Sunday, 12 July 2009

Highly Recommended - scanner, photo scanner


SUMMARY

With a few caveats, this is a great little scanner. The best part is that it actually fits in my Targus computer case WITH my laptop. It weighs only 2-3 pds, and runs off USB power---no converter brick to haul around. Scans are sharp and fast. The automatic settings work very well for nearly all typical originals (old photos, business letters, receipts, etc.). Despite some shortcomings, the price and exceptional portability may make this series of scanners the choice for scanning books---because books which need to be scanned are often non-circulating items in libraries or archives.



SHORTCOMINGS

Unfortunately, the particular design of this scanner (and all other LED-based scanners) is that (unlike most fat desktop scanners) it cannot scan 3D objects. Any portion of your document or image which is not in absolute contact with the glass patten will be very blurry. The raised frame raises the edges of any original which does not fit on the glass patten, causing the edges of scans to be blurry. This is particularly a problem when scanning books. Nor can you just press down harder---that warps the glass causing blurriness elsewhere on the page, and may even jam the scanning mechanism. However, these problems may be overcome using the strategies discussed below.



The lid is non-removable, which means that you may be out-of-luck if you need to scan part of a large object. The software is multi-layered, confusing, and difficult to configure to your best use. Caveat, I've used at least three brands of scanner software, none of which were well designed. From the oddly named "MP Navigator" I suggest checking the box, "use the scanner driver" for access to the "Advanced Settings"--or better yet, scan from your graphics (photo editing) program.



NEVERTHELESS

Even though the frame is a problem, it is lower (1/16") and narrower (3/8") than most other scanners, and so, scanning books etc. is LESS of a problem than with most other scanners.



CHOOSING AMONG THE MODELS

The hardware and "Advanced Settings" portion of the scanning program of all LiDE models (at least models 90 to 210) appears to be identical. The major differences between the models is 1) improvements in the automatic scanning functions, and 2) the rated scanning speed (which is apparently software controlled). Despite the statistics, there is little practical difference in scanning speed between the models. The "slower" models are only slightly slower, but are quieter. Since I use only the "Advanced Settings" (never the automatic settings), the 110 is my preference, regardless of price. Canon CanoScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner (4507B002)



The 210 may be best for children and other users who will never learn how to use the "Advanced Settings", since it claims to have superior automated scanning. The 210 is slightly faster. Canon CanoScan LiDE210 Color Image Scanner (4508B002)



If you plan to scan books and if you do not plan to carry the scanner around much, you might consider a Canon LiDE 700. It has 2 major advantages. The right edge is actually flush with the glass surface (hurrah!!)---albeit there is still an excessively wide margin. The lid opens 180 degrees, so you can scan portions of a large object--albeit there is still an "edge problem" for the other three edges. Canon CanoScan LiDE 700F Color Image Scanner (3297B002)



SCANNING BOOKS

It is easy to scan books which have at least ½" of margin between the print and the spine. Place the right side of the scanner at the edge of a table, so that the book hangs open at 90 degrees when placed on the scanner. Place a moderate weight on top of your original (such as a 1" thick book). If you must press down with your fingers, press at the edges of the glass area (or even better, at the corners), not the middle. If you can't quite get in tight enough, place a 1/16" sheet of stiff cardboard directly behind each page before scanning--it is a pain, but it works.



SCANNING CREASED OR FOLDED ORIGINALS

The foam "pressure pad" in the lid is a bit too soft to insure that some originals (such as stiff letters or receipts which have been folded) are pressed sufficiently flat (even with a book on top of the lid). If you notice this problem, then place a stiff cardboard sheet (or a thin book) directly on top of your original, and close the cover.



SCANNING TO A PORTABLE COMPUTER

The scanner draws power only when scanning. However, at least with my ThinkPad---scanning to a portable running on battery-power increases the scanning time by at least 50%. Plan on having your portable plugged into an AC outlet if you plan to scan more than a few pages.





OTHER REVIEWER'S COMPLAINTS AND EASY SOLUTIONS

The automatic settings impose various limitations on the maximum selectable resolution, maximum file size etc.---which can all be superceded using the "Advanced Settings". Despite the instructions, it is not essential to close the lid, but it is necessary to avoid bright light from shining into the scanner. I use my dark microfiber cleaning cloth (folded) to cover any exposed portions of the glass patten when scanning in a bright room with the cover open. The maximum selectable resolution is 1200dpi. If you want to scan at, say 2400dpi, you have to type the value in manually in the resolution window. However, such scans are very slow, the files are very large, and I have found no actual improvement in resolution (detail recorded). The USB cable is nearly 5' long--longer than necessary for a portable scanner. Longer replacement cables, or extension cables are cheap, <$5 if needed. Don't panic about the scary "unlock the scanner before using" notice in the instructions. If you try to scan with the scanner locked, it will tell you, "unlock me". If so, just unlock it.



PRODUCING PDF DOCUMENTS

The direct-to-pdf option is not recommended unless quality is unimportant to you and you will only be scanning single pages or very short documents to pdf. The reason is that you cannot make any corrections to the scanned document. What if you scan a 50 page document, and then oops! page 12 is too dark?--you've got to rescan the entire document. For best quality and flexibility scan to 1200dpi tif files, adjust the images with your graphics program, and then convert (and assemble) the files into a pdf document using Adobe Acrobat (or other pdf editor). Beware that any scan, even of text, is an "image" (not real text) and is likely to be downsampled when converting to pdf, unless you specifically disable downsampling. When using a pdf editor to convert to pdf, select "highest quality" --- OR a specific dpi (1200dpi) --- OR disable "downsampling". Perfectly adequate graphics programs and pdf editors are available free if that is a concern.



OCR

OCR means to convert an image of text to real editable text. Unless you absolutely need real editable text to copy and insert into a document, you do not want to OCR. Unless the original is perfect and in a large common font, the error rate will be very high, and you'll loose formatting, graphics, and everything else than text. In most cases, a much better solution is to use Adobe Acrobat (or other pdf editor) to add an invisible OCR-ed layer beneath the image layer. Such a document looks exactly like the original--including photos or other graphics. You cannot edit such a document, but you can search the document, and copy real text from the document.



OTHER SCANNING OPTIONS

The "Advanced Settings" offers many options such as auto-tone, unsharp mask, descreen, dust and scratch reduction, fading correction, grain correction, and others. I recommend AGAINST using ANY of these options, because in most cases most will degrade your image, you will not know that it is degraded, and you have no control over the degree of sharpening, or color adjustment, etc. "One size does not fit all". It is better to scan with all of the options off, using only the tone curve to adjust the brightness and contrast. Then use your graphics program to sharpen, descreen, reduce dust, adjust color saturation etc. as necessary--and you'll be able see the changes, and undo mistakes.



GETTING THE VERY BEST SCANS

Admittedly, the automatic settings work very well under most circumstances when scanning "typical" originals (and it is the only portion of the very annoying scanning program that the Canon geeks make any attempt at improving). But what happens when the automatic settings do not produce good results? You are stuck with crappy scans---or you have to spend half a day learning how to use the "Advanced Settings". My recommendation---use the "Advanced Settings" even for routine scans. You'll become a scanning wizard in no-time---far better than any "automatic" program. It only takes a few more seconds for fine-tuning per scan once you know what you are doing. You've probably already learned how to use your graphics programs to improve your photos---why not use those skills to improve your documents?



The very best scans are produced by using the "Advanced Settings", and setting the tone curve manually, with all of the various options "off". Pre-defining tone curves and other setting for your particular project makes the process easier. Unfortunately, you have to "summon" your pre-defined settings for each scan. Note that you have to define things in a particular order, or the defaults reset---very annoying.



Don't count on scanning with the automatic or default "Advanced Settings" and then fixing things with your graphics program. "Garbage in--garbage out." Beware that you cannot adequately judge the quality in the "preview" view (which is why I ALWAYS scan to my graphics program and examine the scan before saving it).



SETTING THE TONE CURVE MANUALLY

The default tone curve is line from the lower left corner of the graph to the upper right corner. The easiest way to alter contrast is to add a point at the midpoint of the line (to anchor it) and then drag the curve into a steep S-shape to increase contrast, or a less-steep reverse-S to decrease contrast. The easiest way to alter brightness is to add a point at the midpoint of the line, and then drag it right (darker), or left (brighter). If the white background of documents scans as gray--or there are gray shadows on the scanned page--then shift the upper right end of the tone curve about 10%-20% to the left. For photos you can shift the lower left end of the tone curve to the left to brighten up shadows. Black and white documents are usually best scanned as "grayscale", but with a steep (high contrast) tone curve.



SCANNING (TRUE) PHOTOS

There is little point in scanning most (true) photos above 600dpi. Practically speaking most "sharpening" functions have little effect above 300dpi. Ironically, with judicious use of sharpening tools (in your photo-editing program), photos scanned at 300dpi can look much sharper than those scanned at 1200dpi. IMPORTANT: Sharpen ONLY at the same size (and dpi) that the photo will be printed (or displayed on a monitor).



SCANNING HALF-TONE PHOTOS

Half-tone (screened) photos (from books, magazines, etc.) should be scanned at the highest resolution possible. You can use Gausian blur (in your graphics editing program) to improve (descreen) them for viewing and printing. Use the lowest possible value which eliminates the dot pattern: typically, 4-5 pixels at 1200 dpi, 2-2.5 pixels at 600 dpi. Caution---if your scan consists of both images and text, you don't want to blur your text---instead (in your graphics program) select only the images for descreening.



FILE FORMAT

If you want the best possible scans, you should save to tif---but the only tif files the scanner driver produces are huge uncompressed tif files. Solution: scan from a graphics program which allows you to save files as loss-less tif (LZW compression) which will produce files as small as 1/20 the size with no loss in detail. If it is inconvenient to scan from a graphics program, you can scan to JPG. JPG files are always degraded by compression, but if saved nominally uncompressed, degradation does not become significant unless you repeatedly edit and save the files. Solution: scan as jpg, but convert the files to LZW tif before editing them in any way. LZW tif and uncompressed jpg files of the same image are about the same size.



DUST

Scanners are NOT sealed against dust. Do not use canned air to clean dust off the patten--they blow dust INTO the scanner. Clean the scanner frequently with a damp cloth. Protect from dust--such as in a plastic bag when not in use. (I have a desk drawer a little larger than the scanner where I keep it). Even with the most careful use, dust will eventually accumulate on the inside of glass and/or it will develop a haze. The inside surface of the glass cannot be cleaned nor replaced. The solution is to replace the scanner--which is far more acceptable if it is an LiDE 110 for only $50 or so.



PROBLEMS

I have owned a three different models. The third is new. After about 1000 scans each, the first two began showing irregularities (as faint moire patterns) when black and white half-tone photos were scanned at 1200dpi (or color half-tones scanned at 600 dpi or higher) and then descreened. Typical users would not notice any problem.



The drivers are not common between models. You cannot use two different models on the same computer, nor is there any "remember my settings" option when deinstalling the "old" drivers, nor is there anyway to save or backup your settings, or transfer them to another computer.



My experience with 3 different LiDE sanners is that frequent stopping and restarting while scanning takes up much of the actual scanning time. This could either be a problem with inadequate buffers or inadequate power. Hypothetically, if it is a power problem, a USB Y-Cable, which taps the power of two USB port may help. A USB Y-Cable did NOT improve scan time with my HP xw4200 Workstation, or my Thinkpad running on battery or AC---but in my tests, my new LiDE 110 scanned continously (without stopping and starting) with or without the extra power cable connected. Maybe my original power cords were defective. So, if you experience frequent stopping and starting, particularly in a portable running on battery, try a different power cord. If you need a longer or shorter cord that one that comes with the scanner, consider purchasing a USB-Y cord. It can't hurt, and if it doesn't help, you don't have to plug in the second cable. If you decide you need a longer cable for desktop use, I suggest a Cables To Go 28107 USB 2.0 Mini-B Male to 2 USB A Male Y-Cable (6 Feet, Black). If you decide you'd like a shorter cable for travel, I suggest Bytecc USB2-HD201 - USB cable - mini-USB Type B (M) - 4 pin USB Type A (M) - 3 ft ( USB / Hi-Speed USB ) - black



SUGGESTION TO CANON DESIGNERS

How about a "frameless" scanner (with a removable "clip-on" frame which could be used when desired), and with a removable lid---so that the scanner could be used to scan books and sections of large documents easier? Canon CanoScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner (4507B002) - Canon Scanner - Photo Scanner - Scanner - Usb Scanner'


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Bracelet - boy, bracelet


Have to admit this is one of my favorite casual bracelets. It's perfect for casual work days and weekends. Goes very well with blacks & browns because the leather wraps are both colored. I belive it's smallest size is smaller than the 6 inches because I have small wrist and this fits me perfect. I wear it all of the time and get lots of comments on it. 5 Strand Leather Zen Bracelet, Silver Beads, Adjustable 6 to 9 Inches

I love this beautiful bracelet. It was sent to me by Jane from Beautiful Silver Jewelry to make up for another bracelet that I bought from them...in fact...she was so concerned she sent me two lovely new bracelets. They are well made and different and easy to put on and take off and I am totally impressed with the amazing customer service provided by this company.



I am a bracelet collector...I love unique ones that I can stack together and wear every day...this one is perfect for every day wearing.



I won't hesitate if I want to order from this little "gem" of a company again. - Beaded Bracelet - Boy - Beaded Jewelry Leather Jewelry - Bracelet'


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Useless - boat rain water accumulating pro, horrible


The Plastic cross piece on top of the pole is cheap. I used it once and it bent down on both ends. It stayed in that shape hours later after removal. I didn't over tighten the straps. If it was thicker it might not be as bad. You could use a wooden piece under it and screw the plastic piece to it. I think I'll go with a bow system next. I guess this is a case of going cheap instead of going for value. Attwood Deluxe Boat Cover Support System, UP TO 19' - Horrible - Boat Rain Water Accumulating Pro - Boat Covers - Useless'


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Useless - boat rain water accumulating pro, horrible boat rain water accumulating pro Useless - boat rain water accumulating pro, horrible

Retractable - fisher pen, fisher space pen


I had a plastic barrel Cap-O-Matic Space Pen for many years (and a few refills) until one fateful slam of the backpack cracked it in two. I missed having such a reliable pen around, so I bought this one as replacement. I didn't want to contend with loose caps, so it was back to the Cap-O-Matic or a retractable, such as this. These pens really are great for jotting quick notes on the fly -- you can write at any angle and not have to do the old thermometer shakedown to get ink to the tip.



The rubberized barrel of this pen is only very slightly texturized, and it's not soft at all, unlike some cushiony rubberized pens I've seen (can't remember brands, but they were not the spiffy pressurized kind.) This Space Tec is still pretty slippery in my hand. And the entire tip is hard, slick plastic, albeit with a few traction grooves at the fingertip area. The rubberization stops where the red rings stop at the barrel end. Everything from there down is shiny plastic. It's not very comfortable for writing on account of the grooves, and they don't even redeem themselves by making it feel secure in hand.



The pocket clip feels a tad flimsy. Only time will tell how long it will last and how much (or how little) flexing it can take. (I'm notorious for fidgeting with pens and snapping off the clips, so I'm not deducting any stars for the clip.)



I'm still glad with my purchase for the price (and with the free Super Saver Shipping), but I will review the line again before getting another Space Tec model. Fisher Space Pen, Space-Tec Pen with Black Ink, Medium Point, Black Rubber Coated (ST)

It is a solid pen. You can write upside down, on your side, underwater... anyway you can imagine.



The retractability is a bit shaky. Sometimes you need to tweak here and there to ensure it retracts and the grip is a bit uncomfortable.



I kind of hoped a bit more perfection for the price I payed but considering the refills only cost about $4, maybe this is as good as it gets. It still think it is priceless to be able to write upside down, or on your lap, or underwater for that matter, so I will not nitpick.

I have owned one of these for more than fifteen years. I like the everyday look of the pen, which keeps it from being a theft target. The mechanical parts of the pen have lasted well through years of heavy use. I've been through a few refills since I've owned the pen. From time to time it's been a hassle finding refills, and once I had a pair of refills which oozed ink and left black splotches when first beginning to write. It's here that I'd deduct a star except it's really not the pen's fault. My work requires the ability to write at any angle for extended periods of time, so Space Pens have no competition for my business. I just wish finding genuine refills was easier.

Decent pen. Ergonomics for my large hand are less than anticipated. Am using in a rough environ, and could use a method to hang around my neck so it doesn't get away. But, considering it does what it is supposed to do, I can't ask more.

Excellent value for the money. I've had this pen for a few months now and it does nothing but work the way it should. Not a "tactical" pen but on the other hand, weighs less than half an ounce. Clipped to a shirt pocket, you don't feel its presence. The rubber covering and minimal grooving on the grip area provide good traction for nonslip writing. And of course it takes the Fisher refill with all its advantages. If you're looking for a perfect functioning reasonably priced pen, this is for you. But it doesn't look particularly luxurious and most likely, would not hold up to the abuse a metal pen could withstand.

Back when I was a wage-slave, working long hours in an office & warehouse, this pen was my tool of choice. It's rugged & reliable, writes smoothly, the ink lasts forever (using the same patented pressurized ink that the original Fisher Space Pen uses), and it fits neatly in a shirt pocket. Over an almost-two-decade stint with the same company, I used 3 of these, and I still have the third!



Also, the Space-Tec is half the price of the original Space Pen, even though it has the exact same ink & writing tip.



I've tried other pens, including a Mont Blanc, but I've kept returning to the Fisher Space Pens because of their quality and durability. And the Space-Tec design, as I've said, is perfect for the professional environment.

I bought this pen for my son who works outside. We live in New England and he kept complaining that the ink in his pen would freeze. When he first started using it, it was great. He said it never froze and it wrote at all angles. However, after three weeks, the pen just broke. It was in his jacket pocket, he pulled it out to use it, and found the plastic tip had broken and the spring had come out. For such an expensive pen I would have expected it to hold up much better than this! It's not like he was abusing it. My son and I are both very disappointed!

Gets the job done. Perfect for someone who needs a great, dependable pen. At the price, no need to worry about loss, yet has the space pen features. Well received by the engineers I gifted it to. Very highly recommended.

The ink in ballpoint/felt tip pens tends to thicken and even freeze up in really cold weather, rendering them unusable; and the lead in pencils becomes brittle and breaks. Not this baby. Writes like a champ in extreme outdoor conditions and is always reliable. Have had many compliments on how smooth it writes, and had a difficult time getting it back from one person. Ordered 3 more. - Great Pen - Fisher Space Pen - Refills - Fisher Pen'


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Perfect Brownie Pan


I was skeptical when I bought this brownie pan. I imagined myself scraping brownies from the divider after baking, and could not really believe they would pop out of the pan like in the commercial. But, after baking my first batch of brownies in the marvelous pan, I can assure you that it works exactly as described. I generously sprayed the pan and the divider all over with Pam, to be sure nothing would stick. Then I placed the brownie pan on a cookie sheet before baking. The brownies did not stick at all and came out in perfect little squares. It was the most perfect easy brownie I have ever made. Just be sure to spray it all liberally with Pam or some type of cooking oil spray to enhance the non-stick property of the pan. And also, very important to bake the pan on a cookie sheet because a small amount of the brownie mix leaks through the bottom of the pan. This is because the bottom of the pan is made to be removable to make it easy to get the brownies out.

If you follow these two precautionary steps, you will end up with perfect brownies! You will love this pan! Perfect Brownie Pan Set

I bought this product with high expectations - and was let down. First off, this is a very small pan. It probably holds the volume of an 8x8...but it is very shallow. It comes in 4 pieces, which are all very flimsy - so thin that the "insert" was already bent upon arrival. Ok...so it looks cheap...but does it work? After a couple of bakings, I noted some very important things. First off...the servings have NO edges on the interior. As a "corner brownie" fan I was pumped about the potential here...but really you still only get the four real corners here. I guess the little metal wall doesn't hold enough heat to assist in baking at all...it really just acts as a cutter/divider. It did do a fine job of separating the pan into 18 tiny brownie bites. However, cleaning this contraption isn't a breeze. I tried gently hand washing, and bent up the insert again. I also tried the dishwasher (which it says you can use on the box), but that managed to blast off some of the nonstick coating. Ugh.



I should have known that you don't need a 4 piece machine to make good brownies. This one is way more trouble than it's worth - and I would say it's not worth very much.

Saw this pan on an infomercial and bought 2 (one for my daughter's friend). It works just like it says it will. As another reviewer said, be sure to spray with non-stick spray. I forgot to spray the divider once and though it wasn't as easy to remove, the brownies were not ruined. Just a little rougher around the edges. I have not had any leaks. I reduce the water in the recipe by a couple of tablespoons.. maybe that helps. This pan cooks faster than a normal pan so keep an eye on them. Reduce the temp too.. I bake at 330 instead of 350.



I bought another last night at Walgreens- they carry lots of 'As Seen on TV' items.

The pan is smallish- it makes 18 browies but they are nice and tall. They disappear pretty fast so I'll be making a double every time!

Every now and then one of these inventions comes along that really works. This is one of them.



There are 2 features that I really like:

1) The brownies come in squares that are pre-cut. It is that simple. After putting the batter in the pan, put the divider thing in, and boom, that easy. When you take it out, the brownies are all cut.



2) The side of the pan goes down onto the base, making a perfect serving station for the brownies. Very clever idea.



A couple of suggestions:



1) Use PAM on the pan and also on the divider. It makes the clean up a thousand times easier. I prefer to hand wash the pan because I want it to last.

2) Take the divider out pretty soon after the brownies are done. Since the divider is made of metal, it gets hot, and cooks the edges of all the brownies. You don't want to overcook them.



This is a great product that I highly recommend!

So after cooking 156 brownies in this one pan in the last two weeks, I can definitely say that I've tested, tested and re-tested this pan.



It started Christmas Eve, when I woke up with the plan to bake 8 dozen brownies and put them in festive tins as Christmas gifts. Then I discovered that I had loaned my brownie pan to my mom and forgot to give it back. Yea! Perfect opportunity to go buy The Perfect Brownie Pan that I had been looking at for weeks every time I went to Walgreen's.



A Few hours later I had over 100 brownies and I've been making brownies in the pan ever since. The pan is everything it claims to be. It is easy to use, efficient and it turns out absolutely professional looking perfect brownies.



The pan comes in three pieces, the bottom, the side and the divider. Then you have the stand for cooling and serving.



The process is super easy.



Step 1: Put the bottom in the pan and spray the sides and bottom with non-stick spray. Spray both sides of the divider.



Step 2: Mix the brownie mix and spread in the pan. Drop in the divider.



Step 3: Bake as usual.



When the brownies are finished, you put the pan on the tray and wait for them to cool. When they are cool, you lift out the divider, drop the sides and you have perfectly cut brownies that come right off/out of the pan. If you are making more than one batch, the pan is easy to wipe out and use again, then when you are finished wash in the dishwasher.



It was super easy to make batch after batch in this one pan. Now I'm running around looking for more things to make in it, bar cookies, corn bread, cake, everything comes out so beautiful. Yesterday I made chocolate chip cookie dough brownies just because I wanted to use the pan.



This pan is my new favorite kitchen toy.

I so wanted this for Christmas. My hubby made the rounds until he found it for me.

Couldn't wait to try it tonight. My first clue that this was not going to be easy

was the attention enclosure warning of leakage from the brownie pan. It advises

to put this brownie pan on a cookie sheet or to line the pan with foil before you

add the batter. There are also helpful hints to place the pan in the oven for 5

mins to warm it before the batter to prevent leaking. Are you kidding me?

This thing leaks? Yup, it leaks. I preheated the pan and placed it on a

cookie sheet and it still leaked. The pan is small. Considering this ever

so delicate baking vessel still costs more than an 13 x 9 pan I have ever

owned. I found another issue when I went to put my brownies away. The

center brownies didn't seem to get done enough. Are you kidding me again?

Save your money. Learn from my experience. Disappointing.'


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Gps System Accessories - gps, dashboard mount


This disc is a replacement for the original that shipped with the Arkon dashboard mount (for my radar detector.)



I had originally ordered my mount with an included disc. Because the detector was to be used in two cars ordered an extra disc (AP020) from Arkon. The second disc was of slightly different form (no lip at the edge) and material.



The original failed after 4 months due to warping in the strong California sun. The AP020 disc did not warp. I ordered a replacement AP020 from Arkon and it has performed very well. ARKON AP020 Adapter Plate 90mm Circular Adhesive Dash / Console Disc with 3M Adhesive

The adhesive tape works great. My problem is that the suction cup just will not grip the plastic surface at all. The suction cup works amazingly on the windshield, so I know that's not the problem. I made sure the surface was completely clean and free of dust. I tried both dry and wet. It may work with vaseline, but that's a pain to clean.

I bought this for a friend who won't shop on line. (he doesn't know what he is missing) He traded cars and kept his GPS but the disk (Plate) went with the car. I just gave it to him, he has installed it in his new car and is happy with it.

I bought this disk to mount a suction cup mirror to my dash, but the suction cup will not stick to the disk. It also was supposed to come with an alcohol cleaning pad according to the instructions, but there was no such pad included.

There's not much to say about this item. It sticks on your dash using 3M adhesive. If you want to take it off, they offer some instructions. But once you place it, you won't want to take it off. It just works. - Gps - Vehicle Mounts - Dashboard Mount - Sd Memory Card'


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Lincoln Grease Gun


This lincoln power lubber works great. It saves a lot of time and energy. We have been able to grease some fittings with this thing that we could not do by hand. This thing puts so much more pressure than you can by hand. I highly recommend this product. Lincoln Lubrication (LIN1844) 18 Volt Cordless Grease Gun with 2 Batteries

Bought this for my husband's birthday and he can't say enough good things about it.

He works on 3-ton trucks on down and says it makes his job much easier. (he's ditched the air gun).

I researched this item and chose it over the Milwaukee mainly because of the case.

Husband said good call - wouldn't want a nice tool bouncing around in his van. Makes it travel safely, plus easy to grab & go.

VERY PLEASED =)

I purchased this for our son who had one previously and it got stolen. He was quit lost without the luber because he works construction and has to lube the equipment that he works with. What labor saver and time saver. Works great and does every thing that he needs.

First unit I got from Amazon came damaged in the case - battery was broken apart. Nice. It either was a bad quality control from Lincoln, and/or a return that somehow made it back into the shipping department. In either case, not good. However, Amazon stepped up and sent a new unit and a return authorization ASAP. The second unit was intact, and works great. No air hose, and the power selector allows you to overcome reluctant zerks. I do see a flaw in the battery construction, however. If not careful in removing it from the gun, it will pull apart at the base. Needs improvement. Otherwise, it'd be five stars.

I bought this for my husband who owns a lawn and landscape company. Some of our older equipment we bought used and the grease certs were virtually non-functional with a manual grease gun. After my husband used this on the 15' finish mower, he was hooked. Now we have no reason for any of our equipment to break from not being greased. He loves it!!

I have lots of heavy equipment that needs to be greased regularly, and for years I did all of it with a clunky hand-powered grease gun or a clunky/cumbersome/unwieldy air-powered grease gun. Either my forearm muscles kept giving out (hey, I'm a wimp) or the air hose kept getting tangled up in my equipment. Now I'm zipping through my maintenance grease jobs as fast as greased lightning (now I know where that expression comes from!). The 18 Volt Lincoln Power Luber CORDLESS Grease Gun (w/2 batteries) is a great tool & is worth every penny I paid for it. . . . Tim "Bo" Snell, Snell Tree Experts LLC'


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Playstation 3 Controller


Well folks, now that the dust has settled from the Sony vs. Immersion lawsuit, Playstation 3 owners are finally able to feel the vibe again!



I purchased this controller today and I knew the only way to properly road-test it was on the game that made the Dualshock famous, Metal Gear Solid. After booting up the game, I walked down the hallway and got spotted by a guard. As he shouted, "WHO'S THAT?" the controller jumped in my hand - and I knew this was a smart purchase. As the guards shot at me, I felt the feedback of the bullets, just as I had 10 years ago on my Sony Playstation.



I picked out another old school Playstation game, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins. From Ayame's blades to Rikimaru's sword, each sword swipe and jump had excellent feedback.



Okay, so my Playstation games worked out. But what about my Playstation 2 library?



I popped in God of War, knowing I had to feel the swing of the Blades of Chaos. The controller vibrations felt a little lighter here, but the vibrations still occurred at the appropriate times.



Then I chose Incredible Hulk Ultimate Destruction. Who better to test a vibration controller than the Sultan of Smash? All the power jumps and smashes had the vibrations intact, but they still felt a little on the light side.



All right, so far I was two for two with my Playstation and Playstation 2 test subjects. But what about my Playstation 3 games? Could I possibly hit a trifecta?



I put in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and I decided to jump right into a heated firefight. The controller gave me feedback while shooting weapons and getting hit by enemy fire, but I knew my purchase was justified when Drake was near death: I FELT THE DUALSHOCK 3 PULSING IN SYNCH WITH DRAKE'S HEARTBEAT. It's one thing to hear that noise and know he's near death, it's quite another to feel the pulse in my own hands.



Okay, so the feedback on the older games was there, but a little lighter than I remember. The reason? Well, when I decided to go wireless on my Playstation 2 system, I bought a Logitec Dualshock controller. It turns out, that controller takes two "AA" batteries, and the vibration motors inside the controller handles are slightly larger than the ones in the Dualshock 3. That's where I felt the difference.



The Dualshock 3 vibrations may be slightly less than the Logitec controller, but it doesn't require the purchase of batteries.

The Dualshock 3 may be slightly heavier than the SixAxis, but it doesn't take up any extra space at all.



Sure, the price is about $15 more than the SixAxis, but it's a worthy upgrade for the Playstation 3 gamer who kicks it old school as well as new school. The only other drawback is the lack of an additional USB cable - but we can use the one that came with the system itself.



So what's the final verdict?



Order it, plug it in, charge it up, and get ready for the inevitable downloads from the Playstation Store to make the older PS3 games Dualshock 3 compatible.



I wouldn't recommend a feedback peripheral without providing my own feedback...



Enjoy! PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller (Black)

I was already extremely happy with the Sixaxis controller, but I could not resist getting the DualShock 3. Not only do you get the rumble, but also, it feels much better in your hands, even for those games that do not use this feature. The rumble function is fun, but on top of that, it helps with gameplay, because "feeling" what is happening provides a lot more feedback than just watching how your character or car reacts to the environment.



The biggest surprise of all was that the rumble works with PS 2 games in the PS 3 system. I am currently playing through "God of War", a game which had the rumble capability in PS 2. I thought that it was unlikely that I was going to get this feature with this new controller in the PS 3, but it worked perfectly.



I know that having to buy a new controller and basically discard the one that came with the system is not the ideal situation, but I have to say this product is really worth shedding the extra bucks.

The Playstation 2's highly regarded DualShock 2 controller was considered by many to be the best videogame controller of all time. So when you've got a winning design there's no need to change anything. However, because of a legal battle with Immersion over rumble technology, Sony was forced to offer their Sixaxis controller without rumble. The Sixaxis had the same Dualshock design but it felt too lightweight and cheap. Thankfully the lawsuit has been settled and rumble has come back to the Playstation.



For the most part, the DualShock 3 is almost identical to its PS2 precessor. But it has all the features of the original Sixaxis controller in addition to rumble. The controller is still wireless, can be charged by plugging it into your PS3 (or PC), rumble is compatible with all PS1 and PS2 games, and the PS3 supports up to 7 controllers at the same time via bluetooth. Rumble in the DualShock 3 seems more responsive in regards to the location of its vibration depending on which side you get hit on during the games. I don't know if this is something in the design or if it's the developers doing it for the games but I welcome it.



All in all this is currently the best designed controller on the market right now. The PS2's DS2 was incredible so "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here. I'll be enjoying rumble in my PS3 games from now on.

Do not buy the pink controller from Digistore, It is a fake, the joysticks are very stiff the buttons are taller and with dull ink, it also has a hard time syncing with console. Battery last 5 minutes tops. The sticker on the back is simply paper, not the plasticized decal on authentic sonys. Apearence-wise its a good fake, but use it and you'll know All the classic signs of a counterfeit. this isn't worth $5, much less $45 and two weeks of waiting. AVOID DIGISTORE, they are thieves who knowingly sell cheap knock offs.'


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bicycle accessories - bicycle accessories, hiking pants


I bought 2 pairs of these for a trip to the Philippines where I would be in rural areas as well as spend a couple of days in metro areas. I have to say these are very well made. I was very skeptical as the pants themselves are very thin. They were very good for the 90 degree plus days, and proved to be very easy to maintain. As advertised you can wash them in the sink and they are ready to go in the morning. Even walking through brush the pants did not rip nor show any signs of wear during my 4 week stay. Also they are also water resistant. The only con is that they are very pricey but are worth the price. ExOfficio Men's Nio Amphi Convertible Pant, Light Khaki, X-Large - Convertible Pants - Bicycle Accessories - Hiking Pants'


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Cordless Drill - cordless, cordless drill


I had an XRP that I used for 10 years and it was a great drill and it still runs but the case cracked on it and the drill tries to split in two when I use it. So i decided to order this one and I know De Walt has had some quality issues in the past but they have been fixed with this model. I have actually broke paddle bits with this drill. and the all metal chuck and shaft is great for long term usage. Bare-Tool DEWALT DCD950B 1/2-Inch 18-Volt XRPHammerdrill/Drill/Driver (Tool Only, No Battery)

I own a different model DEWALT cordless drill which I use regularly and really like. The DEWALT drills are built for rugged use. I purchased the DEWALT DCD950B 1/2-inch XRPHammerdrill/Drill/Driver as a backup drill and one for drilling into concrete or brick. I read reviews before purchasing where folks who purchased this same model had difficulty with the drill operating regularly. Upon arrival of my drill, I quickly pulled the trigger a few times and all seemed well. It mostly sat for a couple of months until yesterday when I needed two drills for a floor project where I didn't want to have to keep changing bits. Well, my newer hammerdrill worked sometimes and sometimes not. When it failed, the work light would go dim and the motor would not operate. If I turned the mode selectors and kept pulling the trigger, I could usually get it to start operating again until the next failure. This was quite aggravating. The good part was when I called Amazon.com and explained the problem, they immediately shipped me a replacement and expedited the shipping so that it will arrive in one day (tomorrow)! You can't beat that for good service. I can only hope that the replacement drill doesn't have the same problem. Thanks Amazon.com!

I purchased the 950 as a second 18V Dewalt cordless to support my work in homebuilding/remodeling and furniture making. I already have another 18V Dewalt and this gave me the added hammer drive feature plus a second drill/driver. I have had the older one for some 6 years. It is a work horse although a bit heavy when you use it for extended periods especially overhead. The new 950 is a work horse as well and is made a bit sturdier with the metal drive train. It too is heavy. Neither drill/driver disappoints in terms of power. I have 4 batteries and only the non XRP batteries wane in heavy use. By the way I just learned that I can use the new Lithium batteries with either drill driver. I think this is a great design consideration on the part of Dewalt! Certainly this will lighten the unit in use. I will have to wait and see regarding balance when I purchase the Li ION batteries.



The 950 has one LED to light the way and it is a handy feature but I do notice that in some areas the shadow the head casts makes the light somewhat less effective.



I had an unpleasant experience with the first 950 I ordered. I was using it to install a storm door, i.e. light duty.I had freshly charged batteries and within just a few screw installs it would not operate upon trigger actuation. The LED would light but the drill motor did not turn in the low speed setting. I found that switching to the second or third speed setting would allow normal operation, even if I switched back to the lowest speed. Needless to say I sent it back. A new one arrived very quickly and seems to be OK although I did experience the same event once more (one time).



So why did I rate this as a 4 star you say? Primarily because it is a workhorse and I expect it to hold up as my other unit does. I find the hammer drill feature to be the answer to driving deck lags and drilling into concrete for TapCons. I also like the fact that I can swap in/out Li ION batteries and finally the price was right.

I have used Dewalt power tools for about 12 years. I like the torque of their 18V. drill/drivers. I just bought a pair of replacement batteries for my "older" equipment and this drill appeared on the Amazon site. I needed a hammer drill so I picked it up. Less than a $100 is a good price for the drill.

I got this drill in the 9 tool set, and the only tool I use more is the impact driver. I used this to drill 1/2 holes in locust and I had to put my leg against the drill, because it has so much torque. The chuck is great and I've never had a bit slip. It's so strong, in fact, that when I was drilling those 1/2 holes, the chuck dug in slightly to the bit, leaving 3 small lines in the solid cobalt drill bit.



My only complaint is that it won't go into 1st gear sometimes, but running it in 3rd and them going to 1st seems to fix that problem.

This is a great price for the Dewalt Hammerdrill. Cost me $69 bucks for a new trigger on my current drill, so for not much more, I now have a new one as backup. Great since I already have a bunch of batteries and chargers and just needed a drill. Thanks guys!

This is my second 1/2 inch 18v DeWalt hammer drill. The first one is now 10 years old, has a cracked case, the gears are whining, and the smoke is threatening to get out of the motor; altogether not too bad considering the work that drill motor has done in its life. I smoked two different corded drill motors on one project and completed the project easily with the battery drill. I have some critical projects going and saw the deal on the bare tool and jumped at it. The new one is superior in every respect. More power, better balance, only a couple ounces more weight. The chuck is infinitely better, the gear change is smoother, and the torque controls are easier to use. I can drive 3-1/2" wood screws in high gear with no issues with this one; the last one struggled in mid-gear. I think this one will take more abuse as well because the design of the frame was changed to better distribute the forces of turning a bit and bouncing off the concrete from the top of a ladder as well. Considering the fact that I was very pleased with the older drill motor, the new one is exceptional! - Hammer Drill - Cordless Drill - 18v - Cordless'


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Combo Door Lock Combination - lock1


I tried two other keyless entry locks before I tried this one by Anaconda. The first was the mighty Kwikset Powerbolt 1000. They were both fairly easy to install but the motor on the Kwikset was not worth twice the price. As long as the motor holds out this lock is well worth the price. I plan on getting more for my other doors.

----------------------------------

Update... This unit has failed three times since I installed it. I had to readjust the placement of the locking mechanism each time and even then it was a pain to get it to work. Yesterday it failed for the last time. I could not get it to work again. It lasted less than 2 years and was a pain the whole time I had it. I wouldn't recommend this for my dog house. Keyless Entry Deadbolt System

If you have a lot of keys to deal with or need to allow temporary access to guests or maintanance personnel then you will love this! Although this comes with 3 master override keys, you will only use them in an emergency. Just program a pass code for yourself and one for whoever needs temporary access. Either code can be changed easily when no longer needed. The keyless operation eliminates any chance of someone copying the key, so no costly locksmith charges for re-keying and no security risk posed by duplicate keys! The only cautions about this product I would give are that its not water proof so don't install it in an area that is directly exposed to water. Also, take your time to install this lock neatly with the moving parts properly aligned. Its not difficult to install but if you do a sloppy job it will likely put a greater load on the motor and gears due to improper alignment and shorten the working life of the lock. When properly installed, the deadbolt should turn effortlessly with no resistance whatsoever. If you do it right this lock should work for years with only a change of batteries once or twice a year. They are so useful to me I have replaced every deadbolt on all exterior doors with a keyless. I also ordered 3 extra ones to give away for X-mas gifts. Everyone I gave them to loves them. Highly recommended!

I bought and installed this keyless entry system and I think it's great. The keypad glows in the dark. It is convenient and installation over the existing door knob took about 20 minutes (5 of which took to dismantle the old lock). The only concern I have is that the deadbolt doesn't seem as durable as other well known companies like Schlage. I don't think it would take much for a burglar to kick the door in, but I am not going to test that theory out myself. Not sure how long the batteries last, but there is still the back-up keys they give you with it that you can hide somewhere in your yard or at a neighbors. I am considering buying another to install at my back door.

I purchased 2 of these (1 as a gift and 1 for my home's front door.)

It was simple to install, and works well.

The price is 1/2 comparable products.

Negatives: the shiny gold finish seems easy to scratch, the mechanism would not hold up to heavy duty use although I think it would do fine for a few uses a day.

I had to wiggle it a bit to actually make it work. Seems like the batteries were popping lose and that maybe it works on a frequency (sound) transmission. I messed around a bit with the battery compartment as well as literally wiggling it. Eventually I got it working properly and it continues to work properly.



Someone asked about the screws on the outside of the door. Those screws keep the keypad on the door and do not allow actual access to the locking mechanism of the door. While it may be possible for someone to remove the screws and eventually figure out how to unlock your door, it would probably be easier for them to smash your door in, break a window, or do some other destructive action. If you are really concerned about someone invading your home, you should get a security alarm system. I doubt there is a lock on the market that is impervious to picking or breaking in, if the invader is determined enough.

I bought this and it was easy to install, and the batteries (given you put high quality ones in) last for a long time!!! I never have to worry about locking myself outside anymore!!!

Also, it is perfect if you have roomates, because you don't have to change locks, you just disable the entry code they had!

I absolutely love it!!!!

Works well. Easy retrofit installation, it took about half an hour to remove old deadbolt and install this product. The best part is, I don't have to keep buying keys to replace the ones that my son keeps losing. - Lock1'


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Left-handed - handwriting, left-handed


After countless trials of pencil grips to assist my developing writers, my students and I decided that this pencil grip is the easiest to use and most comfortable grip for both right and left-handed use. I highly recommend it and found Amazon's pricing to be competitive with school supply companies also. Add to that their fast shipping for Prime members, and it's no contest. The Pencil Grip Ergonomic Writing Aid, Assorted Colors, 12 Count Polybag (TPG-11112)

I bought these grippers to help my 6 year old 1st grader with his writing. He has been having trouble with grip issues and with weakness in the hand. These were too big for his hand. While he is a little on the small side, I think that they were perfect for adults. They fit my hand perfectly. I am using waterproof tape on his pencil right now until I find one that works for him.

I made this purchase for my Pre-k class. These grips were recommended by our O.T. to teach correct pencil holding. Amazon.com had the best price on this product. I would definitely recommend this product to others.

Purchased for my son who was'nt holding his pencil properly. Very comfortable. You can use left or right handed. Cheap enough to send some to school so they get used. Definately helped. After a good school year he is really doing great. - Handwriting - Left-handed - Molded - Grip'


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Girls Jewelry Set


The Pink Box is a high quality product, though the exact color approaches magenta more than it does pink (its closer to a dark "shocking pink", not a pale red). My girlfriend was totally satisfied with this present and it does draw some attention/interest around it...it's used for carrying around architecture modeling tools and it provides more than ample space for that - although it could use a few smaller compartments for smaller parts (like spare blades and tool bits etc)



Edit - Nearly 1.5 years after it was bought, the box still looks clean (pink metal parts are scratch resistant enough) and latches keep working line new.

No, it wasn't used hard, but it was used nearly 2-3 days a week moving stuff around and being filled with pointy/sharp tools - NP. The Original Pink Box PB20MTB 20-Inch Steel Tool Box

It has an attractive appearance and spacious interior, but in terms of functional use this box isn't really worth the price. I recently bought a hard-plastic black Stanley box for $9.99 at the local hardware store that seems much sturdier and long-lasting than this pink box. Although the deep pink color is lovely, the metal top and sides seem flimsy and will probably dent with routine use. And, the latches were both so tightly crimped that I couldn't even open the box. My husband and I slightly adjusted the spacing on the top ends of the latches with a screwdriver without causing any damage, so we can open and close the box -- but the latches are definitely cheap. I'll probably use this box for light crafting supplies rather than any frequently used tools and heavy materials. It looks cool on my tabletop, but I had expected better quality for the money and the hype ...

I actually bought this tool box as a makeup travel box. I love it! I can fit everything in an organized fashion in it. I put all my hair products, vitamins, makeup, curling iron, lotions, perfumes, etc. The best part about it is that if I happen to walk into a hotel room with it, no one would guess that it's a tool box because it just looks like an oversized girly makeup box! I used to have a bag here and there for different things, and now everything is stored very neatly and compactly. I would also recommend it as a tool box too! It's well made, sturdy, and I like the black plastic corners so that we girls don't damage things when we bump into something!

I am really impressed with this toolbox. Aside from real attractive and very feminine color, it also exceeded my expectations. It was quite bigger than I had imagined and very spacious. I can put all of my tools and still have a lot of room left. You can also put a padlock in this toolbox if you want to make sure your things in it are safe. I like the color concept because the thing itself is very masculine but that pink color just threw away all the masculine touch of the toolbox. I have checked every inch of the product and I could tell that it is made out of very durable material. This toolbox perfectly fits trendy women. I give this product a very good rating. If you are looking for a toolbox that can fit all your handy tools, is durable, is reasonably priced and at the same time trendy and girlie looking, this is the toolbox for you. Love it and am very happy that I bought it.

My best friend is in charge of the facility where we work and she uses tools all the time. (Plus, she's very handy around the house.) I got tired of seeing her use the old, dirty "men's tools" she had. So, I got her this - put a bunch of other items from this collection. SHE LOVED IT!



Just because it's pink, don't think it's some dainty thing! The quality is superb - as good as Craftsman or any other traditional brand you would find. The biggest advantage is that none of the guys at work will touch it and she can always find it. (Stands out in a room of all dark-colored equipment, computer stuff, etc.



If you're looking for a gift for the handy "lady" in your life, this is a great start!

I bought this to give as a gift. It seemed functional enough but the plastic base looked flimsy and I didn't care for the way it was riveted to the metal sides. I pictured the plastic base as covering the metal but it's a separate piece. The tabs for the padlock are really weak looking. The lid is also two pieces, a plastic ring riveted to the metal top with a plastic insert for the carrying handle. Probably a good enough box but not the sort of thing I wanted to give as a gift. I would have preferred a well made plastic tool box to this one.'


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