Friday, 7 November 2008

Tune Belt - arm band, armband


I needed something to carry my iPhone with me on runs. This was so inexpensive - I figured it was worth a try. I'm so glad I did! It is a great basic armband. It stays in place, allows you to actually USE the phone through the plastic cover, and it's relatively comfortable. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the first time I wore it - I wasn't careful about where the velcro was and it rubbed a raw spot on my arm. Now that I've figured out how to position it, it's not a problem. I've only used it about 5-6 times, so I can't speak to durability yet, but so far so good. iArmbands iPhone SlimLine armband - For 4g, etc. - 4gb, 8gb, 16gb, & 32gb models - 4g, 3g, 2g, 1g

I have to say I was very skeptical about the extremely low price of this armband. When I was doing research on iphone carriers like this they seem to have all been around $40+. I'm blown away!! This is such a great holder, you can actually use the phone through the plastic covering. I would highly recommend this to anyone. It was a great find and now I can listen to music while I run. Can't say enough good things about it!!

Armband for iphone is nice. not for bigger arms though. Mine are average and fits me perfect. easy to use. phone doesn't slide around and is protected by the clear plastic coating over face of phone. good purchase. use mine for working out. when running stays in place doesn't slide around or move. glad I bought it.

Very happy with this sports band for my iPhone. I run 3-5 times a week and use my iPhone to track my activity. The arm band is very comfortable and the plastic front allows for easy use of the controls. Great deal for the dollars.

It does the job and was a good buy in my book. I can use the touchscreen through the plastic, the band doesn't bother my arm while shooting the b-ball around and the neoprene behind the phone is comfy, it's adjustable and the phone is secure. Great deal.

I just purchased this product and have only used it about 4 times. The first time I used it, it was great! The third time I used it, I used it when running a 5k. By the end the sweat had wet the part that is right on my arm and probably wet my phone a bit. Not sure if its a major issue, I am hoping to get a screen protector which will probably remedy the problem.

I've had a few of these. I usually wear them out after a year. This one functions fine. It doesn't feel as sturdy as some of the others but it was also less expensive. My first two runs with it have been fine and it seems to work as advertised.

I bought this armband because it was one of the cheaper ones online. It is excellent! I use it everytime I run and it has never irritated my skin or slipped off. It is a bit difficult to see the screen through the plastic because of high glare, but nothing I can't get over. The only down side is that I have to remove my phone case before I use it because it won't fit unless the phone is naked. Overall, I recommend it! - Iphone Armband - Arm Band - Iphone - Armband'


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kayak rack - kayak storage rack, kayak rack


This must have been pretty easy to put together because my husband did it with my twelve year old daughter in under half an hour and I heard no swearing or gnashing of teeth. It easily holds our two recreational kayaks (an 11 ft Old Town Loon and a very heavy old 2+ sit on top Hobie). We are using it to store the kayaks off the ground and outside. My only concern about this product (and the reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5) is that it is not clear from any of the material on Amazon about this product (or anywhere else) whether it is recommended for outdoor use. We are using it outdoors, so I can probably update this after the winter and let people know. But, for the price and functionality, it was definitely worth the try. SpareHand Newport Plus Dual Kayak Storage Rack

Product is nice and works well.



But, it shipped without any of the screws, nuts or bolts required to assemble it. Just a note that said the required items would be sent later.



I contact Amazon who volunteered to take the product back (which required me re-packing the item in boxes that were destroyed opening everything up). Their first alternative was to send me a new product. Then I could use the new boxes to ship back the old product. No one new if the replacement product would come with the required hardware. The did give me a discount for my trouble (I think). But 4 or 5 weeks later there are still isssues as they seem to think they sent the replacement item even though I request that it not be sent, multiple time.s



Second option was to contact the supplier. I contacted the supplier who quickly sent most but not all of the required hardware. I finally gave up and bought the remaining items from the local hardward.



Overall, good product. It should never have shipped. Amazon staff tried to be helpful. In fact they were very quick to respond, but assumed solutions that were impractical or not what I wanted. Product should never have been shipped without the required parts and if it was shipped without the required parts I should have known that before it was shipped

Very happy with it; Easy to assemble, as someone else noted, make sure you find #1 in the instructions before you start. Very low profile, and easy way to quickly store two Kayaks without having to build something bulky myself. Doesn't eat up wall space, and I can move it. Seems very stable and easy to use. Horizontal arms are well padded, and so far I'm not worried about them denting the kayaks, but I might rotate sides and check after a round of hot weather.



Only taking off one star for the mediocre instructions, and the clamps for the horizontal arms are plastic, so I wonder how long they'll last.



Easy to order, track, and I received it quickly through Amazon.

Now that it's all assembled, I really like this rack BUT I did have a few issues putting it together. First off, the instructions began with Step 2. I looked for Step 1 but didn't find it but I figured it was okay since I could see what it was supposed to look like at the beginning of Step 2 from the picture. Unfortunately, I used the wrong screws to do my version of Step 1; even more unfortunately I didn't figure that out until it was almost all put together. Another thing that made assembly difficult is that although there are several different screw types (different lengths) they are all the same diameter, so you can easily use the wrong screw for the wrong task (especially if you can't find the instructions for a step).



After all the dust settled, I did eventually find Step 1 coyly hidden away on the back page of the instructions, underneath the parts list. Ah well. As I say, now that it's all assembled, I do like it a lot.

Bought this in 2009 after we acquired a second kayak and had no good place to put it. Have stored two kayaks on it through wind, rain, cold, heat and sun and it's great. We added a surfboard on the top rack (with some repositioning of a kayak) last summer and it's still great. It was easy to set up, fits well next to our house (and leaves plenty of walkway for us to get around) and turned out to be the perfect storage solution.

It took a month to receive the rack, apparently it's quite popular. When it did arrive one of the cradles was broken. We contacted the company and they were quick to replace the part- nice! Seems sturdy, we'll see how it works in a few months.

We have two Kayaks that were stored in our garage. We placed the rack under our deck (patio area). The yaks are protected, off the ground, very secure - no threat of falling over. You cannot go wrong with this storage rack. - Kayak Storage Rack - Kayak Rack'


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Water Cooler - igloo, camping


I have been on a mission to find a cooler that does not leak. After purchasing 2 coolers within a month's time, both different brands, I decided to try my luck with the Igloo. It's terrible. The lid does not screw on, it's a pressure fit. I knew this when I bought it. The carry-handle helps to keep the lid in place. Although there is no problem with the lid coming off, it leaks everywhere around the rim when you transport it. I found this out the hard way when I filled it with Kool-Aid and ended up with a car mat soaked with red KoolAid! This is by far the worst of the 3 coolers that I have tried. The first one was a 2 gallon Rubbermaid (leaks around the rim) and the second was a 2 gallon stackable Coleman cooler (leaks around spout). If anybody can recommend a cooler that does NOT leak, I'm all ears! Igloo 431 3 Gallon Beverage Cooler

Just the right size for a small weekend trip, but the lid isn't secure, it just pushes on and can pull off or fall off if the thing gets knocked over. We like it though, but ended up taping the lid on so it doesn't fall off if we knock the cooler over.

This is a great little cooler. I have used it for a 10 person team in a hot climate. I fill it completely with ice and then fill it with water. It will keep ice water for two whole days and even a little into the third day then I need to start over. The lid does not screw on it is pressure fit. Don't forget to order a paper cup holder if you are using it as I am for a crew. There is a holder grip on the side but the cups and holders are sold separately. Highly recommended.

I bought this item because the 3 gallon is so much easier to handle than the 5 gallon, and the 5 gallon was all I could find locally. This is great for camping, which is why I bought it. It has come in handy for gatherings at home as well.

I want to have good drinking water at the campgrounds I visit locally and absolutely refuse to purchase bottled water. Campground water is typically potable, but I often don't like the taste and simply prefer water as a beverage over other options that take up room in my cooler. Since many road crews use these I knew it had to be a solid, sturdy product that would maintain cold water and remain durable if handled with care. It's more expensive than one you can buy at a large chain store, but those can't even begin to compare to this product in those same categories. You get what you pay for - this is a prime example.



I use water from my Brita to fill this and also make 8 sizeable blocks of Brita ice from the disposable plastic containers that lunch meats come in. I took it on a 3 night trip recently and the blocks of ice were still nearly 1/2 intact at the end of the trip. I will fairly state though that the weather was a bit cooler than normal for the season and my campsite had complete shade. As far as it being in a warmer environment for a 3 night trip I doubt the ice blocks would still be maintained, but am reasonably sure that the water would remain at least on the cooler side if kept out of the sun as much as possible. If being used for a day trip on a very hot day you'd be fine with having the water ice cold all day with already cold water going into it with a few ice blocks. I have a hitch mounted bike rack on my Jeep and when the bikes were removed it made a dandy place to hang it so that it could be easily accessed.



If you are planning on using a full 3 gallons in this be absolutely sure that it is placed on a completely level surface while in transport. I had mine slightly leaned back on top of a plastic tote on my front seat and it started to spill out of the top a bit. Thankfully I had only gone a few feet from my home when I discovered the problem. Once leveled out evenly I had no further problems. The lid does not screw on (which likely caused the leakage I experienced since it was leaning back a bit), but does stay securely in place with the white handle. My only regret about this product is that I didn't purchase it a few years back.

Really works great and is durable. I am a soccer coach and I use this all the time. The only flaw is that the lid is not tight and it sloshes and leaks in the car. Also, almost everyone tries to pick it up by the red handle and it spills (you have to use the white handle to carry. But all-in-all a very good product.

This is a great cooler for making Kool-aid or Lemonade in the summer time (or any time for that matter) we have 3 boys who are constantly wanting something to drink and this cooler keeps whatever we put in it, COLD. Its great to take to the beach or to the park for picmic's too! the lid does not screw on, it presses on, but that has not been a problem and it has never opened accidently. This is a high grade cooler made with premium materials, we really like how well the spout works. There is a great handle for carrying this to the car, or picnic table or beach. I couldint imagine having any other beverage cooler after owning this one! Holds lots and lots of ice and keeps everything ice cold! enjoy!!!

This 3 gallon Igloo cooler is awesome. At 3 gallons it is not too big. Great for our baseball team. The cooler is short with a wide base, so it does not tip over in the car on the way to practice or games. It is super tough and made to last. I looked at a made in China cooler by Gatoraid that was 50% more expensive because of the "Gatoraid" logo. - The Igloo cooler is made in USA. I trust the USA plastic. Plastic from China could possibly leach chemicals into me and the kids. Better safe than sorry. - Beer - Camping - Igloo - Hiking'


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Crotchless Pantyhose - crotchless, sheer


I ordered these to salvage my daughter's Halloween costume - they arrived in plenty of time, and did the job nicely. Good color, very opaque (which may vary - my daughter's legs are pretty slim), we were both pretty pleased with them. They fit well in the 'slim, very long legs' category. Nylon Tights O/S PURPLE - Crotchless - Opaque - Sheer - Pantyhose'


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Cycling


I bought this product to take with me in the jungle, as part of my survival and emergency kit.

It is a product that provides protection from environmental elements such as rain, wind and cold, it's easy and fast to install in case of an unexpected event and is ready for use, because it brings the rope included.

The sealed package allows me to carry it in my bag, and know that it will always be dry even if I fall into a river or stream.

This product is ideal for its weight and ease of storage.

I think it is good addition for those who have kits for emergencies or survival situations. Emergency Shelter Tent, Reflective Tube Tent, Cold Weather Emergency Shelter, Emergency Zone? Brand

If you want to be truly prepared for an emergency or survival, then by all means, add one or two of these to your collection of stored emergency supplies, or with camping gear.....I certainly have a few myself. However, if you like to pinch pennies wherever you can, you could probably skip this item and just stock up on the emergency blankets that are made of the same material and easily use them in conjunction with some rope to get to the same end point. The blankets are a bit more versatile and therefore a slightly better buy.

two things I don't like it: 1) this is a tube tent, which means both ends are open; 2)the tent is very hard to be set up. although a rope is provided, it is almost impossible to be set up as the picture showed, especially when it is windy.

Great tube tent style shelter with metalized foil lining. Light weight and will work for one or two times. Get a heavier version for longer use. This is good for one time survival but will not hold up to multiple uses. Keep these in your kit for a fire reflector or to keep heat inside of a small tent. Can be used folded up more like a tarp as a reflector. Get several of these.

I used this as one of the layers to protect my motorcycle from the harsh winter elements. It is waterproof and a very good wind barrier. And it appears to retain heat well. You can put your hand behind it to get a feel of its efficaciousness. The tent folds out easily and comes with an attached nylon cord. It seems well constructed. It is basically a long sheet of mylar sheet that is folded into a triangle and taped with a good quality (yellow in my case) tape. You won't be able to get the tape off without tearing the tent. So my point is it holds it together pretty well.

Couldnt be happier with this one. It shipped fast AND it came with an unexpected little can opener like they used in WWII. Neat! Not only is it memorabilia, IT's FUNCTIONAL. Anyway, hope to never need to use it but glad I have it if I do.'


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Cycling Cycling Cycling

Toy Story - toy story, pixar


Cowboy doll Woody is Andy's favorite toy, and as part of that comes the privilege of being the leader of all the other toys. His world is suddenly turned upside down when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. Suddenly, Woody finds himself in danger of being replaced as Andy and all the toys flock to Buzz. Worse yet, Buzz doesn't know he's a toy. He thinks he's the real Buzz Lightyear. But when the two toys get lost a couple days before Andy moves, they'll have to work together to get home. Can Woody work with Buzz when they don't have the same goal?



I can't believe it's been ten years since this movie came out. It's had an immeasurable impact on the animation field and movies in general. At the same time, its flaws are evident. The humans look as plastic as the toys, and the fur on the dog is laughable. Computers have come a long way in ten years.



Whether this movie was any good or not, it would have been an important milestone. Fortunately, it succeeds on an entertainment level as well. The story is masterfully told revealing plot points and character equally. The movie is extremely funny as well; with lots of jokes for the adults in the audience and some classic lines I quote all the time. Plus it introduces us to a Pixar staple, the climax that will not quit.



Pixar has released great DVD's from the start, and this two-disc set is no different. The movie is transferred directly from the digital files, so the picture is perfect. Sound is wonderful in two separate 5.1 surround tracks. Many of these extras are from the Ultimate Toy Box release of a few years ago, and they are well worth having. The commentary is very informative. The deleted scenes are interesting, but it's obvious why they were deleted. The new features looking back at the movie from ten years later are wonderful as well.



This is a ground breaking movie that is just as much fun to watch as it is historic. I hadn't watched it in quite some time and was reminded just how fun it is. I've got to watch it more often. Toy Story (Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging)

"Toy Story", the landmark movie that ushered animation into the computer age, is still a bona fide family classic- and funny as all get-out to boot. This superb package brings it all back, both the movie itself and an Al's Toy Barn full of bonuses.

First things first- the movie looks and sounds fantastic!

I don't have one of those flashy home-theater outfits, but this digital print shows off some great color, with the various toy characters in pristine, bright glory. Sound master Gary Rydstrom upgraded the soundtrack to the point where you can hear the click of the tiny toy soldiers. Best of all, you don't need a 50-inch screen or ultra-Dolby amp to enjoy this newer-than-new view.

The movie, of course, introduced a new, innovative animation outfit called Pixar to the world- and what a job they did on this first feature effort! Woody and Buzz Lightyear, of course, are icons to kids of all ages, but all the other members of the "Andy's Room" community were great- and funny. Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles), Rex the dinosaur (Wallace Shawn) and even the little green Army sergeant (war-movie vet R. Lee Ermey) are just a few of these classic inanimate objects turned flesh-and-blood- well, almost- characters.

The storyline- a combination of buddy comedy, toy fair, sci-fi flick and domestic sitcom (to name a few elements) is, in its own way, as multi-layered and satisfying as the most mature adult dramas. From the moment all the toys come to life when Andy's away to a great exit line when the toys learn about his latest surprise gift, you're drawn in to this unusual world that's as striking now as it must have been a decade ago.

Disc 1 has both the movie and a new feature with both the Pixar team and a few others (Chris "Robots" Wedge, George Lucas, Roy Disney) offering their views on what "Toy Story" did to transform the entire animation genre. It's Disc 2, however, that has the goods- a couple of dozen features, clips and art galleries that literally break down the walls and give both the kid/family core crowd and the animation scholar a remarkable look at how much effort goes into this sort of film. The fact that Pixar and the CGI form themselves were in their infancy at the time only enhances just what great craftsmen these people are.

After an entertaining coffee-talk session involving Pixar's "four horsemen"- the core writer/artist/director/geeks who helmed every future project up to "The Incredibles"- we can check out everything from sequence development, sketch to full-on; galleries on characters like Woody and Buzz set to music; a multi-language sequence (from Finnish to Chinese to Turkish!); even Randy Newman's original piano-and-voice (and he's a fantastic piano player!) demo score. Nothing- I say, nothing- is out of place.

"Toy Story" is simple enough to be an ideal choice for a "child's first movie" yet sophisticated enough to give the serious cineaste plenty to study. It's as witty as the best literate comedies and as warm as an old-style family saga. It proved that top-drawer stars could also be great voice actors, and it entered a child's world with a fresh, not-so-"kiddie" angle. It balanced off sweet little Andy with mad-scientist Sid (his mutant monster-movie toy creations are a show in themselves)

in a great show of kids with personality. And it established Pixar as the flagship of animated features- again, it's incredible that this was their first!

"Toy Story", the super-deluxe edition, is a must for any animation buff, family with kids, or just about anyone who loves movies. I'm already on line for the upcoming (New Year's) "Toy Story 2" set, which will give its equally-great sequel (dare I say the "Godfather" and "Godfather II" of animation?) the format it deserves. With any luck, "Toy Story" will be one of the best-loved movies ever, to infinity...and beyond! - Animation - Toy Story - Pixar - Disney'


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Exercise Ball - fitness ball


Arrived quickly with no issues, and is exactly what I needed. It's a heavy rubber ball, people, so there's really not a whole lot to be disappointed about, unless you perhaps ordered something OTHER than a heavy rubber ball. Like a duck. Or Twizzlers. It neither quacks, nor tastes yummy - just adds weight to my arms when I lift it, and does so with style and panache. Cap Barbell Medicine Ball (Purple, 4lb) - Fitness Ball'


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