Friday, 30 April 2010

Garmin Nuvi 200 - garmin mount, dashboard mount


Of course I got a mount with my Garmin 205w, but I wanted to use it in two vehicles. I bought the extra one to use in my work truck when needed. It just makes is one less item to forget to get when transferring the unit back and forth between the two vehicles. ChargerCity GPS Garmin Nuvi Windshield ball & socket suction cup mount & Bracket unit holster bundle for Garmin nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 260 260W 265T 265WT 270 275T 285 285w 285t 285wt (Direct Replacement Warranty)

Beware of this product, I mounted the suction to my windshield and as soon as I put it on the suction piece broke off from the mount. I normally don't complain, but to have a product break in less than 5 minutes of having it in my hands is frustrating at best.

Do not buy anything from this seller.

My Garmin Vehicle Suction Cup Mount, which I bought from this company when it delivered it was strange that the protective foil on the holder as a stripped and restored.

When I tried to put the equipment in the same car was dropped after 2-3 minutes.

I tried to clean it and ask for another glass but again dropped.

Obviously someone has returned a product that was later sold to me.

Truly pathetic and miserable for 5-6 $

I can't really complain much because the cost (not incl shipping) was a few cents, but, MAN, they really don't make them like they used to. I'm not going to deal with it any more. I'm just going to buy a whole new friction holder/stand.

This suction mount is strongly holds in place just as well or better than the original that came with my Garmin device. The technical description on Amazon.com included a disc mount but I didn't receive a disc mount with my package. So I emailed the seller, and they promptly apologized and sent me a disc mount for the dashboard. Excellent customer service!

Item appears identical to factory unit. GPS fits perfectly into it. the factory unit "pulled" apart from the suction cup after about a year. this unit failed 4 months after purchase. Usage was occasional, at best. I have no choice but to purchase another one. hope it lasts longer though.

I had thrown away my original one, thought I would never use it. Stupid me. Anyways, I ordered this one. Was packaged in a bubble envelope, took it out, snapped the ball into the socket, suctioned it to my window, works beautifully. It's harder to get off of the window than it was to put it in there. :) - Dashboard Mount - Gps Mount - Garmin Nuvi 200 - Garmin Mount'


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Weight Watchers - health, snacks


These are delicious! They are VERY crunchy and the sea salt is not too salty, but just right. The packs are large enough to satisfy you and they are so convenient to carry with you! I love them so much, I just ordered them again! Blue Diamond Almonds 7-100 Calorie Packs-Oven Roasted Sea Salt, 4.2-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)

I can't get enough of these things. Thank goodness they are in 100 calorie packs, or else I would have gained 20 pounds in the last few weeks! If you are watching your calorie intake, these are great to throw in your purse in case you need something to tide you over until you can find something healthy to eat. I will purchase again! - Chips - Snacks - Weight Watchers - Health'


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Dickies Skinny Pants - dickies skinny pants, rabiah


I recently bought a pair of these for work and I love them. They are a nice blend of material (60%cotton, 40%poly); and are durably made.

The best part is that they fit really well. They ride pretty low and are long enough to not look silly with work boots on. The slash pockets lay nicely and don't pull like other brands I've had.

I'd highly recommend these if you need nice looking pants that you don't have to iron (just pull them right out of the dryer looking great!); they don't shrink; and they feel like they will wear really well. Dickies Girl Juniors' Original Low Rider Work Pant, Khaki, 9

I ordered two pairs of these pants, not knowing anything. They are a bit stiff, but the fit is perfect and not "dorky" at all like a lot of the other school uniform options for girls who are in the Jr/Ms. sizes. I will order more of these when they go on sale again.

This is a winner, my daughter attends a school that requires a uniform. The past few years I have found similar pants at the Gap, last year the Gap went really trashy, meaning very low rise and snug though the seat and legs, let me remind you this is a youth size "kids" I searched though many big box retailers and was told by another Mom that Dickies made a really fashion savvy pant that would appeal to my tween.

The size was true and the quality is spot on! It has made it though numerous washing and still looks new.

over all this is the best work pant, they are comfortable, they dont wear out and well i love these much better than i do dickies stretch pant. those are gross! if you want a pant that is going to last, not shrink and not shred these are the pants to buy. i work at a grocery store and wouldnt choose any other work pant

I have been wearing this brand and style of work pants since I was 15 and a size 5 LOL! They last a long time through many washings. The material is very wear resistant. I tried the styles with spandex and they were rags within a year. These are stiff at first, but soften up after a few washings. HARD TO FIND!

I normally wear about a size 3, but I try slightly larger sizes for work just to make sure the pants aren't too tight fitting. These, even at size 5, are very tight, and they are made from a very stiff material. So if you have a job like me that involves a lot of bending and moving, then these are probably not the pants for you.

The inseam on the size 3 juniors were 32 inches! My wife is 5' 7" and the pant leg had to be hemmed up. Likewise, don't forget these are 'girl' pants. Therefore my wife found them just a little snugger around her womanly hips. They also don't have a button, just a hook closure, so be sure to take good measurements before ordering or you'll have to exchange them like we did. - Long - Pants - Dickies Skinny Pants - Rabiah'


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Samsung Epic - sprint, cover


Overall, this is a decent protective case for the Samsung Epic. I bought this for my wife, along with a few other cases. It clips on well and fits very snug. It looks nice and she likes the color and has gotten many compliments. Some of the edges are a bit rough. Ultimately my main complaint is that the paint seems to be wearing off when she holds it and she's only had it on her Epic for a few days; it leaves a pink residue on her hands after she's used the phone for more than 5-10 minutes. Samsung SPH-D700 Epic 4G Rubberized Shield Hard Case - Hot Pink

So after filing a complaint about not receiving the correct item, having customer service bend over backwards for me, I realized I was putting the top part of the cover on upside down. The customer service was outstanding. Thankfully, no actions were taken on their part except for spending time emailing me. The cover I received is slightly different than what is pictured. I actually think what I recieved is better than the picture. I received this item in record time (in spite of all the snow storms). If you like hot pink, this is the cover for you! It is also somewhat irredescent and looks cool against the black phone.

I would love to write a review on this item but DIGIAIDS never sent it to me so i can't!!!! Pink is my favorite color so I was really looking forward to getting this cover. After 2 emails and no response from DIGIAIDS, I guess I shouldn't be looking foward to receiving this cover. Oh, I have no item to rate but I had to rate it at least 1 star in order to move to the next step. - Pink - Sprint - Samsung Epic - Cover'


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Recumbent Bikes - stationary indoor bike, exercise bike


UPDATE ON 12/27/2010. After one year of steady use, I am very pleased with the machine. In my original review (below) I reported a clicking noise, but I finally figured out that it was because the locking knob on the seat adjuster was not tightened down; once corrected the bike has been silent. It has been ridden an average of 2 1/2 hours per week. There have been absolutely no problems with the bike. My only complaints (and they're not show-stoppers) are 1) the useless book ledge, 2) the handlebars aren't usable unless you lean forward, and 3) the need for plugging the unit into an electrical outlet (rather than having a battery). Please note that I unplug my bike when it's not in use, as I expect the transformer unit would burn out much sooner if left plugged in all the time. SUMMARY: A great machine, and I highly recommend it.



The remainder of this review was written in December, 2009:



Please note that this review is written based on only ONE WEEK (Comments added 1/7/10) of use, so it can't possibly address performance over the long term. If I remember to, I'll come back in a few months and give a more complete review.



First, the machine was shipped promptly and arrived on time. The package was somewhat damaged, but all the bike parts arrived in good condition. It appears to me that the Chinese manufacturer packaged the bike for containerized shipment, and not for individual transport. Nevertheless, all was okay.



Assembly is straight-forward. I was interrupted (neighbor's horses got out), but total assembly time was probably about one hour, working alone. Note that I'm an experienced assembler, having put together many wagons, carts, bikes, trikes, etc. in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Also note that Step 5 (page 11) calls for REMOVING the seat rail bracket; the bracket on my bike WAS NOT already installed, and, not reading the instruction, I installed the bracket, as that's what the diagram suggested. No big deal, but you'll have to remove it later. Other than that glitch, all went smoothly. By the way, all the tools that you will need are included in the package - nice touch.



With only one week's use, the machine has been absolutely silent in operation; I certainly hope that continues. (ADDED 1/7/10: After a month's use, it has developed a clicking sound as I pedal.) By default, the bike starts at intensity level 3. Stepping up to level 4 is detectable but not severe. Further steps seem to increase resistance at a higher level.



I cannot grasp the front handle bars while sitting with my back against the backrest; in fact I can barely touch them with my finger tips. To grasp the handles I must lean forward. Not a biggie, but I would prefer them to be located in front of the electronic display, rather than behind it.



As to the electronic panel, it appears to me that the MPH shown is high; at 80 RPMs it registers 16 miles per hour, while my old bike showed 13 MPH. The display registers about 25 calories per mile at resistance level 4. The heart rate monitor shows about 5 beats per minute higher than my Polar unit, but I can't say for sure which one is closer.



I do not like the way the "time" feature changes between "elapsed time" and a one-minute countdown display at 6-second intervals - I would prefer it to stay on the elapsed time screen. If there is a way to reset this feature I haven't been able to find it. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the LOCK button to keep on elapsed time and MPH.)



Also, my old bike stopped the elapsed-time clock whenever I quit pedaling, but this one continues to run - a stop to answer the doorbell reflected 5 minutes of exercise time while I was away. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the STOP once (only once) to pause the display, and the top left button (I forget its label) to resume.)



I have not used any of the programmed workout programs, because I exercise at 78-82 RPMs for 30 minutes, varying pedal resistance during the workout (I'm a 70-year-old male, and I'm not trying to build endurance.)



The "magazine rack" is merely a small ledge. It will hold a magazine, I suppose, but I place my very small MP3 player on it. I don't believe that some of the larger players would stay on the ledge.



I knew this before I ordered the bike, so I can't really complain, but I would much prefer the display unit to be powered by a battery, as my old bike was. The Schwinn 220 must be plugged into an AC outlet - without electricity you don't get any readouts, and can't vary resistance.



The Schwinn 220 seems to be pretty stout, and my overall impression, at this point, is favorable. If it continues to function like it does now, I'll be pleased with my purchase. Time will tell. (ADDED 1/7/10: So far, so good.) Schwinn 220 Recumbent Exercise Bike

I've been searching for some time for a decent, affordable recumbent exercise bike to replace a rowing machine I'd quite using because of knee problems. It seemed the really solid ones were well over the thousand dollar mark, and the less expensive ones were... well, junk. I tried a Schwinn 240 at a local sporting goods discounter, but (1) I couldn't adjust it to fit me and (2) it wobbled and creaked as I tried to pedal it. I had about given up hope of finding an affordable unit when I tried a 220 at another discount store. It was poorly assembled, but it did fit, and pedaling it was comfortable. They could order me one and have it "just a few weeks", they assured me. I said I'd think about it.



Back home I read the Amazon reviews for the 220. Even better than the 240, said some, and it has the same 300lb rating, which means it should be just as strong. Hmm. I thought about it overnight, and decided to bite the bullet. Two days later I came home from my morning bike ride to the coffee shop to find a large cardboard box sitting on the back porch. I got out my pocket knife, opened the box, and - this is important- removed the assembly manual before doing anything else.



I studied the manual for a while- it's one of those modern multi-country ones with no text, just a lot of diagrams. Think Ikea. It was clear enough. I removed the pieces from the box and carted them upstairs one by one. Assembly was clear and straightforward, making allowances for those little production tolerances you inevitably come across in anything made in a semi-automated factory. I didn't have any of the problems some reviewers mentiopned, probably because I read the assembly manual fully and made sure I'd identified all the parts before starting. A few tips:



1. The bolts come in two types: Flat head, for attaching the feet (parts A), and round head for everything else. The round headed bolts are labeled in order of increasing length- B, D, E, F. Simple. Don't unwrap them all at once- just peel back the plastic to expose the bolts you need for the task you're working on.



2. The curved washers are for attaching screws to curved surfaces, That includes joining the front and rear assemblies together- here, the bolts are already inserted in the assemblies when you unpack- and attaching the column that holds the computer.



3. There are a number of interconnecting cables running through some of the assemblies. Most are simple mini-headphone type connectors (1/8" mini plug), but there are also a couple of flat, multi-wire connectors at the top and bottom of the column holding the computer. If you take care to align these when assembling, they'll slip together easily with little or no force.



4. Some of the cables are held in place with twist ties and rubber bands. Don't remove these ties and bands until you've connected the cables, or you're likely to lose a cable inside the machine.



5. Follow the instructions religiously. Coming up with shortcuts and "improved" methods will get you into a lot of trouble.



6. Don't tighten any bolts until you get all the bolts in for a given assembly. This is especially important when installing the seat assembly. There, tighten the bolts at the front support before tightening the bolts at the rear support.



7. The funny shaped metal piece sealed in with the bolts and washers is a screwdriver and pedal wrench. And remember: The left hand pedal has a reverse thread.



8. You'll notice that there are *two* sets of mounting holes for the seat back. Being 6'2" and having a long torso to boot, I used the lower holes in order to mount the seat back higher. You may have to experiment with this to find the best setting for you, but I'll suggest that if you're over 5'10" you start with the higher seat back position. (If more than one person will be using the machine, you may have to compromise on one position or the other.)



Once I'd studied the assembly manual and had all the pieces laid out, actual assembly took perhaps 30 minutes. I plugged in the power supply (a 9-volt wall wart), punched "Quick Start", and started pedaling. Easy. Pushing the "+" and +-+ buttons increased and decreased resistance smoothly- I found that I liked spinning at 4. I haven't tried all the programs and other settings because, frankly, I don't care about programs and automation and such. All I wanted was a knob that says harder <-> easier. But I do like some of the features, like the built in pulse monitor and the timer. Very useful. Some reviewers have complained that the front "handlebars" are too far away to reach. Those aren't handlebars; those are handles to make it easier to get up, for those users who might have some difficulties in doing so.



Short summary: This is a well made (for the money), easy to use, comfortable machine that will probably get a lot of use once the weather cools down and I can't bike every day. Until then, it'll be for rainy days. I'll update this in a few months after I get more miles in.



UPDATE:



I've been using this bike daily for a month and a half, and I'm still very pleased with it. My favorite feature? It's silent, which means I can watch TV while spinning without turning up the volume. I'll pop in a DVD from the library- usually a documentary series- and before I know it, I've done 30 minutes of solid exercise.



UPDATE II:



I've now been using the 220 daily for just over 4 months, and I'm still very pleased with it. Everything still works, none of the parts have deformed or loosened, and the foam in the seat is still stiff and supportive. My knees have strengthened to the point that my arthritis is far less of a problem than it was. I'm pleased.



UPODATE II: It's been 8 months now, and I still use it every day I can't go bicycling. One tip learned: If yours goes "clunk" on every revolution as you pedal it, the chances are extremely good that you have a loose pedal. The pedals may not appear loose, but if you snug both up with a wrench, the noise will probably go away. - Stationary Indoor Bike - Recumbent Bike - Exercise Bike - Exercise Bikes'


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Rc Helicopter


Ok I did not buy this on Amazon, I got it at a local expo show and paid a little more but it is the same heli. This is a very nice helicopter and despite other reviews seems to be very durable. To give an example I have crashed numerous times, including into the ground, into a tree, a telephone pole, a steel automotive lift (the things that lift cars in mechanic shops), while I have a few dents and dings in the rotors they are still solid and it still flies. The balance bar bent as well but I just bent it back and all is well. I would call that pretty good considering some of the more high dollar helis like my friend has the rotor will shatter upon contact with a solid surface.



There is a learning curve to flying this. Just because it is a gyro copter, dont think that you can just take it out and fly with out crashing. I had a hard time getting off the ground for the first day, ground effect came in and made it go left every time. After some practice and messing with the trim tabs on day 2 I got really good at it. It is affected by wind but ALL helicopters are. This is to include real helicopters. Not something I generally bring up but in this case it might help, I use to be on a flight line with the AH-64A and AH-64D on a regular basis, I also worked on the guidance systems and weapons. Wind has a dramatic affect on a large heli so small winds can and will knock an RC to the ground. To start learning either do it on a day with no wind or find a gym/auditorium to start.



Battery time is not bad, I get about 15 minutes per charge, it takes about 2.5 hrs to recharge the battery. I just ordered 5 more batteries here on amazon so that I can get about an hour or more of play time before having to wait on a charge. Overall I am satisfied with the purchase and actually am going to get one for my buddy who paid over 400 on his Pro heli that is too hard to get off the ground. I figure use these a learning tool then get to the bigger more advanced 4 - 6 channel helis.



Again just a suggestion, but get good with it at about 1.5 - 2 ft off the ground first. Its harder to fly closer to the ground because of ground effects so if you can get good close to the ground you should have no problems higher in the air. Newest DH 9053 26 Inches Volitation 3.5 Channel Outdoor Metal Gyro RC Helicopter

I have been flying the Double Horse 9053 for some time now and it seems to fly just fine. It does fly best on on a calm day but most of the Dual rotor helis are. It has been very fun to fly. Parts are easly available.Updated Balance Bar For The Double Horse 9053 Gyro Helicopter

I am an experienced Heli pilot and I wanted something that would do well outside. Given the size of this very large helicopter, it is impractical to fly inside a normal sized house. As others have commented, it there is any breeze outside, this helicopter will struggle to stay under control. Unlike some of the other reviews, I did not find it very durable. While flying it outside, a gust of wind caused it to crash on soccer field. The canopy tore, and the outer shaft actually bent. Some of the plastic parts holding the canopy together also broke. I would loved to have tried it in a gym, I bet it would have faired better there. So in summary, too big to fly indoors in my house. Too hard to control outside if there is the slightest breeze. Not as durable as most of the Mini Helicopters and one crash bent the outer shaft and tore the canopy.

Double Horse 9053 has many problems starting with the top and bottom blades, Don't take this out on a lite winded day or you will be bring back whats left after it hits the ground given that this big 450 size outdoor helicopter needs a non windy day to fly it.The blade are not stiff enough to hold it in the air without hitting each other. I have ordered parts twice Blades and blade grip set. can't keep wasting money. When Purchased the new blade grip set for the DH 9053 it was just as thin as the one that broke, Need to use a lite weight metal or carbon for parts.The tail end of heli is heavy, Tail blades could be better don't produce enough lift even when you put it in fast mode. This big metal bird gets off the ground pretty well but the 2-motors that powers the blades are easily over worked making them too hot to touch and can also burn out the circuit board. Battery needs improving. There are a lot of customer Mods you can see on Youtube, If you already have the DH9053 learn from it and move up a class or two. Double Horse just came out with the DH 9100 a Single blade set up and a very nice tail Assembly that controls direction and a servo for forward fight. looks to be more bang for my bucks. Will let you guys Know.

OK first I'd like to start by informing folks I am not new to thee sport of RC Heli's. So with that being said, I want to let you all know I have many hours into this hobby from Nitro to 3D. I bought this to basically have fun and not care if I crash it or not LOL. Out of the box this is not an easy toy to fly. I definitely would say no to a beginners choice. It is tail heavy has serious rotor strike issues which do cause it to crash and it is large enough to hurt some one or household pets.



I modified it right off. This is my preference and do not recommend you do this as it voids your warranty. And also can make the toy extremely hard to control if you are not at least a Novice pilot. After my mods it is very agile and fast. It maneuvers with lightening speed as well. However as stated I so not recommend modifications of any type nor are they endorsed by and manufacturer or Amazon itself. If you want to mid yours there are numerous videos on You Tube to watch and I will be adding one of my own soon. as well as flights with the Volition.



At the price I paid for this gem it is worth every penny if you do not mind some mod work and be sure to get extra main blades and a few tail blades. I also will tell you one mod requires a pair of connect buckles and a balance shaft from an 9077. this eliminates most of the blade strike and is shorter and lighter.



my user ID on You tube is nhsledfreak: look for the video soon within the next few weeks I hope too have one up to show you this heli can be made to fly stable and fast or slow and have lots of fun doing so.'


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French Presses - coffee press, french presses


Following 3 pleasing months of using Bodum's Brazil model french press, I purchased this travel press for the purpose of using it when I stay over at my boyfriend's place. The stainless-steel tumbler portion and spare plastic lid make for perfect insulation and zero spillage, in a car cup holder or even on a bicycle. But to my disappointment, the press mechanism is very cheaply made and does not do a good job of keeping the coffee grounds out of your mouth. The long rod piece wobbles freely from side to side, not supported for perfect vertical movement. I compare it to the quality of the Brazil press, which is comprised of a mesh filter plate, a cross plate, and a spiral plate, all three made of stainless steel, easily disassembled and cleaned. The press mechanism in the Travel Press feels like a toy version of the Brazil. It is made of mesh framed in plastic and skirted by a rubber gasket, none of which can be disassembled for thorough cleaning. The rubber gasket edge consistently allows coffee grounds to escape on either side as it is pressed down. Imagine trying to use only a squeegee edge to clean potting soil from your windshield.



I ended up purchasing the smaller version of the Brazil press and using only the tumbler and extra lid. For my purposes, the press piece is garbage. Bodum Double-Wall Stainless Steel Travel Coffee and Tea Press with Bonus Lid, 0.45L, 16oz, Black

This is a great press. But that is about it. I guess it can be used as a travel mug if you are always for sure going to be holding it straight up and down with no movement. This morning, I was getting out of the car and must have jostled my mug to the side slightly because it spilled tea everywhere. It was not just a minor leak. This is a major flaw in the design of the lid. I also tried it both really tight and not as tight as I read reviews that this has happened to others, but either way it leaks significantly.



Update: Second morning, there was no jostling, but I put it in my cup holder in my car and it leaked everywhere just from the drive alone. I'm so disappointed in this mug, that I'm downgrading to one star.



I am returning mine today.

I had ordered this for my loose tea but was not happy with the design. The knob on the shaft for the press 'locks' in the lid to keep it from leaking, but it is hard to grip once it is locked in place. The lid screws on, but the press also screws onto the shaft. If you try to unscrew the lid in order to remove it without raising the press (because you can't grip the knob on the shaft) you end up unscrewing the press as well. Once you remove the lid, the shaft is in place but the press is at the bottom of the cup. A design that probably looked good on paper, but should have been tested prior to production. I returned it for a refund and ordered a different french press travel mug.

I have tried many travel mugs to keep my coffee warm while I deliver papers in the early morning, and up till this time have not found any that would keep my coffee warm for the entire time that I'm out on the route. This morning 1/2/11 I left for the route at 12:15Am and when I was headed home at 6:15AM the coffee was still warm. Keep in mind that I live in Montana and the whole time that I was out there the Temp outside the car was 15 degrees F. I have the window open in the car must of the time so I can deliver papers. This totally amazed me and the gravy on the coffee so to speak is that it is a French press to boot. Outstanding Value.Bodum Stainless Steel 16-Ounce Vacuum Travel Press Coffee Maker with Black Silicone Grip

Short and simple, this mug works great and keeps your coffee hot for hours. Almost too hot. I make it at home and bring it to work. Its usually too hot to drink still all the way to work (40 minute drive) and I take small sips here and there once I arrive, but sometimes I forget and go to lunch and come back afterward and drink some and it's still very warm. This is easily at least 4 hours after I made it.I haven't tried tipping it over to test leakage but it has fallen over in my car and I grabbed it real quick and nothing spilled. - Travel Mug - French Press - Coffee Press - French Presses'


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Dungeons And Dragons - dungeons and dragons, fantasy


NWN is a fun, exciting story that is unfortunately swallowed alive by its own technical limitations. I won't say much about the game quality other than to say that long time fans of Black Isle games will recognize the fun and depth built into NWN2, and the story is everything you would expect from the successor to Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights 1. Sadly, the fun of playing through the story is quickly swallowed up by the frustration of fighting the game's significant technical flaws.



The user interface, and particularly the camera control, is horrendous. Any time you enter one of the game's many tight, swirvy dungeons, count on stopping to adjust the camera angle every few minutes as it gets hung up on seemingly every wall, plant, or chunk of rock within throwing distance. You may miss much of the game's more impressive eye candy as the camera points uselessly off at nothing or grants you an extreme closeup of a patch of dirt on the wall.



Sadly, the technical issues with NWN2 don't stop with the UI. Independent reviews at Gamespot confirm what countless users on Atari and Black Isle support forums are reporting: achieving a playable framerate (> 30 FPS) in this game requires significantly better hardware than that which is "recommended" by the box.



Users logging onto the Atari & Black Isle support forums are consistently reporting single digit framerates in almost all areas of the game. My own impression, based on many hours scouring the forums, and on my own in-game experiences, is that if you have the absolute best hardware available on the market, and you turn *all* of the graphics options down to "mid grade" or lower, you can expect to see about 25 - 30 FPS. If you have the hardware "recommended" by the box, and you turn all of the graphics options all the way down (disabling any optional eye candy), you can expect 5 - 15 FPS, complemented by a constant 100% utilization of both CPU & GPU (is it a bad sign when CPU utilization remains at 100% just looking at the game's main menu?).



Unfortunately, Atari and Black Isle support have left their userbase without a solution to these issues, reporting that they have been unable to reproduce any of the performance problems reported on their support forums. Personally I find it hard to believe they are unable to reproduce what is a seemingly ubiquitous set of problems, but either way they have yet to release a patch or troubleshooting step that has provided a resolution to the many users experiencing significant performance issues with NWN2.



Given the many technical issues this game suffers, I cannot recommend it to any but the most die-hard fans, and even then I cannot recommend it to anyone who's hardware is less than the best the market has to offer. Neverwinter Nights 2

I want to get this out of the way - it's taken me a very long time to get from start to finish of Neverwinter Nights 2, and for good reason. When the game shipped in 2006 it was all but unplayable for many people because performance was just atrocious. For this reason, I couldn't get passed the first hour or so of the game; it was just too distracting. But the state of the game now is not the state of the game as it was at release. Numerous patches and an expansion pack have made me pick up the game again to give it another try, and I was pleasantly surprised with the game's improvement.



Character Creation (not scored)

When you first start the game, you'll be taken to the Character Creation screen. There are many, many, options for you when you start character creation, and I'm not just referring to what color hair your character has. So much so that it's overwhelming. In fact, I almost didn't get into the game at all because I didn't know what to do. There isn't really a tutorial or anything to help you figure it all out; instead, the game just gives you paragraphs of information on the right side of the screen detailing complicated, esoteric Dungeons and Dragons jargon. I will revisit this problem later when I talk about game-play, for it is a problem that permeates the game - in order to get the most out of the game you really need to have a pre-requisite knowledge of the way D&D works. It wasn't anywhere near as overwhelming in the original game or Baldur's Gate or other D&D based games - the game worked with or without your own personal experience with the game's systems. So when the game describes dice rolls, and stat offsets without explaining what they mean, it alienates the less hardcore consumer who hasn't spent half their life in a dank basement rolling for initiative. In the end, I just chose one of the pre-set character customization options or else I never would have gotten started. I will say, though, for the aforementioned D&D fanatic, the options and classes are very deep and varied; just don't expect for the game to cut you any slack, at first at least.



Story 8/10

This is one of the game's biggest strengths. Within the main campaign, you will easily find 50+ hours worth of playtime. The game takes place in the Forgotten Realms, more specifically the Sword Coast. You play a guy/girl/creature from a small southern swamp town, with an unknown destiny. There is an attack on your town at the beginning of the game, leading you to discover said destiny and set off on an epic journey to the city of Neverwinter and beyond. The set-up is very familiar, but the execution is top-notch. There is political betrayal and intrigue, racial tension and other problems to contend with that help make the world feel alive and vibrant.



The game also employs use of a good/evil alignment system that attempts to make character interaction more interesting, but it doesn't have any effect on the story at large - you'll still end up battling the same final boss, and you'll either win or lose. Which brings me to the main problem with the campaign: its linearity. The world is large, but you'll discover it in a very linear manner. There are side quests, but for the most part, they are just optional objectives to fulfill along the main story arc, rather than allowing you to explore other parts of the Sword Coast.



Game-play 8/10

Game-play is exactly what you would expect of a D&D game. The difference between the original and the sequel, though, is that you control an entire party of four people rather than just one. You have complete control over your henchmen, rather than having the game automate all of their actions. The AI does control them when you want them to, but you have the option of micro-managing every action and level up.



Battle consists of giving orders to your characters, watch them act out those orders, hitting the space bar to pause the game, giving more orders and doing it all over again. It isn't really any different that it has been in games like Baldur's Gate, but why fix what isn't broken? It's fun, engaging, and the reason to play the game. If you didn't like it before, you won't like it here, but it's dungeon crawling at its finest.



The game gives you a rather slow-moving, basic tutorial at the beginning of the game to orient you with the way combat works. It sort of does its job, but once again, the game doesn't really teach you the way D&D works. So you either learn it elsewhere or ignore the underlying mechanisms, but it will make you feel like you don't understand what's really going on if you do just ignore it. The idea behind having a computer version of a D&D game is to automate it for you, but I felt alienated by being kept in the dark, and I often didn't know how to play different classes.



Also, it is FAR easier to play as a melee-oriented class than a caster. Because you need to rest constantly to recharge spells, you won't always have your basic spells to use on your foes. When your casters have leveled enough, this will cease to be a problem, but if you start out as a mage, expect to rest after every encounter for the first 8 or 9 hours of the game. Also, you won't be able to manage any kind of aggro, so be prepared to need a fighter or warrior to get through most battles. This is part of the challenge of the game and the nature of D&D, but playing a fighter really is a breeze, while playing a sorcerer can be an exercise in frustration. Also, the AI is okay, but you'll notice sorcerers using their most powerful spells on rats when just a magic missile will do. As such, you'll probably want to order around all of your characters rather than trusting the AI. Inventory management can be clunky, too, but you generally have plenty of space for everything you want to pick up and sell.



All of these issues are often minor, though, and playing the game is a blast most of the time. After a few hours you'll get a handle on how everything works, and it'll start to feel more natural. Later in the game you gain control of a fortress, which is yours to reinforce and work on, hire soldiers for, etc., which is also really engaging.



Performance 6/10

And here we reach the biggest issue with the game. The game just wasn't programmed to perform well on most systems. Especially considering the level of graphical detail inherent in the game design, performance is downright awful. Framerates rarely exceeded 15fps for me, and I have a gigabyte of video memory and two gigs of ram. The game has a particularly difficult time dealing with SLi or multi-core processors, which may have resulted from the game's lengthy development period. The patches and updates have made a big difference, but since then huge game-breaking bugs have reared their ugly heads.



By far the biggest bug is one where the game actually deletes party members from your roster. It wouldn't be such a huge issue if certain campaign events didn't require you to have specific characters in your party at the time. See, the game stores character information every time you change scenery. However, when you have a familiar summoned, it will overwrite your useful tiefling thief or dwarf fighter, or what have you, with that familiar, effectively losing said character. It requires clunky file manipulation or a game restart, to fix which almost made me give up the game after 35 hours of playing. It is inexcusable to have such an enormous bug in the game a year and a half after release still in its code. Also, in order sidestep said bug, you have to unsummon all creatures every time you leave a scene, which is just irritating. Patch documentation state that this has been addressed, but this is a flat-out lie; I started a new game after all the latest updates had been installed.



Graphics 7/10

Even with the game's poor performance, the game looks okay. It kind of gets away with it much of the time because it doesn't require twitch action from the player. The backgrounds are pretty, with certain districts of Neverwinter being almost beautiful. The spell effects are the highlight of the game, with firebolts, mage missiles, and ice balls being flung all over the place during combat. It's very pleasant to look at while fighting, and satisfying when a meteor storm obliterates a boss character.



However the characters look like they fell out of a time warp circa 2001. They often look awful, and the hair is particularly bad. I would expect character models of this caliber on the PSP, not on PCs. Also, the graphics engine is buggy, with random flickering happening quite frequently. Again, this all depends on your setup, but it is the norm, rather than the exception, if forum dwellers are to be believed. Loading times are very high, framerates are low, and bugs abound. The camera is particularly suspect - it's kind of isometric, kind of over the shoulder, but you there is no automation whatsoever, so plan on constantly manually moving it to get a better view of the action. Even more frustrating is the fact that it doesn't save where you were last looking with it when you transition to a new area, so you end up with an awful view every time you gain control of your characters. I don't know what was wrong with the way the original camera worked, but it detracts from the game experience.



Sound 9/10

I don't really have any criticism here. The voice acting is of high-quality across the board, the orchestral music is compelling and fitting, and the sound effects are satisfying. This is easily the most consistent part of the game.



Summary

All of the issues can really creep up on you while you play, and it's unfortunate that there are so many of them because there truly is a lot of fun to be had here for the persistent. All of this isn't really new to PC gamers, who are used to doing all kinds of tweaking to get games to work, but a history of this doesn't exclude Obsidian from the responsibility of releasing such an unpolished an inconsistent piece of software. That having been said, once I got the game working at a stable rate, I had a great time discovering and becoming part of its world and the tale it has to tell. The bottom line is that it's fun, engaging, and deep. Keep in mind the bugs and problems you may encounter before making a purchase, but it has my recommendation.



Pros:

-Engaging story

-Great sound

-Fun, deep gameplay

-Lengthy campaign



Cons:

-Extremely inconsistent performance

-Mediocre graphics

-Difficult to get started

-Complicated game systems

-Lack of in-game explanation of those systems



Overall Score - 8/10 - Dungeons And Dragons - Pc Game - Forgotten Realms - Fantasy'


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Birthday Gift - gift card, cheese


I don't know what kind of sweatshop these guys are running, but I've had problems with them since day ONE--I tried to give them ZERO STARS, but I HAD to give them at least one (which is being generous, in my opinion). I ordered my cards well in advance, and they still did not arrive on time. When I called the company to figure out what the issue was, they sent my phone call to somewhere in India--I was put on hold numerous times while they scrambled around trying to figure out what was going on with an order they had sent. When they finally had some information, they GUARANTEED a delivery date--the date passed with NO cards in the mail whatsoever. Apparently, this 'company' (and I use that term very loosely) takes 2+ weeks to process and send out FAULTY orders.



When the individual DID receive the card it looked as though it had been used, and did not even WORK. When I explained to 'GiftCard Mall' what had happened, and told them that my mother said it looked like the card was in rough condition (the individual at the store the card was purchased for, in fact, confirmed the card HAD been reloaded--she had guessed it was multiple times from the shape the card was in), they implied that she was lying about it! The manager I spoke with on the phone was constantly interrupting me and trying to speak over me while I was trying to explain myself--trying to convince me that the United States Postal Service doesn't have tracking numbers. I told the manager that I was guaranteed a delivery date when I called previously, at the very least I expect a company to stick by the guarantees THEY offer, but apparently this company does NOT stick by their promises. The records they had of my previous conversation was entirely lacking, and instead of trying to resolve the issue the 'manager' (I say this because he was both condescending and unprofessional) then sent me off to get lost in the paperwork of some 'corporate office.'



I love Amazon, and I love the convenience of online shopping--I would have been a FREQUENT customer of GiftCard Mall, but this business isn't a business at all. These guys take your order and your HARD-EARNED MONEY, and then throw an old, previously used giftcard in the mail hoping it's the right store, with the right amount, going to the right location--if not, oh well! It will be your fault...but only because you still chose to order from them after reading this.



From now on, I will be buying my giftcards the old-fashioned way--if it ain't broke... The Cheesecake Factory Gift Card

I bought this card for my sister in law's bday. I I received notification that the card had been sent and assumed it had been received. Three weeks after the card was purchased, I received an email from Amazon that I was being refunded my money because the order had been cancelled by the merchant. I never heard ANYTHING from the merchant that there was any sort of problem. The merchant should have been the first to notify me of a problem and it should not have taken three weeks!

Hello. I sent this gift card to my father for his birthday.

He received the card without any indication of who sent it to him.

He called the customer service to ask who sent the card to him.

They told him they were not able to give him that information.

He managed to get them to give him the initials of the person who paid for the card

and deduced that it was from me...

Voilà

I think this gift card purchase needs to improve by

allowing the buyer to send some sort of message with the card.

Was so excited to be able to sign up for outside giftcards on my Amazon wish list. I just love love LOVE Cheesecake Factory. It is The best food in the chain restaurant industry. The menu choices are endless and vary with the season. To save money SHARE with a friend as portions are HUGE. Even with sharing it is hard to not order too much food. Everyone leaves with their shopping bag. If you like mushroom soup visit on Tuesday's it is the best I have ever eaten. With a group try ordering several appitizer's for your meal. You'll have plenty to eat and get to try several things. I have never had a bad experience. The wait staff is always pleasant and efficient. Enjoy!!

PS try the cheese cake but order it in a box so after a few bites you can just take it home. You can also order cheese cakes shipped for gifts or parties. I go for the good food the desserts are just for my birthday in my life. - Gift Idea - Gift Card - Dessert - Cheese'


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Stuffed Animals - teether, stuffed animals


The Mud Pie Baby teether is very cute, but very small. It is about the size of an adult woman's hand. It is also not machine washable (spot clean only), which is important for something a baby is going to be putting in his/her mouth and carrying around. I returned it. Mud Pie Baby EiEiO Teether Blankie, Cow

Our two month old has fallen in love with her cow. We received it as a gift before she was born. Like other babies, she enjoys sucking on the ears and horns. It is warm and cuddly, the contrast is interesting for her to look at and she loves the rattles. I highly recommend this as a gift for new parents. It's the perfect size for a very young baby.

This is one of THE best things I purchased for my baby! She carries it with her everywhere. His ears and horns have been well chewed, and she thinks it's great when we lay it on her head. It's just so funny to her. I recommend every baby have one of these. They are WELL worth every penny.

very cute teether blankie. soft, cute face on the horsey. smaller than i expected but for little baby hands, its perfect.

it was part of a basket i put together for a shower gift. the basket was the "moses-in-a-basket" basket, Badger Basket Natural Moses Basket with Hood, Sage Gingham Bedding

and a 6 pc layette setHudson Baby 6-Piece Construction Zone Layette Set. threw in a couple small packs of diapies and it was absolutely the hit of the shower. especially the basket.

A friend gave this as a gift for our second son. We put it away until he was 3 mos. old. Now, we take it everywhere; he really likes it. It also goes to school with him. It is referred to as Mr. Moo Moo by our day care teacher - she said all the babies like it. She also said that whenever our son fusses all she has to do is hand him this toy and he is happy. He likes to chew on the cow horns. The black and white pattern attracts his attention. It is small enough to take everywhere - the perfect size for small hands. I'm ordering these as gifts for the mini baby boom at my office. I figured if the four babies in my son's class agree that Mr. Moo Moo is cool, then I can't go wrong.

When my baby saw this toy on a rack at the store, her eyes lit up. Now that a month has passed, it is still her favorite toy. It's easy for her to grab, comforting to hold, and attractive looking. The size is perfect for her little hands. She can chew on any part of it, but her favorite parts to gnaw are the cows horns. We take it wherever we go.

This is an adorable, well-constructed blanket/toy/teether in one. My 5-month-old boy loves to hold on to it and he uses it as a teether as well. I've washed it numerous times, and it holds up very well - Teether - Cow - Stuffed Animals - Stuffed Toys'


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Picture Hanging Materials - picture hanging materials, 3m sawtooth picture hanger


Since I discovered 3M Command hangers, I will never use anything else. 3M makes a good variety of hangers from hooks, to Velcro type interlocking beads rather than hook and loop, to stick on, etc. Do you have a claw type hanger at the top of your picture? There's a hook made just for that, and a wire on the back of you picture? There's a hook just for that. too. And no attachment? Use the Velcro type. I was actually able to attach pictures to the side of my china cabinet without a single hole or nail. It's like using double stick tape that releases to remove without any damage. You could actually attach something to a window it you wanted to! This stuff is great. I even gave one to my carpenter to try as he was so impressed with it. It's a must try. Just be sure to follow the removal instructions to the tee. Command 17040 Sawtooth Picture Hanger with Adhesives Strips, 1 Hanger 2 Strips

***UPDATE 2011***

The previous review was on semi gloss paint in a bathroom. I don't know if they've changed the product or if they don't stick to flat paint as well, but I used new strips to hang much lighter pictures (no glass, just canvas) and had them crash to the floor less than a week later. I tried again, thinking maybe I had misapplied the strips, but no, a month later, they fell again. Back to nails. 2 stars now.



I used these strips to hang framed, glass front pictures in my house about seven years ago. The all worked great, but last week, one crashed down and two days later, a second one fell. Just remember to replace every few years and you'll be fine. They're perfect for temporary situations, like rentals. The adhesive pulled right off and the wall was unmarked. Minus one star for not warning on the package that they don't last forever.

I purchased this products from various venders through Amazon.com.



The product is great! I use this stuff to hang picture with wooden frames, clothes, almost everything! And one thing I love about this product is that I don't have to use any nails and hammer to the wall...Especially because my wall is made up of material that crumbles easily when punctured.



But I found that purchasing this online to be a bit expensive versus purchasing at the store.

These were great while they lasted. Easy to go on and no nail holes to worry about patching later. Within the last 2-3 weeks i have had 3 different frames fall off the wall and break from smashing into the floor. I used the perscribed number of velcro strips, so its not like i was skimping on them, and there's no evidence to suggest that using any extra ones would prevent failure. The little bit of time saved by not having to patch nail holes is definitely NOT worth the cost of replacing those three frames. Do yourself a favor in the long run....DONT USE THESE. Also, 1 or 2 nails are way cheaper than these things.

I bought this thinking it would help not having holes in my walls. Well. if it sounds too good to be true then..... This product was hard to use then when I followed the directions and hung the picture it crashed and broke not 10 minutes later. I then went to remove the strip from the wall that "will not harm your wall" and guess what? The strip came off with a whole lot of the paint from the wall. I caused more damage than if I had just used a regular hanger. Do not waste your time or money. I am out the price of the hangers PLUS the price of having to have the picture frame repaired from falling off the wall.

I have ordered these before and the first one is still doing it's job in my travel trailer. Generally I remove the picture from the wall when I move the trailer, but I forgot this last and thankfully the picture hanger did it's job. The picture remained on the wall. - Picture - 3m Sawtooth Picture Hanger - Picture Hanging Materials'


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Thursday, 29 April 2010

Lithium-ion - impact drivers, compact


This is a great tool, small, lightweight with a lot of power. I own a Makita 18 volt LXT and that is a great drill, but for installing blinds and other items this is awesome, only weighs 2 lbs. and comes with a holster. I work in remodeling daily and this is my new best friend to work with, a great investment Makita TD090DW 10.8-Volt Ultra Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit

I am really impressed with this cordless driver. For as small as it is, it really has a lot of torque. I bought another brand that practically had no torque at all. I sent it back and bought this one. You get what you pay for. The work light really lights up the area where you are using the driver. If I had a complaint at all of this tool, it would be it is hard to drive a screw at a real slow speed, for instance, when you are just starting the screw. The trigger is real sensitive. You have to use small movements of the trigger. As I use the tool more, I am getting better at selecting the proper speed for driving screws, etc. I like the compact size of the driver also.

I own the 18 volt tools from makita and love them then this little powerful guy came around and had to have one powerful for the size and nice to hold all day in a service truck and crain thanks makita

This is a great product with lots of power in a compact size, fast recharging batteries that have a long use time. I am a technician for Audi and I use this thing all day every day and have had it for about a year now, saddly I have dropped it on more than on occasion but the durabulity of this tool is amazing and still functions flawlessly. It is small enough to fit in tight spots and powerful enough to tackle any job I throw at it. I highly recommend this, if you are in the market for a 1/4 inch hex bit impact driver that you will not be disappointed with.

This "little" driver was the best tool purchase I have made in years. Not only is it everything the description says it is you will be blown away how long and hard it will work on a charge. I was able to drive over 300 3" 305 stainless screws with one battery.

I dont start a project without it in my hand. Well worth the money.

This got good reviews n my internet search and so far it's lived up to them. I'm new to home improvement, but love it so far. Directions easy to understand, comfortable grip and lightweight. I'd recommend to anyone

I have not used this on a big job yet, but it works fine for messing around in the shop. I got it for smaller size and weight than my 18V Makita Impact Driver. I loved 18V for its power and size but not so much for its weight. I was hoping to save on weight and maybe on size (the 10.8V is somewhat skinnier).



The 10.8V seems to have enough power for 3" screws (my usual max, 2" are much more common) but I don't think it will last as long on a charge. This should not be an issue because I will always have my 18V around for backup and I have multiple batts for it. For working around a shop bench, either unit should be fine. For working around the top of a ladder or in the rafters, the 10.8V will probably be my choice. For working in the field, away from chargers for a day, I will go with the 18V and a backup batt. Or the 10.8V and maybe 2 or 3 backup batts. Don't know yet.



By the way, I really like the $20 hex shank twist drill kit that Ryobi (at Home Depot) makes. They are not great bits but they are really convenient if you don't want to carry an extra drill around. And also, BTW, Sears sells high quality hex shank twist replacement bits and in larger sizes, up to 1/2".



Aloha, Shell

Just wanted to add that this thing is also a drill, although i have not tried it on metal yet ,,the makita td090dw putts and end to my black and decker ,, ,secondly i would not consider this a screw driver it is way to strong ,it can easy strip out plastic and other soft materials,even though it comes with a Phillips headed double sided bit, It works best with a set of 3/8 sockets, works great on your car with those bolts that connected to aluminum, large bolts connected to steel not so good , 10 11 12 13 mm great,, 14mm and up the makita will warm your ears up from the impact mechanism and possibly chime it off ,, Tightening strength I am estimating about 10 to 14 ft lbs or 200 to 300 inch lbs after the fist second the impact mechanism comes on,, after that the impact will take it down even further depending on what size the bolt is , so the makita td090dw does not have 850 inch lbs or 70 foot lbs of torque it creates torque through the impact maybe you could reach this by holding it there for a few seconds and letting the impact do the work "tried it seems to stop moving"if you want more raw torque get the 18v,, after a several recharges she will get even stronger ,in short it replaces that 14 and 18 volt black and decker with ease but your going to need to get the screw driver

Very powerful for it's size. The batteries don't last quite as long as I thought they would but I've been putting a lot of load on them. All toghther this is much lighter and more powerful than any cordless drill I've ever owned. - Makita - Compact - Makita Impact Driver - Impact Drivers'


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Porta-nails - hardwood floor nailer, hardwood


Have no fear in purchasing this nailer.This nailer is very well made and buying one vs renting one made more sense to me.(At $40-$50 per day to rent). I am installing Brazilian Walnut 3/4" by 2 1/4" solid hardwood flooring. This wood is 185% harder than oak. This nailer had no problem driving the nails. I purchased the "L" shaped cleat nails at my local Lowes. This is my first attempt at installing a wood floor. One tip for DIY'ers, practice on a scrap piece of flooring, I had to adjust the air pressure on my compressor to 90 psi. Also when hitting the nailer with the rubber mallet you need a nice firm swing,not to hard,not to soft, a few practice hits and you will get it. Now about the seller, great service, nailer arrived in 1 week, nailer is exactly as described, was delivered by Fedex in perfect condition. What sold me on buying from this seller was their great price and the fact that they did not charge an inflated shipping rate. To all readers of this review, Good Luck in you flooring project. Akuzuki Contractor Pro Series Dual Hardwood Floor Cleat Nailer and Stapler

I purchased this nailer for use when installing 640 square feet of strand bamboo flooring, in conjunction with Bostich 'L' cleat flooring nails Bostitch FLN-150 1-1/2-Inch Flooring L-Nails, 1000-Per Box. As expected to use the tool over the course of days, with an eye toward utility for future projects, I chose to buy a nailer rather than rent.



Pros:

1. heavy-duty feel

2. budget price

3. changeable baseplates for different thickness flooring



Cons:

1. two of the four allen screws that hold on the base plate simply refused to budge and stripped in the process of trying to remove them to change the plate- completely rendering useless the feature of changeable baseplates for various flooring thickness. (no worries- I added strips of duct tape to suit my 5/8" bamboo strips) This is a manufacturing quality issue. Either the screws should have been properly torqued, or should not have been installed at all, leaving that to the purchaser.

2. Halfway through the flooring project, the unit began to leak air through the head. Not a lot, just a whisper- but enough to cycle my compressor and make me wonder about the tool's longevity.



Despite the cons, it drove the cleats flawlessly and never misfired. I would purchase this again, given the price and balancing the use I would get from it Vs. renting costs.



UPDATE -01/2010



After having written my review I received a very nice, and unsolicited, note from the manufacturer. They were kind enough, based upon my review, to fully repair the small issues I was having with my tool. When was the last time a manufacturer rung you up and offered to fix what was wrong with your tool without having to spend hours on hold or navigating a phone tree? THAT is customer service, folks. Got the tool back in double time: baseplate screws fixed, and rebuilt with new seals. I tried it immediately and it performed flawlessly, as it was before. (remember, it performed perfectly before, with no misfires, even when the nails ran out of the magazine) It is rare indeed to find a company willing to stand behind their product these days, let alone to this extent. I am impressed. Curious to know whether new buyers experience too-tight screws on the baseplate or whether they have actually changed the manufacturing process. Pros: Seriously consider this tool.

A decent floor nailer and a great value, especially with the ability to use either cleats or staples. The construction of the nailer was solid and well made. I was however disappointed in the mallet, the wooden handle was very loose and not well finished and doubt it would hold up well in the long run, fortunately, I recently purchased a Stanley graphite handled mallet and have used that.

The nailer arrived in just under a week and I was ready to start putting down my bamboo floor. The base plate needed to be changed (bamboo is 5/8" vice 3/4" for most hardwoods), but was quickly accomplished by removing the 4 allen screws with the wrench supplied. After adding a few drops of oil, I made a few test nailings and was pleased that no further adjustments were necessary. The nails were set perfectly in the tongues of the bamboo. The starting wall clearance was excellent, with the 3 5/8" wide bamboo, I was able to use the nailer on the second row! Do be careful when installing bamboo as the nailer needs to be set flat and square to prevent damage to the edges.

I did run into one nail jam as most floor nailers are infamous for. It occured between two strips of cleats. It took about five minutes to clear the jam (breaking out the directions just to be sure). Future jams could easily be accomplished in under two.

I've only installed about 150 square feet, but so far I've been very happy with the performance of the nailer.

Awesome...I have been renting guns for years and decided to buy this one before installing about 500 SF in my house. I am a homeowner - not a pro - but I have installed thousands of feet of wood. I wish I bought this gun a few years ago. Not a single miss-fire, as a result of the gun, in 500 SF. I have never had a more consistent floor nailer. The gun is easy to use and really does not require a hard hit to work. If you are planning to install any decent quantity of wood, I would highly recommend this unit over renting. Good Luck!

During a major remodeling job of our home, we hired a carpenter crew, that was well respected in our area. They put down the hardwood flooring in our kitchen and dining room area with a regular air nailer. We noticed after a couple of weeks that the floor made squeaky noices when we walked on it.



Having to still complete another area with the same hardwood flooring, we decided to try and do it ourselves. So to Amazon.com we went and purchased the Akuzuki nailer. Upon arrival we began the project. We found the recommendations on Amazon from other buyers to be true and the instructions in the box were easy to follow. Within a couple of days our flooring was down and it doesn't squeak. It looks really professional.



Thank you for offering a great product.



The Bishop's

West Michigan - Hardwood Floor Nailer - Hardwood - Floor Nailer - Cleat Nailer'


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