The New Nikon D4 is a replacement for the long admired D3s that succeeded the previous flagship D3. The D3x will still be Nikon’s top of line camera since it still tops the megapixel count at 24.5 megapixel compared to the new D4 at 16.2 megapixel.However the D4 is a formidable challenger with many new features at nearly 2000.00 less. The new D4 will shoot/capture raw at 10 Fps and capture video at 1080P 30fps with stereo sound.The Nikon D4 also has a 91k RGB pixel metering system vs. the former 1005 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color matrix metering system of the D4s and D3x which should allow for much more accurate metering. Not to mention a max ISO of 204,800. It is priced at 5999.95 list.
Canon ELPH 520HS Worlds Thinnest 12x Camera
Canon has announced the Canon ELPH 520 HS model to replace the 510 HS model at the 2012 CES show. It will sport a 12x optical system,
6.8 frames per second, 1080P HD video capability, ISO 3200,and a 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor. It will be priced at 299.99 with a delivery around March.
Sunlinq 25 Watt 12v Foldable Solar Panel
The Sunlinq 25 Watt 12v Foldable Solar Panel is a great little portable solar panel on a weekend hiking trip, beach, or when your out all day and just not near civilization to plug in your mp3 player, phone, portable games, gps, and about anything that can be plugged into a 12volt car charger. The 25 Watt unit will provide nearly 2 amps at 12 volts which should be more than suitable for most portable devices.
Its also possible to purchase the Sunlinq 7amp Charger controller to recharge a 12 volt battery with the solar panel as well.
Xantrex X1500 Backup Power System
This is a great portable backup system, unlike a generator the Xantrex X1500 Backup Power System consists of large 1500watt storage battery that can be used indoors and totally quiet, no noisy generator required. Has an inverter builtin to run a Tv, radio, emergency lights, small dorm frig, computer, and other small AC 120 volt devices that draw low wattage. It also has a 12 volt output to run cell phones, portable cooler, flourescent lights, portable tire compressor.
It can be recharged in standard AC wall receptacle, also has DC cable to be charged from a car, truck, or rv battery. It is designed to be easily wheeled around and has a snap together handle that attaches to the cart, that has built in storage bin as well.
Wattbike
If the weather in the winter time does not cooperate or not enough evening light after work it might be worth to take a look at the Wattbike. The Wattbike is good enough to simulate real cycling that is endorsed by British Cycling. The Wattbike comes in two models for the serious athlete they have the Wattbike Pro with a resistance range of 0-3760 watts and also sell the Wattbike Trainer with a resistance of 0-2000 watts. They are both priced the same at 2995.00.
Woodway Treadmill
The Woodway Treadmill is not something one normally see’s in the average gym. The treadmills are built to crazy strandards like belts that average 200,000 miles, can support running weights of 500 lbs and walking weights of 800 lbs. Requires no deck replacements or belt replacements, uses 50% less electricity than conventional models. They also have come out with a human powered unit with a unique curve track that is powered by the user running on the curved surface that actually contributes to 30% more energy burn since there is no electric motor that is doing any work.
It utilizes rubberized slats that are ride on toothed drive belts which requires no adjustments for slippage, no lubrication. Another benefit of their unique rubberized slate system being comfortable, it reduces impact to joints by 90% compared to standard treadmill.
Motobecane Le Champion & Shimano Ultegra DI2 Electronic Shifter
Manual shifting has been around since bikes were invented, its kinda like still using rotary phone dials on your cell phone had the technology not evolved. Well now electronic shifting is possible due to advancement in technology, and I was surprised that one can now buy a high quality bike with an electronic shifter for what a Dura-Ace Electronic DI2 shifter cost alone until the Shimano Ultegra DI2 shifter came on the market.
Until the Shimano Ultegra DI2 Electronic Shifter appeared on the market, the flagship Dura-Ace Electronic shifter was out of reach for most people retailing around 2800.00. I ran across this combo of a Motobecane Le Champion & Shimano Ultegra DI2 Electronic Shifter bike for less than what a Dura Ace shifter alone would cost.
One should be able to ride around 1000 miles per charge of course this will depend on frequency of shifts. In addition to the Shimano Ultegra DI2 electronic shifter, the Motobecane LE Champion CF Ultegra comes with Mavic KSYRIUM ELITE 011 BLACK rims with QRM Bearings which one finds more commonly on the 8000 bikes. So this is a great value at just 2795.00.
Savant Smart Home Solutions
Savant claims to be the only Apple based home control,automation, and media control. Also pioneering the first application for touch control utilizing Ipod, Iphone, IPad control for complete control and automation for home audio, video, security, climate, lighting, whole house automation.
Savant provides an open-programmable, intelligent control and a media management software solution called RacePoint Blueprint™ that configures and controls any media component or sub–system without the need of writing a single line of code.
2012 Fisker Karma Hybrid Electric / 2.0 L Turbo Car
I think we all could use some good Karma. The Fisker 2012 Karma Car, appears to have the right amount of Karma going for it in the styling department. Fisker’s background with BMW and Z8 model as well as at Aston Martin can be seen in the design of the 2012 Karma automobile. Its electric motor puts out 959 ft/lbs of torque with a 20kw battery pack. It also has 2.0 Liter turbo charged petro engine as well. Braking is done with Brembo brakes that are usually found in high end sports cars and sport bikes.The combination of the electric and 4 cylinder turbo engine gives this car a 403hp rating. Range is 50 miles electric with around 250 on petro based engine. Definitely the most stylish Hybrid based vehicle on the road, its easy to see why the 2012 Fisker Karma was named in Automobile as the 2012 Design of the Year. The base model is listed at 96,850.
Nissan Leaf
I recently had the opportunity to test drive a Nissan Leaf Electric Car. This automobile is a “true” electric vehicle in that it does not have a petro based engine like the Toyota Hybrid or General Motors Chevy Volt. Both of those are impressive technologies in their own right
as “green” vehicles. I found driving the Nissan Leaf made me feel that I was in a 21st century vehicle or in a “Back to the Future” movie. Since it has no engine, Nissan has a sound effect that sounds like a simulated low level jet engine whine sound that I think is pretty cool myself.
The first thing one notices is the style of the Nissan Leaf exterior. A lot of its design is to contribute as much toward minimum air drag so it has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any auto on the road today. Even the excessively sized LED headlight design was to minimize air drag and electrical efficiency with LED headlights and tail lights. All of this is needed when you are relying totally on electric power from the 24KW Lithium Battery pack.
It requires 20 hours for a full charge from 110/120 volts 20 amp charger and about 7.5 hours from 208/240 volts 40amp charger and only 30mins at a commercial 480 volt quick charger. Leaf has a CARWINGS system in place to locate charging stations which are displayed on screen
on ones route. Nissan has an estimated electric fill up cost of 2.40 based on about 10 cent/KW average electric utility rate.
The Leaf comes in two versions the SV with a list of 35,200 and the SL with a list of 37,250. I would recommend the SL option has it has the quick charge port that can charge the car in 30 minutes to 80 percent versus hours. Also the SL option includes a solar panel spoiler, rear view monitor,fog lamps and homelink Transciever makes it worth the additional two thousand dollar upgrade. It still qualifies for the 7500 tax incentive which brings the SL to around 29,750 and the SV to 27,700 after tax savings.
The car has an amazing amount of torque, it feels like a real car, very modern feel, lots of room. One has to be frugal and watch energy usage as all accessories take away battery power. One can pre warm or air condition the car before one leaves their garage to maximize their battery. It also recaptures energy during braking so energy can be stored back into battery while driving to maximize range as well.
With no petro engine to rely on as a backup it does give one a little range anxiety due to limitations of the current infrastructure with limited commercial charging stations, and not everyone can rely on being able to charge their car once they reach their work place, destination. This will only improve as well as the number of charging stations and battery capacity. Nissan does offer a 100,000 mile 96 month warranty on the battery.