Dropcam Pro Wi-Fi Wireless Video Monitoring Camera

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is my fifth DropCam, so obviously I love them. SUPER easy to setup (less than a minute) and you have a live webcam.



This new one ("DropCam Pro") seems to have slightly better video quality than the previous ones. When compared side by side green looks a little "greener" and the picture is a bit sharper.



It also increased the field of view, which can be good or bad depending on your particular use.



WARNING: they are *ONLY* for "indoor use", but I make my own enclosures for outside in an ocean environment (looking at surfers and waves) and it holds up pretty well. I plan to seal up this with Silicone Sealant ($5 at any hardware store, Amazon sells it also) and try it outside. I'll update this review as I get some experience (like if it dies quickly).



If you Google search for "Weatherproof Dropcam" and look for a link on "ski-epic" that shows the DIY (Do it Yourself) totally for free way to waterproof your Dropcam. NOTE: I'm not selling anything!! I'm just documenting how I did this.



EDIT (two days later): I setup the new "Pro" side by side with an old "HD" and here are my observations. The two URLs to view the side by side are:



New Dropcam "Pro" -> https: -SLASH- -SLASH- www -DOT- dropcam -DOT- com -SLASH- demo -SLASH- 703f9eb6507048d9966f460c6153b697



Old Dropcam "HD" -> https: -SLASH- -SLASH- www -DOT- dropcam -DOT- com -SLASH- demo -SLASH- 58024311db644950842dc85f337aa8de



1) The colors are much more saturated (vibrant) on the new one, so different color correction? It's an improvement.



2) They choose to display the new "Pro" in a larger size, maybe just a visual trick?

New -> 951 wide, 537 tall

Old -> 769 wide, 435 tall



3) The new one is DEFINITELY wider angle (as advertised)



4) In "low light" (at night looking at the ocean) the new one is 50 times better, the old one you couldn't see anything, the new one can watch the waves in the moonlight, it's a wonderful improvement.



EDIT 12/1/2013 - The Dropcam Pro mentioned above died! More accurately I killed it. :-) It is always outside (this is against the dropcam company's recommendation), and in a big rainstorm a few days ago it got soaked and stopped working. No light, doesn't power up, doesn't appear as a disk when you attach it via USB to a laptop. The older one survived (side by side, same rainstorm). I'm FedEx'ing a new one from Amazon to replace the older one, should be up and running in a couple days.



EDIT 12/5/2013 - Ok, new Dropcam Pro is up, I updated this review to point at the new one's serial number which is 703f9eb6507048d9966f460c6153b697



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Dropcam-Wi-Fi-Wireless-Monitoring-Camera/dp/B00F9FCW7K/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_5

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera (White)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I looked for a reliable, classy-looking Polaroid camera as a wedding reception guest book. After thorough research, I determined Instax was cheaper and just as reliable, if not more, than the new Polaroid instant cameras. Both cameras function similarly and use the same film; yet Instax has better reviews and is cheaper. The 8S has a few extra bells and whistles: a clip-on lens for close-up pictures, light/dark and indoor/outdoor settings, the mirror on the front of the camera, and two shutter buttons for either landscape or portrait photographs. Also, the lithium batteries are not hard to find for sale online; I haven't had to replace ours yet, but we know that availability and price would afford on inconvenience.

I have loved it; it was perfect for the party and I still use it frequently. The film is fairly inexpensive, so we continue to use it. The pictures are the size of a credit card with white borders, and the camera comfortably fits in a small purse. On our honeymoon, the good quality allowed us to take pictures of us in front of landmarks and beautiful areas. Also, a little mirror resides on the front of the camera to facilitate quick self-portraits, which can be taped later into journals as keepsakes. Learning which lighting settings work best in certain conditions took some trial and error, but every picture turned out vintage-y and fun, so no film was wasted.

One last word on durability: I didn't have the wrist strap around my arm and accidentally dropped the camera on a ceramic-tiled floor. The film flew out of the back of the camera, but nothing broke off or dented. The camera still looks great and functions optimally, and I only lost the top film, the rest of the cartridge still printed great pictures. That was a while ago, and I haven't had any problems at all!



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Instax-Mini-Instant-White/dp/B00AWKJPPY/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_5

Kenmore 46-9690 Kenmoreclear! Refrigerator Water Filter

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I hesitated because, though the number is the same as on my filter purchased from Sears, the box was different in the photo on Amazon. After some though decided to take the chance. Well, it came with the updated box (so the one on this amazon photo is not right) BUT, it is the correct product. Sears sells it for $58.98 so I decided to go ahead and get another one to keep for next time. Very pleased with the fast service and the price and the product. Shame on Sears for selling this same thing and almost a $20 markup ! Thank heaven for Amazon!!



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Kenmore-46-9690-Kenmoreclear-Refrigerator-Filter/dp/B005OK12HQ/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_la_appliances_3