Eye Shadow Primer - eyeshadow, makeup

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honestly, I did not believe one bit that this would work. I know most base's crease after about an hour but this one does not! I have previously had Bare Minerals primer and MAC primer - don't get me wrong, they worked just fine, mac does harden after a while and feels like glue. This primer works just as well. And for the price! After buying this i wouldn't bother spending 18+ on any primer again, there is no point :) NYX Cosmetics High Definition Eye Shadow Base Primer ESB04 - Eye Shadow - Makeup - Eyeshadow - Urban Decay'

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I had a very unusual experience seeing this movie in theaters.



I watched it, I had a great time, I laughed, cheered, was thrilled, and the moment the credits started to roll the people in the row behind me IMMEDIATELY started spouting off how much they HATED it. I was flabbergasted. I was sorely tempted to turn around and ask them if we even just saw the same movie? How could anyone hate something that's so much FUN?!



But after thinking about it, I could see actually why they didn't get into it. Cars 2 is the first Pixar movie where you really have to 'get the joke' of the premise, or the whole thing falls apart like a house of cards. What this movie is, is the best James Bond movie of the last 15 years (not counting Casino Royale which transcends Bond movies to be just a great spy movie), with a bit of The Accidental Spy thrown in.



I LOVE Bond movies. The crazy opening sequences, the insane gadgets, the quippy lines. And Cars 2 hit pitch perfect parodies of every Bond standard. But you could never say of any Bond movie that it's got a deep emotional core, that's not how they're made. They're made to be balls to the wall fun and thrills, and that's what this movie is. Which of course makes it the polar opposite of the original Cars. It could hardly be more different.



If you get the joke, that this is a James Bond movie with cars, it's a riot. Loads of fun. It's not deep, it's not going to tug at your heart strings, it will not make your mother cry three or four times (as virtually ever Pixar movie ever made prior has done to my mother, I take her to Pixar movies with a bucket). It's just riotous fun. And I'm amazed that people are punishing Pixar for making a movie that's just pure fun. Granted Pixar is famous for it's deep emotional stories, and I suppose people expect that sort of thing every time. Even if you make a fun and entertaining movie, if you don't do what people expect, they bite your head off for it.





I went in with few expectations cause the early reviews bashed it to pieces, and I was frankly not that big a fan of the original movie. In the first Cars McQueen spends an enormous amount of the movie whining, and I found him generally unlikeable until fully halfway through the movie. It was a good movie, with a lot of heart and a message, but not one I would describe as a lot of FUN. Mater especially, a little of him went a long way in the first movie, and I was really worried about him being the star of this movie, because if a little of him annoyed me in the first movie, this one has 10 times more of him.



And yet, he actually annoyed me LESS this time around, cause he had something to do instead of just hanging around being Mater. They struck a perfect balance in his 'mater-ness' where the Accidental Spy nature of his story is charming instead of just annoying. And even more to my amazement, Mater's unique perspective DOES actually help solve the mystery. He's not just a bumbling idiot gumming up the works, he does actually help.



I was also constantly amused at the imagination that went into Cars-ifying the world. Even little touches like the swanky party in Towkyo (not a typo! ha!), the elevators are giant pistons that come out of the floor. I didn't expect it at all but once I saw it was it was so perfect.



To sum up, I have to say, I enjoyed this movie MORE than the original Cars. Yet at the same time I'll fully agree that the original is a technically superior film in writing and character, but Cars 2 is way more fun. If you go into this with the right attitude, that you're seeing a James Bond movie with Cars, that it's meant to be pure fun and embrace it on that level, there's a lot to love.



The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is it IS shallow. I won't say it's a perfect film on every level cause it's not. But it doesn't deserve the hate it's getting, it's just a fun movie, and there's nothing wrong with that. If it doesn't quite transcend to the levels of brilliance of The Incredibles or Wall:E, that doesn't make it BAD, it suffers only in comparison to other Pixar work, compared to anything else, it rocks. :) Cars 2 (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy)

I too was looking forward to watching this movie with my kids. The 1st movie was well written and had a good story line about what happens when you become selfish. The 2nd movies was nothing like the 1st one. The story line was about the evil oil industry and trying to kill cars. I am not adverse to violence, because I grew up with Bugs Bunny and the Warner Brother cartoons. I let me children watch these shows, but the violence is appropriate to what the characters are doing. The Cars 2 movie was covering adult material trying to make young children understand the message. Gas burning cars are bad, and push green energy. They tried to do the same thing in WALL-E with covering adult material. Please keep the social engineering to politics and leave our children alone. It will be a long time before I see a movie in a theater with my children. I will stick to reviewing DVD movies at home before letting them watch the movie. It is a darn shame the movie industry doesn't see the original Cars movie as a template to produce great movies for families to watch together at the theater.

I'm the mother of a four-year-old boy who has seen "Cars" roughly 2.7 billion times in the past two years he's been watching movies. It was, and is, his favorite film, and even I don't mind hearing it on the endless loop it seems to be on in our minivan DVD player. My son was DYING to see "Cars 2," in the theater, "with the glasses," and we went this past weekend. (He even knew the opening date from the ubiquitous TV ads and preview trailers on various DVDs and has been talking about this for MONTHS.)



To sum up his review: he wanted to leave halfway through to, "go home and play Legos." This was his second-ever in-theater movie; first, "Tangled," when he was only three, he loved and had no problem sitting through, even with the 3D glasses on.



The "Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation" short at the beginning was brilliant. Really shows they could do a "Toy Story 4," which I guess Tom Hanks recently hinted at, but please spare us a "Cars 3."



This was a shoot-'em-up spy movie which MAY have worked with another conceit but had nothing to do with the established Cars universe, so why do a second film? The races were secondary (almost pointless), the entire message of friendship and slow-down-and-enjoy-life from the first film was COMPLETELY thrown out the window, and a little of Tow Mater goes a LONG way. Unless you're a rabid Larry the Cable Guy fan, this is an easy wait for the DVD. And if you're child-free, this is a Pixar film you're gonna want to pass on.



I agree with the critics: This is Pixar's first failure. (That Oscar streak has definitely come to an end.) Not the worst kids' movie I've ever seen, but I expected far better from Disney and, especially, Pixar. The plot was pointless and silly (and I grew up a rampant James Bond fan), the dialogue lacked the clever repartee of previous Pixar pictures (what usually keeps the adults watching) and it just wasn't very fun at all. Expertly animated, of course, with plenty of "cool" chases and spy gadgets ... But that's not nearly enough to carry a movie.'

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If you know the premise of the toy, skip to the second paragraph. This toy takes a measure of brain activity in the left frontal lobe and, based on the amount of activity there, sends power to a fan (high power when high; low or off when low). This raises a foam ball in the air and a dial can be turned with the hands to move the ball through an obstacle course that arrange with detachable pieces.



I read the other reviews. They make some good points. This toy could get boring fast. The headset does get uncomfortable after about 10 minutes. The guy who said that all it does is measure stress is way off-base. He is right that the ear clips are used to complete a circuit, but that is not all this toy does. After playing it for awhile, I can say it responds negatively to stress (i.e., the ball lowers and the fan turns off). I'm basing that off of the fact the fan tended to turn off when I would get worried about it turning off. If it was responding to stress, the power should have increased.



So why am I recommending this toy? Because studies have shown that if you can increase frontal lobe activity through exercises like this, you can increase objective measures of concentration (e.g., amount of time engaged with a task) and decrease measures of impulsivity. And not just for the task where the skill was trained. So a child who got adept at playing this game should also pay better attention in school, likely increase their reading comprehension, do better on homework, etc.



My recommendation is that, if this is something that is interesting to you, you buy this toy for your child and that you play it with them. Set performance goals with them and give them some sort of reward for meeting and exceeding those goals. Start small. At first, get a stopwatch and see how long they can keep the ball in the air. After that, see if they can start to raise and lower the ball a couple of times, then see how many times they can pass it through one of the hoops. And take data the whole time. Chart their data in some way so they can see the progress they are making.



But get this toy!!! In labs where they do this sort of therapy, children with ADHD have shown serious improvement in functioning. Some kids are able to get off meds altogether.



If you want to do a little extra research before purchasing, go to wikipedia and search neurofeedback. There's a good synopsis there with links to some peer-reviewed research at the bottom.



Scott Herbst, Ph.D. (in behavioral psychology) Mindflex Game

I preordered this for my autistic son's 14th birthday and was happy that it arrived before his big day. The biggest praise I can give to this game is that it actually SLOWED MY SON DOWN and kept him in place for more than 5 minutes!!! He was fascinated with it and it instantly had him in tune with his speed, concentration, etc. He says it's the best gift he's ever received, and it gave US the gift of time while he actually occupied himself with something for an extended period on his own--thrilling!! He did have a temporary dent in his forehead where the sensor lay, although we checked the headband repeatedly to make sure that it didn't feel too tight. It would be easy for the components to get lost--we'd suggest putting balls and obstacle pieces into a zip-lock bag and returning everything to its original box each time. I think that a toy that can help special needs kids tap into more awareness of their own space and rhythms is a wonderful thing.

Best use: Dynamically! Put it on your friends while they read, do math, watch tv, or try something they've never done before. You'd be surprised what makes some people think and others just space out.



Pros:

-Easy to use

-Ready out of box

-Many fun game types, even though I use "Freestyle" and set up obstacle courses myself



Cons:

-Mine didn't come with batteries

-Fan could be a little quieter but the user doesn't notice after a while

-My cat did not want to wear the headset



Definitely worth the buy. Everyone I know had to try it at least once.

I received Mindflex for my 13th birthday from my mom, I'd looked into it a few times before, and was sure to ask her about it. To start, the packaging might be a bit tricky as the items come in two smaller boxes and the console itself within the large box, stuffed behind the two smaller ones. The headband is in one of the two little boxes, while all the obstacles in the other. All the obstacles are in little bags, but are easy to open as most of them are taped. It is a bit of a pain putting it back due to all the small plastic pieces. There is also included a manual on various subjects, from how to set up the headband or how to play certain games. When I first tried on the headband, it was pretty uncomfortable, but not completely due to the two side sensors. What really bugs you, is the metallic piece or sensor that is found behind the logo on the front part of band, that digs into your bare forehead. But if you put some hair between it, along with moving it to a sweet spot, it shouldn't bother you too much. It's also kind of annoying with the two clips clamped to your ear lobes. Also be sure to make sure that you have the type of batteries needed for the game, because two different kinds are required. So if you want to get to play right away look into that. Finally, after getting used to the controls, I got around to setting up the obstacles. The pieces are made of a plastic that isn't that thick, but as long as you don't abuse them, they'll be alright. The balls are also pretty soft, so you might want to try not to sit on them (which is where the extra 3 come in). The game's pretty fun if you've got patience for that sort of thing. I can see why it might get boring to some people, as it isn't really exciting or anything(like most board games). There are a few different game modes in which you can play, the interesting part being that most of the modes can be multiplayer. But it might not be that exciting, because you're gonna have to share the headband between people, that will take some time to constantly put on and off, and will probably make the players even more impatient. Overall Mindflex is likable if you're for this type of thing, like challenging yourself. However if you're the type of person who finds strategy games not all the great, don't get this. PLUS if you want to buy this just because of the cool tech put into this game, and for no other apparent reason, then don't buy it. The tech isn't all that, and it gets dull pretty fast. It's a bit like an item you've been hyping over, and when you finally get it and the cool factor goes away you don't find it that great anymore. So put a lot of serious thought if you really REALLY want this.



On a side note: My technique for lifting the ball is by singing a song in my head. A downside that's pretty annoying is that the ball falls out of the air a number of times if you move it around too quickly, or simply because it gets unstable while floating.'

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Nintendo Ds Games - metallic rose, video games

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People will no doubt find the Nintendo DS Lite to be a way for Nintendo to sucker people out of their money. It can be that way, if you think of yourself as a sucker, but for me the DS lite is a little better. Simply put, if you're content with your original DS, then don't even waste time to buy this one. If you don't have a DS period, the DS Lite is a much better investment than the original bulky one.



With the DS Lite, gameplay is made a little simplar. The button placement and brighter screen make the gameplay a little better. For one, the start and select buttons have been moved to resemble where they were on the original Gameboy Advance. This makes handling some of the functions (especially for GBA games) a lot easier. The buttons, sadly, are a still a little small for guys with big hands like myself.



The DS Lite also comes with a phony GBA cartridge (called a "cap"). If you don't have a GBA game plugged into the system, you can put in the phony cartridge to keep it from collecting dust in there. However, when you do stick in a GBA game, it sticks out by about a centimeter. It just looks weird. The cap does, at least, keep the system looking good.



Perhaps the most welcome change to the DS Lite is the screen. The original DS screen was not exactly bright. In fact, it was, in comparison the DS Lite, rather dark. Games like Metroid Prime Hunters were darker than they had to be. On this new screen, the difference in how bright the games appear really shows. Not only that but, you can adjust the brightness if need be. It doesn't really affect the battery life, either. You can play the DS Lite for as long as you played the original. And also like the original, it charges while you play.



Another welcome difference is the touch screen itself. These screens last a lot longer than the original DS. Those who have an original DS no doubt experienced a lot of scratches on their screen from their stylus. To the point where it was noticeable. You could still see the screen, but it was apparent that the stylus was doing a number on it. The screen is more protected here. The stylus doesn't scratch the screen quite as easily. In other words, the touch screen lasts a lot longer.



The DS Lite also looks better, and fits in your pocket better. It also performs all the tasks of a regular DS. For example, if you're playing a game and you suddenly have to go, just flip it closed and it sleeps. There's also a place to store the stylus, and the stylus is better too. It's a little bigger and thicker, so it's not quite as easy to lose.



Some problems with the original DS still plague the DS Lite however. You still can't play Gameboy Color or regular Gameboy games on the DS Lite. Also, you still can't configure the controls to play a GBA game much easier. In other words you can't configure "X" and "Y" when you play a GBA game. This probably won't bother you in the long run, however. Also, the touch screen still has its sensitivity. Touching the touch screen with your bare hands is more dangerous than the stylus scratching the screen. The oils from your fingers might damage the screen and therefore, it won't respond to the touch of even your stylus.



When the original DS launched, owners will note that there were not very many good games availible. About the only good game during its launch in 2004 was Super Mario 64 DS. Now there are plenty of games out there (and not all of them are ports), so if you do want a DS, this is a great time to get one, and the DS Lite is a better investment than the original one by far.



The DS may not play movies, or MP3 players, but to be honest, that almost defeats the purpose of a gaming system. Am I looking to buy a portable entertainment center? Of course not, I'm looking to find a system to play some of my games on, and the Nintendo DS delivers. Real gamers know it's about the games, not about the bells and whistles of a system. For the casual gamer, the Nintendo DS delivers, and the DS Lite is a fine improvement.



The Good

+Vastly superior to the original DS

+It fits in your pocket easier

+The Screen is much brighter

+Touch screen is more durable

+The placement of the Start and Select buttons is easier

+A better stylus

+The battery life is unchanged



The Bad

-Those with an original DS, who want a DS Lite will have to spend more money for yet another DS

-Some of the cons of the original DS are still here Nintendo DS Lite Metallic Rose

Nintendo's newest DS Lite adds a cool new color scheme and some subtle improvements.



Pros

+ Awesome cobalt-blue and black color scheme - looks almost royal blue or purple!

+ Black base is a more grip-able matte finish that doesn't smudge and holds well in your hand

+ Nice design - thin DS Lite form factor you know and love

+ Brighter screen with better contrast than previous generation

+ Less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and 20 percent lighter

+ Well placed microphone in the center of the unit

+ Well placed LED lights visible when the unit is open or closed, indicating power on and low battery

+ Wi-fi connectivity allows for DS Download Play and Muli-card play

+ Works with original DS games and GameBoy Advance games

+ Lower price point than competing portables like the PSP ($130 versus $170)

+ Great selection of low priced games to add to your collection!

+ Great game selection for adults, particularly learning and puzzle games

+ Multi-player wireless game play for games like MarioParty and New Super Mario offers great fun!!

+ Convenient stylus storage slot on the right underside of the unit

+ Awesome battery life that only requires recharging after many days of use!!!

+ Cool (though seldom used) novelty app called PictoChat for DS to DS chatting

+ Availability of add-on programs for wireless web surfing and other apps

+ Great accessories market, but beware low quality providers such as Switch&Carry (BD&A)



Cons

- GameBoy Advance game slot leaves cartridges sticking out and not flush

- Shiny cobalt top still attracts smudges - no biggie

- Reports of common issues with hinge cracking from regular use; time will tell if it's been fixed

- Somewhat slow start-up with DS Download play

- Some cheapo accessories are Nintendo certified: AVOID Switch&Carry (BD&A), stick with Pelican!!!!

- Limited built-in configuration settings (only military time format????)

- Need to exit games to access key configuration settings like brightness, etc.

- Colors produced in limited quantities and sell out too quickly!!!!



Looks and Form Factor



I've owned several DS lites, including the Onyx Black model. I chose the DS over the PSP for the games. PSP 2000 Console - Piano Black



This is by far the best looking DS Lite!! The cobalt blue on black color scheme shines a hue that's closer to royal blue or deep purple! The top is still a shiny smudge magnet, but it looks so cool anyway! Just wipe it down. :-)



The decision to make the base a matte black is both great for looks and function. The unit is easier to hold, doesn't smudge on the matte black part, and won't slip out of your hand as much as previous models. This feature started in the new BrainAge2 bundle with the red top. You can kind of see this from the pictures but it's not really highlighted in the descriptions. Considering this is the 1 biggest improvement, that surprised me.



I've also heard that the hinge was improved for durability, but I can't visually see a difference and I'm not going to dismantle it to find out. :-) It's a common known problem that hinge cracking has been the only common defect, so just handle with care. I personally haven't had a single DS falter on me in any way.



Other than that, same DS Lite form factor that you know and love. The only real gripe is that every version of the DS Lite is produced in very limited numbers and sells out in a few months. So if you like a color, you have to act fast before they disappear from retail!



Game Play and Functions



This handheld is very well designed for game play. The speakers and microphone built in to the unit are more than adequate, and you can attach peripherals or headphones to the included port.



Nintendo has done a great job of very targeted well designed games. Kids games like MarioParty Mario Party DS and the New Super Mario Brothers New Super Mario Bros. are fun and engaging! Get a group of friends together and play each other with only 1 game cartridge using DS Download play and versus modes!



Similarly, plenty of games for adults including the cult favorite BrainAge Brain Age, the new BrainAge 2 Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and my personal favorite Big Brain AcademyBig Brain Academy!



Plus now language games like MyWordCoach My Word Coach

and MySpanishCoach My Spanish Coach offer more edutainment options to a growing list of games!



Nintendo has decided that fun game play and great design is more important than high-end graphics in a handheld, and I think they're right!



Features



The most notable DS Lite features are based on the Wireless connectivity. Some add-on applications even allow you to wirelessly surf the net. There are even apps that allow you to do other stuff like play MP3s with it!



Many games offer multi-card play (each player needs a card) or download play (1 card needed for 2-8 players) that both use the wireless connection.



The device has awesome battery life, and I've gone a week of light use without having to recharge. The heavier the use, the more you will need to charge it.



The configuration screen lets you set one of 4 brightness modes, which will also allow you to make your charge last. Some options aren't easily set . It seems to default to military time. Also, you can't change your brightness while in a game. Still those things are minor in context.



Your game scores and profiles are saved on memory stored on the game cartridges. That means you don't have to worry about transferring your info from one DS to the other. :-)



Hopefully the next version includes a faster wireless. Loading those games just seems to take too long. Still, it works and once again, this is a minor gripe.



Conclusion



Overall this device is an improvement. Nintendo's DS will continue to attract fans. Just make more of them guys!!! These colors sell out too fast!



You will want to buy a nice case and screen protectors to protect your DS! Avoid all Switch&Carry accessories!



Here's some of the ones I like!

Nintendo DS Lite Invisi Shields

Nintendo DS Black Nerf Armor



Enjoy!!!!! - Video Games - Metallic Rose - Nintendo Ds - Nintendo Ds Games'

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Cordless Tools - combo packs, drill

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I recently owned a Makita set so I will compare the two. I use the tools every day in remodel and new construction work.

* The Milwaukee is slightly heavier, but still easy to use.

* The belt clip on tool base is very useful. Makita doesn't have same feature.

* Battery life seems to be the same. I love the charge level indicator on the battery, but when it is dead, it stops immediately, no gradual loss.

* The hard plastic carry case will last much longer than the Makita cordura bag, which was pretty beat up after six months of use.

* Both brands have a use light above trigger but Makita's will glow for a short stretch after trigger release whereas the Milwaukee turns off immediately.

* Makita also has the glow ring on the impact driver that makes finding it in the dark easier, very handy.

* The Milwaukee impact driver has a rubber bumper strip on both sides of the nose for friction protection [nice] but one end on both sides come unattached with very little use [annoying]. I had to super glue them in place and they have held for several weeks.

* I anticipate no difference in tool life and durability having used both tool brands for many years. Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

After owning two of the white Makita lith-ion drills I had to return both of them because the charger kept killing the batteries dead. From what I have read this is a known problem.



Here is what I like better about the Milwaukee.



First the charger does not kill the $80 batteries no matter how long you leave them on the charger. Second, the Milwaukee has a great battery charge indicator right on the battery. This is very important with Lith-Ion batteries as they have full power right up to the end and quit without warning. With is level gauge you know exactly how much battery life you have when you grab your drill. Third, the Milwaukee drill has bit storage on board, handy for philips and reg bits. Lastly the red color holds up much better then white.



Hope this helps.

Recently I've been doing a lot of work around the house getting ready for winter. I went to Home Depot looking for an impact driver (something that could easily drive 4-6 inch lag screws and 8-10 inch Timberlock screws). The Makita and Milwaukee impact drivers seemed to outperform any others available. I chose the Milwaukee based on prior experience with this brand AND final sale price of $225.00 for the set (versus $275 for the Makita). Right out of the box there was enough charge in the battery to finish driving several timber screws in a drain box I was repairing. I've been very impressed with the weight, durability, and performance of this set. The torque in the impact driver is eye-popping. No buyer's remorse for this tool purchase.

After having Makita products in the past, I chose to buy this Milwaukee drill after the Makita Lithium Ion drills had concerns about wobbly chucks and poor batteries. I received the drill and immediately liked it. The weight, size, trigger control, etc. were all fantastic. The best drill I ever handled. So I took my new drill to put up several blinds and thought the new quick change bit set I bought was junk. Everything was wobbling and it was even hard to put in the screws. I went down to the shop and started going through some other bits. Every one of them wobbled. So, I pulled out my old Makita and the wobbling was immediately gone. I was in the middle of a bunch of different projects, so I went to a local store and picked up another Milwaukee. I got it home and the same problem. They both wobble like nothing I've seen before. Beware, others say Makita has wobble problems, but in my case 2 Milwaukee compact drills from two different stores have suffered from wobbly chucks, while I've never seen a Makita with this problem. There's definitely some quality control issues at Milwaukee with these drills.

I'm a hobbyist...a retired car nut. I like good tools, and in this case, I wanted a cordless drill with lots of power, and a keyless chuck that would hold a drill bit without slipping. I haven't used my new Milwaukee drill and impact driver much yet, but my initial impression is very positive, with one exception: battery life. Both pieces have all the power you could ask for, and they're light and well-balanced. They feel good in your hand...not over-bulky or lop-sided. The chuck on the drill grabs great, and doesn't spin on the drill bits, but I noticed the battery charge getting low after about 30 holes in sheet metal. Battery charge lasted a little better on the impact driver...I don't know if the drill just pulls more charge out of the battery, or maybe my drill battery happened to be weaker than the driver one. In any case, the battery charge indicator lets you know where you're at (after you put the battery on the charger), and the batteries recharge in a relatively short time. I questioned at first, why I'd need or want an impact driver if I had a powerful drill. Won't they do basically, the same thing? The impact driver gives you much greater control in driving screws. I was able to drive about 75 sheet metal screws into thick sheet metal without boogering up a single phillips head or twisting off a single screw. I know that using a drill to drive those screws, I'd have had about a 75% success rate at best. For me, these are great...for a contractor or someone working for a living, you'd want to have a handful of batteries so you can keep going.

How could a craftsman who's bought Milwaukee tools for over 20 years, (and many are Still in constant use), mark a "one star"? Two reasons: very very poor engineering and cheap brittle plastic. First of all I should have realized a change when my trusty 'ol 18 volt nicad Milwaukee drill slid off a chair onto a wood floor - and the handle snapped in half! Luckily I could buy the case, and after 2 hours of reassembly it is functioning again. Their plastic looks maleable, it is an illusion - it is incredibly brittle. The opposite of what is needed in a 'Heavy Duty" tool. So I should have known better than to buy this new set. I could find nothing amiss with the impact driver - it looks like good ol Milwaukee quality. But, believe me or not, the driver drill snapped in half too! And this was one half hour out of the box, drilling studs with a 1" spade bit for wiring. The bit caught on a knot, I resisted, and the drill snapped. Same brittle plastic. But far worse is the engineering / design of the drill. On a cursory inspection it looks strongly built. It's totally an illusion. All that holds the drill motor to the handle is two tiny pieces of brittle plastic hidden under pretty coverings.

Amazon prime is wonderful, they refunded in full in short order. I so regret I did not take pictures of this pathetically designed tool broken in two in my hands! And I am no gorilla -( like those who still respect these Chinese made Milwaukees may need to presume). For me, 20 years of supporting them has come to an end until I learn they have recalled this tool And changed their plastic formulation. Next day I went out and bought a Bosch set, nearly the same price, with even better specs on torque. (Bosch CLPK23-180 18V 2-Tool Litheon Combo Kit) After careful inspection and hard use I can say they are designed very well. It seems Bosch hasn't gone the route of Milwaukee. Whew. My partner uses a Makita set, and as can certainly happen on a job site, eventually one fell a story and half. We just picked it up and kept going, as it should be. Makita is not quite as well built IMHO, but certainly a good second choice. I have never written a review before, hope it's useful. - Combo Packs - Lithium-ion - Milwaukee M18 - Drill'

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Dark Of The Moon - megatron, decepticon

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Finally, a movie Megatron who is evenly proportioned and has a satisfying alt mode. My big problem with the first movie Megatrons was the so-so alt modes. They weren't convincing (even for a "cybertronian" type vehicle), and was more of a robot folded up under the wings. With the ROTF Leader Megatron figure, I didn't like how his face was exposed in vehicle mode, and how horribly out of proportion his arms were (1 huge arm with very little articulation, it could only rotate forward and backward; while the other arm was tiny, but with some range of motion). Luckily, this figure alleviates those complaints, easily making him the best movie Megatron yet.



Pros

- Cowl/cloak looks very good in robot mode, and can be taken off to give full mobility to the left arm.

- His fusion cannon makes a welcome return to form, this time as his mechtech weapon. It attaches onto the side of his arm, as opposed to replacing his lower arm and hand.

- Transformation is relatively simple and fun

- Vehicle mode actually has some articulation (trailer can rotate to simulate turning)

- Mechtech weapon isn't over-sized, and looks great in both modes.

- Articulation is pretty good, he can hold many poses without any balance issues.

- Mangled face is a nice touch

- Very solid, durable figure.

- Excellent vehicle mode



Cons

- Cowl/cloak doesn't snap on anywhere in vehicle mode, but sits nicely over the rear.

- A bit on the small side, about an inch taller than a Deluxe figure.

- Would have liked a little more paint apps on certain parts of him (forearms, angled chest panels, and feet)



My complaints are very minor, and aren't enough detract from the figure. He's a fantastic figure with a simple but fun transformation and a very unique appearance that, to me, feels more like the Megatron character than any of the last movie figures. I only wish he were a bit bigger. I highly recommend him to collectors and kids alike. Transformers: Dark of the Moon - MechTech Voyager - Megatron

Megatron is back again better than ever!Megatron returns with a sweet robot mode and a just as good looking vehicle form of a Mack Truck.The Mechtech feature of a blaster converting to a fusion cannon is a nice touch.This gives megatron a feature similar to the old school G1 days.The durability is an A++ all around.The cloak Megatron has when on gives him a similar look of a Dr.Doom in a robot version which is pretty cool as well.The cloak however does come off and reattaches,so you can enjoy Megatron in which ever look you like the best.The vehicle mode is very sturdy with nice detail that all fans should enjoy.The transformation is intermediate level meaning if you have plenty of experience with transformers there is minor difficulty.If you are a parent buying for a child of 5-6 or younger they might need some help,but after a few times should be able to get the hang of it.In the process the waist twist around to start things off,along with the feet later in the process.The trickiest part in my opinion though is the shoulders going up while the arms end up underneath to form the front cab part of the truck.Other than that the rest of the process is pretty simple.The blaster in vehicle form fits right behind the cab,in front of the end part of the truck.In fusion cannon form it can attach to either arm of Megatron.The cloak can also be put on the back part of the truck as a canopy cover.The poseability for displaying or acting out battle scenes is also excellent.Overall Megatron is a very well made,high-quality.10 out of 10 figure all transformer fans should enjoy.I highly recommend Dark of the Moon Megatron to all transformer fans and collectors out there.Transformers Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the true form of Megatron, much better than past movie toys. Transformation isn't bad, but I'd leave him bot mode cause of the cloak and the fore arm cannon is just awesome! Overall a great collectible toy and fun for everyone.

First of all this toy is awesome!!!!! i knew i had to pick him up sooner or later i had 2nd thoughts of getting this toy, but i was like why? its megatron!!!! he's small and i wish he was a leader class instead we got 3 sentinel prime, ironhide and of course the fan favorite bumblebee... i like bumblebee not going to lie but there's a lot of him in this franchise, but yeah overall megatron is BA he turns into a mack truck if he was bigger like optimus prime well you know! (I can't tell you too much of this toy seeing how its still in a box ahaha) if you get a chance to pick up megatron, well that's if you can find it in stores now, since it basically sold out GET IT! i got mine for 17.99 and people are scalping these for what? 34.99, look around because people never seem to order from kmart i don't know why but they are the last resort and they have these toys less than 34.99 hope this helps...

This megatron is the best out of the movie lines. Symetrical arms (Finally) Love the detail, Cowl/Cloak, and the fusion cannon. Love how his face is still tore up from the last movie. The trailer can move (Turn) Even though this process is not used in transformation. and the cowl doesnt snap in on the vehicle mode but i dont see anyone playing with this upside down -_- I would recommend this

I have been a Transformers fan for a LONG time. This figure is so detailed for the price! Plus the figure is just so MEAN looking! Really fits the Megatron character! This is a must buy if you are a Transformer collector or a Megatron fan!

This toy is awesome i put it on my shelf after my little brother played with it and mom walks in she goes "this is the coolest one Ive ever scene" The truck mode is perfect.In robot form its so far the best megatron we got. Its a great product anyone besides the auto-bots would love it. Also the pieces are very strong. You really dont need the instructions its very easy. I recommend it. Buy it !! - Mechtech - Decepticon - Hasbro - Megatron'

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Lens Accessories

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you get what you pay for. The first two days the sticky foam kept detaching from the lens. On the third day the elastic snapped off of the band rendering it utterly useless. I would not recommend this product. Zeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens Cap Keeper

Purchased two of these and the first one fell apart just putting it on the lens. Was trying to figure out the best place to position the strap when the elastic just unravelled! Had to be extra careful attaching the second one. Tried it once and so far so good but should have bought a better one in the first place. Don't buy this junk

The adhesive on the cap holder didn't last long. The product broke within a week. It is very cheaply made. I do not recommend this product. It is especially ineffective for longer lenses. The tension on the elastic was too much when used with a telephoto lens. It was constantly coming off.

Bought this lens cap keeper less than four months ago, it has fallen apart.

The adhesive no longer sticks, the string has broken.

The lens keeper I have for my old Nikormat has lasted 30 years, they just don't make them like they use too.

I would not recommend this product at any price.

I bought this for my canon 70 200 2.8 lens. I was ordering the canon shutter release and was falling short by 2 bucks to be eligible free shipping so added this product to the cart :) ..

I like the elastic ribbon design which helps you practically use this with any lens of any size. The down side being the riveting done to the couple the elastic with the thread that holds you lens cap is made out of crude sharp metal. It has left scratches on hood when placed in storage position. I am sure it wouldnt spare other items in your camera bag. I had to wrap the metal with tape to avoid it from tampering its neighbors once in the camera bag.

Its a cool product. but for the issue mentioned above

Others have had problems but mine works like a charm...this product has saved me so much time....before i would have to remove the cap then find a place to put it: like my pocket, my shirt pocket, my jacket pocket, or just leaved it in my hand....and ever since i bought this i just remove the cap and LET IT HANG...love it....'

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Baby Clothes - baby clothes, baby girl

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This outfit is just precious! The flower snaps on and off which makes it very nice for laundering it. Every time my daughter wears it, people stop us and tell us how cute she looks. It is also well made and washes well. Mud Pie Baby Perfectly Princess Bodysuit, 0-6 Months

purchased sight unseen and had it sent directly to my neice as a baby gift. She called and raved about the softness and color and gorgeous design. I was thrilled, so I prompyly ordered a second one for a baby shower and it was passed from person to person after it was opened and all just loved it. If you need a gift or something for your own little one , this is darling. So don't hesitate you will not be disappointed!!!!

Adorable. The Mud Pie clothing line is much cuter in person and very well made. [[ASIN:B001CZCV54 Mud Pie Baby Perfectly Princess Bodysuit, 0-6 Months] You have to purchase the Mud Pie Princess booties to complete the outfit! - Pink - Baby Girl - Baby Clothes - Body Suits'

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Liam Finn  eliza Jane

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Thanks to the reviewer who mentioned this was a free download when you install the amazon software... I was trying to figure out why I had purchased this since I have no recollection of doing so, or ever heard of the artist..



Very generic song, no redeeming qualities for me... Sounds like just about everything else out there... Honest Face

Nice moderate tempo song with light, pleasing harmony. Lead singer actually sounds like Julian Lennon. Lead guitar has slightly distorted sound and evokes memories of the late Rob Buck of 10,000 Maniacs. Recommended addition to your Easy Rock/Alternative library.

Wow, does Liam Finn ever sound like his dad. I wonder if that's how his voice comes out naturally or if he adopted it from hearing so much Crowded House while growing up.



Regardless, this is a not bad track. It is simplistic, but strong and over before you know it. It's inevitable to compare him to father Neil, so I'll just go ahead and do it: he doesn't quite have the John Lennon touch of dear old dad, but I say who cares. He's still pretty young, so there is room for improvement.



That said, I'm still curious to check out the EP from which this song comes. Let's hear it for free mp3s from Amazon.

This was a freebie from Amazon. I can see why. I can't possibly imagine anyone paying money to listen to this cacophony. It sounds like a screeching merry-go-round grinding under weakly androgynous vocals. This band may have other great songs (I really don't know), but this one is simply awful. I'm sure they're nice people, bless their hearts.

WTF. Why not tell me I got this crap for free. I was ready to cancel this account because I thought I got highjacked. Although after listening, I realized my brain did get highjacked for the 15 seconds I let this crap enter my head. I recommend deleting this air poison as soon as possible from your history. Don't want anyone to think you like this. I rather listen to the theme song from The Great Space Coaster. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YouTube it if your too young to know..

I was checking my MP3 account and noticed this prior entry back in September. I've no idea why it was there, other than what someone else said--you get it by default when installing the Amazon MP3 download plug-in.



Anyway, I listened to it and was... puzzled. Some kind of weird blend of 10,000 Maniacs and Julian Lennon. Needless to say, I think that this band chose the wrong track to be free. If it was one more compelling and interesting, maybe more people would buy their album. I chose not to. Life it too short... plenty of other music to investigate like "Miracles of Modern Science [EP]."

I don't know why everyone is dogging on this song, I really like it. I steer more toward heavy metal and alternative usually. This is a bit more light and poppy (is that a word?) but still worth the fact that it is freeeeeee.'

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Facial Cleanser - acne treatment, skin care

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First off, I'm in my early 20's and have combination type skin with occasional, mild to moderate acne. I used nearly two whole ProActiv systems before switching to a Neutrogena kit and have found that this clears up my skin much better and faster. I find it very convenient that the Day Lotion includes SPF 15, whereas the ProActiv Repairing Lotion doesn't, even though ProActiv advises you to use sunscreen with their system when going outside. That would probably prompt you to buy their oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15 as well ($$ smart business move $$), thus adding another step to your skin-care regimen. I would recommend anyone with my acne/skin type who is thinking about subscribing to ProActiv to try Neutrogena first.



Anyway, the Neutrogena kit lasts around 5 months for me. I still get an occasional zit or two, but with less frequency than I did in the past. I use a Neutrogena Rapid Clear spot gel for that with success.



Word of advice: It might be best if you shake the tube of acne cleanser before you start using it. When I was finishing up what was left of the last tube I used, I discovered that all the "micro-fine beads" were gathered there, afloat at the very top somehow. I've been wondering where those were all along... Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System

I am in my early 30's and have been experiencing severe and embarassing break-outs along my jaw line, chin and cheeks for the past couple of years. I have tried Murad, Proactiv, AcneFree and many other systems without success.

A month ago I picked up the Neutrogena system when I saw it on sale. Within five days days my skin started to clear. Now, I have a completely clear complexion and have not had a single break-out since starting the system. I have had no problems with drying and my skin is much softer than before. Finally, a product that works and comes at a decent price!

First of all, I understand that not every product will work for every individual. But, this one is far exceeding my expectations. I did some research online before I bought this. What I found was that what seemed to work the best for people was a combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. I looked at the wide array of acne treatments I had at home and they were ALL salicylic acid, but no benzoyl peroxide. I thought it was worth a shot.



I'm 35 and acne runs in my family. My mom still has it. I was starting to develop very deep, painful acne that would heal in one place and then show up in another place. Nothing I was doing was getting rid of it. I found this Neutrogena system and I noticed some improvement the very next day. I'm a little over a week into it now and I can't believe the improvement! I'm going to recommend this product to anyone I know who battles with acne, like I did.



Realistically, I know I'll probably still have the occasional breakout. But this worked wonders on the constant problems I was experiencing before. One of the things I REALLY like about this, is it's only 2 steps. Wash and moisturize/protect. I don't have the time or the patience for a whole routine with various products. I love that I just have to wash and apply cream. Overall I think this is a wonderful product and half the price of Proactiv (which I understand is a 3 step process anyway).

I'm 29 and NEVER even had so much as a tiny pimple anywhere...until I got pregnant. My daughter is now 3 and I've been struggling with acne ever since. I get large, deep, cystic acne on my chin and sometimes on my forehead, and tiny, puss filled pimples on my neck, chest and back. I have tried Proactive for months on end with far less results than were worth the time and effort of all the steps involved (and the price). I have tried a variety of precriptions for washes and ointments/foams/creams from my dermatologist including Benzaclyin, Evoclin, Tazarac Cream, Clenia, and Zyiana. Some dried my skin out so badly that it actually cracked and was very painful, some didn't dry the pimples out enough, and some would clear up breakouts, but not prevent future outbreaks. None of them came with a moisturizer, so I never knew how to fight off the dryness. I was always afraid that using a drugstore moisturizer would defeat the effects of the meds by clogging my pores and causing more breakouts, so I'd just suffer with uncomfortable and ugly flaking skin in hopes that the acne would atleast stop. No such luck.



I have been using the Neutrogena system for about 2 weeks, and I can confidently say that this is going to be the LAST acne regimin I will ever follow again. When I bought the set at Target, it came with a free bottle of the spot treatment, which I think is vital to the success of this system. Within a few days, I noticed that the tiny pimples on my chest were drying out and no new pimples were forming anywhere. Now, almost all of the pimples - even the deep ones on my chin - are either gone, or DRAMITICALLY reduced. I will also add that I started this system about 12 days before I expected my period knowing that the worst pimples of the month were on their way. I did experience a bit of drying, but nothing that was at all painful or really red and irritated. The best thing about this system is that it comes with a daytime moisturizer, so your skin will never be cracking and flaking the way it would with other treatements. The slight drying was actually beneficial for me because I have olive skin, and I get hyperpigmentation (dark marks) where pimples were. They normally take several weeks to fade, but the drying effect of the nightime acne lotion helped to really exfoliate those spots and the result has been a dramatic lightening of those marks.



I would definately recommend giving this system a try. Get the spot treatment as well. I started out using the wash and night time acne lotion as well as the spot treatment at night, and then the wash and moisturizer during the day. Now that most of the pimples have cleared up, I'm not using the spot treatment. There are so few steps to this system - it's not time consuming or tedius to keep up with. It's affordable (the bottles are large enough to last over a month even if you're using them on your back, chest and face as I am), it's quick, easy, and most of all, effective. - Skin Care - Facial Cleanser - Acne Treatment - Neutrogena'

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Survival Knife - gerber, survival knife

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Not a bad kit but you can put one together yourself for a lot cheaper. You may already have a few of the items lying around the house... whistle, compass, matches, lighter, magglass, neeedle, thread, safety pins, mirror, etc. You can pack it all in any type of container - metal, plastic, leather, nylon - whatever suites your survival needs. I love the emergency blankets. Have you ever used one? The amount of warmth they can provide is absolutely amazing - they won't make it through heavy use for several days but they are fairly durable for how light and flimsy they are. These are a must have in any kit and probably the most useful item for its weight!



I think the wire included is fine. Remember, snare wire has to be rigid to set up so the dental floss won't work as a previous reviewer suggested. You can expect to snare a very small animal if it came to that anyway. Also, emergency survival kits such as this must be small, light and easy to carry or you won't take it with you. It's for emergency situations and not for hard or frequent use. Yeah, you can navigate without a compass but it would make it easier for the novice - put it in the kit. I can't believe that such a useful and inexpensive device is absent from this kit. Some adventurers even carry two for that extra piece of mind. Knowing that you are moving in the right direction when lost is everything... it prevents panic and keeps hope alive! I think it's also important to understand that kits like this are for "common wilderness surival" situations. If your car slides in a ditch on a remote road in North Dakota while it's -50*F, the mylar blanket won't help you. If you subject yourself to extreme conditions such as this (I know, I lived there for 3 years) or desert, ocean and high altitude jaunts, you should have proper specialized training and gear. I traveld hundreds of miles a day while maintaining missile sites throughout the ND countryside and we carried large, extensive cold weather kits - in trucks, of course.



Fishing gear in an emergency kit is okay because it's easy to carry but Your first priority is protection from hypothermia/exposure either by clothing, shelter or fire. Second is rescue, being found, extraction, etc. I don't think you'll do much fishing while trying to keep warm at night, and while extracting yourself or being found the next day, as is what happens in most all emergency survival situations. Fishing gear belongs in an extended stay kit or on a planned fishing trip. I know we all think about crash landing near a remote fishing lake and the fish are biting after weeks of not being found... not likely. I was lost in the woods once and I'll take a compass over a fish hook any day! I'm not against fish hooks and sinkers but you would have to be lost for many days and have established shelter and water source before you think about wetting a hook. I think lots of new, young wilderness adventurers are being led to believe that a few fish hooks and sinkers will save their life when the truth is, they will rarely or never be used. The items in your kit should be useful and help direct your thoughts in case of panic. Everything in your kit should help you achieve something - if you pull out a whistle and blow it, someone may hear! Pull out a lead sinker and, well... you just pulled out a lead sinker.



I also like the signaling and survival instructions. Not only is the information valuable to the novice survivalist but this literature will also help keep you focused and strangely enough, could be comforting while spending the night alone and provide a boost of confidence. A fish hook won't do that. The material the instructions are printed on could be used to catch water, cover wounds and who knows what else.



If for some strange reason catching a fish does become a priority make a fish trap instead - fish swim in and they can't swim out. If you're lost for days you'll have the time to make it and staying busy helps keep the mind on track. By this time you should have a nice camp set up and sportin' a great woodsman type beard. While the trap does its work you can prepare firewood or signal for help. Most people couldn't catch a fish with the best pole and gear anyway, never mind just a hook and some line. PLEASE Help Me Spread The Message... Shelter and Rescue First! The life you save may be your own... learn to make a fish trap. Okay, I've done my part. Good luck!



Update: 8 June 2011



Price has come down to the low $30's... a lot better than $40 something! It seems like prices on most Bear items are falling. I guess the hysteria is starting to subside. Gerber 31-000701 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Kit

I spend a lot of time in the woods and I enjoy wating Bear Grylls show on TV so this seemed like a great gift idea for me. My wife picked it up for my birthday at a local store. I am less then impressed to say the least. I currently have my own survival kit that I put together for well under 30 bucks on Amazon years ago, so I had high hopes for something that costs around 40 bucks. I al also a huge Gerber tool fan. I love their blades and carry their multi-tool everyday.



Boy was I dissappointed.....



Cons:

- poor quality on most items. The snare cord would snap under little pressure.

- The gerber multi-tool was tiny and seemed cheap.

- Matches came broken

- NO COMPASS!

- hooks were too bendable - cheap!





Pros:

- nice size

- Bag to hold everything

- paracord seems decent

- Flint and striker worked well



I am sad that this product did not meet my expectations. I really wanted it to be a good product. This will not replace my ghetto kit in my gallon zip-lock bag. My kit cost less and is of much higher quality. This kit has been put in the glove box or my car and will stay there as a back-up. I would not trust this in a real survival situation. - Multi-tool - Hiking - Gerber - Survival Knife'

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Shakers

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These salt shakers are LARGE. You probably won't have to fill them up but twice a year!! They're nice to sit by the stove to use in cooking but not nice enough or sized to be put on the dinner table. Very functional however, and I use them daily. Oggi Salt and Pepper Shaker Set with Stainless Steel Tops, Red

I wanted black shakers and the options were few. The first set of shakers I sent back because the top didn't fit properly. With the bottom being ceramic and the top metal, the fit isn't always the best. My second set was better and Amazon is awesome about replacing items. The salt and pepper comes out rather fast due to the large holes in the letters, but you learn to adjust.

These are really cool, LOVE the color and design, but they are BIG--which is fine with me, but don't complain when you get these and you thought you were getting little shakers. I am very happy with my purchase.

These are big and beautiful but unfortunately the lids just spin and spin making them unuseable - if you want them purely for looks, then go for it. Otherwise, you could end up with much more salt and/or pepper on your food than you want! =)

I was extremely happy with the beautiful red color and the large size...which is great for cooking. One of the reasons I purchased these was the top...I'm so tired of filling shakers from the bottom while salt and pepper pour out the holes. However, the inside of the salt top rusted horribly after just a couple months. I have since scrubbed them and poked thru all the holes, had them rust up again, scrubbed them/poked thru all the holes, had them rust up again...you get the idea. The pepper shaker has less of a rust problem, but it still rusts inside also. I love the look of them and if the tops didn't rust (or if I could figure out a way to stop them from rusting) I'd give them 5 stars! I'm currently shopping Amazon for new S&P shakers that don't have any metal...I'll have to fill from the bottom, but I've discovered that's a lesser pain in my butt than the rusted tops.

I love a set of extra large salt and pepper shakers for cooking. This set was exactly what I wanted. The tops screw off so you can fill them easily. The salt shaker is perfect for kosher or sea salt. The pepper shaker also does well with large-ground pepper. The only problem is that the salt shaker leaks. I honestly don't know how, but the salt leaks out of the threaded area of the lid. I'm too lazy to send it back but I don't think asking for a replacement would do any good anyway as I suspect that they are all this way. I believe it to be a design malfunction. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with the product and with the company's service. Everything I ordered arrived on time and in good order.

item is great. bold color, large size. just what I wanted. Had to return the first set because tops would not screw on properly. Had seen this complaint many times in the review. Some quality control would eliminate that problem and future frustration for customers. BUT, when I notified the seller I had a replacement and a return label the NEXT DAY. And the replacement worked fine. So that aspect of the customer service was OUTSTANDING. I would order from this seller again.

Great color and I like the stainless steel tops - looks fab on my kitchen counter and matches my colors/appliances. In my opinion. they are too big to be very pratical to use except by the stove. They really are BIG. Pay attention to the dementions listed before you buy.'

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200x Usb Microscope - microscope, usb scope

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Product looks very stylish; installation is a breeze (I have Windows XP); operation is very intuitive and smooth. All good, except magnification seems to be stuck at 20X.



I tried all moveable parts on this camera; and adjusted the magnification scale in "preference"; but the magnification never changed. Since high magnifying power is the main feature I'm after, this product gets a one-star from me. I hope I made a mistake; if so, somebody please tell me how to increase the magnification.



The box and User Instruction gives no contact number -- not even the company selling or manufacturing this product which is pretty weird. I only found company name in the Amazon shipping label. I'm gonna call them on Monday but somehow I have a feeling I'd get nowhere. GSI High-Definition Scientific Digital LED Microscope, USB Video Connection to Computers/Laptops/Notebooks, Magnifies All Microscopic Articles 200x, Special Image Treatment, Includes Stand for Handsfree Use, for Hobby/Science/Education/Industrial

Bought this for my classroom use with some special education kids. They loved it and it worked well. The software that comes with it leave A LOT to be desire. Very limited in scope and functionality. It was also somewhat annoying that there is an increasing lag in the computer image as you increase the resolution (zooming in more on the image.) You move the scope, or change the focus, and there is a serious lag in what you see on the screen at these higher resolutions. It makes focusing very difficult at high resolutions. Not a problem at the lower settings.



The snapshot feature is nice.

I could not get the unit to work on my computer with Windows 7. There are toggles within Windows 7 to revert back to previous versions (Vista, XP etc.) to make older products work. Even with the computer operating a version the GSI required; it would not work.



There was no support or anyone to call. Even the package has some broken English a.k.a. mis-spelled words.

This unit is easy to set up and use, great for kids.

The issue is the magnification is no where near 200x.

It is not useful for me and I ended up giving it away

to my neighbor's kids. They are very happy with it.



I will be trying to locate a different brand that

actually works as stated.

I bought this microscope a couple of days ago. There is absolutely no support, no site, no drivers. The CD provided is in half format and impossible to use in a side-slot drive. The instruction manual has no reference to the company that manufactured the product. I would not recommend this to anyone! I can't speak for the quality of the product, since I have not been able to see anything of it's performance, a black screen does not tell me much! Selling a usb camera with no drivers and support is actually ridiculous!

Like most here, I was very unhappy with this microscope. However, once I found the below I have done a complete 180. My only beef that remains is that it is not as solidly built as i want, nut it was also half the price of other microscopes that accomplish the exact same thing. I hope this helps!



"I just bought this microscope and after some initial disappointment, because I didn't really know how to use it and the documentation that comes with it is almost useless, I am now quite pleased with it. There is some confusion in reviews here over what this microscope can do -- is it really a 400x power microscope? The advertising describes it as "Magnification: 20x - 400x (Plus digital zoom in 640x480 mode)" Does that mean it can continuously zoom for 20X to 400x? The manual that comes with it does not really tell you how to use it. So I did a little experimentation, and found that it really has two fixed magnifications, appx. 20x and appx. 400x.



There is a cylindrical drum you can twist for focusing the microscope. As you turn it an internal lens moves up and down the barrel, changing the distance to the specimen. On the drum, there's a scale, with markings from 20 to 400 on it, that is quite misleading -- it suggests that you can optically zoom continuously from 20x to through 400x. But that is not the case. Instead, there are two fixed magnification levels, one nominally 20x and one about 400x, corresponding to two different focus locations, and they do not correspond to the locations on the scale you would expect!



Using it at 20x power:



If you place a specimen, like a piece of paper, directly under the microscope and place the clear plastic end of the microscope directly on the paper, the 20x focus occurs when you turn the drum beyond the top of the scale, past the 400, then a little past the 20 mark as the scale starts repeating. At this focal point the internal lens is moved up the tube, far from the specimen. The field of view is 13.5 mm. You can then move the microscope farther from the paper, readjusting the focus as necessary. You can even move the microscope quite far from the specimen, and still be able to focus it with 20x magnification. When it is focused at infinity, (at the extreme end of the scale, about 60 over the top), the field of view is 11.2 degrees, or about 3" wide when the subject is 12" from the end of the microscope.



Using it at 400x power:



To get the the 400x magnification, again place the clear plastic end of the microscope directly on the specimen, say a dollar bill. The 400x focus location occurs when the drum is rotated beyond the bottom of the scale, to the 400 below the 20 mark. At this point, the internal lens is moved down the tube, to nearly as close to the specimen as it can get (about 22mm). The field of view is only about 0.8 mm, or 2 degrees. Most users would never notice that the microscope can focus at the 400x magnification: to attain it you must move the focus lens to nearly the full bottom of its travel; it is easy to go through the focal region too quickly to see it; and the documentation makes no mention of it. People may think the higher magnification is obtained by zooming in digitally on your computer screen, without realizing that the microscope focuses with high magnification itself. You'll need to turn on the LED illumination for the 400x scale to get an image. (There are eight white LEDs that provide good even illumination, not four as advertised.)



Zooming:



As well as these two focus regimes, there is a software zoom option. If you choose a capture size of 640x480 you can go to the preferences menu and choose zoom to zoom in digitally. The field of view zooms from 13.5mm down to 4.2 mm.



Measuring actual magnification:



The 20x and 400x are only approximage values, but you can measure the actual magnification by viewing a millimeter ruler or finer reticule if you have one. If the image capture size is set to 1280x960, I find that the width of the field of view is 13.5 mm at the "20x" focus, and about 0.8 mm at the "400x" focus. (about a 17x difference) The resolution, that is, the size of a single pixel in the field of view, is 13.5mm/1280= 10.5 microns for the "20x" focus, and 0.8mm/1280=0.6 micron for the "400x" focus. (Of course, the optics aren't perfect, and it appears to me that at the "400x" focus the optical resolution is about 3 pixels, that is, the smallest features you can see are about 2 micron in size. The magnification you see on your computer screen depends on the screen pixel size, also called the pixel pitch. Mine is 0.282 mm (or 90 pixels per inch, most LCD screens are 90-100 pixels/in.). For my screen, the two actual magnifications are then, 1280*0.282mm/13.5mm = 26.7x and 1280*.282mm/0.8mm = 451x. This is for viewing on the computer screen at "actual size", not zooming in.



Measuring object sizes:



The software allows you to measure objects with rulers you can draw over a picture, but you need to enter the actual magnification to calibrate the software ruler. They suggest you take that reading from the scale on the microscope, but there's so much up and down play in the focus drum that you can't rely on its readings for the true magnification. It's best to calibrate the field of view by taking a picture of a millimeter ruler. Then you know what true size the full width of the captured image corresponds to. That works well for the appx. 20x focus point. Unfortunately, the magnification box allows entry of only integers up to 220, so you can't enter an actual magnification, like 451, to get accurate numbers.

Even so, you can measure object sizes and do the math yourself. In particular, you can use the software ruler to measure sizes in pixels with a magnification factor of one, and get an accurate pixel measurement.



Saving images:



The software lets you save the images in uncompressed *.bmp or compressed *.jpg file formats. You can choose the level of compression for the *.jpg files; remarkably, the 3.7 MB files (1280x960x3bytes) can be compressed to about 100KB without much loss of resolution.



Image resolution:



Despite the ad hype, the sensor is not a 2 megapixel (Mp) sensor -- the spec sheet in the instruction manual says it is 1.3 (Mp). The maximum resolution is attained when you choose an image size of 1280x960 = 1.23 Mp. Although there is an option for capturing images at 1600x1200, those images are interpolated, and don't result in any greater actual resolution.



With these considerations in mind, you'll find that this microscope is a great value for the money, and you can take some really good photomicrographs with it. " - Microscope - Usb Scope - 200x Usb Microscope - Usb Microscope'

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