Guy Low Price Electronic: 5 May 2010

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Photo Printer Supplies - matte, printer paper

After getting the Canon i960 printer, I had to try this paper. One it was cheap. And two, the diverse reviews here intrigued me to no end. After making a few prints on this paper, I began to think I knew why the paper was so cheap...it was THAT bad!

Then, when I came to do a review, I fortunately read the one that cautioned printing on the right side of the paper. There was a right side? I then read the directions with the paper--there is indeed a right side, and it is whiter than the back. It will be hard for some to tell the difference. But the difference from printing on the right side and the wrong side is truly astounding! I'm a big glossy paper fan, but there is a nice look to this matte paper. And it is MUCH cheaper than the Photo Paper Pro. It is also much cheaper than buying greeting card paper.

But be aware, the money you save not buying more expensive photo paper will be going to buying more ink. Compared to glossy paper, this paper drinks ink. I've been making calendars with it, and was shocked to see the way the ink was consumed. Yet, I can't see making calendars with any paper than this. It makes beautiful calendars! I print a borderless 8x10 photo, using my Canon photo software on the bright white side, and a calendar page, using my calendar software, on the opposite side. The pages bind very easily with a 1/4 inch plastic binding comb. And as I said, it makes a strikingly beautiful photo calendar.

Thus, if you have only one type of Canon paper on hand, I would have this one. But if you can't give up the glossy look for photos, it won't work for you. Personally, I prefer using Kodak paper when making glossy prints on my Canon. And Kodak has a satin finished paper, but there is the Kodak name all over the back. One of the great things about this Canon paper is you can print on both sides. But do make certain you know the front from the back, before printing a photo. Canon Matte Photo Paper, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 50 Sheets (7981A004)

I have a Canon PowerShot G3 and a Canon S900 printer. I've tried all of the Canon papers, and they all produce excellent output. I had been using mostly the Photo Paper Pro, assuming that the most expensive paper produced the best output. However, my testing shows that for most photos, I actually prefer the output of this Matte Photo Paper. I found that the color of most objects and people looks more natural with the matte paper. Best of all, this paper is less than 25% the cost of the Photo Paper Pro on a per sheet basis. If you're using one of the Canon photo printers, you definitely need to try this paper out. I think you'll find the output excellent and the value outstanding.

I use this paper with my Canon printer. It is so reasonably priced that I use it to "proof" prints before printing on a more expensive glossy paper. It gives good color depth and fidelity. The color fidelity is good enough to use it for a final print or as a preview paper. Highlights and shadows are good. I haven't had the prints exposed long enough to see how color fast they are. I have had problems with some of the Canon color papers when it comes to color durability whent the prints were exposed to light and L.A. "air" (smog) for even short periods of time. The particular problem was with blacks degrading over a period of only a few monthes with their Canon Photo Paper Plus glossy paper. Plain copy paper prints held up fine but I want to test this matte paper in the same conditions. If you can't hang your pictures on your refrigerator with magnets, what else is left in life? Canon only tests for colorfast under glass and carefully evades quesions about exposed prints like the plague. (4 emails to Canon Tech Dept....evaded answering my question specifically times 4)

Under incandescent light, it can be very difficult to tell which side of the paper to print on. I use a cheap, battery-powered blacklight. One side is very dull under blacklight, the other side is brilliant. That's the side to print on.

When you go choose to print photos at a local developer, a lot of times you get to choose "matte" or "glossy". Matte usually being a textured form of glossy, and sometimes giving the photo a more lifelike appearance. When you get professional photos ordered, they are usually more of a "matte" finish rather than a shiny glossy. This matte "photo" paper is more like card stock. It is a very thick paper, but nothing like a matte paper that you would order professionally. Now, granted this paper is very inexpensive at 8.99 per 50 pages and the other canon papers are a bit more expensive - at 55 cents per page of 8.5 x 11 Canon Photo Pro paper and 40 cents per page of Photo Plus Glossy. I've used all 3 papers and have found the Photo Paper Plus Glossy to be the best for your money. The Plus Glossy really looks just as good as the Pro does and is less expensive. I haven't tested the papers with long term quality to see if pictures fade over time, but as for now the prints are amazing. I am using the Canon Rebel XT camera and the Canon MP500 printer. They have produced professional looking prints that look truly amazing. I am very satisfied with Canon (I've also tried HP). But the Matte paper isn't Canon's best product.

Pros: Inexpensive. Good for non-photo printing - cards, calenders, etc.

Cons: Not professional Matte quality. Plus Glossy is best photo printing for your $. - Matte - Printer Paper - Canon Paper - Canon'

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Flexible Keyboard - usb, keyboard

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I'm on my third one. I wore the first one out(not an illuminated one). It took about two years, all day every day use. The second regular one got moved to another workstation when I found this illuminated one. I would have given it an unqualified five, but it does occasionally turn its illumination on and off by itself -- a kind of whimsical quirk. It's quiet, it gets moved out of the way on my desk when I'm not using it, and I like the illumination (when it decides to let me turn on the switch). I have a piece of thin plexiglass cut to its exact size underneath it so I can slide it under my monitor easily. I am a touch typist, and a pretty fast one; but once I got used to the touch of this keyboard, I didn't have the problems other people talk about in these reviews. And, when it gets dusty and dirty, I just unplug it and go run it under the faucet to clean it, and rub it dry with a towel. Since I eat at my desk, this gets done more often than you'd imagine. Glowtype Virtually Indestructible Keyboard Illuminated Silicone Flex USB 109KEY

I can't believe the negative reviews of the Grandtec keyboards. I have been using the regular edition for over a year. It's a real steal for the current price too, I bought it locally and spent a lot more. Anyway I just ordered the glow version for another computer and it's basically the same with the glow feature added which can be turned off or on. Many times people complain about products (mice,keyboards,software,etc.) which cause all kinds of nightmares on their computers when in reality they have a messed up computer which needs to be wiped clean and windows reinstalled. That's way to much trouble for many people so they would rather put up with constant issues and curse a lot. I've used the regular edition on all three of my computers without ANY problem. A friend hooked up one of these keyboards and had it not respond at first but I advised them to simply unplug the USB cable and then plug it back in while Windows is running and from then on it worked perfectly and they also now love it as much as I do. Be warned anything this radically different will have a learning curve since it lies very flat and does have a different feel for sure. I got used to it quickly and think the pressure is designed to feel just right. Since it't made from silicone the board I've had for over a year still looks brand new and can be easily cleaned and of course is spill proof etc. I think it's kind of like the split ergo keyboards in that you have to get used to it and maybe it's a love it or hate it thing. I suspect many give up on this keyboard before giving it a chance.

I think another reviewer stated it correctly when he said you either hate it or love it. I love it, yet my partner hates it. But, my partner types at up to 170 wpm and I type at about 35-40 wpm. If you type really fast, it will slow you down, making sure you hit each key with enough pressure. But, if you are a slower typist, like me, that's not a big deal. I also like the illumination, even during the day. Much easier on the eyes. And yes, you can easily and quietly type in the dark. I would have given it 5 stars, but knocked it down one star for my partner. :)

I've beenusing this keyboard for over a month. I was looking for a totally quiet keyboard that I could use while watching TVwith my family withut annoying them with the clicking sound most eyboards mae. This is really cool because I can also use it in darkness since the keyboard glows. however, the keys are difficult to use. You have to push stright don on them with a fair amount of pressure, or they don't register. I'm a good typer and speller, but I carefully typed this paragraph without looking at my screen andyou cansee the missed keystrokes caused by this keyboard. I'll use it when I need to be quiet but otherwie I plug inmynormal non-Flex keyboard so i don'thave to correct so many typos.

I'd love to say how great this product is, but the fact that it does not work with Windows7 (64bit) makes that impossible. Win7 will not even recognize the keyboard.

I've emailed Grandtec twice with no response.

So, if you are using a legacy OS, its a nice keyboard. If you are using anything current, it is a paperweight.

I bought this keyboard even though it has received mixed reviews, and I am sorry that I did. The keys are too difficult to strike correctly; if you do not press them down directly in the middle you will not get a keystrike and instead hit a 'glancing blow' that produces no result.

And the ultmate deal breaker: The ON/OFF switch for the light is exactly where the CTRL key should be! I only used it for an hour and in that hour I must have turned the light on or off 6 times when trying to copy/paste.

Please, unless you have perfect finger control, save your money and look elsewhere for a lit/backlit keyboard.

First, I have to say that I am a hunt & peck typist, although fairly proficient. That said, I've had this keyboard for over 2 months & it's one of those rare purchases that was better than I expected. It worked perfectly, right out of the box. The dim glow (like one of those green plug-in nitelites), is unabtrusive & great for nighttime work. It's just enough light to see the the keys. I'm ordering another as a back-up, just in case, but I certainly wouldn't be ordering another as a back-up if I weren't totally impressed with the first. Now I can throw out the 3 old keyboards I've spilled things on and have held onto with the idea that someday I'd find the time to clean them out.

I had a period where I was taking care of a sick loved one, and I sought out the quietest keyboard around to use on a computer in the same room.

This has been wonderful -- quiet and easy to see in the dark. It does reduce my typing speed from about 100 wpm to about 90 wpm, but it gets better over time, once the keys have been used for a few weeks (more pliable).

No problems with the light going on and off, and I've had it for two years. I'm going to buy a second one for back-up, because this is the best keyboard I've ever had (no clicky noises! -- I can hear my music) - Flexible Keyboard - Usb - Portable - Keyboard'

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Stainless Steel Cookware - casserole, all clad

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It's amazing. Totally nonstick. Light as a feather, unlike the Le Creuset dutch oven. I use it for everything. And because it is so nonstick, you can use as much or as little oil as you like and it still works fine. All-Clad Cast Aluminum 5-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven with Two Oven Mitts

I never had a dutch oven before and now I don't know how I lived without it. I use it stovetop to make my tomato sauce, in the oven to make brisket, etc.It's a perfect size for my family dinners. The cleanup on the pot is so easy. Even after baking in the oven for hours, I could just wipe out the inside and it would be clean. Using the mitts are essential though, it gets very hot.

We bought the All Clad 5.5 Quart Dutch oven to replace our old, loved and very frequently used cast aluminum 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven. Once it arrived, I pulled out the Dutch oven it was to replace... and it looked smaller. 5.5 quarts is 5.5 quarts right? Wrong! I filled our new All Clad to the rim with 5 Quarts of water. I was hoping it would be a little larger!

I have many All-Clad products including a set of the original anodized aluminum over stainless steel that is still in very good shape. Quality is usually extraordinary.

This Dutch Oven cooks evenly and heats up quickly. Purchasers should realize that it has integral aluminum handles that heat up which means that you must use the included oven mitts.

This is the only non-stick pot that I own (which is why I purchased it). The coating is inside and outside for easy cleaning. I loved it for three months. Then I noticed a very small area on the inside bottom where the non-stick coating had worn off. Three months later and the worn area is spreading like a rash. This in spite of the fact that I have been exceptionally careful. No metal has ever been anywhere near the inside of the pot (only nylon utensils) and I have cleaned this exclusively with a sponge. No harsh cleansers.

This is disappointing because it is such a great pot, particularly for the money.

I am a big lover of LeCreuset and have many of their pots - I also have many All Clad pots. When I saw this pot on SurLa Table for 39.99 free shipping - I thought I'd give it a try. I was leary when I got it - very light and wondered how it would compete with the cast iron. Yesterday, I made pot roast INCREDIBLE results. Today, pulled pork - in the oven - same incredible results. The pot is light, non-stick, cleans easily and very very nicely priced. Don't have to kill myself lugging the huge LeCreuset anymore - for small roasts - this will be my go-to pot. Going to order another now for my sister-in-law who just had her kitchen remodeled. Highly highly recommend.

First off, it isn't necessarily clear on the All-clad website but this piece is made in China.

I had to send back the first one they sent me because it had two large imperfections in the cooking surface. The replacement also has a flaw in the cooking surface but it isn't large enough for me to bother returning it again.

Also, the non-stick surface extends all the way around to the bottom of the piece. This means that you should probably never use it on the stove top even though the description says you can. There is absolutely no reason to pay a premium on this item when you can get made in China items much cheaper from other brands.

The gloves are nice.

I bought this pot a few weeks ago. All I made were two soups over medium heat on my gas stove. The non stick surface started to bubble already! In both recipes,there has never been anything with high acidity and what not that might have bothered the surface. Yes, of course I used very mild dish detergent with no scent, no chemical and no color. My other non stick pot is still like new even though I've used it almost everyday for the past 5 years. - Dutch Oven - All Clad - Cookware - Casserole'

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Moto Droid X2 - moto droid x2, otterbox

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This is my first smart phone and I would like it to be my last so I decided to purchase more than insurance. I looked online and saw several cases or covers and Otterbox is a good waterproof box manufacturer so I went ahead and bought it. It is not water proof but aids in keeping water off the Droid. All buttons are covered completely but sockets (HDMI, audio out, charge and cable to computer) are just flaps and mine dont stay closed all the way. I expect little water and dust resistance from them. I work out in a dusty invironment so I wanted more reliable protection and dont feel I got it. Office use great! Car use Great! Home use with kids great! But I would not bring it out in the rain. The screen protector is the clear page you stick on and I have not enough experience to rate them but mine is doing really well (no scratches). I have had it for months and no problems. I think I should have gotten the more expensive one so compare them all. New OtterBox Commuter Series Motorola Droid X - Otterbox - Moto Droid X2'

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Wirebound Notebooks - wirebound notebooks

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I thought I'd save some time and money buying a notebook online instead of heading to the campus bookstore. Bad idea. Without being able to see the product before purchase, I had no way of knowing how cheap it was.

The pages are not perforated, but sometimes they rip out easily because the edge is cut too close to the spiral binding. The binding also works its way out of the pages because there is nothing at the ends to keep it in place. The notebook is also floppy, so it needs to be resting on a flat surface in order to turn the pages.

Next time I need a notebook, I'm spending more money, and examining it in person first. Mead Spiral 1-Subject Wide-Ruled Notebook, 1 Notebook, Color May Vary, Assorted Colors (05510)

This is not a good notebook AT ALL. The pages are very soft. Even worse, the covers are also soft. The spiral binding is not done right and it always messes up the bottom of the pages (you'll know what I mean when you use it). I tried to treat the notebooks like they were eggs to keep the bindings from destroying the bottom of the pages, but it always does no matter what. I bought a bunch when it was on sale, and was stuck using it for 1.5-2 years since I did not want to throw all of it away. It was a bad experience.

This is a bad product. I recommend buying the Staples version of the 1-subject ruled notebook. It is much cheaper and better than Mead.

When it gets to back to school time, you can buy these for 15-20 cents and buy like 8 for the *sale* price you pay here. I gave it 5 stars because it IS a decent notebook for people who go through them quicky and it IS worth 15 cents.

I have used these notebooks for taking notes in class. They are durable and handy. I like having one notebook dedicated for each subject or class. It helps to keep things better organized. However,I do prefer the narrow ruled better and I usually wait until just before the new school year, usually in August, and go to WalMart and buy them 10 for a Dollar. If you can wait and plan ahead you can get them for a much better price.

This purchase is such a no brainer. Note that Amazon only lets you buy a total of three of these, but it can help you make the $25 free shipping threshold. At present, these are going for 45 cents versus the 51 cents I paid. You cannot purchase these in the grocery store for that price, which is where I usually get them. I go through these notebooks regularly, using them for shopping lists and planning events. Okay, I'm getting to the point that at times I have to write things down because I can't remember them otherwise. You say, why not post its? Yes, I use those too, but occasionally the project is much more than a post it can handle. For instance, when I go away for one or two weeks, there are a number of things I have to remember to do during the seven days before I leave. So, I dedicate a page for each day and write down the things that have to be done. Similarly, Thanksgiving is coming up. For the two weeks prior, I have a ton of things that need to be done before T Day, and then each day I check off the things as they are completed. Never mind Christmas. You get the idea. I don't care about whether there is a particular quality to the paper or whether the perforation is perfect. The pages are torn out as tasks are completed. And yes, I have even given them to my grandkids for their school projects, with no complaints.

After recently joining Amazon. com, and setting up an account. I very please with your products and services. Thank you very much. I will continue to use Amazon.com to purchases for books an d other products that I use on a regular basis.

Reading is fundamental -- for some reason i saw the photo of multple notebooks and thought that I was getting a great deal on a pack of notebooks. In reality you are getting ONE notebook. In which case i could have gotten this cheaper at a store. My fault for not reading the details properly and assumning that the picture reflected what I was buying. - Wirebound Notebooks'

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Office 2007 - office 2007, excel

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I've had an opportunity to use Office 2010 Beta edition for a couple of months now and now that I see the full, final, edition I can say that this is a very worthwhile upgrade, except or Publisher. First things first, I am not a techie. I am someone who uses Word, Excel and PowerPoint on a very regular basis, who really liked some of the changes in Office 2007 but who thought some things needed tweaking, so when given the opportunity for the beta edition I jumped on it and have not been disappointed. Office 2010 is to Office 2007 what Windows 7 was to Vista; that is, there are not many breakthrough, drastically different features, but a whole lot of polishing and cleanup to make it easier and more efficient. Overall, the program seems to run faster, incorporates many of the most commonly used options and makes them more accessible (eliminating many dialog boxes and tabs) and allows for more customization.

At first glance it looks very much like its predecessor, the ribbon is back and it is now also found on OneNote. There are plenty of sites that will give you a play-by-play on all the features available in this new version, so I'm just going to mention some of the biggest improvements that I've seen.

Improvements:

1) The biggest change is the addition of the web apps. It may not be a true direct competitor to google docs, but it allows for easier sharing of documents, as well as making your documents more accessible.

2) The ribbon is back and it now includes the "File" option and a new feature called "Backstage view." Backstage view incorporates the most commonly used actions in one place (yay! no more dialog boxes with tabs). You get the usual open, save and print, but you also get several templates for new documents, print layouts and ways to share your work, all without dialog boxes and tabs, everything is much more easily accessible.

3) Another new feature is that the ribbon is now customizable so you can organize it according to your needs.

4) There is a Paste Preview which lets you switch between paste options so you can make sure that your work will be formatted correctly.

Negatives:

1) Publisher doesn't add enough to make paying for the Professional version worthwhile. There is certainly some eye-candy, but the most useful tools are missing.

Changes in PowerPoint.

You can now edit video directly on PowerPoint. You can trim a video, add effects, fades and even triggers for animations for the presentation. Another new feature is that you can add effects and edit images without the need for third party software.

Changes in Word.

One nifty new feature in Word is called "Navigation pane," which replaces the old document map. It incorporates minor changes in design that make big changes in productivity and ease of use. It allows you to quickly rearrange the document. Take for example a document with several headings/sections. The Navigation pane provides a list of all the headings. The headings are live, so you can drag them up or down, thus rearranging the document. It also incorporates most of the functions that used to be available in the "Find" dialog box but now they are all visible so you don't have to go digging through several menus to find the option that you need.

Changes in Excel.

Most of the changes in Excel deal with very large datasets. There is a new PowerPivot add-in which works great if you are dealing with a very large dataset that does not fit in one Excel spreadsheet. PowerPivot pulls the data from multiple sources (several Excel spreadsheets for instance) to analyze it.

Changes in Outlook.

There is a ribbon, and this makes for a huge improvement. You can turn long email threads into conversations so you can find information from a specific participant without having to read entire threads. You can also filter out or ignore entire threads on a particular subject, including future emails. Be careful though, you can unknowingly eliminate important future emails because they have the same subject title as a conversation you ignored in the past.

Changes in Publisher.

The least improved program. There are some new templates and the ribbon makes you see every tool easily; however, some of the best image tools from the rest of Office are missing. There are not as many picture styles as there are in Word or PowerPoint; it doesn't have an artistic effects tool (such as color saturation or tone controls) and it doesn't have the Remove Background tool.

Summary:

Overall, except for Publisher, this is one well planned and executed upgrade that essentially takes all the promises of Office 2007 and makes them a reality. Yes, some things are different, and it will take some getting used to; but, once you realize the improvement in efficiency you'll agree that the changes are mostly for the positive. Unless you REALLY use Publisher a lot, you're probably better off with the Home and Business version. Microsoft Office Professional 2010 - 1 User/2 PC (Disc Version)

This version offers some great improvements over Office 2007: Customizable ribbons and the File tab instead of the MS Button (which confused everyone), combined with improved graphics and font options are fantastic!! Office 2010 combines the best of older versions (2003, etc.) with the best of 2007. It would be a real winner except . . . .

Microsoft's decision to throw loyal customers under the bus in favor of "simplified pricing" means upgrade costs are prohibitive! Don't be duped into buying the "activation key" card, thinking of it as an upgrade path. The "Activation Key" version can ONLY be installed on one computer - Ever!! It cannot be transferred if you upgrade or change primary work systems - Doesn't even sound like it be reinstalled if you have to reinstall the OS for some reason. Given increasing competition from online apps and a tight economy -- I hope Microsoft seriously reconsiders its pricing!

Bottom Line: 10% improvement - 100% cost = Poor ROI for repeat customers!! There is a reason that 80% of all computers still run Windows XP - Microsoft is not creating products that people/businesses feel are worth the investment! Businesses have traditionally found that repeat customers save $$$ in advertising and support versus finding/creating/informing new customers that it is worth rewarding existing customers. Apparently Microsoft believes that it can balance it's loss of market share by refusing to reward repeat customers -- and to claim it is "simplified pricing" is simply lame! - Office 2007 - Greedy - Microsoft Office - Excel'

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23 Guage

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These pins work great in the Grex 23 gauge pin nailer. I haven't had any jams or problems at all. The only reason I'm taking off one star is that some of the clips were broken when I received the package. GREX P6/MP-3 23 Gauge Multi-Pack Headless Pins (3,000 per box)

The nails are okay. However, some lengths aren't very exact at all. Of the six different lengths, three were kind of off. The 3/4 were a little too long. Two of the others were a little too short. I can't remember the exact errors, but I think two were off by about 1/32 inches and the third a bit more than that. I mean it's close enough to work but still. Do pin nailers have some sort of convention I'm unaware of? I doubt it.

The nails seem to shoot fine with my inexpensive central pneumatic (Harbor Freight) gun.

Also, to save time I organized the nails into three small bins on one of those shelving units with lots of bins. I put the 3/8 with the 3/4, the 1/2 with the 1, and the 5/8 with the 1 3/8 nails. Now, I can quickly and confidently get the nails I need right away.

Overall, I would recommend these, but I'm won't get them again.'

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Screwdriver - screwdriver, power tools

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The driver feels very solid and nice in your hand. It comes with 4 hex-shank bits - a medium philips, medium flathead, 3/16 and 1/16 drill bits, which should be fine for most jobs. While there is plenty of torque for drilling, there is no torque range adjustment, so you'll have to be careful not to overtighten screws. For that purpose, it has an intuitive manual spindle lock that clicks firmly into place, allowing you to use it like a regular screwdriver.The bit holder shaft has a convenient quick connect sleeve. You simply pull back on the sleeve insert or remove the bit. The bits have a groove at the end to keep them in the shaft when you work, solving the common problem that I always run into previous power screwdrivers and drills, where for various reasons, the bit gets stuck in the hole or screw when I pull away.The handle has cartridge style battery pack. Also included with the drill/driver are 4 AA batteries, 20 screws, and 20 plastic inserts (for dryway)-- everything you need to get started. It comes with a full 2-year home use warranty. I really like this unit. It was very inexpensive, does the job, has the fit and finish quality that one expects from Black and Decker, and has an ergonomic look and feel. While it would have been nice for this drill/driver to run a bit faster (it runs at only 130 rpm versus the more desirable 180/rpm) and have a torque adjustment ring for worry free screw driving, I think the price makes up for it considerably. Overall, the AD600 is an excellent value. Black & Decker AD600 6-Volt Alkaline 1/4-Inch Hex Cordless Drill/Driver with Accessory Assortment

With Lithium Ion models now available in all price ranges, this model is now really dated.

Maybe still a good value, if you find it for under ten buckss at discount store beginning with "W".

Handy for driving screws.

Fits in your pocket while climbing a ladder.

Fits in a small tool-box.

Good for low-clearance uses (6 or 6-3/4 inches from driver tip to heel).

Wimpy, but enough torque for medium duty. Sinks drywall screws without pre-drilling.

At 130 rpm, it's painfully slow for drilling. It's much slower and wimpier than 35 dollar or 95 dollar Li-Ion models. Buy this only as a screw driver - if you already own a cordless drill.

Nice feel, ergonomic handle. Forward & reverse triggers are handier than a separate F/R switch.

The owners manual says to use only alkaline batteries (4-AA), but I find that rechargeables (2100 mAh NiMH) work great, last a long, time, and only cost as much as 5 sets of throw-aways.

One disappointment is the spindle lock, which you can use when hand turning a really stubborn screw. It does not disable the motor. There is no motor OFF option when stowing. It would be nice if the spindle auto-locked whenever the trigger is not pressed and if there was a motor-OFF switch.

**Update 1-15-2010: After 5+ years of moderate use (including one 12-foot drop from a ladder onto concrete) it still works.

The product description clearly states, "for smaller jobs that don't require huge, heavy power tools" yet some reviewers don't read the details or packaging or have trouble distinguishing this product from heavier and larger purpose-built corded or cordless power tools. Anyone thinking this less than twenty dollar AA battery powered tool could compare with the likes of Dewalt or Milwaukee pro tools perhaps shouldn't be using tools at all.

Upon removing the drill from its packaging, I entered the man cave and drove a couple of 2" screws into a pine 2x4 and drilled several holes into a piece of hardwood. No sweat. This will do as well, and better, than the dozen or so small, household class cordless screwdrivers I've owned over the decades.

My motivation for selecting this cordless tool is its use of regular old alkaline AA cells; as far as I can tell, B&D is the only manufacturer on the planet doing that. Every one of my rechargeable screwdrivers have gone bad simply because I needed them just every now and then. They died because I did or didn't leave them constantly plugged in, either of which will waste rechargeable batteries over a long period of time. Or the chargers burned out. To add insult to injury, the cost of replacement batteries and chargers exceeded the price of a whole new screwdriver.

It's most likely that in five or six years when I pick up this tool and press a button, it'll work. If not, I'll throw in some new AA batteries. Thank you Black and Decker.

I bought one from the local wally world thinking it would be nice to have a drill that used such convenient power source, especially since i have a 15 minute charger. i was disappointed, i didn't notice that it was listed as 130rpm on the back, that is absurdly slow. i had assumed it would be atleast close to the speed of my previous 7.2v drill since it was 6v, boy was i wrong! it is great for a screw driver, but it is more or less useless as a drill, the cheapest cordless drill at wallyworld was a 7.2v kraftech that runs at ~600rpm for $14, for 20 dollars you can get a corded black and decker that runs 1200rpm. I ended up biting the bullet and getting a $28 5.2amp corded black and decker from target and it came with a canvas bag. 1500rpm and uses regular bits, and best of all, it varies speed with trigger pressure, and no worrying about replacing expensive rechargeable battery packs. it should last for years. the hex bits this alkaline drill uses also limits how easily you can buy replacement bits. its harder to buy a single bit instead of a kit filled with things you don't need. so really, if you need a new cordless screw driver and like a drill grip, than it works ok, but other wise, its a very poor drill even considering price. because of the slow speed i looked up information on my other black and decker screw driver 3.6v~$15, and it was 180rpm! somethings not quite kosher when a 3.6v screw driver is faster than a 6v "drill". - Power Tools - Screwdriver - Aa Battery - Cordless Tools'

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Brad Nailers - woodworking, nailers

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I purchased this particular item because of its better range of brad sizes it can handle, and the Porter Cable name, good reviews, etc.

I have been using this nailer quite often, and am now left with several boxes of finish nails I will likely never use again. No more getting the nailsets out to bury a finish nail down on a piece of trim, etc.

The options for using this are endless. Just last night, I needed to make a couple wood boxes to hold scrap in my workshop area, and had some scrap 3/8" plywood, perfect for the boxes. Using this nailer, I could quickly apply a little glue, between corners of the box, and shoot a couple brads in and done. Can't do that with finish nails on plywood without splitting out alot.

Great tool, highly recommended, easy to handle. Porter-Cable BN200B 5/8-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer

I own many Porter-Cable tools. They have never failed or disappointed me.

I have an older version of this Porter-Cable nailer and it's a great nailer even after shooting well over 5,000 nails. Of all the tools in my shop, it's one of my favorites. Indispensible for woodworking and trim.

My first brad nailer was a no-name cheapo that shot maybe 100 nails before it was trash.

I purchased this one as a gift.

I am very impressed with this brad nailer. I tried different lengths of brads on different woods and everything worked great. I had no problem driving the brads all the way into the wood or by make a simple change to the depth adjustment, I could leave the heads up. The case is nice as well.

I bought the Porter Cable 18 ga. nailer to do some trim work around the house. I was so impressed that I also bought their 16 ga. nailer and framing nailer. To date, I've never had a jam and they've all worked perfectly. I've never owned any other nailer so I can't compare their performance, but since the Porter Cable's work so well, I have no reason to shop around.

After using the nailer for over a year a air leak started right at the bottom of the nailing housing opposite the trigger. I took the four hex screws out of the top cover and looked around. Investigation revealed a leak between the drive cylinder which runs vertical above the nail head and the gun housing. Instead of ordering a new O ring and seal,(parts number 116 and 118 on the Porter Cable web site) which i probably would have nicked trying to install and have a new leak, I bought a tube of silicon sealant and squeezed a thick half-inch coating of silicon around the outer edge of the cylinder and over the seal. Careful not to cover the cave in the handle where air is stored between shots or get any silicon on the little round trigger housing and let it set open for 24 hours. Put the top back on torquing the hex nuts tightly on the gasket and fired it up. Nails like new. The silicon is tough and should last a few years. Good little nailer. Enjoy, Dave

I read several articles with the majority rating the Hitachi and the PC as best values. I went with the PC since several people mentioned the noise of the Hitachi. May not be an issue if you're outside but inside - I could see the problem. Since purchasing, I have installed several door frames and trim and probably 600 feet of baseboard without a misfire or bad contact point. Granted, I've only shot 600 or so nails but reading reviews and articles from more experienced users, it's what you can expect. The nailer is lightweight, easy to use, and quiet for a pneumatic. One accessory I've come to enjoy is the provided cap to put over the air nipple. Most of my projects so far have involved high-levels of drywall and wood dust in the area. Being able to cap the nipples when the nailer is not in use is great. So is the provided belt hook for when exchanging out the nailer for my PC stapler. When using, keep your air pressure above 75psi. Anything below that and you'll notice the nails will not be flush with your surface. I can't speak for the durability of this nailer but for the time I have owned and used it and my history with other PC products, I consider it a very good product for the price and have no reason to believe it will falter.

The Good: This gun is great. It goes along great with my PC 16ga nailer which is well over 13 years old and still going strong. It has great features in a compact lightweight frame. I use it primarily for trim and and wood furniture. Free shipping and Price are also nice.

The Not So Good: make sure when using 2" nails that you are using the right size. Some 2" nails are 50mm and some are 51mm. This gun only accepts up to 50mm. The PC Brand 2" nails are 51mm!!! Kind of silly that the products are incompatible even though both made/labeled PC. I spoke with PC and they avoided the aspect of incompatibility and simply said 51mm may cause unwanted operation.

The Bad: Amazon is extremely slow at shipping. Waited over a week for it to finally ship then 4 days shipping time. Yeah I know it's free shipping, but even the slowest shipping method doesn't take that long.

After weeks and weeks of research and frustration when reading all the Amazon reviews on brad nailers and thinking I found the 5 star gun to buy, only to get turned off by one lousy 1 star review, and agononizing over whether I should spend $90 on a tool I'll rarely use, I finally bit the bullet and ordered this Porter Cable BN200B. It was delivered in great condition in only 4 days with free shipping. Had a nice hard plastic storage case, but they ddn't make the relief fit the belt clip on the nailer very well. You have to svivel it around to get the case to close properly, and even then it seems out of place. I've fired off about 100 of the 1.5" brads they include in the kit, and it worked great. Never misfired once and all were countersunk correctly. My only complaint is that they made the nail clip out of plastic, instead of aluminum. Come on guys, even the cheap Harbor Freight guns have aluminum clips. - Woodworking - Nailers'

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