Portable Car GPS Review: Garmin Nuvi 1300

By D Bui

Affordable GPS devices like the Garmin nuvi 1300LM look attractive to people that have never used a GPS device yet. But taking into the fact that higher priced midrange and high-end Garmin devices exist, the Garmin nuvi 1300LM can be a pretty risky bet. Fortunately, Garmin keeps some of the essential features in their budget devices. Since this is also part of the LM series, this Garmin nuvi 1300 device has a lot of life to offer.

Product Overview

Although some key features are sacrificed in the Garmin nuvi 1300LM, the design and construction isn’t one of them. It has the same 4.3-inch display that many other Garmin nuvi devices have and it has that thin profile so it is easy to carry around just in case some foot navigation is needed. The display is made of the same material as other displays so its visibility under direct sunlight remains clear. It is also compatible with many of the mounts, suction cups, and travel accessories which is nice for users that may want to buy higher-end version in the future.

Product Features

Garmin came up with a highly simple interface so it can run on all kinds of Garmin nuvi devices. The effort has paid off because now low-end devices like the Garmin nuvi 1300LM can bring the same the experience that high-end users enjoy. The menu screen couldn’t have been simpler interface with just two icons taking most of the screen’s real estate. These large icons are both easy to see and easy to press so first time users shouldn’t have a problem in using this particular device for the first time.

The “Where to?” icon brings up a simple step-by-process that guides the driver in planning a quick route. It is as simple as keying in a particular destination or point of interest and the device will do the rest in properly calculating the route. The Garmin nuvi 1300LM has just about the same number of points of interest as other devices released in late 2010. In addition to these 6 million POIs, the device allows you to add custom ones quite easily. It also throws in a nice bonus allowing you to download the latest map updates 4 times a year. These map updates are free and last a lifetime which is a fantastic deal for a budget device.

You can get an idea on what kinds of points of interest show up by using the other large icon which is the “View Map” option. This option takes you directly to the map where you can see your current position. The map can be viewed in 2-D or 3-D and Garmin nuvi 1300LM does a good job in rendering the colorful graphics. The map can be freely zoomed in and out using the touch controls so surrounding terrain and elevation levels can be seen. Finger swiping can be down to go to other screens of the map.

The Garmin nuvi 1300LM gets the short end of the stick when it comes to navigation compared to other Garmin nuvi devices but it still has HotFix satellite prediction which makes this device accurate in calculating position. It can also calculate routes with minimal fuel consumption in mind. This feature is known as ecoRoute and it comes up with a special route that can save money on fuel. It has a fuel usage counter to see exactly how the savings add up if this feature is used frequently.

A nifty optional feature is the cityXplorer content which can be downloaded in case public transit options need to be considered. This feature highlights specific areas where it is okay to walk or okay to wait for a bus, tram, or subway. The price of the content can start at around $10 and it covers several North American and European cities. The built-in maps only cover the continental maps including Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Some other nice features are crammed into this budget device including a world travel clock and calculator. In addition to basic calculating, a measurement converter and currency converter are thrown in as well. Thanks to the presence of a microSD card slot, any photos within the microSD card can be viewed using the JPEG picture viewer.

The price of the Garmin nuvi 1300LM started at around $220 and since the device has been around for more than a year, expect to find this model selling for under $150. Garmin has recently announced some new models but the lifetime map updates make this budget device still worth getting and the user interface doesn’t disappoint.

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Nikon FM10 Camera Review

By Howell Aurther

Nikon FM10 Camera ReviewSpecial moments must be cherished, right? It has also been observed that when you have an outing or special occasion with your loved ones, you always do picture-taking. With this simple action, you can totally treasure and remember your memorable activities together with your families and friends. In taking pictures, of course you need a gadget like cameras. Cameras are very essential especially when you want to capture all your special events. But, some cameras are not so reliable. Others have poor quality that makes the images blurred and easily damage. If you want to have some memorable images, effective cameras is a must.

Since there are several cameras around the world, more and more people got confused on what kind of cameras they will purchase. To end up your worries, Nikon FM10 was introduced to make your images more clear and effective. With this kind of camera, all the events and special moments are being captured. Actually, there are several features of Nikon FM10 that marks to all the users. Unlike other types of cameras, Nikon FM10 is very economical. With this, you don’t need to spend too much money just to purchase high quality cameras. The Nikon FM10 also varies depending on your desired model. Therefore, you have lots of options to choose from. Majority of the photographers also used this type of cameras. Because of its simple design and attractive appearance, Nikon FM10 is said to be the leading cameras around the world.

Nikon FM10 also includes a complete manual control. It is also light-weighted and very simple to use. This type of camera is not an ordinary tool for capturing special moments. It is also designed for business purposes. Aside from these, this camera also creates perfect image appearances. Paper printing that is commonly used in this type of camera is very durable. With this, your images will lasts for a longer period of time. If you want to purchase FM10, see to it that you depend on reliable stores. Since fraud products are widely spreading, people must know how to criticize high quality Nikon cameras. High quality Nikon FM10 products are not easily broken. When it comes to repair system, Nikon FM10 doesn’t need a regular repair. Even if you used it regularly, this camera never fails to function. With this type of cameras, you are assured that the qualities of your images are very great.

If you don’t know how to operate Nikon FM10 cameras, you can read the product’s brochure. It includes instructions and other tips to maintain long-lasting cameras. This Nikon is not too hard to operate. As long as you follow the suggested instruction, taking pictures will be very easy. In fact, you don’t need to press several button, in just a single click, desired images will automatically captured. Try to have a Nikon FM10 and experience how it works. Keep this as your partner in keeping all the memorable experience you had in your entire life. Purchase Nikon FM10 instantly and witness its great features and performances.

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Keyboards Yamaha P155 Review

By Devin T Hildebrand

Yamaha P155 ReviewWhen searching the realm of mid-high level keyboards, the Yamaha P155 clearly reigns supreme as an authority figure. The intense realism of GHE (Graded Hammer Effect) across its 88 weighted keys, Key On/Key Off samples and samples for sustains sounds, and 128 note polyphony, the P155 brings only the finest goods to the table, in quite a compact and portable package – 37 pounds.

Only 37 pounds?! That’s right. This is the elegance of the grand Clavinova CLP340 in half the price and a fraction of the weight (about, oh… 115 pounds less). Some features that might ring a bell for you are the same two-track sequencer and 4 different levels of CFIIIS samples in stereo, along with the dainty touch of the key-on/key-off samples that create the eerie realistic feeling of a real grand piano.

If I had to sum up the power of the Yamaha P155 in only word, I would say this: expression. The amount of dynamic ability and emotional playing room that this keyboard provides in such a compact package is really stunning. The way the weighted action keys flow under your fingers and how the samples imitate a rich gran piano sound is shocking, at times, when you open your eyes and remember that you are behind the face of only a 37 pound Yamaha keyboard.

As for the P155′s array of sounds, it comes packaged with a scope of 17 different voices as presets. These voices are a beautiful mixture of strings, pianos, choirs, organs, bass, etc. This mix is certainly most noted for its quality, and not quantity – which should not be a problem if this realism is the sort of keyboard you are looking for. However, if you happen to be searching a keyboard that can satisfy your need for endless options and gadgets and crazy sounds – I would suggest you continue looking elsewhere.

The Yamaha P155 also comes with all the bits and pieces and perks you would most likely find necessary to do all the things a keyboard wants to be able to do: MIDI ports, USB storage, 12 Watt speakers, amplifier 1/4″ ports, and, importantly, jacks for headphones.

The bottom line is this – The P155 is the most affordable keyboard you can get your hands on with Yamaha’s top-of-the-line action GHE (Graded Hammer Effect) keys and the key-on/key-off samples. You can not pay less for this quality of realism and imitation of a grand piano in such a compact form.

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