Guy Low Price Electronic: 7 Jul 2009

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Best Finish Nailer

I posted this review over in the Hitachi MA2 version, a long standing favorite amongst the pros. I wanted to post it here as well considering it really is about the MA4. Here it is.

I've done/doing some professional woodworking and have a lifetime of experience. In air driven nailers I have Porter Cables upholstery stapler, their 23 gauge pin nailer, an 18 gauge, two of their 16 gauge nailers. I impulsively bought the Bostitch after reading the first page reviews, and then spent a couple of hours researching the Hitachi vs. the Bostitch. After comparing, this is what I found.

A lot of people are jumping on the Bostitch band wagon because it is the lightest at 3.8 pounds, it is dry as in no oil, and it has class leading 400 inch pounds of power. I was dazzled and bought right away. After digging deeper, I am refusing the Bostitch and getting the Hitachi. They both have the "durable composite magazine" (plastic) that holds the nails. The Hitachi with its aluminum housing only weighs .4 pounds more as in 4.2 instead of 3.8. That extra .4 is not going to make a difference. The oil issue is seemingly an advantage in that the Bostitch runs dry, but my other nailers are all oiled, and all I do is drive 2 or 3 nails into a piece of scrap to blow out the excess oil when first putting a couple of drops in the gun, and the rest of the time it is dry. Also the 400 pounds of torque is not an issue because the 15 gauge nailers have tons of power as compared to the 16 gauge, so much so that a small difference in power is irrelevant. When I borrowed a PC 15 gauge and first fired it, it went off with a POW instead of a pop like the 16. Substantially more power resulted in me being able to drive the nails into the tongue side of a 7/8" board deep enough that I didn't have to get out my center punch and tap it in the rest of the way; it drove deep and flush on the first try every time after setting it properly.

I am concerned about the many reviews that appear mostly all on the secondary pages on the Bostitch about having driver failure problems. Professionals who hit nails when driving a nail complain of having to go back and spend $35 to have the driver replaced every time they do. On the other hand the Hitachi has a ton of reviews many from deeply seasoned pro's that use it daily, for years, and never had a hiccup, other than an occasional, easily correctable nail jam. I'm using this right away on driving nails into crown moldings in a circa 1955 house with plaster walls, and the corners are all strengthened with lath wire so it is probable that I will be hitting metal more than just a few times. I don't want to worry about having to send it back to the shop to replace a driver every time I do.

This Hitachi NT65MA2 15 gauge has been updated twice. The 3 was out before in a lime green, and now the new item is the same model with a 4, as in NT65MA4. It has the same layout, but a slightly different look with the same industrial feel to it, and it is not lime green or gray, but silver. It appears that the main body is also a little bit larger.

The Bostitch is a fine tool but you will notice that the home hobbyist is praising it more and the pro's are booing it more. All you have to do is look down the review results and you will see the Bostitch has a wide spread review base with a liberal amount of 3's, 2's, and 1's as well as the 4's and 5's. The Hitachi is mostly 5's, and some 4's with no 3's, 2's, or 1's at all. That's quite a drastic difference. With reviews going all the way back to 2004 that is quite a lot of time for someone to hate the tool, and nobody does.

I wanted to say that the MA4 is only available at the time of writing this review through an Amazon merchant and not an Amazon in stock item, but I am sure Amazon will be picking it up directly soon. That was another decision I had to make. Do I buy the older tried and true, super reviewed MA2 model, or go for the newest version from Hitachi and get the MA4. After speaking to the rep he mentioned that it was the same industrial grade piece of equipment as the MA2 so I went for it. The body of the MA4 is even a little beefier.

Now onto the Hitachi and some of the things I love about it. First off it has an air blowing feature. You may think that is trivial, but it is a great feature that everyone is raving about. When I bought my Bosch jig saw it had an air blowing line that would remove the dust from where the blade meets the wood so you can see the line. After using lesser jig saws and not being able to see the line due to instant dust buildup, that was quite an improvement, so I am partial to air blowing capabilities. Even though with a nailer you don't wind up with the same problem, this thing has an air blower that is so strong that you can clean off a large workbench in only a few seconds; it comes in handy. It also has an interesting air input connection that is configured so you can keep the air line out of the way, and suspended in air so it is not so likely to bump into things. The Hitachi also has the continuous firing option whereas the Bostitch has the single firing option only. With continuous firing you can squeeze the trigger, and as fast as you plunge the head into the workpiece it fires repeatedly. You may have seen this feature on guns that are used to place tar paper on the side of buildings. Once up on the ladder they spread out a sheet, and pow, pow, pow. None of this stuff of positioning the gun, depress the nose, and then fire. That is great when you are doing precision work, but when you have larger areas that require multiple shots the multiple fire feature is great.

Nail availability. The Bostitch is the odd man out when it comes to nails in the industry; they only accept Bostitch nails. So Bostitch is proprietary forcing you to buy their nails. The Hitachi accepts the popular standard size from other manufacturers so when you are in the middle of a job you can access them locally, and not have to worry about overstocking everything all of the time. I normally would still prefer to use Hitachi nails in the Hitachi gun just in case but when viewing the ads for B&C Eagle nails they state, "Fits Senco, Hitachi, PC, Rigid, Milwaukee, Makita, Craftsman, Dewalt, and most other 15 gauge angled finish nailers." So you can see that you will never be stuck finding a compatible nail for the Hitachi 15 gauge nailer.

Overall the Bostitch is not a bad gun, but it appears that jams are more frequent after some use, and of course when they occur they bend over and mar the wood. Maybe this feature of having more power may be the reason why the driver gets broken. Combining that with a no oil environment may be the culprit.

I've also seen some pretty high priced Hitachi equipment, and with the discount I was able to purchase it for a price super close to the Bostitch. Bostitch is a good name, but in this case, I like the Hitachi better. Hitachi includes a nice case, and even a pair of safety glasses; nice touch. I just wish they included a small bottle of the oil. Maybe they didn't want to deal with the oil spill creating a mess problems. Oh well, no biggie. The bottom line to me is ease of use with multiple nail driving options and reliability. Hitachi NT65MA4 15 Gauge Angle Finish Nailer'

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Wireless Network - ian mcshane, keith richards

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I have several of these to go with my LG Infinia 55LW5600. They're identical to the freebies that came with the TV, which is a bit disappointing, to be honest.

While the glasses are lightweight, it's not a measure of superior design or materials. The plastic frames are of lesser quality than Real3D glasses you'd get if you were going to a theater (I kept a pair recently, to do a side-by-side). The lenses also aren't "lenses". They're just plastic gels that scratch if you look at them the wrong way, and need to be babied when you store them.

Perhaps more disappointing, is the design of the frames. Because they're almost perfectly flat, the "lenses" reflect any back light present in your peripheral vision. If you're not in a completely dark room, they get annoying pretty quickly.

All things being equal, you're probably better off taking someone to see a 3D matinee at your local theater, and keeping the Real3D glasses instead of tossing them in the recycling bin. The cost will be about the same, and the glasses will be slightly better than these. LG AG-F200 LG Cinema 3D Glasses for 2011 LG 3D LED HDTVs (Black)

Bought these 3D glasses for our LG 3D TV. TV came with 4 pair and I bought 4 more so we have enough for more family. Glasses are great, lightweight, do not distort your vision when you look away from the 3D. Even work for our 2 year old grandaughter, we just hook a rubberband on the stems and off she goes. Would recommend the LG 3D TV and these glasses. Choose this TV because we preferred these 3D glasses over the interactive, heavier and more expensive glasses required.

The 3-D Passive eyeglasses for LG HDTV I purchased were light and very comfortable to wear. It worked well for my 7-year old grandkids as well as for me and my wife. The reception from the LG (Passive) HDTV was realistic with less eye strain compared with my Samsung Active 3-D series 8000. The TV reception for the Passive LG TV however is not quite as sharp and vivid as the Samsung.

I have absolutely no complaints about these glasses, I actually like the look and feel - they are very light and the 3D effect is amazing. They take NO batteries, NO charging, they're super light and they were super cheap when I bought them with the TV as a packaged deal :) Now I have 10 pairs of glasses! I use them with my 65" LG Cinema 3D TV - totally worth it because they totally do the job. I am currently watching ESPN in 3D and I am being totally blown away by X Games! Can't wait for college football - because the previews alone in 3D are incredible. I couldn't imagine watching these shows in 2D now... no way am I going back!

They work fine, but I notice that I get a glare coming from behind me if there is a light on, so it can get distracting. I wish they angled the glasses a bit so that it covered the corners of my view... like form-fitting sunglasses... but I can't complain because they were free with the set - Keith Richards - Geoffrey Rush - Disney Dvd - Ian Mcshane'

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Booklet Stapler - booklet stapler, stapler

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These colored staples look very nice in their box, but once you staple them on you paper, the colored cover begins to fall into pieces, leaving also irregular edges on the staple. If you needed them for a formal occasion, I wouldn't recommend these staples. But you can use them in your daily work for fun since the colors are nice. Making Memories Tools metallic pack of 1250 Color Staples

I love colored staples... these appealed to me because of the shades offered in the box. They were resonably priced... but shipping was more than the product cost.

I bought these because Wal-Mart and Target quite selling colored staples. Otherwise I would have just gotten them from there.

The shipping cost was too much for my liking.

But the seller completed the transaction quickly and I have no complaints on that end. Overall, transaction went very smoothly. - Booklet Stapler - Pink - Staples - Stapler'

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Highly Recommended - digital frames, digital picture frame

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The main reason I decided to buy a digital photo frame is because printing out photos from my Sony DSC-H5 on an Epson PictureMate to share with the family got pretty tiresome. Sure, the prints looked good, but printing them took a long time, they cost about 35 cents apiece and some of the older relatives couldn't see them very well. I figured a digital photo frame would improve the whole process. My requirements were simple: the frame must have very high resolution, be small and lightweight (for packing in a carry-on suitcase), and accept images via a Memory Stick and also via a standard USB interface (which many, I found, do not).

The Sony DPF-D810 meets all of my requirements with flying colors. The 800-by-600-pixel 8-inch-diagonal display is clear, crisp, bright and saturated. Photos display instantly, either singly, until you manually advance them, or in a slideshow with your choice of 10 time intervals from three seconds to 24 hours and with your choice of six transition effects. You can show the full image or crop it to fit the screen. If the aspect ratio of the picture is wider than 4:3, thin black bars appear at the top and bottom of the screen--the image itself is undistorted. You can display image information such as the time and date taken, camera type, shutter speed and aperture, EV compensation and more. The unit will show photos directly from an SD memory card, Memory Stick Duo or USB flash drive, or you can copy them to the internal memory, which holds about 150 high-resolution images. A mini-USB connector lets you transfer photos directly from your computer. You can choose from 14 different full-screen clock and calendar displays, or integrate a clock and/or calendar with six of the 10 different slideshow display options. Thus you can place this frame on a desk or mantel and run it all the time as a useful item of room decor. You can even choose whether or not to display the bright "Sony" logo on the lower part of the frame. All in all, this is a very impressive device that should satisfy the most demanding user. Plus, it is small (roughly 9 inches by 7 inches by 1 inch) and lightweight (less than 1-1/2 pounds, including the AC transformer and the remote control).

Speaking of which, the remote control is a great bonus. When I first set up the DPF-D810, I found it difficult to see the on-screen menus while manipulating tiny buttons with minuscule labels on the back of the unit. Then I used the remote. What a difference! You can access all of the frame's well-designed and logically arranged setup and functional menus with ease. Not all frames in this price category offer remotes. I didn't care about it when I selected this frame, but now I wouldn't be without it.

Even though I wanted a digital photo frame for just one simple purpose, I was pleased to find that this one far exceeded my expectations and offered much more than I needed for a reasonable price. If you're considering taking the next logical evolutionary step in digital photography by displaying your pictures on a photo frame rather than printing them, I highly recommend you consider the Sony DPF-D810. Sony DPF-D810 8-Inch SVGA LCD (4:3) Digital Photo Frame (Black)

I'm the one in the family...and extended family...that does the shopping for electronics/digital products. You know me, many of you have that guy in your own families or group of friends.

When I decided to buy digital frames for my parents and my wife for this Christmas, I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of digital frames. I read a lot of reviews as well and compared many of the features available. Here's what I liked about the Sony DPF-D810 8-inch SVGA Frame:

Simply to use, yet has advanced features that you don't get in this price range

Sturdy, well thought-out design (even the remote is sturdy...many have flimsy remotes that are useless)

4:3 format...standard photo size, so it doesn't undesirably crop your precious photos

Allows the use of all standard memory cards to include USB thumb drives -great for anyone that might be technically challenged

It's not a knock-off brand and was obviously well tested..I didn't have to wonder how long it would reliably work

It's not the biggest frame on the market...it's not the most expensive (by far)

It is a great buy for $79!

Excellent picture, good desktop size. Great that it has multiple ways of getting data. You can also superimpose a clock over your picture which is neat, but not always practical.

The only thing I could think of that it cannot do is that I'd like to be able to set the speed at which the slideshow advances. Apparently you can only show one slide, or have a pre-determined speed slideshow. Great for sharing and viewing, but I'd like to see it change maybe every half hour for my desk. Still, it's otherwise perfect. Well worth the money. Remote is more handy than you would think.

I don't know why you would want the Sony logo to show, but it's nice they allow you to turn that off.

I shopped around a little bit and looked at maybe 10 different digital picture frames before buying this one on Amazon. All I can say is this is one of the best buying choices I've ever made, and I'm so glad I did. Just to warn you, this product arrived only today, so I've had only a day to play around with it. But what other reviewers said is absolutely true: the resolution on this digital picture frame is just incredible. For me resolution was all that mattered, along with ease in how images are input into the frame, and this model takes care of both of those. High resolution pictures look absolutely crisp and clear with this frame, exactly as you would see them on a computer monitor, which is what I had hoped for, but I suspected I would be disappointed. The truth is the picture quality is even better than I could have imagined. Let's put it this way, even low resolution pictures (say, 600 by 400) look great in this frame, even though they do appear grainy, as one would expect. But somehow with a combination of the frame's backlighting and precision, even low resolution images appear more clear and clean than you would expect. From a resolution standpoint you absolutely cannot go wrong, especially if you can get this frame for around $79, as I did.

The only cons I have found with this product thus far are that the controls on the back of the frame to set up various options are extremely cumbersome and difficult to get used to; however, the included remote is much easier to use, and after a few clicks you're pretty much ready to go. Aside from that, it's just a matter of inserting your picture media, which basically just means sliding in a standard memory stick or memory card, and selecting how you want the pictures to be shown--either one at a time, several at a time in smaller view, or in various other ways. The other downside I have found is that thus far I have not been able to figure out how to get my pictures to display in a specific order that I choose. The frame seems to have a mind of its own when you're trying put pictures in a specific order. This may just be the result of my own ignorance of how this frame works, given that I've had it such a short time. There are also many features that I find excessive, such as the ability to display about six different types of digital clocks or calendars instead of pictures--why anyone would want to do this with such a wonderful picture frame is a mystery, but you can if you want to.

To put it simply, if you want a good quality, durable picture frame that offers very high resolution and crystal clear photo output while giving you several different, easy ways to input photos, this is definitely the frame for you. The remote is a nice touch also, and it works very well. You really can't go wrong with this frame. My recommendation is fantastic buy, and once other people you know see it, they'll want one, too, so you had better hide yours once you get it! What a phenominal piece of technology! - Digital Frame - Digital Frames - Photo Frame - Digital Picture Frame'

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Online Communication

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This is the platonic form of a USB sound card. It works well in Windows XP and Mac OS X, has clearly labeled inputs, decent build quality, and has no unnecessary features, at a very affordable price. We bought it to use stereo jack headsets with Skype on Mac computers that don't have microphone jacks, and this adapter fits our needs exactly. This also resolves a problem we have when using Windows XP on our iMacs - Apple doesn't provide the correct sound drivers in Boot Camp, and the built-in iMac headphone jack doesn't work in Windows - the USB adapter works perfectly.

In Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (tested in both) the device is identified as a "C-Media USB Audio Device". Installation was plug-and-play, the device was immediately recognized after plugging in, although I had to manually select it as the input/output device in the Sound preference pane. After selecting it and setting the input levels, OS X and Skype both automatically switched back and forth between Built-in Audio and C-Media USB when it was plugged/unplugged, and remembered the input levels last used on each (although not the systemwide output levels).

A sticker on the outside of the box identifies the chipset as the C-Media CM119, and it is a USB 2.0 device.

Physically, the construction seems plenty robust for a $10 device. The mic and headphone jacks are color coded in standard pink and green, and have large white icon labels that are easily identified. The case is darkly translucent black, and a green LED inside blinks when sound is being transmitted or received, and otherwise glows steady when plugged in but not in active use. It is too thick to plug into the USB ports on the edges of the 2007-2009 silver aluminum iMac keyboards. On our aluminum iMacs it has to be plugged into the back, where it doesn't block any other ports (as long as other connected USB devices are not also thick). However, it can easily be connected to the USB ports next to the cord on the rear of the older white Mac keyboards from 2003-2007.

Drawbacks?

The microphone input is mono, which is fine for voice headsets, but probably not great for pro audio recording, which probably wouldn't be done with a $10 device anyway. I could do without the blinking light, but as it will be out of sight when connected behind my iMac, it's not a big deal.

Comparison

We also bought the cousin to this product, the 7.1 Channel USB External Sound Card Audio Adapter with external volume control buttons. The 7.1 version uses the same CM119 chipset, but was inferior to this Syba model in all respects.

- The 7.1 model has a thicker body, making it more likely to block other USB ports.

- The buttons on the 7.1 feel very flimsy, and are mostly useless as they only change the computer's software volume settings.

- The 7.1 inputs are not correctly color coded (yellow and black) and the icon labels are tiny and hard to distinguish.

- The 7.1 is identified by OS X as "Unknown USB Audio device"

- The particular 7.1 unit we received was assembled with its USB port slightly angled off-center.

The only supposed improvements in the 7.1 version are the flaky exterior buttons and that it comes with a mini-CD of Xear "virtual surround sound" software for Windows only. Surely you could use some other "3D sound simulation software" with this Syba unit, and there are several reports of the buttons/housing breaking on the 7.1 version. I strongly recommend avoiding the 7.1 model at all costs, this one is simpler and sturdier. Syba SD-CM-UAUD USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS

If you need a basic stereo speaker output and a mic input, this will probably suit your needs well.

-Pros:

It's inexpensive, and it works as described.

Installation couldn't be easier - just plug it in, and a driver is set up automatically. It works equally well with Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux. I have used the 64-bit versions of each on my PC, and each recognized and set up this device when I plugged it in, without any extra effort on my part.

This device is also thin enough that it doesn't block USB ports that are above or below, unless they're using a thick USB plug. However, it could block USB ports to the sides.

-Cons:

The audio output has a little bit if distortion, at least in my experience with it in Windows Vista 64-bit. Fortunately, at least in Windows Vista, you can use a different audio device for audio output.

Also, the microphone input is mono. For musicians, this wouldn't be suitable for making stereo recordings.

-Other Thoughts:

I bought this to use primarily as a microphone input, since the microphone input on my new PC does not work well. The microphone input on this device works very well. The microphone signal is loud and clear with no noise.

I had initially thought that this USB card was an incredible bargain. After more use and a comparative test, I started to believe that it is just an OK product.

The biggest attractions of this are its compact size, solid build, reliability, simplicity, clear markings (with the right colors), absolutely no installation requirement (on Windows 7), and low price.

However, I discovered some shortcomings of this product which may or may not matter, depending on your use.

First, the noise level isn't the best. It is very usable, but not as good as a decent built-in sound card. At least a laptop (Lenovo X200 tablet) I recently tested has noticeably cleaner builtin sound than this USB card.

Second, the microphone input of this USB Sound card is not powered. Most USB sound cards are insufficiently powered, but I suspect this one is particularly bad. This means that the sound card may not work with many condenser microphones that require power. I just tested with several microphones including an Audio Technica AT9842 lapel microphone, which works perfectly with the built in PCI soundcard of my desktop computer, but absolutely not with this USB Sound card. For your information, this microphone does not even require a very high voltage for power (I think it requires less than 5V). So you can forget about it if you want use some of the professional microphones that may require a phantom power much higher than 5V.)

All in all, for very simple use, this is a very good choice thanks to the several advantages mentioned above. But if you are going to use it for more advanced functions, you may find this sound card lacking.'

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Girls Magazines

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As the saying goes, "Beauty is not skin deep." Of course, that doesn't matter to the American media; it would seem that in their opinion, there's no place in our society for anyone whose beauty is not evident on the surface. Moreover, the standards of beauty on television and in the print media set the bar quite high. A pretty face won't do; to be a superstar, you need to bare lots of skin, like Britney. Thinking back to Victorian-era prudishness, when a girl's *ankles* couldn't be exposed and when a woman's place was in the home, it's hard to imagine how our culture got to this point. How did we women get to where we are today? And what relationships, if any, are there between the way we live life and the media images surrounding us?To learn the answers to these questions and more, read "The Girl on the Magazine Cover." Kitch, a journalist and historian, presents a compelling case for women's journey from "matronly" to "dangerous but beautiful" to "cute, skinny, and sexually free." Her focus is on 1895 through 1930, a period of some of the most rapid changes in our history, when technology, early feminism, and higher education intersected. Kitch argues that one result of their intersection was the "new woman," whose liberation was quickly co-opted by the forces of capitalism and consumerism into little more than a marketing tool. (Progress, indeed!)Note that Kitch's focus is broader than the title would imply: She devotes one chapter to depictions of African-American women, another to the crisis of masculinity faced by men in this era of change, and still another to families. Her epilogue is quite strong, drawing connections between the depictions of women in early magazines to the depictions of women on television today.In sum, "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" is an evocative, compelling contribution to the fields of mass communication and women's studies. Kitch's arguments are sound, backed with extensive research and illustrated by well-chosen reproductions of period magazine artwork. If the media, women's rights, and/or stereotyping are of interest, then this is the book for you! The Girl on the Magazine Cover: The Origins of Visual Stereotypes in American Mass Media

After obtaining some old women's magazines from the 1900's, I wanted to learn more about drawings of women which graced these magazine covers. I also wanted to understand why illustrations were used far more often than photos, even after photos were used for the ads within the magazines themselves. This book was just what I needed to understand not only what the illustrators were trying to say about women's roles at the time but about how so many of these images and stereotypes of the "ideal" woman still permeate our magazines (and culture) today. If you've ever doubted that "what goes around comes around again" when it comes to women's stereotypes and ideals, reading this book may change your mind. For those familiar with such icons of The Golden Age of Illustration as C. Coles Phillips's Fadeaway Girls or the rather sophisticated women of J. C. Leyendecker or any other artists of the time, this book will be a delight, revealing new insights about the artists visions. For those interested in social history, the book is equally engaging, showing how artist who drew cover girls for popular magazines such as Life, Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping also worked for major businesses and even the government, helping to perpetuate the popular images of women throughout the culture.

America is more than familiar with the stereotypical blonde bombshells that grace the covers of magazines, television programs, movies, and advertisements. In Carolyn Kitch's book she is able to outline the origins of how stereotypical images came about. Her extensive background in the media along with the use of actual magazine illustrations allows her to present her arguments in a way that anyone with an interest in women's history in the media can understand.

Kitch's book maintains the reader's interest by citing specific examples, providing information about the time period, and providing illustrations. Keeping a loosely chronological form allows the book to flow, but the ideas of the time period are more important to Kitch than keeping a pattern. She breaks at appropriate points to discuss alternate visions that challenged and reinforced stereotypes in the media.

While Kitch's book is effective, it is not extensive. Its sheer size just doesn't allow Kitch to get as in depth as she could. She promises so much in the introduction, but isn't able to deliver all that she promises.

The books briefness keeps it from being extensive, but it is still able to provide me with a more organized knowledge of how stereotypes of women in the media such as the ever-popular blonde bombshell came about.'

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Upconverting Dvd Players - streaming video, panasonic

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I have been waiting for this Blu-ray player since it was announced in January, bought this to use with my Panasonic VIERA TV set. VIERA link is the main reason I bought this -- it's for our exercise room, and my wife hates all the remotes. Great as a basic DVD/blu-ray player. Pop in a DVD, TV turns on, and sets the correct input. Also, one button selection of Netflix works great, and the new Netflix interface includes search. On screen interface is also very nice and easy to use. As will all new players, only has HDMI and composite video connectors, but single HDMI for video and audio is nice and is required for VIERA link.

Only reason for the 4 stars is DLNA (which in not just an issue with this device). Writing this in the hopes of saving at least one person the hours I spent setting this up. First, with my Windows 7 PC, the device was able to see and play the Windows Media Center .wtv files (I have a TV tuner card in my PC), so you can record shows on your PC and watch them on this player in another room. Compatibility with .wtv files was not mentioned in the manual, nor by Panasonic online support. Panasonic support also said that .mkv files would only play via a disk or the usb, but some of my .mkv files on my PC did play using DLNA (for some reason, only the files with an aspect ratio of 1024X576 or higher will play). Decided I needed a media server.

After trying Tversity, Playon, and Serviio, none of which would work with the DMP-BD75, I installed Mezzmo on my PC. Worked like a champ! The player sees all the files on my PC and they play flawlessly over my home network.

Remote will only control TV volume, power, and input, so if you switch to TV, you have to switch remotes. Don't know why in TV mode the number keys couldn't function to enter a channel number. Still, the remote will control all disc functions, Netflix, and all my video files via DLNA. One thing with the remote and VIERA link, the large power button turns on the player and will also turn on the TV at the same time. However, when you power down, using the large power button only turns off the player (which does make sense, you may want to leave the TV on). There is a second power button for the TV. If you turn off that button, both with shut down.

Overall, for just under $100 you can't go wrong. And if you aren't interested in DLNA or 3D, then this would be a 5 star player. Panasonic DMP-BD75 Ultra-Fast Booting Blu-ray Disc Player

I've had this Bd75 for about a month now. When I first received it , I had problems. I mainly got this unit so I could stream Netflix movies, and wanted to have a Blu-ray player to connect to my Panasonic TC-L42U22 1080p LCD TV.

When the player chose to work, I was overwhelmed by the fantastic picture quality of this TV/Blu-ray combo. But, the Bd75 had bugs, and if you're like me, if something doesn't work as it should right out of the box, chances are things are only going to get worse.

I decided that the Bd75 was so good at streaming Netflix movies that I would keep it, bugs and all.

Now for the really good news. I turned the unit on a few days ago, and had a on-screen message that there was a firmware update available. Version 1.19 I let it download. It restarts itself after the download, and since then, NO bugs, freeze-ups, or any other problems.

If this firmware update does its job, then this Bd75 player will be a steal at the $99.00 it sells for.

Panasonic says this player won't support Amazon Video on Demand as it does not have VIERA Cast capability. There is currently no firmware update and they told me they don't expect to add this feature in the future either. It does support Netflix streaming.

I have since returned the DMP-BD75 and purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD65 with VIERA Cast. The DMP-BD65 works great and streams Amazon Video on Demand.

I just needed a solid Blue Ray DVD player - to play DVDs. I bought this off the shelf at Target for $99, plugged it in and it worked great. I liked the very quick start up from the time you put the disc in until it is playing on the screen. Excellent picture. Super slim and attractive body. Very simple to use. Requires no intelligence to set up or operate. (Don't forget to buy whatever cables you need - none included except the power plug) If you want an easy to use player to watch DVDs this one is a great value for the cost and really does give a beautiful, clear picture.

The picture quality for Blu-ray and DVD is very good, and the boot time is excellent. However, in just a few uses the machine has shown a tendency to lock up and the only way to resolve the issue is to pull the power cord. This has happened while viewing movies, and looking at photos that are stored on my PC.

The Netflix quality is poor. I also have a Roku box that I use for Netflix, and the quality for the Roku far exceeds that of the Panasonic Blu-ray player. Since the quality on the Roku is so much better I don't consider the Blu-ray player as even being an option if I want to watch anything through Netflix.

All things considered it is not a bad Blu-ray player, but the tendency to freeze up makes this a machine that I probably would not recommend.

I'm not sure that a device that did not work out of the box deserves 4 stars but since it is 2011 and manufacturers can fairly rely on consumers having access to a hard-wired internet connection (ethernet cable, not wireless), I guess having to download the most current software is not reason enough to fail this device. When I first hooked up this Panasonic BlueRay with an HDMI cable, there was a crazy loud clicking noise instead of the expected audio. A quick read of the manual had me hooking this up to my Cisco Router and getting the most current download. Then it was smooth sailing and everything worked seamlessly. So, if you have some competence with your network then you should be fine - otherwise you might want to skip this item. - Blu-ray - Panasonic - Streaming Video - Netflix'

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Combo Packs - combo packs, combo

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I received this product via free shipping, and like the other reviewers, mine was poorly packaged. No box in a box, just the mfr box. Corners were dented, box was torn up, looked like it had been dropped on one end a few times. Inside, I found all the tools, but some of the items had shifted and were scuffed up a bit. Some items were floating around, like the screwdriver bit, and the sawsall bit.

However, all the tools functioned properly, and I got this set for a good price. These are top quality tools. Even the radio sounds decent, with a aux input for a MP3 player. Would have been nicer if the radio played CD's, but it doesn't.

For the price, this is a great deal, so just refuse the package if it arrives beat up so you can avoid the return shipping charges and get another one.

A little unrelated, but when I first found this item it was priced at $494, but when I checked out about two hours later, the unadvertised "sale" on this item ended, and the price went up to $549. Called Amazon directly, and they wouldn't budge. A little cheesy in my opinion, but still a good deal at the new price.

Would be a five star with sturdier packaging. Makita LXT702 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-Piece Combo Kit

Absolutely love the tools!! The shipping problems also appear to be fixed, mine was shipped placed inside of a stronger exterior box with everything intact. I would also agree with previous reviews that I'm not too keen on the duffel bag, it has pockets for two drills, the recip saw, and the charger, most everything else just lays loose in the bag. I did find that if I packed the radio in the bag as well things fit snugly and didn't get banged around too much. A solid case would have been nice but on the other hand most likely would have been extremely large. Quick review of tools -

Drill - better than awesome

Driver - Even better than the drill, already survived a drop off the ladder unscathed

Recip saw - Very strong, yet soft to operate

Angle Grinder - Like it but rpm seems slow, doesn't back down though and it has a cool overload indicator

light

Circular saw - Great for a battery powered saw

Flashlight - Bright, but would have liked to see LED and also a flexible goose neck design

Charger - maybe time to update to a more modern looking design but works well

Radio - Compact design is very nice, much smaller than other job site radios and it isn't an odd shape so it packs well. Looks very sturdy. Would be cooler if it could charge a battery.

I wanted to get a good set of cordless tools for about under a year. I figured there are so many little side project around my house, one of my biggest deterents is set up, making sure the extension cord is long enought or sometimes requireing two, finding the right plug; then there is the packing up. In all the time it would take me to set up my work station, I'd talk myself out of doing my side projects.

I had settled on the Makita combo set or the Milwakee 28V. I hear great things about Milwakee, plus my dad corded Milwakee sawzall has been going strong for over 15 years.

But, this was the kicker for me in my decision making. I got more tools from this 18V set than I would the Milwakee 28V set. If I needed more power, then I could just get the corded tools which I happen to have. i.e. this hammer drill could not drive a screw through some old wood, I could neither back out the screw or drive it in. So, I brought in my Corded Porter Cable screw gun, and it drove the screw no problem at all. I know I could have drilled a bigger pilot hole, but needless to say, by that time, the screw was stuck.

The set from what I found cannot replace your corded tools power... But, that is if you have a good set of corded tools already. If you need max power in a battery pack, you should do more research on the 28V tools.

Quick run down of tools:

1) flashlight... Tremendously bright. Will light up a room even if you have it on the ground.

2) Sawzall... Tooless blade change is great. Has quite a bit of power. You could have endless uses for this sawzall even if it isn't construction handy work. I could see situations where I can trim 5" tree limbs with the right blade, no cables to cause dangers.

3) Circualr saw, cuts 2X4's well. I was able to cut several plywoods as well. Of course I'm not contractor so I'm not going to drain the battery with my small use of it.

4) Impact drill will screw a screw in with authority - the screw will be pipping hot when you take it out. I tried using this to remove the above mention screw, but the hammering action was eating the head of the screw.

5) Grinder, I haven't worked with it, but seems to give a good kick when you push the trigger.

6) Hammer drill... I had problems with utilizing as a screw gun. But the drill works quite well. The Hammer drill option works good as well.

7) Portable radio... works well. But, I find you have to move it around in order to get optimal reception. When I put it in certain places, the static will be bad, but if I move it around, I can put it where the reception is crystal clear. The MP3 plug is a good option, but the "SOUND IS LOW" in comparison to the normal radio option. You won't have to squint your ear to hear, but you will notice the difference.

Side note, you get all or nothing power, which is good. When the battery runs out, the tool just will not work. But you will get power up until the power drains enough not to operate the tools.

Fantastic strong tools with long battery life. Very well engineered. Would have given it 5-stars except the carrying bag is a little weird and the packaging had problems. The tool set was shipped in the factory carton which was designed to be placed on the retail store shelf. When I got the shipment, accessory parts had already and were still falling out of the box. Some parts like the cut-off wheel were broken as well. Amazon gave me what I thought to be a very reasonable discount for the problems. To avoid this in the future either Makita or Amazon needs to provide a real shipping package for what otherwise is a great set of tools. - Combo Packs - 18 Volt - Makita - Combo'

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Snow Removal - electric snow thrower, snowblower

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We live in the Midwest, and I grew tired of our snow blower that would never start. I purchased this wonderful snow thrower, and I couldn't be happier! So easy to assemble, so easy to start, just plug it in. The box mentions it is good for small spaces, but I just did our triple width driveway and my mom's double-width, double-length driveway, and couldn't be more pleased! It is quiet, throws the snow wonderfully, scrapes down to the bottom, and the cord, well, just think of the sensation of vacuuming the snow. I put the cord over my should like vacuuming and it worked like a charm. I purchased a Coleman 100-foot extention cord that was bright yellow, and that made it easier to visualize in the snow and allowed me to go to the end of the driveways with ease. Tangles? No, again remember, it feels like vacuuming the snow--a cord attached to your appliance. Can't say enough good things about this wonderful, LIGHTWEIGHT, product. NO COMPLAINTS, NO PROBLEMS, NO HESITATION IN RECOMMENDING THIS WONDERFUL, DEPENDABLE HELPER. Snow Joe 322P 12-Inch 7.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower

It works very well on small driveways and walkways. A plus is the weight (12.5lbs) which makes it perfect for steps. A cord is required; 50 foot extension cord should do the trick. I picked this snowblower at my local Ace Hardware and store owner said they sold many units with no complaints.

The Snow Joe 12-Inch 6.6 Amp Electric Snow Thrower #322 is only good in 4in of light, powdery snow. With anything else, this thing is darn near useless. Even if there isn't a lot of snow and you're trying to clear a path in a small driveway or on the side walk, if the snow is too heavy, the Snow Joe barely budges or it doesn't dig deep. You have to go over the snow with several passes to even see the ground and I'm talking about only a few inches of snow. I had to eventually put this product aside and start using my shovel again. I don't like having to reshovel what this product is supposed to be plowing through. Yeah, it makes a lot of noise but that's about all it does.

I purchased the Snow Joe because I thought it would be a time and back saver but it turned out to be clumsy and ineffective.

This is a fantastic item that should be in everyone's home (where it snows). The machine works as an addition to your gas powered blower. You can't exactly use the gas snow thrower on your stairs or your patio without having the neighbors help lift the thing. It's great for snowfall less than six inches and to clear your walks. Two thumbs up to the SnowJoe people and Amazon for finding such a clever item. Happy Holidays!

I noticed after the second used that one of the blades is already broke. (about a 2" piece is missing from one of the blades. That's what you get for something that spins at high speeds and is made from plastic.

Can I get a replacement blade????

I had a similar product (Toro Power Shovel), but the SnowJoe is an improvement. It has a longer,curved handle which makes it easier to use. It handles 4-5 inches of light snow easily, and deeper snow if you make several passes while lifting the thrower. The only drawback was assembly. Getting the cord properly placed inside of the housing was a little difficult and I am pretty handy at that sort of thing.

I got this blower because I wanted something I could handle on my own, something the kids could use and something electric that wouldn't be such a pain to haul out every time we had a little snowfall. This fits the bill. We just had about 6 inches of snow and it's 0 degrees this morning. I was afraid after sitting all night there would be a big crust on the snow that the blower couldn't handle, but it did great! Now, my husband did accidentally hit some big rocks which knocked some chunks out of the blade, so be careful if you don't know what's under the snow. You don't want to just shove the thing into some stationary object. (The blades can be purchased separately for $20.) It would be nice if it were angled so you could just push it in front of you, but I just used it like a broom and swept side to side. Obviously, that's how it's meant to be used, hence the big handle in the middle. (Duh.) I did at times just push it down the sidewalk, blowing the snow right in front and it handled the extra just fine. I can't speak to how it will perform in heavy, sloppy snow or how it will hold up over time, but for the price it's a winner!

I was a little disappointed in this. It does blow the snow nicely, but it is awkward to hold and clears a very narrow pathway. Also, it blows the snow forward, so you have to be careful about how you go about cleaning your paths or you'll blow snow into areas you've already cleaned. It also kept unplugging on me, even when the cord was not pulled tightly. It does a decent job, but it's really almost just as easy to shovel.

Heavy and difficult to push, only good for a few inches of dry snow. It did throw 4 inches of wet snow but I had to lift it. I might as well use a shovel since I have to lift it up. Easy to assemble. - Electric Snow Thrower - Snowblower - Snowjoe - Snow Blower'

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Flash Drives - 16gb, usb flash drives

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This is a great little piece of machinery. It's straightforward, functional, and--what can I say?--truly cute. It's one of the teeniest USB flash drives I've ever seen, and for me, that's a good thing. I needed a USB drive that could fit into the back port of my Xbox 360 (the original white Arcade model), and the HP v165w does the trick beautifully. It also works great as a storage device for your computer.

Here's a breakdown of its features:

>> The package

The v165w comes in a thin, minimal-plastic package that looks exactly like the container shown on the product photos. It's basically a plastic holder sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. Nice to look at, hard to open (just like most electronics packaging). Inside, you get the actual USB drive and a tiny lanyard similar to something you'd find on a cell phone charm. No other instructions or slips of paper are included (not that they're needed).

The back of the packaging lists the following system requirements:

- Windows and Mac compatible

- Operating systems supported:

Windows: 2000, XP, Vista, 7

Mac OS: 10.3 or later. USB 2.0

>> It's tiny!

This is a very small USB drive, which can be good or bad depending on your needs or tendency to lose small things. The entire drive could almost fit on a U.S. quarter, meaning it can go all the places a quarter can: a pocket, a wallet, or underneath the sofa cushion. With the lanyard, you can easily hang it from your cell phone as an ultra-techie decorative charm. It won't crowd your keys, either. If you're a person who needs some on-the-go storage available at all times, this ultra-portable drive won't let you down.

The translucent blue covering is a great color, too. With its sleek, concave styling, it's almost reminiscent of a bite-sized blue Xbox 360, which brings me to my next topic...

>>It plays well with the Xbox

The v165w is one of the few USB drives that actually fits into that secret USB port at the back of most original Xbox 360 models. It also fits quite nicely in the front two ports, if you prefer to use those. It's small enough that it'll fit snugly without sticking out of any of the ports, and yet you can pull it out if need be.

The great news is that it passes Microsoft's performance tests with flying colors. Once I formatted it for my Xbox--a total of 14.5 GB were available--I got the thumbs-up that this USB drive met specifications. Awesome!

Update Nov. 30, 2010:

It seems some people have been having problems with the 4GB version of this USB drive when using it for Xbox data storage. I wanted to come back and say that I have not encountered any problems with my 16GB drive at all. Since this drive is supplementary to an official Xbox hard drive I have on the system, I don't keep any vital data like my profile or current game saves on this 16GB USB. I do, however, save all my videos to it, and I'm able to play back all videos without a hitch. I've also put old game saves and downloadable content on the USB without any issues. My recommendation is to use this drive as a companion to your official Xbox hard drive in order to free up space on your primary HD. Likewise, I suggest keeping the USB connected to the system if you decide to use it that way, so the Xbox continually recognizes it as a data storage device.

Since I haven't tested the other sizes of this USB, I can't accurately review them. But I continue to recommend the 16GB version of this USB drive as supplementary Xbox 360 storage.

>>It plays well with computers

Before commissioning the USB stick for Xbox storage, I tried it out with my computer. I was happy to see that the v165w is a straightforward storage device with no hidden or extraneous software pre-installed. You pop it in, wait a few seconds for your computer to recognize it, then open up the folder to find 15.1 GB of fresh space waiting to be filled. Beautiful.

I'm not a speed maven, so I didn't do any special speed tests with transferring large files and such. I will say that it seemed as quick as other USB drives I've used--maybe even quicker.

The v165w also works perfectly across Windows and Mac platforms. Files saved on one operating system are easily recognized by the other.

>>Things to note

* This USB drive comes with a cap, meaning the cap can be lost or misplaced. It fits very snugly on the drive, though, so it shouldn't come off on its own.

* There are no LED lights or other indicators to let you know the drive is running. This is understandable, because the whole point of the v165w is portability. Still, it's something to keep in mind.

* You get 15.1 GB of computer storage and 14.5 GB of Xbox storage because the Xbox uses up about 500MB for storing settings and other hidden data once it formats the drive.

>>Closing comments

Overall, I love this tiny drive! It's cute, straightforward, and ultra-portable. It works with my computer and my Xbox, and it fits in all the places I need it to fit. Highly recommended for folks who want something small and powerful. I'm still amazed they could pack a whole 16GB (15.1GB, really) onto something so tiny. It's great! HP v165w 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive P-FD16GHP165-EF (Blue)

I wanted a thumb drive that I could plug into the USB port on my car stereo that could hold a lot (16 gigs) of music. This fulfilled those requirements. The added benifit is that its small, so it doesn't attract a lot of attention.

PROS:

-Small

-Tight cap (won't fall off)

-Holds a lot of (music) info

CONS:

-None for me!

Other Thoughts: Its so small that I can plug it into my netbook and leave it there without worrying about it snagging on anything (like a case). - 16gb - 16 Gb Flash Drive - Usb Flash Drives - Flash Drive'

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120 Hz Refresh Rate - lcd, best picture

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About me: First HDTV, but I am an Electrical/Software Engineer so I have a high level of technical ability, with a low expectations. I have been micro analysing which TV to buy for far to long. I attended CES in 2009 and 2010, and have seen all of the new TV that are coming out (probably why I kept waiting so long). This is the perception from which this review was written.

I received this TV yesterday and watched it for most of the evening. Very good picture! I was considering the LG55lh40 but after viewing the Samsung LN55B650 side by side with the LG at Best Buy my wife and I realized there was little competition. We had the tech at best buy let us mess with the settings for around half an hour (starting with the auto-calibration from LG) but just couldn't get it to look right compared with the Samsung. I was rather upset, as I have read numerous great reviews about the LG and it was a considerably cheaper price. Logging into Amazon I noticed the LN55C650 was on sale for $1620 (even cheaper than last years B series) but had no reviews, so I was a little nervous to order it. Hindsight is 20/20 and I definitely made the right choice. The picture is very clear and has that crisp look that Samsung is famous for.

My surround sound system will not be delivered until today, so I was stuck using the built in speakers last night. I was very impressed with the sound this thing could pump out. I varied the sound between 25 and 50 (out of 100) and it was more than loud enough and filled the room nicely. This is by no means comparable to a nice sound system, but compared to any other TV I have heard, it is definitely up there in sound capabilities.

Looks wise, I think this is much better looking than last years B650. I didn't care for the red touch of color that surrounded the whole TV. This model only seems to have the red at the bottom center, and it adds a really nice accent without being overpowering like I felt last years were. This is just a personal opinion.

Cons:

The 120HZ feature, which was heavily complained about in the LN55B650 still has problems. The first thing I did when I got the TV was watch The Dark Knight BD (1080P) on my PS3 using a V1.3 Cat2 HDMI cable. I thought something was wrong with the TV as it was doing very strange things with background motion, but after turning the 120HZ feature off the picture cleaned up perfectly and I no longer notice any problems while watching it. I tried all of the different 120HZ modes, and they all had the same problem. That said, I turned it back on while watching HDTV (720p obviously) and it seems very clean with the 120HZ.

It is 2010 and they still can't put a wireless radio built into the television? I find this to be ridiculous that you have to purchase a separate module in order to get wireless. My router is very far away from my TV and it will be expensive to have network cables added.

I will update this if I notice any other issues. Samsung LN55C650 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

I have had the TV now for a full weekend of March Madness, and I have generated a few thoughts so far.

First, the picture is phenomenal. It really stands up against almost anything out there at the moment. I chose the LCD tech over LED largely over price, I just couldn't justify the extra 1000 for what I felt was a marginal increases in performance. The options and interface are intuitive, and tweeking the picture and sound settings was easy. After I "tuned" the picture I watched some basketball and was very impressed by the 120hz engine and software. The picture is smooth, rich, and a delight to watch.

Second, the connectivity is a fun addition. I have an instant uplink to netflix, blockbuster on demand, amazon on demand, and Vudu. I gave Vudu a try last night with a free trail rental of "Zombieland". I have a 12mb/s broadband connection, and it was enough to enjoy full HD without any hiccups. Really a cool feature.

Third, I am less than impressed with the DNLA connectivity of Samsung. I have been struggling to set up a media server that is compatible with my new TV. I was looking forward to having a new way to show all of the internet content I have come to love, without the computer. However, I am just getting started with it, so I may be making a mistake. I guess the interface is a generation behind where it integrates without a problem. I thought about taking a star off for this, but I chose not to because the functionality of the TV as a TV is really what this review should be about.

Lastly, the delivery was prompt, easy, and professional. I was concerned with having a high dollar item shipped, but after this experience I don't think I'll have it any other way. The freight company (Pilot) called to schedule a drop off on a given day in a three hour window. I got a call one half hour before they would arrive to prepare. The delivery personnel were professional, respectful, thorough, and all together great. I preferred this over buying at a retail store because I had the opportunity to have Pilot unpack the TV, place it where I chose, turn it on and inspect it, then accept shipment. If there had been a problem I could have refused shipment and another TV would have come a few days later. If I had bought this SAME TV at a BIG RETAIL STORE for SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS more, I would have had to bring home a box and hope I didn't have to repack and take it back. All together a great experience.

Note: I had to unplug and replug my Comcast box to get a picture on the TV when I first connected. Not sure why but it has been working great since.

If something changes in the future I will update this review, but as it stands today, 5 Stars.

Update: This doesn't have to do with the TV -

I noticed some good products getting a low star rating as a result of uneducated people giving products they don't own bad reviews because "Amazon won't show the price". Get educated people, it is called Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP) and it is beyond the control of Amazon. A manufacturer (Samsung) can place restrictions on the retailer (Amazon) dictating that they cannot advertise a product below a certain price, but they legally cannot stop the retailer from selling below that MAP price. So if Amazon wants to pass along a fantastic price on an item that is below MAP, they legally cannot show the price until the buyer makes some action that is not driven by a low advertised price (aka put it in your cart). Lil learning goes a long way. - Best Picture - Lcd - 1080p - 120hz'

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Oxo Good Grips - oxo good grips, storage

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During my search for a soap dish, I came across this item. I read the reviews and while it looked good overall, the reviews that said this item fell off easily troubled me. Having faith in Amazon that I could return it if it didn't live up to my expectations, I ordered one. It arrived quickly as usual, and I put it up on my bathtub/shower wall. Within 10-15 minutes, I heard it fall into the bathtub. So, I went to see what happened. Perhaps I didn't get the suction right.

So, I put it up again and gave it a tug. It resisted but came off fairly easily. Now I was feeling disappointed. I looked at the wall, which is a white semi-gloss ceramic tile and noticed something I'd not noticed before. A thin film of hard water and soap made the tile from the side look far duller than face on. So, I tried an experiment. Out came the Clean Shower cleaner and a scotchbrite sponge. Ten seconds later, that one tile gleamed if you looked at it from the side. Face on, though, you could scarcely tell the difference. Then on went the soap dish making sure that the suction was fully applied. A tug on it confirmed it was on. A stronger tug and it still stayed on. Now, three weeks have gone by and it's still right where I put it. And, yes, I have now cleaned the rest of those tiles on that wall. :-)

Good job Oxo. Best recommendation I have is to check the wall you are putting this soap dish on and make sure it's clean with no accumulated deposits. And, apply a little bit of water on the business side of the suction cup shaking off any excess and voila. You are done. By the way, this soap dish stays VERY clean like the other review said, because of the way it is designed. OXO Good Grips Suction Soap Dish

I can't believe it! It fell off 5 minutes after installing with a little piece of soap in it. I even washed the tiles before installing as they recommended. Returning it tomorrow. The corner shelves lasted a bit longer, but also fell. Nice looking piece of trash!

I was going to return it to the store since my walls are stone but found another use for it. I don't use this as a soap dish. Instead I found it's perfect for holding my sponge in the kitchen sink, and takes up virtually no room. Suction holds very well to stainless steel. For people that are having issues with the suction cups make sure your surfaces are not porous.

Very nice suction soap dish. It hasn't budged since I placed it on the shower tile several weeks ago. It was worth every penny. I am thinking of purchasing other Oxo products as well. As people have stated before, make sure the surface is clean and not porous and the suction should hold the first time. I highly recommend this product.

I love this soap dish! the suction is very good because of the spring system it has and the soap doesn't melt because water dont accumulate in the dish.been using it for 4 months now. OXO did a good job together with the other oxo products i have.

Stuck to the wall like a charm. Didn't was the spot off or have to mess with this at all like other reviewers had mentioned. Has a spring-type suction cup that makes it very easy to use (and I always seem to have problems with suction cups). I was concerned at first, but glad I took a chance.

The soap dish my husband had in the shower was hard to clean, didn't stick well, and constantly a mess. This soap dish suctions so well it is hard to remove. In addition, it is much easier to clean and looks nice in the shower. - Storage - Bath Accessories - Oxo Good Grips - Soap Dishes'

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Rotozip - rotozip bits, rotary tool accessories

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I had some thicker tile, but light glazing and it was a wall tile, but I suppose it could be floor tile also. It did not say floor tile. So, based on the tile package and Rotozip XB-TC1 Tile cut X Bit packaging, it sure looked like it should have worked. $12 at Lowes. I was cutting a 1 1/2" circle for a pipe. Initial entry hole went well working it around as I went through the tile. However, it didn't even get me 1/2 way before it lost it's cutting ability!!! I was going slow and worked it up and down. I was ticked, especially since this is the second one I've tried. ($24 so far). Finally had to break down and buy the $40 thicker Rotozip diamond bit. Rotozip is great overall, just DO NOT USE this bit ON THICKER TILE! Hope my mistake won't be yours. RotoZip XB-TC1 Tilecut X Bit

I don't use these bits for everyday work, so I can't really testify as to their durablity for that purpose. What I can say is these bits make nice smooth cuts in ceramic tile. I have tiled both bathrooms in my house, the foyer and the kitchen, and have used only one bit. Love the RotoZip, a great tool that comes in handy in so many situations.

Used with RZ2000.

The GOOD:

This thing blew right through (cleanly) hardy-backer. Found that out after failed attempts using wood/drywall bits. Also goes though thinner wall tile cleanly and pretty quickly.

The BAD:

Try this on 3/8" porcelain floor tile and you will ruin your bit almost immediately. If you need to make a really really (REALLY) small hole, this could do it, but plan to expend the entire life of a fresh bit on that hole. Or better yet, find a better bit or another option to get it done.

SUMMARY: Great for light duty tile/backer cutting, worth keeping available if you are in a jam with something heavier.

I use this in my Dewalt rotary tool (dw455?), I had to change the collet, no biggee. Really does a nice on radius'. I freehanded some sink tiles, I have yet to master a straight cut but a tile cutter still faster anyway. But again cannot be beat for cutting odd or radius shapes.

Be warned. This cutting bit is good at cutting only thin ceramic tiles such as ceramic wall or counter tiles, not the typical thicker floor tiles. The cutting metallurgy appears to be a harden steel-alloy instead of embedded diamond or silicon-carbide. Consequently, if you use it to cut many tiles, the bit won't last. As the quality of the metallurgy is inferior than those made with molydenum-vanadium alloy, this bit is priced accordingly less. Note the packaging does not tout any claims as to special alloy. Unless your ceramic tiles are soft, you may find yourself buying several cutting bit. - Tools - Rotozip Bits - Rotary Tool Accessories'

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