Here are two bargain-priced products that are worth an extra look:

First up, All Electronics Corp has a digital multimeter that could be a great backup testing tool for the garage, basement, or shop. Its a Craftsman Model No. 82061 (Cat # DMM-61) auto-ranging digital LCD meter. It comes with a carrying case and two 1.5V LR-44 batteries. This meter can measure: AC voltage, DC voltage, resistance, and capacitance. The Craftsman 82061 meter is priced at $10.65.

The second bargain is the Compaq Microcom TravelCard Fast PCMCIA modem from BG Micro (#COM 1176). This 33.6Kbps modem does not include manuals, drivers, or phone line cord, but it only costs ten cents! You can find these extra items from Wired World for $30.42 or TradeMoon for $6. NOTE: Make sure that these other vendors do, in fact, include the manuals, drivers, and phone line cord with the modem. —Dave Prochnow

(Image: All Electronics Corp.)

That seems contradictory, doesnt it? Well, the power is free, but the power pack is not. A recent price reduction at All Electronics, however, has just put the solar-powered battery pack for the Game Boy Advance within reach.

The SOLAR PAK™ (All Electronics #SPL-08) is a great solar panel platform that can power the GBA, as well as illuminate the screen with four onboard ultra-bright white LEDs. While the LED illumination is suspect (due to screen glare), the rechargeable solar-powered battery pack is a great way to hedge against battery landfill waste. Unfortunately, most SOLAR PAKs arrive with dead batteries. Fortunately, these batteries can be easily replaced. A PopSci Weekly Project hosted by Instructables can show you the step-by-step procedure.

The new, reduced price for the SOLAR PAK is $3.95. While youre shopping at All Electronics be sure to give a close look to the 400-foot spool of twisted 22-guage solid wire (#22TW-400) for $9.50 and the SEARS Craftsman Model 82061 digital multimeter featuring resistance, capacitance, and continuity signal (#DMM-61) for $10.65. Then make All Electronics one of your regular stops in search of new project materials.