Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Astronomical Telescopes : Guidelines in Buying

I agree that it is costly to buy pro-level astronomical scopes like Takahashi, APO, etc. But for the beginners, don't despair, there's a lot of entry level scopes (3"-4"). Just don't buy the "toy" scopes.

Some guidelines:

- Decide on what you want to see. There is rarely a scope that does it all. Decide whether you're interested in deep space objects (DSO - like nebulas, galaxies, clusters) or lunar and planetary.

- If you choose DSO, you need the best aperture you can afford/ carry and medium to low power only (20x-100x). If planetary, small apertures will do but you need high powers (100x-200x rarely this high) plus a very stable mount.

- Don't believe the "power" hype, like the 600x etc. Actually its not the power or magnification that's important, its the "Aperture" because for astro DSO use, the objects are faint and NOT small so you need to gather more light. Astro Telescope- definition: an instrument that gathers light.

- Power is limited by the "seeing" conditions at the time plus the amount of "light pollution". It is limited to 50x per inch of aperture. Therefore, for a 3" scope it is limited to 150x.

- Aperture determines light gathering power. The bigger the better, the only restriction is how much you're willing to spend and how heavy an instrument you're willing to lug around.

- Another factor is focal length... for DSO, a rich-field or short FL (400-600mm) will do but for planetary you need long FL (600-1000+mm). This is because FL determines power (power = FLobjective/EPfl)

I only have a 60mm(40mm clear aperture f/10) home made telescope (copy lens objective (400mm) plus binoculars eyepiece (20mm) and 20x mag ) but I have seen a lot of things from my backyard. My main interest is DSO. I have observed the great Orion Nebula, Pleides, Beehive Cluster, Lagoon Nebula, Hercules Cluster, and a lot of Messier's objects even with the moderate light pollution.

There is also the option of making your own telescope. You can buy an objective lens (surplus copier lens or buy a telescope objective online )and together with a binocular eyepiece and a PVC tube make a refractor. A reflector or Newtonian is also possible but I am not aware of local availability of parabolic mirrors. Making your own mirror is also possible btw.

Oh NEVER look at the sun with a telescope or binoculars without a sun filter. INSTANT BLINDNESS.

Ainol Novo 10 Hero : Best Ainol Tablet ... So Far

Ainol Novo10 Hero so far is the best release of Ainol... As in 0 known bugs and issues...

Very recommended... Although there's some sacrifice in specs if we compare it to Ainol Novo7 Flame...

#1 Stripped down Cameras.. 0.3MP Front / 2.0MP Rear without FLASH
#2. No more Light Sensor.
#3. No more build sturdiness. Leather-Case is a MUST.

But overall build quality is very impressive..

Novo10 Hero works very well.. no issues, no hiccups, no wi-fi problem, no overheating. Just plain beautiful. Whereas, Novo7 Fire (Flame) has to run with very strictly chosen firmware like Feiyu-10.31-QM/TM to run smoothly. However, some issues like popping sounds are still there but is now reduced. This is coming from my own hands-on experience of both..

It can handle graphics intensive games, so far. But it can get a bit hot (but again no overheating). Video watching is also great - no skipped frames so far. I've yet to test the HDMI so you guys might want to wait for feedback on that one.

I'm also using it as a torrent machine and pdf/comic book reader. I read a lot of med related books and it can get pretty pic intensive and I haven't encountered any problems yet. If you have time, go to the show room and tinker with it. I think I drove my friends crazy this past week just going to Apple and Samsung stores to pit the hero against the iPad, Tab and Note. So far, I'm happy with my purchase.

Finished installing essential apps and casual games and tested every function of the Tablet...

1. WiFi Works like charm... No disruption or low connectivity issues... Accelerometer & G-Sensor works too.
2. Battery definitely last longer after a full charge... No incorrect Battery Meter issue... No heating up while Charging.
3. Both of Cameras works fine... Just don't forget to carefully remove the plastic cover on Rear Cam...
4. Minimal to NO Backlight Bleeding and NO Dead Pixel... 10pt. TouchScreen Sensitivity is fluid smooth...
5. Stereo Speakers are incredible... Great Audio Clarity and Quality... Although the built-in MIC records a little bit low but decent enough quality...
6. Build Quality is awesome although some part produce usual creaking sounds but I guess They can bear with that...
7. Apps compatibility on JellyBean aren't in full scale yet... Twitter is not compatible...
8. Games compatibility on JellyBean are same on above, except for casual games...
9. It runs on Android JellyBean 4.1.1 with build date 2012-10-31... I did not update as it seems functioning well... I also found no way to root this Tablet except Upgrading to 2012-11-15 Firmware...
10. HDMI port, USB port, Earphone port, Charging port and Storage Expansion Slot works well too...

Overall, the Ainol Novo10 Hero Tablet is an AWESOME Tablet and definitely worth its price...

Are you planning to buy Ainol Novo Tablets with Action-Semi ATM7029?

I don't intend to discredit Ainol for moving into QuadCore Cortex-A9 Tablet, but choosing Action-Semi ATM7029 will be a DISASTER.

Why?

#1. It has the worst DualCore Graphics Processing Unit or GPU called Vivante GC1000. This GPU performance has barely surpass a SingleCore Mali-400 GPU. Plus it is unknown to Game Devs. so don't expect compatibility as-well on Heavy 3D Games.

#2. Action-Semi chipset is really not so popular. Haven't seen any Smartphone or Tablet manufacturer using or planning to use their products except for Ainol. Software support is still unknown which is a huge threat to Firmware Devs. and maybe for Ainol Software Engineer as-well. Not only that, performance is also unknown.

So don't be fooled on what you see on paper. Research before you buy.

My most recommended Chipset for Tablets are:

#1. Nvidia Tegra 3 - some China MID brands are planning to build a Tablet using this chipset. It may not be cheap but surely it will be great).

#2. Samsung Exynos 4412 - there are already China MID brands like Ramos and FreeLander are offering Tablet with this chipset. Although the price are still $250.00 or more, but I guess it'll subside in due time.

#3. Allwinner A31 - this one is new and has few information except it has a stunning OctalCore SGX543 MP*8 GPU. Some China MID brands are already on their way building Tablet with this chipset like Onda and Ampe.

#4. RockChip RK3066 - this is well tested. Good Kernel Support, Great Mali-400 MP*4 GPU @ 266MHz, No Overheating issue and Power Efficient. It became very popular to Tablet.

#5. AMLogic 8726-M6 - although it has poor reputation under IceCreamSandwich 4.0 OS, it was a totally different chipset on JellyBean 4.1 OS. Its fine on my Bro.-in-Law's Ainol Novo10 Hero. It has Mali-400 MP*2 GPU @ 400MHz which is doing fine on Heavy 3D Games

#6. FreeScale I.MX6Q - it has a QuadCore Vivante GC2000, which is still not recommended for Gamers. Also, some feedback says it has poor Power Efficiency.

*credits to ivan_lee05 of TPC

Monday, December 24, 2012

Sony RX100 : Best Pocketable Camera

Branded as the best "pocketable" compact camera today. Go with the RX100 if you will not expand your lens lineup. For the same price as an RX100, what do you think is the closest alternative? LX7? GX1?

Obviously the NEX series and the E-PM2/E-PL5 plus the Lumix GX1 but these are interchangeable lens cameras. I think the advantage of these cameras being interchangeable lens will go to waste if the user will not expand the lens lineup, plus the kit will be bigger than the RX100.

Another competitor that is a non-interchangeable lens camera is the Canon G1X (not to be confused with the Lumix GX1) which sports a bigger sensor than the RX100. But the Canon G1X is not known for its quick AF speed.

The LX7 is a different camera, much cheaper than the RX100, but also a smaller sensor. It has a 24mm eq. lens at the wide end compared to the 28mm wide end of the RX100 and a faster aperture lens @ f/1.4-2.3 to somewhat lessen the IQ disadvantage of the smaller sensor.

Between the RX100 and LX7. If you are to buy now with IQ and low-light as the deciding factor. Which one would you get?

RX100.

From Sony website:

Pros: best features ultracompact
Cons: color reproduction (not enough green-color)
- overall very good picture quality, and features ultracompact !!! like me :)
- no 720p/30fps mp4 video mode (6...9mbps, best mode, good quality, less space required)
- only iso3200 video sensitivity (specification)
- large sensor (20Mp, but, enough 10...12Mp)
- too high contrast (normal setting, can adjust)
- less green-color reproduction
- multi-shoot not so accurate with moving object (single-shoot more noise, but more detail)

Other set of Cons from another source:

Front control ring ideally needs sensitivity option adding in firmware update – sometimes needs too many turns
Feel of fly-by-wire manual focus, though reasonable, is not up there with Olympus Micro Four Thirds lenses
No punch in focus assist in video mode (you have to use peaking instead)
No native 24p/25p in 1920×1080 (60p and especially 50p conform well to 24/25p in post – less ideally switch to the 1080i interlaced wrapper or low bitrate 1440×1080 25p MP4 mode)
Stills shot whilst recording video are upscaled 4MP frame grabs, not full 20MP quality
Stabiliser still lets handheld jitter creep into videos especially with objects that are close to the lens
Poor placement of HDMI port
Cannot assign peaking to a function button
Would have liked to have seen more isolation of settings between modes. Too many settings carry over to video mode, should be more independent (i.e., AF in PSAM, MF in Movie)
Fastest shutter speed of 1/2000 relative to 1/4000 on most other cameras, and no built in ND filter like G1X
Slightly wooly bokeh compared to a high end DSLR lens

......and yet another set of Pros and Cons:

Pros
large image sensor
compact and stylish body
solid construction

Cons
no hot shoe
questionable high resolution
expensive

Print quality results from imaging-resource

Though its official base ISO starts at 125, the Sony RX100's ISO 80 images looked good printed at 24 x 36 inches. Color was muted, particularly yellows and greens, as we also found in our MacBeth test target.

ISO 125 shots also looked quite good at 24 x 36, with excellent detail, but the muted color persisted.

ISO 200 images also looked very good at 24 x 36, if a little softer than ISO 125. Not enough to require a smaller print size.

ISO 400 images printed very nicely at 20 x 30 inches, with sharp detail.

ISO 800 shots were soft enough at 20 x 30 that we preferred the 16 x 20-inch prints, though we'd still call the 20 x 30-inch prints usable for most subjects. By ISO 800, the red leaf swatch appeared soft.

ISO 1,600 shots are usable at 16 x 20 inches, but look better at a still impressively large 13 x 19-inch size. The red leaf swatch was very soft at this point.

ISO 3,200 images look good at 13 x 19 inches, with the exception of the difficult red leaf swatch.

ISO 6,400 images are a bit soft for 11 x 14-inch prints, but look pretty good at 8 x 10.

Overall, the Sony RX100 stands out as a pocket camera that can produce good quality 24x36-inch prints from ISO 80 to 200, and even its highest ISO of 6,400 outputs a good quality 8x10. Impressive!

Reviews:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/06/06/Sony-DSC-RX100-preview-with-sample-images

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/sony-rx100/sony-rx100A.HTM

http://www.eoshd.com/content/8499/sony-rx100-review

http://www.squidoo.com/sony-rx100

Grip Accessory

Review:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/07/19/Sony-RX100-accessory-grip-from-Richard-Franeic

Rx100 shots care of makoy99

(Straight from cam jpg shots. Images were just resized and in camera built in filters were used.)

* Photo credits to makoy99 of TPC

iPad Mini : Target Market for this latest Apple "Innovation"?

The intended market for the iPad Mini are those who needs medium size portable internet device in between the size of Ipad 2/3 and iPod Touch/iPhone. This is for those that are not after the innovation as their primary target. I for one will definitely buy this because all of my mobile phones are all in android platform. I am also using an HTC Flyer tablet and an iPad 2.

At first I wanted to replace my HTC Flyer with a Samsung Tab 7.7 because its bigger and thinner but I thought it only differed in size and the platform is the same Android. Second thing, my iPod Touch 4G is too small for Internet surfing but portability wise and ideal for music listening.

I also thought of getting a Nexus 7 but it has no 3G capability since I use 3G sim for Internet browsing and I'm using my HTC Flyer as a hotspot. So for my next gadget, the iPad mini would be the best for my needs to change OS platform for portable internet applications.

The SRP everywhere is around 18k.

Price check in pesos Php:

15,990 = Apple ph
15,500 = CMK Cellphone
18,400 = Widget City
19,400 = DB Gadgets
18,800 = Kim Store
17,980 = Hot Gadgets
19,800 = PC Express

I'm only interested in the base model so what you see above are the 16gb wifi

<click here for link> Demo by Verge
<click here for link> Hands on by AnandTech

*photo credits to farleyo of TPC

SM Value Pack : Deadly Combinations

I really do not know what possessed SM to give their customers a very disturbing "value pack" promo this Christmas season. But the pictures spreading around social media must really be true coz I've seen many other combinations or "value packs" at one of their branches.

Please see below for the actual commentaries about the SM "value f**ks":

Halulululululululu! Magpapasko na! Nu nang ganap mga te? Fruit salad kamo? Go for the value f**k pag dumaan sa SM ng juvekz na si Henry Sy. Fruitcocktail + Baygon! Fruitcockroach! Nomnomnom! Nakaka-repel rin kaya to ng uod at langgam kapag na-tigs na tayey at borlog na borlog na sa sementeryo? Ang powerful ng combination. 'Paka healthy. Paka-tanga. Iba!

[Photo courtesy of Carl Marc Ramota]

Carla Sta. Cruz Creations : Guaranteed 100% Genuine Leather Bags

There's this cool bag designer, and she really impressed us with her fabulous bag designs. She had an exhibit a few days ago at the Shangri-La Place and we were able to personally see and appreciate her stylish and sophisticated bags that's guaranteed 100% genuine Italian leather.

Her name is Carla Sta. Cruz, and she calls herself a Leather Artisan and Designer with offices in New York and Manila.

Check more of her at http://www.carlastacruz.com

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I have to share the other food choices that I failed to mention on my first blog about Cucina Andare (with an exclamation point). This weekend food market (actually being sold as a food truck market but there are still many stalls inside not housed in a truck) has terrific food vendors with products of great potential to become big and famous if given the right exposure and opportunity to fame...and eventual fortune!

I know there are plenty of them out there worthy of a mention so please forgive me if I again miss out on you. Just post a comment for its either I forgot to take a photo of your stall or the photo came out all blurry (or I just didn't really liked your food at all).

But I have to say, your visit to the Cucina Andare food truck market won't be a disappointment. It's worth your time and money!

Comfort food on the go! Choice meats (beef, chicken or pork) served the way you want-- garlic, pesto, curry, mustard, cheese - along with your choice of bread, pita, rice or chilli rice. Follow your hunger, Hungry Rover! Follow that truck!

Head on over to Hungry Rover at Cucina Andare at the Glorietta 3 Parkway and help yourself to a hot meal of US Beef Tapa, veggies and chili rice! They'll be there from 4pm to 3am, ready to serve you delicious comfort food.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Outback Steakhouse is a steakhouse concept with more than 1,000 locations spanning 22 countries.

Established in Tampa, Florida in 1988, each restaurant is a friendly, casual and relaxing place embodying the spirit of the Australian Outback with bold flavorful food, excellent service and attentive staff.

Ten years of serious food, generous portions, concentrated service and a friendly, casual ambience has made Outback Steakhouse the restaurant of choice by many. Although steak and other meat items make up a good portion of the menu, the concept offers a variety of chicken, seafood and pasta dishes."

I had an opportunity to dine at the Glorietta 4 branch and was able to get some pictures since I arrived during non-peak hours. I got there by mistake when I was supposed to attend an event but it was only during that day that I was informed it was cancelled.

So as not to waste my time, I decided to do some exploring of the place.

As their Facebook page says: Novo7 Tech is a premiere retailer of high quality consumer electronic devices. Keeping innovations within reach!

....and yes indeed! It did allowed me to get a chance to experience using a tablet PC when the branded counterparts were way too expensive.

This is where I got my Onda Valkeyrie V712 tablet PC of which I am very satisfied with regards to the looks, features and performance. I never encountered any problems so far. It was very dependable and suitable for my basic needs of surfing the web, checking my e-mails and Facebook timeline, plus the added photo and video capturing capability - and immediate upload via an Internet wi-fi connection when available.

Their stores also sells accessories or peripherals to maximize the usage of your tablet PCs.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Coffee is a subject all of its own, from the selection of the right beans, the roasting, the grinding of the beans, the maintenance of the coffee machine, the heating of the cup, the right extraction of the crema, the heating of the milk to the right temperature, and then the serving of the coffee to the customer!"

Cafe AntonioCoffee and Resto for the past few years definitely was the shop that served only the best coffee in Dumaguete. However, it has recently morphed into becoming a full-fledged Coffee house and Restaurant!

We really took it to ourselves to visit the place after a friend suggested it. Our friend was a photographer, and a very artistic one with a definite eye for beauty, and as expected, the place was a photographer's heaven....but is it a food lover's heaven as well?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"In the mountains of southern Negros Island, 12 km west of the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental peacefully lie the captivating Lake Balinsasayao and its twin lake, equally breathtaking Lake Danao. One of the major tourist attractions in the province, Lake Balinsasayao is a protected Natural Park, home to an expansive ecosystem and great biodiversity.

The lakes are two small but deep crater freshwater lakes rising 1000 feet above sea level and separated by a narrow mountain ridge, situated in a hollow between four mountains, Mount Mahungot to the south, Mount Kalbasan to the north, Mount Balinsasayao to the east and Mount Guidabon to the west. Lake Balinsasayao lies to the northwest of the ridge and Lake Danao to the southeast" - Dumaguete Info

Next in our itinerary was the visit of the Balinsasayao Nature Park where the famous Twin Lake is located. At the Visitors Center was where you have to register and pay for the very small entrance fees.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Probably for some fun and thrilling escapade, our hosts decided to give each one of us Php 200.00 to use in buying for our own choice of fresh food at the Dumaguete Public Market. They said cooking will be done by the resort's resident Chef.

There were eight of us in the group so instead of buying individually, we decided to combine our money and buy for all of us. It was actually exciting to make "tawad" with the public market vendors when we tried buying some seafood like a few kilos of squid, a couple of milkfish, some huge shrimps or "sugpo", a few kilos of tuna, and some mangoes to go with "bagoong".

I have to admit that it was a splendid idea adding some spice to our Dumaguete adventure.

"Negros Oriental is a hodgepodge of natural lakes and waterfalls, sure to calm the senses and the frazzled nerves. These attention worthy bodies of water are all subtly tucked away within the island of Negros."

We had to take a short hike to go to our next destination, the Red River Valley Waterfalls. In order to get there, we had to leave our van somewhere along the road where a caretaker is assigned to take care of all the vehicles, then cross a bridge made of "kawayan" or bamboo, then a few more steps uphill.

Funny is, there were people on motorbikes going pass us on the same road and across the bamboo bridge as well. I was surprised the bridge can take that much weight and stress from the motorbikes.

The red rocks in our path was an indication that we were near at one of our destinations for the day.

What causes rocks to weather to a reddish color?

The reddish color that you see in weathered rocks is caused by oxidation. The trace iron in the rocks, after having been exposed to the elements, primarily water, gets oxidized because of the oxygen found in water and making it turn red to reddish brown (typical color of rust).

Depending on the rock composition also, some rocks have layers that, after being exposed due to weathering, contain traces of other reddish particles that give the rock its reddish color.

This was the case for the Red Rock Hot Spring were you will see red rocks all around the vicinity surrounding the hot spring.