Whistler Xtr-690se High Performance Radar Detector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this radar detector about a month ago, and so far I have been impressed. At roughly $160, it is very cheap when compared to some of the other brands that are out there. The sensitivity is excellent on KA and K band. Unfortunately, in Southern California I have yet to be alerted to a K band threat that actually is a patrol car/motorcycle. KA band seems to be the only indicator of a patrol unit.
Laser has been activated many times, of these times I have used the LSID which gives the Pulse Per Second ID on the display. They have been in the 900's most of the time with one alert in the 600's. The 600 one was a police car, but the 900's were false alerts. So make sure you use LSID to make sure it is a real laser threat, especially if you drive the same route everyday.
False-alerts are a big problem with this detector though. I have driven on the freeway with this detector for a while now, and the K band alerts too frequently. Driving through random parts of the city activate a full strength K band alert at level 9, only to shut off completely half a second later. I have no idea what causes this. Of course, the occasional speed trap off to the side of the freeway will alert to a K band as well but it will steadily increase to level 9 and slowly back to level 1 (3..5..4..7..8..9...6...5...2...1.....). This shows that the source is stationary, and it normally will be a gun either on the freeway or just a few hundred feet off the side of the highway.
For the price, you can't beat all of the features though. The KA band sensitivity, especially with the KAID feature, is excellent. It picks up KA as far as the 400 dollar models, with a frequency display. In So Cal, 34.7 is the key. The red display is perfect for me, its dim enough to live with daily, though not at all bright enough to see during the day. I had the xtr-695 previously (it broke) and the color display is not necessary.
Overall a great radar detector if you're on a budget. If you aren't, save and get the Bel Sti Driver, the performance on that thing is insane, and false alerts as non-existent. I would not recommend the Passport 9500 series, there have been too many complaints with it for the money. I don't think they have perfected the GPS technology yet.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Whistler Xtr-690se High Performance Radar Detector

Whistler's XTR-690SE is a detector that maximizes sensitivity and minimizes falsing. Ka Max Mode gives you improved Ka Band sensitivity. Radar Signature ID displays known Ka gun frequencies to help distinguish threats, and Laser Signature ID does the same by displaying pulses per second of received laser signals. Take advantage of 360-degree coverage for all radar and laser bands, Whistler's patented POP-mode detection, and a wealth of bonus features like a 72-point digital compass and vehicle battery voltmeter.

Red Text Display The brilliant red text display provides distinct visual confirmation of signals detected, signal strength, and indicates engaged modes of operation.
Filter Mode There are times when a radar detector can emit the same frequency as police radar and can cause your detector to falsely alarm. Sometimes a detector can display a signal when picking up another radar detector in vehicle close by. The Whistler Filter Mode checks the signal to verify if it's a legitimate police radar or a false alert from another detector.
Auto Dim Mode The Auto Dim feature automatically switches the illumination of the text display between the bright and dim settings according to varying light conditions so that the text display will always be easy to read.
INTELLICORD Ready Add the Whistler INTELLICORD and you'll be able to remotely control the radar detector in settings such as power on/off, city modes, dim/dark and quiet/auto quiet with a simple press of a button.
Real Voice AlertsReal Voice provides added information to the detected signal over and above the simple band ID tones. The unit says "X band" when it detects an X band signal. This allows you to keep your eyes on-the-road. Real Voice is also used to articulate Safety Warning System messages and feature selections. Real Voice will be used to articulate the following:
Band Identification
Safety Warning System messages
Feature Selection

Low Profile Alert Periscopes Whistler's Low Profile Alert Periscopes provide an added attention getting visual alert. The two extra LEDs flash on and off when the unit alarms to provide a unique visual alert.
3 City Modes/Highway Mode Highway mode provides full audio and visual warning of laser/radar systems while maintaining full sensitivity. Highway mode is the default setting of all Whistler's laser/radar detectors. City mode helps reduce the annoyance of automatic door openers and burglar alarm alerts by providing an initial alert (same distance as Highway Mode) then remaining quiet unless the signal strength becomes very strong. When the signal increases the unit will alert briefly to notify you of the change in signal strength.
Stay Alert The Stay Alert feature is designed to test a driver's alertness. Within 30 to 60 seconds after the feature is engaged an alert is sounded; to show alertness, the driver must press the volume, city or the mute button within 3-5 seconds. If a button is pressed within 3-5 seconds, the cycle is repeated. If a button was not pressed within 3-5 seconds the unit alarms at full volume and the display shows an unique visual alert.
Quiet/Auto Quiet Modes Pressing QUIET before a signal is detected engages Auto Quiet Mode, which automatically reduces the audio level after the initial warning to a low audio level setting. Pressing QUIET during a radar/laser encounter silences audio alerts, while allowing visual alerts to keep you informed.
Alert Priority When two or more signals are received at the same time, the alert priority is: Laser, VG-2, Speed Radar, Safety Radar.
Example: If X band is alerting, then suddenly a VG-2 signal is detected, the VG-2 warning will override the X band alert.
Vehicle Battery Saver Mode The Vehicle Battery Saver Mode automatically shuts off your detector within 3 hours if you forget to turn it off. The timer is reset if the detector is turned off, unplugged or any button is pressed before the 6 hours have expired. The detector will alert you with an audible and visual warning before it shuts off.
Safety Warning System--SWS This relatively new radar is not for speed detection at all, it is used to keep you informed of highway safety. Transmitters are installed and programmed (for example: in emergency vehicles) to make you aware of possible situations that may require your attention, such as: ambulance vehicles that are moving or stationary, road hazards ahead, road construction delays or detours, etc.
What's in the Box Whistler XTR-690SE, Power Cord, Direct Wire Kit, Windshield Mount, Dash Pad, User's Manual

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Whistler Xtr-690se High Performance Radar Detector

Read More...

Motorola TalkAbout EM1000R 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This radio works very well in hilly terrain and is easy to use. Reception is clear. One suggestion: the online product information should indicate that the "R" in EM1000R refers to the fact that the pair of radios comes with a recharging bay (with a slot for each radio). This will make comparison among products clearer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Motorola TalkAbout EM1000R 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)


The Motorola Talkabout EM1000R is the ideal emergency preparedness communication tool for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. With a range of up to 20 miles, an emergency alert feature and flashlight, the EM1000R radios provide a convenient total emergency preparedness communication device--perfect for active outdoor excursions or life�s every day adventures. Take a pair on your next trip to the mountains and stay connected without missing important emergency or weather alerts.

Total Emergency Preparedness The EM1000R includes an emergency alert feature, allowing you to enjoy your escape to the great outdoors with confidence that others can be informed of any dangers that may come your way. When the alert button is activated, the radio transmits an alert siren followed by transmission of spoken or incidental sounds. This allows you to send the signal to other radios and warn of impending danger. The EM1000R also features a built-in LED flashlight for peace-of-mind during evening adventures or unexpected emergencies and power outages.

NOAA Weather Channel Want to keep in touch with changing weather conditions during your family camping adventure? No need to stop the fun � weather alerts will provide your group with warnings of incoming storms or dangerous conditions. And, by tuning in to one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on your EM1000R, you will always know what to pack with continuous local and regional weather broadcasting.

Full-Featured Privacy The Talkabout EM1000R has full 22-frequency capacity with 121 privacy codes to reduce interruptions. The Motorola QT (Quiet talk) functionality allows the radios to be set so they can communicate with other compatible Motorola products, adding yet another level of distinction from the other manufacturers.

Hands-Free Communication When you are hiking up a steep mountain trail, you really need to keep your hands free to brace the rocky terrain. With iVOX acting like a speakerphone and allowing hands-free communication, you can keep on moving without stopping to answer a call.

Four Ways to Charge Designed to fit every lifestyle, the EM1000R allows you the convenience of charging four distinct ways. Use the provided desktop charger at home or a mini-USB car cable on your way to soccer practice. Pack a mini-USB wall cable for recharge in the hotel during your family vacation or simply charge from your PC when no power outlet is available using a mini-USB PC cable. (Mini-USB car, wall and PC cables are sold separately.)

Get 41% OFF

Click here for more information about Motorola TalkAbout EM1000R 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

Read More...

Canon PG-30 Black Ink Cartridge (1899B002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This cartridge was designed for one purpose... To keep you busy buying ink!! Most printers that uses this cartridge will also accept the PG-40 cartridge (double capacity) or the PG-50 cartridge (triple capacity). Whether you're buying factory new (O.E.M.) cartridges or refilled/recycled carts., do yourself a favor and pick the 40 or the 50 series carts. and get far more ink for only a little more than these!! The same goes for the color cartridge that mates with this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon PG-30 Black Ink Cartridge (1899B002)

Get 18% OFF

Click here for more information about Canon PG-30 Black Ink Cartridge (1899B002)

Read More...

TRENDnet USB to Serial Converter TU-S9 (Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This USB-RS232 converter is based on the PL-2303 chipset and is one of the few with true cross-platform support. Other models are lacking drivers for Mac, Linux, Vista, and 64-bit flavors of Windows. If you need something that'll just work no matter what you're running get a USB-RS232 adapter based either on the PL-2303 (like this one) or the FTDI chipsets.
There are other converters out there that provide more reliable data transfer at higher speeds, but this is a great buy for the money and will suffice for just about any task you need it for.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TRENDnet USB to Serial Converter TU-S9 (Blue)

Get 62% OFF

Click here for more information about TRENDnet USB to Serial Converter TU-S9 (Blue)

Read More...

Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this scanner a month ago to scan the several thousand slides I have taken over the past years. I'm not a professional photographer - my expectations were only to digitize my slides to the same quality as the photos I have been taking with my 7mp digital camera. After receiving the scanner (which set up easily) I did an extensive set of tests to determine the appropriate settings (resolution, compression, etc), and then set about scanning my slides.
Now that I am 2/3 done with the task I can say that it's working OK, but there are goods and bads. I have no experience with other film scanners so I can't say how this unit compares to others, but here's what I have learned:
* Many have complained about the flimsiness of the plastic slide holder. Mine has held up fine so far, but I can find no information anywhere about how I would get a replacement if I broke the one that came with the scanner, which concerns me a little.
* Epson's web site is not very helpful. They have a simple FAQ with some basic items, but nothing really helpful, and no discussion groups. You are on your own.
* As others have commented, the included software is pretty basic, but I think it gets the job done. It has at least 2 very annoying flaws, though. One is that every time I preview scan another set of 12 slides, it turns off the dust removal and/or digital ICE selection. This means that you need to remember to turn it back on with every scan, which I have forgotten to do some times. There appears to be a way of saving your settings, but even that gets reset on every scan, so is useless. Maybe there is a way to make this work right, but the sparse documentation yields no clues.
* Another software issue is its ability to recognize the vertical or horizontal orientation of slides. Mostly it does a really good job with this, but sometimes it guesses wrong, e.g. it will think a slide is vertical when it actually is horizontal. Usually this happens if the slide has a dark background. Unfortunately when it guesses wrong, it crops off the sides or the top/bottom of the picture, so you can't just rotate it 90 degrees. Most of the time when I notice a wrong guess I have been able to correct it by rotating the slide 90 degrees and re-previewing, but I have several slides where it simply insists on getting it wrong and the software provides no way to override this behavior. A related bad behavior occurs if you have a slide that has a bright rectangle on a dark background, e.g. a shot of TV screen - in that case, it tries to zoom in on part of the picture, cropping off much of it including even some of the light area. I can find no way to defeat this behavior, so apparently the only remedy is to crop this type of image manually, which is going to be very labor intensive.
* Another problem relates to a hardware design flaw that I am very surprised that no one has mentioned. After scanning my first several batches of slides and examining the results carefully, I went into a mode of scanning without taking the time to examine every resulting image. After scanning a LOT of slides, I started reviewing the results and was horrified to notice that on certain batches, there were 2 faint vertical lines (one green, one blue) down certain scans. I finally noticed that the lines seemed to be on 4 consecutive slides out of every 12 (the slide holder contains 12 slides), so that was a clue. Notice that the top of the scanner has a transparent slit down the middle - apparently this is a sexy feature so you can see where the scanner light is and watch its motion. Well, it also admits other light into the scanner, at least under certain ambient light conditions, ruining the scans of the 4 slides in the middle column. I fixed this by taping a piece of cardboard to the top of the scanner. And now I have to re-scan a lot of messed-up images.
* I really can't notice that the Digital ICE feature does anything except quadruple the amount of time it takes to scan each set of slides. I tried doing scans with it and without it, and can notice little difference. Not much of a problem, since I the Epson software de-selects the option to use it after each preview scan as mentioned above.
* I suppose it's not really a fault of the scanner, but watch out for dust! It's really important to blow off your slides before every scan, and also the scanner glass. Despite being really careful, I still have a big issue with dust. Would have been nice if Epson had included a brush and something to blow with (I got a squeeze bulb blower that helps a lot). When I am done with my scanning project I'm considering replacing the electronic air cleaner in my home with this unit, since it seems to be a dust magnet! :-)
* One last comment. This is not a general-purpose scanner, i.e. you really wouldn't want to use it as a document scanner, mainly because every time you want to use it, it needs to warm up for a minute. Fortunately I have another scanner for documents, and it works instantaneously.
It's possible that some of the items above are user error on my part, but with the meager documentation and web site, it's hard to develop a detailed understanding of the unit without a lot of experimentation, which might cause one to miss something. Your mileage might vary.
** LONG-TERM EXPERIENCE UPDATE 3/11/10:
The V700 is still working fine, after scanning at least 10,000 slides, color prints, color negatives and b&w negatives. I remain very satisfied with my purchase (I would probably upgrade my rating to 4-stars now), as it has done a lot of work for me, I've scanned a lot of stuff with good results, and it continues to work fine. In particular, I think that the V700 does a spectacular job scanning prints of any kind, and automatically recognizes where they are when you place multiple prints on the glass for a single scan - but see one of the notes below!
* None of the flimsy plastic holders has broken (yet), thank goodness. I handled them very carefully. Still worried about how I would get a replacement if needed.
* Something else I learned: The V700 recognizes each of the included film/slide holders automatically, and changes a variety of settings automatically depending upon which one it recognizes - like it or not. See next item.
* Besides my 35mm slides, I also have a large collection of "super slides" that were shot on 120 film. Even though these are mounted in standard 2x2 cardboard mounts, you cannot scan them in the slide holder, because each opening in that holder is in the shape of an "+" to allow for the possibility of a vertically- or horizontally-oriented 35mm slides. But since super slides are square and have much more film area that the rectangular 35mm slides, the holder blocks out part of each slide, making the holder unusable for such slides. Also, when you put the slide holder in, the scanner automatically assumes 35mm slides, and crops down automatically, thus throwing away part of each slide anyway.
Canon offers no additional holders as far as I can tell, so here's what I did: I used a different holder that would fit 4 2x2 objects, BUT - turned it 180 degrees on the scanner surface. This was necessary to fool the V700, which otherwise reads some coding on the bottom of the holder and then changes the settings automatically. I believe this holder is meant for raw 6x6 cm negatives, which obviously won't work for slides. Turning it 180 degrees prevented the V700 from reading the "coding" on the bottom of that holder, and allowed it to scan the whole page without changing any setting automatically. Next, I created a set of 4 identical marquees that matched the 4 slots on the holder, and saved them with a name so I could use them as a template over and over again. With this set-up, I scanned several thousand 120 super slides just fine. Again, really watch the dust.
* One more experience item: the V700 does NOT scan all the way to the left edge or the bottom edge of the glass - there seems to be a small gap near those 2 edges that is not scanned. (It does scan all the way to the top and right-hand edges.) I learned this the hard way when I was scanning prints. I started off by placing 4 - 6 prints on the glass for each scan, pushing each up to one of the edges to keep it squarely aligned. Eventually I noticed that I was missing a bit on a few of the edges, which I traced back to this problem. All works fine if you are aware of this issue.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner

Get professional quality results from virtually any photographic original with the Epson Perfection V700 photo scanner. With groundbreaking 6400 DPI resolution, the powerful scanner consistantly delivers precision color and detail, whether scanning slides, negatives, or medium-format film. With a 4.0 DMax, it offers exceptional image quality, excellent detail in shadow areas and remarkable tonal range.

Click here for more information about Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner

Read More...