Tuesday, 20 July 2010
1080p - 120hz, hdtv
I don't know what the other guy's bad review is all about. This tv just came out in february and is a no bells and whistles Sony Bravia. No led backlighting, no swivel stand, no internet apps etc. just a solid lcd tv with a great picture. I like it just as much as my two panasonic plasmas except for the viewing angles. They are not bad, just not as good as the plasma's. The picture is great right out of the box. Nice and natural. Believe it or not I couldn't really improve the picture no matter how much I played with it. In the end, I just lowered the color saturation a few notches and changed the tone to warm 1 and that was it. I noticed no motion Blur even though it is only 60hz. This is such a solid set that in this case I feel the old adage, less is more, really applies. At this price point I "FULLY" recommend this Television. Sony BRAVIA KDL46BX420 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black
I have a number of Sony products, including an XBR 52" HD in my family room. I have a covered deck that is open on two contiguous sides and wanted to add a big screen out there. This TV is the lowest priced Sony on the market right now in the 46" range. I was concerned that it wouldn't be bright enough for an "outdoor" set. It's plenty bright. In fact, I have toned down the brightness for aesthetic reasons and am very happy with the result. I can float in my pool(30 feet away)and watch the San Francisco Giants play baseball. My barbecue is about 25 feet away and I can stand there and watch TV with no problems. The TV is mounted on a Sanus VMSA Silver Flat-panel Wall Mount w/Tilt/Swivel/Arm on an exterior wall under the eaves, so I can swivel or tilt it to gain maximum relief from reflections, depending on the time of day.
The picture is typically Sony--excellent--the features all work very well, and I have it ported to my deck stereo system for the sound which is outstanding. This TV replaced a 24" CRT Sony that has been on that wall for 6 years. I like my XBR best, but this 46" is everything I wanted it to be. Outstanding value.
Amazon's price and 30-day return policy was critical to my purchase, just in case the TV would not have been bright enough outdoors. Delivery was on time and everything was in excellent condition when received.
I actually own the 40 inch version of this TV and it's exactly the same only 6 inches smaller so I think that qualifies me to offset some of the silly 1 star reviews here.
Here is my review for the Sony KDL-40BX42.
I just replaced a 32 inch Toshiba with this 40 inch Sony KDLBX420 and I am on cloud nine. After a little calibration (the factory settings on TV's are always lousy) it looks amazing. I have it hooked up to my PS3 via hdmi and it's like I'm in a movie theater when watching Blu-Rays. Sound from the speakers is just fine but lets face it, you want a proper sound system. But this one is adequate for built in speakers on an LCD. Games look amazing too. During really dark scenes you'll notice a tiny backlight bleed in the four corners. This is an inherent flaw in LCD technology and pretty much all brands suffer from it to some degree from Panasonic, to Samsung. to Toshiba. Other than that this LCD is simply awesome. You cannot go wrong with this purchase.
For those seeing the 1 or 2 star reviews, do yourself a favor and ignore them as they address aspects of the TV that are common knowledge to anyone who has done their research and are flaws present when shopping for ANY TV of this type.
This is doubly true for the speakers - if you're expecting a massive wall of sound from any TV's internal speakers then it's a wonder you were intelligent enough to type a review on Amazon.
Now, on the the important stuff.
From a presentation standpoint, the TV is understated and classy. The glossy black bezel is attractive in it's simplicity, with the only deviation of color being a thin strip (about 1cm) of dark gray at the bottom of the TV. The gray strip house the sensor bar and small power leds.
This is a 'budget' TV, and with that classification aside, the image quality on this TV is amazing. After some careful calibration, the picture shows deep, dark blacks, vivid color, sharply honed detail, and extremely smooth motion.
Despite having a lower refresh rate than higher-end sets, this TV gives fluid, artifact free motion - even in action scenes with lots of quick camera cuts.
The image quality is on-par with much more expensive sets, and given the actual price of this set, the image quality alone makes this TV worth a buy.
However, there are caveats and they present themselves most notably in the inputs - or should I say, the lack thereof.
It's with the inputs where you realize where Sony skimped in order to deliver a set of this size at this price.
You get 2 HDMI, 1 Component, 1 Composite, 1 Coaxial, Analog and Digital Audio inputs, a VGA, and a USB input.
This input scenario posed problems for me, as I have far more devices than this TV can accommodate on it's own.
I have 3 HDMI devices), 1 Component device, 2 Composite devices, and 2 coaxial devices. In order to hook everything up to this TV I had to purchase an HDMI switch, along with a composite splitter and a coaxial hub.
Needless to say not everyone will have a plethora of video game consoles hooked up to their TV, but I do, and the lack of inputs made for one heck of wire mess behind my TV.
However, my last TV had 3 HDMIs, 3 Components, 3 Composites, 2 S-Video, 2 Coaxial, Digital and Analog audio, and a DVI. So I could just be experiencing 'Input Shock' after having so many options.
As an aside, the VGA input works well, and integrating the computer with this TV is quick and painless. The resolution is fine so long as you have a video card capable of supporting such a large picture, but that isn't really an issue unless you're using this TV to play PC games.
In conclusion the 46bx420 is an excellent TV on it's own, and it's even better when you consider the image quality you're getting for the price. The lack of inputs is disappointing if unsurprising, but for the average user the available inputs will likely be more than enough. Again, the sound from the internal speakers is lacking but as I said, that's a no-brainer - you really should have a proper surround sound system hooked up to this TV if you're watching movies or HD media on it anyway.
This TV is a great buy, and easily outperforms the competing models in it's class, and it does it for less to boot. Pick it up if you're in the market for a TV in this size - you won't be disappointed. - 120hz - Hdtv'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Cordless Drill - black and decker, cordless drill
Do not buy this product. It will charge the batteries. However, if your battery goes bad (which you will never know until you try to charge it) the battery will fry the charger with no warning what so ever. The charge light will just go out, and it will never work again. Instead, buy the upgraded charge made by Firestorm with indicator lights for your 24 volt batteries. Black and Decker FS24C FireStorm 24 Volt Battery Charger
Great product, and excellent price, it works just fine with no issues, I appreciate the recommendation made before use it, I found out the one of my baterries is broken so that was the cause why I burned my previous charger. Thank to seller for such a great product, and tahnks to Amazon for the complete transaction, all well done.
Black & Decker FSMVC 9.6-Volt to 18-Volt Slide Style Battery Charger
The charger was sent quickly and works great. In the past when a charger no longer worked the tool was usually no longer being made and I've had to throw it away. - Battery - Cordless Drill - Rechargeable Batteries - Black And Decker'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Cordless Drill - black and decker, cordless drill battery Cordless Drill - black and decker, cordless drill
Framing Nailers - bostitch, nail gun
I bought these nails because I didn't need that many 3" ring shank for my Hitachi NR90 nailer. Very few carry over 2 3/8" in a ring shank, and those that do charge about $30 or more to ship. So 500 nails for $30 with free shipping was worth a try.
The nails look like someone made them by hand. The coating is very thick and not uniform; so the "ring" portion is a hit or miss affair, leaving some nails looking as though they had virtually no rings at all. Some of the nails were also slightly bent; not an issue when using a hammer, but hopefully it won't jam my nailer.
I test shot a strip, shooting a short piece of Timberstrand dimensional lumber into another piece of Timberstrand (I rarely use pine 2 by's). Nailing into Timberstrand requires more nailer power which my NR90 had no problem with.
On the plus side, the nailer worked fine and the board was extremely difficult to dislodge from the other board using three of these nails; so I think they'll work for my purposes.
For a comparision between these nails and my Hitachi ring shank nails; see the above photo. B & C Eagle A3X120HDR/22 Full Head 3-Inch by .120-Inch 20 to 22 Degree Plastic Collated Hot Dipped Galvanized Ring Shank Framing Nail (500 per Box)
Yeah, well these are very hard to come by in Ohio for some reason. Nobody carries plastic collated nails around me (all clipped head wire collated) so I was happy to find them here. Built a shed last year using a couple thousand of this brand of nail last year. Worked perfectly, no jams, bent nails, missing heads, etc. Hold is excellent due to galv. - Bostitch - Nail Gun - Porter-cable - Nailer'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Framing Nailers - bostitch, nail gun nail gun Framing Nailers - bostitch, nail gun
Cordless Drills - cordless drills, cordless drill
I purchased this drill along with a Makita BDF452 and gave both a workout in my garage. My test used 2"x6" pressure treated lumber. My goal was to test power, battery endurance and comfort of use. With both drills, I drilled qty (10) 1" spade bit holes, qty (20) 3/8" bit holes and sunk qty (75) 2" drywall screws. My hand and arm were tired so I quit, but suffice it to say, neither drill quit, so I called battery endurance test a tie. I believe the Bosch had slightly more power and speed, but the Makita had plenty of both for my needs. Both drills gave your arm a good twist when the spade bit would catch and hold. In a close race, I declared the Bosch the winner in power category. The Makita was clearly a more comfortable drill to use. It fit my hand well and the trigger was easy to use. The Bosch handle is configured at a bit of an angle and while using the spade bit the back of the drill seemed to press into my hand. Also, during use my finger naturally moved to the bottom of the trigger and it became a bit uncomfortable. Both drills are very well built and neither got hot during my tests. At the end of the day I preferred the Makita because it was slightly smaller (about 3/4" shorter) and clearly had a more comfortable grip position during use. Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with 2 Slim Batteries
Great drill! I am Contractor and currently own the 36v Bosch litheon drill (Dewalt XRP before that), but I got tired of using it for smaller projects like hanging doors and installing cabinets due to it's bulky size and weight. I now find myself using this drill for everything. It has an excellent power to weight ratio and is very smooth/refined. I have the slim pack batteries and they hold a good charge. I will still keep the 36V around but it may end up collecting dust. I have only owned the 18v for two weeks now so I can't comment on it's long term reliability, but I have used it for sinking numerous 3" deckmates into framing lumber, speedbores, small holesaws, backerboard screws, and other fasteners. I can't comment on it's mixing ability (mortar and other cement mixtures), but that's what electric corded drills are for. As an every day user, I am very happy with this purchase.
Used it to build 4 picnic tables from Rockler plans in a college class. Four work crews, 3 days, hundred of screws in green treated lumber, one charge. Amazing torque, did not need to recharge. Students are Construction management majors and future shop teachers. They were impressed, as was I. Preschoolers came and helped assemble the tables (donated to their preschool) and the clutch worked well to allow the screw to be driven to the correct depth. I love this drill. Oh, and the light is sweet when working in dim areas.
Super tool! I usually don't brand-buy, but my garage seems to be collecting a lot of blue-green and red tools. I have a Bosch RO sander and jigsaw now, and I think they are both top notch. This cordless drill fits right in with the other quality tools. Background: I use this tool for light to heavy work (fine woodworking, drywall, rough carpentry, make holes in 4x4 joists with spade bits to run electrical cable).
The drill is very slender compared to my old (got it three years ago) cordless Craftsman. I can drill in tighter spaces now without having to use my 90 degree attachment. The size reduction also means a lighter tool, which is very deceptive; this drill has some serious power. Nothing like a corded drill but still... The power of the 18 volt is impressive to say the least. I love the 30-minute charge time for the baterries. I fully anticipate solely using this drill thoughout an entire day-long project.
The ratcheting lock it GREAT! I put in a bit and tighten it down with a ratchet lock. This feature has given me the utmost confidence that a bit will never again slip again.
The price is kind of up there compared to competitors, but you get a whole lot of quality with this purchase. Highly recommend!
I purchased the Bosch to replace another 18v that stopped working. I was impressed with the balance, lightweight (compaired to a NiCa) and the exceptional sensitivity of the variable speed contol. I also like the led light under the A good quality product. Negative features are a poorly designed bit holder (it doesn't work!) and no belt hook. Other than that a great quality tool
Recently I needed to purchase a new drill for work, and chose this one for several reasons. First and foremost, I own several Bosch tools and I already know that when I buy Bosch I won't be disappointed. The craftsmanship and functionality of their tools is top notch, and this one is no exception. The second reason I chose this drill was due to the Lithium Ion battery pack. If you can get the same juice out of a smaller and lighter package, why not? With this drill in my hand I felt like I was holding an older 12v model, but with the power of an 18v. I'll never use Ni-MH again. What surprised me more than anything else though, is the way the battery holds power. With older drills, as the battery loses power, so does the drill. This drill works at full power until the battery is drained, allowing you to work at full capacity until its time to change batteries. The final reason I chose this drill was for the torque rating. Simply put, I like power, and its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. At this price point and combination of features, this was the most powerful drill available when I made my purchase. I find myself actually using the different torque and speed settings based on the job I am doing instead of just putting it on the highest setting and hoping I've got enough power. I'm probably going to get one of these for the house really soon even though I've got a perfectly fine cordless drill already. I like it that much.
Bought this drill after returning the 14.4V Black and Decker. My first thought was to spend about $70-$80 for a drill. I quickly learned while constructing a wooden swing set that the Black and Deck was not a very good tool and went back and spent an extra $60 bucks to get this tool. The difference was amazing, this drill just feels stronger and better made (the BD felt like it was made of plastic and this one felt like it was made of metal). Grat power and torque, nice size, quick bit changes--plus the chuck locks with a "click" so you know its locked (the BD chuck couldn't even keep the drill bits in place). All in all I was very happy with this purchase, its the type of tool you just hold and know its a quality tool. BUY this drill!! - Lithium-ion - Cordless Drills - 18 Volt - Cordless Drill'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Cordless Drills - cordless drills, cordless drill cordless drills Cordless Drills - cordless drills, cordless drill
Brad Nailers - brad nailers, brad nailer
This is one of the best tools I have ever had. Operates flawlessly every time. I use Bostich nails/brads because they are easier to find (all sizes up to 2") and the nailer works perfectly. The "height" adjustment is easy. The "jam release" mechanism is great - but the tool has never jammed. Excellent Product! James Willard Hitachi NT50AE2 18-Gauge 5/8-Inch to 2-Inch Brad Nailer
This is by far the best brad nailer I have ever used in my 20 years as a trim carpenter. It is very light weight ,powerfull, and looks great too! Hitachi has always been a pro-quality grade tool and this brad nailer is a great addition to there collection of pro-quality tools.
The one thing that swayed me to this model was definitely a key advantage. With this nailer, the safety slide peg is mounted behind the nail channel, which means you can get nails into tighter spots with this model than you can with others. The Bostich and others have the slide out in front of the nail channel which means the brad comes out about a quarter inch back from the forward-most part of the tool tip. With this Hitachi the brad comes out at the very front, which is very nice when putting nails in tight corners.
This tool is so handy and does such a nice job, I wonder what would ever make me buy a finish nailer. I'm pretty sure this brad nailer would do those jobs for me too.
Three minor disadvantages drop this to a 4-star rating (reallly 4.5), but it's not because I think there's a better one out there, it's just that there's room for improvement.
1. It's not oil-free. Not a big deal but it would be nicer to not have to bother with oil.
2. The lightest (shallowest) nail depth setting is still a little too powerful. With short brads in soft material many were penetrating too deep. It would be nice to be able to go a little shallower by a step or two.
3. The case is compact and handy, but there's no extra space in there to put nails or oil. Luckily they molded a spot for safety glasses (included) which I have emptied out to store my oil and a few brads there instead. I always have safety glasses with me anyway so that space is better used for nailer-specific items. There is extra volume inside there but its molded over in plastic so you can't use it. Again, nobody else seems to do a better job of this, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be improved.
In summary, a great tool. I can't believe I lived so long without it. A brad nailer makes many jobs much easier, allowing me to do things I couldn't do before with just two hands.
The price was more than right. This is an excellent deal. I used Milwaukee brads for it, and no jams so far. It would be nice if it had a better tip on it though. Comparing price and value with other brands, I would buy this one again. Up until 6 months ago I never knew Hitachi made good tools. Hitachi is my preferred brand for pneumatic right now. The only guns I probably wouldnt buy are their framing nailers, only because the PC is so much cheaper and does the job so well. Buy this gun, you can't go wrong. Along with the tip, the thing that really puzzles me is, I can go buy a $20 no name gun kit, and IT INCLUDES OIL IN THE CASE! (not to mention a couple thousand nails) Here I buy a Hitachi, and not a drop. How about including a small bottle of oil guys? The fifty cents it would cost the company would be well worth it to build greater brand loyalty.
I got this brad nailer as a back up to my Stanley Bostitch nailer and it feels more balanced than my Bostitch.
As others have mentioned, the the gun ships in a case without oil! I don't really mind it at all because I have lots of oil lyring around. But for those who are just starting out with pneumatic nailer, you should get some oil before you start firing nails with it.
I like that fact that it has the sequential trip and the bump fire built into the gun at the flip of the switch, a feature that my Bostitch does not have. It sinks nails well and countersinks it to the right depth once adjusted properly. I use combination of Porter Cable as well as Bostitch brand brads and not had a jam or misfire yet. I have test fired it very rapidly (3-4 brads per second) in sequential fire and bump fire mode and also not jammed.
I would have given it 5 stars if not for 2 small things which I found can be improved. The depth of drive adjustment wheel is easier to turn. It's located between the magazine and the nose. Not the easiest to turn if your fingers are not dexterous. My Bostitch had the adjustment wheel located in front of the nose. Secondly, the exhaust swivels 360 with some detents. But I think the exhaust can be improved because it 's only a cheap piece of plastic held in place by a ring groove. Not very easy to adjust the exhaust unlike the bostitch which has the exhaust adjustment incoporated into the top cap.
But overall, it's a well built gun and will buy it again and will recomend to friends if the sale comes around once again. Much better than some POS that is made in cheap china factory with no QC.
I had used a Bostich brad nailer of the same configuration and I found the Hitachi to have a better feel to it; it is lighter and packs a nice punch. There is one feature the Bostich has that I wish the Hitachi had and that is the oiling; the Bostich does not require oiling while the Hitachi does; no big deal, it is just not convenient and easy to feorget.
Pro: Excellent feel and worked flawlessly during two weeks of remodeling. Great on baseboards, moldings, cabinets, etc.. This is the perfect nailer for working around the house. Got this from Amazon for less than $60 with no tax and free shipping. $90 + tax at Lowe's.
Con: The no-mar tip could be better because it made very small dents. No oil included. A bit loud.
Still 5 stars because it's a wonderful tool compared to other nailers I used before. - Nail Gun - Brad Nailers - Nailers - Brad Nailer'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Brad Nailers - brad nailers, brad nailer brad nailers Brad Nailers - brad nailers, brad nailer
Cell Phone Car Charger - droid charger, motorola
First things first: IF (and that's IF) you get the genuine OEM Motorola charger listed here, the SPN5400/P513/89143N, it works great with modern smart phones like the Motorola Droid, The Incredible, The Google Nexus One, etc. Basically, if your phone has a micro USB connector (and almost all of the newer generation smart phones do), then this is the charger for you.
That said: Not every seller is selling the right item. There are lots of reports of people getting the wrong charger (I've had this happen myself). Your best bet: Amazon, who not only IS selling the correct charger, but has the best price, when you factor in shipping, provided you qualify for free shipping from Amazon (either with Prime, or if your order is > $25).
The Amazon-as-seller listing for this charger can be found here, at least at the time of this review. Search through the sellers to find Amazon. Their price, if you get free shipping from Amazon, is the cheapest, or close to it. And you are guaranteed of getting the correct item, brand new, retail.
OK, that said, here's the rest of my review:
There are so many sketchy sellers selling phone chargers out there, that it can be a bit scary. The problem is that if the charger is poorly made, the output of the charger can be out of spec and can, in some cases, fry the phone you connect to it.
For that reason, when it comes to phone chargers, you should stick to name brands. (They are all made in China, but the name brand ones are usually subject to stricter QA).
When I found this charger on Amazon, SOLD BY AMAZON, I jumped on it. It's a MICRO USB car charger, made for Motorola and sold under the Motorola name, in retail packaging. The rated output is 4.75-5.25V and 950mA.
This charger should work fine with most any phone that uses the MICRO USB connector. The key number to pay attention to is the second one, the rated amperage. This is the MAXIMUM amount of current that the phone can request from the charger. A typical USB port on a PC provides as little as 100mA, and few provide more than 500mA. So this charger should charge your phone faster than when it's connected to a PC. A few phones out now can use up to 1000mA. But that just means they CAN use that amount. If 950mA is provided, they'll still charge, just a bit more slowly.
Note that the amperage (second number) merely tells you how much the charger CAN supply, if requested. The phone itself is responsible for asking for the current. That is to say, if this charger can provide 950mA, but your phone can only use 300mA--no problem. Your phone asks for 300mA and the charger provides all of what is requested. If, on the other hand, your phone can use 1000mA, this charger will provide all it can, which is 950mA--a wee bit less than the max asked for. That's also not a problem; it just means your phone will charge a little bit (not much in this case) more slowly. The rated voltage for this charger is presented in a range of 4.75-5.25V. The "ideal" voltage for a USB charger of any type if 5V. And most chargers for home use are rated right at 5V. But car chargers work in a noisier environment and thus you have the range. This is where a cheapo charger can really do damage, as some of them are poorly regulated and can provide voltages that are WAY out of spec. Again, when you can get a name brand charger from a seller you can trust (Amazon) for such a reasonable price, it's very foolish to consider the cheapo no-names.
This is an excellent quality name brand travel micro USB charger at a price that beats the no-name junk from third party sellers. What's not to like?
BE SURE TO ORDER IT FROM AMAZON AND NOT ONE OF THE THIRD PARTY SELLERS, as some of those have been known to make mistakes with respect to what they ship relative to the listing. I can confirm that Amazon is shipping the P513 /89143N /SPN5400 charger, as pictured.
One last note: This charger is alternatively sold as the P513, the 89143N OR the SPN5400. These numbers all refer to the same charger. A different product number is assigned depending on the channel through which the charger has been sold. But they are all the same. Motorola Vehicle Power Adapter micro-USB Rapid Rate Charger - Motorola - Droid X - Droid Charger - Car Charger'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Cell Phone Car Charger - droid charger, motorola droid x Cell Phone Car Charger - droid charger, motorola
Ipod Transmitter - ipod, bluetooth
This transmitter and receiver is perfect for getting your ipod music onto your stereo system without wires or expensive components. The bluetooth signal works well for short range ( the 33 feet seems accurate as outside limit) and in my case transmits clearly through walls to another room. The only reservation is that the transmitter only works with the two pin headsets for ipods. That is, it works with my older Ipod photo but doesnt fit the newer Ipod video. Belkin TuneStage Bluetooth-Enabled Transmitter for iPod
I received the TuneStage today, from Amazon. Plugged it in both sides (on top of the iPod, and the receiver into an audio pin). Hit PLAY on the iPod and the transmitter automatically connects (pairs) with the receiver. Bada-bing, the iPod is now your remote control. Volume controls, playlist, and all. From unpacking to a remote control in five minutes. It could not have been any easier. Apple should have made this product. And nobody really knows about it.
Sound quality is not 100% I feel, but the unit works well and does great in my bedroom setting. Best results come when the stereo volume is kept relatively low an the iPod is cranked nearly to maximum (best signal to noise).
If you have a iPod Nano, you'll need TuneStage II, which is supposed to hit the street Sept 2006. Rather than releasing a model that fits only the Nano, TuneStage II includes a dongle that will fit any iPods that use the dock connector.
This product is very slick at allowing you to wirelessly send audio through your home stereo. The Sonos system does this very well, but if you already have an iPod and a stereo, TuneStage is a great addition.
I love the tune stage. I simply took it out of the box and plugged everything in and before I knew it, I was sending wirless music from my Ipod to my reciver. The quality of the sound was most impressive (sounds like it is hard wired). The range is a little short but works awesome in my situation.
With the current price this was at, I could not pass it up. I happen to have an iPod 30G Photo, so the dongle worked perfect for me. It synced flawlessly. The sound I thought was really pretty good. I am somewhat of an audiophile, and was presently surprised. The bass tends to distort a bit at higher volumes, but not terribly bad. I had read several reviews on this, and several people had used other Bluetooth devices to connect to the Tunestage including cell phones and laptops. I was a little disappointed that my iPhone 3GS would not recognize the Tunestage. The manual says it is A2DP compatible and my iPhone is suppose to be. I am still searching Google to see if I am missing something. If you plan to use this for a iPod that it is intended to be for, it works great. Buyer beware if buying to use with other Bluetooth devices. One thought is you could always buy a dongle for a newer iPod and it should work. I think just about the only difference in the Tunestage and the Tunestage II is the dongle and some updated software through my research.
**Update: I synced this unit to my Dell Laptop with built in Bluetooth. It worked great! Sync Code is 1111. It must be something with the iPhone's software that will not allow it to sync with this unit. I have not given up yet!**
I have 2 ipod classics one is several years old. This is not compatible with either. The picture very carefully doesn't show the connection on the bottom of the transmitter. The receiver is also incompatible with other bluetooth transmitters, although it states in the manual that it MAY work with some. Spent hours researching only to find that it is completely useless and incompatible. Now I get to return it. The entire construction is very cheap plastic. Disappointed is an understatement.
i just got this the other day and i love it, except for the fact that i can only use the older model ipod on it and not my video ipod, so it's getting returned and i'm gonna wait for the tunestage II due out next month which will play both!
I have an iPod Touch 1st Generation and purchased this item based upon the item description saying it would work with the Touch. When I received the TuneStage it didn't list the Touch regarding compatibility. When I opened the box and took a look at the bluetooth transmitter it was clear why it would'nt work. The connector fits into the headphone jack, with a small, flat connector right next to it. The Touch doesn't have this flat connector next to its headphone jack.
I took a risk based upon what I read in the product descripton on Amazon. I guess I should have looked up this product elsewhere to determine compatibility prior to the purchase. - Ipod Accesories - Ipod - Bluetooth Stereo - Bluetooth'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Ipod Transmitter - ipod, bluetooth ipod Ipod Transmitter - ipod, bluetooth
Highly Recommended - highly recommended, darya
The quality and material of this suit is amazing! I ordered 2 and had them tailored to fit me. Incredible material, quailty, etc. My tailor even commented that the quality was greater than other suits she had seen. Presidential Suit Signature Collection Mens Suit Italian Super 140s Two Button Jacket Flat Front Pants Business Suit Pure Black (42 Regular) - Darya - Darya Trading - Suits - Highly Recommended'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Highly Recommended - highly recommended, darya suits Highly Recommended - highly recommended, darya
Yoga Accessory
Love this yoga mat accessory! I wanted to find something to haul one of my yoga mats to the gym so I wouldn't have to work out using the germ infested batch of mats at the gym. I went online to Amazon and found this one, not only is it cute,it does the job, simple as that!Would reccomend this product! Embroidered Yoga Pilates Mat Sling Strap - Alaskan'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Yoga Accessory Yoga Accessory Yoga Accessory
Full Spectrum - energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs
I am an engineer who has been completely disgusted with the home lighting situation. There are no standards and many misstatements and counterdictions at the stores. I own a Minolta flash meter which accurately measures a lights color temperature. I've tried the bulb technology at Walmart, Sams Club Home Depot and Lowes. The most glaring examples:
1) yellow light is called soft white (2700)
2) very blue washed-out color light is called daylight (6000-6500)
3) Low lumen (400-600 lumens) LED lights go for as much as $90!
4) Some bulbs are advertised as white but the chart on the back shows its yellow. Go Figure!
Here are the bulbs to avoid: all (harsh washed-out blue) daylight, and (yellow) soft white. The GE Reveal offers somewhat better clarity, but is overpriced and quite yellow.
Full spectrum (5000-5500) bulbs are a step-up but stores offer a very limited selection. The Home Depot full 100w spectrum's beats the Lowe's Ott-Lite.
On the LED front Sam's Club carries a 520 lumen, 4100K, 9 LED PAR38 reflector which has a easily noticeable smoother light spectrum. Great for the one light on in the kitchen in the evening. The equivalent $70 LED lights at the hardware store are hardly a bargain, as the Sam's is $20! However its Color Retention index (CRI)is only 74.
The best of all are lights are these 5500K Alzo's. I've installed a 45w in the kitchen pantry and the color of the food boxes really pop. Food looks like it does in the magazines. The clarity is first rate (however 27w should be sufficient). They are the reference to which others are to be compared. My wife has not complained even when they are on at night-time. This is a first.
Skin tones in the bathroom look very natural. A first again.
Color temperature alone is not the sole basis to buy a bulb as a high CRI is also required. The Alzo's come in at 92, which is very high. Most manufactures do not even list this measurable figure (assume because its too low).
I've been testing other bulbs. For vanity and lamps (Alzo does make any) these offer a VERY uniform ball of nice white 5000K glow. I ordered 12 for my new house's bathrooms:
Maxlite 14 Watt G30 Globe CFL DL SKM14EGDL
For kitchen these are now the best 5000K PAR lights. Not as high of color quality as Alzo, but they don't make reflector lights!
Maxlite 23 Watt CFL R40 Flood Day Lite SKR423FLDL
In summary best home lights are the Photo CFL which offer both a 5000-5500K range with a CRI over 90. Further these bulbs allow for brighter rooms, as compared to hardware store types. That is, the more pleasing light allows for greater brightness levels, so go for the 45watt bulbs in larger pantries or rooms.
Thanks go to Amazon and Alzo for allowing consumers to purchase superior quality products at a price no higher than the unpleasant and unsatisfying bulbs in the store. Hope this helps! Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 27W Compact Fluorescent - Case of 4 - Daylight Balanced 5500K - Pure White Light - the Joyous Light
These things give off a lot of bright white light with a slightly bluish tint. The chromatic variance off of true white is subtle however most people do not realize how used to the strong yellow tones of the average incandescent or CFL bulb. While science has a lot to say about the positive benefits of using a full spectrum light bulb, choosing this particular bulb requires a keen awareness of your use.
These lights are sturdy, are a little bit heavier than your average CFL, and are about a coil and a half too long for most residential lighting fixtures which were sized for the former incandescent bulbs.
ALZO is a great choice, if you need a smaller one, look for one with a slightly smaller watt rating, and also count the coils. This bulb would be an excellent choice for larger rooms and lights where more light is necessary - and where the mount supports its longer length.
these bulbs are awesome. pure white light. no blue, no yellow, just pure white. i also ordered the 43 watt alzo bulbs and although they are rated at double the lumens i prefer this size. it seems to give almost as much light output while being 1/3 smaller and using about 40% less energy.
they are slightly pricey considering u can get a 'bright white' 4100k 2 pack of 26 watt bulbs for 6 dollars at home depot, but these give slightly better light for those that need pure light to show details. such as photography, autodetailing, woodworking, painting etc.
I'm a painter - of canvases, not houses. I need an indoor light source that's as much like natural daylight as possible, so my color choices will be accurate and consistent, and not "surprising" when viewed somewhere other than my studio.
Before ordering the ALZO 4-pack of 27-watt bulbs I called the ALZO company, which is actually a manufacturer of photography-related products. I spoke with Joseph (or Yosef?) there, who is a professional photographer with decades of experience. He answered my questions with real expertise and I felt entirely confident in ordering the ALZO bulbs from Amazon.
My Amazon order arrived with the usual Amazon efficiency. The bulbs are individually boxed, with all four boxes packed inside an outer box. They are LARGER than you might expect, but my application is utilitarian, so that's not a problem. See the dimensioned illustration on the Amazon product page.
The light is BRIGHT(!) and very WHITE(!) and for me, the 27W size is all I need (though I may find use for the 35W version eventually). According to Joseph, 5,500 degrees Kelvin is as close as you can get to natural daylight (5,600K) and what I see supports that statement well. I expect to use two bulbs when painting; that's a mere 54 watts of electricity for a LOT of balanced, bright "daylight". The energy savings are much appreciated.
As long as the large bulb size does not present a problem, I suggest you buy this four pack. The price per bulb is MUCH lower than that of competing bulbs and the quality seems good. A Good Value, sez I.
BONUS: As I understand it, these bulbs also provide the type of light used to overcome S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a sort of depression that can occur in winter months when we tend to receive too little sunlight (not enough Vitamin D from sunlight, actually). FYI: You can take 5,000 IU of vitamin D supplement daily to compensate.
This winter, I think I'll feel EVEN BETTER when I paint under this light source. - Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Energy Efficient - Light Bulb - Accurate'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Full Spectrum - energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs energy efficient Full Spectrum - energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs
Flex-shaft Kits - woodworking, rotary tool accessories
I've found the flex-shaft to be one of the most useful Dremel tool accessories. It's great for those remote, hard-to-reach areas of my work pieces where the width of the tool itself would hinder my efforts, ot it just can't reach. It took a while for me to get the hang of using it, since it required a bit more hand control than I originally anticipated. Just make sure to keep it as straight as possible, and don't bend it too much- it heats up pretty quickly, especially at the bends. And heat's the big killer of this accessory. Also, be sure to have a bit of the flex-shaft grease handy for occasional lubrication.The only thing that annoys me about the flex-shaft is that it won't accept a chuck to secure the bits, just collets. This can be a major frustration when I'm doing work that requires constant bit changes, with different bit diameters. Just when I thought I was rid of those pesky collets forever...`Late Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment
They have the MultiSaw, they have the Chuck, even the magnet-powered Dremelite, but nothing comes close to the Flexshaft. This baby is THE essential attachment for a Dremel. It comes with easy-to-read instructions on How to put it on, and it even has a diagram showing the different parts and the part numbers. (in case something gets broken, as in my case). This thing is incredible. I polish silver Quite a bit with my Dremel, and this thing makes it easy to get into those ultra-hard-to-reach areas. (my current project is a silver clarinet of my grandmother's). If you only get one attachment for Your Dremel, This one is way out in front for the choice. (just don't put it past 30000 RPM unless you have the flex-shaft tool holder, not that anything bad will happen, it just makes this annoying chattering noise).
5 out of 5
I've had my 350 series Dremel for over ten years, now, and that poor workhorse of a tool has seen a LOT of use in that time, carving everything from wood to bone to amber to turquoise. My only beef about that awesome little bit of technology is the amount of vibration it puts my wrist through- ouch. If I've been going for a couple of hours (my average time on it is three hours at a stretch), my hand is a distorted, cramped up mess due to the vibration...
Enter the flex-shaft. I got to try one of the old ones (the plain, black cased pen type) a bunch of years back, and I'd loved it then, but couldn't afford one. They were still fairly new, and I was just starting out with learning how to use my tool anyway. But I'm getting serious into the carving, lately, and my wrist just couldn't handle it, so I went nosing around for that wonderful little pen I could carve with and found the new model here. At first, I was worried that it wouldn't be compatible with my beastie, which was old when I got it as a gift, but I looked up the specs, did some digging and found that it should fit with my model.
Awesome.
So I ordered it. :)
Got it in less than a week and a half, and I immediately went for the little set of instructions, read 'em, did all the prep stuff to set it up, and started playing around with some silver I'd been saving to polish. Yes! I could work without my poor hand going numb! More awesome.
So, all that windy blather aside, I'm happy with the flex-shaft. It's everything I'd hoped for it to be: lightweight (definitely an issue with my joints), easy to use, and quite compatible with my old Dremel. I should have gotten one these ages ago!
I wont repeat what everyone else has said about this being a fine tool,It is and my only gripe about it is that it is not really a heavy duty piece. If you try to grind a cylinder head port you will find out fairly quickly that this flex shaft is for light duty only and will overheat and or become disconnected internally. Otherwise it works very well on all manner of things.
Great tool as has been said by others.. but wanted you to know if you own an older model Dremel tool as I do, this will fit some of them.
It fits my older model 380 just fine and works great. Not sure why Dremel doesn't list it as working, unless it's just TOO old to worry about.
There may well be variables between all the models they put out over the years so can't say "ALL" older models so be sure and check it out first.
But there is reason to check like I did 8-)
I use my dremel to drill holes in glass. The flex shaft is great because it's easy to handle and allows me to drill into water without risking putting my dremel into water. I also like using it with the foot pedal and the chuck. The flex shaft does what it says it does and does it well.
With the Flex Shaft it becomes far easier to do fine detailed work especially on small items. The power loss with my Dremel 800 series cordless wasn't a problem at all for doing some simple engraving and jewelry work.
Also note that the MULTIPRO Chuck (Amazon B0000302ZV )I bought a few months back works fine with this flex extension.
I have only just attached this accessory to my Dremel tool today, but I like it so far. The packaging states that this tool fits the following model Dremel tools: 400, 300, 398, 395, 285/200, 275/100, 800, 780, 4000, & 8200. The directions state that you cannot use router bits or other large diameter cutting bits because of possible kickback and loss of control. Also, the instructions advise that the flexible shaft can become disengaged if you don't elevate the rotary tool to a height that is higher than the flex shaft end, so you may want to purchase part #2222 (Rotary Tool Stand) to keep the rotary tool elevated. It accepts the following four collets: No. 480 (1/8"), No. 481 (3/32"), No. 482 (1/16"), & No. 483 (1/32"). The directions don't state anything about whether or not a chuck can be used with this system.
there a many design changes that improve function over the original flexshaft design. my hand doesn't get as tired as quickly as with the older version. however, you still have to be very careful to not let the shaft overheat and keep it lubed. - Attachments - Flex-shaft Kits - Woodworking - Rotary Tool Accessories'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Flex-shaft Kits - woodworking, rotary tool accessories rotary tool accessories Flex-shaft Kits - woodworking, rotary tool accessories
Baby Hooded Towel - hooded towel, spasilk
After washings these towels held up. (Ive done all the baby's things on delicate wash) They are adorable and perfect for newborn - small infant. Only advice is to not wash the hippo towel with other towels or outfits. It bleeds bright pink pretty bad. I hand washed this one the first few times. Frenchie Mini Couture Wild Animal Hooded Bath Towel Set, 3 Pack, Girl
These towels are what I expected; they are cute colors and fun prints, and are about as absorbent as any other baby towel - not very. If you are looking for something that you are going to get all wet when you hold your baby close after bath time try the Circo brand from Target. They have some pretty thick towels, but you pay the price for them (one Circo is as much as this set of 3). I think these are great though and do the trick. I would buy them again.
These towels are so cute! They're nice and soft and the color has held up nicely to a few washings so far. & you cant beat the price for all 3 of them! Im thinking of ordering another set just so that i dont have to do laundry as often.lol - Spasilk - Baby - Hooded Towel - Baby Bathing And Grooming'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Baby Hooded Towel - hooded towel, spasilk hooded towel Baby Hooded Towel - hooded towel, spasilk
Garmin Friction Mount - gps mount, dashboard mount
After doing hours of research for a dash mount for my Garmin Nuvi 205w, I decided to give this one a try, and so glad that I did. I looked at the bean bag one and this one, and really wanted a smaller footprint and less bulky mount to put up on my dash. I was concerned about this mount and it rolling, flipping, or tumbling off the dash. To my surprise and delight it never moved !! I have tried it in both of our cars, even used it in the van for our vacation. Fits all three and sits there holding it's position. Some have made notes about a residue that is left behind, I experienced this in 2 of our vehicles, but when I cleaned the car and wiped the dash down, the `residue' was gone. Most likely from the silicone bottom on the mount that holds it in place. Love the flexibility and the fact that you can bent this mount to contour to your dash, and then the swivel mount allows you to adjust the Garmin to see it at any angle. Mounted in my car I took a few corners hard to try and tumble the mount w/ the Garmin, but no luck, it just sat there telling me where to go "literally". Granted I am sure you can tumble it of the dash if you hit a hard core bump or drive erratically, but everyday driving & circumstances it does it's job. If the bottom silicone gets icky from lint, dirt, debris, all you have to do is wipe it down with a cloth and good as new !!
Love the look, the small foot print, and the flexibility. I would recommend this mount to anyone that is looking for a more stylish, but completely functional dash mount, that can go with you most anywhere and in any vehicle.
Loving my Garmin Mount & Garmin Nuvi 205W... Garmin Friction Mount
I already have the "bean bag" mount and was glad to see this new, updated design, so I ordered. It does look more "factory". Was unpleasantly surprised when it arrived. The main upper portion is a pliable plastic that molds to the contours of your dash. The bottom, though, is a strange feeling silicone, that leaves your fingers feeling like you just handled a silicone spray or lubricant. Right on the packaging, but hidden from view until you remove the mount, is a message about cleaning residue left behind on your dash. Indeed, it even left an imprint mark on my kitchen counter while I was reading the packaging! Who wants to clean up a silicone stain every time you use it. I've already sent it back and will stick with the bean bag.
Got it to replace the Garmin bean bag friction mount. The base of this unit allows twisting to conform to the curves and contour of the dash.
This base will not move on the dash as it has a "sticky" base, however, the base and the mounted GPS toppled and rolled off my dash and landed on the front passenger seat when I cornered at moderate speed.
So while it won't slide, it can fly!
I was skeptical about buying this product at first. When I got it I was even more doubtful that it would work well since it was so light weight and small. How could this stay in place? Boy was I wrong. The rubber has a piece of metal in it so you can mold it to the dash board. The backing is just like one of those rubber lint rollers with a tacky side. I took really hard turns on exit ramps and it did not fall over. It holds in place solid. I did get a residual wet mark on the dash board kind of like when you use armour all and do not blend it in well. It does just wipe off with the palm of your hand though. I would recommend placing it in a zip lock bag or something when you take it down so it does not collect junk from under the seat. Clean up is easy with just soapy water and let air dry when too much dust accumulates. This is better than the bean bag.
I would also like to add that the reviewers saying this product falls off their dash is most likely because they do not clean their dashboard. Just like a lint brush, you must remove the lint for it to work!
I almost returned this item as I thought it was too unstable with my Nuvi 255WT. While driving on normal roads, I noticed the GPS was shaking to the point that navigating with it became downright annoying. I found the problem to be the rear of the flexible/sticky base where the mounting arm is attached. While the front of the base stayed firmly in place, the rear could twist up slightly from side to side resulting in the GPS shake I was experiencing. I believe this is because the rear of the base is more narrow than the front and therefore not as stable. For comparison, I switched back to my old Garmin sandbag mount and there was absolutely no shaking with that one. But, I really liked the looks, lower profile and better non-slip design of the friction mount and decided to work with it a bit more. Fortunately, I found that I could eliminate the shaking by pressing one/both bottom corners of the GPS unit into contact with the rubber base. This worked perfectly and with the shaking gone, and that sticky base stuck to the dash, my GPS has never felt more secure (better than the sandbag). I would definitely recommend this mount to others and if you experience the shaking problem, just try the tip I mentioned above.
Until I purchased this mount I only used the Garmin on road trips, now I used it almost all the time. It is almost like having a built in GPS. It sits on top of the dashboard, you just place where you want it and it stays, no suction cup needed. When you leave the car just place it on the floor out of sight with the GPS in place. I can program it while holding it close instead of reaching over the dashboard to the GPS mounted on the windshield. If you have a portable Garmin GPS this is the way to go.
This is a road warrior's dream. Garmin thought through the movable dash mount very carefully with this product.
I've travelled (airplanes to rental cars) for a few years with the Garmin bean bag mount Garmin Portable Friction Mount [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]. It's kind of a pain in the neck, you have to remove the arm completely, find a place to store that, and then find a place where that bean bag won't get all bent up. When you arrive, assemble all that junk and toss it on the dash.
This mount is simplicity and designed around tossing it in a carryon bag. The rubber / silicone base is about the diameter of a CD with an extesion about 1/2 that size. So it's compact. The arm for mounting the GPS folds almost completely flat. So the whole thing transports very easily.
Mounted on the dash, simply bend the pliable rubber base to conform to the dash, flip the arm up, snap in your GPS, and you're good to go. This thing holds the dash as well as the beanbags. No the GPS doesn't fly all over any more than it does with the beanbag.
And the base is some kind of strange material like a post it note. It does feel weird and smells odd the first few days. Any residue - no not happening. It sits on a Mercedes dash with no fear that it will ruin my dash.
This is a much more portable and solid version of a removable dash mount, than the beanbags. The pictures don't do it justice. - Garmin Mount - Dashboard Mount - Friction Mount - Gps Mount'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Garmin Friction Mount - gps mount, dashboard mount gps mount Garmin Friction Mount - gps mount, dashboard mount
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)