Heart Rate Monitor - exercise, omron

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Being a person who hasn't ever joined a gym, I never knew stuff like this existed. I was very interested in this item because I've been walking for exercise but wasn't really sure I was reaching my target heart rate consistently.



The monitor, which displays the time as well as your heart rate on a watch, works in conjuction with a gizmo that you strap around yourself, just under your chest. (I will tell you, since I was concerned about this, that it's hardly noticeable once it's in place...it's a 12" or so long piece of plastic with an adjustable elastic strap...not very bulky at all!) The monitor also features a stopwatch and an alarm, so that after you set your minimum & maximum desired heart rates, you can be alerted when you are out of range. The alarm is a "beep-beep" that I can hear over the book on tape I drag along with me. Your heart rate is updated every second or two so you will always know if you need to pick up the pace a bit.



Although I have not yet had to do so, the chest strap has a removable backing, and you apparently can change the battery yourself (this is a big deal, I guess, since some of the more expensive monitors require that you send them to the factory for a battery change). The elastic strap is also completely removable, which makes it very easy to wash (and you will need to if you're exercising!).



The monitor comes packaged in a small, zippered carrying case, and includes an attachment that allows you to place it on a bicycle handlebar.



This does everything I need it to, and I recommend it for anyone who is just getting started in an exercise program. Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor

Good:

- Works as advertised

- Easy to setup

- Rugged and well constructed



Bad:

- Wrist watch does not start receiving heart rate unless you are sweating at lot/apply a lot of water on the strap and your chest

- In a gym setting, there seems to be interference from electrical equipment (treadmills, etc) and the monitor works intermittently

- If there are other users w/ heart-rate monitors in the vicinity, their readings and my readings overlap causing some amount of confusion

This was my first heart rate monitor & I am very pleased with it. Did not require a lot of instruction. The chest strap is comfortable. Occasionally the monitor does not immediately pick up an accurate rate when first put on - but after a few seconds you are ready to go. I will be ordering another for my mother. Excellent product for the price.

This is the perfect HRM for anyone just trying to monitor their heart rate. Directions for set up are very easy. The price for this HRM is pretty cheap compared to others. Comes in a great storage zipper bag. If you need something with more features like calorie counting, average heart rate, etc. then you need to looke elsewhere. Now that I can keep track of my target zone for weight loss I have lost 10 pounds in one month. Seems like I was not working hard enough. The alarms are really great and let you know if you are not working out hard enough or workin out too hard. I have purchased two already for myself and girlfriend and both work properly and they do not seem to obstruct with each other. Great buy for beginner or advanced.

I use this while swimming. When swimming the chest strap has to be tightened a little extra, but it works. I also use it for circuit training because first I use the eliptical, then the weight machines. I do not rest between machines to keep heart rate in the proper zone during the entire workout, perfect.

I bought this monitor at a great price and it's worth it. I'm sure there are other monitors out there that are better, but this one still gives you a good indication of your training level. The strap is comfortable and snug. Just like any monitor you have to slightly wet the conductors to get an accurate reading. I did get some fluctuations at certain points but I just had to adjust the strap. The mounting bracket is great and easy to snap on and off. Good for bike riders like me.

I'll try to make this brief. First, I can tell you that I have lost about 26 pounds without the use of a personal heart rate monitor like this one. However, as far as exercise is concerned, I got this far ONLY riding a stationary bike, which came with an HRM on it. I have really gotten into exercising after being overweight for a long time and after having to endure achilles tendonitis in the last half of 2006. So, doing low impact exercise was really all I could do up until recently. Well, I'm in the next phase of my "life change" and it will involve not just being tethered to a bike, but running and lifting. So, I needed to get a portable unit to wear.



Well, if you are considering exercising or have already begun, this unit is a great "starter" model. It will provide you with all the feedback you need to get started such as max/min heart rate setting with alarm, stopwatch, and of course the heart rate itself. The chest unit fits fine and you really don't notice it all that much. I am a big guy with a rather large chest and it is plenty big even for me.



I STRONGLY suggest you research heart rates as it pertains to exercise. It will absolutely convince you that you need a heart rate monitor. Feedback is critical to getting the most out of your workout. If you do not know what your heart rate is, you can not stay in the "zone" that you need for the conditioning you are looking to achieve(fat burning, endurance, etc.).



The only complaint I have is that the unit came with a dead battery....grrrr! Oh well at least you can change it yourself on this unit...went to the store, got a new one and was good-to-go.

Great product for the $ I spent. I picked it b/c I can replace the batteries myself and the cost was in my budget. It does jump around more than I'd like, but I can tell from the range that I am over or under my target heart rate. It does beep to let you know that, but I find it annoying so I turn it off. If you find you have trouble getting it to register your rate, then move it around a bit. Mine works best when I put it higher on my chest, in the area of my heart, just below my shoulder blade. - Heart Rate - Fitness - Omron - Exercise'

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Weight Loss Tools - weight loss, diet

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Everytime I swear I won't cram another cookbook onto my bookshelf I leaf through something that seems to stand out among the other cookbooks I have, or is complete enough that it allows me to give away several cookbooks so that one can take its place.This is one such cookbook.Very extensive cookbook with around 300 recipes, it's divided into the following categories:Center of the Plate

Savory Skillet Meals

Casseroles and Pot Pies

Meatless Main Dishes

Sandwiches, Salads, and Pizzas

Soups, Stews, and Chilies

Slow Cooker Suppers

Grilling Good and Easy

30 Min or Less

Cooking for TwoWhich is why I say it's like having several cookbooks...if I'm in the mood to grill, I can pull this out and do it with fewer calories, if I have limited time, it still has recipes for me, if I don't want leftovers I use the cooking for two section, and I love the slow cooker suppers for those days when I want to throw some things into a pot in the morning and come home to a hot cooked meal, making me feel like my private chef slaved all day to have dinner ready and waiting! :-)Here are a few examples of some of the recipes. I've found them to include easy-to-locate ingredients and be family pleasers so that the rest of the house doesn't even have to know it's "diet" food since they tend to be good comfort foods. While I personally love the meatless section, you can adapt the other recipes easily for your meatless days as well. Here are some examples of some recipes:Honey Glazed chicken breasts

Baked Oregano Chicken (this is a great one at only 180 calories)

Smothered Cajun Pork Chops

Beef and Peppers with Biscuits

Cheese Enchiladas

Philly Steak Casserole

Cheese Filled Tortellini Soup

Black Bean Taco Salad

Baked Chicken and Rice with Autumn Veggies

Country French Beef Stew

Chicken and Dumplings

Creamy Crabmeat Au Gratin

Tex Mex Scrambled Eggs

Grilled Pizza

Tex Mex Meat LoafThere are also lots of ethnic dishes thrown in if you, for example, are in the mood for Chinese food, Indian food, etc. And the meatless maindishes will make even a hearty carnivore forget what's missing.This book, unlike most of my diet cookbooks, contains FULL nutritionals, even the protein, sodium etc. If you are following Weight Watchers you'll know the fat and fiber of every dish going in.The instructions are super simple. I cook all the time but even if you have only made Kraft mac and cheese up til now, you'll not skip a beat.NEGATIVES: I try to leave negatives on any review even if I love something since nothing is perfect but this book is jam packed with recipes, many with calories even in the one hundreds and they are easy to prepare, healthy, and tasty and have full nutritionals. That's an A+ cookbook for me. I'f I had to say something others might not like, I might say it doesn't contain photos for all recipes (it does have several photos, just not for all) but bear in mind the book is already at almost 400 pages with its tips and recipes so you might not fit it into your cookbook holder if got any bigger. :-)I love this one. It's both rare and well-done.p.s. My calorie goal when I am dieting is 1250 calories per day. (This was scientifically figured out for me with a bodybugg. I'm a weight loss coach.) I burn 1950 calories per day usually in just normal activities so this deficit enables me to lose well if I also increase my activity( a little over 2 lbs per week) since a deficit of 3,500 calories equals a loss of one pound. (Your body uses fat stores for energy when it has a deficit.) Your calorie needs will vary of course based upon your height and weight and activity but there are several places online that you can get an estimate of what your body uses in order to figure out the deficit needed for weight loss even without a bodybugg. (All weight loss is, afterall, is taking in less calories than you burn.) This is great if you want to eat fresh food yet measure exactly what you are taking in as well.But I'm not always on a diet. And to be honest, I use this book even when I am not on a diet. I like the recipes. I just get to eat more!This keeps me satisfied and it's more of a food change than a diet. Betty Crocker The 300 Calorie Cookbook: 300 tasty meals for eating healthy every day (Betty Crocker Books)

My husband and I are eating 6 meals a day at 300 calories each meal and we were very impressed with this book. I am not a good cook by any means (I've been known to burn water) but this book is extremely simplistic. The pages are large print and the recipies are extremely dummyproof. The negative about this book is that every recipe does not have a picture.. There are a few grouped picture page sets that label the recipe page but they are not side by side. Every recipie that I tried in this book so far has become my favorite. Def a good purchase!

I ordered this cookbook after seeing some of the positive reviews. I figured I'd get a few good recipes out of it like most books...I ended up with much more than "a few"! I have nothing but great things to say about the recipes. So far we've cooked about two dozen meals from the book and haven't been disappointed yet! I'm all about cooking quick and healthy, so if that's your style too you should enjoy this cookbook. It has moved to the top of my shelf for quick access! The best part, I don't have to worry about calorie counting...every meal in the book is 300 calories or less and clearly lists all of the nutritional information. I have occasionally exchanged a few of the frozen ingredients for fresh and added some additional spices but that's just personal preference. The best thing I've discovered about this book, besides the ease of the recipes, are the ingredients...most are already in your pantry unlike a lot of other cookbooks that require the purchase of a lot of pre-made products or off the wall items that you will never use again.



If I had to list one warning, it would be that I don't recommend this book for the "gourmet" chef who enjoys making everything from scratch and being in the kitchen all day. The recipes are made for busy families who want to eat healthy and still have time for the rest of life's activities. It's been a great purchase! - Healthy Eating - Weight Loss - Diet - Low Calorie'

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Digital Scale Tare Accurate

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I decided to review this item since other reviewer's comments have previously been so helpful.



Yes, it does everything it is supposed to do. I checked against known weights for letters,

packages and books and it was very accurate. It is easy to use and operates with the adapter or

battery, which was included. BTW, a replacement battery (9 volt) is about $4.00 at most stores.



You just place an item on the scale then in about 1-2 seconds it weighs and beeps. The weight

appears on the LED face, so just lift off the item and use the number for packaging reference.

You can also push the tare button and add item to get its weight. For my needs, I just found that

having the calculated weight on the front in a big LED and a beep to tell you the weight is calculated

speeds up the process: fewer times pushing buttons and glancing to get the info. You can change the mode

to Kg.. That does come in handy for weighing items going out-of-country. For a typical e-bay sale, it is

not likely that you would exceed the 75lb. maximum: most PC items max out a little over 50Lb, so the extra

25Lb. capacity definitely helps. Finally, the included 9 volt battery worked. For intermittent use, it's the

only way to go.



As a student, who buys and sells on e-bay, this is a very high value tool. I can weight out

accurately US mail and/or FedEx/UPS packages; it is constantly being used. Just knowing how

much books weigh, is a lot of help.



To sum up, for the price you get an excellent ROI.

Would highly recommend to anyone considering a purchase. Weighmax 2822-75LB postal shipping scale, Battery and AC Adapter Included

Scale seems to be pretty accurate. Can be battery operated, so you don't need to be near an outlet. Also, has an automatic shutoff...and saves the weight on the screen so you can view the weight once the package is removed. Has come in handy so far!

I was looking for an affordable, high capacity digital postal scale and the Weighmax 2822 seemed like the perfect match. The price was great (about $25 including shipping). The features offered, just all I needed: 75lb capacity, ability to weigh in pounds/oz and kg/grams, digital display, hold feature, tray for weighing envelopes, dc adapter and battery included.



When I received it, the first thing I noticed was that the plastic it is made of seems to be very thin. Although I have not had any problems with its construction, it seems that in order to save on materials cost and bring this item to a low retail price, this thin plastic was used. This is a reason why I use this scale with even more care.



Now in regards to its accuracy, I have noticed that this scale overstates weight by a fraction of an ounce. I found out when weighing the same items on this scale and an analog scale. Not a big deal really, but it can make you overpay for postage sometimes as you end up moving to the next ounce mark. This issue can be attributed to the scale not being calibrated and it could be easily fixed by just doing that, calibrating it...if it was an easy task of course. I thought calibration was easy, but it's not! In order to calibrate this scale, YOU NEED TO DO IT WITH A 75LB WEIGHT!!! I thought that was very inconvenient as first of all, it's not easy to find something that weighs exactly 75lbs (unless you have a dumbell of that weight at home, for example, that you can use). The other issue is that it says on the manual that if you exceed the 75lb capacity, you can damage the sensor, so you have to use something that weighs EXACTLY 75lbs. So because of the effort and risk that it takes to calibrate it and the little inaccuracy it has, I have decided to just leave it the way it is and use it like that. This is where I have had my biggest disappointment with this scale though. Looking at the positive aspect of it, I think it is better to come a little above the Post Office's weight than being below and having your package returned to you due to insufficient postage paid...



Another issue I have experienced with this scale is that sometimes it shows a reading rather than zero when you turn it on, and you need to turn it off and on again in order for just zero to come up. Weight readings also fluctuate up and down sometimes when an object is loaded and then it stabilizes. I don't know if that has something to do with the object I am weighing or if it is a little glitch in the sensor, similar to the reading showing when nothing has been loaded. Since the impact of these little glitches are minimal, I really don't sweat them too much and have been using this scale consistenly, saving time and not having a single package returned to me for incorrect weight/insufficient postage yet. This little issues along with the thin plastic used give me some doubts about the long run reliability of this scale though, but the jury is still out on that one and time will tell. Luckily this item has a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, so if it ever breaks down, I will hopefully be able to easily return it to the manufacturer and have them provide me with a new one. Hopefully this won't ever happen. I would recommend keeping your warranty information though.



Overall, I think this is a good item and it has been helping me a lot. I think that you get what you pay for, so don't expect perfection with this. If you're a casual shipper, I think you will do fine with this scale, however if you intend to use it for business, you probably would like to spend the extra buck for something easier to calibrate and that will give you 100% assurance of its long term reliability...

Every time I turn this scale on, the numbers do jump from 0-8 ounces.

I don't know why it does that even though nothing is on it at the time.

So I have to press the button to turn it on and off...then it is ready for weighing.



After I weigh one package, the weight will lock in on the display and beep.

If I want to weigh another package, I have to press the button on and off again to make the display go back to 0 oz.

Placing a second package on the scale after the first...doesn't seem to unlock the locked display.



Unless I just simply don't understand how to use this scale, I have gone around and found a way to work for me.



I weigh all my packages twice and the scale is accurate each time. My post office double checks sometimes and tells me I am right on the mark and have a great scale.



So to me, this scale is great because it is reliable. The price is very reasonable.

Even though there are some minor inconveniences, I have gotten used to how I use this scale that it doesn't matter much to me.



I would love to know if other people who own this scale have the same minor inconveniences.'

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Deskjet Printers - deskjet printer, color printer

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I have used this for about 6 months with no problems. I have used it with both windows and mac computers. I use it mostly for print but color photos and graphics come out well. It is easy to set up and use.



I have never had a paper jam.



Contrary to a previous reviewer, there ARE large print cartridges available that last very well.



The printer is fast and prints very nicely at the fast (low ink usage) settings.



I like the paper tray as it holds allot of paper, is easy to use, and is covered.



It is a good, fast and simple unit but I do wish it did two-sided printing.



It looks good and works quietly and reliably.



Edit 2010: This printer lasted 3 years of light use (mostly black only prints) and then the color cartridge stopped working. Cleaning and new cartridges did not solve the problem. The printer would not work at all with a color cartridge in the machine but continued to work as a black only printer if the cartridge was removed. Still, 3 years is about the most I've ever gotten out of a inkjet printer. I prefer toner machines now as they seem to last longer. HP Deskjet 6940 Color Printer (C8970A#B1H)

I've been in the computer world for many years. I am a die-hard HP fan but the past few Deskjets have not really had the WOW factor to them. Until this one. I just recently purchased it and it was hooked up in no time on my network, all 5 computers can print to it simultaneously and it doesn't have any problem handling the spooling.



I gave this printer a 5 out of 5 because of its quality, ease of use, print quality, appearance itself as it looks great with an all black desktop and overall satisfaction with it.



I recommend this to anyone looking for a good bang for the buck factor as well as an amazing product, once again, from Hewlett-Packard.

When replacing print cartridges there is a folding, wire spring that contacts the cartridge. The spring easily comes out of place. If so, it will damage a printed circuit when the cartridge is installed. The printer is now worthless. I had no luck with support or repair parts. Searching for help, discovered multiple postings of this issue.

The price was great and this printer performs very well for my

needs. The color is excellent and the ink cartridges which came

with the printer are lasting a long time considering the amount

of printing that I have been doing. Putting in the two ink

cartridges is very easy. I wanted a printer that did not have

the five or six cartridge set-up.

This printer is, in many ways, a true success. It is sturdily made, so far as an outside inspection can determine, quite compact, and has some excellent features, such as the covered paper tray. It's one of the first printers I've had which actually pulls in one sheet of paper at a time if you put more than one sheet in, rather than pulling in a clump and printing the document partially onto three or four sheets. The printer settings on the computer are easy to use, and although only an ethernet attachment is provided, the USB port works perfectly well with a standard USB cable (although it was fortunate that I keep several spare USB cables handy, since it's all to easy to forget to buy the cable in addition to the computer).



That said, there is one glaring flaw in this printer -- one which, in my opinion, cancels out many of its other excellent features. The ink cartridge is tiny -- I measured it against my old Deskjet 920C's cartridge, and it's only 1/6 the size. There's no room inside to fit a bigger generic cartridge. There is so little ink in this acorn-sized cartridge that I ran out of ink printing 50 pages. These weren't full page pictures, either -- it was text with several small color pics in there. Since the new cartridge costs about $50, that works out to $1 per PAGE -- which is a lot of money for a small business owner like myself, and could be enormously expensive for those who do more printing.



In short -- it's a wonderful printer if you're the kind of person who prints maybe 3 or 4 pages a month. If you do any more than that (for business, college, etc.), then you're going to find yourself cursing as a $50 cartridge disappears in an hour of printing. Really, would they have lost so much money if they'd built it to accept a cartridge larger than a grape?

A caveat for inserting a print cartridge into the inkjet printer...make sure the printer is turned on before you lift the cover. This allows the little plate in front of the cartridge receptacles to descend...otherwise this plate interferes with the cartridge insertion. I learned the hard way...I tried to insert new cartridges with the printer turned off; hence, the plate did not descend...and I forced it. In the process, I damaged the folding, wire spring that contacts the cartridge to complete the electrical circut...rendering the printer useless in part or whole.



This is an excellent inkjet printer...the mea culpa aspects aside...I've just ordered another HP 6940 Inkjet Printer from Amazon. I recommend this printer to any one...but be careful. - Deskjet Printer - Inkjet Printer - Color Printer - Hp'

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Shoe Pouch - nike, nike plus ipod

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I own LaceLids but they are not interchangeable and I thought this item would be great for changing shoes (a girl's gotta have options, right?!?) While it's a great concept, I did use it once and felt that it wasn't sturdy... noisy clattering coming from my shoe made me nervous that it was going to fall off. I read one comment that it fell off during a trail run, and while my runs are usually confined to the treadmill at a local gym, I do 10k runs monthly... so I am concerned. I think I'll stick with my LaceLids and just buy them in bulk... They are very secure. Switcheasy RunAway Nike Plus iPod AnyShoe Adapter (White)

The sleek, good looking design attracted me to this product, but unfortunately it lasted all of about a mile and the top piece (along with my Nike plus transmitter) was gone. I guess I should have put some tape around it to be sure, but I figured it was designed for running and didn't expect it to break open so easily! Now I'm out $30 for a new Nike plus :( Don't let it happen to you!

I now have about 300 miles on the Switcheasy RunAway and it has been flawless. Its best features:

1. Easy to take on and off shoes in an instant. Just pull and turn to unclip from your laces. Yet it's quite secure as it locks on.

2. It has an easy access button so that you can turn your sensor OFF when not in use to save its battery. The marware doesn't do this.

3. comes in many crystal colors to match your shoes (perhaps not really important)

4. the newer 'crystal' version is a slight redesign which is more secure, rugged and easier.

5. comes with a cap for the ipod adapter, that fits snugly in the RunAway for easy storage of the whole nike+ipod gadget.



I tried running with the sensor under the footbed, but that didn't really work, and I'm not a Nike shoe guy. So, this clips easily on to my Saucony and Brooks running shoes. Yeah!



Update:

6. I now have 900 miles on her and it's still a rock solid holder. No problems. Not flimsy

7. The clip also works fine on the strap of my Vibram Five Fingers KSOs. So, another benefit as some holders require shoe laces.

I actually owned this for over a year. No problems except I went for a trail run last week, and poof it's gone. My guess is that because it's made with a plastic swivel to lock the clip around the shoelace. Must of worn down and gotten loose....I just replaced the sensor too, because the old one ran out. I think it's time to try the velcro one

I love the RunAway AnyShoe Adapter for Nike+ iPod Sports Kit. It can be attached to your shoe when you want to use it and then taken off when you're done. Much easier on the sensor's battery. Also comes with a storage method for the transmitter so that everything stays together and doesn't get lost. I can tuck the shoe adapter in my iPod Sock and it's good to go anywhere, anytime.

This is a simple and effective alternative to having to buy a Nike+ shoe. It does keep the sensor securely in place as recommended for accuracy in your distance. I ran about a year with one before the top came off, losing the transmitter. I believe the part that locks it in place can't take long term stress.



I recommend checking it periodically for signs of stress.



If you want a pouch type, make sure it keeps it secure with no extra movement. This is required for maximum accuracy.

I bought this Adapter over two years ago to use with my iPod Nano. As a life long runner, I don't wear Nike shoes so this item was the perfect option for me when using the Nike+ feature on the Nano. It's also convenient for switching from one pair of shoes to another if you like to rotate several pairs of running shoes. I have never lost the adapter of sensor with this device.

I purchased this product a while ago- directly from their website. It was easy to install, maybe a little too easy. I had it on for maybe a month before I went for a run on a local trail. After finishing my run I noticed my shoe looked different- the adapter had unclipped and my sensor was gone! It is way too easy for this thing to fall off.



A better (and cheaper alternative): Cut the tongue of your shoe, insert the sensor, then sow it back up. Costs nothing, and you'll never lose your sensor.

I bought this product several months ago, and just put it on my shoe for the first time. I ran 5K, and when I was done running, I looked down, and the top had slid off of the case, taking my Nike sensor along with it. This pouch is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL and I now have to go replace both the pouch AND the sensor. It is not sturdy AT ALL, and I would not recommend this product to ANYONE. - Nike Plus - Nike Plus Ipod - Ipod Accessories - Nike'

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70-200 L Usm - canon l series lenses, canon

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Pros: Lightning fast AF, Incredible Sharpness, Build Quality, Hood Design, Excellent IS

Cons: Price $$$$$, a bit big, a little heavy- not too bad.



WOW is all I can say. After getting over that I spent so much on a lens, this new machine is absolutely amazing. The image quality is top notch. 100% crops can be printed large and I can see every detail. I was in Miami and took some pictures of the big hotels, and was wondering what the names were. I looked at some of the pictures, zoomed in, and saw everything. Even small signs hundreds and hundreds of feet away. The IS adds a new feeling of confidence. No longer do you have to worry about shaking a tiny bit and the shot being out of focus or a bit blurry. Canon has really created an astounding piece of technology surpassing others(Nikon) in the lens market. The build quality, as expected from an L series lens, is made to withstand extreme conditions. The zoom ring is large and easy to use. The buttons for different IS and af/mf are easy to use/see. The new focusing distance allows you to get closer to your subjects, and can get quite close if some cropping is done. The Af is also excellent, and focuses very fast even in low light. Now, price... yes... I recommend thinking about this purchase for a while. 2500 - as of now, is a lot to spend, but if you have the money and really really want it, I highly recommend it. The pouch that it comes with is very nice and the hood is easy to put on and is a better material than other hoods. It does not scratch easily like my 24-70 f/2.8L lens hood does. At all apertures, this thing is sharp. If you are an IQ aficionado, this lens is quite a big step up from Mark 1 especially at f/2.8. For me, sharpness is my big thing, so I wanted the best out there. I did not want to step back in terms of technology and get the first generation of the lens even if it is still very good. In a few years if you decide that you want to sell the lens or change to something else, I can assure you that this will retain its resale value very well. I doubt Canon will be upgrading this in the next 5 years, so the sharpness and awesome Af will pay off in the coming days, months, and years to come.



All in all, the new 70-200 is quite a stunning lens which will continue to be one of or the best in Canon's lineup of pro lenses. If you want it and can afford it without selling your house, I would get it haha but as always, research extensively and weigh your options before buying something at these price levels.



I hoped you liked the review. More info and analysis to come in the future...



Check out my unboxing video here: [...]



Thanks



- Alex Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

The 1st version was my favorite zoom in my bag which had the 16-35mm 2.8L and the 24-70 2.8L because it was so much sharper than the other two. I was really happy with the 1st version and wouldn't have replaced it if this never came out. Now that the price has come down, about $130 from the original price, that should pay for a good B+W 77mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010. Don't gimp this lens with a plastic coaster from Ritz!



The image stabilization improvement is noticeable! Before I sold the 1st version for $1,550 (June 2010), I compared the two indoors handheld. I couldn't believe how 1 stop of IS really improved the quality and sharpness of the photos in low light.



With a crop sensor camera Canon EOS 7D 18 MP, Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP, or Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP, this lens is effectively: 112mm - 280mm.

It works great with the Canon EF 1.4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory, it brings the max aperture down to f4, but it is still pretty sharp.

Paired with a 7D or any other 1.6 crop lens, it will become a 156mm - 448mm lens!



I use with this lens with my 7D or the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It works perfect for both and did not feel like I had to Micro Adjust the focus.



For 1st time buyers of this lens.

- Watch canonpricewatch dot com.

- If you never owned an L lens, you will be shocked at how sharp this is (then again, most L lenses should have that effect)

- If you never had Image Stabilization, this will allow you to take sharper photos indoors. It will reduce motion blur from lens movement, but not from the subject where the larger aperture has greater effect.

- It is weather sealed (you'll notice a black o-ring at the mount) - you'll need to add a lens filter to complete the sealing.

- You can use this for sports to portrait photography. For portraits, you get excellent bokeh at 200mm / f2.8 (the smooth background blur where your subject is in focus)



For those upgrading from the original Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, I didn't think there was much to improve on (I was wrong!)

- That lens came out in September 2001, so you are taking advantage of 9 years of technological advancement

- The buttons are designed better - I hated how I always switched to MF when shooting! This is now a non-issue (no need to tape it down)

- Second generation Image Stabilization technology that is silent, you could hear the motor sound of the gyro in the first version. You get 4 stops vs 3 stops IS.

- Improved optics - it has one fluorite and five UD elements for increased optical quality. You get reduced flare, which improves contrast (Your brain tells you it is "sharper")

- This focuses much closer at 1.2m/3.9 ft (improved by 8.1" at 200mm) - better for tight indoor portraits

- Focuses faster and quieter

- Larger focus grip area

- Improved hood Canon ET-87 - it has a lock that makes it easier to put on and remove. It has a different texture that is less susceptible to scratches.

- Bottom line, it is worth the upgrade, especially if you plan to keep it for many years.



Cons

It is expensive - but you get what you pay for

It is heavy, especially if you never owned L glass, but to maintain a fixed aperture at f2.8 throughout the zoom range requires lots of glass! Just stop being a wimp already.



Tips:

There are two modes of Image Stabilization: I rarely take it off Mode 1, but use Mode 2 if you plan to pan left or right (to follow a car or someone running)

The focus distance selector is handy, be sure to use if you find that it isn't focusing indoors, it could be that you selected 2.5m - infinity.

Take off the tripod collar if you hand hold it a lot - it just gets in the way sometimes. - 70-200 L Usm - Canon Lenses - Canon L Series Lenses - Canon'

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I have Chicago Cutlery knives. First I used the Steel that came with the knives. After about 3 years, the knives would not sharpen very well. Then I got a "set" that used 4 ceramic rods to sharpen the knives. They did a very good job, but it was a LOT of work. After using that set for about 5 years, I tried a real "cheapy" electric sharpener and returned it after one use. It just did not sharpen. -- Back to the rods. I finally decided to give the 300W a try. It works just great. The knives get much sharper than any other method I have tried and they stay sharp much longer. For my purposes, this is an excellent sharpener.

Granted, this isn't the most expensive thing in the world, but I was looking for better results more quickly than I could achieve with a manual sharpener. As the company's website claims you can have sharper than new edges, I decided to put that boast to the test with my set of brand new Henckels. Not only was the process tedious and quite demanding of technique, but I never got edges as good as factory (which were, admittedly, near razor sharp to begin with.)

The magnetic guides work OK close to the bolster, but as the blade narrows and your hand is farther from the guide, it becomes very difficult to maintain alignment. On curved blades, you have to bring the handle up carefully during the stroke while unable to see the exact portion of the blade you are sharpening. It must be done by sound and not sight. Also, while inserting the blade into the sharpener, care must be taken for exact alignment or the diamonds will grab and kick out the blade somewhat. I never detected any damage, but it doesn't inspire confidence.

I imagine that while the more expensive models with wheel type sharpeners and a different style of guide might work much better, I'm just not going to pay $100 for a knife sharpener. I will stick with my manual diamond hone. I returned the 300W.

Unfortunately, I paid twice the www.Amazon.com price from a local store several years ago, and I must say it is one of the few kitchen appliances I have been disappointed with. It takes a long time to get all the knives honed to the angles of this sharpener. Then keeping them sharp seems to take a long time and they never seem to get as sharp as one would expect. The motor heats up quite easily after a few knives and begins to smell like it is overheating. I think the product has always been over-rated. I might buy it at this price but a simple non electric works just as well at less money.

I don't normally write reviews, but this time I will as I think it might help others who have been searching for a decent and reasonably-priced sharpener. Four months ago I had about 14 utility and steak knives sharpened by an upscale store in Santa Monica. The price? $35.00. Now, I got the 300W for $34.88 all in. I sharpened the knives according to the instructions, and they came out sharper than the "professional" store job!

After investigating knife steels, oil stones, water stones,and various gadgets this sharpening device is truly a "Chef's Choice". It is easy to use, requiring only a light touch. It does a great job in sharpening your knives and does not take a long time. Another benefit is the price and better still the immediate savings when you buy the Chef's Choice 300W Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener from Amazon. This purchase will NOT CUT into your wallet !! My Henkels and Sabatiers have nice sharp honed edges. Now I think I need to buy a new cutting board.....

Several reviewers have complained that it takes a long time to sharpen knives with this gadget. Perhaps, but compared to using a whetstone, the Chef's Choice 300W is blazingly fast. Properly done, sharpening knives does take time.



It is vital to break in knives exactly as described in the literature that accompanies the sharpener. Other reviewers have said that the sharpener does not perform well on hard knives, but I am using it on hard stainless steel knives and getting a good, sharp, long-lasting edge.

I have been pleased so far with the sharpness of my knives after sharpening them with this sharpener. My only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to get the knife into the running grinder without nicking the blade on the vibrating sharpening plates. This is a good quality item.

This sharpener does not do the job as easily as stated by the info on the site. It takes to long to sharpen the knives. Matter of fact I still have not been able to put a razor sharp blade on any of my knives. I would not purchase this sharpener.

I just received it, read the instructions and then sharpened six knives in about 15 minutes. The first sharpening takes longer because the knife edge must be reground to match the sharpener. I have another Chef's Choice with three stage sharpening which adds a grinding wheel and makes the first sharpening go very fast. It is over 10 years old and is still going strong. I rarely use the grinding wheel so decided this version is more practical and much less expensive. I highly recommend this excellent sharpener. - Sharpeners - Chefs Choice - Small Electrics - Knife Sharpner - Knife Sharpener - Knife'

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