Guy Low Price Electronic: 2 Aug 2011

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Connected Home - remote viewing, internet tv

The Good

---------------

The technology works! Using a Sprint Air card I was able to keep tuned into my TV while driving in the country. This is probably the worst case scenario for remote reception. I was only getting about 100K download speed with occasional dropouts. No other streamer that I have tested would work under these conditions.

I was running 320-240 res under these conditions. With faster more stable connection you can run higher.

At home on my home network I run 640x480 resolution with a maximum stream rate of 6000Kbps with Near CD quality Audio.

It works! It works! It Works!!

The Bad

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This box did not come with a software CD or SVid cable. So I had to dig one up. I had the player software from SlingBox AV that I had tested. In any case you will need to download the latest software from the SlingMedia website. I had to dig up an aditional Svid cable.

The Ugly

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Couple things that I realy hate about the SlingBox technology.

-Max Res 640x480 res

-Only one connection allowed at a time. If you try to connect and someone else is watching the slingbox you will get a Buisy indication. Thats why it is called a Personal TV Viewer.

-No Recording Option available. There are some third party venders offering this at a cost of $49.

-Mobile Player software is not free. You must pay $29 for wach mobile device you want to install the player software on.

Final Thoughts

------------------

All this said, I still love the SlingBox. I had originaly purchased the Slingbox AV but found its connection options limited with out a pass through connection. I now have two devices set up. Dish Sat box and Panasonic E55 DVD recorder/player. I can remotely change the channel and start my recorder from anywhere in the world that I have an internet connection.

BTW this box retails for $179 and I picked mine up for $159. Thats only $30 more than I paid for the AV. Sling Media Slingbox SOLO (SB260-100)

first - AMAZON IS AMAZING. when slingmedia would not help me, amazon totally stepped up and took care of a problem for me that they did not need to. thanks amazon and i didn't know you could make me a bigger fan than i already was but you have.

second - i have had the same problem with slingbox solo that other one star reviewers have had. i too just had my unit for under a year and was still under warranty but like others, technical support gave me a total run around and would not give me an RMA and my options were to pay for a tech support consult or buy an extended warranty... but wtf, i was STILL UNDER WARRANTY - why would i want to purchase an EXTENDED WARRANTY when i'm still under warranty now when the unit has failed?!

these are bad, disingenuous and sneaky people who want to nickel and dime you for every little thing. they don't care about customer satisfaction or their own commitments and you will notice that their culture is one that is absolutely closed and stonewalled.

in every way that amazon shines for their dedication to their customers, slingbox radiates bad faith.

this technology is not worthy of these guys and it is my fondest wish that they fail so that someone bigger, better and more committed to their customers becomes the standard bearer.

i loved my slingbox and i loved the technology. they had a die hard fan in me. but with one phone call to a tech support person far more concerned with selling an extended warranty for a product that was already under warranty when it failed... man, they have earned my enmity.

as for a recommendation, it's a tough call - if it works and never fails, it's great. but if you need to have ANY kind of backup from slingmedia, you are completely out of luck.

UPDATE - for me, it WAS bad capacitors: [...]

I have heard the Slingbox advertised for several years and have often wondered what the appeal was--with other technologies like tv tuner cards and portable media players, I never saw the point. Recently, however, I purchased a 3.5G smartphone and found there was Slingbox client software available for it. The idea of watching television anywhere from my phone [with an unlimited data plan] intrigued me enough to make the relatively minor investment in a Slingbox.

After trying it, I can only say it is incredible. Having a device in my pocket that can receive television is amazing, and the fact that it is not some choppy over-the-air signal but a beautifully clear signal with access to an entire cable tv feed, on demand services, program guides, and recorded programs is mind-blowing. Even from a laptop or other client, having access to all the channels and features you normally have in your living room, no matter where you are, makes the Slingbox much more powerful than a simple tuner card. For those so motivated, it is also possible to spy on what your kids are watching when you're not home (or annoy them by changing the channel).

I purchased the Slingbox SOLO because of the built-in high-definition component input. Because I was eager to set-up the box, I initially connected it with a simple composite connection--later, I dug-out an RGB component cable and connected it that way instead, but found with the lower resolution and compression artifacts introduced by the Slingbox I didn't notice a significant difference and ended-up switching back just to eliminate some cables and to take advantage of the cable-box's ability to convert everything to the same aspect ratio to avoid having to switch the client. The video quality looks perfect on the cell phone [although I don't think anything less than 3.5G service would work well] but from a PC or laptop, the picture quality is similar to a high quality standard-definition tuner card, even when viewing a high-definition source.

Setting-up the Slingbox was absolutely simple and almost completely automatic; it does require a pc on the same network. The box was detected and video was working as soon as set-up started. A huge variety of equipment is supported, with pc client software displaying a remote that looks almost identical to the actual equipment remote. I did not have to make any adjustments to the box's IR signal timing to the cable box and it has worked flawlessly without ever missing a command. - Solo - Internet Tv - Remote Viewing - Slingbox Solo'

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Audio Interfaces - recording, usb

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This thing is great. I needed to bypass my crappy soundcard on my PC in order to record high quality stereo audio onto my computer for a podcast. I had just shelled out $80 for the Inport Deluxe package from Xitel, which is basically a little analog-audio-to-USB adapter box similar to this, with a long audio cable and some bad software thrown in to justify the steep pricetag. Luckily I saved the receipt on the Inport and was able to take it back after discovering this item, which you can find for about $30 all over the internet.

The UCA202 has a headphone jack with a volume control so you can monitor what's being recorded to your computer, as you record it. Just be aware that you won't be able to listen to the playback from your audio recording software through your computer's monitor speakers unless you unplug this device from your USB port first, and there is no warning about this in the manual, which is why the 4 star review instead of 5. On some review sites there seemed to be confusion about what drivers were required to work with this device, but the first page of the manual states clearly that you don't need any drivers. I am running Windows XP and was able to just plug and play, no drivers needed, audio is loud and clear. By the way this is not a paid endorsement or anything, I just wanted to spare someone else a lot of the research time that I spent by saying, go ahead and get it.

Oh and of course you do need a good audio recording software like ProTools, Sound Forge, or Cubase to do a decent job of recording audio on your computer and letting you edit it and manipulate it with professional sounding results. If you are recording audio from a turntable (digitizing your LP collection) don't forget that you need some sort of preamp or tuner amp between the phonograph and this device. The output straight out of your turntable is too weak a signal to drive this device.

A grateful shout-out and mad props for this device go the Germans at Behringer, who designed it. Behringer U Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface

I agree with the other reviewers with one exception. I recommend that a buyer download the driver provided at behringer.com. While UCA202 works without the driver, its capabilities are expanded and the user can better manage them with the driver. If you think it is good without the drivers, try it with them. By the way it also works with Vista.

I got this after purchasing a competitor's similar device (iMic) and finding poor reviews from audio purists about that model. This Behringer model had good reviews and was a similar price to I got one to try. It works well and has more rugged construction.

When I first set it up, it did not allow monitoring except through headphones. On my Windows XP system, I went to Control Panel and opened Sounds and Audio Devices. Then clicked the Audio tab and changed the Sound Playback device to the usual system device instead of the USB device that was apparently setup when this was installed. Then the music that was being recorded played through the computer speakers fine and that setting stayed when I closed the program and restarted. This was using Audacity for recording.

This product works precisely as advertised. I use it to record my LPs to MP3 then import into iTunes. I have my old turntable feeding into a pre-amp, then from the pre-amp to this devise, which in turn plugs into one of my computer's USB ports. I use "Spin-it-again" software to capture the music files and save them to MP3 format. This set up was much cheaper than buying one of those USB turntables since I already had my old turntable. Good Luck.

I bought this device to do audio recording and it works super for me for that. I've nothing to add to the other positive reviews in this regard except to emphasize that you need some sort of pre-amp to get the signal to line-level, and that the recording level will be controlled by whatever device you have to do that -- I use a Behringer mixer.

What I do want to add is that I discovered that it is also a superb digital to audio converter. Which is to say that, when listening to mp3s or web radio, or watching videos, the audio output through it is much, much better than that from the output jacks on on-board sound cards. What had sounded harsh and tinny now sounds musical and warm, and I've found this so with both a HP laptop and a Dell desktop, whether using headphones plugged into the UCA202's headphone-jack, or listening to a stereo system plugged into its RCA output jacks. The $30 that it cost would have been well spent for this improvement in audio output alone!

I just want to ditto everything Brother Russell had to say about this device (see above). I too, searched high an low for a simple device to do good quality recording. Noone reccommended this to me, even when I went to the pro guy at the music store and told him that all I needed was something basic. All he had to reccomend to me was about $400 worth of gear...not what I was looking for. I ended up stumbling upon it on the www on my own.

As a side note to the above review, great audio recording/editing software can be had for free at [...]. I've been using it for my basic recording and have found it most competent.

It isn't rich on features, but it gets the job done. If you're looking for a cheap recording device, this is fairly good for being only $30. It's not great as a system sound card, because it's pretty limited to the amount of work it can do, but if you need something to record with and already have a sound card, this should be great for you. If you're running Linux, it's supported in ALSA, but you don't have a lot you can do with it at a time. Overall it's good for what you're paying.

Can't beat the price to skip crappy soundcards and 3.5 mm jacks to squeeze sound out of the computer, with no additional power source or weird cables required.

Instructions attached are useless, so be advised that some experimenting and exploring will be needed. In a Mac, under the "sounds" button of the control panel, you have to choose USB Codec as output.

Ergonomics are odd, but really not an issue since you rarely get to manipulate this gadget. - Recording - Audio - Behringer - Usb'

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Amplified Antenna - tv antenna, hdtv antenna

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I rarely write reviews for things that don't make immediately positive impressions (or horrible ones), and this was one of the positive ones. To be brief, with this antenna I now receive signal strengths between 64-74% on a couple stations 38 miles away that I didn't get before! I did a test of signal strengths among six different stations; first with rabbit ears and then with the amplified signal of this new RCA ANT1650. The rabbit ears averaged a signal strength of 51.66% (with a low of 32% and a high of 74%). The ANT1650 received an average signal strength of 90.16% (with a low - among the tested stations - of 67% and a high of 100%)!

This product was also very easy to set up. I connected the antenna to the detachable amplifier with a coaxial cable and then connected the amplifier to the TV with another coaxial cable. I then plugged in the power adapter for the amplifier (it will work about as well as rabbit ears with the amplifier's power adapter unplugged), turned on the TV, did an auto-channel search, deleted some analog stations, and was good to go. The flat antenna part can be situated in a variety of ways so as to get the best signal. You can attach it to the wall with two screws, you can set it upright with a stand (kind of like a picture frame), or you can lay it flat. For our situation, it worked best in an upright position so as to avoid being heated up by other equipment. Because it's rather inconspicuous as a shape and color, it looks good as well - certainly much better than our tv's previous rabbit ears. The only thing better would be if the tv worked without this item in the first place.

Here are the signal strength results from six test stations. I tested the rabbit ears on a clear morning and tested the ANT1650 on a clear afternoon of the same day. Both antennas were placed in the same location, which wasn't necessarily ideal for the ANT 1650:

With rabbit ears and clear windless weather:

Station A: 51%

Station B: 42%

Station C: 32%

Station D: 74%

Station E: 61%

Station F: 50%

With amplified ANT1650 propped vertically and clear windless weather:

Station A: 94%

Station B: 67%

Station C: 93%

Station D: 100%

Station E: 100%

Station F: 87%

I have since done a follow-up test with the ANT1650 laid flat and it averaged slightly better at 92%, even under windy conditions.

With amplified ANT1650 laid flat and clear windy weather:

Station A: 89%

Station B: 93%

Station C: 99%

Station D: 85%

Station E: 100%

Station F: 86%

To summarize, most of the stations look and sound great with the antenna just laying flat. Once in awhile, a problem station cuts in and out, and you have to prop the antenna up. In my case, it was just one station that was problematic. Not a big deal, though design-wise, they might've made it easier to prop up the antenna by having a built-in stand swing out of the backside. RCA ANT1650 Flat Digital Amplified Indoor TV Antenna

I live in the metro Atlanta area and according to the antenna web site I am 25 - 35 miles away from the transmission from the various broadcasting stations. I set this up without attaching the amplifier and am able to pick up the channels with great quality. I use this for a TV on the upper floor of my 2 story house, and ordered a 2nd for my main level TV. Hooked it up and it works fine as well.

I use these as a backup to my satellite dish. The satellite went out during a bad thunderstorm last night but I was able to switch over to broadcast tv and continue watching the game.

Note: I replaced a Terk antenna that did not get good reception with this one. I like the fact that this is omnidirectional.

I used to get a decent signal with rabbit ears and thought this amplified antenna was overkill. I still had to jockey it around to get a good signal. It is now in the vertical position on the floor next to my TV bench instead of laying flat and discreet at the foot of the TV like I intended. Still get pixel static at times or loose signal now and then, but I don't have to waste money on cable.

This is a great antenna. I Live pretty far from the transmission antenna in my area but I'm getting 80 and 100% signal quality on my channels.

You have to be a little patient when finding a location to place it but when you find the right location you won't be disappointed in the picture you receive.

Hook this up to my TV with the amplifier. Put the antenna near the window. VIOLA! All the major channels in HD - FREE!

Support both UHF and VHF frequency. The thing also looks pretty sleek. For optimal result, better put it closer to the windows. Highly recommanded.

This RCA ANT1650 replaced a Jensen 82930-0-7, which served well for amplified, indoor reception, but poorly after the conversion to digital. Both antennas could be placed no closer than about 8' from the nearest window with the Jensen on the floor and the RCA about 6' above it.

I have owned the RCA antenna for about three-weeks.

For the basis of comparison, the Jensen antenna would lose both digital video and audio signals an average of 90-seconds an hour. The RCA loses no video at all, but does tend to drop audio for a split second maybe up to a total of five-seconds an hour, generally in the morning. The RCA permitted me to add an extra three stations in addition to those the Jensen antenna was receiving. Whereas signal strength on VHS stations with the Jension averaged about 55%, with the RCA, they come in closer to 95%.

The RCA antenna was a breeze to set up. I tweaked it off-and-on for a few days, but actually it required no significant adjustment for all 49 available signals. It does not need to be touched which is good, since while it appears durable enough, the bar-like stand it rests on tends not to seat too steadily in the holes provided in the back of the unit. That by the way is only one of two faults I find with the product. The second one is that the antenna has a sealed cable which means that if it shorts out, you have to replace the entire unit.

Overall while this is not a perfect antenna, I'd say it is quite good, especially given its distance from the window. I am satisfied and would recommend the product without reservation. - Hd Antenna - Hdtv Antenna - Tv Antenna - Rca'

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Itouch Accessories - screen protector, case

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The OtterBox ipod touch case is the best case you can find anywhere. Trust me I tried a bunch of them.

First of all, it is basically two cases in one. You will find a hard shell case that completely encases the ipod. A clear screen cover is part of this shell. This clear screen will not change your "touch" experience one bit.

After you snap on this two piece hard shell, you will put on the rubber outer layer. This rubber outer layer is made of a rubber material that does not seem to attract too much lint like other ones do. It allows for access to the charge port and the audio jack, but also provides a flap that covers these completely. While the product does not claim to be waterproof, it comes pretty darn near and should provide ample protection against liquid accidents.

Once the case is installed, you will find that your ipod touch has been transformed from this semi delicate hardware to a very rugged one. The case is incredibly protective against falls and bumps. In addition, all this protection really adds minimal bulk to the device. I am still able to carry my ipod in the same belt pouch that I had been using before (it is one actually sold for iphones).

This case is definitely worth the money and I highly recommend it. OtterBox Defender Case for iPod touch 2G, 3G (Black)

This protective case should have been purchased when I purchased my iPod Touch. This case is not too big like I have heard people say when used on the iPhone. My iPod still slips into my pocket but not out of my pocket into the folds of the couch. (I lost my iPod in the couch at work for 3 days) The screen senesitivity is still on par when in the case compared to some static screen protectors.

Coniditions my iPod goes through: Cool, safe, bedroom > agonizingly hot desert heat > pocket of pants > tossed around in truck while driving on rough conditions (think earthquake in relation to the size of the Touch)>

Things I do on my touch: email, games, music, books, internet

The only thing I don't like is I have to take it out of the case to plug it into docking station on my radio. I wish I could find an extension cable.

Hope this helps.

Ed

Very happy with this case, now I feel more comfortable when my 6 year old plays games on it, we haven't dropped it yet, ( hopefully that will never happen ) It fits very snug doesn't move within the case ( own the 3G iPod Touch), we always use the USB cable to charge or to link with iTunes, doesn't fit in our players, speaker box, or car dock when in the case - would need to remove iPod from case to connect with all these devices ( less then a minute to remove or install ) - But that is only a small inconvenience for us.

We use it 99.9% of the time and LOVE IT!!! BEST PROTECTION YOU CAN GET !!! Bought it from Otterbox through Amazon and was very happy with their fast and great service.

The case is a perfect fit for iPOD Touch 3. Would be a 5 star except the outer "rubberized' portion of the case attracts dust and hair like a magnet - may be handy if you need a lint remover while on the road, but it does quickly accumulate and detract from the appearance of the case. Other than that, the case is a perfect fit, combination of a hard-shell with outer rubberized skin with a built in screen protector that has no impact on touch performance.

Worth the money to protect that slippery and fragile $200 + iPOD /iPhone.

I now feel comfortable letting my three year-old son play games on my iPod Touch. My only gripe is a very minor one. The plastic clamshell does not fit perfectly. It stays closed, but it squeaks just a little bit. Nevertheless, I am delighted with this product. I would not take my device swimming, but I now feel comfortable walking in the rain with it in my pocket.

11 year old boys destroy everything. Not because they want to, but because it is a right of passage. I purchased this for my son's Ipod touch that he had to purchase with his lawn mowing money. We love the ipod because of the Otterbox. Without it, his Ipod would be horribly scratched, buttons stuck, and probably some food matter stuck in the ports. I have seen him drop the unit several times and felt OK with it. I have seen his little sister pick it up and felt OK with that too.

I suggest that if you are going to allow your children, or yourself to have expensive electronics, that instead of buying the insurance, buy some reality in piece of mind. Buy an Otterbox.

I bought this case on the recommendation of a co-worker. It only gets 4/5 stars because unlike the case for IPhone they don't make a belt clip that holds it. It's also a bit bulky with the case around it so it was tough to find a belt case to fit it well. I found that the large magnetic horizontal belt case from case logic held it as long as the screen faces out and it seems to be working well. On the plus side, I feel like my itouch is extremely well protected. I use it constantly so I'm happy that I don't really need to worry if it gets dropped or its raining, etc. I also can hand this to my two year old and not sweat it getting dammaged. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to put apps on their itouch for their kids to use or anyone who wants/needs alot of protection for their itouch. - Screen Protector - Ipod Touch 3g - Case - Ipod Accessories'

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Usb Cables - usb cable, cable

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I'm not knocking off any stars here because buying this cable - which I'm returning - was my mistake.

I bought it in hopes I could use it to connect an iPad to a PC (when using the USB hub that comes with the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (MC531ZM/A)). I tried this with my PC and laptop and nothing.

If you look up USB cable 28106 at the Cables to Go site, you see this bit of information:

Please Note: This cable is not intended to connect two computers together or to connect a USB hub between two computers. Doing so may cause irreparable damage to your computers. We offer a USB file share cable (#39977) to connect two computers.

This cable may work great for its intended purpose, which as it says at the Cables to Go page for it, is to connect "keyboards, mice, modems, printers, and other USB peripherals" to a computer.

But it didn't work for me with an iPad-to-PC connection, and given the warning at the Cables To Go page, I wouldn't even consider taking the risk of causing "irreparable damage" by trying to use it to connect my PC laptop and desktop (I wasn't concerned that trying to connect an iPad to a PC would cause any damage, just a gut feeling that it would be okay, and thank goodness that the worst thing that happened was nothing at all - no iPad to PC connection, and no damage). Other than that, it wasn't overly thin (as one review led me to think it would be), and it looks like a nice quality cable (for whatever that's worth). Cables to Go 28106 USB A Male to A Male Cable (2 Meter, Black)

I bought this so I could transfer files from my main frame to my netbook. Haven't figured that one out yet but this is a good cable for the purpose. Definitely buy this is you have more than one computer.

I actually bought this thinking i could connect my laptop to my dvd player. Although it didn't work it dose connect my laptop to my printer very nicely. i would like to make a note that it not connecting to my dvd player wasnt the cables fault it was my own i bought the wrong type of cable.

The cables arrived in a timely fashion and were very reasonably priced. Bought them to connect my USB external drive to my notebook because it was longer than the cable that came with the external drive. The run must be too long and the power transmission too low - so it doesn't work. Instead, I must use the short cable that came with the drive. I have other uses for the longer cables, so not a problem and certainly not the cable manufacturer's/seller's fault.

I can say very much, lets very light weight. The picture makes it look like its a good heavy weight cord and its not. It would not be good for long period usage, or heavy data transfers. It did not work when I hooked up my two computers. It is well made, its only plus. - Usb - Cable - Usb Cable'

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Computer Add-ons - monitor cables, cable

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No problems, great picture, Easy to use. I hooked it up from my laptop to my (Samsung LCD) TV and have had no problems. It's a long cable so it's great if you want to move around with it. I played some movies off my laptop and the picture was sharp and clear. StarTech.com 25-Feet Coax High Resolution VGA Monitor Cable - HD15 M/M (MXT101MMHQ25)

The VGA cable worked just fine. However, don't forget to order an audio cable as well so you will have sound through the PC. I ordered one later and it was actually much less money than the VGA cable with audio attached.

I bought this cable because of the high reviews it received on amazon. I was going to use it to connect my laptop to my 24" lg lcd monitor. But at 1900x1200 this cable's image reproduction was far worse than the default cable I received with the monitor. There was a slight flickering to the images, and yes I double-checked to make sure the connections were secure.

Also, in the image it shows that there is a ferrite core at each end of the cable. But there is only one ferrite core on one end of the cable that I received. This also makes it worse than the default monitor cable I received which has one on both ends.

I bought this item to hook up my laptop to my HDTV to watch progamming broadcast over the net (netflix, ABC, nbc, cbs, etc etc). All I can say is it does the job quite well. I can watch my programs through my tv along with a audio cable which you can also get through amazon. For the price I paid, I can't complain. I highly recommend removing it and safely storing it between uses to maintain its properly.

I am always struggling to configure technology in my classroom and this affordable 25ft. cable has made it all possible! Now my computer, projector and smart board are all being put to use and all students can see the screen because I'm not confined by short cords.

Highly recommended item, the price is unbelievable compared to Staples etc.

This 25ft Coax SVGA Monitor Cable Hddb15m/hddb15 does a great job. I purchased it to connect my Gateway Lamptop to my 52" Toshiba Flat Television. It it crystal clear. and provides the highest video quality possible. StarTech.com coaxial VGA cables eliminate picture "ghosting" and fuzzy images inherent to non-coaxial cables, and provide superior EMI interference protection by using ferrite cores near the connector ends. The only thing that I don't like is you need another cable for sound.

Ideal for high resolution monitors (1024x768 and above)

Overall it does a FANTASTIC JOB as far as the video is concerned and is a GREAT Price on Amazon! - Monitor Cables - Cable - Cables - Computer Cables'

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Head Massager - the tingler, relaxing

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I am a Massge Therapist who has always begun my sessions brushing the hair and massaging/scratching the scalp of my clients. I've found it to be the one thing that immediately changes the moment for the person on the table. Our one-year old grandson, has one of his own that Mom can use with him before naps and bedtime. He's mesmerized; his eyes glaze over and his heart beat slows and he is "in the zone." I think his tender age and limited resistance to relaxation allow him to let it be a fully sensory experience to be savored. While my bodywork clients do absolutely endorse my using it and enjoy the sensation, sometimes it takes them a little longer to really sink in. And personally, I love haveing my head "scratched." I can, of course, do it myself and yet having someone else do it has always been preferable. With the Kikkerland Head Massager, using it on myself has the same benefits as having someone else do it. It is a fine item to have at one's desk or on the night table for releasing scalp tightness.

these kikkerland head massagers cost $5 each and are hands down the most amazing thing you can buy for the price.

i just went to a party where one kikkerland was passed around and the entire room had to have one because it felt so

great. even stick in the mud "complain-aholics" will secretly own one once they are exposed, it's that good. feels better

than fingers do on your scalp. a friend moves it around your scalp slowly on and slightly off while you sit in amazement

that this feels so sensual and stimulating at the same time. i have never seen a better gift idea. i'm on amazon now

buying a bunch three packs of these to give to friends and family.

amazing product - i kid you not. try it on people, start the trend don't follow it. be the first on your block... :)

Wow! If you are one of those people who love a scalp massage or head scratch this product is for you! It really is very relaxing to use on yourself.

My 3-pack came with 3 massages with the same colored handles (an interesting orangey-gold tone). Wouldn't have been my preference if I was buying in the store, but I am okay with it. It does not decrease my enjoyment of this product in any way.

This feels awsome for the first 10 seconds that you use it. It gives you pins and needles all over. I leave one in a drawer in the living room and my husband and I treat each other to a quick scalp massage when we think of it. I plan on giving the other 2 as gifts for the holidays. Everyone should own one of these..price is great to:)

I thought one of my friends would like this, so I got the three pack and gave one to her. She and several of of my other friends absolutely love it. When they massage themselves or especially when someone else massages them, they immediate zone out and appear totally content. They say that it feels amazing. My experience has been less extreme. When I do it to myself, it feels a lot like brushing my hair. That feels kind of good, and I think the amount of pressure that this thing gives is just about ideal, but it's not something that I would enjoy doing for minutes on end. When someone else does it to me, my head feels very tingly, and I laugh constantly. It is not as intense as having my ribs tickled, but I have to exert a little bit of willpower to stay still. I can't really decide whether it feels good or bad, but it is very interesting. I am a fairly ticklish person. Perhaps the others, who are, as far as I know, less ticklish, feel something significantly different than I do.

I was in all satisfied with my purchase, considering the price of the product. It is defintely worth 4-7 dollars, I mean an all out scalp massager for such a low price. I don't know exactly how long they will last, for I've only had mine a couple of days now. Hence the reason I bought 3. They do seem a little flimsier then the more expensive ones. But for the price you get what you pay for.

We ordered 2 sets and gave them to friends for Christmas gifts. Everyone thinks they are AWESOME!

The only complaint is that the "fingers" are a little tight - we gently spread them out a little. These things will give you goosebumps! It is difficult to explain, but after a long day at the office, things are AMAZING!

these feel great. they really are relaxing and they feel great on your scalp. the 3 pack allows you to give 2 as gifts and keep one for yourself.

the item arrived very quickly, however the colors of the handles were all them same - not really a problem unless you need/want a certain color handle.

I bought this head massager for my husband as one of his present for Christmas... it was funny that everybody thought it was an egg beater, but boy he likes it.. he likes that tingle that you felt once you put it in your head.

it's pretty good scratcher, but you'll used to it the more you use it! - Gift Idea - The Tingler - Relaxing - Scalp Massager'

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Connectivity - rs232, computer cables

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I purchased this unit so that I could use my GPS with my new laptop (which did not come with a serial port). When the unit came, it was obvious that the drivers that came with it were not up-to-date. I went to the Tripp-Lite website and after a considerable amount of searching (they have simplified the navigation since this time) I finally found what was listed as an XP compatible driver. I installed it but a few weeks later when I used it (for more than a few minutes), it would blue-screen my computer about every 5-10 minutes. I uninstalled and reinstalled the driver but had no luck. Now the light on the unit will not come on no matter what I do. Looking at the web site, I noticed that the driver they list for XP is the same one listed for W2K. There is absolutely no install information or any kind of read me file available with the "XP" driver. The documentation that came with the unit is horrible. Worst of all, it is now past the 30 day limit and I cannot return the piece of junk. Avoid this device like the plague!!! Tripp Lite U209-000-R USB to Serial DB9M Adapter, USB A Male to DB9 Male

I work in a development group that relies heavily on USB-to-serial converters for customers that do not have serial ports on their laptops. We have found over the last few years that driver quality is critical. The driver provided by Tripp-Lite for the U209-000-R is, at least at the time of this review, very unstable and will quite likely blue-screen your XP based machine.

That is too bad because this unit is based upon one of the best converter chips around, the Prolific PL-2303. FWIW, we use various other re-branded versions of this same device without problem with a driver provided by Prolific. Unfortunately, Tripp-Lite has had the OEM program a Tripp-Lite device ID into their version of this device that causes it to reject the Prolific driver unless you jump through a few hoops.

I have found that you can get the Prolific driver installed if you run Prolific's installer first, then point the hardware wizard at Windows\system32\driver later when it asks for the Tripp-Lite CD. But in general it is just not worth it and we now buy other brands that use the Prolific PL-2303 and its generic driver instead. One example is the Airlink101.

PLEASE NOTE: The Prolific driver installer I have that works well is dated 8/03/2005. I do not know if the current Prolific driver also has the same problem as the one provided by Tripp-Lite.

This device has caused me a lot of gnashing of teeth and anguish. Sadly the driver for XP is very unstable. After much use I discovered that the driver on the Trip Lite site for the Tripp Lite U209-000-R which is dated 7-16-2003 v2.0.0.18 will work for a period of time, in my case about 2 weeks in a data collection application. My observations showed memory usage slowly growing over this time until the BSOD. The blue screen shows a STOP message with the error occurring in ser2pl.sys. In a Windows 2000 system, I did not see this problem with the Windows 2000 driver which is dated 11/07/07 v2.0.0.21. Beware!

This thing is junk. Most new laptops do not come with a serial port, which is necessary to configure networking equipment. Well I bought this to solve the problem, but it only added to it. I get a Blue Screen in Vista, or XP about 10 minutes of configuring. I though this would be a nice solution but it is not. I am going to buy the IBM one I use to have at my old job. What a piece of junk.

For a product that seems to have been abandoned by its maker I would give this a one thumb up, one thumb down. I was handed one at work since none of our new laptops have serial ports and after finding the XP driver online it does seem to do it's job. Of course, while installing the driver XP will tell you in no uncertain terms to stop what you are doing. That alone may be enough to stop a novice in their tracks. However, installing the driver from the mini-disk or website has not had any bad effects on my Gateway AMD or Dell.

So I give it a middle of the road review. Works, but in my opinion could be better. It is a really nice looking rugged product and since I use it with my laptop in outdoor conditions that is a plus.

I tried two Windows 2000 machines and a windows ME machine but I could not get the drivers properly loaded an any case even after downloading the latest driver and disabeling the available serial ports. A new and better driver is needed to make this device usable.

this is the best... i use a lapton to a ISDN (serial only) conection... i use windows XP Pro sistem... well you only need to download the XP drivers... and read the online instructions to conect a modem to the lapton and you are online in minutes... be sure read the online instruction because if you don't do that you can't conect your modem.. well is a great product and is not expensive... - Computer Cables - Adapters - Rs232 - Connectivity'

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Fitness Gloves

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I bought these gloves for crossfit about 2 months ago and am now back online shopping for a new pair. These have very little padding. For the first month they did help reduce my callouses, but now they are stretched out and actually cause more callousing then not using them at all. They were cheap and had good reviews, so I bought them. I guess you get what you pay for... Saranac b-grl Women's Core Fitness Glove (Black,Pink Small)

I had Saranac b-grl Women's Luxe Fitness Gloves before. I liked them a lot. I lost them. So I decided to buy a little pricier version. I think they are very nice and comfortable. I wanted to buy a non-leather gloves for my gym activities. I lift pretty heavy weights (not like a wrestler or for boxing championships), but around 20-25 pounds on each hand. So pretty heavy. With these gloves, I don't feel pain. I wanted to make sure that even though I lift weights, I should not develop callus underneath my fingers on my palm. 6 months, and these gloves have done nice job. They do not retain sweat a lot. I cannot, however, testify too much on this since I do not sweat a lot in my palms during gym. My fingers are long, so they come just under my knuckles. A good buy for cheap range.

I am a 55 year old grandmother who lifts weights. I like lifting free weights more than using my Hoist V3 for some target spots, but the free weights have a tendency to make my hands sore after a while. I have gone through one pair of fitness gloves and I didn't realize how much more comfortable I could be! My old gloves curled at the finger opening after a few months and that was really uncomfortable. These gloves fit perfectly, I got the large because I have wide hands. I love the padding in the palm, and the fabric is very comfortable and breathable. The pink and black color is really attractive too. I am very happy with them and would highly recommend them.

These gloves are even better once you put them on. But even though they are made for women the sizes run a little big. I first ordered a Med but had to return them for an X-Small. And to top it off they even donate a portion to breast cancer awarness!!

I've been wearing these gloves for a while (long while) and they are still looking like new. They are light and breathe and have a grip that is better than others. I use them with free weights weight machines and with resistance bands and will keep using them.

These gloves are great to work out on the machines at the gym... it protects your hands and looks great. The durability of this gloves is yet to be proven... used it a couple times and seems good so far. One drawback is that it gets hot sometimes, but not unbearably so - and it's easy to come off if you can't stand the heat.

totally worth the spend and it helps prevent friction on the weights or bars i hold on to and prevents the blisters on my palm. fits perfectly on my hand and it helps absorbs the sweat on my palm and doesn't make the palm really sweaty'

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Motorola Xoom Case - motorola, case

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Update: Manufacturer/Seller contact me within hours of my generating an RMA. They clarified that the black case does not have the velcro issue and offered to give me a black one as an exchange. Very impressed by the customer service quality. Since I already ordered another one, I declined the generous offer. They also indicated that design change was being made to address the issue of velco noted below. I would consider buying V2 in the future.

Original Review:

It is much better than the Motorola case in many aspects, but I found the following problems that irritated me enough to return it and try another slim leather case sold on amazon. Slim.

- The velco that hold the xoom in the smaller leather case (the one that goes into the big case) is not strong/sticky enough. After about 30 seconds of use the whole xoom slides down enough to cover the bottom buttons on the screen. After about 5 minutes of use the xoom simply slides down. Luckily I was sitting the bed and mine didn't break due to the fall. Tried carrying the xoom without the inner leather case and it just bounced around a lot. If the velcro was stronger, I would have probably kept it and overlooked some of the other minor dislikes.

- The side leather covering is too wide, it covers right up to the edge of the screen, which is prefect for protection, but when I am using the browser in full screen mode and want to invoke the "Quick Controls" it makes it a little difficult.

- The flap that props case up at 45 degrees is not strong enough, it bows under weight of the case + Xoom and sometimes flip shut, dropping the case flat.

- The velcro at the back of the inner case (circular patches) are strong, a little too big and awkward against the fingers, specially if you want to use it as a reader.

- It is rather bulky. Probably because it is built with good quality leather and good quality zipper, etc, that adds considerable bulk to the whole thing. If you want to enjoy th slimness of the Xoom, not the right case. Some people like the protection on a $600 or $800 item, some people prefer the skinniness of the Xoom, to each their own.

On the plus side:

- The case is built well and if you are going to carry only your xoom, a few business cards, a pen (or stylus) and 2 sheets of paper, it is great. Protects the screen very well. Though I don't know if it is TSA approved. I have a neoprene case that I have been using prior to this one and I don't have to take the Xoom out of the neoprene to go through airport security. Not sure if the leather one would be allowed.

- The leather, zipper switching of highest quality I have seen on any case

- The color quality is great.

- The xoom can be placed at all 4 angles 0/90/180/360 such that for charging I can just open a slit on the zipper.

- Definitely worth the price. rooCASE Executive Portfolio (Grey Graphite) Leather Case Cover with Landscape / Portrait View for Motorola XOOM Android Tablet

I will keep it short and sweet..

Positives

* Great Leather Case

* Fit the Xoom Really Well

* Not Bulky at all

* Good buy for the $$

Cons

* The Grey is professional, but a black case would be nice.

I highly recommend this case and have already told my business associates about it.

Let me first say that overall I'm pleased with the case overall, it fits very well and looks great with east access to all ports and when its sealed in hits binder youbwouldnt know its anything more than a notepad.

I am a little frustrated with a few things.

First (my fault for not reading more carefully) the pictures looked black or at least a darker grey. I would much prefer the back version and may even order it seperately.

Second I don't know if it needs to be broken in but like many other reviews for other Xoom cases the Xoom doesn't seem to slide far enough in. For the most part thus isn't a big deal but it does partially obscure the front facing camera at times.

Finally I have to remove the case to put in on my Motorola dock, but I think this is true for any case so far except the terrible Motorola portfolio.

Overall the case is nice. I like the kickstand for watching videos. The leather and card holders inside gives this a real professional feel. My only gripe is that it tends to slide a bit in the case so the cameras can be blocked. Other than that it's great.

So far, the Roo case is the best I've tried. I wanted a case that is also a stand for longer sessions using the device. I find the weight and size of the Xoom tiring for my small, old hands. The only drawbacks are that the leather stand has only one setting, and the Xoom in propped up mode sits with half of the case in front of it, not perfect for nightstand use. It looks great and really protects the device. The removable inner piece keeps it protected for use outside the zippered main case. It doesn't have a handle, but I suppose that is only an issue for people like me with very small hands. Sigh.

Unless something amazingly better comes along, this case will serve quite well.

This case is great it offers good protection for the Zoom and is very portable. The exterior case is a little cumbersome, but I found it really convenient for carrying class papers and other items with my Zoom.

Nice combination of Xoom protector and case. Only have one complaint, the leather protector that goes around the Xoom has cut outs for the front facing camera. The hole needs to be larger because shortly after inserting the Xoom, the area around the front facing camera starts to lift slightly. Enough that the case edge is visible when using the camera. You can press it down, but it lifts up again. Contacted Customer Service, and they did a super job of shipping out another one. They tested the new one in house to assure it didn't ride up as well, but given time even the new one functioned in the same matter. Keeping anyway because it's a great case despite the little flaw. - Honeycomb - Motorola - Android - Case'

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Screen Protector Foils - anti-glare, bad customer service

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Just like one of the other reviewers said, the screen becomes worse then the lower resolution iPhone 3G's screen. Applying the protector is somewhat easy. However, even if you put the screen protector perfectly without a dust or a bubble, the protector makes the screen look bad.

If you don't care about how your display looks and just want a cheap, easy to install, anti-glare protector that does the job, then but this. 6 films for $3 is actually amazing.

But if you don't want your beautiful retina display to become worse then the lower resolution iPhone 3G's screen, do not get this. Trust me on this. 6X Reusable Anti-Glare Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 4

Not an easy installation process. They bubble during application. They do seem to protect the screen, but the colors are muted and dull. Would not re-buy. And good thing I didn't spend any more than I did for these. You get what you pay for, I guess.

The product came in a speedy manner, 6 protectors in total. So far I only used one. I know a lot of people complained that they got a lot of bubbles when they applied the screen protector, but I believe they just don't know how to put on screen protectors properly (no offense). I was able to get the product on my phone with 0 bubbles. Most people don't know but the key to this is regular tape and a microfiber cloth.

First wipe down the phone with the cloth, don't use napkins or paper towels because they always leave something behind. Event the microfiber cloth dosen't clean it 100%. After you think its clean, take a piece of tape and dab it all over the front of the screen, because there is debris that you can't see with your eyes which is what causes the bubbles. This should reduce the bubbles by 90-95% Now when you put the film use something flat like a credit card to slowly smooth the film down from the top -> bottom. As you do this you will notice a few bubbles on the way, don't panic! just slowly lift the film back up a bit, take another piece of tape and go over that spot on your phone AND the underside of the screen protector. Sometimes some particles stick to the film itself. The tape is stickier than the film, and should pick up the debris. Dont' be afraid to lift the screen back up. Then just continue smoothing it down with the card till you're finished.

If you happen to accidenlty let go of the film and it goes down, just take a piece of tape and touch it to a corner and that should lift it back up. Also lifting the screen protector up and down won't make it lose its stickniess since the glass is clean. These are just helpful tips and tricks I've learned from applying screen protectors on multiple phones for my family members and friends over the years. Hope this helps!

On a side note, I noticed that this screen protector is a bit more cloudy than my last one, which is why I only gave it 4 stars.

Background info:

I just got the iPhone 4, knowing that it would need some protection because of the glass structure. I bought these screen protectors as well as a OtterBox Defender case. These arrived first (it took 2 days to ship). I have used many screen proctetors for other phones, this is my first time trying with any sort of iPhone or iTouch.

Pros- It shipped fast. It came with 6 for only 3 dollars. It looks as if it will protect from scratches, however I have yet to really test it. I literally just put them on 5 minutes ago.

Cons- It took me 3 tries to get one on that didnt have too many bubbles. I was able to work out the bubbles on the screen itself, but not the ones near the speaker or the home button. The major problem I had putting them on was when I had to take off the second layer. There one side you take off and place it on, it comes with a red tab, and then once it's on, you pull away the blue tab. On the first one, when I pulled away on the blue tab, the whole thing came off, not just the top layer that was supposed to. One the second time, same thing happened again. On the 3rd time, I used a corner to try to peel off the top layer, and alas it came off. However, it started to pull the whole thing off again so, I had to get the bubbles out again. Also, the anti-glare takes away from the beautiful screen. It makes the images blurry. It makes it not glare, but it really makes the screen look worse the the iPhone 3GS.

Conclusion - If I could go back and purchase a different kind, I would. These were not made well, I have never had the problem of pulling off the blue tab and have the whole screen protector come off.

However, it does come with 6, so keep trying. I think I will settle with the could of bubbles that I have. But if you hate any bubbles, good luck with these.

Other reviewers are correct in stating you might use 2 or 3 before you get the application right. The tabs used to peel off from the screen are "iffy". I ended up using two, because the tabs ripped off (without pulling off the plastic protective layer) and when I finally managed to pry the screen out it promptly fell and got covered in dust. Fortunately the second screen application went alot smoother. A useful trick to eliminate bubbles is to use a piece of tape to clean your screen (and screen protector) from all those bits of dust you can't see.

The screen is a little, for lack of a better word, foggy when reading black text on white background, but otherwise not noticable in the slightest, games, and applications still look just as top notch. And honestly the slight fogginess in the text is easily overlooked. The screens fogginess is most pronounced when the phone is off (but who cares? Unless you like your phone to look pristine even when it's not on).

Here's something interesting, I placed the dusty screen cover (from my first attempt) on the back of my phone, just for fun since my case hasn't arrived yet. And wouldn't you know it, I dropped my phone on the concrete. Upon examining the phone it's got a nice ding in the back where it landed on the unsmooth surface. I peeled away the screen protector and nothing! Not a scratch or ding on my phone! The screen absorbed the blow and has a nice dent in it now, but left my phone unharmed. Now I do NOT reccomend dropping your phone, but that's some pretty awesome protection!

If you're wondering about my 4 star rating, I dock half a star for ease of application and half for the slight bluriness.

It's a 3 star rating now, because the "anti-glare" doesn't work at all. Any direct sunlight and the screen is a shiny blur, useless... might drop the star rating further depending. Good protection... but still.....

***

Don't like my review? Tell me why not by leaving a comment. That way I know what can be improved upon when writing reviews for you.

Like my review? Sweet! I'll keep on writing this way. - Anti-glare - Iphone 4 - Bad Customer Service - Invisible'

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Weather Alert Radio - emergency radio, weather radio

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I have to think that there is tremendous quality control variability with this radio based on the wildly different reviews.

I'm a radio geek and have been collecting radios for the last 40 years. When I saw the ad for this Midland I just had to have it. I thought it would be a perfect addition for my camping adventures. The radio seems to be totally loaded with just about anything you would need. It has a GRMS/FRS 2-way radio, an AM/FM radio, a weather radio, a clock with alarm and even a 3 LED flashlight. Add to this the fact that it runs on both alkaline and a wind-up rechargeable battery! Wow.

Sadly, none of the functions work very well. Both the AM and FM reception are very subpar. AM reception could only receive the strongest stations and they bled over adjacent frequencies. Many stations that I could pick up on a cheap pocket radio could not be picked up on this radio. FM was worse, only picking up a couple of very powerful local stations.

Weather band worked, but only barely. I was able to pick up many more channels on a little Grundig/Eton wind-up.

FRS/GRMS radio functions were similarly mediocre to poor.

Cranking was more awkward than on other emergency radios that I have used including those by Freeplay and Grundig.

On a positive note, the LED flashlight is nice and the clock/alarm is also a nice feature. You also get a lot of accessories, including an external mic, both car and AC chargers and a carrying strap.

Overall, I was disappointed by this radio. The fact that others like it suggests to me that there may be a lot of variability between radios. However, in general, I would pass on this radio. There are many inexpensive GRMS/FRS radios that would do a better job. If you are looking for a good emergency broadcast band radio check out those made by Freeplay or Grundig/Eton. Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio

If you are looking for an Emergency 2 way radio, look no further.

Pros:

1. AM/FM - These are not Bose speakers, but they are clear. It works just like portable battery powered radios. This is useful in emergencies when the TV and cable are knocked down so you can get news from stations that are still transmitting. I take it out with me on my patio and just listen to music or news.

2. Multiple power source - Can run on Alkaline, included Rechargeable battery pack, AC socket, DC through the cigarette lighter, or just cranking to recharge the batteries. With all those sources of energy, you will never run out of power.

3. 5 Watt GMRS Radio - It truly is powerful. Just as strong as my professional radios. Excellent as a base station when traveling or trying to look for help in an emergency.

4. Portability - It comes with a strap so that you dont have to hold it when moving about. It also has a handle so you have a firm grip when carrying it.

5. LED flashlight - You will never be in the dark. I have tried leaving it on the whole night and it still had have charge. I just used the crank to fully charge it again.

6. Weather-proof - I actually used it when there was a one week heavy downpour here LA. It got wet in the rain, but it did not fail.

7. VOX - It has 3 levels of sensitivity. At level 1, it is so sensitive that it will transmit if someone in the room speaks.

8. External Speaker Mic - It is very clear and is functional. It uses the same connectors as my Professional Icom handheld radio, so you can even upgrade the Speaker mic if you wish.

Cons:

1. Durability - As a base station, or if you don't drop it it is perfectly fine. It is not built to withstand a drop on a hard surface like Professional radios. This is an emergency base station so, you aren't expected to treat it like a walkie talkie. They never stated that it is as durable as a professional radio, so I was not expecting it. So it isn't such a big deal.

2. No carrying case - It would have made it more useful if they included a small bag where you can put this and the accessories, as well as some basic emergency supplies. But, again, this was something I knew that was not included so, it is just a nice to have.

Summary:

It does everything it says it can do, and does it very well. If you were caught after an earthquake, this is the equipment you will need to have with you. It delivers what it promises, and is better than the other Midland Walkie talkies.

*****UPDATE APRIL 2, 2010********

I performed a distance and clarity test.

Test equipment:

1. Midland XT511($65)

2. ICOM F21 4 WATT PROFESSIONAL RADIO($200)

3. ICOM F40GT 4 WATT PROFESSIONAL RADIO($500)

Test Scenario:

1. My wife standing on the balcony of my house. She has both the Midland and the ICOM F40GT.

2. I will stop every 1 mile and get down from the car and I will use the ICOM F21 to talk to her.

3. I will ask her to communicate first with the Midland, then the ICOM.

Test results:

Mile 1:

1. Midland - I can hear her and understand her without static or noise. The audio quality was a little muffled and was not as loud as the ICOM.

2. ICOM - I can hear her and understand her without static or noise. The audio was noticeably louder and clearer than the Midland.

Mile 2:

1. Midland - I can still talk to her. There is some static and a little noise. The audio did not drop.

2. ICOM - Just as good as it was at 1 mile. No static or noise.

Mile 3:

1. Midland - Barely audible. Trails in and out.

2. ICOM - Noticeable static and noise, but I can still communicate without drop of audio.

Summary:

The ICOM can reach further and is clearer than the Midland in transmit and receive, but it still does what it was meant to do and it does do it well, standing up to an ICOM. But keep in mind that the ICOM is just a tranceiver, it does not have any of the many functions of the Midland. I still give this 5 stars for function and excellent value. - Radio - Emergency Radio - Weather Radio - Gmrs'

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Hdd Enclosure - macally, hdd enclosure

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Pros: It took me just about 3 minutes to install my WD Caviar Green 1TB HHD into this solidly built enclosure. It was cold to the touch out-of-the-box and was still cool after running for 48 hours. My Vantec Nexstar3s and LaCie 1TB (301315U) do get warm after a few hours. Compact AC/DC adaptor - no power brick to worry about! No fan = no fan noise.

Cons: Doesn't come with eSATA cable. On/off button must be held down for about 3-4 seconds to turn off the unit.

Other thoughts: Back panel is plastic but not flimsy. Macally G-S350SU Hi-Speed eSata/USB2.0 External Storage Enclosure for 3.5inch SATA HDD

Overall, I'm very impressed with the two enclosures I purchased for add-on storage drives for DVRs. Like some have already mentioned, the blue power LED is too bright, but not a big deal.

One design issue (not a flaw, but something others may find pertinent) is that the power buttons are electronic (momentary contact switches), so there's not an actual hardwired on/off switch. Rather, you push the power button, and the small circuit board decides whether the drive should be on or off. This is a very common switch in today's electronics, and usually no big deal. Anyway, in my application (DVR), I ran into a problem when there was a power outage. When power was restored, the Macally enclosure stayed powered off, so when the DVR rebooted and couldn't find the external drive, it reverted to using the internal drive. With my particular brand of DVR, it uses either the internal drive OR the external drive (not both simultaneously), so I lost a few days of recordings, since the current recording schedule was contained on the external drive. Even though I like this enclosure, I'll eventually be purchasing other ones with mechanical switches once I find one with the right price and design.

So, product-wise, great product. But be aware of your intended application. If the enclosure is not powered by a UPS, and needs to be running at all times, you may want to find an enclosure that has a mechanical power switch, or at least has some way to config to "return to last state upon loss of power".

I bought two of these enclosures to house WD Caviar Green drives. I haven't yet had an opportunity to try out the eSATA feature because I don't have cables (the unit only comes with a USB cable and a power adapter). I intend to purchase these cables separately, but keep this in mind if you want eSATA. Add about $5 on to cover the cost of an eSATA cable if you don't already have one.

Build quality of the enclosures is good. When I first ordered them, I thought from the pictures that they were white. They aren't. They are aluminum with a normal, brushed aluminum finish. They look good. The back panel with the connectors is plastic, but this is hardly an issue since, well, it's the back. It's rarely seen, by me or anyone else. The power button does glow brightly (blue) when the unit is on, but I don't find this intrusive. It's not -as- bright as some other devices I've used, and with a drive enclosure, you can simply turn it around. I don't recommend tape over the button, though, since it's actually a button and not just a light.

The drive carrier slides into the aluminum casing using guide rails. This makes installation a snap. Just unscrew the two screws securing the plastic back to the carrier, and slide the whole thing out. However, while I appreciate the fluidity of installation, the carrier doesn't fit very snugly into the casing; it stays loose, partly as a product of the design decision to allow the carrier to be easily removed. This means it rattles during operation. I've found this can be remedied by placing a phone book or other external drive on top of it when in use. The rattling is rather quiet, and though it is something I would expect from an inexpensive enclosure, it's still somewhat disappointing.

Because it's made of aluminum and because the front and back of the case have plenty of holes or vents, these enclosures are well-cooled. With my Green drives in them (WD15EARS and WD10EACS), they are cold to the touch even after being left on for all day and night. Since there is no active cooling (fans), I expect this means my drives will stay cool all the time, even if I never turn them off.

Several unusual design decisions hurt these otherwise excellent enclosures, though. The unit is very slick. If you don't use the provided rubbery "feet" and plan to keep it on a hard-top wood, plastic, or glass desk, expect it to slide around with even the slightest pressure. I mean slight--if the USB cable plugged into the back twists or bends even a little bit on its way to the computer, the torque of the twist will probably rotate the enclosure. This is annoying, but you can easily circumvent it by using the provided rubber feet.

The feet are not build directly onto the unit, though. They are separate; you screw them onto the unit whenever / if ever you feel so inclined. Their design flat out sucks. A single screw secures each of two plastic feet to the bottom of the unit. And I mean the bottom. If you want to use the feet, the only side of the case with screw holes to provide for their use are on two of the loopy protrusions on the case's edges. This means that, when using the feet, the case can only stand up vertically as shown in the Amazon picture. The feet, though, are wider than the protrusions: if you use them, you can't stack the enclosures horizontally. Alternatively, you can adhere the rubberized feet to one of the horizontal case faces. This would allow you to use the unit horizontally without sliding, however it would also prevent you from using the unit vertically. My advice: get third party rubber feet for horizontal use, and pray you're able to remove the feet when you need to. (I'll tell you why the praying is necessary right now.)

I'm also a little bit unsure about the ability to remove the feet. As I said before, the feet secure to the unit with a single screw, right in the middle of the foot. This allows the foot to rotate, which I find annoying. More annoying, though, and the part that makes me unsure, is that when you put the rubber pad on the foot itself, it covers the screw hole. This means you cannot use a screwdriver to remove or loosen the screw without removing the rubber pad and potentially ruining the adhesive. This might never become a problem because the adhesive itself seems to secure the top of the screw well, meaning you can just twist the feet to unscrew them, but I don't trust this solution. Because of this, since the ability to use the enclosures horizontally is very important to me, I don't feel comfortable using the feet at all. It would suck to have them get stuck in the unit.

Each unit comes with a 3ft USB cable and a much longer power cord. I'd have liked to see an eSATA cable or at least 6ft USB cable, but no dice. Overall, I'm happy with the purchase for the price. If you need an eSATA enclosure, this is the best value I've seen in this price range by far. If you plan to use it with USB, there may be better options, though there certainly are worse ones. This enclosure simply works and keeps your drives safe--two excellent qualities for one costing $30. If you want more, consider spending more. - Hdd Enclosure - Enclosure - Macally - Esata'

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