| Magazines: AutoSpeed | V8X | Silicon Chip | Property News | Shopping: Adult Costumes | Electronics | Cars | Fishing |
 |
| Current Articles | | | Archived Articles | | | Search | | | Online Shop | | | Free Preview | | | Register |
|
|
DSE Infrared, Ultrasonic Test Gear
Dick Smith Electronics have introduced a range of non-contact measuring equipment, which the electronics hobbyist, technician and professional will find highly useful. First is an infrared thermometer with laser marker (Cat Q1449), so you know exactly what spot the thermometer is measuring. The 3-1/2 digit LCD instrument takes one reading per second and can measure from -30°C to +550°C with an accuracy of ±2% of reading or 3°C, which ever is greater. It has adjustable emissivity to take into account materials and surface finishes. Overall size is 170 x 48 x 24mm and it weighs less than 120g, including the three "AAA" batteries which power the unit.
The laser is not on at all times, for safety ("never look a laser in the eye") but is turned on with a push-button. The unit has auto-power-off after 15 seconds. It is priced at $98.00. The other items are similar: ultrasonic "tape" measures which, as their name implies, use ultrasonics to measure the distance between them and an object, from 0.6 to 15 metres away. Resolution is 0.01m or 1cm. Each has a 5-digit LCD readout. The difference between the two instruments is that one is fitted with a laser pointer, similar to the infrared thermometer. Again, this allows much more precise measurement, especially over longer distances. Both "tapes" are the same size, 123 x 60 x 39mm and both are powered by 9V batteries. The 88g laser model, Cat Q1507, sells for $99.94, while the 68g non-laser model, Cat Q-1518, sells for $49.94. All are available from DSE and Tandy stores, PowerHouse, mail/phone orders or via the DSE website.
Wireless PC Lock protects data from prying eyes
Do you ever wonder about other eyes viewing sensitive data on your PC when you’re away from it? Someone rifling through your private files after you go home? Finding those photos you’d rather not anyone else see? Whether it’s to stop the casual snooper or real industrial espionage, this fully automatic computer lock from Microgram will prevent anyone accessing your computer when you’re away from it. A USB stick "receiver" plugs into the PC while a small, battery-operated 434MHz transmitter is worn by the user. Battery life is estimated at 2000+ hours. The computer automatically enters ‘Lock Mode’ when the transmitter is more than 2m away from the computer and it automatically resumes normal operation when the legitimate user is back within range. One transmitter can share several computers. Once the computer enters the ‘Lock Mode’, a password is required to use the computer if the transmitter is unavailable. If an unauthorised person tries to bypass the lock by rebooting the computer it will remain locked, and can only be unlocked by a password. Furthermore, if the PC lock is removed either when the computer is on or off, the password is required. The Wireless PC Lock (8545-14) has a recommended retail price of $79.00.
High power, pure sinewave inverter/UPS
Altronics have released new state- of-the-art 1500W pure sine wave inverters from Invertek, which perform the functions of a battery charger, inverter and solar regulator in one. An inbuilt automatic bypass switch allows them to be employed in backup 240V power installations. Where mains power is available, it can be connected to the unit, allowing it to function as a battery charger for maintaining the connected battery bank. Under normal conditions, the mains is connected through to the 240V outlet. If the mains fails, the bypass switch automatically and seamlessly (within 20ms), switches the inverter output to the outlet, maintaining 240V power to the connected load at up to 1500W continuous. Recommended retail price for the Invertek 1500W Inverter (M8155) is $1390.00.
Pico release USB interface oscilloscopes
Pico Technology, represented by Emona Instruments, has released the PicoScope 3000 series of USB2.0 interface oscilloscopes. The PicoScope 3000 range are PC-based oscilloscopes that connect to a PC via the PC’s USB interface. With high bandwidths, fast sampling rates, large buffer memories and lightning fast data transfer, the PiscoScope 3000 series are ideal for laboratory or field service applications. The PicoScope 3000 series are available in three models ranging from the Model 3204 with 50MHz bandwith, 50MS/s and 256K record length through to Model 3206 with 200MHz bandwidth, 200MS/s and 1MB record length. They feature more than 30 automated measurements such as frequency, pulse width, rise time, THD and SNR, and five enhanced display modes including Digital Colour (ideal for spotting intermittent glitches in digital signals) and Analog Intensity (useful for displaying video waveforms and analog modulation signals). The benefits of interfacing an oscilloscope to a PC’s USB interface include: a fast data transfer rate which ensures a quick screen update rate, waveforms are stored directly to the PCs hard disk with only the size of the hard disk as a limitation, waveform images can be exported as jpegs for use in reports, email or web posting and waveform images and instrument settings are easily saved and shared between users.
Vibration, shock dampener for computers, etc.
The GELShock-2 shock and vibration dampener from Intelligent Systems Australia Pty Ltd is designed to provide significant protection for rackmount computers against shock and vibration. The GELShock-2 is a rackmount device itself and takes up 1RU of rack space. It mounts into the standard 19" rack cabinet on its own telescopic slides. The rackmount computer is secured to brackets on top of the GELShock-2, providing a ‘floating platform’. It effectively reduces vibrations over a wide frequency range (including micro vibrations) and also absorbs shock. The unique design of the GELShock-2 uses aGEL insulators for load support and dampening in the vertical plane. aGEL chips are used for dampening in the horizontal plane. The GELShock-2 is suitable for most rackmount computers that are 2RU, 3RU or 4RU in height and weigh between 12kg and 25kg.
Sharp's new home theatre projectorSharp today announced a new $2499 Home Theatre Projector designed specifically to display widescreen DVD images. The XV-Z10E boasts a resolution of 854x480 pixels, allowing true 16:9 reproduction to get the best out of DVD movies and 1000 ANSI Lumens . A joystick-like control called the "Lens Shift" makes it easy to set the projector’s 1:125 short-throw lens to display a 100" image over distances between 3.0 and 3.8m, while a six-position memory preserves these settings for instant setup in your favorite viewing spots around the house. Images from 25" to 200" can be displayed. Input can be accepted from computers and PAL or SECAM video sources. HDTV compatibility is built in. The projector can also be switched between 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios and offers an Eco mode to extend bulb life to 4000 hours while keeping fan noise to just 32 db. The unit weighs just 2.7kg.
|
|||||||||||||
|
