Friday, 5 September 2008

Golden Retriever - dog brush, deshedding


This tool wins over the Furminator hands down. It is much more effective at PULLING out the dead undercoat, rather than the Furminators action of TEARING/CUTTING out the undercoat...AND a lot of top coat to boot. The Oster Rake is a much better tool for removing just the unwanted undercoat. It's gentle on the skin, comfortable for the dog, and very effective and removing the unwanted undercoat and leaving the top coat alone. Oster Professional Pet Grooming Undercoat Rake, 18 Teeth Wide, Coarse

This dog rake is incredible! It does not pull the hair and gets ALL of the undergrowth without stress to the dog.

Be prepared to get covered with hair the first several times you use it (maybe use it outside). The hair justs comes off and leaves the coat silky and smooth. I looked at other websites for this item and it was twice as much.

I plan on sharing this info with lots of friends with dogs

so they can benefit from this wonderful product. It was

suggested by a dog groomer friend of mine and after trying hers I ordered one as soon as possible.

After having been raked with this marvelous undercoat rake, my golden retriever looks a lot better. She looks better, feels better, and obviously enjoys the experience. Or is it the dog bone she gets after? The Oster undercoat rake really took out a lot of hair, including some nasty looking tail hair.



They ought to include a hex wrench that will fit the handle, though. It loosens easily and is positioned so I can't get at it with a standard hex wrench. IKEA hands out hex allen wrenches with their furniture, Oster should do the same with their rakes. Also, the teeth loosen independently and get out of line. I can see that it would be easy to take this apart for cleaning (if necessary?) but it feels a little bit like it will fall apart in the meantime.

I borrowed one of these from a friend and was amazed at how it stripped the undercoat out of my pets. I actually thought my cat looked like he had lost weight after grooming him with the oster rake. I have 2 long haired cats and a husky with significant undercoat. This tool works on all 3 animals. I work part time at a shelter and have seen every type of grooming tool in the market and none of them can touch the oster grooming rake.

This is an excellent tool for grooming your dog. It works well on thin and thick coats, small dogs, large dogs. It cleans out the undercoat without cutting the skin. Untangles knots and tangles easily. Our Havanese looks forward to the grooming - it is like getting a massage! We heard about it from our son who grooms his Tibetian Terrier who has a very thick under coat and thick top coat.

We have two shelties and before I found this fur rake we'd spend hours in the spring and fall cleaning up their undercoat when they began shedding. This tool works great. It gets out the undercoat without pulling the top coat fur and it is fast, easy, and doesn't hurt. Snags and mats can be gently worked out.

We have a rough coated collie with an incredibly thick coat. A professional groomer recommended this product. He does not groom this breed because of time constraints. Worked very well at removing the dead hair and with some snips from the scissors the mats. It removed the hair without yanking and hurting her. Highly recommend! Michael

We had no idea how much our golden retriever was suffering in the summer heat until we got this rake. We spent 2 or 3 weeks grooming her every day getting out 2 years of undercoat. Every session created huge balls of undercoat. She's much happier now and sheds much less. If you have a large medium or long haired dog, one of these rakes is a must. Make sure you get the coarse one if your dog has thick hair, otherwise you won't be able to pull the rake through the coat. Quality on this rake is top notch - it's all stainless steel and designed for heavy duty.

I'd swear this brush makes hair out of thin air. I can't believe how much hair this took off my dog. He will be so much happier this summer and his coat is much smoother now. This is the best brush I have ever used, by far, and dogs seem to enjoy the feeling of being brushed by this tool. When I received it, I didn't look like it would work very well, wow was I wrong. I am amazed. Seriously. - Deshedding - Shedding - Grooming Tools - Dog Brush'


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Interior Design Books - architecture, design


I use this book primarily as a text book in my advanced rendering class. The presentation aspects are right-on, but some of the drawings are less than perfect. There are a few color plates in the middle that are really helpful as far as having good examples of illustration. I would recommend Doyle's Color Drawing for a book about actually rendering. Interior Design Visual Presentation: A Guide to Graphics, Models and Presentation Techniques - Interior Design - Design - Architecture'


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Charger - apple charger, mac


I purchased the Apple 60W MagSafe Power Adapter (L type) for MacBook from Westronics, fulfilled by Amazon. The item description states that this is a genuine Apple product and that it is a brand new unit. The adapter I received was not new. There were scratches on the surface and one large gash on the side. The unit looks refurbished. Apple 60W MagSafe Power Adapter for MacBook and 13-inch MacBook Pro (Bulk Packaging)

The product did not appear to be new and it was not in the original package. After opening the package, I realized that the charger was missing the connection to plug into the wall. I was able to return this item for a full refund without an issue.

My device: 2006 White Macbook Laptop



At first I was hesitant to purchase a new power adapter from a non-Apple retailer because of all the fakes, but i'm fortunate to report that this one doesn't appear to be fake.



The adapter has the Apple logo and looks legit. However, the cable texture feels a bit grainy compared to my old charger... so maybe Apple redesigned the cable, I am unsure.



Anyway, the most important attribute is whether the charger works as advertised! I can report that the charger has been properly working the past week. The status light on the plugs work (Orange = charging, Green = Fully charged), and the laptop has not exploded or anything =)



When comparing this new plug to the old plug, this plug sports a new side design that aims to prevent the wire to bend and break from extended use (Something my old charger did). However, one thing I kind of dislike is how much easier it is to accidentally pull the plug from the laptop compared to the old one. The magnetism is weaker and a slight tug of the wire will unplug the charger completely from the laptop.



To sum up:



This charger works and is much cheaper ($15 bucks cheaper) than buying from Apple.



I will update this review if any issues arise.

The charger seems to work decently enough, but the coating on the wires is coming off after a few weeks of very light use.



Also, the extension cord was not included, and it tends to throw sparks when I plug it in. It's probably worth it to pay the extra money for a genuine product...

Terrible, i ordered this charger and it stopped working after a month!!! Do not order anythin from this seller, it is a waste of money, i am so mad!! I also demanded a refund but i havent even received an answer. So dishonest!!!!!

Westronics did not include one of the power cords. Every Apple power adapter comes with 2: the one that has a magnetic tip and an extension cord. The extension cord was not included.



Also the little thing that plugs into the wall appears to be counterfeit. It's definitely not the same quality as the one that came with my laptop.



I would never buy anything from this retailer. If they lie about one thing they'll lie about everything. - Apple Charger - Charger - Apple Computer Accessories - Mac'


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Digital Camera For Kids


I have to agree with the other reviewer. This camera is awful! Most images you can't even make out, even in broad daylight. I didn't expect this to be a great camera, but my step daughter uses my Canon sometimes and does a pretty good job of taking photos, but it didn't matter where these photos were taken ... they were horrible. Don't bother buying it, we are going to return the one we got her. Disney DS11033 Pix Click 2.0 Digital Camera - Hannah Montana (Pink)

Camera is awful. You can't even make out the image when you take a picture. It's not even worth taking the pictures. Was purchased at Toys R Us who won't even give store credit with out a receipt. They don't stand behind their products. Awful camera! Don't buy it.

At this age, half the fun of having a camera is instantly looking at the pictures you've taken. It's literally almost impossible to see the picture on the extremely tiny display screen. The flash is horrible--no picture comes out without lots of blurriness that is if they even come out at all. Many are black. Yes it's a cheap camera but no kid could have fun with this at all what so ever. Do not buy it.

I purchased this camera for my little sister who loves Miley Cyrus. The package says color screen Lol yes the color of black. You can't see anything when trying to take a picture. My mom hooked it up to the pc to see if the pictures came out they were awful. This is a disgrace to even put Miley Cyrus picture and name on a product this bad. My mom and step dad is very upset. Now we have to send this back get the refund and give her something for Christmas. I recommend that you don't buy this camera. Don't waste your money. It even feels cheap. Terrible quality. This camera should be taking of the market.Disney DS11033 Pix Click 2.0 Digital Camera - Hannah Montana (Pink).

OMG, I bought this camera at 90% off at Sears...for $7 and it is AWEFUL!!! I threw it in the trash! I can't believe they even call it a camera! It's doesn't show the picture on the screen, the photos it takes are just horrible!

okay, my story kind funny but any ways, I was at this one party all that. There is a little girl who uses this freaking camera took picture with, one of my friend he pulled out his cellphone took couple pictures go like I have battery quality than you stupid camera, I told my friend because you have an iPhone 3Gs it should be have a battery quality than that pice of crap. Just save up the money get a canon or Nikon for sure, picture beats iPhone 4 and HTC Evo.'


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Great Value - suit, 3 pc suit


I need to preface this by saying that just a few weeks prior to buying my first suit from Darya, I had purchased a $1000 Ralph Lauren suit from Dillards on sale for $500. Then I discovered Darya Trading through a link on [...] and looked at their suits, but was very leery about buying a SUIT online. A million things could go wrong, right? But after going through all the suits listed, the WORST review I could find was a 4/5, so I decided to take the chance, thinking it might be worth the gamble on return shipping. I bought 2. When they arrived three days later, I was floored! They were GORGEOUS and fit like a glove! They're all made in Milan (my RL suit was made in China - seriously), they taper beautifully, the fabric is literally smooth as butter, and much of the finish work is done BY HAND!! - I can't say enough about them. Then I took them to my tailor for the trousers to be hemmed. He asked me how much I paid for them and his jaw literally dropped. "This is a G. Valentino suit! This is MADE IN ITALY! This suit would cost ME over $300, and I would have to sell it for $599! You paid HOW MUCH!?" Then he pointed out all the fine detail and hand-work on it, while he kept shaking his head in disbelief. Then he said sadly, "Someone is losing a lot of money on these. The economy is so bad, I'm sure someone is buying a warehouse full of them just to move them out."



Well long story short, I purchased the two and after they were tailored and worn, I couldn't stand it and bought two more. . . and I have my eye on TWO MORE! I own three Valentino (wool/silk) and one Luciano (wool/cashmere). After hemming all four pair of trousers, the tailor said the Valentino suits would EASILY equate to a Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss or other New York Designer. But he said the Luciano was crafted so well being fully canvased with genuine horsehair and most of it was made by HAND, he said it was every bit as fine as a Georgio Armani and he could easily sell it in his shop for $1200. I've had the suits a few weeks now and have been hesitant to rate them here because I've been wanting to keep them a secret for my friends. But they're all buying them now too, so it's time for the secret to get out. Anyway, I'm completely sold. Here are four suits I can honestly say are worth MORE than every penny I paid. Darya, THANK YOU for some incredible bargains!! Gino Valentino Made in Italy Mens Suit 3 Button 2pc Canvas Front Jacket Italian Suit Australian Merino Wool / Silk 150s Black with Stripe (44 Long)

I was nervous buying this suit. I've owned it for a little over a year now and have been more pleased with it by far than any other suit I have owned in this price range.

Many pockets inside, quality hand craftsmanship with REAL buttons, not just sown on the outside of the suit like some in this price range.



Be aware it is Italian cut, so its a little tighter fit than American styled suits.



Will purchase another again.

* Delivery: Reasonable time, free shipping with purchase of two suits

* Packaging: Suits came folded on hangers in a simple cardboard box. Mine were free from damage.

* Fit: I am a size 37 jacket with a 31 waist so I ordered the size 38 suit. The pants fit remarkably well on my waist and will only need to be hemmed. The jacket also sits fairly well on me ( I am very slim; 5'7", 130 lbs with a toned build) but I'll have the basic alterations done to take it down to a 37ish fit, as I expected.

* Quality: The material on both my ($139,$169) suits seemed to be as good as that of my more expensive ($250) suits. Lining is as advertised. The feel is EXCELLENT. Smooth fabric, pleasant to the touch, with a slight silky feel and gloss. Perfect for me to work in the finance industry without going too far (a la European, Clooney/Ocean's 11 shiny suit crap).

* Other: As a first time buyer of suits online, I was impressed and would recommend to a friend. Let's wait to see what the seamstress says about the quality when I take it in.

I kind of want to rate it one star just to keep it a secret, but to be honest, it is by far the best suit I have ever owned. Great fit and amazing quality fabric. I want to buy five more, so I have one for each weekday and Sunday.

This suit is definitely not worth the inflated retail price (probably more like 350-500 bucks). However it is a good buy for $160.



Small nit- stitching on the pants in-lining on the waist could be made better- could be a problem with a few times dry-cleaning (coming undone). Overall a nice suit.

Definitely NOT worth the retail value, but about $100 quality. I have tried on many expensive suits and especialy if you own one, you will know it. You will right away know that this is not 100% Authentic. It doesn't come with the hologram price tag or anything says 100% authentic or you know what I am trying to say when you buy or see those expensive clothing.



Overall, not worth it. Seller is very kind and professional. I got my questions answered and refund promptly.

I happen to go to a lot of clubs/parties, and this suit is yet to fail me. The pinstripes stand out really well with the black on black, it fits well, and it shipped fast. It even came in with the hanger, and protective plastic bag, like it's straight from the dry cleaners. Stupid-stuck up women will think you're rich with this suit, and you should have no problem getting them in the sack. - Valentino Made In Italy Suit - Valentino Made In Italy - 3 Pc Suit - Suit'


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Timer Switch - bathroom fan, bathroom fan timer


I had previously installed an "Intermatic FF15MC 15-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, Brushed Metal" to control my bathroom exhaust fan. The FF15MC worked fine, but wasn't really designed for use in a Decora-style wall plate, and looked rather ugly jammed into the middle of my 3-gang wall switch box. I was hoping that there was a more attractive alternative, and the FD15MWC switch was exactly what I was looking for. So I replaced the old FF15MC with a FD15MWC, and my new timer switch fits in beautifully with the two adjacent light switches, and has performed flawlessly. The 15-minute timer range is perfect for my application. Intermatic FD15MWC 15-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, White

I wanted a timer to shut off lights in a master closet. I first tried an electronic version but I had interference with some other home automation devices so I resorted to this older spring-wound technology. Simple, works perfectly. This spring wound timer worked as advertised and would be perfect for bathroom fans as well.

I have used multiple Intermatic wall timers and have been extremely pleased. I have placed a 15 minute timer on all the bathroom vent fans and we can turn on the fan and leave the room and it shuts itself off. Very simple to install with clear instructions.

We installed these on the switches for the exhaust fans in our two bathrooms and the closet light in our daughter's room. They work great. They don't need batteries -- the low-tech spring does the job. They save energy because you can't leave for the day and leave the fan going all day long. - Bathroom Fan - Bathroom Fan Timer - Exhaust Fan Timer'


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Toothbrush - travel, toothbrush


I bought these to get the toothbrushes off the sink and not use up much space in the medicine cabinet. They attach very easily to the inside of the medicine cabinet door. They are easy to use. Plus, the bright colors make it easy to identify which one is yours even in an early morning fog. 3 Pcs Pack Smile Toothbrush Holders Suction Cup - BUY 3 Packs GET 1 pack FREE

These revolutionized my dental hygiene. Never have I been so happy to brush my teeth. The suction cups work well and the cases are light weight and adorable. The only thing that I feel the need to note is the fact that the aqua-looking one was actually a light purple. Still cute, but it was something of a surprise.

These cute Smiley toothbrush holders were a big hit with our grand children when they came to stay with us for a week this summer.



They didn't have to just lay their toothbrushes on the sink. They attached very nicely to our mirror, and that is where their toothbrushes hung until the next time that they needed to use them.



Thanks for a very good product!

I don't like bathroom clutter so I decided to get this. Also they seem very convenient for traveling (no need to get extra toothbrush cap). They come in really pretty colors. The suctions are small but work really well. I was surprised to find that aside from the face air vents, the back also has opening where the suction cups are hooked.



I love that I'm greeted by a fun colorful, smiley face first thing in the morning.

I bought one of these years ago and friends travelling with me always commented on it. So, this year I bought them each one of their own. I love how you can hang your toothbrush on the bathroom mirror so it stays out of the way, and dry! Fun for adults and kids alike! - Kawaii - Toothbrush - Travel'


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Buzz Lightyear - toy story, disney


My review is brief as others have almost said it all. I just want to say that I am 62 years old, and just the thought about the way I felt when I saw this movie in the theatre makes me tear up. It is a nostalgic feeling in a big way. Reminds you of your childhood and those special feelings about growing up. You want to grow up and get on to being an adult in the worst way, but thinking back now your childhood was such a very special time. So fleeting and if we're lucky, such a special time in our lives.

I highly recommend the purchase of this movie to add to your collection.

I honestly feel that the series should stop here. Perfect right where it was left. Toy Story 3

I went to the San Francisco Film Festival screening at Pixar Studios last night not really knowing what to expect. Toy Story has been with us for 15 years now (20, in terms of actual development) and I had a sinking feeling that maybe all the character potential had been used in the first two and this was some shameless plot by Disney to exploit the franchise ("Little Mermaid 3", anyone?). Well, shame on me for underestimating the capabilities of Pixar, who once again have shown how a small studio in Emeryville is a storytelling powerhouse that leaves the rest of the industry in the dust.



Toy Story 3 is the tale of Andy, the toys' owner, going to college and their quest to determine their future - headed between the attic or a daycare center. If you've enjoyed the way the first two films blend character drama with innovative action and humor, this cocktail hits its stride in the third film, which draws on everything we already know about the characters and then adds two new entire sets of toys to the plot. There's a new villain, two very amusing romance sub-plots and a litany of visual gags that push the envelope even further. I'm not allowed to go into any details but the second half of the film is a familiar set piece performed in a completely new way that will forever change your view of certain toys and day care centers.



Apart from a level of animation that sets the bar in the industry and an attention to detail that makes you wonder what most "real" films actually do in pre-production, the real genius of the third film is to provide a satisfying conclusion that gives every character a completed character arc. About 20 minutes before the end, I was wondering how they would do this since there were some fairly dark moments (similar to those in Wall-E and Up), but naturally they manage to pull it together. There's literally not a single wasted shot, let alone a wasted scene, and the pace quickens throughout to keep the tension mounting.



Overall, this is another Pixar classic that easily has enough for both kids and adults (and movie aficionados). It's not difficult to see why each of their movies takes five years to complete - yet despite the technical wizardry, the success of their movies is fundamentally routed in their stories, a fact which most other studios seem to forget these days. As to whether the stage is set for Toy Story 4, I suppose they could always pull it off given the creativity at work here, but I think there was a deliberate attempt to make this the last in the series.

"Toy Story" was about sibling rivalry. "Toy Story 2" was about loving others, even if it means you might get hurt someday.



So what is "Toy Story 3" about? It takes the whole "kids + loyal toys" theme to its natural conclusion, by showing us what happens when the kids grow up and leave. While the first two-thirds of the movie are fairly pedestrian (for a Pixar movie!), the last part is both action-packed and emotionally wrenching.



Ten years have passed, and Andy is now a college-bound teenager. His toys are anxious about what's going to happen, so Woody keeps assuring them that they'll be put safely in the attic. But a misunderstanding leads to a date with the garbage truck. Since the toys believe they have been abandoned, they jump into the box of donated toys bound for Sunnyside Daycare.



They're greeted by the genial Lots-o'-Hugging Bear (aka Lotso) and the friendly daycare toys, and all seems to be well. But Andy's toys soon discover that Sunnyside is a nighmare -- they've been assigned the "Caterpillar Room" for wild abusive toddlers, and Lotso is the Godfatheresque overlord of the daycare. Once Woody learns the true horrors of Sunnyside, he must infiltrate the daycare and somehow get his friends out.



You know that the movie industry is officially in a slump when the cleverest, funniest and most touching movie of the summer... is a CGI sequel about toys. "Toy Story 3" starts off rather lightweight at first, with the toys being brought into Sunnyside and Woody setting off in another direction.



But once Lotso is revealed as the villain, the movie takes a sharp turn -- it becomes a clever, complex "Great Escape"-style caper, with some moments of G-rated horror (THE MONKEY!) and hilarity (resetting Buzz ends up turning him into a flamenco-dancing suave Spaniard). And while the toys' attempted escape from Sunnyside is taut and genuinely thrilling, it's only the START of the climax -- a harrowing, genuinely scary chase scene that brings the toys together.



And there's a bittersweet core to "Toy Story 3": kids grow up, leave home and the people/toys they leave behind are both proud and sad. In the final scenes of the movie,we're quietly ushered through the emotional goodbyes and hellos of growing up.



And the adorable little cast of toys still remind us that what matters most is love and loyalty, particularly during a deadly crisis where they all fearfully join hands (it sounds sappy, but it isn't). There's also some endearing additions to the cast -- the foppish clotheshorse Ken, Big Baby, a Totoro, a giggly tricerotops, and the Shakespearean stuffed hedgehog Mr. Pricklepants.



Anyway, this blu-ray/DVD combo has a wealth of extras -- trailers teasers, theatrical shorts (oh look, Night and Day are scuffling!), "Cine-emplore," commentary, lots of making-ofs, behind the scenes stuff like "A Toy's Eye View: Creating A Whole New Land," a music video, and just lots of endearing odds and ends like Ken's dating tips. Er...



It hurts to say goodbye to Woody, Buzz and their friends, but "Toy Story 3" is a fitting farewell that brings the trilogy full circle. Best movie of the summer, hands down. - Pixar - Disney - Toy Story - Animation'


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Jointer Blades - jointers, jointer


In the past I would use a dial indicator to adjust my blades with marginal results and many hours of adjustments. With this thing adjustments are very quick, but results are still marginal. So either way I am getting marginal results, but I am saving myself a lot of time. If you are good at precision machine adjustments and want super precise results then this is not for you. If you are satisfied with a 3 to 4 thousandths deviation then this is quick and works to that point. Just to clarify I am a complete amateur and don't have the patience for precision adjustments, so this is good enough for me. Rockler Magnetic Jointer Jig - Shaper Blades - Jointer - Jointer Knives - Jointers'


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Manduka Mat - yoga mat, yoga


So, i'm new to Yoga and wanted a quality mat. I weight in at 325lbs and stand over 6'3 (football player build) so I was looking for something with good knee support. I bought the Eco mat and this one, promptly returned the Eco mat. I am a serious consumer and research every purchase to the point of silliness.. I did experience the slipping when I first started, then my instructor suggested to scrub off the shipping film ( much like manduka recommends) - No more slipping.... Support of the is mat is really awesome (knees feel great in child pose or other knee intensive poses), grip is great ( I practice with a towel since i'm a sweaty one), and the length is just right. Not sure why people dislike the bag- There are 2 compartments, maybe they are trying to stuff the mat in the wet clothes side...? Anyways- I love the bag, works great, fits my large shoulders... I usually go for coffee and the market after practice, carry this mat and bag the entire time- Since im a dude and sort of stacked, I dont even notice the weight..... Any questions? Also remember to roll it up with the floor side to the inside of the roll- That way when you unroll it, it will not curl at the ends.... Also if you care about status- I dont know what the hell i'm doing at yoga, but people do notice and comment on my awesome mat- Where did you get it? they say...... :) Manduka Black Mat Pro Yoga Package, Graphite, 85 Inch Mat

Padding: 5 stars. The mat is thick and provides an excellent amount of cushioning. You should never need to fold it.



Traction: 1 star. The mat provides excellent traction... until you start to sweat. I've read elsewhere that this is supposed to improve as the mat is broken in, but how long is that supposed to take? I've tried accelerating the break-in through washing and scrubbing (as recommended in the included instructions), but I haven't observed even the slightest improvement in traction while wet over the weeks that I've been using the mat. Just how long am I expected to slip and slide through my workouts?



I currently work around the traction issue by placing towels where I set my hands and feet. The towels still shift and bunch up, though, which forces me to stop and reset them numerous times over the course of a workout. Maybe wearing socks and gloves would work better, but I'm not thrilled with the idea.

I've owned the mat for about a month now and in that time it has performed just as I hoped it would. The mat is very sturdy, yet provides enough cushion that I never feel like my knees or my sit bones are pressing against the hard floor beneath the mat. Being 6 feet tall, I needed the extra length. I use every bit of it too, without ever feeling like I don't have enough room. I just want to say one thing about the grip of this mat. The mat does not absorb moisture at all. It's not meant to have grip when it's wet. That's why you need a skidless towel if you're going to be doing the kind of yoga that makes you sweat. Otherwise, the mat has excellent grip. Much better than those cheapo 20 dollar mats.



I highly recommend this mat for people that want top quality. If you prefer a mat that is not top quality, and don't mind if it degrades over time, stretches a little bit when you are in down dog, and isn't quite as sturdy, then this mat isn't for you.



Cheers

The mat is thick and durable. At 85", it is quite long and touching the floor surrounding the mat is not required for just about all poses. It feels like it would be indestructible with any normal usage. It is a little slippery at first, however a quick wipe down with a damp cloth and some dr bronner's soap and it became very sticky. I have not found it to be an issue with regular usage. The mat sack is a perfect complement to the mat, with a large compartment that easily holds my shorts, shirt, a strap, a full sized equa towel, a hand equa towel and a water bottle. The only way it could be better is if it had a compartment for a block, but that's not really an issue. Yes, this kit is a bit pricey, but it feels like it will last forever and having quality gear can really help motivate you to use it more often. Would recommend to anyone having more than a passing interest in yoga.

I tried it 3 times. Each time i was sliding off of it the whole class. I tried washing it down with vinegar and water, it didn't help. Also, i felt like i could have been laying directly on the hardwood floor. It is thick but the material is so dense that it doesn't give at all. Finally, it weighs a ton, which i could have dealt with if it was a great mat that i loved, but as you can see it wasn't. The one good thing i will say is the length was great, I'm 6' tall and i loved that about it.

I just traded it in for the Jade one, i got it yesterday and just played around with it on the living room floor for a few minutes, it seems great! With good cushion and very sticky, plus i love the bright red color!

I read all of the reviews, and the two issues with this mat are true, but they can be overcome with patience. Yes it is heavy; mine weighs exactly 8.97 pounds, a little more than the product's spec.I am 6' 2", stretch off of the gym's mats, so I wanted this 85" 5-star rated mat, regardless of the effort I planned to go thru to get it ready for my 1st practice.Mat did have an odor and odors give me a big headache. I left it unrolled in the garage (odor was too powerful for me to keep in the house). After 2 months the odor was still noticeable when lying on the mat, but I was able to start practicing with it. Odor was totally gone in 4 months (leaving it unrolled after every practice).Mat initially was slippery when wet and since I sweat a lot I decided to clean it as suggested once a week for the 2 months before 1st practice with it (don't clean the Manduka sticker, it will come off). Also as suggested I left it outside during the day three times to help quicken the breakdown the film. After the initial 2 months break-in I finally had a great mat, now that it has been another 6 months, it is an excellent mat.I have a mat for life, one that I am stable when doing Tree , one that is long and wide enough for me, without any odors , is non-slip, and cushioned. What more can I ask for? - Yoga - P90x - Yoga Mat - Manduka'


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Rotary Tool Accessories


Great "starter" kit with a fairly well designed case. If you don't have a seperate dremel accessories "toolbox" this is a great alternative option, although of course not quite as durable.



The parts are enough to get most household and hobby tasks done. Dremel 709-01 110 pc Super Accessory Kit

You can't go wrong with this. You get tons of the stuff you got with the Dremel tool plus all kinds of new grinders sanders cutters etc. You have got to get this, $20 is really a steal for all you get. Excellent must have buy imo.'


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Emergency Tv - portable digital lcd tv, emergency tv


I purchased this little TV as a gift for my wife. It was easy to set up. Directions were good. Exercise a little caution when extending and retracting the antenna. It's a little tricky and you could easily break it if you force it the wrong way. I live outside of Philadelhia, PA so there are a several local stations which the TV setup program found. The picture clarity is excelent, and especially so on HD channels. The sound is like listening to an old fashiond cheap ear bud. If you can live with the sound it seems to be a great little TV. It has been plugged in since a few days after Christmas and my wife is happy with it except for the sound. VIZIO VMB070 7 - Inch Edge Lit Razor LED LCD Portable TV

This Vizio 7" TV has a fabulous picture, is easy to set up, is big enough for the big game, but small enough for sneaking it into work without attracting too much attention. It comes with an adapter cable for hooking it to cable TV or an outside antenna, AC adapter, slip case, full feature remote, and a cable to allow hook up to an external video source like a DVD player. Two faults, however. One - forget about watching broadcast TV while in a moving vehicle (that one is the fault of the new Digital TV broadcasting standards, not the fault of the Vizio). Two, the audio leaves room for improvement. No doubt, compromises must be made to shove so much TV into such a small package, and connecting a cheap pair of multimedia speakers will make the audio A-1. Also, I wish the slip case had pouches for the remote control and the power adapter, but the positives of this unit make my complaints seem petty. In a word, you'll love this little set!

My first thought after opening the box was WOW. Excellent design, the unit looks impressive, sleek design and definitely nicer than any other 7 inch TV on the market.

Then I turned the TV on ....

The picture looks GREAT ... BUT it has red pixels on the screen that won't change colors. Though the red pixels get lost sometimes if the program is colorful, they are still there. I looked on the quick start guide only to find the following disclaimer:

" Your TV is precision -manufactured .... However, sometimes individual pixels may not display. This is common in this type of product and DOES NOT mean your TV is defective" I am a Manufacturing Engineer for a touch sensor company... this product would never have shipped !

The other drawback are the tinny sounding speakers.... they sound like the designer forgot to incorporate any of the bass frequencies...

The unit looks great ... picture is awesome, but quality issues and sound quality need to be addressed !!!

The only other two models that should even be considered purchasing [AS OF 02/2011] are the Eviant brand or the Haire brand. After looking CLOSELY at the Eviant and Haire brand 7 inch lcd models. I decided upon this Vizio model and I'm thrilled with it's quality. This is the only model on the market that is LED back lit which makes the picture very bright with a rich black level and amazing color.. Unlike alot of reviews about other models only receiving 1-2 channels with the units built in antenna.. I was able to pick up at least 12 channels right out of the box with the built in antenna while at my residence which is 30 miles south of a major city where "cable" is still not available.. [Have Dish Network}. The unit has a sleek look to it and feels durable. The remote control is slim and loaded with features of a full size piece. The sound could be a little better,but it does NOT detract in any way from your ability to enjoy watching a program. There is a flip out kick-stand on back of unit that works terrific at positioning the tv at an appropriate viewing angle.A soft neoprene slip cover is included which works nicely to store the tv and should reasonably protect the item. The set up is quick and easy and the instruction book is very user friendly for those of you afraid of electronics.It has most of the conventional connectors[SORRY,NO HDMI INPUT]to hook up dvd,video game systems and a USB input so you can use it as a digital photo frame as well. Resolution is 800x480 which is much better than other portables of this size.. This Vizio model may be a few dollars more than some other brands out there,but you get what you pay for.. Mine was only $98.00 at time of purchase. First saw this unit at Sam's Club for $129.00 and decided to wait and saved some money. Overall.. Try to imagine a full size lcd/led television.. shrunk down to fit in the palm of your hand. Thank you to Vizio for doing it right.I do wish that Vizio would have included a car charger.. Now I hope SONY will get into the compact/portable line[crosses fingers]..If you are looking for a portable 7 inch lcd.. your search is over.

I gave this as a gift to someone this Christmas, and have to say I was very impressed with this product. It truly is only about 1" thick, it is perfectly sized for a miniature television, and user friendly right out of the box, in my opinion. I was blown away by the picture quality, and its ability to pick up HD channels. This mini tv blows all the other mini tvs out of the water, and no doubt represents the style and compactness of future products - vizio is simply 8 steps ahead of everyone else. I personally don't think the sound is all that bad. To me, the vizio's sound is far better than laptop speakers (as long as you're not talking about a special entertainment laptop etc), but of course not as great as you'd get on a 'real' tv. But I find no problem with that, and neither did the person receiving this gift. The tv comes with a user-friendly user guide, as well as a neat kind of 'wetsuit' type of cover for it, that zips closed around the entire unit. It also comes with the standard cables/plugs etc. Its remote is nice and easy to use, and overall the entire tv just has a very high quality feel to it.

A few tips... Definitely don't skip reading the directions in the startup guide on this one. They are very short, but very particular. From what I understand (based on watching the person who received my gift start it up) in order to turn on the tv for the first time, you first must locate the 'official' on-off switch which is located BENEATH the antenna paddle located on the side of the unit. You have to swing out the antenna paddle (which is easy to do), as if you're accessing the antenna, and then under that is a switch that has to be put to On. Then, you have to press the secondary power button located at the top of the unit. Then, you have to power on the television *using the remote*. Odd startup, but that's what seemed to be required for first time use. After that, all you need is to press the 'secondary' power button or power it on with the remote. But during first use, all three power buttons have to be activated.

The person I gave this to hasn't stopped raving about the TV, and it's been several weeks. They love being able to watch tv on their lunchbreak, etc., or at the airport, what have you. It's light but not cheap-feeling, and has a very sleek looking exterior.

A note to Toy Fuzz, whom I bought the product from via Amazon, although I got the item quickly and appreciated the fast shipping time, they need to pack the item better. The item was sent in a box bigger than the Vizio box, which would have been ok if there had been some packaging filler used, to secure the item in the box - but there was not. As shipped, the item rattled around in the bigger shipping box its entire trip - not a great way to send out electronics in my humble opinion. Some shredded paper, plastic bags of air, anything could do the trick. - Emergency Tv - Portable Digital Tv - Portable Tv - Portable Digital Lcd Tv'


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Emergency Tv - portable digital lcd tv, emergency tv portable tv Emergency Tv - portable digital lcd tv, emergency tv

Collapsible - collapsible, gary fong


I am a big fan of Gary Fong's lightsphere diffusion system despite what people may think of him or the stares I get occassionaly when using his product. It's the only lighting accessory that gives me the look I want, for either close range portraits, macro lighting in a pinch, or for use in small to medium rooms. That said, it has been inconvenient storing and carrying this accessory in the field due to its bulk. Lightsphere II solves this do a degree with its semi-malleable structure that allows for some foreceful folding. Not a solution, but one way to overcome its size.



With the release of the lightsphere collapsable, I wondered if this could retire my 2 year old lightsphere II. Was is it time for an upgrade? Yes and no. Read on for my impressions.



First, the bad:



1) The older lightsphere II is actually smaller than the collapsible in its expanded form. The lightsphere II is smaller because it does not need to collapse like an accordion, allowing it to have thinner and fewer walls, giving it a more curved, bell shape. The sphere II is also mostly transluscent, making it feel smaller because it's less visually intrusive than its cloudy big brother.



2) The lightsphere II is fitted to your particular flash model. This is very valuable for me because I never struggle fitting the accessory, as it comes on and off with ease, one handed, and stays on securely. It takes effort and practice to get the collpapsible on and off quickly, requiring me to use both hands while setting the camera on a table. Perhaps it's more an issue of technique and practice, but it's important to note I never initially had this problem with the lightsphere II. This is a double edged sword however as the sphere II can't fit on various sized speedlites, so if you need it to fit across various sizes, you will have to overlook the fit issue.



3) Light loss is greater on the collapsable compared to the lightsphere II. I estimate it to be around 1-2 stops of light, most likely due to the cloudy material vs. clear on the lightsphere II. While I understand its the nature of the beast using a diffuser, it's light I never could afford to give up when I used the lightsphere II.



4) The lightsphere collapsible is made from a material that is not only more flexible than the lightsphere II, but also stickier for some reason. It's not by any means going to stick to an object or your hands, but I noticed lint sticking to its surfaces having stored it in my cargo pocket. Nothing a quick rinse in a water faucet wouldn't fix, but lint never found its way onto my lightsphere II when carried in the same "linty" pocket.



5) I paid $39.99 for the lightsphere II 2 years ago. At [...], the collapsible is not going to break the bank, but I'm not neccessarily *getting* 50% more by *paying* 50% more if you get my drift. It's arguable however, how much the collapsible feature and one-size-fits-all approach are worth to each individual.



Now, the Good:



1) Same, even, wrap-around light as the lightsphere II. As long as you understand the limitations of light loss with the collapsible, you will essentially get the same, beautiful effect you are used to with other lightspheres. The cloudy material seems to give softer light for close portrait work and was a nice surprise I will surely take advantage of.



2) When collapsed, it folds into a disc about 1 1/2 inches thick. Although easier to store in the bottom of a bag or in a mesh pocket outside your backpack, I still don't like the fact it's noticeable larger in diamter than the sphere II. However a "can of tuna" is always easier to carry around than a tupperware bowl ;) Note: This collapsible factor will probably be THE reason why folks should look to upgrade or choose this product over previous lightspheres.



Final Thoughts:



In conclusion, I am pleased with the lightsphere collapsible's performance, but having a real hard time with of ease of use and dissappointed with light loss. It's not letting me do anything I couldn't before with my old sphere, and frankly, I'm dissappointed about needing two hands to install the diffuser instead of one. However, I don't want to minimize the fact its easier to carry along to a shoot, making this a must buy for those who prize portability but still need soft, diffused light the sphere is capable of in a pinch. Given how much I use Gary Fong's diffuser and how well it performs at diffusing light, the lightsphere collapsible will serve as a compliment to my lightsphere II, rather than a replacement. Both have a permanent place in my gear bag and will see use for years to come.



______________________________________________________



**UPDATE 6/6/2011



After over a year of regular use of both the Lighsphere II and the collapsible, my opinion of the collapsible has grown more favorable in regards to use. I've come to appreciate it's firm grip as I've found it's much easier to gel the speedlite in the way it fits over the flash head. The portability has been a great benefit as it now travels with me "just in case" when I don't know what my indoor lighting conditions will be like.



My only negative comment is the yellow tint the collapsible has acquired. Thorough washing does not seem to remove the color cast and no longer shares the same color temperature of my Lightsphere II. This is unexpected and makes color balancing between the 2 spheres quite cumbersome. I would like to point out I may be in the minority of those using multiple lightspheres to accomplish different looks. Gary Fong GFLSC01 LightSphere Collapsible Diffuser - Gary Fong - Lightsphere - Flash Diffuser - Collapsible'


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Collapsible - collapsible, gary fong collapsible Collapsible - collapsible, gary fong