mrn8

Yeah, I noticed that the Samsung 32" TV's (available now to Premier Silver members at Best Buy) do not have VGA inputs. I'm not sure if that was model-specific for them to meet the pricepoint for BF or what, but it was a dealbreaker for me. The 32" Samsung LCD that's available now though BB ($277) is only $279 shipped from Amazon, as well.

SIDE INPUTS & OUTPUTS AV In 1 USB 2.0 1 Headphone Out 1 HDMI In 1 REAR INPUTS & OUTPUTS RF In (Antenna/Cable) 1 AV In 1 Component Video In (Y, Pb, Pr) + Audio 2 Digital Audio Out (Optical) 1 RGB In (D-Sub 15pin) - PC 1 PC Audio Input 1 RS-232C (Control/Service) 1 Headphone Out 1 HDMI In 2 I believe the AV in is the standard RCA / component hookup. You should be able to go check it out in-store before BF, though.

I will definitely be starting at Cabela's, moving to Gander Mountain, and then seeing what's available at Best Buy and either Office Depot or Office Max. I'm looking forward to seeing what Newegg does online and what Best Buy has early for Premier Silver members.

The "L" series is the bottom of their line performance-wise. Coolpix is a step up. I'd definitely go with the Best Buy one, if you can swing the extra $50.

From all the P&S cameras I've used, Sony is always extremely simple to use. I'd go with the Sony DSC-H70 from Wal-Mart or the Canon Powershot SX150 from Best Buy. The Canon is a little larger than pocket-sized, but the handling and controls are a little larger as well, which make it easier use.

Today, Amazon has a 32" Sharp LCD as their Gold Box deal for $249.99.

I've not used Fuji that much, but from my experience with them, they are slow to focus, because they hunt around to find something they want to focus on. This, in turn, leads to waiting to be able to take the photo you want. Now, any point and shoot camera will do that to some extent. It's just the nature of what they are and what they are made for. I've been pleased with some of the $300-$400 Sony and Canon offerings, with regards to speed, but really anything sub-$200 is going to have those issues. If Best Buy or Wal-Mart carries both of those models, go see if you can get some hands-on time with them. If they aren't powered on, they should be able to get them on for you, so you can determine what functions the way you want it to.

Stiltman, that will work great. I've set up 4 conference rooms at work that way and Blu-Ray looks great set up that way. We have all the A/V equipment in a small cabinet, it connects to jacks mounted in wall plates, and then connects for that plate up to the TV. Another option you could look into is using an A/V Receiver and only running one cable to and from your TV, then everything else connects through the receiver. I think that would be a lot cleaner of an approach.

The other thing is that 5x, 12x, 24x zoom is all relative. You have to find out what the wide range is to begin with to know what the multiplier means. If you start at 14mm or 24mm, that makes a big difference. Of course, I usually walk around with a 24-105mm lens and a 70-200mm lens and pray that the camera gods bless me with a 200-400 some day.

I would probably go with the Sony DSC-H70 from Walmart before the Fuji, but if you've got time to got to a store and handle them before BF, I would absolutely do that. I've never used a Fuji P&S camera that I really liked, but Sony keeps getting better and better. If you miss those, the Nikon at Target should be ok. However, there's really no good info out about that camera, so either the model number is a misprint or it's some special run that Nikon did to make a really cheap model of their entry-level super-zoom point and shoot.

The Nikon Coolpix S8100 will be $149.99 at Best Buy and it looks like a great option for you. It's compact (pocket sized), but has a 12x zoom. The quality of the camera will be very good, as well. Most pocket-sized cameras right now have a max 5x optical zoom.

Finding something like that for less than $30 that does more than walk / roll and make a few sounds will be difficult. Here's what I was able to find: http://www.hobbytron.com/SilverlitJabber-BotElectricMiniRobot.html

According to Nikon, the L105 was never made. :) It's most likely based on the L100, L100, L120 series camera, which were decent telephoto zoom point and shoot cameras.

Canon and Nikon are on the same level, quality-wise, for their DSLR cameras. I can't say for sure why there aren't any good deals on Nikon, but it probably has to do with the incentives the manufacturers were willing or able to offer to the stores. Is there a reason you're looking to go Nikon or are you just trying to find a good DSLR package?

Does anyone know if there's a noticeable power consumption difference between LCD and LED lit tvs? I know the difference between plasma and LCD, and though some say it's a huge increase, it's a large percentage, but the actual power consumption by either device really isn't that much.

I don't know the general consensus, but I very much prefer Garmin. I'm thinking about heading to Gander Mountain this year to the the 1300LM for $99. That is after a $50 rebate, so I'm a bit undecided, since they go for $129.99 shipped from Amazon.

So, after reading through the comments on 720p vs 1080p, I'm thinking that for a 32-37" screen, there would really be no difference in viewing at a max distance of 18'. Can someone who knows TVs confirm or deny this? I'm looking to purchase an LED TV for the living room and it'll probably be 37", if I find the right TV and right deal this BF season. After standing in a few stores, I'm thinking 720 vs 1080 on those sizes doesn't make much difference, if any, but size and distance in a Wal-Mart or Best Buy is really deceptive when compared to my living room. I'm also leaning towards Sony or Samsung display, with LG and Vizio as runner ups, if the price is too good to pass up.

My favorite thing about black friday is waiting in line and meeting the other nut-jobs braving Wisconsin weather to score a few good deals!

Both on Newegg. For brand-name units, I couldn't find anything better locally, however, I would anticipate that you could this year.

Use Calibre to manage your ebook library and you'll be able to convert and export your epub books to the kindle format. It's very simple to use.

I've used the Cabela's Deluxe Backwoods tent and it's awesome. Lots of headroom throughout and multiple ways to get in and out. Well worth it if you think camping will become a regular occurance. We currently use the Eureka Tetragon 1210 and love it. So simple to put up, and the top is like a skylight if you have good enough weather to keep the canopy off. So far, it's been though one rain storm and held up admirably. Everything stayed dry with the rainfly on and the washtub floor negates the need for a ground tarp. http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Tetragon-1210-Tent-sleeps/dp/B000EQAUWI/ref=sr_1_9?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1319734465&sr=1-9

Amazon has good deals on camping equipment, quite often. I'd say, start with a tent (or two if you want kids and parents in separate spaces), chairs for everyone, and a good cooler. Aside from that, you can pick up a couple of pans / cast iron griddle at a garage sale or resale shop and use disposable eating stuff. Depending on how old the boys are, a nice camping knife or a hatchet would make any boy happy! As for tents, Eureka is definitely the best quality for the money. Coleman isn't that great anymore, Wenzel is OK, Ozark Trail is cheap and not worth even one trip, Kelty is ok but too expensive for the quality. Actually, Cabela's branded camping equipment is pretty nice, too. Their store brand stuff is on-par with the mid-level to upper-mid level products. As for sleeping bags, you won't really find anything that is soft on the ground. An air mattress (this is where Coleman is good) or cot will benefit you greatly. I like the army-style cots, but my wife prefers the folding cots (3-sections like the old lawn chairs). You can even get fold-out cots that are full and queen sized. I've never used one, but they actually look like they would be comfortable.

Just for reference on price, I picked 2 TV's last year on BF. 32" LG LCD 1080p - $329.99 55" LG Plasma 720p - $649.99

Thanks for the heads up. Got my order in at Amazon before they sold out!

I'm still wearing the gray one and the old faded-blue with yellow text version! I had my new BF one on at Sears, then through the mall, just to strut and show off my eliteness. :)