Get Cheap Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Fast Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Buy Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Fast Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Fast Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras Product Description:

• Hyper sonic motor ensures a quiet, high-speed autofocus
• Inner focusing system allows attachment of petal-shaped hoods and filters
• Special low dispersion glass for high image quality
• Focal length: 100 to 300 millimeters
• Designed for Canon digital SLR cameras

Product Description

This telephoto zoom lens provides a large f/4 aperture at all focal lengths. The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghosting while maintains minimal light-fall-off; superior peripheral brightness is ensured. New multi layer coating of this lens gives superb color performance while cutting down flare and ghosting caused by reflections from the digital image sensor. High optical performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range. Two SLD glass elements are used in the front lens group and two in the rear lens group for superior correction of several aberrations for superior image quality throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood supplied and circular polarizing filters. Maximum Magnification - 1 - 5 Filter Size - Diameter 82mm Dimensions - Diameter 92.4mm X Length 226.5mm, 3.6 x 8.9 inch Weight - 51 ounces

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful.
Great Telephoto Zoom
By M. Farrell
I bought this lens to use with my Canon 30D for high school sports (soccer, football, baseball, etc). I already had the Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras and needed more focal length. Like the 70-200 F/2.8, this lens is big, heavy, and built like a tank. The bare lens is about an inch longer than the 70-200, but the 100-300's hood is longer than the 70-200's hood.The zoom and focus rings are wide and move smoothly with just the right amount of resistance. This lens is sharp wide open. At the overlapping focal lengths, the 70-200 at F/4 is just barely sharper than this lens at F/4 (wide open). At 200mm, this lens is actually sharper (200mm is this lens's sweet spot.) At 300mm, the lens is still sharp wide open, but I like to stop down to F/4.5 just to keep things super-sharp. Up to 250mm, I would not hesitate to use it wide open.This Sigma lens has HSM which means the focus is fast and quiet. The lens focuses a little slower than the 70-200 F/2.8, but I've found that the 30D is more of a limiting factor in focus speed than the lens is. Servo tracking is very good with this lens, the only time it can't keep up is when track runners are sprinting straight at me (although again, I think the body is the limiting factor here.) For almost every other situation, the focus will definitely keep up.All in all, this is not an indoor lens by any means, but as an outdoor sports (or wildlife/nature) lens, it is awesome.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Sigma 100-300mm F4 - Great lens for the price.
By John Nelson
I bought this lens because the Canon 100-400mm was alittle to much for my pocket book. I have had the lens over 5 months and used it mostly outdoors with a monopod. A monopod is a must, Living next to Yellowstone Park I use this lens alot, however it is alittle heavy, and needs alot of light to get a perfect picture. Its not a L lens but it has its qualities that are very close, this lens doesn't get the attention it deserves for outdoor photography.If you are looking for a good F4 lens without spending over $ 900.00 this is a good alternative. If you shot in low light tripod is a must.Overall I am very happy with this lens, I would give it 5 stars if it handled low light better.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
Blazing fast focusing!!
By Dennis K.
The HSM of this lens is faster than Nikon 80-200 on D70s (it hunt around 2 times when i tried to focus on my frd who was in blue/white stripes at opposite side of a tennis court walking to me) and Sigma 70-200 on 350D. How fast is that? I could say that it is as fast as the EF-S 18-55 kit lens! Do bear in mind, usually wide lenses focuses faster than tele.Besides, the handling and build of this lens is good. Tripod mount made of metal. Holding the tripod ring and focusing ring feels great. I shaked this lens on intention, and hit it to a table... ( this is not my lens :P ) It works same well and not even a tiny scratch is done on the lens after allHowever, it has some draw backs. 300mm focal length is a bit too long for me. F4.0 is a bit too narrow to use with 300mm indoor ... your photos may be blurred if you handheld themConclusion: It is a perfect lens (especially sports) if you use it under bright sunlight.

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Best Dragonland Board Game

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Dragonland Board Game Product Description:

• Made in Germany
• English translation of Ravensburger Game

Product Description

Adventure in Dragonland! The dragons hide their treasure in the numerous volcanos, but their treasure is in danger - the volcanos will soon erupt! To save the treasure, the dragons have asked the dwarves, elves, humans, and magicians for help. Each group competes with the others to be the most successful at gathering treasure for the dragons. Using strategy and cunning, each player moves his group of companions from volcano to volcano collecting treasure. All their movements are under the control of the tower of destiny, which sometimes arranges for a companion to reach his destination a bit too late....

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
This is a gorgeous family game, your kids will enjoy it very much
By Jadecat
This game has been around since 2002. It is a very well produced game, I think I have had it for over 5 years, and I just played a game of it this week with my kids (age 10 and 15). When I first bought it around 2004, I played it quite a bit with kids I babysat, and they would ask for it a lot. It says ages 9-99, I think a 7 year old could get it, albeit they may not have a great strategy yet. First off, it comes with great bits. The box art is stunning and sturdy. There is a nice plastic insert inside the box which holds everything in its place.There are 57 gemstones (not made of stone, but instead a high quality plastic), wooden playing pieces, and other good stuff, but the fun thing is the dice tower. Kids love this, you assemble 3 sturdy, printed cardboard pieces together and fit them into a plastic tray and this is your dice tower. Now the dice (2 of them)don't go all over the table when you roll them. Game play is easy,no cards to handle, but instead various tokens which give your 3 pawns different abilities, which you don't have to use if you don't want to. The tokens have illustrations on them to make them easier to figure out. One has a boatman on it, which allows your pawn to go down one of the rivers on the board instead of using the stepping stones. Another token has 3 steps on it to indicate you can move 3 more spaces. Movement is controlled by 2 dice. On your turn you roll the dice, and then move 2 of your 3 pawns according to the dice. Say you roll and 3 and a 4. You move your red pawn 3, your green pawn 4. The big moving rule is that you can't move the same token twice in one turn. Easy. The brightly colored game board has 15 volcanoes on it. Each volcano is supplied with gemstones, dragons eggs and a token. The volcanoes are connected by spaces and waterways. The goal of the game is to collect items off the volcanoes. Your red pawn collects rubies (red gems) off the volcano, blue collects sapphires, green gets emeralds and any color can get a diamond gem. You also have to acquire dragon's eggs and rings for your pawns. So, the strategy part is deciding which pawn to move to which volcano, and then when you get there, you have to decide if you take the matching gems, the dragon egg, the diamond, or if you should get the ring for your pawn. Meanwhile someone else may land on your volcano and take what you want. The game ends when the last dragon egg is taken off the board. By then you will have obtained dragon eggs and gems. A full set is an egg + emerald + ruby + sapphire....that gets you 10 pts. The diamond gem can be substituted for a colored gem if you are short one. There are one or two other scoring rules, but it is EASY, and the rulebook is very clear. I think a game of this lasts 30-40 minutes at most. In all, it is a really pretty game, kids generally love dragons, gems, volcanoes, rolling a dice and racing around a board. This is a step above the basic roll and move games. This game is not dependent on rolling good numbers, but making good choices. Plus there doesn't have to be a lot of screwage in this game if you don't want it. You can choose to avoid the other players pawns, or mess with them and take the items you know they want or need. We all know how kids get upset if someone messes too much with their game plan. This game is a keeper to me, and it is really well made that it still looks brand new.

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Price Comparisons of Starship Catan

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Starship Catan Product Description:

• Starship Catan is suitable for 2 players
• ages 12 and up
• playing time 60 to 90 minutes. Ranked #255 on www.BoardGameGeek.com

Product Description

Maker:  Mayfair Games
Players: 2 Age: 10+Playing Time: 60-90 minutes Designer: Klaus Teuber
In a flash, two Starfarers from the Catan space fleet have been thrown through a mysterious wormhole into an unknown galaxy. Lost, dazed and unable to find their way home, and with limited resources, the brave explorers face a seemingly hopeless situation, until they meet four peaceful alien races. These friendly aliens offer them limited aid and will guide them home if they can meet the high standards required for entrance into the Galactic Advisory Council.
Take the role of a Starfarer! Daringly brave the unknown reaches of space! Explore and colonize new worlds, strike vital trade agreements and perform missions of mercy, while improving and preparing your Starship for the journey home. If you work hard and choose your course carefully and vigorously, you will attain membership in the Council and learn the way home!
 

Beware! Not every alien in the galaxy will look upon you with friendliness. Dastardly space pirates desire your wealth and influence. Their raids are merciless, and their strength is growing! Be careful as you speed through the unknown! Only a careful balance of colonization and trade, bravery and caution, will lead you and your crew home.
Lost in the depths of space? Not a problem for a real Starfarer! Activate your boosters for an adventure of space discovery!
 

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Starship Catan
By Jill Sidoti
My son and I really enjoyed playing Starfarers of Catan and were excited to find this 2-player version of the game. The game itself is similar to Starfarers and is not too long to play (around an hour). The rules are fairly easy to pick up, although we were glad to have the sample game to play through the first time. We were at a bit of a loss as to what to do with the Trade Goods, since we always seemed to have too many of them and decided to resurrect a rule from the original Starfarers game that allows players to trade in 2 Trade Goods for 1 of any other resource. Starfarers is still the better game but if you only have 2 players, Starship is a good substitute.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Great fun for two players
By Craig Maloney
This is a lot of fun for two players. Generally most games I've found require at least 3-5 players, and have stripped-down, not-quite-as-fun rules for two players. This game is designed well for two players. There is no combat between the players, only cooperative and competitive play. The individual boards and various pieces make it quite easy to keep track of the various resources in the game. The game has a tutorial that seems confusing at first, but quickly gets you up to speed on how to play the game.A word of warning: The game says it's around 1-2 hours, but I honestly think that unless you're extremely competitive to get the victory points, the game will take much longer than that. That would be my only complaint: you need seriously competitive players to make the game go by quicker.Overall, a fun and involved game. I can see my wife and I playing this game a lot.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
One of the best adaptations
By Antonia C. Maurer
This game is a great two player adaptation of a Catan style game. Way better than the card game. Comes with a really easy start-up guide. Can't say enough about it.

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Price Comparisons of Lund 602006 Bi-Fold Loading Ramp - 30" X 77", 1,500-Pound Capacity

Buy Lund 602006 Bi-Fold Loading Ramp - 30" X 77", 1,500-Pound Capacity

Lund 602006 Bi-Fold Loading Ramp - 30" X 77", 1,500-Pound Capacity Product Description:

• Ramp is 77 inches long (including folds) 30 inches wide and has a 1500 pound capacity
• Extruded hole surface provides traction, easy loading and accommodates all wheel sizes
• Bi-fold design folds to only 15-inch width for easy transport
• 3-year limited warranty
• Rubber angle protector to protect tailgate

Product Description

This Lund Bi-fold ramp has a extruded hole surface that provides traction, easy loading and accommodates all wheel sizes. The nylon safety straps secure ramps to vehicle to prevent shifting, and the angled foot provides smooth transition from ground to ramp. This Bi-fold ramp is constructed of aluminum for lightweight, durability and is rust resistant.

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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Nice Piece!
By Larry Pierce
Nice lightweight, strong piece. It allows me to load and unload my van without having to step up and hop down. We'll see about longevity, but as of now I like it. Assembling the hinge pieces was a chore and there are some sharp edges.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Outstanding product
By Abbotsford Flyers
The lund folding ramp was exactly what I wanted. Company was excellent to deal with by rectifying a small detail of the order. I am very happy with the 77 inch ramp instead of the smaller one. It is easy to set up and carry and lock up in my truck bed. I would highly recommend both this product and LLC the dealer who sold it via Amazon.com. The ramp allows me to get the power washer, lawn mower, and golf cart and bag easily up into the truck bed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Nice ramp set.
By TOYTURBODIESEL
Works well overall, I wish it were about a foot longer though. Plenty strong and lightweight. Will take years of abuse.

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Get the Best Price for Stanley Bostitch F21PL Round Head 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer with Positive Placement Tip and Magnesium Housing

Buy Stanley Bostitch F21PL Round Head 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer with Positive Placement Tip and Magnesium Housing

Stanley Bostitch F21PL Round Head 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer with Positive Placement Tip and Magnesium Housing Product Description:

• 1-1/2-inch to 3-1/2-inch framing nailer; 1,050 inch-pounds of driving power; sequential and bump trigger
• 2 nailers in one: includes two quick-change nosepieces, converts to framing or metal connector applications
• Lightweight magnesium housing; integrated rubber skid pads; rubber grip
• Includes 1 framing nailer
• 14-1/4 by 20-1/2 inches; 8.1 pounds; 7-year limited warranty

Product Description

2750-5528 Features: -Lightweight magnesium housing.-Tool free adjustable exhaust.-Patented push button depth of drive.-Aggressive teeth for toe nailing.-Steel guards with anti skid rubber inserts.-14.25'' x 20.25''. Includes: -Tool converts to metal connector nailer in seconds with included tip.-New smart trigger included. Construction: -For use in framing, sheathing, siding, installing metal connectors, trusses, bridging, wood to masonry, engineered lumber, strapping, fencing, and exterior decks.-1,050 inch lbs for engineered lumber.

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191 of 195 people found the following review helpful.
I like this nailer after all
By Michael Callahan
I am editing this review a year later (14Apr08) with some revisionsI am a professional builder presently building super high end homes on the lakefront of Lake Tahoe. I have used every framing nailer made. Before I bought this nailer I was a Senco and Hitachi user. I needed another nailer so from the recommendation of another carpenter I went with this model. What sold it to me was that I liked the fact that it had another nosepiece that allowed it to be used for nailing hardware. I have had this nailer for about 5 months now and it has a few problems. When it was new it would tend to spark a lot when ever a nail was fired. Now that it is broken in it sparks still but much less. Edit.. It no longer sparks. There was a part missing in the unopened box. I promptly ordered it from Bostich and it came right away. The part was a vinyl rod that adjusts the magazine for varying thickness nails. The nailer really hammers the nail hard with a loud smack. I worry that it will wear out the hammer driver sooner. The sound with the Hitachi is much quieter and the Hitachi nailer seems to work with much less recoil when sinking a nail. The trigger on the Bostich is very finicky and will not fire unless you depress the nose "just so" even with the bounce trigger installed. The Hitachi and Senco is an honest trigger that fires every time you depress the nose. Hitachi users say bad words out of frustration when using this nailer because of the finicky trigger. The rubber pad on the side has a metal part that surrounds it. The metal part is thin and recently it broke. Since a nailer is often left on the side then this weak and flimsy part is in a very vulnerable spot. The nose has a spring that can easily snag something and fly away. Without this spring the nailer will not work. I spent a lot of time searching in the powder snow once for this spring when it accidentally ejected. This nailer does have all the modern features that some nailers lack. It has the directional exhaust port and an easily adjustable nosepiece. It will sink a 16d toenail with the depth adjustment all the way down unlike other nailers. It comes with an accessory nosepiece cover that covers the toenail teeth to prevent marring the wood. The nose cover though will not stay on very well and is easy to lose. If I had my preference I would use cliphead nailers because the magazine holds more nails and the paper collation does not spit eye damaging pieces like the plastic collated strips for round head nailers. Cliphead nails are getting hard to find as misguided architects spec only round head nails. You must use safety glasses when using any round head nailer. The plastic shards are probably not very good for the environment either. I give it 3 stars still because it works fine most of the time and the hardware nailing feature is nice to have.Edit 13Apr08 I give it 4.5 stars now. I like this nailer because it really has a large piston and can completely sink a toenail into hard LVL. I do a lot of framing with LVL and this is the only nailer that will not make you reach for your hammer to finish driving the nail home. I am used to the trigger now and it no longer frustrates me. I did have to take apart the trigger once and clean it. The trigger started to blow air and the nailer would not shoot. A less mechanically inclined person might have sent it to the shop for a repair. No parts were very worn, it just needed a cleaning. The broken part on the side bumper has not been a problem. This nailer has held up well so far. I frame about a third of the time so this nailer has about 6 months of heavy use behind it now.

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful.
Pretty good tool - worth an extra pair of hands (or two)
By Reviewer
I'm currently using this sucker to frame my garage. I bought Hitachi plastic collated nails for it. It took me a bit to sort it out, but I was able to find 21 degree full round head nails at Lowes. I've been sticking with the Hitachi nails even though there are cheaper brands - the quality is good.I used 0.131" diameter 21 degree plastic collated nails, 3 1/4" in length, for all of my framing. I was able to blast a bunch of 2x6's together in no time.I then used 0.131" diameter 21 degree plastic collated nails, 2 3/4" in length, for all of my sheathing. The nailer handled both of these with ease. I can set the depth so I don't go splintering my OSB with too deep of a punch.I am currently using the trigger that only allows one shot per pull. I like this feature as I don't go machine-gunning 3 nails on top of one another if I slip during the shot. Sometimes it is a little finicky, as you have to get the tip compressed just-so before you pull the trigger, or it will give you a disappointing "pphhh" and no nail. It also seems to have about a 50% ratio of actually firing the last nail in the clip. A lot of times it misses the last nail altogether. I did jam it once with the 2 3/4 nails because I inserted a partially used clip. The uneven break in the plastic collation misaligned the nail and the piston jammed the nail in the barell. I fixed it with a small screwdriver.It's pretty light for its size. Some friendly helpers I had with the initial framing all remarked at the size of this thing. It looks big and beefy. You'll have a bit of trouble fitting it between studs that are 16" apart - it's a little bulky in tight spaces. For toe-nailing and mating studs together, I had to shoot at an angle. That's when the tip is most finicky, so you have to brace it on the back with one hand while you pull the trigger. At 90 psi or so it might not fully sink the nail on an angled shot like that. At 120 psi it sinks everything. It's kind of scary. My gun came with a protective rubber tip that is handy for things that you don't want to blemish, but without the rubber tip, the cleated gun is much easier to use for angled shots because the tip bites into the wood.These problems are avoidable if you are careful. A nail gun is an amazing piece of machinery, as I am surprised that with the violence of each shot it doesn't go blowing apart after a few shots. Yet this thing will shoot and shoot as long as I pay attention to the clip, keep it oiled, and set it aside so I don't trip over it. I've dropped it off the ladder twice and it hasn't complained. It's also nice that you can direct the exhaust in multiple directions, as each shot will create a fine oily mist that you can feel on your arm, hand, leg, or whatever. That's just how it works with air tools. At least you can shoot it away from your face. Also, the rubber grip on the handle is slipping around slowly as I use it. That's kind of irritating, especially when it's hot, because the rubber will slide up and bunch up underneath the trigger. Eventually it will probably fall off with enough use. Could probably use a redesign.On a final note, I bought this thing used from another online auction site that you can probably guess. It was well used before I got it and it's still kicking. For what I paid for it, I'm quite satisfied. I'd probably still be happy with it if I bought it new for a higher price.Edit 9/6/07: I've been using the metal connector attachment. This thing is pretty handy if you are using Simpson Strong Ties or a similar metal connector for your framing. Most of the Simpson products require a 1.5" nail (so that it doesn't penetrate the other side of 2x lumber) and this gun won't go that small. I've used the 2 1/4" nails when I'm shooting into a junction or multiple pieces. It makes the work go much faster, otherwise you are stuck with a hammer. The tip for metal connectors has a triangular aligning piece that allows you to line up the nail with the hole in the connector. It works really well but be warned - the smaller the nail the better the chance that this thing will misfire. I had much more trouble with the 2 1/4" nails than the bigger framing nails. Also, I glanced off the connector more than once and shot a bent nail bouncing around all over the place - not like a bullet but enough to be dangerous. The metal connector work is much more sensitive to alignment so be careful. Also - be careful about lining up your shot, especially if you are using one hand to brace boards before you shoot. That nail doesn't care if your hand is on the other side of the board when you pull the trigger. I managed to nick my thumb pretty good at about nail number 2,327 during a 10 hour day. Not bad odds - but you'll be better off if you are constantly aware.Edit 7/12/08: My F21PL is still going and my garage is pretty much done except for electrical and painting. I took this thing up in my attic to build a knee wall around the perimeter so that I could install foam backer board to keep insulation from spilling out onto my soffits. My attic is full of old fiberglass blown-in insulation, so it's nasty and dusty up there. I used my nailer for a few days and it stopped working. After messing with it I figured I had gotten dust inside and perhaps ruined a seal. I finished framing my knee wall with the Bostitch palm nailer (see other review on here - great little tool). I was able to download a rebuild kit from the Bostitch website instantaneously. There are also blow-up diagrams of all of their tools. I bought several rebuild kits and downloaded the diagram, and I was able to successfully rebuild the nailer and get it functioning again. I expect that with my rebuild kits I will keep this nailer going for the rest of my life. Great product support.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful.
Works great
By M. Wagner
This gun is fairly light and replaces 3 other guns. We used one heavy gun for shooting 16d 3-1/2" common nails for structural framing, one for Simpson hangers, and one for shooting regular 0.131 framing nails. This does all of that with an adjustable (no tools) depth gauge! I usually weld a receiver and run a 1/4" bolt in it, that I double nut for a depth gauge.I am impressed. Somebody thought this one out.

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Reviews WV-CS954 Super Dynamic III PTZ Dome Camera

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WV-CS954 Super Dynamic III PTZ Dome Camera Product Description:

• 540 lines of resolution
• 0.5 lux / electronic zoom lens
• 24VAC
• Genuine Panasonic WVCS954

Product Description

Panasonic WV-CS954 Super Dynamic III PTZ Dome Camera WV-CS954 Surveillance & Network Cameras

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
As advertised
By Terry
We were already familiar with the product, just needed another one. This one was new and as advertised and at a very competitive price.

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Compare Prices Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle

Buy Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle

Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless 1.7-Liter Stainless-Steel Electric Kettle Product Description:

• 1500-watt cordless kettle rapidly boils up to 1-2/3 liters of water
• Cushion-controlled lid; water-level indicator; removable scale filter
• Easy "on/off" switch; "ready" bell; auto shut-off; boil-dry protection
• Brushed stainless-steel housing; soft-grip handle; cord storage
• Measures 8-3/4 by 6 by 9 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description

Breville Ikon Tea Kettle has premium brushed stainless steel exterior. It has a unique blue backlight behind the water window. 1.8 (1.7 liter) capacity and has 1500 watts of power.

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495 of 499 people found the following review helpful.
Best high-end electric kettle for price.
By apfb
We've had ours for one month after the cheapo plastic one died. I investigated multiple other high-end electric kettles, including Cuisinart, Chef' Choice, Krups, Braun by reading reviews on-line and comparing them @ the local bricks & mortar stores. The Breville is clearly the best designed one for the money.Pros:- clean, beautiful design which is also easier to clean.- hefty, substantial base unit with place to wrap around the cord- boils quickly in 4 min. for full 1.5 L- more substantial kettle than more expensive models by Chef's Choice or Cuisinart. The Chef's Tools electric kettle @ the same price point looked flimsier. In fact, the floor model Chef's Choice kettle was no longer closing or opening its lid properly-- always a bad sign when a floor model falls apart.- modest yet easily audible "ping" sound when the water has come to a boil, and the kettle shuts off automatically.- the outlet is easy to pull due to the hollow center designCons:- heavy kettle.- occasionally, there's a metallic taste in reboiled water if the water was left inside the kettle for several hours. However, the water tastes fine if you boil a pot from freshly filled water.Overall, clearly the pros outweigh the cons. We're heavy users of the electric kettle, especially in the winter, boiling water for teas, soups at least 4-5x per day. We'll report back again in a yr after the warranty expires.UPDATE > 1 yr after post (4/6/08): The Breville Ikon is still going strong. The water seems to be taking a slightly longer time to boil. We still use it 3-4 times per day, and it works well.UPDATE 12/19/11: Kettle still going strong. We still use it 2-3x/day, and it still works great. Wow. Worth every cent.

420 of 428 people found the following review helpful.
Good appliance, finally made of stainless steel
By Leo
While there is typically little difference between any two electric kettles, this one is at least at the top of the spectrum.1. Being an extremely convenient home appliance "discovered" by the Europeans decades ago, and later in the USA, the electric kettle always left one concern: compared to its mundane predecessor it was typically made of plastic inside and out. Which could potentially mean various unhealthy substances emanating into the water from the plastic sides, especially at high boiling temperatures. This one is made of stainless steel and doesn't cause any such concerns.2. The kettle can be rotated on its cordless base, which makes it easier to put it back on the base than some other models.3. It has a transparent wall segment to measure water level. While this "window" is not located optimally (somewhat shadowed by the handle) and hasn't got a bright floating level marker, this design is sturdier than some others, and is less prone to leaks.4. Blue back-light that goes on and lights this "window" when the kettle is switched on, is a nice touch. It both attracts attention and simplifies reading the water level.5. It's easy to open the lid, and the opening is wide to add water with no problems or dripping. (In some models the handle partly covers the lid, making it hard to open and/or add water.)6. Like in most up-to-date models, the heating spiral is NOT located inside the boiling case, but rather underneath it, which makes the design more relaible, and it is also much easier to wash the kettle inside if need be.7. Time to boil is reasonable and not worse than average.

217 of 221 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent product; a "hit" at the office
By A Reviewer
Truly a top notch product. I was tired of lukewarm water "nuked" in the microwave for tea or hot chocolate at the office so, after consulting other customer reviews for products under the "electric kettle" search, I took the plunge. A bit expensive, but worth it.Pros:1. Stainless inside and out. No plastic taste or chemical worries.2. Very comfortable handle, nice curve to it, and totally insulated.3. Cord minder on the base bottom; allows you to tailor the cord length to your needs. Cord very sturdy.4. Separate base contains the cord. The kettle itself reminds me, from the standpoint of heft and size, of an "old fashioned" stove top percolator5. The removable kettle itself; also, you can turn the kettle around to any point on the base; it doesn't have a notch or fixed position6. Construction appears to be quite solid. Push a button and the top opens up automatically (not just a cheap spring, either). Glass center insert on top so you can see in; top is also domed to direct condensation back into the pot; haven't had any problem with water dripping onto the counter (or hand!) when opened.7. Quick; heating just one mugful of water to boiling is easily faster than the microwave (same time in microwave will leave you with hot, but not boiling water).8. Easy to clean; the opening is wide enough to get your hand in, and the top opens up to 90 degrees. There is a rod that runs up the inside, part of the temperature sensing system, but there's room enough to get a soft cloth behind it, you'd just need to avoid too much force. Cleaning, however, is not a big deal overall if you use it for its purpose - heating WATER only (don't heat your soup in this; it's not made for it).9. Looking at other reviews, it seems that some people like to fill the kettle via spout rather than main opening - spout is nicely sized to easily allow this, if you want.10. The water gauge is big, well marked and very nicely lighted, thus easy to read.11. Automatic turn-off at boiling temp, and also has a function to avoid boiling dry (The boil turn-off feature kicks in about 30 seconds after you can see the water boiling; I haven't personally tried to boil it dry, so can't comment on that feature). There's a nice, but soft, single "ding" that it makes when it turns off. You might not hear it from another room, but it shouldn't damage itself by boiling dry, so even if you miss the ding, it's not a big deal.12. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to mine its lines are clean, simple and elegant. Should fit with just about any decor. Fingerprints on the outside stainless haven't been a big issue; wipes clean with damp cloth.Comments (not "Cons"):1. Regarding another reviewer's comments about weight, it does have some "heft," but on the other hand, it has a good capacity! To heat one or two cups, it's handy enough. Stainless steel will be heavier than plastic, so if weight is an issue for you, you may wish to consider this point.2. I wish the otherwise nice switch wasn't directly at the bottom end of the handle, but this really isn't a big deal.3. I've seen reviews indicating that stainless steel pots get hot on the outside. This one probably does, too (if you put your hand near it after boiling, you can sense the heat). Well, the handle is perfectly insulated, and this is NOT an insulated device. I wouldn't put my hand on the outside of any "regular" metal pot or pan (steel or aluminum, like those found in any kitchen for daily cooking)that had a boiling liquid in it, so I wouldn't do that with this type of device, either!4. Reviewers of other kettles have suggested that the device may leak if water is left overnight. Have not had that problem with this, but then again, we empty it at the end of each day.5. Have not had any problems with rust, as has been noted with competing products, but see comments in #4, above.Before purchasing, I looked at the competition in stores, and a friend has "another leading brand" competetor; this seemed superior to the others in virtually every way (particularly build quality, the others I'd seen seemed rather "cheap" despite their price). Definitely recommend; this is a winner in our office; several people have already bought their own!

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