six-times better than DVDs. Not sure which players are BD-Live enabled? Or of what BD-Live even is? Visit our newly redesigned High-Def Headquarters to find out more and get in the know.

Samsung Led: Samsung LUXIA 55" Black LED Flat Panel LCD HDTV

Samsung LUXIA 55" Black LED Flat Panel LCD HDTV - UN55B6000

The Best Way to Watch Movies at Home. Ever. With superior video resolution and audio playback, Blu-ray Discs are six-times better than DVDs.
Not sure which players are BD-Live enabled? Or of what BD-Live even is? Visit our newly redesigned High-Def Headquarters to find out more and get in the know.
Product Description
It's time to change your view Samsungs Led brilliant new LED experience starts with the UN55B6000. Look to the 55-inch LED screen for the most vibrant contrast providing blacker black tones, whiter whites along with the richest color possible. The versatile 1.2-inch Ultra Slim Design stands alone as the slimmest HDTV on the market today and that's including the tuner!
The accented Touch of ColorTM bezel adds a graceful flair. Samsung's InfoLinkTM feature puts up-to the-minute RSS info including weather, stocks, sports and more right at your fingertips, without missing a beat. USB2.0 lets you quickly and easily connect your media player, digital camera, or other devices to your LED TV. Auto Motion Plus 120HzTM technology keeps even the fastest onscreen motion smooth and natural. With the ultra slim wall mount (sold separately), your Samsung LED TV extends only 1.8 inches off of the wall in virtually any room. And with the same passion we have for delivering groundbreaking HD excitement and style, Samsung is dedicated to preserving the environment with LED TVs, through reduced power consumption (up to 40% savings versus 2008 Samsung conventional LCD TVs) and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques.
Samsung Led LUXIA 55" Black LED Flat Panel LCD HDTV - UN55B6000/ 1080p (1920 x 1080) Full HD Resolution/ Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio/ Auto Motion Plus 120Hz/ Ultra Slim 1.2" Deep Design/ Touch of Color Design/ Ultra Clear Panel/ Wide Color Enhancer Pro/ Built-In ATSC/Clear QAM Tuner/ 4ms Response Time/ USB 2.0/ InfoLink/ Game Mode/ Picture-In-Picture (PIP)/ Single User Interface/ SRS TruSurround HD/ Anynet Plus (HDMI-CEC)/ Crystal Neck Swivel Stand/ Black Finish Approximate Dimensions: With Stand Height: 34.4" Width: 51.5" Depth: 12" Manufacturer
Warranty: 1 Year Parts and Labor