Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Htc Inspire Case
It actually arrived slightly broken on the top where I used the button to turn on my phone (HTC Inspire) the most often, and just fell apart from there. When I didn't need to use my phone, it looked great, held it in place, and didn't mess with the camera. After about a month, I splurged and ordered an Otterbox. Normally Amazon is great on super-steals, but this time I got what I paid for. At least I'm only down $4. HTC Inspire 4G Rubberized Shield Hard Case - Black (Free HandHelditems Sketch Universal Stylus Pen)
Exactly what I was looking for. Fits perfectly, feels great. It's not at rubbery as the OtterBox cases. Very firm with a slight rubbery feel. The case takes away the fragile feel of the phone and gives you a sense of being heavy-duty. Very much worth the price I paid of under $10 included shipping.
I used to own a Speck PixelSkin for my old phone. It looked great, would stand up to everything. Rubbery.
So I hesitated when I ordered this case - it was plasticy and stuff, and I didn't know if it would provide adequate protection.
Turns out it is much better than I thought...even better than the Pixelskin! It is made of plastic, it is non-slip (but not "rubberized"), and is light. It is way better than the rubbery cases because...it goes into your pocket easily without slipping.
Provides great protection.
Only problem I have is that this case was probably designed by the same guys making the Inspire battery covers. Exactly - it is impossible to get off (but insanely easy to get on for some reason). I don't see how one reviewer could have this case falling off...but it is just really hard to get off.
Looks good, works well, only problem is it can't come off! (Dang it!)
It worked fine and probably would continue working well for me but, i use my phone...
If you don't do much with it i bet it will last a while. but ever time i pressed the power button on top the case made a annoying rubbing sound.
Mine ended up breaking on the bottom part in my pocket.
Pro: fits the phone.
Cons: it's white plastic with black paint. Started peeling after one week, now plastic crumbles to pieces slowly, leaving one corner of the phone unprotected and no longer stays closed all around the phone. Thus just as good as nothing. Will need to by a new (different one) ASAP. Waste of time and money.
when i open the package, first disappointment, it lacks finishing
it looks like rubbered finish, but when handled feels more like plastic.
when fits to htc, it looks good.
overall average. and if u r rough user, this is not the product for u.
final: its an average product for the normal and smooth users.
When I decided to purchase this case I was considering the silicon case as well. I finally decided to go with the rubberized hard case. When I got the case it came in 2 pieces that snap together over the phone. The 2nd day it broke. I had the case on the phone and the phone fell from a 2 ft table and when the corner hit the floor the case cracked and a small piece broke away from the case. I then contacted the seller to ask if we can replace it. Never received a reply. If there is one positive it is the rubberized feel of the case was cool and didn't rub off as some cheaper models do.'
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Microsoft Points - xbox live, xbox live gold
To start off, I'd like to say that X-Box Live is amazing and worth every penny. Online gaming is incredibly fun and quite a good way to pass time.
That aside, there are downsides to X-Box Live that can be avoided through prepaid cards. Number one, you always run the risk that unwarranted transactions will be made if your credit card information is stored on your X-Box 360 system. It may not happen all that often, but it's best to avoid it all together.
The biggest reason to buy prepaid Xbox Live card is the renewal process that happens when you don't use one. If you order X-Box Live through your system, it'll renew every time your subscription runs out. This wouldn't be a problem except that it's not that easy to cancel. Instead of canceling through your system, you have to go through the hassle of actually calling X-Box Live support. Even then, depending on the representative you get, you may be hassled to keep your subscription because they really don't want you to cancel it. I'm guessing that's part of their job to convince you to keep it, but it still is frustrating to the person that is trying to cancel it.
You'll have to go through this process every time you want to cancel if you don't use a prepaid card. Is that hassle really worth it? I don't think so. Therefore, avoid all of the problems by simply buying a prepaid card. You won't be sorry.
UPDATE: (3/6/2011): I updated this review about a year ago pointing out that you could disable the subscription on X-Box Live's website. As of this update, they've taken that feature away again. I'm guessing Microsoft must have seen a major increase on people who canceled their subscription, thus now forcing you to call their customer service hot-line again to cancel. Even if they add it back, just save yourself the hassle and get a prepaid card. You never have to worry about dealing with customer service that will try their hardest to get you to stay on as a recurring customer. Amazon also gives great deals throughout the year. You could save yourself $20 to $30 sometimes just by checking to see if Amazon has these prepaid cards on sale. What's not to love about that? Xbox 360 Live 12 Month [Online Game Code]
From what I can find this is the cheapest cost per month option available for a live gold subscription. Depending on the current price, it ranges from $2.9158 to $3.3325 per month. What I don't get is why this credit card sized subscription card comes in such wasteful packaging. It comes in a rather large plastic packaging, which requires it to be shipped in a box. You get free shipping, but how wasteful. Why doesn't amazon just offer the code online and not eat the cost of shipping and at the same time be a little greener?
Find the card on sale every so often each year. Don't pay the full price. The Xbox Live Gold is stellar and I love it, but I don't see how they charge $50 or more a year and you don't get any freebies...other than advanced demo downloads. They need to throw a bone for a free song or discounted DLC or a free rental every so often. I have spent well over $1000 in my 3 years with the Xbox 360 on peripherals, games and downloads. 2% of my money spent as a gift would have paid for 1600 points of DLC...that would be a nice thank you from Xbox 360 for keeping their community alive and well.
This is the BEST deal I have ever found on the Xbox Live 12 Month Subscription.
I looked 6-10 different places for a deal on this and only found 1 close to this and that was wal-fart but I dislike shopping there so Amazon was the place to go.
This should be a guaranteed buy and you CAN'T beat the Price!!!
I was worried that the card would not work in Canada, but it seems to be fine. Have been using XBOX LIVE for about a week with no problems, but will hang on to the card, as advised by another reviewer, just in case.
There's nothing more fun than being able to go online everyday day and being able to talk to and play with friends around the world. Xbox live is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends. This can be hard because there are so many immature people on Xbox Live. I would warn anyone with small children or those who do not like foul language to be careful because never in your life will you hear the F bomb or the N word as often as you do on Live. Of course there are parental settings and you can keep communications just between friends but still this is one of the biggest downfalls to Live. Another problem with Live is customer service. Yes, you can e-mail them or call them at 1-800-4myxbox (good luck getting help there) but the service is terrible. Even with these downfalls I still have to strongly recommend Live because being able to play videogames over the internet and keep up with friends and family that live far away is too much fun to pass up. - Xbox Live - Xbox 360 - 12 Month - Xbox Live Gold'
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Garmin Nuvi 255w - garmin 255w, garmin
Eva Case for Garmin Nuvi 255W, Black
I was not expecting the very good quality case I received for this price. I was happily surprised at the quality, price, service and convenience I experienced when ordering this case. It is exactly what I wanted/needed for the Garmin nuvi 255W. Eva Case for Garmin Nuvi 255W, Black
The title about says it all. It's a great little case but there are stray threads and the zipper can bind at the corners a bit. It was well worth the money I paid for it though. It also comes with a little wrist strap in case you want to carry the GPS with you. I'd recommend it if you can overlook the detail work (after all with technology being as replacable as it is you'll probably replace the GPS before the case ever has an issue).
First I have to say that I highly doubt you could find a better product for $4!
In the photos this appears to be a rubberized hard clam shell design. I was surprised when it came that it is actually elegantly wrapped in a heavy nylon fabric. It has a good durable zipper, a wrist strap and clip. Although quite rigid, it was not as HARD as I expected.
When you open the case there are elastic straps on one side to hold the GPS in place. On the other side, a net pocket and a flap with slots to store extra memory cards.
My one big complaint is if you put all your cords and cards and stuff in the case with your GPS, it is overfull. When you close the case anything you have on the other side crushes right into the screen, so I'd suggest putting the GPS in the case face first.
If you plan to just use the case to protect your GPS when you toss it in your purse or backpack, then I definitely recommend it. However, if you are looking for a case to keep ALL your GPS accessories together, this probably isn't the ideal product.
Case came pronto and price was excellent. Overall construction is very good and perfect protection for our 255W especially given most of the time it lives in our car's glove box when not in actual use. Case is molded nylon material and is semi-rigid. Inside web pouch (keep quick reference manual here) and slots for extra cards are a bonus. Two elastic straps hold GPS snug and help keep inplace when opening. Although case is not thick enough to hold our power cable, not a problem as our cable is in a section of the console where we don't need to move out of the way. Note: our actual product was a bit different than pictured but had everything we expected. - Carrying Case For Garmin Nuvi - 255w - Garmin - Garmin 255w'
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Tv Series - tv series
After 3 years of BREAKING BAD, I'm still amazed and bemused that I've grown to care so very much about a meth manufacturer and his messed-up, addictive young assistant. In Season One, Walter White (Bryan Cranston, in one of the best performances of the decade) was a mild-mannered high school science teacher who finds out he's likely dying of cancer, and uses his knowledge of chemistry to concoct a really excellent form of meth. He turns to a former student and druggie, Jesse (Aaron Paul, in one of the other great performances of the decade) to help him sell the stuff. The two form an awkward bond, punctuated by nearly comedic moments when their ineptitude causes endless trouble for them. Walt struggles to hide his double life from his wife Skylar, his sickly teenage son and his brother-in-law Hank, who happens to be a DEA agent.
In Season Two, the success of Walt's meth draws unwanted attention from various law enforcement types, as well as those on the wrong side of the law. Walt's secret becomes harder to hide, and Jesse and Walt grow estranged as several bad turns force a wedge between them. Jesse falls in love, but he and his girl, a recovering addict, don't exactly help each other out. Walt & Jesse are further "assisted" by a new attorney (Bob Odenkirk, offering probably the only comic relief to be found anymore) who tried hard to help these two launder their money. The season ends badly, with tragedies both personal and widespread...and Walt's marriage is in shambles.
Season 3 introduces us to a new Walt, one that has been evolving since the beginning. He's now a hardened criminal, still showing his mild-mannered side...but also fully turned over to his darkness. In Season Two, he committed a couple of acts that were so horrific that he can no longer really look himself in the mirror and see the "good guy" he once was. He partners with a local drug kingpin (wonderfully played by Giancarlo Esposito) and begins to manufacture on a scale he had scarcely imagined possible. Jesse struggles with loss and addiction, and it's a long time before these two old partners come together again.
There are many wonderful things about the show and Season 3. First, the character evolution is better than on almost any other show on TV. You can actually track the changes to these folks in a way that makes you realize that most other TV characters basically remain unchangeable. You see that Walt has become a crafty "bad" guy...he has truly broken bad. His wife has evolved. His son. Hank. And poor Jesse. They hardly resemble the characters we first met...and time has not been kind to any of them. And with the excellent writing, directing and acting...we can practically feel the guild and corruption pouring off of them.
The show introduces some great new characters, and develops Esposito & Odenkirk to a great extent. I particularly enjoyed the two hit men from south of the border. These two cousins are vicious killers who never speak a word...and you'd be hard-pressed to find two creepier characters in recent TV history. They are introduced in the squirm-inducing first scene of the season...setting you up perfectly to be on edge for just about anything all year. Midway through the season, Hank and these two cousins have a brief scene together that is easily among the most exciting, tense, jaw-dropping few minutes in television history. I rarely find myself needing to yell at the television and the characters on it...but any viewer of BREAKING BAD will be hard-pressed not to jump up and down and yell. That five minutes alone make the season worthwhile...it's almost like the final 6 minutes of SIX FEET UNDER made watching that whole series worthwhile.
I really don't want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that Walt and Jesse are headed to some very dark places. Walt has few redeeming qualities left to him...but his concern for the moral life of Jesse is one very touching quality he retains. Because he feels so irredeemably corrupted himself, he "runs interference" against some of Jesse's self-destructive tendencies. And near the end, when that concern is also twisted by fate and circumstance...it becomes almost unbearable for the viewer. When was the last time you sat on the edge of your seat over a MORAL DILEMMA?!?!
The quality of this show is nearly unsurpassed. It is very thoroughly only for adults though. There is almost no behavior to admire. It is brutal and blunt and gritty. (It also uses Albuquerque, my town, VERY well...which gives me an extra dose of love for the show. We see real locations, real local restaurants, even real local pizza carryout joints.) But it is so tightly constructed from both a plot and character standpoint that it provides intelligent, gripping entertainment. And the work of Aaron Paul, and particularly Bryan Cranston, is so superb that any appreciator of fine acting really should tune in.
If you haven't seen the show before, PLEASE go back and start from the beginning. It truly has been like one long journey, and it begs to be appreciated from its starting point. But for heaven's sake, SEE IT! Breaking Bad Season 3
I watch alot of series but Breaking Bad takes the proverbial cake. This season we really get down and dirty with Walt going through his divorce and Skylar's anger causing her to react in all sorts of ways. I love the show mainly because it is about good people having to do bad things for different reasons. It makes the viewer really think. There are alot of grim moments this season, it is a grim show overall, always has been, but that is what makes it so genius. Season three is highly addictive and moves quickly with edge of your seat suspense in every epidode. There are never boring moments in Breaking Bad. Not only do we get to really get in Walt's mind, but Jesse gets a more pivotal role this season and I have to say I am glad. Jesse is one of my favorite characters and he has to makes hard decisions as so much is going on in his life. I find myself very drawn to Jesse's character and his turmoil. Walt is a sort of father figure to Jesse and something major happens that really shows the viewer what lengths Walt will go to for Jesse. How their relationship develops is touching at times and frustrating at others. A new druglord is introduced which gives the show an overall tenseness and of course with Walt's brother in law's involvement it makes for some tense moments as well. The show is not light on violence and never sugarcoats what being a meth cooker would be like. There are all kinds of dilemmas and moral decisons to be considered. All in all it is a high octane season and every time the episode ends you just want more. I found myself crying throughout the procession of this season as there are alot of heavy circumstances. I love this show and can't wait until Season Four. The series finale leaves the viewer hanging so badly that I felt like screaming. Enjoy!! - Tv Series'
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Motorola Droid - battery, spare battery
Buyer beware when not purchasing directly from Amazon. I got my Droid 1 battery from the seller UnitedIntegral. This is not a Motorola OEM battery as pictured, it's Chinese knockoff.
UPDATE: Seller UnitedIntegral contacted me, offering to refund my money in exchange for removing the negative feedback I put on their seller profile. Unfortunately for them, I care less about my money than I do about being ripped off by deceptive and dishonest merchants selling their Chinese knockoff crap as the real thing on Amazon. Something tells me the other merchants selling these batteries for dirt cheap are doing exactly the same thing.
AVOID THIRD PARTY MERCHANTS FOR THESE BATTERIES, BUY DIRECTLY FROM AMAZON. Motorola DROID and DROID II 1300mah Standard Battery
I bought this battery direct from Amazon. I do not trust the 3rd party sellers; none of whom appear to be authorized Motorola resellers. Counterfeit cell phone batteries are widely available for cheap prices, but who knows what quality you are getting. Cell phones have been known to catch fire or explode and manufacturers usually blame counterfeit batteries. The battery that I received from Amazon appears identical to the battery that came with my Motorola Droid phone, including the hologram labeling that is printed on the bottom of the battery.
My Droid can last a whole day on one charge if I use only the phone features. If I use the internet or media or GPS features heavily, then the battery can last less than 8 hours. Fortunately, the Droid does allow you to easily pop in a spare battery.
I bought this item as a back-up battery for my Motorola Droid. It is the OEM battery and works as well as the one that came with the phone. I get between 24 and 30 hours of use off of a charge which is comparable with the original. Now when the phone goes dead, I take out the old battery, pop in the freshly charged one and I'm never tethered to a charging cord. And the price was a heck of a lot cheaper than I expected so who am I to complain? :)
Seems to be the exact battery that came with my Droid. Considering when these first popped on Amazon they were 40 bucks. At this price, you can't go wrong. Has the same battery life as my original Droid battery. Great for having as a backup, I keep the other in my notebook bag.
Not much to say; battery arrived quickly from seller but was DOA. Seller claims it is a legit Motorola battery but I have my doubts as it looks different enough from my original Motorola battery. Even the label material around the battery is different.
In the end though it doesn't matter because it doesn't work.
I gave the seller 5 stars though because not only did they send me this item in record time but they solved my issue and gave me a full refund in record time as well.
Update: If you were thinking about the Seidio Innocell 2600 mAh Extended Battery for Motorola Droid, my advice would be "don't do it." The OEM battery is a much better power supply. It actually lasts longer than a few months, which is more than I can say for the Innocell battery I purchased.
Review:
I enjoy my Droid phone and with my usage, I go through batteries quickly. You can conserve power by turning off options you are not using (Bluetooth, 3G, Screen Brightness, GPS, Wi-Fi, Checking Email) but sometimes I forget or don't want to cut my features. I got a spare Original Equipment Manufacturer battery and an extended life battery at the same time. This is an OEM battery worked properly from the start, unlike the extended life battery which needed to be "trained" in the phone. I could not tell the difference in run time between this battery and the one that came with my phone from Verizon.
The Good
The battery fits in my Motorola car dock, which I use all the time. It also fits in my desktop charging dock which I like to use. The Extended life battery does not fit the Motarola car dock or the desktop charging dock The OEM battery does not add bulk to the phone.
The Bad
The OEM battery does not last as long with the features most people use turned on. It is a pain to have to manage phone usage to keep the battery alive. I am a heavy user of "Advanced Task Killer" which I usually access by holding down the Home key.
Conclusion
I am happy with the purchase. I chose my battery according to what my use will be. When I have been out all day with my first battery and I'm going out at night it's nice to be able to snap in a charged battery. (without taking the time to charge my battery) If I'm going to be in my car I use the OEM battery. If I am out and about I use the extended battery. It is nice to have options. I still bring my OEM spare battery when I don't want to take the chance of having a dead phone.
Unlike our I-Phone friends we have the ability to pop in a new battery. ;-) - Droid - Spare Battery - Battery - Droid Battery'
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Western Digital 1tb - my book, backup
BUYER BEWARE....This is a great hard drive, except for one fatal issue. Western Digital includes their backup software, "SmartWare" on this drive. That's normally not an issue, you reformat and partition the drive and it's gone. However, WD included a special virtual CD (VCD) partition as part of the enclosure or firmware, which is NOT accessible to the user. I've tried all the utilities in OS X, Windows, and Ubuntu Linux to destroy this VCD, but no luck. I contacted Western Digital inquiring about a removal utility or firmware flash, and they gave me a run around answer and basically said no, we have no plans to do that.
The VCD automatically mounts on your machine when the drive is inserted, which gets annoying very quickly. I found a workaround in OS X and Windows, to keep the VCD partition from mounting, but it shouldn't have to be this way.
If you've ever had to deal with the horrid U3 software on a SanDisk flash drive, then you'll know what I'm talking about. At least SanDisk provides a utility to remove their software, and gain back the full capacity of the drive. This SmartWare VCD uses almost 1GB of the drive. A drop in the bucket, yes, but I don't like being told how to use my storage space by Western Digital.
Aside from that, it functions and is built quite well. My only other complaint is that the barrel plug for the power adapter, and the USB cable sit pretty loosely in the back of the drive when they're connected and are prone to falling out if you move the drive around too much.
Otherwise, a good hard drive. Western Digital My Book Essential 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
If you are just looking to add an additional drive for storage, don't buy this new version of My Book Essential. Especially if you plan to buy more than one (which you of course should unless it's purely a backup drive). You will regret it unless you are a newbie who only wants a drive that will back up your system (and even then you should get a Seagate now instead).
Western Digital is now installing a "virtual drive" software that CANNOT be disabled, ejected (unmounted) or deleted. You will have an extra drive entry for each one of these you install. If you use up to 8 drives, as I have, that would mean 16 separate drive entries. WD has flat out said you cannot remove this functionality. Even reformating won't do it, because the included software is in firmware. If you do use the backup and security functions, they are part of this software, and your drive capacity will ONLY be about 770GB, not the full 930GB that is normal (you can still access the drive directly via another drive letter for full capacity). The software that comes on these drives is not professional level backup software. Neither is the security software. If you are serious about protecting your data, you will buy pro-level software anyway. But you are apparently forever stuck with this software on these drives.
Western Digital's drives have about the same reliability as the Seagates. Both make external drives that aren't fan-cooled, so weaker components from the manufacturing process fail, requiring these types of units to be replaced frequently (that's why you never buy only one, or never keep your only copy of data on it). That's just part of owning these drives for most people. Seagate will replace your drive for free for 5 YEARS. WD will do the same for 1 YEAR. It is virtually guaranteed that 1 or 2 drives out of 10 of these will require replacement. I prefer to have 5 years to do so rather than 1.
I've bought 12 external USB drives, both brands. More of the Seagates than the WD's. I just returned two of these I bought yesterday, and from this point on, there will be no more WD's coming home with me, having discovered that I cannot remove WD Smartware. With the Seagates, I plug it in, the computer sees it as a DRIVE, not software. I delete the software that Seagate puts on the drive, and I start using it. That's how I want it to be.
Update (as of 10/11/09)
=============================
Instead of returning the drive I thought I would do a favor for a somewhat computer-illiterate friend by selling her the drive along with assisting her in installing and configuring the SmartWare software to backup her data.
The laptop running WD Smartware is about three years old and contains a single-core chip. Well, I discovered that this software is a resource PIG. WD advertises the fact that SmartWare is always running in the background to backup any files the moment they changes. The trade-off is that the SmartWare background service routinely spikes the CPU to 95%-100%, bringing a single core Windows computer to its knees. It's just not worth it.
In the end I uninstalled Smartware completely from the laptop (the 1TB drive is still accessible despite the Windows XP Device manager complaining of an unknown device) and built a backup job that runs daily using the free Comodo Backup software.
WD SmartWare is not even good for newbies unless they have current, multicore computers able to handle the hour-by-hour spike in CPU usage from this service. In my opinion WD really stumbled with this product.
Summary (original review)
=============================
In my opinion this device is not meant for any but the most limited-skilled computer user. The few dumbed-down options that cannot be deactivated in their included software combined with the instability of the current device driver (at least for Win7) makes this drive too inflexible and unreliable for anyone looking for an external hard drive to store data and backups from their own, proven backup strategies.
Background
=============================
As an owner of the previous generation 1TB and 500GB MyBook Essential external drives, I needed another 1TB drive to store rolling backups of my OS partition images, my digital media (stills, videos, and MP3s), and software install DVD/CD ISOs. I turned to this drive based on a) my previous good experience with the MyBook models, and b) the hopeful fact that this drive was an improvement in reliability, speed, and power consumption since it was a next-generation of the models I currently have.
As an advanced computer user who developed several automated backup and drive imaging jobs using other, more robust backup solutions I did not need the WD SmartWare backup software that comes with this drive. I would soon learn that this drive does not operate properly without out the WD SmartWare software installed, nor did it operate reliably with the software installed.
WD Smartware
==============================
The WD Smartware is meant to be an all-in-one console for managing the drive settings and health, as well as managing backup/restore jobs. I didn't like the fact that upon creating a backup job that this software was constantly running behind the scenes and backing up every changed file in my backup set immediately after the files changed. This is backup-overkill, in my opinion, but I certainly understand that there are computer users who don't fully grasp the concept of backing up data - again, for this user category WD SmartWare will simplify implementing recurrent backups.
Since the price was within USD $1.00 of the previous generation model I assumed I could purchase this drive and use it without having to install the WD SmartWare software - I was wrong and I am regretting this purchase, for now I have to return it and either purchase the previous generation or another brand.
Cons
==============================
1) As pointed out by the first reviewer, plugging in this drive results in a virtual CD (VCD) containing the SmartWare installation routine and product manuals being mapped to one of your computer drive letters. I tried several different tactics to dismount this VCD to free up my limited drive letters but I could not do so. This is just plain arrogance on the part of Western Digital to assume that they could grab a drive letter with the install software location and not allow the user to dismount the VCD.
For the most basic computer user perhaps this is a non-issue but anyone with a home network, attached media card readers, and USB flash drives will quickly discover that drive letters cannot be kidnapped by a VCD that is not even usable beyond the initial install of the WD SmartWare software.
2) Unlike the previous generation model, this external hard drive's driver must be installed (at least to a Windows Vista or Windows 7 OS) from the VCD. It is not simply plug-and-play for the OS does not have the proper driver to access the device. WD does provide instructions on their website on how to install just the drive's driver from the VCD without having to install the entire SmartWare utility, but the source of the install is that dreaded VCD mentioned in my point (1) above. This means that as of this review date there is no way to install the most current driver WD release, leading to my third CON point:
3) The current driver for this device causes blue screen of death (BSOD) error 0x0000008E in Windows 7 (a moderately rigorous troubleshooting effort by me costing a few hours of my time isolated this driver as the root cause). I am running Windows 7 release candidate/build 7100, which is supposed to be close to the RTM version about to come out on 10/22/09. I was forced to uninstall the driver due to the instability this driver introduced to my Win7 OS environment. With Win7 so close to release, I would have expected a stable version of the device driver to be available to the public but that does not seem to be the case.
(note, I would accept that perhaps this RC version of Win7 might also contain some code that is interfering with the WD driver and that the RTM version coming out in a couple of weeks will resolve this problem, but my first two CONS still make this drive a no-deal for me.)
Pros
==============================
1) For the most basic computer user WD SmartWare will simplify your backup needs and give you a way to quickly establish proper data backups. - My Book - Backup - Western Digital 1tb - 1 Tb'
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Art For Children - craft kits, crafts
I'm not a very crafty person, and I'm trying to do more with my 3 year old son since I just had a baby and want to spend quality time with him. I had purchased some pre-made craft packages, and thought I'd try this out.
I was rather disappointed. My son had fun playing with some of the items, and we used them to make a few crafts, but I was expecting more ideas for what to do with the pieces. The description says there are lots of project ideas, but all I saw was a few pictures on the box giving you a few basics. I guess I was hoping for a guide or booklet with directions to make specific crafts.
I was also disappointed with some of the materials. I don't like the chenille yarn...it sheds, and I had little pieces of colored yarn all over my house (and the dogs). I would have rather seen some nice pieces of thick wool yarn, which is something I tend to use in our crafts. I also don't like the craft sticks (tongue depressors). Instead of being wood, they are flimsy foam. I find that wood ones work much better for most crafts.
The description also says that when you are finished, you can tuck everything away back in it's box. The box is flimsy plastic with a plastic lid, so it's not the easiest thing to use as a container, especially with a 3 year old boy. To be fair, according to the package the age for this is supposed to be 4+ (Amazon's description says 36 months to 6 years).
Personally, I'd rather go out and purchase some wooden craft sticks, some googly eyes, some thick wool yarn and some colorful pipe cleaners. I ended up buying some craft books, which were much more useful than this box of crafts (and gave me some ideas of what I can do with the contents of this box). I really like Easy-To-Do Holiday Crafts From Everyday Household Items!: Including Crafts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Every Day of the Year! Faber Castell Big Fun Crafts
have watched the price of this item go from "sale" of $14.99
to $7.99 and $6.99 if you get it for $8 or under then i would say is worth it
not sure why this brand feels the retail should be so high for it
here is a list of items included
* scissors
* foam craft sticks
* chenille yarn
* chenille stems
* straw beads
* pony beads
* feathers
* wiggly eyes
* rainbow string
* self-adhesive foam dots
* tissue paper squares
* colorful pom-poms
* sparkle pom-poms
* self-adhesive felt sheets
i think for $8 or less this is a great kit for crafty kids especially on rainy days
when they are antsy to find something to do
get a few more items to go with it and you have the perfect gift for anyone who loves
not only crafting but being creative this does have a few ideas that comes with it
but just as fun to work with each other and see what we are coming up with on our own
We gave this to my daughter for her 4th birthday. She (and her older sisters) had a great time with it. The box it comes in is great for storage, but it is a little large. We ended up putting the pieces that are left in a small shoe box and she still gets it out from time to time and makes all kinds of creative things and often gives them away as "gifts".
One of the things I really like is the sticky dots so you don't have to use glue. My daughter can use them all by herself.
This was a gift to my very creative nieces. It was among the most popular of all the gifts they received at Christmas because of the potential for invention. Although the materials are not high quality, the colorful display and variety of items was perfect for this "neon" culture of kids.
This kit had the potential to be awesome, but as it turned out it was only pretty good. The feathers were a complete waste of space and time and i expected the color sticks to be be like popsicle sticks, but they were soft and bendable. Limits their usefulness. Needed more beads and color pipe cleaners.
I would do things differently if i had it all to do over. Not that its bad, but half good isn't worth it.
I picked this up for "sale" for $13 - and it seems it is just a bunch of odds and ends cramed in a box. If you can get it for $10 it is probably worth it as it does have some value in determining if you child is into arts and crafts. However, it is a bit os a dissapointment if you are expecting anything more from it.
Save your money to go buy various items at your local arts and crafts store yourself! I was looking for some ideas in this box but all it had was pieces of supplies which did not excite my 4 year old at all! A waste!
I purchased the Big Fun Crafts box for a third birthday present, based on a great price, positive reviews and, importantly, the recommended 36 months to 6 years age range. When I received the box, it clearly shows 4+ on the front of the box. The photo on Amazon is too small to see details on the box. I would not wish for my children to receive gifts clearly marked outside their age range, and accordingly I will be giving this gift as intended. The product does look nice, but the age recommendation needs to be fixed. - Craft Supplies - Crafts For Kids - Crafts - Craft Kits'
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Ipad2 Screen Protector - ipad2 screen protector, screen protectors
...like I did. This is "bubble city" - I went through the pains of using almost an entire can of compressed air to clean the work surface of any dust particles, waited at least 20 minute for anything to settle down to no avail - it didn't matter, bubbles just naturally formed in every square centimeter of the iPad's surface....from small ones to huge ones - trying to follow the instructions and like I did with the screen protector for my iPad 1 I applied pressure with the included "card" which resulted in scratches of the plastic surface - all over the place - I became sooooo frustrated by this inferior product I ended up ripping out of my iPad and throwing it were it belongs...the garbage! KHOMO Anti-Glare Invisible Screen Film Protector for new Apple iPad 2 (NEWEST VERSION March 2011 release)
After applying the screen protector, I definitely had a lot more bubbles than I expected, and many would just not rub out. The bubbles aren't really distracting while using the device, but are definitely visible when the device is off.
This item is sufficient for my needs though. I just wanted to protect my screen while using my iPad 2 in an experiment; this screen protector is a decent value and I'l probably just dump it later. In comparison, I bought 5 iphone screen protectors for 99 cents, and none of them had bubbles for the first few weeks (but bubbles formed later). I have not tried more expensive screen protectors, so I don't know how things compare.
I would strongly discourage buying this protector if the appearance of your iPad 2 is important.
Like many of the other comments, I agree that installing this iPad 2 screen protector is nearly impossible. You can get the screen perfectly clean, but as soon as you take the protective coating off the back side (the sticky side) of the screen protector, you will undoubtedly get some lint or dust stuck to the screen protector before you lay it on the iPad screen. This is all it takes to get bubbles that you can not get removed. After several attempts of trying to get rid of the all the dust, I ended up throwing the screen protector in the trash. What a waste of $7.00. Don't waste your time or money!
First off, I'm very picky and OCD. So if you're not like me, then you might be able to tolerate this screen protector.
I was trying to be cheap and tried finding an alternative to a $35ish zagg screen protector. I thought "Hey! it's only 10 bucks with shipping and all I need it to do is prevent scratches right?" WRONG.
The first thing I noticed was that it just felt like cheap sticky thick plastic. I could tell it didn't have a stretchy texture, but it had good thickness to where I thought it will protect my iPad 2 from scratches.
Applying took me about 15 minutes because of lint (I don't know if it was my environment, but I used up a good amount of scotch tape to take the lint off that left a good annoying sized bubble). I thought I could handle the 2 bubbles that was left because of 2 tiny pieces of lint, but I couldn't. Although the lint was pretty small, it left a noticeable size bubble around it.
The holes for the camera and the button were pretty good and it covered the whole screen which I liked, but then the edges seemed like they weren't sticky enough.
I put on a silicone case about 2 hours later, but since the protector in my opinion lacked stickiness, the edges were continually unstuck. I let it sit overnight and put the case back on, but the edges were STILL getting unstuck. I couldn't handle it anymore so I took it off and I could immediately tell that there wasn't enough "stickiness." It peeled off way too easy.
I ended up buying the zagg protector for about $35 and wished I just bought that in the first place and saved my 10 bucks.
Lesson learned.
It is certainly a good product but it took awhile to install. Was not able to position it precisely and still have some bubbles around edges. I wish the manufacturer came up with some way to simplify the process. Nevertheless, it looks good, easy to clean and my iPad did not lose sensitivity.
Applying these screen protectors is a pain. And they invariably bubble. But this works, was relatively easy to apply due to the double layer application and my kids can play the iPad in the car without the glare.
I was a little nervous about getting this cover since there are so many bad reviews, but it turned out pretty good. It was hard to get all the lint off but I only have four tiny bubbles and that is the result of only one try. I think that for the size of the I pad bubbles are inevitable. This cover does remove some of the shine of the iPad (on the black part) but other than that you can barely tell it is there. Don't wear clothes with long sleves when putting this cover on. Also I found it better to use a piece of scotch tape to get the dust off after using the cloth (I found that the cloth kept putting more dust on). Once the dust is off I set the film down on the iPad then I got the big bubbles out with the card. All that was left were little bubbles near the edges. I lifted the film up on each edge ( one at a time) and then used the card to press it back down which worked very well. I haven't used this in sunlight yet so I don't know how well the anti-glare stuff works, but overall this seems to do it's job and for the low price I am very pleased plus I have two more for down the road! - Protector - Screen - Ipad2 Screen Protector - Screen Protectors'
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Samsung 1080p Lcd Hdtv - 37 inch lcd, 120hz
I couldn't be happier with this tv. I bought the 37" for the bedroom having recently purchased a Sony Bravia for the living room. Reviews of other Samsung tvs had mentioned the low sound quality. I think the sound quality is superb and beats the heck out of the new Sony I own. The picture is top notch and the set-up couldn't have been be easier.
There is a noticable glare on the screen when daylight shines on the screen which is why I purchased the Sony for the living room whose matte screen better suited bright room.
All in all, I am very happy with this purchase. Samsung LN37D550 37-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black)
I recently purchased this TV for my family room. Since I mainly watch tv from a small table in the kitchen adjacent to the family room I didn't want a really large screen as I would be sitting too close. The 37" size is perfect both for close viewing from the kitchen as well as viewing from a distance in the family room. There is a really nice feature which allows you to reduce the picture size so for close viewing I watch a reduced picture while for further distances I increase the picture to its full size. I don't have that capability on my Sony Bravia 40" which I use in the bedroom, and often the picture is just too large for comfortable viewing. The other great feature is the ability to plug an external hard drive into the USB port and watch all my videos. It plays virtually any file format including MKV,avi,DIVX etc. The picture clarity is excellent both with HDTV and the 720 and 1080p videos. Additionally, the stand swivels which is very convenient for viewing from different locations. Overall I am very pleased with the tv and highly recommend it.
I've had this tv for about 4 weeks now and really do love it. Running Comcast and picture is very sweet. Blue Ray looks awesome too. The speakers actually work pretty good as far as LCD's go but normally use the Def Techs for sound.
My main gripe is that Amazon originally posted this as a 120 Hz and its actually only 60 Hz. I didn't know this until it got to my house. Not cool.
Samsung didn't publish much info on the 2011 models so it was close to impossible to research too.
All in all its a great tv and I would proably buy it again I just wish Amazon would actually post what you get!
This is the second Samsung HDTV that I have purchased directly through Amazon.
Both units worked perfectly "right out of the box" and with minimum hassle.
The picture and sound qualities are excellent on both, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase(s).
The only concern with this delivery was a hole(actually two)in the side of the carton, which turned out to be on the face side of the TV. There is no internal protection of the unit other than some wrapping material. Needless to say, I was happy to see no damage.
Samsung should look into their packaging procedures.
This was advertised and sold as a 120Hz not a 60Hz HDTV. I tried to verify this at the time of purchase but information was not available from Samsung nor was there a 60Hz being sold by Amazon at the time of my order. So far after a month of viewing, the TV seems to operate okay, but it's disappointing to learn that this is a 60Hz HDTV instead of what I wanted to buy. I purposely looked for a 120Hz rated HDTV and could have paid less for 60Hz equivalent HDTV. Would prefer a better refresh rate than what I received and feel as though I've been deceived on my purchase. - Samsung 1080p Lcd Hdtv - 37 Inch - 120hz - 37 Inch Lcd'
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Garmin Nuvi 650 - garmin nuvi, garmin nuvi 650
I don't understand all the glowing reviews for this case: based on the many four and five star ratings given by other owners, I figured it was a no-brainer and placed my order.
When it arrived, I was surprised to discover that the leather is coarse and thin and that there is no real padding for the Nuvi.
Basically, this is two pieces of hard plastic over which some low-grade leather has been stretched. The best thing I can say about it is that it fits the 650 snugly -- at least initially -- which is important, as one end of the case remains open (providing easy access to the headphone port and SD card slot, as well as a potential avenue for the carelessly handled Nuvi to slip out).
Do not look for a belt clip or carry strap option, either. This is simple protection of the most basic sort.
I do not expect this case to wear well; it just isn't constructed for regular daily use.
Given the price and quality of the Nuvi 600s, I expected better in a case.
BTW, shame on Garmin for not including even some flimsy basic protection like this in the box with the 650!
Unless it is important to you to get something with the Garmin name on it, I would advise shopping for a more durable and protective alternative to this case. Garmin 4.3-Inch Carrying Case
I bought this case from my Nuvi 760, I would buy it again.
Pros
+ reinfoced front and back makes for a sturdy case that protects the device from both scratches and impacts
+ very snug but easy to get in and out - hasn't ever slipped out
+ good size, it is about as small as it can be
+ soft interior to prevent scratches
+ small sleeve on the side
Cons
- It is snug enough to sometimes slide the power switch on the 760 as I take it in or out. I need to make sure it goes in with the switch down and locked so it doesn't come on when I put it in. Coming on on the way out isn't such a big deal since I usually want to use it.
Overall this is a great case, if you are careful you could call auto-power-on a feature!
First a comment on some previous reviews - This is not a high tech item, it's a protective case. Don't try to make more of it than that.
Now for my thoughts.
1) It fits my NUVI 750 like a glove.
2) The quality of construction is at least as good as any other case I've seen on the market. It also is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
3) It slips into my shirt pocket with ease.
4) I realize that is not a form of structural armor for my device and that I still must exercise a certain amount of care to keep my NUVI from harm. It's not waterproof, fireproof, bombproof etc. It does keep my screen clean, prevents case scratches, protects it from the usual hazards of being knocked about in the console of my vehicle where it resides when not in use.
To summarize. It does what it is designed to do at a reasonable price.
Therefore it rates the 5 stars in my book.
Garmin nüvi 750 Auto Navigation System
i just picked up one of these for a nuvi 750 as the case is listed as compatible on the garmin site. stylish looking case however, the 700 series is thinner then 600 series. if you hold the case upside down, the nuvi will fall out. be caareful.
The Nuvi 250w did not come with a case so I ordered this one. It fits perfectly. The whole 200w series is the same size so any of them will fit.
It's a little expensive but it's a lot cheaper then replacing a cracked screen.
I ordered this case for my Garmin 200W. It works great, nice case - quality construction. I would not recommend this case for any 'rugged' applications. A hard shell case would probably be much better. But this case will suit the needs of most average consumers. It is durable and can be put in a bag or purse. My only complaint is I wish it had a closure tab or strap to give it extra security for the GPS to not slip out but I've not had any problems. Nice basic protective case.
This case came with my Nuvi 660. It is well worth having the case for storage in a glove box so that other items do not scratch the screen. There is a soft liner on the inside of the case. It's also a great way to protect your Nuvi if it is dropped. This is also great for the lady that wants to put it in her purse to use show off photos of your kids and grandkids to her friends. - Garmin Nuvi - Garmin Nuvi 650 - Leather Case - Garmin Case'
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Acer Aspire One - ddr3, sodimm
Be careful when ordering this memory for the 1015PEM. This netbook requires a chip-set with only 8 chips on it. I ordered this part recommended by Amazon and it came with 16 chips which does not work on this netbook. Call Crucial and order direct - they know how to match this up. Crucial CT25664BC1067 2GB 204-PIN PC3-8500 SODIMM DDR3 Memory Module
This is not the right (2G) memory for Toshiba Netbook NB305-440. According to Crucial's website the 2G memory upgrade for Toshiba's netbook is CT1290394. I can't find it on Amazon so I'm going to buy it directly from Crucial. Amazon was nice and took back the wrong/recommended one I had bought.
I added this RAM stick to my Toshiba Satellite T215D-S1150 TruBrite 11.6-Inch Laptop (Chrome) [Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit]. The notebook came from the factory with a 2GB RAM stick in one of the RAM slots, and the other slot was empty. The upgrade worked just fine, and now I'm enjoying the faster performance of a total 4 GB of RAM.
I just got this ram for my new ASUS 1015PED. I read some reviews here that said it didn't work for this netbook, but it does. The reason for that might be that Amazon sometimes merges reviews from different items into one. But to try to clarify the problem, what I found out about the memory compatibility issues for the ASUS 1015PED is that this model needs a ram module that has only 8 chips. This is the case for this item whose model number is CT25664BC1067.
If you have this netbook and are concerned about buying something that will not work, just check that you are getting that same model number and you should be fine.
I just bought a new ACER notebook 521 and as I was buying it, Amazon told me "people who bought this also bought this item", DO NOT BUY IT FOR ACER!!! It is the wrong model. I had to call the seller (who is not Amazon while selling via them), get a return number, it was a lot of work. I am now waiting for the correct one. It is the CT25664BC1339. The notebook is great so far!
To make a long story short, Amazon recommended this, and my research on the 1015PE was lacking, and so I thought Amazon made the right recommendation for my computer. Unfortunately, it's not even the right number of pins for my system.
So for those of you who own an ASUS Eee PC 1015PE, this is what you need:
ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1015PE:
2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 PC2-6400 SO-DIMM
with recommended CL (Cas Latency) of 6.
There are several of these on Amazon. If you search for those exact specs, you should get close to what you need. Make sure your BIOS is upgraded to version 0801 or higher before ordering, as older BIOS versions have a problem with the 16-chip versions of 2GB SODIMMs.
I give the product five stars, but take away a star for Amazon's lousy recommendation system that doesn't have any of the facts right and leads to so many people making the wrong choice. You can find Crucial, Patriot, and other brands on Amazon if you look for the right type. Good luck.
Works fine in my Acer Aspire One AO522-BZ897 10.1-Inch HD Netbook (Diamond Black), which at the time of purchase, was too new for any websites to have reliable upgrade info. Seeing other reviews having problems with the 16 chip version of this memory card, I was nervous when that's what I was shipped, but it works fine in my netbook. Getting to the single ram slot inside is a right pain; look online for videos for upgrading the ram in the Acer Aspire 533 (which has been out for longer). It appears to have the same construction, but ignore the comments about screws hiding under the rubber feet -- the 522 doesn't have screws under the rubber feet.
Per Microsoft's page on Windows 7 memory limits, if you're keeping the Acer Aspire One 522 with Windows 7 starter, the max ram you can use is 2gb. If you upgrade to any higher version of Windows 7, you should be able to use 4gb max.
With 2gb under the hood, my netbook works great -- even lets it handle some gaming.
While Amazon recommends it and some people have got the right chip to make it work, this is not a good buy when come to adding memory to your Asus 1015PN. I have read that it needs to be a memory chip with 8 chips on it and Amazon tends to send the one with 16 chips on it and this may or may not work with your computer. Then when I went to return it to Amazon they charged me for shipping, even thought they recommended it and I would have got the right one to begin with if I knew there could be a problem. Not worth chancing it. Just go to crucial's website and search for you computer model, then you should have no problems. Still an Amazon fan, but this has soured me a bit. That and the fact that they charged me for over night delivery on this and my netbook, even though they both shipped in the same box. Not a good way to treat a prime member. - Sodimm - Netbook - Ddr3 - Asus'
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Brother Tn360 - recommend, brother
This product worked better than the original factory unit. The printer would spit out a blank sheet every 10 time or so with the original cartridge. It may be coincidental, but that hasn't been a problem since installing this toner cartridge. How long it will last remains to be seen, but I am hopeful it will print at least as long as a Brother brand unit. Very satisfied for under $20. plus shipping. New Compatible Brand Toner (High Yield Version) Replaces Brother TN360 High Yield And Brother TN330 Standard Yield Toner Cartridges
If you want a premium black print laser toner cartridge at a bargain basement price, this is one you should be looking at. I print out hundreds of sheets of paper for my research and am not interested in having to pay hundreds of $ in cartridge costs every few months. Let's face it, the cost of this "generic" cartridge is about a third of the cost of the usual name brand many feel like they have to purchase. The installation is under a minute and, in my case, twenty or so sheets I had backed up in the queue came out. The print was clear, crisp and clean.
PROS:
* Definite savings, approximately 2/3s less than the name brand!
* The print is nicely regulated - no smearing, clean, bright, and legible.
* Manufacture to expiration date is one year (if you are purchasing this cartridge, chances are you are a heavy user and this won't apply).
* Works with the TN360 (360) DCP 7030 / 7040 / HL 2140 / 2150N / 2170W / MFC 7320 / 7440N / 7840W
* It comes in a fully recyclable air-cushioned inner packaging was a big plus in my book. With high humidity in the air at this time of year, the inclusion of a moisture absorbent packet was greatly appreciated.
* Excellent 24 hour customer service (can't go wrong with that!). If you aren't satisfied, they'll make it good.
CONS:
* No installation instructions. It is assumed that you know how to do this. Consulting your printer manual or finding instructions on the Internet is a must if you don't know how to install it.
This is a highly competitively priced product that actually is a great value. The cost of this compatible cartridge is about one third of the cost of a comparable named-brand cartridge purchased from a major office supply store. The delivery time was only a couple of days and was to my front door; I didn't have to drive to the store.
This cartridge was compatible with my Brother printer, but after printing about 20 regular sheets at most my computer now tells me that the print toner cartridge is empty and must be replaced. I took it out and shook it and got a few more sheets out of it, but not much. When I e-mailed the seller they never replied to me. Waste of money.
I bought three of these and despite some of the issues that tend to arise with remanufactured or generic toner I am not seeing any issues.
Very satisfied with the product so far and at an unbelievable price ($17.92 each). I have the light hole on either side of the drum unit covered with black electrical tape so I get as much print out of my cartridges as it will allow before the developer wears out and toner starts dropping to the page causing pages to come out dirty (no early low toner warning). This is maybe only my 3rd high yield toner I have put into my printer which is the Brother MFC7840 wireless multifunction printer and I have had the printer almost 3 years now. 2 cartridges in 3 years is pretty darn good/ lasts forever! Last printer I should ever have to buy! - Recommend - Toner - Toner Cartridge - Brother'
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Disney Princess - bikes, scooter
I bought this for my 4yr old's birthday and it was a hit. She's been riding around in it constantly and can't wait for warmer weather so she can take it to the park. I like how the base is wider than other scooters so it is easy for both her feet to get on it easily and for better balance. The material is very good quality and seems very durable. I think she will be ridign around on it for quite some time...at least until she outgrows it. Even my 17 month old loves going on a ride! Huffy Disney Princess Scooter, Pink/Purple, 6-Inch
i boought the Disney Princess 6inch scooter for my 5 year old daughter for christmas. I thought it would be just fun to have her open something with wheels and she could ride around the house. I didnt expect much fanfare and thought she'll play with it for a while and forget it till the weather breaks in the spring. Well, she loved it..she's been playing with it since christmas, she made a garage for it with cardboard boxes and has become quite adept at riding it inside the house without much incidence. Along with it being fun to ride, its an easy build. the tools came with it, so you don't have to hunt down wrenches from your toolbox. I had it built in 10 minute and wrapped in 5. Its anexcellent product and pretty safe because of the wide base and fairly big wheels. I recommend highly for the active 5 year old.
The Huffy Disney Princess Scooter is a steel- framed scooter designed to help youngsters get used to the scooter concept before they move on to the two- wheeled variety. This warm- up scooter features the immensely popular Disney Princess theme, making it an instant hit with young girls everywhere.
The Huffy Disney Princess Scooter is sold disassembled with the pieces in a small box. Putting everything together isn't too difficult, but the process would be much easier if the instructions were clearer. The instructions don't walk you through the assembly process step by step. Instead, they show you a diagram with the different parts pulled apart from the scooter so that consumers can see what goes on first, second, third, etc. This eventually works, but it would have been much better if the instructions were step- by- step and if the images were larger.
As for the product itself, it offers a large footplate with a no- slip design and it has a very cute appearance that young girls will love. I like the skateboard- size footplate and the sturdy, steel frame. The third wheel is nice because it keeps the scooter steady while kids learn how to ride and maneuver. Parents don't need to worry so much that their little one will fall off- the third wheel helps keep the scooter upright while in use.
The Huffy Disney Princess Scooter has adjustable handlebars, but adjusting the height takes a little bit of work and it is possible that some of the other parts will fall off as you make your adjustment. This is another area where the scooter deserves a small amount of criticism. One example is the flimsy plastic piece that acts as a guard and is placed over the handlebar- adjustment bolt. It doesn't lock into place very well and is easily moved around. Then, there is the adjustment bolt itself. It is somewhat annoying to work with because there is almost no clearance space. The nut and washer that go on the end leave almost no space to thread and tighten the bolt.
The Huffy Disney Princess Scooter is a cute, fun scooter that offers safety while preparing youngsters for the day when they decide to graduate to the two- wheeled variety. It isn't perfect, for the reasons stated above, but it does have many good qualities and my little girl loves it. These positive qualities are reason enough to consider making this purchase for your preschool age child.
So apparently this is a great product for people who have 4 or 5 year old kids who want to get around. We bought it for our 2 year old who is small for her size. She's got great balance and a 3 wheeler is ideal, but her legs are too short, such that when she stands and tries to push it her pushing leg hits the back wheels. Thus it really doesn't do the trick for her. As a result she was really excited about it, but just can't use it. That said she loves the pink colors (as any little girl should).
Construction is what you'd expect from Huffy. Heavy components, no true ball bearings anywhere just plastic bushings. Under constant use would probably last long enough to determine whether you should fork out some more money for a better product.
Assembly is easy. Wrenches are included but can be cumbersome. Takes 7 mins for the skilled to assemble, no more than 30 min for the unskilled, unless they didn't give you the right parts (as somebody else mentioned).
Good Luck
We ordered this as a Christmas gift for our 4 year old, and as the holiday was approaching, i kept reminding my husband to put it together, and not wait till the last minute (just in case)....well, naturally on Christmas eve, he was putting it together, and sure enough, a nut was missing from the box :( doh! Thankfully, he had one in the garage to fit it, as this was a gift from the "big guy" and needed to be under the tree by morning. I know things like this happen, and it turned out to be no big deal...just a heads up to those of you that might wait till the last minute to put it together :)
That aside, it is a wonderful little scooter, cute colors, cute accessories...the tassels and the little pouch (for her treasures) really make the scooter special! i like the wider base for her feet, with the "training" wheel set up for beginners. We live in the mountains, and there are no sidewalks, so we take it to town with us often, and she rides it at Grandmas house (large rooms with wooden floors) and she loves it!
To the woman that said her daughter broke her femur riding this...i am sad to hear this, but curious as to how fast she was going to break a femur bone on this little scooter? Unless you are going down a steep sloped hill, i dont see how you could pick up enough speed on this little gem to do such damage. Never-the-less, our daughter wears long pants and a helmet to be safe...and she Loves it! I think she will get a few good years out of this before graduating up to the 2-wheel version, and im glad we purchased it! - Scooter - Bikes - First Scooter - Princess'
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