Monday, 16 August 2010
Park Bench Back Yard Bench - 2x4basics, bench
I just finished assembling a 2x4basics AnySize Bench 11200 and am very happy with it. The bench assembly took a little longer than I thought it would. I think I worked on it for about two hours. I wasn't counting on having to drill pilot holes for the dozens of screws (included) that had to be used putting the bench together. Nor did I figure on spending so much time figuring out how to best sink the screws into the underside of the boards. Don't worry about slanting the screws into the wood a bit. It is impossible to get a drill into a perfect position for making a 90 degree hole. Most of the screws do not show anyhow.
It was necessary to tip the bench over in order drill pilot holes and to get at the screws. I had to clamp the 2x4's to the plastic/composite ends to keep them from falling off or moving out of position. I would recommend using a couple of small carpentry clamps to hold things in place while putting the bench together.
I had the 2x4's sanded and painted prior to attaching them to the plastic/composite ends so that took a little time, but probably not more than an additional hour. That probably saved time in the long run. Making this bench with the 2x4 basics kit is not a difficult project.
The 2x4 basics bench is solid and not all that heavy, but it isn't going to blow over in a high wind. I am quite satisfied with how the bench came out and somewhat surprised at how substantial it is. I thought it might twist and perhaps wiggle side to side--nope, it is a rock.
I am so pleased with this approach to building patio furniture that I will be recommending the product to friends. 2x4basics AnySize Chair or Bench Ends, Sand
These are the coolest things! We bought 3 sets and made two 12 feet benches, each with one of these in the middle for extra support. We used redwood and they turned out really nice! I love that these come with all the hardware you need. All you have to do is buy the 2x4's and just slide them through and screw them in place! So easy! And you can make them as long as you want. However, if you make the benches long like we did you do need the extra support of more of these. I definately recommend these to anyone!
The vinyl seats on my pontoon boat had deteriorated over the years of exposure to sun and weather. Yes, we started out with good intentions of covering the boat, but we all get lazy after a while.
I had been looking for a solution other than spending a lot of money to have the seats recovered. Found the bench ends of 2x4 basics on line vs. many other types of outdoor benches available that are all very expensive.
The 2x4 basics have worked out perfect. Easy to assemble, very sturdy, durable for the crowd we get on the pontoon boat.
I actually made the benches eight feet long even though the recommendation is not to exceed six feet. I made a center support from a short 2x6 (used 2x4's for the bench as instructed) using the bench end as a template. Just cut the shape and angles with a sabre saw. Used deck screws to screw the support to the 2x4's of the bench seat and front and back support 2x4's. Very strong and no flex in the bench seat.
Working great and no maintenance.
Have purchased 2 sets of the 2x4 basics bench ends for use in our neighborhood common area by a small lake. Residents are pleased with the comfort and sturdiness of the benches while enjoying the view and feeding the ducks.
The only addition I made was to install 4" mending plates at 1/3 span intervals of the 2"x4"s for the seat. These served to firm up the seat and eliminate pinch points between the 2"x4"s.
Amazon had the best price and were incredibly quick with delivery.
We like this bench so much we bought another. It comes in a relatively lightweight box, and we easily assembled it using our own wood. We chose the location for the bench, then put it together at that location so we didn't have to move it once it was one piece and heavy. We've had it now for over a year and it's sturdy and charming. You'll enjoy this bench, and the price!
We purchased 2 sets of bench ends. We needed something in our yard areas to sit and view the gardens around our home. This fills the bill nicely. Purchased 8 foot 2x4's and cut them all 4 foot long. Painted them up and put them all together. We just love our new benches.
My 14 year old grandson put this together as a 5' bench for my porch in less than an hour, following the very clear instructions on the box. It is sturdier than most of the fancier and more expensive metal framed benches I have seen and it is comfortable to sit on. The "Product Description" information makes it clear that 2x4's are not included. You need 9 cut to whatever length (up to 6') you intend to make the bench. This is a reasonably priced product that should provide years of enjoyment.
Buyer/builder beware!
I am so glad that I carefully studied (and did not trust) the alleged instructions, which were, by the way, no more than a few pictures on the box.
For my four-foot bench, I was "instructed" to cut three four-foot 2 x 4s, and two 41" 2 x 4s. In actuality, the bench requires nine four-foot 2x4s, and no other lengths. Had I followed the instructions, I would have wasted eight feet of expensive treated lumber, AND needed a second trip to the lumberyard to buy additional boards.
My four hours' labor has resulted in a great bench, no thanks to the manufacturer.
After our old metal bench died, I started looking for a replacement. We live in south TX on the coast, so having something that wouldn't rust again was important to us. I finally found this bench doing a search and it looked easy enough to do. It's available on several sites, but Amazon was the best deal for sure! My DH and I are homeowners, but not fixers, therefore I was a little concerned about how easy it would be. It was easy, easy. We used pressure-treated wood and did have to cut it ourselves - but we were easily able to do that with a circular saw. We cut out wood 5.5 ft long for a bench (plenty big for 2 large people) and we still have the 2.5 lengths leftover for a chair to do. It's comfortable, very sturdy, looks good in the yard, rust proof, and easy care. What more could you want? - Bench - 2x4basics - Diy Bench - Outdoor Seating'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Angry Birds Silly Bands - blueproton, angry birds app
I ordered these for cupcake toppers for my son's birthday cupcakes for school not expecting much. I was VERY happily surprized. These are fantasically shaped, heavy and much more durable than expected. I see the kids actually being able to keep these and not just toss them after they break. I got several packages to use the extras in my son's pinata, but instead may use them as prizes. OUTSTANDING! The seller individually wrapped them and they were shipped with lots of extra packing. I could not be more pleased. I got the game to use as a cake topper for my son's actual party and am using these instead becuase they are so much nicer! Angry Birds & Pigs Cake - Cupcake Toppers Decorations / Party Favors 12 Pieces
These little guys are EVERYWHERE! I found these and immediately thought that I could use them in my son's treasure chest as a little reward token, as he loves Angry Birds. They're solid, well-crafted, and can be used as little play figurines. The amount you get is a pretty sweet deal for a licensed product too. =)
We just recieved these today and these are perfect!!!! We got these over the knock on wood game since it's cheaper for one, has more birds and pigs, and since we have wooden blocks already my son can just use his own blocks. The quality is beyond what we thought!!! The seller was super fast!! We got this days before expected:) A great buy for any Angry Bird lover!!!
We purchased these cupcake toppers to use as figures on our son's Angry Birds birthday cake. We made all kinds of structures using Nutty bars, Fudge Stripe cookies, marshmallows, (and frosting as glue), and put the Angry Birds and pigs in action on the cake. It was a total hit, the kids went crazy and were begging to take them home. So I let each child pick one to take... Now we're wishing we had more for our boys to play with at home--they're fighting over their 2 :) Maybe we'll have to buy more!As a side note, I contacted the seller to ask for the shipment to come ASAP in time for the party. I found the package on my doorstep just two days later! I was so impressed, and really appreciated the seller's prompt action. Great job!
Don't be fooled by the extras in the picture. Only the birds and the pigs come in this package. I guess it could be fun for kids who will not be foolish enough to choke on it. I bought it for actually topping my angry-birds-addict boyfriend's cake.
Not very expensive compared to other similar items especially when it is shipped free. Was shipped right away. Nicely packed. Served the purpose very well. Not a cheap toy... Good material and well crafted. Infact, can be used again if needed. Good sized birds and quantity was enough to decorate full sheet sized cake.
I ordered this to put on my son's birthday cake, he is an Angry Birds maniac... lol. The characters come individually wrapped and they are adorable. All of the kids at the party loved them, it really livened up the cake. A big hit!! I definitely recommend and would buy from this seller again.
My triplet boys who are turning 8 loved having these on top of their cake. They come in individualized decorative wrappers in case you want to use them as party favors. We took them out and washed them in dish soap briefly in order to put them on the cake. While we took them out, the boys played with them and had a blast. They seem very durable, the colors are accurate, and there is a good variety of pieces. Very glad we got these!
We used these as cake toppers. They are very high quality and absolutely adorable! The looked so nice on the cake and my girls enjoyed playing with them after the party. Great product and well worth the price! - Angrybirds - Blueproton - Angry Birds App - Board Game'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Angry Birds Silly Bands - blueproton, angry birds app angry birds app Angry Birds Silly Bands - blueproton, angry birds app
36
I've had this belt for 2 weeks now, so it may be early to review it. But the belt is solid, strong, and good looking. My previous reversible belt was a Perry Ellis without any stitching, which means they pretty much glued a thin brown belt to another thin black belt. That one looked good for about 2 days before they started to peal away from each other. The Alexander Julian belt is so far really nice, and has really strong stitching to where that's not a problem. I'll update this post if I have any problems with it over the next six months. Alexander Julian Men's 32MM Reversible Leather Belt.,Black/Brown,36
I would love to give this belt a 5 star review. It's well made and very trendy. It can be used for casual wear and business wear. The only reason I gave it four stars was because on occasion, the belt squeaks. The belt buckle itself makes a small noise when you make sudden twists or turns. No one has ever noticed except myself, but it can be a tad annoying. Besides that I love this belt. Has held up well for a couple months with very few signs of wear. Not a bad price either for quality. Even though mine has a small squeak, I still love this belt and would probably buy one again.'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
36 36 36
Indian Selections
Very creamy to rub on. Doesn't bother my sensitive skin, however the scent does not last very long. It is fine for carrying in a purse for instant scent. Will switch to the liquid Orange Blossom perfume in a bottle which has always been a staple in my scent collection and lasts longer. Pacifica Indian Cocont Nectar Solid Perfume'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Indian Selections Indian Selections Indian Selections
Support System For Pontoon Covers
I purchased the bow sockets and wooden bow for my boat. This was
a big mistake as the reviews were ugly and I did not listen.
Believe me these two products are worthless and I would like to
return them and get my ego straightened out for being so foolish
and buying these products. Don't waste your money, go to a boat
dealer or tarp manufacture and let them help. I had to do that
after wasting my time and monsy with this fix. Attwood Corporation 10796-3 Bow Socket'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Support System For Pontoon Covers Support System For Pontoon Covers Support System For Pontoon Covers
Dry Erase Markers - boards, dry erase
I spent 10 years teaching in a blackboard and chalk environment, but I changed jobs several years ago and I've been teaching in a whiteboard and dry erase marker world ever since.
I have to admit that I was hesitant to make the switch - people don't like change, but I've come to appreciate the increased flexibility that dry erase markers can give.
I routinely use 5 or more different colors of markers in my zoology courses (black, red, green, blue, orange, and sometimes others), and I've been particularly pleased with Expo Dry Erase Markers.
I find these markers to have brilliant colors, I quite like the orange ones :-)
Of course, no marker lasts forever, and like any marker, once these start to run out or the tip dries out it's a gonner. Until then though they work great.
Likes:
- I like the fact that you can tell when the pen cap is firmly seated - a must for lengthening marker life
- I also like how the pen cap fits easily and securely into the opposite end of the marker so you don't lose it while you are writing.
- I like that fact that the color of ink in the marker is clearly indicated on the pen body.
Dislikes:
- The chisel-point tip on these markers is too fine. When a marker is brand new you have plenty of ink, but because the ink tip is so fine you have to hold the pen at a particular angle to get a wide enough like to make a bold mark that is wide enough for students at the back of a 100-seat lecture hall to see. Then by the time the pen nib gets into a workable shape to produce a nice heavy line every time you shortly run out of ink.
All in all, these are very good pens, but not without some minor issues, thus 4 stars for teaching. These would be worthy of 5 stars if they were used only for personal in-home white message board use.
I hope this was helpful.
Write-on! Expo 7-Piece Original Dry Erase Organizer Kit
The markers are dark and clearly visible, while the eraser is fairly thorough. The box comes with a plastic-molded container (as you see in the picture), with double-sided tape for easy, stable, mounting on a wall beside the whiteboard. For the low price, this is unbeatable.
They write consistantly well. Seem to last fairly long. The price is good. The eraser works as well as most other dry erase markers.
They got here fast...
I'm not sure what else to say about dry erase markers...
I use these for whiteboard teaching presentations. I love having the additional colors of Orange and Brown to the standard primary colors.
If you do any sort of technical presentation where having multiple colors is useful, this is a great purchase. I've been using EXPO markers for many years and they've never let me down. Good quality markers at a reasonable price shipped free; there's no down side to buying these.
i've been using these for a couple of weeks. At first they worked out great. Now the ones that I've used for a couple weeks aren't working so well. And whereas at first it was easy to erase the markings, now it's much harder. The ones that I've used for a couple of weeks are harder to write with and much, much harder to erase.
I understand that felt markers don't last forever, but it's only been a couple weeks.
Dido on James Stein comments.
The markers are dark and clearly visible, while the eraser is fairly thorough. The box comes with a plastic-molded container (as you see in the picture), with double-sided tape for easy, stable, mounting on a wall beside the whiteboard. For the low price, this is unbeatable.
I put this up in my room next to my whiteboard. The adhesive is small, so I had to reinforce it, but other than that the markers are new and the eraser is of decent quality. Cant beat it for the price! - Dry Erase - White Board - Boards - Dryerase'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Dry Erase Markers - boards, dry erase dry erase Dry Erase Markers - boards, dry erase
Classical Music - music, compilation
I was pretty impressed by this sampler, which contains some real gems and exposed me to some music I had never heard before. While I didn't find every track to my taste, as far as free samplers go this is a very nice one. Here's a rundown by track and composer:
1. Chris Brubeck - Danza del Soul: Celebraçion de Vida. This is a jazzy orchestral track with a Latin groove by Chris Brubeck -- Dave Brubeck's son. I hadn't heard Chris Brubeck before and I was pretty impressed.
2. Matthias Pintscher - Sonic Eclipse: Occultation. An avant-garde piece, a little too wild for my melody-loving, pedestrian tastes. If you like composers such as George Crumb or Pierre Boulez from back in the 1960s, you might enjoy this one.
3. Camille Saint-Saëns - Allegro Appassionato in B minor. Excellent performance of this short Romantic work for piano and cello.
4. Bach - Variation No. 10 (from the Goldberg Variations). Excellent performance of this excerpt. I enjoyed the way the pianist was able to bring out the cut-off, staccato feeling of harpsichord notes although playing a grand piano. Very precise reading, not a flowing Romanticized one -- which is just fine by me for Bach.
5. Beethoven - Symphony No. 2, 3rd movement. A fine performance.
6. Giuseppe Ferlendis - Oboe Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Adagio. I had never heard of Giuseppe Ferlandis before -- an oboe player from Mozart's day. This is a pleasant piece for oboe in a light Classical style. I'm glad to have heard it here.
7. Gustav Holst - Mercury, The Winged Messenger (from The Planets). Again, a fine performance.
8. Claude Debussy - Arabesque No 1 in E from L 66. Made me remember once again why I like Debussy's piano style so much, with all its watery-sounding whole-tone runs. A pleasure.
9. Pietro Mascagni - Scene from Cavalleria Rusticana. An excerpt from a live performance at La Scala. The sound is not perfect, and I don't much care for snippets of opera taken out of context, but well performed of course.
On the whole, a fine experience and I particularly enjoyed the Brubeck, Saint-Saëns and Debussy, and the chance to become acquainted with the Ferlendis. Allegro Classical Summer 2011 Sampler
Reviewers here seem to be pleased with this album. I certainly don't want to take away from the enjoyment people have gotten from this album, but I wasn't very pleased with it myself. I found all the music to be given performances that were decent, but not much more. At the same time, you don't pay anything for the album, so you might as well download just to see what you think. It can always be sent straight to your recycle bin if you don't like it.
But if you want good Classical music that you don't have to buy, there's an album that does a much better job than this one. It's the Linn Records Sampler, which is still available here on Amazon. Just type in "Linn Records 'Label of the Year' Classical Highlights" under the MP3 download category and prepare to enjoy a full of CD of great music!
Allegro Classical Summer 2011 Sampler is a beautiful music album and the best part is it was a free download to my Kindle. The album contains music by Beethoven, Bach, and Debussy plus other classical pieces. There is one jazz piece by Chris Brubeck, Dave Brubeck's son that has a latin feel and is very good. It is an excellent ablum for pleasant listening.
I think Classical music should always be free. How could anyone ever pass up Camille Saint-Saëns? This is the first batch of songs I've downloaded from Amazon and based off this I will continue to download more. - Compilation - Music'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Classical Music - music, compilation compilation Classical Music - music, compilation
Expandable Coupon Organizer
This is great and especially for the cheap price. I never was one to use coupons because I could not get them organized....I seen the show Extreme Couponing and got motivated to start using them and so I bought this pocket file. It's a good buy. C-Line 13-Pocket Poly Expanding File, Coupon Size, Includes Tabs, Button and Elastic Closure, Plaid Design (58412)
I needed something to sort and store coupons. I also needed something to help me get $25 saver shipping.
This thing works well enough. I used to carry a recloseable plastic bag full of coupons, and it was hard to find the coupons and was a chore. I only needed to divide the coupons into 4 sections in the end, but it works.
I bought this to hold coupons and it has been perfect so far.
I can keep them better organized and don't have to fold them and unfold them at the register.
I love that it is made of plastic. I once had a cardboard one and it didn't last very long. This one seems like it will hold up forever!
Holds all my coupons in place and I really like that it has individual slides inside where you can separate the coupons by category. Small enough to fit in my purse to carry everywhere I go and the strap holds the entire thing tightly sealed so nothing falls out.
This is the first time that I have purchased this type of item. Next time I will pay more and get a better product.C-Line Biodegradable 13-Pocket Expanding File, Coupon Size, 1 File Folder, Color May Vary 48410'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Expandable Coupon Organizer Expandable Coupon Organizer Expandable Coupon Organizer
Blackberry Charger - usb, travel charger
This power supply works as advertised, and if it's true to its 2 amp claim, will enable your USB-powered devices to charge about four times faster than they could by plugging in to a computer's USB port (computer USB ports are required to provide 1/2 amp, which is what most of them do -- few exceed it). It doesn't specify whether those 2 amps are per port, or split across both ports, so expect that if you plug in two devices, the power will be divided between them, and neither will charge as fast as if you'd just plugged in just one.
I had a misinformed AT&T store salesman try to tell me something about "cheap" power supplies providing too much voltage. While those words all technically make sense together, this doesn't appear to be such a device (too much voltage heats things up, sometimes to the point of melting and smoke), and I doubt any reputable store would sell such a thing. This supply is high current, which is good, and will not damage your device. If you find a USB power supply that claims anything other than 5 volts (usually expressed as 5V), avoid it.
The rotating plug is a little hard to deploy -- it takes a solid tug and there's not a lot to tug on. Once it's out, it's got stops every 45 degrees. I'm not sure why they did stops at 45 instead of 90. In any case, the plug will deploy to allow the body of the power supply to "hang" from the plug like a traditional wall-wart, or it'll allow the body to stand straight out from the plug. This is very handy if you encounter situations in which it must hug the wall, but also must play nicely in a power strip without taking up two receptacles. Since it's a switching power supply, it will work with pretty much any AC mains power you plug into, whether it's in the US, Europe, Asia, or anywhere else in the world. With a plug converter, you're good to go.
The construction feels solid, although only time and use will tell that, and I've only had it for an hour at this point. I recommend this charger to anyone who needs to power USB devices and doesn't want to carry something with plug prongs that stick out. IPAD-2USB: High Power Slim AC Wall Plug to 2 x 5V USB Adapter (Compatible with iPad)
The real beauty of this gem is that each of its outlets is rated at 5v DC 2A. On most devices like MP3 players, cell phones and the like that means faster and full charging. USB ports on your computer - and a lot of people use their laptops on the road for charging - put out only 500mA which means longer charging times. A lot of the 5vDC gadgets save a few pennies by shipping with AC adapters that output 500mA. Again, that means a slower charge time.
With two USB outlets you can charge, for example, your MP3 player and cell phone simultaneously.
The unit is small and very well made. The AC plug folds into the unit and has stops at three positions to allow for maneuverability when plugging it in. Couple it with a one-foot extension cord (Power Strip Liberator (5 Pack) Extension Cords) and you're prepared to deal with almost any hotel/motel outlet.
I'll be keeping one of these with the little bag I have for the MP3 and cell phone accessories I take when traveling.
A very nice, very handy accessory.
Jerry
this was exactly what i needed. (at the time i purchased) it was cheaper than most comparable items in store and works just fine. the retractable US plug is also adjustable, and can move to a few different positions, which is very useful. i charge USB items with both plugs and see no loss of power or failure of the product.
This AC-to-USB charger has a 2000 mA output split between two USB outlets. That means each outlet pushes out 1000 mA, enough to charge nearly any USB device. Some newer devices (e.g. Blackberry Torch, iPad) require more than the normal 500 mA output to charge properly. This adapter allows simultaneous charging of two devices. The adapter is slim, with a retractable plug, making it great for travel. It is more compact than nearly any "travel adapter" (with integrated cable) on the market, and all you need is a compact USB cable (mini or micro, or use one of each at the same time) and you're ready to charge.
Many other similar products are either:
(1) cheap imitations of apple OEM charger, (2) only have 1 USB charging slot, (3) have sharp prongs sticking out that don't move, (4) when cable is connected the ensemble protrudes out hugely from wall (wouldn't be able to push furniture flush against the wall), etc.
This product is NONE of those thing.
Manufacturing quality is perfectly acceptable, you get two charge slots with lots of amperage (I have charged two iPhone at the same time off of one unit), the prongs tuck away neatly for safe storage/transport, and rotate out to allow multiple different powered configurations, including flush to the wall or standing on end straight up and out of power strips.
Due to the cheap price the broad utility, I bought 3: on for laptop bag (travel), one behind entryway furniture at home, and one behind the nightstand next to bed.
This is a great little USB charger. It will charge an ipad. In fact, it will charge two ipads simultaneously in my testing. It will also charge iphones, blackberries and ipods. The unit is about the same width and thickness as a deck of cards and about 2/3 of the height. The plug folds flat - perfect for slipping into a pouch in a briefcase with a couple of retractable dock or micro usb cables. I'm don't believe this is charging the ipads at the maximum rate (2.1A per ipad) but it definitely charges them and is quite portable.
I bought this to use with my NookColor and it actually works! This is the first adapter/charger I have found other than the B&N official OEM charger that will charge my NookColor. Couldn't be happier!
*Note* In order to get my NookColor to charge with this adapter, I did have to use an original NookColor charging micro-USB cable. I have yet to find a non-B&N USB cable that will charge my NookColor and none of my other micro-USB equipped devices will charge with the NookColor cable. Still this adapter will charge the NookColor, my EVO, and any other USB device I have tried. - Charger - Travel Charger - Usb Charger - Usb'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Blackberry Charger - usb, travel charger travel charger Blackberry Charger - usb, travel charger
Nintendo Ds Lite - nintendo ds, ds
Quick Personal Statement
I was in elementary school when the "pokemon craze" hit the US and everyone brought games and cards to school. I still have funny memories of getting my cards or gameboy confiscated because I was battling friends or trading during school. (It was much harder to be sneaky when you had to use a cable to connect your systems.) That being said, I only have fond and happy memories of Pokemon. However, as I started getting older, my interest in the series kept declining, but I still bought each new game. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with Heart Gold / Soul Silver and still have not beaten it yet. I didn't have very high hopes for this game, however, I can tell you this game surpassed anything that I could have hoped for and is by far one of the best Pokemon games that I have ever played. My interest in the series has been reinvigorated. The core battle mechanics remain the same tested and true old formula, but the presentation has improved leaps and bounds! The graphics and environments are some of the best that I have seen on the DS. There are full 3D environments that look astonishingly good. Furthermore, Black and White will have seasonal cycles, as well as night/day cycles. Another added feature is triple battles where each trainer sends out 3 pokemon. I have only had a few hours to play the game, so I cannot speak for the plot as a whole or the post-story activities, but my brief experience with the game has been nothing but pure nostalgic fun.
Anyways, I'll leave the detailed reviewing of the game itself to someone else. I'll move on to what I really want to talk about: the differences between Black version and White version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Differences -- Pokemon - White Version vs Pokemon - Black Version
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Normally, it really doesn't matter which Pokemon version you get, because both are essentially the same thing, except for minor pokemon differences. However, surprisingly, for the first time in a Pokemon game, there are actually significant differences between the games. This time, there are unique regions to each game and the visual theme of each game is quite different.
~~~ Visual Theme ~~~
So, what do I mean by the visual theme? Well, Pokemon Black has more urbanized, industrial locations, whereas Pokemon White shows a more natural world. This can be seen throughout the game. You will see small differences such as a gardening patch in Mistralton city in Pokemon White compared to a building in the same spot in Pokemon Black. Most of the cities give off a natural atmosphere in White. In White, the cities have more grass, plants, and trees, and in Black the cities have more concrete, asphalt, and buildings. The cities in Black are more developed, and in some cases slightly futuristic-looking. Opelucid (Souryuu) City is the most notable; the city look almost entirely different between the two versions.
~~~~ White City / Black Forest ~~~~
Pokemon Black has Black City and white has the White Forest. These are the version exclusive regions I mentioned earlier. They fit the visual themes set forth by each game: Black City is a heavily urbanized area with several trainers to battle with Pokemon from lvl 40 to the mid 60s. There are also many item shops with items that can you help you in game. White City, on the other hand, is a natural forest with low leveled, unevolved Pokemon that you can catch. Black City will definitely help you more in terms of raising your own Pokemon's levels and getting supplies for future battles. However, White City will cater more to people who plan to collect Pokemon and try to complete their pokedex.
~~~~~ Special Battles - Triple and Rotational ~~~~
In both Pokemon White and Black, there are 5 special battles. Pokemon White has 4 Triple Battles and 1 Rotational Battle. Pokemon Black has 4 Rotational Battles and 1 Triple Battle. In both of these special battles, both trainers send out 3 pokemon. These special battles are a bit hard to explain without visuals. The mechanics the battles will be better explained in a simple way during game.
Triple Battle:
It is a 3 on 3 battle, however, the order you place your pokemon matters. The pokemon in the middle is can attack the enemy's middle, left, or right pokemon, but your pokemon on the left can only attack the enemy's pokemon on the left and the middle. Similarly, your pokemon on the right can only attack the enemy's pokemon on the right and the middle. So, your pokemon on the left cannot attack the opponent's pokemon on the right, and your pokemon on the right cannot attack the opponent's pokemon to the left. To further complicate things, attacks that damage all pokemon such as explosion or earthquake cause more damage when done by the pokemon in the middle, but also inflicts more damage to the pokemon in the middle.
** When I say left or right, I am saying it from the perspective of behind your trainer.
Rotational Battle:
Like the triple battle, both trainers send out three pokemon. However, this time, the pokemon are not fighting against each other all at the same time. Even though all three are sent out, the battle appears like a 1 vs 1 match. Each trainer sends one pokemon forward to battle as one would in a normal battle. But here's the twist: at the start of your turn, you can rotate between any of the three to send forward. You can think of this as basically a pokemon switch without wasting a turn. This adds to the battle strategy when considering types. For example, if your opponent has a grass type forward and you have a water type forward, you would rotate your water type to put a fire type in front.
Hopefully, my explanations made sense. If not, don't worry, they are far less complicated when the game explains it to you. If you like the Rotational Battles better, then you might want to gt Pokemon Black since it has 4 of those and only 1 Triple Battle. Maybe rotational battles aren't your thing and you want to do Triple Battles. Then, you should consider Pokemon White.
~~~~ Trainer Differences ~~~~
There are sometimes minute differences in the pokemon line up of different trainers. I don't really feel that this is significant to talk about. However, one somewhat large change is the gym leader in the 8th gym. Pokemon Black features a stern old man, whereas Pokemon White shows a young girl. These gym leaders have the same pokemon, the only thing different is their appearances/avatar.
~~~~~~~~Legendaries~~~~~~~
Pokemon Black has the white Legendary Pokemon, Reshiram, which is a Dragon/Fire type.
Pokemon White has the black Legendary Pokemon, Zekrom, which is a Dragon/Electric Type.
Strategic Note: The sum of the base stats for both legendaries is 680, however, the spread is slightly different. Both have base 100 hp and 90 speed. Reshiram has 120 attack, 100 defense, 150 special attack, 120 special defense. Zekrom has 150 attack, 120 defense, 120 special attack, 100 special defense. This means that Reshiram is better suited to deal and take special attacks, while Zekrom is more suited to deal and take physical attacks.
In my honest opinion, I think the Dragon/Electric legendary will be far more useful for competitive battling. One of the best electric type pokemon is Zapdos. However, Zapdos is stunted by its flying type, leaving it vulnerable to devastating attacks such as a 50% health loss from Stealth Rock. This new legendary should easily be able to replace that spot. Plus, the versatility of a dragon type may put it ahead of other notable electric types such as Electivire.
~~~~~~~~Version Exclusives~~~~~~~~~~~
And of course, like all previous pokemon games. Each version has a few pokemon exclusive to only that version. I wouldn't stress out at the loss these pokemon though. You can get all of them through online trades later, if you really want to complete your pokedex and catch 'em all. Check the bottom of the review for a list.
~~~~ Conclusion ~~~~
Pokemon Black/White is definitely one of the best pokemon games to come out. I definitely recommend it to anyone of any age. Don't waste time deciding whether or not to get the game: get it. Now, the only decision you have is whether to get Black or White. I decided to go with Pokemon White. White version just appealed more to me and seemed more "open". Black version looked cluttered, in my opinion. Also, I feel that the Black Legendary (found in white version) would be more useful in battle. Try checking out a few screenshots online to help you decide which visual style you like better, then get whichever version you like better!
Pokemon - Black Version
- urbanized theme
- Black City (battle trainers and buy items)
- Dragon/Fire Legendary
- minor trainer differences (Old guy as 8th gym leader)
- more Rotational Battles
Pokemon - White Version
- natural theme
- White City (catch low level pokemon)
- Dragon Electric Legendary
- minor trainer differences (young girl as 8th gym leader)
- more Triple Battles
List of version exclusives:
Pokémon Black
#13. Weedle
#14. Kakuna
#15. Beedrill
#198. Murkrow
#228. Houndour
#229. Houndoom
#285. Shroomish
#286. Breloom
#311. Plusle
#313. Volbeat
#430. Honchkrow
#546. Mommen
#547. Whimsicott
#574. Gothita
#575. Gothorita
#576. Gothitelle
#629. Vullaby
#630. Mandibuzz
#641. Tornadus (legendary flying)
#643. Reshiram (legendary dragon/fire)
Pokémon White
#10. Caterpie
#11. Metapod
#12. Butterfree
#46. Paras
#47. Parasect
#200. Misdreavus
#261. Poochyena
#262. Mightyena
#312. Minun
#314. Illumise
#429. Mismagius
#548. Petilil
#549. Lilligant
#577. Solosis
#578. Duosion
#579. Reuniclus
#627. Rufflet
#628. Braviary
#642. Thundurus (legendary electric/flying)
#644. Zekrom (legendary dragon/electric)
+ Several Unevolved Pokemon you can catch in the White Forest:
- Pidgey
- Nidoran
- Abra
- Machop
- Bellsprout
- Gastly
- Rhyhorn
- Porygon
- Togepi
- Hoppip
- Magby
- Wurmple
- Seedot
- Ralts
- Slakoths
- Aron
- Trapinch
- Shinux
- Happiny
- Surskit
Update: I just beat the game. It was a fun RPG and I think I am going to now start prepping for competitive battling. I think what drew me into this game the most was that all the characters are brand new until you beat the elite 4. The base plot style is still the same: beat 8 gyms, collect pokemon, navigate through a few caves, solve some little puzzles, defeat enemies from an evil group in a big building, defeat that evil group at their hideout again, fight rivals, elite 4, etc. This style has become standard for Pokemon and the sales data shows it works remarkably well. This game brought back the feeling of the original red / blue as you had to guess what type each Pokemon was, learn new movesets, get legitimately surprised during evolutions, etc. This game really brought back the mysteriousness of Pokemon and their mystic allure that originally piqued your curiosity a decade ago when you first played. Since the game had all new Pokemon, the game inherently took more steps to lead you in and actually is far more beginner friendly than other games.
Looking toward the future: (purely speculation and personal opinion)
This little section isn't really part of the review; it's just a place for me to dump my stream-of-consciousness about how I feel about the inevitable sequel. With 649 Pokemon, I'm not sure if Nintendo will decide to make a whole new fresh set of Pokemon in their next game as they did in this one (then again, people on forums said that were doubtful of a follow up to 2nd gen ages ago when we hit 251). I think Nintendo may just add a few (around 100) new Pokemon and include many of the current 649 in the next game. Now that we have a 3DS, it's only a matter of time before Nintendo starts dropping hints and teasers for the next 3D Pokemon RPG. Even though I love Pokemon games, the thing that keeps me coming back for more isn't the story, but rather the battle mechanics and strategy involved. In my opinion, it seems like each new Pokemon game just applies the same plot template and changes a few things. It's clear from the sales data that these games are raking in money and are hugely successful, but I actually would like to see some variation in the next game. The general plot idea seems a bit overused and trite now after being adapted for 5 generations of Pokemon games. I actually really enjoyed the gamecube Pokemon RPGs Colosseum and XD. Maybe Pokemon could incorporate more RPG elements in terms of exploration and interacting with the world, perhaps a Collosseum-like RPG game modeling styles of other Nintendo RPG series like Zelda. Actually, now that I think about it, I realize that I don't know what exactly I would change; I just want to see something a little new. A new Pokemon game with the same plot line will sell millions, so I don't think GameFreak and Nintendo will gamble on something new when they found something that sells. Well, that's just my opinion; I'm sure many people would disagree with me. Regardless of plot, the battle mechanics have me hooked and I will definitely be buying the next Pokemon game. If you have some time to spare, drop a comment about what you want to changed/added/removed in the next game. Pokemon - White Version - Nintendo - Black And White - Nintendo Ds - Ds'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Nintendo Ds Lite - nintendo ds, ds ds Nintendo Ds Lite - nintendo ds, ds
Toaster - toaster, yankees
We were so excited when the box arrived but we didn't have any bread to toast. oh no! When we finally did have some bread, we waited with anticipation to see the famed logo appear on the toast...Well, it did appear, a bit, sort of, after a while, kind of burning. But the logo is the only part of the bread that gets toasted! At all. So, I don't know if I would call it a toaster...maybe an awkward bread branding iron. The outer shell is plasticy, and feels junky to be honest.
Big disappointment.
We returned it. MLB New York Yankees Protoast
Here is my experience with the New York Yankees Protoast by MLB purchased through Amazon.com ...
The first time this gift was used, sparks literally shot out of it and it started to catch fire. This is a flimsy, dangerous product. If you buy this for yourself or as a gift, it is my opinion that you should have the Amazon prepaid return label ready to go AND make sure both your home and medical coverage are paid up and current before plugging the thing in. This is a great idea poorly executed. Novelty toast is not worth endangering health and property.
(READ: DO NOT BUY!) -----> New York Yankees Protoast
I received this item as a gift and much like the previous post, felt it was flimsy and dangerous. The quality of the craftsmanship was so poor, that I would not even plug the thing in for fear of catching the house on fire. Novelty + Electricity = Danger/Danger. Additionally, look at the advertisement picture, enough said - the edges are burnt, the middle is uncooked and the logo looks painted on. Nice try, I will stick to wearing a baseball cap to show my team support. - New York Yankees - Toaster - Yankees'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
Toaster - toaster, yankees new york yankees Toaster - toaster, yankees
fishing - fishing
This book was a real disappointment; I returned it immediately. There are no diagrams or explanation of rigging or anything else, just "tips" (i.e. " Learn to tie a Palomar knot"). Save yourself the time of having to return this one ! SURF-FISHING BASICS: 101 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Did anyone proof read this publication? Numerous typos and vague descriptions requires the reader to use some imagination. There are duplications within the 101 "things to know." Could be a great little book with some drawings and detailed descriptions. I'll keep it just because it's an inexpensive primer. - Fishing'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
fishing - fishing fishing fishing - fishing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)