Guy Low Price Electronic: 31 May 2011

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Rechargeable Batteries

I bought into the ryobi 18v system because they share a battery type among so many tools. Sadly, one of the batteries died after a year of light use and they want a lot of money for replacements. I have a lot of friends who have bought the same sets and ended up with a dead battery after a year, so anecdotally it seems the quality isnt that good. I have dewalt tools and batteries that are still working, with reduced output, after 4-5 years. Ryobi P100 ONE+ 18V 1.5m-Ah NiCd Battery (130224028)

i also went to ryobi after my dewalt was stolen i found they work better then dewalt but yes the ni-cad batterys only last about a year or so so when my battery went i got li-ion battery drill and impact and 3 years later they still work like brand new. i found out later that the li-ion batterys work with all the other ryobis as well that was good because i have 2 drills, a sall-zall, and a little skill saw. i would go for the li-ion before i would buy anything else they hold a charge way longer, have more power, and after 3years i get 4 times as much use out of mine then my coworkers who use dewalt ni-cad and the best part buy the new tool you want and can use the batterys for all your old tools. must stay with the same voltage but get a tool you dont have not the same thing like i did. the 2 stars is for the ni-cad battery as for ryobi and the li-ion battery 5 stars all the way. i did not get my drills from amazon i just wanted to help. good luck!

I've had the 18v Ryobi stuff for 3 - 4 years. 3 batteries, flashlight, drill/driver, reciprocating saw and circle saw. Heavy use of the drill/driver, probably 15 pounds of deck screws (built 2 decks). The batteries have served well but now need replacement. The circle saw is the one exception; not a good application because the battery drain is too heavy except in very light wood. Note that the batteries should not be left in the charger indefinitely, take them out when the green light comes on or they will deteriorate.

I bought this to replace the battery of a Ryobi drill I bought over 6 years ago. The originals were completely dead and this replacement fit perfectly. I no longer use my drill on a daily basis and only bought this because I was too cheap to go for the new lithium ion batteries and this was the best price I found. While being top of the line 6 years ago they don't hold a charge very long in-between uses but do work well if you use them more often and drain completely between charges. With that being said I probably should have gone with the lithium ion as one of those batteries (I have used many) last almost twice as long, are lighter and holds a better charge between uses. I gave it three stars because their are better replacements out there but these are as good as the original that came with the drill.

Not much to review. It's a battery. But it charged just fine in my charger, and held the charge long enough for my power-hogging to make all my bookshelf cuts, and the drill to do all the pocket holes and screws, and then a couple more cuts with the saw on the toy bin I was making before having to recharge. Cheaper than getting it at Home Depot, since it was on sale for $25...

I mostly use the Ryobi batteries for the flashlight, mini vaccuum and such, and can only say they're pretty decent. They charge quickly, last a reasonable amount of time on each charge, and work with a great many devices. The downside is that you can't own "Just one", and should have three if you're at all forgetfull, because they show fully charged if you try to put them on charge after removing them from the vaccuum cleaner as soon as they run a little flat, then after one hour they will charge up again, so that's one point down - something should be changed in either the battery or the charger to allow for that as I've often forgotten to go back and plug it in until the second one runs out as well! The biggest downside though is that they aren't waterproof, and where I live we often get deluged. Taking the pets out at night means getting wet, it also means the battery is finished a lot of the time. This is ridiculous on a $30+ battery! Dinged two stars for that one.

I have had one a year, already will not hold a charge for more than one day. Ryobi told me to show them a receipt.....of course I do not have. They said by the serial number it was 3.5 years old. Ryobi sucks.'

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Balls Of Steel - duke nukem, the duke

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Background: Duke3D was my first foray and exposure to FPS's... and from then, I just couldn't care about what John Carmack did with Wolfenstein 3D or Doom I/II. I didn't care about slaughtering demons or nazi's... it was all about hitting up the Red Light District level, going into the club, and making those strippers dance... then taking out your frustrations on the pig cops that hurt them ladies! It was popular enough back then it was even installed on school computers, left as a reward if we finished our homework and classwork ahead of time. There was no question which class we got stuff done in then.

Back to the review...

Packaged arrived adequately protected, nothing harmed. At least till I got my hands on it.

Balls of Steel came with a nice set of goodies. The "Carpe Nukem" bust is well detailed, with the only disappointment being that I thought it was going to be bigger than what it was.

Deck of cards makes sense, and the box they come in has a nice motif; Just wish they could have been Duke Nukem-themed like the dice.

The Artbook is impressive, both for the assets shown, and for having a bit of insight from the creators that finally managed to bring the "unreleasable" to the grubby masses.

The papercraft figure of Duke is idea-wise a riot. Just hoping to get an exacto knife so I could actually assemble it properly. And the postcards are a keeper, too.

Now, to the review of the actual game...

Gearbox has went on and stated how this was basically intent to be a preserving of 3DRealms' original vision for the game, what they were originally going to bring us way back in 199X/200X. That being said, it's sad to see some "modern" features creep in. I get that it was a concession for console players... but I got it for PC. Did we really need a two-weapon limit? That's about my one significant gripe there.

Game looks good. Maxed out the in-game settings and it played liquid smooth on my machine. I too have noticed some of the "late loading" of better textures if I alt-tab out of the game to take care of something and come back for it to reload, but being this seems to be a fault of the Unreal Engine in general (I've lots of UE-based games that do this exact behavior), that's not something I can fault them with. All these people whining about graphics come off as if they were expecting this thing to be the next Crysis or something... which I think to me just means they came to it with the wrong mindset.

I'm aware of the criticisms, and some are indeed true... some just come off as making up excuses. I went into purchasing this game basically expecting a newer Duke3D - lewd and crude humor, killing aliens, babes - with better graphics and capabilities. And it delivered on this just fine. I personally find those that seemed most to be upset about the game fall into either:

- people expecting this to be some kind of "ultra-benchmark" tech demo that would be unplayable on pc's for years after release... Sorry, we already have id and Crytek covering the "tech demo" studio roles just fine. We don't need another.

- Were "modern warfare"/Halo fans that were probably not even born yet when Duke3D was available. And thus have no understanding of why this game is so important to the culture.

- Are based on the console version(s).

Loading times? Only time I notice it here is when I'm first starting up, or entering a new chapter for the first time. If I die and respawn, I'm looking at four seconds max on my machine. And many of the visual bugs I've seen from gameplay footage, seem to only come from the PS3/360 versions because they simply haven't happened ever while playing it here on my PC.

To sum up, if you enjoyed Duke3D back then, you owe it to yourself to play this. But for everything that is holy to you, get it on PC if at all possible. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration and have a much better experience. Duke Nukem Forever: Balls of Steel Edition

While I was much more of an occasional gamer in 1996 I did play Duke Nukem 3D and remember it fondly. Not long ago I played through the game using eDuke, a free engine source port that makes the game control and play at high resolutions and using modern control methods. It's a great game with varied level design and a fun atmosphere, though it definitely suffers from some issues. Jumping forward to Duke Nukem Forever I can say much the same thing... fun but flawed.

Duke Nukem Forever does not play like the 1996 original with it's open levels, key hunting and over-the-top weapon combat. It also does not play like a 2011 game, more scripted and almost painfully linear. Duke Nukem Forever plays like it came from roughly 2004, the era of Halo and Half-Life 2. Like Halo you have an "ego shield" that recharges, you can only use two weapons and the combat is more about moving and knowing which weapon to use. Like Half-Life you have to solve small little physics puzzles, explore the environment for ammo and bonus items and explore non-combat areas for story content and interactivity. If you like the idea of those two games melded together you're off to a good start with Forever, but unfortunately there are deeper hurdles to overcome.

Duke Nukem Forever had a long and almost insane development history as you probably know. The project was started in 1997 and went through multiple complete reboots. Trailers from the 90's and early 2000's show a completely different game than this one is. That fractured stop-start development shows all over the finished project. Levels do not feel naturally linked a lot of the time, design varies from interesting to terrible, the graphics go from pretty good to dreadful and back again. Think of Duke Nukem Forever as a patchwork quilt of ideas and development, never quite cohesively melding into something amazing but often being fun in spite of itself. If you like the Duke character, a parody of 80's action heroes and machismo, and you have a good time with average shooters, you might find yourself having a lot of fun in spite of the flaws, like I did.

That Duke humor is the target of most mainstream reviews. Personally I think a lot of them don't get... I see them complain about his old jokes and his sexism, but that's pretty much the point of the character. Duke is not someone you want to be or even hang out with, Duke is just a big doof who is fun to play ass when kicking alien butt. Your appreciation may vary.

The PC version of Duke Nukem Forever is pretty good compared to the console versions. Framerates are smooth and remain high, mouse control is excellent, keys are fully re-mappable, there are several quality graphics options and native blur anti-aliasing that actually works really well (choose FXAA if you can). One thing you will likely want to do is turn off processing effects which completely blur the image into oblivion. With those off the game looks crisp and detailed, often better looking than you might expect it to be. With most mainstream reviews based on the Xbox version complaining about horrible framerates, long load times, bad aiming and horrible graphics it should make you feel good to be a PC gamer that we got by far the best version of Duke. Steamworks DRM will mar the experience for some gamers, though I pay it no attention since the PC is an open platform with a huge community ready to make sure these games work in the future.

All in all I had a good time playing Duke Nukem Forever, which is the most important thing. The combat could often be really fun, the environments could often be fun to explore and the jokes often made me laugh. Yes the game suffers from feeling slapped together over 14 years and from being conceived at a time when certain limitations were in effect. Yes some of the jokes go too far and others fall flat. Yes it's clearly designed for multiple platforms and not a classic PC style FPS from the 90's. All this is true, but what is also true is that I had a TON of fun playing Duke Nukem Forever. If you're a fan of this style of humor and early 2000's shooter gameplay I think you will too. - Duke Nukem - Orgasmic - Bubblegum - The Duke'

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Compact Digital Camera Case - compact digital camera case, case logic

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I did not buy this on Amazon but bought it at a local electronics store (which I may say cost more than from the site.)

I bought this for my recently purchased Kodak Zi8 and it is a PERFECT fit. Inside is the right size for the camera. The outside pocket is able to fit extra batteries and extra memory.

For the price this is a right fit if you getting one of the pocket camcorders. Case Logic TBC-312 Pocket Video Camcorder Case with Storage (Black)

Fits the Kodak PlaySport Pocket Video Camera perfectly! It is always hard to tell if the camera will fit in the recommended case, but this really is a great fit. There is extra room if you need to store extra batteries or memory cards. Great camera case!

This case fits the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) snugly - it's a perfect fit, with just enough additional room to contain the wrist strap. This is what I was looking for since I wanted a case that took up as little room as possible while protecting the camera -- I can now put the camera in the case, throw the case in a bag, and not worry about scratches, etc. There is also a zipper pocket on the front that has just enough room to hold a flash card and battery. Again, the fit is snug but if you're looking to minimize case size while carrying the essentials with you, then this is perfect.

I purchased this case for my Kodak PlaySport digital camera, and it fits perfectly! It is well-padded, and ample room for the camera, with an extra zip pocket on the outside for an extra cable or memory cards. If you want to carry all the cables that go with this particular camera, however, you might want to get something larger.

I bought this for my FLIP Ultra HD and I am very happy with it. Perfect size, great quality and the price can't be beat. Some other users were concerned about protection due to not enough padding, but if you are not going to throw this against the ground with force it is enough to protect the Flip. I don't know about other devices as they may be heavier and get damaged upon being dropped. Buy it and you won't regret it.

Simple padded bag for small electronics. The Kodak playsport fits nicely inside, as does an iphone. There's a very small zippered pocket in front that will fit an extra memory card, spare batteries, etc. I like that it has both a carabiner and a belt loop.

Love the caselogic video camcorder case with storage. Just the right size to safely hold camcorder, but not large and bulky. Convenient for using strap to carry on wrist, but easy to access for use!! Love the quality of the material. Also have caselogic case for my fuji film camera!! Dark color great for not showing dirt or wear!! Very attractive quality item!! Would recommend.

This case is perfect for the Kodak Zi8 camcorder or other camcorders of similar size such as the playsport or flip. The camcorder fits nice and snug. The materials used feel like high quality materials. There is an external pocket just large enough for me to place 2 spare batteries and an extra SDHC card. Not really any room for lenses. Also doesnt give you a carrying strap but has a clip. Great overall product and for the price, you really cannot do better. - Camera Pouch - Case Logic - Camera Cases - Compact Digital Camera Case'

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Office Electronics - clip, led book light

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the pin that holds the clip kept falling out, so i had to glue it then i taped it just to make sure it wouldnt fall out again, and the light base is big and bulky and doesnt fit well on my kindle without covering up part of the screen Kindle light Clip-On LED Book Light eReader Black Color Sony Kindle book lights for reading

I was excited to receive this book light for my Kindle. However, when I attempted to turn the light off it would not shut off. Apparently I have a malfunctioning light where I have to remove a battery in order for the light to turn off. This is quite an inconvenience. I should have returned it but did not want to go through the hassle of doing so..The light works great for the Kindle and is easy to maneuver..

This is a useless light. The cover does not even fit back on after the batteries are in it. It is big, clumsy, and there is nothing on it that signifies

Sony. I have to tape the batteries in to use it. A total waste of money.

Even though it is so cheap it is not worth the money. It will not clip on in a way that will not inhibit the use of screen. I am super disappointed, but since it would cost the same amount to return as the amount I would get back I am basically screwed.

Mine had glue all over it right out of the packaging. I wish I took a picture of it before I scraped it all off. This thing is not worth the money. It is badly built and very cheap. The head of it with the two LEDs in it swivels loosely. This is something you would buy at a dollar store not for 9 bucks. What a rip off.

I just got mine and have no problem with it. It is alot brighter then the other ones Ive tried and am very happy I got it. I just ordered two more and they arrived today earlier then I expected and real happy with them. Thanks

I love my kindle and thought this would be the ideal accessory for later in the day reading. I'm not sure where to clip it. The light isn't very bright and if you don't hold it by hand casts a glare that is distracting. When you adjust the neck that holds the light head, it doesn't stay in place. It's just a piece of junk. The only good thing about it is the price. - Clip-on Light - Led Book Light - Clip - Book Light'

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Garmin Accessories - gps, garmin nuvi 1350t

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Got what I expected for a good price. When it arrived, I was surprised how light the package was and wondered about the quality. However it all has worked flawlessly. The AC charger is very handy to charge it up before a trip, or for a walking trip. The car charger is a back-up. You should be aware that when you use it, you loose the traffic feedback for the NUVI 1350 since the FM receiver is integrated into the original car charger and it is not included in the one that comes with this package. But the price is right! For Garmin Nuvi 1300 1350 1350T Portable Travel USB 12V Plug-in Car Charger + Home Wall AC Charger Combo Bundle Package

I bought this so I would have another car charger for my Garmin nuvi 1390. My Garmin gets its power from a standard USB Mini which both the car charger and wall AC charger provide.

When I plugged my Garmin into the car charger my Garmin nuvi 1390 thought it was connected to a computer at first. It then figured it out and came on. While that would be a little annoying it's not the real problem.

When I had my Garmin plugged into the car adapter it would run for a few minutes,then it would go off, then come back on for a few minutes, then go off, then come back on ... Anyway you get the picture.

I haven't decided if I'm going to try to return. The shipping cost more than the item did.

I wish I could give it no stars.

On the plus side, product was received in a very timely manner, and was exaclty as pictured.

Unfortunately, these are NOT Garmin chargers. These are USB chargers. When used with the Garmin Nuvi, all they do is cause the Nuvi to cycle through the computer syncing mode over and over. The battery does not charge, and you cannot use the Nuvi to navigate.

I have contacted the seller but have not heard back from them. If you have a USB phone or other device that does charge using a USB port delivering USB voltage, then these items will have other uses around your home.

But if, like me, you wanted to be able to charge and program your Nuvi at home, and have a spare 12V cord for a second vehicle, DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM.

i took this to mean they would function the same as the stock power supplies...however they do not...they put my nuvi into an endless loop of rebooting...after several hours of this it is charged but strictly charging is not what i bought this for...i am very disappointed that it doesn't work as advertised and would not advise anyone to buy these to use with a nuvi.

So far after 6 months I've had no issues with this combo unit. We can now charge the Garmin in the house and in the car. I prefer the AC as it's a lot quicker. It's very handy to carry along on trips.

I also am getting another windshield mount so this spare cable and car charger will allow me to keep two vehicles ready for the the GPS. Highly recommend this cable and spare car charger even if you don't plan to use it as I am.

This was a great value buy, and it provided me the oppurtunity to keep this set in my luggage when I travel. I often forget these when I pack in a hurry and now I don't have to think about it. The products work great!!! - Garmin Nuvi - Garmin Nuvi 1350t - Gps - Garmin'

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Kid Headphones - wire, kid headphones

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Nothing special here: don't expect heavy solid construction or anything, but it survived two 10 hour flights on a 2-year olds head (not used much though, but it was shoved around in bags). Volume limiter is there and works, possibly even too agressively when in a noisy environment. The color caps are nice too. Maxell 190338 Kids Safe Headphone (Black)

The headphones fit great on my four year old. The sound quality isn't that great, but they work fine. They do exactly what I wanted - minimize the level of sound from the mp3 player. My daughter has no problem hearing her music even while in the van, with road noise. However, many times she does have it at the maximum level. But, these headphones limit what that max is so I feel comfortable with her using them regularly.

So, I understand that these headphones are designed to prevent them from reaching a dangerous volume. However, they are so volume-limited that you actually can't hear anything through them. Our portable DVD player on maximum volume with normal headphones is painfully loud. With these headphones you can barely hear the sound, even on the highest volume setting. On an airplane with all the background noise, it's not audible.

I don't recommend them. You might as well connect up a tin can with a string.

Oh, and I bought 2 of them so it's not just a single defective pair.

My 3 year old son snapped his pair in half on the first day... my 2 year old daughter can't quite get used to her pair. Both would rather not use them...

I was surprised that they were not constructed with more durability in mind. They worked fine, but my boy was just too much for them.

I should of gone with the school grade headphones. I got these for my three and five year old for a shared mp3 player for car trips. The wires are constantly getting tangled which is causing the black wire covering to crack at the base. My daughter complains she can't hear constantly until someone wiggles the base.

I think it may be the options that they have to change the colors on the ear pieces...but my 3 kids really love these! The price wasn't bad & they fit each of my kids good b/c they are made for smaller heads. They work, my kids love them, & price wasn't bad..I say good buy!

My daughter loves these headphones,and can be seen wearing them several hours at time. She also really likes that she can switch out the colors depending on her mood or outfit. These are also the first headphones we have found that don't slip down to her neck -- yay! I give them 4 and not 5 stars because the wires started to pull out of the junction where they split into two seperate wires to the earpieces within a week. Seems like a product designed for kids should hold up better that that. However, since we duct taped that whole section we haven't had any problems at all. (For reference, my daughter is a very petite 8 year old.)

These were terrific for the two days they worked. Today my 6 year old puts them on, and nothing. He's back to using the headphones I bought when I was in college - 20 years ago - even though they're much too big at least they work. Why don't they make things like they used to??? Kid's products should be more durable than adult's, not less. - Kid Headphones - Wire'

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Converter - pc to tv, tv

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The converter worked, but not as intended. First, it supported resolution only up to 800x600 (did not support 1024x768 as claimed). Second, the TV image was shaking occasionally (once per 1-2 minutes). While 800x600 resolution was fine for watching movies, the shaking was not acceptable. As a result, I had to return the converter. Unfortunately, Sewell claimed the converter was OK and did not return the shipping and handling costs to me. I have a Fujitsu Lifebook notebook with an Intel video card (in case this information helps). Buy a more expensive converter with a power adapter (as opposed to power coming from a USB port). This is because a good effective video processing takes considerable power, which a USB port might not be able to provide. Sewell PC to TV (VGA to RCA) Converter

I needed a device that would allow our church to occasionally record the output of a computer rather than the camera feed that is normally recorded. The computer output is set to 1024 x 768 to match the projectors, so I needed a device that could at least handle that resolution. I also didn't want to spend too much money because this would only be needed occasionally and we don't require studio quality recordings. This device was easy to hook up and the output is very acceptable for an item at this price point. The unit has menu buttons that allow you to adjust the output of the device if needed and that works quite well.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way this item works, especially considering the price I paid. If you are considering this item, just remember to make sure the specifications indicate that it is capable of doing what you need it to do.

I use this to display karaoke words on HD screens (from a laptop to the TV). This product is very easy to use and requires no significant tech savvy, as long as you know the difference between an RCA (most TVs have one) and a VGA (computer monitor) plug. In my opinion, this is the best one you can buy because it's cheap, and for karaoke it cuts down on overhead. Also, works great for turning any TV into a second monitor for either a desktop or laptop. Everything you need is included (i.e. VGA cable, RCA cable, USB power cable, S-Video cable, and the converter itself). NOT OPTIMAL FOR RUNNING MOVIES FROM PC OR LAPTOP TO YOUR HDTV!! For that use a VGA to HDMI converter!!

I purchased this device to interconnect my MacBook Pro to a TV, previously I just borrowed my mom's Apple TV converter "My old ibook g3" but since Apple no longer is going to make those I had to find a alternative.

I am very happy with this device overall.

however there is one thing to note, other than the fact that down converting VGA resolution of 1024x768 down to 640x480 for a TV that is interlaced or to a flat-panel LCD or similar viewing medium. The quality is only as good as 640x480 interlaced.

I would classify this device is an entry-level medium quality converter.

Picture quality is almost equal to the Apple one however!

There is some lag but it's not too horrible, it's there i noticed it on my tube TV and a portable 5 inch LCD.

I move my mouse cursor up and down and it didn't move up and down as quickly as it did on my computer screen. this is due to the lag that it takes to process the video signal through this device, I have used other devices and I did not notice this problem before.

that being said this will work great with still photos, basic PowerPoint presentations "nothing moving real fast", and movies that don't have a lot of action in them. get the point no sports or fast action.

Other than the mouse cursor I didn't notice the lag very much while I was streaming Netflix movies, that is until the scenes started to move quickly.

but it Wasn't as bad as Netflix rebuffering.

now that that's out of the way I did buy another one of these for my church.

the primary use will be to display the PowerPoint "keynote" on a closed-circuit television network amongst four TVs.

We will have the occasional video clip however I don't see the lag being a very big problem right now.

and if you're wondering what my setup is at church.

the VGA out of four computers "Mac, Dell, my Mac, guest" gos into a basic four-port video switch "from cables to go Product #28750" into this device and that goes out to the projector via VGA.

and the composite of this device goes to a four-port video switch and selects between camera and computer which then goes to a VCR to output on channel 3.

I am a part-time DJ and VJ (Video Jockey) and had a problem when I switched to a new computer. It did not have a s video or RCA to plug in my video mixer, which I often like to use. I got this product today, and I tried it out and it worked like a charm. The claims of it not being as clear as VGA is somewhat true, but I tested with the music videos and it looked good and maybe a slight loss in quality, but not much. If you need this product for a specific reason like me, then this works. Text in smaller fonts are little blurry when I intitially was hooking it up, but the print under the videos looked fine because they were bigger. - Pc - Tv - Pc To Tv - Converter'

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Leather Journal - leather journal

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I bought this notebook to replace a similar sized one I got from Levenger several years ago. This cover is less than half the price of the Levenger product and I like it lots better.

The Levenger notebook, while being more "finished", looked a bit artificial. This cover is clearly hand made and well made (in the US). There is no question that the leather is real, substantial, and that it will last a long time. Beyond that it is the kind of leather that gets better looking as it gets used.

My only suggestion is to consider replacing the composition book insert with a Moleskine Ruled Notebook Soft Cover XLarge or similar filler. You will need to do a little bit of trimming so the cover will fit in the slots that keep the insert in place. However it will fit and may be worth the effort and additional cost if you prefer that kind of paper. On the other hand, if you're OK with regular composition books then this notebook is perfect as delivered.

One additional thought, this is the same size, length and width, as my netbook. I've found that both will easily fit in the computer pocket of my Case Logic XNTM-3 Midsize eSling (Black). In fact, this would be a great way to carry this notebook along with a few pens, a phone/MP3 player and other odds and ends even if you don't have a netbook-sized computer to go with it.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it. Refillable Genuine Leather Composition Notebook, Dark Brown

The picture is far off from what it actually looks like. Resembles just sheets of leather crudely put together with a thick piece of thread. I bought this and the pocket book as a gift for a friend who is working to become a journalist so I was a bit disappointed. I give it 4 stars because it still looks nice and does it's job of covering comp notebooks.

Beautiful supple leather.

The distressed look is much more organic than the shinier other leather notebook covers I found.

My husband loved it.

I would've given it 5 stars but the product bar code sticker on the cover was hard to remove. The adhesive was sticky and it took a while to get the tackiness off. It did eventually come off, but it was really annoying to have to deal with and they could should NOT put anything sticky on it that will be hard to take off or alter the texture or color of the leather.

I've recently started taking notes in paperback 'composition notebooks' to keep records that are important to me. (I'm not the only one, I see them everywhere now) I've been looking for a classy way to dress them up and protect them since I travel and attend my share of meetings and presentations. I wanted to add strength to the paperbacks too. (I've bent and smashed a few in my briefcase) I been using this dark brown notebook for 5 months and love it! It's extremely durable made of thick natural cowhide that appears to be hand stitched. Definitely not a cheap plastic or imitation leather. It has a smooth rustic oil finish that quickly shows the "worn" or "broken-in look" that I was looking for. I expect that this cover will last me for years and years and gain character with age. The inside lip makes a great place to store a few business cards and boarding passes too. Once I fill up the notebook, the refill fits perfectly inside and is concealed completely. This cover has a lot of personality and quickly became a part of me. I've noticed that I seem to take it with me everywhere and consequently take more notes and make more journal entries too. - Leather Journal'

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Pocket Video Camera - pocket video, camcorder

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I am a Canon diehard fan. But Canon does not have anything that compares to Kodak Playsport HD waterproof pocket video camera. At 1080P the video recording is acceptable. But, at 720p and 60 frames per second this camera rocks, the results are great. I have used it around and in water, the blue filter helps under water. I am planning to use this for our Disney World vacation this year in the Water Parks.

This camera takes 5MP HD Stills, so now I have a camera that can take video and stills on demand wet or dry. I have other camera's in the same category like Flip and Samsung both do not compare, even at 720p 60 frames per second. $150.00 pricetag is also very affordable.

Easy to carry, very user friendly to move files from the camera to the computer or directly to Youtube. Nightvision would be nice but most of my recordings will be in Daylight. Bottom line great camera and I have no cons to talk about. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera (Purple)

Over Christmas, my wife decided to award my awesomeness by getting me a Zi6. I loved this camera like a fat kid likes cake and took it with me everywhere that I went. Suddenly, my daughter was living her own personal Truman Show and everyone on my Facebook friends list was subject to video after video that I'd shot just about anywhere that we were of her being cute.

Not even a half a year had passed before I was totally devoted to the idea of the Zi6 but still wanting something with a little more horsepower under the hood (Image Stabilization, Facial Detection, Backlight Suppression). I was planning to go with the Zi8 but then I found this little bad boy. The Zx3 is essentially like the dashing, more adventurous midget version of the Zi8. It has the Zi8's guts but in a pint sized, water-proof body.

Pros:

1. Its freaking waterproof! In my opinion, this is almost 100% necessary with a camera that you carry around with you all the time. I'm often too stupid to come in out of the rain so the mere fact that this camera can take the moisture makes it a perfect fit for me.

2. Facial Detection, it works! The camera does an outstanding job of metering from whoever's grill that I happen to be getting all up in while using it. There's a noticeable lag when panning from the shadows to some sun-worshiping hippy but it's not that much. Maybe 1/3 of a second.

3. The image stabilization keeps my shots steady even when I'm jogging behind my 4 year old little girl as she goes from one place to the other being totally riot. It's digital instead of optical so it isn't perfect but it's still a far cry better than the Zi6. It¡¦s definitely a welcome upgrade as my footage no longer looks quite so much like every scene in Cloverfield.

4. I don't use the backlight suppression as much as I thought that I would (mostly don't need it) but its nice having it there.

5. I personally think that the low light performance of this camera is quite crunk! I've read lots of other reviews with people complaining about it but these folks probably complain that they don't get a side of caviar whenever they order a drive through happy meal. It's a pocket-sized camera. In my opinion, the Zx3 has the best low light resolution that you're going to find without upgrading to anything larger and more financially damaging to your checking account.

Cons

1. The thing runs on a proprietary battery so, unlike the Zi6 there's no more relying on AA's and Viagra to keep me going all day long. Kodak says that you'll get 90 minutes out of a full charge but they're lying to you like a bunch of dirty liars. Expect an hour without previewing.

2. Oddly, the 1080p recording mode doesn't make that much of a difference. The Zi6 maxed out at 720p and definitely got a worse picture than this Zx3 but that's mainly due to the internal processing differences between to two devices. It's not really a complaint, I guess. I've just found that 720p at 60fps is just as good or better than 1080p at 30fps.

3. This camera's lack of a macro mode makes it impossible for me to film my fungal infections to email to my doctor for diagnosis.

4. No case was provided! :( WTF Kodak? My Zi6 came with a case. True, it wasn't a very good case but it was there and I loved it! This one doesn't have one. I'm currently using one of my kid's unmatched socks to keep the screen and lens from getting scratched while it's in my pocket. Why does Kodak want me to be so ghetto?

5. The codec records in the .mov file format. This format is big and really annoying to edit in as it eats up processing power and makes your computer stupid. Know going into this that you're going to have to convert your files into a more manageable format before splicing together the next Citizen Kane.

All in all, I'd say that the Zx3 is pretty much the most amazing thing that I've owned ever since my wife got me my Zi6. The better image quality alone makes it worth the $150 that I paid for it but it's also waterproof! My wife didn't know that before I dropped it into my koi pond. The look on her face alone was priceless and worth every dollar spent. - High Definition - Waterproof - Pocket Video - Camcorder'

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Excercise Ball - tko, fitness ball

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I'm 6'5" 270 pounds. So when I looked into stability balls I was really concerned with whether one would support me. So far, so good. I got it yesterday, blew it up in a few minutes, and sat on it (hesitantly at first) for over an hour. Then worked out for about an hour. It seems very durable and able to maintain my weight without a problem. The exercises on this thing are super effective, as I can feel today. The ball is just right as far as size goes.

Someone complained about the pump, but I found it efficient. It's like a huge syringe. It worked fine. It only took me a few minutes to pump the ball up and that was with my one year old hanging on me so he could mess with the ball.

If something happens and this product fails in some way, I will immediately update this review so that anyone who's concerned can know. So if you don't see an update, the TKO's going strong. TKO Anti Burst Fitness Ball Set 75cm

I have two exercise balls -- one for home and one for work.

This is the ball that replaced my office chair at work. I sit on it daily, frequently bounce on it when no one is around, and it has rolled around my floor with coworkers a couple of times. I've only inflated it once (the initial time) in the time I've had it -- over three months!! I weigh about 130lb (+/-) so I don't add a *ton* of constant weight on the ball. It has lost *some* air (it's not perfect after all), but it's still very firm. (I will probably re-inflate it this week or next.) Three additional bonuses about the ball: (1) since it's a dark color it doesn't pop out at people as they walk by me at work; (2) it's neither sticky nor overly smooth; and (3) it's anti-burst. The ball has a good texture that keeps you in place but doesn't pick up lint/dust. Some balls seem to attract it. Also, if you've seen that episode of "The Office" ([...]) you can appreciate the importance of an anti-burst ball. I haven't tested out this feature (and don't plan on it!), but I am glad that it is there since ANY stability ball can be popped.

The exercise ball that I have at home (GoFit) has lost air much quicker and I don't use it 1/10th as frequently! When I replace my GoFit, I'll definitely go with another TKO!

The thing that "bothered" me a bit was that there was little to no info on this website that had "height recommendations". The Ball had it on the side and it suggested this size for people over 6 ft tall.

That being said, I really didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it. At 5'8", I'd prefer to take my chances. I was pleased with the size and quality of the ball. It is nice and durable. Mine came with a hand pump and while my friends had a good laugh while I inflated it, it works fine for me now.

I am a proponent of fitness and the intent of my review is not to tout the benefits of using this product. As an active individual, I decided on this item to add dimension, that I thought needed, to my routine. I also intended to use this ball as a supporting structure (chair) for my writing assignments and such. Having used "fitness balls" in the past, I selected this item on reviews. I was disappointed.

This company delivered the product as promised. No issues here.

After inflation and initial use, I was satisfied with the product for the first few hours. Then I noticed that the ball began to lose pressure. I was not successful in trying to find one leak. My product has multiple leaks from the vulcanized seam. I only found them after submersing the surface area in soapy water.

As I am overseas now, with the product, a return is more effort than worth.

Had the product worked (held air pressure), I would have been satisfied.

i do not know if my defect was a one-time issue or a common problem. All I can offer is caution in your purchase.

I purchased this largest of the fitness balls (75cm) eventhough I am 5'9". I am a physical therapist and am very familiar with these so called "Swiss therapy balls" as they are used extensively in my profession. I wanted the largest ball for personal preference, although the 65 cm ball is the recommended size for my height. If you want the ball for doing wall squats (ball against the wall and behind your back) or for lying over on your back to stretch your back into good extension without feeling like your head (or hair) is trailing on the floor, then you may want to size up as well. There are many other exercises that are better accomplished on a ball that is a bit larger as well. Also, it has been my experience with many of these balls that it can be difficult to get them blown up to the full stated cm circumference. The instructions in the packaging tell you to NOT use a automatic tire pump, and to use ONLY the hand pump and inflator tube/pin provided. It is a challenge to get the air into the ball this way (with the hand pump) after it is approx. 80% of its stated size, and I don't mean just this brand ......... all of them are that way. Also, if you know you are not going to blow it up to its full size it will have a bit softer feel which is another attribute I was looking for. When they are blown up to their full stated size the "anti-burst" balls can be very firm and some find that uncomfortable. The TKO ball is a nice, sturdy ball. The material is very substantial and a bit firmer than some therapy balls especially if it is fully blown up to it's stated cm size.

I actually purchased two of the fitness balls for my mini horse to play with in the pasture. He plays with it all the time, kicking it around like a soccer ball. Sometimes he actually picks it up in his mouth, and it has lived up to it's claim of anitburst. So far it has survived month's of rough play with only the occassional replacement of a plug. I was able to order extras from the manufacturer and they were very easy to deal with. It takes a licking and keeps on.......... - Exercise - Tko - Stability Ball - Fitness Ball'

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Contractor Supply - 12 gauge, contractor supply

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I had bought a 50-ft extension cord w/ 3 outlets for about $60 when I found this splitter here on Amazon. I thought to myself, split my existing extension cord for under $10, or, spend 5Xs the amount for a 2nd cord... no brainer there.

I am very pleased with this product. The yellow "jacket" on the extension cord is heavy duty, yet the cord is not too stiff to handle. The power block also has a nice little LED light to let you know it has power. No problems running multiple several large power tools for hours on end.

Highly recommended. Revive your old extension cords with this low cost splitter! Yellow Jacket 2882 12/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted Power Block, 2-Feet

Love this extension cord -- the 3 ports are exactly what I was looking for without having the usual extension cord block of outlets -- this makes it easy to tuck away and also to stick in a bag or my car to use with my power inverter that I take with me -- its has a "thick" yellow jacket with lighted end near the power receptacles -- very sturdy and good amp rating (15 amp) -- good price as well.

I got this great heavy duty extension cord to be able to hook up several tank deicers without shorting out any electric outlet. It has a lighted power block so you can tell at a glance if you are getting power. I love it, wish I had bought two of them. - 12 Gauge - Extension Cords - Woods - Contractor Supply'

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Electronic Lock - doorstop, door hinge

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This is a very nice product-well built. Much nicer than the one at my local store. Easy to install and looks great on my French Doors leading into my study. Just make sure you order a right and a left for your doors and don't forget about the other side. Kwikset 788TNL RH 15 CP Tustin Right-Handed Half-Dummy Lever, Satin Nickel - Doorstop - Door Stop - Keyless Deadbolt - Door Hinge'

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Leather Case - ipad cover, leather case

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First, I have to tell you that I have looked at almost all iPad cases available in stores and online and have tried several of them since the iPad was released, but this case/stand is definitely the best of all - it looks very stylish and functions so well.

As a case, it provides excellent all-around protection. The material may not be top quality leather, but it feels soft and good in my hands or lap. As a landscape stand, it's just fantastic. All of the four angle positions work great and are useful for different situations. At the lowest angle, it is perfect for typing. At the second and third angles, it's great when you're sitting. And the highest angle can be useful when you're lying in bed or on a sofa. The designer(s) paid a lot of attention down to every little detail, so it makes me feel as if it were the creation of the same people who designed the awesome iPad.

In conclusion, I am extremely satisfied with it and highly recommend it to anyone!!! Acase Leather Flip Book Jacket/folio for Apple Ipad 3g Tablet/wifi Model 16gb, 32gb, 64gb (Black)

This is an excellent case that I believe is better than Apple's, for significantly less money. If you need an Apple logo then this isn't for you; otherwise it's great. We are a two iPad family (one received as a gift) and actually have both cases, so it is easy to compare. The iPad slides in easily and is held by a strong frame along one of the long edges and two corner "loops" along the other long edge. The fit is very tight and secure. Sliding the edge with the volume controls into the frame results in no loss of any button functionality (one reviewer mentioned that the volume buttons are partially blocked--that's only if you put it in the other way). Our Apple case actually partially blocks the speaker, although my guess is that some do and some don't given manufacturing tolerances, but regardless, the Acase fit is actually better in our experience.

What makes this case particularly good are three features: 1) the case is slightly cushioned. While it makes it slightly thicker than Apple's (1/8th of an inch), in my opinion it also makes it more protective and reduces the "worry factor". 2) it has four different "blocks" that you can rest the side containing the iPad in to create different landscape viewing angles. These are sturdy and offer more flexibility than Apple's design. The lowest setting does not get as low as the Apple case's "typing mode" but I find I rarely use that anyway. 3) it has a loop that snaps the halves closed. This seems trivial but if you are putting it in a carry-on or purse, it provides more protection against things getting between the flaps and damaging the screen. Apple's just folds closed with nothing to secure it in that position.

Other reviews have cited that it isn't real leather. Honestly it's hard to tell but whatever it is made of, it is high quality and pleasant to hold. Apple's isn't leather either, rather it is a matte rubber type material. One disadvantage is that the edges are not as protected with this case vs. Apple's (the Apple case is a frame on all 3 exposed sides) although my principal concern is the screen, and so this is minor in my opinion. Also, obviously the buttons, speaker, etc. are exposed with the Apple case and those are what is at risk along the edges anyway.

I gave my wife the choice between this one and Apple's, and after trying both she went with this one. I would have as well. Overall this is an excellent case.

This looks like a well made case and it's understated, unlike some of the things I've seen. It's also one of the more reasonably priced cases, since everyone seems to think "ipad, let's gouge anyone who has one". The really best part of this case, though, isn't the case or its features. It's that you can look at the packaging which reads "Leather Case for iPad" across the top, followed by the line "Real leather-like". It's vinyl. It's also "real vinyl-like".

Advertised as leather on Amazon and in packaging. Case is NOT Leather --- it's petrol-smelling vinyl. It has cloth elastic bands to hold the ipad -- does not protect the corners. When stored face-up, the flap snap is underneath, and prevents it from lying flat. It has raised bumper pads inside that rest against and rub against the screen. The notches for angling are only good for steep angles for viewing, not a low angle for typing. I am returning this item and will continue my search for a real leather case that will actually protect my investment.

It is synthetic leatheroid, not real leather. It did not hold up well.

It works well enough as a landscape viewing stand, if it is on a flat stable surface, but it does not adjust low enough to use for typing comfortably.

After I had been using it 3 or 4 weeks daily, the pads for the stand and the ridgid backing softened up a bit, so it was not as sturdy or stable. I took it out of the case regularly to put it on the Apple iPad keyboard, and it was easy and convenient for this procedure. Then I accidentally dropped it with the iPad secured inside onto a tiled floor from about 4 ft, and it landed on the upper right corner of the ipad. This ripped the leatherette tab on that corner and allowed the ipad aluminum body to get slighlty bent at that corner around the on switch/volume/rotation switch, which appears to be the weakest point of the ipad unibody.

Ipad still works fine, but I would not trust this case any more! It offers minimal real protection if you drop it!

Pros:

-cheap.

-easy and quick access to ports/buttons

Cons:

-cheaply made, not really leather

-no portrait mode stand

-no typing mode stand

-no real protection of the vulnerable corners of the device

-no protective coverage of ports and buttons

-fell apart within a month of daily use

-stand mode is not very stable in a car or moving it around

Bottom line: threw it away and got the Otter Commuter case, and will make my own homemade stand for it based on some of the clever designs I have seen on the web. - Ipad - Ipad Cover - Ipad Stand - Leather Case'

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