Sunday 18 September 2011

Office Supplies - scotch, 3m


Before using this tape, I was using the "Packaging" tape variety. I chanced upon this type when I ran out of tape one day and had to grab one at the local supermarket. I like this one better after using it. On the paper core of this "moving" tape, the words "mailing and storage" are printed. I guess "moving and storage" and "mailing and storage" both refer to the same tape. The reason this tape is better is because it sticks to mailing boxes better than the "packaging" tape, which sometimes lifts itself off the cardboard box. I had to apply another layer of that tape at 90 degrees sometimes to the first layer to make sure it sticks. The "packaging" tape seems to stick better to tape than to boxes. This tape is also thinner, and clearer, so that it weighs less and I can tape over the address label without obscuring it. The lighter weight makes a difference because if you are just 0.1 ounce over the limit of, say, one pound or two pounds, you need to pay the higher postage rate of the next weight limit. The difference can be as high as 2-3 dollars or about the same price as a 54 yard roll of this tape! Highly recommended! Scotch Long Lasting Moving & Storage Packaging Tape, 1.88 Inches x 54.6 Yards, 4 Rolls (3650-4)

I've used a lot of packing tape over the years and I am dissatisfied with this brand. Although the tape is strong it doesn't stick to the boxes very well. I've come back to boxes that I back a few hours ago to find the tape has peeled right off.

This is a decent tape but not as good as the "Packaging" type. The Packaging type is thicker and more resistant than the Mail and Storage type. This tape feels somewhat cheap and prompts me to double tape everything.

I have used this packaging tape for years without problem. I have found it to be the best tape for general packaging and you can rely on it to get your package delivered in one piece. It is very strong and durable and it clear so it looks nice. It works very well in a tape dispenser.

I bought this tape as I am moving. It's held up very well.



Pros:

-Sticks very well to cardboard boxes

-Price on Amazon is great

-Don't need to apply multiple layers to make it stick



Cons:

-Would be nice to have a dispenser come with it (but you buy one separately if it's important)

What can I say about Scotch Brand tape? It is and always has been the best tape company for a long, long time. Of course, this product is no different than all the other fine products that Scotch makes. I use a ton of packaging tape when shipping my eBay items and Scotch brand is always the sturdiest and easiest to work with. Yes, it is a little more expensive but it is worth it in the long run. There is never a problem with 'losing' the beginning of the tape on the roll and then wasting a bunch of it to get it started again. I highly recommend this product and the company that sells it. It's the best.

It's a little strange writing a review about Scotch Packaging Tape. What's to say? I always wish people would include the price they paid so I can compare current to past price - so I paid $10.99 for the 4 roll package. It comes off the roll cleanly instead of gumming up and making it hard to get the tape off the roll as other brands have done - even when a roll is found in the back of a drawer years later. The tape is hardy and doesn't break unless I cut it. I'd rather have a strong tape I have to hunt down a knife or scissors for than one that tears using hands. I've applied it to heavy moving boxes and never had the tape fail even after being on the moving box for years - both top and bottom of boxes stay safely sealed. The tape never fails to stick to any surface I've applied it to including cardboard, KitchenAid plastic bins, large envelopes, mending various plastic items, and so much more.

This is the first time I am disappointed in Scotch tape, but when I peel it off to start using it the tape is splitting. Very frustrating. This is why I usually pay extra for Scotch brand, to avoid that problem, but this particular tape is disappointing. In the future I will stick to their mailing tape. - 3m - Scotch - Packaging Tape - Boxes'


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Ipod Touch 4th Generation - ipod touch case, accessories


So, yeah, like a lot of people have said, this case doesn't really fit. It's definitely a bit too large and doesn't stay in place if it's in your pocket. Another result of the loose fit is that it makes it more difficult to press the power and volume buttons effectively. Also, although the connectors, speaker, and camera are all accessible, the thin strip of rubber along the bottom is incredibly flimsy and doesn't stay in place very well. So, this case works perfectly fine if your iPod will be laying flat on a table all day, but that's about it.



So, yeah, seeing as I only paid a dollar for this (plus S&H), I can't really say that I'm surprised. But to describe this case as "premium" is to display either an extreme lack of comprehension of the English language, or a willingness to lie about your product to make a quick buck. Premium Black Soft Gel Silicone Skin Case Cover for Apple iPod Touch 4G, 4th Generation, 4th Gen

I just received the ordered cover...perfect shape and solid quality although the color is more or less TRANSPARENT instead of BLACK. IMHO looks even better in transparent so I am perfectly happy. Just 4 stars for the fact the the info on the color is incorrect.

Great cover - protects all the corners and the back from scratches, keeps iPod from slipping, easy to put on and it stays on well. No cover for front - need to buy screen protector separately, but quite inexpensive - less than half most other similar covers. I was pleasantly surprised. Would definitely recommend.

Pros:

- Price. Under $3 for an iPod Touch case? You'd have to dish out three times as much as a retailer for something of comparable quality.

- Grips well to flat surfaces. Good for browsing the web or app store with the device on a table.



Cons:

- Quality. The rubber isn't exactly outstanding; there's a molding line that goes round the edges of the case, which makes it less pleasant to hold. Also, the sides of the case bulge out slightly, which takes away from the look of the unit.

- Lint pickup. If you're planning on putting your iPod in your pocket at all, be prepared for lint and fuzz sticking to the case. The feeling of the case declines with the more lint that sticks to it

- Though it fits fairly well, the case can become dislodged if pushed on properly. Usually when this happens, it's the last thing you want to deal with.



Overall, I'd recommend either a higher end rubber case or, better yet, a hard case for your iPod Touch 4th Gen. I ordered this one so I'd have a case on hand when I bought my iPod. It has given me time to seek out something better. And believe me, almost anything would be better. Don't buy this unless you're in my situation or you want a cheap backup case.

We bought 2 of these case covers for our new Ipod just in case there was wear and tear after a while on one of them. My husband put one of the skins on and later that day took his Ipod out of his pocket and there was already a small tear on the case. We expected this to happen eventually... but not right away. The is a very cheap product so I guess you get what you're paying for.

Certainly at this price point, you have to expect that you're going to get what you paid for. I knew this coming in. So, my expectations were low....and I wasn't disappointed. This case is really pretty crappy. You will NOT want to keep this as your permanent solution on your new, expensive iPod. To call this a 'Premium' case is very misleading. It should be called 'As Basic and Cheap as possible' Soft Black Gel Silicone Skin Case. The seams and cuts are all jaggedy. The case is flimsy and loose.



If you're going for something temporary until something better comes along..may I suggest some of the cheap TPU type cases. They are tougher, fit snugger, and are not dust magnets like this material.

I recently got a ipod touch and was very excited. I bought one of those transparent screen cover to protect the front of the ipod and figured that I also need something to protect the back. Therefore, I bought this piece of junk.



Problems with the cover:

1. Way too loose, it doesn't stay on the ipod when you put it in your pocket.

2. It interferes with typing. When I tried to type anything, the cursor will jump all over the place. I have take off the cover whenever I need to type anything.

3. The cover collects dust too easily.



Basically, the cover needs to be taken off the ipod when you need to use it. It comes off easily when you aren't using it. What I do all the time is to put it back on. Terrible. - Ipod Touch 4th Generation - Ipod Touch Case - Ipod Touch 4g - Accessories'


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Retractable Cable - ipod accessory, ipod cable


I love this cable! My old cable required feeding through a hole and then feeding it back - a trick when driving. This re-tracks in an instant with no hassle. The cord at first sight seems a little wimpy, but the sound is great and I've had no problems with it. 3.5mm Male to Male Retractable Cable

OK quality. No issues whatsoever with the retractable feature. No static with connections though the wire is a bit frail when compared to non-retractable cables. I've found these typically don't last terribly long, but I've had good success with this brand, even though I know it will wear out as the wire starts to break down and cause static in the connection.



Overall, nice concept I keep going back to, though the wire is a little too frail to hold up to regular use. Gone back to this brand because it's one of the better I've found.

I have cables of all types for all sorts of purposes.This one,I'm using to transfer sound from a guitar or keyboard to an amp or computer. This really is the thinnest cable I've ever seen. I'm used to 14 to 20 guage.It can't be any more then 3 thin strands wrapped at the most.The mechanics of the cable work ok.You can either opt to extend the cable to its fullest length or shortest,there is no in between. The wire is no thicker then a needle point. This is designed for very low capacity levels. It's hard to imagine any juice flowing through it without it instantly melting,but it does work.I would recommend it for an iPod or very low amperage/power transfer.

I bought 2 of these. Both of them have an intermittent connection where the cable attaches to the connector. So far I have been able to get it work by wiggling / bending the cable. However, if the MP3 player moves, the connection is usually lost. Too bad, because mechanically it works well and the price is right. - Aux Cable - Ipod Accessory - Ipod - Ipod Cable'


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Monitor Extension Cables - maintenance management, monitor cables


I have a really sharp Trinitron monitor which came with a decent quality video cable and text was sharp and clear. Recently I bought a new top-brand Geforce 4 Ti4800 video card and, after installing it, text became significantly ghosted. I later heard that the manufacturer used cheap parts which degrade the signal at high frequency (above 60Hz) when used in 2D (i.e. text) mode. I had to switch to 60 Hz to get sharp text, which still wasn't as sharp as it was with my previous graphics card running at 85Hz. Every step above 60Hz became increasingly ghosted. 85Hz and higher is much easier on the eyes, so I searched for a VGA cable to replace the one that I thought was pretty good. I decided to try a mid-priced cable, this Startech model. I liked their site and felt confident that they were selling a quality product. I connected it and PERFECT! I was back to sharp, clear text at 85Hz (and all the way up to 144Hz). This is an excellent cable for a great price and if you suffer with blurry text or ghost images, please give this one a try. StarTech 6-Feet Coax High Resolution VGA Monitor Cable - HD15 M/M (MXT101MMHQ)

I currently use an ATi x800 video card with two LCD displays, one of which is VGA. For the past year or so, I've been using a cable that came with the monitor, and recently, it's been causing all sorts of problems--color flickering, display signal loss, etc. When looking for a replacement VGA cable, this one caught my eye.



After installing it, I found that the picture quality and brightness was better than I remember originally, and all the previous problems were gone. I've never had a problem with ghosting, even with fast-paced FPS games, but I can say for sure that this cable doesn't ghost. It feels very well-constructed (is about twice the diameter of my previous cable), and comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. The only caveat is that because of its sturdy construction, the ends don't bend too well if you need to fit them in at an angle. Otherwise, excellent cable, and definitely far better than any in its price range!

Let me start off by saying I am happy overall with this purchase. A local electronic store wanted around $30 for a VGA cable, so this price is much better than that.

I bought this cable to connect my computer to the VGA socket on my new flat panel monitor.

However, my monitor VGA interface is reccessed, so that the cable needs to be bent perpendicularly in order to be plugged in.

Because the cable is so stiff, I had a hard time bending the cable so that it would plug in to the monitor.

Also, the screws wont screw in properly because of the bulkynes of the plug.

I've been using this cable now for over six months, and apart from the occasional unintentional unplugging, everything has been smooth.

I use this to connect my Sony Vaio to my HDTV (Samsung). The cord works really well to let me watch online shows on my TV through my computer.



Just a note for anyone struggling with hooking up their Sony: My TV initially would not recognize that there was any input. You may have to update some various things (go to the Sony website to get those upgrades that are specific to your type of laptop. I did this and still couldn't get it to work, but it at least saw that there was input, it just said something about not being able to use the data or something along those lines. After some fiddling, I changed one of the settings to 60Hz (sorry I can't remember exactly where it was, somewhere under Control Panel and then Other... it's the same place where you tell it to use two screens). That did it! I've been pretty pleased with the quality- it's not superfantastic like watching a bluray but definitely better than watching TV on my laptop.

This is a good quality cable for use with flat panel monitors. If you have tried a lesser quality cable as I have, you have probably experienced ghosting on the screen. It went away when I used this cable.

I tried to buy this product and went to best buy. This VGA to VGA cable was 32 or 34 dollars.



Though I wanted that immediately, but I did not want to encourage these unfair practices. This just reminded me the USB printer cables I bought in that store few years ago for 30 dollars and felt bad when I received USB cables with better quality free with my $15 backup drive.



I decided to wait and order for less than 6 dollars including shipping.



This product is good quality and works great.

Very good product, connects very easily to my laptop and TV. In hindsight, I would have opted for a longer cord but this one does the job so length is a minor detail at this point. Only downside is that the cord is unable to transfer audio from my laptop to the TV, so I am forced to either use the laptop's speakers or connect the speakers of my desktop to the laptop for better sound. - Monitor Cables - Computer Cables - Monitor Cable - Maintenance Management'


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Digestive Remedies - enzymes, probiotics


When my Giant German Shepherd was just a few months old he spent 3 weeks with a trainer. When he returned from the kennels there he had a skin infection. The vet prescribed antibiotics and gave him a cortizone shot. To make a long story short, this began a very ugly cycle. These intitial treatments broke this pup's immune system. He became allergic to many things, food, his tic & flea treatment, etc. As a result he would have ear infections on a regular basis, diarrhea, and would constantly chew at his rump. We'd take him back to the vet and he'd prescribe more of the above. The poor guy would be up all night chewing and scratching himself and suffering. This went on for many months. Someone with a holistic persective finally advised that it sounded as though his immune system was out of wack due to all of drugs, etc. and that I should try this product. I began using it and within 10 days an improvement began. After a month, he almost never scratched, etc. He's been on it now for 6 months and hasn't had diarrhea (which had been a couple times a month), he's back on his tic & flea treatment with no negative reaction. He sleeps through the night, his coat has improved and he's gaining weight at a more appropriate rate.

We will keep him on this stuff forever. It seems he had developed a yeast infection from all the drugs and now it's gone!

Our dog had always had soft stool, but when he started having diarrhea every day, we took him to the vet. (After trying just about every other remedy we could think of - pumpkin, switched his food, gave him probiotics, etc. etc.) They checked his stool and said he had a high bacteria count. At the time I had asked if perhaps he wasn't producing enough enzymes, to which the vet responded "Maybe." They proceeded to put him on antibiotics and an artificial stool hardener for about 6 weeks, which only helped superficially. Once he was off the stool hardener, he was back to having diarrhea. I went with my initial idea (I had done a TON of research prior) that the cause was an inadequate production of enzymes (which, as it turns out, can lead to an increase in bad bacteria in the intestines - go figure). With my fingers crossed, I ordered a bottle of Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics. Within a few days of administering the enzymes with each meal, my dog was no longer having diarrhea. Within about another week, his stool was actually firm, which it had never been. I'm happy to say that well over a month later, we have not had a single bout of diarrhea and his stool is firm and normal! Since starting the enzymes, his energy has increased (he's actually digesting his food!) and his coat has improved (again - all those tasty essential fatty acids are actually being used!). We are so thankful this product exists and can't recommend it enough!

I have an aging Dalmation that has some digestive problems due to other medicines he takes. He was having unpredictable bouts of diahhrea (inside the house nonetheless!) and we were about to get ready to put him to sleep when I read about probiotics. I like that this product also contains enzymes. After about a week of feeding this to my dog he improved greatly - the probiotics helped his digestive/intestinal issues and now he isn't pooping in the house and has more control over it. The enzymes are helping him digest his food better and therefore he is getting more nutrients out of his food. Because of this some of the hip problems and pain he was having started to improve. Overall this is a good product. It will last for awhile as the dosage is a quarter teaspoon per 30lbs of weight. I also give some to my other dog and I believe it has improved his bad breath! This will be something I purchase again!

I have a 20-month-old chocolate labrador who has suffered from various digestive issues since we met her. Most notable were her bowel movements, which were almost always a normal movement, followed by what can only be described as butterscotch pudding (sorry if I ruin butterscotch pudding for anyone, but it's true!). These were the norm, with the latter half of her poo becoming runny at times. Even her doggy daycare provider mentioned it. I tried many things to try and make her bowel movements normal, including changing foods (gradually), adding sweet potato or pumpkin to her food for fiber, softening it with warm water, feeding her 'people food,' etc. Nothing helped.



One day my daycare provider had a jar of some probiotics on her counter. Since I had had wonderful success using probiotics and digestive enzymes for myself, I thought I would try it for my dog and purchased the Animal Essentials brand. It comes in powder form, and each morning I give my 72-lb lab a heaping 1/2 teaspoon full in her kibble. SInce I generally mix a spoonful of wet food in with the kibble, the powder all but disappears. But, I don't think it would matter. She licks her bowl clean even when I haven't stirred in the supplement, so I am guessing it has little or no taste.



I am happy and relieved to report that her bowel movements are about 95% normal after about 6 weeks of using the supplement. She does occasionally have a 'butterscotch pudding' episode but they are much firmer than previous movements, and rare. I would recommend that anyone who has a pet with digestive issues look into purchasing probiotics and digestive enzyme supplements. - Holistic Health - Enzymes - Dogs - Probiotics'


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Blackberry Storm Charger - blackberry tour, micro usb


Many reviews of this product point out that it can be used with devices other than the specified Blackberry models.



This is true, but be careful!



This charger is rated with an output of 5v at 700mA. Many devices ship an OEM AC adapter outputting 5V at 1,000mA.



I'll be using this with a Sprint HTC Evo 4G which normally uses a 1,000mA adapter. What it means is a slightly longer charging time for the battery. More than likely not important for the vast majority of people, but a few might object for one reason or another.



Build quality on this Blackberry branded adapter is moderate. Mine has a distinct rattle.



Design is okay. Folding prongs, compact wall wart body, long attached cable with a microUSB connector.



Overall a tremendous value, especially if you have Amazon Prime, but double-check the specs on your device to make sure 700mA output will work for you.



Jerry BlackBerry Folding Blade Micro Charger for BlackBerry 8900, Storm 9530, Tour 9630, Torch 9800 (Black)

I just wanted to clarify for people, these are standard Micro USB wall chargers - no weird brand-specific extensions. I got two of these for my Samsung Moment and they work fine, besides the fact they say BlackBerry. This was the best deal out there for wall chargers I could find.

This item is available from several different sellers. The highest price (but eligible for free shipping so it makes up for it) is from Amazon -- so if you're looking to receive the exact thing you see pictured here, I'd recommend going for the Amazon one. Other reviewers may be reviewing this item purchased from different sellers.



When sellers set up their item, they can choose among the current listings and just indicate that they are selling that thing. It's entirely possible that they choose the closest similar thing, and don't get it exactly right.



I ordered from Amazon (figuring they know what they're selling and have a vested interest in listing things accurately) and I received a Blackberry branded charger, and the blades were indeed folding.

There are so many sketchy sellers selling phone chargers out there, that it can be a bit scary. The problem is that if the charger is poorly made, the output of the charger can be out of spec and can, in some cases, fry the phone you connect to it.



For that reason, when it comes to phone chargers, you should stick to name brands. (They are all made in China, but the name brand ones are usually subject to stricter QA).



When I found this charger on Amazon, SOLD BY AMAZON, I jumped on it. It's a MICRO USB charger, made for the Blackberry and sold under the Blackberry name, in retail packaging. The rated output is 5V and 700mA.



This charger should work fine with most any phone that uses the MICRO USB connector. The key number to pay attention to is the second one, the rated amperage. This is the MAXIMUM amount of current that the phone can request from the charger. A typical USB port on a PC provides as little as 100mA, and few provide more than 500mA. So this charger should charge your phone faster than when it's connected to a PC. A few phones out now can use up to 1000mA. But that just means they CAN use that amount. If 700mA is provided, they'll still charge, just a bit more slowly.



This is an excellent quality name brand travel micro USB charger at a price that beats the no-name junk from third party sellers. What's not to like?

This is original blackberry equipment and works perfectly. I understand through my research that there's some imitations on the market that don't perform very well. The price on this item is outstanding and so is the product.

Let's face it: you can never have enough chargers for your Blackberry. If you're like me, your battery runs out at the most inopportune times. It's a MicroUSB charger, so it'll charge not only your Blackberry Bold/Storm/Tour/Torch, but it should work for most Android phones. This also charges my Kindle as well.



Also, check to make sure you are buying directly from Amazon instead of a third party seller. It'll reduce the risk that you'll get some bad knockoff.



Overall, you need to have one as a spare. This is my third charger and to be kept at the office just in case.

I bought this charger as a "spare" to keep at the office. I was pleased to see that it was identical to the OEM charger that came with my 9650. Amazon's price and shipping service beat all other competitors. Thank you Amazon.

The ones I got did have folding blades and were OEM by RIM. The sellers that Amazon used for me were The OEM Shop and SFPlanet. I use them for my Kindle 2 (and would work with the Dx model too) and they are perfect, and inexpensive. - Micro Usb - 9530 - Blackberry Tour - Accessory'


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Apple Iphone 4 - cover, case


You can see my other reviews to know that I buy A LOT of cases - it has became an addiction of sorts. With that said, I have often found Otterbox products to be the best of the best. (See my 5 star Otterbox iPhone 4 Defender review for proof!)



I received this item last Monday and I was anxiously awaiting installing it and giving it a go. Unfortunately my excitement quickly subsided. I hate to sound negative but this case leaves a lot to be desired. Below I will give you my unbiased thoughts on the case and its pros/cons.



Pros:



Much thinner than the Defender case

All ports are easily accessible

Lightweight



Cons:

The screen protector that it comes with is very sub-par, I've purchased several screen protectors in the past for both my iPhone(s) and other models, the one that came with the Otterbox ranks near (or at) the bottom of the list as far as quality build and ease of installation in avoiding air bubbles etc.

The case doesn't quite fit "right" sometimes the silicon case will come loose from around the lip of the phone and it will in turn cause the polycarbonate shell to shift and not only fit awkward but look horrible as well.

The cover for the audio out jack (headphone jack etc.) should have been designed better. It often protrudes from the case and just looks awkward.



In conclusion I would state that though the case isn't the worse (and 2 stars may be harsh) due to the price and quality expected from Otterbox it came up well short of expectations.



I will try to post pictures later showing this case next to a bare iPhone 4 and also next to the Defender case. OtterBox Commuter Series Hybrid Case for AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4 (White/Black)

Hi, I just got this case yesterday. It's the third one I've tried with my iPhone 4. Otterbox makes fine cases so I expected something nice and was not disappointed. I also had the Commuter and Defender cases for my iPhone 3Gs.



Here are some notes for you:



- The case provides the best protection of the three I've tried. The Apple bumper case is nice but the open back leaves a lot of glass exposed. This one gets the job done while not being too bulky.



- Compared to the iPhone 3Gs Commuter case this one exposes more of the hard plastic surface and less of the rubber. The plastic is textured nicely so gripping is still secure. In all fairness I think I do prefer the design of the 3G/3Gs version.



- The phone will connect (Yeah!) to my Magellan car mount and B&W speakers with this case. It would not connect with the thicker Apple bumper case. I'm also able to get other cables to connect to it that would not connect with the bumper case. The opening for the thirty pin connector is larger on the Otterbox case.



- Putting the screen protector on can be frustrating but I was mostly successful this time. Dust must be avoided at all cost while applying it. Hey Intel, can I use your clean room for a few minutes?



It's a good compromise between protection and bulk. If you had the 3G version you might be a little disappointed because the fit on this one doesn't seem quite as good.



Update (9/2/2010): The reviewer(s) that said the case can be uncomfortable on your ear while making calls was right. If you make a lot of calls this could be rather annoying. I'll post a picture or two of the offending sharp edge. I filed the edge on mine with my Leatherman to smooth it out. That helped a lot.



Regards,

John

This case exceeded my expectations i had after reading some of these peoples reviews. First of all, the fit is perfect. i dont know if maybe some of these people didnt put it on right (it takes a while to get it right) but mine fits snugly.second, It does not feel cheap. The plastic is not very thick but it doesnt need to be thick to protect, it is only there to hold the shape of the silicone. It is the perfect balance of protection and bulkiness.. I had a defender series for my 3gs and that thing felt like a brick.. this one feels just right, not to mention its a lot cheaper than the defender. If youre gonna be rock climbing or working at construction site, then theres no reson why you would want the defender over this case. The screen protector is pretty cool, i dont really see the point of it because the case sits in such way that your screen will not get scratched. i still put mine on and cant even tell its there.. I would highly recomend this case, and no i dont work for otterbox, im just a regular guy that really liked this product and i dont think the reviews on it are very accurate. Thanks!

Sadly, this is the first review I've written, because I've had such a bad experience with this case. I'm a big OtterBox fan, I had a Commuter on my previous 3GS, and a Defender for my old 3G which is now on my wife's S. Both of those cases are great and I don't have a negative thing to say about them.



I had such a good experience with the previous version of the Commuter, that I got one for my Iphone 4. Unlike other reviewers, I think the screen protector is great, the only reason I gave this case 2 stars instead of one. I've had several screen protectors in the past, and they've mostly been all the same. The OtterBox protector seems to be of higher quality, and its the first case I've gotten on with absolutely no bubbles. Also, while trying to get the bubbles out on other protectors, you end up scratching the protector with the credit card. OtterBox solved that issue by putting an extra layer on the protector, and once you have worked all the bubbles out, you peel off the outer layer, leaving a pristine screen protector. I honestly can't tell that it's even there. Unfortunately that's where the good stops.



The silicone on the Iphone 4 commuter seems cheap, and doesn't fit the phone as well as in previous versions. The corners and parts that aren't covered by the outer shell constantly move and don't hug the phone as tightly as on the last version.



The hard protective shell is a complete failure on my case. When you initially take it out of the case, you can tell that the plastic is of cheaper construction than previous models. It is significantly thinner than the last, which is nice from a size perspective, but it just feels cheap in your hands, like it is going to break at the slightest stress. Also, the worst thing about mine is that it just doesn't fit the phone. It is too big for the phone, leaving gaps around all 4 sides. On 2 sides, the gap is small enough as to be almost not noticeable, but on 2 it's very obvious, and its so far from the silicone that the whole case flexes in your hand. On my particular case, it's obvious that the protective shell was machined too large for the silicone. No matter how much massaging and fiddling you so with the case, it won't fit the phone properly. As I've said before, on my 3GS, once you snap the outer case on, it's bombproof.



I bought the case direct from OtterBox the day it became available, and Amazon's price is now significantly cheaper. Still, this case isn't worth the cheaper price.



-Update

Otterbox customer service replied, and are sending out a replacement case. Their customer service was very friendly. I'll write another update when the new case arrives.



-Update 2

Customer service promptly sent out a replacement case. The 2nd case definitely fits better, it fits the phone correctly, but there isn't the tight, solid feel of previous versions. As other reviews have noted, the outer case can be uncomfortable against your ear. There are better cases out there for less money, for example, the 'free' case I got through Apple. I got a Griffin Reveal Etch through the free case program, which doesn't offer as much protection, but the case feels solid and fits the phone much tighter than the Otterbox. I still think they make great products, but this one was a failure. At least they've dropped the price since I ordered mine. - Commuter - Iphone 4 - Case - Cover'


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Apple Iphone 4 - cover, case cover Apple Iphone 4 - cover, case

Ipod Accessories - koss, earphones


I am a computer teacher and may of the applications that we use in my classroom involve audio. After the first few weeks of school, I decided that 38 computers all making noise was simply not working for me or for my students. I knew that headphones were the answer. I pay for these items out of my own pocket and needed something inexpensive, but reliable. These headphones fit the bill. It is much quieter in my classroom now, and the students can actually hear their own computer, not all 38 of them! Koss Featherweight UR5 Stereo Headphones with Foam Ear Cushions

Your basic inexpensive headphones. Four foot cord is too short- presumably targeted for portable music players, but bad for connecting to a desktop computer or anything else that is more than a few feet away. Sound is good, but bass response is rather weak.

On my pair, one of the drivers has an annoying metallic rattle at certain frequencies, nearly constant at higher volumes. I paid something like $7 for these, so it's not even worth the hassle of setting up a return.

I chose these because I like the style- I don't like ear buds or behind-the-head headphones, and I needed something for casual use. I also have a set of Koss PortaPro headphones (~$40) which are excellent. In retrospect, I would recommend spending the extra cash for a set of PortaPros (not the SportaPro), or the Sennheiser P-100.

These are very good headphones. I like these ones instead of those that go behead your head. The sound comes out really nice and there are very affordable. They were like 6 bucks at walmart. If you want to replace some headphones, get these.

Good inexpensive headphones. Keep these on hand for times where additional headsets are needed or for replacements for existing running headsets. They have a pretty good life expectancy and have lasted through daily runs for months and months in all types of weather.

I bought these in a store for $4.50 because I wanted headphones NOW and these were the cheapest. A nice plus was that the max volume I could get was definitely louder than I'd ever want. The quality is perfectly fine as well. I found the lifetime warranty humorous. Ignoring the odd, clause that sharing your headphone voids the warranty, there is a $6 fee in order to make use of the warranty. I'd definitely recommend these headphones if you want really cheap headphones.

These are a good deal in that the cost is less than four dollars presently from Amazon and come with an extra set of foam ear cushions - a really good deal! Odd things though about these are that 1) the fit is tight and exerts noticeable pressure on ears - great for winter when you really want that ear muff function, but a bit too tight otherwise, (might be good for children), and 2) in my set for my ears the sound seems somewhat muffled and bass oriented compared with other sets I've used. Update: the cost in July 2008 is now more than nine dollars but I want to report that these have held up well, am still on the first of the two sets of foam ear cushions and the connector plug, often a weak point in headsets, has proven strong. The clamping effect I noticed at first has lessened and the headset is not too tight after wearing them nearly every day for four months. Really a tough headset.

They are good for the price. They have a very good sound quality, or at least better than the ones that came with my Sony Walkman DEJ001. The only problem I had is when I connected them to my older Philips player, it had a low volume output. And then again, even on the Sony player, I had to have the volume at 7, and it only goes to 9. If you have a high output player or a computer, these will be great, but if your using them for a low output or old device, these probably won't cut the cheese.

I saw these and ordered to use with a portable DVD player I use in marketing a product I sell. They are light weight and comfortable and are far superior to the internal speakers on the unit. Now my clients can watch and listen to the DVD while in a crowded coffe shop or other venue and not disturb anyone around them by turning the volume up in order to hear.

Great for the price.

I think the biggest selling point for this product is the comfort it offers to consumers. The headphones weigh no more than a standard women's headband. The speaker foam material does not feel scratchy. The speakers themselves sit comfortably on top of the ear rather than in or around it.



The sound is focused into the ear canal rather than dispersed randomly into the environment, increasing the quality of the sound you hear and decreasing the amount of sound those around you hear. It also seems to cancel out white noise and soft static, further increasing the quality of sound experiences.



The speaker foam is sturdy and secured to the speaker it surrounds. Having been used constantly and dropped and packed in luggage lots of times, the speakers continue to perform excellently and the plastic bits are still mostly intact. The headband can adjust to fit most head size, but the morbidly obese with large heads should probably look for headphone bands made of sturdier material.



I think these headphones are one of best thing on the market today for those people who have no interest in keeping up with the Joneses. Although the price for this level of quality can't be beat, watch out for the high shipping costs they slap on the price if you are purchasing a pair online. City pedestrians and city inhabitants that use bikes or subways to get town around might want to purchase this product at an electronics store near them. - Earphones - Portable Headphones - Koss - Best Value'


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Thunderbolt 4g Screen Protector - htc, hard case


So far seems like a good, solid car charger. It fits snugly and stays in, lights up reassuringly so you know it's connected (though light often can't be seen during daylight).

Haven't used the piggyback USB port yet, but it's great to have it and no doubt will come in handy.

Only reasons I didn't give it 5 stars is the cord could be a little longer, and I've had the charger only about month, so don't know how well it will hold up to frequent use.

Get this one. Oriongadgets Verizon OEM Car Charger w/ Hidden USB port for HTC Thunderbolt

I found this car charger to be much cheaper than others similar to it and it works great! It shipped fast and came in the original Verizon box that still had the price tag of $29.99 on it. I am very happy with this purchase and the main reason I recommend this product over many other car chargers is the hidden USB port as it allows for two items to be charged at once (great for another phone, ipod, etc). - Seidio - Hard Case - Htc - Thunderbolt'


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Cut-off Tool - grinder, dewalt


I have a pneumatic cutoff tool similar to this, but it requires time to start the compressor and dryers on the air line, and for the tanks to come to pressure. I always have an 18V XRP battery ready to go so for quick jobs this is much faster.



It features 2 nice removable guards, one partially open, and one fully enclosed, each with quick release removal and installation levers.



The side handle unscrews for convenience



Additionally, if you want to use normal wheels from the welding store, there is a locknut and wrench that come with this - you don't use them with the dewalt wheels but if you have a supply of grinding wheels you will need those parts, so put them together (I bought the tool only which saves quite a bit and did not include a case)



When you first get the dewalt wheels you should do a edge cut and surface grind to balance the wheel - they are not always perfect and you can feel the wobble until they shape up, which doesn't take long.



Altogether the convenience factor of using 18V batteries (it's ready for li-ion btw) instead of my pneumatic system is great. For big projects, I'll have the compressor running anyways so it's a no brainer, but for small work this is a cheap solution to grind, or cut. Bare-Tool DEWALT DC411B 4-1/2-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Cut-Off Tool (Tool Only, No Battery)

This grinder works great, but I only suggest it for when there isn't an outlet near by to plug in a corded one. With a fully charged lithium XRP battery, you get about 4 - 5 minutes of work before the battery dies. After experiencing the limited life of this grinder, I thought about returning it for another corded one, but I have come across some instances where there either wasn't an outlet near by or my extension cords were quite long enough to reach my project. I decided to keep it for just those situations.



A corded one is also rated at a higher amperage, so this is best for light duty projects. I definitely would suggest only having this as an accessory to a corded grinder. - Dewalt - Bare-tool - Battery - Grinder'


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Ipod Car Mount - iphone charger, remote control


I really wanted to like this product. I actually bought both the LiquidAUX kit and the Deluxe kit. One to use in my car and one on my motorcycle with my iPhone.



I think they worked once or twice with some adjustments. I know people don't like one star reviews and usually mark them as 'not helpful'. Often times they are right because people rate them with one star because the weren't shipped fast enough or some complaint not related to the product. Or they got the one unit that happened to be DOA.



Not the case here. Here's the problems:



When the iPhone firmware was updated recently, it caused problems with the remote operating and the message that the product was not iPhone compatible. Okay, I checked the manufacturer's website and found their workaround. The message did indeed go away, but the remotes still didn't work.



I decided to try my iPod to see if the problem could be caused by the iPhone, but the remotes didn't work with it either. Called Kensington tech support and they told me (in IndiaEnglish) to try replacing the batteries in remote. This after providing them with the serial number (written in illegible microscopic print inside the remote).



To their credit, they told me they would send me two new remotes (or complete units. I really don't understand IndiaEnglish very well). I should have them in 10 to 12 business days. I didn't have to return the old ones, just trash them. This makes me think they probably have had a lot of problems with these products.



My next gripes have to do with the different models:



The standard LiquidAUX kit:



They must be poorly assembled since the first time I used it it would cut out intermittently. If I just touched the wires going into the power plug they would crackle and pop and had to be delicately positioned to work. The extension cable (which you need unless your cigarette lighter is right next to your mini plug socket) has the same problem, but not as bad.



The Deluxe LiquidAUX kit:



This unit relies on a tight fit in your lighter socket, or you won't be able to keep the thing upright. The clamps holding your phone are not very sturdy and difficult to unlatch to get your iPxxxx out. After a short time most of the physical connections loosen up and you need to prop the business end of the adapter against something to keep it from falling.



I bought both units in Lightning Deals so the price wasn't as bad as it could be. But I'd rather pay more and have something that actually works properly. If I was within the 30 day window, I would have returned them buth.



I am not happy with this purchase. Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G

I was eagerly awaiting this dock for my iPhone in order to use it in my 2005 Nissan Armada. Previously, I had just been using cables running from an iPhone dock to supply power (via the accessory jack in the Armada's console) and for sound output (1/8" mini stereo cable to aux input on the console). This worked fine, although the dock and phone would fall over on sharp turns.



I connected the LiquidAUX Deluxe to the accessory jack without difficulty, although in the Armada, the jack is recessed about 1.5" deeper than the rest of the console, so that the back of the cradle was actually close to touching some of the console control knobs (like climate control). I noted that the cradle was a bit top heavy, and driving around, particularly over some bumps, caused the power connection in the accessory jack to intermittently disconnect, so that music stopped playing, and the iPhone stopped charging, until I jiggled the connection to restore power. Occasionally, the whole dock would pivot 90 degrees due to the weight at the top.



I do like the ability to adjust the gooseneck and the overall compactness of the dock, which by the way, accommodates both the original iPhone and the new iPhone 3G, although it takes a bit of finagling to get the 3G to seat on the dock connector.



I think I will return the item, and get the LiquidAUX non-Deluxe version, which is the same thing without the gooseneck and dock. I will connect the iPhone and just rest it in the console - I don't necessarily need to see the screen while driving.

This cradle can charge both 2g and 3g iPhones. It sits securely and is not too difficult to dock the iPhone with Apple's proprietary USB connector. Kensington made the USB dock mount adjustable/slide-able. Essentially, when you mount the iPhone/iPod, the USB dock can slide (or stay in place) to an appropriate mount position; hope that didn't sound too confusing. The auxiliary input (as well as the provided extended wire) works well and the wire is lined with a nice "mountain climbing rope" fabric; feels like it was made with high quality materials. It's not made with that cheap rubbery plastic molding that most auxiliary wires come with. The remote works well and mounts well with the steering wheel. However, your hands will need to readjust the new additional peripheral added to your steering wheel.



I love using this mount for the GPS "google" maps mode. I personally think its a great buy for car charging and iphone usage! Now, my car crash percentages have jumped 400%; a bit of sarcasm! - Car Mount - Remote Control - Iphone Charger - Ipod Car Mount'


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Wii Power Adapter - wii power adapter, wii charger


This power supply is junk. I plugged it into my Wii and then turned it on. Before I could get the TV switched over to the correct component there was a pop and it had stopped working. I'm very picky about the power coming into my Audio video cabinet and I regulate it so I know it was not a power surge, plus all of my other component are working fine as is the Wii when i plug it into the old power supply. AC Power Adaptor for Nintendo Wii Console

I didn't see any where on the item description that it was a generic product but I should have expected that considering the price. But it doesn't matter as long as it holds up. Arrived fast, in new condition and does exactly what it is intended for!

Looks exactly the same as my original Wii power supply that stopped working, but weighs less. We're not Wii power-users and have used the new power supply for just a few hours now, and it seems to be working well.

I bought one of these with my wii since i was taking it to Peru with me. So inexpensive and such a perfect product! I can't imagine the money to plug this into a separate converter and worry about blowing it...this is perfect to be safe and easy. - Wii Power Adapter - Video Games - Wii Charger'


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Lightscribe Dvd-r


Unfortunately, I have to agree with the many other negative reviews here, especially in regard to the long-term reliability of Memorex. I have burned many Memorex disks over the last 5-8 years and the ones that are 3-5 years old or more are now showing a high rate of failure. This makes them useless for long-term storage. If you check the discussion forums on the web and various blogs you will see Memorex's discussed time and time again in regard to their poor long-term reliability.



On the other hand, the Verbatims and the Taiyo Yudens are quite reliable, although even the Verbatims are said to have slipped in recent years because they have licensed their technology to so many substandard off shore producers. If you can still find real Japanese made Verbatims they are probably okay. But if not, beware!



So even if you don't experience a high initial burn failure rate, Memorex is highly questionable for long-term archiving, which is what I need, or at least 3-5 years. But they aren't even reliable for that, based on my experience and other people's experience which I have seen reported in various discussion groups.



Mitsui Advanced Media's dual gold/silver disks and also the Century disk, which is similar and developed by a partnership between Mitsubishi and Kodak, are quite good, but at over 2 bucks apiece they ought to be. For most purposes Taiyo Yuden is fine and theirs are around 36 cents a disk in packs of 100.



The Century disks are the most expensive of all, but also, they are guaranteed to be from runs of less than 25,000 from the original glass master. Most companies don't replace the master until 500,000 presses. This also causes problems because the master after the first couple of hundred thousand isn't that accurate.



Whichever media you decide to buy, caveat emptor because it's a mine field out there when it comes to purchasing decent media these days, one reason being because of all the fake brand name disks. I would just go with Taiyo Yuden. They are only made in Japan, but make sure you have real T-Y because of all the fakes. The real ones have a visible ring in the dye layer near the hub of the disks, which is said to be more expensive to manufacture and is harder to fake. Also, make sure the label on the package says it's from Japan, although that's not a certain criterion, but the extra little ring should be. Whichever media you choose, good luck! Memorex 4.7Gb/16x DVD-R (50-Pack Spindle)

Since I got my first DVD burner with my G4 Mac, I've been buying Memorex for creating video DVDs, as they were readily available. In the last 6 years, I think I've had maybe 10 coasters. And only recently have I come across my first DVD player that wouldn't play these discs. I wish I could remeber the brand, but it escapes me at the moment. I'll continue to buy them as they have performed great for me.



I've used them for backup as well asnd have seen a couple of verification errors when done. Unfortunately I haven't had other brands of DVDs on hand to test, but I still hold the Memorex brand in high regards.



It's not always the best idea to burn at the highest speed anyway since this can introduce errors, no matter what brand you use. Many repilcation companies will tell you that they burn at no higher speeds than 4x.

To start off with, I have to let everybody know that I'm using a very basic, budget computer (Dell Inspiron 530, Intel dual-core, 1 GB RAM, integrated graphics). Also, to give the most honestly possible review, I only used these for movies.



I had absolutely no problems when I backed up some movies that I have using Roxio Creator 10, and burning the dvds at nearly 16X most of the time. The reason this media gets all those bad reviews is because those people that are trying to burn movies, dont even know how to do it right.



To effectively back up a movie you need additionall free software on the net to do it. I'm not going to go into details about how to decrypt and shrink a dual layer movie onto a regular 4.7GB dvd, but I just have to tell you that you gotta know what you're doing or otherwise you'll get nothing but worthless coasters. As far as qulaity goes, you wouldnt be able to tell the difference between the actual movie and my copy. So for me, they worked flawlessly, quality was greatm and so was the price. I'm actually looking forward to buying them again.



And one last thing people, when you burn a movie you have to first create and ISO image of the file, not just copy and put the files and folders on the dvd. You'll get a nice little coaster and the dvd wont play. That's why I only had that 98% success rate instead of 100. Enjoy!

I see a lot of negative reviews here, but I've been using these discs for a couple months now with my PowerBook G4's Superdrive, and I've had no problems, at least none that I would attribute to the discs themselves. One review laments Toast Titanium 7, which in my experience is a very finnicky, buggy program. I too had a number of failed burns with that program, but I was able to remedy the situation by saving my dvd projects as disc images, and then burning them later with disc utility after I had a chance to mount them and check them out. For the price I payed for these discs, if I remember right, almost half the price of a 25 pack from other companies for a 50 pack from memorex, I am very very pleased. If you're looking to play around with dvd burning, and I guarantee you you will make a few mistakes and have to throw away a few discs before you get it right, this is the best deal you'll find anywhere.'


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