Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Xoom Screen Protector
I was a little nervous to order this item when I read the neutral review. However, I am quite pleased with the product. The cutouts that don't make sense are for hardware under the screen. I believe they are the light sensors for the camera. Tilt the Xoom at an angle in light and you will see the dots that it is not covering. Go ahead and cover them and see what happens. When I first put the screen protector on I was disappointed with how it appeared at first. It had streaks and bubbles that I could not get out. The instructions clearly state that they will disappear in 2 to 3 days. Next morning to my surprise they are all gone and it looks slick. I am ordering Skinomi Techskin for all of my electronics.
I do agree with using more than less of the solution. It will take longer for it to cure but it definitely makes it easier for getting it aligned. Skinomi TechSkin - Screen Protector Shield for Motorola XOOM
On my first install attempt, I tried to follow the provided instructions to the letter and apply a "FINE EVEN" (yes they put it in all caps) layer of solution to the skin. This approach resulted in numerous air bubbles, similar to T Cao, in the skin even after a couple of days of drying. I was very disappointed after spending almost 20 dollars for a skin that only gives you one sheet. Faced with the choice of going "naked," or shelling out another 20 bucks, I decided to watch the youtube video and try to peel up the skin and try again. On the video they use a generous amount of solution and smooth out the bubbles one half at a time. Luckily for me this approach worked perfect with no adhesive issues. Now the skin looks great! Whew!
I have to disagree with the negative review posted yesterday complaining about this "wet sticky" skin. I've kept a skinomi shield on my blackberry for over a year and can't imagine not having one on my xoom. The "wet sticky" process of applying the shield prevents the formation of bubbles, which is not only less annoying, but substantially prolongs the life of the screen protector. It's sized to fit, doesn't bubble, doesn't peel off around the edges and is thicker than most screen protectors. This shield is well worth the money.
Not sure why this is getting 'not-so-good reviews'. Is definitely a great product. Just show patience. Although I understand why it is so difficult to get on. If you think phone protectors are hard to put on, something 5 times the size is much more difficult. That being said, Skinomi makes it a very forgiving process. You spray the protector, and then place it on. Then wipe out as many bubbles as you can. Keep in mind though, it took over a week for all of the bubbles in mine to disappear. I even had trouble applying it (peeling it off a couple times). Once you get it on, leave it overnight and use the next day! It will look streaky and bubbly for a bit, but in a week, it will look and feel perfect! Will definitely keep using Skinomi protectors!!!
I read all of the directions and I had trouble getting things lined up but I carefully got it in place(a hair off but still in place).
I had half of the screen with air bubbles and half looked great, I used a soft cloth with the card to smooth out as much as I could but I thought that it was very bad, I couldn't use it that well.
The next day things were a little better but not much and that was when I decided to reposition the cover(big mistake) I pulled it off and got it set back on and it was centered a little better, still had some air bubbles but about the same as before I pulled it off.
For the next couple of days I used the card to push out the air bubbles and now it has been 6 days and it looks great, there are a few grooves where I pressed too hard with the card, and the "big mistake" I did by pulling off the protector introduced 2 pieces of dust. They are not bad but that is my fault.
I'll be getting another one soon and this time I will not remove it once I get it installed so I don't have any dust on it but for now my screen is protected and while using it you can't tell that there is anything on the screen. Even sitting on the table looking at it you can't tell unless you look at the top or bottom where it doesn't exactly line up.
If you install this and you think that it looks really bad, or like crap, wait, it will get better.
Everything was going good, but the plastic application card put scratches all over the screen (just like the other 1 star review). Now I am left with a screen protector with tons of scratches and out of $19. If that card left those, how can it really protect against other things? Their return policy sucks because you must buy it from there site in order to qualify for a refund. I don't want a replacement if this scratches so easily and will be staying away from anything they put out. Hell, the cheap protector I have on my phone doesn't scratch at all but this does? If you do buy this I would recommend putting a piece of paper in between the protector and the card to prevent this from happening.
I bought this because when I ordered my Xoom I could not immediately find a ZAGG Invisishield and I wanted my tablet to be protected. The package arrived with the solution leaking and microfiber application cloth missing. The provided application card did nothing but scratch the screen protector multiple times. After 24 hours, the screen protector did NOT outgas and just left the Xoom screen looking dirty and certain areas where I touched it, it gave a strange oily looking effect! My wife has a ZAGG on her iPad and I have one on my iTouch and they are SO MUCH BETTER than this product ... I will be swallowing this $19 and investing in a ZAGG, a product I know I can trust.
This is working out to be pretty good. When I first installed it I had hazing and bubbles. After about two nights the hazing went away and I had bubbles. This was back in late March. After about a week I counted and I had 43 bubbles on my screen. Today (9 May)I have four bubbles left. I don't know if I used too much or two little of the solution but the bubbles are going away and the screen protector looks as if it isn't even there.'
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Makita Impact Driver - great tool, impact driver
I'm a lead carpenter for a residential remodeler. I've owned 11 cordless drills over the years (currently I have 4) and this Makita is not only the best of the bunch, by far, it may be the best power tool I own. I've had it for about a month now and I've used it everyday. I have a complete compliment of "quick disconnect" bits so I also use this driver as a drill. I've drilled holes in concrete and block using masonry bits and it will easily countersink Tap-cons. I thought the little work light was a gimmicky thing but I have to admit, its a big help in tight dark places, I've even used it as a flashlight. For the size, weight, price, quality, power, etc, etc, you can't beat this drill/driver. The batteries charge in about 15 minutes but they last for days so with 2 batteries, you'll never be without a charged battery. The tool came with a soft square carrying case, kind of looks like a cooler. Since I hate wearing a tool belt rig, this case is great, if you remove the charger, this case will hold a bunch of standard handtools as well as the drill.
This is a great product, I highly recommend it.
*Update>> Its been just over a year and I have to say this drill is as good as the day I got it. In the last few months I purchased the combo kit, the drill and impact driver. I was curious to see if the first one I bought was still as strong as the brand new one. I see no difference. I am still more impressed with these drills/drivers than any tool I own....and its about time Makita sends me some free stuff for the gushing reviews. Seriously tho, you won't be disappointed. Makita BTD142HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit
This thing is an absolute monster! I have been remodeling an older home for the past year. Before I went to Home Depot the other day and noticed this little wonder bundled with the 18v Makita drill, I was using a cheapo cordless and a corded skil to do all my drilling. The corded drill is about 15-20 years old, but was doing a good job still, but I got sick of dragging a cord around, so I pulled the trigger on this Makita set, and I must say I'm glad I did. I would have never considered getting just an Impact Driver, and to be honest, I have never really looked at one before the other day. This thing will drive screws into anything you can find, and if you need to bury screw heads so the surface is flush, you can do it with ease, WITHOUT striping the threads! This driver will also pull those buried screws right out of the wood without breaking a sweat. The design fits in the hand perfect, and the tool is well balanced. The lithium-Ion battery cuts down on the weight of the tool, so you can work all day and your wrist won't even mind.
As I said before, I picked up this tool and the 18v lithium Ion drill at Home Depot for $270 dollars, which I thought was a heck of a deal considering each of those tools run at about 200 a piece.
My only minor minor complaint was that they didn't give me any bits for the drill or the driver like I thought they would have, but that can be overlooked considering how well this tool works.
A+, Thanks Makita
I do a number of projects through our house and some woodworking. By far the most frequently used tool is a cordless drill/driver. I own an 18V with a traditional battery; a good performer but heavy and slightly unbalanced in the hand. A 14.4 volt with traditional battery which became much less used after the purchase of the 18 volt but still saw some use on short duration projects simply because it is lighter than the 18V, and DeWalt 7.2V "stick-style" used for smaller and/or more delicate projects. Over the past year, on DIY programs and in tool reviews, I had been noticing more attention given to impact drivers for everyday use in a broad variety of applications and projects. Especially in driving screws. Since this is a lot of what I use my drill/drivers for, my interest was piqued by the general consensus that the impact drivers were more efficient and less prone to the bit skipping out of the screw heads. This prompted my quest for yet another new tool for the arsenal. I hit the shelves of the local stores and checked out the current crop.
From the very first time I picked up this one I was in love. You see, I have been cursed with wide palms and short fingers and not a single power tool I have ever held or used truly felt comfortable in my hand. Mind you, I could still get a firm grip and it was never a safety problem, but especially with a heavier tool like my 18V, on longer projects I inevitably ended up with fatigue and a lingering ache in my wrist. When I wrapped my hand around this baby I had to have it. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have never had a tool feel so natural and balanced in my hand! The store I first encountered this at was my local Home Depot and they also had the previous generation which was identical in spec, shape and size with the exception of color and the fact it came with 3.0Ah batteries instead of the 1.5 in this kit (and if I'm not mistaken the charger on this one is slightly more advanced). I liked the weight and balance on this one better and with the 15 minute charge time I was willing to sacrifice the run time for the lighter weight and better balance.
After a month of use I am extremely happy with the performance and my purchase. It does an impressive job of driving screws of all types and sizes. Significantly better than anything else I have used and the benefit of the Lithium-Ion holding its charge while sitting on the shelf is very handy. I will still lug along my 18V or 14.4V when pilot holes are necessary but in tandem with this only for the convenience of not having to change bits, and I also still use the DeWalt for tight spots and more delicate tasks.
If you need the longer run time, I would recommend getting the previous generation model. My only regret is that just today here on the Amazon site I saw the kit with the accompanying drill for just about the same price as this kit. At the time I purchased this, that combo kit was $70 more and i opted to save the bucks. Otherwise I have absolutely have no regrets about my purchase. - Impact Driver - Lithium-ion - Great Tool - 18v'
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Makita Impact Driver - great tool, impact driver great tool Makita Impact Driver - great tool, impact driver
Romantic Comedy - thriller, romantic comedy
Based upon the book of the same name by Billie Letts, this film was a more than pleasant surprise. It is simply a compelling absorbing, and unusual film. Well directed by television veteran Matt Williams, the movie exudes a certain folksy charm that grabs the viewer from the get go and keeps that viewer enthralled until the final scene.The film centers around Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), a very pregnant seventeen year old, who, with her boyfriend, lowlife Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno), pulls up to a Walmart's in Oklahoma where he abandons her. So, with virtually no money, literally barefoot and pregnant, and nowhere to go, she sets up camp in Walmart by night and explores the town by day, making friends with a number of memorable characters.She unexpectedly has her baby at Walmart's, making her into a minor local celebrity. While at the hospital convalescing, she meets a sassy, brassy nurse, Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), who befriends her. She is showered with gifts and her mother, Mama Lil (Sally Field), a floozie who discovers her daughter's whereabouts courtesy of the media hoopla, pays her a visit. Having abandoned her once before, she is there long enough for Novalee to be abandoned, yet again.Along comes Thelma 'Sister' Husband (Stockard Channing), an eccentric but kindhearted recovering alcoholic who scoops Novalee and her baby up and takes her to her home. This would be the beginning of a whole new life for Novalee, one that would be enriched by the people whom she meets and the experiences, both good and bad, to which she is subjected. It becomes the story of her personal and emotional odyssey, as well as the story and growth of those with whom she most closely interacts. It is a story about life, relationships, responsibilities, love, and the ties that bind. It is also the story of Willy Jack Pickens and the direction his life takes subsequent to his abandonment of Novalee. After some bad breaks, he gets talent agent, Ruth Meyers (Joan Cusack), to sign him on in hope of furthering a musical career. Unlike Novalee, however, he does not take well to the vicissitudes of life and begins a free fall in a downward spiral. His waterloo culminates in a dramatic meeting with Novalee after many years, a meeting that sets her free from her past, free to love the one person who loves her for herself. Natalie Portman delivers her best performance to date. In the role of Novalee, she mixes innocence with wonder at what the world has to offer her. She adds a certain sweetness, poignancy, and determination to the role that translates into a wonderful vulnerability laced with steel. It is this quality that gives Novalee the will to go on when the odds are so against her, and that is just what Natalie Portman conveys to the viewer. Stockard Channing is great as the eccentric and kind Thelma 'Sister' Husband, a woman who never had children of her own but is truly a mother at heart. Nurturing her garden, as well as Novalee and her baby, flowers and plants are not the only things that thrive under her care. A veritable Mother Earth, she is the kind of person who brings out the best in others, and Novalee and her baby are no exception. Stockard Channing, a great, though underrated actress, brings this home to the viewer in spades.Ashley Judd is terrific as the wide eyed, "looking for love in all the wrong places" Lexie. She comes across as sassy and brassy but is really only looking for someone to appreciate her for who she is and not for the sex she has to offer. Judd delivers the nuances that this role demands. James Frain is sensational as the shy, sensitive, and kind Forney Hull, the town librarian's brother who befriends Novalee. He plays the role with such vulnerability and imbues him with such goodness that the viewer cannot help but care deeply for him. It is also almost hard to believe that James Frain is British, as he has an American accent so down pat. Dylan Bruno is perfect as Willie Jack Pickens, the country good old boy who ruins his own life and almost ruins Novalee's. Joan Cusack shows her deft comedic flair in the small, but memorable role of Ruth Meyers, and Sally Field leaves her mark in her cameo role as Novalee's mother. All in all, stellar performances are given by the entire cast. This is a well directed film that should not be missed. Where The Heart Is
This movie is one of those films that you pick up from the store when there is nothing else to rent ... and you are glad you did.While the plot sounds really contrived, the actors and actresses in this film make it almost believable. And, it is one of the most heartwarming, feel good movies I have seen in quite some time.Natalie Portman is excellent as Novalee Nation, the girl who has the Walmart baby. While you know what is going to happen, the actions leading up to the moment are a gem. Keeping a very exacting record of what she owes the Walmart adds to the situation, making you like Novalee even more.Of course, this is a film about the downtrodden. Novalee is in her situation due to her no good boyfriend dumping her on his way to a Country Music career. The rest of the characters in the film share in this misery. From Forney Hall, a brilliant dreamer stuck in a library to Sister Husband (Stockhard Channing), who fornicates a lot, and finally Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), who has too many children by bad men, the humanity of the "lower rungs" of society shines through.Contrasted to the majority of films that highlight lower income families, displaying them as criminal victims, this film is refreshing in its humanity. The only weak point is the love story that between Novalee and Forney. Throughout most of the movie it is not much more than a convenient plot device. At some times, it is downright distracting. However, in the end, it show the difference between Novalee and her ex-boyfriend.If you would like to see a film that will make you feel good about America, this is it. At times it is a bit Pollyannic, but it is a bit more believable. - Romantic Comedy - Rent Soon - Thriller - Drama'
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Automatic Movement
I am very impressed with Invicta style and quality. They offer well-made watches at a very competitive price. I own seven Invicta watches and love each of them. They have the look and feel of a much more expensive watch.
This particular model looks almost identical to a Rolex Submariner. It is an automatic watch (if you don't wear it for around 24 hours or move around enough, the time must be reset) with 21 jewel Japanese movement and has a see through back that lets you view the automatic movement. The watch has a large 43mm face and it has Mercedes style hands and Tritnite luminescence markings with a magnified date marker. It is water resistant to 200 meters (just in case any of you will go down that far).
The one pictured above has an oyster-like bezel (Omega style). The older (Series 1 or S1) model of the 8926 have a coin edge bezel like the Rolex Submariner. The bezel rotates. Invicta makes really attractive bands that have a nice weight. The stainless steel silver band and black face combination is very sharp and will never go out of style. I have an 8.5" wrist and the watch accommodates my wrist with room to spare. They come in the trademark yellow Invicta box with an Invicta pillow.
The 9937 is an upgraded model of this watch that offers 25 jewel Swiss movement instead of the Japanese 21 jewel movement, a sapphire crystal, an improved stainless steel band (even though the one on the 8926 is great), solid end pieces, a better magnifier over the date, a flip lock safety clasp and a large rosewood box instead of the yellow box that comes with this 8926. Invicta Men's 8926 Pro Diver Collection Automatic Watch
Invicta's 8926 is the dive watch that started it all - the watch that kept Invicta from going out of business - like other Swiss watch making firms did as Oriental made quartz watches flooded the shelves of retailers worldwide in the 1980's! For an overall look rivaling the Rolex Submariner at 1/15 the cost, Invicta provides a $100 automatic diver with stainless steel bracelet unrivaled in quality and performance. Let's take a tour of this diving watch and note the value and style of the timepiece:
Movement
The Citizen Miyota 21 jewel movement rivals Swiss automatic movements for a fraction of the price. If it has any weakness - it is in the small power reserve - losing it's mainspring energy with less than one day off the wrist. IF not worn everyday- it should be put on a programmable watch winder or manually wound. The second hand will not "hack" with this movement. A date (complication) window shows at the 3 o'clock position. It must be manually adjusted every February and other 30 day months.
Case
The 43mm (with crown) 316L brushed stainless steel case wears comfortably on the wrist. The case lugs are modestly curved to accomodate wrists of all sizes. The new model (larger screw down crown)l ooks elegent as it gracefully projects from the case with a scuplted crown protector.
The black dive bezel - unidirectional 120 clicks around - is scalloped like the Omega Seamaster and is a departure from older model 8926's which flaunted a Rolex like "coin edge" bezel. Under pressure from Rolex it was changed by Invicta two years ago. The black enamel bezel is very scratch resistant - the numbers clear and bold.
The Mineral Glass crystal is scratch resistant - but not nearly as much as a more desirable sapphire watch face (imprinted only by diamond) which could triple the cost of the watch. Mineral glass is less prone to chipping or shattering than a sapphire crystal. The display watchback is also mineral glass - displaying the undecorated Miyota automatic movement. Mineral glass backs are less likely to cause skin irritation than a stainless steel backed case.
A date magnifier (Cyclops) at the 3 o'clock position carries on the Submariner theme. The watch hands contrast wonderfully with the Invicta black dial. The LUME off the watch hands and number positions is modest - both in brightness and longevity as compared to more expensive dive watches. A "winged" Invicta symbol decorates the counter - balanced side of the second hand. An elegent "INVICTA" product name is embossed on the left side of the case. The watch is rated as a Professional Diver 200M (660 feet) water resistant.
Bracelet
The comfortable stainess steel pinned link bracelet is worth the price of the watch. Solid end links, rounded flexible brushed steel wrist links set off the polished stainless steel center links - all made to look like the Rolex Oyster bracelet. The bracelet's center links are the only part of the watch prone to scratching. The foldover adjustable double safety clasp uses pins as well. There is no wetsuit deployment clasp as found in more expensive watches.
CONCLUSION
Rated 5 Stars because of value and features, the Invicta 89XX series of Professional Dive Watches has kept the company in the forefront of automatic movement watch manufacturers. No one can touch Invicta in the $100 area Pro-diver price range. Fit, finish, design, value and quality cannot be beat. This IS the leader in its class. Those desiring a Swiss made watch with Sapphire crystal and heftier bracelet should first look at the Invicta 9937 for about threetimes the price.
[...]
The Invicta 8926 is typically considered an entry level watch, or a "beater" alternative to other more expensive watches in your collection to be worn for everyday tasks. It typically ranks as one of the best selling watches, and provides a nice foray into automatic watches. [...]
First Impression:
When the box arrived from Amazon, I was pleasantly greeted by Invicta's signature cheese-yellow box. The watch was delicately wrapped, and packed well in the case. Invicta's instruction manual was thorough, and read like it was written by someone that speaks English as a first language. The included warranty card and polishing cloth were also nice touched. I have a small wrist, so when I first put it on, it hung very loose off of my arm. The weight was also unexpected for a watch at this price point. It felt very substantial. After a few minutes, I headed out to the local jeweler to have things sized for daily wear.
Cost:
Typically found below [...] is an excellent value. there are not many other watches that have an automatic movement and look like a watch that costs 10 times as much. Total shipped, sized, and on my wrist was just over $105. That's unreal! At that price point, if it takes a hit while washing the car or doing yard work, I won't shed any tears.
Case:
At 43mm, the 8926 is not a small watch. It's an excellent compromise between a HUGE diver, and a smaller dress quartz. I've worn it to the office, business meetings, and around town, and it's been comfortable in all situations. The size of the face in comparison to the bezel is pleasing, and of a fair proportion. One of my objections to the watch is the large engraved "Invicta" on the left side of the case. I'm proud to wear an Invicta, but the size and placement of the branding is a bit overwhelming, and breaks up the elegance of the case.
Bezel:
The unidirectional rotating bezel was quite a surprise. While not as smooth as the Seiko or other high end watches, for $100 the bezel gets the job done. The black silhouettes the face perfectly, and the white marks are easy to read. It turns well, and locks into every number well, while being aligned perfectly with 12 o'clock. I've found myself using the bezel to time everyday tasks, like waiting for food at a restaurant, and sitting on a conference call. Why not right?
Bracelet:
The standard Invicta bracelet is just amazing on this watch. The weight is so substantial, and it fits extremely well. The diver buckle is fairly easy to operate, though I imagine if you were actually diving with this watch, it may be a bit of a challenge. The inner link on the watch is highly polished, and immediately started to show sign of desk wear. I imagine that over the lifetime of the watch, the links would start to show some serious wear. The watch was also easy to re size. Due to my poor dexterity, I prefer to have a jeweler re size my watches. He had everything completed in less than 2 minutes, and also complimented the watch.
Movement:
Sporting the Miyota 21 jewel automatic workhorse, I've been impressed with the accuracy of the watch. I tested the power reserve at 36 hours, and it was still going strong. In terms of accuracy, it's tough to gage without "hacking" while setting the time. Over the last month, it's ran about a minute fast, which is not surprising given my daily wear, and my impatience in letting the movement settle. Only time will tell (mwahaha) if accuracy is a problem in the long run.
The trinite hands glow fairly well for about 2-3 hours, then become hard to read. I hit the face with my Maglite before going to sleep, and about 7 hours later, the glow was faint but adequately visible to read if necessary. It would most likely pass the theatre test, but it's a far cry from a high end watch. The hands are quite beautiful, and easy to read against the black face. the addition of the Mercedes style hand was also a nice touch. The cyclops is good, but not great, and is certainly not a Rolex. It's adequate to read the date, but nothing that will make people stop and say "WOW". Finally, the mineral crystal is also great for this pricepoint, but only adequate for the look and feel of this watch. Mine has yet to show any scratches, and I've been polishing ti regularly to try and reveal a hidden one. That being said, I plan on wearing this as my "beater" watch, so a scratch is not really a concern. In fact, the last sapphire crystal face I had cracked from a tough hit, so I'd rather have a few small scratches over a broken face.
Conclusion:
I would be shocked to find a better watch for under $100. Say what you will about Invicta, but for the money, the 8926 is one of the best values ever in terms of an automatic watch. I receive daily compliments on this piece, something I cannot say about my higher end pieces. To the untrained eye, most people thing you are wearing a $1,000 + watch. Despite the flaws with the 8926 (which are well documented), I'm still terrifically impressed with this watch. It's a great entry into a "real" automatic watch from a department store quartz, and is a good introduction into the beauty of a living timepiece.'
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First Aid Kit - jumper cables, manda
purchased this when my car battery died in carpool line one day and i didn't have jumper cables. while i feel better about having an emergency kit in the car at all times now, i feel i really could have spent the money on "really good" jumper cables and and put together the rest of the "kit" myself. not the best bang for the buck, but it serves it's purpose and i'm glad i have it. AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance Kit
This road assistance kit is great; comprehensive enough for my needs. I mainly bought it because it has jumper cables and a flashlight that works without batteries - pretty sweet considering I probably (hopefully) won't be using it often. It has some first-aid stuff and even a poncho if you get caught in a rainstorm while changing a tire! I feel more prepared for the unexpected having this kit in my trunk.
I bought this as a gift for my 17 year old nephew who was a new driver (ugh) with a older type car. He was equally amazed how many useful items came within this bag. Add this with a cell phone and an 'emergency-use-only' $20 bill and you'll be able to breath alittle better when he's on the road.
Had to use the jumper cables and while they worked, they were a bit on the cheap side and a little short.
The kit is good in that it has all of the basics you'd need in the car during a basic breakdown. All in all, the kit was a convenient thing to have and I feel like I paid more for the convenience of being able to buy everything in one pack than the actual items themselves. Anyone could put this together, but not everyone wants to be bothered to do so.
I am happy we purchased this kit. It has everything you need for a basic breakdown. I put it in our van that we use for family trips.
This product gives my husband and I a sense of peace ( the best that a product can) when our daughter, who is a new drive,is out on the road. It fits perfectly behind the seat of her small truck. She really liked it when she opened it as well. - Manda - Jumper Cables - First Aid Kit'
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Hunting
First of all the case is crap but the knives themselves are decent nothing fancy but they come sharp and perform their duties very well. For twenty bucks I can't complain. It is a good addition to my get out of dodge bag and was relatively cheap but the quality like I said is well worth the money it is better to have something for a good price than not to have it because it costs too much money. Grip 4 pc Hunter Field Dressing Kit
I purchased these for a friend for Christmas and he loves them so much he asked for the information for his brother in law. Very sharp knives - he says the sharpest and best he's ever seen. Great for hunters!'
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Arch Supports
I bought this product about a month back and really liked it. I have worn all kinds of arch support and have had surgery on both feet. I wanted something I could plod about the house with. I hate wearing shoes (live in FL)
The only problem I found was in the design. one strap curls around the other to fasten on the opposite side, leaving a lump at the crossover. I fixed this by cutting a small slit in the opposing side and I feed it through the center. Now in sits perfectly flat under my sandals too.
Beware. I figured they were a pack of two (I have two feet) Nope, just the one came..but! I am back for more! Easy wear, easy wash..I have one happy foot :) Mueller Arch Support, Black, One Size
I am a serious runner (1200 miles a year), run in minimalist running shoes (no arch support or cushioning), and have flat feet. As a result, periodically I get pain in one of my arches. Over the years I have collected an assortment of products to deal with this problem, and am always interested in trying new products. I recognize that everyone's feet and needs are different, but for me the Mueller Arch Support relieves my pain immediately and works just fine. Here is what I like:
1. This is more compact and less bulky than products that support both the ankle and the arch. While those products come in handy when my ankle is also bothering me, I like to wear the smallest support possible when I run to deal with whatever problem I have. The Mueller Arch Support takes up very little room in my running shoes, and also is comfortable to wear in regular shoes.
2. This is very simple to use. Just place the small blue pad under the center of your arch, wrap the strap on the inside of your foot (not shown in the picture on Amazon) around the top of your foot, and while holding it in place, wrap the strap on the outside of your foot (which is shown in the picture and has the word "Mueller" on it) over the top of your foot and secure it to the neoprene. Doing that will also keep the first strap in place. While another review notes that there is a "lump" where the two straps cross, for me it is neglible and no different than other products that I own. It certainly has no effect on my comfort in wearing this, whether barefoot, in running shoes, or in street shoes.
3. While the picture shows this support being worn over a sock, you can also wear it directly on your foot. This means that you can wear it while walking barefoot in your house (which I like to do), or under a sock when you go to the office, so nobody will know that you have it on.
4. For me the blue pad is comfortable and provides the right amount of pressure (which is listed as "moderate" on the package), and the two straps are well secured. This also stays in place without slipping when I run, walk around the house, or go to the office. And most important, it relieves the pain. I have read the negative reviews, and can only say that I have not had the experience that they describe.
5. As another review notes, only one comes in a package, which is fine with me because I usually have only one arch that bothers me. Also, the straps are definitely long enough so that one size fits all. On the other hand, I have relatively small feet (size 8 street shoe), but the straps are not excessively long for me.
IMPORTANT: This is NOT returnable. After I ordered it, I saw something else, and decided to return this. But when I clicked on a link to return this, I got a message that it was not returnable, which I confirmed with Amazon customer service. I am glad that I kept it, but just keep the no return policy in mind, which is nowhere mentioned on the Amazon site.
Bottom line: This is relatively inexpensive, and certainly worth a try if you have arch pain. While it may not work for everyone, it does work just fine for me.
I have orthodics made of metal and leather. They work great in shoes so I needed something for yoga. Unfortunately, this product is too soft to provide any real support barefoot. At least for me. I have fairly high arches. Hope it works for you!
These are basicly just flaps that velcro together.
Although the nice part is that you can stretch it and pull it to how tight you want it.
But because of the material it is made of... it doesn't seem like it will last through much constant wear.
The "gel support" in the middle feels nice although it doesn't feel like anything is there supporting it.
It's not even a gel but some kind of cushiony snthetic cotton blend.
It's alright...
I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
note that this company doesn't accept returns,,,hmm wonder why...because they sell junk.
read between the fine lines there is only one arch support in this purchase,not a right and a left---just 1 (ONE) and when u get it u love it for 2 days then the gel evaporates or just oowses into your sock ,,and then its flat. i have had better luck just doubling up on my socks..
---what really sucks is this company does not even want to hear about your complaints, but they sure will take your money with a smile.'
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Bluetooth Stereo Headphones - bluetooth headset, wireless headphones
I bought this headset specifically to pair with my iPhone. The sound is great and I certainly did not experience the volume issue that a previous reviewer noted. Bluetooth works very well when paired. Most of the time I have to delete the device from the iPhone and allow it to pair as if initially. That is a hassle but works well. The fit is comfortable but the rigid band that connects the ear pieces limits to some extent the flexibility. I have enjoyed a number of phone conversations and that function is so far flawless. I can hear the other party very well and everyone has reported excellent sound on their end. The light weight, comfort and wireless functionality makes this product a winner and well worth the price. Jabra HALO Bluetooth Stereo Headset
I finally took the plunge to buy a stereo bluetooth headset even though there a few choices. I have to preface my review saying I have a small head and very small ear canals so headsets that might fit well on most others are too big for me. I didn't want a cord hanging down on my neck or headphones that fall out when I run. The Jabra Halo is extremely comfortable and secure. It fits very flush so I can even wear a cap over it. My only concern is that it will be too warm to wear in the summertime. The sound is excellent without any interruption. The volume sensor takes a little getting used to since it's not a mechanical volume control but works well. Like the comments of others - the lowest volume may not be low enough for some. I tend to listen at the gym or running outside so my main concern is sufficient loudness and the Halo has that covered. Pairing was easy although I didn't have the headset sides locked into place so I had to call Jabra. I called another time about using the headset to move to the next selection (which can't be done on an iPhone). Both times Jabra tech answered the call immediately and provided excellent help.
Comfortable to wear, but warm. The inside of the headset is lined with a padded velvet, so I wouldn't recommend wearing them if you're going to sweat.
They look amazingly sleek. Low profile, distinctive without being ridiculous.
I had no problems pairing with my iPhone and PC. Calls were clear, both for me and the person on the other end.
Does fold to take up less space, but not *much* less, so other than folding to turn them off, there's almost no reason to do so.
Sound quality was very, very nice, but for some reason, when paired with the iPhone, minimum volume is ridiculously loud. Watching TV on the computer was a pleasant experience, but listening to music was impossible. I don't tend to blare my music anyway, but when the minimum is still louder than my comfortable max, it's time to return the product.
With that said, I'd snatch it back up in a heartbeat if the manufacturer fixed the sound issue*.
(*Edit: 2011 - I'd originally titled this review "Eardrums... I miss them." The volume issue was apparently a problem with Apple's bluetooth software that has since been fixed.)
Let me start be stating that the audio quality was acceptable, both for calls and music, but overall, the design is seriously lacking in the following respects:
1. The power switch is integrated into the headband hinge -a snap open, fold-and-slide affair that feels rather insubstantial and twice collapsed (inadvertently shutting down the radio) while in the process of taking the unit off my head.
2. Beyond the power switch functionality, the folding configuration provides no significant space savings. It's not as though collapsing these headphones will make them any less bulky in a laptop bag or purse.
3. The earpieces do not pivot or swivel at all -basically, if your head isn't a perfect fit (and mine isn't), they don't sit right on your ears and constanly slide off.
4. The software-based, touch sensitive volume control is a profoundly unreliable, counterintuitive gimmick. A hardware dial or rocker switch would have been much better.
5. The headband and earpieces are lined with some kind of synthetic velour that traps lint and fuzz admirably, but doesn't add to the comfort. And finally,
6. You can't control the tracks on an iPod Touch or iPhone 3G/3Gs with it. I know that's not Jabra's fault -that is a problem with Apple's current version of A2DP, so I don't consider it a knock on this product per se. I just mention it for the benefit of anyone planning to use these with one of those devices.
If you're really in love with the aesthetics of this unit, consider the Jaybird Sportsband. They're $10 cheaper, and they have basically the same features, but the earpieces adjust to the shape of your cabeza and you get real, tactile controls.
Wow, I will be the first to say that I was very hesitant about getting these, mainly due to the reviews and remarks in regards to how they work with apple products older apple products do not work with it, but thats cause the bluetooh signal is updated.. so blam apple or upgrade. I decided to rsik it and try them out and if worst came to worst retrun if needed. I am so glad I did, the rumors or comments abotuhow they are difficult to sync with an ipad are all false. I saw these on wired magazines podcast and they were very accurate on every aspect. The headphones surprisely have amazing sound quality versus my apple earpods, and actually even better tahn my seinhueser high quality plug ins. Syncing was a breeze, just hold button down and it will show up on ipad an done. Battery life is better than expected as well.I am averaging about 8hrs. I also love that the charge time is only 2hrs. the touch sensors work fine, the only advice I would give being that it is a wireless signal.. is give it a second or two when changin volume n dont go crazy tapping the plus area on the ear piece, it will get loud n blow your ear off.
Overall these are the best bluetooth headphones I have ever owned and used. Despite all the good points they are some flaws. Like many other reviewers the first thing I notice was the shut off feature which requires you to snap and pull on the headset. Immediately it feels against nature to do this.. but so far I havenot had an issue. Many feel they will break over time, overal I feel that if taken care of they will last quite awhile..just don't be a brute with them.
For me personally my biggest quam is the charging cable! seriously it is the words smallest charging cable ever, I am curious how they expect you to use them while they charge which it does allow and is nice if possible. I am hoping that maybe they charge while corded to the phone or ipad. I am not sure. I plan on contact jabra and seeing if maybe I was just sent a plug that is too short. Once I know better I will leave an update.
As you can see the pros outweigh the cons. and for the price amazon is selling them for, you cant beat it.
Pros:
wireless music
Light
Comfortable
Able to connect two devices, ipad n phone ...yeah me.
Amazing sound quality
Nice felt lining
Quick charge time
Awesome design
Comes wiht a soft carrying case.
Usb cables,
Carry case for 1 dollar available wiht amazon.. it is nice as well.
Cons:
shutting off feels like it will wear the material
super short charging cable. - Bluetooth - Wireless Headphones - Bluetooth Headset - Jabra'
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Resistance Band - resistance bands, exercise
I started with the red bands and now use the blue for some exercises. I hava a frozen shoulder and had to find an alternative way to exercise since freeweights put too much of a load on my shoulder. I have gained more movement and the workout is better than PT. You can progress pretty quickly to the next color band for some exercises (bicep, chest and back). I will still use the bands even when I am able to return to using freeweights. SPRI ES502R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Blue, Heavy)
I love the bands, never thought I would because I've always preferred free weights, however these work your muscles in a different way BUT you can REALLY feel it. I do love them and sometimes prefer to do them with DVDs that don't even call for them.
I only gave them four stars instead of five because I wish they would have made at least one more size heavier. I am a female, but on days when I'm feeling good and use them for chest presses; it would be nice to have another size up to go to.
Love them, try them...the price is even more attractive and they are quality. Much, much better than the little rubber bands that come with and/or is shown on some DVDs.
First, let's address some of the common questions about resistance bands and comparable weights:
The manufacturer states that this blue band has a resistance equivalent to 15 pounds when stretched to 1.5 times it's length. The elastic part measures appx. 48" long, so when you stretch it 72" long, you're at 15 pounds of resistance. Stretching more than 1.5" the length will equate to a heavier weight.
I'm 6'4", so standing on one end of the band and raising the other end over my head will stretch the band to about 96", well beyond the 72"=15lbs point. Of course, if you're exercising you're going to be stretching this over a range, so as I stretch the band, the resistance will vary from ~0 lbs at 48" to 15lbs at 72" and well above 15lbs at 96". For someone that is 5'4" raising the band over their head may only reach 80", a bit above the 72"=15lbs point. For that person, the resitance will vary from ~0 lbs to just over 15lbs at the full stretch.
You can also increase the resistance by simply standing closer to the working end of the band. If I were to stand in the middle of the band, leaving just 24" of elastic, then I'd reach 15lbs by stretching it to just 36". This comes into play when doing other exercises, such as bicep curls.
As with all resistance bands, the equivalent weight varies as you stretch the band. It is different than free weights where the weight is constant. But resistance bands also allow you to vary the resistance by changing where you step on the band.
Now, about this particular band:
I like this band. Although I am tall and stretch it to nearly double its normal length, I have not noticed any wearing or breaking of the elastic. The included door attachment is useful, but be sure to carefully follow the instructions (unless you just want to visit your dentist for some new teeth).
Depending on your height and fitness level, you may find this band to be too heavy or too light, so I'd suggest trying out a couple of different resistance bands. If that's not an option, you can do some rough math to come up with estimates for how much you'd be stretching this. For example, if you measure 60" from your shoulder to the floor, standing on the middle of this band would be more than 15lbs of resistance on a typical bicep curl (stretching from 24" to ~60").
I travel A LOT for work and it sometimes throws me off my workout and fitness routine. Got some of these at the last minute at at airport gift shop and was amazed at the things I could do with them. I have tried a few things over the last couple of years, as my travel schedule has increased, and these resistance bands are some of my most used and most effective equipment. You can do literally dozens of exercises, for both upper and lower body, they're cheap, and they're easy to take with you.
If you're somebody like me who travels a lot, these are perfect.
This band snapped in half the first time I used it. I was doing a normal workout when it just gave way. Both pieces then flew back and hit me right in the chest and gave me a welt like I'd never seen before. I wouldn't recommend these to anyone.
This item is well made. The tube is beefy and the handles are sturdy. The included exercise booklets are lame. They have dated black and white photos showing disinterested people doing lack luster exercises.
For a heavy band this is too weak for P90X. I use the ultra heavy and its ok. My friend bought medium and heavy at a local Modelle's and they were much thicker and more rugged. They arent terrible, but there are better out there. Would not recommend these.
I purchased one blue (heavy) Xertube and one purple (xtra heavy), with the hope that it may increase muscle size. It does tone the muscle but imo it wont increase the size of your muscles. I've since switched to doing calisthenics with and without an exercise ball (check out Adam Ford's Swiss Ball DVDs) and this seems to do the trick for me. Also, I don't believe that you can get a complete workout with the tubes. It may be possible but, I didn't see how (some of the stances on the chart look good on the chart but seemed pretty useless to me, plus the door attachment, though efficient, constantly worried me (I've been smacked in the face with another brand tube before...not fun). If you can get past all that, go for it because they're not bad for certain exercises. - Exercise - Exercise Bands - Resistance Bands - Fitness'
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Mothers Gifts
My mother loved the collection of bath supplies, (bath confetti, shower gel, a scrubby, bubble bath, as well as tea, hot chocolate and cookies). It has everything you need for the perfect evening/day of relaxation. The basket arrived on time, wrapped beautifully, and she loved it. I'd definitely recommend this basket as a birthday, Valentine's or Mother's Day gift. It's lovely. Art of Appreciation Gift Baskets Tranquil Delights Lavender Spa Bath and Body Tote
I was planning to give this item as a gift. After reading the positive reviews, I thought I would be pleased. The basket is small and doesn't look like it will last long. There is not much in the basket. In the picture, there seems to be more included in the basket. I decided I had to add to the items in order to give it as a gift.'
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Impact Wrenches - 18v, 18 volt
Good tool and price but one problem, the socket retaining device broke the very first time I used it.
The impact socket wouldn't come off for anything the first time, I ended up putting the socket in a vice and pounding the socket off with a punch and hand sledge though the center of the socket. Retainer parts flew when it finally busted loose. Don't think there was anything I could have done differently. I'm sure I could send the unit back but it seems to hold the sockets on just fine without the retainer. Besides I don't see how a replacement wrench would be any different.
As far as strength goes, it was able to break a 8" long 3/8" lag bolt in half. I've been grabbing it every time since I got instead of my 1/2" IR pneumatic impact. It's been able to break loose tractor tire lug nuts that were torqued to 250 ft/lbs.
Hard to beat that. Bare-Tool DEWALT DW059B 1/2-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Impact Wrench (Tool Only, No Battery)
I own a business where we source vehicle parts for various shops - obsolete parts, discontinued parts, and when we're unable to locate NOS parts - used parts. I purchased this impact to replace another cordless impact that died, for mobile-use in areas where power is not available and extension cords are impractical (e.g. body shops, salvage yards, etc.).
While I've found this impact wrench to be more than capable, it has two major short-comings for those considering a battery operated impact for shop/professional use.
First, the anvil incorporates a detent pin, for retaining the socket. This makes the placing/changing a socket on the impact difficult, for most sockets. While those sockets with considerable wear usually go-on without much fight, most sockets either have to be forced onto the anvil, or the detent pin has to be manually depressed to get the socket to slip over the pin. Removing the socket can be even more problematic, if the detent pin is accidently placed into the retainer-hole that is drilled into most impact sockets. You must use a small diameter phillips or torx screwdriver to manually depress the detent pin, before it will release the socket.
Second, the "trigger" switch is non-standard and functionally poor in design. Unlike most impacts, the switch is a pivoting type of rocker-switch that is approximately 2" in length. This requires you to either reposition your hand to change from removing a bolt/nut to tightening a bolt/nut - or to use your index finger for removal and ring-finger to tighten. Several people "inadvertently" used the impact in the wrong direction before getting use to the rocker-switch, and in one case significant shop-time was wasted extracting a bolt that was sheared as a result.
To the positive, this impact is very strong when it comes to bolt/nut removal. I've had it remove 32mm axle-nuts, where a 25" breaker bar could not "break" the axle-nut loose after repeated tries - and this was not on a fresh battery. I routinely use it to remove pinch-bolts (spindles), subframe bolts (front wheel drive transmissions), and U-bolts (rear axle assemblies), without any significant problem.
Overall, I rate this cordless impact as follows:
- Ability (5) outperforms other battery-operated impacts in the same price and torque range
- Design (3) detent pin significantly increases time required to change sockets; the rocker-switch can be difficult for some to adapt to - especially when you routinely change between an air-impact and cordless-impact.
- Price (5) performs nearly as well as higher-priced cordless impacts, such as Milwaukee and Snap-On
- Useability (3) again due to the added time required to change impact sockets (detent pin) and non-standard trigger-switch, it detracts from use in situations where the socket must be frequently changed.
If DeWalt were to produce this same cordless impact with a hog-ring type retaining anvil, as well as a single-pull switch and separate directional switch - like the DC823B - I could see this becoming the defacto standard in mid-range cordless impact wrenches.
Overall, I rate the DeWalt DW059B/K Impact Wrench a (4).
This dewalt dw059B model has the highest torque of any cordless impact wrench I could find online; it even has higher torque than some of the cheaper air impact wrenches I found in the local stores in my area.
I purchased it specifically to remove a rusted anode rod and inlet nib from my 14-year-old water heater; the dewalt impact wrench loosened up both items after only 15 seconds. (By comparison, I wasn't able to make either the anode rod or the inlet nib budge even with a large socket wrench, breaker bar, and plenty of PB Blaster.)
I couldn't be happier with my new dewalt DW059B -- it has exceeded my expectations.
First of all, I never had air before. So I bought this instead of buying compressor and the hole nine yards.
I already had a 18v dewalt drill with a nicad battery. The battery is about 1 year old with not much use. At first when receiving this impact drill, I felt weak power so right away I made sure by fully charging the battery I had and trying it out. It worked well, but with automotive you know there are some stubborn bolt/nuts because of normal oxidation and things. So I would use heat/breaker bar then this which worked fine.
So just a month ago I bought the new dewalt lithium-ion battery with charger. Charged the battery and it sat for like 2 weeks. Finally had some work to do on a car where my elcheapo air tools frustrated me. Pulled out the impact drill and plugged in the new battery.
This beast blasted nuts off that I even had a hard time with a 18 inch breaker bar(more to do with position clearance; I have some guns on my arm).
So I came to the part where I put the new parts in. Normally I would torque to specs but I would at least use the drill to get close where i don't need to ratchet. I accidentally broke a bolt with this drill. It works so fast that I wasn't able to release and sure enough it snapped off the bolt with nut. Luckily it was an easy fix but I just wanted to warn people not to underestimate the ft pounds mentioned on this tool.
great job dewalt and great job amazon for price and delivery. - Impact Wrenches - 18 Volt - Cordless - 18v'
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