Polaroid XS100 Extreme Edition HD 1080p 16MP Waterproof Sports Action Video Camera With Full Mounting Kit Included

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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Please note that my review is for the XS100, not the XS100i which has WiFi. For some reason the seller has put my review of the XS100 under both the XS100 and the XS110i product which is confusing to people.



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The Polaroid XS100 impressed me in many ways with its image quality and usability. My video review will cover most everything but I'll highlight a few things here.



I also own the GoPro Hero3 Black. Although the video quality of the Polaroid isn't quite as good as the GoPro, it's pretty darn good especially when you take the price into consideration. In fact, unless you were able to directly compare the GoPro video to the Polaroid video in a direct A-B comparison, as I was able to do, you'd think the Polaroid quality was excellent... and it is very good indeed, just the colors are a bit off (I've included still photo from the Polaroid and one from my GoPro to illustrate the color issue at the end of my video review) and overall image sharpness is not quite as good as the GoPro. The GoPro has higher resolution video options but when you compare similar resolutions between the GoPro and the Polaroid SX100, the Polaroid definitely holds its own. And in fact, the Polaroid seems to have superior low-light performance. And the Polaroid has image stabilization that the GoPro lacks. That can make a very significant difference in the viewing experience having image stabilization.



Here are some of the specs:

1200 mAh built-in battery giving just over 2 hours of recording time.

170 degree wide angle lens

Video resolutions - 1080p, 960p, 720p 30fps/60fps

Still image resolutions - 16MB, 5MB, 3MB, VGA

Still image has 10x burst mode or singe shot mode

Time Lapse: one frame each 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds



I've used the time lapse mode to get some awesome sky/cloud videos. You have to set this mode via the software interface when connected to your computer.



Other than changing between HD and FHD video mode, you must make all other changes via a software interface when the camera is connected to your computer. Obviously this could pose challenges if you're in the woods mountain biking and don't have access to a computer. The GoPro on the other hand lets you change all settings from the camera directly because it has a LCD screen which the Polaroid lacks.



I'm not thrilled with the software that accompanies the Polaroid. PC software (polaroid.exe) installs itself from the camera to your memory card but Mac users will have to visit the Polaroid website to download the application and then add the application to their memory card. The software interface is the same for both MAC and PC and my video will walk you through the various settings available to you. It's a very basic and clunky kind of interface but it gets the job done I guess.



Another feature the camera has is that when connected to an HDTV with the provided HDMI cable, a menu automatically pops up on the screen and you can preview, playback, and delete files or format the MicroSD card through your TV screen. I found this very difficult to use however and it's so flakey I rarely use it. But if you can figure it out, it does come in handy at times.



Polaroid has included a decent, although somewhat flimsy set of mounts for attaching the camera to your handlebar and helmet.



What's very cool is that the camera creates dual-files when recording. One of the files is a much lower resolution "thumbnail" file and that's pretty handy if you want to send smaller file versions of your exploits via email or for quick web uploads.



A feature that the Polaroid has that even the GoPro does not have is a G-sensor. This auto-rotates the image so if you need to mount the camera "upside-down" the image is automatically oriented correctly without having to go into the software prior to shooting to change it. This is something the GoPro does not do and I can't tell you how many times I've viewed video from my GoPro only to discover that it's upside down or sideways. This is not an issue with the Polaroid XS100.



You can turn off the auto-rotation for those situations where it would not be desirable to have the camera auto-rotate the image.



Please note that some others have incorrectly described how the auto-rotation works. To clarify: the auto rotation only corrects itself for the initial orientation of the camera when it is first turned on. Changing the orientation of the camera after recording has begun DOES NOT cause the camera to correct the orientation. It's also important to know that the reduced resolution file that the camera creates in addition to the full resolution file, is NOT auto-rotated, ever.



The anti-vibration feature of the camera is outstanding and extremely effective. GoPro does not have anti-vibration at all and it really helps as my video shows. It smooths out bumpy roads that otherwise would show up in the video as jitters.



The camera is waterproof up to 30 feet with no additional housing needed. Cool. As anyone who has used a GoPro knows, once your GoPro is in the waterproof housing, the audio recording is basically worthless. The Polaroid doesn't need an additional housing and audio recording quality is much better because of that.



The camera has some haptic feedback and vibrates to let you know that it has begun or stopped recording and there is a small LED indicating same.



The camera build quality is OK but does not necessarily give you the impression of being 100% bullet-proof. Of particular concern is the plastic threads for the tripod/mounts. These could easily strip if accidentally cross-threaded or overtightened. The back cover that is removed to gain access to the USB, HDMI ports, microSD card slot and HD/FHD switch is a little flimsy feeling and not that easy to open and close. Fortunately you don't need to open or close it very often.



You can put up to a 32GB memory card in the camera... it will not support more than that. Although the user guide suggest at least Class 6, I'd suggest you get Class 10 for optimal read/write speeds. At the rate of 4GB per half-hour, a 32GB card will record full high definition (FHD) video for approximately 4-hours (1080p@30 fps or 720p@60 fps)



PROS:

-Great quality HD video

-Excellent anti-vibration

-Pretty good audio quality

-Extended recording time of up to slightly over 2 hours on a single charge

-An excellent set of features some of which aren't even on a GoPro Hero 3 Black



CONS:

-no ability to swap batteries since the battery is built-in.

-tripod mount has plastic threads which could strip easily if overtightened or cross-threaded

-the dome covering the lens can cause halos around the video in certain lighting situations.

-some of the included mounting parts don't seem very durable

-very clunky interface when connecting camera to HDTV

-you cannot change most camera settings unless connected to your computer



Overall the XS100 is a LOT of fun to use and captures fantastic video and still shots. The price is right and you get a lot of camera for the money.



I was provided a sample for review.



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Danby DBC120BLS Beverage Center - Stainless Steel

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I was reluctant to order this at first due to a lot of comments around the packaging of the unit and them showing up with dents and scratches. When the unit arrived the outside parcel was a bit torn. However the seller must have taken the feedback that was given and made some changes as my unit was in perfect condition without a single scratch or dent. It was double boxed. The OEM box has the unit inside with a Styrofoam shell. Then the EOM box was lined with stiff cardboard corners and wrapped in Styrofoam around that and then placed in an additional box. Only the otter box had a slight tear. Given the weight of the unit it was expected. Don't hesitate to order this unit as I'm certain it will show up in perfect condition if we were to order an additional one.



The unit itself is made of quality materials. I placed a digital thermometer inside the unit and it holds a sold 37 degrees inside. Keep in mind this is a minifridge and not a cooler. A major difference. The only complaint I have about the unit is that we have it downstairs behind our bar. Not in the bar but behind it sitting on the carpet. When placed on the carpet the door would drag the carpet and after our first basement break in party the door was left slightly open a few times because the door was difficult to shut. I tried to adjust the feet to raise the unit up but was unable to do so because the legs are not adjustable. I happen to have an extra 18X18 tile from the bathroom. I sat the unit on top of the tile and it solved the problem. The door open and shuts perfectly. Keep in mind we do not have shag carpet either. It is a medium density stainmaster carpet with standard stainmaster padding. If you plan to place this in a carpeted area do yourself a favor and go purchase an 18X18 tile.



As others have mentioned the shelves don't hold cans the best when you go to fill it as some tip from side to side when placed vertical. I removed the second from the bottom shelf to hold 4-5Liter kegs. I can hold exactly a case of beer in the bottom section which is not as deep as the others since the compressor housing is in the way. Which leaves me with the top full shelf and the very top shelf that holds them in a horizontal fashion. The horizontal shelf holds a 12 pack 6 on each side. Without the removal of a shelf this unit will not accommodate 16oz water bottles or beer bottles placed vertically. These will need to be placed on their sides unless you remove a shelf.



Overall I would give this fridge a 5 out of 5 or 10 out of 10. It servers our purposes perfectly and it looks great, and it was at a great price point. If I had to make a couple of changes or a wish list. I wish it used an LED bulb for that newer look. Additionally, I wish the light could be turned on when the door was shut since it is a glass face to showcase the drinks inside. UPDATE: Finds out there is a switch inside on the side of the light to turn it on. Check that off the lsit! Other than that it's the perfect height and the top is being used to hold our EdgeStar 5Liter Kegerator. Which places the tap at the perfect height and I am 5'10".



All in all don't hesitate to purchase this unit as I searched for several weeks and really did my homework before ordering a mini fridge for our bar when we finished the basement. I assure you that you will not find a better product at this price point.



UPDATE: Over a year later this thing is still ice cold and no issues. Look no furhter, the perfect minifridge holds true!!!



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Model 50 Premium Unbreakable Air Deflector

Protectwhat's yours. Hammerhead sleeves feature high quality neoprene and are fully reversible so your case can change with your mood without losing practicality. Vibrant Hammerhead Neoprene sleeves are highly protective, form fitting MacBook sleeves. Designed specifically to fit each device without adding excess bulk, they preserve the sleek form factorof your mobile device, allowing it to easily slipinto a purse or briefcase.

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This Farberware 5 Piece Multicolor Resin Universal Block Set will have you slicing and dicing like a pro! These knives feature resin-coated stainless steel blades that reduce the sticking of food to the knife, allowing for easier, more efficient cutting. The ergonomically designed handles provide a sure, comfortable grip and rod insert is removable for easy cleaning. 5 piece set includes: 3-1/2 inch parer, 3-1/2 inch serrated parer, 3 inch bird's beak knife and shears, all kept neat and organized in the included pink block. Dishwasher safeNow you can add boom to your room. Being wireless and Omni directional, meaning you can hide your SubWoofer anywhere to get full range sound throughout your IAV LightSpeaker system. The SubWoofer is the perfect accessory to a completely hidden audio system and unlike home stereo receivers, you can add multiple SubWoofer's per zone as your system grows. Also, you can add boom to your room. Being wireless and Omni directional, meaning you can hide your SubWoofer anywhere to get full range sound throughout your IAV LightSpeaker system. The SubWoofer is the perfect accessory to a completely hidden audio system and unlike home stereo receivers, you can add multiple SubWoofer's per zone as your system grows. Also, you can add boom to your room. Being wireless and Omni directional, meaning you can hide your SubWoofer anywhere to get full rang

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CUSTOMER REVIEW



As other reviewers have noted, this is a great deflector, does the job well, strong magnets keep it in place and it has strong, sturdy construction. I don't know if I'd test out the "Unbreakable" guarantee on the box, but it definitely does the job and is ready to go straight out of the box.



If you are trying to decide (like I was) between this one and the $1.50 cheaper Deflect-O 99 Plastic Magnetic Air Deflector, please just go with this one. I couldn't tell what the difference was so I ordered both out of curiosity. Well this one is Made in the USA of much thicker plastic with sturdier construction--the other one is made in China and is quite flimsy and has a hard time staying together when extended beyond 10". Don't waste your $$ on the other one--stick with this one, Made in the USA and will last much longer for only a buck fifty or so more.



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Frigidaire PureSource WF1CB, RF100, RG100, NGRG2000, RF-100, RG-100, NGRG-2000, 218994101, 218717805, 240389101 , 240389102, 240394501, SWF1CB, WFB, Sears Kenmore 9910, 469910, 46-9910, 9910P Compatible Water Filter

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I was very skeptical when I ordered this water filter because of the price. Decided to give it a try, anyway. Now I'm glad I ordered it as the filter works just fine. Water tastes good, it's clear, odorless, and have no aftertaste.



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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!



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ADX 12-Replacement Charcoal Water Filters for Cuisinart Coffee Machine

Set of 12 charcoal water filters

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• Quality meets or exceeds original filters

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GoPro Hero3: White Edition - (131'/ 40m Waterproof Housing)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Be aware when purchasing that there are some aspects to the new "improved" lens that may not be for everyone. This week it has been fairly well documented (and confirmed by GoPro) that while the new lens produces much sharper images under 4', they are blurrier at distances greater than 4'. It does NOT focus at infinity. For reasons not fully explained, they moved the focal point of the lens in close and sacrificed distance clarity.



Update at bottom.



You will get great shots under 4' and soft focus beyond that. Depending on what you want it for, this camera may not be for you and the regular H3 might be a better bet. Since this is an effect of the lens it applies to both stills and video. On the other hand, it's still a decent small action camera, and if you take a lot of video in motion you may not notice this at all. For YouTube uploads and streaming it may not matter, I haven't tested this myself. If you want better clarity in your images the 3B is a good choice. I personally will play with it this week before deciding if I should return it. (Update: it's going back.)



It boggles the mind that they have produced a camera that claims to have a better lens and ignored the fact that it is in fact worse for 90% of what you'll be filming. Great clarity on your handlebars but not so good on the scenery.



Edit: other pluses- the color is much better with the 3+ than the 3. Low light shooting is also better, although sometimes lens flare from lights is a little worse, sometimes better. No more chromatic aberration (yellow/purple fringing). Just do some reading before buying this, they made some trade-offs in the new lens.



Updated 10/17:



Well after comparing the two (3+B and 3B) this week, there are some more problems that have had me downgrade this to a 3 star. For one, the right and left sides of the images on the 3+ are smeared. I mean really distorted, and I'm not using SuperView. Additionally the contrast seems to be set too high, causing some loss of detail in the shadows and blowing out whites a bit. This at least is changeable with a firmware update if they choose to do so. The blurry edges put me over the edge and I'm returning it. It's too bad, it's almost a great camera, with some nice improvements, but the lens is a definite problem, and not necessarily an improvement... certainly not 33% sharper.



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