"Star Shower Laser Magic" is a popular product that brings a stunning light show to any outdoor space. This innovative device uses laser technology to create a dazzling display of stars and other celestial patterns. With the Star Shower Laser Magic, you can transform your home into a mesmerizing wonderland that will impress your guests and neighbors. One of the key advantages of the Star Shower Laser Magic is its ease of use. Unlike traditional decorative lights that require time-consuming setup and intricate wiring, this device can be set up within minutes. Simply plug it in, press a button, and watch as thousands of dazzling stars illuminate your surroundings.
The Magic Wand earned another low score in our software testing. First of all, the software does not have optical character recognition, so you cannot create PDFs with searchable text. Secondly, you'll have to use third-party drivers if you want to use the Magic Wand with a Mac, and thirdly it isn't easy to figure out where your PDF files are being saved.
We were never able to get an actual speed reading from the scanner because we could never get to the end of our 10-page speed test document without at least a few of the pages looking totally unreadable. The VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand With AutoFeed Dock PDSDK-ST470-VP is both a highly portable wand scanner and, when mounted in its dock, a manual-feed scanner, too.
Simply plug it in, press a button, and watch as thousands of dazzling stars illuminate your surroundings. The compact design of the Star Shower Laser Magic also makes it convenient to transport and store, allowing you to bring the magic wherever you go. Another benefit of the Star Shower Laser Magic is its versatility.
VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand With AutoFeed Dock (PDSDK-ST470-VP) Review
The VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand With AutoFeed Dock (PDSDK-ST470-VP) is both a highly portable wand scanner and, when mounted in its dock, a manual-feed scanner, too.
MSRP $140.00 $169.88 at Amazon $195.00 Save $25.12PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.
Pros
- Scans without a computer.
- Works as both wand scanner by itself and as a manual-feed scanner with its dock.
Cons
- Comes without required microSD memory card.
Similar in many ways to the VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand With AutoFeed Dock (PDS-ST450-VP) that it's in the process of replacing, the VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand with AutoFeed Dock PDSDK-ST470-VP ($140 list) offers the same dual personality as a both a wand scanner and manual-feed scanner, but delivers one key extra. Thanks to its 1.5-inch color LCD, you can see a thumbnail of each scan and zoom in to check scan quality on the spot. That's enough to make it a lot more useful for scanning originals that you won't be able to rescan easily later if the first scan didn't come out well.
Being able to preview a thumbnail image is, admittedly, a second-best solution. Much better is being able to send the scan to a smartphone or tablet by Wi-Fi to preview it at a larger size, as you can with the Brother DSmobile 820W manual-feed scanner that I recently reviewed or the Editors' Choice VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Wi-Fi PDSWF-ST44-VP .
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That said, a thumbnail preview is a lot better than nothing. And in combination with the dock that turns this wand scanner into a manual-feed scanner, it makes the PDSDK-ST470-VP($169.88 at Amazon) one of the better choices for wand scanners.
Basics and Setup
Much like the VuPoint PDS-ST450-VP, the PDSDK-ST470-VP scanner offers the same portability you get with any wand scanner, with both a small size, at 1.1 by 10.5 by 1.5 inches (HWD), and light weight, at seven ounces.
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The dock weighs another one pound five ounces, which is enough that you might not want to bring it with you. It also needs a power source, which means you have to connect it by the supplied USB cable to either a computer or the supplied power adaptor, with the adaptor plugged into an outlet. The good news is that even though the weight and need for a power source make the dock less portable than it could be, it earns points for being easy to use. I found I could snap the scanner into place or remove it in less than a second.
In addition to its dock, USB cable, and power block, the scanner comes with a permanently installed rechargeable battery and Abbyy FineReader 9.0 Sprint for optical character recognition (OCR). Unfortunately, it doesn't come with microSD or microSDHC card. That's important to know before you buy the scanner, since you can't scan without one. According to VuPoint Solutions, you can use cards with up to a 32GB capacity.
Setup is easy. Plug in a memory card, charge the battery by connecting to a computer or power outlet, and optionally install FineReader on your computer. When the battery finishes charging, you're ready to scan.
Scanning
The scanner offers slightly different resolution choices depending on whether you're using it by itself or with the dock. As a wand scanner you can set the resolution to 300, 600, or 1,050 pixels per inch (ppi), set the color mode to color or grayscale, and set the file format to JPG, image PDF for A4 size paper, or image PDF for letter-size paper. Snap it into the dock, and the color mode and file format choices remain the same, but the resolution choices change to 300, 600, and 1,200 ppi.
After choosing your settings, you can scan as a wand scanner by staring with the scanner at the top or side of a page, pressing the scan button, and then sweeping down or across the page. If you're using the dock, you feed the page far enough for the rollers to grab it, and let go. Using the dock, I timed the scan at roughly 11 to 15 seconds, depending on the resolution setting.
After scanning you can see thumbnails of your scans and zoom in on them to check scan quality. The feature is limited however. You can only scroll up and down when you're zoomed in, not right and left. In addition, the aspect ratio on the previews is off, so everything looks relatively longer and thinner than the actual scan. It's easy enough to discount the distortion, but it could lead you to overlooking an actual problem in scan quality.
As with most scanners that scan without a computer, you can move the scan files to your computer either by physically moving the card or by connecting to the computer with a USB cable, letting the computer recognize the card as a USB drive, and copying the files. You also have the option of either connecting the USB cable directly to the scanner or connecting it to the dock, with the scanner mounted in the dock.
Results
Given that Abbyy FineReader is the only program the scanner comes with, there were only two applications I could test the scanner for: optical character recognition (OCR) and document management. It did reasonably well on both, although the lack of an automatic document feeder and duplexing (two-sided scanning), puts limits the maximum possible score in both cases.
For OCR, the combination of the scanner and FineReader did a good job, recognizing text on our Times New Roman test page at 10 points and on our Arial page at 8 points without a mistake at 300 ppi. It also helps that FineReader can turn multiple individual files with one page each into a single, multi-page text file for editing. For document management, similarly, it can turn multiple pages into a single, multi-page searchable PDF file.
I'd like this scanner even more if you could run the dock from batteries, if it had a better preview function, or both. As it is, if you want a portable manual feed scanner that doesn't need a computer and can run on batteries, you should take a look at the Brother DSmobile 820W. And if you don't need the manual feed at all, you should consider the Editors' Choice PDSWF-ST44-VP, with its Wi-Fi capability. If you need both a wand and manual-feed scanner, however, the VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand With AutoFeed Dock (PDSDK-ST470-VP) can easily fill both slots.
The IRIScan Book 5 is a compact, battery-powered scanner designed for true portability. Using CMOS contact image sensor technology, it can quickly scan documents, books, and more at up to 1200 dpi resolution without the need for a power source.
This device features various lighting modes and patterns, allowing you to customize the light show to suit your preferences. Whether you want a static display of stars or a dynamic motion show, the Star Shower Laser Magic can easily accommodate your desires. Additionally, the device boasts a wide coverage area, making it suitable for both small and large outdoor spaces. One of the biggest appeals of the Star Shower Laser Magic is its energy efficiency. This device consumes minimal electricity while providing a stunning light show, making it an eco-friendly choice. Furthermore, the durable construction of the Star Shower Laser Magic ensures long-lasting performance, allowing you to enjoy its magical display year after year. While the Star Shower Laser Magic offers numerous benefits, it is important to note that laser technology should be used responsibly. It is crucial to avoid pointing the device at people, animals, or vehicles, as direct exposure to laser light can cause harm. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and optimal usage. In conclusion, the Star Shower Laser Magic is a fascinating product that brings the beauty of the night sky to your outdoor space. Its ease of use, versatility, energy efficiency, and durability make it an attractive choice for those who want to add a touch of magic to their surroundings. However, it is essential to use laser technology responsibly and adhere to safety guidelines while enjoying the stunning light show provided by the Star Shower Laser Magic..
Reviews for "Make Your Deck or Patio an Outdoor Oasis with Star Shower Laser Magic"
1. John - 1 star - The Star Shower Laser Magic was a huge disappointment. The lasers were barely visible and did not project on my house as advertised. The device also stopped working after just a few uses, making it a complete waste of money. I would not recommend this product to anyone looking for a festive outdoor lighting solution.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I was excited to try out the Star Shower Laser Magic for my upcoming holiday party, but it fell short of my expectations. The light projection was weak and didn't cover a large area as promised. The device was also difficult to set up and kept falling over due to its flimsy construction. Overall, I was not impressed with the performance and durability of this product.
3. Mike - 1 star - I regret purchasing the Star Shower Laser Magic. The lights were not bright enough to be visible from a distance, making them almost unnoticeable. The cheap plastic construction of the device also made it feel very fragile and prone to breaking. Save your money and invest in a better quality outdoor lighting solution.
4. Emily - 2 stars - The Star Shower Laser Magic didn't live up to its hype for me. The colors of the lights were not vibrant, and they didn't project well onto my home's exterior. Additionally, the device was not weatherproof, causing it to malfunction after a light drizzle. I was disappointed with the overall performance and durability of this product.