Keeping Diabetes in Check with the Best Glucose Monitors

Keeping Diabetes in Check with the Best Glucose Monitors

With diabetes continuing to be the rise, many people now use a handheld, glucose monitor to test their blood sugar levels once or more a day.  Years ago, I am proud to say that Consumer Reports (CR) began testing these devices.  In their November issue, they tested 17 models of glucose monitors.

Diabetes Basics:  Today, 25.8 million or over 8% of children and adults in the United States have diabetes.  It is estimated that of this number, 7 million are undiagnosed.  In 2010, there were 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.
The two forms of diabetes—Type 1 and 2—often go undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless. Fortunately, early detection and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Type 1—This form is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as “juvenile diabetes.” In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.  Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.   Symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type 2—This is the most common form of diabetes.  With Type 2, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.  Often there are no symptoms, but they can include:

• Any Type 1 symptoms
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

The American Diabetes Association has a diabetes risk analyzer at their web address:
http://www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/alert-day-2011/diabetes-risk-test-english.pdf

Glucose Monitors:  In the same way that a computer printer manufacturer sells their printer at a low cost to cash in on the highly profitable ink cartridges, glucose monitor manufacturers almost give away the monitor hardware so they can reap high profits from their test strips.  Assuming four blood sugar tests per day, an annual supply of test strips can exceed $1700 while the hardware often costs far less than $100.

For CR, the glucose monitor test methodology is conceptually easy.  The major variables are only their accuracy and repeatability.  But, the challenge is having available a large number of test subjects with a wide range of blood sugar levels.  Then, you must test and retest these subjects for a long time period using a large number of glucose monitor models. 

All of this testing is done while comparing these results against a standard, laboratory-grade analyzer for blood sugar levels.  To do this, CR has had to rely on the expertise of an independent, outside lab. 

The FDA only requires an accuracy of within 20%.  All 17 models tested to this accuracy, but CR believes that this accuracy requirement should be tightened.  The models called out here and recommended by CR, had accuracies that were better than 20%.  

The Winners:  In the November 2011, CR recommended three Best Buys distributed by Walmart that are all manufactured by the brand “ReliOn.”  The highest rated ReliOn model is the “Confirm.”  This monitor costs only $9, but the annual cost of the test strips used four times per day is estimated to be $570.  A little further down the ratings are the other two ReliOn models, “Micro” and “Ultima” for the same price. 

At the top of the ratings, but more costly are two recommended Accu-Chek models, “Compact Plus” and “Aviva.”  These monitors each cost $20, but an annual supply of test strips costs about $1700!

Remember:  Check with your doctor if you have a high risk of diabetes or any of the symptoms above.  With early treatment, you can avoid its potentially serious health effects.

Cold Facts about Buying a Refrigerator

Cold Facts about Buying a Refrigerator

Part 1: Save Money and Energy by
Trading in that Old Refrigerator

Usually, I do not read the mail inserts that come with bills, but one from our power company, NYSEG, caught my eye recently. 

NYSEG was publicizing their “Energy Efficiency Programs.”  This initiative seeks to reduce the need for adding costly power generation equipment through our use of the most efficient appliances and lighting.  In this way, we all can be conservation winners—energy providers and users as well as the environment.

The annual energy bill for a typical single home is approximately $2,200.  Topping our energy use is home heating (29%).  After home cooling (19%) and water heating (14%), appliances make up 13% of our energy use or about $300 annually. 

Refrigerators are one of the most energy intensive appliances since they operate continually.  This appliance has had the attention of the Department of Energy over the years and there have been new standards set over the years I was at CR to reduce their energy use. 

Thus, trading in your refrigerator can make economic sense especially if your current model is over 10 years old.  To find out how much you can save, you can go to the Energy Star website, www.energystar.gov.  First, click on “Product” at the top left of the home menu.  Then, click on the icon at the top left called “Find Energy Star Products.” 

This will bring you to the page where you can click on “Refrigerators.”  Here, you can link to the “Energy Star Savings Calculator.”  First, you will need to look for the refrigerator’s appliance tag usually found just inside the door. 

Surprise, time passes fast!  My top freezer refrigerator, a Kitchenaid model, was a Consumer Reports (CR) test sample dating back to 1997!  (Happily, it only had one repair call for about $100 in all that time.)

By plugging the age of the old refrigerator and its interior size in cubic feet, the Energy Star Savings Calculator, calculated that my refrigerator was using 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually.  With a replacement refrigerator of similar size and type, this annual energy use dropped to 400 kWh! 

In our situation, by buying a new refrigerator the energy savings was 50% or about $43 annually for a typical energy cost of $0.11 per kWh.  This may not sound like much money, but if my new refrigerator lasts as long as the old one, over the next 14 years, I will have saved over $600! 

This savings was close to the $700 purchase price for the new unit.  While businesses would like a three-year payback, in my mind, the by-product of conserving energy still makes this worthwhile.

If you are equally impressed by your savings, the next step is to review the options for buying a replacement refrigerator.  Based on our circumstances, the main driver in choosing a new refrigerator was its width and height.  Without a significant remodeling of our kitchen, a new frig was limited to 32 inches wide and 67 inches high. 

Take a look at the Pawling Press (New York) Archives (www.PawlingPress.com) for the September 3, 2010 issue, to review an article I wrote about various alternatives for all types of refrigerators—Top- and Bottom-Freezers, Side-by-Side and Built-in’s. Next week’s column will take you through these options as well as providing you with the current, top-rated models by Consumer Reports for each refrigerator type.  

Prepare for sticker-shock as I tell you how much a new refrigerator will cost in my next section....

Part 2: Cold Facts about Buying a Refrigerator

In the last section, I discussed whether you should trade in your refrigerator to save money while conserving energy.  As promised, this week we will get down to the nitty-gritty about which type of refrigerator to buy and what model to select.

Choosing a Model:  In our own situation, we found that the current refrigerator opening was too small for anything but the same type (Top-Freezer) and size (18.3 cubic feet).  So, my guidance is to check carefully what size refrigerator will fit—height, depth, and width—before buying.  Will the new unit fit through halls and doors on its way to your kitchen?  Measure, measure, measure!
The most popular types of refrigerators are:

• TOP-FREEZER:  Heights (67 inches and above) and widths (30 to 33 inches) can fit into small frig openings. Manufacturers claim up to 22-cubic-foot capacities, but usable capacity is typically 20% percent lower by Consumer Reports (CR) measurements.  This type usually lacks the bells-and-whistles that increase price.

Pros:  Inside storage is large compared to outside dimensions.  Good value.
Cons:  Bending to reach bottom shelves and drawers. 
Typical Statistics:  Purchase cost from $500 to $1000.  Energy efficiency from Very Good to Excellent.  Annual energy cost of $50 to $63.
Reliability:  Poorer reliability for GE (with icemakers) and Maytag (without icemakers) models.
CR Best Buy:  Frigidaire Gallery FGUI2149L[P] ($850). Although likely different in performance and features, we are happy with our new purchase of a Frigidaire Gallery LGUI1849LP built exclusively for Lowes with a cost of $700. This turned out to be a Tier III appliance—the most efficient made with an annual energy use of only 335 kilowatt-hours and an energy cost of $35 per year.  This is a 58% reduction in energy compared to the refrigerator it replaces that was built in 1997.    

• BOTTOM-FREEZER:  This is the fastest growing category with French-door and four-door models.  They are taller than Top-Freezer models with widths from 30 to 36 inches. French Doors come in wider widths.  Claimed capacities to 30 cubic feet, but usable capacity is typically 30% lower.  

Pros:  Offers eye-level refrigerator. French-door models offer space-saving, narrow door with the swing of a side-by-side and the option of opening only half the refrigerator for smaller items.
Cons:  Bending to reach the freezer. 
Typical Statistics:  French Door—Purchase cost from $1200 to $3300!  Energy efficiency from Poor to Excellent.  Annual energy cost of $59 to 88.
     Conventional—Purchase cost from $750 to $1300.  Energy efficiency from Poor to Excellent.  Annual energy cost of $50 to 100.
Reliability:  Poorer reliability for GE models.
CR Best Buys:  French—Whirlpool Gold GX5FHTXV[Q] ($1700); LG LFC25776[SW] ($1500); and Samsung RF266AE[WP] ($1500).  Conventional—Amana ABB2221WE[W] ($850).

• SIDE-BY-SIDE:  This type has a vertical, full-length split that places the freezer on one side and refrigerator on the other. Width typically measures 32 to 36 inches. Claimed capacities can reach roughly 30 cubic feet, but usable capacity is typically 35% lower.  

Pros:  Narrow doors are a plus in a tight kitchen. 
Cons:  Most doors don't open wide.  Narrow compartments make items in back difficult to find.
Typical Statistics:  Purchase cost from $800 to $2700!  Energy efficiency from Fair to Excellent.  Annual energy cost of $57 to $100.
Reliability:  Poorer reliability for GE and LG models.
CR Best Buys:  Samsung RS263TD[ ] ($1200); Whirlpool Gold GS5VHAXW[Q] ($1400); Maytag MSD2559XE[W] ($1100); and Frigidaire Gallery FGUS2676L[P] ($1200).
Tip:  Stainless Steel finishes on your appliance really do look great when you see them in the store.  You might want to consider such a purchase carefully since it:  1) costs a lot more than black or white finishes; 2) shows every fingerprint that touches it; 3) will not hold a magnet for all those important frig messages. 

    Recycling:  After purchasing a new refrigerator, the final step is getting rid of the old one.  You can usually do this when the new unit arrives, but it may cost an additional fee for its removal. 
NYSEG’s (New York) website, www.nyseg.com/energyefficiencyprograms gives details about their refrigerator or freezer recycling program.  To apply, your appliance must be:

• Between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size
• Empty and in working order at time of pickup
• Accessible with a clear path for their removal

This is not only a free recycling service, NYSEG pays you $30 for the pleasure! (Check your own state's programs for similar offers.) 

I found this service to be quite professional.  The gentlemen who picked up our refrigerator told me that other units they picked up that day were all older than mine.  In fact, two were the old “GE Monitor” refrigerators still running since the 1930’s!  Think about how much money (and energy) is being saved by replacing those antiques.

Buying a Small Car with High Gas Mileage

Buying a Small Car with High Gas Mileage

Recently, I gave readers reasons not to buy the newly redesigned Honda Civic.  (See article.) Now, Consumer Reports (CR) confirmed their earlier finding by extending this poor evaluation to its sister model, the Civic Hybrid. 

I bought the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and have been driving happily for 80,000 miles.  (Cumulatively, my average gas mileage is 43 miles per gallon [mpg]!)  But, in CR’s words, the new Civic Hybrid has “gone downhill overall.” 

So, you might ask, “What are good choices for a small car with high mpg?”  Funny you should ask, here goes.

Non-Hybrids—The small cars that CR is recommending include:

SubCompacts—The Honda Fit manual transmission model ($17,100) is at the top of the ratings with an overall 33 mpg.  (The Fit with an automatic transmission loses about 3 mpg overall.)  When it arrives on the market later this fall, you might want to check out the redesigned Toyota Yaris when it arrives on the market.  The previous model was not stellar, but from the CR preview, the new one may be a substantial improvement.

Small Sedans—CR’s recommended models include: Hyundai Elantra GLS with 29 mpg overall ($18,450), Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL with 27 mpg ($19,530), Toyota Corolla LE with 32 mpg ($18,400), Kia Forte EX with 28 mpg ($19,040) and the Mazda3 i Touring with 28 mpg ($19,745).  For these small sedans, the automatic transmission option may be worthwhile since you get about the same mpg overall and the car will have a higher resale value.

Small Hatchbacks—The sole CR recommended model in this category is the Volkswagen Golf TDI.  It comes with a manual transmission, uses diesel fuel and gets 38 mpg overall ($24,760).  Diesel fuel is sometimes harder to find and currently sells close to premium gas prices.  You might not like the smell of the exhaust although it has gotten less objectionable with the new, lower sulfur fuels.  Diesel engines are simpler and have been reputed to last longer than a gas engine.  Don’t confuse this model with it brother, the small sedan, VW Jetta TDI that CR did not recommend.

Sporty Cars—CR’s sole recommended model in this category is the Mini Cooper (base model at $21,700) that has an overall gas mileage of 33.   By the way, CR did not recommend the new Fiat 500 since its overall score was too low.  This is the new Chrysler car produced for the US market.   

Hybrids—The best hybrid to buy is the Toyota Prius Four with an overall mpg of 44 ($26,750).  Yes, you pay a premium for the hybrid option, but this is one of the few hybrids where you will likely make back the difference over the years.  Previous models have been quite reliable and their resale value has held up despite concerns over their battery life after 8 years.

Looking to the Future—If you can wait, there will be new, small cars coming out this fall and spring.  In particular, there will be a new, enlarged wagon version called the Prius V hybrid. 

I am eagerly awaiting the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid that is arriving in 2012.  It operates like the current Prius, but offers a range of about 40 miles on battery power alone before the small gas engine turns on.  Overnight, the car can be plugged-in to recharge the battery. 

There will be new hybrids and electric only cars arriving constantly over the next several years.  I have concerns, especially in this area, about a car that operates only on battery-power like the Nissan Leaf.   For starters, the Leaf costs over $33,000, but with a Federal rebate of $7,500.  That is a lot of money especially when, at best, it has a range of less than 100 miles.  In Pawling (NY) winters, the Leaf will likely have a much reduced range than this.  For this car, there is no range backup from a small gas engine, except if you have a very, very long extension cord.   This situation is where the term “range anxiety” originated.

You may have heard about the Chevy Volt that has arrived in the USA, but not for purchase in the Northeast.  The Volt costs a lot … $43,700 for the one that CR bought.  Even with a rebate, this is expensive!  The Volt has the advantage of having a small engine aboard to deal with “range anxiety.” 

CR was able to get about 35 miles on battery power alone before the engine kicked in. 
I expect in a Pawling winter that this number would be reduced substantially.  After the battery is depleted, the gas engine extends the range at only 29 mpg overall.  Making matters worse, the Volt’s heater proved inadequate and runs only on battery power.  

With gasoline prices seeming to have hit a plateau close to $4 per gallon for regular, having these car buying options now and in the future is certainly good news.

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 1 of 3

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 1 of 3

Like last year, with Black Friday’s buying frenzy behind us, I wanted to suggest some holiday gift suggestions that are particularly good values.  These gift suggestions are based on my own product assessments as well as Consumer Reports (CR) recommendations.  

There are so many interesting products to suggest that I will provide my list in three installments.  Here goes:

Computer Tablet for Adults:  Apple’s iPad2 is still the best of the lot, but it starts at $499 and you can spend close to $1,000 once you get all the accessories I did.  Apple sold about 11 million iPads in just the last three months.  Remember, the iPad is not a replacement to your home computer.  You will still need your laptop or desktop for the longer typing tasks.  Where it excels is being able to access your email and the Internet easily and quickly. 

Another plus is iPad’s applications or “apps” that are numerous—140,000+ just for the iPad.  You can do tasks from silly (“Pocket Pond,” free, for watching fish swim) to educational (“Star Walk,” $4.99, for seeing making astronomy come alive) to fun (“Angry Birds,” Free, a widely played game).   

The Amazon Kindle Fire ($199) has just come onto the market in competition with the iPad.  Its functionality is between a full-fledged Tablet and an e-Reader.  After using one recently, I found it is not an Apple iPad2 replacement since you get far less tablet functionality and the screen is much smaller.  The big plus is that the “Fire” can be bought at less than half the price.  In comparison to other e-Readers that I will mention later, the “Fire” is about the same size, but the battery life is shorter and it is heavier.  Still, you might want to look at both the Kindle Fire and the iPad2 if you are serious about buying a tablet computer and short of cash.

Computer Tablet for Kids:  A parent recently made me aware of Leapfrog’s Explorer Learning LeapPad ($199).  The LeapPad has some of the capabilities of an adult tablet computer, but is focuses on the educational development of children from 4 to 9 years old.  You can even track your children's progress and achievements online. 

The LeapPad comes with a touchscreen, microphone, camera and video recorder plus three applications.  You can buy more apps at about $15 each.  User reviews have been generally excellent.  From these comments, here are some tips:  1) As an out-of-the-box gift, it will disappoint unless you make it operational via a computer beforehand.  This will take from 20 minutes to an hour so make sure to get the system up and running before giving it to the child. 2)  The LeapPad goes through batteries quickly so buying the plug-in power supply makes sense as well as buying rechargeable batteries.  (The Nickel Metal Hydride [Ni-M-H] batteries are best.)  3) You might also want to buy the LeapPad carrying case and bumper for protection against the normal kid abuse. 

Book reading via an e-Reader:  Think Barnes and Noble Nook ($249) remains the standard to beat.  Yes, these devices make reading a different experience than with a book.  But, there are positives including being able to read in bed without making noise as you turn pages or needing to have the lights on.

Laptop Computers:  If you have the money, Apple’s Mac Computers (over $1,000) are the way to go.  Their technical service is second to none and their software is more intuitive.  But, there is that price issue along with the reality that a Mac makes up only 10% of the computers sold and much of the newer software focuses first on the PC.  Another plus for the Mac is that because the population of computers is mostly PC’s, you do not have to worry about a computer virus with a Mac.

So, if you cannot swing it for a Mac, check out the many brands of PC’s.  If this computer is going to be used at home, I prefer a screen size of 15.6 inches even though it is heavier and has shorter battery life.  For most people, a laptop with 4 gigabytes memory and a 500 megabyte hard drive is sufficient.  An Intel processor is a safe bet as well.  You can get these machines on sale for around $600 or less.  I particularly like CR’s Best Buy, the Samsung RV520-WO1US for $480.   Once you buy the computer, don’t forget that you will likely need to buy Microsoft’s Office 2010 ($200+).  Also, for virus protection, one package recommended by CR is Norton’s Internet Security.  I have been using this one for the last six months.  Look for it on sale for less than $50.

Computer Printers:  When you buy a printer the consumer can turn the tables on the manufacture.  The printer manufacturer sells the printer at a loss and hopes to make huge profits from the cartridges.  When I reported on printers I suggested buying an inexpensive, all-in-one color inkjet that reproduces photos well. You will be surprised and delighted with the versatility of all-in-one printer that can copy, scan and fax.  (Beware: Many all-in-one models omit the fax capability.)  Generally, the top of CR’s Ratings show Canon and HP models.  But according to users, HP models seem to have reliability problems.  One model I liked was the relatively low-cost, Canon Pixma MX882 ($150) even though it was down the ratings.  It did have a fax, but on the downside the cost to print a photo was relatively high.

Where you can really save is by also buying an inexpensive black and white, laser printer.  Most printing jobs can be done in B&W with more than a 50% savings in printing.  The Brother HL-2270DW ($150) is a CR recommended model that is often found on sale below $100.  I have been using an earlier Brother laser printer for years now and am well-satisfied.

Happy Shopping!

 

           Kindle’s Fire Tablet Computer
             iPad2 is Still the Standard to Beat

Kindle’s Fire Tablet Computer

Amazon just came out with a low-priced, color tablet computer to compete with Apple’s iPad2.  It only costs $199, about half the price of the iPad2 that starts at $499.  But, at this price the Kindle Fire also lacks a camera, microphone, has much fewer applications or apps, a much smaller screen, small internal data storage and a weaker battery.  Its web browser, “Silk,” is also slow although Amazon says it will get faster with time. 

Amazon is actually losing money on each Kindle Fire it sells.  They expect to make their profit by selling content from their store—music, books and movies.  Because of its other drawbacks, the Kindle Fire does not come close to being a laptop replacement for most functions like the iPad2 is.  If your main requirement is accessing Amazon’s multi-media content store, then this is the Kindle Fire’s sweet spot and a good value.

At the same time Amazon’s Kindle Fire arrived on the market, so did Barnes and Noble’s (B&N) Nook Tablet for $249.  It has the same size screen and pluses like a somewhat greater battery life and storage capacity.  What it lacks is the ability to conveniently access music and videos as provided by on line stores from Amazon and Apple.

Making it a more complex purchasing decision is the presence of good, low cost, lightweight e-Readers.  If your main need is to read a magazine or book, these devices may be a better bet.  The B&N Nook Simple Touch e-Reader for only $99 continues to get top marks in this category even though Amazon’s Kindle Touch ($99 to $149) has some pluses and is a major improvement over the original Kindle Touch.

iPad2 is Still the Standard to Beat

I called it a possible game-changer in the Spring of 2010 and it was.  Apple has sold over 11 million iPads tablet computers just in this last quarter! 

As readers know, I had been mighty tempted to buy the original iPad, but my advice to you (and me) was to wait for the improved, new version. 

The new iPad2 arrived  on March 11th.  You (and I) might ask:  How has it changed?  Is it worth buying or waiting for iPad3?  If I buy one, which model?

First, a reminder about what an iPad really is.   I had described the iPad as an e-book reader on steroids.  Called a “tablet computer,” its size is between a smallish cell phone like an iPhone 4 and a laptop computer.  More mobile with a fairly large screen (9.7 inch diagonal), but with a virtual keyboard (i.e. with touch screen keys).  A real keyboard comes as an accessory, but defeats the purpose of this mobile device.

For most of my friends and family who bought one, while the iPad has not replace their laptop or cell phone, it is being used as a magazine, newspaper or book.  The iPad is fast becoming the quick way to get on the web, see your email, watch a movie or play a game.  CR is even taking test data using these devices and wirelessly sending the results to a secure server.

Most important, the iPad has connectivity to inexpensive Apple’s Application or “Apps” for games and utilities that have real value.  Many are free or cost less than $5.  Already, Apple has over 140,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad’s large screen. 

How has it changed?  The iPad2 is even better.  Some say modestly, but I am more enthused.  Highlights include:

• The original, smallish iPad has gotten smaller—33% thinner going from 13 to 8.8 mm thick.  (This is 0.5 mm thinner than an iPhone 4S!)  It also got lighter going from 1.5 to 1.3 pounds.

• There is a faster processor that should improve the response time in accessing websites and posting graphics.

• A camera that was left off the original, is now present as a two-way camera that operates like the one on the iPhone 4S.  The camera does not have great resolution. 

• Like the original iPad, the screen’s color and picture resolution are incredible. 

• There is now a 3-axis gyro that extends the usefulness of many apps by sensing the orientation of the device.  Sounds minor, but trust me, this is an important feature even beyond games.

• There is now an HDMI video out connector for $39 that shows in high resolution anything that is on the iPad screen.
  
• One new accessory already is getting raves—the "smart cover."  When you open the protective cover, it wakes up the iPad from sleep.   The cover only costs $39 for polyurethane or $69 for leather.

Unfortunately, some things did not change:

• The iPad still does not show web postings in the “flash protocol.” This prevents you from seeing some Internet sites at their best.

• It still has limitations for use as a substitute computer.  There are no USB ports to hook up accessories.  There is no removable memory card slot to easily transfer photos or data.

• You still can only use Apple’s proprietary, but free iTunes for most purchases.  Nonetheless, I have found this to be an excellent program.

Is it worth buying or waiting for iPad3?  Tablet computers continue to arrive on the market, but none has been better than the iPad2.  It continues to be at the top of the Consumer Reports Rating. 

Many have or will have the non-proprietary Droid (by Google) operating system.  These Droid models may have new features and/or smaller screens to reduce their price/size and weight, but, in my opinion, it is doubtful they will be a better value than the iPad2.  

So here is my buying advice that I am following myself:

• If you have an iPad, you will feel less motivated to buy this new one, but there are many reasons to do so.  Perhaps, your original iPad could go to your spouse.

• If you like I was, have been awaiting for the iPad2 and did not buy the original, you can more easily rationalize this purchase. 

• Rumor has it that you should expect the “iPad3” around the spring of 2012.  For those that are more mature, waiting until spring may make sense.  You will also see what other new Droid tablets come into the market in the months ahead. 

If I buy one, which model?  The purchase price for the iPad2 remains the same as the original.  As before, one version of the iPad2 can connect to the Internet via a wifi broadband connection that many of us have in our homes.  These iPad2’s cost $499 with 16 Gigabyte (GB) memory; $599 for 32 GB or $699 for 64 GB.  Since there is no slot for adding memory, I would opt for at least the 32 GB model to have more room for apps, movies, photos, podcasts, music, etc.

If you want to obtain Internet connections away from wifi, you will need to pay extra for both the iPad2 and their broadband data plans.  For those iPad2’s, costs jump to $630, $730 and $830 for the 16, 32 and 64 GB of memory, respectively.  Then, each month you need to pay for data delivery.  This can get expensive if you download movies. 

This time you have your choice between AT&T or Verizon as your broadband service providers.  As I have mentioned in previous articles, Consumer Reports’ reader surveys have picked Verizon as the better cell phone service. 

Yet, you should check out both providers before making a decision since directly after the iPad2 introduction, AT&T came out with better terms if you do not want to buy a broadband contract.  Verizon may follow suit.  Unfortunately, for either mobile data service, it is additional to one you might purchase with your cell phone.   

For me, I am hoping my wife will want my almost new, hand-me-down, tablet computer so I can buy the “iPad3” next year!

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 2 of 3

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 2 of 3

Continuing with my list of suggested gift ideas, I wanted first to remind you to “think local” with your purchases from our community’s merchants.  Shopping locally is not a new idea, but at this time of year it is especially important to community businesses who depend so much on holiday purchases. 

Want to buy gifts? There are a number of shops that can cater to your whims.  And, don’t forget the fine restaurants within your community that make for great diversity and can fill a big appetite. 

For the second “Great Gift” installment, let’s start with a big ticket item first … buying a high definition television.

Televisions:  I continue to believe that you should stay away from the high-end, 3-D models.  Few 3-D films, decent or otherwise, are being made.  Also, there may be new 3-D TV technology coming along that will not need expensive glasses. 

The good news is that there are terrific buys now in Plasma and LCD TV’s.  Yet, there are still significant differences in TV performance that make some brands a poor value.  A case in point is the lady in a Wall Street Journal photo wheeling away two, Westinghouse 42 inch LCD TV during the Black Friday sales.  This TV was at the bottom of CR’s Rating with only a 24 score while most scored more than 60!  Sometimes even a great price can be a rotten deal.

Plasma TV’s offer the best value for large screen sizes.  One Plasma TV downside is that it uses about twice the energy ($80 per year) of an LCD set.  A big Plasma TV advantage is that the screen intensity and color do not degrade as you sit at an angle to the set.  You might want to start your search with two Consumer Reports (CR) Best Buys, the 60 inch, Panasonic Viera TC-P60S30 ($1,400) and the 50 inch, LG 50PV450 ($750).  If these models are not available, CR found for Plasma sets that the Panasonic brand has consistently been among the best.  Very close behind are LG and Samsung.

There are far more models to choose if you buy an LCD TV. A screen size around 40 to 47 inch is probably the value sweet spot.  For this type set, a narrow viewing angle can be a problem.  Don’t get sold a bill-of-goods in the store to buy one with “LED backlighting.”  CR test results show that this is not an essential factor and often just increases the price without benefiting performance.  CR’s recommended models include the 47 inch screen, LG 47LV5500 ($1,080) or the 40 inch, Samsung LN40D630 ($720).  CR found for LCD sets LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony have consistently been among the top performers. Close behind are Hitachi, Insignia, and Vizio, with consistently strong performance.  An untested TV from any of those brands is a safe bet.

Remember, especially when it comes to TV’s don’t buy an Extended Warranty unless you feel sorry for the salesman and want him to have a special holiday bonus for selling it to you.  CR’s survey research found that extended warranties are not worth their extra cost.  If you are going to have a problem, it will most likely occur during the normal warranty.

Movies for the Family:  Netflix’s fortunes have plummeted since their clumsy, 60% price increase was announced to start in September.  Not unexpectedly this resulted in a loss of customers and their stock price has been in freefall from $300 in July to $64 as of the day after Thanksgiving.   Still, for some people their DVD or streaming services may be worth the $7.99 per month. 

Amazon also has a streaming service for a smaller number of movies that comes free with their “Prime” service at $79/year.  (The main reason to pay for Prime service is to get free, 2-day shipping on selected Amazon purchases.) 

Both of these streaming subscriptions can be shown on Roku’s video streaming player that costs between $50 and $100.  The Roku system is easy to set up, but you will need a broadband Internet service. 

Blu-ray Players:  If you want to view DVD’s upgraded to High Definition (HD) reception, you will need to buy a Blu-ray player.  According to CR, major brands give the same, fine reception.  So if you want a basic Blu-ray player, buy by price.  CR recommends the Panasonic DMP-BD75 for $100.  If you are a Netflix subscriber, you can buy a Blu-ray player that accesses Netflix’s streaming service directly without a Roku box (above). 

Remember, renting or buying a Blu-ray disk costs more than the standard play DVD.  Fortunately, you can play either type DVD on a Blu-ray player.

Happy Shopping!

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 3 of 3

Great Gifts for the Holidays: Part 2 of 3

Getting right down to business, this is my third and final installment of my holiday gift suggestions. 

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras:  Like other electronic devices, the digital camera continues to come down in price while its feature set has increased.  A basic model can produce very good photos and wow you with the things it can do.  Generally, there is a 5X zoom and the weight is about 7 ounces. High among CR Ratings for subcompact cameras were the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 ($210), Nikon Coolpix S8000 ($250) and Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS ELPH ($180).  A major advantage of a subcompact camera is that they can be stuffed easily into your pocket.

Then, there is the “advanced zoom” camera with about a 25 times zoom.  These cameras are heavier (20 ounces) and more bulky cameras with photos that are comparable in quality to subcompact cameras.  What you get for the extra cost and heft is a camera that is capable of photographing far away, high quality images.  This telescopic capability is still not on a par with more expensive and larger Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras used by intermediate and above photographers.  Among CR’s top-rated advanced zooms are:  Nikon Coolpix L120 ($230), Canon PowerShot SX30 IS ($340) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 ($350). 

Headphones:  With so many simultaneous users of electronic devices like ipods and tablets, a good set of headphones can become a necessity.  One CR recommended headphone, the Sony PIIQ Giiq MDR-PQ2 ($35), was a particularly good value that did not sacrifice performance.  It is funky looking, has a cup that sits on the ear, but does not provide noise-cancelling.  For noise cancelling, you should look at CR’s Best Buy, the Panasonic RP-HC55 ($40) that fits within the ear. 

GPS Navigators:  I continue to be thrilled to have a GPS Navigator in each of our cars guiding me day and night.  Knowing where to turn on a dark and rainy night is well-worth their cost.  I also find their calculation of when I will arrive to be quite helpful.

Newer GPS have more features and cost less than ever.  I have changed my attitude toward “Traffic” capability in these GPS units.  It is far better now, more timely and accurate, and I suggest you look for this “Lifetime Traffic” (LT) feature.  Stick also to the 4.3 or 5 inch screen where small map details can be seen by a quick glance.

Currently, the only CR Best Buys are the Garmin Nuvi 2455 and 2555.  They are the same basic unit, but the 2455 model has a 4.3 inch screen and the 2555 a 5 incher.  
Each can be purchased with lifetime traffic (LT) and lifetime maps (LM) starting at $160.  You can get both of these features as the Garmin Nuvi 2455 LMT for $199.

Cell Phones:  There are now more cell phones in the USA than people!  There are also a wide variety of cell phones types and service providers. 

For those who use a cell phone infrequently, I like the no-contract Tracfone that is inexpensive to buy and operate.  You can buy a Tracfone for less than $50 and buy time at a cost of 10 or 20 cents per minute.  While these minutes have an expiration date, there is a plan that extends this expiration for one month for only $6.  Thus, you have emergency cell phone capability at a low cost.

Then, there are the two-year contract plans where you can buy a cell phone at a discount.  CR reports that Verizon is still the best service provider with excellent coverage.  Stripped down, Verizon cell phones like the LG Cosmos ($100) or the Samsung Convoy 2 ($80) are two CR recommended models.

Then, there are the smartphones that are capable of browsing the web or receiving email.  CR’s top pick mid-size smartphone is the iPhone 4S ($200).  For more information, please see my October 28 Pawling Press column.  For a larger smartphone, CR’s highest rated model is the Motorola Droid Bionic ($300).

And, Happy Holidays to All!

Apple iPhone 4s is Another Winner

Apple iPhone 4s is Another Winner

Initially, Apple’s new cell phone, the iPhone 4S, received a tepid response from the media.  It looks identical to the earlier iPhone 4 model right down to the color.  Worse, Apple’s Tim Cook hosted the conference instead of ailing Steve Jobs and there was no way he could fill Jobs’ shoes.   (Sadly, Steve Jobs died the next day.) 

The phone is now on sale and early reviews by users and columnists alike confirm that this is another Apple winner.

As you might recall, the previous iPhone 4 had signal-reception problems because its antenna could be affected by how it was held.  As a result, Consumer Reports (CR) has never recommended this model.  Thus, it was probably to Apple’s significant relief that  CR just announced its testing showed the antenna problem was solved in their new model.  This means that the iPhone 4S will not need a “bumper” around its periphery to ensure good reception as had been required by the previous iPhone 4.  (Apple even supplied these bumpers gratis after the antenna problem became known.) 

If you want a mid-size, smart cellphone, the iPhone 4S is a good choice and at the top of CR’s ratings.  Here are some of the reasons why.

Software:  There is a faster operating system, iOS 5, for the phone.  Anyone owning an iPad or the iPhone 3G or 4 can upgrade free.  (Beware that the iPad2 upgrade takes about 5 hours to complete.)

Apple’s iCloud promises to synch all your Apple devices with each other.  This web-based storage can be accessed via wi-fi or your data plan.  (Save money and set your phone to update only by wi-fi.)  While Apple sells extra storage, 5 gigabytes (GB) are provided for free and iTunes purchases are not counted toward this basic storage.  It proved easy to sign up for the iCloud.  I only used half my free storage in my initial backup. 

Hardware:  To get the most out from the new software, you need the new, faster processor on the iPhone 4S.  This is the same processor used for the iPad2 and a worthy addition.

The iPhone 4S is termed a “World Phone.”  It now has GSM capability and can be used in Europe.  This is a big plus for those traveling abroad, but it can be expensive to use so check out the cost before your next trip.

The camera is much improved with higher resolution and can shoot in the dark far better.  Some say, it rivals a compact point-and-shoot.

Apple claims solving the iPhone 4’s antenna problem with their new phone. 

Siri, the “Intelligent Assistant”:  This feature uniquely turns the iPhone 4S into an artificial intelligence device.  For instance, Walt Mossberg interacted with Siri by asking, "Will the weather get worse today?"  Siri answered, "I don't think the weather is going to get worse" and displayed a weather chart.”   When Mossberg asked it "What's the best phone?" it said, "Wait… there are other phones?"

Service Providers:  Apple added Sprint to the list of service providers that also includes AT & T and Verizon.  Verizon remains superior to AT & T’s service with better coverage and fewer dropped calls. 

The big plus for Sprint is their “Unlimited” plan for data, voice and text messaging costing $110 per month.  Sprint’s coverage is not be as good as Verizon’s, but their unlimited plan certainly needs to be considered for those who expect to make large data downloads like video.

The Buying Decision:  There are many options here in making a purchasing decision.  The iPhone 4S costs $199 for the 16 GB model.  If you can swing it, buy the model with 32 GB for an extra $100.  Unless you expect to store a great deal, I would pass on the 64 GB model which would cost $200 above the basic model. 

Making matters more complicated, when you pick your iPhone 4, you need to choose your service provider.   The phone you choose can only be used with that provider. 

Here are my suggestions for buying the iPhone 4S depending on what cell phone you are using now:

• New Users—The older Apple smartphones are available at bargain prices:  iPhone 3G at no cost or an iPhone 4 for $100 when you buy a two year service agreement.  Personally, I would spend more for the iPhone 4S since the cost of the phone is small potatoes compared to the service plan over two years.
• Owners of iPhone 3G or older—If you can afford it, buy the iPhone 4S now and enjoy!
• Owners of iPhone 4—Once your two year service contract is up, it is worth upgrading to the iPhone 4S.  If you can hold out for another year or so, the iPhone 5 is rumored to be on the drawing board. 

Also, you might be able to sell your iPhone 4 on Craigslist or through Target and use this money to partially pay off the early termination fee.  Then, you can buy the iPhone 4S without as much guilt.

• Owners of a non-Apple smartphone— Especially if you download podcasts via iTunes and are intrigued by the large number of “apps” (or applications) that are available, give the iPhone 4S a test drive.

For comparison, you might want to check out smartphones that use the Google operating system called “Android.”  Each service provider has a number of models from various brands that did well in Consumer Report’s testing.  Their selling cost is often comparable to the Apple iPhone 4.

Finally, the public has bought more iPhone 4S’ to-date than any previous iPhone.  It is a winner!  Order it now online and it can be delivered within two weeks.

Initially, Apple’s new cell phone, the iPhone 4S, received a tepid response from the media.  It looks identical to the earlier iPhone 4 model right down to the color.  Worse, Apple’s Tim Cook hosted the conference instead of ailing Steve Jobs and there was no way he could fill Jobs’ shoes.   (Sadly, Steve Jobs died the next day.) 

The phone is now on sale and early reviews by users and columnists alike confirm that this is another Apple winner.

As you might recall, the previous iPhone 4 had signal-reception problems because its antenna could be affected by how it was held.  As a result, Consumer Reports (CR) has never recommended this model.  Thus, it was probably to Apple’s significant relief that  CR just announced its testing showed the antenna problem was solved in their new model.  This means that the iPhone 4S will not need a “bumper” around its periphery to ensure good reception as had been required by the previous iPhone 4.  (Apple even supplied these bumpers gratis after the antenna problem became known.) 

If you want a mid-size, smart cellphone, the iPhone 4S is a good choice and at the top of CR’s ratings.  Here are some of the reasons why.

Software:  There is a faster operating system, iOS 5, for the phone.  Anyone owning an iPad or the iPhone 3G or 4 can upgrade free.  (Beware that the iPad2 upgrade takes about 5 hours to complete.)

Apple’s iCloud promises to synch all your Apple devices with each other.  This web-based storage can be accessed via wi-fi or your data plan.  (Save money and set your phone to update only by wi-fi.)  While Apple sells extra storage, 5 gigabytes (GB) are provided for free and iTunes purchases are not counted toward this basic storage.  It proved easy to sign up for the iCloud.  I only used half my free storage in my initial backup. 

Hardware:  To get the most out from the new software, you need the new, faster processor on the iPhone 4S.  This is the same processor used for the iPad2 and a worthy addition.

The iPhone 4S is termed a “World Phone.”  It now has GSM capability and can be used in Europe.  This is a big plus for those traveling abroad, but it can be expensive to use so check out the cost before your next trip.

The camera is much improved with higher resolution and can shoot in the dark far better.  Some say, it rivals a compact point-and-shoot.

Apple claims solving the iPhone 4’s antenna problem with their new phone. 

Siri, the “Intelligent Assistant”:  This feature uniquely turns the iPhone 4S into an artificial intelligence device.  For instance, Walt Mossberg interacted with Siri by asking, "Will the weather get worse today?"  Siri answered, "I don't think the weather is going to get worse" and displayed a weather chart.”   When Mossberg asked it "What's the best phone?" it said, "Wait… there are other phones?"

Service Providers:  Apple added Sprint to the list of service providers that also includes AT & T and Verizon.  Verizon remains superior to AT & T’s service with better coverage and fewer dropped calls. 

The big plus for Sprint is their “Unlimited” plan for data, voice and text messaging costing $110 per month.  Sprint’s coverage is not be as good as Verizon’s, but their unlimited plan certainly needs to be considered for those who expect to make large data downloads like video.

The Buying Decision:  There are many options here in making a purchasing decision.  The iPhone 4S costs $199 for the 16 GB model.  If you can swing it, buy the model with 32 GB for an extra $100.  Unless you expect to store a great deal, I would pass on the 64 GB model which would cost $200 above the basic model. 

Making matters more complicated, when you pick your iPhone 4, you need to choose your service provider.   The phone you choose can only be used with that provider. 

Here are my suggestions for buying the iPhone 4S depending on what cell phone you are using now:

• New Users—The older Apple smartphones are available at bargain prices:  iPhone 3G at no cost or an iPhone 4 for $100 when you buy a two year service agreement.  Personally, I would spend more for the iPhone 4S since the cost of the phone is small potatoes compared to the service plan over two years.
• Owners of iPhone 3G or older—If you can afford it, buy the iPhone 4S now and enjoy!
• Owners of iPhone 4—Once your two year service contract is up, it is worth upgrading to the iPhone 4S.  If you can hold out for another year or so, the iPhone 5 is rumored to be on the drawing board. 

Also, you might be able to sell your iPhone 4 on Craigslist or through Target and use this money to partially pay off the early termination fee.  Then, you can buy the iPhone 4S without as much guilt.

• Owners of a non-Apple smartphone— Especially if you download podcasts via iTunes and are intrigued by the large number of “apps” (or applications) that are available, give the iPhone 4S a test drive.

For comparison, you might want to check out smartphones that use the Google operating system called “Android.”  Each service provider has a number of models from various brands that did well in Consumer Report’s testing.  Their selling cost is often comparable to the Apple iPhone 4.

Finally, the public has bought more iPhone 4S’ to-date than any previous iPhone.  It is a winner!  Order it now online and it can be delivered within two weeks.

Batteries … A Holiday Necessity!

Batteries … A Holiday Necessity!

If you are buying the kids gifts, this will not be a successful holiday season without having lots of batteries on hand for a myriad of devices.  Also, with all the severe “weather events” lately, it is not a bad idea to buy spare batteries if the lights go out again and before stores runs out.    

The best value is the “Alkaline” type battery.  They have long storage lives of two to three years and are frequently discounted during sales.  I would not buy “Heavy Duty” type batteries that are a poorer value compared to Alkalines. 

Many devices use sizes AA and AAA.  Among other uses, these sizes power the small, inexpensive flashlights that have multiple LED’s.  I have a number of these flashlights throughout my home and in my cars since they provide a good deal of light and use little energy.  Larger flashlights usually use sizes “C” or “D.”

Once again, a recent CR study has confirmed that most major brands’ batteries work fine and you should buy by price.  Walgreens was the only name brand that did poorer than most.  For a AA size battery, you can spend more than $1 or less than 40 cents depending if you buy a Duracell at regular price or a CVS battery on sale.  (Recently, CVS batteries were on sale with 30 AA’s or AAA’s selling for $10 or 33 cents per battery!) 

To save even more, you might want to buy rechargeable batteries.  I suggest buying the Nickel-Metal-Hydride type (Ni-M-H) rather than the Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) with its environmental problems.  With a rechargeable battery, the operating voltage is lower (1.2 versus 1.5 volts) so you should check your device to make sure it will operate properly.  I usually buy a spare set of rechargeables to charge while the other set is in the device.  You can recycle rechargeable batteries by taking them to Radio Shack, Home Depot or Lowes.

Finally, there are Lithium batteries.  Their high cost of more than $2 per cell make them a poor value.  Nonetheless, CR confirmed that they do last significantly longer.  Lithium batteries are best used in devices where it is difficult to change batteries.  If you have an outdoor temperature sensor, this may be a good application especially in very cold weather.

Happy Holidays (and good luck the next time the lights go out)!

About These Articles

The Smart Consumer

Be sure to check back frequently for Jeff's Smart Consumer articles.

Consumer Articles by Dr. Jeffrey Asher
      Dr. Jeffrey Asher is a Mechanical Engineer who, after 21 years, retired in 2008 from being Consumer Reports' Vice-President and Technical Director.  

     Article Archives 1: 2010 through February 2011

     Article Archives 2: March to September, 2011

     Article Archives 3: Starting October, 2011 (this page)

Jeff Asher worked at Consumer Reports for more than 21 years.  When he retired, he was Vice-President and Technical Director overseeing all product testing, including cars.  In the same way when he worked for CR, his reports for Slightly Creaky are independent of any commercial interests.  He receives no free samples or any remuneration from manufacturers.  Never has, never will!  These recommendations are Jeff Asher’s alone and do not reflect the views of Consumer Reports.  Bon shopping! Batteries … A Holiday Necessity!

You can contact Jeff at info@SlightlyCreaky.com.
He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future articles.