American Gunsmith (1-year auto-renewal)

This magazine is an excellent ref tool, for those who are in the fire arms industry. This is a must have for all people who deal in weapons, weapons repair, and weapons manufacturing.

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Octane

Octane is so far above the mainstream car magazines that it is hard to know quite where to start. First, while enjoy an occasional flip through Automobile, Car and Driver, etc., they are all basically the same reviews of the same cars -and while it may be interesting to someone to know that the brake rotors are larger on the 2010 Mustang/Camaro/Z-car than they were on the 2009, ultimately it's hard to wallow in it month after month.

Octane covers an appetizing range of motoring topics, with an emphasis on sporting cars from all eras. You will read about historic competition cars, classic sports cars that you might want to buy and actually drive, and get exposed to a massive number of events from tours to shows, auctions to amateur racing. Mixed in are a smattering of modern car reviews, product and book reviews, brief buyer's guides to featured attainable older cars (Porsche 928 this month) a column on watches, biographical sketches and so on.

Refreshingly, the editors seem to speak from experience -I believe editor Robert Coucher has a Jag XK120 coupe. Octane benefits from an enthusiast's voice and feels less corporate. If you want a publication to tell you the most practical car to buy for the daily grind, you might want Consumer Reports. Octane is more about indulging your passion for cars.

On the downside, being a UK publication, it's on the bloody expensive side for those of us in the States. I also find the market section too broad-brush to be directly useful -Keith Martin certainly has that covered better. Finally, for U.S. subscribers, there is a length advertising section in the back that features items for sale in Europe, so while it's an interesting glance-through, it is less relevant than it might be, considering transport and shipping costs.

But, that aside, it's a dependably good read and a handsome magazine. While I toss the others in the recycle bin after a few days, Octane tends to be a long term keeper. There is a special kind of joy to the older sports cars, and Octane captures it nicely.

This magazine is excellent magazine, so much beter than the equivalent U.S. magazines. Articles are well writeen and informative -it's one of U.K. magazines I look forward to each month and have never been disappointed. If you this "Octane" plus "Classic and Sports Car' and "Motor Sport"you will have all the inormation you will ever need about Motor Sport and classic cars.

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Circuit Cellar

I've been reading this magazine off and on since Electronics Now and Popular Electronics went down hill, and have been pleasantly suprised by the depth and quality of information provided. Design and implementation of topical projects are laid out and explained clearly along with the underlying theory. Don Lancaster always has an interesting spin on new products and ideas. If you're looking for insights into embedded systems development, look no further.

-but I'm not quite sure who it's for. It's just so cool, though, that probably doesn't matter. This month's issue has projects that use FPGAs, that generate RF test signals, that do encryption on PIC processors, and, well, lots of other stuff. It's all at that place where analog circuitry, digital design, and software become interchangeable, like that software tone detector people would have implemented as an analog filter back when.

So who is likely to enjoy this magazine? Serious electronics hobbyists, for sure, garage robot-builders and gadgeteers, engineering students at any level (grade school to grad school), and the people who teach those students or at least try to keep up. It's probably good for consultants who do electronic prototypes and one-offs, where fast turnaround and proof of principle matters more than volume production or FAA certification. And I bet it's good for any hardware engineer who wants to know more about software, or vice versa. It's for anyone who thinks embedded system development is just plain fun, if you do it right.

Who's not going to read this? Well, it's not a trade rag, so there's nothing about industrial deals and dealmakers. It's not an academic journal, and math is at the upper-high school level, at most. It's not for the hardened pro, except maybe as a way to unwind from a day of serious engineering or research.

It's a little quirky, and it's a bit away from my interests these days. But it helps me remember why I got into engineering in the first place `cuz it's a blast!

//wiredweird

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Circuit Cellar occupies a unique place in the world of electronics literature. Its scope (embedded systems) is a little too limited and the articles a little too advanced and discipline-specific to serve most of the dwindling hobby community. On the other hand, the magazine carries an enthusiasm and a sense of fun that's rarely seen in professional magazines.

This magazine won't do much good for a beginning electronics aficionado, but it's a godsend for advanced hobbyists and for professional engineers and technicians who love their field.

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I'm an experienced electronics and embedded systems engineer, and also a hobbyist. I somewhat agree with other reviewers that CC is too shallow for professionals and too hard for novices. However, in every issue I always find useful bits of information and inspirational ideas for my next project at work or home.

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There is no better publication if your enthusiasm for making things still equals your desire to understand the digital world student, hobby builder, or pro. Not trivial, but not pedantic. Very how-to, projects by readers not writers. Will not waste your time.

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Hawaii Magazine

We go to Hawaii annually and this magazine helps us stay in touch with island happenings, situations, cultural events on the mainland, recipes and all things Hawaiian. It helps ease the homesickness of being away from our 2nd "home". They even have an annual photo contest to enter for the photography buff. (Would I be shamefully plugging that I won the Cultural category in the issue featured to lure you to this review? [Bringing the Islands Home]) ;-)

For Hawaii fanatics, this mags for you...hands down!

"Hawaii" is a magazine devoted to covering all aspects of Hawaii, and as such is oriented less toward tourists and more toward residents than many other publications. The magazine covers current events in Hawaii, environmental issues on the islands, and features many cultural and heritage-oriented articles that many tourists will find of only passing interest.

Every issue has a useful events calendar for all the islands individually ("Kauai Happenings," etc.) The editors are very good to cover all the islands equitably, with as much emphasis on Kauai as Oahu, for instance. Despite the seeming focus on residents, there are many articles of interest to visitors, and numerous advertisements of great use to tourists as well.

I enjoy visiting Hawaii and find the magazine to be worthwhile, and actually enjoy the fact that it isn't focused exclusively on the tourist; the things I learn from "Hawaii" magazine help me to more fully appreciate the beauty and nuance of all the islands. I recommend "Hawaii" to anyone interested in knowing more about America's most tropical state.

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Of the two existing reviews here currently, you couldn't get much different responses. Ironically, I'm right in the middle. I'm not Kama'aina (native) to Hawaii, but Hawaii is my passion; I live, breath, and sleep it. Hawaii is a place to be respected and loved. So how does Hawaii magazine handle that task?

Well, I guess it depends on what you're looking for. If you want the more tourist sided flavor to Hawaii, then the magazine probably will be what you enjoy. If you're looking for more native and eco-tourism based stuff, don't expect as much. Occasionally they'll put in pieces that aren't half bad on this topic, but it could be better. There recent anniversary editions were pretty good, but overall it still seems more like one big advertisement for tourists. Of course, that's where the money is, but you'd think a magazine called

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Hawaii Magazine is a very good publication for those who have an interest in America's fiftieth state. This magazine brings the world of the Hawaiian Islands to your home every month, with facts, figures, and photos taken from this island chain paradise.

One thing about Hawaii Magazine that is different from what you might expect is that it covers more than just travel. When I read this publication for the first time, I was surprised at the contents within. I always assumed this was a magazine solely about travel and tourism. While travel, resorts, and related topics are an important part of this magazine, they are not the only part. The rest of Hawaii Magazine deals with cultural and native topics. It lets you discover the people who inhabit these islands. You get to learn about Hawaiian customs, holidays, art, dress, and culture.

With the emphasis on culture, Hawaii Magazine is a learning experience. The people responsible for the publication of this magazine want readers to come away with a better understanding of what it means to be Hawaiian and to live in this island chain. They want you to think of Hawaii as more than just a nice, warm, sunny place to visit. They want you to learn about the people that inhabit Hawaii: How they dress, how they celebrate events, how they interact with others, etc.

If I had to name a few cons to this magazine, they would have to be the publications short length (less than 100 pages per issue) and its infrequent publication (every two months). Other than these negative aspects, most everything else about this magazine makes it worthwhile to read. It's an educational lesson on the people and the lifestyle of those we call Hawaiian.

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Wonderful magazine. Especially good when you are missing Hawaii! The photography is awesome, it's nice to see places you recognize.

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Orthodox Word

If you order via Amazon you are getting convenience, but that said the Monks are slow adding you to the list. There are no advertisements in the small bimonthly about 45 pages and you get them months after the original publication date. Still this is made by people who are living the faith, and for a small price, you get a glimpse into it. I enjoy every issue and think if someone is interested in the Orthodox faith this is a good place to start. If you get it now, it will show up on your door around Pascha. Merry Christmas. /TKL

Nov 5th i ordered this, it is now april and i have not received a single copy. thanks to amazon.com's lovely "user friendly" web page im completely unable to contact the seller or anyone inside the united states.this is really sad because im sure this magazine is great id just like to know when its supposed to get here or how i can atleast get a refund. this is horrible customer service.

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