Ask The Gear Chick

With all the email we get at Gear Live regarding technology, opinions on what people should buy, and the like, we figured it was time to start a mailbag column. It soon became obvious. We needed a Gear Chick. Is there anything better than a woman who loves tech? They are a rare breed, and it took a while for us to find that one woman who fit the bill - but we did it. Send all your tech related questions to her gearchick@gearlive.com.

People always want to know what gear I would get if I could get anything I wanted. Well, here are the top three gadgets on my wish list, and why I think they should be on yours too...
Number one on my wish list has to be the Panasonic VDRM70 DVD Camcorder. Along with its 4" 1-megapixel CCD, you can capture up to 120 minutes of digital video. Still images are taken with 1280 x 960 pixel resolution and pictures and scenes can easily be found, edited and deleted with its removable 3-inch DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs. It also includes 18x optical zoom, 240x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and can be used with a SD memory card. Weighing only 5 lbs, it can be taken pretty much anywhere.

In college, you pretty much need a Franklin Speaking 11th Collegiate Dictionary. Instead of lugging around a huge hardcovered book, this little gadget fits right into your pocket or bag. The database includes 260,000 words and 500,000 definitions as well as a 500,000 word thesaurus. ClariSpeech technology reads every word and definition out loud for you. A built-in headphone jack, ebook compatibility and interactive games make it even better.

Finally, I admit it. I'm a bit nosey. And that's why I would love to have the James Bond Stealth Camera. Its best feature has to be the surveillance mode. You can set it up to take still pictures at specific intervals for up to 19 days! That means, constant observation of your home, kids, neighbors, anything really. (Plus its just fun to spy on people.) Files can even be password protected. You can record video clips with sound as well as use it as a still digital camera. It stores over 300 digital pictures which can easily be transferred right onto your hard drive.

I want to hear from you. Let me know what gadgets are on your list this year. And don't forget to send your questions in!