Ultra Cool Gadgets

The Canon LS-85H calculator does what a simple calculator is supposed to do quite handily: it easily accomplishes basic mathematical functions via a keypad with practical key size and has provision for memory calculations, working with percentages, and finding square roots. While it is limited by its capacity to work with only eight digits, this calculator should be adequate for simple mathematical duties. Push the LS-85H beyond it numerical limit, and an overflow function returns an error message and freezes the keyboard.
Measuring a little less than 4 by 5.25 inches and boasting a large, upright display, the LS-85H is easy to use, and is easy to read in well-lit rooms. Powered by a solar cell, the LS-85H also contains an alkaline battery which allows the unit to be used under most lighting conditions. Battery life is dependent upon usage, though once the alkaline battery is discharged the calculator can still be used on solar power. A new battery can only be installed at a Canon Service Center. To help conserve battery power, the unit automatically turns itself off if it is not used for eight minutes. A tap on the N/C key turns it back on.

Technical Details

- 8 digits, single live memory.
- Dual power system by automatic selection–solar powered or alkaline battery.
- Eye-angled, upright Liquid Crystal Display, tilted for easy viewing.
- Spacious keyboard with large, easy-to-use keytops.
- Double-size “+” key for easy operation.

Customer Feedback

I bought this to replace a calculator I was given at work. The unit my employer provides rounds off its calcuations. It also has a switch marked “5/4″ for which no one seems to know the purpose. In other words its “user friendly”.

Canon to the rescue. This unit has two wonderful features. (1) It adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides. (2) That’s all it does. So when you’re on the phone with someone, trying to figure out what the total is, you don’t have to worry about accidentally getting the square root of pi.

The Canon CanoScan 8800F Color Film/Negative/Photo Scanner features high-luminance white LED lamps, which means it can scan immediately without warming up. Its simple, streamlined design includes seven simple buttons you use to scan, copy, create emails and multi-page PDFs, and automatically scan with an incredible color resolution–up to 4800 by 9600 dpi. With the CanoScan’s sophisticated retouching technology, you can improve old and precious photos by digitally removing dust and scratches from antique, faded, or otherwise aging prints. The CanoScan 8800F is able to simultaneously scan up to four slides or twelve 35-millimeter frames, using either positives or negatives. In addition, a USB 2.0 interface makes scanning and image transfers faster than ever.
The CanoScan 8800F includes a compact 10.7-by-18.9-by-4-inch design and weighs 9.2 pounds. This flatbed, color, and monochrome scanner is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Mac OSX 10.2.8 through 10.4.x. It includes a CD-ROM with printer driver, setup software, and user’s guide, Adobe Photoshop Elements, ArcSoft PhotoStudio, MP Navigator EX, NewSoft Presto! PageManager (Windows only), and ScanSoft OmniPage SE. In addition, the manufacturer offers a 1-year limited warranty.

Sleek and fast, this powerful scanner will impress you the very first time you push power. With high-luminance white LED lamps – it’s ready to scan immediately, with no warm-up time needed. You’ll quickly produce spectacular results, with max. color dpi resolution of 4800 x 9600. Seven easy buttons automate the scanning process, so it’s simple to scan, copy and create e-mails and multi-page PDFs. Built-in FARE 3.0 retouching technology helps to enhance your final images. And to save time, you can batch-scan up to twelve 35mm frames or up to four slides – either positives or negatives.

Technical Details

- Color film/negative/photo scanner featuring high-luminance white LED lamps.
- Batch-scan up to 4 slides or 12 35mm frames.
- Digitally remove dust, scratches, and other imperfections from old/precious photos.
- Scan, copy, create emails and multi-paged PDFs.
- 1-year limited warranty.

Customer Feedback

Pros:
High quality scanner with lots of professional options for a low price. Abundant choices in resolution and other settings. Produces amazingly detailed images from prints, negatives and slides.
Cons:
Mostly related to software (only tested on a mac); small buffer for scanned images, occasional software crashes, some needles clutter in amount of windows and pop-ups (some, but not all can be turned off). Flimsy latches for 35mm filmstrip guide.

This is simple, high-performance scanning at its best. Four easy buttons automate the entire process, and the new Auto Scan mode makes it even easier: It actually detects the type of original you’re scanning – a photo, business card, notebook or form –automatically adjusts settings for the optimal results, then scans and saves the image. Your results will amaze you, with color dpi resolution up to 2400 x 4800. You can also create fabulous 19600 x 19600 software-enhanced (extrapolated) scans. The Advanced Z-Lid enables clear, complete scans even of thick originals such as notebooks. Built-in retouching technology further enhances your final images with automatic corrections for dust and scratches, fading, graininess and backlighting. And to reduce the number of wires in your work area, one simple cable provides power and a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection.
- High Speed Scanning.
- Old Photos Can Look New Again.
- 4 EZ-Buttons.
- Advanced Z-lid.
- Smart Scanning.
- Simply Less Wires.

Technical Details

- New “Auto Scan Mode” automatically adjusts settings by detecting where you are scanning.
- High-speed letter size color scanning in approximately 24 seconds.
- Just one USB cable for data and power.
- Advanced Z-lid expansion top for scanning bulky items.

Customer Feedback

This scanner is just fine for use at home, or if you need it in a small business, where you’re scanning in a few pages a day.
It’s definitely not a heavy duty model, and not the fastest, so don’t expect it to be quick like the Xerox machines at Fedex Kinko’s. Nor should you expect studio quality scans.
That being said, Canon has managed to keep the cost down, while delivering great image quality for the average user, so if you’re looking for above-average quality scans in a slim package, this scanner is right for you.
Note: I do appreciate the scan-to-pdf option, which is great since PDF is portable across all operating systems.

Canon camcorders use the entire width of the image sensor to capture video in true 16:9 format. What difference does this make? It’s simple. With more pixels captured, you get better image quality. Other camcorders force the wider picture into a smaller space on the sensor–giving you a less true image, with fewer pixels and lower quality. With a Canon camcorder, your videos of your travels will let you relive great memories.

In addition, the viewfinder on your Elura 100 will display the image in a letterbox view. From side to side and top to bottom, what you see is what you get. Or, you can view your widescreen shot in the Elura 100′s large, 2.7-inch LCD screen. Either way, there isn’t the guessing or extra work in looking at an image that’s distorted like a funhouse mirror.
The Elura 100′s lens is precisely matched to the camcorder’s CCD and features a unique spectral coating that reduces flare and ghosting. The lens is a powerful 20x optical zoom. Combined with the camcorder’s powerful 800x digital zoom, the Elura 100 gives you an impressive range of focal lengths (3.0-60mm). You always have the perfect lens, whether you’re trying to capture a wide shot of the lake, a group shot at your daughter’s wedding, or a telephoto shot at your child’s recital.

Elura’s highlights

- Image Stabilization.
- Level Shot Control.
- Smooth Zoom Control.
- Mega Video Light.
- Low-Light Performance.
- Stunning Digital Photography.
- 9-Point Ai-AF.
- Motor Drive Mode & Progressive Photo.
- Autoexposure Bracketing.
- Simultaneous Photo Recording.
- Firewire/IEEE 1394 DV Terminal.
- Perfect exposures.
- Motion JPEG Mode.

Technical Details:

- Features true widescreen recording and powerful 20x optical zoom.
- Widescreen 2.7-inch LCD.
- Canon’s Digic DV image processor for exceptional color and clarity.
- Smooth Zoom Control function prevents jerky zooms.
- SD memory card slot for capturing stills.

Customer Feedback

I like my new Elura 100 MiniDV camcorder. It has a lot of options and is within a good price range. In general the quality of the picture is much better on the Elura. This was something I was worried about in switching to the digital format, but the pictures from the Elura have been incredibly crisp and show up well on a large (standard resolution) TV set. The only exception is low light recording, where the RCA seemed to do a little better.
PROS:
- Small size.
- Wide screen format.
- Zoom.
- Lots of manual control.
- Analog video transfer.
- Long battery life.
- Integrates well with Windows XP.
- Comes with a remote control.

CONS:
- No true USB connectivity.
- Mega video light.
- Still pictures are small.
- Low light performance is not so good.