Guy Low Price Electronic: 10 Dec 2008

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Baby Proofing - baby-proofing, door

This is my first ever review on Amazon. I'm only writing because people need to be aware of the type of doorframe that will not accomodate this lock. This is a great item, but before you buy, please examine your doorframe. There is a narrow strip of wood that your door hits and pushes against when you close your door. (about 1/4") Look on the backside of this strip. If it is flat, i.e. parallel to the door (when it is closed), then you are OK to use this device. However, if it is more decorative with a bevelled edge, the door stop on this device will just slide over this narrow strip and the door will always open and be useless. This is hard to describe.

In order to get this to work for me, I need to find a narrow square dowel if wood (about 1/4" X 1/4" X 3-4"long) and nail it to the doorframe so that this device will pull against it and prevent the door from opening. My other option is to chisel out a section of the bevelled edge so that the door stop won't slide over it.

Also, please note that the door will only close completely if you have enough of a gap between your door edge and your doorframe to accomodate the width of the device. You need about 1/8" minimum. Otherwise, the door will always be open, or you will constantly "rub" the frame and put stress on the door hinges, just to close the door properly.

Someone also had a question about about whether or not you can have the lock such that a toddler cannot open the door at all, or does it only allow the door to be opened a few inches at minimum. My answer is that the door must have some "play" in it so that an adult can disengage it. It is impossible to have the door not open at all when a child twists the knob.

I will say that I think this is a good device but it has its drawbacks.

1. It will not work on some doorframes without modifications.

2. It may not allow your door to close "all the way" to the point where the knob latch engages into the frame.

3. If you must have your door completely, or near completely closed, and just want to prevent the child from fully opening the door, you run the risk of your child smashing their fingers. (There is a way to partially get around this, but it depends on measurements of your frame and pushing the gray latch in such a way that it still springs out when the door is opened)

4. The only real way both prevent the child from fully opening the door, AND prevent from smashing fingers is to always have the door partially open a few inches.

5. There is no way to prevent the door from not being opened at all.

Think of this item like one of the cabinet and drawer latches that you screw or stick on. The ones that come in two pieces. One that you put on the door and the other that screws to the cabnet frame. The child can pull on the door and the device on the door "catches" the device on the frame such that the child cannot open the door any further.

[...] Child Safety Latches, 12 Pack

If an adult wants to open the cabinet, you just push down on the spring loaded portion on the door to disengage it. You ever notice that your child can smash his/her fingers?

Then they came out with one that reaches a threshold beyond which the door cannot close any further.

Mommy's Helper Safe-Lok Cabinet Door and Drawer Lock

This lock is not designed for this, but if you carefully push in the gray bar without it "clicking" in place, you can get a similar effect. See #3 above.

This is a similar concept just that this door lock does not have two peices. You must have a doorframe that provides the "catch" portion of the lock. If not, you have to make you own "catch" like I have to.

I hope this review helps. Safety 1st Prograde No Drill Top Of Door Lock

This item clamps on your door and is tightened with an allen wrench (included). When the safety catch is engaged, the door cannot be fully closed (this prevents pinched fingers and allows the door to be opened from either side). It stays cracked open (maybe 2 inches) and offers just a short amount of travel. That may be annoying at first as your little one tries to swing the door back and forth, but they will probably tire of it quickly since they can do no more than get a hand through the opening. Safety catch can be easily disengaged when you want to close the door completely. Not ideal for all situations, but works for me (I have it on a laundry room door that provides access to the garage).

We bought this because our toddler kept going into the pantry. We put this lock on the door and it works great! The only problem with it is that sometimes when you're closing the door, the lock will catch and you can't close the door all the way. Then you have to push the gray mechanism and the door shuts easily. I would definitely buy this again.

I just installed this and it took all of 2 minutes. It works great. No drilling required. I like the ability to disengage the lock when my toddler isn't around. I like the feature that prevents the door from closing via the pinch guard. however this needs to be engaged manually. This is good if i were using this on a room door that requires access from both sides but i am using this for a pantry door so i would prefer an automatic spring feature on the pinch guard. Other than that I am pretty happy with this so far.

We bought this device because we wanted to prevent our daughter from jamming her fingers as she is learning how to close doors on us... turns out this product is really a door lock that allows a gap (not fully closed and still unable to open the door fully). My fault for not reading correctly, but i will review the product for others to benefit.

From the one stock photo it was hard to tell how this functioned, refer to the additional pictures I posted for more info.

First of all, this thing is big. I actually want to say huge.

It is unsightly, and though it "folds" away to be non-operational it is still an ugly sight IMO.

The construction seems sufficient for a child prevention device, but this is by no means a security device and is not made of such kinds of materials.

Now on to describing how it works...

The latch actually clamps onto the door and is held in place by using the allen wrench provided to tighten the clamp.

With the arm moved into position to function as intended, attempting to close the door results in a latch resting on the door jam preventing closure on precious little fingers - perfect.

However, attempting to then pull the door back open results in the other side of the device resting on the door jam preventing you from opening the door - not perfect.

What you are left with is a door that can't open past 3 inches, and wont close. It is locked in this manner until an adult is summoned by the helpless cries of their child locked in/out of a room. This is not really what we wanted.

If it were an ideal solution it would prevent full closure, but allow the door to be fully opened.

The configuration of this device will not allow such functionality.

Of note, another reviewer discussed the type of door jam you need for this to work, it worked with mine, refer to the pics posted to see if yours resembles my door jam.

Also, the gap between the closed door and the door frame should be at least 1/8'th inch, as the device takes up that space and may cause the door to be harder to close completely shut (if at all), and may cause the actual door latch to not fully engage without a firm push on the door handle.

As this does not fit our needs, i am returning it, but may work for your needs.

Rated good for the intended functionality, ease of install, non-permanent nature, and finger jamming prevention. - Baby Proofing - Baby-proofing - Door - Door Lock'

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bathroom sink faucets - bathroom sink faucets

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I can't believe the high quality of this faucet - esp for the price. I ordered two, matched them up with glass vessel sinks, and they look and work great. One note: The waterfall is a pretty large volume of water, you can set it on a trickle but the water goes straight down from there and this faucet doesn't overhang the sink by much. The packaging was great, it was two boxes in another box with bubble-wrap and a fabric bag around each faucet. Doesn't come with any instructions, but it's designed to fit a 1 1/2 inch hole, and the included mounting hardware works fine.

One-handed operation works really well, good positive shut-off. I'm very happy with these, and everyone who sees them admires them. Euro Modern Contemporary Waterfall Bathroom Lavatory Vanity Vessel Sink Faucet Tall Brushed Nickel

When we added a bathroom to our home, we put in a stone vessel sink and after doing quite a bit of research, decided to purchase this faucet. It was exactly the right size for our 6 1/2" inch high round vessel sink and the waterfall affect is really nice. The finish is good, looks to be of good quality and was easy to install. No regrets whatsoever. Highly recommend this product.

The faucet is not bad but we underestimated the amount of water that comes from it. It splashes everywhere around our gorgeous but shallow granite sink. It is even worse when we open it just a little bit. Our remodel took too long and we cannot return either any more so we are stuck with the problem. If you want this faucet, don't repeat our mistake, get a deep sink.

Faucet is of good quality. Includes standard US fittings; used it to replace an existing faucet and was able to connect it easily without the need to purchase any additional fittings. Instructions are sparse, which is not a problem if you are knowledgeable about plumbing installations. It should have stated that it needs a 1 5/8 inch diameter hole for installation (I drilled a 1 1/2 inch hole in the granite surface I was installing it in, and had to enlarge the hole). Recommended.

I would recommend this faucet to anyone who is looking for a stylish addition to the bathroom that will make your guests envious :) Very good quality, looks exactly like described and shown on the picture, great product overall!

I wanted a single handle faucet for my vessel sink. Looked high and low and finally decided on this one. The body of the faucet is thicker than I expected, but actually was perfect for the sink. Anything less substantial would not look quite right. The handle is easy to control. The finish is beautiful. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Very nice and elegant look. Easy to install. So maybe I had an isolated incident? However, the inside of the heavy base of this faucet rusted out and now water gushed underneath my wall mounted vanity. I am currently in the process of figuring out what to do next and decided to take the time and write my experience. If you still purchase this product,you will love the look and functionality of it... if it doesnt rust and break like mine...

This faucet is beautiful at a great price!! When I opened the box I expected a thin faucet and there it was this big beautiful faucet that looks perfect with my vessel sink. I would definitely recommend this faucet to anyone.

Love this faucet. It catches a lot of attention. It is much larger than I expected, but it fits our vessel sink nicely. A couple of things I don't like; toothpaste seems to stain the finish. I haven't found a product yet to fix that, so there are dark stains on it from where toothpaste has sat on it for a few hours. Also, it is not a water saver. Turned on fully, a lot of water comes out, so with my young children using it we have a lot of wasted water. The water coming out is really cool though - a waterfall! Overall pretty happy with my purchase, especially if I can find a product to remove the stains. - Bathroom Sink Faucets'

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Childrens Costumes - accessories, scarf

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I was at first sceptical about buying this scarf because you really don't know what you're getting. But its beautifully made, looks just like the scarfs worn by the Griffindor House students! It's made of wool, fine detail, especially the house crest; it's warm, and so can be worn throughout the winter. I bought it for Halloween and have to say that it added a special touch to my costume; got lots of compliments considering I went to the Halloween Parade in the Village in NY, and there were lots of Griffindor students. So if you're thinking about buying a griffindor scarf, this one is the one to get. Oh and I ordered it three days before Halloween & received it promptly; well packaged. Great Amazon service. Harry Potter Gryffindor House Scarf (Purple & Gold)

i don't know why this is listed as a toy. It's actually a pretty nice scarf. It's long, long enough to drag the floor on a child like in the movies. I'm an adult and I bought it because I couldn't find a scarf in those colors ( plus, I do love Harry Potter ). It's wool, it's long, it keeps my neck warm - I'm happy with it.

No more anticipation as to whether the school bullies will notice that i am there, now i have this awesome scarf that screams "hit me!", and boy do they ever. This scarf has saved me loads of stress, now i do not have to deal with the emotional trauma of not knowing when the first blow will be delivered by the school yard bully, i know i will always be first on his agenda. Even the girl bullies are starting to catch on! This scarf is also durable! I have been whipped around by it on numerous occasions and it only has a little tear near the tag and to be fair that was done by Joanie, she is massive.

I was looking for a Gryddindor and Slytherin scarf as a gift for a while. Many are overpriced and even more are poor quality. This scarf is a good median price and is proper quality. This is not a flimsy costume scarf like so many other imitations. It's warm, soft, and the crest is well-crafted and sewn in (rather than cheaply printed atop).

I am very pleased with this scarf. It came fast, a couple day's earlier then it was predicted to. It's very durable material and it's a great length. The material allows it to serve as not only a costume scarf, but part of your winter wardrobe. The colors are fantastic, i expected it to be purple like in the picture but when it arrived its more maroon so it's just as a Gryffindor scarf should be. The itchyness is to be expected, considering the material but it didn't bother me at all. I'd rather have a somewhat itchy scarf made out of warm, durable material then a cheap one. If your thinking about buying this, go for it. It's deffinitely worth it.

I love it! It is made of wool so it was a little itchy, but that's okay. Once I started wearing it more often, I didn't feel the itchyness anymore. Plus it'll keep me warmer in the winter :)

I don't know why this is listed as a toy though, it made me think that the quality would be poor (which it isn't).

I was a little skeptical about the scarf but read some of the reviews. I've seen some of the Harry Potter scarves in Halloween stores and the quality is very poor. I was very surprised when this came in. The quality and the look was really worth it! - Scarf - Accessories - Gryffindor - Scarves'

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Hidden Elastic - hidden elastic, expandable waist

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These pants keep their color and come out of the dryer ready to wear. The fit is great. The flat front is very stylish and the 100% cotton is so comfortable. I stocked up on them for my man. I just hope he can maintain his current size. These pants look great on him! Savane Men's Flat Front Deep Dye Twill Pant,Black,36W 32L

Nice pants, besides a little ironing now and then they look good on the person intended for and give a touch of class. Would recommend these pants to anyone seeking a decent, well fitting pair of pants. 4 Stars.

I bought these to replace a pair of Jos. A Bank flat front khakis that frayed around the hem shockingly soon after I bought them. I wanted to update my look abit, as a sort of camophlage. I am happy with the fit, although they are tighter than I am used to. Let's see how long they last.

The pants have been great. The fit of the pants run true to the size and look very nice for office wear. My husband has a few pairs made by Savane because they fit the best, look nice, and they are hard wearing. He has had some for a couple of years and they all still look good.

These pants look great on and wash up so well. No ironing needed. The weight is perfect. Not too thick or thin. Several pairs were purchased for my husband and three teenagers. The fit was great on every one of them. The price was nice too. I believe these pants will hold up for many years. I will definitely buy these again when we need more sizes.

This pair of pants was exactly as stated and so easy to purchase. The size I need is not always available at the store and ordering on-line saved a trip to the store, which can take nearly all day. I was very pleased upon arrival. - Pants - Dockers - Hidden Elastic - Expandable Waist'

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Strength Training - fitness, p90x

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These things are more effective and better made than I expected. As a pastor in my late 50's, I don't get a lot of exercise, nor do I have a lot of extra time or money. I wanted something small and inexpensive - not a weight machine that I would have to set up in the basement. My wife suggested exercise bands. After a quick review, I determined that 1) I needed a complete set to have enough for a good workout, 2) they had to me made well (many reviews complained about weak stitching and other failures). BMP's "new and improved" set (that included a Door Anchor - which I use in about half the exercises I do) seemed like the best choice.

As a former engineer, I look closely at design, workmanship and quality of materials. I have not seen other brands up close, but I am very impressed with this set from BMP. The straps connecting the handles to the bands are made of heavy "ballistic nylon", with an extra piece added to double the thickness where the heavy duty metal grommet is located. To keep the bands from pulling through the grommet, they appear to have something like a large ball-shaped bead over the tubing with a tough rubber sleeve over that - a very nice design. The handles have a somewhat thin, but comfortable padding. The clips that attach the bands to the handle are heavy-duty and easy to clip with a single motion.

Before my first workout, I tried each exercise to determine what band combination I would need. I then ordered my workout to somewhat minimize the number of band changes -- but I was surprised how quickly I could change them out. I was also pleased with the variety and quality of the exercises - I thought bands would be a poor substitute for machines and free weights, but in many ways I find bands to be better - especially compared to the kind of machines you can afford for home.

One of the things I found to be lacking with the BMP set was exercise instructions - they only have six exercises. If they just printed one more double-sided piece of paper they could have added an additional 12 exercised. So I found a good small booklet - "The Great Stretch Tubing Handbook" for $8.95. Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set with Door Anchor, Ankle Strap, Exercise Chart, and Resistance Band Carrying Case

Compared with other resistance band products selling, this band definitely is superior in both quality and strength. I'm a pretty fit guy, and sometimes when I use other bands, I'm scared that some part of the band is going to break if I'm too hard on them. With these bands, I'm sure that I can go as hard as I can, and the integrity of the bands will not be compromised.

The design is overall better. The plastic in the handle is thicker, ensuring that will not break. In addition, the other weak point of the band between the clip and the actual colored band is enforced with a ball-type system, which is also superior to other designs.

If you are planning on using bands for high intensity workouts like P90x, these bands cannot go wrong. Having used other multi-colored bands for sports like wrestling and soccer, I can say that these are the highest quality bands that I've used.

I have recently started the P90x system, and required these resistance bands for the program. I have shopped around and priced these things all over, and these are the least expensive by far... especially considering the quality and the included door anchor, leg strap, and the fact that these bands are stackable meaning it will be a long time before you max out on these things. The materials are of high quality. The metal rings are of good construction and the metal clips are thick sturdy metal. the handles are made of high grade nylon webbing and are very strong, the handles have foam grips that are very comfortable to use. The included bag makes taking your stretchy gym everywhere you go very convenient.

Was looking for exercise bands to use with P90X rather than buying a complete dumbbell set. I'm very happy with this product. I don't seem to use the yellow and blue bands at all since they don't provide very much resistance. The other bands get used and work well. I like the fact that the bands have clips for the handles. I bought an extra set of handles to avoid having to swap out frequently between exercises. As it turns out, a lot of times when I'm working a smaller muscle group with a single band, I won't even use the handle -- I'll just grab the end of the band near the attachment. I also really like the fact that it's easy to combine the bands to increase the weight. I haven't used the ankle strap and I'm not sure if I ever will. I have used the door attachment and it works well when used as instructed. I think I'll attach a carabiner to the closed nylon loop on the door attachment which will make it even easier to use.Overall, this is a great product. Very pleased.

I purchased these resistance bands about 5 weeks ago for use with P90x. I required an affordable and convenient way to easily move workout equipment from one room to another. These resistance bands achieve that requirement. From a product perspective I have been extremely impressed with overall quality and performance of the bands. A really nice feature of these bands is the ability to add multiple bands for additional resistance to one handle using the clips. The clips are great for ease of transition to different resistance bands, however if you are trying to do Lawnmowers or Heave Pants the additional 3-4 inches the clip extends the handle limits your range of motion.Overall I am happy with my purchase and the overall quality of this product. I would definitely purchase this product from this company again.

I don't often write reviews, but a month in and I love this product. I was going to go to my local sporting goods store and buy a resistance band. Then I started to look into it, and the cost of getting them in multiple "weights" added up quick. This system has the ability to be quickly tailored to difference resistance levels 'on the fly', and comes in a nice compact carry-bag. Loved it so much I bought it for a family member as a gift! - P90x - Fitness - Exercise - Exercise Bands'

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Okuma

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This is one of the finest reels I have bought in recent years. Right out of the box I was impressed with the smooth action and sturdy craftmanship. I originally bought this reel for my son since his saltwwater Shakespear couldn't handle the saltwater, but after seeing the reel, I ordered one for myself as well. I was afraid the reel might be to small for the Snook, Redfish, and Trout we regulary fish, but after seeing the reel firsthand I have no fear and I would even use it for tarpon. Another great feature is the fact the reel only weighs 16 ounces, but it is definately built strong. The baitrunner switch is an awesome feature that allows for my son to set his pole down without fear of losing it to a big hit. The feature works by freeing the spool, but it still has enough tension to tighten the line and it is adjustable. The other nice thing is that it clicks as the line goes out, so you hear the fish testing out your bait before the big hit. This feature is a definite plus if you do any bridge, beach, or pier fishing. We will be testing it out again this weekend at Matlacha Pass and I am hoping that my Okuma comes in before then. I would definately reccomend this reel to anyone fishing saltwater or even fresh water.Okuma Avenger ABF40 Baitfeeder Spinning Reel. Okuma ABF-30 Avenger Baitfeeder Spinning Reel (10lb/180yd)

ABF-90 has the biggest spinning reel spool on the market PERIOD! I have this reel for a year now, and in only used in saltwater here in FL. My biggest catch on it was a loggerhead turtle with an impressive size of a jetski - over 200lbs easy! It was a hole pier fishing show when hocked, and the fight was on for an hour straight. Many people that looked at my setup said that the real will broke or that the rod will snap - non of that happened. It toked two people to fight it, and finally we release the beast after bringing next to the pier. My setup was Okuma ABF-90 with 30 Lbs braided line, and 15Ft SLS1503MHFS daiwa surf rod. This setup also got me a 42 inch snook of the beach in a 4-6 minutes fight. Big reel, good price and reliable - BUT - MAKE SURE YOU WASH THE REEL AFTER EACH USE IN SALTWATER OTHERWISE LIKE ANY OTHER REEL WILL BROKE VERY VERY FAST!

I didn't washed one time my reel after few hours of surf fishing and the handle got stock in the main gear. At that point i thought that the real is toasted. I mean i still could use it, but i couldn't take it apart for maintenance service, but after calling Okuma, everything was fine. They sent me 100% FREE the handle and the main gear. When i said 100% FREE i mean FREE SHIPPING to. The conversation on the phone was very pleasant no question asked, not even from where i got the reel, or for how long i have it. Great warranty coverage, hassle free customer service people (quick and knowledgeable). If you are on a tight budget, as my self, then you should probably consider Okuma reels for the price and warranty coverage. I'm not really sure about other brands, but for this price range and warranty that you get, you probably won't get a better deal.

I started using baitfeeder spinning reels (reels with secondary drags) for salt water fishing. I found them extrememly useful for many reasons: letting a fish run with the bait, letting line out in a controlled fashion, setting a lighter drag to cushion the initial hit while trolling, etc. I found myself using the reels for fresh water as well, but they were all too big. The Okuma ABF-20a is is the only reel I found with a secondary drag that comes in a size small enough to be comfortable for normal freshwater fishing. I was hesitant because it was such an inexpensive reel, and I like good tackle. For my primary reels, I use the Daiwa Certates which are astonishing, but I was very pleased when I got the Okuma. It is not a great reel; it is not as smooth as more expensive reels, but it is solid, well-balanced, and does the job very well. It has a very good infinite anti-reverse. If you are not too picky about your tackle, I think you will be very satisfied with this reel as your main reel. If you are picky about your tackle, you probably won't want this as your primary reel, but it is still a great tool to have for situations where a secondary drag would prove useful. It was a very good purchase for me.

I've been using the larger ABF-60 for the last 3 seasons. We fish often, saltwater and brackish estuaries, and it has plain out performed the Penn Captivas and Spinfishers that we have always really liked. Just better built - I think Penn has fallen into resting on their reputation, and not nearly the quality control in their (Chinese?) factories. But these Okuma's are lights out for smooth action and easy maintenance. I'd put them up against much more expensive gear anytime. I got this smaller version of my reel for the wife, and it is obviously has the same quality and engineering as its big brother. She is going to love it.

This reel became my favorite. the bait feeder funtion is sooo awsome. I can lay my pole down on the rocks and don't have to worry about the fish taking my rod. it also makes clicking noise when the fish takes it, nice when you are doing something else. baitfeeder actional also lets you release little bit of line so that you can cast when you reeled it in too much. ABF-40 was little too big but I attached it to my 12 foot whippy stick and I use it for float. I am purchasing ABF-30 for cast and retrieve action pole. will use it on 9 to 10 foot pole. all I can say is this is the best reel I have purchased. I only spend average of $50 per reel.

This is a great reel especially for the price. It holds a lot of line. This is the biggest spinning reel i've ever seen. I put 500 yards of 40lb. power pro braided line on this and it will still hold more. I combined this with an okuma 15 foot surf rod. one could catch a 100lb. plus fish with this rod/reel combo. i love the option for freeing the spool. i would definately recommend this reel.'

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Excellent Product - sketch pencil, drawing

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I purchased this set to send my son, a Marine deployed to Afghanistan, along with a sketch pad. He is very talented at drawing, and I'm hoping he can use them to unwind when he gets some hours off. This kit has a hard case that packs easily and protects the contents.. Drawing and Sketching Pencil Set In Zippered Carrying Case

I brought this kit a month ago and i am satisfied with it. The pencils and eraser are of good quality. Great for beginners. The best thing i found about this kit is the carrying case which makes it really easy to carry around.

The pencils are 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, HB, B, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B. The case is nice and stiff, although the pencils are not that easy to take out or put back in. Also, the small sketch pad seems kind of useless, but I have lots of paper already so it hardly matters. The pencils feel a bit rough, but they work fine. Not bad for a cheap set, I might use them in my next drawing class.

The product comes with high quality art pencils, an eraser, and a mini sketchpad inside.

Thought it was going to be as big as a binder, but it wasn't. Still don't mind though, since it's a very good art product for beginners and advanced artists. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars, was because of a shipping error, but that got fixed in the end :)

I bought this for myself while recuperating from some surgery. It was perfect. The case holds everything very nicely. A nice complement of pencils and decent erasers. It was exactly what I needed at the time. This would be a great introductory set for anyone, child or adult. I never used the included drawing pad, that is probably insufficient so I would include a more substantial drawing pad if you are going to spend anytime sketching.

I bought this to be used by my gf as a pencil and pen carry all with convenient scraps of paper. I got what I was looking for. You can refill the paper with your own stuff. I guess if there are drawbacks it would be that the pencils themselves are of cheap quality soft wood and all the same grain graphite and/or that the case could be a couple inches smaller. Otherwise it serves the purpose for which it was purchased.

We got this for our son who likes to draw and sketch. It has proved to be convenient for him to take out and sketch something anytime. Everything needed is right there, easily available. He likes it so we do too.

I bought this sketching pack because it was cheap. But the quality is the same as the more expensive ones I usually buy. It has everything it says it does and is very easy to tote around and also store a few extra pencils in. Great buy. - Excellent Product - Drawing - Art Materials - Sketch Pencil'

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4 Cup Coffee Maker

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We all know that too much coffee is terrible for the body in several ways. So, instead of using the 12-cup coffee maker, we decided to go with a smaller one - to force me to drink less coffee. I love this product for a number of reasons.

Pros:

- Perfect size for a single coffee drinker.

- Timer is great. Every other 4-cup maker that I found were switch based without a timer setting. Timer settings are really helpful when you want to just get your coffee and go.

- Easy to clean. This product has a removeable filter cup for easy cleaning. Also, the auto-pause in brewing is helpful to both allow for quick removal and less spilling.

Cons:

- It takes a little longer to brew 4 cups with this maker as it does in a larger maker. This may simply be due to the size of the product.

Summary:

- I really like this product. It makes coffee perfectly. It is compact and takes up very little space. It is perfect for my coffee needs. Mr. Coffee DRX5 4-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black

I bought the Mr. Coffee 4-cup coffee maker a month and a half ago, and have no complaints thus far. I use the thing almost every day.

Time involvement:

I am a college student and part time employee who wakes up a different time each morning of the week, and I also like to drink tea sometimes instead of coffee. Mostly I brew coffee in the morning, but sometimes I like to see if I can go all day without a caffeine dependence, only to find I need to brew a cup late in the evening to finish my day's responsibilities. So far, this coffee maker has fit very well into my irregular coffee drinking schedule. It brews all four cups in about 5 minutes, and it only takes a few minutes to place in a filter, add coffee grounds, brew, then rinse the carafe and removable coffee filter basket. On days when I'm racing out the door, taking the small amount of time to prepare my coffee doesn't impede my rush.

Taste:

I buy gourmet coffee, and I find that the coffee comes out tasting great. Sometimes I take my gourmet coffee to the brewer at work--which is a 12-cup, 2-carafe brewer--and the coffee isn't nearly as good. Since these are the only brewers I've used regularly, I'm not sure if there are any brewers that brew "cleaner," but since I don't notice any unusual tastes in my coffee, I'd say this one is pretty clean. To enhance taste, I use cold water from my Brita faucet filter--I've found that impurities in tap water are sometimes amplified when heated in coffee brewers. I use paper filters now, just because there weren't any 4-cup permanent filters at the store when I bought this, but I hear permanent filters provide even cleaner of a taste.

Speaking of the filter, I've read a few reviews complaints about the filter folding over and allowing grounds to drain into the carafe. If this is the only problem, a permanent filter will certainly take care of this. However, I have not once had this problem.

Size:

If you have more than one coffee drinker in the house, or you are someone who likes a lot of coffee to get going, you may need the 12 cup brewer. 4 cups are enough for me to put in my thermos and sip on all day at work or college, and if I ever need more, I prefer a fresh brew anyway. There's just something about the taste of reheated coffee that turns me off.

Carafe:

The 4-cup carafe is well built and easy to pour. I saw reviews about how hard it is to pour without spilling--I haven't had a single spill yet. Just make sure you keep the lid from flopping open. If you need to, place your thumb next to the hinge when holding it to keep it closed (if you own this, you should know what I mean). The one complaint I do have about it, though--and it's minor--is the extreme tapered shape. The taper at the top creates a little "shelf" where the last few drops of coffee get caught when pouring, and you almost have to invert the carafe completely upside down to get it out. However, the amount caught on this shelf is very small and not worth inverting to get out. I always rinse my carafe out after finishing the coffee, and it's no problem to invert the carafe over the sink.

Timer:

At first, I was upset that the "delay brew" feature needed set every night. I was hoping for a brewer that you turned on once, and it would automatically brew every morning. Now I know why they built this brewer this way. There are times I'm just too busy to remember changing the filter and coffee, or I forget to replace the carafe on the heated plate after rinsing it. I'd hate to wake up the next morning and see twice brewed coffee in my carafe, or worse, all over my counter and floor! This feature is a blessing for busy and scatterbrained people. And since you need to change the coffee and filter each night to have automatic brew the next morning anyway, turning the "delay brew" button on each night isn't any more of an inconvenience.

My brewer sits between my microwave and stove, both of which have clocks. I haven't noticed the time being off on my brewer in the time I've had it, like others have experienced.

Other:

It's small, light, and the filter basket comes out so you can rinse it after each brew. I think that's important to the freshness of your coffee. I've also torn open tea bags and poured the ground leaves into the coffee filter so I could brew large batches of tea. This seems to work great and really maximizes the flavor of the tea, but since tea stains easier than coffee, I have to pay more attention when I rinse my filter basket and carafe so the tea taste doesn't linger when I'm going to brew coffee.

Now, this coffee maker seems pretty solid. However, any appliance can break early, and since I've only had this coffee maker over a month, I can't say how long these things last. But I've had no problems so far, and I recommend this coffee maker.'

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Earphones - headphones, cheap

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I purchased these headphones and the JBuds headphones at the same time, just so I could compare the two. (I figured I could keep the one I don't like when the other ones go bad...) They both had very good reviews, and these (the Coby's) were 1/3 of the price, so I was kind of hoping they'd turn out to be better than the JBuds. But I was wrong. You really do get what you pay for, I guess. The Coby's were fine, don't get me wrong. But you could hear a noticeable difference between the sound quality in the JBuds and in the Coby's, and the sound in the JBuds was without a doubt more clear and more crisp. The Coby's also had problems with staying in my ear. Finally, the JBuds come with 3 different sizes; the Coby's only have one size.

Spend the extra $10. Go with the JBuds. Coby CVE92 Isolation Stereo Earphones

I've used plenty of earphones in my day. I've used headphones, I've had the ones shaped like circles that you have to stick in your ear (with our without that piece that wraps around your ears), and I've used big MONSTER headphones that look like those ones that plane traffic engineers use.

Never have I had a pair of earphones that are as comfortable as these. Many times, you get those earphones that you stick in your ear and they are VERY uncomfortable. Not so with these. They are so gentle. Comfort aside, these earphones are EXCELLENT. I can't hear a thing when I have them both on (which I think is a BIG PLUS). And the sound quality is excellent.

And you just can't beat the price for earphones of this size and quality. I highly recommend them.

I gave this product 4 stars cause I rated the product based on price/value, product quality and sound quality. Based upon all these I believe for $10 after shipping, you just can not beat the sound of these earphones. Yes, they are bass heavy and tend to muddy the overall sound spectrum a bit because of this fact, but it is easily overcome with an EQ setting on the ipod. The sound seems tight and crisp to me listening to pop, rock and some jazz on a EQ setting of treble booster. I couldnt listen to it at full volume to see where I could head distortion in lower or higher freq. The cable lanyard going into the buds seems kind of fragile. The silicon tips feel much cheaper that the tips on my Sennheiser CX-300's. Yet, these babies play the music on my ipod much louder than the CX-300's and do not seem to distort as easy as the CX-300s in the lower freq from what I have seen. Bottom line-5 stars = price/value, 4 stars = product quality and 4 stars = sound quality. If you are rough on earphones, keep your $10. But, if you are looking for a replacement earphone for your ipod and you are on a tight budget and arent an audiophilist, these may be for you.

As a regular I-Pod user, I've never been that unhappy with the standard Apple I-Pod earbuds -- they don't sit terribly well in the ear, but I find the sound and design to be adequate. I've wondered if there is a low-cost alternative, and my wife doesn't like them because they are too big and uncomfortable.

Here is a review of five low-priced alternatives bought on Amazon in March 2010. The story in a nutshell -- all the $8-$10 earbuds are a slight step up from the Apple buds, all the $6 earbuds are a big step down.

JBuds Hi-Fi Noise-Reducing Ear Buds (Black) (paid ten dollars) (Four stars)

Positives: Good sound, decent comfort, long cord

Negatives: Too long cord, no "slider"

A very solid sound -- much like the Apple buds. These are a great low-cost in-ear alternative to the Apple buds. The sound balance is similar to the Apple's, but a bit crisper and clearer, perhaps due more to the in-ear design than the actual technology. The JBuds ship with three sizes of silicone ear-inserts for different size ears, though I personally find the fit to be awkward and a bit slippery (see SkullCandy review below). A 54" cord was the longest of the ones I tested, and arguably too long. Also, there is no "slider" on the cord to hold the buds together when you are storing them (A very nice feature of the standard Apple buds and others).

Skullcandy INK'D Earbuds (White) (paid ten dollars) (Four stars)

Positives: Great bass, very comfortable, long cord

Negatives: Too much bass, line-rustle noise in cord

How it is possible to get so much bass into a tiny and cheap earbud I cannot imagine, but there it is. Really impressive, but it's actually a bit too much bass -- the balance is off. If you are listening to bass heavy music, it's overwhelming -- I had to try to adjust the EQ on the I-Pod to bring it down, and even then a bit too heavy. The sound is not mushy or distorted, just like the equalizer is shifted too much. These in-ears come with three sizes of silicone ear-inserts for different size ears, and I find the fit to be great. A long 52" cord, with a "slider" to hold the buds together when storing. A BIG concern -- there's a fair amount of cord-noise that rides in the line -- if the cord is brushing against your shirt or jacket when moving, you hear the rustling right in your ear. I've had worse cases of this in the past, but it is very noticeable in these, and makes them less ideal for walking or moving situations. (Is this a problem with all in-ear buds that have a snug fit?)

Sony MDR-E818LP Fontopia Ear-Bud Headphones with Acoustic Twin Turbo Circuit (paid eight dollars) (Three stars)

Positives: Good sound

Negatives: Even bigger than Apple buds, poor packaging, short cord

To my ear, the Sony's had the best sound of the five low-cost buds I tried -- a solid step up from the Apple buds, for people who don't like the in-ear style of bud. But a note of caution -- these are slightly *bigger* than Apple earbuds, even without the foam covering. In my ear, the foam cover makes them comfortable enough, but they are rather large. At the same time, the Sony Fontopia has an unusually short 40" cord (even shorter than the Apple 45" that bothers some people), but it's plenty long for typical uses (walking, etc.). There is no "slider" to hold the earbuds together when storing, which is a feature I like on the Apple buds. I have one big beef with these though -- the earbuds have a thin foam cover over the speaker that helps it hold in your ear more firmly and comfortably. I have no problem with that, but you have to put the foam pads on yourself, and it's very difficult. I ended up tearing one of them before I could even try them out. It's very frustrating to buy a new product that breaks before you can even use it. These deserve four start on performance, but gotta ding them on the design and packaging.

Panasonic RP-HV21Portable EarDrops Earbud Headphones (Black) (paid six-dollars) (one star)

Positives: None

Negatives: Huge earbud, terrible sound

I liked the look of these when I got them out of the package, but they are a bigger and worse alternative to the standard Apple earbuds. A very "tinny" and shallow sound compared with others at the same price point. They're too big for comfort in my ear, though that's always a personal consideration -- these Panasonics are larger than the Apple buds and equally hard surface.These Panasonics are about the same size as the Sony MDR-E818LP Fontopia earbuds, but those have a foam pad that helps hold them in and provide a little comfort. the "Clip" feature on these (the two buds can clip together, or clip to clothing or cords when not in use) is nice, but doesn't override all the performance downsides. I'm tossing them -- way worse than the basic Apple buds.

Coby CVE92 Isolation Stereo Earphones (paid six dollars) (one-star)

Positives: None

Negatives: terrible sound

These are cheap and I like the packaging (just in a plastic ziplock, not clamshells and fluff), but the performance is simply substandard for the pricerange, These Coby's have a very muffled sound, and don't come with different size silicone ear inserts (most people know these really aren't one-size-fits-all). I'm tossing them -- way worse than the basic Apple buds. - Earbuds - Coby - Cheap - Headphones'

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Air Pollution - air pollution, n95

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These particulate respirators work very well, blocking out nuisance dust such as sawdust. I use them both at home and on the job. They are rated N95 for particulates and do a very good job filtering out the vast majority of dust and particles. This is a style slightly different from the molded ones you may be used to seeing at most big box stores.

The mask comes in individual plastic bags and are folded flat. I like that they are individually packaged, as I have had problems both at jobsites and at my workshop keeping fresh masks from being contaminated with dust when they are all nested together in one bag. Not a problem when each mask has its own wrapper. Also, you know when you take it out that it hasn't been used by someone else and then put back.

These also have the comfort valve, as you see in the picture. A light, flexible flap opens when you exhale, but immediately shuts when you inhale. It is protected by a surprisingly sturdy plastic cage, emblazoned with the 3M logo. This valve makes a huge difference, especially in hot climates. It makes a huge difference in both heat and moisture retention; making the mask markedly more comfortable vastly increases the likelihood that it will be worn when needed by you, your employees, or whomever. This is a critical feature, in my opinion, and worth the extra dough over those without it. In colder climes, or when one only needs to use the mask for short periods, you might be able to do without the vent and save a few bucks.

One very nice thing about this mask over the pre-molded versions is that the chin portion opens up to actually cover my entire chin by snugging up under it. For me, this gives a better fit than the molded ones that just seem to sit on top of my chin. I've got to give the comfort edge to these. Like the molded version, these masks also have a thin metal strip that you can mold to the bridge of your nose. On the inside of this strip is a broad and soft strip of foam, sufficiently thick (about 1/8 inch) to conform to the contours of your nose when using the metal clamp.

My only complaint about these otherwise excellent respirators revolves around the straps. I think they could be more robust. While they are strong enough not to break, I find they stretch out too easily and lose elasticity, especially if you find yourself taking the mask on and off, or reusing it over time. It is true that these are extremely comfortable to wear - indeed they are the most comfortable I've found - I would prefer if they held the mask just a little tighter to my face. The straps themselves are held to the mask by staples, an arrangement I also don't prefer, but I've never had one snap or slip loose from this point.

These are more expensive than the pre-molded versions, but I the additional comfort and individual packaging makes it worth it to me. There are other brands that are also N95-rated, but I trust my lungs to these, which have never failed me. I do want to mention one cautionary note about any filter: They do clog eventually. When insulating my attic with blow-in insulation, my respirator got so clogged I could barely breathe through it. While they did their job and no dust got through, a clogged filter can be dangerous so check your filters/respirators often if you are in extreme conditions.

The issue over the straps is a minor one for me, really, and doesn't keep me from going back to these masks over others. They are well made and very comfortable. They are excellent for dusty environments around the home, and also for appropriate work settings. I also include these particular ones in my emergency kits for home, auto, and work. Recommended! 3M R9211-10 N95 Cool-Flow Particulate Sanding Respirator, 10-Pack

I've used hundreds of these. 3M sells the N95 mask with or without the air valve, different color and position straps, etc. all with the same title. I like these best. The valve makes it easier to breath so it doesn't get so hot and humid in the mask. The comfort to some extent will depend on how you bend the nose piece. Give the metal a smooth bend to follow the nose contour rather than a sharp bend. I've used this while cutting cement, sanding, shaking out shop-vac filters, and crawling around in the dusty attic. When they're cheap to buy and convenient to grab from the drawer, you're likely to use them more.

I bought several boxes of these masks last year as H1N1 was starting up. I travel a lot on airplanes, take the underground metro to work every day, and generally have to breath not so great air. I've tried several other N95 masks and this one is the best. Unlike stiff paper masks, this fits snug and comfortably. It is not difficult to breath, even for many hours. I've worn them on Trans-Pacific plane flights without discomfort. In addition to helping protect me from virus infection and pollens, my primary goal, I've noticed this mask does a great job in cities filtering out dust and particulates from automobiles. You can positively tell the difference in air quality when you wear it. The mask doesn't do anything for noxious gases, but for particulates it is great. Recommended. - Respirator - Air Pollution - N95 - Flu Mask'

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Rechargeable Batteries - rechargeable batteries, low discharge nimh

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This package (Sanyo SEC-HR4U4BPN) contains four second-generation eneloop AAA rechargeable batteries. I have tested those cells using my old La Crosse BC-900 Advanced Battery Charger. Here are my findings:

- Right out of the package, the average remaining charge is 640mAh, or 80% of the rated capacity (800mAh)

- After the first recharge cycle, the average capacity increased to 839mAh.

- After two more recharge/discharge cycles, the average capacity leveled off at 843mAh, or 5% higher than rated capacity.

The above is very consistent with the results I obtained last year, while testing 2nd-gen eneloop AAA cells from the Costco package. Therefore I have no doubt that those batteries are genuine. Date code embossed on them says "10-12", which means Dec 2010 (see my upload in the "Customer Images" section, if you need to know where to find the date code).

According to Sanyo press releases, those 2nd-generation eneloop cells offer several benefits over the original eneloop:

- Can be recharged "up to 1500 cycles" (vs. "1000 cycles" for the original)

- Can hold "75% charge after 3 years" (vs. "80% after 2 years")

- Works down to -20 degree C (vs. -10 degree C)

In real life, however, it is nearly impossible for the average user to experience those benefits. Note the even if you recharge your cells twice every week, it will take nearly ten years to reach 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the advertised self-discharge rates for new and old eneloop cells are actually the same during first two years.

As to the capacity: original eneloop AAA cells have "Typ. 800mAh, Min. 750mAh" printed on them. The new eneloop AAA cells only say "Min. 750mAh". This has created confusions for some people, who thought the new version has lower capacity. But according to Sanyo web site, capacity of the new AAA is also 800mAh typical. My own test results, however, have shown that measured capacity of the original eneloop is around 4% higher than rated, whereas capacity of the new eneloop is about 5% higher than rated. Again, the difference is so small that most users will never notice it.

BOTTOM LINE:

Second-generation eneloop cells do offer some improvements over the original, but the actual benefit is very hard to verify in real life. In my case, the price I paid for this new eneloop AAA package is only 10% higher than that of the old one, so I consider it a good deal. If the price difference is much greater, then you have to decide whether it is worthwhile to pay extra for those perceived benefits.

[Update on May 31, 2011]

Prices for the new eneloop AAA have came down further during the past month, so now it is an even better deal. But just in case you are looking for greater bargains, you may want to consider the GP ReCkyo Pre-Charged AAA cells. They are priced lower than Sanyo eneloop, and have slightly higher capacity (rated 850mAh, measured 880mAh).

[Update on July 31, 2011]

Long term self-discharge data: I have tested a pair of new eneloop AAA cells after 92 days sitting on the shelf (the batteries, not me). The average remaining charge is 89.4%. This charge-retention rate is slightly better than that of the original eneloop, but the difference is within margin of error for my experiment. Sanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 4 Pack AAA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries

Received my first batch of the "new" AAA with the stated life of 3 years at 75%. Would watch the price of these versus the older version. If they are more expensive would only consider them for items that don't get discharged often such as emergency supplies since everything else is pretty much the same.

I have several sets of the Sanyo AAA and AA eneloop rechargable batteries, and I have been quite happy with them. Primary uses are for Bluetooth keyboard & mouse, GPS, front & rear lights on my bicycle, flash light and MP3 player. I''m quite happy with the results of using these batteries in all of these types of devices.

I first bought theseSanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteriese with a package of double A's and a Sanyo charger. The double A's are good for my camera..I couldn't believe how long they go on a charge.They at least triple the time of the non chargeable ones. I specifically bought the triple A's for use with my car adapter for my MP3 player. Unfortunately, while my car was at a garage to have brakes installed, my adapter as well as the two batteries i had in it came up missing. SO, I bought another 4 pack of the eneloop batteries.Sanyo Eneloop AAA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries (4 Pack) I can say that these are, by far, the best rechargeable batteries I have found

Buying these batteries was my last ditched effort to make my portable land line work properly. I have tried several brands of batteries and all were of poor quality. The Sanyo batteries have been in my phone for several weeks and the phone works perfectly. I don't have to buy another one!! I bought the charger also but, haven't had to use it yet. The batteries were fully charged and, so far, are holding up very well. I'm very pleased with my purchase. Just ordered more AAA and AA.

I've only had them a month, so I haven't come very close to the 1500 recharges (more like 2), but they do hold their charge well. I've owned rechargeables before and some were slightly fatter than standard alkalines and didn't always fit well in tight battery compartments. The eneloops fit and perform like regular alkaline batteries- they just last forever. - Rechargeable Batteries - Low Discharge Nimh'

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Digital Slr - balance, digital slr

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I have had this shoulder strap for one week. I love a shoulder strap so much better than a neck strap. Its so much more comfortable. The only problem with this shoulder strap is the clip that attaches to the camera is chinsey. it broke while I stood in my driveway and my camera (d700) and the brand new lens (Nikon 24-70mm 2.8) went crashing to the concrete. Luckily, it landed on the edge of the lens protection filter, which was the only thing that broke. I immediately bought some new hardware to repair the broken part. I was very disappointed that for how much this strap costs that they didn't use better hardware. THE CLIP IN THE PICTURE IS NOT WHAT I GOT. Quick Neck Shoulder Strap for Canon Nikon Sony Camera

I did not get the item pictured in the listing with the heavy duty hardware. I got the cheapo clip. Even after reading bad review, then good review claiming they got the right hardware. I'm not certain ANYONE got the hardware listed in the image.

I have 7 lbs of cam and lens to lug, and thought this would be great, but I am not willing to chance the cheap clip.

Soooo... thru several emails, I have been getting the run around from the seller, promising to send an overnight replacement, with return label... I am still waiting. After contacting seller again and again, I FINALLY get a reply with the sad story of health problems, and another promise of next day shipping of replacement. I have requested tracking info. with no reply. Holding my breath now....

I have since purchased my own clip so I could use the darned thing.

So what is positive? The tripod plate is nice and heavy duty. That's it.

The first time I tried to secure the "locking" strap it snapped and broke. So the shoulder pad slides all over, up and down.

But other than all that, great $12 product for $50.

I would not buy from this seller again.

I was a little concerned about getting this strap because of the review and picture of the broken clip. It appears that they are now shipping this strap with a different style clip (see my picture). The clip is very sturdy, I cannot imagine it breaking under normal use. It is visibly different than the image posted by a different user with a broken clip.

I have a Canon 5D Mark II with a 24-105, 16-36, 100, and 70-300 lenses. I found the OEM neck strap made it uncomfortable to walk around with the camera around my neck and maneuver it to take pictures with any of these lenses. This strap fixes that, walking around with a bulky lens and a large SLR is now comfortable.

There is one other feature that I like about this strap. The bracket that attaches to the camera at the bottom using the universal screw mount has an additional hole. This allows a tripod bracket to remain attacked to the camera with the strap so it is easy to maneuver off an on a tripod without disconnecting all of the hardware associated with this camera strap.

This review will be very short as there isn't that much to say other than this product does its job as it is suppose to (very well) and is very comfortable. As others have stated it does come with an "upgraded" clip and if you would like to use your own that is "stronger" or "quicker" doing so is quite easy.

My main reason to write this review though was to help others save a significant amount of money. The same exact strap sells for between $18-$25 USD on eBay with a quick "Quick Neck Shoulder Strap" search. A+ for the product but a F for amazons price.

It's about time someone made a camera strap with a solid, sturdy clip for easy camera removal. I prefer to keep my strap cross-body, under my jacket. This makes for ease of use yet allows the camera and strap to be less visible when just walking around.

What I like best about this strap is that the carabiner clip is attached to metal hardware that still allows free movement of the camera up and down the camera strap. This way the strap can remain on your shoulder without sliding back and forth and up and down while you lift your camera to take photos.

The reason I purchased this was so I could comfortably carry my camera (Canon 450D with battery grip) while also having the ability to easily remove it and put it in a bag without removing the camera strap from under my jacket. This way I could, for example, enter a pub and immediately put the camera in my camera bag in one movement, in which it worked wonderfully.

The reason I gave it 4 of 5 stars is because the shoulder pad is sewn into the strap and I wish it was removable, which made for slightly more careful adjustment, not exactly more difficult, just more intricate (if that makes sense).

Unfortunately I lost the strap at a restaurant while visiting Ireland. For some reason or another I removed it while taking off my jacket, then didn't notice when I went to leave. I loved it for $35 but am not sure if I would love it for $70, which would be the sequential cost if I chose to replace it, hence it 4/5 stars. I would love to add better photos if I still had the merchandise. I will try to add some photos of the attachment plate with a carabiner clip to get an idea of the hardware.

I never owned a longer strap before, but since installing it to my camera, the freedom of movement I've experienced is awesome. However, the bracket which attaches to the bottom of the camera needs a design change to allow a tripod bracket to be more securely installed. I found myself removing the strap bracket to install the tripod bracket. What a pain! If this doesn't bother you, the product as a whole will work...

I recently went on vacation and used the strap all the time. I did not take any carrying cases to place my Rebel Cannon TI1.

It allowed me the freedom and access to take get my camera.

I would highly recommend this product. - Neckstrap - Balance - Blackrapid - Digital Slr'

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Lithium Batteries - lithium batteries, battery

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The Energizer L91 Lithium AA cell is a fantastic power source. For high-drain applications, it offers great advantages over ordinary alkaline cell and rechargeable NiMH cell. However, it is also very expensive as a disposable battery. So it is important to recognize the strength of L91, and use it only in applications that give you the best results. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money.

According to data sheet published by Energizer, the capacity of the Lithium AA cell (L91) is 3000mAh. This number remains nearly constant with load current. In comparison, the ordinary Alkaline battery (such as the Energizer E91 AA) is rated as 2800mAh, but only at a very light load of 25mA. At a heavy load of 1000mA (typical for a digital camera or flash unit), its capacity drops to below 1000mAh. This number gets even worse at low temperature. At zero degree C and 1000mA load, the L91 can provide about seven times more energy compared to the E91. This is where the marketing claim of "Last up to 7 times longer" comes from.

When used in a digital camera at room temperature of 25 degree C, the L91 is more likely to last 3-4 times longer than alkaline. This is enough to justify its price, which is also around 3-4 times higher than alkaline. However, in low-drain applications (such as smoke detector, wireless mouse or remote control) alkaline cells will last just as long at a fraction of the cost.

The L91 also contains much higher energy when compared to an ordinary rechargeable NiMH cell such as the Energizer NH15-2500. This is partially due to its higher terminal voltage of 1.5V, which is 20% higher than that for NiMH.

Energy stored in NH15-2500 : 2.5Ah * 1.25V = 3.125Wh,

Energy stored in L91 : 3Ah * 1.5V = 4.5Wh (44% higher).

Higher terminal voltage for L91 is especially advantageous in digital camera applications, because your camera flash will recharge up to 20% faster. An added benefit is that the L91 weighs only 14.5 grams (0.5 oz) each, compared to 30 grams (1 oz) for NiMH. So your camera becomes much lighter.

The NH15-2500, like all ordinary NiMH cells, suffers from rapid self-discharge problem. If you charge up a set of those cells and leave them in your camera for a few weeks, you're likely to be greeted by 'Low Battery' sign when you try to take a photo. The new generation of 'ready-to-use' NiMH cells such as SANYO eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid solved this problem by having very low self discharge rate. But they have lower capacity of only 2000-2100mAh.

Bottom line: If you need AA batteries for a long hiking trip, then L91 is obviously your best choice. For most other situations, I recommend using low self-discharge NiMH cells for lower operating cost. Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)

The Energizer L92 Lithium AAA cell is a fantastic power source. For high-drain applications, it offers great advantages over ordinary alkaline cell and rechargeable NiMH cell. However, it is also very expensive as a disposable battery. So it is important to recognize the strength of L92, and use it only in applications that give you the best results. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money.

According to data sheet published by Energizer, the capacity of this Lithium AAA cell (L92) is 1200mAh. This number remains nearly constant with load current. In comparison, the ordinary Alkaline battery (such as the Energizer E92) is also rated as 1200mAh, but only at a very light load of 25mA. At a heavy load of 500mA (typical for a P&S digital camera), its capacity is reduced to about one-third. The difference gets even greater at low temperature. At zero degree C and 500mA load, the L92 can provide about seven times more energy compared to the E92. This is where the marketing claim of "Last up to 7 times longer" comes from.

When used in a digital camera at room temperature of 25 degree C, the L92 is more likely to last 3-4 times longer than alkaline. This is enough to justify its price, which is also around 3-4 times higher than alkaline. However, in low-drain applications (such as smoke detector, wireless mouse or remote control) alkaline cells will last just as long at a fraction of the cost.

The L92 also contains much higher energy when compared to rechargeable NiMH cell such as the Sanyo Eneloop AAA. This is partially due to its higher terminal voltage of 1.5V, which is 20% higher than that for NiMH.

Energy stored in eneloop AAA: 0.8Ah * 1.25V = 1.0Wh,

Energy stored in L92 : 1.2Ah * 1.5V = 1.8Wh (80% higher).

Higher terminal voltage for L92 is especially advantageous in digital camera applications, because your camera flash will recharge up to 20% faster. On the other hand, it may create problems with some applications such as unregulated LED flash light. Higher than expected voltage will make the lamp burn brighter, but the excessive heat may also cause the lamp to burn out quickly.

Bottom line: If you need AAA batteries for a long hiking trip or for emergency standby, then L92 is obviously your best choice. For most other situations, I recommend using low self-discharge NiMH cells for lower operating cost.

[Updated on June 8, 2011]

Note: Amazon has moved two of my previous reviews (one for Energizer Lithium AA 4-pack, one for 8-pack) under one page. Therefore I have to update my review to add some new information - or else I look like a fool who says the same thing twice.

=== New information follows ===

There seems to be some confusion about those Energizer Lithium AA batteries. Several people have bought those batteries under the assumption that they are rechargeable, only to be disappointed later.

Despite the name 'Lithium', those Energizer Lithium AA batteries are very different from the commonly known 'Lithium-ion' rechargeable batteries. Namely:

- They are single-use batteries (NOT rechargeable like Li-ion)

- The terminal voltage for each cell is around 1.65V (compared to around 3.7V for each Li-ion rechargeable cell)

The two types of batteries are not compatible. If your camera accepts AA cells, then you should use those Lithium AA cells and not Li-ion rechargeable battery. Alternatively, you may explore other rechargeable battery options, namely:

1. Low-self-discharge NiMH AA cells, such as Sanyo Eneloop or Sony Cycle Pre-Charged. Those have a operating voltage of 1.25V per cell, so some cameras (especially those that use only two cells) may not operate correctly on those.

2. Nickel-Zinc rechargeable such as PowerGenix AA. Those have higher terminal voltage of 1.65V, same as that of Lithium AA cells. The down-side is that the higher voltage may cause some older cameras to burn out, and the NiZn cells themselves have very poor lifespan.

No matter which rechargeable option you pick, remember that they each need their own special charger. Choosing a good charger is the key to longer lifespan for rechargeable batteries.

I recommend most people to try eneloop cells first. They are the most reliable among NiMH batteries. If it doesn't work well for your camera, you can still use those celll in other appliances such as flashlights or Wii remotes.

Finally, it is a good idea to keep a set of those Lithium AA cells as backup, or in case or emergency. They can be kept in storage for ~10 years! - Energizer - Lithium Batteries - Battery - Lithium'

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