Efficient - led, 120hz

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We had this TV for one month, we bough it here at Amazon.com

As the title for this review indicates, this TV set is an excellent value for the money.



Picture Quality

I will start with the picture quality, we got this set connected to a Dish Network HD satellite receiver and the detail is very good for 1080i picture, and depending on the channel since not all Hi Def channels provide the same quality material, this TV does not disappoints, for example, HD Theater and Discovery Channel, 2 of our favorite channels, provide some of the best HD material in the programing choices, the pictures is quite amazing on this quality broadcasts among others... Now with a Sony Blu Ray player connected via HDMI, playing some reference material such as "The Fifth Element Remastered" Blu Ray, the picture detail is simply as good as it gets... The colors are accurate, bright and natural looking, the blacks are deep and give a great look to the overall picture.

I also appreciate the HDMI jack in the left side of the TV, I use this to hook up my HD camcorder to review our footage prior to editing on my computer, this side HDMI connections makes it easy to connect anything from camcorders to Gaming Consoles etc without having to reach around the back.

The picture adjustments with the remote are very easy to navigate through after getting yourself familiar with it, one quick word here about the remote, the remote has quite a narrow beam, this means that if you are close to the TV (from lets 4 feet or less, as I was while setting it up for the first time) you must aim the remote at the infrared eye which is in the lower left of the TV, this is less of an inconvenience when you watching the TV at recommended distance of around 9 feet, at this distance the beam has a chance to spread and just aiming it in the general direction of the TV does the job. With that said, the Menu is well laid out and intuitive.



The Sound Quality.

This is the weak point of this TV, the default sound settings produce a less than desirable sound from anything you have your set tuned in to, however, if you go into the Audio Settings you can somewhat alleviate this by going in the Equalizer Advanced adjustments, there are 5 adjustment bars there of 120KHZ, 500KHZ, 15KHZ, 5KHZ and 10KHZ, in there what I did was to tune down the 10KHZ to minus 8, the 5KHZ to minus 12 (the lowest setting), the 15KHZ to minus 7 and then maxed up the remaining 2 on the left which are the bass settings, by doing this it diminishes the very high treble sounding small speakers that come with the set and this settings gives an overall fair sound for general TV viewing. Now for movies we have a dedicated 5.1 sound system connected via Optical Cable from the Vizio Optical Sound output jack, this works beautiful :) I had considered subtracting a star from the 5 given because of the sound, but after adjusting the default sound settings the sound is fairly adequate for general viewing so I left all 5 stars in there.



The remote.

As mentioned in the Picture Quality paragraph, the beam is very narrow on the remote, but this is only an issue if you are very close to the TV, if so you will need to aim the remote directly at the infrared eye on the lower left corner of the set, I was sitting very close while doing initial adjustments and that is how I came about to notice this, but once done, the viewing distance from our bed is about 12 feet or so, at this distance the remote operates just fine.

It is a fairy comfortable remote with a good layout of the buttons, it is glossy black, it does not have back light illumination, not a big deal to me, but one thing I wish it had was an "Sleep" button, since it is in our bedroom and when you get that sleepy feeling it would be nice to have easy access button to this feature without entering the menu, which is what you need to do to set up the "Sleep" feature. Again, not a reason to subtract a star from the rating, the remote does its job well, perhaps Vizio will add a dedicated "Sleep" button in future sets.



Power Consumption.

This set shines here again, I connected it to my "Kill-A-Watt" meter and depending on your picture settings, it can variate from 30 Watts to 100 Watts of power consumption, my set with my preferred settings uses 50 Watts of power, I have the backlight set at 45, this is a very bright set so a higher backlight setting is not really needed, but then that is a personal preference. On stand by, this set uses less than 1 watt, this is a highly energy efficient set.



Final words.

We are very happy with our purchase, I consider this some of my best spent entertainment dollars, great deal from Amazon, great TV set, well packaged and saving money also on the electric bill, if you need a TV set on this size range, you should definitively consider this Vizio, you will not be disappointed. VIZIO M370NV 37-Inch 1080p LED LCD HDTV with Razor LED Backlighting, Black - 120hz - Led - Led Lcd - 1080p'

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1080p Efficient - led, 120hz

Dvd-r Discs - dvd, blank media

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The price is right. Shipping was quick enough. But so far two out of five is a dud. This ratio may go up or down as I progress through the stack, but with 20 or so used, eight have stopped writing with errors. I've never had a batch this bad.



So they're cheap enough, but the price almost doubles when you consider how many duds you have to deal with...not to mention the wasted time.



I'll try another brand next time.



EDIT: Just after I hit the publish button, I remembered something else about these. I'd actually like to bring this down to one star. I forgot to mention that I had to drag an external drive out of the closet to use these...none of my internal drives would recognize them. I think at this point all they have going for them is fast write speed. My recommendation: leave these alone. AmazonBasics 4.7 GB 16x DVD-R (100-Pack Spindle)

I'm very pleased with these dvd-r's, but I'm sad to see that the initial price was a teaser, and it is now almost double the cost of the dvd+r and cd 100 spindles. My only hope is that if and when they are back in stock, the price will decrease so that the AmazonBasics brand remains a bargain.

These blank DVDs suck. I used them to burn home movies and promotional video. I though it was my old DVD player that was not reading them, but then I bought another brand of blank DVDs (Memorex) and they worked perfectly. I also though it was the DVD burner that was not doing its work, so I tried with other burners, with same result. Thus, I can say that it was the Amazon brand that was giving me problems. It might be that I received a bad batch, but they were all consistently defective.

I have a TiVo Humax box, which has a built-in DVD burner. They don't make these any longer, and there's a good reason why. . . because it's VERY difficult to find DVD's which the darn thing will take and burn! I've purchased expensive ones. . . and cheap ones. . . and in the end, some work a little better than others, but none of them work 100% of the time. Some does even work 10% of the time! Fortunately I have a 2nd DVD burner which I'm usually able to use for the "rejects". But with the Amazon "Basics" DVD's ALL of them work! I've gone through almost a complete 100-pack spindle, and haven't had a problem with any of them! (knock on wood) I'm SO glad to find DVD's that work, and are also at a good price! If you have a "finicky" DVD burner of any type (including a Humax) then I HIGHLY recommend that you try these.



As to the write speed. . . . A DVD can only burn as fast as your DVD burner will burn. If you have a DVD burner which will only burn at 4X or 8X speed, then that's all you're going to get out of these blank DVD's. Personally, I don't have any problems with the speed.



As someone else has mentioned about the packaging. . . The idea that Amazon.com writes that they use "Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging" is TOTALLY bogus. Amazon OVER packages this item. First, the DVD's are on a spindle, like with any other manufacturer. Then They are packed in a separate box, with more cardboard inside so the spindle doesn't "bounce" around. Then that box is placed in a MUCH larger box with lots of packing "pillows". When I've ordered DVD's or another brand from Amazon.com in the past (and I've ordered a lot) they are always just the plastic spindle in a medium box and that's it. I really think that Amazon.com could get away with shipping in the original box, but so far. . .they are not doing that. . . so much for "saving the planet"!

Came with package outside dented but didnt seem to harm box or discs inside. I have burned over 100 of these discs on computer and dvd recorders (one pye lol, other one is a magnovax combo, computer is Toshiba satellite laptop. Only disc that was no good was my fault recorded wrong thing. For me these discs perform well and good value less than 20 cents a disc am in process backing up movies and plan to buy more. - Amazonbasics - Blank Media - Dvd - Dvd-r'

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Playstation 3 Remote - playstation 3 remote, ps3 remote

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I did not think I needed yet another remote control because I thought the six-axis had everything it needed for movie playing on the PS3 and, yet, I bought one. There were 2 initial reasons:



- my wife was missing a 'magic wand' shaped remote for playing movies

- Amazon had it at a great price in one of them lightning deals



I ended up using it myself and, in fact, using it for more than just movie playing - see below.



But, let's do a quick inventory of features:



= It's blue-tooth enabled and, therefore, it's not taking any ports on your PS3. This is probably important for anyone who has a "2-USB ports console".

= It's wand-shaped, allowing the non-gamers to control their movie-watching activities while holding a familiar-shaped device in their hand.

= It maps ALL the six-axis buttons and performs everything a six-axis would do, except for the joystick features of R3 and L3 (but you do have the push-down or 'click' abilities for them).

= 2 AA battery powered (still with the original Sony batteries after 4 months of use)

= Includes additional buttons that the movie-only users would expect on a remote such as:

+ a number pad

+ eject

+ red, green, blue, yellow buttons

+ play, stop, pause

+ slow(step), scan(left/right), prev/next

+ display, top menu, pop up menu, return

+ subtitles, angle, audio





What is interesting about this remote is that you can use it for much more than movie-playing. Given that it has all the six-axis buttons, guess what? You can use it, and I do use it to:



- surf the web

- play music

- shop at the PSN store

- play certain games such as Sudoku

- turn the PS3 on/off when your six-axis controllers are in the charger and I am playing GT5 that is using a racing wheel



And, yes, you CAN turn the PS3 on and off with this remote. Turning it on is easy - you simply press the PlayStation button and the PS3 turns itself on. To turn it off, you either go as far to the left on the X-bar and all the way up and press Enter (the turn-off PlayStation icon will be highlighted) or you simply hold the PlayStation button pressed for a few seconds and then select 'yes' and press the X button a couple of times.



Overall: I am happy with this peripheral. Yes, it's one more remote control but it's a pretty good one, for the reasons I stated above.



_______________________________



Notes - Aug 29, 2009, after 16 months of use



I find that I'm using the remote more and more, not only for playing movies but for navigating the XMB and at the PSN Store, also when playing music or slideshows. Due to its very convenient arrows wheel with an 'enter' button in the middle, navigating the PS3 and doing just about anything other than playing games is a lot easier than using the PS3 game controller. Unlike the controller which normally requires two hands to hold, this is basically a one-hand operation where you hold the remote in one hand and operate the wheel with your thumb. And because it's Bluetooth, not IR (Infrared), you don't even need to point it at the PS3.



And, one word on battery life. After about 15-16 months of operation, this is probably the third set of batteries so I'd estimate battery life to be about 4-6 months. Not too bad. Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote

If you want to pause your movie, you hit "Pause". If you want to start your movie again, you hit "Play". But between the "Pause" and "Play" buttons is "Stop". Here Be Dragons.



"Stop" means it. "Stop" doesn't just stop the video from playing, it quits out of the Blu-Ray player and returns you all the way to the root PS3 menu. To start watching your disk again you need to select the Blu-Ray disk again, wait for it to boot up, wade through whatever previews and coming attractions are on the disk, re-enable the correct subtitles and menu settings, wait for the various FBI and MPAA warnings, locate the place where it stopped playing, and then resume watching. Hitting "Stop" whether you wanted to or not means you're going to spend at least the next five minutes not watching your movie.



The "Stop" button is so big and so centrally located that I can't count the number of times I've hit it in error, either by poking at "Pause" or "Play" in my darkened living room or by sitting on the controller. It's gone from being an occasionally frustrating surprise, to being an infuriatingly common blunder, all the way around to being some sort of perverse comic relief. "What happened? Why did the movie just stop? Did you hit the STOP button by accident again? You did? THE REMOTE GOT US AGAIN. WE HATE YOU, REMOTE."



There are three ways that Sony could solve this problem.



- They could re-label the button "Ruin My Evening", and replace the pushbutton with one of those covered safety switches that are used in military cockpits to arm weapons. A button with consequences this significant needs to be clearly marked with a protective cover that you have to move aside, so that there's no way you'll end up pushing it by accident without understanding what it's going to actually do.



- They could just remove the "Stop" button entirely. Nobody would miss it. There's already a "Pause" button if you need to take a break. There's a "Top Menu" button to return you to the top menu. There's a "PS3" button to pop up the media bar (with an option to quit the player), and an "Eject" button that also quits the player while ejecting the disk. There is nothing that the "Stop" button should do that another button isn't already doing.



- They could make the "Stop" button just return the user to the top level Blu Ray menu, and not quit out of the entire player. They could also make "Play" the opposite of "Stop", where "Play" returns you to playing what "Stop" stopped you from playing.



Apart from the "Stop" button this would be a completely fine remote with a four or five star review. It's well built, it runs for weeks or months without batteries, and because it's Bluetooth (not IR) it doesn't need to be pointed at the player with line-of-sight to work. It's like a well-built Mercedes, with an extra pedal between the gas and brake that makes all four wheels fall off. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT.



Update: It's actually pretty easy to remove the stop button yourself. Undo the screw on the underside at the bottom of the remote and carefully pry the upper and lower halves apart. Under the rubber buttons there's a layer of conducting pads, a plastic spacer layer, and the circuit board. You can either use a hobby knife to cut out the conducting pad that triggers the stop, or you can put tape over the circuit board contact to render the stop button mercifully unusable. - Blu-ray Remote - Playstation 3 Remote - Ps3 Remote - Blu-ray'

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Computer Cables - cat5e, ethernet cables

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I moved my computer from one room to the next. Only problem was that I didn't have enough cable to go from one room to the next. I ordered this 25 feet cable and my fiance stapled the wire to the wall and it looks great!!! Saved me money from buying a wireless router. Ethernet Cable, CAT5e - 25 ft White

Worked out of the box with no issues.

However, I am using with a laptop that I move around sometimes.

The connector is not very strong or molded and is cracking within months.



This cable is fine for light duty use.

I have had this cable for a couple months now, it has been working fine. But I use it to connect my laptop to the internet because wireless is so terrible around here. After multiple plug-ins and unplugs, the little knob that clicks the cable into place broke off. So I simply switched the cable around and a few weeks later BAM, same thing. Now the cable is basically useless because if keeps coming out of the port. If you were simply going to plug this in once and forget about it, it's totally worth the money, but if you need something more solid and reliable, buy something else.

I purchased this cable to connect my netbook to my router. When it didn't function, I suspected that there might be a problem with having my desktop and the netbook both connected at the same time. Since I was tired when I attempted to connect, I waited and, later I tried a second cable (different brand and source) that I had purchased and that one was fine. I find that when you purchase inexpensive items such as this, you get some that are ok and some are no good. I got a no good one this time. Win some, lose some.

the clip to hold the ethernet cable into the computer seems much sturdier than most; it is still holding strong although i disconnect and connect (to different computers) at least three times per day. the 25" length is just right for my home office. i will definitely buy two on next purchase from my seller.

This is a great ethernet cable for gaming systems and computers. I recommend this product, but the seller of this product is the slowest shipping you can ever get. I hope your patient. I ordered the item April 29, they didn't ship it until May 2. It is now May 7 and still not here. Probably wont get it for another couple days. Pitiful!!!! - Ethernet Cables - Cat5e - Cat5 - Computer Cables'

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Toddler Front Mount Bicycle Seat

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I wanted to get something for my ten month old so I could ride my bike while my three year old rides his. We have a trailer but I wanted to try a seat because I thought it would be easier than dragging the trailer out- especially just for riding slowly around the neighborhood with a three year old!

The front kind seemed like a good idea. The whole reason I bought a trailer in the first place was because I was afraid of my balance being thrown off with a bike seat. This front mounted seat is super for balance! I felt very comfortable with my daughter up front and she loved it! We just went for a test run around the block after installing it.

I was able to install in less than 20 mins with a 10 month old crawling around. So I'd say it was pretty easy. It's also very easy to remove the seat when you don't want it on your bike.

I was a little afraid of how my knees would hit the seat but I figured for the price I would just order it and give it a try and if it didn't work out I'd return it.

It's much better than I thought it would be. My knees don't really hit but I have to pedal in a way that I'm aware that the seats there. Not really a big deal, just something to get use to.

The seat does seem a little wobbly, not terribly so though, so not a huge deal. I may be able to adjust it to keep it from doing this. The seat was so easy to install I actually haven't read the manual yet...

Over all for the price you can't beat it. What a cool thing.

I just want to add that I recently went to our local hospital where they do helmet fittings to get a new helmet for my three year old and they wouldn't sell me one for my daughter until she's a year. The AAP doesn't recommend children ride in trailers or bike seats until a year. Trailers are also recommended over bike seats because the majority of accidents happen in bike seats. Although I would imagine that would be the back mounted type. It would be interesting to see a study about front mounted seats as they become more available.

Get this seat! Just be safe! WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat

I have been looking for a way to take my 2 1/2 year old riding with me. The salesperson at my local bike store refused to sell me a back mounted infant seat because they are so dangerous. I don't want a trailer which are safe, but I enjoy riding the many fire trails by our house.



So this was a great fit.



PROS

1) easy to attach- I also switched screws and bolt from the front/back attachment as the seatpost of my TREK needed the bolts from the front attachment.

2) comfortable ride- my daughter is very comfortable and the center of gravity is outstanding... I don't feel unsafe on the bike

3) Easy to remove- there is a screw that once you unscrew it you can take the chair off and you can ride normally.



CONS-

1) The seat belt system stinks- It is really bad and not very safe.

2) Going up hill is tough- definitely be in shape for those uphills, more then 2x as tough...but it is a great workout

3) You can't use clipped pedals- because you have to splay your legs a little to pedal, clipped pedals are not feasable



Again, My daughter is comfortable (she's 35 inches tall) but in about 3-6 months she will be too tall for this chair... but for now we are having a blast!

The seat is wonderful-it just was not made to be used with a petite rider I guess. I am 5' tall, and when the seat's foot rests are in their fully-extended position, they interfere with my steering mechanism-making it very dangerous for me to make turns. The seat itself is right in my gut. I can lean on it to push it forward, so it isn't too awful, but the worst part is that in order to pedal, I have to extend my legs outwards. It is a terrible strain on my knees and makes this a very uncomfotable-and sometimes overly painful experience.

I live in a neighborhood with a lot of parks and a lot of biking trails. My two-year-old son loves going to the parks, but since some of them are a bit farther than he could walk (he could probably walk halfway to one of the parks we go to most often), this often necessitates that we bring him in his stroller. This presents a problem because as soon as we get to a park, he insists on pushing the stroller around instead of playing.



The other excuse is that walking to some of the far parks tire *me* out, so I don't feel like walking back and pushing him in his stroller.



So, getting to the parks by bike was the best option, unfortunately, none of the child carriers that I researched or saw on other bikes appealed to me, since I didn't like the fact that most of the carriers would have my son sitting BEHIND me, therefore giving him a great view of my sweaty back and allowing him to do whatever he wants (like wiggle around and throw off my balance) without my knowledge of it. I also didn't want a bike trailer since they sit below a car driver's eye level. Well, that is, until I saw the WeeRide Seat.



Once I got the WeeRide, I had my son sit inside while it was on the floor so I could adjust the seatbelt (which, according to another reviewer, is pretty crappy, but works as designed) and the footcups. Installation on a beach cruiser was pretty easy. I'd imagine that it would be just as easy on a mountain bike...but regardless, due to the position of the WeeRide's front 'armrest', don't expect to utilize any accessories (trip computer, air horn, etc) which may be mounted in the middle of your handlebars.



Riding the bike with the WeeRide and my son sitting in it isn't awkward at all. Granted, I'm riding a beach cruiser and the handlebars swing back so I don't have to lean forward since I sit upright. I'd imagine that folks riding a mountain bike would probably not have the same seated position, so they'd probably hit their chests against their kids' helmeted head. I do have to pedal a little differently since my legs are spread apart a little to compensate for the width of the WeeRide and it definitely works a different muscle group than normal pedaling. But, I've adjusted and it's pretty natural now.



As far as I can tell, my son enjoys riding around on the bike while in the WeeRide. As soon as I put his helmet on him, he knows that he's going for a ride, and he tells me where he sits (the WeeRide) and where I sit (directly behind him). Whenever we ride around, I can point things out to him so he can see, but most of the time, he points things out to me...like, "Doggy!", or "Ducky!", or "Big Truck!"...you get the picture. It's also great being able to keep an eye on him and make sure that if any bugs get in his mouth, I can wipe them off. Just kidding, no bugs - just a little snot (he's a teething two year old, what do you expect?), which I can wipe away easily...or, to my son's liking, I give him a tissue so he can wipe it away himself.



The other day as we were riding around the neighborhood, two electricians driving by stopped me and asked me where I got the WeeRide. They were pretty excited since each had a child of his own and didn't know that something like the WeeRide exists. They were pretty ecstatic and raved about how my son was in front of me and didn't look tired and how he could see everything. [...]



With that in mind, on one level, the WeeRide enables my son to see more of the world...and on a different level, the WeeRide is an enabler in Father-Child bonding. Already, I've passively encouraged two other fathers that being with their children for an activity as trivial as riding a bike could be an enjoyable and enriching experience.'

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Safety Glasses - eye protection, goggles

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These goggles provide good side protection and great frontal protection against flying debris when using power tools. They are easy-to-adjust and comfortable, which is important because people don't use goggles that don't fit well.



As to the anti-fogging properties...



NO goggles are truly fog-free unless they are expensive forced-air face-shields used in a temperature-controlled environment. As many other users have noted, these will fog up at times. There is a solution!



You can make ANY goggles virtually "fog free" (under most conditions) by marking them with plain bar-soap. Simply make a few swipes on the inside of the goggles with a plain white soap bar, then wipe the marks around until the goggles are clear and clean. Cotton cloth works best. Paper towels are OK, but they will eventually scratch the lens. Use light pressure. You do not need water or spit.



Special details about this method...

Do not use old-fashioned hand soap that was made with Lye... it burns your eyes!

Do not use fancy expensive soap that has scents or colors... many (including myself) find the colored soap makes rainbows of prismatic streaks, and that the scented stuff ruins your taste-buds when lunch time rolls around.



Just use PLAIN WHITE SOAP bars... Johnson's baby soap, Ivory or cheap generic stuff from any American soap maker... Avoid the foreign stuff! Other countries have lower sanitation standards, especially for products that are not meant to be used internally.



There is no way to break the laws of physics. If you work in very hot or cold conditions, there will be a differential in temperature between the inside and outside of your goggles or glasses. The soap film will help prevent condensation (fog) from forming under most conditions, but it won't work permanently in 90-degree sunshine or freezing temperatures. If for some reason you are required to work under those extreme conditions, you just have to remove the goggles and equalize inside-to-outside temperatures more often.



One last tip... if you are working outside in hot-climates, keep the goggles outside. If you have to move between air-conditioned and non-conditioned spaces... have two pairs of specs, one for each area. The sudden change between temperatures causes condensation to form. Otherwise, It is the differential between the inside temperature and outside temperature of the lens that cause condensation.



How and why...

Soap film helps prevent condensation by filling microscopic cavities on the surface of plastic lenses. Those cavities are invisible, but they are the nucleation-sites where condensation starts. Once it starts, it will spread exponentially because even a few molecules of water is enough to cool neighboring molecules of moisture-laden air, such as that near your face.



I got these goggles for free during an in-store promotion. For most indoor woodworking applications, I prefer the wrap-around but open-air style of safety goggles. They protect against flying debris, yet allow air flow in front and behind the lens, so moisture is less likely to condense. In cold temperatures, foam-sealed rims like these work better and fog less. They also protect your eyes from drying in the cold-dry winter air. Dewalt DPG82-11C Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle

I love these goggles. Not only do they protect your eyes from flying objects but also from the dust produced by woodworking machines. They are pretty comfortable to wear and are very well made.

Mine were light gray instead of the yellow shown in the picture.



UPDATE: I've had this goggles for a little over a year and noticed that they started to fog up lately. Maybe there's some coating that has worn off after about a year or so (or maybe because it has been hotter this summer). Also, the elastic band broke. I know it says elastic cloth but mine came with an elastic rubber band. If anyone knows where I can find a replacement, let me know. I still like the goggles though.



UPDATE2: So out of curiosity I e-mailed Dewalt to see if they sold the strap for a couple of dollars. They forwarded the e-mail to Radians (who happens to make these goggles for Dewalt). The customer person apologized for the inconvenience and without asking any questions send me a new pair of goggles. I was willing to pay for the strap but instead got a new pair of goggles! I also realized that the first time I bought this item, Amazon sent me the Radians version of the googles (they are the same except different colors and the strap is rubber instead of elastic cloth). The replacement I got are the actual Dewalt (yellow) goggles.

I wear prescription glasses being very myopic and sometimes it's an advantage while woodworking as I've got some eye protection already but not enough when construction debris is flying and woodchips and dust cover my lenses often forcing me to make quick cleanings that scratch my $400+ glasses. Now the cheaper off-the-shelf goggles cloud up with leaky seals and the most common eye protectors are for non glass wearing folks only. Nowhere did it say these would fit over my prescription lenses...but they looked like they would. And they did very well. They don't leak at the bottom and don't allow my breathing to fog up the lenses as they are well ventilated. Seem to work in colder temps too. They also look about as good as my 50 dollar Ski googles.. in fact they seem they might be good for skiing or boarding in the winter too and at only 14 or 15 bucks pretty good looking too. Fits with most dust masks and with headphones too. The real deal.



Update: I did notice they do fog up too at temps above 80 degrees or even less so the antifog seems to not work so well. Maybe ski goggle anti fog paste is needed. Not sure if there is a solution to that. Maybe a hard hat over the head to shade the lens? or bandana as it seems sweat from forehead might be causing them to fog. Only after a bit of time and maybe just keep a clean clothe wipe to clean 'em off. Maybe just use more open cheaper lens...(but those with prescription lens might be out of luck there. ) - Goggle - Eye Protection - Dewalt - Goggles'

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Battery Replacement - macbook battery, battery replacement

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I bought this battery to replace my OEM MacBook battery. When I got it it fit great and started to charge right away. However, last month the MacBook wouldn't register a click from the trackpad. I tried almost everything. Eventually, I went to the Genius Bar, they took out the battery and could easily see a slight bulge in the battery. This bulge happened to be right under the trackpad and was pressing up against the bottom of the trackpad. Once the battery was removed, the computer registered clicks just fine. Put the battery in and you can't click a thing.



This battery, by McVolt, is supposed to have a 12 month warranty. Maybe it does, but after numerous emails to the seller (yoyoStatix) and to McVolt (and forms on their website), I have yet to hear anything. So my guess is that I will never hear from either of these two unreliable companies.



I have two pieces of advice: one, for Amazon, stop working with unreliable vendors in your marketplace; two, for the consumer, buy an Apple OEM replacement- that's what I am doing now. Super-Capacity Li-ion Battery For Apple A1185 MacBook Pro 13" Series MA254B/A MB062X/A MA254 A1181 MA472 MA472B/A MA701 MA701B/A MB063*/A MB063B/A MB063CH/A series and More

This battery is a perfectly fine replacement for a black Macbook battery. Most of us who own blackies know that we're outdated, so a little compromise for a cheaper battery is not a bad thing. This battery does have longer life than my older Apple-purchased batter, but one huge downside:



There is no power bank. As most of you know, your Macbook has the option to go into sleep mode once power drains down to less than 5% or so (or whatever you set it to), but this battery cannot do that. It drains down to nothing and your computer simply shuts down cold. This was a hard lesson to learn.



Other than that, this battery won't last as many years as the Apple-certified ones, but it will do the job until you get a new computer next year.

Recently the battery on my black MacBook stopped charging. I was going to buy a replacement battery but saw that one made by apple is $129. In my opinion that is too expensive for a battery (about a third of what my MacBook's market value currently is). I wasn't going to buy one because of this, but it would instantly shut down if the charger was accidentally removed.



Luckily I stumbled upon this amazing battery. As many of the reviews indicate, there tends to be a mix up when it comes to the battery color you end up getting. I ordered a black battery but received a white one. Although I would have obviously wanted one to match, the price is great and I don't mind for the price I paid. After all who sees the bottom of your laptop?



The battery lasts a considerable amount of time, when I disconnect it after it is completely charged it says "6:10 remaining." I don't remember how long the original battery lasted, but I don't see any noticeable difference between the two.



Many of the posts here tend to be negative because of the color mix-up but don't be discouraged from buying this if you really need a battery. You have no reason to spend more than $40 on a laptop battery.

the battery is fine. The real praise goes to the company from where it was purchased. I selected the black battery by mistake as I wanted a white one to match my computer. I called and spoke to Traci and she said to just send it back. They had the white one to me a week later and didn't charge me a dime. Great service!

Ordered from GSI fulfilled by Amazon. Item pictured is clearly black. I received a white battery. From other reviews I've read this seems to be a common issue.



Update 1/13/11: Ordered a second time (after a prompt refund from Amazon on the error) from seller Fantasia Trading LLC. This unit is completely different. It was the correct color primarily. It also has the 5% reserve functionality that the other battery did not. The finish of the battery doesn't match the back of my MacBook but it's close enough to not stand out (I'm only concerned in the event I resell my MacBook). Time will tell how the battery holds up. I've revised my rating to 4 stars. Just be cautious from whom you're ordering this product. Avoid GSI.

Works great just like the original and it's less than 1/2 the price of a battery from Apple. The only issue be it very minor, is the color. It's a little darker black than the back of my MacBook. I have a case so it's not an issue for me.

I bought this as a cheap alternative to the Apple macbook battery. After 5-6 years my original battery wouldn't hold a charge for longer than 20 minutes. So instead of buying a new $100 apple battery I bought this instead. It lasts long enough, maybe an hour or two off of the cord, not near as long as the apple did when it was brand new, but for me it's good enough. I never find myself far away from an outlet for that long. Good cheap replacement, but just doesn't hold the 3 hours as a new OEM battery. But i'm happy. - Macbook - Battery Replacement - Battery - Macbook Battery'

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Photography Accessories - photography accessories, camera bag

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After around one month of using this bag extensively, I can say that I have found it to be almost exactly what I would have designed for myself! I have taken this bag with me on long commercial flights with several connections, in the car for short as well as extended trips, on four seater prop planes for aerial shoots, etc. It always also contains my 17" Macintosh laptop as well, plus two extra batteries for the laptop. I have packed this bag in "default" mode relatively full, with all the gear I would likely need for a trip for BOTH the laptop as well as the D300, the extra 105 mm Macro Nikkor lens, two lens hoods, the SB800 flash, additional filters, batteries, etc. Yes, it is of course heavy (by my choice, of course), but the key is that it can and does handle it all well. The camera is very readily accessible (albeit not with the lens hood, which would require my opening the side compartment for access), I have the comfort of knowing that I have almost everything on me that I might need for the shoot, and the portability of a very sturdy and well built backpack that fits superbly when completely cinched around the shoulders, chest, and waist. The only reason that I gave it four and not five stars is because try as I might I have not found a way to attach even my smallest tripod (except for the table top version, which is indeed already in the bag) to the bag to take with me. The cost to step up to the model that accepts the tripod is rather steep, whereas it should have been a rather simple addition to a bag of this dimensions to attach a tripod hooking mechanism. Nevertheless, despite this drawback, this is the bag that I want with me for 99% of my travels - and which has become not only my #1 camera bag but frankly my #1 (17") laptop bag as well, now that I can take my laptop and camera equipment with me at all times. Great job, Lowepro! Lowepro Fastpack 350 (Black)

Lowepro Fastpack 350 vs. Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW



I own the Lowepro Slingshot 300 All Weather bag and was pleased overall with its construction and ample space for 2 cameras, 2 lenses, a flash and more. My only beef was that the single strap design on that model was uncomfortable with light clothing. I didn't need a bag with space for a laptop at the time so I didn't even consider the Fastpack even though the two shoulder straps looked more comfortable for me.



When I bought a laptop I purchased the Fastpack 350. While the two strap design is more comfortable for me personally, the bag has other problems and in some cases is the lesser bag compared to the Slingshot.



Pros (mostly in comparison to the Slingshot)

1. Space for laptop



2. At least double the amount of available open space in the top compartment for misc. items such as food, supplies etc. This also leads to a con, however. See below.



3. More comfortable straps



Neutral

1. Same side access design that allows the user to quickly pull out the camera and still keep the bag strapped to your body. A little more complicated process than the Slingshot, but that's just due to the 2 straps vs. the single on the Slingshot.



2. Definitely not for shorter users. This bag is quite long, definitely longer than the Slingshot



Cons

1. Wasted space/not as much room for camera equipment. This seems like a paradox which is what makes it so annoying. This is a much bigger bag than the Slingshot, but there's less space for camera equipment! The extra space is not given to the laptop slot, however. It's given to the top general use compartment. I was still able to fit my 2 bodies (Nikon D90 and D40x), 2 lenses and flashes, but it was much tighter and definitely not as user friendly. The available camera space is also less flexible than what you get in the Slingshot.



2. Extra compartments not nearly as elegant as the Slingshots. The space for memory cards is the most obvious. In the Slingshot this compartment is secure and ample enough to hold several cards. In the Fastpack it's smaller and more flimsy. Again, seems odd given that the Fastpack is the far bigger bag.



3. Lack of all weather cover. I'm not sure why this isn't just a standard feature on bags in this price range. Still, you can fix this by buying a cover separately.



Due to the limitations of this bag I'm not sure I'm going to use it as much as I had hoped. It'll be my general lugging around bag when I'm probably least likely to use my cameras for shooting, but want them on hand just in case while I'm using my laptop. In terms of adaptability/flexibility the Slingshot is the better bag. I kind of wished I'd looked around more at camera bags that have space for laptops. This one just has too much wasted space for my needs and too many flaws compared to my only one complaint about the Slingshot (uncomfortable strap).



If you only have a single body with multiple lenses and need a bag that holds both a laptop and provides extra space for other items (the top compartment) the Fastpack might be a great choice. - Photography Accessories - Laptop Backpack - Photography Equipment - Camera Bag'

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Remote Control Repeater - remote control repeater, remote extender

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This product works GREAT and is very inexpensive compared to others. I recommend using this product over wireless repeaters for reliability and cleanliness of installation.

PROS: Very neat installation and very accurate repeater for a complete system using a Sony 52 inch LCD. Ample wires and expansion capability. Feels like a well built product with clear labeling on the box for easy installation. I added a standard 12 foot long 3.5mm M/F stereo extension cable to lengthen the 10 foot IR Receiver cable that was included in the kit. This allowed me to put the IR receiver on the TV (wall mounted Sony) and put the box in the equipment closet 12 feet away. It worked flawlessly. They should advertise this capability on the Cables to Go website.



CONS: The double back tape on the IR Transmitters seemed kinda week. I don't think they'll fall off over time, but actually might. The IR transmitter plugs pop out of the box very easily. I think they are using the wrong plug/socket combination in the design; they work, but come out VERY easily when they should 'click' in like the IR receiver and power plug do. The power cord is the same plug as all the other ports. It is easily confused with the port next to it labeled "Status". The unit will not work if the power is in the "Status" port, but when miswired, does not fry the unit either. (Uh, don't ask how I learned this...)



Great Product. Highly Recommended. 9 out of 10 for the IR Transmitters not locking in correctly. Cables To Go Impact Acoustics 40430 Infrared (IR) Remote Control Repeater Kit (Black)

This is a great, well priced repeater although it may not be compatible with all equipment.



The unit worked well for my Pioneer Elite receiver and DVD player, but unfortunately it could not transmit the signal at all for my AT&T U-verse "cable" box. The U-verse system is a new technology and apparently the remote is using a frequency that is not within the range of the Cables To Go unit. I called tech support and they were very accomodative and helpful although they had not run into this issue before with the new AT&T units. They had fixed an issue with certain Scientific Atlanta units and therefore figured we could try that remedy. They mailed (at no cost) a new receiver "eye" in an attempt to fix the issue. The new part arrived quickly and I was very hopeful that we would be all set - unfortunately it did not work and I was forced to retunr the unit to Amazon.



All in all - I would recommend the unit if my equipment were compatible. It appears there is really no in between - it will either work with your equipment and in that case it works well - otherwise it simply cannot transmit the signal and thus it will not work at all. I recommend you search online to see if it is known to work with your equipment or you could likely call Cables to Go and ask them if they know whether or not it will work.

I searched for weeks to find a solution for my new house. I had just got a 55" LED LCD TV and new leather furniture and the last thing I wanted in the room was a stack of electronics emitting different color LEDs from every knob and switch. I mounted a shelf in the garage, directly behind the TV, and now I have one of the cleanest setups I have seen. I tried 3 or 4 different IR repeaters from $40-$150 and none met my expectations. Some had delays, others I had to hold the buttons for 2-5 seconds, and some just simply did not work. The 40430 setup easily in about 5 minutes, and worked immediately with my Tivo, DVD, DVR and HD cable box. I had a concern with the HD functions so tech support gladly sent me a newer revision of the IR receiver, no questions asked. I never had to speak to a machine and the 2 guys I spoke to (Doug & Brad) were very nice. Now everyone that comes to the house, friends, family and service guys all comment and are just amazed at the simple look and the ease of use! Note: Xbox 360 uses RF signals so you shouldnt need a repeater. Mine works just fine through the wall. Also, if you mount the ir emitters directly on a device you should remove the sticky stuff (which sort of obstructs the ir signal) and just tape it on.

This is a GREAT product. I moved all my audio/video equipment to the walk-in closet behind the wall that my TV is mounted on, and now I have a very clean setup. I work for one of the better known CE companies and have tested and used many similar products, including expensive products used for professional installations. There really is no reason to pay more, as long as you understand what this product can and cannot do.



PROS:

1. very inexpensive yet performance and the build quality are as good as units costing 2-3 times as much

2. IR receiver is actually more sensitive and has a wider angle than the IR receivers embedded in my various A/V equipment. As a result, I get better IR performance than when my Harmony One remote was firing directly at the equipment in the same room.

3. It's nice to have SIX output ports (to IR emitters) - most units costing 2-3 times as much only have 4.



CONS:

1. Would have been nice to be able to plug two IR receiver into the unit so that I can use a remote in my patio (AVR Zone 2); however, you won't find this feature in a product that sells for anywhere near the 40430 price....



** RECOMMENDATION ** check to see if your equipment has a 3.5mm IR input connector (usually on the back); if so, buy a mono 3.5mm plug-to-plug cable and run it directly from one of the 40430 output ports to your equipment - you get a cleaner setup without gluing an IR flasher to the front. My Harman Kardon AVR has both IR-in and IR-out so I was able to daisy-chain the IR through it to my BD player.



5 enthusiastic stars!!!



Added 3/18/2010:

Amazon is also selling a 2-in/1-out IR connecting block which you can use to add a 2-zone capability to the 40430:



Vista Acoustics C21 $[...].

Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002COJETA?&tag=shopwiki-us-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325



You'll also need to add an IR sensor for your 2nd zone (e.g. speakers in patio.) All together you'll double the cost of the 40430 alone, but it's still a lower price than anything I have been able to find that has 'native' 2-zone capability. - Remote Control Extender - Remote Extender - Remote Control Repeater - Ir Extender'

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Comfortable Bra - women, leisure bra

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I absolutely love this sports bra. I have been using them for years for work and they are very comfortable. Not too bulky that feels uncomfortable under clothing and not too loose that will leave you feeling unprotected. Hanes Sport Low Impact Sports Bras - 2 Pack (White/Heather Grey, 36)

Love these! So soft & comfy, & tagless. In bras I wear a 34-36, but I had to get this Hanes sports bra in a 38, so just be sure you order a size or two bigger than u normally wear. I use these as nursing bras, comfy enough to sleep in, & they hold nursing pads in place perfectly. Just lift up one side when I'm ready to nurse.

The bras I received were two sizes too small, and white and pink instead of grey and white. Pink is not my color... I kept them because I really wanted to use the bras right away, and they worked, even though they weren't ideal.



The straps are thin, and they tend to roll, but the actual boob harnessing capabilities are pretty good.

I guess I should have expected poor quality for the price, but I was being optimistic...



Hands down one of the worst sports bras I've ever owned. My C cup breasts had to be squeezed and cajoled into this bra, even though I ordered the "correct size" according to my measurements. I also developed a heat rash under my breasts where the bra made contact with my skin after a jog, a problem I've never had with my $10 sports bra from Target. What is the point of this self-described sport bra if you can't do sports in it without getting a rash?



My advice - pony up a few more bucks for a cheap sports bra from Target.

I purchased these for sleep bras and they're working out just fine. I followed previous reviews and ordered a size larger than I normally wear, but wish I hadn't. They run large and make it impossible for me to wear anywhere other than bed. Definitely not supportive enough for sports or even leaving the house in (at least for me and I wear a DD). The price is great for 2 bras, and they do what I need them to, so in my opinion, 4 stars is adequate.

Thanks to other reviewers who notified us all that this bra is small for the sizing. I usually take a medium (36-38") but this bra is perfect at size 40. It is also very lightweight, which I consider a good thing for summer underwear. I am not sure how many washings it will last before the elastic gives out, though. Since they are cheap as well as comfortable, I'm ordering more to cover that eventuality.

This bra was extremely hard to find in the size, color, fabric I wanted. Was amazed to find it did exist somewhere. Very comfortable bra. Unable to wear most materials bras are made of because they cut into your skin or are hot in the summer. Thank you very much for rapid service and a comfortable product. Thank you Amazon for helping me locate this product.

It is pretty good! Worth the price, the price was similar to the store price, but I was confident about the product and they had it on Amazon Prime which made shipping not be a headache, I use them every other day when I work out or to sleep, great buy! Strongly recommend if you have a heavy chest and need support constantly.

Highly recommend this item for yourself, it is high quality for a good price. Product was in perfect condition, although packaging looked dingy, so you probably would not want to have it direct-shipped as a gift. Shipping was so fast it was amazing and I live far, far away. - Women - Leisure Bra - Sports Bra - Comfortable Bra'

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Snowblower - snow thrower, snow blower

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Bought the model SJ621 a few weeks back at a big box club store as Amazon wasn't carrying the Snow Joe with a headlight.



First used this little fellow a couple days after receiving it on about 6" of wet, early season snow.



The Snow Joe did OK in clearing our driveway. It is a little small (18" width), which means you'll have to make more passes, and since it's electric, you might have to "double-pump" a bit, as in make a pass then make another one immediately afterwards.



Our snow was pretty wet, especially close to the driveway, so Little Snow Joe only threw it 10' at most, but using my head I was able to clear our 60x80' driveway in just under an hour. I'd imagine it will do better with drier snow.



Of course I had to go around after the Snow Joe with a shovel to clean up, but that's to be expected.



I wouldn't try wet snow any deeper than 6"...this morning I could tell this little guy was straining...this means any larger storms and you'll have to keep ahead of the snow in order to not overwhelm the Snow Joe.



I took the advice on the instructions and put some WD-40 on the pivot points of the chute and lever and it was easy to turn and aim.



Didn't need the light the first time I used it 'cuz it was daytime, but after use I noticed it was covered in snow, so I'm guessing when I do use the light I'll have to keep brushing it off.



I used a 12GA 100' extension cord and this seemed to work fine.



All in all, much easier than shoveling by hand, and at this price, a very good deal.



UPDATE 12/20:

Well, this little guy just took care of another 5" of wet snow. In addition, the headlight came in very handy tonight as it helped me see where the extension cord was...even with a bright yellow cord, it's hard to see it when it's snowing hard and dark. Still very happy with the purchase. I may make a video of the little fella in use during the next storm. Snow Joe SJ621 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Thrower With Headlight

Extremely pleased with this item. When it was delivered it was taken outside immediately and used as we just had snow.



It's lightweight, well built and very easy to use.



Electric is awesome. Have had other gas powered snow throwers that are touchy to start and often times don't start. Replacing spark plugs, etc. They are also very heavy to use.



Can't say enough about how happy we are with this product.

Reading the other reviews, sounds like maybe mine was a lemon. It did work great when I first took it out of the box, but after only a couple weeks use, its performance went down hill fast. I really wanted it to work, and I even installed a new electrical outlet outside in the middle of winter so I'd have a convenient place to plug this in. The problem was that the Snow Joe kept over-heating, and when that happened it would barely throw snow more than a couple inches! I could smell something overheating inside, so I'd need to stop using it and use a shovel instead, and then go back to it maybe 30 minutes later. But the over-heating got worse and worse, and came on more quickly each time I used it, so I returned it to Amazon for a refund. I do have a very large driveway, and I m not sure whether I just expected too much, or whether mine was defective. But I think my next one will be back to a Toro gasoline model. I loved the fact that electric means no oily smoke like my old one produced, and it was really light weight which was great. But it also was hard to manage the cord always being in the way, so there are pros and cons both ways I guess. If you do get one of these, I highly recommend the one with the headlight, because it helps avoid running over the cord when it is dark.

Though I believe the machine I purchased was NOT new (looked like it MAY have been a floor model since it was partially assembled and covered in dust and was missing ONE screw), I needed it for a snow fall that was already in progress...If you don't mind dealing with a power cord that always wants to get in the way, the unit did a FINE job on the light snow that was easily more than 10 inches deep...It did NOT throw heavier snow very far (which is not surprising for a single stage machine) but it did allow me to clear most of my 300 foot long driveway and garage area without breaking a sweat...I had to learn the best method of clearing a 10 foot path with an 18" machine...but it did the job...The housing is plastic and I imagine if I was pushing through heavier snow and ice I might end up writing a different review, but thus far it's been all positive. Maybe someone will figure out a way to keep a 200' cord in check so I don't have to stop and rewind the slack over and over. It's quite a workout! I will use it several more times this winter it appears and I hope that it does not give up or out before the season ends...

This machine is an absolute marvel. We didn't get our first real snow until late January, but it was a heavy wet one of about 7". This thing worked like a champ, I had my driveway and walkway done in less than an hour. It usually takes me about 2-1/2 hours for this. The Snow Joe is a real winner.

The Snow Joe SJ621 has met my expectations. It is small, lightweight and appears durable. Here in Dayton, OH we have had a combination of snow and ice recently and SJ has handled it well. It will take some doing to throw drifts over 6 inches but it works. I especially like the way it cleans down to the surface, though you have to tilt it off its wheels for best results. This unit came with a headlight which is a real plus. The unit has plenty of power and is easy to use. Because of vibration, the electric cord tends to come loose and disconnect; but that's the only negative so far.

It is a pretty good blower. It does not blow the snow as far as I would like but overall it saved me a lot of time and effort from shoveling.

It also does not go as deep to the ground as needed so you will need to go back over the area twice. - Electric Snow Thrower - Snow Blower - Snow Thrower - Snow Removal'

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Crafts - dremel, crafts

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Although the tool worked well while it works after approx 10 months and barely half a dozen uses it just stopped working. b/c it was a gift I do not get warranty and two different representatives( who were oh so very nice) advised it would cost more to repair it than it cost originally. such a shame. now im looking at investing in a real dremel as thats what my mom used for years without issue. WEN 2303 Mini Rotary Tool Kit

I found this too here on amazon. Looks cheap, but the reviews were good, so i thought i'd give it a shot. Works great for Xbox 360 case cutting, i was able to get into cutting a window for my HDD, and it took some time, but, i did it. Also works for cutting the case. Keep a firm grip, or it will fall out of your hands, it vibrates like CRAZY. Good tool

This rotary tool is pretty well underpowered for doing any cutting unless it is balsa wood. I don't like that the plug is a giant transformer and it is pretty cheaply made. The case is a plus, it actually seems pretty durable. The WEN Mini Rotary Tool Kit would probably be pretty nice for crafts, but definitely is no match for a real Dremel tool when trying to cut bolts or grind rust.

good for beginner hobbyist. I use this for building foam plane kits. cutting wheels are not the best but only okay but for the price it still beats the famous name brand. bought two of these - good gift for plane or model builders. lets you get into tiny places (ie put holes or cuts into CA hinges to make them more flexible)

I bought this exact tool in stores, and I found that although the accessories are nice, it doesn't have enough power. I'm not talking about drill your butt off power, I'm just saying things like using a grinder to sharpen a knife, or engraving wood with steady hands. It simply stops if you push too hard. Also, it doesn't allow you to get a good grip if you don't have really small hands. And last but not least, after awhile of using it, if you use the stop button to keep it from running, it can strip. - Crafts - Rotary Tool - Tools - Dremel'

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Accelerometer - tablet, coby

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OK. From what I could find, as far as reviews go, on the Internet, about this unit, the little available was basically worthless for making any kind of informative opinion as to whether this item would be a good buy.

So, after researching what I could of the various Android OS Internet Tablets out there (most with terrible reviews of hardware issues), and considering the purchase price, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Coby unit. I was at first leary of buying something of this nature which is made by Coby, a manufacturer of basically cheap, low end electronics.

I purchased this unit (K-Mart, $149.95(save $30) in 12/12/10 - 12/19/10 AD - I also bought an additional year replacement contract for under $18 - a good idea on new electronics!), and immediately plugged it in to charge the battery (it notified of full charge after 1-1/2 hours). I decided to play with the unit a little, since I could not resist. I will say, I was impressed with the quality of the unit, it seems very sturdy and well built. It powered up fine and I found it very easy to navigate thru the functions (both on screen and the case side buttons). Of course, I recommend that you visit coby.com and download the manual in PDF format (as I did several days ago).

Now, as far as the touch screen, it functions excellent in my opinion. None of the quirks other mention about this unit or other units being sold. And forget about HAVING to use yor fingernail or the stylus to select or scroll. It works great with my finger tip, better than even the stylus. I admit, the finger swipe method to scroll thru lists or menus takes a bit of practice, but that may be only me, because I have never used a touch screen device of this type before. Oh, and the actual look of the screen (800x480 TFT), very nice. Again, better than expected. Enough about that. It just works.

Setting up a wireless connection was simple and effortless (using my own home wireless connection). Surfing the Internet was easy too, once you get used to seeing "mobile device formatted" versions of web pages. All my favorite web pages loaded quickly (I mean fast) and problem free. (For those interested, even Facebook loads and works fine - I tried it). The Ap for Youtube works great as well. Youtube videos load as fast as my desktop PC and of all the 10 or more that I tried, they played without any delay, chopping or buffering. Way better than I expected.

Using the Email AP, I very quickly set up a POP3 account and sent and received messages effortlessly (all verified).

File transfers to and from my PC went smooth, using the included USB cable (to the Coby's internal 4GB memory - I have yet to buy a mini SD expansion card).

The included Ebook reader works perfectly too.

And, the built in accelerometer works nice. The screen will automatically change from portait and landscape mode, with only perhaps a 1 second delay. (The screen self-rotates 360 degrees - upside down, etc).

The only thing I can mention, which was not expected, is that when you go to the Apps Library onine for additional Aps, many are listed, and listed as free too. But when you choose them (all that I tried) and download them, the start up screen for the Ap gives mention that you can purchase it or continue with 15 day free trial. To me, that is called "limited shareware", not a Free Ap! Perhaps some are indeed free, but I did not bother to search thru the hundreds and hundreds offered, and there is no advance way to know if they ARE indeed free. I am not really an AP person, so none of that really matters to me. The unit does, as it is, what I expected and bought it for, and it does it well.

*One note. If you purchase one of these, there is a firmware update on Coby's site, with a Youtube instruction video as well. You WILL need a mini SD card (8Gb or less in size) to install the update file onto first, as the update takes place in the Coby unit itself (from the memory card). (I have not yet done this, but will next week). After this update, the site states that the unit will show even better performance.

Battery life is stated to be 7 hours (we will see), with it's rechargeable 3200 mAh battery (a larger capacity than most other brand tablets).

That is my experience with this unit. I purchased it for the small, light form factor (no more clunky laptop), the wireless Internet, Email function, Reader and MP3 player, things I use often on the move (outside on lunch break at work, in bed at night or anywhere in the house or workplace, etc), but hate being tied to a power cord or a heavy laptop. So far, it has shown to serve this purpose with flying colors. (Some people have cellphones to do these tasks, but I hate cellphones and believe they are the leading cause of added stupidity in this country).

Included is a vice semi-hard protective case, wall charger, ear buds, USB Host cable (for thumb drives, mouse, etc) and a USB transfer cable to connect to a PC or laptop.

I realize I have not covered everything pertaining to this unit, but I wanted to post a good and a truly honest review for prospective buyers. I hope it will be of help to someone.

I love it and look forward to being productive with it. Merry Christmas to me! Coby Kyros MID7015 7-Inch Android Internet Touchscreen Tablet - Black - Tablet - Kyros - Coby - Android'

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