Canon Powershot A640 Review

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Canon Powershot A640 Review

Canon Powershot A640

You might be asking yourself why I’m reviewing the Canon Powershot A640 which was released to consumers in 2006. By my estimation that makes it nearly 20 years old.

And you really might be wondering why I’m writing about it 19 years after I bought mine.

By today’s standards it has features that a lot of cameras today should have at the same price point.

I am not referring to sensor size or megapixels although it has a respectable 1 1/8″ CCD sensor with 10 Mega Pixels. And DPReview.com gave it a pretty decent review in late 2006.

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Camera Tethering

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Camera Tethering

Camera Tethering

I have written several articles on camera tethering over the years. And here I go again. I am FAR from any kind of professional photographer but I do have this blog and I do sell the occasional item on Facebook.

So allow me to discuss why I believe tethering is important.

Let’s dissect the photo just above for a moment. I am using a Canon A640, circa. 2006 tethered via a USB-B Mini 5 pin connector to a USB-A cable on the computer end. The laptop cost a whopping $75 and the white background cost around $35.

This is neither the best camera or laptop that I own. Far from it. I’m just making a point here. I’m using this setup to show how great results can be obtained without spending a ton of money. Additionally, there are pros that use tethering way more successfully than I ever will. I’m just a guy who stumbled across this great method of getting better results with the tools that I have. To this day I will not buy a camera that cannot be tethered to a computer.

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More Benfei Adapters

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More Benfei Adapters

Benfei Adapters

I’ve been extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to test LOTS of Benfei Adapters.

As I have stated before I mostly use a MacBookAir and it essentially only has two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack.

That simply will not do for a guy like me with so many gadgets and electronics projects going on at any given time. I’m into audio. And I’m into photography. And a dozen other things. The only way to function with limited ports is to own ADAPTERS.

For example, my Mother In Law likes to stream church and watch it on her TV. Sometimes we all come over and watch with her. The only way to make that connection on her older TV is to have an HDMI adapter coming off of the computer.

I make quite a few videos with higher end cameras and microphones and by golly, I need adapters to read the CFexpress, SD and TF cards.

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Best Budget Laser Engraver – Mid 2025

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Best Budget Laser Engraver – Mid 2025

Everyone wants a bargain. In the diverse world of laser engraving the start up costs can vary from inexpensive to very expensive. So many side hustle enthusiasts buy in at top tier. Then they realize that it isn’t as easy as it seems. They might master the machine but then can’t figure out the sales end of the side hustle. One of my more popular blog entries historically has been of the “Best Budget Laser Engraver” variety. I usually settle in and cover 3 or 4 or more laser engravers. Today I am covering just one. Maybe 2.

Longer Ray 5

I mentioned the Longer Ray 5 in my last “Best Budget Laser Engraver 2025” blog. Additionally, I also mentioned that I had never touched one. I based my review on past experiences with Longer, sales rankings on Amazon, and a few other things I had seen and read about.

The response from Longer: “We’ll send you one!” And they did. With all the goodies.

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M17 Project CC1200 – Amateur Radio Update

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M17 Project CC1200 – Amateur Radio Update

M17 Project CC1200

One exciting new(ish) protocol for Ham Radio users is the M17 Project. I’ll be pairing a CC1200 hotspot board with a Connect Systems CS7000 radio.

DMR users have long used an operating system called Pi-Star and WPSD to act as a gateway to their systems. Pi-Star and WPSD both included M17 support. I found that it was easiest and worked best under Pi-Star. The maintainer of both programs has removed M17 from their software. Currently my WPSD has the M17 removed since the last software update. I still have it on Pi-Star but I imagine it will go away with the next update.

Sadly, this is probably going to make a hit against the usability for M17 users. There are several other ways to connect to M17 and I’ll explore one of those today.

NOTE: I am not a super experienced M17 user as I just started using the protocol a a few months ago. As I set up a new device to connect to M17 yesterday (CC1200 hotspot board) the M17 folks had to hold my hand and work me through getting connected. It’s not hard at all but it isn’t intuitive. Especially, setting up the radio.

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XMCOSY+ Smart Solar Lights

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XMCOSY+ Smart Solar Lights

XMCOSY Solar Lights

I was provided the opportunity to test the 6 pack of XMCOSY Smart Solar Lights which are currently on sale for $151.99 which is 24% off the regular price during Amazon Prime Day. The time to buy is NOW!

Included are 6 lights, poles, and stake fittings. Additionally a Wi-Fi Bridge is included to control the lights via an application. Also, paper manuals and a USB cable are included.

The lights are solar powered and have motion detectors in which the sensitivity is adjustable to account for pets and small animals. Or you can control the lights manually. Additionally, the lights can be removed from their bases and charged via the provided USB Cable in no light, or low light situations.

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KYY Portable Monitor 15.6″

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KYY Portable Monitor 15.6″ 1080P USB-C

KYY Portable Monitor 15.6"

The folks at KYY asked me to review their 15.6″ KYY Portable Monitor for Amazon Prime Day. Current price is $69.98.

The best time to buy one is NOW during the Prime Day sale.

Also of note, this monitor has nearly 11.000 Amazon reviews with about 4 1/2 stars. File that under, “That Many People Can’t Be Wrong”

The monitor comes very well packaged and does not feel or look cheap at all. In fact it feels pretty beefy. The protective cover also acts as a stand. I had read some comments about the protective cover being flimsy but I’m not seeing any issues. Mine works fine and looks fine.

I wish they had these portable monitors when I was working a few years back. Anyone who needs a portable office should get one of these. Road Warrior approved!

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More Benfei Adapters

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More Benfei Adapters

I’ve been lucky enough to get to test a small boatload of Benfei Adapters. This is the third shipment of various cables and USB devices, and adapters that Benfei has sent me.

You can read my previous reviews here and here. In this entry I’ll be reviewing 3 more items.

After the first two reviews Benfei asked me if there were any other items I wanted to try. I dug through their website and requested 3 specific items:

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LaserPecker Prime Day Campaign

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LaserPecker Prime Day Campaign

LaserPecker Prime Day Campaign

It is that time of the year again at Amazon, folks. And to kick it off LaserPecker alerted me to their LaserPecker Prime Day Campaign.

Stand by to read about some great savings and the time window in which to get those savings.

Campaigns

Campaign number 1 is a Warmup that runs from 1-3 July and the Initiation Campaign runs from 4-14 July 2005. Details are as follows:

In my opinion the deal of the century up there is the LP4 Deluxe.

Additional Information

  1. Buy LP5, get a free extended warranty. Buy other products, get 30% off  on extended warranty.
  2. Historic low price of LP2 – $599
  3. Tiererd discount: $100 off over $1,500. $200 off over $3,500. $400 off over $5,000.
  4. Flash sale on engraving materials: 30% off for LDS membership owner. 10% off for non-membership owner.
  5. LDS membership owners enjoy double seeds for placing orders during campaign time.

LaserPecker Amazon Prime Campaign Wrap Up

Run, do not walk to cash in on some of these great deals. Now is the time to get that laser you have been eyeballing.