Aquos - aquos, lcd tv

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I've had this TV for three weeks now and I'm very happy with it. I went with the small end of the HDTV line because I have a moderately sized apartment and didn't want the set to dominate my living room. The 32" screen is a nice, modest size and the picture quality is great. Going for 1080p rather than 720p might be overkill at this size, but it's nice to know I have the sharpest image money can buy and it'll make a stunning second monitor for my computer.



I'm glad that they put a matte finish on the glass so that there's much less glare than on my old standard TV. The border is shiny piano black but I haven't been troubled by reflections or fingerprints. I also haven't noticed any problems with uneven backlighting or bad pixels. When watching non-widescreen programs the set will let you choose from black sidebars, stretch, or zoom. I wish it were smart enough to automatically zoom in on letterboxed low-definition shows but it's easy enough to switch manually.



I was surpised at the diversity of input ports: multiple stereo audio jacks, component, composite, S-video, cable, and HDMI. The set will let you rename the inputs on-screen and disable inputs that you don't use.



I'm very pleased with the speakers. The sound quality is quite good and, unlike many sets, the volume covers the entire range from very quiet to blasting with fine control. My old set went from "not quite loud enough" to "annoying loud" with a single press of the volume button. I know that many people hook up external sound systems these days but for my purpose I'm glad to have good built-in speakers.



The remote control is perplexingly big. The buttons are small and widely spaced. There's also a flip-open compartment with four small buttons inside. Why they didn't just put those buttons on the surface is beyond me. Sharp Aquos LC32D62U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Hello everyone! I just purchased this TV several weeks ago from Amazon. It's a wonderful TV to be sure, but it has risks that I'd like to warn everyone about.



When I received my package, it was damaged on delivery (a big crack in the speaker) and had 12 dead pixels. Amazon and UPS took care of the replacement about a week later and I received another unit that was in perfect condition, but appeared to have already been taken out of the box

once. Hmm, maybe a refurb? I don't know, but it has no dead pixels this time around and since I bought it as a "new set" I have a "new" warranty, not a refurb warranty.



I have heard from doing lots of research on this TV that certain sets suffer from dead pixels while ones not built in the Japanese plant do not. My own experience would seem to corroborate this idea. For instance, my original TV with the 12 dead pixels said "Manufactured in Japan" on the back. This new one, which is the same model but of a different batch, says "Manufactured in Mexico" (and has NO dead pixels!). Caveat emptor!



Another important thing to note:



This TV DOES support 1080p over both Component and HDMI (this is relatively unclear from every website I've read, and most TVs only do 1080p over HDMI!)



For the price, this TV is a steal. The picture quality is superb. I bought a miniDVI -> HDMI cable for my girlfriend's Macbook and watch 1080p content on it all the time. Sharp automatically recognizes it's a computer signal over HDMI and works beautifully.

I purchased this TV for exclusive use of my Xbox 360. As other have stated, this DOES accept 1080p thru component input as well as HDMI. This 1080p thru component inputs is key feature for any Xbox 360 gamer.



Image is fantastic, no blurring on super fast action racing games.



I connected a small UHF antenna and got great HDTV reception in my area. As a big fan/owner of Sony and Samsung LCDs - this TV has excellent ink black blacks and the pureest whites. The color is as good or better as any other 2007 high end LCD TV when compared at side by side at the store.



The adjustments setable per each input - for colors, picture, zoom/stretech options.

My Sharp Aquos LC32D62U was purchased through one of Amazon's sellers, and they dont accept returns on TV's. So I'm stuck trying to get my defective set fixed by Sharp. The set worked for about 1 day (looked great by the way), but then failed (1/2" wide black line across screen and rest of screen blurry and with double image).

Called Sharp 3 days ago to get it repaired. They said to wait 2 days for service center to call me. They never did. Called service center and they said Sharp never contacted them. Called Sharp and was told dispatch center closes early on Fridays. Told to wait 'til Monday to start from the beginning. So I'll be lucky if I get a call from the service center one week after my first call to Sharp. Lets see when they actually show up, and when my set actually gets fixed. I guess that is the risk you take when buying a TV set online. Buyer Beware... you may have a huge headache on your hands even though you spent over $1K on a TV.

QAM tuner picks up all my HD local channels, plus INHD and TNTHD from my local comcast market. I work at CC, so I got to know the TV really well from how it looked at work. Once I took it home, it looked 10x better once I was done with my calibration DVD. I sit about 10.5 back, so analogue doesn't look bad at all. I must say, this set does analogue stuff fairly well. Local HD stuff looks phenomenal. I don't even like NASCAR, but FOX HD made me feel like I was right there. No uneven backlight issues,no blobs or anything else. Mine came out of the box looking great. For this price, I advise you give this TV a look. Once I hooked it up to a Blu Ray player, it looked GREAT. I highly encourage this TV for small living spaces like mine. My room is probably 12x12, so it looks perfect.

Make sure you carefully examine the picture using the actual unit you will buy, and if you are mail ordering it, make sure you have a good return policy that allows returns for screen defects. Sharp will NOT replace units that have even very noticeable flaws. I have a unit with a region of dim pixels the size of a pea, and they consider it to be 'within spec', and WILL NOT replace it. I made the mistake of taking it to the authorized repair facility, instead of returning it to the vendor immediately. It took them four weeks to finally shoot me down, by which time I could no longer return it to the vendor. Now I own a very expensive television that makes me angry every time I watch it. NICE JOB SHARP!!! They will definitely be at the bottom of my list for my next purchase. Too bad, I used to like their sets. - Aquos - Lcd Tv - Sharp - Hdtv'

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Kari Anderson - fitness, beginners guide

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This is only the second workout I have tried by Kari Anderson, who is known for more complex and dancy choreography. She has come up with a great step workout for beginners and intermediates. I would consider myself a solid intermediate in step who simply prefers easier choreography, doesn't want to have to think too hard and just wants to step and burn fat. While the choreography is simple, I wouldn't call it super basic, therefore it is enough to keep beginners/intermediate steppers interested and not bored once their fitness levels increase. Kari is joined by 6 of her students, 2 of them on the right side of the room show easier modifications, whether it be performing some moves on the floor or leaving some of the trickier moves out.



There are 4 segments to the workout, a 5 minute warmup performed mostly on the floor but the step is utilized a little bit. Then you move into the first segment which is 15 minutes, some of the moves you will see here are corner to corner kicks and knee lifts, basic steps, walking around the step, repeaters, hamstring curls, straddles, side leg lifts and stomps.



Segment 2 is also 15 minutes long and slightly more complex, but still easy to pick up. Here you will see more basic steps, alternating knees, T squats w/side leg lifts, V steps, around the world, mambos, corner knees, inner thigh lifts, front back front repeaters, turn steps, turn shuffles, over the tops and rocking horses. Then it's on to the 10 minute cooldown and stretch again which uses the step a little bit.



Kari does a great job choreographing these routines, they are simple and easy to follow thanks to her great cueing. The music selected is very good and fits the workout well. Kari is an excellent instructor, she is encouraging, offers options to increase or decrease the intensity and is good about interacting with her students to make the workout fun for them too. I get the impression that her live classes are a lot of fun, she seems like a very caring and personable individual.



I would recommend this to anyone looking for step workouts with simpler choreography. While it's labeled for beginners and it is fairly simple I still get a great workout from it. Great effort from Kari. Kari Anderson: Go - Step Workout for Beginners

Kari Anderson's "Go: Step Workout For Beginners" is an excellent workout but it is absolutely more advanced than a workout for beginners. If one is foreign to the step workout routine, this dvd should be previewed a couple times in advance before attempting the workout. Also, one flaw I noted is there are no instructions on proper workout form and proper foot placement on the step. I am familiar with step so this was not a problem for me, however for someone unfamiliar with a step workout injury can occur if one does not place the whole foot on the step or maintain form.

The workout is divided into a five minute warm up, two workout sections, and a cool down. Kari calls the first workout a "starter workout" which is 30-minutes long. It is fast-paced and contains many step combinations. Kari suggests doing only the starter workout when starting to familiarize oneself with the routine or use it on days when an easier workout is desired. The second workout is an additional 15-minute calorie-burning workout that, as Kari puts it, "is just slightly more challenging". The dvd is divided into chapters so the user can easily jump from the end of the first workout right to the cool-down.

The workouts are very fast-paced and will make you sweat. However, they contain many advanced step combinations in fast sequence which can trip up a beginner. For example: at one point Kari says "We're going to try `curl, corner-to-corner' then immediately goes into the combination without showing an example. Also, Kari often neglects to give instruction as to which foot is the "lead" foot on a combination. Previewing the dvd helped familiarize me with the routine so it I wasn't caught off guard as much during the workout.

I do like Kari's as an instructor. She is very encouraging, energetic, and has a pleasant speaking voice.

I recommend this dvd for anyone who is already familiar with the step and also knows the proper form and foot placement.

I do not recommend this workout for anyone who is totally new to the step. (Hence four stars instead of five). For the true beginner I would recommend using Gin Miller's "Everybody Steps: A Guide For New Exercisers" until familiarizing oneself with the basics then use Kari Anderson's "Go Step" as an advanced-beginner routine when ready to kick it up a notch.

This workout is formatted pretty simplistically. A 5-minute warmup that goes right into the first 15-minute workout, which is then followed by another 15-minute workout and then a cool down.



I persisted through the whole 45-minutes and found that it was exactly what I needed. At right about the time that I started to become tired and feel a cramp in my side, the instructor began the cool down, which was perfect timing for me. While it's true that this workout could frustrate a true step beginner, with some practice it isn't nearly as difficult to learn as one might initially think. I watched the video the first time, then decided to try it and screwed up and got confused a lot thoughout. A couple of days later I did the workout again and only got a little flustered during the second workout. But by the third time I pretty much had it down. I can now appreciate the fact that it wasn't too easy to learn, or else the workout itself might not be as effective or challenging as it is. My heart-rate stayed up the whole time in spite of the fact this this is low-impact and dubbed "for beginners." I certainly can't think of any low-impact floor aerobic workouts that elevate my heart rate and actually cause me to break a sweat. But this step workout most definitely did!



Kari Anderson is a great instructor, and once you memorize which of her queues are associated with what moves, it's pretty easy to follow along. Her personality is fun and outgoing, but not over-the-top, and I enjoyed the accompanying, mostly techno/electronic music throughout, which suited the moves just perfectly. Kari is accompanied by several other steppers - including one modifier who does many of the moves on the floor - set against a dark blue backdrop.



Although "Go: Step for Beginners" is titled as such, this workout will certainly keep even an intermediate exerciser feeling challenged throughout. Highly recommended!



Rating: Excellent - Fitness - Step Workout - Beginners Guide - Kari Anderson'

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Wireless Doorbell

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This unit works great and has a really far range on it (like upstairs through 3 doors and a wall).



The door chimes sound really good and is very loud.



I had another unit that didn't work (well, maybe 1 out of 3 times). Don't waste your money buying one with range problems, problems with weather, or problems transmitting through walls that have electrical lines in them. I speak from experience. Honeywell RCWL250A1006/N Decor Wireless Door Chime and Push Button

This wireless door bell is the first one we have had that actually works consistently at a distance of over 100 feet and through two walls. There are multiple ring tones and an adjustable volume. I am totally satisfied.

I have been looking for a quality wireless residential doorbell system for some time and I found it in this product. It is easy to install, powerful and a quality product. I would highy recommend it to anyone.



DML'

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Polo Shirt - polo, polo shirt

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Although the pink is darker than I expected and not the translucent color I hoped for, I'm overall very pleased with this shirt. I ordered an XS which fits fine, but I will probably order a small in the future so that it is a little bit looser on me. I highly recommend this shirt to anyone! Ralph Lauren Sport Womens V-Neck Pony Logo T-Shirt (L, Light pink)

I could not be more pleased with the quality and fit of this T-shirt. I find them very comfortable because of the soft cotton material. I would not recommend putting them into the dryer simply because they are cotton and I am so ok with that. I sincerely love them and hope this review is helpful. - Polo Shirt - Polo - Ralph Lauren'

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Lithium Battery - c3, lithium battery

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I first became aware of this light when a repairman left one at my home during a service call. His was pretty beaten up with duct tape holding parts of it together. When we returned the light to the company we discovered that this item was the favorite flashlight of the service people of that company. They had a corner of the shop set aside as a repository for batteries charged, charging and discharged. Of course, the batteries are used for other Craftsman tools as well. Later on I purchased a tool combo package and included was one of these fluorescent flashlights. Initially, I didn't hold this item with much regard. I have received tool combo packs before and considered the included flashlight as a gimmick. An added "tool" to give the impression that the package has more value than it really had. Previous tool "combo" flashlights quickly became ignored and pitched. But as I stared to use this item its qualities started to make an impression upon me and it is now my favorite flashlight. First, it is light in weight. A real bonus when you're climbing up stairs holding other tools and materials to get to some work space. I use the hook on top quite a lot and it folds away nicely when I don't need it. You can light up a large area by hanging it up on something and it produces a wide arc of light. The light is not overly bright which I have found to be useful. I will often illuminate an attic or crawlspace with this light and then focus in on a workspace with a compact LED flashlight. The whitish fluorescent light adds a different tint to illuminated objects. I will often find trouble spots faster using this flashlight than others do whom are using a tighter-beam light. Oh, and on several occasions when I have been at a remote location and have exhausted a power tool's battery. Well I'll have a spare battery close at hand to finish a chore. Which saved me the time to go back for a freshly charged battery. As suggested in the title I use Li-ion batteries almost exclusively with this tool. When the wife bought a cordless line trimmer she upgraded to the Li-ion style of battery. There is one (maybe two) problem/s with that. Her's is a compact Li-ion and when it is installed in the light it will provide several hours of illumination but it's shorter base means the tool does not sit flat on a surface. Apparently the tool was designed to use the taller-cased standard 19.2V Sears battery. But it has not been much of hindrance to me. And the other "problem" about using "her" battery. Well most of you will be able to figure that one out. In the effort to provide a comprehensive review, I have to remark on the item's durability. I have convinced most of the guys at the shop use these lights. And even a few in the garage. There have been incidents when these lights have fallen from good heights. They will usually break from a fall over 12 feet and a "Mag lite style" flashlight usually won't. What is interesting is that when we have one die they have always been replaced by the exact same model. I'm not sure they are worth $20. But I you have extra 19.2V batteries around the house or you pick one up in a combo pack then give it a try. I figure you will soon find reason to like yours too. Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Fluorescent Light - 19 2 Volt - Lithium-ion - C3 - Lithium Battery'

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Usb Car Charger - car accessories, automotive

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Nice Unit! I have several different Wagan adapters and so far very happy with them. Have not used them a lot so if problems arise from use, will update later.



After ordering the unit I realized that I ordered the unit without the -5 on the end of the number. For a little over a dollar more the -5 unit supplies twice the amperage at the USB ports. Well worth the money for the extra versatility. I called Amazon Customer Support and got the order changed before shipping with no problems.



I think someone else mentioned about the cord being a little short. It can be if you want to have the unit in the rear seat, but I was not concerned since I have a extension/splitter I can use if needed. Very happy all the way around. Wagan EL2537-5 Twin USB and 12V DC Cup Holder Power Adapter

Tried one of these about 10 months ago. Loved it. Have purchased them for each of my vehicles and have given them as everyday gifts to my children. Works like a champ, pretty rugged and reasonably inexpensive. No wonder Amazon is frequently sold out of them.

I got this power adapter so that I could have my GPS and FM transmitter power at the same time from my one cigarette lighter in my car. It's fantastic. It seems well manufactured, fits perfectly into a cup holder, and powers both devices without a problem. The battery meter is a neat feature, I think it is accurate because my battery is definitely on its last legs and the meter on the power adapter gives it a "low" reading. Makes sense. I have yet to really try out the USB charging ability, but will repost once I do.



This is the best product if you need to split power in your car, period. I did more research than probably necessary looking for something like this, so I know what I'm talking about ;-). Buy it. - Car Accessories - Dual Car Adapter - Usb Car Charger - Automotive'

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18 Inch Laptop Bag - 18 inch laptop bag, laptop backpack

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Dimensions:



20.25 Inches Tall

15.5 Inches Wide

7.5 Inches Thick

Colors:



Black mesh all over

Front compartment is a black matte plastic finish.

Alien Head logo is a solid metal button almost. Clearly very easily scratched.

Weight:



2.92 pounds

I'm extremely critical when it comes to comfort, so I'm going all out here

Outside



The Front compartment of the backpack is protetected by a very durable shield. It feels a lot like a softer, but still quite hard, cellphone case. On the outside, their are two side pockets which open out to the side of the back. They are slim, but still usable. They fit a normal plastic water bottle great, with a slight bulge visible in the shield. I would plan on using these pockets to hold my graphing calculator, one water bottle, and headphone earbuds.



The zippers all over are made of solid, lightweight, metal, accented with the alienhead logo. They all slide nice and easy. The main compartment zipper goes all away around the bag, almost 275 degrees around. The bottom has too strong but flexible grips/standy thingers.

The padding that comes into contact with your back could definitely be called orthopedic. minimal near the spine for breathability, and pillowy cushioned around the lowerback, shoulder blade, and hip areas. The straps are lack luster in terms of cushion though. They are not however uncomfortable, just a little thin.

The phone compartment in the front holds an EnV2 and Blackberry Storm snugly.

The handle at the top is quite annoying. If you lean too far forward it bumps into your neck like someone tapping you quite hard to get your attention.

First Compartment



The first compartment is protected by the plastic shield. On that same side their are ten thin compartments meant for holding CD's. Not many people carry around 10 CD's barenaked like that though, so I'm going to put a one hundred dollar bill in each of them as placeholders.The top has a keyring.

On the opposite side, there is an MP3 holder, mouse holder, three loops for writing utensils, a backpack-wide mesh compartment at the bottom, and a padded zippered chamber hanging at the top. The MP3 hole is also at the top of this compartment.

Second Compartment



The second compartment is very simple. The side closer to the shield has a space wide enough for two Asus EEpc notebooks, or five college-ruled notepads.

On the otherside of the compartment, there is a mesh pocket wide and tall enough to hold two magazines without bulging.

Main Compartment



The main compartment is HUGE! The size of the entire backpack. It has a single mesh, plastic filmed pocket, that reads: "Checkpoint Friendly". It's for frequent flyers whos bags are inspected often, it opens easily. The sides of this pocket are lined with a fleece feeling fabric. MobileEdge Mobile Edge - 17.3-Inch Alienware Orion Backpack - for Notebooks (ME-AWBP2.0)

This backpack has space for two laptops and provides plenty of cushion. It includes a barrier to prevent cell phones or other wireless devices from transmissions, which can be a plus in certain situations. It also works well with the HP HDX18 laptops. There are better deals out there if you have a smaller laptop, but for larger laptops, I'd say this is the way to go. It's not excessively large or bulky, which is a plus. Some people might be worried about the gaming logo attracting attention at airports, etc. That might be the main drawback.

So far I've owned about three different types and styles of laptop bags. I've gone through a Targus messenger bag, a Belkin sling backpack, and now this beautiful piece of craftsmanship and comfort. I do have to admit I was a little skeptical about this bag and because it is a little pricey. I'm glad to say this bag has lived up to all my expectations. I own a Alienware Area-51 7700 which I retired a few years ago but was impressed on just how much room I still had when I put that monster laptop inside this bag. Even though the bag isn't for the Alienware but for my new HP dv7-2185dx which is not as big as the Alienware laptop but you will definitely have a lot of room to spare. This bag comes with all the bells and whistles, many pockets for all your needs. This bag is also sturdy and well padded in all the areas to keep your baby nice and comfortable as you travel or go to school. I do agree with one of the previous reviews about the back pack smelling but its not bad and will go away with use. It smells like its been inside a plastic bag but it will go away. I did look at a lot of different sized bags that would accommodate 17.3" sized laptops and this one is the only one that had the look and style I was looking for. All the other bags looked cheesy in comparison. After packing this laptop with my laptop, external drives, mouse, power cable, pens, pencils, sunglasses, and sketch pad I still had room enough to put a couple of books inside the bag. If you're looking for an awesome bag and are willing to spend a little more to get a little more, you should definitely buy this bag. I hope this helps!

I love Alienware's computers and this backpack reflects the quality that goes into the making of their laptops and desk tops.



Alienware is for serious gamers and computer geeks and this backpack reflects that mission. The pack fits two 15" or 17" notebooks. It contains lots of pockets for your MP3 players, a shield protected pocket for your cellphone and pockets to hold CD's, pens and more. There are also outside pockets to hold water bottles and other items you want to quickly access. The padding is high quality and will most likely protect your laptop through most normal adverse conditions!



Dimensions:



Exterior Dimensions 20.25" x 15.5" x 7.5"

Device Compatibility 19.1" x 13.25" x 3.0"

Weight 2.92 lbs.



And of course that cute little Alienware logo of the alien head on the front is the crowning touch. - Cool - Alienware - 18 Inch Laptop Bag - Laptop Backpack'

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Car Stereo - usb, head unit

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For the past 4 years I've been using a Pioneer DEH-P6700MP car stereo which is almost identical to the Pioneer DEH-P670MP. I really liked the Pioneer as it seemed to really be able to liven up my 1998 Toyota Corolla factory speakers and had several features I regularly used and loved. I decided it was time to upgrade recently as my old Pioneer was having difficulty playing CDs while the AC was on, and it was making ticking sounds with many of my CDs. I decided right off the bat I was going to stick with Pioneer.



I spent a few days researching units and the main thing I kept noticing with many of the new 2010 Pioneer CD Players was the choice of going with one that had HD Radio or going with one that had Bluetooth functionality. It doesn't appear you can get a Pioneer with both. I decided to go with the HD Radio functionality due in part to the talk about how FM broadcast quality was greatly improved. (I'll post a small rant on this at the end of my review.)



It seems like all Pioneers have the ability to read MP3 CDs still which is great, but one of the nicer additions is the USB port on the front. You can plug in your iPod, Zune, or USB thumb drive and play music off it instead of burning a CD or MP3 CD. It also works for charging USB devices. I tried plugging my Black Berry 8350i into the USB slot, but it would not recognize it as media and would only charge the phone. Another input on this Pioneer head unit is the aux audio input jack on the front of the face that you can plug into with a male to male stereo audio cable. An unannounced features this unit has that will be useful for many is RDS support. The unit will display the song/artist when listening to radio stations that broadcast this information.



Installation: I thought going from one Pioneer to another would be a breeze and that the stereo wire harness would be the same as my old Pioneer. Just to be sure I contacted Crutchfield whom said many stereo manufacturers use the same harness for several years. Unfortunately I want to confirm in my review that the one from my DEH-P6700MP and the one in this new DEH-P5200HD are not the same. They look similar, but they are wired like a mirror image of each other and will not fit each other. *A note to the beginners, if you've still got a factory stereo in your vehicle, do yourself a favor and buy a harness adapter so you do not have to cut the factory wiring in the dash. That way if you ever go to sell your vehicle or you decide you do not like the stereo, you can just disconnect the harness and put the factory stereo back in.



I've been using the Pioneer DEH-P5200HD for a few weeks now and I like the unit a lot. Many of the various equalizer settings are the same as what was available on my old unit, and MP3 CD playback is about the same as well. Having the USB slot on the front is extremely convenient and I use it frequently to plug in a 8gb USB thumb drive full of songs. When you pull out the drive and plug it back in, the unit remembers where you were at in the last song and picks right back up. One major thing that takes some getting used to is the control knob on the radio. It seems to control everything in that one knob and it takes time to get used to. The remote control will help ease you into things as all the buttons are easily spelled out on it. It's also worth noting the remote is identical to my previous Pioneer remote and both were even cross-compatible.



Pros:

-Same fantastic EQ options Pioneer is known for. Includes bass frequency filtering options.

-USB & Aux input on the face

-USB input plays immediately when you plug in a USB drive, it also remembers what file and where it was at when the device was last plugged into it.

-iPod control from the face or remote

-RDS support for showing titles of songs from broadcast radio

-No lights and animated character distractions flashing all over the display.



Cons:

-Face detaches to the left side instead of flipping down which may be harder to remove depending on your dash

-HD Radio is not much of an improvement in quality of FM radio.

-USB input when reading from a USB thumb drive appears to read the folder order from last to first. (Song order is also affected if you add more songs to a folder later.)

-Control knob is an awkward all in one with a bit of a learning curve.



Do you remember upgrading from a tube TV to a flat screen? Do you remember the difference in picture quality? HD Radio is NOT that same upgrade. The HD FM radio broadcast quality is almost the same as what you've heard for years except now you don't get static, instead you get cutting in and out for seconds at a time when the signal starts getting weaker. Sometimes you hear the radio DJs talking about how much better their station sounds in HD, but the truth is there isn't much of a difference. I've read AM broadcast is hugely improved, but I have no interest in most talk radio programming so I have not tuned into any of it.



I'll try to come back and update this review once I've had some more hands on time.



*UPDATE 5/21/2010*

HD FM Radio: I've had this unit installed for a month now and have spent more time with the HD FM Radio functionality. I have turned off the blending mode that combines the HD and regular FM signals and find HD reception to be bad. I live minutes outside Houston and the reception on most the FM HD stations is extremely poor. For HD when the signal gets weak, the broadcast just cuts out all together. When I go downtown the signal is usually exceptional, but at 20 miles away from one of my frequent stations, quality becomes more miss than hit. When I drive to the southeast side of town, most the HD stations are unavailable at all. If you live inside a large city and are close to the radio stations you might enjoy HD radio, but for those of you who live in suburbs or you are far from the radio stations FM HD Radio is probably not for you.



Sound quality: I have finally decided this unit out performs my old Pioneer in sound quality. One of the custom features you can set and adjust that makes this possible is the ability to filter low bass frequencies from your 4 regular speakers. For those that like to turn up their music really loud sometimes, this can help you from blowing a speaker and also get rid of some of that extra distortion you can get from turning up the volume too much. That's not to say you can't still blow a speaker, but it should help.



Other than the HD Radio and the occasional issue with the all in one control knob accidentally getting pressed in when changing the volume, this Pioneer is a great unit. I'd definitely buy another Pioneer car stereo, they have not let me down yet. I'll update this review again if I come across anything new or something worth updating.



*UPDATE 6/22/2010*

USB Input Reading: I have finally found out what the order folders are read from USB flash drives. Apparently all folders and subfolders are read from the flash drive based on the order in which they are copied to the drive. While you would think this wouldn't be an issue, it can be an annoyance for those with multiple folders. If you select and copy multiple folders at a time to a flash drive, Windows seems to want to copy the folders from last to first. It does the same thing if you copy a folder with subfolders in it. Also if you go back and add more folders later, those will play after all the other previously copied folders.



Song playback order is also affected by the order in which they are copied. If you go back later and add songs, they will play after the previously copied songs in that folder. If you are like me and have purchased multiple albums from an artist and want to play them from oldest to newest, you'll have to copy the folders to the drive in the order you want them to play. If all this file order talk sounds like too much, the good news is that you can burn a MP3 CD with folders and they will be played in alphanumeric order without any special copying order or anything. For those of you with iPod, none of this order playback should be an issue since the iPod is actually playing the songs and sending the music to the receiver. Pioneer DEH-P5200HD CD Receiver with HD Radio and iPod Direct Control - Ipod - Mp3 - Head Unit - Usb'

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Paslode - finish nailer, tools

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I own 2 of the Paslode finish nailers, a straight and an angled nailer. Both have worked extremely well and are extremely reliable and consistant. It is lightweight enough to use overhead without difficulty, as I did nailing crown-molding, and powerful enough to drive into solid oak when woodworking.



I did have some difficulty with the Paslode brand finish nails in that they are fairly soft and can deflect off dense surfaces like OSB. I ran into this problem when installing an oak hardwood floor, as when you run out of room for the floor stapler up against a wall you have to use finish nails. The nails would sometimes go through the oak tongue, bounce off the floor and back up through the face of the oak. Decreasing the angle of penetration was enough to cure this. Paslode 902000 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer

This is an excellent product which has already made my life easier (putting up siding); it makes project assembly far faster, more accurate and most importantly more fun. The technology is significant and futuristic in that such a small fuel container can fire so many nails with such force. One should be aware that the device is loud and emits exhaust from the spent fuel with every shot - which is to be expected and has to be taken into consideration with indoor use (need good ventilation). But its performance outweighs all this in my view, along with amazing portability even compared with the CO2 driven devices.

I don't own one of these but I've had several occasions to rent one and use it for finishing up the trim in my house after putting down new flooring. I have no complaints and only glowing recommendations for this tool.



I hate power tools I have to plug in and this tool was so convenient because it had no cord and isn't pneumatic. Many people complain that you have to purchase additional gas cannisters for the Paslode nailers but I think that's a minor inconvenience because it drives the nails to the right depth all the time and I never encountered one jam all the times I've used it.



I plan on purchasing one used when the price comes down a bit. I may get lucky or hopefully they'll come out with a newer model and the old ones will be discounted. If they do, I'll snatch one up because I can find many uses for it.

Nothing but impressed with this nailer. Have not had any problems with this unit at all, having shot many 2 inch nails. The air compressor gets to rest finally, thank goodness. No more lugging it up stairs or in the truck either. The exhaust smell reminds me of firecrackers of bygone years but is not a problem. It should be noted that I also bought the 18 guage after shooting the 16 guage for a few months. It's more convenient and quicker not having to lug the compressor and hose around. No problems sinking nails, just push the tip all the way down on the surface to be nailed.

I love the Paslode cordless products. I've been using a cordless framer for over a year with no problems. I used the finish nailer years ago working as a finish carpenter, and loved it then. Now that I'm on my own working as a Cabinetmaker, I love not having a compressor and hose to deal with...just grab and go--in the shop or in the field. Get yourself one of these!

THIS NAILER IS FANTASTIC! JUST CHARGE UP YOUR BATTERY (TAKES ABOUT 2 HOURS FOR FULL CHARGE) AND PLUG IN A FUEL CELL AND SOME 16 GA NAILS AND YOUR GOOD TO GO. BATTERY WILL LAST FOR 4000 NAILS AND FUEL CELL LASTS FOR ABOUT 1200 NAILS. COMES WITH NICE CASE AND BATTERY CHARGER, BUT YOU HAVE TO BUY YOUR FUELS CELLS AND NAILS SEPARATELY. WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS TOOL IS A GENIUS. THE DEWALT NAILER WITH 18 VOLT BATTERY WEIGHS JUST OVER 8 LB., BUT THIS PASLODE WITH A 6 VOLT BATTERY AND FUEL CELL WEIGHS JUST OVER 4 LBS. GET ONE AND YOU'LL BE LOOKING FOR THINGS TO NAIL!!

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My husband uses this item and said the following about it:



"This is truly the very best cordless nail gun on the market today. It's perfect for either the professional carpenter or for the weekend DIY woodworking enthusiast. It weighs under 5 pounds when fully loaded with the battery, fuel cell, and the nails. It is easy to operate and it is rare that it jams, and if it does, it clears easily. I highly recommend this item and now that I've found the Paslode line, I know I'll be picking up a few more to add to my arsenal."

This nailer is easy to maintain and operate.

It saves so much time working on projects that would be near impossible to do with a hammer. I've used this to install complex wall and ceiling trim, wainscoting and just general use. Excellent product. - Tools - Gas Fired Nailer - Finish Nailer - Cordless Nailer'

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Interior Accessories - cargo bars, interior accessories

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The rod broke quickly after we hung 10 to 12 items on it. The plastic used to hang the rod is far to flimsey to hold more than a few items. I tried to repair ir with duct tape, but that didn't work. As far as I am concerned, it was a total waste of money! Bell Automotive 22-1-00073-8 Ultra Clothes Bar

We purchased 2- one for Tundra double cab and one for RAV 4. The Tundra's back seat area is for my husbands "office". He needed a place to keep rain gear, extra jackets and a change of clothes. It works great- hangers don't slide around. The clothes bar in my Rav 4 keeps my gear neat and tidy- no wrinkles. It comes into view for my rearview mirror, but doesn't block it completely. Good value for the money.

STURDY BUT CLOTHES HAVE TO BE BALANCED ON EITHER SIDE EVENLY. HANGS ON THE TWO SINGLE CLOTHES CARRIER HOOKS ON BOTH SIDES IN BACK SEATOF THE CAR. IF YOU HAVE A CONVERTIBLE FORGET IT...THERE'S NO WHERE TO ATTACH IT. RUBBER SLEEVE KEEPS HANGERS FROM SLIDING. SO IF YOU WANT THEM TO SLIDE, IT'S NOT GOOD. ALL IN ALL FOR MY NEEDS IT WAS FINE. - Interior Accessories - Cargo Bars'

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Good

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Boy have I had a hard time finding a pair of weight lifting gloves! My previous ones were simple leather Saranac gloves, not much padding but they lasted for several years. The leather eventually rotted out forming huge holes. But I can definitely say that the Saranac gloves were awesome.



Now onto the replacement. I tried four different types of gloves.



Harbinger 143

Harbinger 1260

Harbinger 1215 Big Grip II

GoFit Diamond-Trac



The Harbinger 143 gloves were OK. They didn't have too much padding, but fit very snug and were difficult to get off. Also, the fingers were short.



The Harbinger 1260 and 1215 were both unusable due to having too much padding in the palm and knuckle area. The padding is comfortable for pressing exercises (e.g. bench press), but makes it all but impossible to do pulling exercises (e.g. pull ups, curls, deadlifts, rows, etc.). You can try them yourselves, but save some money and take my word for it.



The GoFit Diamond-Trac gloves are the best of the bunch for my needs. They have a little padding in the palm, but not enough to interfere with your grip. They are lightweight, so I'm not sure how long they'll last, but I'll reserve judgment on that. They do make my hands sweat, because the neoprene on the back doesn't seem to breathe well. They run a little larger in size than the other gloves. Also, I like that they have a finger tab to help you pull off the gloves.



Please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful. Harbinger 1215 Big Grip II Non-WristWrap Weight Lifting Gloves (Medium)

I know others have made this comment, but the rubber grip pads on the palm of the glove are too thick and they prevent me from getting a tight grip on the dumbbell or barbell. The padding is actually welcome on exercises like bench press because it absorbs some of the weight and lets you focus more on the lift. However, on lifts that involve your palm facing down, such as dumbbell lateral raises, I cannot get a tight enough grip to feel confident that I will not drop the weight. I cannot use them at all for dead lifting because when you are pulling that much weight, you cannot afford to have a bad grip.



In nutshell, the build quality is great. They have real leather and the padding is durable. That said, they are only good for certain lifts and they fatigue your hand muscles since you are essentially, with the extra padding, grabbing onto a bar that is a bit thicker than you are used to. I had some discomfort in my forearm muscles after the first few workouts as a result.



I would prefer a glove that has very minimal padding on the palm area to act almost like a second skin rather than a padded glove. You still need to be able to feel the weights and get a tight grip to feel confident with heavy weights and prevent accidents.



I don't hate them, but personally I would not recommend them either.

These gloves look like they are great, but as many people said on here already... the rubber on the palms are so big and thick, you can barely even make a fist, let alone grab a bar securely enough for a heavy lift. I work at a gym and work out over 5 days a week, so If I cannot use these, I am assuming very few will like them.

My husband used a pair of these gloves for several years while weightlifting three days a week. They finally were in need of replacement. He had saved the packaging from the original set to ensure he would be able to replace them with the exact product. He says they are the best weightlifting gloves he has ever used and states they they give him a very secure grip.

When I got them I could tell they were not well made, not to mention the fact that one of the gloves looked and felt older than the other one. I would not recommend these gloves to anyone. They hurt the palms of my hand during presses. The idea of the rubber grips is nice but for an all around glove its terrible.

I purchased these gloves from another online vendor last week. The wrist support I would rate as moderate. My left wrist has been sore lately, and these definitely helped.



Regarding grip: Took a little getting used to at first, but I can lift fine with these. No concerns. The web of my hand gets a little sore after 45min, but hopefully that subsides once I break them in.'

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Weight Training - strength training, adjustable ankle weights

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I researched several brands of ankle weights, noting that many reviews showed that small weights (1/2 pound) can become dislodged without adequate velcro fasteners on each weight. The TKO 210 AP 10 lb Pair Ankle/Wrist Weights do NOT have that problem. They were a little more expensive than some other brands, but well worth the cost. I had to do therapy starting at 2 lbs, then 5 lbs, and then 7.5 lbs. These worked wonderfully, allowing easy adjustment, and no weights dropped out! I am very pleased with this product. TKO 210AP 10 lb Pair Ankle Weights

I bought these to complement my workout at home and I don't regret it at all. They're a bit pricey (but so are all comparable adjustable weights!!). They're nice and soft around the ankles and the adjustable feature is really good to intensify or lighten the workout as the case may be. I really like the versatility of it (I can incorporate it in any workout I'm doing).

Its paded and comfortable. It's easy to adjust the tightness of the Velcro straps. It's also very easy to adjust the amount of weight. The weights are small half-pound iron or steel bars - about ½ diameter by about 2.5-inches in length. There are ten little weight bars per ankle "bracelet". Each weight is slid into its own pocket on the ankle straps so it's easy to keep the weight evenly distributed around the ankle bracelet. Each weight pocket has a Velcro pocket cover to keep the weights snug and secure in the bracelet.



It's a good product. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to friends.

This is a great product. What I really like about these ankle weights are the following:

- Fully adjustable weight setting. Add or remove the weighted bars as needed. The bars can be removed and added pretty easily.

- The velco strap holds. Never had a problem with the strap getting loose. It will stay in place.

- Possibly machine washable. I have not tried it yet, but seeing how you can remove all of the weights, and are just left with the fabric, I don't see why you couldn't wash them. Something I will try soon and report back about.

- The velco that holds the weighted bars in place, works well. Just be mindful that it is velco, so if you do some sudden and really fast moments, there's a potential to slip out, but it will only slip out in one direction since each weight goes into a pocket. Again, you really have to do some fast movements, or you did not secure the velco securely.



Well worth the investment. I've even managed to have them double as a 20 lb kettlebell with a handle and strap that I have some a resistance band set I have.

i walk for 45 minutes each way to work - when i first got these, after a 1 week break-in period, they were great - comfortable - and the velcro was secure. after a few months of walking the bottoms of the weight pouches started wearing out from where they rubbed on the top of my shoes - i started covering the pouches with duct tape to protect them. finally, after a few more months, the velcro strap pulled out of the weight band - it is only tacked in with the seam stiching - so the constant tugging on the band from walking pulled the stiching out and the band came loose.

I found the reviews on Amazon for ankle weights to be particularly helpful because I'd never owned any before and wasn't sure what features to consider. I had been in P.T. for a lower back problem, using machines, and it was recommended that I continue at home with ankle weights. These were the highest rated by far, and I concur. They are easy to use, the weights don't fall out. I am small but they're not too loose and would also have plenty of leeway for someone larger. Other than the fact that they don't come in purple, I can't find a thing to criticize. ;-) And I don't think I could have found anything in stores local to me that would have been of nearly this quality for this price. I'm happy. - Adjustable Ankle Weights - Strength Training - Exercise - Fitness'

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Five Star - notebook

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I got some cheap on-sale notebooks from Walmart..they were a waste of money. The page size is smaller than these notebooks, so even though it might be 180 pages, it's not nearly sufficient writing area. The covers were crap (both the top and bottom covers fell off after a few months), the spiral gets bent, the pages tear out. I am hard on them, as I use them in a backpack, but the cheap ones I bought were garbage.



These, on the other hand, are wonderful. The pages are large, the covers are extremely tough, and they're Meade... I've never had pages accidentally rip out of these, and they withstand the abuse of being slid in and out of my backpack repeatedly.



These notebooks come with a feature that involves bending back three tabs to put them in a 3-ring binder and be able to flip it and use both sides of the paper without the rings from the binder getting in the way, and one can keep it stored in the binder (it makes more sense if you look at the notebook...the instructions are on the package, and I think there might even be a video online somewhere about how to use it). I've never used this feature, as I hate 3-ring binders...I very reluctantly use them to hold lined loose-leaf paper, and that's it. Three-ring binders were invented by the devil, I'm pretty sure.



These spiral notebooks are the highest quality ones I've ever used. They might be more expensive than other notebooks with the same page count, but one must look at the page size, also (it's like buying toilet paper by the lowest price per square yards and ignoring that it's one ply. so you have to use 3 times as much), as well as the quality of the covers, spiral, and page attachments. This notebooks are great, and use the highest quality materials I've seen on a spiral bound notebook. Highly recommended! Five Star Wirebound Notebook, 1-Subject, 100-Count, College Rule, Green (72055) - Notebook'

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