A Tablet for Square

I've been looking at tablets now for awhile.  Costco has a series of Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablets, including a 7" model for $159 on sale now, with a free portfolio sleeve.  I was seriously considering getting it, because I wanted us to be able to use something besides our android phones with the Square credit card reader when we go to craft shows, when Robin is selling pottery and I am selling photo prints.

Square supports only 7" tablets (although some users report using larger ones with no problems).  There are a few gotchas even with those - in part that the headphone jack must also have mic input.  It's hard to find the specifications anywhere on that feature of a tablet, but for tablets that also have a 3G/4G or other cellular based option, it would make sense to support mics as well - and most of the newer ones fit that category.

All that said, I am not the person to buy the first tablet I see on sale, even if I think it looks decent.  So I started doing some digging.  It seems, in general, that the best rated 7" android tablets are the Google Nexus, first and second generation.  They are manufactured by Asus - and one thing I did NOT like about them, besides being at the high end of my price range, was that they do not have a micro-sd card slot.  I tend to fill up with photos/music, etc., on my phone, and I imagine I will do that same with a tablet.  Still, they are a possibility.

Slightly lower on the ratings list, but also slightly lower on the cost-side, is Asus MeMOPad HD, which does include a micro-sd card slot for storing more files.

Slightly lower is relative - it still beats out most of the 7" android tablets out there today, although none of them come close to the expensive Apple products available.  So here's my choice (note that the cool looking dark blue is currently $10 cheaper than the same model in other colors):

I'll probably also get a case that allows it to be stood up as a display to assist in using it as a register, and some screen protectors, as they are always helpful.

References... In case you'd like to explore a site that gives consolidated 'scores' based on multiple review sites, here is the link to techspot's site review of the Asus MeMOPad HD 7.

The other models mentioned in this post include:

Amazon Deals

I recently posted a review of the Dewalt 12V Max Drill/Impact Driver combo set. It was a DCK211S2WW set (The Wounded Warriors edition of the DCK211S2 set).

Amazon now has this deal, good through December 31, 2013, which can be used to purchase this or other Dewalt tools:

For hardworking, and long lasting tools, I am also very partial to Makita.  I own three Makita tools, all of them pro-grade, and Amazon has a similar deal for Makita:

I have tools similar to the following. The framing nailer was a lifesaver while studding walls in a remodel job (actually 2, and maybe more soon). The hammer drill.. All I can say is that I once dug a hole for a sump pump through a basement floor slab using a normal hammer drill. It took hours and hours of back-breaking work. Drilling holes in the walls for tapcons, similarly, took a while. With this unit, the drilling of holes in either slab or blocks is like slicing through butter (except noisier). With a chisel bit, breaking off/cleaning up the edges of a cut in concrete was smooth and quick - literally saving me days in some projects. The worm drive saw has more power than any circular saw I've used. Makita also has a magnesium version that is more expensive, but for my money, this is another product that has been a lifesaver - quick, accurate cuts with power to spare!  With $25 off the $119 price on the 5477NB, this would be quite a bargain...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 camera has been on the market for more than a year now.  I bought this camera for my wife last Christmas, having gotten an awesome deal on it through an employee purchase plan partnership with Panasonic...

There were a few reasons to pick THIS camera instead of a Canon superzoom or something similar:

1.  f2.8 aperture at all zoom ranges.  What does this mean to me?  The camera is capable of taking wonderful photos in low light.  A lower number here means a larger diameter opening in the lens barrel, which lets more light in, so shutter speeds are very fast, which means that at a school concert you can snap a photo, zoomed in or out, and you usually have a nice, crisp, and bright shot (assuming you hold the camera still).  Almost all super-zooms have larger and larger f-stop values the more you zoom - which means when you want to zoom in on your young star, the shutter speed has to be so slow to capture the scene that the slightest movement causes the picture to be blurry.  Not so with this camera, because no matter how much you zoom, you still get the same amount of light.  This point sells the camera.

2.  The flip-and-fold lcd screen.  This may not seem important, but having witnessed several people use different ones, and playing a bit myself with some models, I really liked Canon's way of hinging the screen so that you can not only fold it out, but turn it around, so you can even face the front of the camera (allowing you to set up on a tripod, for example, with a delayed shutter, run to the crowd and see what's going to shoot before it ever shoots the photo).  Nikon and a few others (at least, some models) have a fold out screen, but it only folds one way, which is very limiting when you are trying to take photos near the ground.  With this one you can flip it out, the angle it up so that you aren't laying on the ground to get that perspective shot.  I don't mind that so much, but this wasn't for me, so I thought the flexibility to be a great selling point.  Panasonic gets kudos for doing this very Canon-like (who copied who???) design instead of the less flexible alternatives of some models.

3.  The bargain I got purchasing direct-from-Panasonic with the EPP discount.

4.  The zoom lens.  While I liked the idea of a 50X zoom on some cameras, I feel it's pretty frustrating to have the range to zoom, but have the slightest shake or movement while zoomed destroy the photo.  And 24X is pretty darn good, too!

5.  Stereo, and high-def recordings.  This wasn't exactly a major selling point at the time, but I have come to greatly appreciate this camera's versatility and quality in video.  You can zoom while recording, although I have noticed that sometimes focus suffers while you do so.  I had trouble recording a single voice from a distance, but this camera does have the option for an external flash, or in this case, a directional microphone mounted to the flash hot shoe (I haven't bought one of those yet, but if the money comes my way I just may yet do that).

We've used this camera to take super quality videos of our church's music programs.  See some on the Penbrook UCC Youtube page, looking at the more recent posts in particular.


After most of a year living with the camera, I'd still give it a thumbs up.  I think the biggest reason for this is Robin's experiences with it.  She's been using it to document her pottery efforts, (see her work on her Wheel Of Light Studio facebook page.)  We have both recorded much video in addition to her thousands of photos so far (and counting).

My favorite camera "review" website is www.dpreview.com and here is the full review and test that they did for this model.  Overall, they gave the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 an 80% rating with the following summary:

Panasonic has done almost everything right with the FZ200, producing a super zoom with a no-compromises lens. It performs very well, takes photos that are comparable (or better) than other super zooms, and has a top-notch movie mode. With a few refinements in the design and image quality department, it would be darn close to perfect.

I'd say they were right on target.  This may not be the camera for everyone.  But if you can catch one on sale somewhere for a good enough price, I'd seriously consider it along with any others you may like.

Check out the camera on Amazon, where it gets 4.5 out of 5 stars (very few 1 or 2 star ratings out of almost 250 ratings.

 

Dewalt 12V Max Drill/Impact Driver Combination Set

New tool purchase... It's been a long, long time in coming.  The batteries in my old Black and Decker 18v NiCad drill are slowly but surely fading.  The old 14.4 v B&D drill I had quit with a bit of smoke a few months ago.  When there was a brick and morter B&D outlet nearby I'd go buy tools at less than half regular prices when they'd have doorbuster sales and it'd be "good enough".

But over the past few years Black and Decker has devolved ever more into the consumer DIY market, leaving other brands for the Pro or contractor grade tool lines.  And honestly, for most occasional users they ARE good enough.

But for the past three years, I've been remodeling my house and my wife's old house off and on, and over the past couple of moths spending every spare moment trying to finish one of them to sell.

Looking at drywall overhead in the kitchen, and with the volunteer help I had coming one (heavy) drill just was NOT going to cut it.

I don't have the budget to invest in Dewalt 20v Max line, Milwaukee M18 Fuel, or Makita XRP 18v kits but I thought I'd head over tobLowes to see if they had anything marked down that wasn't showing up on the website.

I had finally decided 12v tools wouldn't be a bad option IF they were good ones... I had been eyeballing this set for a while:

Turns out Lowes has this DCK211S2 set for $199 but that was too much!  I had decided on a Porter Cable set for $129 instead, letting the price take sway over quality.  As I walked toward the register, though, I noticed a set with the same model number except with WW affixed to the end, on a Dewalt Project Wounded Warrior DCK211S2WW on display, but for $149 instead of $199!

For $20 more than the PC tool set, I got this 5 star rated set.  And after a weekend's hard use, I am impressed.  I've never used a cordless impact driver but some people swear by them.  It was worth every penny.  I avoided stripping a number of screw heads, both removing ones in place for 30 years or more and brand new ones being driven into old wood.

**Update a few weeks on... I've been using these for a few weeks now... The batteries are quick to charge, the drill and impact driver were strong enough for anything I threw at them - hanging drywall, cabinets, lights, and even reframing a door or two.  I am glad to have made this purchase!!!***

We got the ceiling done, one door removed and completely reframed, another door opening that had been put up with a hodgepodge of 2x8 and 2x4 lumber deconstructed and ready for proper framing.  And after I leave my day job I am heading back over to start putting drywall on the walls.

One final observation. The12v Max tools show a battery rating of 1.3 ah on the website descriptions but Dewalt upgraded the tools last year with 1.5ah batteries.

For my use these little tools did way more work in way less time with no stripping of screw heads... Long life with quick recharge batteries.  Wonderful in use overhead when my old 18v beast starts feeling heavy about 50 lbs after 3 or 4 sheets of drywall have been installed.

EOS Rebel Cameras

Just one of many shots taken over the past few years with my Canon EOS Rebel camera.  My friend, using the camera, took Robin and I "in flight", as it were.  I will post more photos here, showing macro mode shots, a moon shot or two, and my favorite, landscapes and other natural scenes.  

Having used Canon SLR cameras for a few years now, the only complaint I have is the expense - not of the camera, so much, but mostly - the lenses. 

I am amazed that Canon now has a point-and-shoot selling at local stores for $399 that has a 50x zoom (that would be, in 35mm/SLR terms, 1200mm).  The SX50 HS looks like a great camera.  It's true the sensor on the camera is smaller than full frame or even EF-S sensor on the Rebel series, so therefore the lens can be somewhat smaller and still have the same specs - but that's getting down to details.

Yes, I am picky about image quality, but I've gotten great quality photos, and was able to enlarge them up to 16x20 or larger, from a 4.1MP Olympus point-and-shoot with a 10x zoom.  Consider that the new Canon is more than 12MP and has the 50x zoom, if you can keep the camera stable enough at an extended zoom so that camera shake doesn't disrupt your photos, you could get some AMAZING photos.

The longest zoom I have now, on the EOS, is 300mm, and with it, I have taken some really good photos (and some that weren't so good).  In a moment I'll post a link to a really intriguing shot that shows the EOS with a 1200mm lens compared to the SX50!

But first, another great camera on the market today is a new Panasonic, the Lumix DMC-FZ200 which only has a 24x zoom.  The really great thing about this camera is the aperture rating - that is, the amount of light it lets in.  From the wide angle end all the way up to the fully zoomed end of the range, it has an aperture of f2.8.

Compared to the Canon SX50, the Lumix has only half the zoom but at any point in that range, it lets significantly more light than the Canon, as much as 6x as much light (or 4x approximately at the 24x zoom level).  With that much more lighting available, you can leave the ISO settings lower, getting less grain in low-light shots.

For fun, take a look at this photo... http://j.mp/Y3MkoG  - it compares the two cameras discussed here, along with my EOS Rebel XSI, but with a lens added to it that would give it the equivalent lens power of the Canon SX50 (that is, 1200mm).  That lens would cost many, many thousands of dollars (quick google search didn't find one available, but I am sure they're out there (time to go get the b&h catalog).  A similar but smaller lens, at 600mm, matches the Lumix zoom range but at an f4.0 aperture (lower light levels than the Panasonic's) and costs almost $13000.

I'll note that the $13000 lens paired with a full-frame SLR could take better quality photos as compared to the Panasonic, so if you were blowing them up to put on the side of a side-scraper, you'd probably want to own the many-thousands-of-dollars lens and camera option.  But for most of us, the $499 for the Panasonic would be the more affordable option and more reasonable option.

But hey, if price is no option, you could always spend more!