Friday 29 January 2010

Static Cling White Board - static cling white board, white board


...It's also clearly for just a one time placement. The product is not meant to stick to a surface, be removed, and then stuck to another surface. If you're just going to keep it in one spot, it's fine, but if you intend to travel with it, like I do, then don't remove the backing like I did. The product will stick to anything, including itself, that touches the sticky side and when you try to unstick it, it's more prone to tear than unstick. Gowrite Dry Erase Rolls, 18" X 6 Feet, White, (AR1806)

I enjoy this product because you can make a white board anywhere you want to. I have covered a section of my desk, the door to my freezer, and turned an old mirror in a white board, the possibilities are endless. As far as the writing and erasing goes, I am satisfied. Some inks have come off easier than others but they have all come off with some effort. It has been easy to install and I have had very little problem removing it if I didn't like where I put it. I am not sure I would be happy to be using it instead of a fine quality board in a classroom but for my purposes it is a good product. I feel I have definitely gotten my moneys worth and am not disappointed in the quality at all.

I was recently moved into a classroom that had the old fashioned chalkboard which I'm not used too. I was looking for the easiest and most cost effective way to cover the board and remove the white board in the event that I am moved again. I bought one roll to try it and was pleasantly, and extremely happy with the results. The paper goes on smoothly and easily!!! It will pull of as easy as it says in case you need to stop and realign in the hanging process. I have come back to Amazon to purchase more to finish the job once already and since I miscalculated am back to buy more!!! I strongly recommend this product!!!

This paper whiteboard is quite extensive in size, enough to make four columns of lecture style writings. The ink mark is easily erased. The only problem I faced was the stickiness of the back adhesives. Solution: use an ordinary plastic tape to seal part of its four sides; it works quite well.

Our family is expanding and will soon include 5 kids in elementary school; we need to be organized so we don't overlook homework due dates, etc. I got a plastic bin that has drawers, and each of the drawers has a lid. I covered the lids with this whiteboard product.

Now, the kids can each use their drawers as a lap-desk / homework organiser. We write homework due dates, weekly chores, and notes on them. The kids have used them to work out math problems, practice spelling words, and to doodle.

I had a similar product when I was in the Army that I covered the side of my wall-locker with. My roomates, our friends, and I used to write notes & jokes and silly drawings on it. Our Sergeants even wrote notes on it when they did room inspections; it became quite a social mecca.

There are so many places this product could be used. It can be removed easily; but not so easily that it falls off. It doesn't leave sticky goo behind.

I don't reccommend using it on a painted wall if kids will be using it unless you have the new washable dry-erase markers. The ink can get smeared onto the wall eather while writing, or erasing. That happened here and I had to use rubbing alchocol to get the marks off the wall - which took off some of the paint.

Gowrite Dry Erase Roll is a rolled product. It needs to be flat to go on the wall. Even after we rolled it backward, it is biased to roll in the original direction and the edges pull up off the wall. The adhesive is not strong enough to hold the edges down. This problem persists even a month out and multiple attempts to roll it backward. I would not recommend anyone buy this rolled product because it does not convert from rolled to flat to stay on the wall as needed.

I wanted to have a magnetic white board for my kitchen, so I bought a piece of sheet metal, a nice wooden frame, and this roll. It was easy to attach to the sheet metal, and it's super clean for writing and erasing. I've only been using it for a week now, but I hope it stays as clean and smooth as it is now. Wonderful product and much, much cheaper than buying an expensive designer white board for my kitchen.

I have cut the roll into 2 peices for both sides of my L shaped desk Walker Edison 3-Piece Contemporary Glass and Steel Desk I used staples to keep the dry erase roll on my wall. I have not yet wrote on the product but it is glossy so I assume that it will function great. Note its 18 inches by 6 feet. - White Board - Whiteboard - Dry Erase Board - Static Cling White Board'


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Advertising Research Neuroscience


This treatise is designed for patient, methodical readers with a quest for insight. Erik Du Plessis is committed to explaining how advertisements work on consumers' consciousness, so he reviews existing research on advertising, and includes cognitive science's understanding of how the brain works on a chemical and cellular level. His research is accessible, since he often recaps and provides analogies that bring it to life, but some of the material remains dense and even obfuscates key points. Du Plessis' results are accurate but may seem self-defining such as the idea that ads you like are ads you remember and they can be difficult to apply. This is an impressive attempt to bring social science and neurological theory to bear on advertising. Given the intangible nature of creativity, a strong intuitive understanding of what makes advertisements likeable might help ad designers get more from this dissection. Of course, the industry also wants to know how it can reach a tech-oriented audience that records its favorite programs on TIVO and fast-forwards through the ads anyway. We find that this innovative book may be most useful for professionals in areas that involve a quantifiable, systematic approach, such as methods for determining how many ads to buy and how to allocate them across television outlets and other media. The Advertised Mind: Groundbreaking Insights Into How Our Brains Respond to Advertising

I am an accountant by trade who has recently taken on a volunteer advertising position. I found the book very informative in that it offered good common sensne to advertising. The conclusions were supported by research from all over the world. I will be reading it again.

As a newcomer to the advertising research field, The Advertised Mind is a very good and thorough read. I appreciated the introduction to various methods of advertising research and the relatively unbiased approach to analyzing the pro's and con's. The introduction to neuroscience was by far the best part of the book. I agree with the author that this is an exciting and promising new method to bring science to advertising research. Definitely a good read.

It says something about the mind when the most easily remembered things are advertising jingles. "The Advertised Mind: Groundbreaking Insights Into How Our Brains Respond to Advertising" is a psychological look at advertising and how people deal with it. An effective advertisement is one that stays with the viewer, and creating an advertisement that does such a thing requires understanding the mind. A scientific and psychological approach to the world of advertising, "The Advertised Mind" is required reading for psychology students and business majors.

The author's report of the Gibson/Dubow advertising recall controversy (p166-167) includes inappropriate statements which should be corrected and the record set straight.



It is not true that, "Unfortunately, the 'gist' of the 'answering' was that Larry was offended that Joel had not consulted with him before making...the results public....". Apparently the author missed my answer, published in the Journal of Advertising Research, May/June 1994, Vol. 34, No. 3, which directly rebutted Dubow's charges. It had no hint of the personal pique suggested by this quotation.



The author states, "Professor Joel Dubow reanalyzed Gibson's data and found that he was guilty of 'sloppy statistics'." This 'finding' is absurd. First, I did not conduct any statistical analysis so I could not possibly have been guilty of 'sloppy statistics'. Second, "Not Recall" contained very little 'Gibson data'-- of the 38 papers cited in this literature review, only 2 were by me and Dubow ignored both of them.



The author concludes, "Both.....and Gibson's papers have subsequently been 'debunked': that is, the evidence they presented has been shown to be invalid." Not true! There is no basis for this sweeping conclusion other than the already rebutted Dubow charges. Indeed the author himself notes, "In the end of this illuminating exchange, many people in the industry still thought that "Not Recall" provided real evidence that recall was not a valid way of measuring the effectiveness of advertsing".



Over 20 years ago, I said that the 'persuasion/recall' argument was the longest playing controversy in all of Marketing Research. Unfortunately,in 2005 it is still going on but I hope that the written record of that argument can be kept accurate.

I found this book to be filled with irrelevant research. I had the idea that this book would be more simplistic but unfortunately it's to involved and makes no sense to the common man on the street. If you want quick straight forward ideas on marketing and advertising this is not the book for you. If you are student who is needing bucket loads of information to impress the lecturer you should buy this book.'


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Energy Efficient - wireless light, led light


I bought two of these (a better deal, and at this writing the same two sellers offer the two-fer: 10 LED Wireless Motion Sensor Light 2 Pack Easy to Install). While not precisely as described, they get the job done (or at least have so far).



Pluses: bright light from the 10 LEDs, low drain on batteries, no wiring needed.



Minuses: in my experience, the sensor range is much less than the description states (I figure three to four feet); seem to be cheaply made (in China, if that matters to you); the three-position switch (off/constant-on/motion-sense) seems cheap and is positioned such that it's hard to move, which may or may not be an issue for you (if you're leaving it permanently set to sense motion, it won't matter); in one of my two units, the three-position switch was wired backward relative to the labeling, an indication of poor quality control; as other reviewers have noted, (1) there is no "daylight off" function (except to move the three-position switch to off, which is a nuisance), and (2) there doesn't seem to be any heat sensing.



All in all, not a purchase I'm sorry I made. For my use, they're adequate. For some, the negatives may outweigh the good price. SE Wireless Motion Sensor Light - 10 Super-Bright LED

I was skeptical after getting a couple of other "motion sensor pucks" that didnt trip unless you were right under them (dragon light). This one is up in our hallway and lights up the area adequately for walking through and finding things in the near closet. Planning on getting two more for the other dark recesses in our hallway.

Pros: kids will trip the light even though it's on the ceiling - even the dogs will trip it. Provides enough light to see, even into the nearby closet.

Cons: Blue color. They've got "natural" colored led's, why they don't install them into these products remains a mystery.

Wireless Motion Sensor Light - 10 Super-Bright LED - Install Anywhere in 30 Seconds!



This mini motion sensor light is really great! I bought it for a pet area that needs a light at times since it gets dark out so early these days, & this does the job perfectly!



It's small enough to place/hang anywhere, but the light is quite bright - don't be fooled by its small size.



I should mention that the first one I received didn't come on automatically for me, so had to be returned, but the replacement works perfectly.

I was a bit skeptical of this because of the price and the previous review, but I like it a lot. I've got it at the curve of my dark stairway so that it turns on at the first or second step either way. I don't really care about the "daylight off" function that apparently doesn't exist because I'm not usually home much during the day, so it really doesn't matter. The brightness can be debated, but it lights up my entire stairway with no trouble...maybe outside it could be different, but inside, it gets most of the area I intended it for.

These are exactly what we were looking for. Our basement stairs are not well-lighted. We could hire someone to put in an electric light, because we aren't handy that way. Or we could put in battery operated lights, but would have to turn them off and on as needed. But motion sensor lights come on only when needed and turn off when they aren't needed. They are just perfect and give plenty of light to this dark area. The video shows how they work without any basement lights on.



UPDATE: Based on the comments and in retrospect, I have to say that these lights don't sense motion to the sides very well. If you are coming at them straight on, they will turn on when you are about six feet away, but if you are to one side, you have to be right next to them before they turn on. That should be a consideration in placement.

We have a 4'X6' dark area in our basement. This was our 3rd attempt to illuminate it. First 2 were from "As Seen n TV" section at Walgreens. The "remote controlled" flat fixture ran through a set a batteries every couple of weeks and worked erratically. Number 2 was a lightbulb-shaped Krypton bulb which was too heavy to stick to its warm furnace flue mounting and finally broke from repeatedly falling to the floor. This 10-LED light is perfect. Both bright and light enough. My only complaint is that it doesn't come with sticky-back tape -- only a nail hole - and there is no place in this spot to drive a nail. The light is so compact that there is very little space to apply our own sticky tape without interfering with the battery cover, but we had a super-strength 3M Velcro tape that worked perfectly.

...why does every internet site that describes this light indicate that it has a "daylight off function". As the other reviewer, Mathew, wrote before me, that function does not really exist. So if the light is placed in a hallway it's going to go on and off, over and over, all day, day after day, 24/7. I suppose that I could live with that if I hadn't been told in writing that it wouldn't happen because of the built-in daylight off function! Now I'm feeling a little stupid, but will keep the lights anyway... maybe they expected me to keep them anyway! I am only writing in case someone has a solution that I haven't found. g

This light is my second try to add light to a dark pantry and closet. This one is vastly better than the first for three big reasons. The first light I tried was only functional in the dark and the closets have some ambient light, just not enough. Secondly, the first light didn't stay on long enough to be useful and the third thing I hated about it was the mounting mechanism.



This light is brighter, stays on a decent length of time and can be mounted with either the included velcro pad that has sticky backs for attachment to the wall and the back of the light, or it can be hung on a nail or hook. This means it's easy to take down to replace the batteries when needed. So far, it's done just what I wanted and I've even ordered three more for other locations.



The light is about 3" square and relatively flat so it goes in lots of places like my linen closet where it won't interfere with items stored in there.



If you need to brighten up a dark closet or other small space, I highly recommend this unit over others. I bought three different types and find this is the sleekest so fits best in a small area without taking up much space and it is the most functional for that application. - Wireless Light - Night-lights - Motion Sensor - Led Light'


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Leather - wallet, leather wallet


This is exactly as described and a great product. I wish it had a separate fold for higher bills but it's okay. I'd recommend this Guess wallet over any designer name (which will set you back a lot more) and is more durable than a Fossil. Guess Mens Trifold Wallet, Black, One Size

This is the nicest looking wallet I've ever had. Granted, I typically buy whatever is on the shelf at Kohl's, but this wallet is better. Great look, good amount of storage, and the quality seems good. I would buy it again.

This wallet looks great and fits into my scrub top pocket. I have struggled in the past trying to access my wallet in the hospital's cafeteria. I have had no such problems with this wallet. I am very happy with this item.

I bought this wallet assuming I'd get a nice replacement for my leather wallet which has worn out. The product page said 100% cow leather, so I figured - holy cow! How perfect is this!

When I got it, although it was labeled "Genuine Leather," it seemed more like plastic. It's cheap leather, NOT supple, and not what I was expecting.

Looking for something stiff to stuff your cash and cards into? Okay, this will do. Looking for a wallet that actually FEELS like leather? You will want to skip this.

The design is simple, made from genuine leather, good stitches, can carry many cards, also has 'bonus' bill compartment... The size not too big easy to insert into my pocket. But at a great price... The delivery delayed around 1 week, most probably due to public holiday. Love it!

Thanks - Leather - Leather Wallet - Trifold Wallet - Wallet'


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Contractor Supply


Prior to climbing a 60+ foot tree to cut branches down I started shopping for a safety harness. I have never owned a safety harness before and after searching on Amazon was apprehensive about purchasing an entry level harness. I took a shot n this unreviewed mid-priced harness. I also purchased a large carabiner and rope and attached it to the harness. I am 6'1" and 170 lbs and the harness is plenty big enough. I tied the other end to off very close to each area I was working in the tree. Thankfully I didn't end up "needing" the harness!



Pros:

- Harness looks and feels secure and solid

- Easy to put on

- D ring on back allows carabiner/rope to attach to the harness and stay out of the way



Cons:

- Adjusting the harness can be a bit challenging while wearing it. It would be a better design to use a belt buckle style adjustment, but this is just personal preference.

- Hanging on the D-ring from the harness causes the harness to cinch down around the legs a bit. The harness is certainly not to be used for suspension.



Suggestions:

- Be sure to wear pants and thick enough clothing so that the harness is as comfortable as possible.

- Test hang yourself from a very low level to ensure the harness is on properly and your security line is solid. FallTech 7015 Contractor Full Body Harness with 1 D-Ring and Mating Buckle Leg Straps, Universal Fit'


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Space Pen - space pen, pocket


This is my first space pen. I love it. It writes great, and reliably even on difficult surfaces like sketching on wet cardboard beer coasters (A situation I find myself in from time to time).



If I did it again, I'd probably order one with a clip just to make it more accessible in pockets (it's small enough to lose in my briefcase from time to time). Fisher Space Pen, Bullet Space Pen, Red Cherry, Gift Boxed (400RC)

I worked in food processing. I used to go through several pens a day. I have had coloring, oils and chunks of apple plastered to paperwork. This pen has never failed to perform. I just throw it in my pocket and away I go. It has become my everyday pen.

I got one of these as a gift 8 months ago and immediately used it everyday afterward. The length is perfect to fit into a pocket, while still being full length with the cap off. Being made almost entirely of metal it has a very satisfying weight in the hands. With no clip this pen has no sharp edges to damage the other contents of my pockets, which is nice, but it rolls off tables readily. I am neutral on the appearance of this pen; while it is clearly well made, most people I hand it too don't know right away how to use it and several people have commented that it looks a bit like a suppository.



While this pen always writes immediately, every once in a while it will leak a small glob of ink onto the page just when I start writing with it. As for writing quality, I have a Zebra F-701 which writes a very clean and fine line which I prefer to the space pen.



For pocket use this pen is king and I highly recommend it.



For office use my recommendation goes to the Zebra F-701 Retractable Ballpoint Pen.

I am always coming up with ideas or lists of things to do. Before the Space Pen, I had to remember all of this stuff (or try to). The results weren't always great.



This pen fits easily in any pocket and ALWAYS works. If you just need to get your ideas down, it's the best pen out there.



The only downside is that it's easy to lose. I've had a couple of them slip out of my pocket, never to be found again.

If you like smaller pens that perform well in any weather, upside down, and while on the phone, this is a great selection for you! I had it engraved at a kiosk in the mall. It looks great. It invokes lots of compliments from others.

This is my sencond Fisher space pen. I had my previous Fisher space pen for 3 years and was on my second refill cartridge when I lost it. I am sure it would have lasted for years more due to its simple design and no moving parts. I carry my Fisher space pen with me every day in my pants pocket. In the closed position the pen is 3 3/4 inches, about an inch longer that the chapstick I also carry in the same pocket. When opened for use the pen is 5 3/8 inches and very comfortable to use as it is then a standard length pen. I use my Fisher space pen daily signing checks for deposit at the ATM and never have to search or ask someone for a pen. The cartridge in my first pen lasted me almost 2 years. Great product due to its great design. It really does write at any angle, even upside down.

This pen is just plain cool to look at. It's even smaller than I thought it would be. Fits perfectly in the pocket of your slacks or jeans. My wife liked it so much, she bought one too for her purse. I love the cherry red color.

I'd heard about these pens over the past 20 years and never had the opportunity or found one for the price I was willing to pay for one.

From using it just for a little while, I love it. Best pen I've ever used, smooth writing and easy to handle, not too big, not too fat to hold and fits great in a pocket, also looks nice too while you're using it.

Also it's refillable and from other things I've read, the refills last darned near forever, so one or two will last me years. - Pocket - Great - Space Pen - Pen'


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Acoustic Research - 1080i, 1080p


The HDMI cable comparison chart, on this page, clearly states this cable is HDMI 1.4 with Ethernet. That's an untrue statement on both counts. This cable does not meet the 1.4 classification, nor is it capable with Ethernet. This is nothing more than a 1.3 HDMI cable, and if that's what you're looking for, the build quality seems decent enough. It also works no better or worse than any of the other 1.3 cables I have. The 1 star rating is for the false advertising on 2 very significant issues. As such, I feel it's warranted, since most buyers will be purchasing the cable based on inaccurate information. If the description was correct, then I'd probably rate this as a 4 star 1.3 HDMI cable. Ethernet and 1.4 are the only reasons I bought this cable, so I'm disappointed to say the least, though I'll have no problem returning it since the order was fulfilled by Amazon.



If anyone has any questions regarding my statements, I did contact Acoustic Research directly to ensure I was providing the correct information. Here is the response they sent to me:



=====================



Response (Ed) - 04/19/2011 09:41 AM

Dear Robert,



The older model without the 4 prefix in the number is NOT 1.4 compliant but still will pass 3D since it was high speed 10.2 certified. We test it up to 17.8. All previous HDMI cables will pass audio return channel. This cable does NOT pass ethernet and you would need the PR4385 to get the ethernet function. All packaging was changed back in Sept 2010 to comply with the latest HDMI guidelines but there is still some older product out in the market place.



While the refresh rate is a feature of the television, it is dependent on the quality of the signal that the TV receives thru the cable. A poor quality cable might cause the video to break up, pixilation, etc. because the signal can't keep up with the refresh rate of the TV.



Thank you for using Audiovox.

Ed.

Customer Service



=====================



I hope this information is helpful to anyone in the market for an HDMI cable with Ethernet. This is not for you. Per the rep's response, this model, PR385 is not 1.4 or Ethernet capable. The model you'd need for that is PR4385, which I did not find on Amazon, though I only browsed quickly. Acoustic Research PRO3 Series PR385 HDMI Cable (6 feet)

This cable works very well with my new Panasonic 3D Blue Ray and VT-25 3D TV. It appears to be of quality construction. The cable itself is heavier than most I have seen and used. The ouside casing material is not vinyl like most cables, instead it is a heavy cord-like material. We'll see how that holds up. Can't beat the lifetime guarrantee, and Amazon's price was right.

Don't be fooled by good marketing. This cable will NOT provide any better picture or sound quality. HDMI is a digital signal, the cable either transfers it or it doesn't. Knowing this I still made the purchase and rated it 4 stars. I bought this cable solely for the build quality, and it delivers. It feels solid and looks gorgeous. I wouldn't have spent more than $15 for it though. A $10 HDMI cable will work just as well as a $500 cable.

I ordered this cable in hopes it would eliminate some (or all) of the crosstalk I'm getting on my 3DTV. While the cable certainly works, feels hefty and seems well made, there is no perceptible difference between it and cheaper HDMI cables (such as the AmazonBasics High Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet / 2.0 Meters) - Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return [NEW MODEL] I was using prior). That said, at its current price, you won't feel cheated. But I can't see the practicality of paying even an extra 2 dollars over the price of a cable that, for all intents and purposes, performs every bit as well.

I bought these because AR hardware is generally pretty decent, and I wanted to have a couple spare HDMI cables around. The 6 ft. length is perhaps the most useful unless your hardware is all crammed on the same shelf. It is really hard to beat the price for these name-brand cables. I haven't used them yet, but have examined then pretty carefully. They look well made -- certainly as good as any of the others that I am using, and better than most of them. I don't see much risk to buying these. Delivery was on time; the AR bubble packaging looks capable of providing quite good protection, but the external box was in fine shape anyway.

I bought these cables as a deal of the day, and man I am impressed! There is a future connectivity guarantee that promised to replace your cables if technology exceeds the capability of the cables. Also the quality is the best I have seen compared to Monster cable. It may be better or at least just as good. I am satisfied with this purchase, the quality, and price. Thank you Amazon.

What else can you say? These are high end quality cables and an unbelievable price at Amazon. The guarantee that comes with them doesn't hurt one bit either. I'd take these over the price bloated Monster cables any day.

Statement 1: 240Hz rated cable



Truth- There is no such thing as a 240Hz rated cable or a 120Hz for that matter. All cables carry the signal that is sent from your player (ie cable box, dvd player etc. Only when it reaches your TV does your TV convert the signal to the refresh rate your TV advertises).



Many manufacturers will try to lead you to believe their cable is superior to another. Or suggest that your old cable wont be sufficient for your new TV.



Statement 2- 2160p Resolution



Truth- This would only be necessary if your source signal was capable of outputting this number. We all know the standard today is 1080p.



Gold plated ETC.....



All of these don't distinguish it from any other cable. And you pay 3-4 times more than you actually have to.





MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HDMI CABLES. Do some reading before you buy. - Acoustic Research - 1080p - Blueproton - 1080i'


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Reconditioned Tools - reconditioned, reconditioned tools


I replaced the roof on my house with this wonderful tool. As far as I can tell, the only difference between the reconditioned Bostitch roofing nailer and a new one is the price. This nail gun works wonderful and really saved my forearms. It helped in quickly aligning the shingles and the driving force was easily dialed in. Very few nails needed to be finished off with the hammer. It is easy to load and use. Factory-Reconditioned Bostitch U/RN46-1 3/4-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer

I'm installing hardi-plank lap siding and needed a roofing gun. The Bostitch RN46 seems to be one of the most popular, and the reconditioned model costs about 5x of what the daily rental for is in my area. How could I go wrong?

The factory-reconditioned nailer arrived promptly and well packaged. (Gotta love Amazon Prime membership). When I took it out of the box, I would have sworn that it was a brand new unit. Not a scratch, mar, dent, or blemish - even the rubbery side slip-pieces (that keep it from sliding off a roof) were new. I attached a 1/4" brass air nipple (not supplied), added 3 or 4 drops of air tool oil to the air inlet, and let her rip.

Bang, Bang, Bang - this is a whole lot easier than attempting to nail siding by hand.

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Hssssssssssssss. Oh crap....



After firing only 7 nails, the unit just died. Air would hiss out from around the trigger, but the firing pin wouldn't move.

I took out the nail belt, checked the nailing pin to see if it was stuck, checked the air pressure, jumped up and down, hit my head against the wall. Nothing would work.

So I logged back onto the Amazon web site and found that Amazon has a great replacement policy. Amazon shipped me another unit which arrived the next day free of charge. They supplied me with a free mailing label to return the defective unit.



If that was the end of the story, I'd be a happy camper. I appreciate a company that stands behind its sales. Unfortunately, the story has another chapter.



The replacement unit that I received looked like it had been used for several years, fallen off a roof or two, and was left out to weather just for affect! I'd would have thought twice about it if I found it at a yard sale for $10. While it did work fine (see below), I'm disappointed that range of "factory refurbished" products could quite so large. Perhaps I just experienced the two extremes, but I'm not sure I would call the 2nd unit "refurbished".



The web page says: "Reconditioned generally means that the tool has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the tool back to like new condition."

I'm not sure what "generally means" means, but it certainly doesn't mean "always means".



The 2nd unit works fine, and I've used it to install 40-50 courses of siding. 1-nail-in-15 will double-fire and result in a second nail being partially sunk next to the first one. Its easy to either remove it, or just pound it in. With constant pressure, 1-nail-in-10 will require an additional tap with a hammer to set it completely flush with the surface.



One tidbit that I didn't quite understand was the fact that this unit is a "bump-fire" unit (as it has a black trigger). These are great for roofing where you just want to hold the trigger and tap the nailer against the shingle several times. The grey-trigger units are "trigger-fire" units - in which you press the head against a surface, then squeeze the trigger each time you want to fire. This 2nd type of firing is slower, but allows you to better position the gun. I think for siding, a "trigger-fire" unit would have worked better than a "bump-fire" unit. For me. I have several Milwaukee nailers that allow you to switch between these 2 firing modes by just conveniently flipping a switch on the side of the unit, as opposed to swapping out trigger assemblies.



Now I'm not sure what to do. While the 2nd unit works fine, I don't think it arrived in "like new condition" as described in the product description. And now I've gotten 2 or 3 days of work out of the nailer.



I applaud Amazon for their handling of the return, but don't know whether I should be disappointed in Bostitch or Amazon for shipping out such a heavily used unit as "factory reconditioned".

My factory reconditioned roofing gun came in a nice box from the company. It looks virtually new. It has a few scratches here and there but very little. It looks like it went through about four hours of actual roof abuse. I received it about two days after ordering. I am extremly happy with the quality and price.

I purchased this reconditioned tool on 12/15/10, I used it for 2 days beginning 1/24/11, and it failed on 1/27/11. It bypasses air, when trigger is pulled, no nail. I called CPO, they no longer honor the 30 day warranty. I called Bostitch Service and they said take it to CO (287 miles away) or send it at my own expense to Louisville, KY. They also said I could take it to a Authorized Dealer in ABQ, NM so they could ship it to KY. I called the number they gave me and it has been disconnected. I looked up the name on the internet, got a different number and have been calling for 2 days, but they do not answer the phone (no message option available). I will never buy from Stanley Bostitch again, and do not recommend this tool.

I just got this and already did a roof. I've used a lot of different guns. this one is easier to load since it only has one door loading for the nails. It seems lighter and well balanced which means a lot when your on a roof all day. The only thing that got me at first only because I didn't read the instructions and just loaded it and tried to go to town. Was the nail magazine that holds the nails adjusts to the size of nail your using. you have to do this manually. After I did that it shoots purfect. Oh and with this gun no more losing that last nail. Out of the three guns I've bought this is by far the best one. - Reconditioned Tools - Nail Gun - Roofing Nailers - Reconditioned'


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Reconditioned Tools - reconditioned, reconditioned tools roofing nailers Reconditioned Tools - reconditioned, reconditioned tools

Good Product


Getting your money and keeping it is the modus operandi for many companies. "Have You Been Royally Screwed? How to Get What you Deserve by Making People and Companies Deliver on Their Promises, Products, and Services" is a guide for consumers who want to get the most of their purchases, outlining how to deal with companies that will jump through flaming legal hoops just to avoid living up to their end of the bargain. Packed with advice and tips on breaking through to companies and getting what one paid for, "Have You Been Royally Screwed?" is a worthwhile investment for consumers, especially those on a tight budget who must make their every dollar count. Have You Been Royally Screwed? How to Get What You Deserve By Making People and Companies Deliver on Their Promises, Products, Goods and Services'


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Good Product Good Product Good Product

Chamberlain Garage Door Opener


My Genie opener was installed in 1990, and I had dropped the remote for what turned out to be the last time. I had searched and found out that model remote was no longer made. I took a chance and ordered the Clicker. When the Clicker arrived, I found the reference to my unit. I knew about the DIP switches inside my existing remote, and the Clicker instructions told me to program the DIP switches inside the Clicker just the same. (This is only true for specific models of openers, remotes and year installed - others use the programming button on the receiver). I followed the clear directions: they seemed a bit odd, but I followed them exactly (17 clicks) and voila! ~ the garage door opened! I programmed the other door as well, and now I have one compact remote to open both doors. I cannot believe it took me so long to find the solution, and it took less than five minutes to program the two doors. Wow! Am I happy! The instructions are clear and detailed, and you just need to follow them exactly. I actually missed the first time and simply started over, following more carefully. Chamberlain KLIK1U Clicker Transmitter Universal Garage Door Remote Control

I got mine set up fairly quickly. Didn't work the first time, so I reversed all the switches on the opener and did it again, and that did the trick. But I then found the range to be very short - less than 10 feet - no good! But what I also found was that I was expecting to press the button 16 times for a Stanley opener, yet 14 did the trick (i.e. the door was activated on the 14th press.) 14 is for a multicode (I take that to mean generic.) So I programmed it again, but this time did the full 16 presses, and now my range is very good - along the lines of 100 feet. Also, if you're curious (I was) - how does it control 2 doors with only 1 set of DIP switches? It remembers the settings during activation. So you set it to match one door, do the programming step, then set it to match the switches on your second door and do the programming step for it. Great unit and highly recommend!

I purchased one of these KLIK1U remotes at a large box home improvement store with the intention of using it with my Craftsman door opener. This opener was installed new about eighteen months ago and uses rolling code security.



I have had four different intelligent and handy people attempt to program this unit and it simply will not work. We followed the printed instructions and even went to the Chamberlain Web site for assistance but nothing helped.



Glad I saved the sales receipt because this unit is going back for a refund. This remote is advertised as working with all brands of openers. It may work with all brands but it does NOT work with all models.

Got it to work with the garage door but it won't work with the gate. Range from the garage door is about 15 feet, max.



The directions on the paper that comes with the remote refers people to their website and an 800 number. All the website does is present you with the manual (same piece of paper) in pdf format; when you want the manual, when you have a question, when you go to the support page and request support. Calling the 800 number, the automated voice reads you the same manual (piece of paper). Plan on about 10 minutes of instructions before it offers the option of speaking to a live person, then plan on being on hold indefinitely. I never did get a live person on the phone. The website offers support via e-mail. We're a week and still waiting....



If you buy this and have trouble with it, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by just returning it for a refund. If you want to support a company with this kind of customer service in the first place. Be forewarned, they do the same thing with their garage door opener "support". The lights are on but no one's there, you're on your own.

Purchased it at a local home improvement store; followed directions to the letter and gave it several attempts. Does not work with a Wayne Dalton garage door as instructed.



PS: Garage door opener is a Wayne Dalton Quantum series.

This worked for one of my two openers. The packaging says works on "ALL" openers. "All" is even in large bold letters. I purchased this to replace a remote that is falling apart. It did not work with my Overhead Door model 556 so I will have to continue to use a pretty ugly remote. It did work with my Overhead Door Legacy. I'll return this remote because I'm trying to eliminate having two remotes. The directions are really tough to follow for certain things. Hopefully they have re-worded some of it by now.



It's a nice size unit. It feels solid, sturdy. Easily changeable watch battery. The programming directions are a little bit rough. If this worked for both openers, it would have been a 5 star rating. I'm really bummed that it didn't work.:('


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Battery Packs - makita, 18v


I have owned a set of Makita tools with the LXT batteries for a couple years now and I have noticed absolutely zero power loss or any other problems. I use them quite regularly whether building concrete forms, decks, remodels, etc. I can think of three things that may be happening to the batteries of those who have commented on bad performance or longevity; (1) Occasionally, batteries can be bad from the factory (I have yet to own a milwaukee tool with the new "V" or "M" series battery that holds up past a few months. I have both V28 and M12, and have had ALL packs replaced) (2) It is possible to have a bad charger which is damaging the batteries itself, or (3) Perhaps the users are taking them all the way to the point of stalling and complete discharge, and for that the batteries are truly not made to do. It is best that once you notice the battery pack is wearing down, to grab a fresh one and put the discharged on the charger to cool down and refresh. Also, if the batteries are being stored for most of their life, it is best to keep the charger plugged in and rotate batteries through it to keep everything active and refreshed. Lithium batteries have computer chips and sophisticated circuitry, allowing them to constantly be charged without damage. Ni-Cad on the other hand are not supposed to be charged over and over again because they typically have memory effects and lifetime charging limits. It is best to mostly, not completely, discharge a Ni-Cad before replacing back onto the charger. Because a consumer only has ultimate control of this last variable, it is a good idea to read the owners manual and find out what the manufacturer thinks is best operating practices. Only those who are using the batteries and tools know how they are being treated, and you may very well be doing everything right and not fall into this third category. Being that my kit is from a couple years ago, and my newest battery packs (purchased just for continued use because I have many LXT tools) were purchased last year sometime, it is possible that the newer batteries are of a lesser quality, and that would be unfortunate. What I can say is this; I own many Dewalt tools, which I have only had to replace a couple Ni-Cad battery packs in the past 5 years. (Dewalt tools are mostly made in Mexico) I have owned MANY Milwaukee tools in which their Ni-Cads held up pretty well, but their Li-Ion line is absolute crap. Several years ago when their tools were still made in the US, their quality was impeccable. Their tools are now made completely in China. (Yes, many of the Makitas are also) I own several Bosch as well, and their batteries and tools are right up there with Makita's quality. As far as Skil, Black and Decker, and any other cheaper or knock-off brand goes, I would personally never purchase them. For one, you are supporting China, and secondly you would be purchasing a tool that is undependable. Hitachi has an excellent warranty, and makes excellent air nailers, however I'm unsure of the quality you may find in their power tools, both corded and cordless. I hope this was helpful. Makita BL1815 18-Volt 1.5 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery

Really, these batteries provide seemingly endless power. They hold their charge for weeks with very little loss. I can use one battery for drilling and driving throughout an entire (moderately sized) project. They are extremely lightweight and charge in twenty minutes or less usually (in hot weather it takes longer). All three of mine slide on and off easily, with no issues of binding or falling off. With all the praise comes a VERY important caveat. DO NOT run these batteries into the ground. The instructions state that as soon as you notice a loss of power, stop and charge. If you over-discharge Li-Ion batteries, you can seriously degrade the life of the battery. These batteries are 1/3 cheaper on Amazon.com than at the home centers, so buy from here! Also, only the cells themselves are made in Japan, all other parts are made and final assembly is in China.

I love the drill but the battery life is a real problem. I had both original packs replaced under warranty when the charger reported them bad. Now one of the replacements is flashing bad on the charger. These have been cycled maybe a dozen times. I'll be complaining to Makita and also reporting this on the various woodworking groups I support.

I replaced a 14.4 Milwaukee NiCad with a Makita LXT and noticed that my old Milwaukee NiCads outlasted these in terms of longevity. Run time is solid, but lifespan is short. Two dead after one year, I'm only a homeowner. I've only done a few lengthy jobs such as putting cement board down in a 10x20 room, and building a deck with these, in addition to the other basic tasks of drywall, and other light construction needs. Love the light weight though. Now, I need new ones. Somewhat disappointing.

I went ahead and invested in a pair of these batteries despite the mixed reviews, figuring I'd at least get a year out of them with the warranty. So far, they've performed just fine, even on tools that are supposed to only use the BL1830. I mostly use them on the BHP454 drill (note: this is one of the tools that's keyed for the 1830 pack) and BTD141 impact driver when I'm not going to be using them for long, so the decreased runtime doesn't bother me. I also use them on the angle grinder and recip saw (after removing the little tab on the tools) for light work in tight spaces. I wouldn't want them to be my only batteries, but they're a great addition to a couple of the larger batteries if you have a few tools that can use them.



These slim packs are very handy on the drill, impact, and flashlight- the lighter weight and smaller size are noticeable, especially with the smaller (BDF/BHP452) drills. However, buyer beware when it comes to using them on the 'heavier' tools, as they are keyed for the larger batteries because they can draw more current than these smaller batteries can provide without damaging the cells. So you probably shouldn't slap one of these on your circular saw and go ripping 2x12s all day, or you'll kill the pack very quickly. Makita isn't trying to screw you into buying more batteries, they're trying to make sure you don't kill your batteries.



Another note, considering how many complaints of defective packs there are: don't run these batteries down to nothing, and try not to store them fully charged. Running them into the ground is a sure way to damage the cells, and I've read estimates of up to 20%/year capacity loss for a fully-charged pack, compared to as low as 2%/year for a pack stored @ 40% charge.



And of course, like any cordless tool/battery purchase- shop your options before buying batteries separately. I got the BHP452HW kit for only $50 more than 2 batteries. That's a cheap, easy way to have a spare drill or driver and charger for around the house, or to sell to recoup the extra cost.



I'm knocking off one star because Makita doesn't do a good job of letting people know that these slim packs only work on certain tools- and not very many, either. That's been a complaint for years now, and it's still not mentioned anywhere in their literature or website- even my local Makita dealer didn't know they weren't compatible with all LXT tools. It's not like it's standard practice- Bosch's and Milwaukee's slim packs fit their entire lineup, AFAIK. - 18v - Lithium-ion - 18 Volt - Makita'


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Italian Import Suit - darya trading, suits


This suit is phenomenal! Has a modern styling with ticket pocket and pick stitching and is incredibly soft to the touch. Do not be skeptical about this inexpensive purchase because DARYA Trading is absolutely legit. Excellent service, superior suits, inexpensive pricing, and expedited shipping...what more could you want?! Gino Valentino Made in Italy Wool / Silk Mens Suit 150's Hand Made 2 Button Canvas Front Jacket with Hand Pick Stitching Flat Front Pants Custom Working Buttonholes Business Suit Charcoal Gray Pinstripe (40 Regular)

I was very skeptical of all the good reviews I was reading, both about the quality of the suits and the legitimacy of the seller, but it's true. The suit is very nicely made and the seller was great to work with. This is one of two suits I bought and I couldn't ask for more. There was a slight defect on the pick stitching on the lapel but my tailor was able to fix it and Darya reimbursed me for the cost, no problem. BTW, I did some research into the ticket pocket and while it's uncommon right now, it's coming back into style and is more a feature of bespoke suits. For the money this is one of the all-time great values. - Suits - High Quality Suit - Darya Trading - Great Value'


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Italian Import Suit - darya trading, suits great value Italian Import Suit - darya trading, suits

Pro Impact Sports - muay thai, mma


These were plenty long to wrap both my hands and wrists. After switching to these I no longer had wrist pain after my Muay Thai / Kickboxing class. I think the reduction or rather elimination is due to the thickness and length of the wraps. I would highly advise anyone that hits pads or trains to buy these! Top notch product like all other Hayabusa stuff. Hayabusa Hand Wraps, BK - Mma - Ufc - Muay Thai - Boxing'


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