Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Video Production - camcorder batteries, video production
I purchased this battery as a spare for my Panasonic HDC-SD60K video camera. Visually, it looks like a duplicate of the original equipment battery that came with the camera. The first good sign was when it fit perfectly when I slid it into the camera's battery mount. The battery took it's first charge without a problem. When fully charged this battery also gives me the same amount of recording time as the battery that came with the camera, which is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Battery for All Except Tm/hs 700 Series;battery Pack - Lithium Ion - 1790 Mah
This battery is exactly like the one that came with the camera. It has more than met my expectations. Each use has given me almost 2 hours, 35 minutes recording time, which is same for the furnished battery. Very pleased.
Panasonic HDC-TM55K Hi-Def Camcorder with 8GB Flash Memory & 35X Intelligent Zoom (Black)
Genuine factory battery, works just like the original that was included with the TM55 Panasonic camcorder and looks identical, too
no problems whatsoever, i get about 100 minutes out of it, with no time down for cooling
happy with it, would buy again
(arrived on time, and was nicely packed)
Believe it or not, I purchased this product at the recommendation of a salesman after buying a camcorder in the store. The salesman told me I could buy a better battery much cheaper over the internet than in their store. He was right. The battery was much cheaper than in the store and has more battery life per charge - Camcorder Batteries - Video Production'
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Wrinkle Resistant - expandable waist, pants
The name "performance pants" is a bit of a mystery. Do they sing or dance? Do they let you high jump higher? As far as I can tell, the answer is that they're nice comfortable pants that seem to stay looking good. Mine had comfort fit aspects, which means the waistline can stretch a little. For the price, I thought they were great! Geoffrey Beene Men's Double Pleat Performance Dress Pant,Tan,38X29 - Expandable Waist - Pants - Wrinkle Resistant - Dress'
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Wrinkle Resistant - expandable waist, pants pants Wrinkle Resistant - expandable waist, pants
Canon Powershot S3 Is - canon powershot s3 is, s3 is
After purchasing the case made by Canon for my S2 1S and finding it too small, I purchased this case. The camera fits snugly into the main compartment, and the addtional pockets leave ample space for extra memory cards, batteries, or whatever. I highly recommend this case for anyone purchasing a Canon S2 1S camera or similar sized camera, you won't be disappointed. Case Logic WBC-4 Camcorder Bag (Black/Grey/Blue)
This is indeed a very nice camera case that is sized perfectly for the Canon S2 IS. I think it has just enough extra room for memory cards, etc. without being bulky. It is built with typical Case Logic quality, very solid....plenty of foam protection for the camera unless you drop it from a decent height...then all bets are off.
Perfect match for Canon S5 IS (and probably the S2/S3 as well). The camera fits tightly into the main compartment even with the 58mm barrel installed (this way it fits only lens-down or lens-up, without it it fits in just about any way you want). The case quality is very high, it's nicely padded and the camera feels well protected inside it.
The extra front compartment can contain an extra SD card or two, a 58mm polarizing filter [..] - including its case), extra set of batteries and a small tripod. The two side mini pockets are effectively useless (they could contain a set of 4AA batteries but getting them inside is annoying, plus the net pocket means they would be exposed which is not a great idea). There's one additional internal pocket at the top of the bag, which is fairly tiny but I did manage to fit in a pack of lens cleaning tissues and a tiny mini-USB to USB cable (not the big one that comes standard with the camera, a much shorter 10cm one).
While I don't think it's unique for this case, do note that the default Canon lens-cap will not sit tightly on the camera when using this bag because the camera is a bit of a tight fit, and the flimsy default cap falls off on every possible occasion. I do recommend to get a converter barrel, a UV filter and a matching cap - both to protect the lenses and also make sure that the cap doesn't fall off (which again protects the lenses).
Like almost every other reviewer, I find this case just right for my Canon S3 IS digital camera (the S3 IS is 4.5 x 3.1 x 3.0 inches). I put the camera in the case with the top of the camera facing up. Then I bunch the camera's shoulder strap on top of that. There is still plenty of room in the main compartment and in the front zip pocket for some extras. If you're looking for a bag that fits the camera, and only the camera, look for a smaller bag.
The case is well made, well padded, attractive (black nylon with gray accents) and lightweight. I looked at several other small/medium cases that were much too heavy and bulky.
I also purchased a larger Case Logic camera/camcorder bag (TBC-6) for my trip to London, where I will want camera, extra batteries, sunglasses, guide book, wallet and other small items, all in one convenient bag. TBC-6 has a separate area in the main compartment to isolate and protect the camera.
This bag is definitely roomy. The S3 IS fits in the main compartment horizontally or vertically, but either way is snug enough to not jostle around much. There is still room in there for the manual and strap without a tight squeeze. The inner flap of the main compartment has a securely zipped mesh pouch that's perfect for storing extra memory cards. The front pouch fits a couple of extra sets of batteries and the USB cable slides into its inner pocket to keep it free of getting snagged in the zipper. Snug mesh pockets on the sides could hold lens cap or still more batteries for easy access. Bag has a belt-type loop on back, a small carrying handle and a detachable, adjustable strap that's worked well for me so far. If you're looking for the most compact bag possible, this isn't for you, but it's good if you'd like a bag with a little space for the extras.
i bought this bag along with my panasonic dmc-fz28s camera and it fits perfect. it can even fit the extra battery, extra memory card, the lens hood, and the charger very easily. It is sturdy, nicely woven, attractive, not too small, not too big.. surely recommended.
I am using it for last one month. no problems so far. the camera can fit vertical or horizontal whichever way you want. When the lens hood is attached to the camera, you can still put it in the bag with effort. I am satisfied to buy this after a lot of search on amazon. I got a really good deal worth 15$ since i bought some other stuff too.
I love this bag! It is just the right size to fit my S5 camera in, with the strap and all. I think there might even be a bit of space left over for a small charger. The top compartment can fit around 2-3 memory cards, very convenient when going on large photo trips. The front pocket is very good for keeping batteries (I guess around 8-12 can fit), a small cell phone, a few cards, maybe a bit of money. Basically this case is everything you will ever need if you go on a photo trip.
The padding seems really nice, I think if I dropped the case, my camera would live. I tested it out in the rain (not purposely of course :P), and my camera was completely dry... Very nice case :) - S3 Is - Camera Bags - Camera Bag - Canon Powershot S3 Is'
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Canon Powershot S3 Is - canon powershot s3 is, s3 is s3 is Canon Powershot S3 Is - canon powershot s3 is, s3 is
Sony Universal Learning Remote - universal learning remote, learning remote
I bought three of these for my home last week to replace a pile of remotes in my living room, den and bedroom. For each room, I needed at least some of the buttons on each of the remotes to do this or that. No more, thanks to the "learning" function.
You start out, of course, by putting in the code for each device as found in the table in the back of the manual. Under Satellite, DirecTV codes were listed but not my DishTV device. No problem. The "search for correct code" function found it after just a few keystrokes.
Now, after that, some of the functions were missing. For instance, after coding in my DVD device, the Sony600 remote did not seem to have a button that would open/close the DVD tray door ... even though the original DVD remote did. No problem. This Sony600 easily "learns" what your original remote buttons do. The Sony600's DVD "exit" button didn't do anything, so I taught it to do what my original remote's "open/close" button did. How? Basically you just point the two remotes head-to-head, push the Sony600's "learn" button, push the button on the Sony600 that you want "to learn," then push the button on the original remote that you want "to be learned." Ta-da! Save the "learning" and you are done. I was able to transfer EVERY function from ALL my other remotes onto my Sony600 ... I now have one remote (in each room) that will do EVERYTHING ALL the other remotes did.
AND the range is much better than the old remotes as well.
Plus you can train the Sony600 to record and replay a sequence of keystrokes you make on the Sony600 ... it will replay the sequence with a one button touch (the A-B-C-D buttons at bottom are for that). I trained it to do several of these "macros" as well. For instance, I have some wireless headphones attached to the TV ... to make them work, I have to go into the TV's menu and work my way over to the place where I redirect the audio output and such. Turned on the Sony600 "learn" mode, then just performed all the required kestrokes .... TV, menu, down, left, left, enter and so on ... then saved it to the button at the bottom. It's just that simple.
All that for under $25. This is an excellent investment, run out and get one today !!
[Update: August, 2010] I just bought another one of these (to replace one that I broke) from Amazon. I was shipped a black one. It used to ship in silver. There are some silver ones hanging on the shelves at BustBuy, etc. Personally, I like the black look better except the blue buttons would have looked better in black as well. Anyway, other than the color scheme, it's the exact same device, whether you see it in black or in silver. Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
I was considering a harmony remote to consolidate my remotes, but I just couldn't justify the price. I've used the pronto when they first came out several years ago, so I'm somewhat familiar with what to expect with features for high end universal remotes.
On to the review, I paid nearly full retail price for this remote (a whopping $23), but I don't regret it because this is a purchase that is actually very useful for me. There are lots of universal remotes on the market, but I chose this one because:
1. It is not over-cluttered with buttons. Some people may want more buttons, but not me. The more buttons the higher the level of unfamiliarity with the device and the longer it takes to get used to. Particularly if you tend to use tactile feel (rather than sight) to navigate your way around the remote like I do.
2. This is a true learning remote as many have stated. It ships with a decent quantity of default codes to program your device (it found 2 out of 4 of my devices using the included codes in the manual). More importantly, it is VERY EASY to manually assign functions to each button (within each of the eight device functions) using your existing remote. This may sound like a lot of potential functions, but this device can actually accommodate all of these user-added functions without running out of storage/memory.
3. Macros. The four buttons on the bottom of the remote are devoted to macros. I can turn-on my dvd, switch my TV input, turn on my receiver, and open the dvd tray with the touch of one button. The possibilities here go as far you want it to.
4. Battery life. This device has no LCD display, it has no CD required to set it up, or drivers needed to download. It looks like a basic remote that I wouldn't mind sleeping on or accidentally dropping. It uses 2 AA batteries (does not ship with batteries).
5. Reviews. Look at the reviews for this unit on other sites. They are consistently higher and more favorable than anything else out there, and I can see why.
I rate this so highly because I thought I had to get a harmony in this day and age, but I was so pleased to see that there was such a cheaper alternative that actually suits my needs better.
UPDATE: 2/19/10
I misplaced this remote after moving over a year ago, and have since purchased a Harmony 880 (mine doesn't have the faulty charge issues associated with this model). I used the Harmony for a while, but a few months ago I found the Sony remote. I began using both remotes side by side (after reprogramming the Sony with my other newer devices), and in the end I actually use the Sony and leave the logitech on its charging cradle. Here is why:
1. The Sony doesn't need a charging cradle. One pair of regular alkaline batteries lasts close to a year for me. This is no where near possible with the logitech.
2. Both devices can be manually programmed for the specific functions you want to match with the particular input. However, maybe it's my particular setup, but I actually found it more convoluted to tailor my needs with the logitech because you have you to use a computer interface (connecting cables, update, load, save, etc). With the Sony, it will be manual as well, but no need to install a program on a PC and go through additional steps just to get it to start and confirm.
3. The main drawback for the Sony, at least for me, is that it doesn't include buttons to skip or rewind to the next scene. Obviously it has fast fwd and rwd (e.g. >>, <<), just not the next scene buttons (e.g. >>|, <<|). A minor drawback, depending on your needs.
4. I have programmed the Sony with 2 different Windows media center remotes I have. In other words, I've also used this to replace the remote with 2 different media center PC's I've had (obviously the logitech does this as well).
5. Sometimes simpler is better when you don't need a slick display on your remote.
I don't mean to knock on Harmony's by writing this review, I only do it because this is one of the very few electronic devices I've had from a long time ago that can still serve a very practical purpose to this day. As far the Harmony line goes, I don't see how that's a better value unless you have IR remotes for devices behind walls. Until a company can develop a remote that can combine the features of universal learning remote WITH easy to use mouse and keyboard features I feel that I need 2 remotes: one for the devices, and one for HTPC (unless you ONLY use Windows media center for your PC). For the price, it really is an amazing value if you take some time to read the manual and you know how to manually program the remote. - Universal Learning Remote - Learning Remote - Sony - Universal Remote Control'
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Car Adapter - inverter, cobra
Beware of all those talking about failures of the inverter - one guy says that he returned his, because two 70Ah batteries couldn't power it to run a 1/2 horsepower motor.
Well...guys, there are a few things you need to know about inverters before buying a big one...which does NOT directly substitute for a generator! The little ones are WAY DIFFERENT than the big ones.
First off, at 2500-watts, you are pulling 200+ amps across the wire...so, unless you are hard-wired with some 4/0 solid-strand wire, you really need to go with DOUBLE 4-AWG strand wires...basically, buy TWO sets of 4-AWG jumper cables, and after you cut the ends off both, then run double-strand (both red AND black) of a complete set to EACH POST of the inverter...yes guys, that's a LOT of wire...and due to heat, I wouldn't run that more than 5-6 feet!
Now...batteries...let's laugh at the guy trying to get 1600 watts of batteries to run a 2500 watt inverter...and consider what you REALLY NEED...for deep cycle batteries rated on the 20-Ah system, and rated at, say 500-Amps, then buy 6 of these and wire them in PARALLEL circuit to power the inverter. Yep...$600 in deep cycle batteries! Now, you have enough batteries to power the inverter for 2-6 hours, depending on loading, before you will need to recharge your 6-battery bank. Plan on a charger that can throw 50-100 amps into the charge...so your little $50 Schumacher charger is NOT going to charge this battery bank overnight! Try more like a $300 charger to charge them in 12-hours...or, if you want solar, good...you need to throw about 70-amps of charge into these for 12-hours solid...so that is $300-$500 in solar panels. Also note...batteries get weak after enough cycles...so pay attention to your charge circuit...and a charging circuit MINDER isn't a bad idea, either!
How do I know this? Because these are all the big troubles encountered when I was a Director of Engineering for an RV Manufacturer...and when you get over 1500-Watts of inverter involved...you start playing by a whole new set of rules! It is MUCH CHEAPER to go with a 3000-watt generator, than to even CONSIDER getting a 2500-watt inverter.
This is a good inverter...but buying one this big and not knowing how to care for and maintain it, is like buying a big chemistry set and giving it without supervision to your mischievous 12-year old...it is NOT a good idea. Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter
We have alot of experience with inverters, and this inverter is just average. It does produce quite a bit of power, but we seem unable to run both of our energy efficient freezers simulatneously (about 1.7 amps draw each freezer --200watts). Also, it does not come with cables to attach it to the batteries, so expect to buy those too. Lastly, and most importantly is the noise. The inverter cooling fan starts up at even the smallest load, and it is loud. As more load is applied the cooling fan ramps up louder and louder. It is not so loud as to hurt your ears, but it is loud enough to be annoying and to heard throughout whatever room it is in, so I recommend you buy the remote start if you choose to buy this unit. Locate it in a closet or shed so you don't have to listen to it.
We have had other inverters that cost much less, but of course only 1200 Watts of power, that had NONE of the shortcomings of this one (our old 1200 Watt model simultaneously ran both freezers, T.V. VCR, DVD player, speakers, and lights; it came with a connector cable, and its fan was quiet and only came on during high loads). The reason we purchased this one is because all the previous inverters, although quiet and efficient, eventually died, and we hoped that this one could handle the peak loads better.
9 April 2009: Just a brief update. At this point in time the inverter is useless, the cooling fans quit working so I am hesitant to use if for fear of a fire (that happened with another inverter several years ago). To be fair, we used that inverter nearly every day at times for up to 12 hours straight. But it never did meet our expectations, and now we are looking for replacement.
To all the people who have issues in getting full or high wattage out of this or any other unit: you MUST have thick (#4) and short (3-4ft) 12v cables to your battery bank. Otherwise the inverter will be starved for current and cause the "low voltage protection" to kick in. Make sure your battery/ bank are up to the task as well.
This unit works great for me. I tested it with combination's of differing equipment (electric chainsaw, power saw, A/C unit, refrigerator, electric heating unit). No problems for me. Do your homework before giving out 1 star reviews people...
i have recently purchased the inverter 2575 by cobra. i installed it into my car and it runds great. i found the inverter to be smaller than expected and was able to install it into the dash of my car.
The instructions for the inverter are clear and precise, however i am still unsure it i can run it with the engine on. I also used the cables that were recommended 4000W for around $30.00 it was by far the cheapest around. Be careful when installing the inverter, i took almost the entire 10feet to get from the battery to the dash via the left hand front guard.
from an earlier "feedback" they said the inverter made quite abit of noise, i mesured it at around 55Db from one foot. which isn't all that loud but if you were running a fridge all the time and the inverter was close to you it would get annoying. I use it for a 800W microwave, it has plenty of power left o could run a tv and Wii system at the same time.
I recommend it for the price ($200.00)i felt it was a bargin, and they have a support phone number if you get stuck. having it for my ipod is also great. - Inverter - Cobra - Ac-dc Converter - Car Electricity'
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Cheap Hdmi Cables - hdtv, cheap hdmi cables
I'm not at all as knowledgeable about this stuff as most of the people that write the reviews so this should may good for people who are clueless about this type of stuff. I had read the reviews before buying this and wasn't sure if I should spend the extra $ on Monster cables or not so I bought Monster cables and this at the same time. I was hooking up to Direct TV and a Panasonic Blu-ray to my HP 1080i HD 47" Flat LCT TV so I needed two anyway. When I switch these with the Monster I can't notice any difference in quality. A friend of mine works for Tweeter and helped me with my TV installation so I asked him about it and he said that there's very little difference and he wouldn't spend the $ to upgrade. I spent $15 on these instead $40-$50 on Monster (which would have been $200+ at the store that I bought the TV at) and got the same picture as far as I could tell. HDMI Cable (15 feet)
These cables were shipped fast and work just great! I've compared to other "high-priced" brands and performance-wise, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. This is what you would expect from a cable carrying a DIGITAL signal... it either gets from one end to the other, or it doesn't. Digital does not have the nuances of analog, so spending a zillion bucks on fancy cables is just a waste of money.
Highly recommended!
I am NOT electronically savvy, but: I bought these 15' HDMI cables on the cheap because I couldn't see popping $80-$100 for a set. Many many online reviewers have stated that price doesn't make that much differance in HDMI cables, so I thought I'd 'waste' $5 and try them, rather than 'waste' $100 on a quality that I didn't need. Did that make any sense?
These work great! My upconverter upconverts just fine, Everything looks HD to me! If you don't have the extra loot to throw at HDMI cables, buy these. You'll be happy. To quote Ned Flanders, they work just Diddly-Darn-Fine.
I bought 3 of these cables; 2 out of 3 were defective. Two months after I started using the cables, the first one started shorting out. Then the video completely went out on the 2nd cable. For now, the third cable is still working.
Jiggling the cables and checking the connections did not solve the problem. Furthermore, these cables were just plugged in and left alone. Finally, the third cable that was still working was inserted into the HDMI plugs on my TV and cable box to rule out those devices as the culprits. Both of those devices worked fine with a functioning HDMI cable. So there is no obvious reason for the failure other than poor quality merchandise from Eforcity.
Since it was more than 30 days after purchase, the vendor did not stand behind the product.
Used this for my second TV setup. For the first tv I bought 90 dollar cables for both TV and PS3. Out of curiousity, exchanged them back and forth on the PS3, the High Def Cable Boxes (both Comcast and identical)and my large Sony and the smaller LG. The picture was not any different. Called my girlfriend in and lied about which one was which and of course she said the best picture was the one with the expensive cable. She said it was "just a bit better than the cheap one". Of course you can guess she had actually picked the cheaper one. Buy with confidence because I was going to return them if they were even slightly compromising my quality.
I'm using this cable to connect a Dell inspiron laptop with HDMI interface to a Samsung HD LCD T.V. watching online streaming movies from netflix and other sites or using Dell's DVD player or simply showing pictures and vedio clips to family and friends, this is the BEST value of an HDMI cable anywhere !
I bought this cable to connect my iMac to my HDTV via mini-DVI and it works flawlessly. I'm very happy to have purchased this cable at a below-ten-dollar price point because it performs like the $50+ cables you'll find elsewhere and holds a tight connection that doesn't slip out. Well done and I'd recommend it to anyone needing an HDMI cable.
Do NOT---I repeat--- do NOT-- pay for expensive HDMI cables---it is a complete rip off to do so....these two cables work just as well as the expensive ones---i did a blind comparison w/ my wife (although she CAN see) no diff whatsoever!!! took the expensive cable back!! these cables are longer than most and help get behind around and through walls and other obstructions---you cannot go wrong w/ these puppies!!
I purchased this cable in Nov 2009. On March of this year, the cable just stopped working.. I could get some sound, but no picture. Bargaincell said since it was past 30 days, they will do nothing about it, even though here is the exact verbage from the product description: "HDMI Certified, LIFETIME Warranty By Bargaincell Only. sku:unidat003".
I will never do business with this company again. When I originally inquired with Bargaincell about my purchase, they said they couldn't find my ebay order... - Cheap Hdmi Cables - 1080p - Hdtv - Hdmi'
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Finishing Touch - grooming, finishing touch
I bought one, it worked for a few weeks, but since the parts are all plastic it broke. I thought, it was nice so I purchased another one...guess what, it worked for a couple weeks and broke too. Dont do what I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Horrible product. I bought this product because it was supposed to be effective in removing hair, and safe on sensitive areas. Needless to say, it did none of that. Let me review what I did:
1) Try product with attachment head: "wow, this is painless. I love this product. Oh wait...it hasn't removed a single hair."
2) Try product without attachment head: "Ouch! This thing really hurts! Oh wait...it's only removing 1 in 20 hairs"
3) Fling product at wall and watch it shatter and smile, because you've realized that you got what you paid for when you bought a product 'as seen on TV' for $10.
Avoid this product at all costs!
I used this both on my face and all over my bikini area (and I do mean ALL over, including the inner folds, if you catch my drift) and it did a fantastic job getting rid of the hair, left me feeling near-silky smooth, and no rash of bumps, which I always get with depilatories or a traditional razor. Plus, you can't use those last two methods around your "inner folds." Like a previous reviewer, I'll be buying another to keep in my bag. I don't know that I'd use it around my eyebrows, though. I think I prefer the control that plucking gives in that area.
This product works quite well if you use it right. Many people are having a problem getting replacement blades. They only have to call toll free 1-888-769-7676, and order 3 replacement blades for $2.99. I was told there are no shipping charges.
Bought this for myself & 12 yr old daughter for facial hairs. We did use depilatory cream first but chin hair did grow back w/n two days. Same for upper lip resulting in a very, very stubble of growth. The Lumina worked just as advertised. It did not hurt at all and the skin was extremely smooth, no stubble. You'll probably have to do it fairly often but this is simple and fast.
I bought the Finishing Touch Lumina to replace my original Finishing Touch trimmer that finally broke. That one lasted a year, and at $9.99 (from the drugstore) wasn't a bad deal. Seeing as this one was an "upgraded version" with the light and still $9.99 I thought "Why not? It should last the same amount of time." For the price, a year is pretty good.
I was very disappointed however to have it break after only a month of light use. (I only use it on my eyebrows and light facial hair a few times a month.) It must be something with the motor as even after I replaced the batteries it still did not work. Perhaps I just got a faulty one, though I'm seeing other reviewers saying the same thing.
I'd go back to the original or get a better quality item.
2010 Update- Never having bought a replacement item and sick of trimming my eyebrows by scissors, I gave my Finishing Touch Pro another shot (i'm a pack rat) to see if it would work. Surprisingly, it did, though the "new" batteries are already starting to go after about a week. Perhaps the motor just needed a rest, or I got bad batteries.Either way, I would recommend buying a back up trimmer in case this one stops working on you. Even if it's another Finishing Touch Pro (they're cheap enough.)
I want to buy a couple more of these - while it goes through the triple AAA batteries it still works better than any other I have bought. I am a facial hair removal freak! and this really works - it isn't like waxing and I have gotten rashes from facial wax that doesn't work. Those wirey black ones - you'll still have to use the tweezers - but I have not found a product - even wax that gets that! I get more hair with this than wax!
This little trimmer is awesome. I love mine and have never had any problems with it. For quick, detailed work in a small area, you can't beat it. The pivoting head is great for awkward angles, and you can use it with or without the light. It comes with a removable clear plastic cap, which protects it while you're traveling. The kit also includes:
- A "length guard" trimmer attachment that slips right over the clipper head and is great for eyebrows and other areas where you just want to trim (but not obliterate) the hair.
- A small brush you can use to clean out the clipper head and the length guard, which you'll need to do after each use.
- One AAA battery, which will likely last you several weeks or months (YMMV, of course, but my first battery hasn't died yet).
I have used this trimmer on my face (lip and eyebrows), arms, and other areas, both with and without the length guard, and had no problems or irritation whatsoever. It really does trim all the hair, not just one hair in 20; you can put it right up against your skin (but not press it in) to get a really close cut. It's SO much better than shaving and doesn't give me razorburn or painful bumps. I can see how other reviewers might say that it pulls, but that only happens if you're moving the trimmer really quickly over your skin and it "grabs" a hair for a nanosecond before cutting it. You don't have to go at a snail's pace, but if you're just careful and relaxed with it, you won't have any pulling.
I use the trimmer for 10-15 minutes straight each time with no problems. It has never clogged, and neither the motor nor the clipper head has ever stopped working. The key is to use the little brush it comes with to clean off the device after each use. You should also open the clipper head and remove any hairs that may be stuck inside (the directions tell you how to do this), as clogging is likely why many people's units become "defective." The light on mine works great and has never gone out.
There are a few minor downsides to the device. First, it gets absolutely covered in hair while you're trimming, so occasionally you need to shut it off for a few seconds and brush off the clipper head. Second, the trimmer does leave the tiniest bit of stubble; unlike shaving, which can cut the hair just below the tip of the follicle (sometimes creating bumps and razorburn), this trimmer can only cut the hair already *outside* the follicle. So you'll never get that perfectly smooth-shaven feel. Third, it doesn't trim a lot of hair at once; the actual clippers are only about an inch long, so it's best suited for small areas of detail. Fourth, the motor makes a loud buzzing noise, similar to a cheap vibrator. All those downsides are minor; but combined, they take one star off the overall rating, in my opinion.
This trimmer is small, lightweight, and easy to travel with. I got mine at a local drugstore and am very pleased with it. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive yet effective shaving alternative for sensitive areas. - Finishing Touch - Grooming - Facial - Hair Trimmer'
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Tablets - tablets, blueproton
For anyone out there who is considering whether or not to make the leap and purchase the iPad 2, this review is for you. If you're still debating between the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 check out my review of the first generation iPad right here on Amazon to see a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses with a number of people commenting (both positively and negatively) over the past 11 months.
Let me begin by saying this upfront, I don't work for Apple, I don't own Apple Stock, and whether you buy an iPad, Xoom, a laptop or a pad of paper and pencil I don't get anything for writing this. I'm not an Apple "fanboy" although I can give credit where credit is due and lately Apple has deserved a lot of credit for some of their products.
Physical Characteristics
The iPad 2 is absurdly thin. More importantly than it's thinness is its tapered edge which feels more natural in your hand. One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was it really wasn't tremendously comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. For a tablet device designed to be held, that's a pretty big deal. Apple really has done an amazing job of cramming everything into an even smaller space than before and the difference is really noticeable when you're holding the device. In addition to the tapered edge, Apple managed to reduce the overall weight of the iPad 2. That might not seem like a huge deal to most, especially when you consider the weight difference isn't tremendous when you're already under 2 pounds, but I spend a good part of my day holding the iPad in my hands and the weight difference is surprising by the end of the day. The first generation isn't heavy by any means, but the iPad 2 outshines it.
New and "Improved"
Apple doubled the RAM in the iPad 2 from 256MB to 512MB. What does that mean? For most casual users, probably not a whole lot. There is a performance bump that everyone will see the effects of in things like loading times for webpages that are open in the background, but 256MB was sufficient for most daily use and games. If you're planning to use your device for some of the more graphically intense games the iPad 2 does offer a better method of graphics processing that'll help deliver faster images with fewer jerky movements. If you're just playing Angry birds and reading e-mail you're not going to know the difference.
The screen is the same for all real purposes. It is technically a "new" part in that it isn't identical to the old, it's a bit thinner and more efficient, but it's the same resolution. The Glass is thinner though, and this amounts to a fair bit of the weight loss from one generation to the next. In playing with the device it seems surprising but despite feeling lighter it actually feels more sturdy in your hands. I still wouldn't suggest dropping it, but if it were to fall the iPad 2 certainly feels like it might stand a better chance to survive. Try not to drop it though.
The addition of 2 cameras was expected. Some were a bit surprised to see the first generation released without the cameras. Whether it was for a price point consideration, or a means to get people to upgrade, Apple held off until iPad 2. The cameras do a reasonable job, but they're not going to replace a dedicated digital camera, or really even the camera on your phone for most still images. The cameras do a substantially better job with video, and FaceTime is probably one of the best reasons to get the iPad 2 over the original iPad. For those who might not be familiar, FaceTime is Apple's face to face conferencing system, kind of like Skype, or if you'd rather, kind of like the Jetson's TV/Phone. With the push of a button you can be having a face to face chat with a loved one just about anywhere in the world (provided they're on a wireless network at the time). FaceTime doesn't work over 3G natively (it can be used over a wifi connection created by a 3G device however) so you're not going to be able to use it in your car anytime soon. This is probably a good thing though. It is incredibly easy to use and if you know other people with an iPad 2, iPhone 4, or Mac it's a lot of fun.
Smart Covers aren't really "smart" but they're really very useful. Not only do they provide a stylistic enhancement of the device, but they serve a practical and functional purpose of doubling as a screen protector and stand in 2 configurations. You can find them in a variety of colors and from third market suppliers, and it's a safe bet that more will be out soon to capitalize on the magnetic sensors in the iPad 2. It's unfortunate that this same feature can't somehow be retrofitted to the iPad 1, I wouldn't have thought a case would be a compelling reason to consider a product over it's competitor, but these covers are really so useful it's hard to understand why they've not been there since the beginning.
Multitasking Support
One of the biggest knocks against the iPad when first released was the lack of native multi-tasking support. Jailbreakers added the feature quickly and Apple soon realized it would be a requirement for any future device's success and released an OS update that included the feature. The iPad 2 capitalizes on that progress and takes it a step further with the increased RAM enabling more open applications to be suspended at once, and the time to open or close an application has improved as well. That said, even the first generation managed to open and close apps faster than most people would be used to on their computers, so while this is an improvement it's more akin to showing off.
Apps
One thing that Apple has clearly the advantage in for the moment is app availability. The App store has close to 70,000 iPad specific Apps, all of which will work on the iPad 2. The new cameras will undoubtedly see this list expand rapidly, as will the inclusion of a gyroscope for gaming and motion based uses. There are also a substantial number of professional applications ranging from document creation to photo editing and vector drawing. Chances are if you can dream it, there's an App for that (and if not you might want to get started on one to fill in the gap). The Android market is making a strong showing, and ultimately it'll likely be a strong competitor, for now it still has a ways to go, but any potential buyer should consider the strength of the application market before buying a tablet.
Pros:
Weight. Seriously. The minimal weight of this thing is by far the most impressive feature about it in my opinion. It seems to defy physics and logic that so much could be in such a small space working that hard for that long.
Battery Life. From full to dead my iPad 2 went just over 11 hours with the movie Robin Hood showing twice during that time, the screen at half brightness, wifi turned on, an Angry Birds marathon and a good portion of a book in ibook. That's better than a work day and that's constantly on.
Books. This is definitely a Pro, but reading itself could go either way. The great benefit to the iPad is having access to Google Books, ibook, Nook, and Kindle. This allows for some comparison shopping and price competition (although for the most part they're all usually about the same). Reading in the evenings in bed is great as the back light means you don't have to worry about keeping others awake, but the glass screen causes some glare trouble when trying to read outside or near a sunny window. If you're an avid outdoor reader the Kindle might still be your best bet.
Cons:
Still no dedicated USB support. While there is a camera add-on that allows for certain USB devices to be used there is no option for mass storage. Some of the Android Tablets allow for this and if you find yourself wanting to use your tablet as a standalone storage device this might be something to consider. The device can read from certain flash drives though, but is largely limited to photo and video files. Jailbreaks offer solutions to this, but those come with their own issues as well.
Still no dedicated SD card slot. This is troublesome on two fronts. First, if you want to import pictures from your camera you have to have an adapter which is just one more thing to carry around. Second, the lack of expansion means you're limited to what you purchase in terms of storage. I purchased a 32GB iPad last time and never filled it up completely, so for me capacity wasn't an issue. If you want to be able to have your entire movie collection with you though... you may want to consider whether the iPad 2 can meet your space requirements.
HDMI output. Really this is a Pro and a Con. The iPad does allow for HD output over HDMI but again it requires an adapter. All of these adapters are additional purchases for features that some tablets offer built in. This can be a pain, but then again if you're not likely to ever use HDMI Output then you're not paying for something you won't use.
No Flash Support. This is becoming less and less of an issue as the internet and web developers are moving away from Flash for many websites, but there are a lot still out there relying on Adobe's Flash to run properly (including a lot of web based games). Before you pick a tablet consider what kind of websites you frequent and try and determine if they are Flash driven or not. If they are you may really want to consider something from the Android offerings as it is expected that they'll have at least some Flash support.
If you're in the market for a tablet device the iPad 2 should definitely be on your short list. If you're uncertain it is always best to go and play with these things hands on first if you can. Best Buy is a good place for that, so are Verizon Stores since they have the Xoom and 3G iPad. Don't get pulled into the hype and mania that comes with an Apple release. They're exciting and new, and they're impressive enough to warrant some excitement, but it will die down and there will be other products that prove a strong competitor to the iPad 2. If you're looking for right now though, this is probably your best bet. I gave the device 4 stars, as I did the iPad 1. I did this in contemplation of the features offered by competitors that are absent from the iPad, most notably the requirement for adapters for USB/SD/HDMI. While these features are there, they aren't as convenient as in other tablets. With that in mind I firmly believe that the iPad more than makes up for this in usability, reliability, and design and in those areas far exceeds its current competitors. Apple iPad 2 MC980LL/A Tablet (32GB, Wifi, White) NEWEST MODEL - Blueproton - Apple - Tablets'
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Storage Box - box, boxes
I never do reviews because usually, at worst, a product is on the underside of decent. I really feel a civic duty to do my best to protect someone else's $10 bill. I bought two of these. This thing is cardboard with very weak buttons holding the thing together. Any kind of movement while transporting (all transporting involves movement, right?) will cause this piece of crap to collapse and sling your papers in all directions. If you're not convinced, contact me and you can have mine. I'm serious. Please don't get these things unless you need cardboard or buttons (you'd probably be better off buying them separately). Please don't buy this crap. 1 star because 0 wasn't an option. I'm literally begging-DON'T BUY THIS CRAP. Snap-N-Store File Box, Letter/Legal Size, Glossy Black (SNS01536)
For $10, a great price.
Amazon shipping was sloppy and some box tops were crushed at corners, however. I bought 16 boxes, and the box Amazon shipped in was too flimsy, and they did not use enough padding.
I use these to store out of season clothes, and for light stuff like that, these boxes are more than sufficient. I put the clothes in large ziplocs first, as the boxes are hardly airtight.
I much prefer this wipe clean glossy surface to the dust magnet materials such as wicker or baskets or canvas. Also, these are not staticky the way plastic bins and totes are.
I purchased three of these file holders and I thought that I had finally found the solution to a messy car. I am an independent, manufactures representative. I have 10+ active lines that I market every work day. I bought these to give some organization to sales literature and sell sheets in the back of my Subaru Tribecca. I carefully put them together, filled them with files and literature. By simply touching the box front all 6-snaps disengage and the box falls apart. I have the files placed on the letter side and that was a disaster. I turned and put the files on the legal side and still the whole box nearly falls apart when to look at it. I double reinforced the snaps with tape and even attempted to super-glue them together...NOTHING WORKS! I thought $10 was a good price for a great solution, instead I just wasted $30 because I bought three of them.
I use these for letter size storage, and I love the fact that I get more space because they can also be used for legal size storage. I bought them together with Pendaflex Recycled Standard Green 1/5-Cut Tab Hanging File Folders, 25 per Pack (81602) and together, they are perfect for storing papers that I can't get rid of. Cheap, easy, but sturdy enough.
Bought three of these file boxes to hold letter-sized file folders. They're certainly not the sturdiest boxes, but for getting an ever-growing pile of "important" papers organized and off of tabletops and floors, they're great. I don't often access the files in them--really just open them to file away more papers--so if you need to move the boxes frequently, I'd suggest going with something stronger. Fine for mostly untouched storage. The tops are slightly loose, but that's necessary for fitting over hanging file tabs. Some reviewers have mentioned having trouble snapping them together, but I don't believe it's impossible; just lay the snap side flat of the floor and give it a good whack with your fist. Haven't had problems with the snaps coming undone, even with considerable paper weight inside.
I would definitely recommend this for temporary storage. If your were storing heavy files, it would probably be better to get a sturdier box.
This box is made of a plastic-like material that is snapped together by rivets in the corners. I store light magazines in mine and it has served the job beautifully. - Boxes - Storage Box - Box - Black'
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Protection - protection, filter
People- please, think! If you're spending over $1000 on a precision piece of optics, why would you put an cheap window pane in front of it? It sucks that filters cost a bit of money, but seriously, you need to get something that's at least multicoated, and preferably B&W or Heliopan or some other good brand. For a $200 lens, this is fine. But it breaks my heart to see this "bundled" with an $1100 L lens. Tiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter
I bought this filter to put on the front of the 18-70 DX lens on my Nikon D50. It works well and protects the front element of the lens from dust, dirt, fingerprints and whatnot.
It seems to cause a little vignetting (slightly darkened corners) at extreme wide angles (~18mm) -- but from what I've seen so far it isn't terribly noticeable, 'specially for the price.
There is a reason some filters cost $115 and others (such as this item) are less than $15. That being said, I suppose it's about 95% as good as ones that costs much more.
Pros
* doesn't rattle
* will take one for the team so your lens' front won't have to
* can serve well enough until you buy a real filter
* it's available on Amazon Prime--few filters are
Cons
* really thick ring, twice as thick as others
* vignetting due to this ring
* you'll likely want better as soon as you can afford it
As someone else commented, the filter was dirty with it arrived. This is not the first dirty Tiffen I've received. My Canon filters are always very clean. Why can't Tiffen ship a clean filter?
When I cleaned the filter with lens cleaner, a black substance started started running off the metal ring. I had to wash the entire filter with soap and water to remove this. It stained my hands.
The glass itself looks OK. But stained hands from a new filter? Not good.
By the way, Amazon shipped this small filter container in a good sized box with no packing material of any kind.
I have had one of these filters on my Nikon 18-70mm DX lens for a couple of years and had no trouble with it. So I let Amazon add one to my order when I bought the Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. The filter ruins the performance of the 70-300 VR, the lens doesn't focus correctly and there are strange reflection patterns in the out-of-focus areas of the image when you zoom in to 100%.
This UV filter does it job to protect the lens well. The build is solid (metal construction). The glass is also descent quality.
About the performance, it absorbs some UV light. The UV light absorbtion is hardly noticeable, probably the sky 1-A and the haze filter version will absorb more UV light than this lens which is fine for me.
Now, about the one problem which is the internal reflection. I've heard many people say that it mostly happens during night or low light shooting. I found out that it is not caused directly by the low light/night situation. The internal reflection will appear when there is a strong/bright source of light in comparison to the overall exposure (the surrounding environment). To put it in example (which hopefully is easier to understand), when you take a picture of a lamp during nightime and the light is much brighter than the surrounding area then you will see the internal reflection. as you move the position of the light to be closer to the sides/corner of the picture (and not in the center of the picture), the internal reflection reduces and finally dissapear (if you move the light far enough from the center). And if the light isn't too bright/contrast compare to the surrounding environment then there will be no internal reflection. but of course most of the time, a lamp at nightime is often very bright. But the point that I'm trying to make is that the internal reflection doesn't happen all the time during low light or night time.
Additionally, the internal reflection isn't only happening at night. it can also happen in the afternoon if you are taking a picture of a sun for example. basically same rule as above, on how bright is the light source compared to the surrounding area, and as you move the sun from the center of the photo and near the side the internal reflection will move to the side/dissapear (also depending the angle). But the best way is just to remove the filter during these situations.
Hope this explanation helps you to reduce the occurence of internal reflection by identifying correctly when the internal reflection will occur and then remove the filter during those situation (which is not hard to do).
I'm actually not a fan of lens filter (any filter) as I think it will only degrade picture quality as we added another layer between the sensor and object, but I decided to use them anyway for all my lens. And I would recommend everyone to get one of this filter if you don't have any filter for your lens.
I got this filter for a friend of mine for his Nikon 18-70mm ED DX lens. - Protection - Uv Filter - Filter - Filters'
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Noise Cancellation - headphones, usb headset
I just purchased this headset yesterday because I was looking for a decently-priced gaming headset. While this headset markets itself largely toward the WLM users, it does claim to be useful for gaming as well. I figured that since it was made by Microsoft, there shouldn't be any compatibility issues when using with Windows.
I was right about that. I installed the software first, as instructed, then plugged in the USB cable attached to the headphones. At first I thought I was having problems with the headphones conflicting with my Creative X-Fi soundcard, but I just needed to restart my Media Player and it worked fine (so there was no adjustment needed to my audio devices, even though Windows seems to identify the headphones almost like another sound card).
The ear pads are very comfortable, which is good because the new headset does have quite a bit of pressure on the head. I do have to adjust them from time to time to keep a maximum comfort feel. Music sounded excellent--crystal clear sound reproduction. I listened to a piece that involved a large string orchestra and it sounded beautiful.
Gaming was great. I really wanted a 5.1 surround sound headset, but they're either too expensive or not reliable enough at this point, so I decided to hold off. In gaming, it's fine. I hear footsteps to the left or right accurately and clearly, and voice chat in-game is quite clear (I was in the same room as someone else playing online with me and I was able to hear my voice communication).
I don't use WLM, so I can't speak to its functionality at all.
The in-line remote is fairly useless for any functions other than WLM. It does have an independent volume control (it doesn't affect the volume of your system--just of the headset), which is very useful. But the mute and call buttons don't function for anything other than their intended purposes.
Overall this headset is very good for the price. It fits tightly around the head, which may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but I found that with some adjustment I was able to get a comfortable fit. If you're looking for a nice gaming headset and don't want to shell out over $100 for a high-end headset, this is a strong choice. Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset
As a pair of headphones the LifeChat LX-3000 is pretty decent. Good, clear response across all frequencies. Notably, the bass range is beefy without being too muddy. They are comfortable and don't make my head sore after extended use, compared to some other headphones I own. (Your mileage may vary.)
The microphone is my favorite component of these headphones. It is responsive and doesn't pick up very much background noise. The windscreen (the foamy thing) eliminates some of the effect of breath sound, and pops and plosives to a certain extent, giving one's voice a more polished sound. You might think of it as a minor feature, and perhaps a little ugly or bulky, but it adds a tremendous value to the headphones in my opinion.
In addition to Automated Gain Control (AGC), there seems to be the option in the Sound & Audio Properties control panel of applying effects to the incoming signal. Maybe it has something to do with the sAPO technology in Windows Vista, but I'm using the headphones on Windows XP exclusively at the moment. There aren't any effects included with the installation CD that comes with the LifeChat headphones, but the idea is intriguing. At least I know that since this headset comes from Microsoft, if the technology develops further I'll be able to take advantage of it. It would be good to apply some effects such as a compressor or equalizer to one's voice, even for something as simple as chatting or making calls online, in order to give one's voice more clarity and punch. In any case, that's all a side point to actually reviewing the product.
I've tried recording my voice (both speaking and singing) into Audacity (a wave editor) and Ableton Live (a music/audio production package) and the results are favorable. I can see using this for some quick voiceover work or demo vocals if you happen to be a music production enthusiast as I am. Granted, an actual studio quality dynamic or compressor mic in the right environment is ideal, but this headset functions as a good tool to use a "notepad" for my voice.
The "remote" with the volume, mute, and livechat controls is definitely handy. Only thing is it weighs down the cord. It's placed about a foot and a half down the cord from the headset itself, which makes it possible to place it on the desk; however if you tend to move around while working at your computer (and I would hope you do) you'll pull it off. I don't imagine it's heavy enough to cause any sort of neck strain or such thing, but the weight is noticeable.
Another thing to note is that the headset uses the USB interface exclusively. There are no analog jacks to fall back on. This is a problem since it uses USB bandwidth, which can be a problem if you have many devices hooked up to your computer (and especially if they are hooked up to the same controller by way of a USB hub). I'm not using a hub on this computer currently, and I only have three other devices hooked up. Nevertheless, I ran into a problem with my audio recording interface (a Digidesign Mbox 2) and the headset competing for bandwidth. Windows produced an error message to this effect. The end result is that I can't use the interface and the headphones concurrently; I have to have one or the other plugged in. Granted, this isn't that big of a deal, since I use the headset for "consumer-grade" activities like watching movies and chatting, and use hardware and a microphone plugged in to the recording interface when I am working on a music or audio project. Unfortunately though I can't use the headphones with my recording interface to do quick vocal demos or voiceovers (one of the handy features of a headset I alluded to earlier). Granted, I don't need the recording interface since the headset isn't being run through it, but the latency issues with my onboard sound card makes monitoring my voice while recording untenable.
The takeaway from all this is that the LifeChat LX-3000 headset is great for normal recreational use, although I would caution that if you have a lot of USB devices hooked up to your system you may run into some problems, and in that case I'd suggest a headset with analog microphone/audio jacks. - Headphones - Usb Headset - Microsoft Headset - Lifechat'
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Tripp Lite - tripp lite, usb cable
I am using this to extend the usb printer connection to my computer, after trying unsuccessfully with a lower cost active extension cable that I purchased elsewhere. The generic cable I tried first had near constant communication errors, making it essentially unusable. After several weeks of use, I have had no problems or error messages with the Tripp Lite cable. It seems well made. I should have purchased a quality product first. Tripp Lite U026-016 USB2.0 16-Feet Certified Active Extension Cable
I bought two of these Tripp Lite U026-016 USB 2.0/FireWire 16 foot Active Extension Cables. I have had them for a month and use them with both my PC and with my Playstation 2 Force Feedback Driving Wheels. They are well designed and made with nice thick insulation on the wires and tight connectors.
I am a picky consumer and have been very happy with other Tripp Lite products. (I also own two IsoTel Ultra 8s with metal cases and frequency shielding.) So after doing some comparisons, I put these at the top of my list. Tripp Lite is a little more expensive, but I have never had any failures, problems or headaches because of them.
Any USB extension over 15 feet requires an active cable. This one works just fine. I am connecting a VGA webcam to use as a security monitor and it needed to be a ways from the PC. I have not yet tried chaining a couple together.
I had earlier bought another brand that cost more but didn't work. Junk. So my advice is to buy the ones that have the most consistently good reviews.
USB is a complicated protocol so lets get to simplification.
USB Power is 5V +/- 0.5 V and 500 mA current. About 2.5 watts of power are available. The reason alot of external usb hubs come with a wall wart is if you have 4 devices each drawing 500 ma, that's more than the computer gives you, and something will have to be removed without external power. The wallwart is usually a 5.5V, 2A or less power supply so that each usb port can have the full 500ma on a 4 port hub, neglecting the data rates which are transparently handled on usb 2.0
As for cables, the standard USB cable was defined as 6 feet, just like power cords are 6 feet most commonly. Following the power cord tradition, USB offered a 10 foot extension for a maximum distance of 16 feet before the signal degraded too much to be usable. Hence you'll find 10 foot PASSIVE extension cables in the $9 price range, which you can combine with your existing 6 foot cable for 16 feet total.
The real advantage here is there is a low power (<50mA) "1 port" hub at the end of this 16 foot extension - that regenerates your high speed usb signals for your device. It does steal some power, allowing 450 mA for the device, but most devices don't complain about not having the full 500 mA to themselves with a few exceptions for battery containing devices that must charge and disk drives that get their power from the usb cable.
Now at the end of this you can put another 10 foot extension and 6 foot cable for 32 feet of total length if needed for outdoor or room to room usb. It's a great product to get around the 10 foot extension common length limit.
Often I have "usb radio fobs" or radio transmitters for wireless keyboards. By putting them high up the wall and onto the ceiling, I can carry the wireless device that works with the fob a long ways away - much further than if the fob is hidden down behind the pc chassis on the floor. The 16 feet gives me adequate length to go over then up the wall and into the center of the room for best coverage.
Overall I much prefer the active extension cable to the passive since the signal received at the PC will be just as good as if the device were plugged directly in. Tripp Lite uses a well shielded cable for exceptional quality and very low signal loss in the run back to the PC. While priced more, it is an active hub and you get that added value from the product.
Don't be confused by some of the reviews here. The title is correct: this is an *active 2.0* USB extension cable. I emphasize *active* and *2.0* because other cables not specifying these features are older and will not work with today's current high-speed ports.
I use it with my Logitech QuickCam Pro to capture an entire conference room full of people with no difference in transmission speed.
This is a very well-made and rugged USB extender used by me to extend USB 2.0 across the room to a scanning table. I had attempted to use an older USB 1.1 extender and, as expected, performance of the scanner dropped considerably. While waiting for the Tripp-Lite to arrive - it came to me quickly - I used passive cables to extend the full 16 feet. The scanner performance was fast but I was concerned about errors because it was far longer than what's permitted by USB. I got lucky.
The Tripp-Lite performs flawlessly and it's USB 2.0 performance was immediately apparent with scan times approaching those of the scanner connected locally. The cable used in this product is larger and heavier than most USB cables. My particular scanner is not port-powered so I don't know much about the DC performance of the Tripp-Lite. I would definitely buy it again because it works and is well made. - Tripp Lite - Usb Cable - Cable - Active'
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Rechargeable Batteries - power toothbrush, electric toothbrush
Do yourself a favor and buy the Sonicare FlexCare. The newer FlexCare models are an upgrade without the screw-on design flaw of this Sonicare model. This model has a hideous design where the saliva and other brushing liquids seep down into the inner mechanisms of the hand piece and pool up in a really disgusting way and requires you to take it apart and clean off inner crevices made up of metal and plastic parts. The new design eliminates all that slew of slime. This brushing action is fantastic, just like the new one, but this design stinks...literally.
I've been using the Sonicare toothbrushes since they came out. My father is a dentist and we got some samples to try out. I had tried the Oral-B rotary style brushes and I feel that the sonicare is superior and the brush heads seem to last longer. Plus, with rotary there is more friction which, if you overbrush, can wear down your enamel and possibly hurt your gums (many people do not know that you can overbrush).
I've taken the sonicare on travel many times for weeks on end and the battery life is impressive.
Some people find it difficult to pay close to $100 for a toothbrush and then having to buy replacement brush heads at $10 a piece every 6 months.
I don't think you can afford not to use a sonicare. Your dentist will definitely be able to tell a difference.
As always, there is no substitute for flossing. When they come out with one, someone will become a multi-millionaire.
Only without the scraping! My teeth feel so smooth and clean, just like they'd been cleaned by the dentist. I was an agressive brusher before, but this is amazing. My gums even feel so much stronger now. I've noticed my teeth look whiter now than they ever have as well. I've noticed this toothbrush on the Friday sale, several different weeks. If you're looking to buy, I highly recommend doing it on a Friday, check out the Friday sale.
I'm lucky to have great teeth. I know this cause I've seen some snaggle tooth people out there. Every time I go to the dentist I get the same thing said to me at the end of the actual dentist inspection, "You have great looking teeth Mr. Cole. But you don't floss do you?" I hate when he asks me that cause I know that he knows that I don't. That's why my gums are inflamed usually (not bad or anything). And that's why you see blood on that dang dental floss there buddy.
Well last year I bought this sonicare cause I was curious how good this thing actually was. And I'm telling ya, it really does make your mouth feel a heck of a lot cleaner than you are used to. I can reach the back of my teeth easily with this. I also can brush my tongue and the roof of my mouth with this with no worries (well except for my gag reflex, but that's not the brushes fault... hehe).
A year went by with me using this and I had my annual check up again. Of course I'm brushing my shoulder off cause I'm thinkin I'm hot stuff with my perfect teeth (kiidddinngg...sooorrttaaa), but still I'm expecting to hear that same line. After all the praise, the doc starts to get up and I say to him, "Uh? No flossing?". He says to me that I don't need it and it looks like I floss all the time to him.
CHA CHING!
The brush automatically paid itself off without a doubt. I did not floss one time that whole year. The only difference between those two visits was the toothbrush. Man I love this thing! I would highly recommend spending a few extra bucks on this (ok more than a few... it's more like 70 bucks I think).
When you first start using it though it's a pretty weird experience. If you don't do it right it feels sorta like taking a glass beer bottle (or coke bottle for you kids out there) and knocking it around on your teeth... hehe. Trust me when I say you'll learn quickly how to brush correctly with this... lol. Also make sure you keep the toothbrush in your mouth. I've learned not to take it out and try to talk to someone. Cause all I did was take it out and then there was toothpaste flinging left and right like a mist machine on crack.
One more cool thing is that I haven't put it on it's charger in almost 2 and a half months and it's still charged and vibrates just like it had been taken off the charger. So in case you got a quick trip to go on, you can just pack it in it's little plastic carrying case and it's good to go.
Don't second guess getting one of these. Trust me when I say you wont regret it.
This is the first time I have ever used an electric toothbrush, so I can't compare it to others. But I can compare it to a regular toothbrush....and it totally blows away regular toothbrushes. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now and my teeth are noticeably whiter, and they feel smooth just like when a dentist cleans them. The vibration from this brush takes a little getting used to. The nice feature about this model is that it slowly increases the speed over the first 6 or 7 times that you use it to let you adjust to the vibration. Now that I've been using it for a while I don't even notice the vibration anymore. If you want cleaner teeth and less visits to the dentist I highly recommend this brush. - Power Toothbrush - Toothbrush - Oral Hygiene - Electric Toothbrush'
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