Guy Low Price Electronic: 19 Sept 2009

Saturday, 19 September 2009

Cadex Pin Nailer - micro pinner, 23 gauge

this unit is fantastic and has almost no limitations. The ability to shoot 23g over 1/2 opens up trim options that we feared before ( the labor and aggravation of getting that perfect finish) ...not anymore...the gauge is so small it literally looks like a speck of dust on a the surface and with anything more than a mid finish is untraceable...pull out is a pain if you misfire but that's when cool heads and a pair of lineman's prevails...all in all a must have for finish work

PS: I almost forgot...be careful..this unit has a double trigger..that said once the triggers are armed its a free for all..no nose tip pressure needed to fire so be careful Grex P650L 23-Gauge 2-Inch Headless Pinner with Lock-Out

This is a little high for a pinner but worth it. The ability to use 2 inch pins is priceless. No need to fill the head marks. You can not see them. Grex is great quality also. I've had it for about two months. Just finished a bar project and used this exclusively.

I'm glad a friend of mine convinced me to try this pinner out for various trim and moulding projects I had around the house. Not only was the gun effortless and hassle free to use, the pinner leaves a hole so small that a dab of paint or caulking is all is needed to hide the pin. I've use this gun for over 100 hours without experiencing any jams. Air consumption was average, nothing my 8 gallon compressor couldn't handle. Just be sure to keep the PSI above 100 to ensure the pin has good penetration. One other useful feature is the ability to use 2-inch pins which is rare among pinners. I highly recommend this tool, especially if you can use this in lieu of an 18GA finish nailer.

This is an awesome nail gun. We have used and continue to use this gun for many projects throughout the house.It handles both big and small jobs with ease. It can do so many things. It is lightweight and so easy that anyone can use it. We used this for all of our crown moulding and it looks fantastic. You can't even see where the nails are. It holds up great and we have never had a problem with it. We have tried other guns only to have them jam up on us and not work. I definitely recommend this gun especially if you are a do-it- yourself-er. If you are looking for great reliable tools, Grex is the company to look for. They make lots of quality tools.

Why own multiple finish guns when you can use one gun to do it all. Accurate, reliable, delivers flawless performance. Yes you do get what you pay for. I use the P650 for all jobs. Crown molding, all finish trim, etc... even to tack 2X4s in place. Make sure you use Grex pins too.

I used this pinner with great results.

It hasn't jamed or mis-fired using the Grex 2" pins.

It's very hard to see the pin when shot into the wood and leaves no hammer marks.

I would highly recommend this Pinner to anyone that wants results with "guality" workmenship.

I have more then my fair share of nail guns including 2 headless pin nailers (Ridgid & Freeman). My only justification of why I purchased the Grex was because it shoots 2" pins. Before I was forced to use a brad nailer if i needed something longer then 1". The problem with a brad nail is that it has a head and leaves a fairly large hole. The Grex pins leave an almost microscopic hole. Most of the time I don't even have to fill the holes they are so small. The Ridgid and Freeman pin nailers worked ok. They would jam occasionally but the Grex has never jammed on me. I have put at least several thousand nails through the Grex with out a single hiccup. Just remember to put a few drops of oil in the air connection every time you use the gun to prolong the seals.

I had been looking at this tool for a long time at woodworking shows and was always amazed at the demonstrations of it's power and the ability to drive a 2" pin into hardwood. I've had the Accuset pinner for a long time but it will only drive a 1" pin, also a great tool. I took the plunge last year and bought the Grex 2" pinner because I had several trim jobs comming up. What a wonderful tool. It really does do all the things I'd seen in the demonstrations and does it quite well. I've used it to install 1/4 round over new tile and wood floors, cabinet trim of all types and even tried it on cove molding with great success. I'm sold on the tool and highly recommend it. Not one miss fire or problem in over a year of use.

I was in the market for a pin nailer and spent over a month researching... All the great reviews kept me coming back towards Grex (which by the way I never even heard of until I started looking for a pin nailer), but I was having bad sticker shock so I just kept looking.. I finally came to my senses and bought the gun (praying I'd get what I paid for)... The day very day it arrived (about 7 months now), it went right to the job site... It went right to work hanging cabinet crown molding and trim... I didn't have a single nail not sink all the way and not a single jamb... I started using it to install baseboard and had the same results (every nail sank and no jambs)... I've never had that with any of my other pin nailers... Its been 7 months now and this gun continues to work like the first day... The dry fire lock out is an absolute must for quality finish work and the ability to change out nail sizes without any adjusting on the gun is just a great bonus!!! I'm always sure to oil it after every job and try not to abuse it (mainly cause of the cost)... But without a doubt, I did get what I paid for and have been nothing but impressed with the quality and performance of this Grex tool... Too the point that just recently I needed a new palm nailer and when I saw that Grex made one, I didnt even hesitate this time(even though it cost about $50-$70 more than the competitors)... I'm confident it will be just as well built as the pin nailer... - Nail Gun - 23 Gauge - Micro Pinner - Grex'

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Rechargeable Batteries - cordless lawn tools, battery packs

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Black and Decker has at least 7 versions of the Slide 18v battery pack. You have no guidance which is better than the other as B&D absolutely refuses to publish the ampere rating or number of contacts of any of them.

Battery identification is poor: Every battery I have seen is marked "244760-00." What good is that in identifying the battery? There are some molded-in numbers but B&D absolutely refuses to tell you what they mean.

On the blister pack for the HPB18-OPE you read "25% more power than the standard battery*" Finding the "*", it says "Compared to the HPB18." Both are the same price on Lowes shelves. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge how these two compare to each other or the FireStorm series.

A Factory Store manager has said two Firestorm versions were once better but have been downgraded this past 12-18 months and are usually worse than the HP18 units. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge any history of the FireStorm 18V batteries.

These batteries will connect to three types of chargers. One will charge the battery in 9 hours, another in 3 hours, and the last in 1 hour. Between the battery and charger combination, severely reduced battery life will result if the battery is left on the charger longer than 2 days. On another the degrade occurs only after 30 days. The third does not damage the battery in any length of time. You are left to guess which combination is optimum and which is a disaster. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge which is which.

I have many hours into trying to make heads or tails out of this, including several contacts on the phone, and e-mails with B&D, ditto plus in person at a factory store and factory repair station. The B&D Factory Stores and Repair Stations concur with my view that B&D is extremely arrogant, totally wrong in their attitude, and show no willingness to change. Black & Decker HPB18-OPE 18-Volt Slide Pack Battery For 18-Volt Outdoor Cordless Power Tools

B&D doesn't really tell you the whole story about their batteries...

In my experience, this battery has 1.5 Ah cells, and unless HPB18 to which it is compared to has 1 Ah cells (which I doubt) it cannot have 50% more capacity. 25% is more likely and it was marketed as such for a while.

Adding to other review, I think I figured out number near the battery lock. First, you have manufacturing year and week along with some letters. And then there is three digit number, which tells you cell manufacturer (first digit) and capacity (two last digits). This is what I encountered:

412 - 1.2 Ah cells marked BD (most likely specifically manufactured for B&D) - usually FS18B and HPB18 batteries, but also some 244760. These cells are actually short Sub C (or 4/5 SC) and B&D puts plastic pad inside the battery, so housing has the same exterior size.

115 - 1.5 Ah cells without manufacturer identification

415 - 1.5 Ah cells marked BD

515 - 1.5 Ah cells manufactured by HANYU

All these are marketed as FSXtreme, HPB18-OPE, FS18BX and 244760

421 - 2.1 Ah cells manufactured by BYD - high capacity "Silver Series" FS18SBX. BYD is actually well known Chinese battery manufacturer, nice chunk of whose shares was recently purchased by Warren Buffett.

Bought a string trimmer with 2 HPB18 batteries two years ago. The batteries never did last more than about 10 minutes on the job (BIG disappointment) but at least with the two of them I could do MOST of my very small yard. This year the batteries are both dead (won't hold a charge). I broke down last night and went to HD to buy a replacement battery. Then I read the review here that talks about the code underneath the battery clip, so I decided to check it out. My two old batteries have the code "415" (Black & Decker, 1.5 AH) while the new battery I just bought has the code "410" (Black & Decker, 1.0 AH)!! GREAT - if two of their 1.5AH batteries wouldn't hold up to do my yard, I'm sure that one of their 1.0AH batteries will handle about 5 blades of grass before dying! I guess I'll be returning this battery today!

Does anyone know where you can get HPB18 batteries with 1.5 AH (or greater) capacity? I'm leary about ordering over the internet, for fear that I won't know for sure what their capacity is until they arrive (since they ALL are designated "HPB18"). I'm thinking I may just go to a local shop that rebuilds rechargeables and see what they can do for me.

Black and Decker, are you hearing us?? WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR BATTERIES!!

I note most reviewers have found that the B&D 18volt batteries have short lives and cost $35-$40 to replace. Save yourself a bundle and just replace the NiCad batteries inside your worn out B&D 18volt battery. It just so happens that you can buy an almost identical 18 volt NiCad battery at Harbour Freight that is currently on sale for $[...] each! [...]

All you have to do is open each battery by removing the screws and swap out the battery packs....no re-soldering required!. Just note the + and - on each battery as they are reversed so you must also remove the black plastic part on each battery that retains the two power tabs and pops into the top of the batteries. Look at the layout and you can easily figure it out....took me about 5 min to make the swap and now I have a new B&D 18v battery that cost me only $[...] and 5 min of time. I plan to buy several while they are on sale for future swaps.

The tools are fair tools. To bad the batterys suck. Everyone should get together and have a class action law suit.Takes 10 minutes to run the battery down and 3 hours to charge it. Pure junk. I have a whole set of the tool to is the bad thing.

My first appliance was a dustbuster with the standard 18v battery pack. The charger was a disappointment due to lack of indication and long charge times. However, the battery seemed to last a reasonable period, holding a charge for several weeks while I used the dustbuster occasionally.

I bought a quick charger with LED indicators and have been pleased with the charging performance. I later bought a cordless drill that was sold without a battery. I used the dustbuster battery initially, but found that it didn't support drilling more than 12 - 4 inch screws into pine 2 X 4's.

I then bought an expensive Silver version of the battery, which is supposed to have better capacity. I have been very disappointed with the performance. The duty cycle actually seems to be less than the standard battery and it won't hold a charge for more than a day or two.

I charge the battery completely and leave it on the shelf, not even installed in the drill and when I need to use the drill the battery is often drained to the degree that I can't even mix paint with it.

There is obviously something wrong with the design of these batteries. Too bad, because the tools themselves are decent. I was about to buy another silver battery, assuming that I just happened to get a bad one, but after reading the comments from others with similar experience, I have decided to cut my losses and buy a better product from either Dewalt or Makita. Black and Decker should issue a recall on these batteries and replace them with ones that perform as expected. If they do this, I might consider buying B&D products again in the future. - Battery - Cordless Lawn Tools - Rechargeable Batteries - Battery Packs'

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Ironman Watch - heart rate monitor watch, heart monitor watch

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Watch is the same as you would expect from a Timex Ironman. The watch is very comfortable. It looks like a regular sports watch. It appears to be well made. I am sure that it will only last about 2 years but that is alright for the money. Usually the timex ironmans tend to get beat up looking before they actually die. The interface is very intuitive. It works like a standard Ironman. You can display the heart rate in many different ways. I like that the time is visible while the heart rate monitor is functioning. I also like that you can display the heart rate in a bunch of different ways. I don't really use all of the fancy features. I did use it once just to see how it worked- it worked fine. (Avg hr, peak hr, blah blah). All that I do is keep my heart rate between 140-160. I would not count on the calorie counter to work. The recovery heart rate is a handy feature that is really easy to use. I think that measuring recovery heart rate is one of the best measures of heart health.

I bought this watch to replace an Omron that I bought off of Amazon for $32. The Omron was alright, but it was telling my that my heart rate was 220 plus beats a minute once in a while. And I wanted to see if I was going to have a cardiac arrest. The timex is coded, so I don't get any interference from the equipment or other heart monitors. The timex road trainer is superior in every way to the omron.

The only real downside is that the chest strap is a little short for big guys. I am 6'2" 240 lbs with a wide chest (48") and it is a little snug on me. I am hoping that it stretches out after a little while. This is a small annoyance that I don't mind dealing with for how well this watch works. Most people won't need to worry about that. I would say that only if you are bigger than me that it would be a real problem. It is nice to leave the watch on all day and then just throw the strap on when I go to the gym. During the day, the watch reminds me to hit the gym after work!

The heart rate is very accurate and reliable on this watch. It works consistently with no problems what so ever. This is definately worth the extra money. Using a heart rate montitor is a must to get the most out of cardio workouts. I will always use one from now on.

I had a polar a few years ago, and that thing was no where near as user friendly as this watch. This thing beats my old polar in every way. Also- I wouldn't be caught dead wearing the polar outside of the gym! Timex Ironman Men's Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch, Grey/Red, Full Size

I had previously purchased a heart rate monitor with an analog transmitter system, and it would only work if it was nowhere near any electrical equipment (e.g., fluorescent lighting, television, or treadmill). The Timex heart rate monitors (including this unit) that have a digital transmission eliminate this electrical interference issue.

I have never been particularly fond of excessive bells and whistles, perhaps because I am technologically challenged--I have never found a use for all the extra features, much less been able to figure out how to use them. This unit does lack some features that some users may have preferred to have-- it doesn't retain more than one workout in memory, for example. I am also unsure whether the transmitter is compatible with treadmills and other equipment that work with Polar brand transmitters. But if you want a reliable heart rate monitor that provides real-time guidance of where your heart rate is, then this unit fits the bill.

I purchased this watch one month ago and have been very pleased. If at first you don't understand the instructions can go to YouTube and check out the tutorials some people have been kind enough to make. The only negative is the chest band which is tight on me (48" chest). I researched for months which watch to buy a friend was trying to talk me into a Garmin with GPS but it seemed like overkill. This watch is perfect for those who do multiple sports are serious about improving their conditioning. It is definitely priced right and has a ton of features I am glad I made this choice.

Moving from a very simple and outdated Polar, which only showed heart rate, I appreciate all the integrated functions of this Timex. Just after a few workouts, I have found the integrated heart rate monitor and stopwatch with laps and recovery rate to be practical and easy to use. The display is easy to customize with combination stopwatch/heart rate or just large heart rate. The chest strap is comfortable and easy to adjust. I have no complaints at all and am happy I purchased this model.

I completely recomend this product. This was my first HR Monitor watch and I've had it for a couple of weeks and it has revolutionized the way I train and practice sports. I know when to push harder and when to slow down and it's easier to track your progress. The only downside it has is that it doesn't include a way to download the information into your computer for easier tracking, but you can purchase additional equipment to do so. But if data transfer is a must for you, I recomend you look into the Timex Ironman Race Trainer line. It is practically the same watch, with the ability to transfer your data.

I needed a heart monitor for my workouts. This works great. I would like it better if it kept track of time in each zone but that is not a big deal. I am quite satisfied with this products performance and ease of use.

Just what I was looking for. All of the functions that I need in one place.

Previously, I had a Heart Rate Monitor for one wrist and Watch for the other. While effective, it was cumbersome. With this monitor, I have both Time and Heart Rate at the same time.

Instructions are straight-forward (can download from Timex). Features include Lap Times, Cumulatives, etc. Avg HR by lap and total Time-in-Zone (within a particular range) are excellent features.

Some have had problems with the chest strap. No problem for my 42" chest.

I am concerned that there are no replacement bands. With my previous watches/monitors, I replaced the band every 2-3 years. I would like to know that I can replace this one if/when necessary.

In Summary, I'm very pleased with this purchase. - Heart Rate Monitor Watch - Heart Monitor Watch - Ironman Watch - Gps'

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Bose Ear Buds 99 - audio, headphones

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I bought these because I was tired of my ears being pinched by on-ear headphones, or hurting because of uncomfortable earbuds. These are really comfortable, even if I want to wear them to sleep in. I am not a connoisseur of sound quality and am mostly listening to audiobooks rather than music, but for my purposes the sound quality is excellent. They block outside sound a little better than on-ear headphones.

Now, their drawback. The little comfy cushions pop off. Bose will send you a free extra set, but I recommend that once you decide which of the three sizes of comfort cushions you like, the tiniest drop of superglue on the outside edge is a smart move. Bose In-Ear Headphones - Headphones ( ear-bud ) - black

I really liked this headphones, and the original ones sound awesome. So I started looking for better deals on internet and I found that a few online sellers offer this Tri-port in-ear headphones to get better prices. So, I ordered two from different dealers (even different websites) and both turned out to be counterfeit!!!! When I called up Bose to inform them about this, even they agreed that the market is loaded with fakes and at times only a few can realize the difference. I would recommend that if you buy this product make sure to call on their Tollfree # and verify if you got the right one or not.

For sound quality & durability I would rate the original product rating as 5 stars but the fakes dont even get a single star!

i bought these bose in ear headphones about 7 months ago. It took me a while to get used to the way they sit in the ear, but now i find them for the most part comfortable. The sound is great. They do an ok job of cancelling the outside noise, but i don't think they are a true noise cancelling type of headphone. However i also have run into a few minor problems with them such as the silicon pieces falling off every once in a while. I usually find it at the bottom of my pocket. What I am also noticing now is that both of the silicone pieces are starting to tear on the backside. I wish they had a better design because i really like the sound.

Awesome sound as would be expected from Bose. The way they sit in the ear does take some getting used to, but after a day or two they're just fine. The problem is durability, I have a pair and so does my wife. Both pairs have shorted out on the receptacle end, which takes Bose a few weeks to fix. Now my left ear bud is shorting out and I have only had my set since July 2009!!! Sorry Bose, but I've had enough...........

I have had these for about a year and a half, they originally worked great but over time I ran into problems and looking back would not have bought these if I knoew this in advance, so I share my experience with you, my friends..

+ The sound quality is excellent, they block out background noise well and can be worn for hours with no discomfort.

That being said there are other things to consider..

- After a few months the silicone inserts stretch and tear then fall off the speakers. They're easily lost and you will end up buying more ('phones are unusable without them) or be uncomfortable with the different sized inserts.

- The real reason to avoid these is that they WILL WEAR OUT WITHIN A YEAR or so of regular use. If you're even a day past your warranty you're SOL, they'll try to sell you another pair for $[...] but won't fix them (although I had no problem getting QC2's repared 5+ years after the warranty).

Bottom line:

Wires and connections are shoddy

Design is ackward

Sound is good

expect lifetime to be about a year and a half until you are shopping again

Typically excellent product support from Bose is totally indifferent on this product

Good sound while they work but design flaws cause an unreasonablly short life

For other user experiences see:

[...]

The product design for these ear phones is just terrible. The customized ear buds fall off almost every time I use these, and now after paying way too much money, I am just going to buy another brand of earphone I can actually use. Save you money and a lot of frustration, do not buy these!

Got these when they first came out and used them sporadically ever since. Sound quality is excellent - much better than Apple standard-issue earbuds, but they are NOT sound isolating at all. the silicone ear-tips just sit lightly in your ear. Not only does this provide no isolation at all, but they pop out of your ear with the slightest jarring. Unusable for jogging or any real activity. Have tried different tip sizes to no avail. And as other reviewers have said, the tips also pop off very easily. When I spoke to the company they said they specifically chose not to do a better seal in the ear in order to avoid the vibrations of walking or running from traveling up the wire to the ears. Bad trade-off in my opinion, and I much preferred my Shure headphones...

I really really dislike these headphones. I can't wait to replace them. These are the "NEW" ones with the black and white cable.

I use them mostly when I am flying with minimal head movement. Yet, they ae constantly falling out of my ears. I spend more time positioning and re-positioning these obnoxious little buds, I could just spit.

I don't have huge ears like, say, Barack Obama. They are pretty normal. But these little devils spill out with every turn of my head. I hate them.

The sound is okay: not "WOW!" like you expect from Bose. Maybe it's because these buggers sit outside the ear canal cradled in the outer ear. I hate them. - Earbuds - Audio - Bose - Headphones'

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Dell Inspiron 1545 Laptop Battery

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If you have shopped around for Dell laptop batteries, you know that this one is WAY cheaper than the one that Dell sells directly. My original Dell battery only lasted 2 years so why would I go to Dell and pay $150 for a replacement when I could get a no-frills brand battery for only $28 including shipping? Even if this no-frills battery only lasts me 6 months, I am still way ahead of the game. OK, I will come down from my soapbox and tell you that this $28 battery fit perfectly into our Dell laptop, and performs well. After a full charge, it runs the laptop for many hours before needing a recharge. Even at $100, this would be a great deal. At $28, this is a no-brainer. I recommend this battery for anyone who needs a replacement or spare battery for thier Dell laptop. NEW Laptop/Notebook Battery for Dell Inspiron 1525 1526 1545

I tried to save money and it came back to bite me. The battery does not charge. My Dell Inspirion 1545 says plugged in not charging. It didn't work straight out of the package. VERY disappointing! Sadly, I even read the reviews of this happening to others and thought surely it wouldn't happen to me. How could someone sell a faulty item and get away with it? I so wish I had just bought a battery from Dell. I guess its time to read the return policy. I will update after I return it.

Dell's battery that came in my wife's laptop would never provide more than 2 hours of up time. I complained to Dell, but you know how that goes. This replacement battery provides double the original battery provided.NEW Laptop/Notebook Battery for Dell Inspiron 1525 1526 1545

let me start out by saying that I was quite skeptical of buying a battery online for half the price that Dell offers them at, but being the extremely broke college student that I am, I really didn't have much of a choice. Let me tell you that so far, this product is great. (its only been a few days, but all seems well) Fits perfectly into my inspiron 1525, and holds a charge for over 3 hrs while surfing the internet and through constant use. I would suggest this product to anyone and am extremely satisfied. great product, and it arrived at my door within 4 days. Will change my rating to a 5 star after i have owned it for a month or so if it continues to work like this.

It seemed to work for about a week but then stopped accepting a charge. Fortunately, Amazon stands behind the products that they sell. They made it easy for me to return it for a full refund. I will try again to find a functional replacement laptop battery.

This battery works perfectly well for my Dell Inspiron 1525, but it turns out the battery was not the problem. I was getting (plugged in, not charging) message and I thought the battery just died? The real problem after getting the new battery and it still didn't charge, was the AC Adaptor? The computer worked with the AC Adaptor but it just didn't charge for some reason? I tried another adaptor from my wife's Dell and it worked and started charging the battery. I guess I will just keep the battery for later. Now I just need to get a new AC Adaptor.

I've had my Inspiron 1545 for about a year and a half (bought it new) and first my charging cable died out of nowhere, then I got an alert saying my battery was basically dying for good. Dell wanted me to shell out $130 for this cable. With expedited shipping, I still paid $100 less and the battery works perfectly. It's in my computer right now as I type this. Long story short, Dell is a terrible, money hungry company who drastically overcharges for shoddy equipment, and items like this are the perfect solution.

Bought this battery for my wife's Inspiron 1525 because of the decent reviews on Amazon. Received the battery, installed it and showed it was 75% charged. I plugged in the AC adapter to try and charge to %100 but it just held at 75%. I figured I'd try running the laptop solely on the battery, drain it and try charging from a drained state. With 75% of the charge it only lasted for about an hour before it was dead. I plugged the AC adapter back in and nothing, wouldn't charge at all. I'm returning the battery and will look elsewhere for a replacement.'

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Crafts And Hobbies - shipping labels, label white

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I bought these labels to use in the pantry. I have to keep our supplies inside plastic containers to prevent rodent interest. I now have a very organized pantry. We plan on using them in the garage to label our storage boxes and my husband will use them in his shop for all the car stuff. Very easy to stick. I did notice they do not stay well on the rubbermaid container lids. Only on the side panels. With as cheap as these are I can use two! Avery Shipping Labels with TrueBlock Technology, 2x4 inches, White, 250 Labels (8163)

Perfect for when you want to either cover a larger area of your letter/package, or add a small picture on the label - just nice to have a larger size label when needed. I added a little Baby clipart picture next to the address when sending out Baby Shower invites with these, and it printed and looked fabulous - no smudges.

I needed to be able to print name tags for a large party, alphabetically, from a database. I needed plenty of room for an "easy to read" name and other information about each person. These labels worked great, printed perfectly from my InkJet printer, were easy to remove from the sheet, and stayed put on the wearer's clothing, but removed easily. Thank you Amazon, because the 8163's weren't available other places.

I am doing some work for the Photographic Society of America (PSA) who had kindly sent me an MS Word template for the labels I needed to use on a number of phorographic prints that had to be sent to the States.

However, the templates were designed for labels to be printed on US Legal paper, which is 8.5 x 11 inches. I tried the template on Avery labels using our A4 size label sheet, but this cut off the bottom text of each label. So, I tried in vain to buy the appropriate US-style labels from Office suppliers in the UK - until, that is, I tried the Amazon site, of course.

Guess what? There they were in several different forms, all be it on Amazon's US website. The price was reasonable, so I simply ordered the ones I wanted, which were shipped from the warehouse the same day and turned up here in the North of England 8 days later.

Just another brilliant service from Amazon again. Many thanks!! - Label White - Address Labels - Shipping Labels - Mailing Labels'

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Artist Trading Cards - badges, inkjet

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I bought these for a family reunion. We wanted a personalized ID tag with Family Name and Date. These labels printed well and believe me, they stuck and stayed in place on shirts and blouses to the very end! Much better, and classier, than the old 'hello, my name is . . .' labels. Worth the extra cost. Avery Adhesive Name Badges, 2.33 x 3.375 inches, White, Pack of 160 (08395) - Name Tags - Avery - Inkjet - Badges'

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Battery Booster - battery booster, battery charger

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Ill give you the good news first. This item will spin my 430cc high-compression V8 like there's no tomorrow, and it will do it at least 5 times on one charge. It will hold a fresh charge for three months. It has a huge red digital readout that serves several purposes. It will let you know when you have a good connection to a car battery before you switch it on. It will let you know how much voltage it is providing, and it will tell you the charge state of its internal battery when it is in charge mode. There is also a warning if you cross up your leads. There is a cigarette lighter socket for 12V access.

Now for the bad news. First, you have to provide an extension cord, and, when you do, there's no place to store one of any length on the device. My advice is to buy the shortest single-socket 16AWG cord you can, and squeeze it onto one of the side hooks where the leads are stored. Otherwise expect to just leave the cord behind (probably the manufacturer's intent) or carry it separately. Second, while you can leave the charger plugged in full time without overcharging, there is a noisy fan that runs full time (and draws about 6 watts along with the display). Even if you charge it in your garage, you probably won't want to just plug it in and forget it for two years, because that fan will wear out sooner or later. At least it sounds like it will. (I wish they'd used a quieter fan of the type that comes on desktop computers.) Don't plan to store it in an unheated area in winter, because performance will suffer severely, although a sealed garage is probably warm enough in most climates. Finally, you can't use this thing as a charger to maintain a car's battery in the garage. It's not designed for that and won't allow it.

I'd like to make a couple of final points about battery-powered, jump-start devices in general. If your car's battery has failed catastrophically, meaning it's almost like a short circuit, you must disconnect one lead of the battery before using one of these. (Assuming your alternator is good, you can reconnect the battery once the car is running.) Otherwise, the bad battery will suck the charge out of the jump-starter. You may have encountered such situations with jumper cables, when you find you have to partially recharge the dead battery with a running car's alternator before you can start the car. This is the kind of thing that happens when you leave the lights on for a long time. It should not be the kind of thing that happens when you have tried to start the car and heard a clicking noise.

If your car's battery is dead because you've run it down while trying to start the car, you'll probably run the jump-starter down too. In fact, it will probably run down faster than your car's battery did, just because it's not as big. Don't blame the jump starter for either of these situations.

This jump-started does what it's supposed to do, and it is a good price. If you can live with the cord and the fan, and you don't ask it to perform miracles, you'll be happy with your purchase. Schumacher PSJ-2212 DSR ProSeries 2200 Peak Amps Jump Starter and Portable Power Unit

These units exceeded my expectations. They are dead easy to charge as you just plug an extension cord into the side of the unit (why didn't anyone else think of that). A clear digital indicator tells you the status of the charge. It even has a small cooling fan that runs during charging. We use these units for operating 12 VDC instruments in the field so we want a unit that will, at least, last all day. The jury is still out on this since few have been used yet but expectations are high.

This box sells for $300+ on the tool trucks, and is a professional class jump starter. You can crank a turbo diesel that has two batteries with this bad boy and not even make it sweat. Im giving it 5 stars even though you will have to buy an extension cord to charge it(because the jumper does not come with one). Any one in the automotive industry needs one of these in their shop.

I purchased 2 of these, one got plugged in and the other put into a closet for future use. The one I plugged in after 3 days became extremely hot and smelled up our entire building like rotten eggs. My initial thought was we over charged it until I read the label that says "keep plugged in, it cannot be over charged." Now Schumacher, National Tool Warehouse and Amazon tell me it is my responsibility to pay to ship it back for replacement......and I never used. Buyer beware

Bought this several months ago to jump start my 2002 BMW 330ci when the dumb owner (me) forgets to turn the interior light off after he's read the mail in the car/garage. I've owned several battery jump starters, none would do more than brighten the lights in the car. Click - click - click is all I would get.

Long story short - did a lot of research - don't need a battery charger with compressor, radio, toilet seat warmer, tazer, etc. This Schumacher jumps starts my completely dead battery without a hiccup. I couldn't be happier!

My only gripe is the vents on top of the unit - under those vents, clearly seen, is a circuit board of some sort. Perhaps this isn't an issue but, when it's raining outside, that board is going to get a couple drops of water.

Hope this review helps.

Cheers! - Jump Starter - Jump Start - Battery Booster - Battery Charger'

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Criterion Collection Blu-ray - criterion collection, classic movie

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MOVIE:

Terrence Malick is one of the greatest filmmakers alive, and after Sergio Leone he is my second favorite director of all time. In his career that spans almost 40 years he has only made four feature length films. What I love about Malick's films is that they are poetry; they break all the conventions of filmmaking. When you sit down to watch a Terrence Malick film you are readying yourself for an experience. The way he examines human nature in every single one of his films is extraordinary. Every one of his films also deals with man's impact on nature and he slowly erases the lines between sanity and insanity. His directorial debut was with Badlands starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek; a haunting story of lovers on the run from the law. His next film is still undoubtedly one of the most moving pieces of cinema ever created, Days Of Heaven.

Days Of Heaven tells the story of Bill (Richard Gere) and Abby (Brooke Adams); two young people in love trying to make ends meet and find work. The two go around pretending to be brother and sister as to protect themselves from the outside world. At the beginning of the film Bill gets in a tussle at the steel mill and accidentally kills his boss. Now Bill, Abby and Linda (Linda Manz) hop a train to go work on a farm to harvest wheat. The story is told through Linda's perspective. Linda is the real sister of Bill and she is barely a teenager. It's interesting that Malick lets the story unfold through the eyes of an innocent child; I think it gives complex situations in the film a simpler point of view. As the story unfolds and they work on the farm Bill finds out that the owner of the farm is dying of a terminal illness. The farmer is played by Sam Shepard in his first major role. Bill hatches a plan for Abby to get the farmer to fall in love with her. That way when he dies he will leave all his assets to her and they will become rich. As can be imagined after a full year passes the farmer is still alive and tensions begin to grow that leads to an inevitable climax.

The number one aspect of this film that garners so much attention is the cinematography. The story goes that Nestor Almendros started the picture but about a fourth of the way through he had to leave due to a prior commitment. Cinematographer Haskell Wexler came in and shot the rest of the picture according to Almendros's standards, but in the end didn't receive any credit on the film. Almendros went on to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography that year. All quarrels aside one can't deny the brilliance of the film's photography. Every frame is crafted with absolute detail that in some cases will give you goose-bumps. They shot most of the film during "magic hour"; that twilight period right before the sun sets. It creates a perfect backlight that if framed correctly can create haunting silhouettes. It seems as if there is always a ring of fire on the horizon that is slowly getting closer, which it in fact does. During the scene of the locust plague a lantern breaks in the wheat fields and the entire farm erupts into flames. It symbolizes rage in the characters as tensions mount, but I don't want to spoil anything for those who want to experience the film for the first time. All in all this film is a visual feast that will stay in your mind's eye.

Since the film is extremely light on dialogue it relies on two major elements. Cinematography being the first thing I discussed and Ennio Morricone's score being the second. Morricone's incredibly dark and foreboding score is a haunting masterpiece. It underscores the human conflicts being depicted in the film and of course has tragedy spelled out plain and simple with the tone right from the beginning. The first time I saw the film I cried because of the subtle power of this Oscar nominated score. The haunting elements of it will resonate with you for quite some time, and honestly this score is the major source of emotion in the film. It accentuates Malick's themes perfectly.

So, what is this film ultimately about? One could spend all their time writing about a Terrence Malick film and every word could be wrong and right at the same time. His films need to be experienced, because it is absolutely impossible to try to describe how his films affect you. In my head I saw this film as an exploration of love and how human nature is a flaw that can allow our emotions to consume our rational side. If you've seen The Thin Red Line, Badlands or The New World then you should have a good idea of what Days Of Heaven will be like. It's a surprisingly short film at only 94 minutes, especially if you compare how long his last two films were. Thanks for sticking with me for this entire review/analysis. I really like to do more than the average critique when it comes to important films like this.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio Commentary:

Since Terrance Malick is the most elusive filmmaker ever (not a single interview ever?) the commentary track features editor Bill Weber, art director Jack Fisk, costume designer Patricia Norris, and casting director Dianne Crittenden. This is a fascinating track that really delves into just how much detail can be found in every single frame of the movie; a must for film enthusiasts.

Audio Interview With Richard Gere:

An interview conducted in 2007 just for this release. Richard Gere examines how he came to doing the movie. He discusses how he really wasn't into film but rather theater. However, he saw Badlands and was immediately interested if Terrence Malick was directing. He does ramble a bit, but he does offer some insight. The fact that it's a 22 minute audio interview set to stills and footage of the movie makes it kind of a bore to sit through.

Video Interview With Sam Shepherd:

This 12 minute interview from 2002 is an interesting look at how Malick got Shepherd into acting. He talks about how he was more into writing at the time, but he decided to do it just for the hell of it.

Video Interview With John Bailey:

Bailey was Nestor Almendros's camera operator and this is by far the most interesting interview on the DVD. It's a 20 minute interview and it is incredibly in depth. He uses a lot of lingo that may go over the head of casual viewers. He explains in detail all the techniques they used and it really opens up a lot. It's a really fascinating interview that uses visual examples throughout as he talks.

Video Interview With Haskell Wexler:

Wexler was the cinematographer who took over for Almendros and in the end received no credit for his work on the film. In this 11 minute interview he explains his relationship with Malick and how he came to take over for Almendros. It's a great first hand account from the man himself.

41-Page Booklet:

The booklet contains an essay by Adrian Martin and a chapter from Nestor Almendros's autobiography.

VIDEO:

When you buy a Criterion DVD you are paying for perfection. This remastered version was supervised and approved by Terrence Malick. The original 1.78:1 aspect ratio is maintained exactly with absolutely zero flaws in the transfer. The new high definition transfer was created from a new 35mm interpositive struck from the 35mm A/B roll original negative. Thousands of instances of dirt and scratches were removed and the resolution is magnificent because they mastered the DVD at the highest bit rate possible. I just wonder when Criterion is going to make the move to Blu-ray?

AUDIO:

A brand new Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track was created for this release. The old track was tossed and this new track was remastered at 24-bits from the original 4.1 magnetic tracks. Every effort possible was implemented to reduce clicks, hiss and crackle. This is fantastic, I love Criterion so much.

BOTTOM LINE:

Days Of Heaven is one of my favorite films of all time and I certainly think it's Malick's best. The film will overwhelm you with its visual power and you certainly won't forget it. Criterion has done a great service by remastering this film and I can only hope that Malick's other films will eventually get the same treatment. Days of Heaven (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] - Blu-ray - Terrence Malick - Classic Movie - Criterion Collection'

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High Definition

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Check out my sample footage video on Youtube. On Youtube search "djeror zi8 low light"

In my previous review of the Kodak Zi8 I was pretty frustrated at the fact that whenever I used the built in microphone the recorded videos had an annoying high pitch whine that made the audio from my videos almost unusable. Kodak recognized that this was an issue and created a firmware update that fixed the problem. It also fixed a few other things like the previous issue of the image getting darker as you zoomed in. They seem to have fixed all of the major problems with this firmware fix.

I do tech product reviews so I need the following things:

- External mic input - most of my videos are shot wearing a lapel mic

- Macro mode - I have to get close to little tiny screens

- SDHC memory - I go to all day trade shows, I need 10+ hours of video

- Power options - I need to be able to shoot while AC power is plugged in or use a large external battery.

- Under $200 - I'm poor.

Because of these requirements no other camcorder can fit my needs. One cool thing about this camera is that it is much more upgradable than the other pocket cameras on the market.

Con:

-The built in microphone is OK now that they fixed the whining noise, but it's still not amazing.

Work-around:

- Don't use the internal mic... I use an Audio Technica lapel mic for 1 person interviews.Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone For events I ordered a Sony stereo mic to use instead of the built in mic. Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone . Although I wish that Kodak made the internal mic better, for the most part I am kind of excited that the Sony stereo mic will give me much better sound than any of the standard internal mics that any of the pocket cams have.

Con:

-Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) sucks a lot of juice. Also the Zi8 uses a proprietary battery rather than cheap swappable AA's. Battery life when shooting non-stop is 1hr 16min in 720p 60fps with EIS on. If you turn off EIS you get about 1hr 41min at 720p 60fps.

Work-around:

- Use the USB to power cable that comes with the camera in conjunction with an external battery source. This is a must if you are going to be recording for more than an hour with EIS, cause that's about what the internal battery will give you. Tekkeon TekCharge Rechargeable Li-Poly Battery You can just stick this battery pack in your pocket and connect the charging cable to the Zi8. This will allow you to record for a super long amount of time. I haven't tested to see what my total record time with the battery pack will be but it should be around 5X the standard recording time. (about 6 hours with EIS on, almost 9 with it off) This gives you the best battery life of almost any camcorder. Sure it's an extra cost, but when you're at an all day trade show you don't have to worry about running out of juice.

Con:

- Image stabilization can't rescue video you shoot while moving around. Any camera motion makes video awful.

Work-round:

- Accept the fact you should probably be using a mini tripod with this camera or at least stand still. Also, although it takes a bunch of time to process if you have the new iMovie the image stabilization processing you can do is light years beyond what the EIS in the Kodak Zi8 can do.

One more important note. Make sure you buy high speed SDHC memory cards for this thing. If your SD card is not fast enough the camera will record for like 2 seconds and then stop with an error. It took me a while to figure out why the camera kept stopping recording when in HD mode but worked fine in SD mode. It was because of my old SD card. You need to make sure your SD card has a write speed of at least 9MB/s if you want to record in 1080p. These high speed cards cost more, but you need them for any camcorder that is going to record HD video to them, it's not just the Zi8. I think most Class 6 high speed SDHC cards should work.

If you want to get the most out of this camera plan on spending an extra $100 - $150 in order to buy upgrade items. Personally I've come to the conclusion that the extra expenses were worth it. It all depends on what you plan on using the camera for. For a typical mom purse cam this would not be my recommendation, I would say go with a Flip Ultra HD. But for someone with particular needs like mine this camera may be the only one that fits the bill. Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black)

I rarely will type/review products but I've been a little frustrated reading the reviews of this product on Amazon and by users at other sites. Many users seem to think that this camera was designed to compete with expensive, professional cameras that cost thousands of dollars and produce full HD quality video. That's not what this is. Also, while my camera hasn't had the 'noise' issue from the Mic, i have seen a camera that had the issue and its BARELY noticeable. Its almost like a very quiet background noise from a Florescent light or something.

Kodak has designed, marketed, and built a camera to compete with FLiP and has clearly produced a FAR better product.

I'll keep it short and sweet and first explain who I am and what I am using this camera for. I use it for:

-Home Videos/Fun stuff with old buddies and friends

-For work when I need some quick video that's easy to upload online, or put in iMovie and edit

-For work when I need more complex videos that may require editing, or somewhat lengthy video but I want the ease of use/portability.

I have seen some of the problems stated with the internal Mic and I have had none of them (I do have the upgraded Firmware that is now standard 1.03, and Kodak says this completely eliminates the issue...again have never had the issue on my camera). A relative of mine was lucky enough to purchase this product when Kodak did an 'early' release a few months ago and occasionally his videos will have a bit of a higher pitched background noise, but it doesn't interfere with the sound from the video -- its just a light background noise that, honestly, i've heard on dozens of cameras. Don't forget, without an external Mic the camera only records mono so -- the sounds quality isn't going to be great anyway!

The video is great, image stability isn't as advanced as those available on more expensive cameras but it is better than anything i've seen in a FLiP or other Kodak model. It does work and you can see a difference, even if its not huge. Its SO easy to flip between video modes. The 1080p is awesome, but sometimes its nice to move back down to 720 and the 60fps to capture 'action' footage.

One negative -- which most people may see as a positive -- i do wish there were more settings, or at least the ability to play around with more features/edit modes. Its GREAT easy to use, its a point and shoot video camera -- but with the great lens and abilities, it seems like Kodak could have -- pretty easily -- had this camera competing with much higher end cameras. If all the hardware was put to great use this could compete with $500+ cameras. But I understand wanting to keep it simple.

I like having the SD card. Some people would prefer the internal memory, and yes by the time you buy a decent sized SD card the camera is more expensive than the FLiP, but, the FLiP has a very limited memory. This camera is limited only by the size of the card...Definitely a positive!

Finally, I know people that are both in the TV business and do a lot of Video blogging and they are drooling over this camera because of the external mic capabilities. One reason lots of 'pros' didn't like FLiP was because of the audio issues. Kodak has solved those, not to mention providing better quality video.

Again this isn't something to shoot with if your a young film-maker or a die-hard amateur cinematographer. But if you need something cheap to get some great quality video, or need something super easy to use that is really portable....Take the plunge. And if your considering FLiP -- don't bother...'

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Microscope

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I'm pretty happy with this microscope that I purchased to use with my daughter. The screen is clear and responds to movement (rotifers) without any kind of low fps problems.

There is a distracting dark patch in the center of the LCD. The spot does not show up when you record a video, so it must be a problem with the LCD. The company has not yet replied to my support email on this subject I sent 4 days ago. Paint on the objective lens housings is worn looking and there is a scratch on the upper illuminator's plastic housing. Because of these things, the finish of the microscope has a used look.

The photo and movie recording interface is simple and easy to use. There is at least one misspelled word in a menu which makes the interface seem unprofessional. However it records acceptably. The video it creates is in the Windows .wmv format. Celestron 44340 LCD Digital LDM Biological Microscope

This is the only budget LCD microscope I was able to find through the Internet. The support structure is not metal, but appears durable. There is only one adjustment knob, but it is capable of rather fine adjustments, even at maximum resolution. Specimen adjustment has considerable range and allows for satisfactory fine tuning. Compared to viewing through stereoscopic lenses or the way-back-when single eyepiece, this is a tremendous improvement. Being able to take pictures just makes it that much better. I am very satisfied.

I ended up returning this item for a replacement because it had a dark spot in the middle of the LCD. Once I received my replacement it did not have a dark spot but now there was debris internally that could not be removed. I ended up sending it back for a refund. However, I did order another style of a Celestron Microscope without the LCD screen. I give this product 3 stars because the concept and viewing options for this unit is incredible. It is also very easy to use and very lightweight. it just so happened I did not receive a "keeper".

I had an ordinary optical "200x" microscope and saw a few shaky, interesting things in a drop of water on a glass slide, I but had no good way to take a photo. Holding a digital camera up to the eyepiece was problematic at best. I'd heard of USB microscopes that connected to a PC, such as the QX3. Checking the reviews on Amazon quickly dissuaded me from that. Then I found the Celestron 44340. It had a built-in 2MP digital camera. Images were saved to internal memory and transferred to the PC via USB cable, or to a SD card. I was also concerned about getting good images. In books like Guide to Microlife (ISBN 0-531-11266-7), there were excellent photos in darkfield illumination, as well as the usual brightfield. The Celestron 44340 did both, although darkfield only worked at the 4x and 10x objectives. I got a set of glass slides, glass cover slips, some depression slides, eyedroppers, and containers. After the summer rains, there were many places to collect samples, as well as from shorelines of rivers and lakes. I was able to successfully image in brightfield and darkfield rotifers, amoebas, flatworms, copepods, ostracods, shrimp hatchlings, vorticella, bursaria, diatoms and algae, and a variety of fast-moving ciliates. In addition to digital photos of up to 2 megapixels in size, I also recorded movies of a few seconds to a few minutes, sometimes switching between 4x magnification to 10x or 40x to get more details, and even switching between brightfield and darkfield. If I found something interesting, I could use software to extract a still image. The only CON I can think of is that when the microscope is turned off then back on, the internal date and time resets to 1/9/2031 8:00 PM, so any photos or movies taken all have that date, unless you manually set it every time.

The microscope/camera combination is great in every way except one very important feature, the top light is inadequate. It is too far away and not bright enough to light solid specimens. It does work fantastic for specimens that light can pass through.

When reviewing the demo video, the features were great and what I wanted. The microscope lacked many features represented on the video. The customer care service by email and phone have been hard to reach and get a reply. When I returned it to celestron for replacement, I am still waiting after 3 weeks. I should have just returned the item the same day.

Just received....no dark area, LCD is clear and bright. A fun, serious toy. Want to create some unique abstract digital photos. Have not tried the SD card port, but seems and easier way to transfer to computer.

I've had 3 of these exact units. None of them work any longer.

- One unit had a screen that stopped working

- One unit had a loose connection between the base and the optics, making focus impossible

- One unit stopped working all-together after only a couple of uses.

While this microscope is a GREAT idea, the quality is terrible, and it WILL break (with no effort from you)

How I have LOVED this scope (!), & I have just ordered a second, deluxe version of the same thing. Unfortunately, the reason I have ordered a new one is that the first one started disintegrating almost immediately. Although the images have always remained sharp, clear & have more than fulfilled their promise (esp.@ lower power)(& before the screen detached from it's electronics), the buttons failed one after another in short time, starting with the menu buttons and the snap image button (which I originally overcame by quickly turning on/off the video button). Thus also I could not eliminate pictures (however, they loaded perfectly into iphoto/Mac); also, the images were permanently zoomed (not objectionable, but not particularly flexible, either). When I finally took off the faceplate to check the buttons, the problems proved to be the motherboard, not the buttons per se.

So the short version is that this scope is AMAZING in terms of value and possibilities, but apparently depends upon whether one's individual scope is a lemon or not--something which seems to be born out by fellow reviewers. Hence, the ratings reflect a somewhat lower score on these regards, but not on the true delight a well-working device would definitely provide (nothing near this in this price range). Final words would be GO FOR IT-- but send it back @ first hint of lapsarian electronics (anything at all that doesn't work promptly or correctly).'

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Kayak Storage - kayak storage rack, kayak racks

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I'm very pleased with these and plan on buying a second set. These don't work very well however for my Old Town Vapor kayak. It has a funny shaped, and pretty TALL bow. The boat will fit into the hooks, but it's less than ideal and the hull weight isn't divided evenly between the hooks and the wall.

For more "normal" or conventionally shaped boats these are perfect. I'll have to use hanging webbing for my VAPOR. Boone Blue Kayak Crib 2 Paddles

We installed the hooks (2 sets) on the back of the garage for our kayaks. They work great. There is no metal exposed to scratch the kayaks. It is so easy to get them out of the hooks, wheter one or two people are getting the kayaks out. I highly recomend them.

Boone Blue Kayak Crib 2 Paddles

These padded "hooks" were easy to install and they cradle our 50 lb. kayaks beautifully on the inside wall of our garage. Form follows function in these simply-designed hooks, that keep the kayaks off the ground and out of the elements. They appear to be durable and well made, and compared to some other kayak storage systems, relatively reasonably priced. Definitely recommended.

We ordered these cradles to hold our 85 lb. tandem kayak. We hung them in our garage and they were very easy to install and came with nice long screws to hang them. The j hooks are very strong and easily hold our kayak. The blue covers protect the boat very well from being scratched. I feel very comfortable with our boat resting on this rack in the garage.

Before purchasing this unit I researched the web, comparing the large number of products available, including home-made alternatives. I wanted a simple, effective and low cost solution to store my 13 ft Hobie Quest kayak. The Boone Blue product was exactly what I had hoped for.

The product has good installation instructions and proved easy to install in about 15 minutes. The brackets provide strong support for the kayak and have protective materials to avoid scratching the boat.

I found with other storage systems, particularly the strap units, that handling the kayak by oneself was awkward and could be risky for back injuries, not to mention crashing into anything in the vicinity. This wasn't the case with this unit. The kayak is relatively easy to lift on as the upward part of the bracket does not extend unnecessarily high. The kayak fits securely in the brackets and is easily adjusted. Lifting the kayak off is even easier than putting it on.

I'm totally satisfied with the functionality of the product and think it is good value, considering the alternatives.

This is an excellent product and I recommend it and the seller. The "J" is made of a high quality metal with quality covering and workmanship; the "paddles" protect both the wall and the kayak. I purchased 2 sets, and had both our kayaks hung in about an hour -- no problems at all with the two screws in each cradle. The shipping was timely and well done; the instructions were clear and concise. I was concerned about the quality given the price, but they are of great quality and at a reasonable price. If you need to hang your kayaks, e.g., in a garage or a storage shed, this product is perfect. The only cautions I would note is to be certain you hit a stud and measure carefully if you are mounting more than one set so they line up for a neat appearance!

We have two sets of these attached to our fence to hold our Prodigy (Perception) 12 foot kayaks. They work perfectly, and couldnt ask for a better set up. Just be sure to cover the cockpits with tarps when not in use. This will keep the rain and snow out.

We have recently installed the Boone Blue Kayak Cribs for our two kayaks. They installed easily and getting the boats on was quick. They seem well made and sturdy. I like the padding so my kayak is protected. - J-rack - Kayak Storage Rack - Kayak Rack - Kayak Racks'

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