Guy Low Price Electronic: 05/01/2009

Sunday, 31 May 2009

Blackberry Storm 9530 - blackberry 9530, cell phone

3G does not work on AT&T! I received a T-Mobile branded phone that only supports 2G (EDGE) on the AT&T network. When I asked to replace the phone for one that supports 3G on AT&T, I was told that I should have known in advance whether or not the phone would work on 3G before I bought it, and since I had opened the box to test it, I would not be allowed to return it for a replacement or refund! The description of the phone states that the supported HSPDA (3G) networks are 850, 1900, and 2100 (AT&T uses 1900, T-Mobile 2100), so a reasonable inference would be that 3G will work with AT&T, but it doesn't. It doesn't because when either AT&T or T-Mobile brand their phones, they disable 3G capability if the phone is used with the other carrier. The sellers of unlocked 3G phones should be required to disclose who's branded phone they are selling, so that the customer can make an informed choice. Because they aren't required to do so and don't, I was sold a product that does not perform as advertised. Buyer beware! BlackBerry 9300EUBK Blackberry Curve 3G 9300 Unlocked GSM SmartPhone with 2 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth - Unlocked Phone - No Warranty - Graphite Grey

When you buy this mobile, you must to communicate with your seller and request the code for unlocked the mobile Blackberry at your country.

I'm very happy with this product. I'm recommend this mobile.

Great phone, but... The description said that works in HSDPA 1900 band, that is not true, so if you intended to use it in 3G band with: AT&T, Bell Mobility, Telcel, Telus, Rogers, Telstra, Telecom NZ, Vodafone AU, NTT DoCoMo , Movistar, Movilnet... ITS NOT GOING TO WORK, only in EDGE or GPRS.. It will work in 3G mode with: T-Mobile, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, WIND Mobile, Mobilicity, Videotron, VTR, Nextel, Optus, Vodafone AU, Vodafone NZ, Orange and Digitel... The description also said: BlackBerry OS 6.0, its imaginary.. It comes with OS 5.0, that's not a big deal I already installed the 6.0 in 30 minutes... They should describe carefuly the 3G thing because there are 2 versions available on Amazon and both are wrong... I bought mine from: UNLOCKED CELLPHONE KINGS...

I just loved the device. It's really great. But I have to report some problems with the battery charger and battery itself. The battery charger is not for USA and it is not the same that come in the original box. They change it for a Britain plug. Another problem is the battery. It lasts only half day, even in lock position and without making calls or using wi-fi internet. The original and new one lasts 19 days of stand-by and up to 5.5h of talk time, as blackberry.com says. My battery just don't works like a new one (and I don't think it is).

I am very disappointed with these problems and feeling tricked.

Be careful

Ps.: Sorry about my poor english.

The smartphone is very good. Very fast. It works on 3g is mark T-Mobile. His operating system answers very well. The very good chamber(camera) in spite of the fact that it does not have flash.

Al very good, But I have received the product in Venezuela, all good. Nevertheless, I want to do the so called one, since it requests that they were sending the smartphone marks AT&T and I come near brand mark T-Mobile; in addition, the box where the smartphone comes was opened. Nevertheless, I have noticed and the product is not secondhand or refurbished.

I bought the product to the seller WorldWide Distributors.

this item was broken when it arrived. I do not fault seller, as it was new in the box, but it is nevertheless absolutely unacceptable to sell a $300 broken phone.

I would not recommend this particular seller, or amazon for the purchase of electronic equipment.

Pros:

- Great messaging integration, you receive in the same "inbox " messages from emails, SMS, bb messenger, whatsapp, etc.

- great integration with social networks like Facebook and Twitter, all your contacts will be updated with photos and massages they publish in the networks

- If you sync your info through rim servers then it is very easy to manage your contacts info, mail, calendar, etc

- The keyboard is well designed and is much easier to enter information in this phone than using on screen keyboards like iPhone or wp7

Cons:

- if you like to listen to musi, watch videos or navigate internet, then this phone is not for you. The screen is just too small for multimedia content.

- The bb app world is far behind the Apple app store or Microsoft marketplace

- not good to play games

This phone is great for work and nothing else, for entertainment definitely is not recommended. - Blackberry - Unlocked - Cell Phone - Blackberry 9530'

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Gift Card - amazon gift certificates, amazon

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I was given a Kindle last year for Christmas. This year, for my birthday, I requested an Amazon gift card to buy Kindle books, and my daughter sent me one. It's wonderful. I just registered it as the clear instructions indicated and a few minutes later I was reading a new book on Kindle. It's a thoughtful, timely gift that allows the recipient to choose what they would like. Amazon.com Gift Card - $50 (Birthday Balloons design)

I ordered these cards in preparation for the upcoming Holiday season. Placing the order was a breeze. I had ordered the generic gift card. My order was shipped by UPS next day air and it arrived as promised. Each envelope had the gift card attached to generic greeting card and another envelope to mail the greeting card. I did redeem some of the cards and the balance was immediately credited to my amazon account. Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase and will likely buy this again.

I found the plastic to be sturdy. I appreciated the rounded edges, which helped to avoid injury or embarrassing clothing snags while carrying it to my computer. The number was a little complicated because it also included some letters, but I was able to enter them using my keyboard with no problems. Then I shopped 'til I dropped.

This is the PERFECT gift ... so many things to choose from on Amazon and very easy to redeem (just type in the card number at checkout or add the gift card number to your Amazon account).

After reading all of the reviews, I just want to clarify EXACTLY what you can expect to receive/get with your GIFT CARD order. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT combine/order GIFT CARDS to be mailed with other items from Amazon if you want the FREE 1-DAY shipping on your GIFT CARD(s). Order GIFT CARDS separate from other items you are ordering from Amazon (i.e., place more than one/separate orders on Amazon). If you do not, you will not receive FREE one-day shipping on your GIFT CARD(s).

1. I read the reviews that said that all of the GREETING CARDS (that contained the gift card) were sealed and that the person was not able to see which gift card went to which person (if they ordered different cards and/or different dollar amounts). Because of this, I placed 5 different orders for 5 different gift cards ALL sent to myself. That was unnecessary. Because while the OUTER envelope (which is really the Amazon's packaging for the greeting card/gift card combo) is sealed ... the GREETING CARD, which the gift card is attached to, and the ENVELOPE that it goes in are separate INSIDE the sealed ENVELOPE packaging (which is meant to be opened PRIOR to giving as a gift). So, when you open that sealed envelope you will see the card, as well as the gift card amount. At that point, you can also write a personal message on the GREETING CARD prior to giving.

2. The actual $ GIFT CARD for the Christmas designs are just the generic brown "a" with the curved underline (i.e., the Amazon.com logo). The ONLY thing that has the CHRISTMAS or holiday designs are the GREETING CARDS themselves. (LOOK closely at the pictures that Amazon shows and you will see this.) So, the GIFT CARDS do not have Christmas or holiday designs on them.

3. The PERSONAL MESSAGE that you type appears ONLY on the PACKING SLIP/receipt thrown in the box or bubble envelope that Amazon ships the SEALED ENVELOPE in. (That is, the little piece of paper that shows the GIFT FROM, shipping address and what was purchased.) Your message will NOT appear on the GREETING CARD, which is SEALED inside the ENVELOPE packaging. The person would have to look on the PACKING SLIP to see the personal message. NOTE: I order ALOT on Amazon and I have on occasion received items that *I* ordered for myself with no packing slip, which is not an issue because *I* ordered it. But, if I had received/or sent it as a gift, that could be an issue. The FIVE separate GIFT CARD orders that I placed and received all contained that small fax-paper like packing slip. BUT, it COULD happen that an order MIGHT not contain the packing slip since I have received orders without any packing slip. It's too bad that Amazon doesn't at least offer the option to have the message typed directly on the actual greeting card (like ToysRUs) when it's going to someone as a gift (and maybe say it would take longer than the standard 1-day shipping). Just a suggestion!

4. As I said, I ordered SEVERAL gift cards ... some arrived in a "book" or "cd/dvd" box and some arrived in a bubble envelope. Go figure! I guess it just depended on who packed it. ALL arrived via UPS the next day (where the next day was a business day). Two of the cards that were shipped in a bubble envelope did arrive slightly bent ... nothing major. Probably the best way for them to ship them is in the book/dvd/cd box since none of those arrived bent. (Note: If you live at an address or are sending to an address that UPS does not deliver to OR are only ble to receive items at a PO BOX because you live in a rural area, you might want to check with Amazon PRIOR to ordering a physical gift card.)

5. ALL of the information (#1-#3) that I included in my review, Amazon now includes in the ITEM DESCRIPTION. I'm not sure if Amazon changed their ways, added this information AFTER people were upset and complained, or it was there and people failed to read it. In any case, hopefully, my review helps to further clarify. It's always nice to know what your money is buying.

BTW, I also ordered 2 PRINTABLE gift certificate/cards. It was really easy ... picked the design, amount, quantity and entered my personal message. After checking out/paying, I received an e-mail from Amazon.com in a few minutes with a link for me to PRINT the card. After printing, fold the paper twice and voile an INSTANT CARD w/GIFT CERTIFICATE! Super quick, easy and a really cute looking card (similar to those 4-picture square, homemade greeting cards). - Easy - Amazon Gift Certificates - Amazon - Birthday Gift'

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The Power Of Being Different By J Carinc... - fitness, the power of being different by

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The advice in this book regarding diet, nutrition, exercise and stress management is valid and worthwhile, but readers must realize that Dr. Life acknowledges using and having used Human Growth Hormone. In short, readers are not going to achieve a physique like Dr. Life's without using Human Growth Hormone, and restrictions on the the prescription of Human Growth Hormone make it increasingly difficult to find a physician willing to prescribe HGH. Dr. Life's book is plainly designed to draw traffic to the websites of Dr. Life and Cenegenics. In this regard, Dr. Life's book reminds me of the bodybuilding magazines that use pictures of physiques built on steroids to sell (based upon a misleading message) protein powders and other supplements. The Life Plan: How Any Man Can Achieve Lasting Health, Great Sex, and a Stronger, Leaner Body

I bought this book looking for a few tips that I might have missed along the way. The author begins with basic information on diet (which foods to eat, which to avoid, ratios, etc. and exercise recommendations). This is all fine information for the first timer. He then rationalizes his use of (he doesn't recommend it for everyone, just those who are 'deficient' in) testosterone and Human Growth Hormone supplements. I found his writing to be very biased, and dismissive of the controversy regarding this hormone replacement therapy. I would suggest that you do your own research before you find a doc willing to justify this treatment. Every one is different and takes different risks as well, and perhaps this would be proper for you, so I would recommend that the reader be thoroughly educated in this important matter.

Dr. Life uses what he calls age management medicine to keep men young and active. I'm reviewing this book only because I specialize in fitness books and many of my readers are men. I certainly think the good doctor looks absolutely great. Stunning. A real ten. But when it comes to preaching hormone replacement therapy and HGH, I think he's getting into dangerous territory, according to most of what I read. At least, it can be.

The doctor says he was becoming an old man at fifty nine. He had no interest in sex. He suffered erectile dysfunction and low self-esteem. That led to anxiety and depression. Now I firmly believe in the low-glycemic diet he advocates. He also advocates low fat but that's been shown not to work. And certainly exercise is key to the door that opens good health and youth. Those things alone bring about everything you see on the cover of this book.

The author starts out with the famous Bill Phillips program. Then he goes into another program that advocates hormone therapy. So, he has his levels checked. He gets into replacing testosterone, DHEA, and growth hormone. This is where the author loses me. I think this is giving men bad advice. I'm sure some men may truly require one or more of these things. But to take them indiscriminately is not smart and can be dangerous -- just like taking steroids is dangerous.

To be sure, there are supplements and, indeed, foods that will help hormones to return to normal. In truth, this book is very basic, valid information. The hormone therapy is all that sets it apart and I think that's questionable and probably unnecessary and unhealthy in most cases. All people lose hormones as they age. But certain foods help regain those hormones and, at times, exercise does too. Doctors are far too quick to think pills are the answer to everything.

Doctors insisted women take hormone replacement for decades only to find out it was killing them. Do men want the same thing? I don't like any fitness program that recommends questionable supplementation or medical intervention. So, while I know this book has numerous five star ratings, I can't give it one.

-- Susanna K. Hutcheson

Dr. Life has achieved a remarkable physique at the age of 72, but buyer beware...he's a physician with access to testosterone and HGH and the other "hormones" that the lay person would not be able to get through his own family practitioner. Unless you're willing to go to the black market for these items, then you're never going to be as toned and trim as Dr. Life. A big sales pitch for Cyrogenics. I'm sorry I wasted the money.

Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

Why did I pick up this book? I am in excellent health. I don't smoke or drink. I eat clean, get plenty of rest, exercise frequently (and actively), and I maintain optimal hormone levels (according to results of tests and regular doctor visits). People like myself--people who stay in good shape--are always looking for a new angle, a new approach, or a way to add something new to what they already do. Rather than finding something new, Life simply reinforces (through his Life Plan) the kinds of things that healthy people must do to remain healthy.

Incidentally, he includes 9 pages of excellent references, and for those who need it, he has a Baseline Health Record that includes the "Important Tests to Maintain Optimal Health and Lower Disease Risk." If you are like I am and maintain your health by regular exercise, good nutrition, healthy habits, and regular monitoring and doctor's visits, I think you'll find that most of these tests are unnecessary as are the hormone supplements Life recommends.

If you are in poor health, however, it's a different story: "By adhering to the diet and exercise programs, you are ensuring that not only will you lose weight and gain muscle mass, but you will improve your heart health. If you follow the supplement program, you'll find that your energy levels will return. And if you carefully monitor your hormone levels, you'll find that in no time at all, you'll be looking and feeling younger" (p. 323).

I found the writing of the book excellent, the suggestions terrific, and the overall content superb. There is a lot of information in this book. A lot! His Life Plan Recipes (e.g., pp. 105-109) offer wonderful alternatives and ideas.

Also, I appreciated Life's honesty. For example, when he answered the question, "Do I Need Sports Drinks?" he said, "The truth is, there is nothing magical about any of these beverages. They all contain carbohydrates, which have been clearly shown to be beneficial during exercise. . . . Research has show, however, that carbohydrate ingestion is beneficial only during prolonged exercise. . . . In fact, when we ingest carbohydrates during short-term exercise, it simply increases the calories we take in and inteferes with our efforts to get rid of body fat" (pp. 126-127).

I loved the personal examples Life includes. For example, "My wife, Annie, has made dieting effortless for me. She has come up with her own creation, and it has revolutionized my ability to stay on track with my nutrition program. . ." (p. 103).

I have to say that rather than simply a daily guide or a list of suggestions for diet and exercise, this is a reference work to which one can refer on an ongoing basis. There is just too much here to digest and use without a plan of returning to the book over and over again.

I highly recommend this book for its direct, easy-to-read and understand approach, for Jeffry Life's willingness to illustrate most of the exercises he recommends, for the numerous charts, for the personal, interesting examples (as well as the individual stories/testimonials distributed throughout the book), for the comprehensiveness of the coverage, and for the encouragement provided throughout for sticking to it, following through, creating realistic goals, and rewarding yourself for accomplishment.

It is true that any approach like this requires incredible willpower and self-discipline, but any change we want to make demands these same elements. This is a book that is specific and to the point, so if you are looking for instructions along with motivation to get going, this is a great place to start. I absolutely loved this book. Five stars! - The Power Of Being Different By - Fitness - John Paul Carinci'

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Wooden Toys - wooden toys

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I LOVE that this is made in the USA- five stars for that! but then it loses a star for "fragility". We are thrilled with MANY other Green Toys...HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND the brand! BUT on the jump rope, the handle is the problem. It says that it is adjustable so I had to wonder but figured I could unscrew handle, cut rope and reassemble. Actually, the handle has a turn to lock mechanism which is not the best. With GENTLE use, it is okay and we may just glue the 3-piece handles shut- yes THREE pieces make up each handle...odd! The handles tend to break open if the jump rope is dropped on a hard floor after use...I common occurrence in the play of a pre-schooler! If you have a low threshold for toy repair, this rope may not be best. Otherwise, if it can be used gently or glued shut... it is a great rope! In it's original length, I can use it! I'm 5'8"...so that's pretty cool! It is a tad bit long for my son who is 41 inches- or the height of an average 3+ year old if you are considering for a gift. The rope weight is good although cotton so again, a bit fragile for a toy that many would expect to use outdoors. Probably best for indoor use or on a dry wood patio or deck. ...not sure how it would hold up if it got wet or used on sidewalks or blacktop. Perhaps inside the garage would be okay too. I will keep it for my son and glue repair the handles if it becomes an issue. I may even get one more for me so we can jump together..it's much nicer than one I bought for myself from a fitness store! Green Toys Green Toys Jump Rope - Green

I originally purchased 2 of these jump ropes for my kids, ages 6.5 and 5.5 and have since purchased 2 more as gifts. I love that the length is adjustable, the rope is sort of thick and heavy such that it makes learning to jump rope easier. My kids have not put these down since I got them!!

I ordered a total of 4 of these for the easter baskets. They are high quality but my favorite part is that they are boxes in small boxes instead of coiled like most jump ropes. Makes it WAY easier to wrap and stick in a basket (or Christmas stocking, really). - Wooden Toys'

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Dual Car Adapter - dual car adapter, car accessories

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The Wagan Twin USB/DC Cup Holder Adapter is a very good value. Considering that I paid the same price for a single USB car lighter adapter, this is a great value. It's conveniently shaped like a cup-holder, with the added benefits of 2 included DC adapters and 2 USB adapters. So far all 4 adapters work perfectly.

This adapter definitely sits lower in my cupholder than what I was expecting. It looks taller in the product picture, but expect it to be just above flush with your cup-holder. If your car has two different sized cupholders, one larger than the other, this unit is designed to fit in the smaller standard size. For me that is the cupholder further from the control panel and closer to my center arm-rest.

The unit has four LED indicator lights so you can judge how many devices can be charged with it. This "Battery Level Indicator" feature is a nice extra, with "HIGH," "MID," "12V" and "LOW" indicators.

The product package indicates this unit works with standard 12V and 24VDC accessories. Apparently there's a fuse inside the unit in the event you over-use it, though I haven't yet had the fuze go on me.

CONSIDERATIONS

There are a few shortcomings to the product, all of which I would consider minor. First of all, the lighter cable is relatively short. That's ok if you are plugging it into the DC outlet on your control panel. Many newer cars also have DC outlets within the arm-rest console storage area. I found that the cord was just barely long enough to reach down into my car's storage compartment and be plugged in. That means for some vehicles, like larger cars and SUVs, it might be too short. The deeper the storage compartment, the more likely you are to have trouble using that DC outlet to power this adapter.

The two DC adapters are very deep within the unit, almost too deep. For many DC powered car accessories with shorter plugs, it seems like it might be possible to push them in too far and lose electrical contact.

The other minor negative was that the USB adapters are not perfectly parallel. They are separated by metal but the USB pins are embedded in tabs made of some kind of composite material. You have to carefully insert USB cables because if you don't you risk damaging your connector or the adapter.

CONCLUSION

This is a good unit even if it isn't perfect. Considering the price and the fact that the product performs as advertised, I still recommend this over most others I have tried. It's worth it to have a few extra adapter plugs available to charge your accessories and electronics in your car.

Enjoy. Wagan Twin USB and 12V DC Cup Holder Power Adapter

Our new Subaru Tribeca amazingly had no DC outlets anywhere on the dashboard, instead hiding them in the console. We needed access to the jacks for the handsfree cellphone speaker and occasionally the GPS. This device fits in one of the cupholders next to the console and the power wire with the plug slips inside the console. We've been using it every day for 3 months now with no problems.

I really like this device. I have Sirius and a GPS so it gives me 2 sockets. The USB power sockets are good for powering or charging my cell phone.

Easy to use - stays where you put it in a cupholder - highly recommended.

2&1/2 inches diameter on the bottom, chamfered

3 inches diameter on the top, also chamfered

2&1/2 inches tall

Cord exits the back of the unit 2 inches from the bottom, no strain relief.

Cord length is 39 inches

Lighter plug is 3&3/4 inches long, including the stiff strain relief.

Nice surface for gripping the plug when pulling out the plug, but for me I wish the plug was smaller or right angle... I'm not going to be unplugging it. Due to the short length of the cable, and the big plug, I directly wired a socket extension cable to my car's accessory wiring to avoid a big plug in my center console... which also frees up my car's socket.

Bright smooth nickel plated contacts all around. Fuse is a standard cylinder type marked 10A, accessed by unscrewing the nipple end of the plug. The + contacts for the round sockets is one solid piece of metal. One philips screw in the middle of the bottom appears to hold the case together, also one phillips holding together the plug.

Subtle blue glow from the base of the round sockets. Not obnoxious bright like the units I used to have.

This is a perfect solution for what I needed, and the unit works well. Like most adapters it takes two hands to remove the plug, however the design allows single handed plugging.

Great purchase, my only regret is padding my order for free shipping with other things. I should have gotten two of these instead :)

We are a family that uses several Palm Pre's. Our need was to find a device which would permit us to charge our Pre's while driving. When using GPS, playing Pandora, surfing the web, or playing youtube the Pre has about a 2-3 hour battery life. On a car trips, it became necessary to have a charger.

The Pre, like other smart phones, uses a bit more current than older cell phones. Many chargers only provide 500 ma on their USB ports. This charger seems to provide a bit more. Enough to charge 2 Pre's at a time. Which is all we needed.

The good news is its a great charger, the bad news is it has a lot of lights, which don't seem to mean much, and which don't ever seem to go off while the device is plugged in. There is a battery low light, which always seems on, then there is a battery high light which is also always on. In fact there are a bunch of lights (4 of them) that always seem to be on. These would be small color LED's. I think they shine through and light up the 12 volt power ports as well.

The unit is well made, fits easily in all cup holders we have tried it in (across 3 vehicles). I would recommend this to someone needing to charge more than one smart phone at a time. - Dual Car Adapter - Car Adapter - Ipod Charger - Car Accessories'

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Porter-cable - 23 gauge, porter-cable

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I usually don't write reviews of a tool until I've used it quite a bit, but I'm going to make an exception in this case because there is only one other review. I would like to thank Jim, the first reviewer, as his comments inspired me to take the plunge and try this product.

This Hitachi NP35A is my first micro pinner, although I do own and use a few larger pneumatic tools (15 gauge nailer, 18 gauge nailer, 2 staplers). I typically prefer to use screws rather than nails, but there are occasions when the unique attributes of a power driver nail outweighs it's many disadvantages.

Here are my first impressions of the Hitachi NP35A 23 Gauge Nailer.

Pros:

o compact, lightweight, and comfortable to hold.

o high quality product, for example magazine slides in and out with smooth precision.

o trigger is comfortable, double trigger is relatively easy to get used to.

o the soft nose tip leaves no mark whatsoever on even soft woods.

o very quiet, pleasant to use (no hearing protection needed with this little guy).

o easy side loading of pins, and automatically adjusts to different pin sizes.

o using the soft tip, appropriate air pressure, and good technique, pins are driven to a perfect depth just below the surface (the depth is adjustable via the use of a hex wrench on the nose piece).

o surprising nice blow molded plastic case.

o an easy to see bright orange "low pin indicator" (of course, it doesn't work if one is not paying attention and doesn't look at it ... just one of my many faults I'm afraid....)

o although the minimum specified pin length is 5/8", I was able to use the 3/8" pins without a problem (this is quite a good thing, for my projects).

o made in Taiwan (often a significant step up in quality compared to China made goods).

Cons:

o the manual has a few typos (e.g. "all crews must be tightened..."), and it is bloated with the usual tedious and uninformative safety stuff (dictated by lawyers, presumably), but really, you can probably see that I'm nit-picking here.

Notes:

I have tested this product primarily with Western Fir (actually harder than many "hard woods"), and a sample piece of 100 year old clear white oak (recovered from a badly broken desk). As long as one presses the tip firmly to the wood all pins are driven flush, although one does have to crank up the air pressure a bit for longer pins and harder wood.

I used Grex 23 gauge pins (since they come in a convenient multi-size package, available here on amazon for about ten dollars).

The longest pin length I tried was 1". This gun is specified to be able to handle 1-3/8, and I do not doubt that it will, but for now I can't see myself needing or wanting to drive these incredibly tiny, thin little needles into anything that would require longer lengths. However I know that many people do use much longer pins. Perhaps as I become more comfortable and experienced with this tool I too will join the super-sized crowd.

As you probably know, these pins are much smaller than 18 gauge brads, and much less noticeable. However, they are not invisible, especially in lighter woods. Nonetheless, they are much less visually distracting than their 18 gauge cousins. Also, if you build small things (say drawer inserts using 3/16" thick dividers) an 18 gauge brad is simply too big - it would split the wood - whereas a 23 gauge pin works very nicely (along with a bit of glue).

Hope this information is helpful to you. Hitachi 23 NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer

Had purchased a pin nailer from HF about 7 months ago and now finishing up a trim job on kitchen cabinets it decided to quit accepting 1 inch pin nails. Ran a search on Amazon and found this one. I have 2 other Hitachi nailers, so I ordered this for overnite delivery (Amazon Prime). Used it today and absolutely no problems. Its light, accurate and the nose pad protects the work piece. You do have to adjust the depth when using the nose pad. Adjustment is quick and easy. Hitachi makes some questionable quality items, but I have found their nail guns to be of a high caliber. If you need a high quality pin nailer, this is it.

11/4/2010

UPDATE:I guess I spoke too soon !! All of a sudden it started to jam. Tried various manufacturers pin nails and they all jam frequently. A real shame!! Gonna have to return it.

I bought this gun when my 5 year old Porter Cable gun gave up. What this gun does that the PC didn't is shoot 1 3/8" nails and set them below the surface in hardwoods. The PC was/is a good gun, but I feel this gun is better. It shoots bigger nails and costs less. As long as I get at the least the same amount of use from it as my PC, I'll be a happy woodworker.

excellent product for the money when compared to high end guns like grex or duofast.very light and comfortable to work with, not to mention easy loading.it's one of the few nailers in the $100 price range that shoots 5/8"-1 3/8" 23 gauge pins

I was so glad to get my micro pin nailer in the mail. It did let me down however. This nailer would consistently drive the nail too shallow despite trying to adjust the depth. I had to take off several moldings and trim pieces due to the remaining nails sticking out about 1/4 of an inch. I do not think this device was made to drive nails in that are greater than 1 inch despite what the manufacturers details may tell you. The product is made to drive fasteners up to 1 and 3/8" but in my experience this was not the case. I will return the product and save my money for the Grex micro pinner.

I bought this pinner a while back after deciding I wanted something that leaves smaller holes than 18 gauge brad nails and won't split delicate pieces.

I narrowed my choices down to the Hitachi and the Grex P635. I'm sure I would have been happy with the Grex, and kind of still want one, but the Hitachi was on sale and included a free polyurethane (the light, flexible kind) air hose. I placed my order and grabbed some Grex pins to go along with it.

The gun itself is very small and easy to handle. I have meaty fingers and never have any issues with the double trigger safety, a standard on pin nailers. It has a nice rubber nose piece to protect workpieces.

Pins are easy to load, but I can't say much for jam clearing, as I haven't had a jam with this pinner yet.

The main reason I bought this gun was to use it to pin hard maple corner blocks into place in the small arcade stick cases I build while the glue sets. Even with the cases made of hard maple or walnut, the gun has performed flawlessly. At 85 psi, with the gun firmly held to the work piece, it sinks the pins below the surface every time, and never splits the small 3/4 x 3/4 x 1 3/8" hard maple corner blocks. The pins hold tightly while the glue sets up.

It's not very loud either, but I can't imagine any of the pin nailers being loud.

To sum it up, it's a great pin nailer for the money, all things considered. It has a 5 year warranty too, which a lot of premium nailers don't even have (Grex is 1 year). It's handled everything I've needed of it, so as much as I'd like a Grex, the Hitachi will probably be my standby for a very long time. - Porter-cable - 23 Gauge'

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Antimicrobial - ergonomic, laser mouse

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This mouse pad really does make your mouse more accurate and responsive. I was amazed at the results. High quality design. PRO TIP: Do not take the plastic film off of the bottom or the edges will begin to curl up. If you do, you can easily correct this with standard scotch tape. Just stretch the tape across the back horizontally in 3 or 4 locations and once vertical from top to bottom. It made mine pefectly flat without causing it to skid on the table. 3M Compact Mouse Pad with Gel Wrist Rest, Black Leatherette, Antimicrobial Product Protection (MW309LE)

I really like the Mouse pad with wrist rest, except that it curls up around the edge all around! I have two of them and both do this! Probably a manufacturing defect. I even tried reforming it with my hair blower for several minutes and it still reverted back to a severely curled edge on it. I don't like that, but until they fix this, I won't be buying anymore of them.

Nice quality made mouse pad. With comfy wrist rest. Nice mouse tracking surface. Easy to clean. Stays clean. Provides a nice comfortable place for your wrist. Very durable. The quality that 3M always delivers and you can trust. Feels like it will last for years, unlike most others. Definately worth paying a little more for. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for"! Definately a true statement in this case.

The item shipment was excellent. It arrive on time. However, I seem to have missed the "Compact" description of the item. This is not for a desk use. It is barely appropriate for a laptop. The wrist-rest is not as smooth as a silicon variety.

I purchased this to replace one of my old and very worn out mouse pads. This one does take a little to get used to with the gel wrist rest, but with the easy surface to skim your mouse along... it works just great! Like other reviewers, I would recommend NOT to peel off the bottom part of the mouse pad... that would kind of bug me to have the item curl up anywhere. But, I can see where others would want theirs to stay in place on a semi-permanent basis. Overall, I would definitely recommend this item to anyone. - Laser Mouse - Mousepad - Ergonomic - Mouse Pad'

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Heart Monitor Watch - heart rate monitor, cycling

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Purchased this product about a month ago, and I was originally pleased with it. However, after a couple weeks of use and more focused exercise, I realized this watch doesn't perform. Here are my pros and cons

Pros

-nice look

-easy to use

Cons

-HR strap battey life has not lasted longer than 2 weeks. I've already replaced it twice

-HR readings are all over the place. I'm in good tune with my body, and it has recorded my HR as high as 185-190 for extended periods of time. I've never been able to get my HR past 175, even during an EKG stress test

-HR readings are very inconsisten with readings jumping up and down 10-20 bpm in a 10sec period

Essentially, the product is not reliable. I've used Polar in the past, and was happy to move away from their products with the this Timex. Looks like I'll be changing back. Timex Ironman Men's Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch

I read all the previous reviews of this particular watch thoroughly before making my decision. I am an active training triathlete and needed the functions provided by this watch for all three sports. Everything worked flawlessly for about 3 weeks and then the crystal started to fog up....I waited for a few days and then it got worse and then ultimately failed. I was not quite sure how to proceed. Do I engage Timex or Amazon? Well, the Timex website was not very return-friendly and so I came back to the Amazon website. OMG....this was so easy...I initiated the request for replacement product and had the new watch within about 4 days and then Amazon provides really easy return shipping labels so it did not cost me anything. Once I got the replacement watch, I used the same packaging for the faulty watch and dropped in the box. No fuss, no mess.

So, my 5-star rating is for both the watch and mostly Amazon.

I purchased this heart rate monitor over a Polar because Timex has an extended warranty available - 4 extra years for a measly $5. I received my watch and called the number on the Timex website and was informed that the extended warranty was not available for this particular model.

I see at the bottom of their website that not all products are available for this extended warranty offer, but in order to find out, you have to refer to the instruction manual. Kinda difficult to read the manual without having the watch in the first place, especially when I couldn't find a store locally that carried the Road Trainer (Gotta love Fort Polk, Louisiana).

Otherwise, I am happy with this HRM. Easy to read, and the set-up/operation is very intuitive, especially if you are familiar with other Timex Ironman products. The wristband fits - my left wrist measures approximately 7 inches. I wear it comfortably loose on the third from the smallest opening, although it needs loosening partway through an upper body weight workout. It fits comfortably tight on the next-tightest opening.

The chest strap fits comfortably - you know its there, but it doesn't pinch or annoy me like I thought it would.

Overall, I am happy with the watch and the chest strap. However, I tend to abuse watches, and an extra 4 years would have been great. That aspect of my purchase is very disappointing.

I have now owned two Timex HRM watches. The first one worked for a reasonable length of time, say 6 or 8 months. It then was not able to receive heart rate data from the chest strap. I changed the battery in the strap, I changed the battery in the watch. I went through every single piece of troubleshooting advice I could find, both from Timex and from and exhaustive internet search. The watch showed the heart icon WITH the animation indicating that data WAS being received, yet it would only show double dash for the current rate. Could not overcome this issue.

It had worked so well for a while, so I thought I'd just get another timex and would have better luck. I was flat out wrong. This one has made it about 2 months and is now refusing to receive data. This time, no matter what I do, the watch will only display the empty heart icon. I have again replaced batteries, "reset" the transmitter, moisture, position, tightness, I even shaved the hair on my chest in the area where the strap sits. NOTHING.

So while this device may work well for a short time out of the package, it has become glaringly clear that it is NOT reliable. I don't think spending $70 every couple of months for a whole new watch and band is an acceptable approach. I will NEVER buy any timex again, and I would strongly advise anyone NOT to get these devices. They are a flat out waste -- oh, unless you only want it for the watch. It's a decent enough watch, but the HRM is worthless!

I have been using my Road Trainer heart rate monitor for several weeks now, and must say it is a must-have for runners and athletes. This is the first HRM I have ever used, so I offer no comparative reviews to other models, but here are a few pros and cons of this particular unit:

PROS:

* Accurate heart beat measurement (just make sure to wet the chest pads a bit with water before wearing)

* Great tracking and review of workout stats (includes: total minutes of workout, time in heart rate zone, peak heart rate, minimum heart rate, calories burned and recovery time)

* Easy-to-read display, which is critical when you just want to glance down at the watch before looking back at the road/path

* Chest strap is very comfortable and stays in place (I'm a lean 5'11" 154lbs, so I can understand if larger guys find the strap snug)

* Customizable heart rate zone, great for changing the intensity of your workout

* Really informative manual and heart-health booklet included with this

* The watch looks nice enough to wear casually

CONS:

* The wrist watch strap is fairly large -- even for those with larger wrists

* There seems to be some relay lag between chest strap and watch if I start running too quickly. This is resolved if I slow down and allow the watch to "catch up," but it generally takes over two minutes to synch if I don't do this, which obviously skews the data

* The calorie counter tends to be somewhat inconsistent, either showing far too many or too few calories burned (I am by no means trying to lose weight, but I do need to monitor how many calories I need to consume in order to refuel -- especially when approaching race day)

I have not used this for biking or swimming, but I run roughly 15-20 miles per week, and can honestly say I will never be without my Road Trainer. My only regret is not having purchased it sooner! - Heart Rate Monitor - Ironman - Cycling - Hrm'

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Philosophy Of Mind - yoga for beginners, philosophy of mind

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I thought it would be a great idea to get the basics from a national association, because I understood it would mean something more serious. This is not the case. It has a mystifying preface, in which the author tells us about the experience of waking up to see a column of light at the foot of her bed after which the word yoga sprang into her mind. The same old trip- to-India/finding-Guru new-age story. Lots of silly advices, like how to be nice to your body by talking to it. It does not provide an easy start to begin poses or sequences. It lists a sequence of poses which can't be understood by someone who hasn't practiced any yoga before, and only then begins teaching the poses themselves. I only began learning yoga when I bought the tape Living Yoga - Yoga Practice for Beginners (which focuses on practicing yoga, not personal beliefs). If you happen to have practiced yoga this book might be used as reference, since it does contain a lot of poses and pictures. The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual Fully Revised and Updated

-----------------THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU MIGHT THINK THE AUTHOR IS A FLAKE: 5) The bright-light story!4) She practically chants that "yoga is not a religion"...she mentions this at least twice, possibly three times. 3) The word "yoga" is capitalized throughout the book! Do most people capitalize the word "aerobics" in a sentence? I didn't think so...why yoga? 2) She states (p.17), "...do not be in a hurry to 'convert' family and friends to Yoga.". Ummm, good..I won't! Afterall, she said it wasn't a religion, right?1) She states (p.16), "The fact is, no one knows where or when yoga began". What? Are we supposed to believe that yoga is infinite, like God? (woman, please!).THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU BOUGHT THIS BOOK:5) Under the title of each exercise, you will find a list of the body areas it targets.4) Easy-to-understand instructions of the exercises.3) Good tips under each set of instructions...these help to ensure correct breathing and form.2) Good photos for visual guidance as to form and posture.1) Yoga IS enjoyable and this book makes it easy to get started.THE TOP REASON TO HAVE A FEW BOOKMARKS HANDY:1) You'll want to bookmark the warm-up chapter and a few different pages of specific exercises that are out of order until you memorize the routine and know the poses well.

This book is a great for anyone starting yoga..it guides you through everything:breathing, meditation, nutrition, exercise, and more elements of yoga. There are hundreds of different exercises to do, each with detailed, step-by-step pictures that explain the exercise. If you want to start yoga..THIS is the book to buy!

I love this book. I keep going back to it. I improved my flexibility, strength, sleep, pain and stress levels by following the courses in this book. The book is divided into three courses, and each course takes about 8 weeks, depending on your ability. You move from very simple moves to more complicated ones. Each weeks set of exercises includes warm-ups, asanas, breathing and meditation. Thank you Alice!

I have found this book helpful for many years, and have ordered copies for family and friends who are interested in yoga as a health and fitness practice. A stroke survivor myself (some 20 years ago), I find yoga a great aid in staying alive and functional!To be perfectly honest, the author's short little intro story in the beginning is a tad too new agey for most who don't want to do yoga from a spiritual position, but would benefit greatly from a health position -- don't let that turn you off! Do what I did (and what I recommend to people I'm giving this to) -- read it once, say, "hmmm" and then get on with the program. Christensen has laid out a wonderful program starting with daily stretches (you can do these even if you can't do the individual exercises, or asans, every day) and then offering a week by week series of exercises to help you advance through -- or stay where you are comfortable.She also has special programs for pregnancy and other times when you can't go full tilt. Easy directions, clear photographs that truly help you know what you should be doing, breathing exercises. Excellent for the beginner or person who (like me) slips off and on the yoga and exercise path.

I knew nothing about yoga when I ordered this book. The exercises are clearly written, the instructions are excellent, and the photographs are very clear. I especially appreciate her philosophy about practicing 5 minutes a day is better than nothing at all. So I practice 5 minutes a day using this book, and my flexibility has improved noticeably. There is also a section on runner's stretches that is great for us older runners.

I first bought this book many years back, and have used it on and off. Looking forward to purchasing the revised version. Also gave it to my father who was having problems getting motivated about any form of exercise, and he used it for years.

It is great if you don't have time to go to class, but need someone telling you exactly what to do (I am not motivated enough to just develop a series of poses for myself). The fact that it has multi-week classes in succession with pose variations is great for me. I find videos dull because it's the same thing over and over and they are ususally too slow once you've done it a few times and generally the voice/music combos are irritating. This way I put on my own music and go at my own pace.

I agree with other reviewers that it is best to avoid the flakiness and get on with the courses which are flake free, easy to follow and physically rewarding.

This book achieves what it sets out to do...introducing the beginner to yoga. It will slowly ease you into the practice of yoga. However, as many have noted, the author also offers new age advice which many will find "weird" at best. Her new age/self-help philosophies might offend the common sensibilities and/or religious beliefs of some. I ignore this stuff and stick to the lessons and that has worked very well for me. If you think this stuff might bother you, tear out the preface & the chapter about philosophies for life, then ignore the tidbits dispersed throughout the rest of the text & lessons plans (fairly easy to do). I've detailed out below the basic format of the book as well as areas where you'll be confronted with her worldview, as I know this may be a concern to some (Christians, in particular) who are considering yoga for exercise.

The lessons are divided into three courses. Within those courses you will find the weekly curriculum. Course One offers 10 weeks worth of curriculum with a maintenance routine, a fatigue-reducing routine and a menstrual cycle routine. At the end of the 10 weeks, you then move on to Course Two. Course Two has 10 more routines. As with Course One, you practice one each week for 10 weeks. Course Two also has a short routine for busy days and another maintenance routine. Course Three is divided like so:

Weeks 1 & 2: Emotional Stability Routine, Version I

Weeks 3 & 4: Emotional Stability Routine, Version II

Weeks 5 & 6: Full Emotional Stability Routine

Week 7: Full Emotional Stability Routine, focusing on specific spots (she recommends "talking to your body". I simply focus on "trouble spots" and try to be reflective).

Week 8: Experiment doing routines at different speeds

Week 9: Vary your alternate routine to include many asans you haven't practiced in awhile. Experiment with creating routines for yourself.

Week 10: She recommends the body talk exercise again. Whatever. I try to focus in on more difficult routines or areas of my body which need more work. She also offers a routine for practicing holding positions, which is not to be repeated two days in a row.

Course Three is where I felt she tried to push her philosophies a little more than some might be comfortable with. This involves talking to your body, which I found to be harmless, but absolutely absurd. If you do not subscribe to new age philosophies, you'll also want to avoid the "Philosophies for Life" chapter at the end of the book entirely as it filled with new age/adapted eastern philosophy. She may deny that yoga is a religion, but this section is the philosophy of a worldview that many would consider religious, if not at the very least in conflict with their own religious beliefs. It is definitely not for everyone - things like karma and reincarnation are addressed as truth. The author's beliefs are not amenable to those found in other religions (Christianity, Islam) and may be offensive to Christians, Muslims and others. I am a Christian (Catholic) and have no trouble ignoring her new age ramblings and self-help philosophies. Her beliefs will probably sound like self help/new age mumbo jumbo to those who consider themselves atheist or agnostic. White lights, ethical guidlines (which seem very much like a religious creed of sorts), etc.

However, it is easy enough to ignore it and adapt it to your own purposes while increasing your difficulty level and introducing yourself to some new challenges. After course three you should be able to create your own routines and will be ready to move on to bigger and better things. This book is a good start to yoga for exercise. I could have done without all of the new age philosophizing and personal ramblings of the author, which I tried to ignore as much as possible. Yet, I wish none of it were there and she had simply stuck to yoga. I realize that yoga is more than exercise to her. The book is still a good starting place if you consider yoga as exercise alone and do not want to take up a new worldview.

There is also a yoga during pregnancy chapter with routines, yoga & sports with routines, yoga & stress management (a bit too much of her philosophies there, as you can imagine). Furthermore, the Yoga Techniques Classified by Type section at the end of the book is very helpful for creating your own routines.

Hope this review helps. Good luck! - New Age - Book - Yoga For Beginners - Philosophy Of Mind'

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esata - connectors, cable

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The product quality is really great, I'm really happy with this item, I bought this item to connect my External Hard drive to my laptop and DMP. Higly recommended for users that look for high speed transfers. eSATA to eSATA Cable

The cable works ok, but I was surprised to find that it was pretty short when I received it. I don't recall the exact length, but I think it's about 1 foot long. The picture makes it look longer, and the item description doesn't list the length.

This cable is certainly a great deal and much cheaper than any local store. It works really well with my Acomdata 2.5" Tango USB/eSATA Hard Drive Enclosure Kit, Obsidian Black (TNGXXXUSE-BLK) and the integrated eSATA port on my laptop. The transfer speeds are fantastic and leave my old USB 2.0 hard drive in the dust... The only issue I have with this cable is how stiff it is. Since it's flat it doesn't really bend around corners unless the flat side is against the corner. When you're travelling with a laptop and trying to use this cable, it can be somewhat of a pain.

It works fine and it plugged in fine. No problems with my HP laptop recognizing my western digital external hard drive. But I can't give it 5 stars. The picture makes it look like the cable is around 14-16" but in actuality my cable was less than 12" long. It was definitely shorter than the USB 2.0 cable that came with my external hard drive but I would have preferred it to have been a little longer. - External Hard Drive - Cable - Connectors - Esata'

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Science Fiction - john noble, joshua jackson

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Grounded for Life was a great show that lasted from 2000-2005. In 2003 the show moved from Fox to the WB network. Season four was the first full season shown on the WB. It consisted of 28 episodes because 6 episodes were left over from season three. However we can now enjoy them all on this new DVD set coming in November. I will now list the episodes.

Your Father Should Know Parts 1 and 2- When Sean finds out about Lilly and Brad's physical relationship he becomes upset. The two families begin to feud. Meanwhile Henry and Jimmy steal their father and Uncle Eddie's coin collection

All the young nudes- Sean and Eddie hire strippers for their bar. However the P.T.A. starts to protest.

I right the wrongs- Lilly is embarassed to be seen with Brad at school so Sean tries to fix Brad's image.

I just paid to say I love you- Brad plans the perfect evening for him and Lilly in New York City. However the night turns into disaster.

S.A.T. and Symphany a.k.a. S.A.T. out of Hell- Brad and Lilly stress over the S.A.T. and Claudia decides to take it as well.

Pay you back with Interest- Sean lends Eddie money to buy an electric car. This leads to Claudia's check for college enrollment to bounce.

Ticket to Ride- After Lilly wakes up with a hangover Sean and Claudia sell her car.

Smells like Teen Spirit- Sean gives Jimmy the "sex" talk. Brad sees Claudia in the shower.

Baby Come Back- Sean is jealous when Claudia is asked to model.

Been caught Steeling- Sean and Eddie's bar is robbed.

(She's got) Kegs- Sean wants to go to a concert but Claudia has to study. This proves to be false when Lilly runs into her at a frat party.

My Ex-Boyfriend's Back- Lilly is angry about how fast her old flame moved on.

Communication Breakdown- Jimmy is worried about his parents finding the phone bill which shows he called 976 numbers.

All Apollogies- While watching an Adult film Sean and Claudia realize it was shot in their home.

I think we're Alone Now- Sean and Claudia try to get some alone time.

Can't get next to you- At school Jimmy, Henry, and Lilly sign abstinence pledges.

Racket Man- It turns out that Brad's Dad's tennis lessons are a cover up for an affair he is having.

Me and Mrs. O- Sean tries to reunite Brad's parents.

Tombstone Blues- It turns out that Walt gave Claudia's plot to his wife's dead cat.

Pictures of Willy- Sean and Eddie break into Eddie's Ex-Girlfriend's appartment to steal embarassing photos.

It's hard to be a Saint in the City- With the bar not doing well Eddie decides to round up customers for Saint Patrick's Day.

Beat on the Brat- Sean can't stand one of Henry's friends.

The Cheat is On- Claudia steals Lilly's paper which turns out to be plagiarized.

You're so Vain- Claudia's father stays with the Finnertys while in town for an operation.

Pressure Drop- In order to lower Sean's blood pressure, Claudia decides to run the house by herself.

Get a Job- Lilly does not like Brad's new job. Sean and Eddie give Walt a job at their bar.

Space camp Oddity- Lilly doubts Brad had a girlfriend at Space Camp.

Grounded for Life is a great show and I am happy to see that the entire series is being rushed out on DVD. Season Five is the Final season which only contained 13 episodes. Hopefully it will be on DVD around February. Grounded for Life Season 4

This still reflected the strong writing and strong ensemble cast of the previous 3 seasons, but a slight decline is noticeable. This series clearly had a difficult start on season 1, picked up well on season 2, really cooked on season three and had momentum to carry this season off well. You can tell that they aren't sure where to take some story lines here and the last show seems to be a desparate attempt to regain momentum for season 5, unluckily a failed attempt. This cast had real talent but the writers seemed to lose interest; perhaps why they left the show after this season. A good laugh if you get it for the right price.

This show will keep you in stitches and entertained for hours! The fourth season is just as good as the three before it and it's a shame it had to be the last. The DVD's are good and clear pictures and the extras are fun.

I own all five seasons and would own more if the show had not been canceled. When I need a good pick me up, I just pop in this awesome DVD. I don't understand why the show was canceled, but I think they should have a "Grounded for Life Reunion".

Season four is packed with all new episodes that aired during the season in the show's first year on the WB. I liked this box set the best out of the bunch. It's filled with commentary by the creators, writers, Griffin Frazen who played Jimmy, Brett Harrison who played Brad O'Keefe, and much more! The episodes are awesome and full of comedy! Buy yours now!!!!!

Word on the street is that they won't be releasing season 5 due to sales dropping for the last few seasons. It's too bad that Anchor Bay doesn't understand that the show declined and wasn't as good the last few seasons as the first few so it makes sense that the sales would drop. It's too bad that it's all about the money because fans suffer. I am sure Boy Meets World fans know what I am talking about. - Anna Torv - John Noble - Joshua Jackson - Lance Reddick'

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Saturday, 30 May 2009

Master Lock - door lock, kwikset

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I bought this lock to replace an existing lock. I had never replaced a lock, but the directions were easy to understand. It took me less than 10 minutes to remove the old one and install this one. It looks good, feels solid, and works just fine.

Though I did not have to use this feature, it is possible to adjust the setback from 2 3/8" to 2 3/4".

If you are looking for an affordable, easy-to-install lock, this one would fit the bill. Based upon this experience, I would not hesitate to buy another Master Lock in the future. Master Lock BAO0115 Ball Keyed Entry Door Knob, Satin Nickel

I'm not "handy" in the least yet these were a snap to install. I love these -- the only problem is the price keeps going up. But I found these very easy to install. My wife loves them and we want to slowly redo our house with these. One note of importance is all of the keys are interchangeable so if you're using this for your master bedroom and your walk in closet the same over sized key will work on each and every lock. This would be a problem if you were in a roommate situation where you need individual locks for each room. As I live in a family house, I love these and it keeps my 2 1/2 year old daughter out of my studio. It's also far more beautiful than the gold ones that were on there. It matches our brushed Satin fridge.

EDIT:

I have to add that some knobs use different keys and some the same. I never know which is which and it's a bit confusing and I not have these all over my house. I still love them and wouldn't remove a star for this reason. Just be aware of this.

I had these mounted on an interior door in my house, and the only problem I had was that they turned in the wrong direction to open. I ended up losing the keys in the middle of the night, and a locksmith wanted $150... so I set out to destroy these knobs as quietly as possible. I tried smashing the door in...didn't work. The striker held in the frame. The door was flexing and starting to separate, but the knobs stayed strong. I took the largest screwdriver I had, and began to pry and pry and pry, destroying the door. I ended up using two wrenches, one as a fulcrum, and just prying in every direction until the thing started to bend and look terrible.

It took me 30 minutes to destroy these stupid knobs. Could you do it quicker with a sledgehammer, an angle grinder, or a large drill bit? Oh yeah. That being said, these are a good set of medium-duty door knobs. It would take some real work to get through these without waking you up.

Re: Master Lock BAO0115 locking doorknob

The only problem I encountered (if it can be called a problem) is that the striker plate was shaped slightly different than the knob setup I was removing. Specifically, the position of the hole in the door jamb was positioned back slightly, requiring more effort on the door for the latch to secure properly. I tried adjusting the plate's position to no avail. So I just re-used the plate from the previous setup and the problem is solved.

Otherwise, this Master Lock(R) brand locking doorknob is well-made with quality materials and feels quite solid. It is also very reasonably priced and I find great value in this piece of household hardware. 5 stars

Installed in a few minutes and it feels solid. However, I don't know if I installed it wrong or if it's designed this way, seems like you can only open the door turning it one way (towards the hinge), I'm used to knobs that can open turning either way so I get thrown off. - Doorknobs - Door Lock - Handlesets - Kwikset'

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Emergency Supplies - jump start, power inverter

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Bought this for extended camping trips. We frequently find ourselves at events that require camping out, and with limited or no electrical. I wanted something that could supply power to our wide variety of gadgets that we typically need as a modern family.

Put the Powerpack to the test on a full week trip recently. Through the whole week, it was used for a number of purposes. Including, recharging cell phones, camera batteries, various media devices. It also was used to power a compressor to air up 3 different air mattress (including a queen), and refill them as needed. It also ran a hair straightener and blow dryer a few times. And it was used to run a breathing treatment machine for a friends asthma at least once a day. Might have been used for other things.

The results. The Powerpack lasted through day 5 of a 7 day trip, but we had brought along a lawn battery to attach as a backup. It was simple to setup, and the provided the power we needed for the last 2 days. The main battery lasted about as long as I thought it would, so I was satisified throughout.

The reasons why it didn't get 5 stars. Two reasons, and both kinda minor. One, no way to turn off the clock. I know its not much of a drain on a battery this size, but I would prefer to maximize my usuage. And two, the power meter is no super accurate. It showed 90% power on Day 4, 70% power on day 5, only to be out of power come the morning of day 6.

To be fair though, a few things where plugged into it overnight from day 5 to 6. Those items where low power or turned off. So its hard to say if they caused the drain. Maybe if they hadn't been plugged in, the main battery would have lasted all week.

Overall, very happy with the purchase. Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio

I'm afraid this box didn't do the job. After charging for 3 days (1 day more than instructed by the manual), I ran a 65 Watt light bulb from one of the outlets. After only 13 minutes I got the low battery alarm. I tried charging for 2 more days and got the same result. I then called Xantrex tech support (Though the box is sold as Duracell, the tech support number in the manual is for Xantrex - BTW, kudos to them for having a real person answer the phone). They said I should try first charging from a car for 2 hours (I was using the AC adapter previously). I plugged it into my car lighter socket, but the charge light did not come on. It did light when AC charging, so I checked the battery voltage with a meter. The problem was that the battery read over 13V, so it was already higher than my car battery. That was enough trouble-shooting for me, so I returned the Powerpack today, before my return window with Amazon closed. Amazon paid for return shipping, so I'm still happy with them. I got free shipping with the purchase, so I'm out zero dollars.

Here's what I think is wrong with this product. Gel cells (the battery inside the Powerpack) can't sit for a long time in storage without charging because their internal resistance goes up (something called sulfation). When that happens the battery can seem fully charged, but it isn't because the resistance prevents it from really charging. I don't think these Powerpack products move out the door rapidly enough, so many sit in storage too long before being sold. If you are lucky, you'll get one that hasn't been stored too long and won't have a problem. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't lucky and I'm unwilling to spin the wheel again.

To Duracell/Xantrex: You need to fix this problem by switching to a battery type that doesn't have these basic weakness. Lithium batteries would be ideal. It would raise the price of the box, but it would be worth it because you could get more power in the same size with less weight. Also consider that far fewer Powerpacks would be returned. That's got to save you some cash, yes? I'm ready to buy a Lithium powered one, even at $200, but don't make me wait too long.

I got stuck last week with my car's alternator and battery being dead. This unit started my car 4 times that night and I actually used the supply to power the car so I could drive it an extra block to avoid paying a tow charge. It powers my hungry laptop for up to 4 hours between charges. I can't recommend this power supply more....all aces.

Update:

My unit failed to take a charge finally. I did have another unit that failed and a note of caution here. These devices are not perfected yet. True when they function they are unbeatable but they still can fail prematurely. When they work there is nothing better. The key here is price i think. I paid well under 100 and they have been recently priced at 149. I would not pay anywhere near that for the power supply as they do not last. If i had paid the 149 and it failed after three years that comes to a cost of 50 per years usage and that is not worth the cost. This power supply with a combined power inverter is a great idea, they just need to improve the quality of the battery within or make it so you can merely swap out the battery inside when it dies. Again, my experience has been awesome as to performance but it isnt a device which provides durability with certainty. If they made it so one could go to a battery dealer and get a replacement battery to insert then it is worth what they are asking.

Conclusion:

If you have a need for a solid unit and you luck out with a good one then you will not be disappointed until it eventually fails. It will provide you with stellar results until it dies. The question is this... Is it worth the price for the time it lasts? Only you can answer that. It is an oddity i think to find a product that performs so good yet is such a gamble. I would think that the engineers that designed this fantastic device would consider better quality batteries or a perpetually replaceable battery insert. - Power Inverter - Jump Start - Camping - Power Supply'

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