Advantages: fun to use, really nice sounds
Disadvantages: so many things... can be confusing sometimes...

...for 11 years, but have never been too good at programming multi effects and amps. I also never liked the idea of individual effect pedals. I used for many years a boss ME-30 (which I reviewed), but last year decided to upgrade it to a Zoom GFX-5. I kept the Zoom GFX5 for about 6 months, and then upgraded to the G9. I just fell in love with the unit. First, (I know it is lame) it looks really cool. Then I read many reviews about it on various websites, and the specs looked really good, and also it sounded like it was really easy to get a nice sound. With my years of struggle to get a sound I like, I felt really attracted to this unit. They also upgraded the processor in there, making it clearer, faster, better. I tried the G7 (model below the G9, but same specs, just a few effect less), and purely felt in love with it. I just played... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great variety of effects, and easy to operate.
Disadvantages: There's now a Zoom 707 II!

...I bought my Zoom 707 on a whim, seeing it in a shop window, not too happy with what I had - and it was only 95 pounds. It is without doubt the best value piece of musical gear I have ever purchased. It continues to amaze me even after 2 and a half years of extensive use. Such a small box, it makes you wonder how on earth they fit it all inside! But Zoom have a rep for this kind of genius product. Before mentioning the wide range of effects, I'd say that my favourite feature of this little plastic godsend is the "jam" feature. You can record a short phrase (up to about 4 seconds) and loop it with or without an effect. You can then thrash out crazed solos over the top of your little recording. Not only is this great practice, but it's a really useful tool for writing solos or simply chilling out - I have wiled away hours... Read review

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Advantages: Compact, cheap as chips, huge editability, great sound
Disadvantages: Not for the professional gigging guitarist

...Its always good to review something cheap, but even better when you're reviewing a gift! As it happens, I'm cheating because although this was a Christmas gift from my wife, I did actually buy it myself! This is the revised Zoom 505II guitar effects pedal. The major difference from the original Zoom 505 is that it starts you off with 36 effects patches instead of the original's 24. Its a very small pedal, just 14x12 centimetres, but it packs a great punch. My version is the sleek silver one, but the design is the same, which ever colour you buy. The essence of the device is that it allowes the guitarist to utilise up to 36 patch effects, up to 9 variations being available for use at the same time, and then to edit those patches and save the variations you design. There are even sites on the internet where you can download... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of sounds in one package.
Disadvantages: Not mighty valve produced analogue ones.

...The Zoom GFX-707 is a guitar effects pedal. It has a large range of sounds made up of thirty factory preset ones and thirty user programmable ones. There is a built in tuner, a built in drum machine, and a large integrated foot-pedal for those squawky wah-wah moments. What does all this mean in real life? Well, costs vary. I've seen it for £129.95 at musicianshop.com, £119.00 at regentguitars.co.uk, and a there's a multi-effects version called a GFX-707 II which is available at electrohill.co.uk for £119.95. Years ago, that sort of money used to buy one Boss effects pedal with, say, distortion on it. Then if you wanted other pedals like reverb, delay, chorus and flange, these would have to be daisy-chained together with lots of little cables - a messy solution with lots of things to go wrong. This one pedal can... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, Simple to Use
Disadvantages: Quality of effects aren't great

...The Zoom 707 II is the slightly newer version of the 707. It has everything the 707 has plus the ability to insert a smart media card, which you can use to longer record samples, and/or exchange patches (the name given to the setting of the pedal, i.e. distortion, reverb settings etc...) on the internet. I bought the pedal several years ago when I had just started playing the guitar at a price of around 150 pounds. It comes with the unit itself and instruction manuals. If I remember correctly I had to purchase the power unit myself, but this was only around 5 pounds. The pedal can however be powered by 4 AA batteries instead. With 74 different effect ypes I feel this pedal provides more than enough for the beginner guitarist. There is a huge range of things you can do with this little pedal - the guitar signal goes through... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Lots of sounds, smartmedia
Disadvantages: made entirely of plastic, complicated interface

...I recently purchased this for £99 including p&p as I have been wanting a new pedal for ages, and rather than getting one which could only do one thing I decided to get one which could do a lot. A picture of the unit can be found at this site: http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/ --------------------------- So far I have been very happy with the unit which has a great range of features: 74 different effects including: distortion, modulation (e.g. chorus and flanger), reverb and delay effects, cabinet simulator, acoustic simulator. 60 built in 'patches' and the ability to program 60 of your own. These are combinations of the effects listed above. Runs for 11 hours on one set of AA batteries, or can be run from the main with an adaptor (which is rather annoyingly not included as standard). Using a 16MB SmartMedia card (sold... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use if I can use it
Disadvantages: No Rechargeable Batteries

...The Olympus Camedia C-460 Zoom: My Review for the Olympus C-460 :) I got the Olympus Camedia C-460 from Curry's, I paid about £170 for it. I was very cheeky and said "what do I get if I buy it from here" they asked me what did I mean and told them "I wanted a bigger memory card free" after a bit of haggling I got the 512 meg card for a £10, They was selling them for £30. If you don't ask you will never know, I got a pc for a friend from Comet about 2 years ago and got them a printer free :) I got home and the first thing i found as with a lot of cameras etc was no batteries. Why or why do they just not put the price up by £10 and add the rechargeable packs? Lets get on with it....The box is nice and has loads of information on it. Covers the specifications of the camera etc. Open the box and oh look a little bit... Read review

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Advantages: Professionally laid out online surveys. Product testing.
Disadvantages: Some awful incentive gifts

...~~ UPDATED FEBRUARY 2006 ~~ I joined up with ZoomPanel through ipoints in December 2003. Quite frankly, I was most unimpressed with them at first. Despite promising the potential to earn rewards and cash through ZoomPoints, the first 10 or 11 surveys they offered me only qualified me for entry into a sweepstake or prize draw. I'm afraid that I very swiftly pull the plug on any survey company only offering entries into prize draws, as in over 2 years of survey work, I have yet to win anything from any survey company prize draw or raffle. I fail to see why I should spend my valuable time completing a survey for which I get little or no reward, when you can bet your bottom dollar the company hosting it is being handsomely rewarded. However, I am most glad that I gave them the benefit of the doubt, as ZoomPanel have proved to be a good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easy to navigate; Surveys good length
Disadvantages: Rubbish prizes

...Zoom panel is one of the many online survey sites that rewards you with gifts rather than cash. -Surveys. The surbeys are always professionally laid out, and have good quality graphics. They don't seem to run too long (any longer than 15 minutes) and are quick-loading. -Prizes. The major downside to this site is the rewards- in a word they're dire. First tier rewards include ipod covers, and the highest tier rewards include food processers, jewellery cleaners and an apex tent. Personally, I don't think these prizes are worth the effort. -Customer service. I have never had a problem with their surveys, so I do not know how effective their customer service is. But their main website is easy to navigate and professionally designed. Overall, if you were to use this site then I recommend taking a look at their rewards... Read review

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Advantages: Portable, solid, and takes great photos.
Disadvantages: Small lense produces barrelling. Red eye.

...of these is 'macro'. With this setting you can take excellent close-ups. It has a 3x optical zoom which is useful though not as powerful as some cameras these days. Also it has a b