Guy Low Price Electronic: 10/01/2009

Saturday, 31 October 2009

120hz - 120hz, 42 inch

I wanted to purchase an tv that didn't break the bank, but met my criteria of

40-42", multiple HDMI input, PC input, 1080p, 120hz and this fit the bill. I stayed away from plasma because to me the LCD picture quality is much crisper and I stayed away from LED because for the same sized LCD I can get a bigger screen.

Note: The room that this tv resides in is 11' by 15' and it sits 8' away from the couch. The size is just right for the room.

Initial Setup

Setup was very easy and I was up and running within minutes of taking the tv out of the box. I had to install the included stand and then set a couple of options and the date once the unit was powered on. The stand base is made out of plastic but is connected to the tv with a metal bracket. That said, when we first set the tv on the console it wobbled and I was concerned at first, but after a few days, I already forgot that it initially wobbled, so this was a non-issue. The unit itself is beautiful with a black plastic frame with a glossy finish. It should be noted that the tv monitor itself sits very low with the stand, once installed, there is a 1.5" clearance from whatever the tv is sitting on and the bottom of the monitor itself, there is no way to adjust the height.

Remote Control

The remote control is standard, nothing fancy. I like the over-sized volume and channel buttons, very easy to find without looking at the remote.

Sound

Please keep in mind my room size above. The sound from the speakers are very good. Volume ranges from 0 to 100. When I want to immerse myself in a movie, I set the volume at 45, otherwise I set the volume between 25 and 30. Just don't expect surround sound from them and you won't be disappointed.

Presets

There are 5 presets in the Picture Menu: Standard, Cinema, Game, Custom and Vivid. I wasn't a fan with the Standard, Game and Cinema presets. After playing around with the settings, I settled on a Custom preset I liked.

Picture Quality

I have my PS3 connected via HDMI and watching 1080p movies on this tv is stunning. I watched Pixar's UP on blu-ray and the quality is surreal, it's so life-like that it almost looks 3D, I noticed myself paying attention to little details in the movie that I never saw before. Even watching non-1080p video is great, 120hz just makes everything smooth. I also have my Roku connected via HDMI and streaming HD content is great, the only downside with HD is that when you watch non-HD content, it's quite noticeable, but very much watchable on this tv.

Games

There is a Game preset and the tv states that this is optimized for gaming, however, I found that I preferred playing games on my Custom preset. I played FF XIII and Uncharted 2 and the quality is great. My guess is that the "optimized for gaming" is mainly for games FPS games, where every millisecond counts... but that's just my guess.

Turning Off 120hz

A frequent complaint I've been reading regarding 120hz units is that it looks like a soap opera. I can confirm this initial impression, but you do get accustomed to it and I actually like it now. There is an Advanced picture option Motion Picture Pro 4 that can be set to Off, Weak or Strong. I like it, so I leave it on Strong.

Viera Tools

The remote control has a dedicated Viera Tools button and when pressed, it shows you 5 options: Viera Link, Slideshow, Viera Image Viewer, Game Mode and Eco. Here's my thoughts on those options...

1. Viera Link: since I didn't own any compatible products, I don't have any feedback on this tool. I guess to me it's useless.

2. Slideshow: the unit has an SD card slot, so you can load pictuers and run a slideshow. You can set the soundtrack of the slideshow to one of 5 music tracks built-in to the tv. Other slideshow options you can set are transition effect (11 types, including collage), photo effect (sepia and gray scale) and display interval. Display interval is the speed of the slideshow, it can be set to Fast, Normal, Slow, Very slow and Short. Setting this option to Short would transition the 9 MP photos I have on my SD card every 8 to 9 seconds, which seems like good performance for a tv.

3. Viera Image Viewer: this previews the photos in the SD card, which is pretty fast. You can sort by month, folder or date and then run the slide show based on the sort. Neat.

4. Game Mode: You can either choose Game or Standard. Selecting Game just sets the preset to Game. Unless it does something more then I'm not aware of it, then it seems useless.

5. Eco: You can set options for "No signal for 10 minutes" and "No activity for 3 hours". Basically, you can set whether it stays on or turns off for those options.

Of the 5 tools above, it is the Slideshow that I found most useful and would likely use frequently. It was just so easy to load pictures on the SD card, press the SD Card button on the remote and run the slideshow with the soundtrack. It can also detect landscape versus portrait, so the pictures are shown with the correct orientation. My wife and I watched our wedding photos through this tool, we easily got lost in great memories... :-)

PC Input

This is not Plug and Play (PnP). When I attached the VGA cable from my netbook, the screen size defaulted to 1024x768. After searching through the menu options, I was able to find the PC adjustments section that allowed me to change the resolution to one of the following: 1024x768, 1280x768 and 1366x768. I tried it on 1366x768, but I was getting some noise at the bottom of the screen, setting it on 1280x768 input resolution worked fine, though I had to adjust the horizontal and vertical position to see the entire screen.

Timer

This was a nice unexpected feature. I can set 5 different times when the TV either turns on or off. I will use this feature when I am out of town and want to make it seem like someone is home.

Unused Features

I already mentioned that I do not use the Viera Link tool, as I do not have compatible devices. Other features I will not use are the Closed caption and Password setting. The password feature would be useful for parents. If set, access to channels/shows can be disabled based on content. So if a particular channel has a program that is TV-14 that has Sexual or Violence content, it can be blocked. Access to input selection can be password protected as well. Pretty neat.

Overall

I am very happy with this purchase. The picture quality is great, especially 1080p content. The sound from the built-in speakers is very good. The slideshow tool that allows the tv to show pictures loaded in the built-in SD card slot was a welcome feature and performance was surprisingly good.

Note: For those concerned with heat, it gives off fairly little heat for the size of the unit. When LCD's first came out, I purchased a 26" unit and that sucker was able to heat up my entire bedroom. Panasonic VIERA TC-L42U30 42-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV - 120hz - 1080p - 42 Inch - 40 Inch Hdtv'

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Laptop Batteries - hewlett packard, laptop battery

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My original HP dv6-1030 battery was shot. It lasted maybe 14 months and would no longer hold a charge. I needed this battery bad. I have tested it and it lasts maybe 3hours which I am very happy about. Thats about how long the original battery would last. Fits perfect in the battery slot. Can't beat it for the price as HP wants at least twice as much. Very happy with this batery. Laptop/Notebook Battery for HP Pavilion dv6-1030 dv6-1040 dv5-1000 dv5-1000ea dv5-1000us dv5-1002nr dv5-1030 dv5-1125nr dv5z-1000 dv6-1000et dv6-1030us

This is a great product and worked for me! I usually get about 2.5 hours of battery life now as oppose to my old hp battery that was so bad that it would shut off randomly. This was also a lot cheaper than buying from HP directly. I totally recommend this product!

I have the dv6 1030us model.

I've had this battery for about 6 weeks and for about the first 4 weeks, it would last about 2.5 - 3 hours before it needed a charge. Now I'm luck if it lasts one hour. Spend the extra money and get a name-brand battery b/c this one kind of stinks.

The battery does what it is supposed to. Upon delivery it maintains about a 2 hour charge. The problem is that it's not a precise fit for my HP dv6-1030us laptop. The battery will just randomly fall out of position and I'll lose my work.

I had absolutely no problem installing this battery on my HP Pavilion DV5-1000 laptop. I read other reviews on other batteries that had some problems fitting correctly. Worked right out of the box (good packaging), it's been working great so far. I get about 2 hours of constant work out of it. - Laptop Battery - Dv6 - Hewlett Packard'

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42 Inch - 720p, viera

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Disclaimer: This is all personal opinion.

There was Beta vs VHS...

There is Mac vs Windows...

And there is Plasma vs LCD/LED...

Like Beta and Mac, Plasma is the higher quality technology. Like VHS and Windows, LCD/LED is the user-friendly norm. To each his/her own.

I prefer Plasma.

PROS:

Less pixelation, faster refresh rate, less action-blur, 30 yrs life at 8 hours a day viewing, "image burn-in" almost nonexistent in newer models (would require MAJOR user-negligence, and it's a temporary effect anyway), on the average the sound quality is better/resonance, a more durable screen surface (better for people with pets who throw toys around and children who might push at the screen---ask your local dealer to knock his knuckles against a plasma screen and an LCD one, he won't knock on the LCD screen!), and unlike Macs though..."plasmas" are also the better technology BUT at the cheaper price. Life usually isn't that kind! The better product for the better price:-) Take advantage of it!

NEUTRALS:

Some might see the "higher quality but cheaper price" is a precursor to a technology that is being phased out of service (like the Beta tapes, or even Toshiba's HD-DVDs that eventually lost to Sony's Blu-Ray). That's understandable! But keep in mind, to my knowledge there are no LCD tv's beyond 65" as the technology can't support it. Those "enormo-screens" like Jerry Jones' "Everything is Bigger in Texas" boob tubes are Plasmas! Plasmas aren't going away...

CONS:

Glare. Period. It IS an issue! The only issue. Personally, I think LCDs show their fair share of washed-out, hazy-glare at various angles anyway, but they still reign supreme in high light. Being a former glass-screen, tube-tv viewer...I don't find it any worse, but the "glare is there" so to speak. Can be "mirror-like" in the very worst cases. Blinds can solve the problem and setting the tv at a height of 4' or higher in room makes most sitting-angles, couches/tablechairs fine from window light. Still, it IS an issue.

"Plasma tvs run at a hot temperature and drain more energy." That's kind of out-dated. And the energy-draw is probably like $2 more a month. (Interesting sidenote...when choosing between the Panasonic and the Samsung, noticed the Samsung plasma screen felt rather warm whereas the Panasonic felt room temp.)

CLOSING STATEMENT: Panasonic is/has been Plasma-industry leader since day 1...they've always focused on plasmas unlike Samsung, LG etc (not saying they're bad). Despite selling HDTV's a few years ago at a major chain, I just got my first HDTV a few weeks ago! Couldn't afford one until now. Always kept my eye on the Panasonic plasmas though and the Panasonic TC-P42X3 was worth the wait. I sit (using the old walking-foot count) ~12' away from my tv in an apartment living room w/ 2 larger windows. I'll take the better picture with some "glare-issues" in the morning then the lower quality picture with "little glare" issues anyday!

ANY HDtv is better than the old CRTs (even though I loved them--"pixelation"?!? Who ever heard of "pixelation"?!!!), but I must confess this is a really good tv. I debated b/w a 1080p 32" LCD and a 42" 720p Pan plasma. Wanted great picture. Was afraid I was sitting too close to a 42" at 12'. Not so. An old worker-associate steered me back in the right direction that was my gut instinct to begin with...a 42" Panasonic Viera Plasma! Alvin at hhGregg, Dayton Ohio (sorry Amazon)! His commission was a pittance but his advice priceless.

Hope this review helped... Panasonic VIERA TC-P42X3 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

I just got a new X3 for a great price, and here's my experience.

As a TV the X3 is excellent. I have it connected to a roof antenna, and the reception is excellent. It has a very good picture on hd broadcasts, and good also on sd broadcasts. The sound is good for a TV. The remote is a good size and easy to use. I could wish for a dedicated sleep-timer button, I suppose, but it's still a well-designed remote. Given that the current price on the 42" X3 is comparable to a non-network TV, just for these virtues this set represents a great buy.

If you want a wifi connection, you'll need a usb network adapter and there are apparently only two choices--the panasonic model DY-WL10 (~$90) or the cheaper Netgear WNDA3100 v2. There is some confusion about the Netgear, since it has to be the v2 and the serial number has to start with 2D4 or 20A (actually, it's really hard to tell the difference between these two sequences when the print is that small--maybe they're actually the same). These are sometimes identified on the package as being compatible with panasonic TVs. There is no particular reason to think the panasonic adapter is better than the netgear. I got both accidentally: the panasonic adapter can be easier to find, but I also found a used netgear on amazon without much difficulty for ~$20.

But my experience trying to get a wifi connection has been frustrating, mainly because of a problem with my dsl modem/router. The setup procedure is simple and straightforward. But I had difficulties and worked through the procedure with a cs rep on the phone with no success. I am glad to report that the cs rep was patient and helpful, even though he couldn't solve my problem.

Subsequently it became clear that my old modem/router was causing the trouble. It used the older "G" wifi protocol, but it was also prone to dropping the internet connection. So I needed to replace it in any event. Anyway, I got the latest "N" protocol modem/router compatible with my ISP. As soon as I set it up, the tv recognised the router's wifi signal with either the netgear or the panasonic wireless usb adapter. The reception of streaming videos is flawless--excellent picture and sound quality.

Another option not quite as elegant as the tiny usb adapter is to configure a second wifi router to serve as a bridge. That would give you an ethernet connection you can place next to the TV, and as a bonus extend the range of your wifi throughout your house. There are lots of guides for how to do this online.

Anyway, the result of all of this is that I've changed my rating to 5 stars for a truly excellent tv. Second, I'm returning the panasonic wireless adapter. The netgear works perfectly for less than a quarter of the price.

I couldn't be happier with this tv now. But I would recommend making sure your router uses the "N" protocol. I'm not certain that this matters, but I haven't had any problems since I switched my router.

Updated 3/26/2011 - Viera - Panasonic Plasma - 720p'

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chainsaw sharpeners - chainsaw sharpeners

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Just received this today and sharpened 4 chains tonight - glad to see it is made in Italy instead of across the other ocean - a quality product that will save me tons on saw shop sharpening and I don't have to wait a week to get my chains back - one suggestion is to buy an extra stone to be used for grinding the depth (this stone will be shaped flat and always used for the flat grind) - the owners manual is on the Oregon Chain website if you want to read all about it before buying the grinder. Oregon 108181 Saw Chain Mini Bench Grinder/Sharpener

this is, in my opinion. the best alternative to the full size Oregon grinder. Easy out of box set up and ease of use make it a great tool.

All of the fixtures fit tight with no unnecessary movement. Quiet running, easy adjustments to fine tune the sharpening process without overheating the chain thus taking the temper out of it. Highly recommend it. Kind of pricey but worth the investment..

I got the oregon 108181 sharpener today. Took a look at it. It couldn't change the pitch for the Pro chain I use.

I sent it back for a 511AX. More money but it will do the job I want it for.

The Oregon 108181 looks like it would be good for the home owner saw not a pro saw.

I am the kind of person that if i want to i will use a tool with the safety guard off if i so choose to. If you try to use this Oregon 108181 from Amozon with out the wheel guard the nut and the grinding wheel will fall off the shaft. I drilled a hole in both sides of the plastic retainer taped threads into the holes and put set screws to hold the grinding wheel on the shaft. Yes the retainer nut and grinding wheel are reasting on the safety cover. The replacement wheels cost to much to. Other than this it does a fine job on a saw chain.

JS - Chainsaw Sharpeners'

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Upholstery Staplers - porter-cable, upholstery

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Light and effective. It does its job as well as I could have hoped. Not a single jam that was not obviously my fault. I have spent several times the cost of this tool looking for a stapler that would do what this one does as well as it does. Why the enthusiasm? Well, most staplers not meant for construction site abuse are not very good. This one is.A word of caution. This is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a construction stapler. The staples it is designed to use are not big enough nor thick enough to be of much use for construction site purposes. This is a professional grade upholstery stapler. Porter-Cable US58 1/4-Inch to 5/8-Inch 22-Gauge C-Crown Upholstery Stapler

This gun is very comparable to other industrial upholstery staplers in features, design and quality, but it is considerably less expensive.

Since this is an upholstery stapler you can get staples from any upholstery supply shop. A hardware store will not carry them. When you go to your local upholstery supply shop ask for staples compatible with Empire 7, BeA 71, Bostitch BA71, JK 670, Rainco 7, or Senco C series staplers. Amazon's price for replacement staples is good considering they are galvanized, but you can get liquor finish staples cheaper at your local store. Many will carry stainless steel staples as well.

This stapler does not come with a case because it is an industrial tool. Upholstery shops do not bother putting their tools in boxes at the end of the day. Also upholstery shops don't make a lot of saw dust, at least not in the fabric part of the shop. For those using this stapler in a general purpose shop, a case would be nice but, as mentioned, one is not provided. The parts list mentions an optionally available case which can be purchased from your local factory service center for less than ten bucks.

I bought this stapler to re-cover the vinyl pillions and seats on my boat. And, approximately 8,000 staples later, I can say with certainty that it is definitely the ideal tool for any type of upholstery work. It's light, easy to hold, has an extended nose to get into tight spaces, and is powerful enough to completely sink the staple through several layers of fabric, even into hardwood. It's also extremely easy to re-load, and I've never experienced any type of jam or mis-fire. Construction is typical Porter-Cable (my personal favorite brand), meaning it appears to be built super tough--I expect it to last a lifetime.So then, why only 4 stars? Unlike any other pneumatic 'nail gun' I've seen, this stapler does not have a safety tipped nose. Usually, the nose has to be pressed against something in order for the trigger to be functional. But, with this one, there is no safety tip--you just pull the trigger and it starts firing. Add to that the fact that the trigger is very sensitive, and you have a potential safety hazard.. In normal operation, these two things make it easier to get the job done, but at too high of a cost to safety (in my opinion). You might be guessing that I am trying to blame the tool for a goof up, and you'd be right. I ended up shooting myself in the index finger with this stapler. It was not a major ordeal, it just hurt for a few days, but I realize now that normal nail guns have those safety tips for a good reason. Buy the stapler, but be careful!

This Porter Cable upholstery stapler is as comfortable to use, as it is to buy; great price point. I did buy it with the intention of using it for attaching fabric to seat bottoms, and I have some early French provincial furniture that will need reupholstering. What I found was that it is usable for a lot of other things as well. I make cabinetry. In order to transport the finish pieces, I use the single sided corrugated cardboard, which is inexpensive to wrap it. These staples work great to attach the cardboard to the back seam of the cabinet. This stapler will take up to 5/8" staples. I didn't find them here at Amazon so I bought up to the 1/2" size. They are wider than the narrow crown staples. The stapler fires well without any misfires since I have been using it. It doesn't have a safety plunge mechanism, as do the finish nailers. That enables you to get into tight corners whereas the tip is a lot smaller. The only downside is that it does not come with a case, and I did not find staples for it available locally. All in all it is a very nice tool. Highly recommended.

I bought this stapler with the intention of using it to hang faced insulation. I wasn't sure if it would do the job or not but I figured I'd give it a shot. I was not disappointed. It has worked flawlessly through several thousand staples. As others have mentioned, the staples are not very thick, even smaller than standard T-50 staples, but for something like insulation where it's going to be covered up anyways, the staples work just fine. Plus, because they are thinner, it means more staples per strip and thus fewer reloads. The extended nose made it easy to get into tight corners that other staplers wouldn't have been able to. A bump-fire trigger would have made it even better, but I guess since it is technically an upholstery stapler that probably wouldn't make much sense. The only downfall I can see is that I couldn't find staples for it at any local hardware store, had to order them from here. With free shipping, though, that wasn't a big deal.

This upholstery stapler is very responsive and it works very well. It is very light, and yet its construction is very solid. The only thing missing is a hard case (which is optional). Do not forget to buy staples, because it does not ship with any. Great for all upholstery jobs. You will not be disappointed.

Nice stapler. Very easy to use, compact and heavy duty. No depth adjustment collar or thumbscrew to fiddle with, just change your air pressure setting and keep on going. Securing thick, heavyweight upholstery material onto hard wood furniture frames repetitively is a breeze.

Assuming that you already own a small portable compressor, and don't mind dealing with the air hose, I personally feel that the US58 is a better and much less expensive alternative to a true professional grade electric upholstery stapler and with only minimal care, will probably last much longer.

For some reason, there is no carrying case included with this stapler. I was able to purchase one though, through the Dewalt/Porter-Cable service net website for about eleven dollars plus freight [Part #891602]. It is just a small case similar to the one that came with my PIN-100 pinner, but it definitely makes it much easier to transport and store this tool along with maybe a dozen or so assorted sizes of staple strips.

The B&C Eagle staples that are sold here on Amazon are good quality, but I find that the Porter-Cable brand staples sold elsewhere are every bit as good and are also less than half the price for the same ten thousand count boxes.

Overall, I really like this PC stapler and have no problem recommending it to anyone who is looking to purchase this type of tool. - Porter-cable - Upholstery - Upholstery Staplers - Pneumatic'

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2 0 Ab High Speed Certified Device Cable - printer cable, usb cable

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If you have a computer, which you must have to be reading this review you might want to attach other things to it. Here are some things you can use this cable to attach to your computer AND transfer information:

A printer (what I use it for, AND it's been working very well and has a good length so I can move my printer around and set it up in different configurations)

A camera (digital)

A hard drive (portable)

A palm pilot

And so many other things!

Now here are some other things you could "attach" to your computer with this cable, but they wouldn't transfer any information and would only be for the sake of attaching them:

An apple

A head of lettuce

An Orange

A ball of mud

Nightsoil

and pretty much anything soft that you can push the smaller end into.

So, in conclusion you can have a cheap and reliable device that can hook into the computer you clearly have and use it to transfer information!

Sam StarTech 6-Feet USB 2.0 Certified A to B Cable - M/M (USB2HAB6)

It looks like a good deal to me that came with the printer at Amazon...I am not very knowledgeable about tech products, but I do remember that some printer cables looked quite expensive when I was looking around...it came very fast, works well, no problem.

Well I suppose thats why Circuit City has gone bankrupt! This cord fit my needs perfectly (for my printer) and literally cost 1/10th of the price. Dont ever buy a cord from an electronics store. You will be ripped off. Online is the only way!

I've had this cable for 3 years now, and it has never failed me. It was extremely inexpensive, shipped quickly, and I've never had a single issue with it (and I've used it very consistently over the last three years). It feels well-made, it wraps easily, it's just the right length, and it has always worked despite being plugged and unplugged, packed up, moved around, etc over the course of my college career.

This product gets the job done. Haven't had it for long, but I use it to connect to my Canon printer (which inexplicably comes without the cable) and I have had no issues so far. The best thing about the cable is the price. Don't pay ridiculous prices at a big box retailer when these cables are so cheap on Amazon. - Usb - Usb Cables - Usb Cable - Printer Cable'

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Canon Mp980 Printer

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I know this OEM ink is expensive, but the quality of this ink can't be matched by the NONOEMS. If you care about the quality of your prints, this the way to go. I have used all kinds of after market products, and no matter what they claim about their quality, they just can't compare to oem. I also ended up with clogged print heads and at least 1 trashed printer. Photo output with this ink is gorgeous, and the color tones are just right. You also save a few bucks with this 4 pack. Canon CLI-221 4-Color Value Pack (Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow) (2946B004) in Retail Packaging

I moved up to a MP620 from a previous Canon printer. While I'll admit with the previous post that the ink wells are smaller, but they also use less drops of ink than my older model and gives out a MUCH better picture. And if you install the software that comes with the MP620, it will pop up showing a low cartridge, then click the exclamation above the tank, it will give you the part number needed. You can even click the 'about ink' button and will give you a nice large printable list of the ink part numbers.

I'll admit I still use local print shops for large quantities of 4x6 images, but single 4x6 or any other I can print with very pleasing results.

NOTE: The Canon Photo print software gives a more true to life color than either Photoshop or Lightroom. I know something needs to be changed in the Adobe software, but I haven't figured it out yet.

Excellent product. I suggest to readers that you consider using OEM products for printers. I screwed up my Canon printer using an off brand. You may go for some years with no problems using off brands and save some heavy duty money and it will pay for itself. However, if your printer fails early on because of off brand you are a loser. I have a good printer and will just pay the extra dollars. Some of my off brands were empty. Some would not work and the last batch dorked up my printer for good.

So far it looks like the ink is lasting a bit longer than I thought it might based on other reviews of the MP980 printer and these ink tanks. I do a lot of Birthday and greeting cards. Some of the cards have quite a lot of graphics and it is still chugging along. My former printer had the printer head go bad due to my purchasing non-Canon ink which was supposed to work just as well. The printer head costs almost as much as the printer itself. It's just not worth going cheap. I really prefer Canon printers so I'll stick to their ink. At least they have separate inks for the 3 primary colors and two black tanks.

I use third party toner on my laser printer, but I don't want to use third party ink on my photo printer. I don't mind spending a bit extra on a quality print especially after I spend great deal of time taking and editing my photos. These inks do the best job. Period.

But let's be realistic. 10$ on a tiny plastic box of ink that won't last very long is bit too much. Digital photography let you take lot of pictures at relatively no cost, but when you want to print them, they seem to be far more expensive than printing film.

Well what could I say the 4 color pack is great love that you dont have to replace all ink cartridges at the same time you only have to replace what colors are needed to be replaced. That is a good feature Canon is known for that. Alot of other brands you have to replace all ink even when they are halfway full. Never have problems with Canon ink, never had any problems with any of Cannon products. Oh yeah almost forgot and it is so easy to replace each cartridge.

I do a monthly newsletter for a TOPS group, and use quite a lot of ink. I like my new Canon printer - model MP620 -- I find that ordering my supply from Amazon is the most practical way, plus I like the multi - packs available.'

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Laptop Batteries - laptop battery, laptop batteries

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This battery arrived 2 days before the suggested arrival date. I replaced a 4400ma battery that died after 15 months of owning my laptop (just 3 months out of warranty) After several calls and emails to HP the best they could do is send me a replacement 4400ma battery for $67.00 plus shipping and handling. I was concerned that it may only last 15 months. I have read many bad reviews about the hp stock battery I had . After searching amazon.com found an 8800ma battery for $54.00. This battery is in my HP Pavilion dv4-1220us laptop. I have read the reviews and some complaints were about the battery being heavy and raised the laptop about a 1/2in. higher than the 4400ma stock battery that came with the laptop. This is not only true for the replacement 12 cell battery, but to note my brother-in-law has a later model hp pavilion with a stock 12 cell battery, and it is the same size as the replacement battery I purchased. If you want a lighter flatter battery then get a 4400ma battery. However my 4400ma stock battery never got me more than 1hr and 30 minutes of power and lasted only 15 months. On the other hand after having this battery for just about a week now I get about 3hrs and 45 minutes of battery life streaming music. It is well worth the extra weight and actually easier to type now that the laptop is angled a little bit. There was another complaint that the battery either fell out of the machine or was a bit shakey, and at times lost connection and the laptop would shut down. Now I don't know about other models of laptops, but on my pavilion dv4-1220us this does not happen. I will say that it does wiggle a little, but my brother-in-law's 12 cell 8800ma stock battery with his ph pavilion also has some wiggle room. All in all for the money compared to what HP wants for the same battery you can't beat it. My only regret is that at the time of posting this review the same battery is 7 dollars cheaper than when I ordered a little over 2 weeks ago. New Laptop Replacement Battery for HP Pavilion dv4 Series, Pavilion dv5 Series , Pavilion dv6 Series

I bought this battery for my HPDV51000 Laptop. I chose this battery over an HP Battery for 2 reasons 1) My original HP battery died after 15 months of use so I didn't want to get another one with the same results, I was hoping to find one that would last longer. 2) This battery had good reviews. I followed all the directions by calibrating the battery several times by fully draining and then recharging it. The battery only lasts for less than 1 hour with all the power settings set to the HP Recommended settings. The original HP laptop battery lasted well over 2 hours on the same settings. Overall I am disappointed.

I got this to replace a dead battery on my HP Pavillion DV-4 (which died after 14 months).

The price was great, compared to getting one direct from HP. So I was a bit skeptical about performance. But now it's been 3 months and it still works fine. Charges just as fast, and the charge lasts as long as the original HP battery did. It's basically just a clone of the HP battery, and these aftermarket batteries can be hit-or-miss. There is always a risk when buying a battery not made by the manufacturer, but I have found this one to work just as well as the first one. I hope it lasts even longer than the original. The battery life of the original HP battery was very dissapointing.

The battery works fine as long as you are using an actual HP power cord with it. When I first got this replacement battery it did not work with the cheap power cord I bought for $15 off here. If you need to replace your battery and/or power cord (as I had to after less than two years), this battery is fine but spend the extra money ($25 on Amazon) and buy the right HP power cord.

I ordered this for my laptop and they sent me the wrong part. I will edit this review once I have gotten the correct part or even a response from customer service. Until then I still have not heard from customer service as you have to email them. They don't provide you with a telephone number. We could solve the issue with a two minute phone conversation but is this world now a days people feel an 8 hour response to a simple problem is better customer service. Will not buy again from them.

The actual product which was delivered was not at all the same as in the description of the product. it does not work for dv5 or dv6 laptops. Even on the delivered charger, it says dv4 charger. u will be cheated.

I was amazed how quickly the item got to me. I got an email saying that it was going to take much longer, but it arrived in just about a week and a half. It was a lot cheaper than a lot of others, so that made me nervous, but so far it is performing better than the original battery ever did.

I recieved the product in a proper time frame and it was the exact one. The only problem I had was when I searched for this product I wasn't sure if it was the right one but I got help and it turned out to be the correct one.

I bought this battery because my original battery had lost it's ability to hold a charge. Since using this battery, I have the portability of my laptop back and I absolutely love it. This is a good battery, for a good price and I'd definitely recommend it.

This battery is great. It is of much better quality than my HP battery that came with this computer, which lasted LESS THAN A YEAR before it said I needed a new one. I went on without a new battery for a while (just stayed plugged in), but finally it died completely and I had to get a new one. Affordable, fast delivery, and it fit my Pavillion dv4 perfectly. Thanks! - Laptop Batteries - Laptop Battery - Laptop - Battery'

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Lemon - self-propelled

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I've used it several times now and I'm very satisfied with the mower.

Rear Wheel Drive: Works well with the pressure assist handle. The harder you're pushing the faster the wheels turn. It helps on the big hills.

Clean Out Feature: Attach the hose and let the blades clean out the under carriage. Works very well and helps motivate you to keep the mower clean.

Mulching: Works great. I slow down through the tall grass and it doesn't leave any piles behind. I plan to use mulch almost exclusively.

Engine: Started up when I wasn't even pulling hard. I was just working the oil into the engine and it kicked off...very easy start. I used it in very deep grass the other day and it had plenty of power to chop through the worst of it.

Side chute: Attached it the other day going through a large section of very wet/muddy, very tall grass. Probably should have weed whacked it but I don't have one yet so I mowed. It was a mess. The wheels were spinning and I was sliding all over the place but the mower never faltered and plowed through a very messy job. The clean out feature worked very well that day.

We had just moved into a house that was vacant for a year. Our lawn has not been cared for and the first few mows have been brutal. Even walking the yard a bunch of times I could not get all the debris and limbs out but the Toro blew through them like it was nothing. I've been very impressed with this mower so far.

I take care of my tools and will clean and winter prep it properly not to mention getting the blades sharpened each year. I plan to have this mower for many, many years. TORO 22in. FWD Recycler Mow

Never started out of the box - had to trade it in for a new one (Lowes was great about that by the way). Broke down after second mow - got it repaired and it lasted me the season and now it is dead for good. I ended up getting less than a year out of it.

I have now owned two of these Toros, and the self-propelled mechanism on both malfunctioned after less than one season of use. When it runs it's fine, but when the walk-behind kicks out, it's much heavier and harder to push than a regular mower, not to mention being much more expensive. After my first Toro, I was looking at other brands, but against my better judgment believed the salesperson's assurances that Toro really was high quality, and that I must have just gotten a lemon. I will never buy another Toro again.

I bought this model at Lowe's; I paid a bit more than I ususally do for a mower, but...after all, THIS was a TORO! I proudly drove my brand new baby home and even tho' my lawn didn't 'need' mowing, I couldn't WAIT to try it out. I had a new gas can, new fuel and a new mower...Life is good. I adjusted the deck to the correct height and as guaranteed, it started on the first pull...yeaaa! No more frustrating, arm stretching, stroke inducing repeated pulls on THIS baby! I engaged the self propelled lever and off we went. Wow, this baby has some real speed, I thought. The perimiter of my front lawn is approximately 400 feet. The cut of first pass was perfect. Compared to mine, it made my neighbor's fresh cut lawn look awful. The excitement of having such a gem dissipated any regret that I might have had about 'paying a bit more than usual' for this mower. The second pass only made me beam a little brighter with pride of ownership and the anticipation of how great my lawn was going to look when I was finished. The third pass...OoOOooo...this is sooooo great! RRRRRRRrrrrrr..rrrrrr..rrrr..rrr...rr...r... WHAT? My new mower had suddenly DIED?? Huh? This bull had literally died in the areana, before he even SAW the red cape. Even tho' I knew the gas tank was full and the oil was at the proper level, I checked them ANYWAY. Nope. Nothing wrong with either one.

Like a sad puppy, I loaded up my new, dead Toro and off we went to Lowe's for a refund. Luckily, they did give me my money back, after first suggesting they send it off for repair, but deep down, they knew I was 'done'. I'm now looking for another rear driven self propelled mower and while looking, I often stumble upon a Toro, but I can't help it, but each time I get this galvanic taste in my mouth.

I can't definitively say that the days of high quality products Toro has been known to have are over, but I CAN definitively say that they missed the boat on this particular model of self propelled mower. Should you be a die-hard Toro fan and decide to buy this mower anyway...may I suggest that you keep your receipt and all the paperwork that came with it in a place you'll easily be able to put your hands on; you juuuuust might need it.

I bought this mower on sale late in 2010 when I moved into my home in late fall, the lawn needed a couple of more cuts before winter and I didn't want to pay for a service. I got it on clearance for a good price, but right off the bat it had problems starting.

At the end of the season, I drained the oil and gas and stored it, to start 2011 I added oil and had a good first few uses thinking the bug were out of the system. Performance was ok, certainly no the best mower, but it did he job. Then I noticed the engine smoking some. I added oil on the next use and i seemed fine. Then it started smoking some more. The dipstick seemed to show it was low, so I added more oil, very small amount. Next use about half way through, white smoke started like it was on fire; long story short oil got into the muffler and this was a big problem. The low oil readings were caused by a leak to the oil pan that I had no seen, and apparently I overfilled with oil. The dipstick is impossible to read.

Of course Toro faults me for this and won't help me. The mower is worthless now. I bought a new Honda model rather than pay a couple of hundred in repair cost.

Toro quality has gone way down lately, I will not be buying any more Toro products based on this poor quality and their very unfriendly customer service. - Self-propelled'

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Pencil - bic, bic mechanical pencils

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When I get pencils, normally what I do is look for the ones that are the cheapest per pencil. I prefer mechanical ones because they never need sharpening, and never grow uncomfortably small. I also like .7 lead because it tends to break less than the thinner leads. What brand of pencils doesn't matter, as long as the pencils are refillable. These pencils are refillable mechanical pencils with .7 lead. They come with three sticks of lead already in them. The eraser works well. It leaves no smudges, and erases easily. As for the grip, I guess I could say that it makes writing more comfortable, but if it does, I have yet to notice it. The grip doesn't really do anything for me, but I don't dislike it either. It is just there (but if I wanted I could take it off). The only problem I have with this pencil is one I've had with every mechanical pencil; when I use up all of the eraser, I can't put lead in easily anymore. To put more lead in I have to feed it in through the tip.Other than that, I can't see any reason to dislike these pencils. They work well and give me no reason to complain.Loggie-log-log-log BIC Matic Grip Mechanical Pencil, HB #2, 0.7 mm, 12 Pencils

Anytime I use pencils, I reach for the BIC Matic Grip Mechanical pencils. I prefer jewel tones, so I specifically buy the metallic colors (silver, purple, red, blue and green) variety. I keep several in my desk and a few in my purse. My son uses them, too.

They have rubber grips towards the bottom, which are especially good for children learning to write (or practicing writing). This feature also makes them incredibly comfortable to use.

These are mechanical pencils, which means you click the top and lead comes out. And get this: even if you accidentally click too much or the lead falls out...you can shove it right back in the hole and use it! In fact, you can retract it back into the sheath so you don't end up stabbing someone with the lead (or if you carry it in a briefcase or purse).

Each has a white eraser that erases easily and cleanly. (I just hate those messy old fashioned pink erasers!)

Lastly, these are #2 pencils so the kids can use them for standardized tests that may require them (do they still do that? I homeschool so I don't know!).

If you're looking for a reliable pencil that looks great and is comfortable to write with, I highly recommend the BIT Matic Grip Mechanical Pencils!

My wife got me a pack of these mechanical pencils as a Christmas gift after observing how many times I ended up sharpening standard pencils. I instantly fell in love with them! They're very convenient and comfortable. They write just fine and the eraser works great.

The only downside (which for me is significant, hence only earning this pencil three stars) is that the clips are made of a fairly weak plastic that tends to bend and break if carried around in the rings of a notebook or hung in the "pencil slots" in a backpack or briefcase. Every one of my pencils has suffered this loss and so now they just sit in the bottom of my bag/case, which of course means they get dirtier and are harder to find.

If you just want to keep it on your desk and need an inexpensive and reliable pencil, this will work great for you. If you want to carry it around, however, you might want to check out something a little nicer with a metal clip.

I'm back in school after being out for a year. I never really used pencils through undergrad except during exams but even then i used mechanical pencils. I borrowed one of these from a friend sometime early last year during an exam because i didn't have a pencil and somehow i kept it. I always told him i was going to give it to him and somehow we graduated and i guess i forgot. I really feel bad. But anyway, it's been more than a year and i still have the pencil. I've used it multiple times and haven't had any breakage. I LOVE the way they write. I got a 10 pack of pencils at walgreens 3weeks ago and they're all gone School started 3 weeks ago. Those pencils have failed me multiple times, i think i use them to write for a couple of minutes and it breaks. the next one wouldn't advance no matter how hard i push. I've always had the bic matic grip in my bag and that's when i reach for it. I don't use this constantly cuz i've been practicing drawing resonance structures for ochem the last week, i like t save this pen for 'important' stuff. So last week i ordered these from amazon. i believe they are worth every penny. The one i got from my classmate has never failed me on the times i've used it. Now i'm cheap, I'm the type of student who likes to wait to buy pencils at 33cents but these are worth the money. They write great, they feel great in the hands and best part, they don't leave you hanging in the middle of lectures! Now the last part reason is what made me order these on amazon. Don't waste you money on pencils that break every 30minutes.

Bic Matic Grip Mechanical Pencils are very good for general everyday use.

Likes:

+ .70mm leads are strong

+ Each pencil has 3 leads included

+ Leads advance smoothly to the correct length

+ Good grip surface is comfortable

Dislikes:

- Very lightweight

- Weak eraser

One of the best mechanical pencils we have used.

Recommended!

The slim pencil body helps you write clearer and neater,while the grip that is not hard but not soft and sort of in-between helps you stride toward good handwriting.These pencils help you focus because their bright colors immediately catch your eye whenever you are gazing around the classroom or office.The super smooth lead comforts you during long writing sessions.You may experience some writing fatigue, where your hands cramp up and you have to stop writing,but these pencils are at the top of my recommendation list. - Pencil - Bic - Bic Mechanical Pencils'

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Friday, 30 October 2009

Lantern - led lantern, camping

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I've been camping since I was a child & have been through many lanterns. Due to a very scary incident with a gas lantern falling over onto my sleeping bag when I was about 10, I don't miss those contraptions. We lost our last rechargeable lantern somewhere in the mountains of Utah & were looking for a replacement. It's hard to find a reasonably priced rechargeable lantern that will also take batteries. This one fit the bill and we tested it out on a trip last week. It is super bright and the ability to take one section off and stand it up, facing the other way comes in handy when eating dinner. You can also leave one section at camp while someone takes the other section to the bathroom or tent. You don't have to worry about replacement bulbs, as these are lifetime bulbs. We plan to order the rechargeable battery pack for it, which is available for about $25. We love it & our friends now are going to order one as well. Coleman 4D XPS LED Duo Lantern

After the big earthquake I had been searching a trustworthy lantern and could find one here in Amazon.I ordered two lanterns and they arrived in Japan only a week.

I like this colour,shape and usability. We have no power failure now but sometimes enjoy lighting this lantern during the night.

I think it's better this is as bright as QUAD Lantern.

I'm sorry I'm bad at English.

This combined with the Coleman 6V XPS Rechargeable Battery Pack is a perfect addition to any camp site. We love it. The ability to have two separate lights each with their own rechargeable battery is perfect. The Base can stay on the table while one or more of the lights can be used to walk around outside.

We only wish the 4 light lantern of the same type could take the XPS Rechargeable Battery Pack...we would have bought it.

I love this lantern so much, I stash it under my side of the bed for easy access. We have a lot of Spring thunderstorms and tornado alerts, so I have spent a lot of time waiting in the basement, attempting to read by flashlight, candlelight and oil lamps. Now I have ample light and don't have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning or crow's feet from squinting! It has these ingenious removable light panels that work independently from the base, making it easy to share and ideal for trips to the bathroom, etc. Would be great for camping, too... or whatever you want to use it for. I highly recommend it and thank Coleman for supporting my love affair with Jane Austen.

I purchased this light with the intention of using the CPX6 battery pack. I likely would have bought the 4 panel lantern if not for the XPS capability of this one. Anyway, I am not thrilled with this funtionality. I got about 4 hours of full brightness out of this lantern with the CPX6 pack. At 6 hours I am right at half brightness and it is going downhill fast. BTW, half brightness is just about useless.

I followed directions completely for charging. I unboxed the XPS battery and immediately plugged it in for 16 hours of charging (as recommended). I thought 16 hours was kind of outrageous but I did it. The CPX6 pack is supposed to replace 4 D cell batteries. I am now curious what people are getting out of Ds. I guess I will try that at some point. The directions for the XPS does say to cycle the battery fully for the first three charge cycles. If the life of the battery increases dramatically during this period, I will update my review but I am not holding my breath.

Either way, if the CPX6 battery pack gets such lackluster performance in comparison to D batteries on this lantern, they should certainly list that with their runtime estimates. Seriously, I am supposed to charge this in my car every day to get 3-4 hours of good use out of it? Ugh.

I also have their "Quad Lantern". It uses only disposable cells while this design takes it to the next step and allows use of a rechargable battery pack while still retaining the ability to use regular batteries. The removable sections are quite useful. I use them seperately all the time. This lantern is well worth the purchase price especially if you get the rechargable pack with it.

Saw this lantern in a Cabella's, really thought it would be great to have - do feel the optional rechargable battery is a must! If not, you put in the "D" cell batteries and they then recharge the seperate batteries for each pack. Not sure how much that will draw down your original batteries. Again very happy with it.

The Coleman 4D XPS Lantern is incredibly bright, handy, light weight, and has amazing battery life. I have not yet changed the original 4 D-Cell batteries and just returned from a 9 night camping trip in the Adirondack mountains. The light can be seen from great distances, and is incredibly bright. The 2 sections of the light disconnect and can be used as miniature lanterns, or a large flashlight. This is a great feature, and cam in handy more often than I expected. I believe you can cary the disconnected portion for 3 hours while being disconnected from the main body of the lantern. The light never died on our trip. The only problem I encountered was with the battery pack sliding out if someone drops the lantern, but it's not a big deal. The battery pack easily slides back into place.

Great light...however, for the price it should have come with the rechargeable battery pack! Without the rechargeable battery, it really is no better than the previous model, quad lantern! In fact, the previous model is probably better since you get four rechargeable lights rather than two. Don't get me wrong, the lantern is great...I just feel like Coleman is trying to get the consumer to spend an extra $30 for something that should have been included...think of it as a Black and Decker rechargeable drill...they don't sell them without the battery!...DUH!

I was in the market for a new lantern, and decided to give this one a try. What a choice, this lantern is everything I hoped for and more. I didn't think I would be using the panels individually that much but once you get used to having that option you never look back. I also picked up the rechargeable battery pack to make this, in my opinion the best lantern available. - Led - Led Lantern - Lantern - Camping'

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Heart Rate Monitor Women - heart monitor watch, calorie counting

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Hey folks, I just wanted to add a bit of information based on some comments I've read on other Polar devices: The FT4, based on my tests, IS water-resistant and should work great to help you track your stats as you swim laps. I'll update this once I've used it for a few more lap swims, but both the heart monitor you wear on your chest and the watch itself are sealed and won't immediately flood and ruin if you take it into the pool. Only thing is, you probably don't want to be pressing the buttons on the watch while you're under water, which may mean you have to stop and dry off if you want to take a break in the middle of your lap swim.

Update: I have now used my FT4 several times to track my lap swimming. It works great! Don't press the buttons while you're actually underwater, but I have had no trouble at all with the 'pause' or 'continue' functions at the end of the lap, even with wet fingers. Oh, and - you don't have to wet the chest band before you put it on if you're going to swim in it ;)

I have the same beef as others about the FT4 - you can't see all your workout stats at once while you work out - you have to press the bottom right-hand button to change the display to heart rate vs. calories vs. workout time or what have you, and you can't see your time while you're working out (you can once you're finished and you click STOP to end the workout session...at this point you also get your upper and average heart rates and your time in the zone. You can also hit 'Pause' to see your workout time.) Basically, this little gizmo does what it's designed to do. It does make a unique double-beep when you're in your heart rate zone, which I find helpful.

A couple other details: the FT4 has a user-serviceable battery (some other Polar models don't, which means you have to pay $$ and ship the device to Polar to change the battery.) The chest band is fabric, as opposed to the stiff plastic of other Polar models, also. You can buy software to download the information off your Polar, but the software is $80 and you need an infrared reader for your computer. I haven't really explored this, as I use the [...] website to track my info and I just copy it straight off the Polar without downloading.

My one complaint is the difference in calorie burn between the FT4, my Garmin Forerunner and my GoWearFit...who knows how many I'm actually burning...but I do have a little bit of a formula I can use to convert from one to the next...

Overall, I'd say this device is well worth the money, especially if you're just doing casual exercise without the need for a GPS or an all-day calorie tracker. I'll probably buy another one should the one I bought break or wear out. Polar FT4 Women's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Bronze)

I have spent months looking for a heart rate monitor that would fit me comfortably, but still be pretty. This is it! I've decided to finally get off my big butt and start doing something healthy - walking or biking every day - but I wanted to be able to keep track of the time AND make sure I was working at the right heart rate. As someone who is really out of shape, I find that I might feel like I am really working hard, but my heart rate ends up being at the very low end, so I needed something that I could use to be sure my workouts are actually worth it.

This watch is very accurate and stylish. I also like that it tracks my calories burned and my previous workouts so I can see if I am getting healthier. I was worried that it wouldn't fit my wrist because it is a women's watch and they tend to run small, but this fits my 7 3/4" wrist with a little room to spare. The chest strap also fits and is super comfy! I am almost 300lbs (at the time of purchase) and the M/XXL strap that comes with this fit me just fine - again with room to spare. I don't even feel it once I get it on and start moving.

So, for you bigger girls out there who are looking for a rate monitor that will fit, be accurate and comfortable AND is pretty - get this one!

I'm new to heart rate monitors, so I had a lot of searching to do to figure out what I needed from one before I placed my order. I soon found that the Polar brand was the one to get, but they have hundreds of models, ranging from affordable to incredible. I know some will say this model doesn't have it all, but if you're looking for something to keep you informed of your progress in your exercise routine, this is really all you need. Tracking up to 10 sessions worth of data, but also keeping a running total, the watch can tell you how long you worked out, your average heart rate, maximum reached, and time in the zone, and from that, how many calories you burned. It beeps softly at you every 5 seconds or so when you're under the zone, and also tells you when you've exceeded your maximum. The display is really easy to read, even in the middle of vigorous training session. The watch in comfortable and easy to clean, as is the chest strap, which is fully adjustable. I have no complaints at all, and for the price, I'm extremely pleased. I only wish there was a way to download the training files from the watch to my computer, but a spreadsheet also works just fine.

So my trainer suggested I get a heart rate monitor watch, but for one, they were still pretty expensive at the time and truthfully, not all that attractive. I didn't want some huge thing on my wrist, nor did I necessarily want to advertise to the world what I was doing! I just wanted something small enough to blend in yet hopefully cute enough to do the job. Then lo and behold, this watch was introduced, and what a great deal! One thing is, I actually thought for some reason that the strap was kind of a metal...it doesn't make sense that it wouldn't be rubber or plastic, but the photos--at least to me--make it appear like metal. On to the review!

I actually bought this watch in March but only started using it last week. It does all the basic functions. I don't know about you guys, but my primary goal was to see if what I was doing at the gym was negating all the crap I consume during the day at work (although, I eat fairly healthy. It's the desk that kills you). I find it slightly interesting to see how my heart rate fluctuated when I wasn't working out. It literally jumped back and forth between sitting at the computer to walking briskly up the hill to my car, then it shot up 15 beats while sitting in rush-hour LA traffic (ha-ha).

You get used to the strap very quickly (although it would be nice to not have one at all...I don't like struggling with it in the locker room before a workout but whatever.) It's not like it bulges out underneath your clothing, which is great.

Anyway it's not going to compile your grocery list or babysit your children, but it's a handy little device that does just what it needs to do. Oh and setup is a breeze too...you don't even need the guide, really. - Calorie Counting - Heart Monitor Watch - Heart Rate Monitor Women - Fitness'

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Dark Complex Epic Fantasy - dark fantasy, sword and sorcery

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The Calahrian Empire's Iron Elves Commander Konowa Swift Dragon felt he deserved a hero's welcome, but instead received exile as politics has its privilege. Acrimonious, angry, and cynical he wanders in self pity feeling he got the shaft. The military brass broke up his unit sending them from rebellious Hyntaland to the south and sent Konowa off by himself with no rank. His crime was killing the vicious bloody viceroy of Elfkyna, a political appointee who secretly served the evil witch the Shadow Monarch.

With a new even nastier viceroy in place having locals killed on a whim, the Shadow Monarch grows stronger threatening the empire. Desperate for sound military leadership, Konowa is asked to return to duty to lead the fabled Iron Elves. However, he finds his unit is not the same as these are simple men not elven warriors and their commander is an idiot who is heir to the empire. His mission is to retrieve the Red Star that has allegedly fallen somewhere to the east and heralds a special magic that has returned. His allies are elfkynan witch Visyna Tekoy who like her brethren hate elves and empires, and the most untrustworthy profession of them all a reporter Rallie Synjyn. Revolt is in the air fostered by the Shadow Monarch who also goes after the Red Star.

Though somewhat by the writer's 101 standardized book for high fantasy quest, Chris Evans uses contradictory traits to make his key cast members seem fresh and different; for instance the disgraced Konowa wanders forests, but unlike the stereotypical elven he loathes woodlands, etc. The story line is fun to follow even when the hero grumbles every step of the way. With the premise that my enemy's enemies are my allies but still my enemies, A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE is an engaging saga.

Harriet Klausner A Darkness Forged in Fire: Book One of the Iron Elves

I've been a little bored with recent fantasy lately, so I was really excited to pick up a copy of A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE and see that it wasn't more of the same old same old. I bought it and read it right away--and I wasn't disappointed. I love how the characters come alive so colorfully--and the way the down-to-earth action of the individuals is set against the backdrop of a larger, magical, yet still-believable world. I liked that it uses different tropes than the ordinary epic fantasy--more Napoleonic in feel than medieval, the iron elves are an entirely different kind of elf from the Legolas variety, etc. But I also liked that the story and world had sufficient familiarity to make me feel immediately at home, while still being refreshingly different. Three cheers for this new author, and I can't wait to read the next book in the Iron Elves series!

I received an advance reader's copy of this title, and if you enjoy fantasy and you enjoy military history, this is probably the book for you. Like many of the other reviewers here have pointed out, "A Darkness Forged in Fire" steps nicely around some of the typical fantasy cliches-- there's an elf protagonist who hates forests (he's more of a Henry V or Fortinbras of Norway type), a rather crude dwarf who likely wouldn't know what to do with the secret wisdom of his dwarven forefathers if it hit him over the head, and the technology includes muskets. The writing is fairly strong for a first-effort fantasy and Evans introduces an entire stable of supporting characters with distinct personalities, including a minor comic plotline (again: see Henry V), this involving the aforementioned dwarf.

Evans' worldbuilding has a lot of potential, but unfortunately, this book falls down on the plot. After a series of increasingly confusing viewpoint chapters (a squirrel who isn't, an Viceroy who is official...maybe, a zombie who really wants to bum a smoke), the story settles down and introduces us to the protagonist Konowa, who has been summoned from the woods he hates to rebuild the regiment he abandoned to kill the Viceroy...the old one, whom he already killed. But he needs his unit now because evil trees and a witch are involved.

And then...the book spends the rest of its time detailing Konowa's efforts to build up his old gang of Iron Elves. There's a battle, but it's really more of a distraction than an ending. Please notice how the very title here says: BOOK ONE. Evans means it; you're not going to get any sort of satisfying conclusion in this book, this is more the equivalent of an individual TV episode rather than a fully formed story. Even if you think this might be your pot of tea, I would recommend waiting until the next one or more in the series comes along before buying.

I do like good old fantasy, rich worlds with complex histories, that is what world building is about. This was good fantasy.

The book begins and we learn that the former Governoner of Elfkyna was murdered, but a decorated officer named Konowa. But the governor was working for the dreaded Shadow Monarch, still there was a price to be paid. The Iron Elves were sent away and he was sent to the forest. He is not a normal elf, he was born with the dark mark and he does not care for trees. That is what the Iron Elves are, outcasts.

But something is happening and the Iron Elves stand again and he is called out from the forest. He is to lead them and find the red star, perhaps with that they can gain some power to fight the wicked witch of the North.

Konowa, well he angry, bit of a bastard sometimes, hates those trees and not a nice guy really. You would think, he would do anything for his Iron elves and he hates the Shadow Monarch and what she has done to him. You grow to like him, and bit by bit there are other sides of him. He is more than he seem to be. This is also shown when he meets Visyna. A tiny bit of romance that is not shown but that I want.

Some called this military fantasy, and that fits. The author know about military history and he uses that knowledge. He knows what he is writing about, and makes it enjoyable.

There is a great deal of fighting, and talking. A strange book that I well was rather neutral about at first. Then suddenly I was at page 150 and I could not stop reading. It had grabbed me and I had not known when and where. I wanted more so I finished it quickly without too many breaks in between. Good fantasy can do that.

This is a book that I would recommend to fantasy fans, for others, well I fear the military aspects could be a bit dry. I enjoyed it but perhaps this sort of fantasy is not for everyone.

But he has created a great world where the Human empire has spread out by the means of imperial forces and they have conquered the elves, orcs, the elfkynan and the dwarves. The world is ruled by men, and they see the rest of the races as a bit lesser. There are rebellions of course, and the elves, they only cares for their trees. I am happy that I have the next book so that i can see what will happen, The Shadow Monarch is out to rule the world, and the rest of the world really need to put their differences aside to win this fight. - Dark Fantasy - Sword And Sorcery - Magic - Epic Fantasy'

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