Saturday, December 27, 2014

What Walkie Talkie Is Best For A Cruise?

Yes, two-way radios DO work on cruise ships. However, because the same channels tend to be a bit overused, passengers can expect a fair amount of chatter and signal interference whenusing their radios.

Here’s some advice from a Woot.com user,

“I suppose the two way radios/walkie talkies would be the best option. But, how important is being in constant communication with the rest of your family anyway? A ship, while large, isn't huge. If you know the general area where people will be, you could walk over and find them. Preset arranged meeting times and places would work as well. People were able to get along fairly well without being able to directly communicate with each other at every moment of the day”.

So, aside from the option of setting pre-arranged meeting times, a radio isn’t a terrible idea, especially if you have kids. Many people reading this might simply ask why they can’t use their mobile phones. That is a very good question, after all...

If you’re going on a cruise this summer (or anytime, really), you need to be aware that your mobile phone is going to cause some problems.

 

Many cruise passengers are unaware and/or totally ill prepared for this fact and the cruise companies themselves are at least partly to blame for the lack of information in this area.

So, will your mobile phone work at sea? To answer this, let’s take a look at the following excerpt from the website ‘Cellular Abroad.com...

“The answer is most often always “You can subscribe to our cruise line cell phone network.” What they won’t tell you is the rates you will be paying. You certainly won’t be able to find them online, and to get a proper answer, you’ll have to call the cruise line to get a full break down of what they charge for access to their cell networks. As a company that sets their own international calling rates for the Talk Abroad SIM Card, we can see the cruise ship networks in our list, and it does not look good. If you subscribe to their network, you’ll be paying anything from $4 ~ $8 per minute, depending on your location and who you are calling. Don’t forget also that they’ll be charging you for receiving inbound calls”.

As we’ll soon see, taking a mobile phone on a cruise can represent a logistical nightmare. At the same time, however, many of us feel naked without a phone?

More problems are presented in the form of scheduled stops (although these can also represent opportunities for a higher â€" and cheaper â€" level of connectivity). To return to Cellular Abroad,

“If the ship is close to the coastline, and has multiple port of call stops, you’ll typically be able to get a terrestrial signal from the nearest land cell phone tower â€" up to a mile from the coast. It’s highly unlikely that you will be connected with 3G speed signals, as evidenced in my previous blog, you will need to have a low-wave 3G frequency like 800 or 900 Mhz â€" frequencies not typically associated with phones manufactured for North American consumers. So what can be done? You can rent an international cell phone that works in port, and a short way out to sea. If you really must stay connected on your boat, get in touch with your cruise travel agency and request information about the on-board cell phone rates and subscription fees”. 

So, using mobile phones on a cruise is both difficult and supremely costly, but arranging a meeting time is also likely to cause more than a few headaches. Two way radios have their problems, but may in fact be the best way to keep in contact, depending, of course, on how important a factor this is for you.

SOURCES:

http://www.cellularabroad.com/blog/do-cell-phones-work-on-cruise-ships-2

http://www.cruisereviews.com/forum/royal-caribbean-cruise-line/12108-we-lose-our-children-regularly-do-two-way-radios-work-onboard.html#b

http://deals.woot.com/questions/details/83b01dc9-9318-4de4-9a2b-f16c18761de7/whats-the-best-way-to-communicate-with-others-on-a-cruise-ship

Monday, December 22, 2014

Kickstarter marketing campaign launched for an earpiece with biometric sensors

With a great deal of information on the net about earpiece's it is hard to discover the top and most direct articles. here’s a piece from a good website that i believe as factual, don't quote me on it but please read and enjoy

Research and development firm Sensogram Technologies announced it has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $250,000 to supplement the manufacturing and refine its wearable health and fitness device, SensoTRACK.

SensoTRACK is able to simultaneously measure and monitor heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure in real time, as well as many other parameters including calories burnt, step count and geophysical location.

Launched on October 14, the Kickstarter campaign is set to run for 60 days through December 12.

Available in six different colors, SensoTRACK will initially be offered in limited availability by February 2015, then expand to full-scale production in the second quarter of 2015.

Though the suggested list price is $245 per device, it is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter for $199.

Operating either as a stand-alone device or a tablet to upload data to a secure cloud server, SensoTRACK can be worn on the ear to wirelessly sense, monitor and track a user’s performance.

SensoTRACK’s algorithms analyze, interpret and present the data in a dashboard display, while the platform allows users to share fitness routines with other users via the cloud platform.

“Whether you are an elite athlete or someone who wishes to chart progress toward greater health, fitness, or just well-being, the feedback SensoTRACK provides can help motivate the owner of the device to reach her/his goal,” said Dr. Vahram Mouradian, founder and chief technical officer of Sensogram Technologies. “Information is power, and SensoTRACK offers users the power to sense, track and manage personal fitness and activities, motivated by the improving health results.”

After four years of development, testing and refinement, SensoTRACK will be manufactured by development partners in Plano, Texas who are in compliance with ISO Standards in both electronics and medical manufacturing.

http://www.biometricupdate.com/201410/kickstarter-campaign-launched-for-earpiece-with-biometric-sensors

Sunday, December 14, 2014

‘Jewel Encrusted Skeleton ‘Saints’ Make Headlines Round the World’

Paul Koudounaris, who is also well-known by his nickname ‘Indiana Bones’ is an novelist, photographer and leading professional on bone-decorated sites and ossuarys. Earlier this year, Koudounaris released a hardback featuring hd images of the 400-year-old ‘catacomb saints’ of Rome, a bunch of corpses that was painstakingly garlanded with jewels and finery prior to being offered as the remains of saints to congregations across Europe.

During the Protestant Overhaul of that 16th Century, Catholic church buildings were routinely stripped of their relics, cryptogram and finery. To be able to defy this, The Vatican had antique skeletons removed out of the Catacombs of Rome and generously bejeweled as a remnants of recognizable saints.

Even though typically forgotten until Koudounaris published his book, the catacomb saints still fascinate interested parties; they may also still inspire religious zeal. In 1977, the town of Ruttenbach in Bavaria labored hard to raise enough funds to purchase back two of their original saints from confidential collectors, the decorative skeletons had initially been auctioned off in 1803.

The book, that Koudounaris has slyly titled ‘Heavenly Bodies’ sees its author attempt to find and photograph each of the existing catacomb saints.

In his prime (a period that lasted over 200 years before decisively coming to a close in the nineteenth century), the saints traversed in all places, being transported at vast expense by the Church. They were respected as objects of care, or conduits for prayer.

Though the saints could appear odd to modern eyes (one Telegraph reporter described them as ‘ghastly’), it is crucial that you understand that those that prayed at the feet of the gilded cadavers were a great deal nearer to demise than their contemporary counterparts. In the wake of The Black Death (which recurred frequently throughout Europe from the 14th to the 17th Centuries), art, literature and also worship had moved to accept such ghoulish, macabre imagery.

The remnants were regularly adorned by nuns and sometimes positioned in various realistic poses, before being secured in glass cabinets. Some of our careful decoration took as long as five years to complete, with jewellery and costumes being exceptionally impressive.

Koudounaris’ book, ‘Heavenly Bodies’ is on the market now.

Want to get the original post look here

Saturday, December 13, 2014

British Actor ‘Outed’ by simple Guardian Blunder

Guardian columnist Jane Czyzselska, writing for the newspaper's companion website, mistakenly 'outed' Shakespearean actor and 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' star Patrick Stewart as being gay.

In a column celebrating 'Inception' actress Ellen Page actually coming out as gay, Czyzselska wrote "some gay people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page's coming out speech is newsworthy because a high-profile and surprisingly politically aware young actress has decided not to play by the rules that so many closeted Hollywood actors are advised to follow if they are to enjoy mainstream success,"

It just so happens that the 73-year-old Shakespearean actor, best known for his roles as Professor Charles Xavier in the 'X-Men' movies and as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the TV series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and its companion films - isn't gay.

In fact, Stewart has been married - to Women - three times, most recently in September of last year, when he married American jazz singer Sunny Ozell. He also has two children from a previous marriage.

The Guardian rushed to correct its mistake, adding an addendum at the bottom of the page, but Stewart didn't seem to mind a bit.

"It makes a nice change" tweeted Stewart in response to the 'outing'. "At least I didn't wake up to the Internet telling me I was dead again". At the time of writing, that post has been 'retweeted' 1,181 times.

For those who don't know, Sir Patrick Stewart is a huge supporter of LGBT rights. He vocally supports gay marriage and was even given the 2013 'Straight Ally of The Year Award' from PFLAG.



Fellow 'Star Trek' star William Shatner joined in the fun, Tweeting, "I never get that kind of coverage! I'm jealous!"

The confusion may have arisen because Sir Patrick's best friend is openly gay actor Sir Ian McKellen. If that was the case, Stewart tweeted this response: "I have, like, five or even SEVEN hetero friends and we totally drink beer and eat lots of chicken wings!" Is it just me, or is it impossible to read the above quote without hearing Captain Picard's voice in your head?

On a more serious note, Stewart has often spoken about civil rights, he once said, "From my earliest years as an actor I have always been proud of the support the creative community gives to all forms of human and civil rights,"

In fact, Patrick Stewart is no stranger to fighting the good fight, the actor has been a vocal opponent of domestic violence (working with Amnesty International) and he is also a patron for Refuge, a UK-based charity for abused Women.

... And no, he isn't dead.

you can find more info from this website here

Friday, December 12, 2014

Mars Rover Spots UFO...Or Does It?

After much global speculation, NASA has at last put out an official statement regarding the true identity of the ‘white spot’ or ‘UFO’ seen on Mars by the Curiosity Rover on June 20th.

...Sadly, the UFO in question turned out to be only as extraterrestrial as a camera glitch.

Interviewed by The Huffington Post, Justin Maki, the main camera operator for the rover, said, "This is a hot pixel that has been around since we started using the Right Navcam (...) In the thousands of images we've received from Curiosity, we see ones with bright spots nearly every week, these can be caused by cosmic-ray hits or sunlight glinting from rock surfaces, as the most likely explanations."

As any photographer will tell you, ‘hot pixels’ sometimes occur during long exposure shots. Such glitches are usually caused by the camera’s sensors momentarily overheating (although they pose no danger to the camera equipment itself).

Amateur photographers occasionally mistake hot pixels for paranormal phenomena as well. In fact, the ghost website ‘Photographing The Paranormal.com’ actually has a section on these little buggers. It warns potential ghost hunters that,

“A perfectly symmetric small red dot in your picture is probably nothing paranormal, especially if it is at the same spot in most of your pictures. That’s actually called a hot pixel, if you spot one, don’t call the press!”



Older astronomy enthusiasts will no doubt be reminded of the discovery of the ‘Martian face’, a famous image captured by NASA’s Viking 1 orbiter in 1976.

Various theorists hurried to suggest that the ‘face’ was evidence of a long-lost Martian civilization (complete with ‘pyramids’ and everything), but it was actually just a large formation, captured by the relatively low-resolution cameras of the 1970’s, that looked a bit like a face.



Modern images, of course, reveal nothing so grand. The ‘Martian Face’ fiasco is now seen as an example of paraeidolia, a psychological phenomenon that sees people finding recognizable patterns in otherwise random sounds and images, examples of which include The Man in the Moon, Rorschach tests and those times when people see the faces of religious figures in ordinary household objects.

So it seems that there was no reason for us to get excited after all (except that pictures of Mars are unassailably cool).

...Of course, the conspiracy nutters are never going to buy it, but hey, what can you do?

Sunday, December 7, 2014

New Doctor Peter Capaldi’s First Day on Film set

Series 8 of the hit British TV series ‘Doctor Who’ has officially started production in Cardiff, Wales. This series will feature the first adventures of the new lead actor, Peter Capaldi, a prospect that has fans of the series very excited.

The show, which debuted in 1963, has starred 12 actors as the titular Doctor. Capaldi, a lifelong fan of the series, is to be the 13th (although he will be recognized as the 12th within the show’s storyline). Said Capaldi of the show, “I was five when the show started. I don’t remember Doctor Who not being part of my life, and it became a part of growing up, along with The Beatles, National Health spectacles, and fog. And it runs deep. It’s in my DNA...”



The character of the Twelfth Doctor briefly appeared in the 50th anniversary special ‘The Day of the Doctor’ last November and officially debuted on Christmas Day 2013 in the episode ‘The Time of the Doctor’, although he made his appearance only at the very end. Capaldi has replaced former Doctor Matt Smith, who had been the series’ lead actor since 2010.

Peter Capaldi, who is both a BAFTA and Academy Award winner, has appeared in Doctor Who before, playing the role of Lucius Caecilius Lucundus, a real-life banker who lived in the ancient Roman city of Pompei. He also featured in the Doctor Who spinoff series ‘Torchwood’, where he portrayed a civil servant. Outside of Who, he is well known for his roles in popular series such as ‘Skins’ and ‘The Thick of it’.

Expectations are high for the new series, which began filming this week and will behere. Upon arriving on set, Capaldi said “New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I'm emerging from the TARDIS into a whole other world”.

Showrunner Steven Moffat was obviously excited, saying, “The Capaldi era begins!” In an earlier interview, the series boss said of his newest star, "Of course, he's brilliant. And just seeing the energy and vitality that he brings to his performance, he works - he's like Matt - he works, he's a worker. And he's an extraordinary vital performer. The man is not at all elderly in style, he leaps around the place probably more than any other Doctor in that first scene."

Elsewhere, in an interview with ‘Doctor Who Magazine’, previous Executive Producer and Head Writer Russell T. Davies said that the casting of Capaldi as The Twelfth Doctor was “perfect”. He also said, “The moment Zoe Ball said his name was actually quite mind-blowing. I still find it difficult, even now to find adjectives big and bold enough to describe how brilliant this is!

When cast in the role of The Doctor, Capaldi was 55, making him the same age as the first actor to play the character, William Hartnell, when he was cast.

Series 8 of Doctor Who will be broadcast on BBC in the third quarter of this year.

Want to locate the original article take a look Here

Thursday, December 4, 2014

‘New’ Species of Mammal Discovered in South America

American Scientists from the Smithsonian Institute of Washington DC have discovered a new type of carnivorous mammal previously unknown to Western science.

The creature, known as the olinguito, is the first such animal to be discovered on the American continent in 35 years.

Zoologist Dr Kristofer Helgen, who works as the curator of mammals in Washington DC’s National Museum of Natural History, discovered some stored remains in a Chicago museum and was reportedly ‘stopped in his tracks’ upon seeing them.



Following further examination, Helgen says that, "The skins were a rich red colour and when I looked at the skulls I didn't recognize the anatomy. It was different to any similar animal I'd seen, and right away I thought it could be a species new to science."

DNA testing eventually proved that, whilst the 35-cm long olinguito is a type of olingo (a relative of raccoons), it is definitely a distinct species in its own right. However, not content with simply describing the species from the remains, the real challenge for Helgen was to attempt to observe this new mammal in the wild.

Using educated guesswork and clues obtained from the specimen drawer, Dr. Helgen and his team were able to theorize a possible habitat for the olinguito. Their ideas proved to be correct and the animal has since been established as inhabiting a number of protected areas from Central Columbia to Western Ecuador.

This is not the first time that Dr. Helgen has identified new species by examining museum remains. In fact, throughout his distinguished career, he has discovered around 100 new species of animals. As an example, Helgen’s work has demonstrated that the hog badger, presumed simply to be a single, widespread species, was in fact three different species, albeit with similar attributes.



Historical records show that Washington National Zoo actually had an olinguito specimen in the 1960’s, but it was never identified as such. The animal was exhibited as an olinga, but its keepers were puzzled when it failed to breed. Sadly, the captive olinguito died without ever being correctly identified.

It should also be noted that just because an animal is considered ‘new’ to Western science, the term rarely denotes a species completely unknown to Humankind. People native to the areas inhabited by these animals are usually well aware of its presence and indispensable in locating individuals for observation and study by Western researchers.

A host of other new species have already been discovered this year, including the Cambodian tailorbird, a new type of hero shrew, a reef fish from the Caribbean, a beautifully patterned bat from the Sudan and two new spider species (including a grey and black tarantula the size of an open palm).

To Dr. Helgen, this is hardly surprising, "Conventional wisdom would have it that we know all the mammals of the world. In fact, we know so little. Unique species, profoundly different from anything ever discovered, are out there waiting to be found.” He says.

the origin of this piece is here

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Have You Tried the Kenwood Radio Earpiece?

You might have heard about the Kenwood radio which is the second most popular gadget in the world. As we watch communication systems surrendering to technology's prodigies, businesses around the world expand. Various sectors of profession that rely on radio technology can actively communicate without facing any hassles. Kenwood is a renowned brand for producing reliable communication equipments. The Kenwood radio earpiece is no exception, being an ideal preference for this particular audio device. The fundamental kinds of ear pieces used for this kind of radio are the 2 pin and multi-pin connectors. Offering exceptional performance within a reliable framework, customers have shifted to using such models for increased audibility.

Key Features of Kenwood Radio Earpiece
The earpiece offers a clear and discrete source that makes communication easier. Composed of high impact polycarbonate plastic, the earpiece allows individuals to communicate in the noisiest environments. Kenwood radio earpieces therefore are considered to be the best choice that is compatible with the radio device. It is the perfect choice of equipment used for communication by security experts, door staff, and surveillance teams. The 2-pin model features two connector pins whereas the multi-pin model features various connectors. A good example of the multi-pin model is the Kenwood 3 wire earpiece that features has been fabricated into a three wire system design.

The Kenwood earpiece comprises of a push to talkie or PTT button which is basically the controller of the device. It allows individuals to rapidly get in touch with clients, associates or team members to discuss and carry out various tasks. The coordination of two way radios with the right earpiece ensures excellent sound quality. One of the key features of the 2 wire earpiece is that it can be attached to a collar, lapel or a tie and slipped inside the clothing easily. The Kenwood 3 wire earpiece is slightly different since it is held in the hand to regulate operation instead of being mounted on the lapel or collar. The PTT allows the recipient to switch on or off the earpiece to relay information across.

Benefits of Buying Kenwood Earpiece
Coordinate the responses of your team at office using the Kenwood earpiece device that has been introduced by a reputable company which has existed since 1946. Attaining years of trust from clients, everyone knows how beneficial the Kenwood radio earpiece is! The ear bud has been fabricated with the idea of giving comfort to the listeners with a fitting frame. The cable of the earpiece is transparent, lightweight and durable with hard-wearing. The sound quality is excellent of the earpiece that comes alongside a built-in microphone. Aligned with a clothing clip both the devices feature a surveillance tube and the PTT button.

You can easily replace the plastic clothing clip with a steel clip and add features like swivel ear loop. This is done so as to improve flexibility of usage and comfort. Irrespective of how the environment is, the earpiece has a noise cancelling feature that makes it efficient to use in social events at nightclubs, factor or a public event. It is the choice made by professionals since the device is highly compatible with Kenwood 2 way radios. Imagine days when your communication systems are on a shutdown with extreme interference in sound waves! If you fancy a noise free, discrete and clear sound quality then Kenwood radio earpieces is the ideal pick.

A Kenwood radio customer will never face the problem of compatibility or affordability. Having distinct features makes the earpiece an accommodating communication tool. There are lower priced devices available however lack the durability of Kenwood. The Kenwood earpiece is composed of robust framework that can withstand collision. In fact the earpiece is resistant to high strain making it a long lasting device. The earpiece has been recognized globally to being an apt choice for enhancing sound quality of Kenwood radios. You should ensure that while you're out buying earpiece for yourself, the kind of radio you have matters a lot. So choose wisely before making a final decision.

Conclusion

Kenwood radio earpiece is a result of proficient technology that assists receiving, sending and regulating information between recipients. It is vital to use competent communication tools to achieve quality proof sound. Kenwood is an economical brand that triggers consistent performance over time. This lightweight device couples with a resilient covering that secures prolonged connectivity. Enjoy the comfort of uninterrupted conversations with Kenwood's brilliant earpiece technology today.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

What are the most excellent kinds of communications for the security industry?

The digital 2 way radio revolution has set the two way radio commerce a new lease of life, and with that the protection business has benefitted hugely. Lighter more sharp radios give security operatives superior communications and safe transmissions remove any form of snooping.
Terrorism, Contamination, Disruption to infrastructure and services, Malicious damage, Active protest, Civil unrest, Border breaches, Invasion of privacy, Piracy, High stakes theft, Data Theft, Kidnapping, Personal assault... 
...the range of threats being managed by public and private security services, corporations and individuals changes and evolves with social, political and economic dynamics. 
And while surveillance technology, physical protection and increased intelligence gathering has made a major contribution in identifying and managing threats, the central element in all robust to security strategies is efficient and effective instant communication by voice or data across a wide variety of difficult environments; linking control centres with field operatives whether on foot or in vehicles. 
Kenwood's NEXEDGE® peer to peer and trunked digital two-way radios and walkie talkie solutions have been proven in the highest security situations and can be found in operation within military forces, police services, public and private security agencies around the world. 
Applications include air and sea ports, research facilities, government buildings, military bases, transport and utilities infrastructure, stadia, sports and entertainment venues, oil and gas processing and supply installations, data centres, cash warehouses, secure storage facilities, research facilities, shopping malls, retailers of high value goods as well as high profile personalities, in fact wherever security, safety and efficiency are key considerations.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Review of that portable Motorola gp340 two way radio

The other week we celebrated the 40th celebration for the world’s 1st cell phone call. Predictably, it's a Motorola engineer who completed the historic phone call and, much more predictably, the phone call was made on a Motorola phone (or, in this case, prototype telephone). If you are taking one thing from this introductory section, it needs to be this: Motorola are boss, and when it relates to comms.
With that in perspective, I reviewed the GP340 Portable Walkie talkie, the prevalent in a lingering line of very good Motorola two way radio devices. The following is what I deliberated about it.
THE SPECS
With up to eleven hours of battery life, signal encryption and a option of VHF or UHF bands, the Gp 340 hits the ground running and goes from there. A sturdy, slightly military-esque design gives the GP340 a professional look and facilitates for important robustness across numerous environments.
At 137mm high, 57mm wide and weighing just 420 grams, the GP340 is also naturally portable, which adds to the general feel of this 2 way radio as an ‘action’ radio, maybe better matched than most walkie talkies to more working use.
What is more, you get sixteen channels, as well as a ‘channel scan’ operation.
There’s no display to be found here, that is possibly a shame, but I query this will involve the device in any major way, to be truthful.
THE PRICE
Anywhere among £230 and £280, based on wherever you look. It pays to work a thorough web search here, because there looks to be several offers going on at the moment.
THE PERFORMANCE
The GP340 is definitely more of a team-friendly radio, especially if that company happens to be posted a considerable distance away. To quote frankly from the Motorola website,
“Reorganization operations with two way radio comms raises productiveness and can outline part of an organisation’s health and safety method which is predominantly important for individuals who work on their own or isolated from the squad”.
This is incredibly genuine, as the inclusion of a dazzling orange ‘emergency button’ as well as an ATEX-approved ‘mandown’ option board capably demonstrates Motorola’s obligation to consumer security. If you are a business owner and shopping to outfit a team (especially one going into a potentially unsafe situation) with two way radio models, you could do a lot worse than a group of Gp 340s.
In addition, the audible ‘low battery’ alerts are useful and generally unassuming. However, if you use the modifiable power level operation, you can make the battery endure that little longer and save yourself the noise.
The ‘Call Forward’ function is also an absolute treat, allowing you to, in essence ‘leave a message’ for a user who is otherwise indisposed.
THE VERDICT
This looks like another great two way radio from Motorola. The plentiful, well-designed and considerate protection features on this one are a real plus point, as is the wide-ranging durability and craftsmanship inherent to virtually all Motorola 2 way radios.
The overall feel of this radio is one of care and consideration. Workers can feel that their employer genuinely wants to keep them safe at all periods and employers can know that their workforce are at all times contactable, especially in an crisis.
It lacks the crystal clarity and audio-level adjustment of the Dp 3400, but that is approximately the only fault I can discover with it. Even then, the sound is normally neat and passable. This high level of functioning, along with a pail load of features to aid all from user safety to battery life, is what makes the GP340 a real winner.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE BLUETOOTH HEADSET HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, BUT WHICH ONE OF THESE PRESENT CROP IS WORTH PURCHASING?

OK, To have the ‘flaking’ part of this answer out of the way nice and first, I have to mention that it is dependent totally on what you would like from the headphone. There isn’t much point spending out on an all-singing, all-dancing tremendous-headphones if all you need is a basic model, but, by the same token, great quality does not come cheap in the world of electronics.
Though, that’s not what you wanted to hear, is it?
OK, so, here i will discuss some of the best Bluetooth headphones that I’ve checked out so far…
The Jawbone Era is one of the best mono gadgets that I have in my opinion seen. Using state of the art audio comminications, the Era is a great sounding headphone, however the inflated price tag might be some bit off-putting for some potential people. To be honest (although please do not read ‘honest’ as ‘flaking out’), it is likely to be the model for most of those following examples, those that sound brilliant, cost more.
Significantly cheaper could be the Plantronics M55, an excellent little worker as well as a bargain at less than half the price of the Era. Of course, it is not as good as the aforementioned Jawbone model, but this headset unquestionably will not disappoint. Also from Plantronics is a Marque 2 M165, a sleek, trustworthy little device that also offers great value for money.
If its stereo you’re after, Mike, then a Jabra Clipper is a pleasant little doohickey, that includes an innovative design that will either enlighten or infuriate you, according to how you intend on using it. The Sony Stereo Bluetooth Headset is also a fantastic little runner and only costs about £30 (making it the lowest priced one featured on this list).
As I initially said, it was completely up to you what sort of headphones you want, but I’m able to say that the models listed here are well reviewed by other tech sites online, additionally myself. Do an internet search before you determine which of them to buy though, that way you can ensure you’re paying out for what you need.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Kenwood Earpieces: Do you Believe?

My Girlfriend and I recently started watching ‘The X-Files’ in the evenings.
It all started when my friend Kieran practically begged me to borrow his series 1 box set. He went on and on about it until I eventually acquiesced. When I was little, I was somewhat impressionable and easily upset by TV, so I only saw a handful of first-run X-Files episodes. I remember one where a guy had to eat people’s brains in order to survive, another that featured Golden Age Hollywood ghosts haunting an old film set and a bizarre black and white episode about a deformed character who was in love with Cher. 
Watching it as an adult, the series is a lot of fun, not to mention massively addictive. It is easy to see how it became such a worldwide phenomenon. What’s really cool is that I’ve always tended to view movieland’s myriad FBI, CIA and secret agent characters as untrustworthy ‘spooks’ and yet The X-Files portrays them as heroes, relatable, Human and sexy. I kinda like that.
This has made me a little more interested in the idea of getting a Kenwood Earpiece. Beforehand, I can’t say I’d ever really though about it, but after blazing through series 1 of the hit 90’s show (and grabbing series 2 from CEX over the weekend), I’m a lot more interested in getting a hold of one and bumbling about in the dark in search of unexplained phenomena.
The reason I specifically suggested a Kenwood Earpiece, is actually pretty simple. The Kenwood Corporation, operating out of Tokyo, Japan, has been making quality amateur radio gear since 1946. If you’re going to get a radio, or any radio-related peripheral (try saying that one three times fast), then Kenwood is the obvious choice to go with.
Kenwood make earpieces to fit both multi-pin and 2-pin setups, so they’ve got pretty much all your bases covered. Plus, their reputation speaks for itself. If you happen to be involved in some ‘sensitive’ work, then a discreet radio earpiece is easier and less intrusive than lifting a chunky two-way up to your mouth and receiving a loud signal for all around you to hear.
Kenwood’s stuff is professional quality, but equally awesome if all you want to do is don a trench coat, grab a big-ass torch and disappear into the darkness in search of the unknown.
Perhaps you’ll get some messages from the spirit world, who knows? What is certain is that you’ll get a few funny looks, earpiece or no earpiece...

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Need to buy the Motorola cp040 2 way radio, read our review first

We at this site spend a lot of time reviewing the best and most well designed radios on offer today. Some of these products are specially made for specific functions and can fetch intimidating prices for smaller companies that nonetheless are eager to compete. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a quick look at one of Motorola’s cheaper models and see how it compares with the big boys.
THE SPECS
With a utilitarian, somewhat pedestrian design, the Motorola CP040 is a million miles removed from the sleek, sexy contours of the MotoTRBO SL4000, or even the rugged, hardwearing face of the Motorola DP3400. The design is perfunctory, modest and unambitious, but looks can be deceiving.
A sturdy, capable model, this is a great choice for warehousing and agriculture (as pointed out on the Motorola site).
It only makes use of four channels, but is incredibly easy to use as a result, very much a ‘press and play’ radio. It also keeps contact over a surprisingly large range.
19 hours of battery life shows good durability (when in battery saving ‘low’ mode, anyway), while the ability to switch between broadcasting to multiple users or a single one is a very welcome function indeed.
Although clearly designed as a budget model, the CP040 has a lot of functions that we have come to expect from far-more pricey radios.
THE PRICE
Believe it or not (and we even had to read it twice!), the CP040 is available at less than £100. OK, at £99 it’s not a lot less, but it still beats the better models by half (and then some). Indeed, there is a feeling that Motorola could actually charge a little bit more for this device and easily get away with it.
THE PERFORMANCE
Making great use of Motorola’s much-vaunted ‘X-Pand’ technology, the CP040 provides excellent audio quality with every message, so there’s no real loss in sound quality (unless you obsessively compare the CP040 with the really high-end models and we aren’t going to do that here).
In terms of use, the CP040 is easy and efficient, operating with the usual dependability that we’ve come to expect from Motorola radios.
The belt clip (an optional extra) holds the radio in well and everything is generally sturdy and nicely made.
The CP040 may be lacking some of the more fancy features and extras that some of its peers can boast about, but as a standard, basic two-way radio, it is incredibly difficult to find fault with it.
THE VERDICT
The CP040 has been designed with mid level business use in mind, yes, it lacks the ‘boys own adventure’ ruggedness of Motorola’s outdoor models or the discreet, professional modernity of their urban, security orientated range, but it makes up for this in spades with a solid, reliable performance that won’t break the bank.
Perhaps it’s not the best product of its kind that the market can offer, but it is a very long way from being the worst and, in addition, it genuinely offers excellent value for money.
Customers may want something a little bit tougher and more overtly safety-conscious for use on building sites or battlegrounds. Perhaps they’ll also want something a little more slender and/or trendy for customer interaction, but otherwise, the CP040 suits its design-niche perfectly.
This is a great little device for basic business radio use and it’s hard to imagine it letting anybody down. Strong, reliable and high performance, the CP040 combines a thoroughly satisfying user experience with a pleasantly manageable price tag to create a wholly likeable (not to mention highly recommendable) product.
For more information on the Motorola Cp040 radio visit 2wayradionline.co.uk