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  • The Bends Justify the Means: The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 Waterproof MPEG-4 Camcorder

    Peter Suciu | Jul 3, 2007 12:02 AM

     


     

    What is it?

    Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1.

    How much will it cost me?

    $499.99.

    Who makes it?

    Sanyo.

    Why should I care?

    When trying to capture those special underwater moments on video, Sanyo’s Xacti VPC-E1 camcorder lets you focus on the action, not on keeping the camera dry.

    How would you describe it?

    Whether your summer vacation calls for you to trek through the wilds of the Amazon rainforest, ride the whitewater rapids of Colorado, or just head to the nearest Six Flags Water Park, you’re going to need a camcorder that can get as wet as the action around you. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 will let you get up close on the action, and you can take it where you’d otherwise fear to tread with more expensive camcorders. This first waterproof camcorder on the market isn’t exactly meant for deep sea diving or marine exploration documentaries, but it can handle depths of up to five feet without any worry at the lake house or in a pool. Available in three colors--hey, style does matter at the beach--this is easy to operate, and it is small enough that you can tout it around without feeling burdened by all that "camera gear." Nor is it short on features. It can run for about an hour on a single battery charge, and with an 8 gigabyte memory card (sold separately) it can record up to 10 hours of 640 x 480 video. It features a 5x optical zoom as well as 12x digital zoom, and even doubles as a 6 megapixel still camera, with the ability to take pictures while shooting video.

    When can I get my hands on it?

    Now.

    Where can I find it?

    Amazon.com.

    What's your verdict?

    Buy.

    More
  • Music to Ride By: The iH85 Bicycle Speaker

    Peter Suciu | Jul 2, 2007 12:01 AM

     



    What is it?

    The iH85 Bicycle Speaker.

    How much will it cost me?

    $99.99

    Who makes it?

    iHome

    Why should I care?

    Cycling with headphones is dangerous. Mounting a huge boombox on the back of your bike is tacky. The iH85 portable speaker shoots music directly to your ears to create your own personal soundtrack. 

    How would you describe it?

    There is much talk about the loneliness of the long distance runner, but try doing 50-plus miles on a bike. It can be very peaceful, yes, but it can also be very dull. The sounds of nature--or worse traffic--don’t exactly make for the best soundtrack to get you pumped, or more accurately pumping on those long rides. Headphones aren’t recommended if you value your personal safety, and in some states it's even illegal to wear them while cycling. So instead of mounting on a huge stereo and letting everyone “enjoy” your musical selections, iHome2Go has introduced the iH85 portable iPod speaker system. This sleek device fits snugly in the water bottle cage and projects the music straight towards your ears, plus it can be controlled from a wireless unit that can be mounted on your handlebars. It works with all docking iPod Models, and features a rugged impact-resistant case to protect the player inside even if you venture off-road. It is powered by four AA batteries, and will double as an iPod charger when plugged into an AC socket. About the only complaint is that you’ll have to find somewhere else to put your water bottle, but there’s always the Camelbak hydration system for when you get thirsty.

    When can I get my hands on it?

    This month.

    Where can I find it?

    iHomeaudio.com.

    What's your verdict?

    Try.

    More
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