Polisher - er, grinders

Visit Store Now !!

I am very skilled at working other construction materials but this was my first try at stone. This tool worked ideal for my application of granite tile as a low cost substitute for solid granite kitchen countertops. As usual when working with new materials I learned a few very valuable lessons. First you really dont need the router bit if you are good with power tools such as grinders. However if you do use the router, the 3/16 bit really does not take out much but use some blue painters tape on the polished surface of tile about 3/16 inch from edge. Otherwise the router bit will damage the polished surface.



Next as you grind the surface you can start with 100 grit and use that grit lightly. If you have to make your own round edge the 50 grit really removes the stone nicely. Its surprisingly easy to work with similar to wood but takes more time to slowly remove surface. Use progressively higher grit, focus the 200 grit to remove all saw marks. I focused also on the 800 grit to get a smooth surface and then really used the higher grits to get a nice shine. I also purchased a buff grit. DONT let the wheels touch the existing factory polished edges. Just focus on the round edge you want and the exposed edge you want polished. If you get onto the factory polish you will ruin the tile.



As for the tool you will need a small hose clamp to keep the water hose attached to the nipple. I also cut the water way back to where I only had enough to keep things cool. Plan on getting wet so dress accordingly.



One final lesson learned. When cutting the granite (which is easy on a tile wet saw with stone blade). Flip the tile over and do a start cut on the ending cut a bit into the stone. Then flip the tile back over to cut the tile. If you don't have the ending cut done first you will chip the stone as you finish your cut. You can simply use the grinder tool with 100 grit to smooth the cut surface and put a small 45 degree edge on the top side to match the factory grout edge. The tool seems really nice and well built but I've only used it this one time. It has a factory warranty. Vendor shipped this product quickly. SECCO 316WVPOLSET 3/16-Inch Radius Wet Polisher Kit

The Pro - Great, easy to use and does one heck of a job, I am very impressed with it. It was a short learning curve but once I figured out a few things, I was grinding and polishing like a mad dog. I will probably end up doing about 80 granite squares (1 edge only) I am now doing sets of 4 tiles in about 30 minutes from grinding, all through each polish wheel to the end 10,000 polish wheel which is not included in the mix, but you need it if you want a polished edge. This is so easy that it is crazy to spend that $10 to $20 per square to have it polished for you by a contractor. 1 note to mention, be prepared to get wet!



The Con - The learning curve would have been shorter if there had been some sort of instructions packaged with it. I was disappointed at first because it did not seem that it was going well, but then when I increased the speed of the unit, that made all the difference in the world. The main issue is that crazy hose, I put it all together and remembered to seat it real good, but when I turned the water on, the hose got a bubble and burst. It was near the end so I cut it, and put the end on and started again, after about 10 minutes, the other end got a bubble and burst. I did not like the big size hose to deal with while I was using it, so I went to the hardware store and after $15 of brass fittings and 10 feet of clear tubing, I made a great attachment. Sturdy and 1/3 the size of that green hose. The 10 feet gave me plenty of room so that I was not standing on the garden hose as I used it.

Second, The wrenches in the unit do not fit the grinding wheel or pad, not a big deal as the important one (the interior) is what is needed most.



So all in all I am really happy with it. It does a great job and I will rate it a 4, but with a simple manual or DVD included, plus getting rid of that crazy hose would make this thing would be a Perfect 5!

This is my first stone polisher,so I can't tell the difference between this one and one professional(Flex,Makita etc).Most important is IT DOES the job and I'm pleased for the money I paid and the results.There is another similar product Robo something the switch is on the back instead on the front side but same thing.It doesnt even tell where is made(Italian name),but smells like China machine oil.I was able to insert a 1/4 tubing attached to a fontain pump which gives you more moving flexability.

I am a tiler and I needed a wet-polisher to help me with a few curb and shelf pieces for a custom travertine bathroom job and probably once or twice a year for similar work. I compared all of the wet-polishing grinders available on Amazon and was a little nervous on which to purchase to get the most bang for my buck. I didn't want a cheap hunk o'junk, nor did I want a premium-priced tool.



In the end, I chose the Secco and overall, I am quite happy with it. It feels solid and well-constructed. The D-handle is metal, not plastic. The electric cord is heavy duty with its integrated GFI breaker. The variable speed adjustment works great, as does the water feed valve. I have not had an issue with overheating as of yet as with a Makita grinder/polishers I've used previously, (but I haven't worked it too hard yet either).



I have not replaced or upgraded the water hose as other reviewers suggest, and I've had no problems with it (though I admit a little more length would be nice.) A locking disc-change mechanism is the only feature I miss. I found that the spray guard works pretty well to keep me from getting too wet, but it has to be adjusted slightly each time depending on which attachment one is using. Wearing an apron never hurts. There are a few other small improvements which could be made, like a less cumbersome water feed, but they are probably in the domain of higher-priced tools.



The round-over router attachment and all the polishing pads work well as expected, though I can't speak to their longevity as of yet. I would recommend this tool to a first-time or occasional user. It's probably not for the custom concrete or full-time stone professional, but it's felt like a great value to me and I expect to get years of use from it, which is why I'm ranking it five stars. - Tile - Concrete - Er - Grinders'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Polisher - er, grinders tile Polisher - er, grinders

Fm Transmitter - fm transmitter, iphone fm transmitter

Visit Store Now !!

I love this product! It is very easy to use, and it makes listening to music/talking on the phone much easier in the car. The 'snake arm' adjusts to fit the power outlet in my car, and there is a tilt ability for the actual holder. This fits my iPhone 3G with a thick case on. It can also adjust smaller than that for a regular iPod. The sound quality is near perfect - you just have to turn up the radio a little higher than normal. The FM transmitter adjusts to any FM channel.



I would definitely recommend this product to anyone. This isn't a name brand product, but I would consider it comparable to one. I've been looking to buy one for a little while now, and have seen them going for $70 and up. This is a steal at $22! GTMax Permium Black 7-In-1 FM Transmitter Car Charger Kit for Apple Iphone 3G...

OK, so the product isn't specifically rated for the i-Pod Touch 3rd generation but I figured how different could it be right? Well it works fine but with a minor issue. The supplied audio patch cable isn't long enough to reach from the top left of the adapter to the bottom right headphone jack on the 3rd gen. A longer cable by about 2-3 inches would fixed this issue, lucky for me I had one already. Other than that the unit works as described, plug it into your lighter jack and clamp your i-pod in place. Plug in the power at the bottom along with the head phone connection and your good to go. Sound quality is about the same as other FM tuners I've used which is really nothing special but if you don't have an Aux. jack on your deck what other option do you have? Another minor issue is if your i-Pod has a rubber protective sleeve. Mine does and the clamp on this unit will not open wide enough to hold the i-Pod with the sleeve on. You have two options here, remove the sleeve from the i-Pod (pain to do), or do what I did, remove the rubber pads from the units clamps. Removing them allows me to keep my i-Pod in the sleeve and the clamps still hold well because the rubber sleeve adds traction. Just be sure to save the pads so you can glue them back on for another device in the future.

Works for 5 mins then blows the fuse in my car. A 2005 Chevy Malibu not an old car. I replaced the fuse twice. I'm not sure if I got a bad, but other then replacing the fuse every 5 mins it works great.

I use this product everyday with my iPod Touch 3G - 64GB



My car, like many, has a noisy ground loop. When I use my line-in on my radio I use a ground loop isolator (GLI) to get rid of whines, whistles, and engine noise when I have a device plugged into the 12 volt port to charge. This device does a really good job at eliminating these noises, except when listening to talking podcasts and I crank up the volume. Pretty impressive for the price.



Also this device has one of the highest FM power output of any of the ~6 transmitters I have ever used. I wouldn't be surprised if they were on the high side of legal window ;)



This device also pulls the audio right out of the dock connector, so it is much less hassle to connect and disconnect the iPod.



The only real CON of this unit is the mount is quite clunky and heavy, and in some ports this causes the mount to swing in high-g corners. In my stock 12v port this happens, but with my aftermarket add-on ports it is as solid as a rock. Also in my cold climate the cable started to crack where it comes out of the unit, so I had to tape it up to protect the wires from fraying.



I also have the much more expensive Belkin TuneBase FM Transmitter Charger Dock and I would recommend this cheaper unit all day, every day.

I use this product with my iPhone 3G S and have had various problems with it. The most severe annoyance is that the design makes it very top heavy, meaning that for many models of car, the unit will just rotate inside the jack. Provided you can get the unit to stay upright, you have to hope that it doesn't blow a fuse, as it has done twice to me.



The sound quality is decent and it's easy to use, but the problems you face far outweigh the ease-of-use.

I drive an average of 500 miles a week. I rely heavily on my iPhone to keep me entertained throughout the ride. I was weary due to the reviews of this product to purchase it however, I am thrilled that I did. It works great, sound quality is great and it is very simple to use. I also drive a car where the power outlet is located behind the gear shifter, the long arm allows it to sit comfortably above the shifter and never interfere with parking or changing gears. I have found that the key to making it work easily is to ALWAYS plug in the charging cord before plugging in the AUX, this keeps the sound from disappearing. Also, if the sound gets fuzzy or distorted the best fix normally (if the station is a good one) is to turn down the volume on the iPhone until it is no longer distorted or fuzzy and then use the stereo system in the vehicle to adjust the volume. Took me a while to figure those out but once I did, I have had absolutely no problems. Great deal for under 20 dollars. - Iphone Fm Transmitter - Ipod Accessories - Fm Transmitter - Ipod Car Kit'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

fm transmitter Fm Transmitter - fm transmitter, iphone fm transmitter

Grooming Scissors

Visit Store Now !!

This little powerhouse is unbelievable. I have had mine for 3 years. I finally wore them out...(just jumped on line to order another.) I also have the professional Oster Groom-master clippers but never use them, because the dogs do not like the noise. For 3 years, I have clipped through matted hair on a Labradoodle and Schnauzer. The pups actually come over to me when they see the clippers come out. They view it as some kind of spa treatment. The price is also unbelievable compared to other clippers and the company could not be more helpful in their customer service department... a puppy once ate one of the blade attachments and they sent another, no charge. Of course, Amazon has the best price, considering the free shipping. GO FOR IT! Wahl 9590-210 Pro-series Complete Pet Clipper Kit - Corded or Cordless Operation, Blue

I purchased this clipper to replace one of another brand with which I was unhappy. The Wahl actually exceeds my expectations. The interchangeable combs allow you to get just the right length that you want. It is lightweight and I can trim two dogs (and probably more)on a single charge. My old clipper had the on-off switch in an awkward place where I kept accidentally turning it off. No problem like that with the Wahl. When shopping for a pet clipper, remember that some units are called "trimmers", which is just what they're for. They often won't clip a long haired dog. This model is both a clipper and trimmer. In addition, the kit comes with a DVD which explains some of the basics of grooming for the novice. I would recommend this clipper to any dog owner who wants to do their own grooming without investing in an expensive professional unit.

Just the right size (both for my hand and how it fits our boy's shape), very sharp blades and plenty of power/charge for a complete cut. The instructions offer a good explanation of why blades need continual oiling. For my style of cut (no striping), the 4 included blade guards of differing sizes are more than sufficient but you can throw the scissors in the trash. I've been using a corded clipper for the past 6 years and after several months of using this, can't imagine going back. If you are thinking about trying your hand for the first time, remember, mistakes will grow out, the more you do, the better you get and the customer never complains. The included CD is useful.

I read all the reviews on this product and was excited about getting them in. When they arrived I oiled them up and begain cutting my schnazuers. First and second one went well, I took a break let them cook off and re-oiled the blades tried to cut the third dog and the blades pulled his hair. It felt like it was no longer sharp. I followed the direction on this suppose it self sharpening blades didn't help. I put them away and tried the following weekend, same thing, so I have returned them. I am was very disappointed with the product. Amazon was great about returning the item. Wish it would have lived up to its reviews!!

After reading the reviews for this and other products, I decided to purchase the Wahl 9590-210. I have purchased other Wahl products and was very happy with them. This one is especially great! It is much quieter than I expected, and unlike with other grooming products I have purchased, my two dogs do not mind it. It did not pull on their hair and is amazingly good with cutting the hair--I had to be careful because it was so good at cutting. (Some of the products I have used in the past, even when they were new, pulled on the dog's hair and I had to go back several times to cut it.) I give it high marks.

Tried my own hair clippers on my golden retriever. no way. bought these clippers and they worked soooo much better. the clippers bogged down a little on her long hair, but never to the point of disruption. I would recommend for the large breed that I have.

I bought this at Amazon for under $50 and it's a great product. It's probably not as great as the $150 clippers on the market, but it is definitely better than items in it's price range, and I just didn't want to put down over $100 without knowing if i would even stick to clipping my own dog. But after receiving these and now having done 2 hair cuts, I am very happy I chose this one.



First of all, i LOVE that it's cordless, love. SO glad i got a cordless clipper. As for the clippers, I use them on a dog with fine, cottony hair and it does a great job. My cuts don't come out looking great because I haven't really taken the time, so i can't say whether my fine cottony haired dog needs expensive clippers to get there, but I am so happy with these. My dog is 8lbs and it takes me less than half hour to cut his hair down from over an inch long to a half inch all over. I live in nyc where it costs $75! for a grooming session! Ridiculous. With these i just put my dog on the ironing board (that's his grooming table) and go for it. My dog is scared of the hair dryer but not these clippers! that is great. If you go on Wahl's youtube channel they have tons of videos on how to use them. I never even bothered with those, i just aim to make the hair shorter and it works. I Would definitely buy these clippers again. After much research before buying, i know I made the right choice.



Update: I just finished my 3rd home haircut and that means i've saved 75 x 3 - 40, $185. : ). Woot! This last one definitely looks better than the first 2. lol.

Before I made this purchase I did a fair amount of research. Admittedly, I was still skeptical as to whether this dog grooming clipper would actually excel over the grooming clippers I already owned. I have a Jack Russell Terror....oops...I mean Terrier. Anyone who owns one of these very intelligent yet quirky little energy balls would likely agree that they are somehow simultaneously driven by OCD and ADHD. The expression "All dressed up and no place to go," comes to mind...a beguiling blend of chaotic hypervigilance, if you will. As a result, grooming runs the gamut....anywhere from challenging to down right traumatic, for both of us. One major issue had been how loud the old clippers were and the length of time it took to actually get the grooming done. Now add exhaustion and dehydration to the mix from the multiple "pursuits and captures" that are a given to get the job done. So, I wasn't sure how much the whole experience could be improved by a new clipper. Well let me tell you...this Wahl Pro Series Clipper is AWESOME!!!! The first thing I noticed was that it is much quieter than the old clippers. Then Molly (my Jack Russell) noticed too. She was calmer and actually started to stay in place. She is a wire hair Jack Russell so her hair is longer, more coarse, and the undercoat causes alot of shedding. Well, the Wahl Pro-Series Clipper zipped through her hair with ease and I even ventured to trim the fur on, under and around her paws. I had some trepidation about this as I did not want to hurt her by catching or nicking her skin. The instructional DVD that is included addresses all of this with grooming demonstrations of several different breeds. I did wind up angling the clipper a little too much on her back resulting in a bit of a "post chemotherapy look." But heck, with a little practice and experimentation with the enclosed blade attachments to modify how close the fur is cut, I am confident that I will get the hang of it. This Wahl clipper is definitely "user friendly," feels sturdy, can handle thick fur, and can be used on a variety of dog breeds and sizes. Also, it has batteries that won't over charge, so that the battery life is better protected. You can use the clipper in the corded or cordless mode and do not have to worry about unplugging it within a certain time frame after it is recharged, in order to maintain battery life. Finally, the cost is reasonable compared to the money spent taking a pet to be groomed. Molly was zipping around the house with her new shorter and markedly softer "doo." I also purchased a Furminator to help remove her undercoat which will further reduce shedding and place less strain on the clipper blades so they remain sharper longer and cleaning them will be easier. So as this review comes to an end the moral of the story is when Molly is happy so is her "Mom." and she gives Wahl Pro-Series Pet Grooming Clippers a solid four paw salute (that of course, equals 5 stars in "human!"'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Grooming Scissors Grooming Scissors Grooming Scissors

Book Reading Light - lightwedge, read at night

Visit Store Now !!

I bought the paperback size LightWedge because I have the hardcover size already and love it. The light distribution on the paperback size unit I received was not the same as the hardcover size. On the paperback size unit the light made "ripples" across the surface, like a drop of water does, making night reading impossible. There were light rings alternating with dark rings across the entire reading surface eminating from the lightsource. I'm not sure if I received a defective unit, but I returned it and will go to a local bookstore and "test" another one before purchasing again. LightWedge Paperback Book Light, Black

I waited almost a year to write my review for this light. Initially, I thought it a little cumbersome to hold into place. I quickly got used to it though and after all this time, I still use it regularly and I've not bought another book light since (except for another lightwedge which I bought for my father). It's good as a bookmark and also for holding down the pages when you're reading. Also, the light is fantastic - covers the whole page instead of one spot and not a lot of reflection in your eyes in pitch dark. I often use it in rooms even when there is light because the light it puts directly over the words just seems to reduce my eye strain - just feels easier on the eyes. My father said he noticed that as well. Great product!



NOTE: Other reviewer says she dislikes because of wavy lines. I've now had mine over a year and a half and I have no idea what she's talking about. I haven't noticed that at all in all this time, so I'm not sure what could cause that for her.

I have looked at this product and had it on my wishlist for some time now. When my birthday and Christmas both passed and it had not been "gifted" to me, I bought it for myself and I have LOVED having it. It is a perfect size to leave in my reading selections as a bookmark and it provides a surprising amount of light, that is not distracting to my partner when I read after dark, or to my baby when I sit in his room and read until he falls to sleep. The carrying case was a great buy, and handy to have to keep the glass clean and safe from harm when not in use. I would highly recommend it!

There were a few tiny spots that seem to be inside the lightwedge when I received it. Have only had it for a few weeks and keep it in a soft cover, but more spots seem to appear. Also, as mentioned in a prior review, there are waving lines that can be annoying.

I love this light and find it fits in my small paperbacks just fine. I am only aware of two sizes: hardback and paperback. Maybe there is a size just for mass market paperbacks. My only issue is that the new models do not have an adjustable light. That was great because when the new batteries are installed the light is a bit too bright for me. I read to get drowsy and fall asleep. Yes, the batteries are a bit hard to install and you must be careful not to break the battery cover, as I did with my very fist light. Yes, it scratches. Yes, the batteries won't last a long time if you leave the light on all night after you've fallen asleep. BUT, you won't set the house on fire. No matter its failings, this is the best book light I have ever, ever used. Best on the market. I'm pretty fussy, and this book lights gets out of the way so you can enjoy your book and those around you can enjoy whatever it is they want to do in the dark.

I bought this 3 years ago and it still is a light unto my night reading. Without disturbing anyone, I bring it everywhere. In the car on long travels it is perfect on the plane. I am ready for another one. My kids use mine for reading in bed too. The best thing is it is pretty tough, it has been dropped and it keep on shinning. Battery life is great too. If you are a faithful reader this is a must. Now they have the magnifying accessory too!

Read all the reviews--they are right on. This set is bulky and awkward. It's confusing--you have to buy the light separate from the magnifier. Plus the light isn't that good. I use them occasionally, when I'm reading very small print. But I'm disappointed...

Maybe I'm just extremely uncoordinated, but this bookwedge is difficult to manage while reading and turning pages. My Carpal tunnel symptons are far worse when attempting to use this product. The surface scratches easily, and reading through fingerprints and smudges is both annoying and unavoidable. - Booklight - Lightwedge - Read At Night - Reading Light'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Book Reading Light - lightwedge, read at night reading light Book Reading Light - lightwedge, read at night

Back Support Brace - back pain, back brace

Visit Store Now !!

Can't think of a thing to complain about; it's comfortable, fits perfectly, comes at an excellent price, and keeps me upright while sitting and standing. I slipped a disc and was having bad sciatic pain, but since I've started wearing this to work I've hardly had any back/sciatic problems. Mueller Adjustable Back Brace, Black, One Size

I bought this for my Mom, but she is too short between her waist and breasts so it's a little awkward for her to wear (she's 84). Otherwise, it's a very durable product and made well. I had one of these for myself a long time ago for a back injury. I couldn't live without it. I think they are great. Offers a lot of support

I tried this product while sitting for long hours and also when working. I work in a hospital and constant bending is part of my job description. While it gives some support it is not very comfortable when I am working. It constricts and puts you out of breath soon. If i adjust the brace then it is not effective and not that helpful. However, it does work fine when I am in a sitting position. As a student I have to sit for long hours while studying and this definitely supports my back. Well, I wish to give 1/2 more points if only there is way to give .5 star. But until I find a better product at a affordable price, i will suggest to give this a try. Better than not having anything for your back.



If anyone interested, my gf taught me a back exercise (very effective for sciatica) that is really helpful for my back pain. You might be able to find a video or instruction on the web. Take care of your back guys. No way to replace it.

I can work 10 hours now without feeling a thing. It's simply beautiful.



However, it sometimes slips up, and you know when it does, because then your back starts hurting again. So set aside some time to readjust as necessary.



I plan to try my hand with this brace while working out. Right now it's only for work use, and it's great.

Wow! My first impression was how well made this back brace was make....not a single wrap around but additional supporting straps that make this an extremely secure brace. I'm well pleased. It does the job. I highly recommend the product to anyone looking for this type of support item.

Pulled it out of the box and put it right on. Voilà! Instant relief from my pain due to a disc problem at L5-S1. Always was suspicious about these things working, but after my rheumatologist recommended it, I decided to try one. Agree with the other folks that this one is very good quality.



Now, claiming that this is suitable for a waist up to 50 inches is a figment of someone's exaggeration. I wear a size 36-38 trouser, and I find it best at the very end of it's velcro adjustment. If you're above a size 40, I suggest you consider that "extended" one, unless you don't really care if you can breathe or not. - Back Pain - Back Support Brace - Back Brace - For My Back'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Back Support Brace - back pain, back brace back brace Back Support Brace - back pain, back brace

Wide Angle Lens

Visit Store Now !!

...is one you'll have with you. The nice thing about the Canon ELPH series is they easily fit into your pocket, are well built/designed, don't cost a lot, come with a boatload of features, and take great pictures. The SD1300, the latest in the ELPH line continues in that tradition, adding considerable additional sophistication and sacrificing some useful functionality in the interest of cutting cost.



It is a small camera and carries with it the baggage that comes with the convenience of having to carry so little baggage. (sorry, couldn't resist) None of the issues raised, given that they comes as part of the convenience trade-off made me consider anything other than the 5-star rating this camera deserves.



- Many of the functions are only accessible through menus, sometimes several levels deep. The good new is the Automatic and scene modes are pretty good (as long as you spend a few minutes reviewing what they really do). This camera is not intended to be used in aperture or shutter priority, let alone full manual.



- The battery life might be shorter than you expect. That's a trade-off for having a camera that's small and light; you get a battery that is small and light. One thing you can do is get a spare battery. That is good advice for any camera. Another thing that will help is to keep the display off as much as possible. That means using the monitor as little as possible. The "sad" part is that Canon chose to drop the optical viewfinder in this model. That means a camera that is simpler and less expensive to make but will go through batteries quicker because you must use the display when taking picture.



- The camera response is a bit slow for effectively capturing children and pets. The trick for doing that is to either have a great sense of timing and a shutter that reacts instantly or a reasonably fast ( > 4x / sec ) burst mode. This camera has neither.



Some other suggestions that apply:



- Use the lowest ISO available given your requirement for either aperture or shutter speed. To avoid getting technical, higher ISO always introduces higher noise. At issue is when it becomes noticeable. In newer dSLR cameras you can get over 1000, maybe well over depending on the camera, before the noise becomes noticeable. For this camera keeping it at or below 200 is a good idea.



- Don't use in-camera sharpening. Digital pictures will almost always benefit from sharpening but you are better off doing it with a photo editing program. Computer-based algorithms tend to be more sophisticated and you can better judge the results on your monitor as opposed to the camera LCD.



- If you want more vivid colors and have the choice use sRGB instead of Adobe RGB. While you get fewer colors they are distributed over a wider range. They are also render better on computer monitors, many commercial labs, and any other place your pictures are likely to show up.



Finally, I've found the Caselogic QPB-1 Compact Digital Camera Case (Black/Gray) is just the right size for this camera. It's semi-rigid so you get a fair amount of protection but doesn't add a lot of bulk. It's made even better by using one of these, Nite Ize SB1-2PK-01 Size-1 S-Biner, Black, 2-Pack, to secure it to a belt loop.



BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it. Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)

I will try to share some things I have discovered about this camera, these are just my thoughts, I hope they might be of help .



Some things I am compairing to a canon SD1200 and the SD940, SD1400.

I do not use the viedo enough to judge that part of the cameras.



** No SD memory card included with this camera **, see below



* Some will miss the eye viewfinder that the SD1200 has.



* Some will miss the HD 720p in the movie mode that the SD940,SD1400 has, The SD1300 has 640x480 at 30fps like the canon SD1200, G11 and S90.



* The SD1300 has ( no optical zoom while recording video ) just digital zoom.



* There is a date feature on the SD1300, see below



* The flat button arangement is the same as the SD1200 all but the (( Power Button )) on top is larger and easier to turn on and off, I like that ( but be careful ) it does not come on in your pocket, purse or in your soft camera case.



* I have not had any trouble using any of the buttons even with my big old hands. The flat buttons on the SD1300 are a ( tad larger than on the SD940 and SD1400 ).



* The menu screens are large and very easy to read and use.*



* You get a 2.7inch very clear LCD screen that has a (very good and wide viewing angle in all directions).



Note > when your LCD screen is set to a lower brightness you can push and hold down the display button for 1 second and it will go to the brightest setting and do that again and it will go back to the lower setting...



A 28mm x 112mm lens, a little better than the 35 x 105 on the SD1200 ( But no view finder on the SD1300 ).



* The SD1300 is very easy to use and small enough to carry every place you go for those spontaneous grand kid pictures like the SD 1200 was .

Just a very good basic camera.



* I like that the mic for the video is in the front of the camera instead of being on the top (where I put my finger) like the canon SD970 and others, it picks up less finger movement noise being in the front.



** Timing and Performance** ( Using program mode )> Very fast start up time of just over 1 sec.

I can not tell any difference in shot to shot or flash shot to shot times between the SD1300 and the SD1200 using them in the program mode, which is ( 2secs with out the flash ), and 3 to 4secs with the flash on, (( up to 6secs for full flash recharge )).



(Update > Some of review sites(C-NET) are getting around 2.7 to 3 seconds for the SD1300 between shots with out the flash so I grabed the two cameras and tryed the two again(SD1300 SD1200) with and with out the flash on and I had the same results both ways, ((I used program mode)) both times and they would focus and recharge the flash evenly also...)



Shutter lag is good for a canon point and shoot but if you ( pre focus ) that will help even more. To pre focas > > Push shutter button down half way untill camera beeps and green square apears on LCD screen,picture should be clearly in focas at this point, if not let up on the shutter button and repeat the steps again. these steps will also help take a good clear (in focas) picture, just something for you to try if your having trouble getting your picture.





I never tested the continuous shooting( but see my battery test) but canon says it is 0.9 per sec where the sd 1200 is 1.4 shots per sec, if that is important to you. UPDATE > The 1200 does seem to be faster, quicker than the 1300 in continuous mode, how much I dont know but you can tell the difference...



* (Battery) I did test the battery (NB-6L same battery as SD1200) by using continuous shooting mode ( with the flash on ) and got well over 400 pictures and it was taking ( 1 picture every 2 seconds or less in the continuous mode( flash on ) if that helps you out on the continuous shooting part, and when I turned the flash off it seemed to do prety good coming from a newer small canon point and shoot world.



* (Battery life). In real life I get around 300 or more pictures with some of them using the flash, your still need a second battery for a backup.



* The battery has a little larger capacity at 1000mAh in the SD1300, were as the canon SD940 and the SD1400 is a smaller capacity at 760mAh if that matters to you.



** A nice backup battery is a (power2000) for canon NB-6L (1200mAh)$19.00. I have used them for years.

I really like the battery charger that comes with the camera, it is small and charges quickley, about one and a half hours the very first charge and then one hour or less there after...

Some set back the brightness of the LCD a couple of notches to save some battery. I think your new battery will do better after the first couple of charges.



* 10/30/2010 At the Columbus zoo we shot 350 pictures and a lot of them with flash on with one charge...



** Very good image quality keeping the iso at 200 and below.

I am getting about the same image quality as the SD 1200 which is very good for this small size point and shoot camera.



* As point and shoots get better we often try and compare them to digital SLRs ( speed,noise, ISOs, picture quality ) but because of the point and shoots very small sensors and craming all those mega pixels into them it is just asking to much of the little cameras....

Fewer pixels mean there's more room on the sensor and the individual pixels can be made larger to gather more light, making the camera better able to record low-noise images in low-light situations.



This is just me, but I like using the program mode and 100,200iso best and I try not to use the auto mode indoors ((auto works good outdoors in good light though, Lighting is everything. Indoors alot of times auto seems to want to use a (very high iso)(and sometimes no flash) to get low light photos, but this just results in more noise, which makes your pictures look noisy grainy or snowy looking on larger prints,(or the yellow tint that some are talking about).

* I use program mode and set the iso indoors to (( 100iso ))in good light conditions or ( 200 iso ) in poorer light indoors for the best image quality indoors with out all noise in the picture. Again auto does good outdoors in good light but keep your eye on the iso in auto indoors...



* Portrait mode does better indoors than auto in keeping the iso down. It uses 200iso and below. not bad...



*They also have taken away the supper fine quality option for the last couple of years , you just have fine and normal now, I miss the supper fine option...



The more I use this camera the more I find myself useing ( 100iso in program mode ) in good light conditions indoors or outdoors). Again indoors you might have to use 200 to get the picture you like...



** Just a side note, before judgeing the camera and your picture quality on your computer or camera screen get some pictures printed out, why I say this I thought the pictures that I took at the rest home were just ok, but I took them to the store and had 8 by 10s made and they look so so much better, you can see these pictures on this site under (view and share images on the SD1300s home page). I wish you could see the printed ones...



* A lot of the review sites blow there pictures way up and look for defects, your likely to only make 5x7 or 8x10s and not see (what they see).

If you are going to make larger prints or need a better (low light camera) and still stay in a point and shoot you could go with a canon S90, S95 or the bigger G11, G12, but (much more money I know)! Just keep the iso down at 200 and below and you will do fine...)



* The SD1300 seems to have a nice sharp lens even at the telephoto end of the zoom.



Highlights sometimes tend to blow out in very bright sun (direct light source) as with all small cameras(small sensor) this size, you can see this in some of the pictures I posted on this sight for the 1300. ( But to be fair my G11 does this also ).



I do not use I-Contrast in the program mode while shooting, some times in play back I will try it but I am not a big fan of it even then, it will brighten the picture up in dark areas but seems to increase the noise a little, again this is just me alot of people seem to like it and have good luck with it see what you think...

In auto mode you have no controll of I-Contrast and can not turn it off or on...



* I just realy like the colors in the pictures that the canon cameras produce, again thats just me thinking out loud.



Not much problem with red eye in pictures useing the SD1300 unless in a very dim lit room and there are some times when it can not modify or fix it in red-eye correction,

I have many small newer canon cameras and it is no worse or better with red eye than the rest of my newer cameras with red eye correction.



The SD1300 has a touch more style, larger LCD and a little more virsatle lens than the SD1200, but the 1200 is also a very good camera.



The SD1300 does have a weak battery door cover like the SD1200.



*No Memory card * You do not get a (SD Memory Card) with the camera, they just do not include a card anymore, just be aware so you won't be with out one.

A 4gb card ( class 4 or class 6 ) would be a good place to start (if your going to use the movie mode any at all ).

You could get by with a 2gb ( which is good for about 632 pictures ) if not using the video mode much.

A 4gig SD card would be good for 1,231 pictures.



* If your new to this digital camera stuff remember to low level format the SD card first thing.

( Save your pictures first, doing this will also erase all your pictures. )



* I have used the SD1300 for about 12 months now and is holding up very well.



* There is a date feature on the SD1300, it shows up on the right side at the bottom of the picture.

You can see it when reviewing the photo...

Push menu button and scroll down, it is the very last idem there, You have 3 choices,(off), (date), (date and time)...

When you go to take your picture your screen will have the word (DATE) on the screen above the iso reading, right side at bottom so you will know it is on...



* I carry my camera in a little phone case that has a belt clip not a loop for fast & easy on and off the belt.

* OK, your right I could lose it that way...

I definitely recommend picking up a small camera case for protection, watch out for cases using velco,the velco likes to grab ahold of you camera strap and not let go.



I also like theLowepro Apex 20 AW (Black) CASE it has room for spare battery, sd card cable, cleaning cloth). It has a little rain coat also. Good for hikers and backpackers.



The Lowepro Napoli 20 case is very nice but no room for spare battery on this one and could let dust in case, not fully inclosed.



** Casecrown ( SD1300IS 12 MP Digital Camera Carrying CaseCrown Black ) < I like these alot > Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12 MP Digital Camera Carrying CaseCrown Compact Travel Case (Black)

Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12 MP Digital Camera Carrying CaseCrown Compact Travel Case (Crimson) < < See my reviews on these if you have the time > >CaseCrown Protective Compact Travel Camera Case (Grey) for Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12 MP Digital Camera



Be carefull of some of the canon cases, the metal magnet catch on the flap might or could scratch the cameras LCD screen takeing it out or puting it in the case (just my thoughts).. I am sure alot people like them and have good luck with them, this is just my opinion, The canon case I have (Canon PSC-55 Deluxe Leather Compact Case) has no room for a spare sd card or spare battery if that would help you any.



These are very nice and roomy cases, with alot of storage > Case Logic DCB-302 Compact Camera Case (Black)

Case Logic DCB-302 Compact Camera Case (Gray)



One more case to look at Case Logic QPB-201 EVA Molded Compact Camera Case (Black) Only one zipper on this one and xtra battery seems to slide out of case a tad to freely .



* In the menu mode I set the I S mode to continous.

The display overlay to grid lines(the grid lines help me take straighter pictures, you may use it for the 1/3 rule also).

I set review to 2seconds,

AF-assist beam to on,

Review info to off,

Lens retract to 0 seconds.

White ballance to auto, if this would be of any help to you.

I like using continuous shooting mode alot also.



I like to set the AF (auto focas) frame

to center (some times) instead of face AiAF and just shoot (focas) on what ever that I am shooting , this is found in the main menu setting, Again this is just me dont take this advice to the bank but check it out if you want or have the time...



I posted some pictures on this site ( see > View and share related images on main page ) for the SD1300, to give you some idea about how your pictures would look (color - sharpness - moving shots - iso noise in pictures - zooms - modes - cropped pictures), if that would help.



* Please look at everybodys pictures to see what you think before you buy the SD1300.



(( Please if mine pictures are not helpful vote them down and I will delete those, I need to delete a lot of them, please help me out here, Thanks...)



If you have any questions I will try to answer them the best I can, no camera is perfect...well not many.



My favorite SD point & shoot was a canon SD550, SD850, SD880, I thought the SD1100 and SD870 were very good looking cameras but never had a chance to use one of them, what was your fav canon SD...



I mostly take pictures of bear in the Smokey Mountians (CADES COVE) and love chaseing the grand kids around taking their pictures. ( And this year the Outter Banks NC ).



Update 2/3/2011 > The new replacement camera for the SD1300 is being called a Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey)

Comes in 5 colors (Blue, Silver, Grey, Pink and Orange)

Note one of many changes is that they did change the battery used to a NB-4L 760mAh from the NB-6L 1000mAh battery if that would be any of help.

Many other interesting changes also,some are good and some not so good , Alot of bells and whistles on this one, check it out...'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Wide Angle Lens Wide Angle Lens Wide Angle Lens

Screen Protectors - invisible shield, zagg

Visit Store Now !!

I bought this item a few days ago when there were no reviews yet to help decide on this item. I'm happy to say my purchase was the right decision as this protector is the nicest I've used, and fits the iPhone 4 perfectly, it is difficult to know there is a protector on the phone. Installation was very easy with no bubbles and the feel of the material is very nice. I wish they made one for the back!



One tip for installation on any of these protectors. Do it in the bathroom with the shower running. It takes all the dust out of the air, and you'll have a installation without dust under the screen. splash Masque Clear Screen Protector for iPhone 4 4G AT&T and Verizon (3-Pack + 2 Bonus Back Films)

I got these splash Masque screens to replace a very lousy (and overpriced) ZAGG invisibleShield that I had bought for my iPhone 4G. Thankfully, these splash Masque screens are a lot better, are a lot cheaper, and come 3 in a pack(so you get another couple chances if you mess up the first time, and can give one to a friend if you have an extra.



The splash Masque attaches easily, by static cling, and is smooth and thin as can be, which is nice because you want to see the screen, not the screen protector. In contrast, the ZAGG "invisibleShield" product was goofy to apply, awkwardly thick and had a rubbery feel and even though I followed ZAGG's instructions, their lousy screen came off after 1 week's use, just from rubbing in my pocket.



Before you start: Be sure to carefully and thoroughly clean your iPhone's glass screen before applying this or any other screen protector product. I did not do a good enough job the first time, and ended up wasting one screen. Before my second try, I used windex and a laboratory grade kimwipes (lint free photo lens cleaning cloth/paper should also work well). Even the tiniest, imperceptibly small dust will create little bubbles under the screen. The good news is that if your phone is brand new, this product will apply perfectly well and will keep the screen clean. If you've been using your iPhone with no protector, then be prepared to do a diligent job cleaning it before installing.



I'll also say that the iPhone screen looks best with NO SCREEN. But the iPhone screen does accumulate little tiny scratches, which you don't notice when the screen is powered on, but when it's off, you'll see them. To protect your screen, you need a screen protector. This product is a great choice to do that!

This is a very good product. I have had it on my phone for around 2 months and I have not had a problem since plus I have had the same one on the whole time. It was easy to put on and there has been very little bubble issues which I couldn't fix very easily. Great Product!

basically, this product is what i'm searching for. it's fair in price range and the product itself is good enough if you are someone who once in a while have your phones in your pockets together with your keys. and probably bang it lightly on walls or tables. it would be great if this comes with a back cover as well but since iphone 4 was giving out free cases i could just choose the ones with the back covered. amazingly, although it's not really clearly stated, this film is kinda "reusable" i spent one whole our getting the bubbles out(this is the first time i'm doing this kind of thing) and i think i accidentally let the whole film gone and it sticked right on the screen. using my fingernails, i could actually peel it up again, slowly. but it only works on the first day. after 2 or three days, it actually stuck there and don't come up again. so i guess, this product really worth the dollar i spent.

Despite all of the great reviews, I was a little bit wary of this product after seeing other reviewers describe a "rainbowing" visual effect on the screen and a couple of reviewers describe "drag" when sliding their fingers on the screen.



I applied this screen protector to my iPhone 4 a month ago, and I have only noticed a "rainbow" effect once (actually like waterstained silk in my experience) under extremely unusual light conditions (phone at an angle in dim compact flourescent light). In my experience, at least, I have never noticed any visual distractions at any other time.



Given the self-adhering quality of the protector, I had wondered if it would have a floppy "Colorform"-type texture (like the reminder stickies you get on your windshield from the oil change place). But it's actually fairly rigid and very thin. The feel of it is very silky, and to me it feels just like glass. You might experience drag if you have wet hands and press hard, but I have never experienced any drag.



Application was very easy. I would follow the recommendation to have the shower on, and clean the screen meticulously (look at it from every angle to detect dust/lint) before applying the protector. I have applied mine and my husband's with no problems either time -- just read the instructions, clean well, and be patient in the application. - Iphone Screen Protector - Zagg - Screen Protectors - Invisible Shield'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

screen protectors