Guy Low Price Electronic: 27 Oct 2008

Monday, 27 October 2008

Milwaukee Sawzall - reciprocating saws, recipricating saw

This is easily one of the best built tools I have ever owned (and I'm no youngster). It is nicely balanced, solidly put together, runs smoothly, and works just as you would imagine that it should. Milwaukee did a nice job on this one. Made in USA (even though "of US and foreign components") means a lot to me, as well. I only wish I could find Milwaukee blades locally. I suppose that's one of the drawbacks of living in such a nice little town! Milwaukee 6509-31 12 Amp Sawzall Reciprocating Saw Kit

This is an incredible tool, I love it. Very powerful, very smooth. I thought about getting the 15amp, but it really could not be better for what I'm using it for. I don't think I would use the oscillating feature much anyway. So far I've used it almost exclusively to cut nails in between lumber, such as removing hardwood flooring without damaging it. You definitely want the 3/4" stroke model for this, or any fine, tight space work. The 1-1/8" stroke is probably better for fast cutting in a lot of wood, although this one will still go through a 4x6 in a matter of seconds. In a throw away consumer world, it's nice to find something that really is built like it used to be and will likely last you a lifetime.

This Milwaukee saw is one of those items whereby the manufacturer didn't cut corners to achieve a price point! After all, they invented the reciprocating saw many years ago called Sawzall" Not only is it well made, smooth running (Less vibration because of a built in counter weight)but the best feature in my opinion is the blade chuck. You can change blades, from taking out the existing blade and changing over to another blade in seconds! All it takes is a twist of the spring loaded blade chuck about a quarter turn, insert blade and let go, no tightening of any kind. Another nice item included is a non-metallic case which is good for anybody keeping their saw outside in a pick-up or in the basement where moisture exists and leads to rusting of the case. This particular saw has a 3/4 inch stroke which means it cuts fast!

I have an older Bosch which, when it was working (Down due to blade problems) wasn't anywhere as good as this Milwaukee saw and the blade holder required a allen wrench and most times the blade would fall out and recently the blade holder screw broke off in the clamp so it was time to retire that saw. You can't go wrong with the "Milwaukee" brand.

Milwaukee 6509-31 12 Amp Sawzall Reciprocating Saw is an outstanding home improvement tool that is a necessity for all do-it-yourselfers. The saw will cut through anything, depending on the blades that you use. The blades can go in either way, facing down or up, making cutting easy. You cannot go wrong with this tool.

-Damon Medic

I bought this for occasional light use around the house. Years ago I worked in electrical construction and used Milwaukee tools all the time. They were solid and always got the job done. I decided on this because of the company's reputation, its features, and the fact that it was made in the USA. It arrived in a nice plastic carrying case. Not too much room for extra blades, but I managed to fit a pack inside. The saw is really well made and seems powerful. The variable speed trigger is smooth and easily controlled, and the QUIK-LOK blade clamp works great and is a simple but brilliant idea. No more annoying allen screws to shake loose. I opted for the slightly less aggressive 3/4" stroke so I can use it as a large jig saw for finer work, since I'm not doing demolition (although it would definitely handle larger jobs okay, perhaps just not as quickly). I haven't had too many occasions to use it at this writing, but I have a bunch of plywood to cut up, and that's partially why I bought it. I am confident it will tackle that chore fine.

I bought this reciprocating saw after reading the comments of many landscapers. When asked what's the best way to cut tree roots, many named the Sawzall. When the tool arrived, my husband quickly got rid of some small trees that were hanging over our neighbor's fence, and which they'd asked us to get rid of. Then he cut up the relatively small trunks and branches with ease.

We both used it on tree roots, and it worked well, except on huge roots that we were unable to get through at all. We'll be using the Sawzall for pruning, and for getting rid of more roots, this fall and next Spring.

It's a fabulous tool, and we're still on the first pruning blade. The Sawzall would have saved us countless hours (and a lot of complaining about doing yard work) had we bought it years ago.

I'd always wanted to have this tool, as it's so versatile when it comes to cutting just about anything. It's taken me some time to learn how to use it, and I've bent a few blades and had it kick the heck out of me when blades seize, etc. But it's plenty powerful an appears to be well made. Can't comment on how durable or rugged it is long term, as I've not used it enough, but the fact that these type of saws have come to be known generically as "Sawzalls" seems to be a testament to Milwaukee's quality.

I've used it to cut mild steel angle iron and it does the trick. Next job is cutting some old tires off their rims.

This was my only introduction to a "sawzall". No, I didn't buy it, but the guys who dismantled a 22 foot by 16 foot patio enclosure, called the "greenhouse", came in with this power tool to save hours and hours of labor. This part of the project was to dismantle a fiberglass roof over a brick-bottomed and steel walled enclosure that had windows throughout.

After 35 years of wear and tear, it seemed nearly impossible to remove what was once constructed to be a summer greenhouse to start up plants and seedlings. Over 35 years, it became more difficult to keep the greenhouse "spiffy clean", and raising and lowering the windows was a real chore. Not the least of which was the intense heat inside on a very hot summer day.

So, the project began with two guys who began taking things apart, like gutters and posts, support beams, and doors and windows that were fastened with what seemed like a hundred thousand screws. With only a few tools and this hand tool, "Sawzall", hours of labor were saved, making the dismantling much quicker than planned.

In the days, 35 years ago, when my Dad single handedly assembled this greenhouse, I can now recall the time that was consumed by one senior citizen who dreamed of constructing this magnificent greenhouse. I know that he understands now, that times have changed and I could no longer keep it thriving. Cheers to the Sawzall! - Sawzall - Reciprocating Saws - Reciprocating Saw - Recipricating Saw'

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Jewelry - jewelry

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I bought one of these pins as a socking stuffer for my wife -- let's just hope she doesn't wander upon this review before December 25th! It's a nice looking and sturdy looking pin, and the Amazon.com vendor from which I purchased packed it well and had it out to me super fast. Maybe this isn't the best way to buy even relatively inexpensive jewelry, but this was a great purchase. Flute Pin - 24k Gold Plated - Jewelry'

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Aa Rechargeable Batteries - nimh, sony battery

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I have owned these for about four months. Mostly they are used in a DSLR camera.

I find that, when freshly charged, they are superb, giving lots of life and fast performance in the DSLR, which relies heavily on good battery power. They also charge fine, with no memory problems, in the Sony charger.

However, these batteries lose power when not in use. Most AAA rechargeables do, of course. But there are a new sort on the market that minimize the power drain when not in use. I have tried some, the eneloops.

They are just plain better than these Sony batteries. Eneloops fire right up and last longer even when they have not been in use for days or weeks. I find this makes a big difference because I don't have to recharge every time I start out a day with my camera.

Hope you find this helpful. Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, 4-pack

I've used these, Energizers, Duracells, etc. These have worked as well as any, and are often sold by Amazon at a very good price. Sony also makes a nice charger, the BCG-34HRMF4. When on sale, with 4 batteries, it's a great deal.

Be aware, though, that NiMH batteries all slowly lose their charge on the shelf, and will discharge in about a month or so, so don't use it for a device that sits around somewhere for long periods.

These are my first rechargeable batteries, so all I can say is that in comparison to alkaline, these are WAY better and longer losting. Alkalines stop working in digital cameras long before they are actually used up, because they can't supply the required current for high-demand devices. These Sonys last much more than 4x as long because alkalines only work for a few minutes. These Sonys maintain their voltage at a stable level. I am using them in an Olympus C-755 digital camera, and I charge them using the Sony BCG-34HE4 charger. I can't say exactly how many pictures you can take on one charge, because they last for so long I lose track. If you have a digital camera, you absolutely must use rechargeable Nimh batteries. Don't waste your money on the expensive "high-end" alkalines or non-rechargeable lithium, etc. Also, you are doing the environment a favor by not using toxic landfill filler.

It's best to charge your high-capacity (2500 mAh) NiMH batteries in an appropriate charger of the same manufacturer.

When I attempted to charge Sony batteries in my Monster charger, the batteries got very hot, never stopped charging, and killed the charger. I tried 2500 mAh Sony batteries in my cordless Logitech mouse, and when the mouse was placed in its charger, the batteries - and the mouse - began to get hot. Fortunately I removed the batteries before any damage was done to the mouse or its charger.

The Sony batteries are fine when charged in a Sony charger. Perhaps someone else will know whether the problem is mixing brands, or mixing capacities. Just be careful which batteries you put in what. -LR

Purchase this as an extra set after receiving Sony charger. The lesson came very soon. I had to rush to a nearby 7/11 minutes before an event. The Olympus DSC showed "low bat" on the 2700maH batteries (came with the charger) after few shots and didn't even like the 2500maH spares that were charged 2 to 3 days prior.

I have done some research and weekly experiments. I refreshed and re-charged repeatedly and measures in-between. The voltage dropped from the ~1.4V to ~1.2V within 3 days on all 8 of them. One tech paper stated that NiMH batteries do lose 1% of their charges in 24 hours at room temp when not in use. The Sony ones must have far exceeded the typcial case. It's winter time in Calfornia and the moisture doesn't come into play.

I read all the reviews before the purchases. I wondered if I were just unlucky until the reviews on the charger revealed the same issue with the batteries.

These batteries are not totally useless. They give you a good day of shooting if you charge the night before. What you lose is the freedom of "grab and shoot".

These batteries work great, but lose charge rapidly if not used right away. I have 4 batteries and when they are fully charged I have never run out of battery power for a full day of picture taking. When the batteries sit around not used for more than 3 or 4 days they lose their charge. Not sure if other brands do the same. All in all I am happy with these batteries. I just charge the batteries before an event. 2 in the camera and 2 spare.

Product is made in Japan. Took around 280 pictures with my Canon S5 and it was still going. The capacity of 4 batteries are shown as 2630, 2640, 2580 & 2710 mAh & the voltage is 1.47V in La Crosse BC-900 charger. It is one of the best price/performance ratio.

I've tested many different brands of rechargeable batteries, and have in total over 40 of them. These are the best so far.

As someone else already stated, they are relabeled Sanyo batteries - which is good!. Sanyo is one of the best batteries manufacturers there is.

When tested, every one of them is over 2300mAh. Consistent performance, long lasting, reliable, made in japan and cheaper than most of the other brands (which perform worse).

Highly recommended.

This is an important review, so please ready everything.

Last month, Amazon offered these batteries from a vendor using their fulfillment shipping center. When I made my purchase, the batteries arrived in different packaging that was green and silver (suspicious!), and did not hold a charge for longer than a week.

After working directly with Sony (today) for a warranty replacement, they are sending me the true orange and silver versions, where the charge lasts over a month when comparing my previous batch.

These batteries are excellent if you receive the authentic Sony product, and will last about 5 years with consistent use. Highly recommended, yet be forewarned not to accept a version other than the orange and silver labeling as the picture indicates. - Sony Battery - Nimh - Battery - Battery Aa Rechargeable'

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Professional - strap, photography

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I was an infantryman in the Marine Corps for 8 years and as such I am used to walking around all day with all kinds of things attached to, and hanging from, my body. So it was a big surprise to me when I got into photography how incredibly awkward and uncomfortable it is to walk around with a camera! I have a D300s which usually has a 16-85 or 70-300 attached, and compared to a flak jacket, ammo pouches, canteens, a rifle, and a host of other worthless stuff should be a piece of cake to carry around. Unfortunately it's always digging into my ribs, bouncing all over the place, swinging wildly if I bend or lean over - I mean it really takes the fun out of my hobby.

The Rapid Strap is based on the one-point, assault rifle slings that I am so used to and does a pretty good job of keeping my camera out of the way until needed. The problem that I have with it is two-fold: Firstly, it's way overpriced. There really isn't much to this thing and in my opinion it shouldn't be more than 40 bucks. My next problem is that it's actually too complex. When I first started seeing one-point rifle slings about 6 or 7 years ago they looked a lot like the rapid strap, with a bunch of buckles and fasteners and different straps. As time went on though, the designs became more and more simple until finally we were left with nothing but a nylon encased loop of bungy cord that clipped to the back of the rifle. This has become the standard sling for people who know what they're doing in the military, and it would make carrying a camera even easier. I hope somebody makes it soon. Black Rapid Strap RS7 Black Fabric, Curved Ergonomic, with ConnectR-2 and FastenR-3

I love this strap, I was very worried at first since I'll be hooking up about $4,000 worth of gear to it at a minimum, but it holds very strong. I had this on my Canon 5d Mk II with battery grip and a 70-200mm 2.8 IS lens and it held strong...I even spun it around like the ad online shows and it still held strong. I ordered a mod that helps secure it to stay in one place better so that will be nice when I'm moving around and being more active. I also ordered a second strap and the connector that allows you to make it into a double strap, so we'll see there. I like this version but I've heard they have some with storage pockets...personally I prefer the low profile, especially when I'm at weddings and need to look classy and professional, not like batman.

BlackRapid is one of the 2 leading "Sling Strap" makers (the other being Luma Loop) and is usually attributed with more sales. After debating for months if I really needed to upgrade my strap (from the standard Canon black and red) I finally decided to take the plunge. Doing so made me realize how important of a decision it was!

To start, my main camera body is a Canon 7D without grip. I don't have a real use for a grip since most of the things I shoot are either sports (where I have fine battery life to shoot 1200-1500 shots easily on 1 charge) or events (where I have plenty of time to change to an extra battery). My main lenses are a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. Occasionally (depending on the event) I also have a Canon 430EX II flash hooked up. Before I get on with the rest of the review let me just say that this strap had *NO* trouble holding any and all of that, but more importantly...in place.

Alright if you want to see how this thing works, I'd recommend youtube. A strap such as this one kind of needs to be seen or felt to understood completely. Basically, it's similar to a sling strap for an assault rifle or carbine. Being ex-USAF I immediately saw the usefulness in such a design: ease and speed of access. In the military, a sling is usually used to hold your weapon because it lets you bring the weapon up to operating stance in less than a second even when you least expect it. The other useful reason for such a design is that it keeps the weapon in place even when moving quickly or in different directions. This is just as important because it makes sure the weapon isn't in the way but also because it keeps the weapon safe.

In Photography, all of those things apply. It's extremely important to have ease of access and just as important that you can get it up to operating stance quickly. You never know when that moment will happen and you'll want to get a shot. Being able to *very* quickly raise the camera to eye level and have it trained on target means you can get shots you normally wouldn't be able to unless you're constantly holding the camera up to your face (which gets tiring). The other reason, the ability to keep the camera stationary, is even *more* important in photography because the camera is much more fragile. On an average day I'm usually carrying a concealed firearm as well (legally, of course) and if the camera swings around my hip it has the chance of making contact with the butt of my weapon. For those of you that can't understand why that would be a problem let me say this: hardened steel and polymers are harder than glass...much harder.

Ok so now you know about the usefulness of this strap...what other reason do you need? Comfort. The strap that comes with your camera (whether Canon, Nikon, or some other brand) seems completely fine...until you start popping big lenses on it. For reference, my camera with my 70-200 and flash on it is slightly over 6lbs. That doesn't seem like a lot until you realize all that weight is on a single muscle cluster on your shoulder. If you carry your camera across your body like I do (with the strap on your left shoulder but the camera hanging on your right side) that puts a *lot* of pressure on the muscle cluster. By the end of the day you might find you're not even standing up straight or it hurts to move the left arm a bit. It's something that should be avoided...and now it can.

This strap distributes the weight *perfectly*. After walking around all day long with the strap and the 70-200 attached I had no more pain in my shoulder than I did when I put it on. It's fantastic. The contour of the strap makes sure to distribute the weight across the entire upper body area instead of just the contact point. It makes it *much* easier to handle. Also, the clips on the strap make sure that the strap stays in place no matter what you do. They're easy to move around the strap and once you place them (one right behind the camera body and the other up top) they'll "re-place" the strap whenever you put the camera back down...so you never have to worry about the comfort strap migrating to your back.

Pros

-Extremely comfortable, no matter what's hanging from your camera

-Makes sure that your camera is *very* easily accessible and can be brought to form quickly

-Looks great but doesn't scream, "someone please steal my expensive equipment"

-Keeps the comfort area of the strap on your shoulder so it doesn't migrate to your back

-Can hold weight *FAR* in excess of your equipment (holds somewhere around 250Lbs)

Cons

-Tad expensive at $60, especially if you have to buy extra FastenRs or other accessories

-Very hard to use as a weapon since it's so comfortable. - Blackrapid - Digital Slr - Photography - Strap'

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40 inch hdtv - 120hz, 40 inch hdtv

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This is my first HD television although I've had experience working with them due to my job as a computer tech. The picture quality on this TV is on par with the better screens I've seen. When a BR disk is playing (connected with HDMI) it's astounding. The sound on the unit goes very high without the vibration I've heard other TVs produce at higher volumes. The high notes are a bit sharp on the unit at higher volumes and the only reason I gave it a 4 star on sound quality.

Setup was simple...snap together some plastic for the base and plug it in.

I've not used the unit with any other devices outside of my BR player. I've used Vudu, Netflix, normal DVDs and Blueray and all look great. Even the standard definition DVD and Netflix feeds look sharp.

If you're wanting a TV that's simple to use without any fuss or tweaking with settings or configurations this one is perfect as that's what I was looking for in a TV. Toshiba 40E210 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

I bought this Toshiba to replace the 32" TCL LCD in my bedroom - gave the TCL to my son. Just got this TV yesterday and I wanted to give my first impressions and address some of the concerns listed in other reviews, both here and on other sites. The three main criticisms of this TV were:

1. Only two HDMI ports - I only needed one or two ports anyway, so this did not bother me. If you are purchasing this as your main unit, you need to weigh this considerably. There are ways around it, such as a receiver with HDMI-in ports or an HDMI switch, but unless you own these already, it's money you could spend on a bigger TV.

2. Sound - OK, the sound on this is not great, but it is not as bad as some people are making it out to be. I would say it is about average for TV's of this size and level (I install TV's in clients' conference rooms from time to time). I was really expecting it to be bad after some of the reviews, so when it pretty much sounded on par with my 32" TCL, it kind of made me laugh. I was also able to change the Dolby settings (Compressed or Normal - you have to decide what you like better) to improve the sound. What critics probably dislike is the lack of bass. There is pretty much no bass, but I feel the same way about every other TV of this size I have heard. It does not have RCA or analog out, so you cannot install computer speakers, like some reviewers have complained about. It does have an optical out, which is better because it is feature-forward. I have a Panasonic soundbar already, so I plugged the TV optical out into my soundbar and everything sounded great. I would never spend the money on a TV of this size and use the built-in speakers. At the very least, go with a sound bar. Panasonic makes a very good one and Vizio has one for under $100 on Amazon. My Panasonic is perfect for the bedroom - shows and movies are immersive and the voices are crystal clear. If you want a nice sound system with full bass and don't want to run wires or buy a receiver, get the Panasonic soundbar with the subwoofer. If you just want to significantly improve the sound of the TV, you can buy the soundbar with no subwoofer. It will do nicely (I do not have the subwoofer).

3. Weak HD tuner - I have no idea what the critical reviewers are talking about. This TV picked up every QAM channel, including unencrypted digital, that my cable company provides. What this means is that I hooked the TV straight to my cable line and it picked up all of the local digital HD stations, the music stations, and cable analog stations. It performed as well as my other TV's with no problem. I then hooked up my indoor HD antenna and it picked up 38 stations, including every Milwaukee HD channel and some from Chicago. I live almost 50 miles from Milwaukee and 70 miles from Chicago. It worked as well or better than my other TV's. To put this in context, if I look up on the web what channels I am supposed to receive for my location, it lists 25 stations. I get 38. The TV also has a nice feature that shows how strong the signal is when you pull up a channel.

All in all, the Toshiba is a great TV for the money, especially at $399.98. The picture quality is excellent and the screen has a nice matte finish, so there are no reflections. It is a 60Hz TV, so there will probably be some artifacting during Bluray movie action sequences, but that is to be expected.

It was easy to set up and does everything I ask from a TV of this class.

Good picture and good value for the money but the sound quality is unbearably poor. There is no analog out for sound but there is a digital out. Though about adding speakers but decided to return and buy LG for $50 more.

This 40 inch Toshiba is the forth Toshiba I own (also a 42 in, 46 in and a 55 in). All of them great, no problems whatsoever. Terrific picture. I've owned the 42in for 3 or 4 years, the 45in for 2 years, the 55in for 6 mos and the 40 in for one month. All are now in service, all excellent. You can't go wrong with Toshiba and both the 55 in and the 40 in were bargains besides. I also have a Samsung 46 which is great, but the Toshiba is the best value in my opinion.

Fortunately, Amazon reviewers had warned me that the built-in speakers were tinny and pretty awful. They weren't kidding... They are actually worse sounding than my old Westinghouse LCD from 4 years ago and worse than a Samsung LCD from the same time period.

Okay, so assuming you are going to hook this thing up to a stereo, a surround system, PC speakers, or a sound-bar... this is an incredible value. The picture is great. This is my second Toshiba LCD, and the picture quality is excellent. Seriously... 1080p and 40 inches for under $450, shipped to your door? It's insane to think that the 720p - 32" Westinghouse I bought years ago was around $700, and that was a bargain at the time. How cheap can these things get?

This TV will make you want to watch nothing but blurays... I have digital cable and a PS3, which can stream some movies and TV shows at 1080p. The digital cable looks great, except that you can really see the artifacting when there are fast movements of the whole camera. I hope digital cable starts using a better compression method someday... Anyhow, Netflix HD content looks great on this TV. However, blurays look insane, and this is really the reason to bother owning a 1080p set.

As compared to other LCD 1080p TVs, I did go to Best Buy and compare the picture quality to all of the competitors... Granted, these aren't really the best conditions to try and compare picture quality (in a brightly lit store, random video content, all the TVs set to the default settings). However, the Toshiba was at least holding its own with other TVs that were twice the price, and many of the things that I didn't like about one TV or the other could be fixed by adjusting the settings. So pretty much, with all of the name brand TVs, the picture quality was great. Things that are present in the higher priced models where mostly things that I didn't want to pay extra for... such as internet connectivity (I'm using a PS3 for Netflix and video file playback) and LED backlighting (it didn't seem to result in a better picture, although it did reduce the depth and weight of the TVs). And I didn't test them out, but I'm hoping that some of the more expensive models came with better internal speakers than the Toshiba.

So, in my house, hooked up to my stereo and playing a bluray, it's hard to imagine this TV being much better - the picture can be mind-blowing with the right source - and it's definitely a steal at around $450 with free shipping. - 120hz - 40 Inch Hdtv'

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720p Projector - 3d ready, home theater

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I bought this projector 3 weeks ago from Amazon. Delivery was prompt and on time. The projector came in the usual Optoma box but without a carry case. Of course I knew that, but one would have been nice anyway. I had already printed out the manual (at work of course) from the Optoma website.

Set up was easy enough but a little time consuming as the settings where totally off. I believe everyone using this projector primarily for home theater will and should set the bulb to standard. The extra lumen will come in handy however when using the 3D glasses to view 3D content.

Once calibrated, picture quality was very impressive for a 720p projector. Blacks were black enough, color and shadow, rich and detailed. The projector does a good job (imo) of scaling 1080p content. I have two Blu-ray players and the projector showed Blu-ray content a lot better with my Philips player so like everything else the source is important.

Overall I'm very happy with my purchase. Couldn't convince the wife at this stage to let me spend the extra money on a 1080p projector, so I was already looking at the HD65. I was encouraged by what was being said by the very early adapters that had pulled the trigger on the dedicated AV forums (God bless them). Early veiwings included Iron Man and Transformers, and Walle and UP for animation, all in Blu-ray on a 72" 16:9 screen and I'm truly impressed. The harshest critic is too, the wife. Picture is as good, if not better, than my Sanyo 42" 1080p plasma. I'm English; my wife is American so were now looking forward to the World Cup being shown in 3D. By the time the tournament begins hopefully the price of active shutter glasses will have fallen enough so were not passing one pair around the room to everybody.

If you have bought this projector from Amazon just post a review good, bad or indifferent. I was compelled to do so because for a long time the only one posted nearly caused me to pass on the HD66. $700 is a lot of money (to me at least), so I utilize reviews all the time without giving back. This was my first one ever, hope it helps. Optoma HD66 2500ANSI Lumens 4000:1 3D-Ready DLP Home Theater Projector - White

Very nice projector, good colors, brightness and black levels. This is not going to compete with a $2k projector, but for its class, it does a really impressive job.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because out of the box, the settings make the image look quite poor, complete loss of detail in faces, skin tones are definitely off. After some quick calibraiton, Specifically:

- I turned down the bulb to standard

- turned "Brilliant Color" way down

- reduced the contrast to about 42-45.

- I also turned down the brightness to 43, but after doing a THX optimizer, brought the brightness back up to the standard 50.

AFTER CALIBRATION, I am VERY pleased with the colors, the black levels are good (not great, but pretty darn good) and the shadow detail is much better than what I have seen in the past.

I would recommend this projector to anyone looking for a ht projector in this price range.

(Also, as others have reported, the remote is not laid out well at all (although this would not sway my purchase decision, it is worth noting))

....but ended up going with the HD20.

This is my first projector and I use it solely for watching movies; blu-ray, DVD, and streaming HD from VUDU\Netflix. I had nothing to compare it to except for my brothers which was a Optoma 1080p projector with a throw of 15-18 feet.

I was very impressed out of the box. Blu-ray looks great @ 11' throw\85" diag. picture. Works quite well in ambient light, but really comes alive in lights off. HD stuff looks really good from viewing distance of 12'.

There is some rainbow effect, but not often at all and usually during credits. Certainly not a deal breaker for me. We watch it directly off our light gray painted wall and it looks very good. Older DVD's are blurry, but that is just the nature of the lower res DVDs. The texture of the wall and no gain gray paint will require a screen eventually.

The controls are pretty basic and simple to use. There are some advanced calibration settings that I didn't mess with.

Overall this was a very satisfying experience for the money.

However....

I felt that the 11' throw\12' viewing distance put me right on the cusp of being able to benefit from 1080p. I got the bug and started obsessing about it and decided to order and HD20 to compare it to, realizing I may take a restocking hit on the returned projector. I really wanted to see the difference because I felt that at 85" to 95" inch diagonal I could really make the hd stuff crisp.

Set up the HD20 yesterday. First run was in soft ambient daylit room with shades drawn. I immediately noticed the difference in brightness. The HD20 at 1700L vs. HD66 2500L was definitely not a good viewing experience in ambient light. Even on bright mode, the picture seemed washed out. I became somewhat discouraged, but since my gf and I pretty much only watch with lights off at night, no cable, I waited to make my decision. Fan noise a little louder on HD20 especially on bright mode.

Once it became dark outside, the experience totally changed, even with low light in the room, the image began to get brighter and clearer. I watch several HD previews off of VUDU and Up in standard DVD and Avatar on DVD.

Verdict, The HD20 really made a difference in 1080P. It just seemed more comfortable displaying it's native res than the HD66. From my viewing distance it was really really awesome. My girlfriend came home, I didn't tell her I swapped them out, and she immediately said, "Is there a screen there, the image seems really sharp." I chuckled and said no.

Final Thoughts:

If you are throwing from 12" or less and viewing from around 10' to 12' AND you want viewing in ambient light AND your budget is limited, The HD66 is a great buy. You won't be disappointed. If however, you can spend the money and you are throwing from farther than 11' AND you will be watching primarily in dark or near dark room, I would say go for the HD20. I was a bit nervous until I put UP in standard DVD in and it looked better than in the theater. It was really crisp and that was without a screen(which does help a lot, I tried the HD66 out with one.) - Home Theater - 3d Ready - Projector - 720p'

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Ipod Adapter - mp3, tools

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The green outlet light takes the battery down prematurely. I bought this recon so who knows if its normal. I had owned the Milwaukee Radio before and had better battery life. Rated 4 stars. Sound is good like the ipod docking station and yes I would buy it again. Factory-Reconditioned Bosch PB360S-RT Power Box Jobsite AM/FM Stereo with MP3 Compatibility - Mp3 - Radio - Bosch - Tools'

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Rotary Tool Accessories - 2009 amazon frustration-fre, router accessories

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This is a valuable accessory for your Dremel tool, but it does have some limitations you need to recognize and live within.

It's good at cutting dadoes and doing edging, but not in hard woods. Rotary tools work at high speed, but with low torque. They just cannot churn their way through something like oak. Even with soft woods, it's best to make deep cuts in several shallow passes.

Deep cuts will generate considerable sawdust, which falls down into the tool. I can see that this could damage the tool over time. I deal with this issue by using my regular router for extensive dust-generating work. Again, you need to live within the limitations of your tool.

As with all rotary tool operations, sharp bits are essential. The high-speed, low-torque operation means that they, in effect, shave material away, much like a dentist's drill. If you try to just grind away, the tool will bog down and/or the bits will dull quickly. Unfortunately, the best Dremel brand router bits are VERY expensive. Cheap Brand-X bits work OK, but they wear out quickly. Dremel-brand bits last longer, but they're much more expensive. There's a line somewhere, and you'll have to judge for yourself where it is.

The router table itself is solid, well-designed, and easy to use. It seems to work best if you screw it to a piece of wood or MDF, then clamp that to your workbench or sawhorse.

To me, this accessory is worth the cost, but it does have limitations that you need to consider. I'm glad I bought it, and I'd do it again. Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table

I have been using this for quite a while, and at times, it is a lot easier to use this, to dadoes for small items on soft wood like boxes. I used it to make some boxes out of pire and I used it to do edge work and make dadoes. This is my coolest acessory for the dremel with my wood bit set.

It's good for edging and such. But it is no good for cutting groves or if you want to square up a piece to trim an edge. The dremel tool mount flexes too much and you end up with a really sloppy cut. Use the router attachment and make your own table. Do not buy this. Shame on you Dremel. I've seen better tools from Playschool.

product is a good addition to my dremel collection. ONE WARNING: tool models 400 and 800 require a special adaptor! Dremel corp will send you one at their expense-you just need to call them. other than that the accessory rocks!

I'd stay away from this one until the design flaws are fixed. Tons of sawdust from the piece you're working on will fall into your tool and render it useless. I've killed two Dremels, and got maybe a grand total of 5 minutes use out of the table.

I got this some time ago and use it with the 400 XPR (adapter necessary). I have used it mostly for edging. Works great for edging.

It lacks in performance for routing out keyholes and slots. Slots I found it necessary to do them a little at a time; start at a low depth and after each sweep raise the depth of the cut a little more until you have the depth you want.

As for keyholes, just about forget it; it's too jumpy. I use another tool I have for keyholes.

This router table works very well with my Dremel MultiPro tool. I have been making a lot of grooves and notches in wood, and the table keeps the cuts consistent. There is an adjustable fence for precise wood placement as it passes through the bit, as well as an up-and-down adjuster for cut depth in the wood. I have a very specific application for this table, and I've been able to get my grooves and edgings precise every time, which is essential for my project. This router table is a must-have for anyone who uses their MultiPro for routing applications.

I wish I didn't have to make such a vicious statement, but this thing really is poorly-constructed junk. The tool mount flexes too much to guarantee any accuracy in your work. What's worse, on the one I had the tool didn't even mount centered in the hole - preventing me from ever using any wide router or sanding bits without damaging the plastic of the table itself.

If there were an adjustment - a pair of slots of some sort - to which I could center the tool properly, I would have kept the table and given two or three stars. At least it would have been somewhat useful to me. I just don't see how a plastic molded part can get this wrong, and for that I returned it.

I don't expect too much from a rotary tool system like this, the quality is cheap and you get what you pay for - but this is ridiculous.

This is an excellent mini router table for scale model making. I use it for building architectural models and it is a great addition to my 6x4 workshop. It works perfectly fine. If you're going to use this table with Dremel 400, you need an adapter. Just call Dremel customer service and get one for free. - Woodworking - Router Accessories - 2009 Amazon Frustration-fre - Dremel'

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Ice Scoop - ice scoop, booo

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I received this scoop and was happy with the size. I removed the sticker ( a nightmare in itself) and put it in the dishwasher. I do not use any citrus type cleaners but still found the finish COMPLETELY RUINED when I opened the dishwasher this morning. Not useable... looks dull and dark... gross!!! BE WARNED! Adcraft ALS-5 5 oz Capacity, 5" Length x 2-3/8" Width, Mirror Finish, Heavy Duty Cast Aluminum Scoop with Contoured Handle

well I bought three of these scoops to use in my new glass decanters. I washed them in the dishwasher and they turned black! Worse, everything they came in contact with also was covered in black powder! So I threw them away. Never got to use them! - Ice Scoop - Booo'

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Assassin S Creed - xbox 360, video games

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First off, I loved the feel of Assassin's Creed, but hated the game play. Assassin's Creed 2 completely sucked me in and made me absolutely love the game. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood brought a big smile to my face that completely satisfied every impulse, knee jerk reaction to what I wanted from the second one.

It starts with a combination of two events. 1) Right after you defeat the Borgia pope you return to your Villa. This, of course, is where you are lead to your training sequences for the new maneuvers of the game (which incidentally is much easier to use. instead of going to your Villa to train you can simply hit Start and choose training). 2) You are taking part of the 2012 world of Desmond and your exploration of the Italy of that time, with its typical 21st century erosion on the old world. Both are fantastic. I couldn't help but love returning to the world of Ezio and exploring around. Even more so was the absolutely huge world of Rome, noticed straight away as you pan around to the distances. This is an absolutely different and way more majestic world than the world of Assassin's Creed 2. You know that although you will not travel to as many cities you will certainly explore more just by the huge size of Rome.

The graphics are amazing, touched up and refined from the last one. The controls are almost identical, allowing you to jump in to the game with ease. The added addition of the Brotherhood adds a lot despite the tendency to overuse your assassins and leave yourself vulnerable, when you would certainly want to use them. Regardless, the overall game play has improved, despite the fighting mechanisms still feeling a bit droll and not to unique.

Finally, after trying for awhile with little success I was able to get in and log on to the multiplayer server. This seems like a problem straight away because it shouldn't take 5-10 minutes to log in to a server, and then the next time you log in a matter of seconds. I found that after I waited for 5 minutes I had to cancel out and go back in in order to play. The play itself is a joy. You play anywhere from 6-10 people mixed in amidst a ton of "civilians" for about 10 minutes, stalking and hunting your prey or just straight up chasing them. This multiplayer has a much different feel than the typical slugfest and bullet ridden multiplayers of other games, simply because you literally have to get up close and personal before you can make your kill.

The campaign play is long and worth it, definitely not feeling like an add on and more so like a real stand alone game with its own merits. The multiplayer is well worth it as well, although not sure if the replay ability will get old or die down, something of which only time will tell. Add the two together and you have an absolute winner in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. A definite recommend.

5 stars.

Update: A direct comparison would show the following. AC2 has considerably more collectibles than ACB, but ACB's collectibles are much easier to find since maps are made available for any and all of them. That being said, there are a lot more side quests/missions that you can go on in ACB. When all is said and done I spent about 32 hours in AC2 and it took about 24 hours for ACB, athough there are still a lot of side quests to be completed (and clusters) and so it will take a bit more time. With game complete and all feathers, flags and treasures found, I am only at 51% sync, which shows that there are a good amount of hours left to be played. That being said I still haven't found all the feathers in AC2, and thus could still spend a lot more time there, so it is a wash. AC2 had 5 cities, plus a visit to the Vatican at the very end. ACB has just one large city, although you visit several other places on your missions.

I found that there was only one aspect that I wish were done differently which would have made the game that much better. You visit several villas when completing the quests to destroy DaVinci's war machines, as well as Firenze (sp?) and Viana Castle. It would have been so simple to make these places that you could visit and explore after you completed your mission. Viana Castle and its surrounding countryside, for example, would have been fantastic to explore and just run around. Instead you only visit it briefly and you are running and fighting the whole time you don't get to see it. Additionally, you don't get to climb up or explore around San Pietro. You see it always in the distance, then at the end you get to go up to its gates and then nothing. There is the Lair of Romulus that puts you in San Pietro but you are chasing a Cardinal at such a frantic pace you barely get to notice the huge and majestic building that would have been absolutely fantastic to just stop and hop from ledge to ledge. A simple touch to allow us to explore it after the game is compelte would have made this game that much better. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Like many people, I enjoyed the first Assassin's Creed for what it was but felt that it was lackluster in it's mission variety and repetitive in nature. Assassin's Creed was leaps and bounds ahead of the original, and the good news is that Brotherhood is a continuation of that winning formula. Coming out a year after the previous game might make this seem like a glorified expansion at first glance, but Brotherhood is anything but that.

The story shifts back and forth between Ezio, returning home to find that war has broken out and his arch nemesis does some nasty things that warrants Ezio's motive for revenge and overthrowing him, and to Desmond in 2012 as he and the rogue scientists attempt to unravel the past in order to escape the murderous templars in the present. The plot is not overly engrossing, however it's the characters that bring everything to life and Brotherhood really excels in this area. Ezio is a compelling character a always, and the game is filled with a rich cast of colorful characters that are both new to the series and returning from the previous game. The difference in this game is that you are not supposed to run through the story on your own; you are expected to recruit assassin's to assist you througout the game and they are yours to summon whenever needed. Sadly, the AI is not spot-on and sometimes they are not as useful as you would hope, but they do come in handy when you are getting slaughtered in battle. A character in and of itself, the city of Rome is vibrant and bustling with interesting and sometimes amusing people. Beggars line the streets, prostitutes beckon you to hire them and groups of vigilantes gather in the public squares, all adding to a sense of realism that made the previous game so endearing. The bulk of the game is spent in Rome, which may feel like a step back from Assassin's Creed II, where you would travel between cities, but Rome is so vast and populous that you'll easily overlook this. The story missions are well paced and full of intense action, and the platforming segments in the shrines are fantastic as well.

The gameplay is largely unchanged from Assassin's Creed II and the free-running mechanic works as well here as it did before, so anyone familiar with the game can dive right in. Rome is a huge city with plenty of rooftops, so it's sometimes fun to just run around and take in all the sights. In addition to the story missions, there are various things you can do around town to earn money. Like Assassin's Creed II, there is an economy system here in which you purchase shops and they add to your treasury balance, which is essential for upgrading your weapons and armour. A new addition that's a nice touch are the areas of the city that are under the tyrannical rule of Borgia and his armies, and you can liberate these areas by destroying their towers and killing the captains. This adds some of the most intense and exhilarating moments in the game, since these tasks ramp up in difficulty fast. Graphically, this game is a sight to behold and it is easily on par with Assassin's Creed II. The character animation, cutscene quality and design of the city are all well done and, despite some noticeable pop-in, it provides a wonderful sense of immersion.

Like all video games, Brotherhood is not perfect and it does have it's share of flaws. The free-running mechanic is tight and responsive for the most part, but it is not always accurate. There have been several occasions where I meant to jump in one direction and I ended up going the other way, sometimes falling to my death or losing valuable seconds in some of the time-based objectives. This even happens when you are clearly facing a place where you can jump. Additionally, there is some glitchiness with your AI controlled assassins and even some of the friends you need to interact with. For example, they would get stuck in walls, stand there doing nothing or simply teleport to another area. It's not a huge problem, but it does pose some annoyances when you really need things to run smoothly. Thrown in to add a level of challenge, you can now achieve full synchronization by completing missions a certain way. For example, if you complete a mission in under a certain number of minutes, avoid losing health, or killing someone in a particular manner, you will achieve full synchronization and this will add up to achievement points/trophies. Unfortunately, some of the sequences are lengthy and it's disheartening to know that you've failed this so early into the missions. This does add some frustration, but it's hardly a deal-breaker and some might actually view this as a strength.

The last thing I'll touch upon is the multiplayer, which is something very interesting and unique. You are thrown into a large area with other players, given a person to assassinate, and likewise someone is after you. The objective is to kill your target before you get killed, and the style in which you do it will determine how well you do. For example, if you run up and knife someone in the back, you've achieved your objective and move on. But if you do it with style and stealth, you earn more points. This is a refreshing change from all of these online shooters that mainly focus on kill streaks, so being a hardcore online player doesn't ensure that you'll do well here. It's definitely something different. On the other hand, the pace will definitely feel slower to those who prefer the breakneck pace of online shooters, so this is an acquired taste. If you don't like multiplayer, you don't lose out because the single player campaign is 20+ hours long and there is plenty to keep you busy.

The speed at which this game was released certainly attracted some sceptics, however I am happy to say that Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is every bit as fun, challenging and beautifully done as the previous game. Those expecting an entirely new game with a new plot and cast of characters might be disappointed, but anyone who loved Assassin's Creed II is really missing the boat if they don't pick this up as well. Highly recommended. - Video Games - Brotherhood - Assassin S Creed - Xbox 360'

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Photography - air duster, compressed air

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Everything the other reviewers said about this product is completely correct--this product IS wonderful. Dust Off with its compressed air inside can be used to clean inside the cracks of a computer keyboard, stereo system, anything--even letting you remove dust from tiny cracks between cabinets in your kitchen! It's a very good product that will not disappoint you; and it is well worth the cost as each container lasts a good long time. I wouldn't use it to dust entire pieces of furniture because the little red nozzle is designed for blowing dust and dirt out of tiny cracks and close spaces and therefore it won't be too efficient as a duster for tables and furniture.

It's also pretty easy to remove the little red wand and attach it to the head of the bottle so that's not a concern either.

Highly recommended! Falcon Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster 2 Count with wipe, 10 oz. Can (DSXLPW)

This is a good product for many of your computer dusting needs. It dusts special areas of the computer while not damaging it. It can also be used for hard to reach dust in your car, house, etc. I use it sparingly for special applications. - Clean - Compressed Air - Cleaning - Air Duster'

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Battery Tender Jr - battery charger, motorcycle

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I have a special interest car that only gets driven in fair weather 10 times a year. The battery was always low. It was a real pain to get the charger out and hook it up (the battery is under the rear seat) every time I wanted to take it out. Those days are over. With one quick disconnect of this little gem I am on my way in minutes rather than hours. Wish I had bought this a long time ago. I highly recommend it if you have similar circumstances. Deltran 021-0127 Battery Tender Junior 6-Volt .75 Amp Charger

This item charges up your 6 volt batteries just as described without overcharging.

Once a certain voltage is hit (7.6v range), the device cuts off the full charge, and drops down to a float charge (6.7v). This has been verified using a multimeter. The status LED lets you know exactly what's going on.

I purchased the battery tender jr to recharge my daughters 6v battery for her jeep. It seemed to be a reasonable price at $25. As soon a s I got it I read the instructions and plugged it in. No indicator light came on. Not red, not green, not anything. So I left it plugged into the battery and it didn't charge. I contacted Deltran's service department and they treated me like I was an idiot not listening when I told them what steps I took and telling me to retake those steps. Then they "forgot" who I was so I had to start over with the communication and press for a replacement. Deltrans response was for me to pay to ship it - roughly $8 - and include a check for $8 to ship it back to me and maybe they would replace or fix it. Why should I pay almost as much as the new item to get a replacement for your faulty product. Their customer service sucks and I will never deal with them again.

The battery charger and maintainer is a really good addition to my garage. You get three options for hookup and the wires are much heavier than some of the others on the market. My 1930 Model A ford is happy!

Always had good luck with Deltran products. This one is no different. They'll pay for themselves with the batteries that you won't have to buy. My other Deltran charger (12V) has been in my barn for the last 5 years & still works perfectly. 90°F heat with 80% humidity in the summer, to -10°F in the winter ... still going. No chinese junk here!

Keeping the battery minder hooked up all of the time keeps my old tractor ready to crank and work any time she is needed. This is a good product that saves aggravation and the need to jump start my tractor.

This is wonderful...I don't have to worry about my 6 Volt battery getting drained in my Porsche when I go away for business. I just plug it in and leave, when I get back the battery is still charged and ready to go.

With an old car sitting for long periods of time in the garage, I'm never certain, when I get to drive it, whether or not it will start. The Battery Tender fixes that. Now, when I'm ready for a drive so is my car. No half hour effort to get the car going, I just turn the key and drive away. Its the perfect solution.

This is one of the best battey maintainers on the market. I have not had to replace a battery in my riding mower or motorcycle since using battery tenders on them. I would highly recommend them for anyone that has to store their power tools / toys in the winter. - Motorcycle - Battery Charger - Battery Tender - Battery Tender Jr'

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