Wednesday, 15 September 2010
John Alexander
I wanted to rate this book 4 stars however the result is what stopped me from doing so.
Most of the info is common knowledge. Do not beg or cry for your man to be back with you. Have some pride and dignity. Be happy go lucky; do not show him you give a damn. Stop talking to him for a week then call him to hang out. End the date first, do not stay to long. Do not answer all his calls, keep him guessing. Stuff like this. No real "ah huh" moments. However, for those who have no clue it is definitely a good reading.
His ultimate big moment at the end is to not sleep with your ex until he promises you a commitment. That is it! He claims that if you withheld having sex with your ex, he will automatically want to be in a committed relationship with and this is a little presumptuous. Trust me, I am the NO girl! Withholding sex and making a guy wait at least 3 months for your loving and not having sex with your ex is a must! However, withholding sex from your ex will not automatically make him want to commit. Yea he will still chase you as he wants the goods, however, he can just as easily go have sex with someone else. This is not to say you should have sex with him, DO NOT unless he commits, however just do not assume he will give in because you said no.
I suggest getting: Why men Love Bitches and Why men Marry bitches by Shery Argov
Steve Harvey has two good books as well! How to Get Your Ex-Boyfriend Back
I myself am skeptical of any "self-improvement" book but especially a dating one, but I bought it out of not really having any other options for me. My boyfriend is a player and was going out and meeting other women. My friends told me he's not right for me, and maybe they're right, but I want to be with him! I got the book and I put all the steps into place, and worked really hard. The best part was the letter the book gives you to break up with him (which totally turns the tables!). He was calling me and texting me, but like the book said to do, I ignored it. One of the only issues I have with this book is that it wasn't 7 days to get him back, it was about 3 weeks. Plus I would have been happier if it was cheaper. I know you can get a kindle version if you want, though. I'm just saying what my impression is. I did the manipulation tactic at the end of the book out of desperation (and being a red-blooded woman willing to do whatever it takes) and to my surprise it really worked. Now we're a couple again, he's going out much less and devoting more time to me in our relationship, and I truthfully couldn't have done it without this book's help.
I think it is a perfect first start book, but definitely explore other books. After finishing the book I did feel uplifted and I am confident that I can completely avoid contact with my ex for at least a week or two. If anything, it gave me my control back in just the 2 hours it took me to read the book.
In the end of the book, there are situations that should have been developed further. Like he advices at the first meeting to bring him home to your place, well what if I live with parents? Or if I have lots of roommates? I wish he could have given a plan for how to get invited back to his place and how to accept.
If anything, it is a great self improvement book, I took his advice and hit the gym, not to lose weight, but to stay fit. I feel better, more confident, more social. I am ME again.'
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Skeleton Watch
Love the watch. Easy to use, very comfortable, and stylish. The two tone is definitely a better look with the blue hands and gold gears. Seems to be a very solid design. Very good quality band as well, little bit of padding, and very sturdy. Beautiful watch at a great price. Rougois Skeleton Hand Wind Mechanical Two-Tone Watch RMS43G
I bought this watch as a gift for my fiance and we both absolutely love it. He particularly likes the fact that it is a wind-up watch since these are harder and harder to come by these days. The detail and quality of this watch are absolutely beautiful, and it looks even better in person than it does online. I couldn't be happier with my purchase... not to mention, this deal is hard to beat!'
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Energizer Lithium Aa Batteries - aa, battery
The Energizer L91 Lithium AA cell is a fantastic power source. For high-drain applications, it offers great advantages over ordinary alkaline cell and rechargeable NiMH cell. However, it is also very expensive as a disposable battery. So it is important to recognize the strength of L91, and use it only in applications that give you the best results. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money.
According to data sheet published by Energizer, the capacity of the Lithium AA cell (L91) is 3000mAh. This number remains nearly constant with load current. In comparison, the ordinary Alkaline battery (such as the Energizer E91 AA) is rated as 2800mAh, but only at a very light load of 25mA. At a heavy load of 1000mA (typical for a digital camera or flash unit), its capacity drops to below 1000mAh. This number gets even worse at low temperature. At zero degree C and 1000mA load, the L91 can provide about seven times more energy compared to the E91. This is where the marketing claim of "Last up to 7 times longer" comes from.
When used in a digital camera at room temperature of 25 degree C, the L91 is more likely to last 3-4 times longer than alkaline. This is enough to justify its price, which is also around 3-4 times higher than alkaline. However, in low-drain applications (such as smoke detector, wireless mouse or remote control) alkaline cells will last just as long at a fraction of the cost.
The L91 also contains much higher energy when compared to an ordinary rechargeable NiMH cell such as the Energizer NH15-2500. This is partially due to its higher terminal voltage of 1.5V, which is 20% higher than that for NiMH.
Energy stored in NH15-2500 : 2.5Ah * 1.25V = 3.125Wh,
Energy stored in L91 : 3Ah * 1.5V = 4.5Wh (44% higher).
Higher terminal voltage for L91 is especially advantageous in digital camera applications, because your camera flash will recharge up to 20% faster. An added benefit is that the L91 weighs only 14.5 grams (0.5 oz) each, compared to 30 grams (1 oz) for NiMH. So your camera becomes much lighter.
The NH15-2500, like all ordinary NiMH cells, suffers from rapid self-discharge problem. If you charge up a set of those cells and leave them in your camera for a few weeks, you're likely to be greeted by 'Low Battery' sign when you try to take a photo. The new generation of 'ready-to-use' NiMH cells such as SANYO eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid solved this problem by having very low self discharge rate. But they have lower capacity of only 2000-2100mAh.
Bottom line: If you need AA batteries for a long hiking trip, then L91 is obviously your best choice. For most other situations, I recommend using low self-discharge NiMH cells for lower operating cost. Energizer Ultimate L91BP-4 Lithium AA Battery 4 Pack
[Updated on June 8, 2011]
Note: Amazon has moved two of my previous reviews (one for Energizer Lithium AA 4-pack, one for 8-pack) under one page. Therefore I have to update my review to add some new information - or else I look like a fool who says the same thing twice.
=== New information follows ===
There seems to be some confusion about those Energizer Lithium AA batteries. Several people have bought those batteries under the assumption that they are rechargeable, only to be disappointed later.
Despite the name 'Lithium', those Energizer Lithium AA batteries are very different from the commonly known 'Lithium-ion' rechargeable batteries. Namely:
- They are single-use batteries (NOT rechargeable like Li-ion)
- The terminal voltage for each cell is around 1.65V (compared to around 3.7V for each Li-ion rechargeable cell)
The two types of batteries are not compatible. If your camera accepts AA cells, then you should use those Lithium AA cells and not Li-ion rechargeable battery. Alternatively, you may explore other rechargeable battery options, namely:
1. Low-self-discharge NiMH AA cells, such as Sanyo Eneloop or Sony Cycle Pre-Charged. Those have a operating voltage of 1.25V per cell, so some cameras (especially those that use only two cells) may not operate correctly on those.
2. Nickel-Zinc rechargeable such as PowerGenix AA. Those have higher terminal voltage of 1.65V, same as that of Lithium AA cells. The down-side is that the higher voltage may cause some older cameras to burn out, and the NiZn cells themselves have very poor lifespan.
No matter which rechargeable option you pick, remember that they each need their own special charger. Choosing a good charger is the key to longer lifespan for rechargeable batteries.
I recommend most people to try eneloop cells first. They are the most reliable among NiMH batteries. If it doesn't work well for your camera, you can still use those celll in other appliances such as flashlights or Wii remotes.
Finally, it is a good idea to keep a set of those Lithium AA cells as backup, or in case or emergency. They can be kept in storage for ~10 years!
The Energizer L92 Lithium AAA cell is a fantastic power source. For high-drain applications, it offers great advantages over ordinary alkaline cell and rechargeable NiMH cell. However, it is also very expensive as a disposable battery. So it is important to recognize the strength of L92, and use it only in applications that give you the best results. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money.
According to data sheet published by Energizer, the capacity of this Lithium AAA cell (L92) is 1200mAh. This number remains nearly constant with load current. In comparison, the ordinary Alkaline battery (such as the Energizer E92) is also rated as 1200mAh, but only at a very light load of 25mA. At a heavy load of 500mA (typical for a P&S digital camera), its capacity is reduced to about one-third. The difference gets even greater at low temperature. At zero degree C and 500mA load, the L92 can provide about seven times more energy compared to the E92. This is where the marketing claim of "Last up to 7 times longer" comes from.
When used in a digital camera at room temperature of 25 degree C, the L92 is more likely to last 3-4 times longer than alkaline. This is enough to justify its price, which is also around 3-4 times higher than alkaline. However, in low-drain applications (such as smoke detector, wireless mouse or remote control) alkaline cells will last just as long at a fraction of the cost.
The L92 also contains much higher energy when compared to rechargeable NiMH cell such as the Sanyo Eneloop AAA. This is partially due to its higher terminal voltage of 1.5V, which is 20% higher than that for NiMH.
Energy stored in eneloop AAA: 0.8Ah * 1.25V = 1.0Wh,
Energy stored in L92 : 1.2Ah * 1.5V = 1.8Wh (80% higher).
Higher terminal voltage for L92 is especially advantageous in digital camera applications, because your camera flash will recharge up to 20% faster. On the other hand, it may create problems with some applications such as unregulated LED flash light. Higher than expected voltage will make the lamp burn brighter, but the excessive heat may also cause the lamp to burn out quickly.
Bottom line: If you need AAA batteries for a long hiking trip or for emergency standby, then L92 is obviously your best choice. For most other situations, I recommend using low self-discharge NiMH cells for lower operating cost. - Energizer - Energizer Lithium Aa Batteries - Battery - Aa'
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E-reader - fountain pens, disposable fountain pen
These fountain pens start reliably and write smoothly and consistently with great ink flow that produces a wet medium line. They perform as well as almost any fountain pen you'll find below $100 and even quite a few above $100. (I know because I own many of them!) The ink colors are rich and vibrant, and the ink dries quickly. If you're curious about fountain pens, don't hesitate to try these for fear that they're "cheap." They are indeed inexpensive, but they are great little workhorses. Also great for those of us who would rather not carry our expensive pens out and about. Pilot is a respected manufacturer of fountain pens, and they have done a wonderful job with these disposables. In my experience, a Pilot Varsity performs much better, and certainly more consistently, than a Platinum Preppy, which is another fountain pen at a similar price. The only drawback is that the Varsity cannot be refilled easily. It's possible but kind of a hassle. Instructions are out there on the 'net. Pilot Varsity Assorted Multicolor 7 Pack Fountain Pen - P90029
I've had two of these pens for well over 10 years. In all of that time, regardless of how long they sat between uses (sometimes more than 2 years) they have always started as if they sat for just 2 minutes. I collect and use fountain pens, many of which cost hundreds more than this pen. Many of these write more smoothly (and many don't), yet these Pilot Varsities remain the champ for writing the first time every time. They are reasonably smooth writers and always flow evenly. Despite being disposable, they have a very large ink supply, more than most rollerball pens that also use water soluble ink. Easily one of the very best buys in a fountain pen...period.
I am a new user to fountain pens, so this is no expert review at all. Basically, what feedback I can offer is that I like the feel of the pen; the way it travels across the paper as I write. The ink seems to flow out at a consistent rate. As I poke around looking at other fountain pens, these are on the VERY inexpensive side and I am happy with their performance.
Love these pens! I found them years ago at Kinko's, and have been on the search since. A multipack is a dream come true! If you have curiosities about fountain pens, or love them and need quick no fuss types, look no further! Enjoy feeling fancy without the fuss!
The quality of these pens is far better than I would have expected at this price. They perform better than many expensive fountain pens. Open the cap and the ink is there from the first stroke, and it flows smoothly and easily, no skips or scratches. This package has a nice selection of colors--even the lighter ones are bold enough to be easy to read. The pens don't leak, and they don't dry out when you set them down for a few minutes. You get the pleasure of writing with a nice fountain pen without a major investment.
This is my second package of these pens, not because they run out of ink (I have yet to have one give out on me) but because I keep giving them away to friends!
These pen write smoothly and feel really nice as they glide across the paper. As a lefty, any catch in the nib would make my writing stutter, but these are nice and smooth. The colors are vibrant. The pens produce a medium thick line and are pretty "wet" so they might bled through thin paper ( I only write on one side in most cases, so it hasn't been an issue) and they're inexpensive enough that you can share the joy of writing with a fountain pen without breaking the bank.
I received the pens quickly, but found that two of the seven pens were defective. The red and green pens were completely empty, dried up, no ink. I've returned two of the pens and hope that you will replace them or prorate my purchase. - Pilot - Fountain Pens - Disposable - Disposable Fountain Pen'
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Led Lanterns - lantern, emergency light
I like this little LED lantern. You can adjust the amount of light you need. Even on the highest setting, it does not seem very bright, but if you are in total darkness, like a power outage, it is perfectly fine for
doing what you need to do. Yes, it could stand to be a little brighter.
The biggest problem I have with it is, the glass is clear, and there is nothing to filter the glare of the LED and reflector. It's very annoying. I solved the problem by cutting a 4 1/2 X 10'' strip of white tissue paper and wrapping it around the glass. Not only did this fix the glare, the tissue paper also acts as a "diffuser" and spreads the light evenly, and softly in every direction without effecting the overal brightness. It just made it softer, and more pleasant. The lamp does not get hot, so no worries. I have had the light on high all night, no problems.
So, with the tissue paper diffuser I give it a 4 star rating, without the diffuser, I would give it 2 stars, simply because the glare is so annoying. Coleman 8D Family Size LED Lantern
I just got this lantern. I'm testing it out using hi capacity NiMH rechargeables. Works very nicely. I've got 13 hours so far on high, and still going strong. I returned a 4D collapseable version. Biggest drawback on the 4D pack-away, besides its lower light output with its convoluted reflector system was that it flickered sometimes due to the sliding contacts inside used to turn it off automatically when collapsed. This model of course does not exhibit that problem.
Build quality of this model is pretty good. Battery holder is a little flimsy. Light output is nothing to really gripe about. It's good, but of course more is always better. Somewhere around 10 hours on high, and 20+ on low would still be acceptable and Low would then be as bright as this current model is on high. That would pretty much maximize this lantern using 8 D-cells, and would make it superior in light output and efficiency to any older flourescent models, and pretty much obsolete them altogether.
Coleman has just offered another new model above this one with 4 removeable panels that will run on their own. It has 24 conventional type LEDs, and looks solidly built out of a thermoplastic though not too water resitant looking design (could be wrong on that upon a closer inspection). It's selling now at Bass Pro Shop for $79, but I don't like the aesthetics of it. It's not very nice looking like a classic lantern.
I'd like to see this model beefed up just a little more on the output with a little more robust battery holder and an improved ring around the base for slippage and or more protection.
If Coleman wants to support "green" initiatives as an outdoors company, then for those of us who will use NiMHs, or the newest generation low self-leakage NiMHs, the battery holder and springs could be more robust for more frequent battery changes. (Coleman's rechargeable version of this lantern should be good for most not wanting separates, but the self contained model has lower light output, and lasts less time on a charge than going hi-cap D-cells in this one. Plus, when the cells go bad, I won't have to buy a new lantern, or pay as much as a new one for a custom replacement battery and/or service.) The plastic on this one's battery holder is fairly thin, and the springs are very thin. Feels delicate enough that one should use caution changing batteries, or it might crack and bend springs. It's a bit flimsy for my tastes with flexing so be careful.
I'd really like to see some rubber around the base or an integrated bead around the edge of the lip. The thin liped, hard plastic edge on the bottom seems like it might wind up getting some chunks broken out of it for some harder users, or from sitting it on the ground in rocky terrain rather than just picnic tables.
It appears that this lantern wins the beauty contest for sure, but that Coleman's new panelized lantern would probably win a durability test.
I wanted a lantern for use in our camper and specifically purchased this one because it is LED (low energy consumption, long lamp life) and because it has the night light feature. On the high setting, it seems to put out enough light. Even the night light setting is pretty bright, almost too bright for a small camper. I definitely agree with the other reviewers that you don't really want to stare directly at this lantern because of the glare.
The overall quality of the lantern is very good. Once you get the (8) D batteries in there, this is definitely not a lantern you would ever take on a camping trip where you are packing very far from the car. However, it is great for car camping and also much safer than candles as a backup light source in the event of a power outage.
I purchased this lantern in case of long power outages. I was concerned that it takes 8 D-cell batteries. What I discovered, however, is that those batteries keep this lantern going forever. It has several LED lights that draw very little power, and a center reflector that really seems to amplify the light. I keep the lantern handy at all times and have a spare supply of batteries for the "just in case." I doubt that I will ever get to the spare batteries before they start to lose power just sitting on the shelf.
The Coleman 8D Family Size LED Lantern is awesome! I use it in my cabin in the woods and it's a godsend. I have gas lamps, but they put out too much heat to use in summer. I absolutely love the Coleman. They have smaller sizes too, and I'm crazy about both of the smaller ones I have.
I purchased this lantern last summer to take camping. Prior to buying I researched many different lanterns comparing their lumin output, battery life & multiple light settings. This Coleman was my final choice & I have been more than happy with it. We used to have an old lantern that used two six volt batteries that didn't put out very much light,was very heavy & it was expensive when replacing the batteries. This lantern with it's three different light settings saves on your batteries & gives you more choices on the amount of light needed.
The main reason in buying this was to get away from using our old propane lantern inside our tent & RV because of the hot exterior & potential fire hazard. This is ideal because it eliminates both problems. We recently experienced two power outages in rain storms, we pulled out the lantern & it "saved the night".
I originaly purchased this lantern from Wal Mart & returned it after finding it on Amazon for less money, no state tax & no shipping fee. Both of my daughters & two of my frinds have purchased this lantern after seeing how well ours works. After our power outage I am considering buying a second lantern. - Lantern - Coleman - Emergency Light - Camping Lantern'
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Best Of The Zombie Genre - amazon oddities, hip hop
Used this for a group science project on nervous system. It is meant to use with jello, however, I lightly brushed interior with corn starch before pressing in air-dry clay. It took some work getting it out but we were in a hurry. Painted the sections of the brain with acrylic paints. I would buy this again. BRAIN MOLD
I ordered this mold to use in connection with a social skills lesson in my classroom. My students loved it! I used the recipe on the back of the box and the jello was incredibly strong. There were two things I would suggest. #1. It took more jello to fill the mold than the recipe indicated.#2 If you want to float worms or other things inside, put them in immediately. I wanted to float some laminated paper strips with "brain functions" inside the jello, so as with normal jello, waited for it to partially set up. Instead, it set up almost immediately. As a result, my little strips of paper were all on the bottom of the brain.
I bought this mold as recommended in a social skills curriculum (Michelle Garcia Winner, Superflex) I use with my social language groups. After making the jello brain I inserted social skils into the brain. The kids had to dig them out. They had a blast and then got to eat the brain afterward. Great fun.
Great brain jello mold! Came with two recipes, one to make a green brain and one to use specific gelatin flavors with condensed milk. The green one was delicious and glowing. The other wacky one produced one that was gray, resembling brain matter!!! Tasted nasty but produced the PERFECT disgusting look.
This was the most fun I've ever had with food and the green brain suitably impressed my 4th grade son's class during their class halloween party.
we ordered this for a zombie themed party. we've had so much fun playing with recipes, colors, etc. the "recipes" on the back are so helpful! i very well may use this every time I want to make jello :)
I bought this mold to make panna cotta for a halloween party. The result was very cute and well received, but the mold could have been designed a little better. As you can see in the photo, it does NOT have a flat bottom, so you'll have to put it in a larger bowl with some dishtowels to keep it level. Oh, and one more quick tip - its best to fill the mold once its already sitting in the fridge. I tried to fill it up on the counter then walk it to the fridge and ended up sloshing panna cotta everywhere. Duh!
I bought this mold to make a jello brain for a youtube sketch[...]
I followed the recipe for the 'lifelike' brain that comes on the box, and it was definitely close enough to be creepy. Released the jello well, and was definitely the right size. Sturdy mold, will get used for many years to come!
Product worked very well for jello material to mold. However, it is not very flexible for removing a creamier dip from the mold. I also had to add more unflavored gelatin than recipe called for and also lined the mold with clear plastic wrap - worked much better then.
Will use again next year! - Food - Hip Hop - Amazon Oddities - Halloween'
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Photography - photography, strap
A nasty fall some years ago left me in the hospital and gave me permanent difficulties carrying things around my neck. A pound is about my limit. My binoculars at 22 oz fatigue me. My DSLR weighs in at 3 pounds. Carrying it with a normal neck strap starts hurting within 20 minutes. A birder's shoulder harness helps a little but not much. Attaching a padded monopod and carrying the kit over my shoulder was my best answer before getting this strap. That's okay for hiking but awkward in any kind of crowd. With the BlackRapid strap on my camera. I can go out for half a day with just a little fatigue.
Obviously, you don't need a bad back to benefit from this strap. I'd recommend it for any heavy camera/lens combo. The wide padded strap that slings cross body does a very good job of distributing the camera's weight and keeping it inline with the body. The free swing of the camera on the connector allows it to fall - lens down - just behind my hip and out of the way. With a bit of practice it's extremely fast to get the camera up to eye level. It also offers pockets in the strap for extra memory cards, lens cloth or other small extras. Add in easy adjustment, secure, quick attachment and quality build and you've got a winner. This is a substantial and well made product.
The strap uses the camera's tripod socket to mount so you can't use quick release plates. The attachment fitting also keeps the camera from sitting flat on its bottom. So, if you're going to need a tripod camera mount, you're probably better off using a camera bag or a belt holster, which you probably already own. For a hand held shots, though, it's the best thing I've seen.
If you find your camera a bit heavy and your back aching at the end of the day, or if you just appreciate well made, designed and comfortable straps, then here's the most comfortable strap around. Black Rapid Straps RS4 Black Fabric, Lightweight and Low Profile, with ConnectR-2 and FastenR-2
I bought this product about 4 months ago and at first it seemed awesome. I loved the way the camera is slung over the shoulder with the grip facing outwards so that you can immediately grab the camera and snap a picture. Ergonomically and functionally it is great. However it has one fatal flaw.
The carabiner type connector that is between the metal connector that screws into the bottom of the camera and the strap is made out of metal. If you sit down with your camera in your lap the caribiner type connector will scratch your camera. I went on a two week vacation during which time I carried my camera around with me all day using the Black Rapid Strap. We would walk around for a while and then drive to the next location. By the time I got back home there was a deep scratch about 1 1/8 long and 1/8 inch wide on the bottom back right side of the camera. When I checked for potential contact between the metal connector and the camera the scracth matched up perfectly where the location the metal connector contacts the camera when seated. The scratch took the paint off of the camera body exposing the raw metal of the camera.
I contacted the store I purchased the product from and they are supposed to contact the makers of the Black Rapid Strap. Of course I have not heard anything back and what are they going to do, replace my camera body? Unlikely...
Pros:
1. Super comfortable
2. Peforms as advertised
3. Ergonomically great
Cons:
1. It will scratch your camera body and ruin it.
Given the price of a good DSLR camera body it is not worth it until the company realses a non-metal connector or a rubber coated connector....
I do a lot of street shooting and have grown to dislike the normal Nikon strap that comes with your camera. I saw a print ad about the Black Rapid strap and decided to try it out. Santa delivered it and I really dig this thing.
No more fumbling with the old style straps, twisting and tugging and having it swing back and forth on your hip.
With this strap my camera (Nikon D300 with a 24-70- pretty heavy combo) sits upside down on my hip or almost centered in the middle of my back. It takes the weight off your neck and sits very comfortably.
But, the true advantage is when you grab the camera with one hand, slide it up the strap, put camera to your eye and start shooting. No thinking, debating- just grab, slide and shoot.
I haven't really thought much of whether it is expensive or not, all I know is that I have finally found a great strap to take some of the awkwardness out of shooting with my camera.
Yeah it does make you wonder that with such a simple invention, why didn't I think of it, but you didn't,so get over it and enjoy your shooting experience.
Seeing the "trailers" put out for this strap, they turned me off to the idea. They were just so ridiculous, I didn't even want to support them (using cameras in a "gunslinging" competition, throwing a camera behind your shoulder (with the strap on) and having it come spinning around right back to you - throw in some cheesy effects/fast-cuts and it just came off as kind of stupid).
Fortunately, I decided to give it a chance and I was VERY glad I did. I've been using it for about 6 months now and love it.
My main concern wasn't discomfort with the included cameras straps, it's that I wanted something to hold 2 camera body besides wrapping both around my neck (or doing the "over the shoulder" trick). I looked into the Black Rapid Double Strap - For Two Cameras , but it had its drawbacks: you HAD to use 2 cameras or it'd be unbalanced (you would have to connect the empty side to your belt loop), plus it was a bit more limited when trying to shoot vertical (portrait) shots (if you watch the commercials, they always shoot landscape-style).
I decided to make my own Dual Strap by picking up a pair of RS-4s and going "cross-style" with one over each shoulder. I have to admit, it really works great!
Included is the actual strap (which has a "ConnectR" (caribiner)) and a "FastenR-2" (a screw-in piece that has a ring on the end). It's very simple - screw the FastenR into the tripod mount, and then connect the carabiner to the the ring. Earlier models had problems with the carabiner opening, but the new versions include a locking mechanism.
Connecting/disconnecting is very easy and most importantly, it feels secure (even with a high-end model, with flash, battery grip and long lens). The carabiner part is not tied to the strap, it runs freely alongside it so you can easily lift/lower it without adjusting the strap.
The RS-4 has a little zip-up pocket on it - this is good for holding any small objects you might have. The other models have larger pockets -- I actually prefer the RS-4's smaller one as it's much less bulky.
I looked at all the models and decided the RS-4 was the best for me.
The Dual-Strap version has the problems listed above, the RS-5 had a bigger pocket and the RS-7 has a "quick release" clip in the back which is a TERRIBLE idea, I think, as if it becomes undone, everything falls crashing to the floor. The RS4 has a solid connection throughout.
The system itself is very basic - a strap, a carabiner and a keyring with a 1/4" 20-threading on the other end. Because of this, many people are making their own off store-bought pieces and I think that's just a bad idea. If you're going to balance (and rely on it to hold) thousands of dollars of gear, do you really want to go cheap on the parts holding it altogether? There is always the chance of pieces breaking, but I'd tend to spend the cash and get the "real thing" than trying to make my own. - Digital Slr - Blackrapid - Photography - Strap'
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Ipod Docking Station - iphone speaker, iphone
I was looking for a dock for my wife's iPhone4 and my Blackberry. I had 2 mandatory requirements other than good sound quality:
1. It should work with an iPhone 4 in a bumper case.
2: I should be able to use it with non-Apple devices using the AUX input.
I first purchased the Philips Fidelio DS8500 Speaker Dock with Remote for iPod/iPhone (White/Silver) (Note: I have posted of review there as well) based on the good reviews on Amazon but returned it because it wouldn't allow the iPhone4 to dock with the bumper case and there was an omnipresent hum when I used the AUX input. The sound quality however was excellent. I then purchased the Soundfreaq and was able able to compare it with the Phillips before I shipped the Phillips. Here are my conclusions:
1. Sound: Phillips wins hands down. The bass is fuller and it can be played at a higher volume. Having said that, the Soundfreaq is no laggard. The bass isn't as deep but the sound over all is excellent. My wife listens mostly to older Indian songs and podcasts, neither of which requires big thumping bass. Both genres are more vocal oriented and the Soundfreaq does a good job. I have a different system for my periodic dose of classic rock/metal and any sound dock in this price range will most likely not do the trick anyways.
2. Connectivity and convenience: The Soundfreaq is the outright winner. The iPhone4 connects without any adapters even with the bumper case. No problems! Even better, I don't even need to actually mount the iPhone on the dock because of Bluetooth connectivity. It took 5 - 7 minutes from the moment I signed the UPS receipt for the box to having a song from the iPhone 4 playing through this dock via bluetooth. It works like a charm. Setup is a breeze and the convenience of Bluetooth is a HUGE plus. Similarly, I was able to connect my Blackberry via Bluetooth, so I no longer need to use the AUX input for my BB. The device can stay in your pocket or you can do something else on it while the music plays through the dock. Also, the AUX input works perfectly with no background hum like the Phillips.
3. FM radio: Works fine on the Soundfreaq. Not present on the Phillips. This isn't a very big differentiator but since I'm spending more for the Soundfreaq, its nice to get more too.
4. Looks/aesthetics: both systems look pretty good. I liked the Phillips but the retro, vacuum-tube radio like design of the Soundfreaq is very nice.
5. iPhone app: Phillips' app is buggy, clunky and is more of a hindrance. Soundfreq app does what it is supposed to and stays out of the way. Neither app needs to be used but the Soundfreq app doesn't irritate like the Phillips.
Conclusions:
1. If you want deeper bass and all round richer sound, go with the Phillips. I am however very satisfied with the Soundfreaq in this department.
2. The convenience of the Soundfreaq cannot be matched by the Phillips. I really like the fact that I can switch on bluetooth on my phone (I don't have it running all the time to conserve battery), connect and I'm in business from anywhere in the room. No wires. No need to even get close to the actual dock.
3. Soundfreaq is more expensive, and more than what I was planning to spend but I think I'm getting decent value for the extra money.
I'm happy with my purchase of the Soundfreaq and more important, the wife loves it. I'm keeping it and will ship back the Phillips. Soundfreaq Sound Platform for iPad and Smart Mobiles
I received this as an early holiday gift from friends and I was pretty interested in using it right away. I have it located in a room that is roughly 14 x 20, and it sounds great. Bluetooth streaming is really slick - I have a Tivoli Series 1 unit that I had been lining my iPhone 3GS into, and having the ability to just hit play and have music is great. Also, not having to unhook the unit to answer the phone is a big plus.
The unit includes a small remote that can be stored in the side of the main unit. There is also a rudimentary iPhone app that can run the unit as well. All in all, it seems to be put together well and has a nice clean look. It's well worth a look if you are in the market for a small iPhone or iPad based system for a room in your home.
Great sound, huge base. Clear and sharp. The wireless feature makes it even better. in our home we have Bose wave, bose dock, two diff Sony dock, and tivoli. Tivoi sound is the best, this unit is on the level of bose. Very good buy for around 150.
I got this as a gift for Christmas and was a little intimidated to have to learn a whole new gadget... but it is sooooo easy and user friendly. Seriously, a child can do it. The sound is AhhhhhMAYZING and I can control it from my iphone/itunes from across the room. Friends can play their music without lifting their fat asses off the sofa! It's really sleek and looks super expensive- I was shocked to see the price is so reasonable. I also like the design which has a little remote (which I use when I listen to the radio) on the side of the speaker in a hidden compartment that lights up in orange. I am so happy I don't have to regift like last year!
I bought this for my parents for Xmas and it turned out to be the best present I've gotten them in years (and way better than that clay cup holder I made for them when I was 4). Within 10 minutes of taking it out of the box we had it hooked up with my mom's iPad listening to great music. Later that night we listened to a podcast we love, then the radio then blasted some Journey because we had had some champagne. In short, it's a great machine.
Also, easy as can be to use. Even my erudite parents picked it up within seconds. And the sound was better than just about any other speaker I've had in my life. Highly recommend.
This unit is fantastic, you can listen to the line input, ipod dock, FM radio or any bluetooth device. The sound quality on this unit compares to my Bose Wave Radio (no kidding). I am really impressed with this device.
My only complaint is that the itouch app is not very robust and if you mess around with it long enough it will stop working and you need to reconnect the device.
But, the good news is that you do not need to use the app, you can play your music using the standard itouch music player.
I highly recomend taking a look at this device. - Ipod Dock System - Iphone - Bluetooth Speaker - Iphone Speaker'
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