__ Best __
__ Water Filters __
First Class:
__Pocket Filter __
Camping enthusiasts will appreciate this compact, efficient handpump that keeps you from downing the evil little critters found in swamps, lakes, and rivers. Katadyn's ceramic filter has a pore size of .2 microns - the smallest screen on the market - so you needn't worry about protozoa, bacteria, or any of the various illnesses they cause, from Cryptosporidiosis to Campylobacter enteritis.
Business Class:
__Scout __
The Scout pump has the highest output per stroke. It's small and light enough for a solo backpacker, yet efficient enough to purify water for large groups. A durable .3-micron glass-fiber-pleated filter is combined with an iodinated resin that deactivates viruses. For better-tasting water, a carbon filter then takes out most of the iodine flavor.
Coach:
__MiniWorks __
Considering its .3-micron pore size, the ergonomic MiniWorks is a breeze to pump. Ceramic and carbon filters eliminate 99.99 percent of contaminants and make your water taste and smell better. It's the unit of choice for the US Marine Corp's Amphibious Raids and Reconnaissance Division.
__ Megapixel Digital Cameras __
First Class:
__Kodak DC260 __
Digital cameras with more than a million pixels take great pics, but look out for the wait. High-res cameras pause after each shot while their tiny processors crunch new data. But Kodak's DC260 beats this downtime with a clever burst mode, so you can take a string of rapid-fire pictures. The three-times optical zoom and USB connectivity are just gravy.
Business Class:
__Fuji MX-700 __
The MX-700 has all the allure of a great spy camera. It's the smallest and shiniest megapixel device to date, with great perks - 2-inch LCD panel, crucial rechargeable battery, 2-Mbyte SmartMedia card, and optional floppy-disk adapter that retrieves photos through the plain old disk drive of any PC or Mac. No awkward serial cables!
Coach:
__Casio QV-5000SX __
With 1.3 million pixels, Casio's QV-5000SX is the perfect starting point for digital photography. As with the cameras featured above, you can minimize the annoyances of typical low-res snaps - pixel jaggies or the misreading of color, known as the dreaded "Christmas-tree effect." And, as with the others, you can turn off the LCD on the back and use the optical viewfinder to save precious battery power.
__ Convertibles __
First Class:
__XK8 __
Jaguar always had the looks, but rarely the reliability. Then Ford took the reins in 1990 and, after a mechanical overhaul in '95, started kicking out Jags that run great, too. The 290-horsepower, 4-liter V8 XK8 is the best-looking, best-performing convertible on the road. Feel confident when you ask the driver next to you whether she happens to have any Grey Poupon.
Business Class:
__Boxster __
The first new design to come out of the legendary Porsche factory in 19 years, the Boxster's sleek look is complemented by amazing engineering and a surprisingly affordable sticker price. Whether you want to rev up the 201-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine or trundle the kids around town (optional child seats available), this speedster will impress.
Coach:
__Miata MX5 __
Some Miata purists were shocked at changes to the neoclassic ragtop. Mazda modernized the design of the 1999 Miata MX5 with fixed oval headlights, sculpted doors, and doorhandles that blend into the paint job. But with more power and better brakes, no one can complain about a ride that rivals far more expensive cars.
