Guy Low Price Electronic: 31 Mar 2009

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Droid Car Mount - car dock, docking station

This is the car mount designed specifically for the Motorola Droid X.

Pros:

1. Great fit and has a secure structure.

2. Easy to position, especially with the ball-and-socket connection.

3. Charger cable plugs into the cradle directly and subsequently charges the phone. No need to connect or disconnect the cable everytime you use it. (3.5mm Audio cable is not integrated)

4. Has a spacer you can remove to accommodate protective phone cases. Not sure which cases will ultimately work with the mount, though.

5. Includes an adhesive dash mounting disk. Also includes a 3.5 mm audio cable.

6. Doesn't cover camera lens; so I guess you can video the road ahead while driving.

7. The phone automatically recognizes the car mount and runs the car dock app.

Cons:

1. The cradle ships detached from the mount. It assembles by slipping onto the mount arm, unfortunately pulling the phone out of the cradle often times pulls the whole cradle off of the mount arm too. I'm planning on gluing the cradle permanantly to the mount arm.

2. The Car Dock software on the Droid X can use some fine tuning.

3. Does not include car charging cable.

4. Landscape only, cannot be used in portrait orientation. But, the Car Dock app automatically rotates everything, even the home screens, to a landscape orientation.

5. Like the phone, it's big.

Overall, it's a fine mount. I wish the cradle snapped into the mounting arm instead of a slip fit. I don't like using 2 hands to take the phone out. Once I glue it, it should be okay. There are apps out there to enhance the car dock functionality. I downloaded an app that automatically turns on the blue tooth and turns off wifi when docked. I love the convenience of having the charger cable tied into the cradle. Motorola Droid X Window Mount

Some nice reviews here, particularly Arash (the one ranked most helpful as I post this), which I basically agree with. I'll add a few points and detail to that. This is a really great piece of gear, well built. There are plenty of generic holders out there which could be fine, too. I think the auto switch to car dock mode is real nice, and I'd look for that in any off-market brand.

-- The car dock home screen is pretty useful for doing basic in-car, underway stuff. It has been completely reliable at automatically changing into and out of that docked mode. If you need to do anything else, you probably shouldn't be driving, but you can easily return to your normal home screen if needed while still docked (albeit in landscape mode). Note you can find the car dock mode in your list of apps, so you can test drive it or manually switch if you have a dock that doesn't take care of that for you.

-- Unlike some, I'm glad the cradle and the arm disassemble; it's more convenient for packing, stashing, etc. I don't have problems with the cradle coming off the arm as I try to dismount the phone, but I can see it could happen. It would be nice if that joint had a more reliable latch or such, though it's possible to jam something easily removable into the back grooves to prevent it unlatching. But very livable.

-- Mixed results on using this mount with a shell case. I had tried a shell or two in the store with the mockup car mount, and the shell was not an issue. But this shell with my car mount was a small problem. Solvable, but needed solving. After you remove the car mount's insert to make space for the shell (which should be enough), there's still a plastic guide / tab on the right side of the cradle, near the USB connector. It's in the way of some cases, including the Verizon & Motorola "official" holster & shell that I just got. Another reviewer mentioned using a Dremel, a few minutes with a knife worked for me, but I'm surprise and disappointed I had to do a little whittling. Once rid of the annoying extra bit of plastic, it works perfectly well with the shell now.

-- I'm glad it does NOT come with a charger. I already had one (micro, NOT mini USB) and don't want to pay for another. Just be aware and plan accordingly..

-- The audio cord is a bit of a PITA to have to plug in each time you mount/dismount, but OK and manageable (and a non-issue if you connect to your car with bluetooth). The cable supplied with the unit is about 4' long. Should be good for most. But with some cars odd audio jack locations and some mounting positions (e.g. center console jack and way front left mount) you may need to get a longer cable. They're readily available in 6' lengths if needed.

Does not work with protective sleeves as indicated by instructions and adapter plate that comes with it. I had to use a dremel tool to make it work with phone protective sleeves.

Adhesive pad to hold suction cup mount to dash board can barely hold on hot summer days.

I've recently noticed in the colder weather when the plastic shrinks a bit, the mount rattles a lot because of the loose fitting cradle on the arm.

Love the fact that it is designed to work with the car dock app and specifically the Droid X phone, but hate how poorly the mechanical design was executed on this product. Not impressed at all on this one Motorola. The project manager on this product should be fired!

I've had both the Droid car mount and recently purchased this Droid X car mount for a steal at just $19.49. I was very impressed by the build quality of the original Droid's car mount and didn't even bother looking into universal mounts when I upgraded to my Droid X.

Unlike what a lot of reviewers have said, the build quality is great. The car mount itself is solid. The fact that Motorola decided to add one that extra(removable) plate to allow those with a case to use it without removing the protective case is another great feature. The car mount is in two parts, the suction cup and then the dock/mount itself. Many people complain about how easy it is to remove the dock itself by pulling it upwards from the suction mount. Unless you plan of rolling your car over at each turns, that should be the last of your concern. The weight of the Droid X secures that in place. If it didn't latch off while off-roading, there is no way that it will come off when you drive around in your car.

There are two movable joints which can both be tightened! If you don't tighten it good enough, no wonder it will wiggle. Then again, you gotta think, when you will use the phone while it's in the car mount, you will be touching the screen, not holding it on each sides testing how much it wiggles. While docked in, and even driving at 80MPH, I had no issues with any abnormal movements. It was secured in place and I never felt like it was going to jump off of wiggle its way out.

Cool features of this dock include the little magnet that puts your entire phone into car dock mode. The whole UI goes in landscape! You don't have to drill holes at the back for the camera. The camera is uncovered and the phone shoots great videos at 720P! This is the perfect dash-cam and I can already hear..."Bad Boys Bad Boys, whatcha gonna do..."! LOL

There is a little 3M Plastic Pad that comes with the bundle that will help you mount it to your dashboard if windshield mounting is illegal in your state. I also got a free AUX cable that I do not use since I use Bluetooth and prefer no cables around. The AUX cable goes directly into the 3.5MM of the phone and there is a little clip at the back of the dock to hold the wire secure if you didn't want it all in front of your screen.

The dock does have a MINI USB port built in that you have to set your Droid X right into. The charging port comes out at the back of the dock to avoid wires running in front of the phone etc... On the charging note, there are a lot of you out there that complain about not getting a charger in your bundles. You should most likely read your product description carefully before you buy. There are two bundles out there. One with a car charger, the car mount and the AUX cable, and one with the Car mount and AUX only! There is a price difference. Do you homework before checking out!

All in all, this is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone with a Droid X!

Didn't mean to offend anyone... Just threw in my 0.02 in there! ;) PEACE! - Car Dock - Car Mount - Docking Station - Droid Car Mount'

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Swingline - swingline 3-hole-punch, 3 hole punch

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I bought this punch for work to put together some binders. I had been using a heavy duty punch that I no longer had access to, so replaced it with this one...and am glad that I did!

It is extremly easy to use. The lever allows you to "punch" with one hand. It is also easy to empty and doesn't leak paper bits when you pick it up or move it. Another bonus is that it is very light weight and easy to use.

I would recommend this for jobs that are more medium-duty. If you are looking to punch a lot of papers at once, I would go with something heavier duty, however this seems to work great for small applications.! Swingline 12 Sheet Light Touch Desktop 2-3 Hole Punch (74026)

Swingline makes great office supplies anyway, so I am not surprised that this 3 hole punch is no exception. I love it. It's sturdy, easy to use, punches 5-10 sheets at a time. The punch dies are also removable and adjustable. I have one at the office and I love it so much, I ordered one for home.

I love this thing! It's the greatest product I've used. It hole punch effortlessly. I bought it for 14 bucks. So worth it. Sometimes it can get stuck but easily fixed by removing the tray on the bottom and push the lever down to remove those white paper circles that got stuck in there.

Love this hole puncher. It is easy to use and punches clean holes. The large handle makes the operation especially easy on the hand. It punched the 12 sheets pretty easily. I highly recommend it for arthritic hands too.

I am so glad I spent a little more money to get this 3 hole punch. That extra handle makes punching through multiple sheets really easy. I had to bang on my old 3 hole punch so hard that my wrist hurt. Not any more, this thing cuts through multiple sheets like butter!

Buy this thing! Your wrist will thank you! :o) - Office Supplies - 3 Hole Punch - Swingline 3-hole-punch - Swingline'

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Air Purifiers - purifier, hepa

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I bought these two days ago. The smaller unit was for my bedroom and the larger one for my daughter's. She is a baby and has started rubbing her nose and eyes and is stuffy. So I bought these units in hopes of cleaning the air. In just two days I have noticed she is breathing easier.

A special note, the larger unit was loud. It had a high pitch kind of rattling sound. My husband pulled the filter out, messed with some wire or other and now it is whisper quiet, like the smaller one.

Good buy overall. A little pricey on Amazon but my daughter is sleeping easier which was the whole point. Honeywell Tower Air Purifier Combo Pack

I use one of these in a room on the first floor and one in my bedroom. They are pretty quiet but not silent. The higher you set it the louder it is. They really seem to help with dust and such in the air.

I read good reviews for the Honeywell purifiers so I purchased these two so we could have one in our family room and the smaller one in the bedroom.....I have not been impressed.....I can not tell a difference in the air quality where even with the cheaper brand purifiers you can at least tell by the house having a "clean" smell in the air when you run them, but I could not tell with these.....I thought I would give them awhile though to see if they would at least help with my allergy symptoms.......No such luck yet and we have had them for several weeks now..... I rated them 3 stars as ok because I'm sure they are helping to clean the air of some stuff surely, but I wish I would have saved this money and put it towards another purifier that you could tell a difference with........I guess you have to spend big money to tell a difference????

I have 2 small rooms, about 100 sq ft each. These work great. They aren't very quiet on the medium and high settings but I kind of like that fan sound to drown out noise while im sleeping. They seem like they will be really easy to clean which is why I went for this model. I have really bad allergies and 2 dogs so I bought 3 HEPA air purifiers for my 800 sq ft house and it's helped a lot - Air Cleaner - Allergies - Purifier - Hepa'

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Yoga Accessory - yoga, hot yoga

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I own both a Manduka towel and the Yogitoes towel and here's what I wish I would have known: The Manduka feels softer than the Yogitoes, and certainly is more versatile, since it can be used as a regular towel or even a blanket. They both feel pretty stable (can't avoid all slipping of the hands in down dog) when wet, but the major difference is that the Maduka has a tendency to bunch up more than the Yogitoes on my yoga mat during practice. The nubs on the Yogitoes do help a lot to grip the towel on the yoga mat to prevent slippage while you're jumping up to the top of the mat or performing a lunge. Caveat: I have a Gaiam yoga mat, so I'm not certain if the Manduka towel works better with the Manduka yoga mats. I have the pink Manduka - it's quite lovely and I haven't experienced any bleeding in the wash (unlike my purple Yogitoes!). But the bunching issue is really annoying, and for this reason alone, if I need another yoga towel, I would go with another Yogitoes.

UPDATE: I've since purchased a Manduka yoga mat, and the Manduka towel is MUCH better paired with the Manduka mat. In fact, I can't use the Yogitoes towel with the Maduka mat because the nubs do not grip the smoother surface of a Manduka mat very well. So in deciding which towel to purchase, bottom line is it will depend on the surface of the yoga mat you have. Yogitoes towel for your "normal" yoga mats (typically $10-$30) made of soft rubber and has a slightly nubby surface area. Maduka towel for the Maduka mats, where the surface area appears much smoother because the rubber is denser. Manduka Standard eQua Towel (Thunder)

Everyone I know who has a mat towel has one made by Yogitoes. I agonized for months over whether I should buy a Yogitoes or this. Yogitoes has those little rubber bumps on this one side, but did they really make that much difference in terms of grippiness? I use a Manduka mat and love it so I decided to take a risk and go with the Manduka towel too. I'm pretty sure it paid off. This towel feels great, you can really tell it's high quality. It's a little slippy when it's completely dry but, once damp, it provides incredible grip. I've never used a yogitoes towel so I can't make a comparison but I'd certainly recommend this one to anyone looking.

I practice heated vinyasa, so this was great considering how much i move (a lot!) and sweat (I lose about a pound and a half if I don't drink!) throughout the class. It does wrinkle ever so slightly throughout class, but not enough to be a distraction. It's more or less slip proof, but you do have to spray it down pretty generously with water before you start. In fact, the towel dries out so rapidly in the heat I have to get it uncomfortably damp at the beginning of class--but just at the spots where I put my hands and feet in downdog. However, for the price, it was well worth it--you can get two of these for the price of one yogitoes towel, and use it as a regular towel. Plus, it's a little larger than the yogitoes standard and I do appreciate the extra room.

After slipping and sliding on towels during rigorous vinyasa classes and home practice on my Jade Harmony mat - to the point where I had to constantly reposition 4 mini hand towels to my hands and feet in downward dog, to no avail - I finally caved in and bought one of these towel dealies. I went back and forth between all the options on Amazon - the Gaiam, Kulae, Yogitoes, Manduka...and in the end, decided to go for the Manduka because of reviews (noted people mentioning "quick air-drying" and no color leaking during washes) and the fact that it is significantly cheaper on Amazon than any of the yoga stores I've visited.

If you've been debating getting a towel for your yoga practice - and you're a serious yogi who can sweat a ton in classes - put it off no longer. This towel is fantastic. I can't say enough great things about it - it stays put, it's big, covers the whole mat, soaks up your sweat so there's no puddles of wet on your mat (yech), and is indeed quickly air drying. It's comfy and adds an extra layer of cushion between you and the floor (although not too much cushion for those who like to "feel" the floor) It didn't slide once during an extremely sweaty class (seriously, everyone else without yoga towels had gross puddles of sweat streaming all over the floor and mat - ew). The color and feel is soothing and even luxurious. The only possible semi-negative thing is that this towel seems to emit heat when you are lying face down (ie preparing for salambasana or locust/bow pose); it seems to echo/radiate your body heat. This to me was a very teeny trade-off for the many pluses and benefits, since I'm hot anyway regardless of whether there's a towel or not.

It also doesn't seem to soak up smell, so a simple water rinse and squeeze gets it pretty dry for next class. However, I have not washed it several times so cannot comment on its durability or continued sweat-soak ability. Will post later as an update.

You can put this on your mat in the beginning or once you get sweaty - either way, it seems to stick. A wonderful buy at a really good price on Amazon. couldn't be happier with my manduka towel!

I was unsure whether to buy this towel or the one from Yogitoes (Yogitoes Skidless Premium Mat-Size Yoga Towel). I prefer this towel -- it covers the mat better and has a slightly better feel. The difference is fairly small.

I was initially intrigued by the nubs on the Yogitoes towel, but I think they are a little bumpy and don't provide that much extra. The size of the towel makes the difference between the two.

Both towels are better wet than dry, but I still use this even at the beginning of my practice.

After doing a lot of research & finding myself torn between the Yogitoes & the Manduka eQua towel for Birkiam yoga, I decided to buy 1 of each. The Yogitoes is a bit more expensive (about $48) & Manduka about $37. The Manduka is very thin like a chamois, which was described by others this way, but one thing people didn't mention, is that LIKE a chamois, where you touch it when wet it leaves a little dark mark before it evaporates. Well, in a hot yoga class when you are sweating up a storm, the least attractive thing is wet hand/foot marks on the towel (call me whatever you like, but c'mon no one thinks that's a 'nice' benefit of a yoga towel.) Also, I found this one slipped MUCH more than the Yogitoes with the nubs. The Manduka was downright slippery. Granted it did not bunch up like a beach/bath towel, but like a chamois, it has an almost suede-like feel and during a couple of back-laying posture, I actually could slide my back up & down the mat - in a bad way. Anyway, as much as I wanted to like it, I hate it. - Hot Yoga - Yoga - Yoga Towels - Yoga Towel'

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Optimus Prime - revenge of the fallen, science fiction

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I hear a lot of flack against this movie. So many people complain about sequels these days. Of course the second one is never as good as the first. When you see the first movie of a series, everything is new and exciting, the characters are larger than life and its everything and more than you expected because you never expected it. For god's sakes, the movie was created from cartoon characters. If you watch the old shows, the plotlines of the "Transformers" cartoon were cheesy, the animation was sub-par and the action was canned; And we loved every bit of it. The fact is; the show was about robots from another planet that can change into ordinary vehicles fight other robots that can change into other vehicles. There was no real story, that's not why we loved the "transformers". We loved them because they were cool. The movie is just that. "Cool" Micheal Bay didn't set out to solve world dilemmas with this movie. His focus was not to create a love story that trumps "The Notebook" or a robot version of "Willy". No, he set out to make movie of a cartoon of robot that fight other robots and that's what he did and he did it larger than life. This is not the Green Mile, or the Shawshank Redemption. And all the trendy sheep who insult this movie and pick it apart just to make themselves sound smart have no concept of action films for the sake of action. If you loved the cartoon, go see the movie. If you didn't, then don't. Simple as that. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Single-Disc Edition)

So i grew up on transformers and of course im going to love the movie... but regardless of that.. this movie has amazing graphics, storyline is awesome.. and you can trust me.. you will have moments of outright laughter.. I bought it and have watched it on more than one occasion... very enjoyable.. and this is safe for the majority of ages to watch in my opnion.

This movie transforms eye candy to a new level. This movie is not only funny at points, it is loaded with tons of special effects and action. While there have been some extensive negative reviews, I recommend that you still see it for yourself.

What I find to be a big plus in this film is that they did not cover under the darkness of night the climax of the action sequences (like in Iron Man 2 that hid its climax at night). The animators are simply brilliant and are capable of creating their wares in the full view of the sun. This is a bold step that must be appreciated.

The visuals are crisp and the 'transformations' are electrifying. This is an action film, so there is no mind bending plot here. It is just a lot of bigger than life action sequences, one after the other. There are no dull moments in this film, you if you have to get something, put this film on pause!

If you're a boy age 12 or below - AND ONLY THEN - you might enjoy this movie. For the rest of us (people over 12 with at least half a brian & up) - it's probably one of the worst blockbusters you will ever see. In your life! I'm not asking much from a movie like this - really - BUT the plot, and all characters - human & alien alike - are SO shallow & empty - that you can't help feeling personally insulted watching this trash. I'm someone that enjoyed the new Terminator, Batman & Star Trek - these franchises have evolved, while not sacrificing their Sci-Fi & Comic book roots. They gained depth & respect from audiences of all ages by becoming more - Transformers however, has gone the other direction - by becoming WAY WAY less. Idiotic jive talking robots ala annoying Jar Jar Binks infamy, hysterical overacting, and a feel that reminds you of that awful '97 'Batman & Robin' with Mr. Freeze - only worse - numbs your senses for 2 1/2 hours. All the over the top settings & special effects can't bring this movie up to a 2 star rating. And Megan Fox' character is about 3 times too hot for Shia LaBeouf, on a side note. But I don't mind either actors - I actually think they can act way better, than what they're forced to lower themselves to by director Michael Bay - someone who's 'movies' I will NOT touch again with a ten foot pole as long as I can help it. Such trash is simply offensive - it's the lowest of all possible denominators a movie can sink to. GO AWAY - MICHAEL BAY!!!

Yes, I thought the first Michael Bay Transformers was bad. I wasn't expecting the sequel to be much better, but in the back of my mind I was hoping. Michael Bay apparently decided there wasn't enough crass humor, overt sexuality, poor character development, useless moving parts, explosions, and nameless robots transforming into formless metallic amoebas in the first movie. So now there is more of all that in this one. Of course, it doesn't make the movie better, just longer.

Negatives:

1) The twins. I don't think I need to explain this.

2) Sam's parents, excessive comic relief, no importance to the story.

3) Mikaela and the Decepticon fem-bot. Ok, I'm a male, yes I think Meghan Fox is hot. I personally, do not mind seeing her wearing skimpy revealing clothes. But come on, give her some depth. First of all, this movie is being used to sell toys to 6-year-olds. There is no need for such overt female objectification in this movie. Seriously, she spends most of the movie with that pouty expression and posing seductively, instead of acting. Same complaint with the "fem-bot", I felt it was completely unnecessary to the story.

4) Everyone is comic relief. Ok, I'm all for comic relief in action movies. But seriously, you can't build an action movie around an entire cast of comedians. More than 3 comic relief characters, and you should call it "Giant Robot Movie" (ie. Scary Movie series).

5) Visual effects. Sometimes less is more. The robots are too complex, too many moving parts. It is very hard to follow the action trying to follow these overly detailed monochromatic machines as they fly through cities causing random destruction everywhere. In the original cartoon, the simpler designs were easier to identify and they were distinctively color-coded. Most of the Decepticons look the same.

6) There are no rules. Basically, Michael Bay is telling us that alien robots can do whatever they please. They can change their alt-forms at will or become giant robo-amoebas. If you hack them to pieces, each part can become a completely new Transformer. Robots can transform into people. Mechanical devices can turn into dust, communicate telepathically with humans, then reform themselves from said dust and resurrect dead Transformers. And other mechanical devices or even a tiny piece of them can turn earth machines into robots (complete with machine-guns) or resurrect Transformers.

7) Questionable motivations on both sides. So at the end of episode 1, this autobot declared he would stay with Sam forever and ever. Ah, how touching. Now Sam decides to go to college and he won't take Bumblebee with him. What a jerk. He saved the world once, but now Optimus Prime asks for his help to do it again, and college is more important. Why does Sam give the All-Spark sliver to his unrealistically hot girlfriend for safe-keeping, instead of Bumblebee, Optimus or any of those government guys? Why do the Decepticons want to destroy the sun? I mean really, Cybertron is supposedly destroyed, do they have another planet to inhabit once this solar system is wiped out?

Positives:

1) Peter Cullen and Frank Welker

2) Explosions

Neutral:

1) The battle with Optimus Prime in the woods was really cool, but it didn't have nearly the emotional impact of the animated movie from the 80's because it was decided early on that they could just resurrect him before the end of the movie. And with no "Hot Rod" character, Sam's episode of feeling guilty seemed pretty shallow.

All in all, a terrible movie from a critical point of view. People will like the movie if they are a big fan of loud booms and not optional things like story. I feel guilty spending money on this disaster, though. - Shia Labeouf - Science Fiction - Megan Fox - Revenge Of The Fallen'

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Interval Timer - interval training, crossfit

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I'm pleasantly surprised at how small this interval timer actually is while at the same time having a large enough display to be easily read.

The beeping alarm is very loud. If you read some of the reviews of some sport watches (quite expensive ones) that have interval timers, most of them mention the alarm not being loud enough.

My favorite feature the Gymboss has though is the vibrating function. I run while listening to my MP3 so I set the alarm to vibrate instead of beep, and that is something you will never find in a sport watch that costs the $19.95 I paid for my Gymboss.

If you're shopping for an interval timer, this is definitely the one to get. Gymboss SILVER HARDCOAT

The biggest value provided for me is the volume of the tone at the end of an interval. I've used other timers and in the middle of a workout it's nice to clearly hear the end of the interval.

The other value is its size; easy to pop in a pocket or clip to your waist band without being noticeable.

The interval set-up is a bit clunky (you really have to hold the buttons down) and due to the size its not especially easy to see times.

If you are looking for an audible alert for interval training, this is great. If you need visual feedback this may not be ideal.

Gymboss timer is an inexpensive little interval timer that works very well for the price. It's the size of a matchbox and it's easy to clip into the waistband or even collar of your shirt. The belt clip is very secure, so there is little danger of the timer slipping off you belt. It would have been a nice addition though if there were a strap that would allow you to fasten the timer on your upper arm or an exercise machine, for example. Another improvement would have been if the belt clip would rotate, so that the display screen would be facing you the right way, no matter how you carry the timer. And speaking of display, it could be bigger and/or have better contrast.

The timer is plastic, and although it can stand being dropped to the ground, it would probably not take when stepped on, for example. They also market as water resistant but I would not use it with water sports, although it's not affected by the moisture if carried next to skin under clothing.

The timer has two different alarm sounds, and an optional vibrating alarm you can use together with the audible alarm, or just by itself. However, I feel the vibrating alarm is not strong enough to be relied without the sound, at least when engaged in a vigorous activity like running. In addition of having two different alarms, you can choose between alarm length of one, five and ten seconds. The high alarm voice is loud enough to hear the alarm even in the middle of traffic, and the lower tone alarm is good when exercising in more quiet environment like in your own home.

The timer has the option of using two separate intervals of different lengths, like Tabata intervals or boxing rounds. You can program the timer to go through a set number of rounds and then sounding an end of exercise -alarm, just counting rounds until you decide to end the exercise, or just simple countdown with no separate rounds. The rounds can vary in length between 2 seconds and 99 minutes 59 seconds.

It's easy to program the timer, but it could be a little faster. For example, if all I want to change is the number of intervals I want to go through, I have to go through the whole programming cycle just to add or reduce the number of rounds. It's not a big issue, but it there was a switch to choose which variable I want to change (the length of an interval, the alarm sound options, etc.), it would make the programming easier. I like the fact that the start/stop button of the timer is located on different side of the timer than the programming buttons. That way, it's easy to locate the start button by feel when the timer is on your waistband. You can also pause the timer by pressing the start button three times in succession.

All in all, I am very pleased with Gymboss timer. In fact, I'm so pleased with it that I'm considering buying another one for the office.

If you need an interval timer, there is nothing you can substitute for one - a clock on the wall or a stop watch - neither will work because you can't pay attention to a clock while you're working. You need an audible alert. GYMBOSS provides you with that alert. The alerts are either loud/soft/vibrate or some combination. The unit is small and weightless and clips to your workout cloths. It works.

Interval workouts consist of a work/rest cycle. But the work time and rest time aren't necessarily equal. For example, the Tabata interval I use is 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest repeated 8 times. GYMBOSS allows you to program times that are not equal to each other with two separate intervals.

The problem with the unit is that written documentation that comes with the unit is minimal, poorly organized and poorly written. The labeling on the unit is also confusing. For Example: there are three buttons - Next/Change/Start. In order to power the unit ON you press? - take a guess - you press NEXT. It gets worse from there.

The unit looks cheap - like something you'd find in a dime store - and does not inspire confidence that it will last very long. However, "real" interval timers start at four times the price point of the GYMBOSS. So given your usage and expectations, this unit might or might not be for you. It works for me.

Finally let me add that I had originally written a 2 star review of this product. Customer service spotted the review, emailed me and walked me though use of their product. Proper usage should be done with good documentation, but the fact that CU went the extra mile ups my review to 4 stars. To get the fifth star they'll need to make documentation and design changes to make the product more user friendly. - Timer - Interval Training - Crossfit - Tabata'

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Cpo Bostitch - home, pneumatic

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My old narrow crown went down the other day so I bought this at a home improvement warehouse. I usually check to see which is made in the USA first, then durability, then price. This was the only gun in it's price range made in the USA. I use it in case openings, drawerstock and drawer bottoms, built-in backs, or anything thin. (...) Depth of drive adjustment is good, rear exhaust is great,I have always hated the "blow in your face," weight is good, also no oil is a blessing ... no mar. It is so light it feels like plastic, but it is magnesium. I liked the automatic feature..as long as the safety is down, it will fire till you run out of stock. I wish it wouldn't fire without staples though..If I could I would deduct a half star for that. It had the power to consistantly sink 1" staples, but don't know about 1 1/2". It took more than a thousand staples without a hitch building columns...no pretzels. so far so good Bostitch SX150K-1 18 Gauge 1/2-Inch to 1-1/2-Inch Narrow Crown Stapler

I've just purchase my second SX150K from my local Home improvement store only to find it is leaking air from the trigger assembly, right out of the box. I had to return the first one because it was doing the same thing. Also out of the 30 or so staples I shot, 8 were double fires. I just got off the phone with Bostitch customer support and they wanted me to narrow it down to 1 of 3 seals it could have been. No thanks. As soon as I'm done writing this review I'm returning this one also...Update.I just retured from a Bostitch SWAT event, they were unable to repair my leaking tool so they sent me home with a brand new one. That is great customer service.I own 4 other Bostitch air tools with no problems at all.

This stapler was an istant hit in my High School cabinet shop. I teach cabinet making in a public high school,two years ago I purchased a small pnuematic set up (two finish nailers and a small two tank compressor). With a limited budget, I had to put off getting a stapler. I knew I needed one that was easy to change staples and sizes, included a case and could withstand the type of punishment and abuse only a high school student can dish out. It also had to take the standard narrow crown type staples. I recently purchased this one for my self and brought it in to school just to see how my students would take to it. It was instantly the tool of choice when attaching the 1/4" cabinet back or draw bottoms. If I happen to bring it home, the next day some student will ask for it. I was recently told to spend about $$$, a gift from the theater dept. for building some sets. I immediatly showed them the specs on this one, I'm expecting it soon then I'll finally get to take mine home.

This product has worked quite well for me, but a key feature broke, making is almost obsolete. I had to staple hail screen (hardware cloth) to a wooden frame. This required placing the safety mechanism (at the tip) on the screen and firing a staple. When the tip was wide it was not difficult. However, the tip is PLASTIC and it wore through after about 20 hours of work. The metal is very narrow, and was difficult to place on the screen to fire a staple. Consider selecting a stapler that has an all metal safety tip. This part is available from the Stanley/Bostitch website for $0.15, but shipping is $7.00!!!

I've bought it a few days ago, so far very good felling about it. It feels very light, no wind blast in the face, wherever and however you use it...the rear exhaust is push to the oposite way, a very good thing...then no needs to rotate an exhaust like my PC brad nailer :-)Only complain, since it is an industrial model, there is no reset when fire...so you need to be very carefull to hold it secur againt the surface to avoid risk of a double fire....but some folks might like this feature...

I bought this stapler to install crown moulding at my home. It uses 1.5 inch long staple and it went way through both the moulding and the dry wall into the wood. It is accuate, and the precise position allows error finish. I also used it to nail small pieces of dry wall to the wood to repair hole on the ceiling which I made for recess light installation. I got the job done quick ,and it turned out to be a lot more useful than I thought. It's surprising how often you have to nail some thin material and need something that won't just go through the piece as a brad nail often does. This is a quality product and it is very handy. It is a winner you should not miss.

I bought this stapler for general projects and am very happy with the stapler itself. It has always worked very well. I like the oilless feature and the power it has. My caution for anyone thinking about buying this item is the availability of the shorter 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch staples. In my area I went to Home Depot, Lowes and Menards all of which sell the stapler but do not stock the short staples. I wanted them to do an upholstery project. I found them on the net but this delayed the project until the staples arrived in the mail. That is my only warning about buying this or any other tool is make sure they stock the full range of fasteners that can be used with it.

I bought a refurbished SX150K for 1/2 the price and IT WAS NEW NOT A MARK ON IT!!! The first thing I did was to load 1-1/2 inch staples into the gun and shoot about 25 of them into 8/4 oak which set the staples flush into the oak without a problem. In the past I have also bought Bostitch oil free 18 and 16 gauge refurbished guns both were brand new and work without ANY problems. Best guns I have ever had and I have had a lot of nail guns, and these Bostitch guns are made in the USA not China.

I had this Bostitch SX150K stapler for a little over 2 months. I was not impressed with it at ALL! It jammed often, didn't countersink, felt "sloppy", and lacked power to set 1-1/2" staples in hardwood. I ended up selling it on eBay and buying a Ridgid stapler instead. My impression of the Ridgid stapler are, it is superior! Every detail seems to have been carefully thought out with it, fit/finish is superb, no jambs (yet!), tons of power, just as light as the Bostich, and it has a lifetime parts/service warranty! I suggest you steer clear of the Bostitch SX150K, and look at the Ridgid instead. (Check on eBay, I got my for $59.99 + $9.99 S/H!) - Pneumatic - Cpo Bostitch - Home'

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Recumbent Bikes - recumbent bike, exercise bikes

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UPDATE ON 12/27/2010. After one year of steady use, I am very pleased with the machine. In my original review (below) I reported a clicking noise, but I finally figured out that it was because the locking knob on the seat adjuster was not tightened down; once corrected the bike has been silent. It has been ridden an average of 2 1/2 hours per week. There have been absolutely no problems with the bike. My only complaints (and they're not show-stoppers) are 1) the useless book ledge, 2) the handlebars aren't usable unless you lean forward, and 3) the need for plugging the unit into an electrical outlet (rather than having a battery). Please note that I unplug my bike when it's not in use, as I expect the transformer unit would burn out much sooner if left plugged in all the time. SUMMARY: A great machine, and I highly recommend it.

The remainder of this review was written in December, 2009:

Please note that this review is written based on only ONE WEEK (Comments added 1/7/10) of use, so it can't possibly address performance over the long term. If I remember to, I'll come back in a few months and give a more complete review.

First, the machine was shipped promptly and arrived on time. The package was somewhat damaged, but all the bike parts arrived in good condition. It appears to me that the Chinese manufacturer packaged the bike for containerized shipment, and not for individual transport. Nevertheless, all was okay.

Assembly is straight-forward. I was interrupted (neighbor's horses got out), but total assembly time was probably about one hour, working alone. Note that I'm an experienced assembler, having put together many wagons, carts, bikes, trikes, etc. in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Also note that Step 5 (page 11) calls for REMOVING the seat rail bracket; the bracket on my bike WAS NOT already installed, and, not reading the instruction, I installed the bracket, as that's what the diagram suggested. No big deal, but you'll have to remove it later. Other than that glitch, all went smoothly. By the way, all the tools that you will need are included in the package - nice touch.

With only one week's use, the machine has been absolutely silent in operation; I certainly hope that continues. (ADDED 1/7/10: After a month's use, it has developed a clicking sound as I pedal.) By default, the bike starts at intensity level 3. Stepping up to level 4 is detectable but not severe. Further steps seem to increase resistance at a higher level.

I cannot grasp the front handle bars while sitting with my back against the backrest; in fact I can barely touch them with my finger tips. To grasp the handles I must lean forward. Not a biggie, but I would prefer them to be located in front of the electronic display, rather than behind it.

As to the electronic panel, it appears to me that the MPH shown is high; at 80 RPMs it registers 16 miles per hour, while my old bike showed 13 MPH. The display registers about 25 calories per mile at resistance level 4. The heart rate monitor shows about 5 beats per minute higher than my Polar unit, but I can't say for sure which one is closer.

I do not like the way the "time" feature changes between "elapsed time" and a one-minute countdown display at 6-second intervals - I would prefer it to stay on the elapsed time screen. If there is a way to reset this feature I haven't been able to find it. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the LOCK button to keep on elapsed time and MPH.)

Also, my old bike stopped the elapsed-time clock whenever I quit pedaling, but this one continues to run - a stop to answer the doorbell reflected 5 minutes of exercise time while I was away. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the STOP once (only once) to pause the display, and the top left button (I forget its label) to resume.)

I have not used any of the programmed workout programs, because I exercise at 78-82 RPMs for 30 minutes, varying pedal resistance during the workout (I'm a 70-year-old male, and I'm not trying to build endurance.)

The "magazine rack" is merely a small ledge. It will hold a magazine, I suppose, but I place my very small MP3 player on it. I don't believe that some of the larger players would stay on the ledge.

I knew this before I ordered the bike, so I can't really complain, but I would much prefer the display unit to be powered by a battery, as my old bike was. The Schwinn 220 must be plugged into an AC outlet - without electricity you don't get any readouts, and can't vary resistance.

The Schwinn 220 seems to be pretty stout, and my overall impression, at this point, is favorable. If it continues to function like it does now, I'll be pleased with my purchase. Time will tell. (ADDED 1/7/10: So far, so good.) Schwinn 220 Recumbent Exercise Bike

I've been searching for some time for a decent, affordable recumbent exercise bike to replace a rowing machine I'd quite using because of knee problems. It seemed the really solid ones were well over the thousand dollar mark, and the less expensive ones were... well, junk. I tried a Schwinn 240 at a local sporting goods discounter, but (1) I couldn't adjust it to fit me and (2) it wobbled and creaked as I tried to pedal it. I had about given up hope of finding an affordable unit when I tried a 220 at another discount store. It was poorly assembled, but it did fit, and pedaling it was comfortable. They could order me one and have it "just a few weeks", they assured me. I said I'd think about it.

Back home I read the Amazon reviews for the 220. Even better than the 240, said some, and it has the same 300lb rating, which means it should be just as strong. Hmm. I thought about it overnight, and decided to bite the bullet. Two days later I came home from my morning bike ride to the coffee shop to find a large cardboard box sitting on the back porch. I got out my pocket knife, opened the box, and - this is important- removed the assembly manual before doing anything else.

I studied the manual for a while- it's one of those modern multi-country ones with no text, just a lot of diagrams. Think Ikea. It was clear enough. I removed the pieces from the box and carted them upstairs one by one. Assembly was clear and straightforward, making allowances for those little production tolerances you inevitably come across in anything made in a semi-automated factory. I didn't have any of the problems some reviewers mentiopned, probably because I read the assembly manual fully and made sure I'd identified all the parts before starting. A few tips:

1. The bolts come in two types: Flat head, for attaching the feet (parts A), and round head for everything else. The round headed bolts are labeled in order of increasing length- B, D, E, F. Simple. Don't unwrap them all at once- just peel back the plastic to expose the bolts you need for the task you're working on.

2. The curved washers are for attaching screws to curved surfaces, That includes joining the front and rear assemblies together- here, the bolts are already inserted in the assemblies when you unpack- and attaching the column that holds the computer.

3. There are a number of interconnecting cables running through some of the assemblies. Most are simple mini-headphone type connectors (1/8" mini plug), but there are also a couple of flat, multi-wire connectors at the top and bottom of the column holding the computer. If you take care to align these when assembling, they'll slip together easily with little or no force.

4. Some of the cables are held in place with twist ties and rubber bands. Don't remove these ties and bands until you've connected the cables, or you're likely to lose a cable inside the machine.

5. Follow the instructions religiously. Coming up with shortcuts and "improved" methods will get you into a lot of trouble.

6. Don't tighten any bolts until you get all the bolts in for a given assembly. This is especially important when installing the seat assembly. There, tighten the bolts at the front support before tightening the bolts at the rear support.

7. The funny shaped metal piece sealed in with the bolts and washers is a screwdriver and pedal wrench. And remember: The left hand pedal has a reverse thread.

8. You'll notice that there are *two* sets of mounting holes for the seat back. Being 6'2" and having a long torso to boot, I used the lower holes in order to mount the seat back higher. You may have to experiment with this to find the best setting for you, but I'll suggest that if you're over 5'10" you start with the higher seat back position. (If more than one person will be using the machine, you may have to compromise on one position or the other.)

Once I'd studied the assembly manual and had all the pieces laid out, actual assembly took perhaps 30 minutes. I plugged in the power supply (a 9-volt wall wart), punched "Quick Start", and started pedaling. Easy. Pushing the "+" and +-+ buttons increased and decreased resistance smoothly- I found that I liked spinning at 4. I haven't tried all the programs and other settings because, frankly, I don't care about programs and automation and such. All I wanted was a knob that says harder <-> easier. But I do like some of the features, like the built in pulse monitor and the timer. Very useful. Some reviewers have complained that the front "handlebars" are too far away to reach. Those aren't handlebars; those are handles to make it easier to get up, for those users who might have some difficulties in doing so.

Short summary: This is a well made (for the money), easy to use, comfortable machine that will probably get a lot of use once the weather cools down and I can't bike every day. Until then, it'll be for rainy days. I'll update this in a few months after I get more miles in.

UPDATE:

I've been using this bike daily for a month and a half, and I'm still very pleased with it. My favorite feature? It's silent, which means I can watch TV while spinning without turning up the volume. I'll pop in a DVD from the library- usually a documentary series- and before I know it, I've done 30 minutes of solid exercise.

UPDATE II:

I've now been using the 220 daily for just over 4 months, and I'm still very pleased with it. Everything still works, none of the parts have deformed or loosened, and the foam in the seat is still stiff and supportive. My knees have strengthened to the point that my arthritis is far less of a problem than it was. I'm pleased.

UPODATE II: It's been 8 months now, and I still use it every day I can't go bicycling. One tip learned: If yours goes "clunk" on every revolution as you pedal it, the chances are extremely good that you have a loose pedal. The pedals may not appear loose, but if you snug both up with a wrench, the noise will probably go away. - Stationary Indoor Bike - Exercise Bikes - Recumbent Bike - Exercise Bike'

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Good And Evil - god game, pc game

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In over 20 years, I've never seen a game provoke such diverse response as this one. The five stars here reflect my reaction; you should not, I repeat NOT, use this as a gauge to whether =you= will like it. There are some simple questions to ask yourself before plunking down your hard-earned cash.First of all, how good is your mouse? Seriously, I went from a good logitech wheel mouse to a cheap optical while playing this game and the optical mouse was dramatically better. I've also played it with different kinds of finger-pads, and with at least one (with the right mouse button on the side), the game is almost impossible. I can't even imagine using a trackball (but I haven't tried, so I don't know for sure). B&W uses a revolutionary gesture recognition system which is great once you get to using it--but not if there's even a slight hitch with your pointing device.Second of all, how fast is your machine? B&W runs well on 800mhz, 32MB graphics card, 128MB RAM--but game saves take quite a while and there are some jitters. I wouldn't even venture this on less than 600mhz. Smoothness is key.These two points can't be over-stated. If your hardware is not up to snuff, B&W will frustrate you. (Some reports have it that any sort of "odd" hardware will make B&W mis-behave but I haven't seen this.) Now, looking at the finer points:What kind of gamer are you? B&W is not a fast-paced action game. There are some time constraints placed on you at various points, but mostly, B&W is more of an experience than a game in the traditional sense. If you're the kind of person who likes to "beat" computer games and drive toward the finish quickly, you won't get much out of this. If you can take pleasure out of the actions that you can do and the effects that these creates, you might find B&W very pleasing indeed.In some ways, B&W feels like an adventure game. You have tremendous freedom to do what you want, but until you do certain things, the story isn't advanced. Are you a casual gamer? This is less important depending on how you answered the last question. If you're a casual gamer who likes Quake, you may find the learning curve not worth the return. I spent several sessions doing nothing but learning how to interact with the game. I found this process interesting, but if you've only got a half-hour every other day to play, and you favor quick results, this probably won't work for you. I did find that once I learned how to interact with the game, I could leave it for a week, come back and pick right up again, though, which makes it less involved (to my mind) than your average RPG or adventure game.If you're a casual gamer and playing the game at a leisurely pace, I suspect that you won't find any of the bugs some people are complaining about. The more interesting question in some cases is "Is it a bug?" I may have hit bugs while playing and just not recognized them. B&W is that kind of game.What pre-conceived notions do you have going in? Back in '77 I was out of the country for a month, and when I came back everyone was talking about "Star Wars". When I finally saw it, I was, of course, disappointed, since no movie could be =that= good. No game could be all that this has been hyped to be. Worse for game author Molyneux, people were expecting "Star Wars" from B&W and got "Dr. Strangelove". (Both great movies but =entirely= different experiences.)The key thing to enjoying this game seems to be deliberate pacing. The longer you take on each level--training your creature, getting your skills up, mining the world for all it's worth--the more enjoyment you'll get out of it. You'll have fewer nasty surprises and you'll have a "godlike" understanding to go along with your "godlike" powers.But that absolutely requires you to be able to enjoy the very action of playing, and for you to set your own goals that you can meet while discovering things about it. Otherwise you'll just get bored or frustrated or angry.Hope this helps! Above all, have fun! That's what it's all about! Black & White

Okay, I'll admit it. I was skeptical. The game couldn't be as good as everyone says it is. Thanks to a couple industry connections I got a sneak peek at the game -- a day before it goes on retail shelves.Well, it's better than excellent. This game is a classic. It really is.Some highlights:- Superb graphics. The ability to swoosh and zoom in on every little bit of the island is incredible. You can zoom over mountains, zoom into huts, zoom up into the sky: it's really amazing.- Superb sound. If you have positional speakers, the sound is quite effective. Moreover, it's one of the few games where sound actually enhances the game: you hear splashes, can hear the villagers go about their business, can even hear the cries of the villagers if (heaven forbid) you choose to become an "evil" god and start tossing them willy nilly into huts, flinging them across the town square, or dropping them from dizzying heights. It's amazing.- And, of course, superb AI: you're god and you choose a creature -- cow, ape, tiger -- to represent your god-like self. The creature -- with only minimal learning -- begins to adopt a personality. You pet it when it does good things (the creature giggles and laughs) and you whack it -- slap it back and forth -- when it does bad things (like, er, eating the little villagers, not that I advocate that ... ahem.)- A fascinating tutorial. If it's your first time playing, you're guided along by dual consciences -- a devlish little red guy (advocating destruction) and a blissed-out, sandal-wearing little British gentlemen (advocating kindness and compassion). As you get your bearings, these two little creatures float about the screen and point things out ("Pick up the little rock here and bring it to the sculptor!" "Check the scrolls. Scrolls are good!" "Hey, get real, do you *really* wanna save that villager from drowning?") It's pretty entertaining just watching these two little avatars compete for your attention.The tutorial shows you how to move -- which is a little difficult at first, but you can remap the key board keys -- shows you how to construct your "temple" (and takes you inside of it for a really whacked out view of *TOTAL* control. The temple contains rooms -- a save game room, a help room, a library room -- which, in turn, contain various "picture frames" that allow you to replay certain events, zip right to specific tasks, and more. The temple is pretty darn cool in itself.)Aside from teaching you the finer points of the game -- movement, in particular -- the tutorial really unveils the incredible richness of the world -- and truly gives you a god-like feeling. The tutorial offers you several challenges -- a few are a little difficult since you're not familiar with the world and it takes some time to figure out how move about and find things -- but as you complete the challenges you come to understand the complexity of this game. The "cartoonish" of the Sim games suddenly becomes apparent as you play 'Black & White' and face some pretty interesting moral dilemmas. You can choose how to resolve each dilemma, but once you choose, you must of course face the consequences. Do the villagers worship you? Do they fear you? Do they respect you? Is there a more subtle (and perhaps complex) chain of events that is triggered by your individual "god-like" actions?It's interesting, too, that it's possible to be a morally "complex" god. You don't *have* to be 100% good. You can throw in a little, er, terror to make the villagers stand up and take notice.Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that this game presents gamers with an "authentic" moral universe. But I understand -- and this only after a few hours of play -- that as far as "games" go, Black and White offers unique moral universe of its own devising -- with a specific set of rules and consequences. For that alone, the game goes slightly -- ever so slightly -- past the idea of "gaming" and approaches the realm of sophisticated simulation. (It's better, I'll add, then the traditional "historic" wargame that attempts to very carefully model real world events. B&W is a game which creates a unique universe and then models it amazingly well -- both graphically and (yes, I'll admit it) emotionally.)Maybe B&W succeeds so well because it offers (even more so than the "SIMS" simulations) the sophistication of truly *interesting* (and often unpredictable) artificial intelligence. Or maybe it's the fact that the game encompasses a complex world that (taken on its own terms) offers a variety of subtle challenges not usually found in computer games.But buy this game: it's fascinating. - Games - Black And White - Pc Game - God Game'

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