Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Elk And Deer Deterrent - deer deterrent, cat deterrent


Before I bought my house I thought cats went in a litterbox. Well some do, but my yard is apparently more appealing to Leo, my neighbor's cat, who is old and incontinent.



If you are reading this you know that none of the sprays, repellants, etc do anything at all and should be removed from the market. But dog-gonnit, the Scarecrow works.



There are a few minor things you should know, however. First, if you care about the Scarecrow leaking, be sure to assemble the unit with Teflon tape. Second, the Scarecrow is entirely plastic, right down to the spike that you drive into the ground. Not a big deal perhaps, but if your ground is hard you won't be hammering the Scarecrow into the dirt. Finally, if your yard is good sized you'll probably need two so crap avoidance has its price.



--And don't forget to run your hose in such a way that you can turn the water off before you approach the Scarecrow, because it will spray anything in its path; birds, the mailman, anything. This raises some interesting possibilities if you are plagued by door to door salesmen. Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

A couple thoughts on this very useful product which I feel slightly guilty about downgrading to four stars:



First, the thing works perfectly, at least for me. Before the Scarecrow, my neighbor's (big) dog left a (big) present on my lawn, every night. Since the Scarecow, never, not once.



Well, okay, once, but that leads to comment two:



The trouble is that the Scarecrow cannot distinguish between me, enjoying my garden on a fine Summer's day, and the dog, doing his thing in the middle of the night. This means that I need to be very careful to set up access to the Scarecrow from behind, so I can turn it off and not get soaked every time I walk across the lawn. Once, I forgot to turn it back on, and, sure enough, that night the dog had done its thing.



Of course this is both a critique and a compliment: the Scarecrow really works. It's just not entirely convenient. Still, I wouldn't be without it and Amazon has it for a great price and free shipping. Can't beat that.

My husband and I were very disappointed to see that neighborhood rabbits had eaten our bean and pea plants to the stem after only two days of being in the ground. We wanted to keep the rabbits out of the garden area without chemicals, unsightly chicken wire, or traps. We purchased the scarecrow and absolutely love it! After replanting, our bean and pea plants are healthy and growing. The scarecrow seems to be doing its job of letting the rabbits know they are not welcome in the garden area. I have told friends and family about our happy results. I would recommend this item to anyone looking for a solution to unwanted intruders.

First off I would tell anyone that this product truly works. If you have any hesitation, my review along with all the others should be proof enough.



I purchased the Scarecrow Sprinkler last year after coming back from vacation to find a brand new shade garden I had planted completely decimated by local deer. We have a family of about 8 deer that I try to keep away, but my neighbors have other agendas. They "feed" the deer with corn which attracts them and frustrates me more and more [if Contech invents a neighbor deterrent, please let me know ;) ]



After mourning the $500+ I lost in plants and shrubs, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started with "deer-b-gone" or some sort of "organic" deer repellant. It washes away, isn't cheap, smells bad and flat out doesn't work.



I then came across the Scarecrow and decided to give it the old "college try". Well folks, IT WORKS. No more deer, but uh-oh a flaw. Just like others, you have to remember that the Scarecrow is there or "BAM" YOU WILL GET HIT WITH A BLAST OF WATER. It has gotten me, my kids, my wife, a landscaper, our exterminator and one of our neighbors.



LADIES and GENTS..I have the solution to this problem!!!!!

What I realized is that the deer only do their dirty work from dusk to dawn. I thought what if I can get my sprinkler to only work during those hours and shut off during the day. Then I researched to see if there was a water timer that allowed for extended watering times. Say hello to this Orbit timer from Amazon.com Orbit Lawn & Garden Hose Digital Watering Timer And Valve #62001to use in conjunction with the sprinkler. It has completely flexible functions that allow the water to only turn on from say 8 pm to 8 am. It only turns on the water flow to the sprinkler. It will only use the water if the sprinkler motion sensor is set off so no wasted water. At 8 am, the timer turns off the water flow and NO ACCIDENTAL MIDDAY SHOWERS!! Then it kicks back on at 8 pm for another night of protection. These are the times I used but I may need to adjust a bit since I do sometimes make early or late strolls through my garden. You can set to whatever times you need to have it on and off based on your own situation.



So there you have it. Use this product in conjunction with a flexible timer and you get the benefit of excellent deer/pest protection while avoiding many of the minor flaws mentioned in other reviews.

(Update: 4 years after original review: This product continues to keep the deer away. Four years of 6 month a year daily use and the original one is still going strong, plus my Mom bought another herself for another part of the yard. -Excellent product)



I bought this for my Mom in Michigan for Mother's Day. For the past five years she'd tried everything to keep the deer out of her flower garden - netting on the ground, fishing wire placed on posts about 3 feet off the ground... no matter what, some of the deer got in the garden. I'd told her about this product for several years, but she figured it didn't really work, I figured, let's give it a try. It has been installed for 3 weeks now, and the deer have yet to go into her garden (and they live on their property, so they are around). She just told me that some bulbs she planted 5 years ago are blooming for the first time ever - every year before they'd been eaten before they bloomed.



We'd highly recommend this product and she's about to order another.



One hint, get a good hose to go with this product, since the water pressure remains constant, you want a newer hose that can handle that pressure. - Deer Deterrent - Scarecrow - Raccoon Deterrent - Cat Deterrent'


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Samsung Galaxy S - smartphone, samsung


After using this phone for a week, I've fallen in love with it.



- Interface is very snappy.

- The screen is incredible. Very bright and the colours are outstanding, and just the perfect size.

- The AllShare app for playing content from a UPnP server is nice. At home, I can store my entire collection of music and videos and play whichever I want.



That said, there are a few issues I encountered:



- Interface, despite its speed, occasionally freezes. I was worried when this occurred an hour after I started using it, but it's only happened a few times since then. Usually lasts no more than 10 seconds.

- No flash for the camera. I'm given to understand that an LED flash is common on smartphone cameras these days, so low-light photos aren't as good as they can be.

- Camera again: no dedicated button, so taking pictures is a bit awkward. Definitely turn on the anti-shake feature.

- AllShare is a little finicky sometimes about detecting media servers. Moreover, the player is a little deficient next to the normal Android video player (it stretches videos to conform to the screen's aspect ratio, and I haven't discovered a way to return the video to its native aspect ratio).

- Battery runs out fairly quickly if your browsing the internet or watching videos all day. Haven't had a chance to test it on pure standby yet, but you aren't likely to go a whole day if you're using the "smart" part of the smartphone.



Even though I listed more issues than positives, the phone is very good and I would recommend it to anyone. All the other aspects of the phone are common to other Android sets and should be well known to Android lovers. The Samsung additions to the UI such as Daily Briefing (weather, stocks and news in a widget) and the seven homescreens are nice touches, but not particularly a deal breaker, and I haven't tried any of the other Samsung apps.



An additional note: this phone is really, really light and thin. While some other reviews have thought it too "plasticy", I absolutely love the build. I can use it all day.



The input method, Swype is also on by default, but you can get this on other Android phones. Very nice, though, and a nice thought from Samsung. Check out some videos on Youtube of it, but I also have to say that it's hard to say how nice this function is without using it yourself.



Some other details: this version is the 8GB internal memory model. For Americans and countries using similar power sockets, since this is the international version the charger it comes with is the Europlug style. You'll need to get either a converter or your own plug with a micro-USB connector. Samsung I9000 Galaxy S Unlocked GSM Smart Phone with 5 MP Camera, Android OS, Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, GPS and MicroSD Slot - Unlocked Phone - No Warranty - Black

I've had my Galaxy S (or "Captivate") phone for a month now, and the whole time I've been bursting at the seams to review it...but first I had to take a little bit of time to separate what's great about the Captivate that's specific to the phone, versus what's great about a Droid-based smart phone in particular.



First off, the Android OS is really very enjoyable. The top-level screen can have 5 pages of whatever you like and the Applications page neatly organizes installed apps separately, to page through them as well. If you're not familiar with this concept, think of the top-level screen as being similar to the Windows or Mac Desktop and the Applications area as being similar to the Start Menu/Launch Bar of your favorite computer OS.



The best thing about the Captivate is the hardware: the screen really takes up almost all of the phone's face, and it's vivid, colorful, and bright. The battery cover is a slick one-two slide that makes it easy to access without being the first thing to fall off if you drop the phone. The 1GHz processor inside the phone makes apps speedy, and I even find it to be fairly nimble about data use, easily grabbing onto my favorite Wi-Fi networks when I'm in range, then switching seamlessly over to my data network when I'm not.



Then we have the good things about the Captivate: calls are clear, I've had strong and clean reception even when I notice a drop in bars, and on those rare occasions I step into a dead zone, it seems to try its very best to hang on to the call...I can't explain it in technical detail, it's just the gut impression I get when I've driven or walked through areas that typically give me trouble on any phone and against all odds I stay connected (my office, for instance, is up against a cliff wall that closes further in near the top of the building). One complaint about this phone (and many smart phones) has been battery drain, but I find it manageable: if I choose to use the Power Toolbar (built-in and easy to add) and Advanced Task Killer app (a separate download, and a must for any smart phone owner), I can go 2 or 3 days on a single charge. Usually it's easier to top it off at the end of the day or leave it plugged in when I'm not going to be using it for a while. While the Captivate seems very wide, it is also very slim and thus surprisingly light. I added the carbon-fiber hard case to the outside and it still weighs noticeably less than an iPhone 4.



Using the Captivate is fairly simple: the connector port for the charger or a data cable are one and the same: a "micro" USB connector with a tiny sliding door to keep dirt out. I much prefer this to the plastic peel-away tab that usually comes off in your hand if you're not careful. The charger that comes with the phone also pops apart into a data cable, allowing you to detach the AC outlet prongs and connect to the computer. And last, the navigation buttons are just four touch-sensitive spots along the base of the screen, with a slide rocker on the left side of the phone (for volume) and an unlock button on the right. I've heard people say it's hard to pinch a button on one side without accidentally hitting the other (such as turning down the volume when you go to unlock the phone), but I haven't had this problem.



More on the OS: using Android 2.1 (soon to be FROYO), I find myself discovering neat little features that I enjoy. For example, some of the wallpapers are interactive with the touch screen. When I'm playing music, if I need to pause, I don't have to unlock the phone: a tiny CD logo appears in the top with controls for pause/next/back. The "Swype" feature of the OS is extremely responsive. I didn't have to adjust any of this - the sensitivity really seems balanced between "must mash to get a response" and "breathed on it and accidentally deleted something". Unlocking the phone requires a tap of the button and a swipe along the touch screen. Even the tilt--a feature that began to annoy me in my Nokia phone--seems to both be quick to respond and easy to correct if you didn't mean to rotate the screen.



Much as I enjoy this phone, all is not perfect. The buttons sometimes don't respond properly. There are times I have to tap twice, and there are times I try to hit 'back' and accidentally hit 'search' instead. I'm not sure how much of that is in the programming, the hardware, or my thick thumbs. The Search window is extremely handy, but it doesn't always frame the search properly. For example, I might be in an app that has a long list of items on the screen, and search will zoom down the list straight to the item I'm looking for...and then in another app the search might launch a web browser and search the Internet for what I typed in. I haven't really learned a good way to scroll down a long screen: often I have to just flick downwards again and again until I get where I'm going. And probably the most annoying feature is the actual call interface. I haven't taken that final step to voice-activate my favorite call list, so when I manually drill into my contacts or favorites to find someone to call, it seems to require more steps than it should to place a call: find the contact, tap their picture, tap the "phone" icon, if they have two numbers associated with them you have to specify which, and then you get to tap "call".



There have been some complaints about the fact that the camera lacks a flash. It is a shame that this feature is missing, but apart from that I have to say that the pictures I have taken with the phone have been excellent, better than the first digital camera I purchased years ago and definitely better than the last phone I had, which did have a flash. The interface for the phone is dirt-simple, and can even lock in standby mode, in case you want to tuck it away for a bit but be ready to shoot with a tap of the unlock button. The Gallery app in the Android OS does a snappy job of both organizing my groups of pictures and in making it easy to flip through: clean thumbnails tell me at a glance which collection of pictures I'm looking at so I can select the group I want to view.



If you're in the market for a smart phone and you'd like to try the Droid OS, I can't say enough about the Captivate. It's got a brilliant screen, speedy hardware, and runs the OS quite smoothly. Despite its flaws, this is quite an excellent smart phone, whose benefits far outweigh its drawbacks.



USEFUL TIP: when connecting to a computer, it's not immediately obvious how to make it work, and a lot of people are having problems. When you connect the cable, the "Smart Phone (Kies)" option doesn't appear to work. Instead, you have to choose "USB (mass storage)"...which then still doesn't make the phone's files and folders show up in Windows--in Windows 7 it will just tell you a Samsung Captivate has been connected to the computer, but you can't "see" it. You have to take one extra step: from the main screen, access the pull-down menu. You will see "USB Connected" in the list of notifications. Tap that, and you'll get a prompt to "Mount" the phone. The moment you do this, everything works: the phone maps two drives (one for the phone's memory, one for your memory card) and you can access files and folders just as you do on a USB "thumb" drive. - Galaxy S - Galaxy - Smartphone - Samsung'


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Portable Hard Drive - external storage, seagate


I like the GoFlex system and looked forward to increasing the transfer speed when connected to my home desktop by using this eSATA cable rather than USB 2.0. No such luck with my machine. You have to have a powered "eSATAp" port on your machine. Many eSATA ports are not powered, even on fancy expensive motherboards. Since the portable GoFlex (2.5") drives do not use AC adapters like the desktop ones, thus depending on the cable for power, you must have an eSATAp port. These are also referred to as eSATA/USB Combo ports. Time to buy an USB 3.0 card for my computer. Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Upgrade Cable Powered eSATA - STAE103

This is a good product provided you and your equipment can get by the gotchas.



1. The cable is NOT eSATA. It is eSATAp. eSATAp is a combo USB/eSATA port found on newer portables. Regular eSATA ports found on desktops are NOT powered. I use mine between my tower and notebook.



2. The cable is short.



3. You can buy a PCIe card with eSATAp port(s) but the cable will likely be too short.



4. You could opt for the USB 3.0 version if you have USB 3.0 ports. You can add a PCIe card with USB 3. port(s) but the cable may be too short. I went this route with WD Passports but the USB cable was too short and proprietary. If the USB 3.0 cable is standard and removable, you may be able to add a longer regular USB cable.



5. I have found and ordered after much searching an adapter cable that plugs into the both a vacant USB and eSATA and port and then combines the two into what I hope is a female eSATAp port. If it works, it will solve both the power and cable length issues. This puppy is called a BYTECC USB + eSATA to USB/eSATA Cable. Hope it works.



EDIT: 12/09/2010 - My BYTECC 18" USB + eSATA to USB/eSATA Cable Model USATA-118UE arrived today and it works. And it works well for me as my notebook has an eSATAp port so I have a one cable solution. I think this is the way to go other than adding a USB 3.0 PCIe expansion card..



I bought mine at opentip.com. An Amazon supplier, Zagall has it right here: USATA-118UE 18" USB + eSATA to USB/eSATA Cable NewEgg has it too.

This interface option is well worth the price. I wanted a fast portable external drive and the eSATA plug for the GoFlex drive is an excellent solution. On Windows 7, using USB 2.0 (I don't have USB 3.0 but do have built in eSATA) I was getting about 26MB/second. With the eSATA plug I am getting 78MB/second for a group of files, almost 3 times as fast. While I realize that SATA has a much higher maximum throughput, 3Gb/second, 2.5" drives do not. The applications that heavily access the drive seem to run as fast as they do on the internal drive.



Pros: Speed, convenience, price



Cons: I would like the cord to be a little longer or to be replaceable.

Our Dell Latitude E6410 laptop has a combo USB/eSATA port. We bought the Seagate GoFlex hard drive from Costco, and bought the eSATA connector online. This is worth the additional $20. We rely on transfer speed, and the difference between USB and eSATA is night and day.



I've read about compatibility issues with various laptops. Yes, this eSATA connector is a one plug unit. Meaning the only way it's connected and powered is through the eSATA cable. You need to check your system whether the eSATA port is capable of powering a system. I cannot confirm this, but if your port is a dual eSATA/USB port then you should be safe. This unit does work with a Dell Latitude E6410. I would also say that it works with the Latitude E6400/6500 series as well. I cannot confirm if it works with desktop eSATA plugs.

I can't rate this product (but I am required to select a rating in order to enter a comment) because I never got it to work on my Dell XPS 420 desktop computer. I just bought three GoFlex drives that I use with the supplied USB 2.0 cable for external data backup. I wanted to get more performance out of one by using the eSATA connection on my Dell 420. I ordered this product, but when it did not work, I Googled the issue and it turns out some people had to reinstall their operating system with a certain parameter set to make this work on the Dell 420. No way was I going to do that! So I reluctantly returned the upgrade cable.

Bought this to go with the 500 GB GoFLex pro Hard drive for my Windows based computer with Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit version. I have a Sony Vaio model # VPCF115FM and it was plug and play. Works better then expected after reading other reviews. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for an eSATA portable hard drive and wants really fast hook up.

I purchased this cable to help me quickly backup my data. However, while backing up large numbers of files the connection dies and the computer no longer 'sees' the drive. After contacting Seagate they confirm that it is a common issue with the cable and a replacement would probably still have the same problem. I was very disappointed given how expensive the cable is. - Freeagent - Seagate - External Hard Drive - External Storage'


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Hewlett-packard - cordless mouse, optical mice


I was looking for a wireless mouse to accompany my new HP Wireless Elite keyboardHP Wireless Elite Keyboard. Ironically my search led me back to HP. I am so impressed with the keyboard I thought I would give the mouse a try. Most other wireless mouse's reviews complain of interference, lag, etc. I see absolutely none here. The sensitivity is higher than I'm used to but that's configurable. It's actually great because I have to move my hands less! I can get across the screen completely while still on my arm rest. I can use both the mouse and keyboard from 12 feet across the room and not have to worry about where my wire is, or if I'm going to run over a wire with my chair, or if it can reach.



I was also blown away by how smoothly the mouse glides on a desk. It's like ice but still with some grab so it's controllable.

More of a nitpick than anything: The mouse is a glossy black which I love... but it's a fingerprint magnet. The sides are slightly concaved and it fits my rather large hands pretty comfortably. The buttons just part of the front plastic and bend when you click. Strange but works. The wheel is very comfortable and works well too.



I wouldn't recommend a wireless mouse (or keyboard for that matter) if you're a hardcore gamer. I would recommend a wired thin chicklet style keyboard (which is surprisingly hard to find... I couldn't find a wired one hence i have the wireless one) and wired mouse. But for general usage, music, movies, using programs, it's just fine.





So rather than continuing to rant I recommend you buy this right now. If you don't like it (which would be very surprising) you could return it.



Just as a side-note, if you do want to do the keyboard-mouse combo, it is cheaper on amazon right now to buy each separately rather than the combo they offer. HP Wireless 3 Button Mouse in Retail Packaging

This Mouse is amazing! It's really good connection whenever i move it it moves. No lagging! YAY! If you don't know if to buy this mouse, then You should. It's however not the best for hardcore gamers but if your playing facebook games, computer games, WOW, Runescape, AQWorlds, and otherr RPG games and stuff it's good. It's also good for Email and other everyday things you do. It's not good for Combat Arms or fast moving War games. You can it's just that if your going to play those games then you should buy a gaming mouse which lets you have extra buttons and more comfort in your hands. The feel to this mouse is good. I can fit my whole hand on the mouse onlike some other mini mouse. The Price is also good.



Cons- I really can't think of any!



It's been about 2 Months with this mouse and it's still very good. Also Shipping was also very fast! Must Buy!

I was looking for a nice mouse that would work on any surface and would also work in Windows and Linux - this mouse does the job without problem.



The price is really good and it comes with 2 batteries (AA) to start you off. I have only used it a few hours now so I don't know how long the batteries will last, but i'm confident it will be significantly longer than other the other wireless mouse I was using that just ate AAA batteries.

It has a on and off button.The Sensitivity is perfect.We have had several wireless mouses and the Sensitivity is normally horrible. comes with energizer batteries pre installed. I am a logitech fanboy but this hp mouse is great. don't worry about your hand size with this mouse.

I recently ordered a new HP 17" dv7t laptop and found myself needing a new wireless mouse. Enter the HP Wireless 3-button Mouse. An unglamorous name for an equally unglamorous mouse. Sure this mouse isn't intended to compete with higher priced and more feature filled mice. But even for a budget mouse you're not getting much here. Similarly economically priced models from Logitech and Microsoft feature better design and a few extra navigation buttons.



Ideally, HP should have at least included basic navigation buttons - 'back' & 'forward. I would have also liked a smaller overall size to both the mouse and the USB dongle. As it is I sometimes bump the over-sized USB dongle and on one occasion almost sent my laptop crashing off my desk. Lastly, be aware that this mouse doesn't automatically power down after periods of inactivity. You must remember to turn the mouse off before stowing or risk an exhausted battery.



Pro's:

+ Economic price point

+ Attractive finish

+ Batteries are included

+ No lag or interference

+ Windows XP/7 compatible

+ Super-smooth glide surface on the bottom of the mouse



Con's:

- Mouse is over-sized

- USB dongle is larger than is should be

- USB dongle doesn't clip to the bottom of the mouse for portability

- Zero extra features/buttons

- Mouse doesn't automatically shut-off to preserve battery



I really want to dislike this mouse but at the end of the day it's a cheap and usable peripheral. Though I would still recommend shopping around for similarly priced & better featured alternatives.

This is the best wireless mouse you can buy and its at a low price. i definately recommend it to anyone thats looking for something like this.

Its sleek looking and comfortable in my hand....also very easy to use which i like about products

It has a great, professional design. I haven't noticed any connectivity issues ( interference ) which are rather common in some wireless mice. The only downside is that it has a glossy finish, so fingerprints accumulate on it rather quickly. =(.

i ordered this mouse because it was cheap, looked very sleek, and small. the actual product was nothing like the picture shown. the mouse itself is very bulky and not nearly as spectacular as in the picture. the range leaves something to be desired as well. its max range is about 1.5 feet from my experience. with that said it does work pretty well for as a mouse fulfills its purpose - Hewlett-packard - Optical Mice - Cordless Mouse - Hp Mouse'


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3 Hole Punch


I have always used a 2 hole punch and a flat document organizer to keep track of my son's school work, and I thought that this year, a 3-ring binder might be easier to flip through. I saw this on Amazon, and the price was right. It fits right into the binder, so it would be very convenient to have...



IF it actually worked. Two holes line up just fine. The third does not line up with the puncher and won't punch through paper. You can work around it by flipping over the paper, but why?



For about the same price, you can go to a store and get a nice hefty three-hole punch that you can test for yourself. It doesn't fit in the binder, and you have to go get it, but at least it works. X-Acto Binder 3-Hole Punch (1520) (Colors May Vary)

I bought this for my high school son. It works great as he just slips this into his 3 ring binder and uses it whenever he needs it at school. It does not add any bulk to his bag and has been working really well for the last year. However, it takes only 4 pages at a time and the little bits of paper fall out. That is not an issue given how light and sleek it is.

I received my hole punch and it was pink. I was going to give this as a gift to a boy along with other school supplies. I guess I'm out of luck. I tried it and it did punch the paper but it does not store the punched holes as was advertised. I was very disappointed because I have one by "It's Academic" and it does store the punched holes and it also has the holes for your binder. I will now buy the "It's Academic" brand.

I had the same issue as the other one-star reviewer. The punch seemed to work fine the first time I tested it out, but a few days later I retried it and one of the end holes did not fit anymore. Total waste of money.

This is my second one. I bought one from my mom's college because she is a professor at NJIT. It was about $14. My first impression was... That is expensive. It must be a waste of money. I mean, all school hole punchers are! (Well, Most of them if you compare them to this one!) I had that same hole puncher for about 2-3 years. It worked wonderfully. It works now, but has started to break. The description says hole-punch up to like 5 pages or something like that. I was able to hole punch PACKETS in that. Probably 20 pages! It's amazing. But hole-punching so many pages probably caused it to break.



So, I decided to buy another one! This was I think $5? So yeah, college products are over priced. Like the last one, I LOVED it. I actually bought two. One for me and one for my bf. The thing I did not like is they did not allow us to pick the colors. The two that came to me were Neon Green, and Neon Pink. Of course I had to take the pink. It was not a option for my boyfriend. He did not want the green, but he liked the hole puncher so he took it anyways. I think he is actually fine with the green, but it would be nice to pick your own colors. I wanted the green and he wanted the blue.



But whatever, who cares about the color when this is such an amazing product!! LOVE IT.

I received the hole punch in the mail, after much excitement and anticipation of its arrival, and it was PINK!! When the product says "colors may vary", it means it, because pink is definitely not the color I wanted. As for the functionality, it works for what it is. It definitely does NOT punch 20 pages, or even really more than 4 or 5. It is quite cheap, and flimsy, although what do you expect for the price. If you can, buy a good 'real' hole-puncher and don't waste your time or money on this, as far as compactibility, it is quite small, compared to larger metal hole punchers, so there are many trade-offs in this product.

I needed a 3 hole punch that was portable and that fact that it fits into my binder is even better. It isn't bulky and allows the binder to close regularly. I've used it with 3-4 sheets so far and it works great. The back does hold the punches while you are punching but as soon as you pick it up, they fall out. So you just have to mindful of that as carefully pick it up to empty it each time you just it.'


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Kindle Protection - case, kindle


This case fits very well, though it took a bit of doing (just a bit) to get it on. My GF has another brand she got from Amazon.com but it doesn't fit nearly as well as this one. Her cover moves along the sides where the page keys are, but this one is solid. All the ports are available as you'd expect. Plus, this one has a nice feel to it, whiles hers feels a bit cheap (I think hers is a silicone version, but I could not find it when I looked and I found this one instead). Wish it came in more colors (she has the white Kindle 3), but this one matches my charcoal Kindle 3 just fine. Incipio NGP Kindle Case, Matte Black (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle)

I love this case because it offers great protection for the back and sides of the Kindle 3. The only drawback I could see is in page turning. The page turning buttons are covered by the case and are at times a little hard to push because of the rigidness of the case. I am hoping that over time, and it seems to be happening, the places where I am pushing the page turning buttons they are becoming more pliable and easier to push. Otherwise this is a very protective case and I like it very much.

I really like the small form factor of the Kindle and its light weight. I do have a larger case than I use for when I'm traveling, but the Incipio case is great for around the house and casual carrying. It fits extremely well to the Kindle and I find all buttons to be easily accessible and manipulated. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the Kindle feels nicer in my hands with the case on, I would have to say that I don't notice it at all. It gives sufficient protection for light mishaps and it feels great in my hand. It also does not attract lint, cat or dog hair, like silicone cases that I have for my phone - a huge plus!



It is very well constructed and find it to be perfect for my needs. It was certainly more expensive than other cases of this type, especially when you can get a larger binder type case for not much more, but I can't complain because of the high quality and functionality of the case.



If you are a looking for a minimal case that will protect your Kindle from everyday use this is the one - its light, fits extremely well, looks great and is protective. What else can you ask for?

I bought this case to help protect my Kindle from three children, two dogs and a husband. It has done a nice job. The Kindle slides down into the internal leather strapping nicely and will not fall out once put in place. The closure doesn't come open unless you open it and it flips back and secures in place nicely when you are ready to read which makes holding it very comfortable and not bulky. It is lightweight yet still holds a clip-on light nicely. We plan on getting Kindles for our children this year and this will be our first choice of covers to protect our new ones.

This was exactly what I was looking for. It's not rubbery like silicone (nor does it attract lint) and has a nice, smooth feel. The case does cover the page buttons but I don't experience any issue pressing them. This reminds me of cases and shells used commonly on cellphones; added protection with a low profile.



The black case on my grey Kindle looks great, but it would have been nice to get one that matched the graphite color more closely(the Mercury appears lighter than the Kindle). Also, there could be white for the white Kindle, and other colors in general.



Some extra thoughts on why I picked this:

I have the Timbuk2 Kindle sleeve and I was looking for something simple to protect the back and edges but still fit in the sleeve. I had initially looked at the Incipio Feather case, but it has pretty poor reviews (too tight, can't press page buttons) so I decided to try the NGP - better impact protection and better reviews. With a little wiggling it still fits in the Timbuk2 sleeve and is all I could ask for!





Timbuk2 Nylon Kindle Envelope Sleeve (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle), Black/Gunmetal/Rev Red

When I got my Kindle, I got a cover for it to protect it from falls. But that didn't protect it while I was holding it it. Things happen and everyone has a clumsy moment or two. I got this case because it was the right price and the reviews were pretty good. I put it on as soon as it came in and I haven't had any real issues with it. It fits like a glove on my Kindle 3 and it actually make it a little easier to grip. I do see where other reviewers mentioned the slight problem with pushing the page turn buttons, but it isn't anything that would take a normal person out of the reading experience.



So, if you want to get a good case for your Kindle, this would more than likely be your best bet. I haven't dropped mine yet, but I do feel a lot better with this case on.

I really like this kindle case. Working the side buttons is a bit difficult to begin with but i found it gets better as it get worn in a bit. I do wish it would of come with a screen protector but all in all, it is a great product.

I LOVE this product. When the kindle is encased, it is like holding an actual book. It is very comfortable. It also protects the Kindle e-reader very well indeed.

[[ASIN:B00495XLYO Incipio NGP Kindle Case, Matte Black (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle)]

I bought the cover under the assumption that it was more like a soft silicon skin that may or may not fit well. I was quite surprised to find out how well it fits and how clean it keeps the Kindle. The case fits like a glove and leaves open what needs to be. The button covers protect the device from accidental page turns and are still easy to press with your fingers. The case is actually smaller and better fitting than the silicon cases I have seen. - Kindle Protection - Cover - Case - Kindle'


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Automatic Watch - divers watch, watches


I'm an Arizona bankruptcy lawyer, and when my clients gasp in horror about losing their Rolexes, which are far too expensive to be exempt under Arizona exemption laws, I tell 'em not to worry. I tell 'em to buy an Invicta!



Nine out of ten people won't notice the difference if you normally wear a Rolex and switch to an Invicta (as long as it has the coin bezel, which this watch, per the photo, does).



From the perspective of the moral high ground, this watch doesn't say it's a Rolex. It doesn't have the word Rolex anywhere on it, and it does have the word Invicta featured on the face where the word Rolex would be, and the word Invicta deeply engraved on the edge of the watch on the other side from the stem.



This watch weighs about the same as a Rolex, is water-resistant to the same depth as a Rolex, and is an automatic (self-winding) watch, just like the Rolex Submariner.



The colors are similar as well.



There are two principal differences between this watch and a Rolex. One is that the gold colored links on the Invicta are gold-plated, and they will eventually scratch.



The other is the price; this thing is dramatically less expensive than the BAND on a Rolex, and the quality is similar.



In fact, it costs less to buy this watch than to CLEAN a Rolex!



For traveling, you absolutely want this watch instead of a Rolex, because when you're robbed, you get to think, "hey, now I get to buy a new one!" rather than thinking, "Seven thou out the window!"



Actually, there's another thing. If you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona, you get to keep this watch. You don't get to keep the Rolex, unless you buy it back from the Arizona Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee.



And, yes, I wear one every day of my life. In and out of the shower or the pool.



And they always run, and never need new batteries. I've never even cleaned one in the many years I've have these, and they, to steal a phrase, just keep ticking.



So does it sound like I like these things? That would be wrong.



I love these watches. Too cool for school. Invicta Men's 8928OB Pro Diver Two-Tone Automatic Watch

Take all of the positive and extensive reviews of this watch, roll them into one, and you have my review. I'm writing mainly to offset the one star review: I spent 50 cents and less than a minute at a country jeweler to have two iinks removed. Most jewelers whom you do business with will take out links free so why mail the watch off? This is an outstanding watch!

Opened the box, and it looked just like the picture. If you look for OB on the Invicta site, you won't find it. Stands for "old bezel" design. I guess Rx thought it looked too much like their's. The current bezel is more scalloped. As a diver, I like the OB as it is easier to move when your fingers are wet. I'll update if the gold starts to come off or if anything else goes wrong, but for now, I give this a: Buy it Now!

Although this was a Christmas present, (I have a great Mother-in-Law) I actually picked it out myself. It is such an impressive watch. Not only is it beautiful, it's heavy, (not in a bad way). You can feel and see the quality in this watch. The blue color is so much more brilliant than the Rolex. I've read that some buyers had trouble with the watch not keeping time. Not me. I set it with my cell phone the day I received it and after the first 2 weeks, when I had to adjust for central time when I flew to Chicago, I checked it against my cell phone and it was on the money. I was on my job site when one of my contractors was the first to mistake it for a Rolex. I was honest with him, but what a great feeling. I already have my next Invicta picked out. Thank you Amazon!

Received my watch in package with glass off the watch. Called customer service. They sent me a replacement, and charged UPS for the damage. Took about a week to receive replacement. Product and warranty is excellent given its price.

I was considering investing $6500.00 for a Rolex Submariner, then $1000.00 for a Tag version of the same watch when I came across this Invicta for $99.00 ! I figured what could I possibly lose ? This watch is absolutely as impressive looking and feeling as either of the aformentioned time pieces. Comes packaged very nicley as well. I've received many compliments on this watch ! It keeps great time; just has to be reset if you don't wear it every day...invest in a watch winder !

Normally Invicta watches are outstanding quality but this one was extremely disappointing. Way below expectations. The band is not stainless steel it is a nickel alloy and the clasp is extremely flimsy. (probably aluminum) The case is solid but the band is very lightweight. The links are definitely not solid. The gold numbers on the dial look orange as does the gold plating on the band. Good gold plating/filling should be yellowish (like solid gold) not orange. This felt like the kind of band that would turn your wrist green after a few months of wear.



The bezel is nice and I prefer the old coin style. Unfortunately that isn't enough to make this a keeper.



I'm a watch fanatic and own multiple automatic watches from all the high end manufacturers. I consider Invicta to be the best watch for the money, bar none. For whatever reason this model or at least this batch with the "Old Bezel" (8928 OB) falls well below what is normally a very solid watch line. Go with something else.

Purchased this watch as upscale option to daily-wearer Invicta 8926OB (similar to stainless "Submariner"). Workmanship looks excellent and beautiful, but don't know re longevity of gold plating, so am very careful with it. Own four Invicta Pro Divers, and they all gain a little time, as is typical of automatic watches - even typical of the watches these tend to emulate (I've owned some). All my Miyota movements have proven very solid and reliable and this one should be no exception. Mineral crystals tend to scratch fairly easily, but Invicta will upgrade to sapphire for about $75 should you desire... Would recommend this watch to anyone, as it seems to be yet another excellent value! - Divers Watch - Automatic - Watches - Automatic Movement'


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Sk


Sockets are in my opinion a serious STRONG POINT of the S-K tool line. To the point - S-K makes, in my opinion, some of the very best professional grade sockets to be found anywhere, no matter the brand or the price. Point blank - period - they are comparable to the very best, and as good as it gets.



In my personal tool box I have literally hundreds of sockets. Standard height - tall - chrome - impact - 1/4 - 3/8 - 1/2 - you name it - if you need it to work on a car - good chance it's in there. I have sockets from Snap-On, from MAC Tools, Matco, and Cornwell. And I have sockets from S-K. I would say S-K sockets make up at least 25% of all the sockets I own - and they are absolutely fantastic. They grip bolts with rounded off corners with ease. They will turn anything that the big boys sockets will turn. I have put my impacts on 1/2 inch Dynabrade pneumatic impact guns without any deforming on the square attachment hole. What can I say? THEY WORK! They hold up! And they do everything and anything you ask of them to do.



The WORST think I can say about them is that it IS possible to scratch the chrome on the deep well sockets for example if you use them to loosen up a lug nut on a wheel. I did NOT say scratch THROUGH - just a superficial mark on the chrome itself. Now if you used the impacts instead - that is not a problem. I just needed a thin wall socket because of clearance on a Porsche, and noticed this later. Probably any of the others - no matter the brand - would have gotten a mark also - so I do not criticize them for this. Their Chrome seems to be as hard and as thick as any on my Snap-Ons or Macs.



Now about the ratchet handle itself. Folks Mechanics are fairly finicky when it comes to their personal ratchet handles. This is a tool they use all day long every day. They may have 100 sockets - but I guarantee you every mechanic has a favorite ratchet handle that he uses with all of them. This said - I would be surprised if that ratchet handle happened to be the SK handle included in this set. The reason is purely subjective. This ratchet handle is sturdy, durable, well made, and completely capable of providing years of trouble free reliable use. It has a good grip, and by any measure, is excellent. However.... It just does not "FEEL" right to me - particularly in the "click" that I feel. It feels - what is the right word? Harsh? Beyond this I am not a fan of ratchet handles that select direction by rotating on the centerline of the socket. I prefer the Snap-On / Matco design where there is a separate lever you can easily flip with your thumb - one way - or the other. For MY money - I would buy this set for all of the parts - then buy a Snap-On ratchet handle - keeping the SK handle for a backup. Oh - wait - that is EXACTLY what I did and have in my personal tool box!



All in all - a stellar superstar product - at a price the average home mechanic can afford. I give this product 5 stars - only because I can not give it 6...... SK 4147-6 47 Piece 1/2-Inch Drive 6 Point Standard and Metric Socket Super Set'


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Mermaids - finis, swim fins


My daughter and her friends love these uni-fins. You can't get them tight enough if you have bare feet. BUT - if the child wears swim shoes (the kind with the rubber sole) the strap will grip much better, and the rubber soles of the shoes keeps the fin from coming off. Here's the kind of swim shoe I mean: Easy USA - Girls Aqua Water Shoe, Black, Royal. My daughter has used her mermaid fin hundreds of times in the past two years, no problem. FINIS Mermaid Swim Fin (Purple)

This product is fun and is a great idea but for the price it is made very cheaply and it broke where the strap is hooked to the product. I was able to fix it using waterproof glue but it is poorly made. So its fun just be very careful!

My 10 year old loves this fin but gets so frustrated every time she uses it. It only stays on for less than 10 seconds as she swims, no matter how loosely or tightly we adjust the strap. Great concept, great toy, bad product execution.

My girls LOVED this fin. It was the centerpiece of a birthday party. Everybody tried it, and it is a great piece of exercise equipment, too. But the strap broke on the second day--it tore right off the neoprene strip that holds the fin to the back of the foot. :( - Swim Fins - Finis'


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Carbon Monoxide Detector - alarm, smoke alarms


This review is from: Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm (Tools & Hardware)



I've installed installed two of these Kidde brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in my elder parents home. I have one in my own home as well and have found them all to be reliable and trouble free.



What attracted me to this model were its many features:



First, it has a low profile, attractive and unobtrusive design.



Second and perhaps most important, it has a voice speaking function that, in addition to the 85db alert horn, will speak out clear warnings: "FIRE, FIRE" or "DANGER: CARBON MONOXIDE". I think that this feature is a terrific addition toward modern life-safety technology. Indeed, you will likely see more voice warning devices in the near future.



We rely on these detectors to warn us, especially at night when we are sleeping. Awakening to this detector from a deep sleep helps orient you quickly by telling you the specific danger -- clearly and unmistakably. Notably, recent studies have shown that children can sleep through traditional smoke detector alarms, but will respond to voice warnings -- which this unit provides. Thus, placed in or near bedrooms this device can be a true lifesaver.



Another favorite feature is ease of installation. It was a breeze and truly could not be simpler. A screwriver is all you need. A small power drill/driver would speed the process, but is not necessary. Two screws into the ceiling or wall and you are done with the mounting bracket. The detector then just clicks in to place with a clockwise flick of the wrist. This is a do-it-yourselfer's dream. It doesn't get any easier!



Battery maintenance is easy too as all you need do is turn the detector counter-clock wise a few clicks, and down it comes. You slide open the battery cover, take out the old batteries and pop in the new. Replace the detector back in the attached ceiling bracket, give it a slight turn and in it goes with a firm click. Done! Easier than screwing in a light bulb.



Finally, the price is right! Under $40 for a unique life-safety device that is quickly installed and easily maintained.



I have elected to use Energizer lithium batteries and replace them every 12 months -- with no problems. You may wish to change the batteries every 6 or 9 months. Duracells would also be a good choice. I personally would not use the cheaper, so called "heavy duty" batteries in a life-safety device.



I should add that I would also suggest that if you have a home with multiple levels or an apartment with several rooms, having a separate stand-alone carbon monoxide detector elsewhere in the house as part of a total home plan would be a wise investment. Kidde also makes a fine combination model that protects against Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas. That unit, which has a digital display, runs on electricity and has a battery back-up system. It plugs in any electric outlet and can stay in the wall socket, or it can be placed flat on a table or dresser.



I would also recommend Kidde's dedicated dual sensor photoelectric/ionization smoke detectors. These dual sensor devices provide maximum warning under fast or slow moving fire conditions. As one never knows what kind of fire could occur, these are the most versatile.



Be sure to test your alarm regularly. REMEMBER that most carbon monoxide detectors NEED TO BE REPLACED about every five to seven years (see manufacturer's guidelines). Similarly, smoke detectors have a useable life span as well. It's usually a little longer than carbon monoxide detectors -- check your manufacturer's guidelines. Kidde KN-COSM-XTR-B Nighthawk Combination Carbon Monoxide, Fire, and Smoke Intelligent Alarm

When I first bought my house, a friend of mine recommended replacing all my smoke detectors with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smartly, I took his advise and replaced all of them with these.



A couple years later, one evening, my daughter was in bed and me and my wife was just about to head to bed the Kidde detector starts yelling, "Warning - Carbon Monoxide".



Freaked me out. Got everyone out of the house and called 911. Fire department came out and shut the gas off to the appliances and cleared the house. It turned out to be the gas water heater which needed a little maintenance.



It scares me to think of what could have happened if I didn't have this Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detector.



So, I highly recommend this detector for everyone. Really, just get it...

The Kidde KN-COSM-XTR-B Intelligent Alarm, Combination Carbon Monoxide, Fire and Smoke detector is replacing a very similar Kidde alarm that finally died after several years of faithful service.



I looked at "First Alert" alarms as I have heard good things about them years ago (30 years ago), but after reading the reviews on First Alert alarms it became obvious that things have changed and there seemed to be some problems now with them. Apparently they are malfunctioning in a number of ways.



So I stuck with Kidde as it had served me well in the past, and purchased one very similar to the outgoing Kidde. The nice thing about doing that is that the new one fits on the old mount. All I had to do was put the batteries (included) in the new one and twist it onto the old mount and then enjoy the rest of my day! Life is good!



Pete

I've used these products in the past and have always been satisfied. Not only does it tell you if there is a fire or CO issue but it alerts you when battery is low and if there is a malfunction. Easy install and battery replacement.

I am a rental owner and recently purchased these units to comply with the Carbon Monoxide detection mandates. Having read comments from others, I based my purchase decision on the following criteria (in order of importance): accuracy, ease of use for my tenants, and price. I was most worried about false or missed alarms. Reading the reviews, these seemed the most reliable for the price. The ease of use is simple: The voice says "FIRE", it's detected smoke; the voice says "CARBON MONOXIDE", it's detect CO. Given folks may not be thinking clearly in the event of either, it takes the second guessing out of false alarms or why an alarm would alert if there's no smoke. Although a little on the higher side, I thought the price was reasonable given the Amazon discount.



About these detectors: They are operate on 3 AA batteries (recommend changing-out annually) and are extremely easy to install. If you have the least bit of inclination and an cordless drill, I'd recommend you tackle the installation yourself (two anchor screws and you're done). If you don't have a cordless drill, buy-one for a fraction of the cost savings of not paying for them to be installed. Place one unit in each room (I prefer above the doorway) and one on each side of the hallway.



These units are not networked (meaning if one alarms, it doesn't trigger the others). I opted out of getting networked detectors (although it seems like a good idea) based on concerns of false triggers (reports of one or more bad units shipped that set off the entire array of detectors; one guy claimed his tv remote set off his wireless units). I figure the bugs (if any) will be worked out by the time I need replacements.



Experience: No false alarms in the few months since we've installed (false alarms usually would manifest by this time, according to other reviews). We've only experienced one fire alarm from a burning dinner and the hall unit readily picked up the smoke in time to save most of the casserole. No experience on the CO, but I've read a few testimonials and that helps me sleep at night. - Carbon Monoxide Detector - Fire - Alarm - Smoke Alarms'


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Iphone 3g Accessories - iphone stylus, apple


I definitely saw the need for a stylus for my iPhone because my fingers sometimes hit the wrong letters and it takes more time to edit the text than it used to with the Sidekick. The stylus takes some time to get used to your screen (or vice-versa), but once it does, it is pretty sensitive and you can type your letters much more precisely. It does help if you hold your iPhone's bottom to your chest when your writing, though, so that it is more stable. If you try to write while your walking with the stylus, it may be no different from writing with your fingers. I'd recommend this to others. iPhone 3G Stylus

For those of my generation who keep up with technology but just can't get the hang of touch typing without hitting the right key the Apple IPhone 3G Stylus is the best thing for you. You are able to move faster and hit the right keys without mistakes. I love this tool I just wish there was a place on the Iphone to place it. If you have fat fingers or long nails this is the tool for you!

I am using this stylus with an iPhone 3g and it works pretty well for typing on the virtual keyboard. I can type considerably more accurately and therefore faster using the stylus than with a finger, however, you must press the stylus on the screen more firmly than you press with a finger.



It does not work well for "flicking". It is possible to do, but you must press down quite firmly while flicking and the tip of the stylus drags a lot. I think it's best to use a finger for flicking and the stylus just for typing.



I think it works pretty well considering the price.

Do not buy this item, bought two of them one for me & one for my wife, wife did not like hers said didn't work. I gave it to a coworker. Try my out didn't care for it, had to push to hard on screen would not allowed me to slide across screen I had to use my finger. Threw it on the junk drawer at work haven't used since then.

If its a generic stylus on Amazon then for the most part its the same generic stylus being sold by every generic stylus seller selling generic stylus's on Amazon. ;)



They are all going to cost from ¢0.01 to $1.00 each with the outrageous S&H of at least $2.98 each to send you something so small & lightweight it floats on water.



But still, $3 to $4 for one of these stylus isnt a bad price in the grand scheme & it definately makes typing easier.



My only complaint about the stylus itself is that while it types well it dosent work nearly as well as your finger to scroll & feels like the rubber tip may come off with continued scrolling pressure.



Ive purchased 1/2 a dozen or so from different sellers in different colors & have them at the ready for typing & suggest if you have large digits to get ya some...

I've read some misguided reviews about "why buy a stylus, just use your finger". I've been happily using my fingers for two years now, but there are times when a stylus is helpful, e.g. when I try to draw something technical in Brushes or Sketches app.



But this stylus is not it. I have to press a little before the iPhone can sense it. It's not a lot of force and I don't think that it will break the glass, but it makes drawing and sketching an unnatural act -- when it's supposed to be fun.

I have the iPhone 3gs and typing with the stylus does give you more accuracy, but you sacrifice the speed that you get if normally type with both thumbs. I have found that "Flicking" with the stylus is a headache. When you put the needed pressure on the stylus and drag it to flip a page, the rubber tip meets with more resistance than your finger would, and feels as if it's about to come out of the end, or simply break off. - Apple - Iphone Stylus - Iphone - Iphone 3g Case'


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Backpack Rod - travel rod, fishing rod


Unlike all telescopic rods, this one is a sensitive enough to be fished with. It has a decent quality, and the only warning I have for the future buyers is to assemble it tightly, otherwise it may fall apart during a strong cast. It happened to me once, but I was lucky having strong braided line, so I did not lose a fallen piece in the river. After I snugged it in more tightly, I never had a problem with it. When disassembled, it fits in the smallest backpack. The clear case is a bit tight, but it is needed to protect it from other objects in your backpack, and I also use rubber rings to secure pieces together.

The rod is strong enough to pull several pounds fish (or piece of wood, if you are less lucky) with some precautions.

Overall, you can't find better rod for the price! Don't buy those telescopic rods - you would not feel a single bite! Shakespeare Medium Action Travel Mate Spinning Rod (6-Feet 6-Inch)

I owned an older version of this rod for several years and had purchased a different make and model for my wife to backpacking. After two years of disappointment, I sought out the Shakespeare and to my delight it the same design as the one I have loved and fished with for serveral years. It has great action, easily assembled and for those who like to get away from the rest of the fishing public to find the good spots, this is a great rod to have along.

I have used this rod for many years. I pack it right in the bottom of my tackle box. So it's ready to go any where any time, long as it's Rocky Mountain beaver ponds fishing for brook and rainbow trout.

A common misconception about these rods, that I often hear from friends and family, is that these sectional rods often come apart when casting, well that has not been the case for me. I have never had a problem casting with this rod, or any other problems with it for that matter. But the part I love the most is being able to pack it down into my tackle box with very little effort.

I recently purchased two of these rods for a Wilderness Expedition to Manitoba, Canada with a Boy Scout troop. We traveled by canoe and the fact that this rod could be taken apart and put in a backpack was great. It was perfect for the type fishing that we did (Walleye, Northern Pike, and Small Mouth bass). I landed several large fish and was very pleased with the performance of this rod. This was probably the best gear purchase that I made! There were others in our party that tried to fish with smaller packable equipment but it didn't hold up to the environment or the size fish that we were after. I would strongly recommend this product for most any Wilderness Expedition.



Only drawback is the packaging that it is shipped in is not enough protection if packed and handled roughly (air travel/backpack in canoe). I made my own carrying case out of a 2.5" rigid cardboard mailing tube that I cut to length with a good wrapping of duct tape to protect from coming apart if it got wet and had no problems.

This rod packs easily into a carry-on when travelling. I use it when I travel to any coastal water as I love to surf fish. Packing this rod, a reel and some basic surf fishing tackle takes up minimal space. For travelling purposes, the rod action is quite acceptable. Good fishing!

this is the ideal pole for someone who travels. The only drawback might be that it might loosens up on a cast. I found the solution in using some electrical tape. The pole is responsive and stiff enough to feel a nibble.

Good rod. A little too much flex for my taste but good nonetheless. My only issue is that with all the pieces, if you don't periodically push the pieces back together, they come apart after several casts. This isn't an issue if you use the rod for bobber fishing or fishing off the bottom where you won't be casting repeatedly. Overall, I'm happy with this purchase.

I would rate the rod, itself, with 4-5 stars (considering the price), it is actually pretty stout and well built. However, the "case" that it comes in, is pathetic. I assumed that the case would provide some protection because the rod was designed for hiking, etc. But, it is extremely flimsy plastic, only good for a dust cover at best. It will not protect the eyes of the pole what-so-ever if you try to throw it in a pack. Still, with all that aside, it isn't a big deal to make a rod holder out of pvc, or buy one even, and for the money, you can't go wrong.

I'm going to the carribean and they rent fishing gear for 40 a day. This rod and a reel is all you need! I looked at tons of review threads and if somebody had a successful fish catch with the equipment I bought it- And like $15 is not hard to part with for a travel rod. Put it together and feels just as solid as a two piece does. - Fishing Gear - Travel Rod - Fishing Rod - Rod'


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Sevylor - boat, inflatable boats


I bought this boat to raft down rivers in Arkansas.

The first trip i took it on it handled very well. i would snag rocks and such from time to time in lower parts of the river and it survived them very well. Then i was going through some rapidity parts and a branch under water sliced the main air part.I was able to patch it with some tent fly repair stuff i had with me (the patches that came with the boat kinda suck cause they have no adhesive with them)

Even with the main air compartment completely deflated I was able to keep floating on the other two (about 165 lbs).

the paddles break easy so watch out.

Not a bad boat for the money. Sevylor Colossus 2-Person Inflatable Boat

We have purchased the boat for our 6 year old and his cousins. The boat is of good quality considering its price. It come with everything that you need to hit the water except the pump. We used it just for 2 days so I cannot say anything about the longevity of the product. The label 2 person boat is misleading.It does not fit 2 adults inside the boat. Two adults can barely sit on the edge of the boat. The boat fits one adult at most, maximum to kids under 10 years. The oars are not very large neither but I would not recommend this boat for long distance rowing to begin with. It is okay to paddle around in a lake or so.

I recently purchased this boat. There are 3 separate sections to inflate. In inflating this for the very first time, 2 of the 3 sections had holes in them. This product could not be used even once as a result.

I bought this boat thinking it was very good. I put it in my swimming pool and my kids started lowering. I saw many bubbles around the boat. I sent it back to amazon and a new one came the next day. I put it in the pool it worked fine, but the next day it was flattened in my backyard with both of the air compartments. So I sent it back to amazon and I will never by that boat again. If you are buying an inflateable boat never buy this one.

The Sevylor Colossus 2-Person Inflatable Boat is OK but not great. The capacity is 450 pounds and that could very well be but there is no way 2 adults or even 1 adult and a medium sized child could be comfortable in it. My first raft was sent with a slow leak that allowed the boat to fully deflate over a 2 day period. I tried to find it but couldn't locate it. I exchanged the raft and while it holds air better it does get slightly softer over time (such as 2 hours). It will not deflate and I am not worried about safety but I do think it is a defect. It is easy to inflate and easy to handle on the water.

As other reviews state fits one small man or two

average/small children.



I use raft to get to a mooring, my sailboat has very little storage so real inflatables are too large to stow when deflated.



NOTE users should use their head and not use in open water, also this raft will not stand up sharp objects ie rocks, sea shells.



After saying all the above this raft is light rows easy, must

consider this boat a very good value!

The picture on the box shows an adult and child sitting in the raft on the water. In reality with only a child in the raft it stays above water, but with some movement will pucker along the rim and allow water into the boat. This is with an 85 lb. boy alone in the raft. Also complicated to row since it sits so low in the water. My son looked like he was trying to skiing on the water rather than paddling.

Also, he was fine on a lake with no wind. But the second time he used the boat there was a light wind. He became very frusterated and afraid when he could not row back to us and had to allow himself to be blown into the bushes (which punctured it) and abandoned the raft. - Boat - Inflatable Boats - Sevylor'


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