Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Battery Packs - 18 volt, lithium-ion
I have owned a set of Makita tools with the LXT batteries for a couple years now and I have noticed absolutely zero power loss or any other problems. I use them quite regularly whether building concrete forms, decks, remodels, etc. I can think of three things that may be happening to the batteries of those who have commented on bad performance or longevity; (1) Occasionally, batteries can be bad from the factory (I have yet to own a milwaukee tool with the new "V" or "M" series battery that holds up past a few months. I have both V28 and M12, and have had ALL packs replaced) (2) It is possible to have a bad charger which is damaging the batteries itself, or (3) Perhaps the users are taking them all the way to the point of stalling and complete discharge, and for that the batteries are truly not made to do. It is best that once you notice the battery pack is wearing down, to grab a fresh one and put the discharged on the charger to cool down and refresh. Also, if the batteries are being stored for most of their life, it is best to keep the charger plugged in and rotate batteries through it to keep everything active and refreshed. Lithium batteries have computer chips and sophisticated circuitry, allowing them to constantly be charged without damage. Ni-Cad on the other hand are not supposed to be charged over and over again because they typically have memory effects and lifetime charging limits. It is best to mostly, not completely, discharge a Ni-Cad before replacing back onto the charger. Because a consumer only has ultimate control of this last variable, it is a good idea to read the owners manual and find out what the manufacturer thinks is best operating practices. Only those who are using the batteries and tools know how they are being treated, and you may very well be doing everything right and not fall into this third category. Being that my kit is from a couple years ago, and my newest battery packs (purchased just for continued use because I have many LXT tools) were purchased last year sometime, it is possible that the newer batteries are of a lesser quality, and that would be unfortunate. What I can say is this; I own many Dewalt tools, which I have only had to replace a couple Ni-Cad battery packs in the past 5 years. (Dewalt tools are mostly made in Mexico) I have owned MANY Milwaukee tools in which their Ni-Cads held up pretty well, but their Li-Ion line is absolute crap. Several years ago when their tools were still made in the US, their quality was impeccable. Their tools are now made completely in China. (Yes, many of the Makitas are also) I own several Bosch as well, and their batteries and tools are right up there with Makita's quality. As far as Skil, Black and Decker, and any other cheaper or knock-off brand goes, I would personally never purchase them. For one, you are supporting China, and secondly you would be purchasing a tool that is undependable. Hitachi has an excellent warranty, and makes excellent air nailers, however I'm unsure of the quality you may find in their power tools, both corded and cordless. I hope this was helpful. Makita BL1815 18-Volt 1.5 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery
Really, these batteries provide seemingly endless power. They hold their charge for weeks with very little loss. I can use one battery for drilling and driving throughout an entire (moderately sized) project. They are extremely lightweight and charge in twenty minutes or less usually (in hot weather it takes longer). All three of mine slide on and off easily, with no issues of binding or falling off. With all the praise comes a VERY important caveat. DO NOT run these batteries into the ground. The instructions state that as soon as you notice a loss of power, stop and charge. If you over-discharge Li-Ion batteries, you can seriously degrade the life of the battery. These batteries are 1/3 cheaper on Amazon.com than at the home centers, so buy from here! Also, only the cells themselves are made in Japan, all other parts are made and final assembly is in China.
I love the drill but the battery life is a real problem. I had both original packs replaced under warranty when the charger reported them bad. Now one of the replacements is flashing bad on the charger. These have been cycled maybe a dozen times. I'll be complaining to Makita and also reporting this on the various woodworking groups I support.
I replaced a 14.4 Milwaukee NiCad with a Makita LXT and noticed that my old Milwaukee NiCads outlasted these in terms of longevity. Run time is solid, but lifespan is short. Two dead after one year, I'm only a homeowner. I've only done a few lengthy jobs such as putting cement board down in a 10x20 room, and building a deck with these, in addition to the other basic tasks of drywall, and other light construction needs. Love the light weight though. Now, I need new ones. Somewhat disappointing.
I went ahead and invested in a pair of these batteries despite the mixed reviews, figuring I'd at least get a year out of them with the warranty. So far, they've performed just fine, even on tools that are supposed to only use the BL1830. I mostly use them on the BHP454 drill (note: this is one of the tools that's keyed for the 1830 pack) and BTD141 impact driver when I'm not going to be using them for long, so the decreased runtime doesn't bother me. I also use them on the angle grinder and recip saw (after removing the little tab on the tools) for light work in tight spaces. I wouldn't want them to be my only batteries, but they're a great addition to a couple of the larger batteries if you have a few tools that can use them.
These slim packs are very handy on the drill, impact, and flashlight- the lighter weight and smaller size are noticeable, especially with the smaller (BDF/BHP452) drills. However, buyer beware when it comes to using them on the 'heavier' tools, as they are keyed for the larger batteries because they can draw more current than these smaller batteries can provide without damaging the cells. So you probably shouldn't slap one of these on your circular saw and go ripping 2x12s all day, or you'll kill the pack very quickly. Makita isn't trying to screw you into buying more batteries, they're trying to make sure you don't kill your batteries.
Another note, considering how many complaints of defective packs there are: don't run these batteries down to nothing, and try not to store them fully charged. Running them into the ground is a sure way to damage the cells, and I've read estimates of up to 20%/year capacity loss for a fully-charged pack, compared to as low as 2%/year for a pack stored @ 40% charge.
And of course, like any cordless tool/battery purchase- shop your options before buying batteries separately. I got the BHP452HW kit for only $50 more than 2 batteries. That's a cheap, easy way to have a spare drill or driver and charger for around the house, or to sell to recoup the extra cost.
I'm knocking off one star because Makita doesn't do a good job of letting people know that these slim packs only work on certain tools- and not very many, either. That's been a complaint for years now, and it's still not mentioned anywhere in their literature or website- even my local Makita dealer didn't know they weren't compatible with all LXT tools. It's not like it's standard practice- Bosch's and Milwaukee's slim packs fit their entire lineup, AFAIK. - Lithium-ion - Makita - 18v - 18 Volt'
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Car Chargers - car chargers, nuvi 760
I have a few Garmin devices. With multiple drivers, the adapter will need replacement, (mine did). I picked up this one un sure of the quality for the price. We got it right, I will pick up another just to have as a back up. The Garmin power supply does not last long without the adapter and I love my nav! Great find. Car Power Adapter Charger for Garmin Nuvi
I had high hopes for this adaptor.....dashed. It developed an internal short in the cord to the GPS during the first trip I used it. The fuse blew, as did the replacement fuse I used. No kinks in the cord. Not twisted or stretched. Very disappointed. Do yourself a favor and buy a better quality charger.
This charger fits our Garmin Nuvi 750 and 760 better and more tightly than the original, which lasted about a year. We bought the Gilsson 12V Cigarette Lighter Adapter for Garmin GPS Nuvi 650 660 750 755 760 765 775 885 855 850 Zumo StreetPilot C550 to replace the original, and it stopped working after about 5 months. We bought this cord to replace it and have higher hopes for this one, based on initial impressions of quality and fit.
I had to replace my cord for the nuvi and this was an excellent price. Delivered quickly. I've used it for over a month and so far, so good. But I have noticed that intermittently the cord stops working. But all I have to do is unplug/replug into the lighter adaptor and it works again. A very small complaint.
I learned the hard way that this charger doesn't work with the Nuvi 660. Not only did it not charge my GPS, it managed to permanently disable my Nuvi. The charger arrived quickly and appeared to have all the correct connections, but the fact that I now I have to buy a new GPS unit is a bit of a drawback.
My Garmin nuvi 760 screw thing which holds the fuse kept popping out which was quite frustrating and eventually got lost.
I saw this posted and based on the past reviews I decided to purchase.... so far it works well and most of all does not unscrew - so it appears to be dependable.
Delivery was earlier than promise.
If you need a replacement this will do the job at a fraction of the cost of the orginal garmin car charger which may have the same loose screw problem.
This wire didn't fit well with my cradle. It actually broke the plug in part of the cradle. Do yourself a favor and buy a garmin brand replacement. I had to purchase a new cradle because the stores did not carry the one for my model anymore.
I am really glad to see this item. The tip fell out of our Garmin car power cord and was useless. Not only could Garmin and local dealers not provide the replacement tip, they couldn't even replace the whole cord- at any price. The local dealer (Best Buy) was able to furnish an aftermarket replacement that worked from the auto power to the mini USB connection on the Garmin which meant that you could either recharge the Garmin or you could use it but not both simultaneously. Grrrrrrrrr. This product connects from the car power to the base of the Garmin which means it charges and works as a gps at the same time. Very simple. Is anybody out there listening? And all because of a loose tip which must have cost all of $.20. The unit works perfectly, just like the original. - Nuvi 760 - Car Charger - Car Chargers - Garmin Nuvi'
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Replacement Tire - cart, 13 inch
These tires were put on the front a 48 inch zero turn mower. I had to have sleeves made to adapt them to the axels of the mower. The weight on each tire is 210 pounds so that falls well within the 350 lbs weight limitations. I had to put new grease fittings in as the ones that came with the wheels would not accept grease. I also removed the inside grease seals of the bearings so that they would take the grease( I used Lucas blue grease). I have used the mower about 10 hours and so far the wheels have done very well. They give just a little rougher ride but they do very well and I have eliminated the dreaded flat tire. Marathon Industries 01410P 11x4.0-5-Inch Flat Free Lawn Mower Tire - 5-Inch centered hub - 3/4-Inch Precision ball bearing
I recieved the tires promptly. They did not fit my mower... but were easily modified to fit. I had to cut the hub width to 4.5 inches and change out the bearings for the ones in the old wheels. This was a pain but... the snapper dealer in waxahachie quoted me $125 per wheel to replace my existing wheels with this type of wheel, whereas I paid $40 per wheel. so I saved $170 to do it this way. I gave the item 5 stars because it was as advertised even tho I had to modify them to fit my mower. - Cart Wheel - 13 Inch - Cart Tire - Cart'
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Adjustable Ankle Weights
I researched several brands of ankle weights, noting that many reviews showed that small weights (1/2 pound) can become dislodged without adequate velcro fasteners on each weight. The TKO 210 AP 10 lb Pair Ankle/Wrist Weights do NOT have that problem. They were a little more expensive than some other brands, but well worth the cost. I had to do therapy starting at 2 lbs, then 5 lbs, and then 7.5 lbs. These worked wonderfully, allowing easy adjustment, and no weights dropped out! I am very pleased with this product. TKO 210AP 10 lb Pair Ankle Weights
I bought these to complement my workout at home and I don't regret it at all. They're a bit pricey (but so are all comparable adjustable weights!!). They're nice and soft around the ankles and the adjustable feature is really good to intensify or lighten the workout as the case may be. I really like the versatility of it (I can incorporate it in any workout I'm doing).
Its paded and comfortable. It's easy to adjust the tightness of the Velcro straps. It's also very easy to adjust the amount of weight. The weights are small half-pound iron or steel bars - about ½ diameter by about 2.5-inches in length. There are ten little weight bars per ankle "bracelet". Each weight is slid into its own pocket on the ankle straps so it's easy to keep the weight evenly distributed around the ankle bracelet. Each weight pocket has a Velcro pocket cover to keep the weights snug and secure in the bracelet.
It's a good product. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to friends.
This is a great product. What I really like about these ankle weights are the following:
- Fully adjustable weight setting. Add or remove the weighted bars as needed. The bars can be removed and added pretty easily.
- The velco strap holds. Never had a problem with the strap getting loose. It will stay in place.
- Possibly machine washable. I have not tried it yet, but seeing how you can remove all of the weights, and are just left with the fabric, I don't see why you couldn't wash them. Something I will try soon and report back about.
- The velco that holds the weighted bars in place, works well. Just be mindful that it is velco, so if you do some sudden and really fast moments, there's a potential to slip out, but it will only slip out in one direction since each weight goes into a pocket. Again, you really have to do some fast movements, or you did not secure the velco securely.
Well worth the investment. I've even managed to have them double as a 20 lb kettlebell with a handle and strap that I have some a resistance band set I have.
i walk for 45 minutes each way to work - when i first got these, after a 1 week break-in period, they were great - comfortable - and the velcro was secure. after a few months of walking the bottoms of the weight pouches started wearing out from where they rubbed on the top of my shoes - i started covering the pouches with duct tape to protect them. finally, after a few more months, the velcro strap pulled out of the weight band - it is only tacked in with the seam stiching - so the constant tugging on the band from walking pulled the stiching out and the band came loose.
I found the reviews on Amazon for ankle weights to be particularly helpful because I'd never owned any before and wasn't sure what features to consider. I had been in P.T. for a lower back problem, using machines, and it was recommended that I continue at home with ankle weights. These were the highest rated by far, and I concur. They are easy to use, the weights don't fall out. I am small but they're not too loose and would also have plenty of leeway for someone larger. Other than the fact that they don't come in purple, I can't find a thing to criticize. ;-) And I don't think I could have found anything in stores local to me that would have been of nearly this quality for this price. I'm happy.'
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Toy Camera - kids camera, great for kids
I recently bought this for my 5 year old. He loves it! Its easy to use and takes nice pictures. The rechargable battery is a great thing. It claims to only hold up to 80 pictures but my son has 325 photos on it right now. The only downside is the flash is super bright and a full battery will only hold enough charge for about 4 hours of constant use. LEGO 3MP Digital Camera
This was a birthday present for a three year old and they love it. We tried an old "regular" digital camera before this, and it was too complicated and led to a lot of frustration. This one is very simple to use, with only the essential buttons and functions.
Despite having a higher resolution sensor than other "kids cameras", this one doesn't take very good pictures. If image quality matters, you will be disappointed.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Fun design
- Seems very durable
- Battery life
- Rechargeable battery
Cons:
- Bad picture quality (think first gen cell phone camera)
I'd highly recommend it for 2-4 year olds. Older than that and I'd look for something with better image quality.
I purchased this camera for my 7 yr old son for Christmas. It is very easy to use and actually takes great photos. I chose this camera because it didn't look like a toddler device, but more durable than a traditional camera. I highly recommend this for a first camera for ages 6 to 9 year olds. If you choose this item you will not be disappointed
Our 4 going on 5 yr old specifically requested a "real" camera that could take "real" pictures for Christmas. After doing some research on Amazon, this one fit the bill. Internal battery charges via USB cable so not spending a fortune on batteries. Don't know about durability but she's careful with her stuff most of the time and it looks reasonably sturdy tho I wd not recommend throwing it across the room. A bit smaller than we would have liked but we figured if she could handle our small cybershot she could handle this.
And she does!
Pix have a decent quality (all are sized between 350 and 500 KB) and the memory holds over 80 pix. Flash is okay and if the light is good you don't need it (in fact, best to turn it off completely as everything tends to get over exposed). Simple to use so we can concentrate on things like composition and we enjoy seeing what the world looks like from her perspective!
I purchased this camera for my 7 year old son. He is into sports and games, but has taken an affinity to photography as well. He was thrilled to receive this gift for Christmas and hasn't left it alone since! He takes the camera everywhere and takes pictures of everything and everyone. The quality of the pictures is obviously not the best, but adequate and suitable for a child. The only thing I dislike about this camera is that it does not take batteries, and instead must be charged by USB. I think rechargeable batteries would have been more desirable. Children don't really understand the concept of power, so if he leaves the camera on for an hour and comes back to it totally dead he is devastated. That's when having the option to pop in a spare set of batteries would come in really helpful. The camera doesn't have a zoom, which some people may cite as a negative, but I actually have come to appreciate that. I think a zoom option would make the camera more fragile. Overall, besides the lack of battery options, I LOVE this camera for our 7 year old and would recommend it!
I guess I don't understand all the people complaining about poor photo quality... what do you expect for a kids' toy? We just turned the flash off, and the pictures are adorable. It's so easy, my four year old has no problems using it, the battery stays charged for a long time, and it's easy to download the pictures onto the computer. My daughter absolutely loves it. I recommend getting a case for it, though, especially for little kids.
I bought this camera for my own, I'm not into photography and I don't really care about super extra fine quality pictures, so I got this camera 'cause I love lego and 'cause it's cheap and it got everything I need.
This camera is very nice, it's very light and small, and the bricks protect it all, I really love it.
The quality is not the best, but you can actually get nice pictures with it.
My 6 year old got this for his Birthday and absolutely loves it!!! Taking pictures inside is a little tough as the view screen is pretty dark so unless you have lots of indoor light you can't see too good, but once you take the pics with the flash they come out fine for him! He gets a big kick out of taking his own pictures!! Outside it takes pics wonderful!! He carries this everywhere snapping away! We haven't put the pics on the computer yet as he hasn't even begun to fill it. It say's up to 80 pics but it takes more than that!! Don't know yet about durability as we have only had it for about 1 week so we will see!
This camera was advertised as being able to store 80 images on the internal memory. According to the manufacturer's website the memory was 128MB. And reviewers here have said the camera can store 150-200 images. So imagine my surprise when I bought it for my grandson for Christmas and it would only store 40-50 images before the internal memory was full. So I hooked it up to the computer and found that it had only 28MB. I contacted the maker (Digital Blue) and was told that it now ships with only 28MB and that they would update the website--which they have now done. The Amazon description still says "up to 80 photos."
It is really a pretty good camera for a little kid. Simple to use and while the images aren't great, they are ok. The child needs to learn to hold still when taking the photo, and to pay attention to the lighting. And as others say, beware the super flash. What is really great is that it charges from a USB cable rather than using batteries.
I got a small amount back from Amazon for the misleading description and decided to keep it. I'll update my review after my grandson has a go with it. - Great For Kids - Kids Camera - Kids Digital Camera - Lego'
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Outdoor Gear - backpacking, survival
Okay, look at the reviews for this product, and look at the dates. It was stated some time ago that a buyer orded Quake Care blankets, you know- LIKE THE PICTURE! But that buyer got EverDixie blankets. Now, all this time I later, I paid my money for the Quake Care blankets listed in the description and shown in the picture yet I too was sent the ED ones. I haven't yet opened one to see if it's worthwhile...it sort of defeats the purpose to waste one to see if it's usable (I already know the QC product is, I've used them before).
Maybe the product I got is decent but it's not the product I was sold. Given that this bait and switch is an ongoing affair, I can see no other word to use but fraud. Did I send them back? They were $5 bucks, not worth messing with. That's probably what the vendor figures...no one will bother. So no, I didn't send them back but I will at least alert potential buyers that this vendor is knowingly, willingly defrauding buyers by sending them a different product than they agreed to purchase.
Amazon.com should ditch this sleezy, disreputable seller. And if that seller simply doesn't realize their copy is outdated, this should be the notice they need to correct it. But since they've been doing this for quite a while I imagine they just don't care. Emergency Thermal Blankets (4 Pack)
I have used mylar "space" blankets for the past 30 years for near innumerable projects. Want to make a solar oven? here's a tool to allow that. Increase the rating on your sleeping bag by 20 degrees (put the mylar INSIDE the bag), I've made emergency ponchos from them while backpacking. Ground cloths, signal devices, sun awnings (in this mode they help provide cooling), insulation for coolers, animal shelters, a lining for an incubator.
They don't have to wait around in your car or "read bag" to find uses! However, I carry them in each vehicle, I have one in each of my various (depending on purpose) "ready bags", in emergency kits made for the kids and in all the first aid kits in the house, vehicles, the ranch and other such haunts.
This little piece of plastic may well be one of the premier tools of all time.
I've played with a couple of different brands of space blankets and these blankets are of fine quality. They suffer the usual short comings of this material (tears spread easily) but on the grand scale of space blanket brands, you are getting one of the better quality blankets. For example, one of the cheaper brands I have tried experienced flaking of the mylar coating after (admittedly) rough handling. The brand being reviewed here did not suffer from this flaking. Definitely recommended.
If you are setting up a "grab & go" pack - the kind of thing that lives in your car or at your office, insurance against a manmade disaster like a terrorist attack or a runaway nuclear reactor; or a natural catastrophe like an earthquake or a hurricane - you cannot get along without these mylar blankets. You can use them as blankets, cloaks, tents, groundcloths and signal panels. They are almost weightless and as noted, very versatile. They belong in every survival kit, automobile glove compartment, and hiker's pack. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
I did not receive the Quake Kare Emergency Thermal Blankets that I ordered. Because I had read from previous reviews that BP Supplies have played Bait and Switch before, I made a screen shot of the order page before I ordered showing that I was being promised, specifically, Quake Kare blankets. These are a well known brand and of very good quality.
Instead I receive a cheap, knockoff- Ever Dixie "no-name" brand Emergency Blankets from China. I know absolutely nothing about this brand. They're going in the trash. They look very, very cheap and I sure wouldn't trust my safety to these, And as I told the representative at Amazon, this Bait and Switch is especially reprehensible on BPs part because these are Emergency supplies and someone could loose their life from using an unknown, inferior or faulty product in an Emergency. This is serious business.
For those of you who have been ripped off by BP Supplies before with their Bait and Switch, I would strongly encourage you to report this directly to Amazon. It doesn't matter if you just write it in a review that you've been ripped off. You have to speak with an Amazon rep who forwards that info to the powers that be who determine which companies are allowed to sell on their site. And if enough customers complain, BP Medical Supplies will not be allowed to sell on Amazon's site and continue to rip off people.
For those of you who have never ordered from BP Medical Supplies- STAY AWAY- THEY ARE BAIT AND SWITCH SCAM ARTISTS. I am very disappointed and very, very angry.
I have carried mylar thermal blankets along with me during my hikes to the north country here for decades. In addition to the many other uses mentioned here by others, I have used them before to actually sleep with just to experience it. And even though they are like curling up all cozy with a large plastic bag, they are nothing less than amazingly warm. Quite simply put, they enable you to radiate back as much of your own body heat as several wool blankets are capable of. However, there is one thing I feel I must add about sleeping with these blankets on a cold ground that doesn't seem to be covered by other reviewers. Remember that to keep warm, you must have as much insulation under you as over. At home, our mattress more than does the job. Out in the wilderness on the cold ground we are forced to improvise. If it comes a time that you really are in a survival situation, or just forced by whatever causes to be sleeping directly on a cold ground, remember to put as many of these thermals, (or any kind of blanket) under you as over. You would not believe the number of hikers and campers I have encountered that pile on the blankets on top of them, while putting just one underneath. And then wonder why they spent the entire night nearly freezing to death. In conclusion, one cannot recommend having these along on a hike or camping trip enough since they are so small and easy to tote along. Carrying one 4 pack of these thermals on any outdoor excursion is equivalent to toting 10 full size blankets. Something near impossible to manage in a back pack outing even if you wanted to. Considering their low cost, versatile uses, and life saving possibilities, one would be foolish not to pack them on any wilderness excursion, or include them as an essential addition in any survival kit. My own recommendation is don't leave home without them, and, buy them here on Amazon in bulk rather than at a sporting goods store, where they can easily cost you twice as much... - Backpacking - Survival - Emergency Kit - Emergency Supplies'
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17 Inch Laptop Backpack
This thing is a MONSTER! It can hold as big a laptop as you could possibly own, with room to spare. Lots of compartments, almost too many. Bigger, in this case, is not better for me (but I don't have a giant laptop). Two things to keep in mind: 1. It can slip off your shoulders if you are a smaller framed person. My female co-worker tried it and this was a problem for her. 2. It is too big to be considered your "personal item" as an airline carry on. This is the kicker for me, as I travel quite a bit and my laptop backpack has to count as my personal item so that I can also bring my rolling carry-on suitcase. If you only need to bring a single bag on a short trip, this bag has plenty of room for a change of clothes, toiletries, etc., but if you need to bring more, then this bag will count as your big carry-on with most airlines. Just wanted to give people a heads-up! Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents)
If you are like me, and you have a large amount of books and other stuff to carry around, this bag is perfect. And it has several pockets to store sunglasses, a bag lunch, a nice cell phone pouch that can fit anything from a reasonably sized Nokia to a clamshell phone hanging off of the left shoulder strap, Palm Pilot, iPod - with even a slot to fit your earbuds or headphones through, although that's kind of tricky -- a very well-padded storage area for your Notebook computer, all the connections and wires that accompany it, and, top it all off, a place for your water bottle.
If you are taking a lot of classes with a lot of books, the compartments are very spacious and can hold a lot. Unlike most reviewers here I find it very comfortable when full, and not heavy at all once you are used to a little extra weight.
Overall, I highly recommend this product, especially for the price, since a similarly equipped bag should cost over $[...] or more (but don't tell that to Amazon or the Manufacturer :D )
If you have a 17" laptop, then you know your choices for bags are small. I've always had good luck with Targus accessories, and this backpack is no exception. It's well constructed and made of good materials.
The compartments are varied and evenly distributed and (mostly) easy to access. The backpack is very adjustable, from the shoulder straps, to the waist strap, to the pouch straps (which allow you to place bulkier items in the inner pouch). The outer pouch/compartments even flip open with snap-clips for easier access).
There is no "one size fits all" for laptop bags, but this bag seems to have room to spare. I have a Toshiba P105-S9722 17" widescreen laptop that weighs in near 10lbs with the power supply included. The laptop slides effortlessly into the padded compartment (which is at the "bottom" meaning closest to your back when worn as designed). The compartment has a velcro strap to help prevent sliding. The compartment above the laptop has a sturdy base as yet another level of protection to prevent potential damage of your laptop. I find this very useful because I place my powersupply (1lb+ brick), power cord, and other misc. cords in there.
I've used this backpack as carry-on while traveling from NH to CA, and it was packed solid, but everything was very accessible and it still managed to fit under the seat as per airline regulations and JUST met the height/width/depth maximum limits. This may vary from airline to airline though. I had my Toshiba + power supply & cord, iPod, PSP (+ games), a few DVD's, two changes of clothes, a cordless USB mouse in the outer sidepocket, cordless shaver in the inner section, cell phone in the shoulder-strap mounted pouch (which is removable via clip and can be attached to your waist, or anywhere you wish), plus usb cables and various adapters, headphones, etc in various compartments, a couple magazines, a book, and some basic toiletries. It was not lightweight, but properly adjusting the straps helps, and wearing the waist strap for extended use is key!! I walked from one end of O'Hare to the other and although the weight had me winded (as any luggage would), the straps never hurt my shoulders, nor did I feel any discomfort from the laptop being against my back!
I would also like to add that the design of the compartments make it fairly simple to access wha tyou need without a lot of rummaging (provided you don't stuff too much into each one).
For the price, this is an exceptional backpack for those with big laptops that need to carry a lot of accessories, or travel.
Why not 5 stars? For the size, a bit of "modularity" would have been great. When you're not traveling or "packed to the gills" it would be nice to be able to "zip off" or unclip about half of the backpack. This could have been done with the same clips that the outer portion adjusts and opens up with. I would also like to have seen a specifically padded compartment for the laptop power supply, or at least a velcro solution for immobilizing supply & cord. These however, are minor issues, and this backpack is fantastic.
Its too bad the only alternative Targus has for 17" notebooks is the TXL617 XL Backpack. The height of the bag could have been sized down considerably. Reducing the height by 4" would have still made for a comfortable fit for your notebook since it is extra empty space, and the pack would have been a lot less bulky on your back.
On the plus side, there is TONS of room in this bag for all your accessories: mice, keyboard, hard drive, phone, water bottle, and yes even a portable printer!
Good warranty/RMA. Large. New version more stable. Large.
NOTE: This is a replacement review for my previous one after having service performed.
Overview
From a features standpoint, this bag is top notch. Telescoping handle, wheels, rip-stop nylon, 2 large pockets, one with segments, one with padding. I have a 17" Fujitsu Lifebook (lifeboat?) (16x12x2) that fits with room in this. The new revision seems substantially lighter than the older, almost identical version.
Wheels
The wheels are not on the far corners, so it's only slightly more stable than smaller bags. It will still twist and fall if you take a curb at an angle.
It's 18.5 inches wide, so it doesn't generally roll down the aisle in an airplane. You'll pull your second bag off the top and carry them, walking sideways.
The wheels are hard rubber, so it's noisy going over tile. You REALY want soft rubber wheels so it doesn't make alot of noise, or catch on a pebble and pull out of your hand.
Size
It's about 8.5" stuffed, so most of the time it'll fit under the chair in front of you, namely aisle seats on an MD80. Window Seats on a 757 have the sloped wall, and you have to run it sideways. Goodbye legroom. On some planes, you'll find it SEEMS to fit just fine, but you have to force it, or stow it above, since it will scrape under-seat power boxes.
The bag is 42.5 dimensional inches, so it counts as your carry-on (up to 45 dim. inches), not your personal item (up to 36 dim. inches).
It would really be nice to find one that's 13.5" to 16" wide so you can get it in tight places, and 18-22" tall with top-loading so you don't have to lay it flat to get your system out.
The McKlein R-Series detachable looks pretty good, but this Targus bag has the handle built in. It provides structural support, and gives room for things like power adapters and small notepads in the back pocket.
Pockets
The bag is really big and has quite a few interior pockets in the accessory pouch on front and the segmented pouch in the back. The padded area is smooth and will protect your laptop until it falls out from under when you're trying to load your machine into the bag. It comes with some velcro inserts and nylon/mesh bags for accessries.
Warranty and Service
I was originally very displeased because the bag fell over ALL the time.
I contacted targus via web and email. Response time was quick. They replaced the bag quickly. They kept me informed.
The replacement is SLIGHTLY redesigned. Various pockets are easier to use. The feet are a little longer. The bottom plate is more solid.
The bag won't stand up if you strap another on top of it, but by itself, even heavily loaded, handle up or down, the new version of this bag will stay upright, even if you tip the handle by about 25 degrees.
It's definitely more likely to fall forward when loaded (laptop pouch is to the front) and backwards when empty (hard to make this happen).
I was truly impressed with how good the warranty service was by Targus.
Summary
It's hard to find a bag for the 17" widescreen laptops out there, and this one, is pretty good.
It's a little tippy, but the new design is much better.
It's a little wide, but that's sort of a market condition, I think.
It's lighter than it used to be.
Overall, this is a pretty decent bag, and Targus' warranty and support were surprisingly good.
NOTE: eBags has really good photos of all of the cases, inside and out.'
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Military Science Fiction - military science fiction
I am straight up ADDICTED to the Doom Star series. I cannot get enough of these books. They are some the most entertaining reads I've ever experienced. I read Cyborg Assault and Planet Wrecker the days they came out. Now my pipe is empty and I am JONESING for my next hit of Kluge and the Highborn! If you've ever enjoyed Hard Sci-Fi or pulpy Action read this whole series TODAY! Planet Wrecker (Doom Star #5)
Another home run from Vaughn Heppner. Once you start reading the Star Solider(Doom Star) series, you'll be hooked!What a journey we've taken with Marten Kluge and Company through this series. Heppner takes you right inside the minds of the characters and we've pulled for them in adventures all across the solar system. I can see that this series won't go more than one or two more books at most, but I cannot recommend this series enough to sci-fi and adventure lovers. Kudos to Mr Heppner for making the storyline more concise for readers of books 1-4, it's refreshing to know that he reads the reviews and also that he takes the time to respond to his readers. We asked for another Doom Star book and he delivered. The best one yet! I cannot wait to see how things end for Marten (and his friends), Admiral Cassius (and the Highborn) and the arrogant Jovians. What an EPIC adventure series this has become! Great Work Mr. Heppner!
Vaughn Heppner's entire Doom Star Series is an outstanding read, well-written, and a constant "page-turner". This particular book merely adds to an impressive work that deserves your attention. I have never been disappointed with any book in this series. The character development throughout has been spot-on. Nothing superfluous; just what is needed for the next installment in the series. The topsy-turvy series of events that the characters are thrust into throughout is beliveable and backed up in the book's settings. You can't go wrong with this book or the series.
I have enjoyed this intense scifi drama very much. Vaughn writes well and is an author worth following. I highly recommend all his books. I am voting for this particular series to get the next installment though
not yet expecting a sequel to Cyborg Assault I was thrilled to discover Planet Wrecker while searching Amazon's Kindle Store. I can only agree with the enthousiasm of earlier reviewers. the writing of mr Heppner is marvelous! after the HighBorn the Jovian filosofers are pretty arrogant and also fail to impress Marten Kluge. it feels good, that the main persons are still fighting together and that also the charismatic Hawthorne seems to be coming to an alliance with the former rebels. I enjoyed every word of this book and I cannot wait for the next book in the Doom Star series!
Chris Weststrate
Chances are that if you have read the first four books, you will love this one.
I was very surprised by this book and Mr. Heppner continues to make this series better and better. I love how he is developing Martin Kluge and feel a real connection to all the characters. He humanizes almost every character making you think "I could see myself doing something similar in that situation". Of course, if you have read the previous books, you already know this but it just gets better in this book.
Thank you Mr. Heppner for a book well done that meshes well with your storyline as a whole.
As space scifi goes this book hits all the important topics. Almost one of those cant put down books. I highly enjoyed it. Ive read five Martin Kluge books in a row. Cant wait to see how Kluge continues his battle for true freedom. V. Heppner has done an excellent job. The sequels are as good as the last one.
Vaughn Heppner is one of the best authors I've read. Some parts of the story may stretch the imagination a little but the writing overall keeps me reading each book nonstop until I'm finished with it. Keep writing! - Military Science Fiction'
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Horse Magazine
I have been a subscriber to Horse Illustrated for many years, and have always praised it. The magazine was originally published with well written and thoughtful articles that covered both Western and English ridding, general horse care, and gave very helpful tips. But within the past couple of years the quality of the publication has gone downhill.
Not only has the magazine thinned out but the articles have become biased and poorly written. Adds and articles promoting a single product occupy more of the magazine than ever before and the shift from a well rounded equine magazine to 'snob mag' is quite clear. The majority of the magazine is now aimed towards the English rider with an eye for fashion. What where once helpful tips have now become one sided suggestions.
This magazine would be a welcome addition for a horse-crazy teen who is more likely to have a new car than a horse. But if you are looking for something with a bit more substance, advice, and general tips, this is not the magazine for you. Horse Illustrated (1-year auto-renewal)
I started reading Horse Illustrated (HI) when I was a horse-crazy kid and I loved it. But now that I'm an adult and have gotten more serious with my riding, HI doesn't cut it anymore. It caters to both western and English riders and provides general horse care information. That means if you're looking for in-depth riding articles, you'll want to try discipline specific magazines like Practical Horseman, Dressage Today, or Horse & Rider instead.
My biggest gripe with HI is that none of the articles stick with you. Nearly every topic the magazine covers can be found in any horse care book. Also, the magazine is rather thin with LOTS of ads and breeder listings in the back.
The bottom line: If you love horses and just want a general horsey mag, you'll like HI. If you want to read something that goes more in-depth, you might want to look elsewhere.
This magazine really scratches an itch when it comes to beautiful horse photos and individual breed studies, not to mention the excellent horse training articles and very important horse care information contained in each monthly edition. The attractive layout and precious letters from horsey readers (I was especially touched by the letters from owners of older horses) makes this magazine a great pick for horse-lovers of all kinds -- owners and non-owners, and very enlightening for wanna-be-owners. The advertising section in the back of the magazine is a great resource for locating breeders, tack and supplies, where to go for a weekend getaway on horse-back, and even schools that offer education in Vet/Farrier fields. I give Horse Illustrated a BLUE RIBBON!
This magazine is another must have for anyone who loves horses and wants to learn more about their care. As with Equus it is highly educational and enjoyable. As an Equine Science student, this magazine augments my studies.
I did give this mag as a gift so I don't know if I liked it. It is fair to say however, that she (gift receiver) did and does enjoy this mag, because she requested it again, after receiving it all last year.
We love this magazine and sent it as a gift subsciption to a friend. It has varied information on horse health, grooming, all styles of riding, etc. It is very good for diverse information - it doesn't focus just on one aspect of horsemanship (ie western riding only) - so if you need a good magazine for general subjects this is definitely a good one to choose.
"Horse Illustrated" is an outstanding compendium of horsemanship, horse-keeping and breed information. With beautiful photographs to boot, it's an outstanding choice for horse owners, or those who happen to love horses.'
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Cheap Airsoft Guns - airsoft, leg holster
This holster perfectly holds my Airsoft M9, and is exactly what I was expecting (I plan on using it for a Stargate costume, it's perfect.) Very adjustable, which is excellent because I'm a very small person. So if you plan on costuming or being on a field, this is a wonderful holster. Comfortable too, I ran around my house one day wearing this thing. 3 pieces Drop Leg Gun Holster and Magazine Holder
Pros:
-comfortable
-very adjustable
-good price
Cons:
-If your mag release is a button by the trigger guard, the button has a good chance of releasing the mag, so a higher chance of loosing the mag.
Overall, i love this thing.
I'm just getting into IDPA and this is the first tactical holster I've purchased. It has many adjustment points but they are not easy to adjust so you may spend some time getting this rig setup the way you like it. It doesn't come with any instructions so take your time with it and adjust one thing at a time for fitting. My Glock 17 fits nicely into the holster with a LaserMax UniMax attached to the rail.
Like the title says.. DO NOT order this if you have any weapon, real or "airsoft", that has a gov't. model 1911 magazine release. The walls of the holster are too tight and press against it. Otherwise well made, and really for a large frame auto, medium size doesn't really work well, the longer slide/barrel of a large frame helps hold weapon in holster.
Although the holster is designed for small weapons ( i got a elite ii beretta, and is a little big for the holster) this product rocks. its quality is totally professional wether you are just an air soft amateur, or a police officer, this product accomplish every need of one shooter.
To be honest it is for a Halloween costume but it feels sturdy enough I would feel comfortable using it with a real gun- if I needed/ wanted too. It's very adjustable but there's little straps to hold back the extra straps- so straps are NOT flapping around. Love it
I purchased this product for a Halloween costume and i am thoroughly impressed with it. I thought the whole thing was going to be too big, but literally every aspect of this holster is adjustable. I am short, so the drop leg holster that slips onto the belt portion is a little long. I might be able to use a safety pin to hoist it up a little; otherwise the drop leg will be more of a drop knee. Overall, I am very satisfied with the quality of this product for the price.
I like the setup, i don't like the holster its made really cheap. My gun is a full size 9mm, didn't fit well in the holster, the holster big and bulky and the leg strap was not attach real well. The 3 mags holder is made better, I like it better then the holster. I got what I paid for, Shipping was good about 3-4 day after I ordered it. - Holsters - Holster - Airsoft - Leg Holster'
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