Saturday, 25 July 2009
Black And Decker - battery, rechargeable batteries
I traded up to this charger after one of my old ones quit. The "tune-up" mode really does make a difference. I tried a side by side test with my remaining old non-tune-up charger. I charged two depleted 12v batteries for 10 hours, using the "tune-up" mode on this charger. I then ran them in the same drill, and there was a noticable increase in rpm and torque with the "tuned-up" battery. The "tune-up" mode does take 8 hours, but it is only necessary every 8-10 charges. As DeWalt explains, the cells in the battery are wired in series and the "tune-up" charges the downline cells completely, where fast charging only fills the first few cells. All cordless batteries are a series of 1.5v batteries enclosed in a case. To get a full charge, all the individual batteries need to fill completely.If you have older batteries, this charger will give them new life. It is a worthwhile upgrade even for new batteries, as it will give them better performance and perhaps, extend their life. DEWALT DW9116 7.2-Volt to 18-Volt Pod Style 1 Hour Battery Charger
I purchased this charger at the same time I bought my 14.4 cordless drill (Firestorm). This charger fully charges your Dewalt or Firestorm batteries in less than an hour (depending on how low they are when placed in the charger). My two batteries are still going strong after more than three years of frequent home use (the tune-up mode definitely helps). Never use the 6 hr battery killer that comes with your cordless tools. This charger is definitely worth the money, considering I would have spent at least twice as much on new batteries.
I bought this battery charger hoping that it would work with the firestorm batteries of the same type because the chargers sold by black and decker are hard to find and the ones that offer multiple voltages are even harder to find for this type of battery (i.e. post-type). I would like to reassure any other people in my situation by saying that this charger does, in fact, work for the firestorm batteries. As mentioned in previous reviews, it also functions well to restore the battery to better functioning.
Several reviews here note that the Dewalt DW9116 battery charger has brought seemingly dead batteries back to life. Initially, I thought the same thing.
But a closer look shows that while old Ni-Cad batteries may indeed come back to life with the charger, that life is short. Dead B&D Firestorm Ni-Cads that wouldn't recharge on B&D's chargers DID recharge on the Dewalt, thanks to its deep-charging mechanism. Yet those newly resurrected batteries won't hold that charge for more than a few minutes.
Simply put, old batteries are old batteries. All rechargeables have a shelf life of about three or four years. Anything beyond that is gravy. Dewalt and B&D stamp a date into a battery's plastic. If yours is more than three years old and doesn't seem to work, don't expect this charger to work miracles. You may think you have one when your battery powers up a device, but if you only get a handful of minutes out of that "rejuvenated" battery, don't be surprised.
Other than that, there's not much else to say about this charger. It does what it's supposed to do quickly, easily, and well. The price is right, too. Just keep those expectations in check and you'll be fine.
Replaced my old charger with this one. Made a big difference with my older batteries that would not take much of a charge. Gave some new life to them. If you are a user of cordless tools, you know that batteries are the big maintenance expense. While my figures are not scientifically valid, my best guess is that this charger will extend the life of the batteries at least 20 percent
For over 10 years I have been using DeWalt cordless tools and I have always used the standard 1 hour battery chargers that came with each tool. Like everyone I have noticed that as the batteries get older they don't hold a charge as long. All of the woodworking magazines I read have at one point or another promoted the value of an upgraded charger that has a tune-up mode. For the longest time I looked at the DeWalt 2 battery charger, but for nearly a hundred bucks I couldn't stomach the cost. I am glad I kept looking because this little charger fits the bill PERFECTLY.
In use I have found that this unit charges just as it should in one hour, but the real benefit is the battery tune-up mode. In just 8 hours you can re-condition your tired batteries and give them some new life. I also appreciate that once this charger has run its one hour cycle, it is designed to deliver a trickle charge - allowing you to leave a battery in it indefinitely without fear of overcharging.
For the price this product cannot be beat.
I bought this over-priced Dewalt charger to charge my Black & Decker Firestorm 14.4v batteries, since all three of my Firestorm chargers failed after only a few months of use (one of them after 2 weeks (and can't seem to buy just the charger). Hopefully this one will hold up. The Dewalt charger is working like a champ for now. I would have given it 5 stars, but I'm a little angery at Black & Decker (who also makes Dewalt). So only 4 stars.
I purchased this unit from Amazon, because my Black&Decker Charger died. To my dismay I found the 1hr charger that my drill came with didn't seem to exist now or in the past. Black & Decker's policy of changing battery types as often as possible left me trying to decide if I wanted to buy a whole new drill rather than buy there over priced all in one charger and possibly new batteries since may batteries didn't work well anymore. I took a chance and purchased this instead. My drill is now working as good as when I got it maybe better, with the old batteries!
I purchased this product to replace my sorry Black and Decker charger for S140 FireStorm 14.4 battery. Reading the reviews were correct. This blows away the B&D charger. My batteries are now like brand new. But the biggest Pro of all is the price. This same exact charger sell for $69.00 at Lowes. This is a real steal, trust me you can't go wrong. - Charger - Battery - Rechargeable Batteries - Dewalt'
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Eyeshadow Primer - nyx cosmetics, eyeshadow primer
Really good bronzer! its not to shiney, it got the right amount of glitter! easy to apply and an overall nice colour. Im quite dark as i am half african american so im a light brown and it works really well with my skin tone. shipping took around 4 weeks so not to bad. I love this product and strongly recommend it! Maybelline Mineral Power Bronzer Shimmer Loose Powder, Sunset Bronze 610 .15 oz (4.5 g) - Eyeshadow Primer - Nyx - Nyx Cosmetics - Eye Shadow'
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Kitchen Gadgets - humor, measuring cup
This is a great measuring cup including mls and standard cups as well as unique measurements up the side. The text is easily readable. There are a few included recipes - which albeit confusing - use their measures. This is sure to delight any geek - I am pretty sure the rest of you will enjoy it too. Unfortunately, the glass is ridiculously thin. I have a beaker mug from Think Geek and even it is thicker glass. While I do not regret the purchase, it will not stand up to everyday use.
Update: After less than a month of fairly daily use, it did break, so be warned! Fred Equal Measure Measuring Cup
Everyone enjoys the incredible but true alternate measurements on this very functional measuring cup. Though a little lightweight for kitchen use - it's no Pyrex - it is definitely worth having for the unique measurements it displays. A great learning tool for kids, too!
I got this as a birthday present, and I absolutely loved the idea of it. Unfortunately though, the glass is so thin and fragile that it cracked as soon as I started to use it. Maybe eating cereal out of it was a bad idea, but any cup should be able to withstand normal use without breaking. The glass is definitely way too thin, no where near the durability of your usual Pyrex measuring cup.
I would not buy this for myself of another as a present, because what's the point of a cup if you can't even use it?
absolutely the biggest waste of time. I ordered it b/c i did happen to need another measuring cup and thought this was unique. Well, the first one was shattered before i even opened the box. I could hear the glass pieces klinking around. I ordered a replacement and that came shattered also. Not quite as bad as the first box. But broken, nonetheless. Upon review of the second broken measuring cup i see that it is made out of the thinnest glass possible. I don't know how you would use this. It feels like it would shatter if i gently put it on the table. let alone use it for cooking/measuring. Absolutely stupid of them. Don't waste your money or time trying to oder this product.
I'm very happy with all the labels that are on BOTH sides of the container. They are interesting and is good at putting things in perspective.
Unfortunately... This is a very flimsy item and I am afraid of putting this container in the hands of a child. I suppose it would depend on the nature of the child but as it was stated earlier, this is definitely not your pyrex measuring cup. This measuring cup needs to be PLACED or SET DOWN everywhere. Dropping cup this is not an option and supervision is required unless your child is much older and can reliably be trusted to handle broken glass without your presence.
The first one I ordered (2008) broke while mixing up sweet potato puree. Bottom broke clean through. Got a replacement from Amazon and just now noticed the same issue, nice neat hole right in the bottom. No idea when it happened, but the cup hasn't been used, just moved around.
Great for a novelty item, but unlike other Fred products that can be used as kitchen tools, this one should be filled with some nice looking styrofoam peanuts and left on the counter in the hopes no one touches it or sets it down too hard.
The cup is unusual and generates interest to all who hold it, thus it does not warrant the lowest rating of 1 star.
However, it is a novelty item only. It is not practical for even occasional use in an everyday kitchen. Broke after about 6 uses and I am not even sure how. Very thin glass which is very susceptible to heat/cold and hard landings (not even dropping...just a firm placement on a hard surface). If you treat it like a fine crystal champagne flute you should be OK, but that is not my idea of a kitchen tool.
READ THE OTHER REVIEWS! BELIEVE THEM! - Measuring Tools - Humor - Measuring Cup - Fred'
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80s Classic - 80s, thriller
Michael Jackson has been a long time favorite for the past few decades. No matter what happens to him in court, no matter what went on recently (His death), Jackson will always prevail. Sure, we have the Black Eyed Peas, but before, Jackson stood by his name as the King of Pop.
Beat It is his signature song. It tells about an anonymous person ending up meeting a gang (Or so I assume), and the people in the gang seem like as if they want to injure the person. Now, that may not be the actual storyline in the song, but seriously, what do you think of after hearing this: "They're out to get you. Better leave while you can!"
As for the song itself, it's as catchy and fun to listen to as any other Michael Jackson song. There is almost no other way to put it. Beat It (Single Version)
One of MJs greatest ever songs. A timeless classic which amazingly doesn't sound dated at all despite being released over 25 years ago. Eddie Van Halen's sizzling guitar riffs and solo permeates throughout the Quincy Jones produced track with MJs vocals hovering over this irresistible mix. A first time fusion of pop and rock...groundbreaking.
"Beat it" is the quintessential '80s pop song. If you remember that idyllic time, this song, with its Eddie Van Halen riff, comes immediately to mind. It's a glorious mix of Motown, Van Halen, and '80s synth-pop. It evokes a more innocent time. It's the sort of song that accompanies Rainbow Brite, He-Man, and everything that was cool in the '80s. The late Michael Jackson belts out the rough soul-meets-rock. The music video is equally great, blending West Side Story with '80s hipness. It's an anti-violence ballad that happens to be just plain,classic. All you have to do is hear the opening chords,and you're transported to the '80s... - 80s Music - Thriller - 80s - 80s Classic'
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Engineering - drafting, pencil
I have chosen this sharp pencil after a vigilantly careful 3-4 hour session in a department store.
I went into several stores and compared all the mechanical pencils they had at that time.
I took 10+ pencils for a ride (CDT, Cross, Faber Castell, Mitsubishi Kuru Toga, Ohto Promecha, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot, Pentel Graph Limited 1000, Rotring, Staedtler 885, Zebra Tect 2way etc. ).
For whatever reasons drawing with the Graphgear 1000 just feels right the very moment you take this pen into your hand.
When I made my decision I decided for the feature I REALLY need for a long term relationship. ;-)
While the "obvious" feature would certainly include the visual design you will be surprised to find out how much more there is to it, as I will elaborate below.
Hard factors:
1) Heavy usage of hand and/or rheumatoid arthritis:
If you or a good friend happen to play guitar daily for many hours and take notes at the same time or are unfortunate enough to already have rheumatoid arthritis in your hands, then this is "The pencil you don't want to leave the house without". I am not talking about the reliability itself but about how comfortable it is to use. This pen allows you to do more with much less effort !!
2) You can hide the sharp and sensitive penfront inside the pen.
While this may not be an obvious advantage, consider that you may accidently drop it once during its lifecycle.
The fact that the pens tip is hidden on the inside does not only protect your investment itself it also somewhat lessens the likelyhood of an actual damage to your other inventory, your expensive new shirt - or worse an injury to a family members eye (kids) etc.
I can not stress enough that this first feature alone is the one that is selling the pen for me. I tried many things to avoid that our almost 4 year old is taking my pencils. The "hidden" lead is a cool feature, so the kids dont play with the pens (because they are unusable).
3) The metal case is robust enough to handle when its dropped on the floor and makes sure the pen is still usable after it.
4) The pen has an adjustable lead type indicator for users that tend to forget what lead they filled it with last time, which is also handy if you own several of those.
5) Best Price-Performance value on the market. You will be hard pressed to find another pen that provides similar or even more quality for less.
This pencil easily beats any current competitions products that are priced at even ten times the price !!
Soft factors:
6) The overall visual design is nice and the pen is very slim which makes it look elegant.
(one exception is that the clip could be designed more elegant)
7) The feeling that comes with it when you draw and when you hold it is amazing. F.e while other pencils have a certain resistance on the media this one "glides" over it.
Summary:
Pentels Graphgear 1000 has many appealing points. In a super short summary, "IT JUST FEELS RIGHT".
Users with heavy daily drawing activity by hand and/or rheumatoid arthritis will be sold on the sole fact that they can do more with less efforts.
Or in other words it avoids stress to your hand and - more important - the likelyhood of an accident.
The Graphgear 1000 has also unmatched "real" advantages over the competition that protect your "investment".
I am well aware that other pens have features like adjustment of the length of the outcoming lead or automatically pushing out the lead when shaking etc.
But when you want to have a pencil that has all the features you MUST have and provides you with a suberb support than the choice becomes amazingly clear.
The Pentel Graphgear 1000 is a tough, reliable lifestyle partner that lets you feel that you are the one in charge !!
It also does easily pay for itself over and over by the time others have replaced their counterparts.
So if you are looking for a serious long term relationship than you have just found your partner ;-) Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.5mm Lead Size, Brushed Metal Barrel, 1 Each (PG1015A)
This is a great product in almost every way with one important exception: the clip. The clip on this pencil is used to retract the metal tip of the pencil so if you have it in your pocket or your pencil bag you don't stick yourself reaching in. You do this by pushing the top of the clip which raises the bottom of the clip which is essentially 'holding' the metal tip in place for drawing, so it retracts. But if you are using the clip regularly to clip it onto your pocket or whatever else, it becomes loose, and the bottom of the clip will no longer hold the tip in place without forcing the clip into the hole. Really, it's pretty annoying. And at a certain point, holding it in place won't even work.
I own 8 of these pencils, in the .3 .5 and .7 variety, and it has been a problem with all of them. So it definitely isn't one faulty pencil I am having issues with. I think you are better off dropping your money on a super promecha, it's more expensive but if you care enough about your pencil to spend so much on a Graph Gear 1000 you probably don't mind spending the extra cash on a better product. It's also a much better looking pencil aesthetically.
Hope this helps someone who likes to keep their pencils clipped inside the pocket of their pants shirt or bag. - Pencil - Pentel - Drafting - Mechanical Pencils'
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Ipad Accessory
This WAS an excellent product. Now, for many of us, it's worthless. In May, I took it with my iPad to the Amazon jungle in Peru and was able to read the CF card from my Canon DSLR using a small CF card reader. It was brilliant. I could review my day's photos and decide where to shoot the next day based on whether or not I was happy with my results.
Then came the updated iOS 4.2 operating system for the iPad right at the beginning of December, and now this kit cannot read a CF card using an external reader. This is because Apple reduced the power to the port that this plugs into specifically to prevent people from plugging useful things into the USB connector. That's why I say to ignore any review before that time. Earlier reviews are talking about a product that actually works as designed. Only reviews after that tell you what it can do if you buy it now.
Still, this might work for some people, depending on your needs. Here's where you stand.
1. You only have SD cards in your cameras. You're probably fine. The SD dongle still reads most of those.
2. You have CF cards and need to read them with an external reader. You are completely out of luck unless you use a powered USB hub. At that point, you're carrying so much junk around, you may as well just take your laptop, and you must be near an electrical outlet for it to work at all.
3. You have CF cards and can attach a USB cable directly to your camera. This is a crap shoot. Some cameras work and some don't. You can either borrow a CCK from someone to see if it works with yours or you can just buy it and hope.
Some may wonder if my one-star is a little too harsh, given that this device still works in some situations. Normally, I would agree, but there's another point at work here. This isn't about a device that never had the capacity to do something you might want it to do. For that you knock it down a star or two. This is a device that worked perfectly when it was released and that the manufacturer has intentionally crippled. Both the iPad and this kit are capable of working, but Apple has removed that functionality in software. When a company breaks their own product on purpose, I think that deserves one star. Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (MC531ZM/A)
Worthless! IPad ver. 4.2 will NOT read a photo SD card. I even made sure the p[hotos were put under the DCIM folder and dumbed the images down to the resolution of the ipad. Managing photos on iTunes between 2 computers is a real hassel. People found inventive ways to use the USB and SD adaptor and Apple sunk that with ver. 4.2. Do not get the adaptor. The iPad is of course nice, but I bought my wife a a MacBook and was considering getting another Mac to replace my other laptop and desktop. NOT NOW! I am harshly reminded of the inflexibility of Apple products. I'll stay PC.
The first thing that came to mind with the iPad was "perfect photo device!" so a big selling point of it was the ability to download my photos to the iPad on-location, edit them and upload them - something I usually can't do while out taking photos or on vacation.
In order to do that, you need the iPad Camera Kit (a currently very-hard-to-find item (I waited 4 weeks to receive mine as all the local stores sold out instantly after receiving shipments).
Right off the bat, I love that they give you 2 adapters (1 for SD cards, 1 for USB). I had no use for the SD adapter as all my cameras are compact flash. I would have happily bought a separate CF card reader if one were available, but no luck on that. If your camera uses something other than SD, you need to "tether" it to the iPad (meaning you plug the USB piece from the camera kit into the iPads dock port, plug your USB cable from your camera into your camera and the other end into the USB piece on the iPad). Not the most convenient method, especially when on-the-go, but its workable.
Plugging in my camera (a Canon 40D), the previews started to appear on the iPad. It took 36 seconds to load the first 35 previews (this is using a short USB cable and a high speed CF card (30MB/Sec). A big downside here is that you cant view the photos larger than a thumbnail without importing them, going to your photo albums, finding the folder it went to and then scrolling to find it. Importing photos (10MP RAW Files) took 6 seconds each. After importing you get the option to "Keep" or "Delete" them from the camera - this is a bit scary as if you're click-happy on the popup, you can end up deleting the photos from your camera (not a huge deal as theyre on the iPad, but definitely a bit of a scare). You can either select individual photos or choose to import everything from the card.
Imported photos go into a new folder in you Photos app - "All Imported" - it also creates a secondary folder: "Last Import" - I would have really liked a way to create a specific folder for each import rather than lumping it all into 1 folder.
The USB adapter is a bit picky as far as what it will accept, I hear some USB Card Readers will work with it (eliminating the need to tether your camera), but it's all a matter of trial and error. USB Keyboards work (again, not all - ones with USB ports on them will not work). You can also not import video files if you have something like a Flip HD camera. This was disappointing as the iPad would make a GREAT video playback screen (especially 720p video like the flip) - especially compared to the 1" screen most of these cameras have.
A big plus to apple for including RAW support on imports (instead of just JPEG).
With the many photo editing apps out there, you can easily take some photos on your camera, import them into the iPad, edit them however you'd like and upload them your photo sharing sites from just about anywhere. For that, it's worth it. It has all sorts of problems (no CF, requires tethering, slow import, no video, etc..) but it's the only option you have, and for that I have to recommend it.'
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Double Edge - affordable, replacement blades
This is a great deal: buying this pack of 100 blades gives you 7 types of blades - if you look at this fact and think "I only need 1 type of blade; I can pretend to be happy with the largest amount I can buy at once," then consider the fact that all blades are made with different blade angles, manufacturing guidelines, etc. These blades give you both enough blades of each type to 'get used to' each, but not too many to regret if one type isn't for you. This is a much better idea than buying, say, 1,000 of some specific blade (say, 7 AM) and then realizing you can't get a good shave with it.
So why only a 4-star rating? Well, there's the 40 FEATHER BlueBird KAI GILLETTE ASTRA SHARK LORD DERBY Sampler Blades that has 20 types of blades, with 2 blades of each type. Honestly, this is probably a better idea for several reasons: It gives you more variety, and it costs less overall. However, this product is still a good deal, especially if you want to give each type of blade a lot of tries. Double Edge Safety Razor Blade Variety Pack - 100 Blades!
Believe it or not, these blades all perform differently. This is a great way to be sure that your DE shave is all that it can be. I personally have settled on the "Sharp" brand blades.
Throw out that Makemecrazy3 or whatever those are called, spend a few more minutes giving yourself a treat in shaving.
I just switched from cartridge to safety razors a month ago. I got my dad's classic safety razor and ordered this pack of blades. I have been enjoying trying out the different blades to see which ones work best for me. So far I think I like the Astra Platinum the best. Buying the variety pack was the recommendation in the reviews of one of the other single-brand blade packs, and it made sense. I'm really glad I bought this pack.
What more can one say? This variety pack of blades offers you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of blades from around the world. Find what you like or don't like and settle into a lifetime of shaving, knowing you've sampled and chosen from the best. Item is exactly as advertised, for a reasonable price, delivered promptly.
I started using a safety razor and have not regretted the decision. These work MUCH better than all of those high priced disposables. Theres so many choices..finding the best one for my face is kinda important to me lol.
Stick with some decent shave cream and you will have a very happy face.
i figured what the heck, I'll get the pack and hope that at least some of these blades are worth using. Several are actually very good. I really liked the Astra Platinum and Shark blades a lot. They are worth the price for the whole thing. I get a better shave with the Astra Platinum after two plus weeks than most blades brand new. They are fantastic blades. The Shark are almost as good. I did not like the 7am at all. Overall, I'm very satisfied in the package because it really is nice to find a few good blades that I like.
I bought this variety pack shortly after I started shaving with a safety razor. I've found this to be a nice way to compare the blades and form an opinion on what I'm going to use long term once I use these up.
I've found that the Shark blades seem rough even when brand new, but they stay sharp (if rough) for a good time. The 7AM blades are nice, though they seem to lose their edge quicker than most. So far I'm happiest with the Astra blades - very close, comfortable shave - they don't hold their edge as long as the Shark blades, but they don't make me hate shaving the way the Sharks do.
Your opinions/preferences may completely disagree with mine, but that's the advantage of this variety pack - you can try them all out for yourself without investing in any one of them.
It's a lot of blades -- it's probably going to last me a couple of years. I've definitely found some brands and models that don't work so well for me, although none that really seem great. There are quite a few repeats, you get a packs of blades per brand and model.
I got this to try out blades other than Shark. It's a good concept to have this, but I find myself digging through the bag, looking for Shark blades like a kid digging through crap candy in his Halloween stash.
I haven't gone through all the brands yet, but so far I tried Astras and another one whose name I can't recall... anyways, they had to be replaced after two shaves, which is insane.
Next buy will be a 100-pack of Sharks. - Affordable - Replacement Blades - Wetshaving - Razor Blade'
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Computer Sleeve - neoprene case, computer sleeve
First this is a simple thin sleeve made of neoprene, it is sponge like, soft, durable with a light amount of padding and will fit the majority of 15.4 thinner laptops very easily with a little room to spare. I know it will fit all the Sony, HP, and Gateway 15.4 standard laptops.
I ordered the red and black and really like the color combo over the otehr few choices and this will show the least amount of dirt over time being it is black on the outside. This neoprene is easy to dust/wipe off from time to time as needed.
Pay attn when ordering as they have a 14.1, 15.4 and 17 inch sleeves in the same color choices but it is easy to get them confused with the exact sku number and or using the drop down to select color. It seems that the price varies a little depending on the color.
In my case I bought this for a Sony 15.4 notebook and it fits very well with some room to spare. I bought it to keep the dust off the laptop when turned off and not being used and for when I do carry it in my back pack. This sleeve will allow me to put things in the same pocket in the backpack, messenger bag, or for a woman with a large purse.
I would NOT suggest just carrying the laptop around in the sleeve by itself as it has no handles and it is only very lightly padded so drop protection is minimal at best.
If you are a student and have a lighter weight laptop and are just going class to class on campus with a book or two you probably could carry it under you arm with your books but again you risk the chance of dropping it or someone knocking it out of your grasp.
I would recommend this product more as a dust cover and scratch deterent especially when carrying your laptop in other bags (backpack, messenger, purse) with various loose items.
Simple too, order it, try it, and it if doesn't fit or you don't like it, return it via Amazon with no issues as they will provide you with the return label and postage as they do with virtually any product you order from them. Belkin Neoprene Notebook Sleeve for 15.4-Inch Laptop (F8N048-BR)
I bought this case for my 15'' macbook pro and it was huge! Its of really good quality but too big for my computer. I have many products from this brand and all of them are very good, so I was excited to get this case, but its a couple inches too big.
I got so sick and tired of lugging around bulky, expensive "laptop cases" the other day, so I got on Amazon looking for a more manageable solution. Amazon recommended this, and I love it! It snuggly cradles my Dell Inspiron 6000, and has plenty of padding.
What I like most is now I can grab whichever bag I want (backpack, messenger bag, carry-on), and just drop the sleeve in with my other junk. Perfect solution, and I didn't have to buy an overpriced, name brand POS laptop bag.
It wont fit much more than a 15.4" wide screen notebook, but I didn't want it to carry anything else. Thats what my backpack is for.
I just bought this sleeve today for my HP 15.4" widescreen laptop. It fits perfectly snug, but it would be nicer if there was a little thicker foam padding between the layers. The cloth inside is soft and keeps my laptop free from scratches. If you're looking for a nice sleeve for general protection, I definitely recommend this product. The most common thing I can agree on is that the colors Belkin show onscreen differ from the actual product - I bought the black/green sleeve. The green looked like a nice, soft green, but was actually more of a lime green/borderline neon green.
This little sleeve works great. Protects my laptop nicely, nice and cushy. Especially with airport security throwing my laptop.(no Exaggeration) The sleeve protected it wonderfully from the impact. Fits my 15.4 in Hp Pavilion perfect. Only thing I would change was I wish it had a handle.
After having read prior review, I selected this for my Acer. It is a perfect fit! The material is sturdy, as is the zipper. The black/claret color is attractive & easy to maintain. My notebook is safe at home and away. I'd recommend this highly!
The product quality is fine.
A little roomy for a macbook pro 15 though & the sides are not padded.
The color is supposed to be pink & dove.
In the photos 'dove' looks white.
When I think "dove" I think White or an off white.
Belkins version of "dove" is an ugly tan color.
The photos on Amazon are mis-leading. (same photos on Belkins website)
I know all monitors are different.. & I expect that - but this is not even close!
Ugly tan & mauve.
If your searching for a pretty girl case - keep looking!!
I am very satisfied with this purchase. I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 and it fits perfectly. It would be nice to have a similar product with handles to carry it, but this does just what it was made for. It fits well and protects the laptop. - Notebook Sleeve - Neoprene Case - Computer Sleeve - Laptop Case'
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Computer Sleeve - neoprene case, computer sleeve laptop case Computer Sleeve - neoprene case, computer sleeve
Card Reader - sdhc, 8gb
Its a pretty simple deal. The card is exactly as advertised. Its fast and, so far at least, reliable.
My only little complaint is that the SD card reader included is cheap. Let me set that straight- I expected it to be cheaply built. It was cheaper than I expected. The main thing I expected is that the USB connector would be made of metal- its made of plastic. Its in the picture, but I didn't notice that detail. I found that some others didn't notice it either.
Now for my purposes this turns out to be just fine. I only use the reader as a backup reader, not as my main SD card reader. Still I feel it should be noted. Transcend 8 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card with USB Card Reader TS8GSDHC6-P2
I use this with my Powershot camera. I'm not a professional photographer, and don't want to become one. I just wanted something to hold lots of pictures and be easy to download onto my computer. This is it.
The adapter that allows the MC to be placed in a port on the front of my computer can't be any easier. It brings up the photos fast. I'm no expert on speeds and the like, I just know for a family photographer, and a nature picture taker, this is the perfect tool to save the shots for as long as needed. I've never run out of space and tend to save shots for a long time.
There has never been any hint of a glitch using this MC and the USB Card Reader.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone, family shooter or professional. For the price, you can't go wrong.
This worked fine out of the box. It glows when you plug it in to tell you that it's connected correctly, which I found nice. It's so simple to use there's really nothing more to say. The only small thing is I rather wish it was a little more substantial in it's construction. Something little like this might accidently have something put on it, and I don't feel comfortable that it would survive much mishandling.
So you're looking at buying this, which means you're looking for the memory card and the reader.
Given the current Amazon prices are ~$5 different between the model with the card reader and just the card, this means the card reader costs you approximately $5, right?
Well, you get what you pay for.
The card itself is fast, both in writing from a Canon XSi DSLR camera and in reading from the included card reader. The capacity is 8 GB (less in actual use thanks to formatting the device). I can take the quoted fastest frames per second (3.5 fps) with this card, unlike the generic 2 GB SD card I have. The Class 6 speed really seems to help.
Now the card reader itself... it's VERY cheaply built. It doesn't feel like it will break if you drop it, but it doesn't seem like it would take much to damage it either. The memory card sticks out of the reader which is a blessing or a curse depending on how you look at it. It's easy to remove the card from the reader. It just takes some lining up on your part to ensure the card is inserted correctly.
For a $5 premium? I don't care if the reader is cheaply built. It WORKS and it is cheap. And that's enough for me.
I had just purchased a brand new computer and was very excited about the fact that it had built in card readers. Then I purchased a new camera, the Panasonic Lumix dmc-zs3, and learned from reading all of the reviews that you should use a SD HC card, and most computers don't read the SD HC cards, just SD. Anyways, I purchased this card because it came with the reader and it is great. Very convenient, no more trips to the store to have them put on CD. I have only had it since the end of November and am very happy so far!
This card functions perfectly, but how much can you say about a memory card? Here is the "unexpected bonus" that I referenced in the subject line:
My PC at home has an external media reader, but the SD port on it does not support SDHC (high-capacity) cards; only standard (non-HC) cards. Because this Transcend card comes with a USB adapter (which allows you to insert the SD card into USB ports), I can now read SDHC cards on my PC using the USB ports! I am very pleased about this.
Shipping was fast, and the product works perfectly!
I purchased this to use as a dedicated ReadyBoost volume with my netbook, an ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 10.5 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) running Windows 7. Unfortunately, Windows said the volume was too slow!
I also bought two of the 4GB versions of the same SD card, the Transcend 4 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS4GSDHC6E [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging], and the two supposedly identical units showed very different speed results with the native Windows 7 ReadyBoost speed test. I now use the faster of the two 4GB cards for ReadyBoost (which seems to help Windows 7 performance very nicely, btw).
Bottom line, these cards seem to vary in performance from unit to unit based upon my limited experience.
Perhaps a different unit of the same 8GB card would be faster, your mileage may vary, etc...
My computer is older and does not read SDHC it only reads the older SD format in the card reader slot.
With the USB adapter I can get around this and still use the card.
Don't buy just the card; spend a few more $ and get the USB adapter and card.
When it comes to the card itself however, my wife who uses the camera a Nikon Coolpix S8000 more than I do says that she cannot tell a difference in the camera speed from the older Sandisk 2g class 2 card we were using.
The only component of my 2-year-old Dell desktop that didn't survive the Win7 upgrade was the Teac multi-card reader and neither Teac nor Dell have shown any interest in providing drivers.
As my camera, camcorder, and Mp3 player all use SDHC cards this has proved to be a bit problematic -- so I took a chance on this USB dongle and, voila, it works!
The only concerns I have about it are that it's made of what seems to be a very low-grade plastic and that the SD card side-loads into it. So far, though, neither has been a problem.
Plus, bundled with a Class 6 8G card, it was a terrific bargain! - Memory Card - 8gb - Class 6 - Sdhc'
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Inflatable Boats - boat, boats
My wife and I have used our Advanced Elements Lagoon 2 (called DragonFly 2 when we purchased it) for three years. It was one of the best purchases of outdoor equipment that we have ever made. Don't listen to snobs who put down inflatable kayaks. Unless you are doing serious treks that require cargo, the Lagoon or Lagoon 2 is all you need. My wife and I have used it at least 100 times in the ocean and on lakes throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is light, easy to inflate, durable and fun. Best of all it is very easy to store as it folds up into its own suitcase-size carrying case. And Advanced Elements customer service has been great whenever we have had problems. Only disadvantage versus other kayaks is that it could track a little better, particularly when it is new and the fin does not lay totally flat, and limited onboard storage space. But otherwise, we love it.
Get one and have some fun! Advanced Elements Lagoon 2 Person Inflatable Kayak
After returning a tadem kayak from another manufacture I was worried this too wouldn't be sturdy or durable. I am proud to say that I was wrong, very wrong. I purchased this kayak after reading some other reviews and for the price point - had it shipped to a friend in Hawaii 2 months befrore we even got there (ordered early so the product was in stock). My husband and I used this kayak in the ocean every day for the past 2 months! We were in calm seas, semi-rough seas, 6 ft. swells and in some pretty good surf, not to mention some really shallow spots too. We are both very impressed with the durability and sturdiness of this kayak. It was awesome and lightwieght to carry every day back and forth to the beach. I also paddled solo from both the rear seat and the front seat - it tracks through the water great - it isn't tippy like hard kayaks - we even went snorkeling right out of it and getting back in was easy. There is ample leg room and the seats are quite comfortable. This was the best purchase we made and really made our vacation enjoyable!!!!
Finally had the chance to take her out for a spin. Tracking was good, she was fairly fast and I was extremely impressed overall. I did have to wait nearly 15 minutes for a metal boat to clear the launch to get her out of the water...again Was worth the money and I am taking her back out tomorrow! - Inflatable - Boating - Boat - Boats'
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Recumbent Exercise Bike
My husband and I were looking for a style of exercise bike that was easy on the posterior and on the wallet. The Marcy recumbent Mag cycle is both! My husband and my teenaged son were able to put it together in less than an hour (if you don't count the time in laying out the parts and reading through the instructions first). There were 2 washers left over, so I am assuming that the manufacturer included extras.
The monitor keeps track of the time that you spend exercising in each session, speed, distance traveled, calories burned, and it has an odometer. I was surprised about how quiet it is, as our previous upright exercise bike was quite noisy. The bike also has a dial to set the tension level (there are 8 levels).
I was able to buy the Marcy bike on sale for $127 and with super saver shipping through Amazon I was able to get free shipping and handling. This turned out to be a much better deal than through Walmart dot com. Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle
My 74 year old, 5 foot , 240 pound mother asked me to keep an eye out for an exercise bike for her at yard sales. I was really concerned about her on an exercise bike because she lives alone as is not very steady on her feet. She is actually quite healthy and mobile for her age and weight, but I still had visions of her tobbleing over while trying to climb up on an exercise bike. I also figured the old style seat would be so uncomfortable for her that the bike would get used for the first week or to and then wind up being pushed in a corner and collecting dust. I stumbled across this bike while Christmas shopping. It was on sale for a heavily discounted price so it caught my eye. I read the reviews and looked at other similiar bikes. I decided this was worth the gamble. My mother had an exercise bike when I was young and you could not pull her off of it. The same is now true for this bike. I now worry that she will over do it. The bike is perfect for her to get in and out of easily and the chair is so comfortable for her that she uses it as a chair also. She does have to reach just a tiny bit for the pedals when her legs are extendted, but at 5 feet that would be true of anything. She has to put a pillow in her car seat so she can reach the gas. This is not a far enough reach to be uncomfortable for her or to put a strain on her back. My biggest concern in regards to my mothers health is her weight and with this bike she is able to safely exercise on her own at her leisure. The seat is plenty wide enough for her to sit comfortably and the handles are in the perfect place to help her get up and down. The seat is not too high or too low and I have no worries in regards to her tumbleing over. She is excited about her progress and is calling me often to update how long, far and fast she is able to go. Moving is so important at her age and I am so happy that she now has an easy option to keep her moving. She is down right giddy about the bike and reminds me of my girls when they were little on Christmas morning. It is a little early to determine whether or not the bike will still be used once the newness has worn off, but I have confidence that the benefits will be so apparent for her that she will be happy to continue to use this bike.
The directions advise to have two people put this cycle together, but I was able to do it by myself without breaking a sweat. One part of the instructions is incorrect, asking you to use three washers when you really need four (you'll figure it out by looking at the drawn instructions). I put it together in under an hour without any problems.
The cycle is very sturdy and quiet. I have the cycle stored next to our babies' bed and ride while they're falling asleep so I can look over them - it is VERY quiet! The highest magnetic tension is also pretty decent for a home machine. The monitor is very basic, but has the necessities.
Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase and would recommend!
I've been using this bike for about two years and I absolutely love it. I turn on the television and watch a movie or play video games and the time flies by! I honestly forget I'm riding it sometimes, though that depends how good the movie or video game is! I have to get up every 30 minutes to stretch and give my buttocks a break, but it's a very comfortable seat overall. I keep a pillow stashed between the seat and backrest for even more comfort. When I started, I was 400 lbs so there's no weight limit that I'm aware of. Easy to assemble, and you can adjust the tension from 1-8 to make your workout easier or harder. Plus, the legs rotate forward or backward, so you can ride in any direction you please. It also allows you to adjust the length from the seat to the pedals, so if you're short or tall you can adjust it to fit your needs. Also, it's relatively heavy but the bottom of the unit includes rollers, so it rolls across the carpet or hardwood flooring for easy storage. The unit is magnetic so it's very quiet--can't hear a thing when you're riding. The digital screen tracks time elapsed, calories burned, distance traveled and current speed; you can set it to rotate between these display options or set it to stick to a single option (for instance, if you only want to see time elapsed). I haven't replaced the batteries yet (I think they're two AA), so they seem to last forever. I don't use the handlebars or the sidebars--my knees kept hitting the handlebars so I removed them, making it easier to ride. My only suggestion: It could use a headrest, but if you put it in front of a wall or fashion a headrest on it like I did, you're set to kick back and watch the pounds melt away!
I lost 60 pounds over the course of a few months doing no other exercise other than riding this recumbent bike in my room. Yeah, it's THAT good. Great exercise bike that's well worth the price!
I got this because the price was a steal here on Amazon. It was very easy to set up, although kind of hard to adjust the length once assembled. We had to unscrew one of the (factory put in) screws in order to let the inside bar slide down far enough for the "shortest" hole to be used.
As for the shortest length, it is the perfect length for my boyfriend, who is 5'9". However, for myself, who is 5'2" it is still to long. So, I've been slouching while using the bike (which hopefully isn't really bad for my back) or using a pillow to prop my back up far enough so I can sit forward properly.
Otherwise, it is quiet, pretty light weight and easy to assemble.'
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Home Improvement - dewalt, nail gun
I bought the nailer to install 3/4 inch wood flooring. Using the 16 gauge nailer, I was able to fire 2 inch brads throught the tongue of african rosewood flooring. A flooring nailer is recommended for this job but I was able to accurately hit the sweet spot above the tongue every time. African rosewood is much harder than oak and the nailer handled the job without a problem. I also like the versatility of having the 18 gauge nailer which I used to shoot 1-1/2 inch brads through quarter round molding. This unit is light weight but has plenty of power. For $300, it is well worth the price. DEWALT D55141FNBN 16-Gauge Finish Nailer/18-Gauge Brad Nailer/Compressor Combo Kit
I do a lot of drywall repair and re-texturing of ceilings & wall areas. I had to replace my old compressor which weighed 50 lbs and was looking for something easier to carry. This compressor works fine, is easy to carry but does run low on compression sometimes because of the small tank. This has not been a problem for me because it does recover quite quickly. I have really enjoyed the compressor in my day to day work and have also used both nail guns on a couple of projects. They worked well and made my jobs so much easier. I am really glad that I made the purchase.
I'm not a pro, so I considered purchasing a much cheaper compressor and nail gun to install some trim in my home. I'm glad I decided to spend the extra money for this tool. It's made installing the trim a breeze. I'm looking forward to tackling new projects using this, and it's made me a believer in DeWalt products.
This is my first air compressor but I have had the privilege of using many different portable air compressors (most of them Porter Cable) and this is my favorite. I originally bought this set with general carpentry projects in mind, and I am very glad I did.
Air Compressor Pros:
1. Fills quickly.
2. 2 hose connections are very helpful
3. Metal plate on top protects the motor.
4. Stands up on back for storage so it takes up less floor space.
5. My favorite drain valve I have ever seen on any compressor.
6. Easy to carry.
7. Good placement of power switch on the back.
Air Compressor Cons:
1. 2 Gallon air tank does not allow for much storage.
2. CFM rate is not high enough to use a spray gun for more than short bursts.
Nail Gun Pros:
1. Both nail guns have easy built in safety locks above the triggers.
2. Biggest finish nailer I have ever seen come in an air compressor set.
3. Finish nailer has a good belt clip.
4. The finish nailer once got pulled off my belt and fell onto concrete pavers and did not get a single scratch.
Nail Gun Cons:
1. When you first get the guns they do not come with the hose connectors installed. (They do come with the connectors and Teflon tape but you must put them in.) To protect the guns from any particles falling into them, the guns come with plastic inserts which are almost impossible to remove.
2. The trigger bump on the brad nailer gets jammed in the upright position sometimes.
Accessories:
It came with two accessories I was not aware of at the time of purchase. A single bag big enough for both nailers, the 25' hose included, gun oil, and boxes of nails. It also came with very cheep feeling safety goggles, DPG54M-1D. It did NOT come with gun oil, so to my surprise I had to make a quick trip to the local home depot and buy a $2ish bottle of oil. Also included are the 25' air hose and a bump action trigger (Which I have not used yet).
Other Notes:
1. As you should realize, this kit does NOT come with a staple gun. That can be problematic in some furniture building, especially when applying lewan backing.
2. I bought a 50' hose so I could have two tools attached at the same time and it really comes in handy.
3. You will also want an air gun. They are great for cleaning off sawdust. Also, as I discovered in PC support at school, the air guns are great for cleaning out 8 years of dust from computers.
Im a contractor so the four things i loved about this set in order , what a great price with shipping was still $40 cheaper than homx depox , its so light at 30 lbs , the roll cage made me feel like it was solid and wont get hurt in my truck , its quiet (this was # 4 because its quieter than all oil less compressors ) but its not as quiet as i hoped still great but needs explaning. the sound level is like this if its in the same room you are in it will bug you in 5 min. you can still talk to the guy next to you with only a small raise in your voice, but within minutes the sound will bug you. placed in the next room it was great, no sound problems. also the sound it makes is not a annoying sound like the porter cable pancake(2/3 times louder) (porter put out more air and holds more air so if you need a comp for more than nail gunning the porter is a better option )to me the sound level was about that of a loud vaccumme cleaner which is very good for a compressor hope this helps 5 stars because not perfect but for the money you get SO MUCH. only rated for 500 hrs (bummer)
What a great buy! I bounce from house to house installing windows and doors and this DeWalt Compressor has done it all from framing to finishing. Its easy to carry room to room and up and down stairs, definitely better than the Porter Cable pancake compessor. The two connections for separate hoses is great, especially when working with other people. The guns a very durable. I only wish the finish gun had the angled clip for tight spots like doing crown, but it still get the job done. No complaints about the brad gun. A must buy!
I have used Dewalt tools for the past 10 years and have never taken one to the shop. This compressor kit was a great value for the money but the "pump" died after 30 minutes of use. Fortunately for me a certified repair center was only 15 minutes from home but if you are not close to a center you might want to weight that fact in your purchase (as with any other mail order purchase). My authorized repair center used the serial number and did not even request a purchase agreement for the free repair.
Still, it is a great value and I like the nailers better than other brands I have used in the past. There are sturdy and easy to access a possible jams.
My kit arrived with a travel "bag" but I would prefer if they had include a plastic case - being a little more rugged.
It is the quietest compressor I have ever used for the 125 PSI pressure rating.
Worth the money! - Nailer - Dewalt - Nail Gun - Combo'
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