Saturday, 22 November 2008
Bathroom Decoration - toilet tattoos, bathroom decor
Although I made the cat mad when I took away the fluffy toilet topper, I like the "tattoo" better. It's nicer looking and easy to clean. Placing it on was no trouble and so far haven't had a single problem with it sticking as it should. Toilet Tattoos TT-1014-R Iris Beauty Decorative Applique for Toilet Lid, Round
I was very happy with this toilet tattoo. It went on easily, stays in place, and I can see that removing it and reusing it wouldn't be a problem. It transformed by inexpensive plain white seat into something much more decorative - Toilet Tattoos - Toilet Decoration - Toilet Seat Cover - Bathroom Decor'
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Router Templates - bosch, router
At first glance the Bosch RA 1054 looks unwieldy, complicated and maybe even fragile with multiple poles, thumbsrews, springs and a large dial in the rear. But I must admit that after a thorough review of the owners manual and little pre-marking of my project the performace thus far has been pretty good. I used the guide to cut six mortises in solid maple 3x3 stock for a bed project I'm working on. To be honest, I completely skipped the use of the set-up dial by pre-marking all my mortises directly on the stock, then simply lining up the cuts based on the width of the router bit I was using. During use the guide is stable, with a large and stout edge that worked well with the stock I was routing. Smaller stock may present a different complication. The guide was cake to set up in both the plunge and fixed bases of the Bosch 1617pk I was using (which by the way works like a dream - if only I had gotten the variable speed model!). Downsides so far...no carrying case for the guide which I predict will lead to damage ultimately (remember all the poles, springs dials etc...protruding out) and despite the ample space in the case of the 1617pk router, the guide doesn't fit in there either. Additionally, the guide makes placing the router when not in use a real trick. Due to its size the guide tends to pull the router over if left inverted on the workbench, and tips it forward even if place bit side down. My solution so far is to rest the non-guide half of the entire setup on a piece of 1x stock which works pretty well. Time will tell how well the guide ultimately works with small stock, precise setup requiring the setup dials and the durability of the thing. But for now, it's all I was able to find to work with. Folks at Bosh need to take a look at the new Porter Cable guide. That things looks like a steel I beam, seems simple to use, has one-piece design and appears to be quite sturdy. If Bosch doesn't come to the table with one, maybe an aftermarket maker will. A router the quality of the 1617pk deserves to have accessories of the same quality and build. Overall this is an acceptable edge guide that could be sturdier, simpler and come with a carrying case. Good wood working everyone! Bosch RA1054 Deluxe Router Edge Guide With Dust Extraction Hood & Vacuum Hose Adapter
The unit attaches easily and the micro adjust ( the same as on their 1617EVS router) allow you to get extremely accurate adjustments. It lives up to the High quality of all the other Bosch products I've owned.
Just made a large fluted column with the guide, and it worked very well. The tool has a very large adjustable edge guide for stable contact with the wood edge. The micro-adjustment feature worked very well. Rods are lengthy, so cuts can be made a long distance from the wood edge. With the router attached, it is quite top heavy. I place a wood spacer under the rods when at rest, or else the router will tip over if placed upright. Save the box and use for a case, no case is supplied. Material used could be a little more solid, considering the fairly hefty price.
this little guy is a work horse, it gets used almost every day, very precise. i wish it only came w/ different widths of plastic guide plates the stock ones are too thick for some jobs. it would cut down on the amount of clamping and re-clamping
This product is big and was easy to setup and was a joy to use. We are remodeling our house, I bought this guide to make fluted columns. They turn out beautiful. Anyone who has a Bosch Router has to buy this product. Dennis Hammonds of Dennis Hammonds const.
I have only had a chance to use this edge guide a couple of times, but so far I'm very happy with it. I particularly like the micro-adjust feature, which should come in handy when using bits without bearings. The dust collection seems to work about as well as you can expect it to.
One word of warning ... there are lots of wing screws to tighten before you're ready to tear into your workpiece. I left some loose after an adjustment, and the router predictably went astray, marring the scrap piece I was playing with.
This isn't an inexpensive accessory, but it is full featured, and I feel like I got my money's worth in that it expands the usefulness of my router.
Finally got around to trying this guide out by making some slots for t-track. I maxed out the extension on the guide, the worst case scenario for poor tracking. I was expecting it to rack or twist. I was pleasantly surprised when it just worked. The plastic glides slid smoothly on the edge, the bars didn't rack or twist, it was just smooth sailing. The micro adjust works the same as the base adjustment on my 1617. Only disappointment is the max dept from the edge. I don't know that any of the other guides are better fwiw. - Tools - Woodworking - Bosch - Router'
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Camo
We bought this set as a baby shower gift - usually I receive amazon orders in 3-5 days, but this one took more than a week. It is absolutely gorgeous especially the "boots idea". Very soft cotton. I also liked how well it was packed in box which stated "camo baby" (u can see it on a pic). So no need to buy a gift box.
I wish somebody made such a gift to my son on a baby shower :) Baby Aspen "Big Dreamzzz" Baby Camo Two-Piece Layette Set in "Backpack" Gift Box, Tan
The colors are much more subdued in the photo on-line than what they actually are in person. The dark green is incredibly dark and makes the light green look that much more like chartreuse green. Also, the fabric seems a little more stiff than I would prefer for infant clothing, but I can only assume it is from the dyes. Overall, the product is cute, but not completely what I expected it to be.
I bought this for my newest niece. My boyfriend is in the National Guard and is deploying to Iraq in May. My niece was born in November and is now big enough to wear it to support Uncle Cory. It looks absolutely adorable on her! It came in a little camo box, so I didn't even need to wrap it. Great outfit!'
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Reciprocating Saw Blades - sawzall, demolition
These are the toughest blades I have ever used. I am remodeling an old house. To facilitate installing insulation and wiring I am removing the plaster over plasterboard exterior walls but keeping the ceiling and interior partitions intact. This requires cutting the embedded wire lath corner reinforcement. This task is brutal on blades, a 14 foot long wall requires a cut 30 foot long with the blade plunging past the wire into the supporting wood, not to mention cutting through about 1-1/2" of rock hard plaster/cement.
These blades can take it. They refuse to break. I bend them like a pretzel, lay them on a 2x4, hammer them back straight and continue cutting. I would not have believed this was possible if I had not done it. I don't think you could buy a better blade at any price. Milwaukee 49-22-1129 12-Piece Ultimate Demolition Sawzall Blade Set
Milwaukee makes a great reciprocating saw, and it is known in the trades as a Sawzall. Most people know this, but many might not know they also make great reciprocating saw blades.(They work in all brands of reciprocating saws) As the owner of 6 reciprocating saws, I have used alot of blades. I have come to this conclusion-There are only a handful of good blades out there:Milwaukee is tops, Lennox a close second, and Bosch are Okay if you can find them.
This is a great value for anyone looking for some serious reciprocating saw blades. I purchased these at Home Depot, but they are also available at Amazon for slightly less, but I had a gift card to use up...
Included with this blade set are (2) 5/8 TPI, 6" Ax Super Sawzall Blade, (2) 5/8 TPI, 9" Ax Super Sawzall Blade, (2) 8 TPI 6" Super Sawzall Wrecker Blade (2) 14 TPI 9" Torch Super Sawzall Blade & (4) 14 TPI 6" Torch Super Sawzall Blade, and a Durable Canvas Pouch For Storing blades Between Uses.
The Ax is a great blade for wood cutting applications. It is a thicker blade (.062 vs .035 for most standard blades)that really stands up to cutting the tough stuff. Nail embedded wood is no problem for this bade. It will outlast many other brands due to the extra thickness and bi-metal construction. Having the 2 sizes of this blade is a nice touch. The 9 inch size works well for cutting up bigger lumber, such as headers and railroad ties. For most general demo, the 6 inch blade will be all you need.
The Torch blades are for cutting metal. Again, they are thicker(.045) and taller than the standard blade. These blades were a lifesaver when I took down the old chain link fence around my property and had alot of post to cut into smaller sections to fit in the trash can. Again, you get 2 sizes, 6 and 9 inch.
The wrecker is a crossover blade. It cuts both wood and metal. There is only a 6 inch size of this blade in this kit.
One of the cool things about this kit is the storage pouch. It will easily accept more blades and longer blades as your blade collection increases. I have a pouch that my brother in law gave to me after he used the blades up and I was able to fit 10 12 inch blades in each section. I like that it rolls up securely, and fits nicely in my Sawzall case.
Built like a TANK..Demolition is the correct name..I used Lennox blades in the past. It was time to change blades so I bought the Milwaukee blades. Wow, what a difference, they are built to take it....This will be my blade of choice in the future...Perfect product TOUGH....An easy 5 star rating...
Purchased the blade pack with my saw from Amazon....started demolishing my kitchen (1950's era) which means a mixture of very solid 2x4's and 16d nails under a layer of plaster/rockboard(5/8") as well as solid metal corner supports. These kitchens were well engineered! Anyway, sawing thru this material, I wore out two blades in about 20 minutes of work (maybe 8' of cutting). The teeth were worn off and when I would hit a nail, teeth were actually broken off. Previous reviewers had expressed much better peformance. I will say that I did not expect blades to last long thru this type of use...I just wanted to express a more realistic assessment of their performance.
I purchased this for use with a cordless Ryobi 18V reciprocating saw, and they work fine. I haven't had cause to use the metal or combo blades, but the "Ax" blades have been useful making rough cuts in lumber. I used it several times in constructing a child's play area when I needed to make a large cut in a place too awkward for a circular saw (OK, perhaps not the most professional use of a saw, but it works and leaves a fairly clean cut).
What these blades are not good for is pruning green wood, which as it turns out is what I mainly use my reciprocating saw for. For that, Milwaukee sells packs of an amazingly effective green blade which will zip through living wood with a minimum of vibration.
The hard case the blades come in is adequate, but not a good sorting solution. I would have preferred a soft roll carrying case.
As a professional single family home builder / remodel contractor, I use Milwaukee blades on an almost daily basis. These blades keep straight well, hold an edge for a long time, and cut through just about anything. Pair it with the Milwaukee SuperSawzall, and never look back. Most of the reviews here complaining of short blade life seem to be trying to cut old plaster walls with them, and I agree that this set is not made for that. If you're cutting framing, any kind of wood, including that with nails, use the axe. For metal pipe, I beams, screws, bolts, and other metal, use the Torch. If you need to cut old-style lath and plaster (which is made with cement and sand, not gypsum like today's walls) get a masonry blade or a carbide tipped blade. It is important to have the right tool for the job, and for a lot of jobs, this is it.
I do demolition for a living. Commercial and residential. I've used every saw, and every blade on the market. There are days I use the reciprocating saw all day. The Axe and Torch are the best blades out there. No blade is indestructible and they do wear out eventually, but these blades give you the most for your money. - Demolition - Sawzall Blades - Milwaukee Sawzall - Sawzall'
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Microsoft Office For Mac - microsoft, outlook
In general, I think Office 2011 is a good upgrade to 2008. A lot of the deficiences in Office 2008 have been addressed, and the application is a bit more "mac like".
PROS:
Probably the biggest change people will see out of the gate are interface changes. I think the move to a more "ribbon like" interface was a good one, that helps keep everything you want together (especially on multiple monitors), but the formatting toolbars are still around if you want to back to those.
Help is now Apple help based, all versions support Automator actions, apps are much more friendly to spaces, spotlight and time machine, VBA is back, etc.
Outlook is a great addition if you're connecting your Mac to an Exchange server at work, and is actually pretty decent on it's own. I think I may actually prefer it to Mail.app, but we'll see how my thoughts are over a longer time scale.
CONS:
Office 2011 is now intel only, but considering the fact that Apple has also started dropping PowerPC support, I don't think that's a huge deal.
Licensing has changed for the business version, whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on your situation. Office 2008 let you install a copy on a desktop and a portable computer. Office 2011 now comes in a "1 license" and "2 license" version. If you don't have 2 computers, this might be a positive thing for you, but if you've got a desktop and a laptop, you're probably not too happy about it.
Office 2011 also does require activation, although that's quick and painless. I'm sure some people won't like it though. Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Business 2011 - 1 Pack
Since getting Outlook 2011 is the reason I purchased Office 2011 for the Mac, I'm writing my review only about that component of the suite. I've spent the day using it, and in general, I'm disappointed. While it does look appealing and runs fast, I think Microsoft has slimmed it down too much from Entourage. For example, there is no "resend" option for messages, a feature that I use a lot so that I don't have to copy & paste e-mail that I want to send out to a few people but not as a blind group. Next, while one can still marginally re-configure the toolbar, it's very limited. For example, I find the delete button is in a very awkward position (for me), but I can't move it. And finally, I miss not seeing any feedback while the program is checking for mail (unless you go to the trouble of checking the progress window). I'll spend more time with Outlook, but at this point, I'm seriously considering going back to Entourage. I've never had this experience before with a Microsoft product for the Mac, and I've been using them since they first started making them.
I work at a company where most of us are assigned Lenovo laptops running WinXP, but the clever people use their own Macs. I was part of a small pilot that were assigned Macs, although many of the business apps require a Windows VM to work. I tired of the poor performance of the apps, so I bought my own Windows laptop.
I've always wanted to be able to use the Mac full time, primarily for the coolness factor. But there are so many shortcomings, I just couldn't do it. Even with the arrival of Office 2011, the short battery life (this is a 3-year old MBP) and lack of a right-click button try my patience. I thought that with a new version of Outlook, I might be able to make the switch. However, after using Outlook 2010 for a year now on Windows 7, this Mac version seems like two steps back. Here are a few of my observations:
LIKES
Reading pane in conversation view shows first line of all messages in conversation (mail)
DISLIKES
No OneNote (global)
No side-by-side calendar (calendar)
No auto-population of shared calendars and calendar hierarchy (calendar)
No drag and drop of emails to calendar (mail/calendar)
No business card view (contacts)
No folder view (global)
No icon view; weird since this is the default view for many Mac things (notes)
Can't distinguish between new emails and replies for auto-signature (preferences)
Can't open two windows, e.g., Calendar on one screen, Inbox on another (global)
Long story short, my PC kept giving me uber migraine sized headaches. After two months and 2 heat syncs, 1 motherboard with chip set and a new hard drive I had enough. Since my iPhone was so well designed and user friendly I decided to check out a Mac before getting another WinTel system.
I loved my Mac in college, but back in the day it wasn't so hot for business. Anyway, things sure have changed. But I still needed to communicate and collaborate with non-Apple users and I didn't want to spend a minute learning a new word processing, spreadsheet or slide show suite. So I read up on Office 2008 for Mac and downloaded the trial. It was pretty good. As Office 2011 was due out in 3 weeks from my trial, I decided to hold off on buying Office 2008. Overall, Office 2008 for Mac would get 4 out of 5 stars but it lacked Outlook and that was critical for me. Entourage was good but it was no Outlook Professional. With Outlook being included in Office 2011 for Mac I went ahead and got it. So what is great about it? Well from a recent convert to Mac from a PC here is my take:
1. It feels like Apple minded developers built it - not like it was built on DOS/Windows and converted for a Mac OS. It feels very much like it belongs on a Mac but it also retains a solid core of what made it effective on a Windows OS. It is the best of both worlds in my opinion.
2. It loads faster than the Window version and is way more stable. Not one crash or freeze despite maxing out multiple applications at once.
3. I really like the templates that are provided for each program. The developers really did a good job.
4. Microsoft had better do as good a job with their next version of Office for Windows or they may have a rebellion on their hands. But seriously, Microsoft's Mac team should really be congratulated on a job well done.
5. It is more intuitive on the Mac in many ways than it is on a PC.
6. It is great to create a spreadsheet or document and be able to e-mail it to my PC/Windows colleagues and not have to worry about conversion issues or what format to save the documents in.
7. And with Amazon's amazing price, I say buy it!
While iWorks is highly rated and Apple die hards say it is better (and I can't disagree as I have never tried it), I am very happy with Office 2011 for Mac. It works as though Steve snuck into Redmond one night and decided to tweak Office to be great on a Mac. - Microsoft - Outlook - Microsoft Office - Mac'
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Circuit Training - boxing, boxing timer
The timer works as advertised. Pretty convenient in the fact that it can go up to 90 mins for training intervals. If you are planning to attach it to yourself, you may need to find a way to comfortably use it in that fashion. It would be nice if the volume of the tones could be increased or decreased in order to hear over music, outside noise, or indoor meditation practices. Otherwise, it is a good timer for various "interval" routines. Interval Workout Timer TMR05-G Grey LOUD with VOLUME control: Boxing, Wrestling, Martial Arts, MMA, HIIT, Endurance, Strength, Fitness
This timer is just okay. It works well ONCE you get it setup. Setup is somewhat quirky and the short instructions on top of the timer (by the on/off switch) are easier to understand than the manual. To get this thing setup is a pain. The arrows say up and down but they only go up so if you miss your second, you have to cyle through. If you accidentally miss your minute, you might as well turn it off and back on. You have to set this thing up after EVERY time you power it on.
Once it is setup for your intervals it's good to go. I'd say it's fairly loud but for a device this size I was disappointed that that the beeper was not louder. I just ordered a GymbossCG2009 we'll see if it's any better.
To sum up: The setup gets 2 stars, the functionality/operation once it's going gets 4 stars. It's definitely usable and it definitely helps with interval circuits it's just the dumb setup that brings this device rating down...
There's nothing overly fancy about this product, but the key factor is that it works exactly as intended. I use it to help me with circuit training, where I have 20 exercises and want to work out for 60 seconds then have 30 seconds break.
It is easy to program the unit to control number of reps, timer for workout and timer for rest. The alarm is loud (and can be disabled), and the flashing light is bright.
This timer attaches easily to the wall.
Usefulness and sturdiness are only beneficial features if you can get the item in question to work...if you can't program it, it doesn't matter how useful, sturdy or long-lasting it is, you still won't be able to use it. As far as I can tell, this timer works very well once you get it programmed, but the directions to program it are, well, not terribly user friendly. Once we got the programming figured out, it worked fine. Although having to completely take it apart with a screwdriver just to change the battery is also a bit awkward and cumbersome.
In an attempt to eliminate the frustrations of others who may purchase this timer, I am adding the instructions that I came up with for my fiancé to use with this timer.
First, a note, to get the MINUTES OR SECONDS TO GO DOWN, you must hold the (Start/Stop) button at the same time that you are pressing the (Min) or (Sec) button. Needlessly complicated? Yes, but apparently the creator of this device didn't think so.
Next, to SET INTERVAL USE, follow these directions:
1. Press (#), use the (Min) or (Sec) buttons to set the number of intervals, press (#) again, then press (My Time). Intervals are now set.
2. Press (T1), use the (Min) or (Sec) buttons to set your first time - we used this for our workout/round time, press (T1) again, then press (My Time). Time one is now set.
3. Press (T2), use the (Min) or (Sec) buttons to set your second time - we used this for our rest time, press (T2) again, then press (My Time). Time two is now set.
4. Press (#) to use interval use, then press (Start/Stop) to begin your interval workout.
The timer will complete time one, give a series of beeps/flashes, then move on to time two, after which it will beep/flash and display the interval number you are on before cycling back to time one (this will repeat for however many intervals you programmed it for).
Overall, not the most user-friendly device, but probably not so bad that it can't be used (although possibly overpriced for how awkward/quirky the entire thing is - especially the directions). Although, honestly, once it's programmed it seems fine, plus it's nice and loud and flashes to get your attention when you're time(s) are finished.
I love this timer! Once you figure out how to use it, which doesn't take too much effort, it's great. The buttons are laid out clearly and works great. It is also loud. Something useful when using it in a gym full of music and people punching and kicking things. My only complaint is the version I had couldn't go backwards when you are setting it. So if you miss your mark, you have to go to 99 in the minutes column and then back to your mark. (They may have changed that in later versions, though.) Also, it's not easy to change the battery. The battery lasts a long time, but you have to unscrew the whole unit face plate with a screwdriver to change it. This is a very sturdy timer, though. For the money and for what it does and is, a great buy.
In my Muay Thai training, I set it in interval mode for 5 3min rounds, 30 sec rests. It will count off the round, buzz where it displays the round finished, count off the 30sec rest period and buzz again. The process is completed until the final 30sec (after round 5 in this case) is complete and it buzzes several times to indicate the cycle is completed. The round number is only displayed for 1 sec at the end of the round, so if your focus is on the bag (I guess that is where it should be) and not the timer you will not see the round number. This is the only drawback I noted, so mentally I keep tract of the round number. It would be nice to hold the round number perhaps for 5 sec as the countdown continues for the rest cycle in the background. I noticed some reviews indicated difficulty to decrease the time setting ....you need to hold 2 buttons down simultaneously (this is noted in the instruction sheet but could be missed if read quickly) and this function will work fine. On the whole it is a very good product...I would purchase this again as a consumer. - Boxing Timer - Accessories - Boxing - Interval Training'
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Finish Nailer - cordless nailer, finish nailers
So glad I decided to give this gun a go! I've been using Paslode finishers for a while now and needed a new one. This bostitch was cheaper, which made me have my doubts. They were quickly put to rest when the gun turned up. So light, well designed, small batteries, so much quieter than the paslodes. I thought maybe because the gun is physically smaller as well (only by a small amount) that it would lack the power to drive nails all day. Once again I was mistaken. Bostitch have a very good reputation over here in Australia which is why I got it and it has far exceeded anything I expected. The nails are easy to find also as they are a common size. Well done Bostitch, I'll be sticking with it from now on. Bostitch GFN1564K 15-Guage Cordless Angled FN Finish Nailer - Finish Nailers - Cordless Nailer - Finish Nailer'
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Printer Paper - photography, canon
This Pro Photo Paper is the best I have ever used. I have a lot to do with photography and the pictures I print on this paper to use in my portfolio is amazing. There is no finer photo paper!! If you want the best looking pictures this is hands down the best paper to show off your work, or just to have photos hanging around on your walls. Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum, 8 x 10 Inches, 20 Sheets (2768B019)
I've been using Canon paper exclusively for several years ... pretty much a consistent amount, consistent pattern of usage. Never had anything but PERFECT results; I've encouraged everyone I know to stick with Canon. BUT... it's all been the paper in the red-and-white packaging. I've used several KINDS of paper, too ... Photo Paper Pro, Photo Paper Plus, both glossy and matte, different sizes.
I recently got my first supply of the new "Pro Platinum" in the black sleeve. As with all Canon paper, the print is superlative. But after a few days in the printer's input tray, the paper curled up SO badly that I cannot even use it. I don't believe it's a humidity problem ... this is the same office and the same environment that literally THOUSANDS of other sheets of Canon paper have survived without any problem, whatsoever.
I have used several different Canon photo papers during the years that I have had my Canon Pixima MP510, always looking for what seemed to be the best value considering both price and quality of the prints. I will be looking no longer. The first thing I noticed when the paper arrived was how heavy the packages of 20 sheets were compared with the other papers I have used. The weight difference was confirmed when I looked at a package of Canon Photo Paper Plus, the paper I have been using. According to the information on the package the weight of the Photo Plus paper is 69 pounds whereas the weight on this paper, the Canon Pro Platinum paper, is 80 pounds.
Not being sure what weight difference contributed to the quality of a print, I did a Google search fir information, learning that: "Thicker papers hold up well when there is heavy ink coverage. For full color photos from your desktop, thicker inkjet photo papers are best."
My Canon printer handled the heavier paper without difficulty and I would expect other Canon inkjet printers to do the same.
Also, "heavier, thicker papers feel more substantial and can lend visual weight to a project".
The main test, of course, is how the prints look, and on that score, I could not be more satisfied. I am also pleasantly surprised at how fast the ink seems to dry on this paper, giving the print a finished look almost immediately.
I'll never go to a photo lab again. Printing on this paper produces nice sharp colorful glossy images. I'm using this paper with a Canon Pixma Pro9000 MkII printer and the results are much better than any glossy prints ordered from a photo lab. The blacks are super-black, and the colors are vibrant. I've also ordered the 19x13 and 4x6 Pro Platinum paper and the quality is very consistent. I haven't used this paper with any other printers yet, but I can tell you that if you have a decent quality printer, you will love printing to this paper.
I've tried many of Canon's photo paper (from glossy to matte). This is the best beyond a doubt. Superior quality. Very clear with excellent contrast. So far colors haven't bled or even slightly smudged. Truly professional photo paper that will make your photos look incredible. Highly recommend.
I am using an Epson 1800. This is one of the best papers I have used including Epson's high end papers. The color reproduction is excellent. Crisp images with no noticeable bleeding. Very pleased with the quality of this product. I often have found it on lighting deals.
I was skeptical about buying top end photo paper. I had gotten some cheap glossy paper ( Kodak ) 3 stars and my pictures were coming out terrible, blurry, and the colors were off. I thought I had gotten a bad printer, or perhaps I wasnt fine tuning my pictures for the best print. Nope, it was all about the paper. I have a Canon printer and saw this paper. I was shocked at how expensive it seemed but I said I had some very precious images to print and lets see how it goes. I could not be more happy. As I said in the title, you go from simply printing photos to developing them. They turn into works of art, the color, the quality, its all enhanced by this paper. I love it and I would highly recommend it. Especially if you are doing a special photo print.
This is another excellent product from Canon. It produces vibrant color and excellent results. I have used this product printing on a Canon Pro9000MkII printer and it has met all of my expectations. Amazon provides best prices on this product and as always fast service.
Not a bad product. I'm using the PRO 9000 and also used Kodak Ultra and really don't see much difference. I'm giving this a 4 out of 5 because it does perform well, providing very good color contract and color absorbtion.
While the Kodak is about the same any easy to find locally, I will be staying with the Canon to keep continuity. - Canon Paper - Canon - Photography - Photo Paper'
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Frame-mounted Pumps - frame-mounted pumps, topeak
I bought this pump after looking at the advice on [...]. I've pumped up to 85psi, and could have probably gone higher. It does get harder to pump as you get in the higher pressure ranges, of course, and I don't know how my strength compares to potential purchasers, but I guess it would be important to know that you do have to push hard, and I'm a 48-yr old, 260 lb guy who enjoys weightlifting. I'm not saying it's excessively tough, and I cannot make a comparison to other pumps. I'm simply trying to make everyone aware of what to expect. For me, I think it's great.
I really appreciated all the extra features:
1) the flexible hose makes it easy to pump without worrying about stressing the valve
2)the pressure gauge prevents you from losing pressure when you take off the pump, check pressure with a separate guage, put the pump back on, take it off again to check pressure, etc. You just pump up to the desired pressure and you're done!
3) the fold out handle and foot stabilizer helps you get up to the higher pressures more easily.
I like it. My only recommedations for a better design would be a longer foot stabilizer (I have size 13 feet), an easier to read pressure gauge (as I said, I'm 48, so my eyes ain't so good anymore!), and better directions (virtually non-existent documentation -- I know we're talking about an air pump here, but since I hadn't ridden in a long time until we started bike-training for a 160 mile ride I wasn't "pump-savvy." I thought you should have the lever in the "up" position to put it on the valve, and push it down to secure it when pumping. Turns out it's the opposite!) Topeak Turbo Morph Bike Pump with Gauge
I bought this pump just prior to riding in the 2006 MS150 City-to-Shore Bicycle Tour (from Cherry Hill, NJ to Ocean City, NJ and back), a tour in which I experienced two flats on the first day. New Jersey has lots of glass on its highways, and a rainy start made said glass stick to tires and work its way in.
This pump performed exactly as advertised. It has a fold-out "foot" so it operates like a floor pump, and its integrated gauge worked perfectly. I easily achieved 95 lbs. of pressure. Good pump. Buy it with confidence.
I have use this only on the road when no other air source is available, and that is when it is at it's best. It will take you up over 100psi, but you will need to be well winded, it will take lots of pumping to get there and the last 10 or so pumps will be tough. The flip out handle is a good feature and necessary; when you pump above 70 PSI you will need that handle to spread the pressure on your hand. My hands are huge and find the fold out just barely adequate. Gauge is handy, but not accurate enough to get you within 5 PSI with any certainty. The fold out foot peg is great, it does keep the pump from pogo-ing. Use care, much of contruction is flimsy plastic and wouldn't take much to break. Excellent lightweight pump to carry on-board bike, but definitely not a a substitute for a hand pump back in garage.
I still use the first edition of this pump, the "master blaster w/gauge", on my commuting bike. It has seen me through 20,000 bicycle miles, 44 countries, 10 years of bicycle commuting, and MANY flats like a true champ.
The foot flap, the handle that turns to 90 degrees for pumping, and the gauge make this pump the next best thing to having an actual floor pump strapped to your back the moment you need it out on the road. The better gauge and "turbo" pumping on this new one are awesome. I carry it on my racing and touring bikes. It makes achieving the higher pressures in those tires much easier, and the gauge is more precise and much easier to see.
I own three versions of this pump, and I use them all. After much frustration with other pumps, I swear by this pump. It delivers. I have pitched all the other useless and ineffective ones that I purchased prior. This latest version is definitely worth the few extra dollars to get the top of the line features. It is lighter, faster, and more precise. Any of the versions are good, though. Like I said above, I still use my 10 years old one to fix those frustrating, half way home, and of course always in the dark and raining commuting flats, and it works just fine.
Happy cycling!! :)
Nice pump the gauge is a plus you can get the rite psi without going back and forth.It can inflate a tube pretty fast untill you get up around 65 psi it does become a job but you wont be there the whole day cursing.The floor stand is not even worth putting on the pump, sorry again if you want to make something sturdy try using metal not a tab of plastic.Great pump other wise thank you topeak and amazon for fast service.
i gave this pump a 4 because i have not had it long enough to test its durability and i think the foot stand is flimsy....But over all this pump is great...dosent take long to fill a tire, the hose makes it a lot easyer to pump being that you dont have to hold the pump and bike wheel to keep a good seal whyll pumping.... and then of course the presure gage is sweet so you can hit the right presure every time.....i say get it
I had opportunity to give this pump a very thorough test one week after I bought it from Amazon. While on a long ride I experienced three blow outs within 12 miles of a 67 mile ride. After the third blow out I discovered the cause for this very frustrating occurrence. A small slit in the side wall of the rear tire causing the tube to be exposed. After applying a tire patch inside the tire over this slit I made it home without further incidence. Each time the pump worked very well to bring the tire up to pressure. It required 150 pumps to bring the 26 X 1 1/4 inch tire up to 100 psi. The first 80 pumps I could comfortably do kneeling with one hand after which the next 70 pumps where then easily accomplished while standing using the handy foot pad and applying my body weight. Some criticize the fold down foot pad to be flimsy but I found it to be antiquate and do just what it is intended to do, hold the pump in place. The dial gauge is spot on accurate which I tested at home with a tire gauge. When removing the head from the valve after pumping I didn't have any problems losing air pressure like someone else stated. The pump mounts nicely on top of the frame of my Bacchetta Giro 20 recumbent. I also love the rubber hose. No struggling with the wheel or stressing out the tire valve. I'm so glad that I had this pump instead of the Co2 inflator that I used to carry. I would have been out of luck after the second flat as the three cylinders that I carried would only fill two tires. The pump never runs out of air. And it really doesn't take that long to fill a tire. Also I like that there is less stuff I need to carry around. Three or more Co2 cylinders, cylinder valve head, and tire gauge. - Frame-mounted Pumps - Gauge - Frame Mounted Pump - Topeak'
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