Thursday, 11 February 2010
Dk Illustrated Encyclopedias - comics, superman
Many folks for years have been wanting DC to revisit their Who's Who series from the mid-80's, an A to Z covering of characters. This new hardcover fits that bill in a solid, colorful volume. The wrap around cover by Alex Ross is beautiful and eye-catching.
As for the book's interior, it is obvious a lot of effort was put into this. Four main writers handled the text portions, with art taken from hundreds of artists across the decades.
Naturally, there will be a few errors that creep into something such as this. I found characters in group shots mislabeled, and the occasional wrong fact in an entry. These things probably should have been caught in final proofing. I can forgive them though as they are few and far between.
The one thing that becomes painfully obvious to this long time comic reading fan is that the focus of this tome swings heavy to the post-Crisis universe (understandable as that is what the current continuity is - stuff reorganized and introduced since 1986). This tome makes it obvious that continuity is in fact constantly in flux, being rewritten and reworked. The book is uneven in that at times it takes both old and rewrites into account. Examples include the Legion of Super-Heroes stuff and the Doom Patrol relaunch from earlier this year.
Still, it is a nice coffee table tome and good for quicky research on characters and such. The DC Comics Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition
I really didn't know what to expect when I bought this book. It was just something to help me figure out who some of the characters were in the DC universe. What I found was a history of EVERY character DC has ever created! There were some really obscure characters in there dating back to the 1940s that I had never even heard of.
If you're into DC comics, it's well worth the price. I know I've had hours of fun reading the different entries on not only the characters I knew but many I didn't.
Some people may gripe over that their favorite character got only a small entry in the book but I was surprised at how complete this book was.
Lets face it, unless DC reprints Who's Who you are not going to get a complete guide to the DC characters, this book is made to represent as many of their characters as they could. I enjoyed the entries about the lesser known characters and being given updates on some of the heros and villians I had followed but lost touch with.
The DC Comics Encylopedia makes a nice gift for any comics fan.
As a fan of DC comics and a collector of its 'Who's Who' series from way back I was very pleased to see a large, hardbound encyclopaedia of the DC Universe. Flipping through it at my local bookseller's left me pretty pleased with the work overall and so I purchased it to go over in more detail later. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. Going over the book more closely the reality of a work this size hit home: they missed quite a number of characters (some obscure, others not so obscure) and the formatting left something to be desired. I'm an old-school fan, pre-Crisis in many senses, and some of my favorites were simply not there; any version of The Harlequin (NOT Harley Quinn), a number of the less-used members of the Titans (Teen, New or otherwise), just to mention a few. I recommend this book for the artwork, primarily, and for -most- of the information contained therein. With word of a second printing, I'm hopeful that then next one will have more space.
Using the encyclopedia format to look at the myriad characters created over the course of DC Comics history is a clever and fun idea. Illustrated with art from a variety of time periods and treating the characters as if they actually existed, the authors have created a book that is valuable for any fan of comics. Little known characters, events that might have been missed, and some fairly obscure references combine with the well-known mainstays of the DC Universe (Superman, Batman, et.al.) to make for a fairly comprehensive history. Sure, there are a number of errors in listing heroes and villains, illustrations not showing the character being discussed, and even details about the characters that will not satisfy the fan looking for perfection, but for the fan who just wants a concise way of looking at the characters of a company that has been around since the 1930's, this is an enjoyable read.
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is a re-imagining of the old "Who's Who" concept that DC ran in the '80s. That said, this is probably as brilliant and well-executed a collection as you're ever going to find.
There are errors, and there are a few omissions, but overall the effect is astounding. The major characters are given their just due, while even folks who appeared in one-off series long ago get a mention. The biographies are solid and make for compelling reading, and just seeing how rich the history of DC is is enough to give any fan an appreciative pause.
In short, this is simply an incredible book. Highest recommendations, and one that you'll treasure for a long time to come.
You have Swamp Thing, you have the Sandman, you have Death, you even mention John as one of the great team ups (with the Swamp Thing) but Constantine doesnt have an entry of his own? Come on!
In reality the DC Comics Encyclopedia is a great resource, I recently recieved it as a gift and I love it. The only reason it does not get 5 stars is that it has a few strange omissions and here and there the information seems lacking. Overall its a great effort and a worth addition to your library, be it as a reference guide to the DCU or simply as a coffee table book with a fantastic Alex Ross cover.
Recommended. :)
It's hard to determine the worth of a book, but don't judge this book by its cover. Why? Well for starters it is a great A to Z resource of DC characters packed in one book. There is not much else around so this book is fine. It does clearly address that the information may be outdated due to current depictions of these characters according to DC Comics. So the book is current up to 2004, but now outdated.
However in doing such a project there are errors that occur. The decision not to include characters altered or who never existed because of the Crisis on Infinite Earths was not the best of intentions, as it causes further confusion by ignoring the past, in particular if decisions by DC Comics are updated.
The layout of major characters in a 2 page spread, secondary characters in one page spread, and third place characters in half page spread, and minor characters in smaller captions were clear enough to read and refer to. However it would have been clearer and better if each caption for some characters who shared the same name were separate instead of labeled as I, II or III in the same caption. Some were, which was easy to read and clear, and yet some were in the same boxed caption which was hard to read. That part was annoying.
Now the decision to list a characters first appearance, despite revamps of origins or history were frustrating. Some had their actual first appearance correct, but others did not, and were listed by their revised appearance. Here is a list of the characters who appeared earlier than listed in this book: Angle Man; Circe; Dr. Psycho; Fire (Green Fury); General Zod; Giganta; Global Guardians; Hippolyta; Huntress; Jack O'Lantern; Leviathan (Colossal Boy); MÓnel; Peacemaker; Seraph; Spark; Starboy; Steel II; Steppenwolf; Timber Wolf; Villiany Inc.; Von Gunther, Paula; Zoom. Now if all characters were treated the same, that is the first appearance from their new history, then that would be fine, but this is not the case. For example Steve Trevor, despite the new history is listed as All-Star Comics #8, but Hipployta was listed as Wonder Woman #1 when in fact she too was in the same year and comic as Steve Trevor.
Now some characters were altered because of the Crisis or never existed, so revisions such as Prometheus III were mentioned, but I and II were absent, this is fine as it gives a reader knowledge there were other versions before hand. The rank in number implies there were previous versions. As a result there are notable errors such as Cheetah II (Deborah Domaine) who was omitted, so Cheetah II in this book should be III, III should be IV to avoid confusion. Silver Swan I (Helen) was erased, but in this book I should be II and II should be III. Otherwise who is Mirror Master II? Only Mirror Master I and III are mentioned in this book.
Characters such as Lump were not even titled properly, so you had to read the listing to work out who has been given a 'blank' entry.
Where is Etta Candy, Batwoman and Bat-Girl, Hawkgirl I, Queen Bee Zazzala, Red Tornado I (Ma Hunkel), Star Sapphire (the Secret Society version), Time Trapper, White Magician? Surely these characters are just as important, if not more so than some other minor characters listed.
Also the idea of not mentioning the Crisis is fine, if that were the case, but why show a back flash of Gaucho (page 123) with a pre-crisis Wonder Woman when they never met in current continuity? Pictures of the silver age JLA stating Black Canary was a founding member when it is clearly Wonder Woman in the pictures is just plain confusing.
In any case, due to the events of the Infinite Crisis of 2006, some of these entries are now void, as some silver age history has been restored. So in the end it was best not to avoid the "actual" historical listings of characters. By listing properly their actual first appearances, despite current changes would avoid any confusion. This way, even with revisions in current comic books, the encyclopedia would then be accurate enough.
In summary it would be great if they did an updated edition with a brand new cover and just stick to the historical basics and not base the Crisis as a starting point. List actual appearances as they were made, otherwise a reader who picks up a copy of say Wonder Woman Archives would note that Giganta appeared first in 1943 and not in 1998. If there are revisions in the entries themselves then that is fine as long as the historical appearances are accurate. Why then is Seraph listed as first appearing in 1982 when he appeared the same year as Ice-Maiden in 1977 who was credited correctly? It seems the author of this book was biased for some reason.
Again it is not a bad book, but only because there is no other encyclopedia with DC Characters such as this. Not bad, a little inaccurate, but not too bad. - Superman - Encyclopedia - Comics - Batman'
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Jabbawockeez Mask - creepy, jabbawockeez
Fits an adult head this was precisely what we were looking for. We were having a masquerade party and everyone had to make their own mask. This mask was very easy to decorate, and it was so fun that it was on a stick. The mask and stick were very sturdy. It really was a fun mask. Blank Stick Mask - Unisex - Cheap Quality - Creepy - Jabbawockeez Mask - Jabbawockeez'
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Kwikset Door Handles - keyless deadbolt, satin nickel
Started with my front door and added these levers all around my house. They look fabulous, feel great in the hand, and function flawlessly.
Here's a tip, I used the Satin Chrome outside - instead of a coated finish like the satin nickle - it is actually solid chrome that is brushed then to get a satin finish (so it looks nearly identical to the satin nickle) but stand up much better to the elements (doesn't rust) and sharp keys that would otherwise scratch the satin nickle or brass finish. I use satin nickle everywhere else in my house and the satin chrome on the exterior door is standing up beautifully! (Worth the extra few bucks). Schlage F10ACC619 Accent Passage Lever, Satin Nickel
I was hesitant due to the price point as I can usually purchase this type of door lever for around $10 but not with the Schage name of course. I needed to match a Schlage nickle finish for an outside door were it would be noticeable and so I made this purchase. I have to admit the fit and finish is worth the price. Very smooth action and perfect finish...comes with several plate options for the latch...
I installed these knobs (some were the lockable privacy ones) in 3 apartment units two years ago. All have worked without a hitch and still look great.
These knobs are half the price (or less) than a lot of comparable looking lever knobs. So what's the diff? Two things I've noticed.
1. The levers are a bit shorter than most of this design. That doesn't bother me at all. I think they look fine and the tenant feedback we've had is that they look great.
2. They're kind of lighter weight - hollow feeling. I don't know what the actual construction is. But they feel less solid and have less heft than (much) more expensive knobs.
But I'm buying knobs for my own house now and I'll probably buy these.
I got mine at Wal(l)*Mart. Not on their website but at the local store. They didn't have many in stock and several of the boxes were open. I ended up having to order them, so Amazon would've been easier anyway - and close to the same price.
One other note: I've read a lot of complaints online about Satin nickel finishes flaking off on OTHER lower priced products ( I've seen some comments about Hdepot house brand glacier bay stuff), but so far so good with these Schlage knobs.
Product was well made and easy to install. It comes with both a square and rounded door plates - this eliminated any handwork when replacing my standard builders issue knobs. Took me 2-3 minutes a knob.
Best bang for my buck house upgrade yet! - Deadbolt - Keyless Deadbolt - Lock - Satin Nickel'
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Oxo Knife Set - knife, oxo good grips
These are very good knives and an excellent value. Yes, they are stamped, not forged, but they cost much, MUCH less then similar sets of quality forged knives. They arrived razor sharp and have stayed razor sharp with use of the included steel.
And these are indeed QUALITY stamped knives. They have a full length tang which gives them a good, balanced weight that feels nice in your hand. The handles are comfortable and non-slip. In short, they are a pleasure to use.
Top that off with a surprisingly (at this price) high-quality wooden block and I couldn't be more pleased with this set of knives. Like another reviewer, I completed this set (there are 3 empty slots in the block, 2 for additional knives & 1 for poultry shears) with the 6-1/2-Inch Santoku Knife, the 5" Boning Knife and the Poultry Shears. I have been using these knives daily for the last 3 months.
One thing about these knives that I haven't seen any other reviewer mention - they have 15° edge bevels (like most Asian knives) as opposed to 20° bevels (like most German knives). I mention this not as a negative or positive regarding the knives (although some will argue the merits of one vs. the other), but as a "heads up" when using a steel on these knives or buying a sharpener. You need to use a 15° angle against the steel when doing the former & if you buy the latter and want to maintain the 15° bevel (which is a double bevel on these Oxo knives by the way, unlike some high-end Japanese knives which have a single bevel), be sure and order an appropriate sharpener.
Finally, in an attempt to address some criticisms in other reviews and the two questions I saw in one review comment:
1) To maintain a sharp edge, these knives, like all other knives that are not of the "laser ever-sharp" variety, require periodic steeling to realign the edge. I steel a given knife before every 3 or 4 uses (just a few strokes on each side - no biggie) and they are as sharp as new.
2) Oxo recommends hand-washing, which I have done & I have experienced no spotting or discoloration of the knives after 3 months of daily use.
3) The steak knives are smooth-edged, not serrated (and cut a steak very nicely!)
4) These knives cut tomatoes very nicely - I have used both the santoku knife & the 5" serrated utility knife for this task, but I prefer the non-serrated santoku. (The only two serrated knives in this set are the aformentioned 5" utility & the 8" bread knife). OXO Good Grips Professional 14-Piece Knife Block Set
OXO is our favorite brand of kitchen tools and when we found this wonderful collection of practical knives in a gift set we bought one for our house and one for a wedding gift.
There are more expensive knives available but these are well-designed and high quality and an absolute bargain for $100.
All knives are sharp when you buy them, but no knife stays sharp forever. In fact the measure of a good knife is its ability to take and hold an edge after resharpening. OXO PRO Series knives do indeed take and hold an edge after resharpening. The knives are based on OXO's Universal Design concept and feature non-slip, comfort handles. I also like the fact that all OXO products have a no-nonsense satisfaction guarantee.
For the price of this handsome set you could go out and buy one overpriced German or French knife, which will also need resharpening, or you could spend over $1,000 for some fancy knife sets that will not slice tomatoes or bread any better than OXO's knives.
Just think of the $900 saved by going for OXO Pro Knives instead of inflated German cutlery, and use the savings for a ticket for yourself to Europe.
These knives are very nice to look at and the wood block does not appear cheap. The knives are razor sharp and have not dulled in the two months we have had them. They have shown no signs of rusting. We hand wash them and towel dry. We were so impressed with the set that we bought three more differently styled knives from OXO.
I got these knives as a wedding present and I absolutely love them. Before getting this full knife set I had been using a few average priced knives that I thought were ok. Once I got this set I realized that my old knives were definitely sub-par. I had gotten used to having to force my way through harder foods such as carrots with my old not so sharp blades, but the OXO knives were incredibly sharp! They cut through everything I threw at them with such ease that I was in total amazement.
This set is the best set you can get for such a low prices. The knives are very sharp, comfortable to hold, and look really nice on the counter. I highly recommend them.
This set contains the best knives I ever owned. I really didn't need true professional chef quality so these will suit me quite well for many years to come. The grips work great even when they are wet and that's a big plus to me. I also bought a 6.5" santoku knife, a boning knife and poultry scissors so my set needs nothing and they all fit into the block. The total cost for everything including shipping was still under $200.00 (through Amazon) - a great bargain in my opinion.
I bought these as a gift, but when I opened the box and checked out the set, I considered keeping it. Even with the other good reviews here, I didn't expect such quality from a set that cost less than $80. The wood block is substantial and attractive, and knives themselves look and feel like some of the high-priced German models. OXO also lives up to its "good grips" name with handles that are very comfortable and well balanced.
With so many cutlery options on the market, OXO has hit the nail on the head again by offering quality knives at a bargain price. All the knives are well balanced with a comfortable grip, and a surprisingly sharp edge.
This set is a great solution for anyone that needs an inexpensive way to replace an old knife set, or as a starter set for a wedding gift or college student, as the edge on these blades will stay sharp with minimal attention.
I have seen these knives rated as a "Best Buy" in a number of magazines... most recently in Dwell Magazine, who appreciate the sleek look of these, I'm sure.
This block would be a steal without the steak knife set, but OXO has ensured that you get everything you need in this block. - Knife - Oxo Good Grips - Cutlery - Oxo'
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Ipod Touch 4th Generation Case - trash, waste of money
I thought this would be okay for my new G4 8 gig....boy was I wrong. It is not worth the shipping cost. I suppose I am to harsh. If you are planning to put this skin on and leave it in your drawer it would work just fine. However, if you want to take your touch with you, get something else. I took it golfing and the skin didn't even stay on in my pocket. If fits too loose to provide any real protection. All in all, it was very annoying and I am going to see if they will take it back. KEEP SHOPPING! 4G Touch Twin Pack Black & Clear Silicone Protective Armour Case Cover + Screen Protector Kit for New Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation - 8GB 32GB 64GB
I bought this as there wasnt much selection for the new 4G touch. The first one fell off all the time wneh you put it in your pocket and the bottom piece broke. Also it comes with a free screen protector but the first one only had one side to pull off and was defective. Easyi said they would send me a new one and refund my money if I removed my first review(which i did to give them another chance).
The replacement came and it is the same thing and will not stay on the 64 GB ipod touch. The second screen protector actually went on the touch but the holes dont line up and so it looks a little off. I know that they should but it wouldnt cover the screen properly if I lined them up correctly. They did try to help me out with the replacement and the refund but I am still not happy with the end result. I guess you get what you pay for but I will wait for something better.
I bought the clear version of this (which isn't available anymore). I put it on my new touch 4G today and walked to work. When I reached for the touch, the case was mostly off. All day today, every time I pulled the touch out of my pocket, I found the case had partially slipped off.
It doesn't seem to be a case specifically designed for the 4G touch. It rather seems like a case for the thicker 3G... the opening at the top rear seems designed to fit around that unit's wi-fi antenna. Yes, the 4G's camera and mic are where the 3G's wi-fi was, so it should work out... except that the 4G is too thin for a proper fit.
I can't believe people complain such a good product compare to the price. It comes with 2 sets of Cases and Screen protectors. The case is very soft and fits perfectly to my Ipod Touch 4, it protects the device very well, and to keeps you off the scratches from the Hard case. (the hard cases normally scratch your device easily)
The screen protector also fit nicely. However you'll notice some scratches on the surface of the protector after several days usage. What a big deal for it, it did its job to protect your device, and the minor scratches will be disappeared when you turned on your device. Don't worry about it, for such the low price, I wouldn't say anything against it. Don't spend $15 or even more on the screen protector. You won't regret to buy this combo deal.
I've only had my iPod Touch for about 2 months now, and got the black silicone protector for it, figuring it'd be all I'd need. I usually have my iPod in my back pocket, so it's safe most of the time, and isn't in much danger of falling or anything. This case did a pretty good job at first- it's comfortable, fits around the iPod perfectly, and you can access the volume and power buttons easily. The hole on the back for the camera's also the right size. That's all that really matters, right?
Cut to a few weeks ago when I noticed a couple of small tears in the casing. I never pulled at the case when taking it off, at least not in the areas the rips showed up in, and the sides of the case are suddenly loose and the iPod pops out of it every other time I take it out of my pocket. This thing's also a magnet for dust, and gets dirty easily.
For the price, it does a good job for short-term protection, but I'd only get this if you need a quick replacement case and somehow can't get a better one right then and there.
The screen protector also isn't as good as some of the others, and can be a pain to get on without any air bubbles, but when you finally get it on, it does a very good job of keeping scratches from ruining the screen. It just starts to peel at the corners a little bit over time, but with a proper case over it, this isn't a big deal.
I just got the package today, which is a day earlier than what amazon notified me, which is a plus. The screen protector isn't all that bad, if you clean the screen carefully before you put the protector on. When putting on the protector, you should be careful but quick because if the side of the protector that contacts with itouch screen catches dust or anything, it is almost impossible to remove it, which means you need to use a second screen protector. Watch out for air pockets when you putting the protector.'If you do mess up for the first time like me, it is not a problem. The package comes with 3 protectors). I suggest buyers lay the protector starting on the home button side because it is easier that way to put it right in the middle of the touch. Keep in mind that the protector will leave a gap that is about a hair thick, but that shouldn't be a problem because you have a case. Talking about the case, the black one, to be honest, sucks like help. It has a weird trashy smell, is kinda slippery, and has a huge hole on the bottom for ear phone and etc. that is so insecure. It can't really hold the touch in place. However, the white one is a lot better. It fits pretty well, has a smaller bottom, and doesn't slip off my hand like the black one does.
Overall, I don't think this is a bad purchase and don't regret buying it. I got what I wanted, and I hope this review helps.
The silicone cases fits the Ipod Touch perfectly, the screen protectors gives you an excellent cover and don't loose screen sensibility, even playing games is sensitive enough. Don't loose this oportunity and buy it, the seller ships fast and secure.- - Junk - Waste Of Money - Ipod Touch 4th Generation Case - Trash'
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High Resolution - 3d ready, viewsonic
This is my first projector, so I cannot really give too technical of a review. However, here are the things I've noticed in the short time I've had it so far...
Like others have said, it's bright. I can use it in the middle of the day with blinds open and see perfectly fine. From what I understand, the image will gradually get dimmer the more hours it has, but for now it's superb.
It's very easy to use. I've never operated one before and was able to use it right out of the box. Plugged it in, connected my ps3 or laptop, and turn it on. It automatically detects everything without issue.
The image can get quite large. So far I've been using it to generate an image about 8 ft wide with a good picture. The projector is 14ft away from the wall. Definitely much larger than any LCD or Plasma!
I purchased this projector for a short term relocation. I didn't want to have to ship a TV and figured if I bought a projector I could take it home with me in a few months. It's easily portable, and this one comes with a case (unlike some others. I also looked at getting the Optoma hd66 which is in the same price range, and I don't believe it came with a case and the viewsonic had a few more features).
I haven't used 3D yet since 3D glasses are still quite expensive, but one day I hope to try it.
If the lamp lasts 4000-6000 hours, I will be perfectly satisfied. That should give me several years of usage, and at that point it'll be time to upgrade anyways (technology flies these days)! Or, I could replace the lamp, although I still haven't found any bulbs online yet. I use ECO mode as well, and the difference in ECO mode and standard is hardly noticeable. ECO mode is plenty bright enough.
UPDATE: Be sure to check the contrast settings if you don't see a proper picture. The contrast setting automatically switched to 0 for HDMI input somehow and I almost returned it thinking the jack had become defective (only saw blank screen). I'm not sure why it changed, but be sure to check if the image seems off even if you didn't change anything yourself. ViewSonic PJD6531w WXGA Wide DLP Projector -120Hz/3D Ready, 3000 Lumens, 3200:1 DCR, HDMI
Let me start off by saying that when i buy something i study it hard before i buy it to make sure that i make the right descion, i settle on the viewsonic pjd6531w, and am i ever happy i did!! right out of the box the picture looked awsome!! and i received it in the morning at work so when i got home for lunch the first thing i did was set it up, even on a beige wall the picture was sharp! when i got home i put it in the spare room on a white wall , setup the surround system and popped in a bluray into the ps3, and i was blown away!!!! the colors, the sharpness, and the jaw dropping size of the screen was simply breath taking! i seriously had to do nothing , not one adjustment but to the keystone due to angle on bookshelf, if you are looking for a projector you will not be dissapointed with this one! oh and the 3d is great too!! i feel like i can jump into the screen!
3000 lumens gives amazing brightness with a projection on my wall about 8-10ft across. HDMI input so you don't have to worry about signal quality issues from analog VGA cables. Web browsing is crisp and easily readable from across the room, and movies look great also. Lots of features in the menu system including digital keystone correction, detailed color controls, captioning, customizable start-up splash-screen and more. And the default settings are good, right out of the box.
The price is very competitive, many projectors on the market are years-old models, not this one. I was shopping for a projector for months and consistently dissatisfied with the price vs features until I saw this model and immediately pre-ordered it.
The fan noise is present but very reasonable, during any movie watching one will quickly forget that it is there. Eco mode is just a small step less bright than full on, so I am using that most of the time since its plenty bright and gives a longer lamp life and slightly less noise.
It comes with a carrying case also, a nice touch.
No idea about the 3D performance yet, as I don't have anything that generates 3D content.
First thing this is an excellent 3D projector working with a "pc - Nvidia 460 gtx, LG 3D internal Blu-ray player, Nvidia 3D vision kit"
Second thing after reading a lot of blogs about problems with the projector. Let this be clear "there is no problem showing 3D in 720p".
Third if you are running at least fifty (50) feet in ceiling, forget about HDMI 1.4 ,1.3 cable. It just to long. Use a DVI to vga adapter with a high end 50' vga cable because it will work in 3D at 120Hz without crackling noise or sparkles.
Fourth, go through Nvidia 3d setup with "Test stereoscopic 3D" by running setup wizard. You need set the resolution at 1280x720 @ 120Hz. Set your projector Menu,Picture,3D Sync set to DLP-Link if using with the Viewsonic PGD-150 or any DLP Link glasses.
Fifth you do not need a firmware update to make it work in 3D Blu-ray or any 3D media files. You can test from this website [...] You just need the hardware like what is shown in the first line.
While in 3D full screen mode either in POWERDVD 10 or 9, or any viewing in full screen mode, your will be able to adjust all projector settings using network ip address that you have set for "ViewSonic Network control" on another pc system that not diplaying your current 3D if you don't want interruption during play."netgear game adapter with RJ45 hookup wireless N"
I researched projectors to death before I bought this one. I new I wanted one that was bright because I would be using it in my living room for general viewing (computer and playstation hooked up to it). I also new that I wanted one with a not so long throw, meaning that I wanted something between a theater projector and a short-throw presentation projector. This one is right in the middle (distance from projector to screen is 12 ft. and screen size is about 90-110", 16:10 ratio, which is perfect for me). It is brighter than most projectors significantly more expensive. It is widescreen, 16:10, which allows the watching of 16:9 movies with only small bars at the top and bottom. I don't know why so many projectors are 4:3, everybody wants widescreen. The pixel numbers of 1280x800 (WXGA) allow 720p resolution movies to be played at exactly 720p, and not have to be modified to fit other pixel numbers; this is assuming you will not have to 'keystone' the screen, which you probably will. The screen is watchable with lights on due to it's brightness, the only problem is that light make the black less black, and no projector can fix that.
Cons:
-The fan noise is semi-noticeable, but any decent amount of volume makes it unnoticeable.
-The project automatically points the screen up since it is more designed for presentation from desk height; this might be a good thing to you. For me, however, it is not. I mounted the projector about 9 ft high and have had to prop the back of it up about 3 inches in order to get it to display at a good level on the wall. I will soon be mounting it upside down to eliminate this.
Summary: Good price, easy to use, very clear and crisp, great colors, very bright. - Viewsonic - 3d Ready - Dlp Projector - Home Theater'
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High Resolution - 3d ready, viewsonic 3d ready High Resolution - 3d ready, viewsonic
Wipers Rain-x - wiper blades, wipers rain-x
So far I have no complaints and along with rain-x windshield treatment and rain-x washer fluid I have to say that I have been very satisfied with the results and will continue treating with rain-x windshield treatment every three months and have read that this should result in double the lifetime of the windshield wipers,I'm happy:-). Rain-X Weatherbeater Wiper Blade - 14"
The chart says that this fits a Toyota 4Runner. I even entered in my Toyota 4Runner (2004) again to check and it says it fits, but it does not! You have to either get a replacement blade and put in the OEM blade or an entire new wiper OEM blade, this does not fit and the blade that I tried to slide out of this rain x blade to slide into the one of the old OEM does not even fit! I tried to cut it down to size, big mistake, the blade metal parts fell out and it ruined it, so now I have a worthless blade that I can't even return! This should not be on the chart to fit a Toyota 4Runner rear window!!!!
I have found the Rain-X Weatherbeater wiper blades to be the best on the market. They wipe streak free, and last longer than any of the other products I have tried, usually closer to a year than the recommended six months. I am sold on these and only use this kind for all my vehicles.
The wipers are very good. Most after market wipers are not as good as the stock products, but these are at least as good. They wipe very well. My only complaints are that they seem a bit larger than the need to be. They sit up quite high, so if you have a smaller car, would recommend a sleaker wiper fro ths manufacturer. They have held up wel, though. I am happy with these and would consider them again, though I would likely buy their new top of the line, because it will sit lower on the windshield.
Really liked these wipers at first.. until it turned cold and snowy. In the snow, these wipers tend to quickly build up lots of ice on the blades and become useless until you stop and break off all of the ice build-up. Doesn't quite live up to winter expectations.
Not the right length and didn't even fit my rear wiper frame assembly like it was advertised for my vehicle. I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. Ended up taking only the insert and cutting it to right length. Blade cleans well but I expected plug-&-play. - 4runner - Wiper Blades - Wipers Rain-x - Best Wipers'
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Air Compressor - inverter, air compressor
With 900 amps, I expected a lot more. Wouldn't even start a garden tractor in 20 degree temps. I hooked my AC charger up and it started right away. The air compressor is slow, as well. I bought it to use on my outdoor power equipment which sits for a long time and often needs air in the tires and occasionally a jump start. This thing just doesn't cut it. Wagan 900 Amp Battery Jumper with Air Compressor
I invested many hours charging this several times but it did not work. Returned in weeks ago after receiving Amazon pre-authorization but haven't received a refund. Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry disappointing experience overall.
DO NOT BUY!!! I made the mistake of ordering this on June 21st of this year, 2010. Flashlight was inoperable right outta the box, along with air compressor and battery jumpers. The only part that worked is the crappy cell phone charger. Good luck contacting the company also. I have been leaving messages for weeks now and it is a general mailbox where no one ever returns your calls. I also clicked "contact us" and wrote them an email with the same result. Do yourself a favor and go with a name brand like Duralast.
I have one of these and it's worth every penny. I have had to jumpstart my car several time because I often forget to turn my lights off when I have them on during he day. Also it keeps my bicycle tires inflated as they need reinflating more often than car tires. This product works great and you can get several jumpstarts out of it.
This is the second Wagan jumpstarter purchased: One Power Dome EX and the other is the 900 AMp Jump starter. This doesn't have all the features as the other but it is great for the truck. It jump starts with ease when most jump starters cant even turn it over.
I have had to use it twice since my June, 2010, purchase. So far, so good. Just make sure you adhere to instructions, always and it will work out just fine. Don't be haphazard with it and it will take care of you. I used it for my riding mower, it was just fine. I used it on a girlfriend's car tire that was extremely flat and in a matter of minutes, it inflated her tire. Wonderful for women to have. This can serve as a great deal of comfort for males and females to transport this device. - Automotive - Air Compressor - Battery Charger-inflato - Inverter'
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Moultrie Game Spy - game cameras, wildlife camera
I wanted to post a quick review on the Moultrie Game Spy M-100 to help those who may be interested in purchasing this trail camera. I'll state that I'm no novice when it comes to trail cameras and what I expect from one. This past year I've captured over 100,000 images of deer and other wildlife with the various trail cameras that I own. I also realize that this camera is in the mid-range price point, so the level of expectation is set at that bar vs. the high end cameras available on the market. This would be my first purchase of a Moultrie trail camera, and what intrigued me was the time-lapse photo capability so I decided to give it a whirl.
For starters here's what I liked about the camera. First the IR flash range at night is very good. I could easily see out to 60ft and beyond. The entire image was illuminated vs. seeing the tunnel effect that some cameras have at night when their IR lights are focused in the center of the image. Search the internet for trail camera reviews and you'll find for 2011 this unit rated very high in IR flash range. Second, I really like the time-lapse option that this camera offers. It's easy to set up with options of taking photos all day (daylight hours only), or portions of the day. It can also be setup in a hybrid mode where it will do time-lapse during portions of the day and trigger off of the motion sensor at night or during the day when not in the time-lapse time period that you set (i.e 3hrs before dark or whatever you set it to). It will not however do both at the same time meaning that when in time-lapse mode it will not take motion sensored photos when an animal walks in front of the sensor. It will only take the next photo in the time-lapse sequence at whatever delay you've opted to use. Third I like the quality of the photos during the day, or when in time-lapse mode. I set the camera to the highest quality and it takes great photos. The 2" LCD screen is also a nice added feature for being able to quickly review you images. Also the trigger speed seemed to be pretty good as well and captured motion fairly decently. Multiple photos per trigger will help there as well.
There were some things however on this camera that I wasn't impressed about. The first being, that when taking IR images at night, every image of a moving target was blurred pretty significantly. So if your plan is to leave this camera on a trail hoping to catch animals walking by, expect some images where everything is nice and pristine except the animal walking by. In my mind, if you can't distinguish features such as a deers antlers on a regular basis if they're moving then I'm not getting the quality images that I need for scouting purposes. So beware that moving targets blur. Another item that I wasn't so keen on was the amount of visible red light that the IR flash puts out. Granted, there were no claims made that this was semi-covert, black flash, or anything of that nature. Just compared to other cameras I have used with visible IR flash this cameras red LED's are brighter and more visible. So if spooking deer due to the red glow from an IR flash is a concern, this camera has a bit of a noticeable bright red flash. It's obviously how they cover the longer flash range. Brighter light, longer flash cycle. I've found that some deer spook when seeing the red flash from IR LED's and others do not, so it's something you'll need to decide for yourself. Third, the video capability I would rate as OK. I don't use this option very often due to a 10s min flash of a visible red light at night that deer tend to notice and get spooked. When the video captured has deer looking straight at the camera, stomping their legs and doing the head bob... they've noticed the camera which I do not want. Also, the audio was sub-par on the camera that I received. To a point that it was pretty useless. Lastly, my thoughts on battery life is that it could be better. Moultrie does highly recommend using lithium batteries especially when doing time-lapse photography. I would plan on following their recommendation. I tend to rely on high quality rechargable batteries when I can. In trail camera mode you should be pretty good using rechargeable vs lithium, but will only get about a day or two at the most in time-lapse using the 15s option. Granted that's a lot of daylight images, but I've got cameras that do way better than that in time-lapse using rechargable batteries. In the trail camera mode you get an "estimated days left" of battery life. This is based on approximately capturing 5 images per day and 5 images per night. In front of a feeder only capturing 10 images in a 24hr period isn't all that realistic for those that plan on using their camera in that type of set-up. So it's not all that accurate if you expect more that 10 images a day/night. It may estimate 150 days left of battery life, then go back the next day with 200 images captured and it estimates 35 days left type thing. One last note... the sensor range that I saw was limited to about 40ft which if you think about it is not that far from a camera. Could be the temperature seeing that it's summer at the time of this review. Just a side note.
All in all, I think for the price the camera is decent and has nice features. The time-lapse option is good for watching food plots or open areas but will require lithium batteries or to be powered by an external battery which is an option with this camera. The IR flash range is great. Daytime photos are very good as are night time with no moving targets. If you purchase this model however, I would plan on seeing some pretty bad blurring on animals that are moving when taking IR images at night, and plan on using lithium batteries for best results which can get a little expensive. I opted to return this item due to the blurred images I was seeing with moving targets at night and due to the limited sensor range that I was experiencing. If you're sitting over a feeder or bait pile I think you'll be happy. If you're trying to capture old mossy horns walking briefly by the camera at night on a lone trail in the woods... you may not be as elated.
Hopefully this review helps others weigh the pros and cons about this trail camera when trying to make a good decision as to where to spend your hard earned dollar. I would always challenge you to read others reviews as well to get a broader sense of how this camera is performing for other individuals. These are just my thoughts on how this camera performed based off of using much higher end cameras, and experiences much lower end trail cameras as well. Moultrie Game Spy M-100 - Wildlife Camera - Game Cameras - Moultrie - Trail Camera'
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Compound Miter Saw - dewalt, miter saws
Bought the saw in Jan-08 and have been using it for a major moulding project. I've borrowed a Craftsman "Professional" compound miter saw in the past and learned what I would look for if I ever purchased this type of saw. When you buy this saw, I feel you get higher quality things you need, not a feature laden saw with mediocre components. You'll appreciate the tall fence, the blade guard, a dust bag that actually catches sawdust, a high quality miter table/gauge without stickers, a 15 amp motor, and a stout and sturdy frame. The miter lock is so much nicer than a screw type, and the detent override comes in handy for those angles close but not quite at the standard angles.
The saw I used in the past would collect sawdust between the swiveling miter table and the miter gauge, eventually making it difficult to adjust your angle, eventually forcing you to take the table apart for cleaning. I'm very impressed by how smoothly this table adjusts from side to side.
For trim work, I have found you just don't need to buy a saw with lasers and clamps and whatever else. Just buy the right saw the first time, a sturdy one like the DW713. DEWALT DW713 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
Overall quality is impressive. I especially like the cam miter lock, miter scale quality, detent over-ride, vernier miter adjustment, blade brake, light weight, and powerful 15A motor. The included blade (40 tooth) is surprisingly good. The only con I found was the bevel pointer/bevel scale setup. The "point" doesn't line up with the bevel degree marker area by about 1/4 to 3/8's half inch. It makes you guess the degree of bevel + or - 3 degrees. The manual says to set the top edge of the bevel pointer as the read point for accuracy. The only problem is that the top edge of the bevel pointer is not on the same plane as the bevel scale, leaving you without a good point to read the bevel. This is a 10 cent part, which is not in keeping with the quality and features of the rest of the saw. Good luck and Merry Christmas. 12/25/07
I use this on the job a lot as a pro trim carpenter. I work for myself so I have to buy tools that will last and pay for themselves many times over before having to be replaced. This one is no exception and I am very pleased with it.
I also own a 12 inch double bevel Dewalt and that is a great saw too. I user the ten inch one for most of the trim in normal house. The twleve inch is better for crown and stair work.
This saw has adequate power and does not bog down unless you really try to rush it which is a bad idea to start with. I cut plenty of hardwood with it and have had no problems.
The saw is very accurate, mine was perfect out of the box.
You should add the laser and a better blade if you want to use this to it's full potential. Well for trim anyway, the blade on it is ok for general use.
I do precision work and this saw does good for me (With a better blade than comes on it). I would reccomend it to anyone looking for a good ten inch saw.
I like the dewalt miter saw stand too, it works well with this and all dewalt saws.
I reccomend this as a pro carpenter, it is a good tool.
I purchased the factory reconditioned version of this product and was amazed that when I unpacked it the saw didn't even look like it was used. It came in a brown box but when opened you would have thought it was a brand new saw. I have owned 3 other miter saws, Craftsman, Hitachi and Makita and far and away this one is better. First, the quality of the construction is much better as it has less plastic pieces where it matters, table, fence, miter gauge and back throat. Second the miter gauge is the absolute best as it is metal and it has all the relevant notches for angles. Plus it the angles are much more accurate than the other saws. Third the dust collection is excellent even without a vac attached. The others tend to allow saw dust to go everywhere while the Dewalt shoots it straight out the back. Fourth the quality of the cut is better right out of the box with the blade it came with. While this is easily changed with the other saws it was nice. I cut primarily base board molding and crown molding with my saw. The base board molding is 3 1/2" and the crown is 3". No problem with cut sizes or having enough capacity available to do the job.
I did a lot of on-line shopping for a miter saw, read the forums on the American Woodworker site, etc. Finally decided on the DeWalt 10". The one point that kept bugging me was the lack of a laser, since it seems like every other brand has them. Then I read about issues with alignment, and decided to go with the DeWalt and the LED light add-on. Works great. You get a clear line where the blade cuts, including the width of the cut. Great design.
First thing I did was put a square on it to make sure the 0 was right, and it was dead-on. Both 45's are on, also. Haven't gotton to play with the bevel much yet, but it works easy enough.
Table is nice and flat, whole thing is very solidly built. Carry handle is a nice touch, much easier to carry around.
Another point- the standard 40T blade they give you with the saw makes some really nice, clean cuts. I had planned on getting a fine-cut blade for doing my 1/2 round trim, but so far, the 40T is working perfectly.
I narrowed my search to this saw and the Ryobi. The Dewalt just seems better built. The cut are square and clean. The included blade is fine for most work.
I was a little disappointed that no clamps or extensions are included. It has a provision for a laser, but that is also extra. A dustbag is included, but I have always found these things useless, and this one is no exception.
The saw is a handy size, and it has a nice carrying handle. The miter adjustment is the best design I have tried. I hated unscrewing the knobs, on my old Ryobi, each time I wanted to change the setting. The table and fence are just the right size.
To sum it up, this is a perfect saw for most people, and Amazon is the best place to buy it. Mine arrived in 2 days in perfect shape. - Miter Saw - Dewalt - Compound Miter Saw - Miter Saws'
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Cat Jewelry - cats, hip hop
So, I bought this for my wife after we had to put our poor cat to sleep. He was...you guessed it...a black cat. I think it looks great, she loves it, enough said.
Since I was expecting the necklace to be small and delicate (as per previous reviews) I was not shocked. I actually think it is the perfect size. Anything larger and my wife might as well wear a large gold medallion and a diamond encrusted grill in her teeth. Seriously, for most women this will be just shiny and unique enough to get some good complements, but small enough not to get overly noticed. It is unique, delicate, cute, dainty, sparkly, etc.
I can see how the picture *might* give some people the wrong impression of size, but a simple ruler and piece of paper, along with the dimensions provided in the description and allowed me to draw a rectangle that gave me a pretty good idea of size. Even so, I understand how issues of lack of perspective in the picture doesn't really give you a good idea of the thickness or "delicateness" of the pendant.
I will try to post a picture or two giving some perspective....if I can get my wife to take it off. She loves it. 14k White Gold Black and White Diamond Cat Pendant (1/5 cttw), 18"
I gave this to my sister for Christmas and she loved it. She's gotten many compliments already. It looks more delicate than in the photo, the diamonds sparkle so nicely, and it's great with lots of outfits.
It's very delicate and my girlfriend love it. The material quality is fair (what you would expect for the price).
However, after two days of normal use two stones are missing. One of them is black, so you can see from distance that one diamond is missing. There is no excuse for this to happen. As far as I know, I cannot return it since, according to Amazon: "All Fine Jewelry must be returned in new, unworn condition, and will undergo quality checks." It's my problem if the stones start to pop out after two days.... sad. Now I have to go to a real jewelry to fix it. - Cat Pendant - Cats - Hip Hop'
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Cordless - lithium, cordless screwdriver
I bought this as a gift for my Dad for Christmas. I already own (and love) its main competitor, Milwaukee's 12v driver so I decided to do a quick side-by-side comparison. In terms of look, size, and performance, the two tools are about as equal as can be. The Milwaukee did seem to drive the 3" screws slightly faster but it was a very small difference. Overall, the two were basically equal in everything except one factor - the mechanism for changing bits. On the Bosch, you pull the chuck straight out to release the bit, but you need to continue holding it out to insert the new bit (basically need two hands). On the Milwaukee, you pull out the chuck and it locks into the open position, then you insert the new bit and it locks into place (only need one hand to do a bit change). For this reason alone, I would rate the Milwaukee just ahead of the Bosch. In any case, I would be thrilled with either. Bosch PS20-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver with 2 Batteries
As everyone else has noted, this is a really wonderful tool: light, powerful, and well balanced. This single tool now replaces BOTH my heavyweight DeWalt for big jobs, AND a nimble little Skil 2336-02 iXO 3.6-Volt for tight spaces. [The latter duo have gone to a vacation home.]
That said, the Bosch comes with an annoyingly cheesy cloth case, with an equally annoying Velcro strap inside to secure the driver. But most annoying of all is that it comes with essentially NO BITS.
I naturally looked for a companion set of Bosch bits and rapidly discovered from the valuable Amazon reviews [for which this review is karmic payback] that the quick-change chuck in the "Bosch CC2130 Clic-Change 27-Piece Drilling and Driving Set" DOES NOT FIT the PS20 series!
SOLUTION: For one third the price of the Bosch set, I eventually found the Titan 16048 Quick-Disconnect 48 Piece Drilling and Driving Set in Plastic Case which DOES fit and works very well, and also has about double the number of bits as the Bosch set. I now leave the Titan quick-change chuck permanently installed, and can then pop bits in and out with one hand.
This Titan set really is the perfect (and remarkably cheap) companion to the PS20-2A.
Just bought the 12v drill/driver made by Bosch. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't buy it from Amazon because I found it cheaper on E... Only reason is I'm such a tightwad I make every penny squeek when I'm buying tools. That's why I don't buy cheap tools and this certainly ain't cheap.
I've been using it since I got it and it's a dream tool. I drill with #55 size bits and all my other drills were so heavy I'd break a bit every 7th or 8th hole. Still on the same bit since I switched to the PS20-2A.
The batteries, (you get 2 with the PS20-2A), charge in about 30 minutes and seem to last forever. I tried wearing one down in the first 3 hours of intermittent drilling and couldn't do it.
The only thing I'd comment negatively about is that stupid little super-brite LED they put on the drill. I guess it's supposed to illuminate the drill tip at the point of contact but it only lights up the area below the actual area you need lighted. I sent a note to Bosch about this flaw so maybe they'll fix it. Well, I can dream can't I?
Finally, If you need a great little Drill/driver that'll become a star of your toolbox or belt this is the one. I don't gush unless it's very special but this tool is super special. Best Regards
I purchased this product to replace a compact B&D compact drill driver. The manufacturer's literature says this will drive 100 3 inch screws on one battery so since I was in the process of building a deck, I decided to put this claim to the test. Before attempting to drive a 2 3/4" deck screw, I pre-drilled through the deck board and into the joist. After attempting to drive one screw at the highest torque setting, I put this tool away. It was very ineffective for this purpose, unable to drive the screw all the way. For comparison, I used an old DeWalt 12v driver, which did drive the deck screw all the way. At another point, while replacing damaged drywall, I again tried to use the Bosch. While somewhat more effective, it still labored to drive the screw into the stud, but did manage to sink the head. It appears that the best use for the Bosch is for light duty in close quarters where a full size drill would be unable to reach. Given the price of $99, it would appear there are better options out there. Anyone looking to buy this as their primary drill should look elsewhere.
Bosh advertises this as a driver and that's how I primarily use it, but I have used it as a drill as well.
Since this is a cordless driver, it is relatively slow in the RPM department, I think it maxes out at 300RPM but the control you have over the speed is very, very fine. At the slightest trigger pull the front light comes on, a little more and the chuck creeps around, maybe 5 RPM. Pull the trigger fully and the motor spins up almost instantly to full speed.
But the neat part is the brake... from any speed, let go of the trigger completely and the chuck comes to a complete stop, so quickly that there is a recoil from full speed. When you're driving a screw and the clutch slips, and you release the trigger, the chuck just stops spinning, no extra force is put in to the screw.
I've used this driver for several years as my daily driver while working on computers. I've also used it for automotive and house work as well as tear-down and rebuilding of horse stalls.
Don't let the small size of the driver fool you, this a primary tool! At the lower clutch settings you can safely drive metal screws in to plastic, or plastic screws in to anything. At the MAX setting, you can drive long screws in to hardwood.
Will other drivers out-drive it? Yes. But this tool comes with two batteries, they charge faster than you can drain them and you can literally use it all day without more than a few seconds downtime per battery change every few hours.
Is it tough? My driver has been in the heat, cold, damp, dust and dropped I can't tell you how many times and it still works like new.
I do wish the LED was angled a little bit toward the chuck, in the straight-ahead alignment it has the light falls just below the work point.
If you want an electric driver and part time drill, this should be at the top of your list. If you want a high-speed drill, look elsewhere this isn't your tool. I hope mine doesn't break any time soon, but when it does I'll replace it with another PS20. - Cordless Drill - Lithium - Cordless - Cordless Screwdriver'
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Healthy Eating - healthy eating, vegan
I was very much looking forward to receiving what I thought would be a comprehensive book of green smoothie recipes. Imagine my disappointment to find all of 30 pages of recipes in what amounts to a 226 page Blendtec blender informercial. Do I feel duped. There are two blenders on the market powerful enough to handle these types of smoothies on a regular basis. Both are described in the following Cooks Illustrated Review and are both up to the task of making these smoothies. I'm sure there are pros and cons to each. ([...]). This book, however, is little more than an informercial for one of the two blenders - the Blendtech Total Blender, while devoting a page to how terrible she considers the other blender (a Vita-Mix) to be. This author throws in the word Blendtech on page after page after page, sometimes throwing in Blendtech Total Blender just in case you forget the full name, singing its praises throughout, and even including a testimonial on the very last page that just happens to praise the Blendtech blender. I lost count of how many times she says Blendtech and stopped counting after a while. Oh, and she nonchalantly mentions that if you purchase the blender on the link through her website, you'll get a free gift. Does she get a commission from Blendtech if the blenders are purchased through her website, by any chance? I'd like to know. If you want to sell a book on green smoothies, fabulous, we can all use more greens in our diet. But if you're trying to hawk a product (in this case a blender) on the unwitting consumer, then have the decency to be upfront about it. I have never seen such egregious product placement ever, much less in a book. I just spent [...] on a 226 page commercial. Save your money. Green Smoothies Diet: The Natural Program for Extraordinary Health
I purchased three books as suggested by Amazon, the two books "Green Smoothie Revolution" and "Green For Life" by Victoria Boutenko and this book "The Green Smoothie Diet". While the author has a great understanding of the importance of green smoothies and a balanced raw diet, she lacks credibility as far as scientific research and knowledge goes. She seems to get most of her knowledge from personal experience and self-exploration as opposed to credible outside sources. Victoria Boutenko, on the other hand, backs up all of her claims and studies with valied evidence and research from many outside sources as well as her own studying and experimentation. For some reason, it really annoyed me that Robyn felt qualified enough to actually publish a book that was a failed attempt to compete with Victoria Boutenko. Her (Robyn) recipes actually have way too many ingredients and many of them contradict what the truly-qualified Victoria suggests (with valid evidence and research). After finishing the "Green Smoothie Diet" I felt overwhelmed with all of the ingredients that I would have to buy and how much my grocery bills would sky-rocket. Not only does she have you putting in tons of produce, but then you have your superfoods, seeds, coconut oil, etc. to include. Victoria is very clear that it is best to keep it very simple--no oils or seeds or any starchy vegetables; only water, fruit and greens with only 1-3 greens at a time. Victoria's recipes are far superiour to those of Robyn as far as taste goes, as well as convenience, cost and ease. I am much more motivated by Victoria's books than by Robyn's. Furthermore, I am much more prone to following Victoria's advice as I am to Robyn's simply due to the credibility factor. Robyn seems to have done her research on Victoria prior to writing this book and possibly even regurgitated Victoria's substantiated findings and claims. To me, "The Green Smoothie Diet" was a huge waste. I am so glad that I purchased the two Victoria Boutenko's books along with it so I was able to see for myself the superiority and quality of her books. In short, buy "Green for Life" and "The Green Smoothie Revolution" by Victoria Boutenko. I promise you will be ecstatic about green smoothies and the ingredients won't put a dent in your wallet. For those that love this book "The Green Smoothie Diet", I assume you have not read the other two books I have mentioned because if you have, you will change your mind regarding Robyn's "genius" book and recipes. I read Robyn's book first and thought it was alright but as soon as I read the other two books and tried Victoria's recipes after Robyn's, I was shocked that Robyn had any positive reviews. Also, I have a blendtec and love it. I had a vitamix before and the motor was smoking. I saw the blendtec at costco and purhcased it and I love it way more than I ever did the vitamix. One day when my husband is out of medical school, I plan on owning both the vitamix and the blendtec, but for now, I prefer the blendtec.
Although this book does contain some useful information, it has a constant underlying thread of salesmanship. It constantly hints that you should go to Robyn Openshaw's website and buy a Blendtec blender(after a lot of research I went with the VitaMix 5200 myself).
She also seems to have an almost catty dislike of Victoria Boutenko the author of Green For Life. After reading Ms Boutenko's book I have to say she has far more quoted and referenced scientific research, and has obviously spent a lot of time backing up her conclusions with fact.
Although both books say essentially the same things. I personally can do without the sales pitch, evangelical bylines, and resentful snipes that appear in Ms Openshaw's book.
I just read this book and highly recommend it, have lent my copy to a friend
already. You will finish it so pumped and empowered to start eating
healthier--Openshaw shows how it doesn't have to be expensive, or time
consuming, or hard.
I was engrossed from the first page of the introduction, which is funny
because you wouldn't think a nutrition book would be so interesting. The
author has a nurturing voice and helps you feel YOU CAN DO THIS.
She covers everything, right as I had the question, like 10 tips to get my
kids to buy into the ideas, what's good about all the different greens
available, how to buy and store them, 10 reasons to start doing green
smoothies, what exactly to eat to detox or to lose weight. I've always
wanted to try the superfoods you read about, and now I know how to use them
all. I love Openshaw's review of her research on what happens to people who
drink green smoothies regularly--no one could read that and not want to
start taking her suggestions TODAY. The book is very well written, too.
Love the frequently asked questions and all the testimonials at the end.
Her website [...] is amazing.
Can't wait to try all the recipes. I have my blender cranked up! Usually I think of eating right as a drag, but today I'm feeling totally excited. - Health - Vegan - Healthy Eating - Raw Food'
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