Japan is thought to start copy western technology after WWII and applied it in their own technology. This thought might be true, however there is a fact that need to be considered. In 1881, a jewelry shop was openned in Tokyo by Kintaro Hattori and clocks started to be produced in 1892 under the brand name of Seikosha.

This was the start of what is today the Seiko Group, consisting of ‘Seiko Corporation’, ‘Seiko Instruments Inc’ and the ‘Seiko Epson Corporation’.

Today, Seiko Corporation produces among other things: watches, glasses, jewelery, semiconductors, precision instruments, safety razors etc…

A few milestones of Seiko watchmaking are:

1895, start of the production of pocket watches.

1913, first wristwatches for the Japanese market.

1924, first wristwatches with the brand ‘Seiko’.

1955, production of automatic winding watches for Japanese market starts.

1963, introduction of the first quartz driven portable stopwatch.

1969, production of the first quartz wristwatch.

1973, first LCD quartz wristwatch.

1988, first quartz driven watch powered by automatic generators.

1997, Seiko introduces the ‘Kinetic’ driven quartz system.

2005, Seiko introduces ‘Spring Drive’, a mechanical automatic watch with quartz regulation.

In October 2008, Richard Garriott, a well known video game designer and adventurer, was the sixth private space explorer in history visiting the International Space Station, wearing a special designed Seiko watch, the Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk. Unfortunately the planned spacewalk did not take place. But the watch was used in the Space Station.

However, the first automatic watch known to be used in space was also a Seiko, the 6139-6002. It was the astronaut William R. Pogue who took this watch to Skylab 4 in 1974. As his private watch. Astronauts are allowed to take some private stuff with them into space and a lot of them use their own watches next to the official provided watches by NASA.

As you can see, Seiko has been very innovative and uses new technology to improve their products.

Today Seiko produces watches, ranging from good quality affordable mechanical watches (Seiko 5), quartz driven watches, divers, dress watches, sports watches, etc.. up to the luxury ‘Grand Seiko’ with Spring Drive technology.

Do you like to have one? Look at eBay and use the search engines on the internet. You will not be disappointed.

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Since the beginning of this year, Italy Textile Clothing Significant turnover of the industry fell 30% to 40% in the first half of officially registered number of textile and garment enterprises were shut down over 1750.

French tradition of textile production bases mainly in the northern region of France (textile industry), Rhone-Alpes region (chemical fiber), Alsace-Lorraine region and the central Pyrenees (knitting), and the Vosges region (cotton), the paper reported that the French part of the area. Are summarized as follows:

1, France: the economic crisis of the textile industry in these areas is gradually declining, according to the textile industry association statistics, consumer demand in the first half of the decline of family, regional high-grade textile operations declined by 30% to 40%, in particular is the shrinkage of the United States and Russia, so that the textile and spinning Sell Fell over 20% and 30%. Project leader of the Federation pointed out that the current situation so that we completely lost visibility (visibilit), some companies can withdraw orders decline 50% this year from September to December in the financial might have a serious problem. Even the special textile technology sector are also affected, especially for Car And the aviation industry services company. To prevent a flow due to the recent spread of the virus create masks, promote some improvement in medical textiles.

2, Germany: textile industry hit hard by the economic crisis in 2008, turnover fell only 4.5% was also reached 11.1 billion euros, while the performance of the first half of 2009 was disastrous. According to the German Bureau of Statistics, the first half of textiles declined by about 25% of sales, exports even worse, down 27%. The most difficult is the spinning industry, sales fell 32%, weaving sector by 30%. High-end textile products manufacturers operating in at least 19% down, private non-woven fabrics and technical fabrics decreased by 22% and 26%. According to statistics, from January to May this year there are 30 (more than in 1800) of textile industry enterprises to apply for bankruptcy, up 20% of the data. Faced with this situation, industry experts and end of the year difficult to predict the situation in 2010.

3, Italy: from the beginning of this year, a substantial turnover of textile and garment industry fell 30% to 40% in the first half of officially registered number of textile and garment enterprises were shut down over 1750. Italian Textile Industry Association, said that the majority of enterprises are not prepared to re-open in early September, no doubt, will appear early next year, this year the second wave of closed businesses. The smallest enterprises in the gradual disappearance of many of their technology investments and patents have come to naught. According to the survey, the first half of the Italian textile and fabric production fell by 15%. The industry hope that the situation will be improved in early 2010.

4, Spain: first half of 2009 the operations of the textile industry declined sharply. According to Spain’s apparel manufacturing and textile information center, said Chairman, we have experienced the worst year for 6 months, 7-8 months the situation was slightly better than expected, but hard to believe that there will be better this fall. He said that due to financial difficulties and the bank to pay the attitude of hesitation, the textile industry can slow down operations. The current decline in textile sales seems to stabilize the situation, but nobody can judge when to get out of the crisis. Spain’s textile industry is estimated that he personally spend at least another 6 months of very difficult period. Economic recovery until 2012.

Highlights the essence of all in 2009, “China Industry News Daquan? Silk screen printing industry, particularly paper,” On-line free of charge from

More exciting, please see>>

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At present, electrical lighting manufacturing industry is facing increased costs, RMB appreciation, export tax rebates and other unfavorable factors, business environment change. But generally speaking, due to benefit from the country’s energy policy, the first half of 2008, the industry is still full of orders, product development focused on positive energy efficient direction.

First half of 2008, China’s Lighting Industry scale enterprises in total industrial output value of 52.104 billion yuan, up 24.23 percent; main business income of 49.297 billion yuan, up 28.28%.

Exports as the leading energy-saving products

1 June 2008, China lighting electric industry’s total exports reached 4.256 billion U.S. dollars, up 26.92%, accounting for 4.09% of exports of light industrial products. Among them, the electric light source products exported 1.218 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for lighting electrical products 28.62% of total exports, up 33.15 percent.

From the product point of view, the main exports to energy-saving products. This is mainly because some EU countries that would phase out the old incandescent bulbs, plans to phase in energy-saving light bulbs by 2015 alternative energy-intensive incandescent bulbs. Rapid growth in exports are energy-efficient lighting product. Metal halide lamps up 60%; fluorescent and discharge lamps up 42.2%; electronic rectifier up 34.32 percent.

In recent years the EU has implemented RoHS, WEEE, EuP and other instructions, the formation of barriers on the export business. More and more Chinese enterprises to do anything positive from the initial response, active prevention, to mature in actual combat. For example, LED semiconductor lighting industry in the national R & D and industry alliance, under the lead of a sudden the United States “337 investigation” to respond quickly and greatly reduce the enterprises in the export of the risks.

Import growth over export growth

Import growth over export growth is another feature of the industry. 1 June 2008, China’s imports of electrical products lighting although only 792 million U.S. dollars, but the growth of 49.17 percent over the same period last year, far more than the increase in exports. Among them, the electric light source products imported 670 million U.S. dollars, accounting for lighting electrical products 84.60 percent of total imports, up by 52.56%. Higher import growth of products are: cumulative increase of 122.06% of electronic rectifiers, electronic lighting parts are up 66.98 percent, fluorescent and discharge lamps are up 63.68 percent.

Multiple factors have led to pressure

Although our overall business is good lighting electrical industry, but some companies still face great difficulties. Raw material prices, labor costs, real estate, building materials downstream industries were affected by the macro-control, leading to further deterioration of operating environment. Enterprises have expanded production capacity, order full, but it does not explain the future of business without risk.

High energy consumption of incandescent lamps, HID lamps the overall decline in exports, which is undoubtedly the national legislation with European and other products out of incandescent light is directly related to high energy consumption. Although the product output is growing, but the amount of corporate profits has been decreasing. By the appreciation of Renminbi, the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis and other factors, foreign Lighting severe market decline, a large number of products sold domestically, the future will be even more intense market competition.

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Fashion Electrical Market Development Deputy Director: Qing-Jun

Dongguan
Suning
Marketing Manager: Lin Lu

Advertisement Promotion Department Manager, Dongguan States United States: Hu Jun

Blink of an eye half years have passed, love has been busy since last appliance stores
Financial
Crisis, has gradually become very low profile. Especially the first half of this year, slowing down the speed shop a lot. It’s statistics, only two new stores during the first half. In an interview, also said home appliance stores, shop at the second half of 2009 is no longer the main theme, heavy equipment, build a new store image and adjust the layout of humanity or the focus of the work throughout the year.

The delayed impact of the crisis still exists, the first half of the three supermarkets
Sell
Whether over the previous year by the amount of “hit”? Three major home appliances chain policy to attack pull effect in the end? Then in the second half, stores, how breakthrough? Two days ago, reporters visited the three major home appliance stores in Dongguan relevant department head.

Overall

Rebound year

Question 1

The delayed impact of the financial crisis has not disappeared, then just past the first half of 2009, the overall store sales have anything better?

Qing-Jun: all of us for the first half of the home appliances market, every day is not an easy one. Especially the weak consumer market town, but the urban market is relatively stable. The same period in 2008, compared with growth, but not much, basically achieved smoothly picked up. Because this year is not out fashion stores in Dongguan, on May 1 last year after we opened two stores. Opening a new store sales performance, enhance the effect, I think the industry is visible.

Lin Lu: the first half of the overall sales growth over last year showed an overall increase of 30%. In the first half, Suning launched a series of large-scale promotions, along with the property market rebound and the marriage market and rigid demand, sales pull big.

Hu Jun: the first half of the whole, Dongguan, China the United States in the quality of single-store operation has improved, this will pull the sales lot.

Under crisis
Is still the backbone of traditional home appliances

Question 2

Tough day, which category do you think of the beam in the lug store? Hu Jun:
Air conditioning
, Color TV and emergency home appliances, especially air-conditioning the most obvious upgrade this year, an increase of nearly 40%, Furthermore, 3C is the category, especially Shucu arrival, we focus on random purchase of 3C products to the discount usually do.

Qing-Jun: total weight of the category is still the traditional home appliances, fashion is that
Black
And reproducing the largest increase. Black is the active force, especially in the audio market downturn, peer-to give up this market situation, the high-end audio sales in the fashion still improve.

Lin Lu: key growth category for the air-conditioning,
Refrigerator
And computers. Accounted for about half of overall sales.

Three policy

Has praised in

Question 3

In the first half, the state introduced
Bringing home appliances
, Energy-saving appliances subsidies and TM to the three policy has not been much movement various stores?

Qing-Jun: the implementation of home appliances to the countryside in just enough time to really lively, attractive enough, but not many consumers and manufacturers are now home to its “cold” the.

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Midea, Gree Electric Appliances, Sichuan Changhong, deep
Konka
Four semi-annual report yesterday, household electrical appliance enterprises in 2009 focused on appearance. Internationally
Financial
Crisis due to falling demand and other factors, four home appliance giant, income has declined during the first half, but the net profit performance is not the same,
Black
(Referring to TV) white (referring to air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines) once again showed different market situation.

Gree Electric appliances in the first half net profit of U.S. were up 29.18 percent year on year and 18.63%; and Sichuan Changhong net decrease of 22.56% year on year, Shenzhen Konka A meager 0.3% year on year net profit, “two happy Both worry. “

Home appliance giant, mid-year performance profiles of four

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Hi

White giant, eye-catching performance

Midea said in the first half of the international financial crisis and global economic downturn, the situation, though still serious, but the domestic economy gradually recovering and the series active policies to promote economic growth, effectively promoting the growth of domestic consumption appliances.

Semiannual reports show that U.S. appliance 1 to 6 months operating income of 24.901 billion yuan, though decreased 11.33% year on year, although raw material costs as a greater decline than the previous year, the company created in the first half net profit of 1.146 billion yuan, an increase of 18.63%. Air-conditioning and parts of which 18.487 billion yuan in revenue. Aspects of the United States, said after the company into the season, “to stock” of efforts to increase and improve profitability, increase cash flow is the main reason.

At the same time, another industry giant white Gree performance of the same eye-catching. Gree first half revenue 19.99 billion yuan, up 19.89% reduction of net profit 1.231 billion yuan, up 29.18 percent. Said, in the air conditioning market as a whole is weak, the company continues to increase market share, industry leading position further strengthened.

Good news in the performance, while under the influence of the financial crisis, the two companies a serious decline in overseas business. The two companies are also the main reason for reduced revenues. Midea overseas markets where revenue fell 20.58%, Gree decreased by 48.38%.

Securities of that person, in the first half Gree, Midea two listed companies to adjust product structure, the main business to the gross margin of energy-efficient air conditioning tilt higher, gross margins increased, but this year end market prices generally higher than air-conditioning low, the resulting decline in operating income, net profit rising trend. He said the current position, Gree, Midea’s performance has improved over the beginning, great bottoming trend.

Worry
Poor performance of black loss

Compared with white business, Sichuan Changhong, Konka two traditional black performance of the business is not optimistic.

According to semiannual reports, Sichuan Changhong the first half of the total operating income of 13.277 billion yuan, down 6.76%. Among them, the domestic core business revenue dipped 2.58%, the foreign main business income of a substantial decrease of 27.28 percent year on year. Net income was 30,043,300 yuan, up 22.56% year on year greatly reduced.

Changhong said that as traditional TV production companies on domestic in
CRT
Mature industrial chain products, with strong competitiveness, but with the global consumer
Electronic
Upgrade, the company has been gradually weakened the traditional competitive advantages, the company will actively promote industrial upgrading. Industry analysts point out that the times into the flat, Sichuan Changhong has been betting that the plasma industry, 1 in July this year,
Changhong plasma
TV sales rose nearly 300%, but for LCD TV, Changhong’s response and action seemed to be somewhat slow, missed the rapid on the LCD TV market volume of its LCD TVs sales in the domestic market ranked No. 5.

Relative to the sharp drop in profits, Sichuan Changhong, Konka is only slightly deep loss. The first half of the total company operating income of 5.172 billion yuan, down 7.98%; operating profits down 18.30%. Net income was 80.302 million yuan, a decrease of 0.31% over the previous year.

Konka that caused the poor performance of the main reasons the company is
LCD panel
, Due to the shortage of liquid crystal module. In the first half of the financial crisis continued to influence, the LCD panel and module makers have been hard hit by cuts or even stop production, two products of domestic supply significantly, the domestic LCD TV makers are deeply tired. The deep Konka affected, in the first half sales fell 7.98%.

Previously, many companies have issued Pre-losing black warning, Cinda Securities analyst believes that white goods and
Small appliances
Plate in the middle of 2009 net profit will be warmer, and the black appliance industry will face a polarized situation.

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, The domestic steel giant Angang Steel Company Limited (000898.SZ) today announced results for semi-annual report, in the first half net profit increased 24.48% year on year, but the industry believes that the second half of the price of steel to achieve high profits to promote the situation will be unsustainable

Semi-annual report published under the Anshan Iron and Steel shares, the company first half of the revenue 40.17 billion yuan, of which net profit of 59.8 billion yuan, up 24.48%.

Angang Steel Company Limited, said revenue from a year earlier mainly due to an increase in product prices, sales volume increases and the impact of product structure adjustment, the first half as the company promoted the development of markets for special steel, special steel ratio of the first half of 92.24%. Ship plate, car plates, plates and other high-end home appliances Steel products Sales also were up 25.54 percent over the previous year, 52.64%, 27.58%.

While operating profit and net profit has increased over the same period one year earlier as price increases impact; 2 is due to a series of working through technical innovation, production and sales scale of impact; Third, adjust the product structure effect; Fourth, the decline in corporate income tax rate impact caused by increase in net profit.

At the same time, the company also made progress in energy saving, comprehensive energy consumption per ton steel, fresh water consumption per ton steel, respectively, the comparable energy consumption fell 2.17%, 10.56%, 1.12%. Bayuquan new steel projects are proceeding smoothly and end at 6, coke oven, blast furnace hot stove, hot oven, plate after another into the cold furnace, heat load trial operation.

Yesterday, Wuhan Steel shares semiannual reports have been the first appearance, net profit reached 4.911 billion yuan, an increase of 3 percent, the first published results of Wuhan Steel shares and Angang Steel Company Limited, also for the steel industry’s overall performance during the first half set the tone. Previously, Tangshan Iron and Steel Shares of eight steel companies have also announced first half results are expected to grow, Bayi Iron & Steel, Guangzhou Iron and Steel Shares of its own degree of performance increase is expected to reach 200%.

Yesterday, Vice President of Hebei Province Prospering Metallurgical Industry Association also said in the first half, the two-strong international and domestic market demand situation, in Hebei’s steel industry profits rose 19.91 percent, but noted that yield, net investment income and income factors, the actual earnings growth of only some 53%, and that 53% of the actual earnings are primarily raise steel prices by 5,6 month was able to guarantee.

Advisory body under the domestic steel “steel house,” the latest report yesterday, the first half of 2008, China’s steel industry realized profits of over 100 billion, compared with growth of 26% over the same period in 2007, but mainly from the high profits The large increase in steel prices, and since the downstream steel industry profits have been squeezed in the first half, industrial development is impaired, thereby affecting the growth of steel demand, which built on the profits on the price increases will be difficult to maintain.

Prospering expects the second half of the steel industry will face a very complex situation, the whole second half in high-cost, high steel prices, high-risk operation, if the second half of the domestic steel market supply and demand reversed, steel prices have more large fluctuations in the steel industry profits will have a major impact.

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A vintage Rolex watch is a timeless piece of art, and is today an antique collector’s delight. These luxurious artifacts have a unique heritage, and have over years maintained their grandeur and functionality. Today Rolex is the largest luxury watch brand that produces about 2,000 watches per day. With such great design, accuracy and grandeur that is the hallmark of every piece, you surely would crave to own a Rolex watch for yourself.

How can you get an affordable Rolex watch?

You can actually gift Rolex watchesto all your near and dear ones. Finding that hard to believe? Yes, buying an authentic Rolex watch may not be within your budget. But you can use the authentic looking replicas of Rolex watches to serve as great gifts for your loved ones. There are a number of replica models available in the market these days. While these models are much cheaper than the original ones, they do maintain quite a high quality. Also, these watches are almost as attractive as the original ones. Actually, it is quite difficult to identify a good replica from an original creation of Rolex, unless you are a certified expert. So, gift a replica watch and be appreciated for your taste of style and luxury. These watches look classic and suit every style.

Yes, a replica Rolex watch can be as much of a head-turner as an authentic one.

Do they work as well as the originals?

You might think that low prices of the replicas would affect their efficiency. Not at all; the replicas are not just good looking clones of the original pieces, but have an identity of their own. Therefore, while you buy replica models, you do not waste your money on merely dumb copies. However, while you are buying a replica, you must make sure that you are buying only good quality models from reputed dealers.

Remember, replica does not mean compromised quality, but affordability.

Buying Rolex online

You should buy good quality replicas of Rolex watches only from reputed online stores. There are many such stores available on the Web. Most of these stores have a catalogue of designs on Rolex imitations – from antique designer collections to the contemporary styles. You can select the ones you like and buy them at a discount.

Our recommendation? You can begin your search at SwissReplicaWatches.in; they’re offering some of the best copies we have ever seen and at very attractive prices. So what are you waiting for? Grab your own copy of a Rolex watch now!

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A well-planned and very effective sales training program is very crucial in developing a productive sales force that will not only help in selling the products and services of the company but will also sell the company’s good name. A successful training program can yield to more effective sales associates and more sales and revenue.

As a sales manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that your sales training programs are effective and suitable to the needs of your associates. Here are the things that you need to consider when designing and conducting your trainings:

1. Objective. Before you design a sales training program, make sure that you establish your goals first. Some managers conduct such trainings when there is a sudden drop in the sales or when they are advised by the top management to increase their sales by up to a certain percentage in a specific period of time. A training may also be conducted based on the observation of managers on their associates’ performance or if they are hiring new associates who do not have any idea about the company or the products to sell just yet.

2. Choosing your mediums. There are so many ways on how you can conduct your training. You can do one-on-one or group training programs, you can use email or the company’s website, or you can do teleconferencing especially if your company has other branches. Assess the effectiveness of each medium and stick to that one that yields to more favorable results.

3. Skill levels of your trainees. Get to know the skill levels of your trainees before you design your sales training programs so you’ll know what exact information or assistance they’ll need from you in order to reach the pre-set goals. Let me give you an example; if you are training your associates to effectively communicate the benefits of the products, they must have exceptional communication skills and in-depth product knowledge. Otherwise, they will not be able to follow your orders.

4. Language. Keep in mind that your main objective in conducting trainings is to inform or empower your trainees. This will not possibly happen if you make it too difficult for them to understand the message that you are trying to get across. As much as possible, use the preferred language of these people and utilize those words that they can easily identify with to easily avoid confusion.

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Monitor Your Heart Rate to Ensure Maximum Results

Whether new to exercise or a seasoned veteran, the use of heart rate monitor watches during exercise can bring a new element of understanding and intensity to your exercise routine.  Heart rate monitor watches continually measure your pulse as you exercise and help you stay within a predetermined heart rate range called the ‘target training zone’. 

Although heart rate monitor watches have been in existence for some time, their value often goes unrecognized by fitness professionals and participants alike.  This happens because there is a lack of guidance on how to use the feedback watches provide to achieve a specific goal.  With just a basic understanding of Maximum Heart Rate (HRmax) and target training zones you can measure fitness levels, monitor progress, increase exercise intensity, and iathletic performance. 

Determine Your Training Zone

In order to determine your training zone, you must first calculate your maximum heart rate (HRmax).  HRmax is estimated by taking 220 and subtracting your age (220-age).  Next, find the heart rate training zone that correlates with your fitness goals.  The heart rate training zone or ‘target training zone’ is a high and low heart rate range based on a percentage of your HRmax.

Remember that working at a specific intensity will yield corresponding results. If you are new to exercise, start at with the low intensity training zone.  Low intensity training zone will improve your cardiovascular function and build endurance, but to ultimately achieve your goals, you may need to jump up to the moderate or high intensity training zones.

Key Target Training Zones (% of max HR)

60-70%: Low intensity exercise.

70-80%: Medium intensity exercise.

80% +: High intensity exercise

The American Heart Association, whose guidelines are created for those with a goal of general health, recommends staying within 50 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate.  In contrast, ACSM Guidelines recommend intensities between 55% and 65% all the way up to 90% of HRmax.  These recommendations are created for a range of people, from un-fit to extremely athletic.  ACSM also suggests that de-conditioned individuals may experience improvements at exercise intensities of only 55% to 64% HRmax.

Remember, a well rounded exercise programincludes both aerobic exercise and strength training, but not necessarily in the same session.  Your heart rate monitor will provide useful feedback for both types of exercise and allow you to create a program that motivates you to exercise regularly.  Consistent, regular activity will provide more health benefits than sporadic, high-intensity workouts, so choose exercises you are likely to enjoy and that you can incorporate into your schedule.  And always check with your physician before starting an exercise program.

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Picture yourself excitedly ordering presents for your Ben 10 fan’s birthday. You have a list of his hopes and dreams, one of which is the Ben 10 Omnitrix watch. You search online and find there are at least four different versions. Oh no, which one should you choose? Presumably your Ben 10 fan had one in mind but you want to get the best, most appropriate one right? So here’s a little help …

Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix (4 Stars)

Looking just like Ben’s brand new evolved Omnitrix from the new TV series, the Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix features lights, cool sound effects and alien voices. Kids will love acting out action-packed alien games with their own real-life Omnitrix – the perfect roleplay accessory for boys! Attach the mini transparent figures from the 10cm Alien Collection Figures (sold separately) to the face of the watch to unlock the aliens’ light and sound effects! The Omnitrix includes a cool transparent Swampfire figure to get the action started!

This Omnitrix from the new Ben 10 Alien Force range should have rocked our childrens’ worlds. It will no doubt be a must have for any Ben 10 fan addicted to role play fun but it is not quite as good as it could have been. The accuracy to the watch in the new show is fantastic. You attach the mini translucent alien figures to the top of the watch to activate each alien. This reveals the alien’s voice and name, like on the show, and is super cool. The strap is an improvement over that on the Omnitrix F/X but is not as good as on the Deluxe Omnitrix. It can be hard to get on until you get the hang of it and sometimes has trouble staying snapped shut.

To get more than the one free mini alien figure you need to buy the 10cm Alien Collection Figures. However, the full alien range is not yet available which may cause disappointment. The Ultimate Omnitrix does have lights and sounds without any alien figures attached but your Ben 10 fan is likely to want more than the one alien that comes with it … you’ve been warned!

The Ultimate Omnitrix can be a little more glitchy than other Ben 10 toys. The face can be reluctant to stay completely down and the alien figures can get stuck after a few times of clicking onto the top of the watch. The alien figures can also be hard to put on and take off but it does hold up to rough play like the other toys in the range.

Overall this new Omnitrix is a good solid toy and will be money well spent to keep an avid Ben 10 fan’s collection up to date.

Deluxe Omnitrix (5 Stars)

The Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix is packed with power: lights, sounds and a LCD screen featuring full screen aliens make this the most powerful Omnitrix in the collection. With each click of the dial another alien appears on the LCD screen. Be ready – when Vilgax attacks, your Ben 10 fan has just seconds to choose the correct alien for the job. It’s a race against the timer to defeat evil and collect some bonus points!

Fantastic, entertaining and robust. It will send the imagination into overdrive. If you want to keep your Ben 10 fan busy using their imagination for play then this is the toy for you.

Build wise the quality is higher than that of its predecessor the Omnitrix F/X. The thick fabric strap fastens with velcro so is easy for a young child to put on and off. The main watch part is made of chunky plastic and comprises a black and white LCD screen. It can be quite large on the child’s wrist and is larger than the F/X.

There are three playing modes. Battle mode sees Ben 10 running around until a villain approaches at which point the Omnitrix sounds an alarm to alert you. At the bottom of the screen you are then told which alien to choose and you are timed as you dial through the aliens until you find the correct one. When you hit the watch to select the winning alien you see them fighting the villain and then you find out if you won the battle. Normal mode allows you to select the alien by turning the dial and hitting the watch. You get to hear the Ben 10 sounds and are shown a few images of your chosen alien. Status mode shows statistics for battles won and lost and includes set up options such as sound.

For Ben 10 mad children under 5 years old the Deluxe Omnitrix presents a few obstacles. Battle mode is not suitable for children who cannot read yet as they will not know which alien they need to choose to fight the battle. Also moving between modes may take time for them to get used to as they are likely to get lost trying to get to where they want to be. But after a week or so for a persistent fan they will work it out.

For the older child more used to gaming consoles the play and the graphics may be a bit weak but for those children who love role play and want to imagine themselves as Ben 10 this is a must have piece of kit.

Omnitrix F/X (2 Stars)

The Omnitrix F/X provides a good role play experience with its flashing red and green lights and transformation sound effects taken directly from the TV series. Turn the dial to choose between the 10 aliens and see them in silhouette on the face of the Omnitrix which is backlit for an easier view.

The Omnitrix F/X is a great stimulus for the imagination. It is well made and withstands the usual dropping and wall bashing dished out by children. Although seemingly pricey for a plastic strap, turning dial and red and green lights, the daily use it is likely to get means you will see value for your money. The sounds are authentic and children seem excited about hitting the dial before they “transform”. It is perhaps more suitable for Ben 10 mad children under 5 years old as there is no gaming for them to contend with. In fact it does little more than make noises, flash lights and display alien pictures on the dial so you would expect it to be a lot less expensive than the deluxe version but you will be sadly disappointed. Comfort wise the F/X is also lacking with its plastic strap which can be difficult for young ones to strap on and can be a little big for the smaller wrist.

Omnitrix Alien Viewer (1 Star)

The Omnitrix Alien Viewer allows you to view cool scenes from the TV series and watch Ben transform into different aliens by inserting one of the various disks available – three of which are included. Other disks are available with the 10cm Ben 10 Collectible Action Figures (sold separately). Each disk features 8 animation cells showing Ben’s transformation into an alien. The viewing aperture is 1cm in diameter. It is true to scale for realistic role play.

The Omnitrix Alien Viewer could be a nice little addition to your child’s Ben 10 toy collection. If he collects the 10cm Ben 10 Collectible Action Figures he will soon have a great collection of the disks that are included with these toys enabling him to watch Ben in more and more guises. But beware it is not just a smaller version of the other Omnitrix. It has no lights or sound and so to an excited child it seems to do nothing at all other than look like an Omnitrix when worn, although this alone does encourage imagination. Viewing the aliens is also not ideal as there is no back light. You need to point the viewer at a strong light source and get the angle just right to see anything and then the images are tiny. Changing the disks can be fiddly and the disk storage is limited. Knowing young boys keeping track of these small parts is not going to be their top priority. If the disks are lost the Omnitrix becomes pointless.

Conclusion

The choice is tough – the Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix is more up to date to the current TV show and its aliens but the Deluxe Omnitrix offers some video game style play as well as the role play experience. Which you choose should probably be determined by the age of your Ben 10 fan.

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