Creative Vado Camera

I just visited the Creative Shop at the HQ in Singapore today. It looks like their retail or display shop there is very EMPTY. The place is too big compared to the items they have displayed there for sale. In fact, the place looks pretty temporarily set up. There was even a corner selling some children educational stuff. And in front of that, a small CRT TV with a paper on it saying "Not for Sale" Hmmmmm.

Anyway, I was there specifically to see the Creative Vado HD camera. Went there during lunch time. Thought there would be crowd there because of the sale creative was having. But there was like 4 customers in the shop only. Hmmmm. Not a good sign.

Looked around the place for the Creative Vado Camera. Saw it right in front of the cashier counter. (BTW, the cashier did not have anything to do then. And I requested him to help plug the Vado onto the TV for me using the hdmi cable).

The first time I picked up the Vado camera, it felt really light. Minus point is that it feels very plastic. I'd prefer a hard metalic feel than a plasticly feeling.

The plus point is that it is light and small enough to fit into my pocket. (You should see my HP, it is full of scratches because I place it together with my keys. Poor SE hp. I always kenna complain by my wife that I do not take care of things.)

I tried the video capturing 'technology' (wah, big word. As if I am expert) First thing I tried is taking close up of what I am touching with my hands. The first look through the SMALL display screen was, not fun. It makes me stare hard to make out of what I am capturing on the video. The display screen was too small compared to what I can see with my eyes directly. So, the feeling was not too good. When I plug in the camera onto the HD tv, the picture quality of what I have captured did not come up very clear. Strangly, it looks clear on the small display screen. Maybe that is why they made the display screen so small. So that you don't see that the captured result is blur.

When I used to camera to capture the surrounding and the few people in the store, and see the result on the TV, it looks very clear. The HD quality is obvious.

I think overall, this camera is useful if you are taking videos of group of people.

I don't think I did justice to the camera trial. I think it is because of the lack of on hand sales staff to guide me through the works of the camera. Did not want to disturb the cashier who was DOING nothing. At least he was helpful enough to help me plug in the camera.

I recommend a buy for this camera if you are a family man like me. Who loves to take video of your kids. It works as expected. But lacks in macro function only. Which should not be of any big deal for most users.

Go buy it. I'd recommend you go to department store for shopping than the Creative shop at their Jurong HQ.

I feel short changed by the Cord Life Promotion

I recently received a eNewsletter from Cord Life regarding on a promotion where the 1st 50 to sign up will receive a beautiful Maclaren Stroller from Mothercare absolutely FREE!

So, what I did was rushed to email and call the sales rep to make payment for my third child's cord blood (signed up in advance although due date in end August).

After I signed on the dotted line. Then the sales rep explained to me that the promotion is for new sign ups only. And since I am a repeat customer, I am not entitled for the promotion.

The back office also latter explained to me that since I am repeat customer, I already get $600 discount which does not make sence for the company to further reward me with a free stroller.

Next time, I should read the fine print in detail.

Really big "goondu" of me. Sigh.