Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 Backpacking Tent Review

With our recent 2012 Holiday Gadget gift Guide, we had a couple outdoor products included in a handheld GPS from Magellan, and a Sigma High Power LED Bike light.  It made us realize that not everyone uses their electronic gear indoors.  Cell phones, cameras, camcorders, iPods, and GPS receivers tend to come with us when we go camping.  So we are doing a crossover series of some gear that we would use camping, backpacking, or just outdoors.  I volunteer as an Assistant Scoutmaster for our local boy scout troop, and will be testing products while camping with them.  Today we will be reviewing the Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 tent. There are a lot of options to choose from then it comes to tents. A couple of features that I look for are strength, and weight. After all, tents are made to provide shelter, and if it is rainy and windy, you want a tent that will stay up and keep you and your gear dry. And if I am going on a trek, I don’t want a tent that is too heavy to be carrying around. The Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 is both strong and lightweight.  I also appreciate the lifetime warranty for my hard earned cash.

Features and Specs:
·        Free Standing 3 Pole Design with 7000 Series Aluminum Poles
·        Easy Assembly with Pole Clips that quickly snap over the tent poles
·        75D 185T Polyester Fly resists UV damage and stays taut
·        Factory Sealed Fly & Floor Seams give best weather protection
·        75D 185T Taffeta Floor with 2000mm Coating
·        Extra Large #8 Zippers on Doors and Vestibules
·        Easy Entry & Great Ventilation with 2 Doors (both with zippered mesh windows)
·        2 Vestibules for gear storage and extra weather protection
·        Weatherproof Fly Buckles on for maximum adjustability and protection
·        Multiple Fly Vents increase ventilation
·        6061 Aluminum Stakes
·        Pole Bag, Stake Bag, Tent Bag with Drawstring
·        Guy Rope
·        Repair Swatches
·        Gear Loft
·        Mesh Storage Pockets

The tent came shipped in a standard brown box, and was in their storage bag that also had images of the tent. My first impression was the weight. For a strong two person tent, the Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 was fairly light. For backpackers, this is important. Their website lists the weight at 6lbs 8oz and I weighted it in at 6lbs 9oz. Opening the bag yielded the tent, fly, and two other bags. One bag held the poles, and the other held the stakes. Also included in the review is the separate floor saver, with its bag. Quality of the materials, and construction appeared very good.
It was time to pull it out and set up the tent. The separate floor saver was the same size as the tent’s footprint. Next I pulled out the tent and laid it out over the floor saver. Pulling out the aluminum poles, they were easy to connect and attach to the tent. The rain fly was next and easily connected to the tent. Being a winter campout, the tent was set up over some packed snow. It was also late at night when we pulled in and set up camp with my scout troop. Since it was late and setting up on packed snow, I decided not to use the stakes. And it ended up being a good test for the tent. Now let’s talk about some of the individual main components, after being able to take a closer look and inspection.

I was impressed with the quality of the poles. They were made of 7000 series aluminum, were light weight, but were also very strong. The pieces slid into each other for a perfectly snug fit. They seemed very durable. I also noticed that the end of each pole was color coded. One was blue, one was red, and one was silver. I noticed there were color coded ends on the tent corners, for blue and red. Couple that with the pole clips on the tent to hold the poles in place. This made for an amazingly easy set up. When setting up the tent in the snow, it was much appreciated.

I similarly really liked the rain fly. The corners of the tent and fly had plastic clips. Once the tent was set up, attaching the fly was as easy as throwing it on, and attaching the clips. The quality of materials and construction of the fly was also very good. I really liked the two large vestibules created by the rain fly.  Both ends of the fly also had a small plastic window, so you can peak out of the tent through them.

Now that the tent is set up, I got inside and took a closer look. The quality of materials and construction was very good. I saw no issues with the stitching, and there was no loose stitching. And areas that needed extra strength, such as where the pole clips for the poles were located, were double stitched. The floor of the tent was durable nylon, but also rather thin. So I would definitely recommend getting the ground cover, for extra protection. There were side pockets on the inside to hold loose items such as keys. And in case that wasn’t enough, a small mesh loft is included that attaches to the top of the tent with loops. It will also hold a few loose items. Across the top of the tent are three mesh sections. So when the rain fly is not needed, you can do some star gazing. I also like the fact that there are two doors, one on each side of the tent.  So if someone needs to get up in the middle of the night, there is no need for one camper to climb over the other.  The doors also had built-in mesh windows.  And as is the case with most 2 man tents....2 people will fit in, but it will be a bit friendly.  Zippered vents were also found in the roof of the tent, and all of the zippers throughout the tent were the larger size #8 and were very good quality.  But as with most 2 man tents, that would be expected to cut down on size, which would in return cut down on weight.
I was really impressed with the design of the tent. With the layout of the poles, the tent is quite strong. And with the rain fly snapping into place, the rain fly will not be going anywhere. The design worked perfectly for me. During our scout campout, a storm came in. We had about 7 inches of snow dumped on us during the night, with wind gusts of around 30-40 mph. With setting up the tent late at night, and over packed snow, I did not use the included tent stakes. Yet with the storm, the tent fly stayed firmly in place.   And I was dry and warm.

The Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 tent exceeded my expectations. With the lifetime warranty, I was expecting a quality product. Alps Mountaineering delivered in spades, and the design, quality, and features really showed in its performance. With an MSRP of $249, the Alps Mountaineering Extreme 2 tent is a bargain. As solid a tent as it is, the Extreme 2 tent is technically considered a 3 season tent.  I can only imagine how good one of their 4 season tents would be.  I definitely hope to see more from Alps Mountaineering come our way for review. Based on its design, features, quality, and performance, the Extreme 2 tent has earned our Highly Recommended award. Kudos to Alps Mountaineering for such a great product at an amazing price.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.alpsmountaineering.com.

EnerPlex Kicker IV Solar Powered Charger Review

Today we're going mobile. Yes, we're going to review the EnerPlex Kicker IV which is a USB enabled solar charger. Have you ever gone camping and needed a charge on your phone but had no way to do that? Perhaps you're going on a week long adventure and your backup battery just won't cut it. The EnerPlex Kicker IV aims to solve your device's power hungry needs with complements to the Sun for its energy.

High Sierra Titan 65 Internal Frame Backpack Review

When I look for a backpack, I look for value, and potentially all-purpose. I also look for high build quality, so I know my hard earned cash will be going towards something that will last a long time. So a lifetime warranty is very important to me. The High Sierra Titan 65 is a very high quality product that satisfies all of my requirements of features that I look for in a product.

It’s features and specs:

•65-liter, top-load main compartment with gusseted drawstring closure and adjustable
• Removable, adjustable dual aluminum stays.
• S-shaped ERGO-FIT shoulder strap harness with load-lifters.
• Front-load sleeping bag compartment with divider.
• High-density foam padded back panel, with large AIRFLOW™ channels.
• Hinged front pocket, with mesh side gussets.
• Padded grab handles on both sides. Removable media pocket.
• Internal hydration reservoir sleeve and dual exit ports for tube (reservoir not included).
• Adjustable side and bottom compression straps.
• Adjustable sternum strap.
• Soft lashing hardware.
• Dual mesh pockets hold water bottles.
• Convenient zippered pockets.
• Tuck-away rain cover.
Dimensions: 14.25" x 8.75" x 32.00"
Weight: 5.60 pounds
·        840 Denier Nylon - Nylon is a high strength, durable material with excellent wear properties. The term " denier" (D) refers to the size of the yarn used: the larger the denier the bigger the yarn.

·        Nylon Mini-Diamond Ripstop - Exclusive Nylon Mini-Diamond Ripstop combined with our Mini-Weave Duralite provides superior durability through special ripstop technology.This lightweight fabric provides better stain- and water-resistance.

·        Duralite Nylon - 200 x 200-denier Duralite Nylon fabric features a special water resistant coating to help keep gear dry.

·        Rain Cover - Water resistant rain cover

·        Hydration Port - Internal hydration reservoir sleeve and exit port.

The Titan 65 came shipped in a standard brown box. I liked the blue color- it will be hard to not find it while I am out camping or backpacking. Pulling the bag out of the box, what first hit me was the build quality. The bag was made of heavy duty material, and was well stitched. And areas that needed the extra support, such as the shoulder straps, were double stitched. I really liked the thick padding on the shoulder straps and beefy waist strap. The Titan looked like it could easily stand up to the abuse of being an outdoors bag.  It came with a small booklet attached to the bag that went over all the features of the bag. The booklet also went over the Air Flow System, and how to properly fit the Titan to you.

The more I looked at the bag, the more impressed I was. This bag can hold a lot! But that does not mean it can only be used on long excursions. It also has cinch straps, so if you are only going for an overnight or weekend trip, it can be tightened down in size. I tend to like the philosophy of the more pockets the better. While the Titan does not have a ton of pockets, it does have a sufficient amount. The main bag has two compartments. The very bottom is a separate sleeping bag compartment, which is divided from the rest of the bag, and has an external zip to access it from the outside. The main compartment is above it. But the internal divider can be opened, so if you want to, you could open it to have just one large compartment. There are also two additional pockets on the main bag. The first is attached to the main body on the center, and the second is at the top of the bag and acts as a cover over the opening at the top of the bag.

The Titan also managed to include a couple other small, yet useful, pockets. There was a small pocket on each side of the waist strap, and also one that is called a detachable media pocket on the left shoulder strap. The media pocket was not very big and would not fit most smartphones, as that would be the initial impression of where to put your phone. It would however fit older cell phones, and many other devices potentially, such as MP3 players, or small handheld GPS devices. On the other hand, the waist straps are quite wide. So the built-in pockets on each side of them are a bit wider. So your cell phone could go into one of them. They would also be handy for storing a small snack. Each side of the bag also has an elastic compartment that is the perfect size for holding a 32 oz bottle.

High Sierra seems to have thought of everything, as the Titan is loaded with features. If you want to use it as a large luggage bag, no problem. There are handles on both sides, so the Titan can be carried sideways as a piece of luggage. There is a built-in bladder compartment with a small hole at the top on each side, so you can drink from the left or right side.

This bag is designed to be used, whatever it is you are in to. Hiking to a glacier? No problem, there is a loop to hold your ice axe, as well as a second loop for your hiking stick. And just in case 65 liters is not large enough to hold all of your gear, there are a plethora of straps, loops, etc to tie even more gear to. Ever been caught in a rain storm while you were out on a hike? High Sierra thought of that too. At the bottom of the bag is a Velcro secured compartment that holds a rain fly for your bag. And just in case you packed your poncho at the bottom of the large comportment, High Sierra thought of that as well. They added a zipper on the side of the bag, so can access the bottom of the main compartment so you do not have to pull everything out to get to what you need.

So far I am quite floored with everything that the High Sierra Titan 65 is. But I could not help but feel a little skeptical, at how well it would all come together when being used. Would I be able to really get it adjusted to fit me well and be comfortable for long treks? Would it really be that functional? And would it really endure the rigors and abuse and not fall apart when being used what it was designed for? It’s time to find out.

The booklet was easy to follow in the instruction for how to get the Titan adjusted to fit you. I was able to get it adjusted, and it fit rather well.  Hiking with it was sufficiently comfortable.  I loved having the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom.  Accessing and getting at things in the main compartment was simple, even for items at the bottom, thanks to the side zipper.  And having the additional pockets on the outside and top of the bag made it convenient to pack items you knew you would want to have easy quick access to.  Of course the pockets on the waist strap also came in really handy.  One suggestion for High Sierra would be to make the detachable media pocket a bit larger, so it would be usable with more devices.  Handing out abuse of hiking into camp and being thrown around camp had no noticeable impact to the Titan 65.

All in all, I was very impressed with the High Sierra Titan 65.  Its build quality was very good, as well as being full of features.   High Sierra seemed to have thought of everything.  While some manufacturers come up with features that appear gimmicky, those found on the High Sierra Titan were functional and usable.  As with their Air Flow System, I was able to feel some air get back there.  The High Sierra Titan has an MSRP of $280, but it can be found for much less.  And with a lifetime warranty, you know they stand behind their products.  For those in the market for a nice internal frame backpack, the Titan 65 should be on your short list.  Based on its design, features, quality, and performance, the High Sierra Titan 65 has earned our Highly Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at http://www.highsierra.com/.

Sodastream Source Soda Maker Review

Watching movies is a great way to relax. Having a surround sound system really brings out the action and excitement in movies. But many are not stopping there. Dedicated theater rooms are getting more and more popular, many with some accessories such as popcorn makers and soda machines. These accessories however can take up valuable space. Enter the Sodastream Source soda maker.

The Sodastream Source is a very cool machine that makes soda. It is also quite small, so it does not take up much space. There are also a good amount of flavors to choose from.  Whether you like regular, diet, or even energy drinks, there is a flavor for you.

Features and specs:

• Source home soda maker
• 1 Reusable 1L BPA-free carbonating bottle with fizz-preserving cap
• 1 60L* CO2 carbonator (makes up to 60 liters)
• Sodamix Taste Sampler (6 flavors)
• MSRP $129.95
• Available colors - white (coming soon), black

The Sodastream Source came shipped in an attractive printed box with pictures of the Source and its features. It was well protected with its internal packaging. Included in the box was the Sodastream, one co2 cartridge, and one liter mixing bottle. Construction of the Sodastream Source was good, using a combination of metal and plastic materials. Fit and finish was also very good.

At this point, I was excited to get it put together and try it out. The instructions were easy to follow. Putting the Sodastream Source together was rather easy. All that was really needed was to screw on the CO2 cartridge in the rear compartment. Once it was screwed in, the Sodastream Source was ready to go. Also provided were several flavors, some diet. Many were naturally flavored, without the preservatives in regular soda. So it is actually healthier for you.

The Sodastream Source gives you flexibility. Not only do you choose your flavors, but you also choose the amount of carbonation in your soda. Whether you like a lot of carbonation, or just minimal, it is there for you to choose.

Making the soda was also very easy. First you fill the water bottle. Next you lock it into the Sodastream Source. Then you push down on the front lever until you have the amount of carbonation you want according to the display. Once you have the amount of carbonation you want, just let go of the lever, and push up on it, to release the water bottle. Now you just add the syrup and gently mix. Now enjoy! Having tried several flavors now, there has yet to be one that I did not like. Eventually you will need to refill the CO2 cartridge, but that can be done at your local Walmart.

At the end of the day,  the Sodastream Source is a great product.  Not only can you save some hard earned cash over the cost of regular soda in the can, but there are multiple other benefits as well.  The small bottles of the syrups take up a lot less space than a bunch of soda in the cans, and you will have to deal with much less recycling/trash.  And the flavors all tasted great!  If producing less waste and helping the environment is not your thing, then the Sodastream may not be for you.  But is you want to be able to make your own soda and control the taste as well as the carbonation, the Sodastream Source is worth checking out.  With an MSRP of $129.95, it is priced right.  And based on it's design, features, quality, and performace, not only has it earned our Recommended Award, it also has earned a spot in our theater room!  For more info, check out their website at www.sodastreamusa.com.

Sleek 4G by Wilson Electronics

We had a good time at CES this year seeing several new products. One of those was the Sleek 4G by Wilson Electronics which we will be covering in this review. The demand for good coverage continues to increase as the number of mobile devices in the world continues to grow. In some areas cell phone coverage is spectacular, while other areas suffer. I happen to live in an area that has poor coverage making it the perfect place to test the new Sleek 4G by Wilson Electronics. If you're skeptical about a device being able to increase your phone's signal strength without physically attaching an antenna to the phone, read on!

Enlightened Equipment RevelationX 20 Degree Quilt Review

When it comes to sleeping bags, there are a few things that I look for, such as weight and warmth. I also look for quality products, so my hard earned cash will go towards a product that will last a long time. And of course, I also like to support manufacturers that make their products in the USA. The Enlightened Equipment RevelationX 20 Degree satisfies all of those points.  And with its light weight, it is a backpackers dream.

Features and Specs:

Shell Fabric: Consmetic 2nds calandered 1.1oz 30D Ripstop Nylon
Linner Fabric: Consmetic 2nds calandered 1.1oz 30D Ripstop Nylon
Down Fill: 850 Fill Power Goose Down overfilled by 20% (up to 20% more loft than specified)
Additional Overfill: Available by the ounce

Removable Under-strap System – Elastic webbing and flat buckles secure the quilt around you, your pad or easily un-clip to leave at home. One below the shoulder and a second mid back.
Additional Pad attachment straps– Comes with removable webbing straps that secure the quilt on top of any sleeping pad. (used in place of the elastic straps)
KARO Step Baffles – KARO baffles have gaps in each corner of the box allowing you to move the down from box to box. The down can easily be moved by massaging it around within the quilt to anywhere you want it, but once there the box shape of the KARO STEP baffles keeps it where you put it. Space between baffles has been dramatically reduced for 2013 which greatly increases down control and reduces shifting.
Adjustable Neck closure – A snap secures the quilt around you and the center draw cord is easily adjusted by pulling it inside the quilt. This closures can be opened when the sleeper gets warm and closed tight when needed to seal drafts.
Zippered Foot Box – A 20″ zipper and draw cord allow the foot box to close tightly keeping the heat in but can easily be opened flat or anywhere in the middle to vent when needed. Snaps 6″ and 12″ above the zipper pull the quilt in tight under the thighs when needed or lets you stretch out when it isn’t.
Dual use as Hammock UnderQuilt – Corner hang loops allow the quilts to be used with your own suspension to keep your backside warm in a hammock. (check out our new UnderQuilts for the lightest in dedicated underquilts)
Made in Winona MN– We are proud to build quality products locally in our homes.

Included with each quilt:

Silnylon Stuff Sack
Breathable Nylon Storage sack
Elastic under-straps(2)
Pad attachment straps (2)

The bag came shipped in a standard brown box. There are not many pieces to the bag. It is basically just the sleeping bag.  Retail bags come with the quilt, stuff sack, and the storage bag to keep it in when not being used, as well as the straps. The bag was well made with high quality construction. The nylon fabric and stitching were all very good quality. What really stuck out to me as well was the loft, and light weight!

The Enlightened Equipment makes some great sleeping bags. And so far as bags are concerned, they are considered quilts. They do not have a zipper that goes all the way up the side. The bottom of the bag zips up, and you pull the bag around you. Most people sleep on a pad, and it is the loft that provides the warmth. The pad also insulates you. So the upper part of the bag just gets pulled around you like a blanket. But on really cold nights, there are snaps and straps on the sides, so you can pull the bag snug all around you.

This design and the features of the RevelationX provide the best features for cold and warm weather. Since you are not zipped in, it is easy to halfway cover in warm weather. But in cold weather, you can wrap yourself. It also had not only down fill, but the down is high rated 850 Fill Power Goose Down, and overstuffed up to 20%. This means you can have high warmth with less down, which translates into less weight. For backpackers, where you are trying to get lighter items to carry, this feature is key. The bag is listed at 24.9 oz, and actual weight of the bag received was 25.3 oz, which was pretty close.  It also compresses to a very small size! The RevelationX comes with a stuff sack, storage bag, and sleeping pad straps. The mattress pad straps go under your sleeping pad to hold it over your pad, and keep from falling off.

I had high expectations for their wonderful sleeping bag. I liked it’s features, loved the size and weight, and really liked the story behind the company Enlightened Equipment. I liked the way they are made in Minnesota by local families, to help keep costs down. Their website says that they use cosmetic 2nds nylon to help keep the costs down.  The nylon used did not look like cosmetic 2nds to me.  And being able to customize it to you, with colors and sizes, is just icing on the cake!  I was very pleased with the quality of the materials used.  The use of KARO baffles was also a nice feature, so you can move the down around if needed.

When it came to testing the performance, I was ecstatic! Its design and quality of components and construction yielded a synergy of high performance. On their website the company comments on the 20 Degree RevelationX page, that it is a great 3 season quilt.  And on the 10 Degree RevelationX page, the comment states it is a great 4 season quilt in the south. I was able to really put the RevelationX 20 Degree Wide quilt to the test.

My boy scout troop did a winter campout. Living in Arizona, winters are very mild in the Phoenix area. But there are mountain areas in central and northern Arizona where you can get a good amount of snow, and cold winters. The weather was worse than I expected, snowing around seven inches that night, and was colder than expected as well. I was expecting a low temperature in the high teens, and thought the RevelationX 20 Degree Wide would be able to handle it. But in a worst case scenario, I would not be as warm as I usually like. The weather ended up being worse, giving us more snow than I expected and the temps were about 10-15 degrees cooler than I was expecting. The temperatures got down to around 5-10 degrees that night. The Enlightened Equipment RevelationX 20 Degree Wide, however, actually kept me nice and warm, even though it was 10-15 degrees colder than its rating. The saying....snug as a bug in a rug....that was me that night (minus the rug).  The cinch at the top of the bag came in handy to keep out the cold, as well as the snaps and straps to keep it snug around me.  I received the Wide version of the RevelationX 20 Degree, which was really nice for wrapping it around me, especially since I move around as I sleep.  I was, and still am, amazed at how well the RevelationX 20 Degree Wide performed.  While I was impressed with the warmth, my one concern would be durability of the thin nylon shell and liner. As with most lightweight gear, you need to be a little more careful with it.  Just keep that in mind is all, as you care for the gear, and you should get years of use. I can only imagine if it was their top of the line Epiphany 0 Degree quilt.  The waterproof cuben fiber is amazing!

Another great feature is the warranty!  I thought it was so great, and fair, I thought it should be included from their website:

"It is simple, you will be happy.
·        If you receive your quilt and the sizing isn’t right, we’ll exchange it for one that is
·        If you receive it and you hate the colors, we’ll exchange it for one you will like
·        If you find quilts aren’t for you we can refund your purchase within 60 days of purchase (this limit is imposed by our payment processor)
·        We will repair any damage due to error in production for the life of your quilt or provide a replacement should we see fit
·        We will repair damage due to extended use as long as the material will take it (there may be reasonable fees depending on the damage)
·        If you are unhappy for any reason not specified above contact us and we will do our best to make it right for you
When processing returns or exchanges the customer is responsible for all shipping charges, please contact us before returning merchandise."

When it comes to backpacking sleeping bags, weight is a HUGE factor. A lifetime warranty for the original buyer is a great feature for your hard earned money. While some problems are from our neglect, they will still do what they can for you (with potential fees that would be reasonable).  And I really like them being made in the USA, supporting our local economy. Their customer service was excellent as well, and very responsive!  With an MSRP of $220 for the Enlightened Equipment RevelationX 20 Degree Wide version, I found that it is worth every penny. Based on its design, features, quality and performance, the Enlightened Equipment RevelationX 20 Degrees Wide has earned our Highly Recommended Award!  They truly are enlightened!  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.enlightenedequipment.com. You will be glad you did.

Kingston SSDNow V300

Today we're reviewing the SSDNow V300 drive from Kingston. You might be familiar with the SSDNow line. If you are, great. If not, SSDNow is the line for consumer, business and enterprise SSD's from Kingston. This particular drive spans the consumer and the business market. Its primary target is to be an affordable SSD, but what's unique about this drive is not only its price point but its speed. The box clearly states 450MB/s read and write speeds. If they can pull that off and hit an attractive price point for your average consumer (not just the enthusiasts) then Kingston will have a gem on their hands.

2012 Editor's Choice Awards

There have been some great products in 2012!  Many a product has come across my desk this year.  Based on design, features, quality, and performance, awards ranging from Value, to Recommended, Highly Recommended, and Editor's Choice can be awarded.  Not all products receive an award.  The best of the best earn our Editor's Choice Award.  Our annual Editor's Choice Awards publication is to give the extra kudos to those special products that are so deserving.  Below is the list of this years recipients.

Altec Lansing A3 3-Way IEM
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/04/2012-headphone-shootout-part-2-in-ear.html

Antec Eleven Hundred Gamer Computer Case
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/05/antec-eleven-hundred-performance-series.html

Antec Kuhler H2O 920 CPU Water Cooler
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/antec-kuhler-h20-920-cpu-water-cooler.html

Asus P9X79 Deluxe X79 Motherboard
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/05/asus-p9x79-and-p9x79-deluxe-motherboard.html

Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 Headphones
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/03/2012-annual-headphone-shootout-over-ear.html

Audio Technica ATH-W1000X
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/03/2012-annual-headphone-shootout-over-ear.html

Corsair Force GT 240GB SATA III SSD
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/04/ocz-vertex-3-60gb-kingston-ssdnow-v200.html

Corsair H100 CPU Water Cooler
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/corsair-h100-cpu-water-cooler-review-by.html

Earthquake Shell ShoXX
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/07/earthquake-shell-shoxx-gaming.html

Elite Screens ezFrame 100" Frame
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/02/elite-screens-ezframe-100-inch-fixed.html

German Maestro GMP 435 S Headphones
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/03/2012-annual-headphone-shootout-over-ear.html

German Maestro MS 6508 2-Way Component System
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/04/german-maestro-m-line-ms-6508-65-inch-2.html

German Maestro MS 654010 3-Way Component System
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/german-maestro-m-line-ms-654010-and-ms.html

German Maestro MS 654010 3-Way Active Component System
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/german-maestro-m-line-ms-654010-and-ms.html

Intel i7-3820 Processor
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/03/intel-core-i7-3820-processor-review.html

JL Audio XD 600/6 6 Channel Amplifier
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/jl-audio-nexd-xd6006-6-channel-full.html

Kicker Solo-Baric L7 15" Subwoofer
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/03/kicker-solo-baric-l7-15-inch-subwoofer.html

Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB SATA III SSD
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/06/kingston-hyperx-3k-240gb-ssd-hard-drive.html

Kingston HyperX 64GB USB 3.0 Thumb Drive
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/11/sigma-karma-evo-pro-high-power-led-bike.html

Samsung Galaxy Note II Cell Phone
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/12/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-review-by-kirk.html

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Quad-Core Tablet
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/12/samsung-galaxy-note-101-android-40-quad.html

Sennheiser IE-8i IEM
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/04/2012-headphone-shootout-part-2-in-ear.html

Sigma Karma EVO Pro K-Set High Power LED Bike Light
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/11/sigma-karma-evo-pro-high-power-led-bike.html

Viper SmartStart VSM250 GPS Alarm
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/01/alarm.html

Zed Audio Leviathan III 6 Channel Amplifier
http://www.stereowiseplus.com/2012/05/zed-audio-leviathan-iii-6-channel.html

2012 Christmas Free Giveaways Contest Announced

The 2012 Christmas Giveaway will feature the contests below.  And a special thanks to Kingston for sponsoring.  Email your contest submission(s) to jeff@stereowiseplus.com.  Only one submission per family per contest.  Contest submissions will be taken until midnight MST Friday 12/21/12.  Winners will be notified by Christmas Eve.

Contests:

1) Submit your best scenery or desktop wallpaper photo
     Prize: Kingston HyperX 64GB DataTraveler USB 3.0
          http://www.kingston.com/us/usb/personal_business#dthx30

2) Submit story of worst Christmas you have had, or worst Christmas present ever received
     Prizes: 1st Place: Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB 2.5" SATA 3.0 (6Gb/s) SSD Drive
                      http://www.kingston.com/us/ssd/v#sv300s3
                 2nd Place: Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 1866 16GB (2x8GB) Upgrade Kit       
                      http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/hyperx/predator/beast

3) Submit story/photos of your computer: why you need the upgrade
     Prizes: 1st Place: Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB 2.5" SATA 3.0 (6Gb/s) SSD Drive
                      http://www.kingston.com/us/ssd/v#sv300s3
                 2nd Place: Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 1866 16GB (2x8GB) Upgrade Kit
                      http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/hyperx/predator/beast

Thank you and Happy Holidays from the Stereowise Plus crew!

2012 Christmas Giveaway Contests

We are happy to announce our 2012 Christmas Giveaway Contest, sponsored by Kingston.  It will feature items such as USB Flash Drives, Memory Upgrade Kits, and SSD drives.  So get ready to sift thru photos for those of your cutest baby or best scenery pictures (just as examples), or photos of your decrepid computer or screen print of components for proof why you need the upgrade. There will be multiple contests each with their own requirements.  So stay tuned for their announcements in the next few days.  These will be some great Kingston products!