Thursday, 11 August 2011
Office Supplies - pencil, mechanical pencil
Sharpie's prodigious marketing team had me thinking that this would write like the best sort of pencil, erase well, and become indelible in a day or two. It sounded like the perfect thing for doing crossword puzzles; even my favorite brand of number 2 pencil tends to be hard to see on newsprint, and while ink is fine it isn't when you've made a mistake. With this Sharpie pencil, when you start to write you get one of those annoying sticky dots on your page that crummy ballpoints will also give you. In addition, the flow is uneven, so writing is annoying rather than pleasurable. A great idea in need of some serious tweaking. Sharpie Liquid Mechanical Pencil, 1 Mechanical Pencil (1770243)
I was very excited to buy and receive this. The prospect sounded amazing, especially that it went "down smooth like a pen."
How wrong they were.
The flow is terribly uneven and splotchy. It feels like a chore to write with this, despite its touted 'advanced' features.
The idea is a solid one, but this isn't the right execution.
Don't waste your money on it. I regret buying several because, hell, I can't even use one to write the rest's RMA's.
is it a pen? Is it a pencil? It's neither, and it's not good at either function.
I had high hopes for this, since I'm a big fan of pencils over pens. In practice, this utensil is not a suitable replacement for a pencil. It is impossible to leave a mark without a heavy hand, and this leads to hand fatigue very quickly. When it is writing, it skips quite often, leaving gaps in the line. If you write with a small, neat hand as I do, you will find that the gaps left by this instrument can render portions of your writing illegible.
I respect the Sharpie brand name, and I really wanted to like this, unfortunately, I can not recommend this. It gets two stars instead of one because it works better if you're willing to press down hard, and it does erase very cleanly.
If Sharpie can improve the flow of the liquid graphite so that it does not require brute force to leave a consistent line, this would be a much better product.
After extensive testing I have determined that Sharpie has duped all those nerds out there that were eager to try out their new liquid graphite mechanical pencil, me included. It writes as smooth as sandpaper, and leaves chunks of debris when you first lay pencil to paper. It is the perfect storm of poor design. It is absolutely aggravating to even attempt using this as a writing tool. It does however make a decent weapon, if you're feeling stabby. Which you will be after using this product.
The ink/lead flow is not consistent enough to respond to [my] normal writing speed. If you've got time to make measured, deliberate marks (and don't mind seeing a little ghosting between the time the pencil hits the page and the lead gets completely flowing) then you're mostly likely not going to have a problem with this. Art, Engineering, Math and Computer Science majors aren't going to like this at all.
On the plus side, the lead erases as cleanly as that from my mechanical pencil.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone I know.
I was very excited by the promise of a new type of pencil that would have some type of magical (sent from space) liquid graphite that would give me all the things I love about pencils, but also the permanent nature of a pen. I quickly ordered 3. One for me, two as gifts.
They arrived today and were cracked open immediately. Turns out, we were duped.
This is not a liquid pencil. It's one of those lame erasable pens just using a fancy name. Guess what? That "technology" sucked a few years ago and has not improved. Don't waste your money on this. It's not only a bad pencil (there's actually nothing pencil-y about it except crummy erasing), it's also a pretty worthless pen. This was agreed on by all 3 of us.
Save your money. Don't give in to curiosity.
I am an avid fan of mechanical pencils. However, the retractable/covered tip convenience/security of many pens is a significant benefit. Of course, they're still pens--so they still make exclusively permanent marks.
Upon hearing about these on NPR, I pre-ordered two from Amazon. "Of course I'll want two, they have the (temporary) impermanence of a pencil, with the convenience of a pen! I'll have the best of both worlds!" How wrong I was.
The packaging was average--you have to rip the backing to pieces to get to the contents.
The clicking retractable-tip action was loose, without feeling like it would fall apart. Could be a positive or negative, depending on your preference.
I thought it was odd that three replacement erasers were included. Thirty seconds of testing showed me why. The eraser is consumed to a somewhat high degree with use. Erasing only a few words written swiftly on the outside of an envelope used a noticeable amount of eraser.
The biggest problem is in its main "asset." It does not write well. I have a fairly light touch with a pencil or pen. When possible, I like to use B or 2B darkness pencils for normal use. Most mechanical pencils, even with HB graphite sticks, still do a great job because of their increased precision, i.e., their small writing tip. (I was recently gifted a 0.3mm mechanical pencil--Alvin Draft-Line Mechanical Pencil - 0.3 mm, Draft-Line Mechanical Pencil--and it is a dream!) Unfortunately, this pencil writes more poorly than the pens chained to desks at banks.
* You must write with moderate pressure. Use too little and it doesn't write. Use too much and it doesn't write.
* Lines are broken as your pressure varies from the "sweet spot."
* It makes "clumps" on the page. Ever write with a cheap ballpoint pen and have it, for no apparent reason, lay a glob of ink/goo at the initiation or termination of an otherwise smooth stroke? This pencil does that.
* As a result of the very-specific amount of pressure required, there is no chance of using this pencil for any form of drawing/sketching which requires a variety of stroke darkness.
* The worst problem, only publicized a few hours ago by Engadget ([...]), is that the main "feature" of the pencil, its dries-like-a-pen markings, do not work as advertised.
I am truly disappointed.
"Liquid Mechanical Pencil, you are a pox on the brand of Sharpie. Be gone!" - Office Supplies - Pencil - Mechanical Pencil - School Supplies'
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Wireless Alarm - range extender, repeater
For a 2-bedroom apartment, may not need this GE45138 repeater. However, for any size beyond this or for multiple levels, you will definitely need to place perhaps multiple Signal Repeaters between essentially all >25ft. 3V cell sensors (i.e., garage and window/door sensors), along with the 9V battery motion sensors, if those placed more than 50-ft away from any GE Control Center. Each repeater takes up ½ of an AC duplex outlet, but includes a test button with LED indicator. If you have a choice, I suggest placing these repeaters closer to the sensors vs. midway between sensor and any controller...as you're essentially 120VAC boosting the weak 3VDC sensor cell transmission.
And these repeaters are not just plug-&-play, either: i.e., just by tilting the antennae 60 degrees vs. 90 degrees will often make the difference between bypassing interior wall wooden studs or fire-blocking to make this repeater boost sensors reliably 24-hrs. a day. If you're a "technoid", like me, and don't mind playing with your system---no problem. Conversely, if you're easily frustrated, you should probably avoid this GE Choice Alert system entirely, and just spend about $75/month for a professionally installed hard-wired service. But professional systems false-alarms occasionally too. Plus, then you will usually need to also spend $148/yr. just for a city alarm permit, plus likely get $75.00 city citations per more than 2 false-alarms per month.
My overall advice for technoids is to purchase multiple GE45142 controllers + GE45137 as a basis for designing your own "silent-alert" (with non GE phone dialer) vs. "audible-alarm" system and get creative, remembering that the 3VDC cell sensors will not have the radio-transmission range as compared to 12VDC equivalent Skylink sensors. But GE system generally much cheaper, plus GE's Controllers and ordinary 9V motion-detectors work great! Just remember, you'll have the flexibility of multiple and movable control centers as its primary advantage (vs. hardwired). Additionally, while the system sets up in minutes, you'll probably spend hours tweaking it over time. But that's the fun part! GE 45138 Choice-Alert Wireless Signal Repeater
The Garage sensors GE 45130 signal didnot reach GE 45138 control center beyond 50 ft across the stucco wall. The repeater which I installed in the garage close to the sensors have solved that problem. I had to call support line which was picked up after long wait. The tech person was knowledgeable and helpful.
Overall range of the wireless alarm system is marginal at best. I started out without the extender. Sensors are in my garage and receiver is about 40 foot away inside the house. Did not work at all without the extender. With it the alarms work about 50% of the time. System is ok if you are just looking for an indication that a door is open. If you realty need a reliable alarm system this may not be the best choice. - Range Extender - Wireless Alarm - Repeater - Wireless'
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Dual Alarm Clock - projection clock, atomic
I had to laugh at some of the remarks by others. It has a warranty so use it! I've had mine for 2 years and works perfect everyday. Plug it in and stand back it does the rest. If I recall you do have to set your time zone. There is the dual alarm feature and the radio to setup to your liking but the very best thing is the "projection time" for me (my wife likes it too). I have never needed an alarm - I just wake up when I should and it so nice to be able to just look up and see the time on the ceiling. The alarm does work because my wife uses it. The large RED time on the face is easily seen in the daytime or night. I came online to order 3 more for each offspring. For the sound experts out there, the radio works but is in no way a Bose unit. It does the job intended (for me) perfectly. I mean really, what do you want for around $25.00? We have had the power go out a half a dozen times and it is right back to the correct time when power is restored. The really cool thing is that should you need to move or unplug the clock it does all the resetting for you. A very satisfied customer. :-) Emerson CKS3528 SmartSet Dual Alarm Clock Radio with Jumbo 1.3-Inch LED Display and Time Projector (Silver)
I was looking for an inexpensive clock with big numbers and easy setup time. This clock exceeded my expectations. All I had to do was plug it in and it automatically set the time and date in less than 5 seconds! I couldn't ask for an easier setup process.
The projected time cannot be seen very well during the day but what can you expect. I would take a lot of power to project the time bright enough during the day ... on the other hand it works great at night.
I don't use the radio much so I don't have much to say about the radio.
Lastly and most importantly ... cannot be the price for what I got!
I loved this clock for about the first three months that I had it, then the auto set feature broke, or something with the power supply broke, or something with the receiver broke . . . well, something broke. It now auto sets itself to 12 am on Tues, Jan 1, 2007 every morning at 8 am - it's currently October 2009. Nothing was changed or moved, it just stopped working. It was too cheap to justify paying shipping to have it repaired, so I've decided to trash it and buy a new alarm clock. That said, I loved the features and everything worked wonderfully . . . for about 3 months.
I love this clock!! I live in an area where we loose our power often. The clock resets itself to the correct time without worry. The projection is not too bright (I'm a light sleeper and even the dimmest light bothers me). I love having 2 alarms on it which can be set for Monday - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or both. I can't say anything negitive about this clock. It works great for us.
I fisrt came across this clock at my friends house. Due to the fact that I seem to be waking up at all times at night,twisting and turning to see what time it is. Now with this I look up on the ceiling and there the time. I don't even have to get off my pillow. With the three differant color display available, (RED GREEN BLUE) it also makes a great nightlight. After I bought this alarm. I saw it in a store for around eighty dollars, so it was even a better deal now. The internet is good.
This alarm clock is by far the best alarm clock I've ever purchased. The jumbo LED display is easily seen from anywhere in the room. It has a projection feature that allows me to see the time without rolling over, and can be any of 3 colors. The lighting isn't so bright it keeps me awake. The dual alarm is great for mine and my husband's different work schedules. It is super easy to push the snooze button without worrying about turning the alarm off accidently. And it's easy to turn the alarm off once I decide to finally get up. It allows us to set the alarm for work Monday-Friday and not worry about setting it again, as it won't go off over the weekend. (You can choose everyday, weekdays only, or weekends only for the alarm.) The snooze goes off every 9 minutes until you turn the alarm off. It has a radio and buzzer alarm. But the best thing to me is that it is so easy to set, you can set it in the dark. My last alarm clock was so complicated I had to get out the instructions every time I needed to reset the time. After searching the internet for hours looking for a new alarm clock that would meet all my needs, with trepidation, I decided to get a talking clock that was going to cost me a little less that $100. I went to Target and found the Emerson SmartSet 3528 on clearance instead and bought it. Needless to say, it is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I've had this clock for several months and have no complaints. It is wonderful!! I highly recommend it!
I first got this clock almost a year ago, not quite. When I first got it, it was great..especially the projection feature. It's really convenient to just look up and see the time. The automatic programming for the time/date/etc is really nice as well.The review would be all positive up until about two to three weeks ago, the numbers on the projector weren't all showing up. The first two were, but the last one was missing. I noticed it was primarily on the '1's and '0's..then the numbers were all messed up about a week later. For instance '2:98 pm'??? At this point the display on the front was still fine. Eventually, the projection of the time just would go out altogether...and come back(still with the time messed up). It also looked like the numbers were fading out. Then in the past few days, the display on the front of the clock is going out randomly, but would reset. Today, it went out the entire day and came back a bit ago. I don't know about anyone else, but if you have to be somewhere and it goes out so the alarm isn't able to go off...it is not worth the bother. Just to hope yours doesn't give out like others. I would say don't waste your money and buy something that you will get 5-10 years out of. Not less than 1.
"Amazing at first...let down in the end." - Projection Clock - Dual Alarm Clock - Atomic - Alarm Clock'
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Camera Case - camera case, case logic
I don't have much basis to compare this bag, but I think it's great.
I'm going for a 3 week trip so I was looking for a small DSLR bag that was easy to carry around as a tourist, and spacious enough so I could fit more stuff (passport, book/kindle/ipad, snacks, ipod/iphone, point&shoot, etc.).
I did not find anything in between sling and backpack, something that could give me the flexibility I mentioned before... except for this! I can fit my DSLR (D3100)w 18-55 lens, and an extra 55-200 lens comfortably (maybe another one a bit tight); I can also attach a small tripod on the side, very handy. The front space is spacious enough for a book/kindle/ipad. The top compartment is spacious enough to fit two coke cans (I will use it for my point&shoot, small bottle of water, keys and snacks).
Don't know why it's such a low-profile bag; it doesn't have many reviews and it's hard to find at a retail store, but I fully recommend it.
One thing that has been said in other reviews is that the way to wear it is not clear. Both video reviewers I've seen have worn it wrong (there really must be something wrong with the instructions). Just for some help, these are other sling bags' demonstrations for you to see how to use it properly:
[...]
PS. Won't fit a 13" computer at all, just in case someone is wondering Case Logic DCB-308 SLR Camera Sling (Black)
This is my 4th sling camera bag in last one year and I think this one will stay long. I wanted to fit in a Nikon D60 with 18-105mm, a 70-300mm, a Metz Flash, filters and charger.
About a year back I had got a Sumdex SLR Camera Sling Pack. The bag looked promising. The build looked good, but after using it over a month on 3 trips outside the shoulder strap stitching started giving away.
I then started to look into Kata as one of my friend had a Kata bag pack. I settled in for a Kata 123-GO-20 Sling Backpack (Black). It was the very well build, but had a design problem. The cross shoulder padding was not long enough and when I swung the bag to remove the camera the nylon strap cut around the neck.
Then I got myself a Caselogic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling (Black). It was one of the best and stayed with me for little over 8 months. The only problem was I was not able to carry my 70-300 and flash together. I always left my flash at home.
Then recently saw the Case Logic DCB-308. And since I wanted to get a 35mm prime lens, I knew I needed a bigger bag. My Nikon D60 with 18-105 and 70-300 and the flash fit in the main compartment. The smaller compartment holds my charger, 2 Filters and the remote trigger. I yet have to get my 35mm prime lens and I am sure I will be able to fit it in this one.
The bag build quality is very good. There is an option to re-arrange the bright red internal paddings. There is a front pocket to keep a 7" to 10" tablet. One side can store my tripod too. This bag is definitely a keeper. - Camera Bag - Camera Case - Case Logic - Camera Backpack'
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Refrigerator Water Filters - water filter for refrigerator, refrigerator water filters
I purchased 2 Whirlpool 4396701 refrigerator water
filters on line from Amazon.com a few weeks back.
I am very satisfied with the availability of this
filter required by my Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator.
I searched the internet and shopped around local
stores like Lowe's and Sears and found none that
could match the low price. The free shipping on
this item sealed the deal for me. Amazon.com has
not disappointed me with all purchases I have made
through them.
Keep up the good work, Amazon.com.
Retired Senior
After much research for a replacement Kenmore 46-9915 Refrigerator Water Filter at a more reasonable price (Kenmore cost, approx. $40), I found out that Whirlpool KitchenAid 4396701 Refrigerator Filter replaces Kenmore 46-9915 Refrigerator Water Filter and other Whirlpool filters. These filters reduce cholrine taste and odor, particulate class III, lead, mercury, benzene, p-dichlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, etheyl benzene, toxaphene, and 1,2,4-trichorobenzene. Easy to replace, just push and turn. Price on Amazon for the Whirlpool 4396701 was [...] (1 pack) with free super saver shipping.
This was/is the standard as labeled water filter. Cheaper for us than buying them at Sears (at the time at least) and enjoyed the Amazon Prime free home delivery. No issues, no complaints. AFAIK, there aren't any other options for this part other than buying THIS part -- it's just matter of quantity -- so there's not really any choices except based on price.
I couldn't force myself to keep paying Sears $50 for filters, so I looked up the model number and found this cartridge as a replacement. Since many Sears refrigerators are made by other companies, their filters will also work. This purchase saved me several dollars and has the exact same specs as buying it at the local department store. It pays to do some research to cross-reference model and part numbers. It saves you lots of money and you get the exact same quality.
This filter works great - I do wish there was a cheaper "generic" filter that would fit all the refrigerators - wishful thinking. But I don't blame the manufacturer for trying to make money on them. I am happy to get it more cheaply from Amazon sellers than directly from the manufacturer.
According to the manufacturer of refrigerators using water filters, they should be replaced every six months. This is a name brand and it is brand new. Amazon.com is selling this at a price that beats any that I have found. Choosing this one is a "no-brainer". - Refrigerator Accessories - Water Filter - Refrigerator Water Filters - Water Filter For Refrigerator'
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Garmin Nuvi - garmin nuvi, gps mount
The mount is short enough and rigid enough to hold the gps without any problems. The mount locks on positively and is light too.
On the down side the old mounts used to include the electrical connection, and the catch was easier to operate single handed. But that's because Garmin is making cheaper hardware now, so it's not a fault of the mount. But still, it could be better, so only the four stars. Garmin 010-11375-00 Suction Cup Mount for Nuvi 1490T
I purchased three of these Mounts. They work somewhat. Even on a clean windshield, and with a clean suction cup, it has been necessary to apply some liquid of sorts (spit, water, etc.) so that the mount will have enough suction to stick to the windshield. The mount will often fail and the mount and the Garmin will come crashing down to the dash (depending on where mounted) and possibly dangle creating an annoying distraction while driving. To get sufficient suction to attach the mount, a tremendous amount of pressure must be applied before the lever is set. Another point for consideration is that a person may not be able to get the leverage needed to apply pressure while holding the mount in place and then engaging the lever. On one of the mounts the socket fitting's metal spacer for holding the ball joint had to be physically beat into place so the ball joint would stay in the socket. During a two week trek the lever on one of the mounts remained engaged for several days while off the windshield. This created a pocket in the suction cup that did not return to is normal flat state. The work around was to release the lever and set the unit in a warm place (sun) for a few hours. This let the suction cup return to almost its normal flat state so the suction cup would work when the lever was set. That being written, once the mounts were successfully affixed to the windshield they worked great. If I can find another mount that will allow the Garmin to be easily seen and not block my view, I think I might try it.
Original one works great on dash. This one is for a second vehicle. Suction feature requires the included mount plate which is "glued" to the dash. Some dashes aren't smooth enough and/or firm enough for the suction feature to work without the plate. - Mount - Gps Mount - Garmin Nuvi'
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Holster Case Htc Inspire - belt case, holster case htc inspire
The Good news is that it seems to be a well made little case and the design is close to working. AND, bless Amazon.com's heart ... they made it right and made me not regret my purchase as much. So, I'm still a loyal Amazon customer because of that at least.
The BAD news is that it is going to gather dust because it is WAY too tight a fit for my HTC Inspire 4G naked, never mind trying it with any kind of protective case! In fact, I thought I was going to break my phone trying to get it back out of the case and thought I was going to have to take the scissors or knife or something to it to get it out! Folks, this just won't work with your HTC Inspire 4G -- the case needs to be a tad larger to easily slip in and out, maybe more than a tad since most of us will put a protective cover on our phones. Maybe if it accordion-ed out so you could easily remove because even if the phone was smaller, it'd still be a challenge to get your fingers down into and I'm a regular size guy.
So, still looking for a case that works for my HTC Inspire 4G as its larger size can become uncomfortable in some pockets. Premium Executive Black Horizontal Leather Carrying Pouch Case for HTC Inspire 4G
This is a quality case that I can fit my HTC Inspire in... Even with the rubber skin on. Tight fit but I know when I take it out,if I drop it the rubber will protect phone. What is really nice is you not only have the slide clip over belt but you caan also slide your belt through it for extram protection. Great product. I ordered one but they sent two by accident. Mosy likely my fault. They said I could return the other.
I needed a "holster" type case for my ATT Inspire. I could not find any that I liked in any store, but this one on Amazon looked like it was exactly what I wanted. And it is! I holds the phone tightly and securely.
The only problem I had was the clip-on connection. It did not hold securely, so I am using the belt loops.
Richard Threlkeld
An excellent case; exceptionally secure. I use a cover, and it is just a little snug yet, but, in my experience, cases loosen with time as this one seems to be doing already. It is attractive and well constructed.
The case is nicely made and feels good to the touch. It stays securely on your belt and isn't bulky. The only drawback to it is, if you put a case on your phone it becomes thicker thus making it harder to put into the carrying pouch. You can get it in but it's really tight, you really have to push the phone all the way in or the lid won't close properly.
After seeing what similar cases cost locally, I decided to give this a try. For what I paid, I wasn't expecting much, but I was very surprised to find that this case is a well made case. It's got a firm magnet latch, and actual belt loops in addition to just the clip. Without a rubber skin, my phone fit well into the case, so I was worried that it would be too snug with the rubber skin, but after a day of use, the case loosened up enough to let me slide the phone (with rubber skin) in and out without issue. I couldn't be happier with this case, especially considering how inexpensive it is.
Nice black leather pouch with belt (or pocket)clip and 2 loops to wear on the belt itself. Magnetic flap closure works well. Looks classy, leather is neither too stiff or too soft. Take the package deal, with the car charger and the screen saver sheets - good price and shippers got it out reasonably quickly.
Quick delivery. Phone fits well without an attached case. Haven't tried with an attached case yet, but looks like there's enough room.
The built quality of this pouch looks decent. Likely to last throughout the life of the phone. - Htc Inspire 4g - Holster Case Htc Inspire - V-shield - Belt Case'
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Docking Station - portable digital tv, tivax
Just received my Tivax RiRex7 7 Inch Digital TV from Amazon yesterday, and I am delighted with this purchase!
I was looking for just the right portable digital TV to have on hand during our hurricane season in Florida.
This was the only portable TV that I found that in addition to the rechargable Li-on batteries, also uses regular alkaline batteries. When the electricity goes out, having an alternative to rechargable batteries is a must! With the supplied antenna, and using battery power, I was able to pick up 17 digital channels! The color and picture quality are better than I anticipated. For the many features that this Tivax portable TV offers, it is a great value for the money, and well worth waiting for. The only thing missing is the "docking station" that houses the alternative alkaline batteries. Hopefully, Amazon will be offering this soon! Tivax HiRez7 Portable 7-Inch Digital Widescreen TV
PROS: 1) One more, low-tier, portable TV on the market that one can chose from. 2) Setup allows for image Rotation. This means that the TV can be viewed (I tried it) even if it is turned up-side-down but I am not sure as to when this functionality can be used! 3) The color system includes PAL (analog reception in Europe), helpful to take along if you travel to that continent.
CONS: This product was rushed to market. 1) It has two buttons: Setup (Bright, Contrast, Color, Rotation, Color System, Aspect) and Menu (Auto Search, CH Setup, CC Setup, EAS, Parental Control, System Setup, Program List, EPG, Audio and Mute) that should have been combined into a SINGLE Navigation button. As it is now, the hardware, firmware and programming are confusing. The CH+, CH-, VOL+ and VOL- buttons besides changing channels and sound volume, are also used for navigation in submenus of the Setup and Menu buttons. They are also noisy, hard to push and must be press 3-4 times in order to advance to the next menu or function. They are ergonomically in the wrong places that logically make no sense.
2) Because of the bad navigation design and low quality components, the unit has a dedicated "Exit" button to get out of the submenus so that the buttons CH+, CH-, VOL+ and VOL- can be used for channel selection and volume change otherwise they will not function. As a result, some users have problems with the operation and have express their frustration, see other reviews, saying that the owner's manual is worthless. The design of this product is poor and should not have been rushed to market.
3) This TV includes two batteries of different sizes and both are required in order to operate when not connected to AC (house) or DC (car) current. The brochures are misleading and one was left to believe that the TV came with two batteries of which one was spare. Since the batteries are different sizes, there is not way of inserting them into the TV the wrong way (they are fool proof). Apparently, from what I have seen in some reviews here, this has created confusion and frustration to some non-technical buyers.
4) Antenna connection is somehow non-standard. You will need some kind of adopter to connect a better antenna for better reception... Reception is similar to most other TVs and worked fine in Houston. Do not complain if the reception is not as good as your old TV, the digital monster is more demanding, you will need a better antenna.
OTHER: There is a single LED at the front: Red - batteries are charging, Green- batteries are charged. The LED is off when operating on batteries. If the batteries need replacement you will need to purchase two instead of one and will be more expensive and harder to find. Operation under fully charged batteries was 110 minutes.
MISC. I ordered this TV long time ago and like some others, I was notified by Amazon of the shipping delays and had the option to cancel. I did not cancel and the order was to be cancelled automatically on Thursday, August 13, 2009. Guess what! Amazon shipped it at 11:59 PM, a few seconds to a minute before expiration! What a game, Amazon did not want to miss a sale! Any way, because of the so many issues with this TV, I returned it immediately. (Note: You can purchase a TV with better ratings and if the AC (house) or DC (car) current is not available, in emergencies you can still operate it by connecting to an external power pack. Several power packs are sold here at Amazon, some have enough capacity to even operate medical equipment such as CPAP).
Added 6 Sept. 2009: See Comments for power pack options. Includes instructions how to build your own power pack with alkaline (6V lantern) batteries for just a few dollars. It will operate this and other similar 12V DC rated TVs in emergencies.
This purchase was a total waste of good money. As one reviewer noted, it has the worst instruction manual I have ever seen. It does not even mention the operation of, or how to insert the re-chargable batteries. They don't tell you when you buy it that you can't use regular alkaline batteries unless you have the docking station. The docking station doesn't even go on sale until November. I too live in Florida, and was counting on this TV to use with regular batteries when the power goes out. So much for this hurricane season. I also had to place it in about 5 different spots before it picked up any channels. I was extremely disappointed with this TV and would not recomend it. - Tivax - Portable Tv - Docking Station - Portable Digital Tv'
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Wireless Headphones - bluetooth, wireless headphones
I bought these in an international terminal in the Atlanta airport. They worked perfectly for the flight and for about 2 days when I landed. The VERY first time I took them to the gym with me to work out they stopped working and haven't worked since then. I didn't drop them or jerk them around in any manner that might cause a short. The only thing I could think of was sweat getting inside them but seriously, the WHOLE reason for me buying wireless headphones was for gym purposes.
I've tried to call altec lansing every day for the past 4 days now and I keep getting an answering machine every single time. Not even an automated menu just some lady saying "we're unavailable please leave a message". I leave a message every time I call and still haven't gotten any correspondence at all with them. I tried their website but for some reason I can't get past the "Select your Region" screen because there are no regions to select!
I loved this product the first 2 days I had it. Now I am very upset and out $150 with no one in customer service to help me out.
In my top 5 of worst purchases ever. Plantronics BackBeat 906 Stereo Bluetooth Headphones Set [Retail Packaging]
I use the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 on-ear headphones for casual listening, but for running and gym usage, the BackBeat 906's are AMAZING. I recently bought the Nike+ running sensor to go with my iPhone 3GS, and tried running with standard sports headphones. Given that I didn't have an armband for the iPhone, and the wires from my sports headphones were tucked through my shirt, it was really aggravating to run 5 miles with the wires rubbing me and flopping around.
I found the BackBeat 906/R on Amazon for [...] less than at Apple.com, and the reviews really helped make my decision to purchase it, so here's my giveback. I've listed out the PROs and CONs below:
PROs
* Opened the packaging, charged for an hour, held the power button for a few seconds to enable pairing mode, and my iPhone 3GS immediately paired WITHOUT needing the dongle, and no passcode required - AWESOME
* Telescoping and rotating ear pieces with rubber ear canal shaped molds made for customizable comfortable fit - and they are so light I forget that they're on
* Streaming music from iPhone had no lag time whatsoever, and I walked all the way across the house through two rooms before losing connection
* Music and phone controls are great - one click on left ear answers and hangs up, two clicks on left ear redials. One click on right ear pauses / unpauses music and turns on external mics, which slightly amplifies external sounds, hold right ear button for two seconds to enable / disable bass boom. Volume control extends down from right ear and simple push forward or back turns volume up / down.
* Phone calls are in stereo! I've only made a few phone calls, but callers say that they can hear me fine, and it is really nice hearing conversation in both ears. I am on the road a lot for work, and having both ears plugged really reduces car noise and makes conference calls a lot easier to hear (Plantronics noise reduction seems OK, better than standard bluetooth headset without it, but probably not as good as Jawbone).
* After running 5 miles last night, the headphones never lost connection to my iPhone, never skipped once, never came off my ears although I was dripping with sweat, sounded great, and I could hardly tell they were there (I also bought the Imation XtremeMac SportWrap armband for iPhone 3GS from Amazon for $24.95 and highly recommend it too)
* The included dongle will be great for plugging into the TV in the bedroom for late night watching while my wife is trying to sleep
CONS
* Track forwarding / reversing doesn't work on iPhone. This is a limitation of bluetooth functionality on iPhone OS 3.0. Apple is adding support for this feature in OS 3.1 later this year
* No voice dialing / call initiating from headphones on iPhone. Again, this is a limitation of iPhone OS 3.0, and Apple is adding this support in OS 3.1, so I expect both of these great features to begin working on the headphones after the OS update
* That's it! I have only had the headphones for two days, and there are a few reviews that said they stopped working after 3-5 charges, but I have not had them long enough to comment on that. They work great so far.
I forgot to turn them off last night, and they were still connected to my iPhone this morning, having been on standby for over 15 hours now. Battery life is claimed to be 7 hours of play time, and that is probably fairly accurate. [...] and they really sound great comparatively - especially when you factor in not having to deal with wires ever again! I'm ordering my wife a set now that I've tested them out - I love Amazon Prime - I'll have them tomorrow!
I've owned several high-end bluetooth stereo headsets and these Altec Lansing simply put are far and away the best of the lot.
Pros: 1) Sound 2) Battery Life 3) Fit 4) Controls;
1) Sound, sound, sound! I've had other headphones with better specs on paper (higher db rating which usually translates to better and/or louder sound) but the Altec Lansing are loud! Loud enough that I NEVER have them at full volume. I used to turn my Jaybirds up all the way and still find them not loud enough on about half of my mp3 library. The Altec Lansing have a lower db rating but in the real world the volume is unbelievable. Volume without quality is basically worthless. Not only are these headphones loud, they are also crystal clear. The bass boost enhances some music but not all. Overall the sound quality is in keeping with the Altec Lansing name. That is to say outstanding.
2) Battery life. My Jaybird headset would last 4-5 hours no matter how I used it. That was one reason after getting and liking the Jaybirds I kept looking for a better headset. These Altec Lansing are rated at 7 hours continuous for music and/or talk, HOWEVER, (and this is a big however) they get repeatedly 10-13 hours depending on how I use them! No matter how I've used my former stereo bluetooth headsets (including Jaybird, JVC and Blue Ant) I could never got more than 5 hours use out of any of them. The Altec Lansing have NEVER gone for less than about 8 hours continuous and usually are good for 10-12 hours! Simply amazing! I attribute this to volume levels. It must be 7 hours continuous at max volume, with lower volumes rendering longer battery life. Again, these headphones are so loud that I never max out the volume and in many situations I'm somewhere in the lower to mid volume range for extended use, thus, giving me amazing battery life. I'm tempted to wear my Altec Lansing to work as my primary bluetooth because they work so well.
3) Fit. This is a tricky one. My previous favorites were my Jaybird JB200s, but in addition to insufficient battery life, fit was an ongoing issue. (In fairness to Jaybird, fit is very personal and I'm sure for some the Jaybirds fit well. For me, I was constantly fussing with mine while they popped out often or I'd just leave them out after getting tired of messing around with them.) The Altec Lansing at first feel like they're not in properly, however, that is apparently part of their "open air" design. They rest nicely on your ears/head and don't come off even with a vigorous headshake. The reason they don't feel like they're on is the earbud design is NOT an INNER EAR bud but and outer ear bud. The bud sits outside the ear canal leaving you exposed not only to the music but to ambient environment sounds as well. Once you get used to this design and fit concept its super comfortable and secure. I forget I have them on all the time. Not only does the music sound great at all levels, you can also engage in conversations with people around you while wearing them and listening to music. It's actually quite amazing. The music sounds so good it's almost as if the music is being piped in over some quality loud speakers in every room you enter while you're free to converse with anyone and everyone around you. The only aspect of the fit that I found difficult was the beefy behind the neck band connecting the two earpieces. It is so beefy and oversized that when it hit my collar or I laid down, it would knock the headphones out of my ear. I remedied this by twisting the band into a phone cord type coil behind my neck. Once the band held the memory of the phone cord-like coil the problem was solved. Not only did this solve the neckband problem , but it actually made the headphones fit superbly while also making them less noticeable while wearing. (The do-it-yourself phone cord coil fix may void the warranty so do this at your own risk. Being the uber-geek that I am, I'm willing to risk breaking something if it holds any promise of making it better.)
4) Controls. The controls of the Altec Lansing are simply outstanding. They work so well and have so many features at your fingertips that your head becomes a walking remote for bluetooth calls and stereo mp3 playback. You can take calls, end calls, mute calls, ignore calls, adjust volume, fast-forward, rewind, pause, play, standby, bass boost and even battery life check your way into oblivion with this headset. The controls are well laid out and perfectly balanced so as to flawlessly execute all of the functions with little to no effort. Listen to music loud and never miss a call. Listen to music at mid to low levels while carrying on a conversation with those around you and never miss a call. And so on.
Cons: 1) Fit;
1) Fit. (I know I just listed this a "pro." So obviously it's both.) Fit takes some getting used to. The beefy behind the neck band is a little on the long side, and a little on the thick side. This makes for a fit that mimics the Motorola S9 behind the neck band vs. the stealthy behind the neck "wire" of the Jaybird JB200. If I wore a t-shirt at the gym the beefy neckband wasn't a problem. If I had any shirt with a collar or wanted to lay down while using the Altec Lansing, the neckband got in the way. Once I got the idea that a phone cord-like coil setup might take up some slack and get the neckband closer to my head and off of my collar the problem was solved. I now have a custom Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 with coiled (DIY) behind the neck neckband that hugs my head vs. hitting my collar. It took a while to coil the neckband in such a way as to create some memory in the coil, but it was well worth it. It fits more snugly on my head, is less noticeable wearing and never ever gets in the way of a shirt collar or pillow. (Be careful if you try the DIY memory coil as it clearly could cause a short in the wiring if not done right or done carefully.) All things considered, this "con" is no longer a problem.
Summary: The Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 is an absolutely amazing mix of sound performance with "sound" design. I've stopped scouring the internet for the perfetct stereo bluetooth headset. This one is darn near perfect and the pros seriously outweigh the minor cons (especially compared to other bluetooth headsets). - Bluetooth - 906 - Wireless Headphones - Altec Lansing'
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Garmin Mount - gps mount, garmin mount
The Suction cup mount kept falling off the windshield so I was looking for a new mount. I ordered this unit and have been very pleased with the results. It easily slided over the louvers on the A/C outlet and securely holds the GPS unit. Its only down fall, and its not the fault of the mount, is that it ads weight to the louvers and pulls them down so you can't aim the louver up to direct the air up and away from you. It was designed to be used on horizitional(?) louvers but it will also work on vertical units as well. I hace bought two additional holders for my other cars. IG-A05: i.Trek Garmin Nuvi Vent Mount II (Clip Locking)
Like the older IG-A03 this clip can be expanded with a bike reflector bracket around the front socket to mount atop the dash reliably, out of the airflow. See the review on the IG-A03. For that possibility I rate it the best. The only problem might be the length of the clips some reported too short for some cars when limited to 3/4". If this one is also too short and some of the other "clothespin" types work on wider slats, the pins might be transferable to this one, as they are separated parts looking very similar.
This clip uses a pressure grip on the slats without the prominent hook behind the slat on the spring-loaded IG-A03. This allows it to be used on longer slats, round slats and vertical slats supposedly better. For horizontal slats which fit I'd prefer the A03, maybe even vertical ones up to 3/4". Best examine the application carefully before selecting.
This works well for what it is supposed to do. I have circular vents in my '10 Honda Pilot and it hasn't been unstable yet. Keeps it in a less conspicuous location and wires aren't all over my dash. Only downside is that yes, it blocks the air from that vent very effectively.
This little plastic clip fits in the vent of my Murano, and solves the problem of where to attach my Garmin Nuvi other than the windshield with a wire hanging down. The price was right, and it holds the GPS securely. That's all I was looking for, and it filled that need. It came USPS quickly, and works as advertised.
Five stars.
If the louvers on your car vents are thicker than most, the clips will not open wide enough for it to attach. I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix and the clip actually broke off trying to slide it on. The broken piece of the clip will forever be a part of the car as it fell inside the vent. Buyer beware....this will not fit all vehicles...especially ones with larger than usual vent louvers.
I love this vent mount. Works great. I preffer it instead of the windshield cup because I can remove my gps faster and I can reach it more easy. It shakes a little when the road is bumpy but tha's not a big deal. I recommend it.
I bought this vent mount as well as another model. I like this one better. The clips fit snugger on the vents, but when I want to remove the mount this one is easier to remove. The mount ball can be positioned at a angle to suit your GPS receiver placement, and the ball can then be locked into position.
I hate a GPS mounted on the windshield and I have been trying different types of vent mounts for my Pontiac Grand Prix for quite a while. Most vent mounts are either too short for the vent or don't have good grip. This unit is perfect. It holds my Garmin 855 tight without having to create extra support of it. - Garmin Mount - Gps Mount - Garmin Nuvi - Gps Vent Mount'
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Travel Converter - transformer, power converter
Be very careful when approaching the load limit (200 watts) of this transformer/converter. After roughly two hours with an 181-watt (1.51 amp) load, one of my transformers overheated, melted, allowed a full 230 volt output surge for several seconds, and then blew the circuit breaker in my house. The unit remained extremely hot for several hours afterwards. In the meantime, I checked the load (which was resilient enough to be undamaged) with a Fluke multimeter to ensure it did not exceed 200 watts. The load remained steady at the level specified.
That said, the other two transformers purchased are performing admirably in less demanding, low wattage, applications. I'm temporarily residing overseas. Since it gets tiresome toting around (and expensive buying) larger transformers for every little task, the compact size and low price of this transformer is well appreciated.
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DETERMINING TRANSFORMER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVICE YOU INTEND TO USE
After reading several reviews, it appears some do not understand the limits of transformers/converters. This small transformer is intended low wattage items, such as a small laptop or netbook, battery charger, small kitchen aid, electric shaver, and similar.
It is not intended for high wattage items like hair dryers, clothing irons, heaters, toasters, other household appliances, power tools, multiple items at the same time, and so on. Use of such high wattage items with this transformer will result in damage and could potentially cause injury or fire.
To determine the electrical input requirements of the 120v device you intend to use, look at the product label on that device. That label will express the input requirements in either watts or amps. The device plugged into this transformer should not exceed 200 watts or 1.66 amps - the input numbers should be equal to or lower than 200 watts or 1.66 amps.
If the input requirements exceed those numbers, use a larger transformer (qreater or equal to the numbers on the device) instead of this one.
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Actually, based on my experience described in the first paragraph above, I'd personally recommend not using devices exceeding 150 watts or 1.25 amps. Even then, it would be wise to carefully monitor devices approaching those numbers for a while to ensure they will continue to operate safely. One Way Voltage Converter 220/240V to 110/120V AC - 200 Watt
I purchased this transformer to be used in Pakistan for my camera, laptop, and 110 watt iPod dock. It worked for all of my items. I left my iPod dock plugged in all night to charge my iPod, and while listening to music. It worked perfectly, didn't get heated or make any sort of noise. It has a long European cord which made it easy for me to plug it in and put it on top of my table, unlike other converters where it sticks on the wall. My camera and laptop charger also worked fine. Its light weight, perfect for travel use, wouldn't travel without it.
I've only been using this for a couple of weeks now so I can't vouche for long term use but it has been working like a charm. It's been used almost constantly to charge a couple of laptops while I'm abroad and the only problem I've noticed is that it tends to get rather warm, which is not unexpected. I try to let it cool off every now and then for a few minutes to a 1/2 an hour and then plug it back in.
I hope this helps.
I took a few of these to Italy with me because the one I bought last year (different brand) blew a fuse and was unusable. I wanted backups! I did not need them, just one worked great and I have more for other uses now. I used this for my laptop computer and digital camera and both worked swimmingly well.
I did not use this travel voltage converter for its intended use, so I can't comment on its suitability compared to other products on the market. I needed a step down power transformer to use in an "industrial" application and it worked perfect for my application at a very low purchase price. I chose this unit for its attached power cord which lets you locate the transformer away from the wall outlet, a critical feature for me. I purchased three and they are all in use. The build quality is good and I've had no problems.
Heavier than expected but it is far more solidly built than other converters that I have used. It works well, enabling me to use my US 110 volt electrical and electronic items without a hitch in South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Only thing to bear in mind is the wattage limit stated in the converter.
I have bought this for a trip in Europe since my camera charger works only in 110V. It worked with all my chargers(mobile phone, cameras and laptop) and I was able to connect my laptop power adapter (120W) . The unit may get medium hot if the laptop is connected for long time (overnight charging) but it was fine I guess.
Only concern is the converter does not have a ground connection but most of the electronic devices does not have a ground connection either. Also unit is little heavy since it uses step-down transformer.
Anyway I would recommend this to anyone who needs a voltage converter for their electronic devices. - Power Converters - Power Converter - Transformer - Travel Converter'
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Back Exercise - p90x, pull up
I shopped around and I have many years of fitness experience and so I didn't make this choice lightly. Yes, it smells of chemicals but it's probably because it was packed before the paint fully cured. The smell goes away by the time you get it together and use it a couple of times. The grips are good but they're a bit soft and made of foam so I don't expect they'll last a long time. The area of the bar that comes into contact with the doorframe is a hard plastic with a textured surface that will leave an impression in the wood plus the natural up-down flex will rub a bit. The flat area on the back is fine and I don't see any noticeable marks on the wall. Yes, some of the more gimmicky exercises rank right up there with using it as a grill for a compact pickup. Still, there's no simpler way to have pull-up capability at home. Portable? Yes. Does it come apart easily for compact transport? Don't even think about it. The beauty is it goes on quick, you work out, then put it away. Truly easy, effective and versatile since there are more grip locations than the single bar type. I even use the bends where there is no foam and it's no problem. I bought some fitness bands to keep my reps high and I just leave them on it and use them as I desire. Can't test the weight limit though, I'm less than a buck 50. The top 20 guide is a leaflet and my "kit" came with no tools. Didn't use the included brackets. The stupidest thing they did with this kit is provide you a "printed on both sides" piece of paper of 20 exercise pictures but NONE of them use the bar. The only exercise pictures using the bar are on the box which I am sure most people will throw away/recycle. Come on guys, sheesh. Still a great product. Maximum Fitness Gear All-In-One Doorway Chin-Up Bar with Ab Exercise Guide
UPDATE 5/24/2010:
I promised that I would update this review and someone asked recently about measurements. So, with that in mind I measured the pull up bar. It would work in a doorway that is between 36 inches and 42 inches. If your doorway is smaller then 36 inches or wider then 42 inches, do not bother. My doorway is smaller then 36 inches and even though I was able to put spacer blocks on each end of the bar that goes against the wall, I would not recommend doing this. Just be aware of the opening if it is not within the measurements given, then, do not bother with this or any other doorway pull up bar.
REASON FOR SPACER BLOCKS:
I installed the spacer blocks because there is a small piece of tubing that sticks out the back side of the bar. This tubing was damaging the molding around the doorway, by adding the spacer blocks I was able to keep the tubing from damaging the molding.
Look at the picture of the pull up or chin up bar. You will see a flat horizontal bar that goes on the back side of the doorway and rests on the molding above the door (this is the highest bar in the picture). Below that you will see the longer horizontal tube (or bar) which goes on the outside of the doorway and comes in contact with the molding on either side of the doorway.
ONE OTHER NOTE: If you are living in a new home, manufactured home, trailer, or some modular homes there is a chance the interior walls may have been built with 2 X 3 studs. If this is the case the walls are thinner then if they were built using 2 X 4 studs, this too can cause issues with the bar not fitting properly and possibly damaging the molding on the side of the door which the flat horizontal bar rests on. I cannot say for certain if using the optional mounting brackets would solve this problem. But my best guess is that it very well would allow you to use the bar on a wall built with 2 X 3 studs.
ORIGINAL REVIEW FOLLOWS:
First let me say my rating of two starts is meant for the lack of information and the picture instructions. I am a technical writer, so calling an exploded view picture with a bunch of letters an instruction is offensive to me.
But let me clear up what I mean of lack of information first. All vendors market this bar as it will fit MOST doorways. That maybe so, but how hard is it to measure the bar and flatly give the maximum and minimum doorway widths in which this bar can be used. I have a friend who lives in an old farm house with huge doorway openings the bar simply can not grab onto the casing it passes through the opening. In my case, the opening is too narrow and the bar will damage my walls. I will go back and measure the bar, and if I am able I will update this review to include dimensions so no one else has to go through this.
Instructions or lack there of. OK, I assemble things, and write about how to put them together. I have never taken a picture or provided an exploded view of a product that included the hardware in the picture then expected any one to know how to assemble the product. But this is what they do with this product. It is not extremely difficult to figure out, just a little annoying and a couple of assembly hints would be nice.
Assembly hints:
You will need a large screw driver with either a Phillips head or a flat tip. A small tipped screw driver will only be a cause for frustration. You will also need a small 10 mm socket. No, a box end, open end, adjustable wrench. These will get you started but in at least three locations once the nut gets close enough to the tubing, these wrenches will not be able to hold onto the nut and you will not be able to fully tighten them.
It comes with an optional set of mounting brackets. Which I will be installing, but there is no explanation as to why you may want to choose to install them. I am going to install them, because if I don't the bar will be so low, that my knees will hit the floor. I am not a fan of the fact that this bar seems to rely on the flat horizontal bar on the back to grab a hold of the molding on the top of the door way. Mainly because molding is not meant to support weight. Which is my reasoning for installing the brackets. I am no little guy, being 6 foot tall and 284 lbs, makes me a little skidish about relying on a piece of molding to help support me.
Beyond all of that....If I were to rate this bar purely on its function. Then, it would score a perfect 5 stars. I took it to a friends house, who has what would probably be considered a more standard door way opening. The height is better, it fits to the door way better, and it is a great way to do pull ups in your home. Over time, it may cause some minor damage, but new molding would probably be the only repair or some paint on the back side of the door way where the horizontal bar rests.
Bottom line, if you walls are constructed with 2 X 4's and you have a more standard door way opening you will not have any troubles other then maybe some assembly issues. But if your walls were constructed using 2 X 3's and the opening is what may be considered smaller then the standard, you will either not want to buy this or you will modify it to work. I will post my modification if I am able. If you live in an old farm house, with very large door ways. Pass on this and either construct a pull up bar outside, or find some way to mount a more permanent bar in the opening. - P90x - Pull Up Bar - Pull Up - Pull Ups'
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Plaid Suits
I ordered these to use as a backup bathing suit for an upcoming cruise. Board shorts are in style but they have to fit exactly right or they will fall off your butt or won't fit at all. What I really like about these is that they give the appearance of board shorts, but have an elastic strap like a traditional bathing suit. This allows a better fit! These shorts run a little slim but I like the fit. They are comfortable and nice looking. For the price you can't find a better bathing suit! Free Country Men's Double Spinner Plaid Free C Board Swimsuit,Blue Combo,Large'
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