iWap Universal Battery Chargers Astound Us
- From left to right, the iWap IUC-11, IUC-17, and IUC-23
Let's face it - everyone has that one drawer in their home where they store the various chargers for all the different batteries that they have or used to have. Often times you hold on to old ones (just in case you might need them, someday) and end up not knowing which ones match up with which battery, or cell phone, or camera, etc., etc.
The iWap IUC-11
But what if you could just get rid of the clutter and throw away all of your chargers, without that nagging fear of "What if I need to charge this 6-year old cell phone in the event that my current one dies and it's an emergency sometime in the future?!?" as you throw it away? The iWap IUC-11, IUC-17, and IUC-23Universal Battery Chargers we are now selling will let you do just that.
When we first heard about the chargers, we were surprised at just how much they could do. It literally seemed too good to be true, and we didn't believe they had all the capabilities that iWap said they had until we saw it ourselves.
They use sliding connectors that can be adjusted to fit 99% of 3.6V and 7.2V lithium-ion batteries, as well as AA/AAA Ni-MH batteries (depending on what model you buy). No more need for a different charger for every battery you own. The connectors automatically detect which side of the battery is positive and negative too, so you never have to worry about damaging a battery by putting it in backwards or upside-down.
The iWap IUC-17
It also features a USB connection that can be used with any device that charges through a USB port on your computer. You won't have to have a special cable or even be near a computer to charge your mobile electronics. Depending on the model, it can also be used in your car as well as your home. But probably one of the coolest features of these chargers is it's Power Bank functionality. Using a charged battery as that is loaded into the charger, you can charge USB devices with the battery as a power source - no plugging-in of any sort required!
The IUC-23 is capable of charging up to 4 devices from the USB charging port, in addition to a battery in the charging tray, for a total of 5 devices at a time. It also has a Rapid charging feature which, depending on the capacity, will charge most batteries to 70% capacity or more in 30-60 minutes!
The iWap IUC-23
As if all this isn't enough, they can even revive over-discharged batteries. This means that those rechargeable batteries you have that no longer hold any charge and are collecting dust can be revitalized and used again. This function alone makes whatever charger you choose pay for itself.
So check out one of these amazing products and see for yourself how much easier it can make your life!
Aaxa’s M1 Micro Projector Weighs In
Since we received it a few weeks ago, we here at ShopXtreme have been busy testing out Aaxa's latest projector, the M1, and comparing it to its predecessor, the P2. The M1 is undoubtedly a step up (both in size and in capabilities) from the P2, but we thought it would be best to actually give you a look at the changes. Here's what we came up with!
Product Specifications
Just as a refresher from our previous Aaxa review, we've given you the specifications for the P2 and M1 side by side to have an idea of what they translate into when you see a visual comparison:
| P2 | M1 Standard | |
| Native Resolution | 800 x 600 (SVGA) | 800 x 600 (SVGA) |
| Lumens | 33 Lumens | 66 Lumens |
| Noise (dB) | 30dB | 22dB |
| Lamp | 30,000 hour LED | 20,000 hour LED |
| Contract Ratio | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Focus | Manual | Manual |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Size | 110x59x27mm | 112x105x46mm |
| Power Consumption | 15 watts | 30 watts |
| Power Supply | AC 100-240V, 50/60hz | AC 100-240V, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Battery | DC 1700mAh battery | Not included |
| Video In | Composite A/V (3.5mm jack), VGA (D-Sub) | Composite A/V (3.5mm Jack)* |
| Audio Out | 3.5 mm stereo jack | 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| Audio Output | 1w stereo speakers, Stereo speaker/ headphone mini jack | 1w stereo speakers, Stereo speaker/ headphone mini jack |
| USB | 5-Pin Mini USB | 5-Pin Mini USB |
| Onboard Memory | 1 Gigabyte | 1 Gigabyte |
| External Memory | Micro SD card | Micro SD card |
| Price | $349 |
$299 |
Now that you can see the quantitative difference, let's take a look at the qualitative differences.
Testing Comparison
For the M1 vs. P2 comparison, we decided to show how each projected a handful of images spanning a range of colors: Orange, red, blue, yellow, black, white, and pretty much everything in between...
- The cover of Red Hot Chili Pepper's Californication, with the P2 projection on the left and the M1's on the right
- Everybody's favorite evil geriatric nuclear plant owner showing off yellow and white
- A dark picture of the Orange Lantern. This one instance in which the M1 really stands out in comparison to its little brother, the P2
- An angelic Rambo shows the difference in brightness in relation to how the P2 and M1 display white.
- A photo of the Tesla Roadster showing off how each projector displays a dark red.
*All images were projected on a 55-inch display on a white wall in a room with windows (with the shades closed) on a sunny day around 2 pm.
As you can see, the M1 is head-and-shoulders above the P2 in terms of technical capabilities. With double the lumens, the jump in performance is expected, however. The downside to the M1, though, is its physical size. It's just about double the size of the P2:
Other Notes
There are two variations of the M1 available: the Standard and the Plus version. The Plus edition features a 1280x960 VGA input (in addition to the composite A/V) which the Standard lacks. Both versions include a remote control. Both have optional connectors for your iPod, Zune, or PSP.
Final Thoughts
After testing the M1 out, the only thing we were quite puzzled about was the lack of a mounting socket for a tripod. This was a problem for us, since we had to balance the M1 on top of our tripod to get an accurate comparison with the P2, but it would be a much bigger problem for consumers in our eyes. The lack of a socket means that the M1 is pretty much supposed to be used on a flat surface ONLY and nothing else. It seems like a simple thing to incorporate into the product, so it is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.
Also, despite its size, the M1 doesn't come with a built-in battery. Aaxa does offer one that can give you 1.5 hours of usage, however, which you can buy here.
The bottom line is that the M1 performs very well in and of itself, let alone in comparison to the P2. The only real advantages that the P2 has is smaller size and a built in battery. So if you are waiting to get the VGA input with the M1 Plus, you'll have to wait about a month and a half. If you aren't, and aren't concerned about size or portability, buy one today!
Source: Aaxa
A Review of Aaxa’s Pico and Micro Projectors
One of ShopXtreme's most popular items these past few months has been Aaxa's pico and micro projectors. These little guys are perfect for mobile projecting - lightweight, easy to use, and set at a great price for the kind of performance they deliver. However, some people are not sure about what to expect when they order them. Therefore, we here at ShopXtreme thought it would be a good idea to write a review and comparison of the different Aaxa projectors we carry and give people an idea of what to expect. After all, it's good to know that a projector displays images at 33 lumens, but what does that really look like? Read on to learn more.
Product Specifications
First off, we thought it would be a good idea for people to be able to see a side-by-side comparison of the specifications of the projectors. The table below compares the specs of the P1, P2, and upcoming M1 Standard projectors by Aaxa:
| P1 | P2 | M1 | |
| Native Resolution | 640 x 480 (VGA) | 800 x 600 (SVGA) | 800 x 600 (SVGA) |
| Lumens | 12 Lumens | 33 Lumens | 66 Lumens |
| Noise (dB) | 25dB | 30dB | 22dB |
| Lamp | LED 30,000 hours | LED 30,000 hours | 20,000 hour LED |
| Contract Ratio | 1000:1 | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Focus | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Size | 105x58x26mm | 110x59x27mm | 112x105x46mm |
| Power Consumption | .9-1.5 watts | 15 watts | 30 watts |
| Power Supply | AC 100-240V, 50/60hz | AC 100-240V, 50/60hz | AC 100-240V, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Battery | DC 1900mAh battery | DC 1700mAh battery | Not included |
| Video In | Composite A/V | Composite A/V (3.5mm jack), VGA | Composite A/V (3.5mm Jack)* |
| Audio Out | 3.5 mm stereo jack | 3.5 mm stereo jack | 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| Audio Output | N/A | 1w stereo speakers, Stereo speaker/ headphone mini jack | 1w stereo speakers, Stereo speaker/ headphone mini jack |
| USB | 5-Pin Mini USB | 5-Pin Mini USB | 5-Pin Mini USB |
| Onboard Memory | 1 Gigabyte | 1 Gigabyte | 1 Gigabyte |
| External Memory | Micro SD card | Micro SD card | Micro SD card |
| Price |
$219.99 |
$349 |
TBA |
*Althought the M1 Standard does not feature VGA input, the M1 Plus edition will
Testing Comparison
While it is useful to have all of this information side-by-side, we thought it would be more effective if we took some time to set up the different projectors and take pictures of how each display looks. The first comparison we made was between a P1 and P2, using a Nintendo Wii:
- A P1 and P2 projector displaying a 55-inch Nintendo Wii output in a dimly light room
As you can see, the P2 fares better in this setting, which would be expected considering it uses a bulb with nearly triple the lumens than that of the P1. Next, we tried displaying a Windows desktop using the VGA port of the P2 in the exact same setting to give a sense of what it would look like to display a wider range of colors:
- A 55-inch display of a Windows desktop using a P2 projector
We have to admit that it fared much better than we had expected, given the nature of the image we were projecting. The different shades and hues of the colors were all easily visible. But what the P2 really excels at and is widely used for is displaying high contrast displays (i.e. black and white images). So we set up an Excel spreadsheet at 150% magnification on a 62-inch screen and came up with the following:
- A 62-inch display of an Excel spreadsheet at 150% from a P2 projector
As you can see, the P2 puts out a very clear and focused display, especially given the amount of light coming into the room from the window a couple of feet away. Finally, to test the upper limits of the P2, we set up a 72-inch display in the exact same environment and came up with this:
- A 72-inch display of an Excel spreadsheet at 150% from a P2 projector
It's important to take into consideration the amount of light coming into the room from two windows like the one that is partially visible in the two photographs above, and that many locations will have darker environments.
Final Thoughts
Although the P1 projector is physically smaller than the P2 and has a quieter fan (a negligible 5 decibel difference), the P2 offers much better performance in non-ideal conditions (anything other than a pitch black room). In addition to the nearly tripled lumen output and VGA port, it also comes with a small stand, remote control, and better image resolution. However, the upcoming M1 projector looks to improve on almost all of the selling points of the P2, giving much to hope for in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for a review of the M1!
Source: Aaxa
A Rival to the Roomba Emerges
It was only a matter of time before another vacuuming robot presented itself. I mean, it's too cool an industry to be left alone with Roomba to dominate. Robots that do your chores for you? You can help but dream. The first big challenger in the market is Neato, a California-based company that is working to "change how we all look at housekeeping."
The first step in this proposed "revolution" is the XV-11, a robot that rolls around rooms and automatically vacuums just about any surface. It features a scheduling system, so you can have it clean up while you are at work or out of the house, as well as a vacuum system that "follows jet-engine air flow principles to create high-powered suction." But the most innovative part about the XV-11 is the fact that it does not rely on impact to get around obstacles. Instead, it maps out the room using a laser as soon as it leaves its docking station (which it finds its way back to when finished, in case you were wondering). It then proceeds to vacuum the floor in straight lines, unlike the haphazard bump-and-spin path of the Roomba. This will probably be a big selling point for people who are concerned about their furniture or walls being damaged by a vacuuming robot continually bumping and scraping everything it hits. As you can see in the video, this thing turns on a dime and can really navigate its way through complicated environments.
In case you are interested, it will be available in February 2010 for $399.
Sources: Engadget, PRNewswire
New Logitech MX Mouse Tracks ANYWHERE (seriously)
Logitech has come out with a mouse that can track ANYWHERE. Even a glass tabletop. This nifty mouse and apparently it uses a super sensitive laser (called Darkfield Laser Technology) that uses the microscopic dirt, dust, and grease on surfaces to measure speed and movement of the mouse. The technology was originally used in a scientific setting for microscopes, but has now been adapted for use in a mouse that can be used on glass. Glass surfaces have traditionally proven difficult for normal laser mice because of their smoothness. Whereas a wooden surface has small cracks in it which a laser mouse can use as points of reference when it moves, glass surfaces are extremely smooth, giving mice little to work with. It will go on sale for $100, but hasn't been listed on the Logitech site yet. It may seem pricey, but the money spent will probably be worth it for people who have had to use those unsightly, archaic mousepads until now. Check out the short review on Wired.com and the innovation brief that gives more detail on Darkfield Laser Technology.
Sources: Logitech, Wired