If you’ve bought (or been bought) or are buying 3C digital accessories- SLR camera you may have already discovered that the camera itself is just one of the many things you need to make the most of it. Even if you’re a photographer of the point-and-click variety who only intends to take the odd picture on special occasions, there is no shortage of accessories you should consider in addition to the main product. While many are just nice to have in order to develop your photography, others are absolute essentials without which the camera is almost redundant. In this guide we will look at both kinds; those accessories that you should not consider buying a camera without and those which you may want to put on a “wish-list” for another day.
1. Essentials
Lenses
It’s an obvious statement to make, but your SLR camera is going to need a lens. If you’ve bought the “Body Only” version, then no lens is supplied and unless you’ve already got a lens sitting at home that will fit your new camera, it will be unusable until you’ve bought some glass to stick on the front of it. Even if you do already have some lenses, it’s worth checking that these will fit and work on the newer cameras. Not all lenses will, and even if they do you may want to consider one of the more up-to-date lenses in order to get the best performance from your new SLR camera.
Most digital SLRs are available in kits that will include a lens (twin lens bundles are also often available) and if this is your first SLR camera then one of these kits is a sensible option. However, these tend to be standard general purpose lenses that are OK for everyday shots, but may not be suitable for more subject specific photography. As such, sports, wildlife, close-up and landscape photographers may want to consider purchasing an additional telephoto, macro or wide-angle lens to compliment and be used in conjunction with the standard kit lens.
2. Memory cards
Although once upon a time compact digital cameras used to be supplied with a memory card, the same is not true of SLR cameras, and this has caught many a new purchaser out in the past. Imagine getting your shiny new digital SLR camera (and lens, of course) home and out of the box, only to find that you’re unable to take any pictures because you’ve not got a suitable memory card – a truly disappointing experience.
The exact memory card you need will depend on the type of camera and what you intend to do with it. Different models use different types of memory cards so you’ll need to check exactly which one you need, but most cameras will require either a Secure Digital (SD, or SDHC for cards with a capacity greater than 2GB) or a Compact Flash (CF) memory card. These two types of cards are physically very different and one can not be used in place of the other.
You may have memory cards at home from a previous camera and, if you’re lucky, they may even be of the same type as your new purchase. However, things move quickly in the world of digital technology and over the years the resolution of cameras has increased dramatically. The result of this is that the file sizes your new camera produces may be significantly higher than your old model, particularly if your previous camera was a compact. Bigger files take up more space on a memory card, meaning you get fewer pictures. As such it may be worth considering purchasing a newer, larger capacity memory card to ensure you don’t run out of space.
2015年11月25日 星期三
2015年11月17日 星期二
Buying an electric scooter? Check out this guide.
So...you wanna buy an electric scooter eh. You've come to the right place. You're immediately going to see the increase in convenience and the decrease of transportation expenses. Not to mention having tons of fun.
Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your new investment, and see you on the streets of Beijing!
1. Buy for comfort
Wether this is going to be your main mode of transportation, or just something fun to use in the weekend, you're going to want to use it more if it's comfortable.
Check out the various body styles and frames to see which ones suit you the best. If you're a shorter rider, than look for the Honda Ruckus style (left) of electric scooters, or maybe the mini turtle for the female riders. This will provide a lower seat position and a lower center of gravity to help shorter riders balance during stops.
Next up is seating position. Just like a motorcycle, there are many types of seating positions and handle bar positions. Wide bars, narrow bars, drag bars, etc. Find the position and style that works for you. Usually, the various body styles come with set bars, but they can be changed so they are more comfortable for you.
Most importantly, get out there and test-fit some of these body styles. Don't worry about power, or battery configurations yet. Just test to see how comfortable it is for you. If it's not comfortable, you're not going to ride it.
2. Buy for distance
How far is your commute?
Where do you go in a typical day?
How many miles do you cover before you get to a recharge point?
Are you allowed to recharge a battery at your office?
Evaluate all the above questions and figure out how much distance you'll need to cover before a recharge.
If you go a pretty signification distance, look for Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer battery packs. They're lighter and smaller, but more expensive.
If you need to keep costs down, double up on SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries, such as 48v, 60v or 72v, 30-40ah.
If you will recharge at work, make sure they're removable and light, such as 2x 24v, 20ah battery packs (right), so you can bring them in one in each hand.
3. Finally, buy for power
This part is the easiest of them all. Just like car racing, power (speed) is proportional to how much money you want to put in. Same thing with China Segway.
If you have found an e-scooter style that you like and that fits you comfortably and have calculated that your commute is realistic when it comes to an e-scooter, then power is easy....buy the most power you can afford; you'll thank yourself in 6 months' time.
Keep in mind that these speeds are all at full charge, so you only get about 15 mins at this speed. On average expect speeds about 10% slower than the listed above for realistic daily riding.
Well, there you have it, a few tips on preparing to buy an electric bike or electric scooter. Please leave a comment if you think this guide has been helpful...
Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your new investment, and see you on the streets of Beijing!
1. Buy for comfort
Wether this is going to be your main mode of transportation, or just something fun to use in the weekend, you're going to want to use it more if it's comfortable.
Check out the various body styles and frames to see which ones suit you the best. If you're a shorter rider, than look for the Honda Ruckus style (left) of electric scooters, or maybe the mini turtle for the female riders. This will provide a lower seat position and a lower center of gravity to help shorter riders balance during stops.
Next up is seating position. Just like a motorcycle, there are many types of seating positions and handle bar positions. Wide bars, narrow bars, drag bars, etc. Find the position and style that works for you. Usually, the various body styles come with set bars, but they can be changed so they are more comfortable for you.
Most importantly, get out there and test-fit some of these body styles. Don't worry about power, or battery configurations yet. Just test to see how comfortable it is for you. If it's not comfortable, you're not going to ride it.
2. Buy for distance
How far is your commute?
Where do you go in a typical day?
How many miles do you cover before you get to a recharge point?
Are you allowed to recharge a battery at your office?
Evaluate all the above questions and figure out how much distance you'll need to cover before a recharge.
If you go a pretty signification distance, look for Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer battery packs. They're lighter and smaller, but more expensive.
If you need to keep costs down, double up on SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries, such as 48v, 60v or 72v, 30-40ah.
If you will recharge at work, make sure they're removable and light, such as 2x 24v, 20ah battery packs (right), so you can bring them in one in each hand.
3. Finally, buy for power
This part is the easiest of them all. Just like car racing, power (speed) is proportional to how much money you want to put in. Same thing with China Segway.
If you have found an e-scooter style that you like and that fits you comfortably and have calculated that your commute is realistic when it comes to an e-scooter, then power is easy....buy the most power you can afford; you'll thank yourself in 6 months' time.
Keep in mind that these speeds are all at full charge, so you only get about 15 mins at this speed. On average expect speeds about 10% slower than the listed above for realistic daily riding.
Well, there you have it, a few tips on preparing to buy an electric bike or electric scooter. Please leave a comment if you think this guide has been helpful...
2015年11月9日 星期一
Chinese Company Verification: How to Vet Suppliers
Two often I hear Buyers making supplier selections on highly arbitrary factors, primarily the responsiveness the sales rep on the other side. Such factors are largely irrelevant. A supplier selection without the right data is often the root cause of quality issues further down the road. In this article, we explain how you can perform a China Company Verification by analyzing their documentation. This procedure can be managed from your office, and doesn’t require an on site visit.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
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