Wize Blog

Stargazing with the Best Telescopes

There's nothing like a clear night when the stars fill the sky and you wonder what's out there. Currently we are if you've been keeping up with the news. There's an International Space Station, which is fascinating when you get a minute to take a look.

Of course you can delve deeper into space with a telescope. It's a bit of technology where you can get away from clicking and punching all the devices around you.

Nothing puts you further into space than a telescope. Have you ever wondered how to shop for one? Well, you can start here with a list of a couple highly rated telescopes great for stargazing:

1.  Orion StarBlast Astro 9814 (267 x 114mm) costs just under $200. (pictured)
2.  Celestron NexStar 130SLT (31145) (306 x 130mm) costs about $400.
3.  Meade 70AZ-A (140 x 70mm) costs about $80.

Cell Phones with Long Battery Life

CNET.com found the phones that have the longest battery life. There are wize.com ratings for these phones. Here's the skinny on long battery life phones:

1. HTC Vox S710 rates 83 at wize.com and has an 11-hour battery life. (pictured on left)
2. Sony Ericsson P1i not rated yet; has a 9.5-hour battery life.
3. Sony Ericsson W850i rates 88 at wize.com; has an 11.5 hour battery life.
4. T-Mobile Wing rates 51 at wize.com; has a 9-hour battery life.
5. Motorola Krzr K1 rates 54 at wize.com; has a 9.25-hour battery life.

As you can see the Sony Ericsson W850i is your best bet here.

Fifth Anniversary of the Xbox Live Service

As of December 4, you won't need a disc to boot games like Halo (rated 97 at wize.com), Fable, Psychonauts (rated 97 at wize.com), and Crimson Skies (rated 91 at wize.com).

The next update to the firmware of the Xbox 360 offers the opportunity to download games for the original Xbox hardware.

Microsoft today announced that it will be selling those four games online, along with some others from the Xbox Live Marketplace early next month.

For the fifth anniversay of Xbox Live service, all Xbox Live gamers will get one free Xbox Live Arcade game and 500 free Microsoft Points for all members who signed up in 2002

Beware, though, any Xbox consoles only have 20 GB hard drives, which probably are already filled up. Might have to purchase a new hard drive to fit in more downloads.

Motopure H12 Bluetooth Headset Comfortable, but not Noiseless

A bluetooth headset by Motorola came out today. The dubbed “Motopure H12.” It comes with a charging base and carrying case and is equipped with Motorola's crystal talk technology The device has two microphones to help reduce noise.

It’s been reported that it’s the most comfortable headsets made.

The Motopure H12 is currently selling at AT&T stores for $99 after mail-in rebate.

Boygeniousreport.com reported that they were “ disappointed at the ‘noise cancellation’ that the headset supposedly offers.” For better noise cancellation, the blog recommended that the Aliph Jawbone is best.

That headset came in at an 82 at Wize.com.

Boygeniousreport.com continued, “If you’re looking for something smaller, little better looking, and extremely comfortable (let’s not forget the two included stylish desktop chargers) the Motorola MOTOPURE H12 is a sure shot win.”

Test footage of HV20 Camcorder

I'd say 24 frames per second at which the HV20 camcorder records makes for an excellent picture. Wize.com gave this camcorder a 91 rating. Not bad.

Some comments about this 1.2 lb machine (geeze, it's light) are listed below:

"Using it for 48 Hour Film Project and while it can be a bit cranky on its buttons and ease of use, it is a truly wonderful picture and the 24fps functionality is phenomenal."

"I've worked with many different video cameras over the years, including a few high-end cameras such as the Canon XL2 and Panasonic DVX-100 and I think it's safe to say that the HV20 is the best video camera you can buy for under $1100."

"I have no hesitation in recommending the amazing video quality you get from this modestly priced and compact device."

Video Review of Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera

Wize.com came across this informative video review of the SLR digital Nikon D40 with a WizeRank of 91, and noticed that numerous users on YouTube found it quite helpful.  Of course, we wanted to share the knowledge with all of you. 

Garmin Turns Cell Phones into Spiffy GPS Master with Mobile XT

That's right, just in case you were about ready to jump out and buy a new GPS system like the Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx GPS Receiver with a WizeRank of 90, Garmin (with the highest rated products on Wize.com of the existing GPS systems) introduces a new set of microSD cards preloaded with its navigation software and standard maps of the US or Europe for your mobile phone. 

The Garmin XT provides like turn-by-turn directions, route planning, and voice prompts right on your regular cell phone.  As well, imagine this, as you drive along the new Garmin XT can provide you with real-time fuel prices, traffic reports and weather updates. 

What is even more amazing is that all this is being offered right now for a mere $99, with no monthly fees or other costs.  This along makes us undoubtedly once again concur that Garmin is two steps ahead of the game when it comes to GPS systems.

Wize Featured on Vator.tv

Wize.com's CEO Tom Patterson was recently interviewed on Vator.tv. 

In the interview Patterson describes how Wize is trying to provide those answers to consumers questions around their purchasing decisions, by crawling the Web and allowing the best products to rise to the top based on a collective showing of virtual hands.

Ezra Roizen goes on to write:

"Wize is the Web 2.0 equivalent of Consumer Reports. Rather than covering a couple thousand products each year (Tom estimates that Consumer Reports covers about 1,500 a year), Wize has the potential to cover an unlimited number. At Wize, we are already tracking around 50,000 individual products on the site, and continue to grow in size and scale. 

While Consumer Reports employs a staff of 450 to perform product tests and comparisons, Wize takes a technological approach. It combs the Internet for product references among bloggers, commentators, and reviewers in the open-media community. Wize’s algorithm then interprets these online reviews and creates a single score between 1 and 100 for every product. Wize also aggregates consumer comments from other leading sites like CNET, Amazon, and Buy.com—which adds a nice qualitative touch to the quantitative scoring."

For more information on Wize.com please feel free to contact us.

Aerobie Impresses with the New AeroPress Espresso Maker

Think about this.  You find yourself camping up in the wilderness, and the next morning you feel a little groggy.  Coffee is great, but come on, this is 2007.  Shouldn't there be a way to have espresso on your camping trip? 

Well now, with a new Aerobie AeroPress Espresso maker you can drop it into your backpack and be fully ready to satisfy your rich espresso cravings.  Supposedly it cleans up in under 30 seconds as well, for easy usage when you are on the run.  Finally, for a price point of a mere $30 you won't have to rob a bank to fulfill your joe carvings. 

Think that maybe this pint size maker is a bit too small for everyday use?  The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine could be a better choice, although much pricier.  It's worth it, however and with a WizeRank of 95, with reviews like "is the best you can get outside of Italy" (all which you can find on Wize.com) you can feel confident that your purchase is a wise one!

The Nostalgia of Summer Ending

Perhaps it's simply the cloud cover that surrounds us today that reminds me that summer is rapidly coming to a close, and Autumn is right at our doorstep.  Perhaps its football peering it's head into our lives on Sunday's and Monday's.  Or perhaps it is the ever present reality that in most places in the country leaves are just beginning to fall. 

This leads me to one realization, that we must hold onto summer for as long as we possible can (okay, well two realizations) and grasp Fall with both hands.  One way to do that is to be fully prepared.  In order to do so, I have concocted a short list of must-have items that will make you feel like you are fully ready for this new season.  Here are today's Wize Five.

I will start with the most obvious item first, the grill.  Football isn't the same without some burgers and dogs, and according to Wize.com, the Webber 847001Grill, with a WizeRank of 94 is a sure bet according to the dozens and dozens of reviews gathered. 

In case you are too busy to BBQ and still want to watch your fantasy football players time off the bench, the Tivo TCD648250B is your best bet.  90% of reviews are positive, and this is the highest ranked DVR according to Wize.com.

Yes, we have a theme... finally in order to really experience the game a top notch home entertainment system is a must.  This fall, maybe you deserve the Onkyo HT-5894 5.1 Channel Home Theater System.  Amazingly, 100% of reviews from users and experts are positive.  All are gathered on Wize.com at the link above.

Yes, not all of us can be rabid football fans, so for those who are looking for some great fall necessities the West Bend 84755 Slow Cooker is a good bet for quick and easy meals.  With an average price of $32, it is hard to go wrong, especially with 95% of reviews across the web being positive.   

Warm homemade bread is always great when the days are cooling off, and now it has never been easier.  The West Bend 41077 Just for Dinner Bread Maker produces the easiest loafs, to a wide variety gourmet breads, and for those who can not consume huge quantities this is the machine to get. 

And with that, the seasons begin to change.