PADDY COMYNchecks out the latest gadgets
Panasonic Viera G10 42 Plasma
Price: €1,299
Buy: Major electrical retailers
People almost seem to have forgotten about plasma TVs, what with all the talk about LCDs, but when you want to get a really large set, then many believe plasma is still king. At any rate, plasma is great for sports, and here is one that we have been trying at Motors Gadgets towers for a couple of weeks now and it really is faultless. The G10 42 Plasma has superb picture quality, and when twinned with a Playstation 3, it offered amazing BluRay playback and was brilliant for games. The built-in SD card was great too, allowing playback of HD video without any wires or fuss. This is one of the best TVs we have come across, and the price really isn’t that bad either.
Microsoft Notebook Cooling Base
Price: €24.99
Buy: Available from Harvey Norman, Peats Electronics, Soundstore Click outlets nationwide
With so many of us migrating away from the old desktop computer to sleek and ever-so-portable laptops, there is one symptom which can be a pretty major drawback – overheating, which, as men in particular know, can be a little uncomfortable. Well, Microsoft have a solution and that comes in the form of their Notebook Cooling Base. You can use it on your desk with the flip up stand, giving you a more comfortable typing angle, or if you turn it sideways you can use it on your lap and the built-in cooling channel directs heat away and keeps cool air flowing freely.
Canon Powershot G11
Price: €629
Buy: Conns Cameras 01-6777179
The G-Series has been hugely popular and is in most photographers’ bags as a point-and-shoot. This new version features fewer megapixels than the G10, comes with a RAW model, a 28mm wide- angle lens and a 2.8 Vari-Angle PureColour System LCD. The Dual Anti-Noise System allows you to capture full resolution images – using up to ISO 3200 – in low-light conditions.
Striker LED Mine torch
Price: €13
Buy: firebox.com
Smaller than a golf ball, this surprisingly powerful torch is titchy enough to fit into almost any tight area, pockets included. So what is it for?
Well, here’s the clever bit: the Striker Mine’s tough ABS body is dotted with 12 rare earth (neodymium) magnets, allowing you to stick it on metal surfaces and aim its intensely bright, wide-angle LED beam at almost any angle. Perfect for placing under a car or other tricky surfaces.
