One Frame Off

[GADGET: stroller] unboxing: Orbit Baby G2 Stroller

2010-05-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

I initially had plans in importing the toddler portion of the Orbit Baby stroller system to Canada. I was thinking hard about the useless infant car seat feature that would have made the purchase more sensible. So I leaned instead toward the Bugaboo Cameleon Red Edition. At the last minute, I finally got word that the newly released second generation model dubbed - Orbit Baby G2 - is coming to Canada. The infant car seat was certified and approved so it was just basically waiting for it to arrive.
But where? Who will be carrying it? My favourite baby store, Babies World, wasn't going to be carrying it on the first round. Oribt Baby made their announcement and released the list of Canadian dealers. It turns out there are only seventeen (17) dealers. Two of which are in BC. I don't know why the others passed on it. Maybe they were afraid it was going to go the route of Stokke which was expensive, but not exactly a good seller.

So I put myself on the list so one of the dealers can call me when it arrives. In the meantime, I search online for more information to keep me occupied and interested. There are a few useful YouTube videos. Lots of user-supplied photos of their babies on the stroller in the official Orbit Baby Facebook page. But I wanted to see more details of the stroller itself. The illustration on the manual was good and simple, but I wanted actual photos. So here is my own version in showing the stroller. Enjoy.

The 3 boxes arrive - (clockwise) a box four feet in length contains the stroller frame with toddler seat, the smallest box is the panniers which carries over from the first generation, the bottom box contains the infant car seat and car seat base.

The panniers come in mocha or black. No ruby/red version available for the newly introduced colour. They make the stroller visually wide, but is a good addition to the supplied cargo pod for the bottom of the stroller which is quite frankly a bit small when compared to the other strollers that have their baskets fully opened when installed rather than closed.

Opening the box of the panniers, you are greeted with simple instructions on where and how to place it. These also come with yellow rain covers to protect the contents. Perfect for some light shopping as well as when going to the farmer's market.

Because of the higher pricing in Canada, the distributor and it's dealers are giving Canadians a price break if you purchase the stroller frame ($599.00), toddler seat ($279.00), infant car seat + car seat base ($489.00) collectively as a set known as the Orbit Baby Travel System G2 Bundle ($1,299.00). When purchased separately, they would cost $1,367.00 which means a savings of $68.00. Wow. In the USA, they would total $1,150.00.

Because the infant car seat technically has an expiry date, it's nice to see the manufacture date right on the outside of the box so you can inspect how "new" it is before making a purchase.

The first box I opened contained the stroller frame and toddler seat.

You will be greeted with the welcome kit which includes the easy to follow assembly illustration as well as the manual and warranty.

Going beyond that and you will see the items in question properly wrapped in plastic.

Pulling all the parts in the box and this is what you will essentially receive - (left to right) stroller frame and four wheels all individually wrapped, toddler seat, metal foot rest (not found on the first generation), cargo pod in the same shade as your chosen colour.

This is how the frame looks like when pulled out of it's plastic wrapping.

The second generation has a single cup holder in the middle which is deeper than the first Orbit stroller (which had two shallow holders). The single, deeper holder also has two side indents to hold items like keys and and an mobile phone.

You will also notice a much improved rubber handle bars versus the earlier foam grips.

Here is the frame unfolded in all it's glory without any fanfare. It should be a one-handed fold, but in reality you will have to unlatch the single plastic safety hook before you are allowed to twist the bar that allows the handles to collapse.

This is the plastic piece I was referring to that you will have to unlatch from the frame before you can do the one twist maneuver.

The four wheels are protected with plastic and black rubber boots on it's ends so it doesn't get dinged or bent when handling the box.

The rubber boot protecting the metal end of the tire.

Remove and insert into the rear hold of the stroller frame until it clicks into place.

These are solid tires that don't go flat and doesn't need air. Unlike other strollers, these remind me of low-profile sports car tires. In similar fashion, these handle in a firm manner versus a softer suspension on strollers with a bigger sidewall.

The rear is also where you will find the brakes which you will use foot action to engage and disengage the lock.

The front tires have a similar rubber boot protecting the metal portion. The tires are similar in construction with the rear except that it's smaller. You will notice the low profile nature of the solid tires.

Once again, remove the rubber boot and insert the metal rod onto the front part of the frame until it clicks. You will also notice on the frame an elongated plastic piece which is used to lock the front wheels so it doesn't rotate in a free style manner when going over unpaved roads.

This is how the front tires look when assembled.

Once again, the stroller frame. This time with all four wheels attached.

Profile view of the frame and tires. Notice how the centre "smart hub" ring is now in a white plastic colour versus the first generation which had a metal ring and a black plastic accent around. The second version looks more plain to me and has no visual impact unlike the first generation.

Now onto the infant car seat unboxing.

Once again, it's nice to see how each piece is fully wrapped in plastic. You will notice the included infant insert which you will later remove as the baby grows taller.
The infant car seat is already attached to the car seat base which is pretty hefty together. So be careful when pulling it out of the box as both are coming along for the ride.

Once you remove the infant car seat from the seat base, you will see how good the construction is of the seat base with it's shiny metal ring. I would have preferred they kept the same design on the hub of the stroller frame. However, I realise how heavy this would have been with the first model.

I was curious if the leather seats might be scratched by installing the seat base, but you will see the underside has a rubber covering. Still might be a good idea to protect your leather seats from any long-term indentation especially if you plan to sell your car.

So there you have it. For the actual assembled photos of the stroller in different configurations, that you will find aplenty around the web. Hope this helped familiarise yourself to the Orbit G2 system the same way I wanted to familiarise myself when I was still shopping around for a stroller and wanted to know more about the Orbit and not just how good it looked assembled.

Cheers!

[GADGET: stroller] Orbit Baby G2 Stroller vs Bugaboo Cameleon Red Edition

2010-05-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

With a baby on the way, we've been window shopping to check not only what's available but also what the prices are these days. The last thing I'd want to do is buy everything at the last minute and especially on impulse.

One of the items I've particularly been focusing on is a stroller. These things vary in pricing and features that you may end up unable to narrow your selection down to one. You definitely have to do a lot of in-store testing before you decide on what's right for you. With so many different selections available, you won't end up getting every desired feature all in one model. In fact, you'll see and read how people invest in more than one kind depending on the activity they are doing. So if your budget only allows for one, then you definitely have to do a lot of testing. That means DON'T ever buy a stroller at the first take. Go to a lot of baby stores in your area and don't be persuaded by sales talk and promotions. If they push you to buy right there and then than allow you to take your time, I would avoid that store altogether. Items like these will stay with you for quite some time so you will definitely get your money's worth. The best advice is to shop for a stroller that fits one's lifestyle. This may sound like a no-brainer advice, but trust me the moment you see the wonderful (and cool) features in each and every stroller your mind is going to wander off and think of the possibilities you can do and palces you can go with your baby in the stroller. Suddenly what you think you were shopping for isn't what you're now looking for. Be true to your lifestyle and get one that is convenient for what you really are going to do majority of the time.

As for me, I narrowed my selection down to the Bugaboo Cameleon Red Edition (for it's included bassinet, sleek all-black frame and two-wheel capability) and an Orbit Baby G2 (for it's 360 rotation and ease of docking on the stroller or vehicle).

Here's my pros and cons between the two:

Bugaboo Cameleon Red Edidtion

Pros:

Bassinet INCLUDED (The aluminum frame is shared between bassinet and the toddler seat. You replace the fabric when you are ready to switch to the next stage).
Mosquito net and Rain cover INCLUDED.
Soft, plush suspension (like a Luxury car).
Solid no-pump tires.
Large rear wheels for uneven roads.
Convertible to two-wheels for unpaved roads.
One continuous handle bar with foam that can be reversed to have either the bigger wheels be at the front for more difficult traction like sand or snow.
All-black frame (versus the regular silver colour).
Customizable look by buying different fabrics to create a more personalized stroller
Able to hold various infant car seats by purchasing an adapter.
Spacious underseat basket
Wheeled board attachment to let a child "piggy-back" by standing at the back.
Lots of accessories available - Foot muff, iPhone Red Edition holder, Parasol, Cup holder, etc.

Cons:

Reversing the handle bar is cool to have the bigger wheels up front. However, the smaller wheels are now protruding and can get in the way of your feet when walking.
The two-wheel action is available, but will need to be used with care.
The traditional docking approach of the seats - facing front or rear - means more care in ensuring the two points are properly aligned as well as inconvenient posture.
No provision for a second seat.

Orbit Baby G2

Pros:

360 degree rotation with 4 lockable positions for the baby - forward-facing, rear-facing, side-facing (aka "restaurant mode"). No parasol accessory needed as you can make your baby completely face away from the Sun.
360 docking ability. Approach from any angle without twisting your body or moving the stroller around to align the two docking points. The same is true when docking the infant car seat on your vehicle.
"orbit green" certified fabrics which features non-harmful substances and chemicals as tested by the International Oeko-Tex Association.
The G2 model now features no-pump air tires.
Firm suspension for better handling (like a sports car)
High tech parts and materials including the use of Aerospace grade aluminum on the stroller, aluminum alloy on the latches, 1680D Ballistic nylon outer skin for better durability and longer wear and tear.
Removable bottom "cargo pod" that comes with a strap to carry around.
Easy folding and unfolding (after removing the locking mechanism).
Improved rubber handle bar grips versus foam grips on the first generation and on other strollers.
Modern design that sets it apart from other strollers.
Additional side baskets or panniers available for purchase to allow more cargo room.

Cons:

Proprietary "SmartHub" that locks you into purchasing only Orbit products.
Cargo Pod is smaller than other baskets and has no option to remain open to retrieve and dump stuff in unlike other strollers
The purchase of additional panniers creates a wide stroller that may be a bit inconvenient when shopping in a crowded area.
Rain shield and mosquito net (aka Weather Pack) is not included and purchased separately.
Bassinet is available separately and a bit pricey and bulky considering it will only be used for 6 months.
No provision to attach a wheeled board for a child to ride along.
No provision for a second seat attachment.
Limited capability on unpaved roads.

Overall, if you've narrowed your choice down to these strollers. You really won't make a mistake choosing either. They are both similar in price. One has a bassinet included (Bugaboo Cameleon), while the other requires a separate purchase of a bassinet (Orbit G2). However, if you compute by having to equip both with an infant car seat and a bassinet then the pricing is similar. In that case, it all boils down to ease of accessing the features and looks. And that is what you alone can decide upon.

[food: dessert] Hamcakes by eatmorehappy.com

2009-07-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

I won a foodie contest over at EatMoreHappy. I took delivery of a dozen HAMCAKES. What is it? Well it's a cupcake re-imagined and re-assembled to look like a miniature hamburger.

Anita C. created these wonderful dessert delights in a mad scientist presentation. Not only did I receive a dozen hamcakes, I also had what resembles french fries and ketchup condiments to complement the hamburger-themed miniature cakes.

I took one of each out and arranged it on a plate so I can pretend I'm eating a "value meal" in a dessert plate. It's that small.

Except that it's dessert I'm eating which makes it more fun if you just ate a real burger and fries combo and then carry on to your dessert portion which looks like what you just ate.

The french fries were like shortbread cookies:

What's fun about it is that it not only was cut properly, it was visually completed with uneven browning to resemble the potato skins.

While the ketchup condiment was actually frosting. So you know how they slather ketchup on your burger and some think it's not enough so they ask for a packet or two of more ketchup. The same idea is presented here. I already have frosting on the hamcakes care of the yellow cheese, green lettuce leaves and red ketchup.

But it's perfect because I want even more frosting on my cakes. So I can dip my hamcakes on the "condiment".

And in case you didn't notice, what hamcake would not be presented on a sesame seed bun, right?

Finally, the "meat patty" was some soft, chewy, chocolate concoction. Here's my burger, I mean hamcakes, split into two.

Thanks again to Anita and her mad skills. How else can a foodie enjoy, but in artistic creations like these. It's difficult, I know, but someone has to eat it.

Enough of this dissecting. It's time to get back to business...of eating, that is.

[GADGET : lapdesk] Logitech Comfort Lapdesk

2009-05-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

Logitech formally announced the Comfort Lapdesk for Notebooks on December 8, 2008 with expected availability first for the European market by January 2009 and for the U.S. by February 2009. By January it was already available in the U.S. market via Amazonin very sparse quantities.

The product's intentions for notebooks, like other existing "lapdesks", was to help dissipate heat and shield the same from direct contact with skin, as well as provide a stable platform with the end-means of providing overall comfort. Hence, Logitech Comfort Lapdesk.

Ever since it's announcement, I've been waiting for it to reach the Canadian shores and even participating in Logitech's blog site (Blogitech) to hopefully convince them that there is interest on the product. How hard can it be, we're just a stone's throw away from the U.S. Anytime after it's availability in Amazon, it won't be long before the Logitech distributor makes it reach here as well.

As of May 7, 2009 (five months after it's announcement) there seems to be no hope of the product ever going to be made available locally here. In fact back on the Blogitech site, Logitech has confirmed on April 29, 2009 that it wasn't good news for the Canadian market.

Well, that's a shame and a loss for the Canadian Logitech distributor for not having the early foresight to carry a product as sleek, modern and functional as this. For a very simple device and an attractive price, it could have been a winner that attracts both Mac and PC notebook users.

As for me, I didn't bother waiting. I purchased from Amazon and had it shipped to me. Costly? Perhaps. Worth it? Definitely. With a base price of USD39.99 and spending more for the exchange rate conversion and cross-border shipping, the product has finally arrived at my door.

Product packaging is simple - a see-thru plastic wrap on the product covered overall with a colourful printed cardboard. No further waste of material. Once you get passed the packaging, you are greeted with a glossy white plastic base for which to place your notebook of choice. I wouldn't want to sound too much of a hypocrite (having had our iBook stolen two years ago and deciding to switch to a Sony Vaio based on our budget), but Macs definitely would look more at home with this product.

Dimension-wise. It's large. In fact it's larger than any large notebook I know (and can rightfully accommodate it). Try a dimension of L x W x H (18.03 x 11.26 x 2.87). Take that 17" notebooks! Surface-wise. It's glossy. So glossy, the white surface shines.

The reverse side is the miracle material. A light grey mesh fabric that's soft and ultimately comfortable as it rests on your legs.

Logitech has designed the product to curve giving it a 12 degree angle so that it elevates the notebook bringing the screen closer to you than have you bend forward. The result of which is a more comfortable surfing experience.

The weave material is very elegant. It helps wrap an inner cushion, but also elevates by providing air pockets in between the material and your skin.

Because of it's size, it's also stable on your legs. There's no wobbling here. It just simply sits planted there.

It has a very simple design and that's a good thing. With the muted colours, it can ideally blend in to any type of home decor. When not in use, it can just tuck away underneath a bed, sofa or couch. Or it can stand vertically on the side of any furniture.

If I were to rate this product from 1 to 5 stars, I would give it a 4. It's not nearly perfect.

First, the problem is that given it's massive dimension, there is space for more than a notebook. Depending on the size of your notebook, a notebook mouse can even operate along-side it. But because of the glossy surface, laser mice need not apply here. But I guess this was not the intention of the designer. Well, how about the ability to add a piece of material to change part of the glossy surface and enable a laser mouse for those interested. In the meantime, I'm adding one of those paper-thin mouse pads.

Second, notebooks with small rubber feet will have to work harder to try to stick to the surface. If you want to leave the notebook planted on the Comfort Lapdesk for eternity, it may eventually start to slide away because of the angled surface that is raising one side higher. As with the case of the Sony Vaio notebook and it's tiny rubber feet, the next morning it has already slid down on one side. If that was the edge of the sofa, you can imagine the disaster. The work-around is to have a stack of magazines and let the flat surface rest on it while elevating the angled portion. Viola! No more mysterious sliding notebook by next morning.

Third, it's really big. I wouldn't be surprised if Logitech introduced a smaller size of the same product for netbooks and a MacBook Air. I wouldn't mind using a 13" notebook with this present dimension if, again, it had the ability to accommodate using a mouse in the process.

Overall, at USD39.99 and with a 3-year limited hardware warranty it's a purchase I don't regret even if I had to do some cross-border shipping just to obtain one in Canada.

[locale: retail store] GumDrops @ Kitsilano

2009-04-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Having moved to Vancouver less than a year ago, my first introduction into the city is over at the funky Kitsilano neighbourhood (fondly called "Kits") which reminds me of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district due to its similar hippie culture feel. In fact the renowned international organisation that agressively aims to help protect and conserve the environment, Greenpeace, was founded right here at Kits in 1971. How about the yoga-inspired athletic clothing company, Lululemon Athletica, being founded here as well back in 1998. And don't forget to drop by The Naam which has been in existence since the 60's - open 24 hours a day and famous for it's vegetarian and vegan dishes. To drive the point home, let's just say that the popular Kits Beach wouldn't have come into existence today without much thanks to it's private citizens who raised money to buy the beach front land back from the Canadian Pacific Railway company. That's Kitsilano to you.

Today Kitsilano is lined with yoga studios, organic markets, cafes as well as filled with modern retail stores with brand names recognized worldwide. But the heart of Kitsilano still beats strong as walking along 4th Avenue you'll find small shops that truly reflects the soul of Vancouver.

One store is called GumDrops which specialises in apparel for the wet weather. Let's just say that for a place famous for it's wet weather and a store that caters to it by offering specialty and stylish items, it was only founded in late 2007 by an Australian, Shanda Jerrett (who was actually born in Victoria, BC but migrated to Australia soon afterward).

GumDrops is hard to miss among rows and rows of Earth-tone coloured stores. Suddenly there is this aqua pastel hue that jumps right out. For a store that caters to the rain, the interior is bright, cheerful and chic. The various shoe offering are resting against their own glass stand hanging against a bright white wall. The effect is that the hanging gumboots stand out on it's own like falling individual raindrops. Which brings me to the play on the store's name - gumboots and raindrops.

The store caters to anyone who wants a stylish apparel for the rain including men, women, children and pets. And the best part about a store like this - the customer service and support. They are there to ensure satisfaction of the products they sell. They are also there to help with the availability of the products. In fact twice I have placed a specialty order for wellies that had no size and and colour. With those two times they have helped procure the products and even informed me throughout the process of any expectations of product arrival.

I must admit the first time I placed a special order for a pair of Kamik rainboots (a Canadian company founded in Quebec), it took a while and I thought they had forgotten about me. Of course at this point the delay lays on the supplier side. But when the shoes did arrive, I received a follow-up phone telling me they are in the store ready for pick up.

The second time I placed an order were for a pair of Hunter boots. This time the order process was fast. Initially when the boots arrived they were the correct colour and size, but with the incorrect style. That was on a Friday. By next Wednesday, I received another follow-up phone call stating the correct pair has arrived. All throughout the process they were apologetic of the mix-up and even sped up the process of getting the correct pair by sourcing the footwear from another dealer and picking it up themselves. You can obtain a list of Hunter dealers and start calling them one by one for the available size, colour and style that you want (I did and didn't find one single available pair or even greeted with enthusiastic customer service to find one for me). I didn't find any other store that would go the extra length except from GumDrops.

And after having finally received the correct boots, I receive a follow up email from the owner, Shanda, asking if I have finally received the boots and if I am enjoying them. Seriously, try that with another retail store.

Lately, GumDrops has expanded to having an online store - GumDropsOnline - which I am glad will hopefully help garner a larger following and sales. I am confident with the direction of Shanda Jerrett and her original concept that the customer service and support will remain the same as the company grows.

If you're in the area, feel free to drop by their store at:

GumDrops
2029 W 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1N3
Phone: 1-800-418-4637
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday and Holidays 12am-5pm

Thanks to the concept of GumDrops there is nothing depressing about the rain when in Vancouver. As their motto states: "Get Wet in Style!"

[GADGET : tea press] BODUM ASSAM

2009-02-24T00:51:00.000-08:00

Bodum design and quality has always intrigued me in both positive and negative ways. I have in the past easily broken a Bodum glass item and yet I am still drawn into purchasing another product.

I've been wanting the Bodum Assam 34-ounce cast-iron version for design and longevity, but the hefty weight of it alone is too much to handle if only to brew tea. So I opted for a 34-ounce glass version which is very light and, like other Bodum borosilicate glass items, delicate. I have yet to break porcelain items by simple bumps while washing, but with a Bodum I am sure to crack them in time. However after much searching for a tea brewing device which affords functionality and simplicity, I fall for a Bodum yet again.

WHY? It is only this brand that features a tea press that stops the brewing process when the desired strength has been reached.

HOW? The loose leaves are placed on the center inside the stainless steel filter. When you want the brewing process to stop, the plunger pushes the leaves down the bottom of the filter away from the liquid and sealed by a silicon rubber ring surrounding the plunger. It's a simple ingenious design carried and modified from their coffee press.

PROS:

Effective and ingenious plunger to create a tailored brewing strength depending on user, water volume and type of tea leaves

Despite a thin glass container, surprisingly keeps the liquid hot for a relatively long time.

Simple design makes an elegant product that matchces any interior as well as hand washing very easy.

No spill in pouring. I was afraid the small lip may cause spilling while pouring, but I experienced none. No spills travelling down the wall after pouring as well.

Glass version allows you to view the brewing the process and cater to your needs.

CONS:

Thin borosilicate glass makes the tea press more fragile than you think.

Plunger design is simple, but clumsy as well. Plunger stalk has to be aligned completely vertical or pushing straight down will be met with great resistance especially as the silicon rubs against the stainless steel wall.

Loose leaves are not all contained on the bottom as some may escape thru the silicon seal and shred against the stainless steel filter wall. If this happens, the brewing process is not effectively and completely stopped. The leaves especially escape if you don't align the plunger completely vertically. (You will know what I am talking about when you own it and experience the same).

VERDICT:

You have a choice between an extremely heavy cast-iron version or the extremely light glass version. I wish Bodum created a thicker-walled version that's made of glass so I can still view the brewing process while have it less fragile.

For the price, I really can't complain so I find myself purchasing yet another functional and patented Bodum product. Until another company has come up with an ingenious plunger system that is better built, I guess a Bodum it will be for now.

[GADGET: studio monitors] Near-Field Studio Monitors

2009-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

WHAT is a Studio Monitor? A studio monitor or reference monitor or monitor speakers (you get the idea) is a speaker designed to produce a flat frequency response. What this further means is that no bias in the reproduction of any frequency whether to add more bass, treble or midrange. So that what you hear is what was recorded. There is no added equalization to the sound output which is the case for most home speakers as they are designed to sound good and wow consumer ears right out of the box.

A Near-Field Studio Monitor is a more compact variety that's designed to be positioned closer to the listener. The logic being less coloration can arise from the reflecting waves bouncing all over the room.

[Pictured below is what a typical near-field studio monitor looks like: Mackie HR624 MKII which is THX pm3-certified. It's simple, sleek, solid and sexy. And most of the others look like this. Versatile for any room application including a black-tie event.]

[Here is the rear of the same speaker with available various settings based on specific applications. Take note this is a high-end studio monitor. Lower priced monitors have less settings.]

WHY a studio monitor? How about simply forget speaker set-ups and systems that unnecessarily add treble and bass to the music you're listening to including ones with active equalization that determine on your behalf what you're ears should be perceiving at the moment and eliminating other frequencies that it believes aren't as audible anyway.

Why not just a speaker accurate enough to reproduce the source audio without introducing distortion. That way you can, based on the acoustic properties of your room, adjust on your own certain frequency ranges that have been compromised by that wall-to-wall carpeting or heavy draperies installed on those windows.

So how about jumping into studio monitors that deliver music the way recording engineers meant it to be heard.

WHERE do I start? Studio monitors were admittedly too expensive for the home brew market. But the advent of independent artists and home studio recording suites that required a cheaper alternative made possible the introduction of more affordable speakers designed for accurate listening and mixing. I'm sure you've heard of JBL, but there are other brands including Mackie, KRK, and Blue Sky. Haven't heard of them? Well these speaker manufacturers are the same people who were making thousand dollar reference monitors for professional studio applications.

[On the left is a KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2 studio monitor which has a port on the front to aid in extending toward a lower bass response]

SO, HOW MUCH do they cost? As of this writing, $300 will get you a very (very!) nice pair of studio monitors. However when shopping especially online, take note that these speakers are always sold as a single item. If you're buying for a stereo application then you'll need to buy two. You'll need more for those centre, side and rear channels. The good news is that you're not forced to buy more than you need and you can always replace one item at a time should any damage occur.

IF I DON'T WANT studio monitors? Well you can honestly buy any speaker your ears desire, but a word of caution is that don't be drawn by marketing hype with brands that promised to wow your ears with a "perception" of full spectrum audio rather than actually provide your ears with, umm, a full spectrum. Buy a speaker that actually delivers and is decent enough to publish their frequency response specification and amplification at nominal capacity as well as peak output. This will give you an idea on what speaker best suits your needs and budget before distortion kicks in.

I WANT A STUDIO MONITOR. Now what? Take note that lower end monitors have multiple connections including allowing unbalanced signal such as RCA and TS input. Higher end monitors accept only balanced connections which means XLR and TRS inputs. Know your equipment choices.

[For better view, here is the rear of a limited edition glossy yellow KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2. You'll find two knobs to control high frequency output as well as speaker sensitivity. To the left of the lower knob is the Unbalanced RCA input. Right below that is the Balanced TRS (which also accepts an unbalanced TS input signal). Then beside it to the right is the Balanced XLR input and the most favoured of all connections for professional applications. Below this big black circle is the power switch. Then further below the switch is a slot that enables voltage input based on individual country requirement of 110V or 220V. Finally below that is the power receptacle input.]

To reiterate, the 3 types of audio connections: 1. Balanced XLR 2. Balanced TRS (which almost always can accept unbalanced TS) 3. Unbalanced RCA

When connecting straight from a computer, it usually has a 1/8" stereo aka mini-stereo jack. In this way, you can buy a cable that starts with a 1/8" stereo and terminates to a left and right RCA jack.

[See left photo]

When connecting directly from the output of a television, you can get the old-fashioned RCA to RCA cable.

Receivers and pre-amplifiers will have various audio out connections from RCA to XLR (again depending on cost). Try to use the balanced output signal, if available.

CAUTION: Studio monitors are almost always certainly self-amplified. That's why they're so damn big and heavy as well. So don't make the mistake of connecting these monitors via a speaker-out which already carry an amplified signal. Connect them to a variable line-out.

HOW DOES IT SOUND...

GREAT! However, you need to re-orient your ears if you've been used to unnecessary and heavy equalized equipment. Take a moment to listen to your favourite CD. One that you are very familiar with from beginning to end. Turn off or flatten the equalizer setting. Take a few passess on it and determine if you really need to highlight or defeat certain frequencies. Better yet, receivers and pre-amplifiers these days include a mic setup that measures and calibrates room acoustics. It's definitely more high-tech than deciding that you want to crank up the bass just because.

You're goal is to listen to music the way it was intended to be heard. If you have unbiased speakers in all frequency range then you will notice nuances in the recording that you never even thought was there. Seriously.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW...

I've mentioned this previously, but don't forget that studio monitors are almost always active speakers. Which means that they are self-amplified. The upside is that you don't need to buy an external amplifier and worry about matching power and resistance. The downside is that you better make sure you have enough power outlets for all your audio and video equipment. A no-brainer work-around is purchasing a power conditioner and surge protector specifically built for home theater applications. You get a cleaner power signal and good protection from spikes.

[Below is the side view of a Mackie HR824MK2 and HR624 with heat vents for the built-in amplifier.]
Studio monitoring speakers is a force to be reckoned with in terms of performance, size and weight. And that's a good thing. These manufacturers didn't spare anything in terms of sound quality. Rather than spend money on marketing, they spend it on actual R&D and materials.

SPECIFICATIONS...Mackie MR5's have a published frequency response of 60HZ-20KHZ (+-3db) with internal bi-amplification of 55 watts (85 watts peak) for the low frequency and 30 watts (50 watts peak) for the high frequency. Don't be fooled by other speaker manufacture ratings stating 200 watts power which don't mean a thing unless they meant peak power before the internal fuse blows while already clipping at maximum distortion. Did you hear how loud your built-in television speakers can get. To think they are rated at 3 to 6 watts only. So with these truthful power rating, these Mackies are LOUD! Your ears neighbours will come knocking first before you can blow the fuse of these speakers.

The truth is I was perfectly happy with my Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 [see right photo] speakers just because I couldn't afford a THX pm3-approved Mackie HR624 at that time. The frequency response was awesome at 35HZ-20KHz. The speakers were fully sealed which provided less distortion and good bass output thanks to the 8" driver enclosed in a box that also houses the amplifier for all speakers.. I tossed the packaging boxes so I decided to sell them when I moved cross-country than risk damaging perfectly great speakers.

A bonus feature of these speakers is that it allows you to move up to a 5.1 surround-sound set up with the purchase of a kit in the form of three more satellite speakers, additional amplifier and a control module to fine-tune the audio output.

[See left photo]

I now moved the Mackie MR5 pair to the living room and disabled the built-in speakers of the television and then obtained a pair of KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2 studio monitors which is equally accurate as the Mackie, but has better frequency response at 48HZ-20KHz (+-1.5db) due to it's 6" low frequency driver.

WHAT TO GET...

If you're budget allows for a Mackie, I would get an MR5 or even an MR8 if the space allows as well. A cheaper alternative but still along it's price range is the KRK RP5G2 which also comes with a 5" low frequency driver. But for the same price as the Mackie MR5 is the KRK RP6G2 with better frequency response and a hefty weight and size.

The difference is the porting on the cabinet. Mackie believes in using a rear port, while KRK argues a front port is better as it allows more flexible placement without fear from unnecessary bass response due from the rear ports when placed nearer against the wall.

My recommendation is to listen to both at your nearest studio monitor dealer that stocks both and decide. In the future you can expand to a 2.1 configuration to extend the bass response even lower by purchasing their own respective subwoofer counterparts.

As usual, KRK products are better priced so this might affect your decision now the same way it did to me. As you saw above, KRK has been producing limited edition speakers I guess as a means to stand apart and eventually capture more of the market. They actually started with a "special edition" white colour of the original KRK Rokit Powered 6 and continued on to the Generation 2 line [see above left photo]. And then there is the "limited edition" of the same speaker line this time in glossy yellow [see above right photo] which I have recently procured. It looks like an equivalent of having an Italian sports car paint job. It's all yellow with a highlight of black and coupled with the glowing KRK logo.

If you want a 2.1 configuration right now, then the Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 is the way to go which has differentiated itself by sporting a grey colour.

Either way you won't make a mistake patronizing any of these manufacturers. But please do yourself a favor and get yourself a decent studio monitor than an exorbitantly priced speaker set from a manufacturer that (1) either advertises amplification and frequency response that can be achieved at full clipping power or (2) won't even advertise their specifications at all and then claim their "actual" performance doesn't do justice to the over-equalized supposed sound output.

[GADGET : notebook] NEW APPLE NOTEBOOK AND THEN SOME...

2008-10-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Apple has today announced new notebooks for the MacBook (13-inch) and MacBook Pro (15-inch) line, as well as an update for the MacBook Air. Important feature highlights include:

MACBOOK AND MACBOOK PRO

MacBook Pro
- USD1,999.00 (15.4" Glossy Display, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA 9400M + 9600M, 250GB HD)
- USD2,499.00 (15.4" Glossy Display, 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 9400M + 9600M, 320GB HD)

MacBook
- USD1,299.00 (13.3" Glossy Display, 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, 160GB HD)
- USD1,499.00 (13.3" Glossy Display, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, 250GB HD)

1. Unibody Aluminum Enclosure - From a single block of Aluminum, Apple brings to us an all-metal enclosure not only for the MacBook Pro but also down to the more affordable MacBook series.

A unibody design and construction means lesser moving parts and enables a stiffer product which in this case is the enclosure. [Apple has released an interesting video regarding the design and manufacturing process of the new MacBooks which can be seen here: MacBook video.]

2. Nvidia GeForce 9400M and 9600GT. Faster graphics processor. Compared to the previously included integrated Intel graphics chip, Apple has stated this to be 5x faster.

The GeForce 9400M graphics processor now comes in all new MacBook models including the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

The GeForce 9600GT graphics processor is included together with the GeForce 9400M on the MacBook Pro line. This means they operate on a Hybrid SLI mode and enables better use of the processing power versus battery run-time.

3. GLASS LCD GLOSSY DISPLAY. In order to create a thinner enclosure especially for the lid, a great compromise with greater design aesthetics is the use of glass as the cover (just like those seen in the current iMac or iPhone products). This enables support for the thinner aluminum lid, but still maintaining great structural rigidity.

4. MULTI-TOUCH GLASS TRACK PAD. Once again Apple is at the fore-front of experimenting with a different technology by dropping the button and incorporating it into the trackpad itself. The result is a 39% bigger surface area for the trackpad. This further enables the use of shortcuts by use of multiple finger gestures.

5. LED BACKLIT DISPLAY. Results of which enable an even thinner lid since LED is, well a diode rather than a bulb. This means longer life-span (a very long one) versus traditional Flourescent bulbs than burn out and fade in brightness in time. Furthermore the LEDs produce an instant-on picture versus having a warm-up time for old-style Cold Cathode Flourescent Bulb. Finally, LEDs are more energy-efficient and obviously results to better battery run-time. Savings like these enable Apple to produce a more capable computer while still maintaining or even improving battery life.

6. REMOVABLE HARD DRIVE. Personally, this is great news and a very sensible approach that benefits both user and manufacturer. No more fiddling with internals and risk bending, breaking or cracking parts just to access the hard drive for want of bigger space, faster drive or the use of an affordable SSD. You just remove the compartment where the battery is located and you will find the hard drive beside it as well.

MACBOOK AIR

MacBook Air does not go untouched by these new changes. It also comes with a redesigned enclosure which again is milled from a single solid aluminum block versus the previous aluminum and plastic construction. These also include the GeForce 9400M graphics versus the previous Intel GMS X3100 equipped in older models.

24" LED CINEMA DISPLAY

The newly released display looks like the display from an iMac line with it's black border and a glass screen.
It gets a built-in iSight camera, microphone and stereo speakers. Of course LED blacklighting technology does not escape this monitor as well bringing better energy savings to their products.

They have done away with a FireWire connector and instead equips it with a 3-port USB 2.0 hub. (The only reason I used the FireWire port on my 23" Cinema Display is for the external iSight anyway). Equally fascinating is the use of a MagSafe power connector which is great just in case someone decides to trip over the power cord and doesn't bring along the whole monitor as well.

What should be interesting is how Apple will be dealing with the other Cinema Displays down the road. Will each of them be equipped with an iSight as well? If so, by utilizing two display monitors side by side for and having both equipped with built-in iSights, mic and stereo speakers - how will this be overcome? Will I get stereo vision? Can I chat with two different people using the same iChat or even different software altogether. How about dual stereo? It won't be long until someone attempts to connect two monitors at the same time and a patch will be released to address issues that may arise.

I hope they also introduce LED Cinema Displays with no built-in iSight, mic and speakers at a cheaper price in case others have decided to use a better quality external camera and studio monitors rather than tiny speakers.

The price is just USD899.00. Hey, that's the current price of my Apple Cinema HD 23-display. Wonder what will happen to that as well...

Oh, and no introduction for Blu-Ray drives. At least for now.

[GADGET: umbrella] davek New York - The World's Strongest, most beautiful Umbrellas.

2008-10-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for a simple, sturdy yet chic umbrella to bring around when I walk the streets of Downtown Vancouver. I have been bringing around a Fulton Umbrella, which I have no complaints about. Fulton Umbrellas has been in business since 1956 and based in UK. The umbrella I purchased over at my local Sears department store has the features I'm looking for - compact, simple, and lightweight. Well, I'm getting all of these features at the expense of a good-looking and fashionable umbrella that provides a better than average coverage area that you would expect from a compact product.

While shopping around at my nearby neighborhood, Yaletown, I came across a store that sold an unusually irresistible-looking umbrella. There was a post-card sized flyer of the umbrella which dubbed itself - "The World's Strongest, Most Beautiful Umbrellas". My first impressions of course were that it was such a strong and egotistical statement. But after having examined the umbrella in detail, I would have come up with the same product description myself. It's that nice.

These are serious umbrellas. And the company behind it is davek New York. The company was started by an engineer, David Kahng (Dave K...davek...davekny), who wanted a stronger collapsible umbrella that won't buckle under stress and pressure from the wind and rain. If the frame inverts, you press the button (the same and only button to open and close the umbrella) and it corrects the frame. And if ever the umbrella does fail under normal use, the company backs their product with an "Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee".

Davek Accessories, Inc. is able to offer this kind of guarantee because it stands behind it's technology:

1. Davek's patented Carbon WindFlex Frame System. A 9-rib frame system that is reinforced with flexible carbon polymer ligaments to prevent rib distortion. A solid steel shaft for stability."

2. Superior Fabric. An extremely thin and strong 190-thread count nylon fabric which they claim is the most tightly woven fabric available. The fabric has a water-repellent outer coating as well as an inner coating for maximum protection.

3. Beautiful Handle. A zinc alloy handle plated with brushed nickel for protection against corrosion.

4. 3-Action Button System. Push to open. Push to close. Push to correct the ribs should an inversion of the frame occur. Simple. Smart.

The price? What would you expect for something this superior? We're talking about an Aston Martin versus a Camry. Both will get you from point A to point B. But only one will get you there in style. We're talking USD99.00 for a Davek SOLO which spans a comfortable 43" diameter. USD149.00 for a Davek DUET which spans at a 55" diameter - think golf size umbrellas. While those who choose to go smaller can opt for the Davek TRAVELER which is USD95.00 and has a 40" diameter and folds down to a compact 9" length. That's small enough to fit into your messenger bag (or brief case if you still sport one these days) and still get great coverage from the rain.

Now should you lose your Davek Umbrella the company has provided each purchase with a one-time Loss Protection Card. You are allowed to redeem a replacement umbrella from the company at half-price. Remember this is one redemption per customer only. So don't go around thinking you can carelessly loose this umbrella anytime. Now if only Aston Martin can provide the same Loss Protection benefit...

And if you're still scratching your head because of the price, why don't you head over to a clothing store like Burberry and check out their umbrella prices. Here, let me help you out - Burberry Online. The cheapest is USD140.00 for a "Mini Umbrella" and the most expensive is USD450.00 for a "Canvas Umbrella".

Don't get me wrong, I patronize Burberry. I'm sure fashionistas are glad the company is selling umbrellas at this price because we can't afford diluting the infamous "Burberry Check" (trademarked since 1920) to every piece of apparel in the street. But ask yourself this, are you paying for the brand or for the technology of the umbrella? If you're the former, no amount of reasoning will make me convince you otherwise. For everyone else, think twice and compare first before spending on a USD25.00 umbrella.

Now, if you've read this far then you definitely are either: a sensible person who appreciates quality and technology and wants to invest their money in items that last OR wants the best in everything including searching for that perfect umbrella.

Any limitations to this umbrella?

Yes, there is one. I have to say the limitation stems from the beautiful mechanism of the umbrella. As much as the mechanism is made to elegantly open and collapse with a touch of a button, the flaw from the mechanism is also it's Achilles' heels from being the perfect umbrella.

You open the umbrella with a touch of a button. There is no other way. You have a choice to close the umbrella by (a) manually retracting it to fully compact position in one step or (b) fulfill a two step process by first push the button to collapse the ribs and then complete the process by manually retracting the stalk.

Hold on because that's NOT the limitation I'm talking about. The limitation is only realised when you fully utilise the umbrella in your everyday situation. There are times when you want to collapse the canopy temporarily because you are walking under a covered area at times (and there are those times when you alternate under a covered area, then a portion exposed to the rain, back to a covered area, and then back again to the rain.) You find yourself having to collapse the umbrella first especially as a courtesy to other pedestrians. You don't want the umbrella hitting the heads of pedestrians waiting under the covered area as well as hit umbrellas of other people passing by.

In any case, you will not be able to spring the canopy back to extended position if you pressed the button to collapse the ribs. That's because you have released the tension of the mechanism and there is no other way to keep the canopy open except by creating the tension again by "resetting" the mechanism once again. You do this by completing the closed position of fully retracting the stalk as if you were going to keep the umbrella already. In full compact and retracted position, you can then proceed to push the button to open it once more. You can not simply go from collapsed ribs position to MANUALLY extending it open (like a normal umbrella will allow you to). It cannot be done as it won't click open into place. It will only allow you to click the umbrella into closed position. If you try to open it, it will just collapsed back to closed position.

So imagine again the scenario where you constantly have to open and close the umbrella as courtesy under alternating covered and open walks. Which means you have to cock the mechanism each and every time into fully compact position before you can open it once again. Because this is not a manual umbrella, you can imagine the tiring force you have to deal with against the internal springs.

Apart from that, there should be nothing that will stop you from owning one of the most beautifully designed and constructed umbrella that David Kahng has created.

So the next time it rains and you open that Davek Umbrella, you know you don't call attention to yourself by having the umbrella scream - "Look at me and my checkered fabric!". You open your Davek Umbrella and you appreciate the simple and elegant design hidden beneath comes forward-thinking technology and painstaking build that went into creating it. For the price it sells for, it may be one of the better investment these days.

Oh, and for the ladies, it does come in RED.

For the FALL 2008 line, Davek NY has equipped their original Davek SOLO umbrella with a nylon protective cover. Before this, only the Davek TRAVELERand Davek DUETumbrellas were provided with an umbrella cover. I've also noticed that the Davek packaging changed from a cream-coloured box to a "sexy" dark red colour.

It is also worth noting that both the TRAVELER and DUET umbrellas have always included a leather wrist strap, leaving the design of the first-introduced SOLO umbrella with a metal clip. Hopefully Davek NY can retrofit these umbrellas with a wrist strap as well so users can secure the umbrella to the side of their bags or luggage the same way you can do with the other two umbrellas.Lastly, none of these folding umbrellas in existence is made possible without the mention of the original telescopic umbrella invented by an engineer (surprise!) named Hans Haupt in 1928. The umbrella company is Knirps with it's famous red dot symbol on the lower left corner amidst a black square background. The umbrellas prices average at half the cost of Davek NY umbrellas. Their Alu Line is the most elegant, in my own opinion, especially if it comes in all-black. Then they continue with other lines including the X1 Line, Fiber Line and Steel Line. But it doesn't stop there as you are offered a variety of prints for the umbrellas ranging from simple, to artistic and finally to tacky choices.

And that's where the Davek NY umbrella, although late in the game, leads in the race. Knirps offers a two-year guarantee versus a lifetime for Davek NY. Davek NY umbrellas all offer advanced design and material composition and comes under a simple line-up of three sizes and elegant, solid-print colour choices. Knirps design looks just like any other umbrella because it has been copied over and over since it's inception. Davek NY, on the other hand, has gone out of it's way to create an unmistakeable design from the zinc alloy handle to the wide closure strap and finally to the two-tone colours with the second colour splashed on 1/9th of the umbrella fabric.

I can only hope that Davek NY maintain few umbrella choices by offering top-of-the-line materials across the line in few sizes and doesn't fall victim to other umbrella manufacturers by creating ridiculously unlimited lines that all look alike then distinguished only by the material of the umbrella.

WHERE TO BUY:

In the USA, you can check out the partial list of retailers or buy directly from davek New York.

Locally in Vancouver, you should check out:

dandelion emporium
(Proprietor Laura Frederick)
2442 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E2
Tel: 778.239.4613
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11-6pm, Sunday 12-5pm