Guy Low Price Electronic: 15 May 2009

Friday 15 May 2009

Wireless Printer - all-in-one, all in one printer

I own this printer, i bought it from the manufacturer's site directly since it wasn't available at amazon at the time i wanted it.

This printer is awesome in every imaginable way you can think of. And it can help you save a lot of money of you really want the all in one capabilty. Read on and i'll explain how an why.

First things first, the printer is way smaller than the HP Laserjet 2840 i own too, it's not heavy at all, and it looks great. The text printing on this Epson truly looks like a laser printer. The color is fantastic to, i even print photos on glossy photo paper and they look amazing. The scanner is fast and very good too. It allows you to scan and print both sides of docs at once, no manual interference needed.

I was looking for a printer that would give me great photo printouts as well as it could be used as a work printer since i do print lots of documents as well. I also wanted to buy a Fujitsu Scansnap 1500 for fast double sided multisize document scanning capabilities, Well this epson gives me all that and much more, and for less than half what the scansnap costs. I use adobe acrobat pro to scan docs to PDF directly from the epson scanner(could not do this with the scansnap) and all that is done wirelessly, i can also fax any document right from my computer just like i print them.

Bottom line, for $200 you're getting a very fast high quality printer scanner fax and both-sides copy machine as well as the card readers and a lot more, the ink seems to last, and this printer comes with the highest capacity cartridges, which seem to yield a lot. So now i solved my scanning, pc faxing and photo printing needs all in one small very good a nice machine. And i saved whatever a photo printer costs, plus the $430 for the scansnap s1500, and i get laser quality text as well as (N) wireless conectivity from my printer. What else could i ask for?

Note: My comparison with the scansnap s1500 are not based on web reviews, i actually bought a scansnap which i later returned since i get the same if not better results with this printer.

Also, i've owned canon photo printers and i still have a huge HP color laserjet 2840. So my comparisons and references are based on actual usage of all equipment mentioned.

My recommendation, buy this one and you'll be very pleased. Epson WorkForce 840 Color Ink Jet Wireless All-in-One with Fax (C11CA97201)

Just purchased this Espson Workforce 840 printer for my wife's new business after looking at tons of them on the web.

The reason that we decided on this one is NOT because it has the cheapest printing costs....it doesn't per page (it appears that Kodak printers may). However, after reading reviews on tons of printers, we decided on the Epson because.

1. The reviews/satisfaction were great.

2. It printed on both sides (We won't buy another printer that won't).

3. It is Mac compatible.

4. The print speed is fast, fast, fast.

5. The print quality is outstanding for my needs (see very bottom of this review for more on this), and my two initial printouts (of my wife's flights) were great.

6. Set up easy was beyond belief. This needs to be highlighted. We are installing this printer upstairs, in my wife's home office (for her long arm quilting business) so that she can print out brochures, etc. right at her computer. We have a total of four printers (two laser Brother HL-2170W...wireless printers, the EPSON and a new Brother). We love all of the other printers BUT the Brothers require you to hook up a USB cable to your router BEFORE you can get a wireless connection. (Don't know about the Brother, haven't hooked it up wirelessly yet). Our router however, is located on top of bookcases in our downstairs library and with the Brother HL-2170w's the ONLY way to hook them up wirelessly is to first hook them up to the wireless router. Only after doing that will they work on a wireless network. This is almost an impossibility, for I don't have 10' long USB cables to do, so I gave up and both of my HL-2170W's 'aren't'. They are simply wired due to the difficulty of setting them up. (Note: again, the HL-2170's are stupendous printers BUT they are black and white only and they don't print on both sides of the page(s) and they are not 'all-in-one' printers however, for lots of pages, single sided, just great workhorses and very, very cheap to run.

My expectations on ease of setting up the new Epson Workforce 840 then was slim to none, especially on a Mac and, even after opening the box the instructions said a USB cable was needed, I groaned. However, after I loaded the software (it didn't auto-show but I got through it via downloading the latest software/drivers from Epson... a very easy process), lo and behold, the new Workforce 840 was recognized instantly on my network, with NO further connection needed. This folks, to me, was like 'Wow! Wow! Wow! As I write this, I am blown away at how easy it was/is to set this printer up.

7. Compared to my old Lexmark, that just died (the reason for the Epson), the 840 is like comparing a Ferrari to a Yugo. Simply no comparison. The screen is just wonderful. It tilts out for easy seeing, it is intuitive, 'knows' what to do/ask so set up and operation was a breeze, so we are happy, happy campers.

8. The most important feature I've saved for last. MY WIFE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS PRINTER! For me, this might be the GREATEST thing about the 840, IT IS SO INTUITIVE.

Final thoughts. I am worried about the cost of ink however,our main use for the 840 will be using this for printing ads, brochures, flyers, etc. as well as using it as a fax, copier, etc. I commend EPSON for offering a short video on how their ink is made in a 'clean room' and the extent of how they view their inks for BUSINESS uses and high quality output. Normally, for home use, 99.9% of my printing is black and white, BUT for my wife's new business, 'Quality Counts' for customers to see her brochures so (and I hate to say this) I will probably purchase their replacement cartridges when she needs them.

Summary: The Epson Workforce is simply the BEST printer (so far) that we have ever owned. We could not be happier. If you need a two-sided, very fast printer, that is so, so, SO easy to set up and use, has outstanding ease of use, has two trays (great for envelopes in one, paper in the other) and many other features at a 'home business' affordable price, consider the Epson 840.

P.S. I called EPSON and they advised that there is an android app for wirelessly printing from your smartphone. Its called 'Cypria'. Haven't tried to install it yet but, while searching for wireless apps, etc. there is another app as well called 'Cortado' at [...] You might want to check these out.

P.P.S. In reading a review from PC magazine, their review stated that the 840 had 'average' print quality. However, in another review, I noticed that if you want 'outstanding' print quality, you can't use 'average' paper (which I use by the way). Instead, you must use a 'premium' paper from EPSON or wherever. - Multifunction Printer - Epson - All In One Printer - All-in-one'

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Kickass Rock - rock, british metal

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After the thundering success of their first two albums, Led Zeppelin showed that they had more than just a heavy metal side. Led Zeppelin III has an acoustic based, earthy sound and in most places finds the band in a mellow mood. "Immigrant Song" opens the album with a driving kick that belies what will follow. "Friends" and "Celebration Day" show off Jimmy Page's skills on the acoustic guitar while retaining the power of their electric work. "Since I've Been Loving You" is a mournful blues dirge in which Robert Plant bleeds his heart out all over the song. John Bonham contributes the fine "Out On The Tiles". "Gallow's Pole" starts with a slow beat and then builds and builds and picks up speed like water rising in a dam. The water keeps getting higher and then tension builds in the song before it comes bursting free at the end. "Tangerine" is beautiful song that doesn't get many mentions as a great Zep song, but despite its seeming subtlety, it one of the most intricate of their songs and one of their all-time best. III is among the most critically bashed of their albums, but the acoustic nature of it was a precursor to the Unplugged albums of the 90's and the album deserves alot more credit than it gets. Led Zeppelin III

On this album ,Zeppelin begin to become more electic in their music after two raunchy blues albums to get the ball rolling. They haven't completely left their power behind though. IMMIGRANT SONG is a short but immensley powerful song with plants banshee wail like nothing you've ever heard. CELEBRATION DAY has a brlliant warped slide guitar riff and OUT ON THE TILES is an underrated classic zeppelin tune with its funky swagger. SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU is a brilliant epic not quite of the same standard as other zeppelin epics but it still remains a concert favourite. But the secret of this album is the folky side of it which is excellent throughout. GALLOWS POLE is a menacing interpretation of a Leadbelly classic, BRON-YUAR-STOMP is an infectious tune, but the standouts ore most definately TANGERINE which is a quite amazing tune showing how much Zeppelin have matured as can be said for THAT'S THE WAY which is equally pristine and one of their best compositions.What this album does is show you that Led Zeppelin were far more than straight blues rock or heavy metal, their compositions were detailed thoughtful and even sensitive and of all their albums, this shows that side of them best and also gives us a little sneak preview of what was to come next.

I would have to say that "Led Zeppelin III" is by far their most under-appreciated album to date. Many fans hardly recognize it for the beautiful music it contains. Sure, it's not as catchy, driving, grabbing as some of the more popular Zepp albums, but really that's the basis of its appeal. "III" is not something you can imagine filled football stadiums moshing to. It's what's in the background as you ask someone to pass the coffee on a Sunday. And critics, as many as their fans did at the same time, sold them out in the early 1970's. Zepp is heralded as a "Blues Metal Band" (sounds like an oxymoron to me) and people expected the same high pitched wisping Robert Plant vocals to accompany Page's blues riffs. But when "III" hit, everyone was disillusioned. Teased with "Immigrant Song" and Part 2 of Friends, "Celebration Day," no one could lower their heart rate in time to appreciate acoustic classics like "Tangerine," "Gallows Pole," and "That's the Way." Perhaps they could swallow the bluesy "Since I've been Loving You" or "Hats Off to Roy Harper" having been introduced to the same sound in their 1969 debut, but on the whole they were disappointed. Years later "Immigrant Song," "Friends," "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp," and the unreleased "Hey, Hey What Can I Do" rank among Zeppelin's greatest songs. Page seemed to be the one taking all the risks, hanging up the legendary Les Paul to fiddle with alternate acoustic guitar tunnings (Open D 4th fret capo on "That's the Way," Open G tuning on "Bron-Y-Aur"). And after the dust has settled on the bands monster career, "III" is behind only "IV," "Houses of the Holy," and "Physical Graffiti" as Zepp's finest album.

Sure it's supposed to be an "acoustic" album and "soft" but it actually is a super, well rounded affair. You get rockin' tunes ("Immigrant Song", "Out On The Tiles", "Celebration Day"), funky folk ("Bron Yr Aur Stomp", "Gallows Pole"), some kickin' blues or blues influenced tracks ("Since I've Been Loving You", "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper" which is "Shake 'Em On Down"), and a super ballad in "Tangerine". I & II are great but I think there's an earthiness and subtlety here that are missing from their first two efforts. IV/ZOSO is overrated because of 3 songs, and the later albums are by and large pretty damn good. But I'd say this is the most diverse album, and apart from metal heads' perspectives, their most accessible. I love Spinal Tap but sometimes you don't need to go to 11 to totally rock out... Led Zeppelin III proves it. Enjoy!

In 1969, Led Zeppelin hit it big with their first two groundbreaking albums, which both remain landmarks in the history of rock music and laid the foundation for all hard rock and heavy metal to follow. But with the release of LED ZEPPELIN III on October 5, 1970, it showed that the band had more than just blues-inflected rock in their musical veins. In my opinion, this is the definitive Led Zeppelin album; it's certainly their most creative, thoughtful, and introspective LP.The record's opening track is the fast-paced 2-minute rocker "Immigrant Song," which picks up where ZEP II left off. The song is quickly followed by the energetic acoustic number "Friends" which features great use of the tabla drums, and "Celebration Day" has a finger-pickin' guitar riff so infectious that you can actually groove to it. "Since I've Been Loving You" is Zeppelin's true masterpiece, even surpassing the almighty "Stairway to Heaven." A 7-minute blues epic about love lost, the singing and instrumentation are at an all-time high: John Bonham's drumming is as powerful and subtle as ever; John Paul Jones contributes to the dark feel of the song with an excellent back-alley organ riff; Jimmy Page's heartbreaking guitar solo in the middle is magnificent; and Robert Plant quite possibly delivers the best vocal performance of his career.Bonham delivers some damn fine lyrics on the catchy rocker "Out on the Tiles," in which Jones's bass sounds like a thumping trampoline. "Gallows Pole," a remake of a Leadbelly song, begins with a soft acoustic groove but like many Zeppelin songs, it builds and builds towards a rousing cresendo. "Tangerine" and "That's The Way" are, simply put, two of the best songs in the Zeppelin canon. Great acoustics and heartfelt lyrics contribute to this back-to-back emotional punch. The album closes with the folky "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" and the bizarre "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper."With this album, you get a little of everything: a little hard rock ("Immigrant Song," "Out on the Tiles"), a little bluegrass ("Bron-Y-Aur Stomp"), a little blues ("Since I've Been Loving You"), and lots of awesome folk tunes ("Gallows Pole" and so on). III is Led Zeppelin's best album for many reasons, but it doesn't get the respect it deserves. The playing, the singing, the songwriting, the acoustics, the remastering--everything is perfect. Sure, Zeppelin has made many great albums, but III shows their ambition and musical diversity. A masterwork. - Folk Rock - Rock - Arena Rock - British Metal'

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Media Player - htpc, high definition

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Boxee has addressed some of the concerns I highlighted in my review with firmware updates. Please see the bottom of the review for updates.

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Out of the box, the Boxee Box runs the familiar beta version of the software, which is familiar to me as a prior Boxee user. Everything works fine, from what I tested, though the edges of the screen were cut off a tiny bit (not enough to cause a problem). While exploring all the options, I found that a firmware upgrade to version 1.0 of the Boxee software was available. I installed it, the unit rebooted, and it automatically started a quick-and-simple screen calibration utility. That calibration was useful, because the stock firmware had some overscan problems (that is, the edges of the screen were cut off) on my TV.

Version 1.0 brings with it a new, simplified user interface. I immediately had trouble finding my way around, and was a little disappointed that the experience was different than what I was expecting. My main problem with the new interface is that it now takes several more clicks to access local files (that is, anything on your attached drives or home network). That's my stuff, and that's what I primarily want a video player to be able to play. The old interface allowed you to toggle between your videos, and all available videos, very easily, once you understand where the option is. With the default firmware, after a minute of configuration, I was able to select "Shows" from the home screen and see just my shows. Now, I have to use other, more complex and time-consuming methods to do the same thing, such as "Files > Shows" or "Shows > Files".

The new interface does make it easier to start searches (just start typing), and is very attractive. I just would rather that it allow me to put my videos front-and-center. Networked content is fine, but my own content should have primacy over it. I think that new users will not have a problem with the interface, but experienced users should know that changes are in store for you.

Networked Content

I had no problems streaming SD and 720p HD H.264 and DivX files from my NAS to the Boxee Box via my wireless-N network. Internet videos play well, but some Internet video sources are kludgy. Playing a video on Fancast, for instance, will open a web browser, showing the web page and the video in a small box. You have to use the remote to move the mouse cursor to the tiny "full screen" button and click it to get the video to play full screen. Good luck doing that on the couch, 10-20 feet from the TV! This is a big deal because the new Boxee software puts networked content front-and-center, in the "Most Popular" movies and shows pages. It's wonderful to be able to watch (ad-supported) shows that you haven't paid for, but it's a pain that you have to hunt for the full screen button, which looks different on every website, to do so.

Apps, on the other hand, are fantastic. TED and YouTube work exactly as you would expect, and there are dozens more available. Netflix and Hulu Plus apps have been promised; Boxee is working out the arrangements and hope to have these available by the end of the year (early next year for Hulu Plus). I hope for their sake that they do. Competing devices all support Netflix, and Netflix is, in my opinion, one of the most compelling sources for staming content.

Linking your online Boxee account to Twitter and Facebook seems like overkill at first, but it actually is pretty compelling to be able to watch videos that your friends are sharing. The RSS app is great, too. Through the Boxee website, you can subscribe to a whole bunch of video and audio streams (podcasts). Then, you can launch the RSS app and browse through the stream. It's very nice. I don't bother sharing what I watch on TV with my Facebook friends and Twitter followers, though, but I could if I wanted to. I think that if a large number of people I know used Boxee, this would be a lot more useful.

Another quibble I have with the UI is that "Watch Later" queue shows your most recent additions on top, and you can't sort it. To find the next episode of a series you've been watching from the queue, you have to scroll down. If I'm going to the trouble of queuing videos, doesn't that imply that I want to watch them in order, not in reverse order?

Hardware

The unique shape of the box is controversial, but it is very small and you should be able to tuck it away somewhere. The remote uses RF, instead of IR, to communicate with the box. Therefore, unlike most (if not all) of your other components, you don't need a line of sight. I actually decided to put the BoxeeBox behind my TV; I can't even see it, but the controller works perfectly fine! The only thing better would be to have Boxee software integrated directly into my TV.

The box is very capable. Until new video formats arrive on scene, I don't see an immediate need for Boxee or D-Link to refresh the hardware. I just hope they continue to improve the software and make the updates available to the Boxee Box.

Overall Impressions

The hardware is great. The box is small and silent (from across the room at least), the RF remote is fantastic, and the hardware overall is a good value over buying an ATOM/ION nettop and IR remote, and installing Boxee (beta) yourself.

Honestly, Boxee got off on the wrong foot with me for introducing so many changes to its UI at the same time it launched this product. Boxee 1.0 looks great--better than ever, really--but it is so simplified that it now takes extra button presses to get to my own content, and I think that was a bad move. I like the product, though, and will get used to the new interface soon enough.

I still think this is a geeky product that is trying to be usable for non-geeks, and just hasn't gotten all the way there yet. I'm a little disappointed in that, and hope that the software will be updated eventually to make it easier and faster to access both local and online content.

It is difficult for me to rate this product 3 stars, but I think that it just isn't quite up to snuff yet to earn 4 or 5. Some software updates and agreements with content providers could improve the user experience greatly (fix that full screen problem or provide a shortcut, please!). I am eagerly anticipating the Netflix app, and plan to award an additional star once it arrives.

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Firmware updates.

11/25/2010 update:

Boxee updated the firmware on Thanksgiving to improve playback issues and stability. This resolved an issue I ran into infrequently (after I wrote my review), in which some local MP4/H.264 files would start playback with sound but no video.

12/13/2010 update:

This is an important update to the user interface!

Boxee updated the firmware to allow users to put local content up front in the "Shows" and "Movies" sections (the top-level, giant icons on the home screen), or to allow online content to take precedence. This is accomplished in the least geeky way possible: After updating the firmware, you are simply sked whether you use the box mostly for local or online content. If you pick "local," the main "Shows" and "Movies" sections default to local content, and online content is buried one level deeper in the menus. You can toggle this preference, and refine it independently for Shows, Movies, and Apps, in Settings > General > Menu. Bravo to Boxee for listening to their users and pushing out this change.

The update also added an hourly scan option for your local content folders, and an icon in the "Local Shows" and "Local Movies" screens that allows you to kick off a rescan immediately. Hourly scanning is a huge upgrade from the daily scanning option, and the new location of the rescan command is a lot easier to get to than it used to be (in Settings > File Sources > [Share Name]).

Boxee also added sorting (A-Z, and Newest First) for Shows and Movies, though, sadly, not in the Watch Later queue. There are also new A-Z lists in the Local Shows and Local Movies sections, to help you browse faster.

There still aren't Netflix or Hulu Plus apps, unfortunately. I think the Boxee Box's UI and playback are shaping up incredibly nicely, though. Now they just need to match their competitors' online content choices.

1/20/2011 update:

Boxee upgraded the firmware to include Vudu support, a new sort option to ignore (if you want to) "A" and "The" when performing a title sort, and various minor fixes. The browser is now much more readable on the TV, and many more online videos open in full-screen. I also discovered a two-click method to put online videos into full-screen if they don't open that way: [menu] > [middle button] (select the double-arrows icon). Vudu's 1080p online movie rental app offers compelling content and great video quality. The Boxee Box still, desperately, needs Netflix and Hulu Plus to catch up with and overtake the competition. Nonetheless, I'm now convinced that this is the best video streamer for local content, and a quality competitor to Google TV and Roku for online content. Netflix should arrive soon; I will award another star then, because then it would be on par with competitors' feature sets.

2/14/2011 update:

After a long wait, and behind schedule (unfortunately), the Netflix app finally arrived on the Boxee Box with this firmware upgrade. The Netflix interface is quick, and the hi-def streaming looks fantastic. Hopefully Hulu Plus will arrive soon. Boxee Box by D-Link - Streaming - Htpc - Media Player - High Definition'

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Low Discharge Nimh - low discharge nimh, rechargeable batteries

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This package (Sanyo SEC-HR4U4BPN) contains four second-generation eneloop AAA rechargeable batteries. I have tested those cells using my old La Crosse BC-900 Advanced Battery Charger. Here are my findings:

- Right out of the package, the average remaining charge is 640mAh, or 80% of the rated capacity (800mAh)

- After the first recharge cycle, the average capacity increased to 839mAh.

- After two more recharge/discharge cycles, the average capacity leveled off at 843mAh, or 5% higher than rated capacity.

The above is very consistent with the results I obtained last year, while testing 2nd-gen eneloop AAA cells from the Costco package. Therefore I have no doubt that those batteries are genuine. Date code embossed on them says "10-12", which means Dec 2010 (see my upload in the "Customer Images" section, if you need to know where to find the date code).

According to Sanyo press releases, those 2nd-generation eneloop cells offer several benefits over the original eneloop:

- Can be recharged "up to 1500 cycles" (vs. "1000 cycles" for the original)

- Can hold "75% charge after 3 years" (vs. "80% after 2 years")

- Works down to -20 degree C (vs. -10 degree C)

In real life, however, it is nearly impossible for the average user to experience those benefits. Note the even if you recharge your cells twice every week, it will take nearly ten years to reach 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the advertised self-discharge rates for new and old eneloop cells are actually the same during first two years.

As to the capacity: original eneloop AAA cells have "Typ. 800mAh, Min. 750mAh" printed on them. The new eneloop AAA cells only say "Min. 750mAh". This has created confusions for some people, who thought the new version has lower capacity. But according to Sanyo web site, capacity of the new AAA is also 800mAh typical. My own test results, however, have shown that measured capacity of the original eneloop is around 4% higher than rated, whereas capacity of the new eneloop is about 5% higher than rated. Again, the difference is so small that most users will never notice it.

BOTTOM LINE:

Second-generation eneloop cells do offer some improvements over the original, but the actual benefit is very hard to verify in real life. In my case, the price I paid for this new eneloop AAA package is only 10% higher than that of the old one, so I consider it a good deal. If the price difference is much greater, then you have to decide whether it is worthwhile to pay extra for those perceived benefits.

[Update on May 31, 2011]

Prices for the new eneloop AAA have came down further during the past month, so now it is an even better deal. But just in case you are looking for greater bargains, you may want to consider the GP ReCkyo Pre-Charged AAA cells. They are priced lower than Sanyo eneloop, and have slightly higher capacity (rated 850mAh, measured 880mAh).

[Update on July 31, 2011]

Long term self-discharge data: I have tested a pair of new eneloop AAA cells after 92 days sitting on the shelf (the batteries, not me). The average remaining charge is 89.4%. This charge-retention rate is slightly better than that of the original eneloop, but the difference is within margin of error for my experiment. Sanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 4 Pack AAA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries

Received my first batch of the "new" AAA with the stated life of 3 years at 75%. Would watch the price of these versus the older version. If they are more expensive would only consider them for items that don't get discharged often such as emergency supplies since everything else is pretty much the same.

I have several sets of the Sanyo AAA and AA eneloop rechargable batteries, and I have been quite happy with them. Primary uses are for Bluetooth keyboard & mouse, GPS, front & rear lights on my bicycle, flash light and MP3 player. I''m quite happy with the results of using these batteries in all of these types of devices.

I first bought theseSanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteriese with a package of double A's and a Sanyo charger. The double A's are good for my camera..I couldn't believe how long they go on a charge.They at least triple the time of the non chargeable ones. I specifically bought the triple A's for use with my car adapter for my MP3 player. Unfortunately, while my car was at a garage to have brakes installed, my adapter as well as the two batteries i had in it came up missing. SO, I bought another 4 pack of the eneloop batteries.Sanyo Eneloop AAA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries (4 Pack) I can say that these are, by far, the best rechargeable batteries I have found

Buying these batteries was my last ditched effort to make my portable land line work properly. I have tried several brands of batteries and all were of poor quality. The Sanyo batteries have been in my phone for several weeks and the phone works perfectly. I don't have to buy another one!! I bought the charger also but, haven't had to use it yet. The batteries were fully charged and, so far, are holding up very well. I'm very pleased with my purchase. Just ordered more AAA and AA.

I've only had them a month, so I haven't come very close to the 1500 recharges (more like 2), but they do hold their charge well. I've owned rechargeables before and some were slightly fatter than standard alkalines and didn't always fit well in tight battery compartments. The eneloops fit and perform like regular alkaline batteries- they just last forever. - Low Discharge Nimh - Rechargeable Batteries'

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Light Switch - programmable timer switch, timer

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Pros:

- Clear installation instructions.

- Easy to program the automatic sunset/sunrise times.

- Informative display.

- Built-in rechargeable backup battery; no need to replace disposable batteries.

- Works well with LED bulbs (I am using an INCU7W 7W LED bulb). See below.

Cons:

- Pricey (I have seen timers for about $25).

- No long-term experience with the built-in rechargeable battery.

- Display is difficult to read unless the backlight is on.

Notes:

1. If you want to use the automatic sunset/sunrise time to control a load, you need to perform 3 steps: program the time/date, set your latitude and longitude, and finally set one on/off event.

2. My previous timer, an Intermatic EJ500 timer, did not turn off the power completely when it should have been off. This problem became evident when I replaced an incandescent bulb with a LED bulb. The LED bulb would blink every few seconds while the timer was in the "off" position. I did not notice it when I used an incandescent bulb because the latter needs much more power to generate light than the LED bulb. The blinking did not consume much power, but many guests told me that my light is burnt out. The problem was rectified by installing the Leviton VPT24. Leviton VPT24-1PZ Vizia + 1800W Incandescent, 15A Resistive, Inductive 1HP 24-Hour Timer with Astronomical Clock, White/Ivory/Light Almond

I bought the Leviton because it was the only timer switch I could find that changed sunset times and was available in light almond color. The switch comes packaged with ivory, light almond, and white faceplates. It has 5 wires on the back (one each for: power, load, neutral, ground, and 3-way switch operation). Instructions were clear and the switch installed easily. Because the switch is a little big, the directions recommend a switch box 2.5 inches in depth.

Programming was not difficult since the directions are very good (IMHO), but it was not intuitive and the directions are a must have. There are two setup options, pro and standard. The standard setup is conisderably simpler and basically is used if you only want to do time-on and time-off programming. If you want to take advantage of the switches sunset, sunrise, and daylight savings time options you will need to perform the Pro setup. I can't imagine why someone would pay the extra money for this switch and then not use the solar functions. I programmed the switch in about 5 minutes and it came on perfectly at "sunset" for my lattitude/longitude. With the built in battery I'm hoping I'll never have to program the switch again.

I needed an astronomical timer in Light Almond, so this was the default choice. The lede is that this timer installs easy, has easy-to-understand program options, and works great.

Having installed and used another brand of astronomic timer in the past, this was a very familiar process. It's a simple matter of connecting up all of the wires- the hardest part of the whole job is tucking the wires back into the box. The two main things to watch for in the installation are: 1) You must have a neutral at the box and 2) You must know which is the "line" side and which is the "load" side of the hot wire.

Programming is straightforward and simple, and accomplishes my dusk-to-dawn mission. I can see where others might want a little more flexibility in the offset function, but up to 50 programmable events can make up for most of that.

Operation is simple as well. The timer has an easy to read display and the faceplate acts as a manual switch, if manual operation is ever necessary. I have 3 of these in operation, with the longest just 6 weeks old, so I can't give a complete grade on reliability, but I haven't had any problems so far.

Leviton has a couple of interesting quirks in their timer compared to the competition, but if you do your research beforehand, you will know exactly what you are getting with this timer. And, as I said, Leviton is the only company that makes an astronomic timer in Light Almond, so I was pleasantly surprised that my only choice was a good choice!

Looking for a way to control my outdoor soffit lighting and this product is exactly what I was searching for. Soffit lighting is 10W LED spots so the cost to run them from dusk to 11 pm every night is minimal. The timer is set to turn on 30 minutes after dusk using the off-set option and turn off at 11pm.

I've been using the timer for 1 month but has worked flawlessly. In another year I will know how well the it tracks to dusk in my area. Also the backup battery works with loss of power. Will see how well the battery performs with time.

That switch is awesome. It's easy to still use it as a regular switch yet it turns on our outdoor lights on schedule as programmed. It's a great way to set lights with a timer that don't plug into the wall. It was also really easy to program. Very nice product. I am very impressed with this switch.

This timer switch works exactly as advertised. It's easy to install if you have a little basic knowledge about electrical circuits, and, with the help of the manual, easy to set up. I love that it "knows" when sunrise and sunset are, so I don't have to keep changing the light-on time manually as the seasons change. The programming options are almost insanely flexible: you could have the switch turn on/off at different times every day of the week, several times each day, if you want. (I just have it turn the switch on at sunset every day.) Overriding the programmed on/off times is very easy: just press the switch, and if the light's on, it goes off; if it's off, it goes on.

I have this set up to operate a lamp with 3 compact fluorescent bulbs (7 watts each), and it works perfectly. This item is a bit pricey at $47, but if it continues to be this hassle free (it has a 5 year warranty), it's worth every penny.

EDITED ON 3/19/11:

The switch still works, but even though it was set to turn on at sundown every day, somehow it started turning on at a fixed time (4:27 pm). I don't know how this happened - as far as I know no one has been fiddling with it. I set it to turn on at sundown again, and we'll see if the problem persists.

ALSO, regarding another review stating that this switch doesn't work with CFLs: that most definitely is NOT the case. It works with my lamp, which has 3 CFLs, 7 watts each. - Solar - Programmable Timer Switch - Leviton - Timer'

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Pry Bars - woodworking, shark

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This is absolutely my favorite hand tool ever. You can't imagine the usefulness of it until you have one in your hand. It eclipses all other pry bars. For trim it is simply outstanding. You can remove delicate moldings without damage. I have never used another bar that even comes close for this. It pulls the smallest of nails with ease , even nails without a head. The claw grips the shank like a vise. It also works on larger nails. You can lift drywall with it. You can scrape with it. The list of uses is unending and it gets longer every day.Buy about five of these because everyone who touches it will want one. Highly recommended. Shark Corp 21-2225 10-Inch Prybar and Nail Puller

This is a great compliment to the smaller model; the extra length works better on glue coat and ring shank nails that are well set. The flat end will get under trim almost as easily as a putty knife. The cat's paw nail puller is very sharp, both the tips and the slot, so it will grip headless nails with just a tap on the heel. The one caution: when using the cat's paw end, wear a leather glove to protect the palm of your hand from the sharp corners of the wide blade when yanking on it.I also use it to do some scraping and cleaning out inside corners. The heel of the cat's paw also can be used as a tack hammer. You will find more uses for this tool everytime you go to work. The quality of the forging and finish is great. Add one to your tool box today!

My only complaint is that I misplace mine too often! I do recommend the 10" over the 8", the extra leverage is appreciated. Excellent, tough steel that can be pounded and yet resharpened. In a tight spot, I even use the Shark like a chisel. With a bit of finesse, it will also pull headless finish nails. For more physical work, the Estwing is a similarly nice tool.

If you work with trim you need this tool. I am a remodeler and if you want to remove trim or molding without harming it this is a must have tool. The thin bladelike end will go under the most delicate moulding without leaving a mark

When we pulled up our carpet we found, to our surprise, hardwood floors underneath. While it was a terrific find, we discovered (at least) one problem: A former owner had apparently tried to fix floor squeaks by (seemingly) randomly pounding common nails of varying lengths into the floor. The heads were all flush with or even below the surface of the floor. Nothing in my toolbox had a chance of pulling them - but then I came across this wonderful little tool.

Causing little or no damage to the floor, the Shark pulled up nearly a hundred nails with 100% success. I actually started hoping I would find more nails as we pulled up more carpet.

And the sliver-thin pry is amazing as well. I was able to take up the tack strips in their entirety without hardly a sound, and removing molding is now amazingly smooth.

The Shark is definitely one of the best $20 tool purchases I have ever made!

I've had two size Shark tools for over 1 year now. They are absolutely outstanding. I've found them to be much better than standard pry bars. These tools are light weight. Their prying end starts very slim enabling you to get started easily on any pry job (for example, great for prying off fence boards. I highly recommend one (or even two if you select the two sizes) to have with you always.

I've used this tool all over the house with various remodeling projects from baseboards to wood flooring to entire bathrooms. It is a must have to remove things (i.e. demolition work) because the flat tapered edge wedges into tiny cracks.

Here are some things I have done:

-Removed baseboard all over the house.

-Removed wood closet shelving that was nailed into the wall.

-Lifted particleboard underlayment flooring and pried the staples.

-Used the flat edge to pry up a nail so I have enough room to grab it with the claws on the other end.

Almost anytime I have to remove something that is nailed, glued, or stapled down, I reach for this tool.

This is now a permanent addition to my primary handyman tool bag. It puts my old pry bars to shame and the ability to pull nails where the heads had stripped is a real attribute. Nice sharp (careful!) pry end enables getting behind material and I also bought the 8-Inch model as they work as a great team to move along trim and such to remove trim and such without breaking anything.

I have had 4 of these prybars. The Super-Thin Tempered Blade get behind the trim & molding to remove it with virtually no damage to the molding & wall itself. If you do not care about a wood piece, the Claw on it will dig down into the wood to pull the nail even without the head. TO ME THESE BARS ARE SECOND TO NONE.

I have used other bars like this and I felt like I was using a big fat chisel because the tapering was to blunt (to thick to fast) and did more damage to the wood & wall.

The reason needed 4 bars. 1 misplaced, 1 to replace the misplaced one till I find it, 2 wanted by co-workers (they threw their old prybar to the side after they used mine). They liked it better then their old bars.

This is a great contractor grade tool. It is great for removing moulding or baseboards. The nail puller was very good even for nailgun nails. Remember it is a small tool so if your trying to pull apart 2x4's nailed together you wont have enough leverage. - Pry Bars - Shark - Woodworking'

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Mens Accessories - trifold, trifold wallet

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This wallet is an excellent choice for the price. I didn't buy mine through Amazon, mainly because I had a coupon for another major retailer, but nonetheless the product is still excellent.

Pros:

-Easy to open, very compact.

-Holds 4 Cards+2 "Hidden" Pockets for extra cards+an incredibly large money slot.

-Includes picture holder... If you are in to that.

-Leather is genuine and has that leathery smell

Cons:

-I wish that the ID holder was on the far right flap, but I am starting to get used to the middle ID flap just fine. Kenneth Cole REACTION Men's Trifold Wallet,Black,One Size

This is my Second Kenneth Cole Reaction Wallet. The first one looks exactly like this one... Well, If you don't include the fact that I've sat on my old one for more than a Decade. So it looks rather glossy almost painted black after all these years. The leather and cloth in the old one is still intact but the seams have started coming apart. If I wanted to I could have it sewn back together. But I figured I would look for a new wallet If I could find one.

I never imagined that I would find the same wallet that I've had for all these years. As the other reviews have stated, the pockets are a little tight. but they will loosen with time. And the leather smells wonderful! The leather is also thicker than my old wallet. But again I think that can be attributed to a decade of being smashed... ;)

I couldn't be happier. I'm expecting this one to last another decade. See ya then!

I bought this for my boyfriend because he needed a new wallet. It's fairly good, but the card slots are rather slim. It's a bit hard to get some of the cards out. It's already been through the wash (cold water) because he always forgets to check his pockets, but it's still holding up well. The wash just made the color fade a tiny bit. Overall I'd say it's a good choice for a men's wallet, but it might be a good idea to look for ones that people say have bigger card slots if you think it will be a problem.

I gave this trifold wallet as a gift to my father. When I ordered it I had read most of the reviews and the one that stuck out most was the new leather smell. My dad even mentioned it. This wallet is so soft and unlike most it is not stiff. - Trifold Wallet - Trifold - Mens Accessories'

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Hammer Drills - lithium-ion, cordless drill

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I purchased this hammer driver drill in june '10 and used it this summer when renovating two apartments. I was sceptical to if a battery powered drill could produce enough power to drill in concrete and that sorts, but the BHP454 sure convinced me right from the start. It eats through concrete like butter, and the battery capacity is very good concidering the voltage and power drain from this type of job. The batteries charge in less than 30 minutes, and you'll probably not be able to drain a fresh battery before the next one is charged and ready, so you'll be able to work continously with this tool if you have two batteries. The torque adjustment functionality is also really nice, it enabled me to even assemble Ikea furniture without running the screws through the wood. This drill might be a little heavy for furniture assembly, but it's really no problem if you don't have smaller drills and still want to make the job quick; Just reduce the torque and you're ready to go.

I definately recommend this tool to anyone who does medium or larger projects and need a tool that delivers enough power with the convenience of being cordless. Bare-Tool Makita BHP454Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Hammer Driver-Drill (Tool Only, No Battery)

I ended up getting the BHP454Z as a bare tool because I couldn't find a combo kit that included this Hammer/Drill Driver with the new BTD 144 impact driver. Overall the BHP454Z is a great tool. The Makita battery life is great, and its extremely powerful. I used it the first day I got it to drill about twenty 3/8" holes about 2" deep, to mount shelves in a very thick concrete wall in my garage for a few shelves, and it did so relatively easily, didn't produce virtually any heat compared to similar hammer drills, and did the entire job on a single battery.

It's no replacement for a larger dedicated large hammer drill, but for small to medium jobs, it works great.

I purchased this tool to replace a BHP452 that had worn out from repeated use. The BHP 454 seems to be of stronger construction and is heavier. It functions very well so far. I expect to have a long and productive relationship with this tool.

Having the opportunity to buy tools of this quality without battery or charger insures that my original investment is not wasted when something happens. This is a good reason to spend the premium price associated with a first line tool system like the Makita LXT.

I bought this one to replace the one that came in the kit with the impact drill. I trashed the first one, but it took constant commercial abuse. I also used it to drill 3 & 4 inch holes which it isn't designed to do.

This new version seems to have a lot more torque than the last one did. I never really cared for Makita tools before I bought these last two drills. They are by far better than the DeWalts I have owned in the past.

I wouldn't hesitate to by one of these again.

A few years ago I purchased a Makita driver on sale at Home Depot. At the time, funds were tight so I opted to purchase just the single driver instead of the a combination set. I kept an eye at Home Depot for a sale on this BHP454Z drill-driver which never materialized. I was tickled to discover Makita made available the "Tool Only" option and that Amazon made this option available. I now have the set and Amazon was the exceptional purchase with the best price and shipping option. Thank you Makita and thank you Amazon.

This is a tough drill. It will drive a 3/4 inch auger through 8x8 all day if you have spare batteries. It's a little heavy and sometimes it's hard to switch between modes. Overall it's an excellent tool. All of the Makita lithiums that I've used have performed excellent.

This is my second drill like this, it feels hefty in the hand, has great toque and is easy to control. The lite is usefull. One small improvement would be some system of storing several bits on the unit, but overall a good drill.

I had already owned one of these workhorse's in the past(which mysteriously grew legs, and walked away)and after it was gone, I felt incomplete. That is how powerful this unit is. I mean, to be able to bring a grown man to tears after the first use when he then realizes he had been going through life wasting time and money on "disposable" drills. That's something! Bottom line folks, if you can keep your hands on this puppy, it will be the last drill you'll ever need to buy!

I bought this hoping I could share the BL 1815 battery from my regular drill. Nope there is a plastic blocker that prevents mounting the smaller 1815 battery. You must use the larger BL 1830 battery with this drill. Since I don't have enough hammer-drill needs to justify buying an $80 battery just for this drill I sent it back and got the BHP452Z model which does accept my battery. Too bad, since this one costs the same and is obviously more rugged, has the side handle and a depth stop rig.

Great drill,does the job!! Love the led light,not too heavy and easy to change bits with the keyless chuck.

I like the depth rod that comes with the drill, I can gauge the drilling depth with ease. Would recommend to anyone!! Nice rugged Hammer/Drill!! - Lithium-ion - Cordless Drill - Makita - Drill'

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Toyota Matrix Wiper Blades - anco, wiper blades

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I was thinking about getting one of those more expensive uni-blade wipers (Bosh Icon etc), but then I checked Consumer Reports and these basic Ancos are rated just as good and for less money.

So far, they wipe like a champ! Anco 31 Series 3118 Wiper Blade - 18"

The Anco 31 Series wiper blade is an excellent value. My last set of Anco wipers lasted a year and were still performing decently when I purchased this blade. They seem to have beefed up the structure of the mechanics and the wipe quality appears even better than my last set. They're very easy to install, simply and securely snapping into place on my Honda.

I've purchased more expensive windshield wipers before and have never noticed a significant difference in quality. I'll be purchasing this product again, especially if they keep the pricing so competative.

I would encourage you to give these wiper blades a try.

This series of Anco wipers is still made with a metal frame that doesn't break if hit by an ice scraper/snow brush. It does not flutter in the wind either and generally provides great wiping for 6-8 months.

If you are an auto enthusiast, perhaps you have certain requirements for your windshield wipers. I only have one -- it has to wipe away all rain in it's path leaving a clean clear view for the driver or passenger. This blade works as it should. It certainly works better than the worn blade it replaced. I simply bought it because Amazon indicated it was a match for my vehicle and it was among the lowest priced wipers available.

Perhaps it will wear out sooner than a "high performance" (aka Expensive) wiper blade, but I'll just buy another cheap one. I would guess it's good for at least two or three years (like my last cheap ones).

Installation was a breeze and the blade came with a few connecting hook options for various vehicles.

It's a wiper blade. If it fits your car, buy it, install it and move on with life. I'm happy with this purchase.

I was afraid these blades would be cheap and/or plastic given the low price. However based on the positives reviews here and elsewhere, I picked them up, and am pleased. They're made of metal and look quality. Even a noob like me had the blades swapped out on my 2008 Mini Cooper in a matter of minutes. I was very happy too that I did not need one of the several provided adapters to install them, they fit perfectly as-is. I've only had one big rain since buying them, but they seem to work great. I am having some loud skipping noise but I think that's my dirty windshield and not the blades.

I recently bought the RAIN-X wipers that were supposed to be great but on my 98 Mountaineer they were horrible and almost completely useless in the winter. I bought these and even with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow on the blade they still are able to move snow, rain, whatever. The best part no streaking. On top of that the same blades at O'reillys were 4-6 bucks more and I got these blades next day with two day. I live in St. Paul and I'm glad they shipped from Eagan, MN.

It works and the installation is piece of cake (if you know how, the instructions on the package is quite puzzling). Under California sun, rubber deteriorates quite quickly (about 4 months usage). You got what you paid for.

Great blades and they still on my car, I have forgot how long now when others would dry rot fast these have outlasted them all. Also the price is lower than my local auto parts store. Way to go Amazon. Thanks - Windshield Wiper - Toyota Matrix Wiper Blades - Anco - Wiper Blades'

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Accessories - makita, 12 volt

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I have the Makita 6217DWDE 12-Volt NiMH 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit and one of the batteries started not holding a charge. So I brought it upstairs to my computer and typed in the model (1234) and found this page. They want $55 for the battery. You can buy the Makita 6217DWDE 12-Volt NiMH 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with TWO of these exact batteries ($110 purchased individually) and that means the charger and drill itself cost $19.

That's just stupid.

So I bought another kit. Instead of spending $55 for one battery, I spent $129 and now I have TWO drills, THREE good batteries and TWO chargers.

In other words, unless you are flat broke, you're better off buying another kit than you are just replacing a bad battery. Makita 193157-5 1234 12-Volt 2.6 Amp Hour NiMH Pod Style Battery

Its the same form factor as my old makita rechargeable battery pack, but I had an Model 1801 charger which did not charge this newer battery. I had to buy a newer charger to charge this guy, then i was ok. Be sure to check that your charger can charge this battery. Just because the battery fits in your drill and charger, doesnt mean the charger will support charging it. !!!!

A lot of what was said here was true-but there are many 'factors' to consider. First of all, the old, orange NI-CAD Makita battery had a less amp hr rating than the subsequent newer NI-MH battery. Yes it does require a compatible charger, as the old one will not charge NI-MH and for that matter, the old chargers probably won't charge the newer orange NI-CAD batteries if they have a higher amp hr rating that the originals. Yeah it all sucks, much like computers, as they keep changing the rules and the hardware. But....every generation of battery works much better than its previous generation. You don't see people in the trades using NI-MH or Lithium-Iron batteries lamenting the old days of NI-CAD batteries. A lot of what kills rechargeable batteries is how and when you charge them. For NI-CAD batteries, it was always beneficial to run them down before charging and so later NI-CAD chargers would then 'discharge' the batteries for you before they charged them-worked pretty well. Now with NI-MH and Lithium-Iron that's not as critical, except that you can even damage Lithium-Iron if you slam them into a charger all the time at near full charge. Heat too will kill any of the generation batteries if you put them in the charger hot. Before you buy a new drill "kit", look for companies that offer lifetime or extended warranties to replace the Lithium-Iron batteries for free (or just shipping). Truly, if you have to buy Lithium-Iron batteries outright, you'd be much better off buying another "kit", which of course is not eco-friendly. I have to use about a dozen rechargeable drills in my profession and the batteries have always been the Achilles Heel of the "kits", sometimes to the point of 'voodoo'!

works much better than original. well worth price if you rely of having a drill available at all times. They don't mention, though, that you will need to buy a new charger -- old one doesn't work with this battery

Since my drill/driver and impact driver did not need replacing I just bought two new batteries Model 1234. I read the package and see that the charger DC1414 that I have used for the same batteries can no longer be used to charge the new battery pack. In the detail on the sales page tell people that so they either buy the charger or another drill kit. I thought that Makita was a better company that this. - Tools - Battery - 12 Volt - Makita'

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