Guy Low Price Electronic

Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Mac Compatible Telephone Voice Recorder

First, Amazon ROCKS! Their service and delivery is outstanding.

I use this digital voice recorder primarily to record meetings. It is amazing how well the recorder picks up voices from around the room. There is an option to "cut noise" which reduces background noise and provides further clarity. There is a playback option that allows you to slow down or speed up your recordings. This is very beneficial when typing meeting minutes. You can use either the device itself or your PC to playback recordings. You can transfer the recordings to your PC, which allows the option to share with others. The device allows you to create folders so that you can organize your recordings. I have imported recording from CDs onto the device. This has proven to be a good tool as now I can listen to teaching lessons on the go. I have not recorded or imported any music as of yet. The device is Windows 7 capable. It's easy to use and very compact. Sony ICD-UX512 2 GB Flash Memory Digital Voice Recorder (Silver)'

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Gas Fired Nailer - not recommended, gas fired nailer

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This nailer works great. If the tool fails to fire or jams frequently (if you read other reviews you'll read about complaints of this happening, where they drepress the nose several times and then it works for a while, etc): CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE FUEL CELL.

An expired fuel cell will make the tool malfunction randomly (drive 3-5 nails, not work, drive 3 more then not work or jam, etc). Creating huge amounts of frustration.

I have a set of Impulse nailers (framing and trim) and both worked flawlessly when I first bought them. I use them for home projects, that is, it can be a year or more before I use it on another project. Last year I started a new project and the framing nailer started not firing after driving 3-5 nails. I cleaned, oiled and cleaned again with temporary results after a few nails. The "usual procedure" is to depress the nose 10 times on the trim and at some point it starts firing again. Needless to say frustrating enough to make you want to buy a corded tool.

Four days ago I started working on trim, and the finish nailer started behaving the same way. Finally mad as heck I contacted paslode, and they told me to check the expiration date on the fuel cells. Sure enough, both of them were over 18 months expired. I replaced the fuel cells with a new one from the store, and wham, works without hessitation. I offloaded about 100 nails with each nailer and not a single misfire.

[this is now a year from my original post - and both nails run like champs. Never again have they failed to misfire]

I would have rated this as a 5 star, if the manual would have suggested to check the expiration date of the fuel cells. Alas, it is possible that mine didn't say this because I bought mine over two years ago, and they had recently introduced the nailers. Paslode Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer no. 900600

I use alot of tools,have read alot of reviews but have never been inspired to write one,Until Now!Leave the compressor and hose at home,Forever..This cordless finish gun is the only one you need,it has every bit the power as a pnuematic.The features are great,depth of drive that lets you know where its at and which way you need to go.Nail lockout that every nailgun should have, atleast high end,Period.Quick clear jam lever.At 4.9 pounds it may not be the lightest finish gun,but with no tail attached you can manuever it like its floating on air.The angled magazine appears to be 20 degrees, which hasnt been a problem getting into corners or tight spots,but use's special 16 ga. nails,not the 15ga. senco type nail most of us already have,but it does hold as many nails and is still more compact.The nails are priced competitively,The fuel cells on the other hand are half the size as the other paslode guns but cost the Same? The cost must be in manufacturing the cylinder not the fuel,The advantages far outweigh the negatives and this tool is here to stay so the fuel cells should become cheaper and the nails should always be around..I've shot well over 500 2-1/2 inch nails I'm still on the same battery and fuel cell.The night I got it I set it up shot 10 nails WOW! Put the battery in the charger took the fuel cell out put it all away.The next day set it up Nothing,Nothing,,I thought fully charged battery,new fuel cell whats the problem,still nothing.I was ready to tear it apart or take it back untill I pulled the fuel cell out manually expelled some fuel put it back in Bam,Bam.Apparently something clogged the tube,since then I've left the cell in and just take the battery out before I put it away FLAWLESS! Most mornings it fires first pump,a couple of times its taken 2 pumps one exceptionally cold morning I noticed a slight loss in power,a quick adjustment no problem.All in all this is one great tool,it was designed for the professional to be the best finish gun you can buy air or cordless.Get one you'll love it...

We own several different Paslode nail guns, including the framing nailer and the straight finish nailer. We began using the Paslode products about 4 years ago. I will say that the new guns we have purchased in the last few months are significantly better than the quality of the guns purchased just a year ago. Don't get me wrong, we weren't disappointed with our purchase a year ago, it's just that these "newest generation" guns fire smoother, have more power and have been more consistent.I have heard others complain about the cost of gas cartridges and replacement batteries and that the guns have to be reloaded fairly often. I will say that all of these are very minor inconveniences when compared to the overall benefits of these tools.We now own about 10 of these various Paslode guns for our crews and they are truly a great tool. While they are quite a bit more expensive than the air tools, the freedom of use that this style of gun offers and how it will make your work more effecient makes this a purchase well worth the money. Also, Amazon's price is EXTREMELY competative and not paying sales tax on the purchase saves us in Michigan another ... . You will not be disappointed with this purchase.

I have owned the Paslode Angled finish Nailer for about 3 months now and have fed through perhaps 1500 nails (mostly 2" and some 2 ½ & 1 ½"). I have never experienced a misfire! For the amount of work I do (definitely not a contractor) this tool is more than up to the challenge. The weight is less than 5 lbs, fits into most any spot and best of all there is no hose to follow you up a ladder. No doubt it is pricey, plus the nails and fuel cell costs would add up in a production environment. That said; I strongly believe that the convenience and freedom that this tool affords make up for these costs in most situations.

Prior to purchasing the nailer I spoke with Paslode about the reports of frequent misfires associated with this tool. They stated that the tool when originally released had its issues (mainly with 1 ¼" nails) but that they have been corrected. He went on stating the various modifications that had been rolled in to the latest version of the nailer and that the new nailers with a serial number starting with "03" were produced with all of these modifications. Judging from the performance I have experienced from my nailer I believe Paslode.

For me this tool has lived up to it's expectations and has allowed me to embark on projects I otherwise would have contracted out for or just not of completed. If you are a homeowner who does a lot of DIY or if you are a contractor who takes on finish carpentry work I am sure you will find this tool both useful and reliable... Since nothing else truly compares in terms of functionality I have to give this tool Five Stars...

****Update**** Just used this nailer the other day to fix some door molding. The unit worked perfectly as it has for nearly 7 years. - Nailer - Not Recommended - Paslode - Gas Fired Nailer'

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Blackberry 8300 Pocket Case

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I purchased this case as a replacement for the case my dog chewed up. While I have no doubt that this is an OEM product (my wife recently purchased a BlackBerry Curve that shipped with the exact same case), I have to say that it is of a lower quality than the case that came with the BlackBerry I purchased more than a year ago. The vinyl is thinner, it puckers along the seams (especially on the bottom), and, instead of having a nice rubbery coating, the edges are rough. This case will do the job (and the price was right) but I won't miss it when I finally replace my phone. RIM BLackberry OEM Vinyl Pocket Case, Black for Blackberry 8300 Curves HDW-14090-001

This is not like the original BlackBerry product. It does not include the magnet, which locks the phone when you insert it in the case. As a result, I have to manually lock the phone when I put it in the case, to avoid inadvertant key presses.

This case is perfect for carrying my blackberry in my pocket when I am at work. It definitely protects the screen from getting scratched. I don't know how many times I have sat on it or dropped it and the phone is perfectly protected. I would recommend this to anyone if you want your phone in your pocket or purse.

Carry Case, Blackberry Vinyl Pocket Case / B001B38LUG

My Blackberry came with this case, and I was distraught when I lost it. This pocket case on Amazon is a perfect replacement, identical in every way to the one that came with my Blackberry.

The case is snug and the Blackberry is never in danger of falling out. The screen is protected inside, from scratches and cuts, and the design makes it simple to grasp the Blackberry to pull it in and out of the case when needed. There is no clip on the back, so this won't hook to a belt or the outside of a purse, but this case will definitely keep your Blackberry safe inside your purse or pocket.

~ Ana Mardoll'

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Cordless Electric Lawn Mower - electric mower, cordless lawn mower

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I got tired of messing with gasoline, oil, and the mixing, pouring, and spilling of the two, so I gave all my lawn equipment away and hired a gardener - 2 years later realize what a mistake - all gardener does is mow grass every 2 weeks and charge $$$$ for everything else. So I decided to to take back my yard and went online to research electric mowers and decrease my carbon footprint.

I was all ready to purchase a corded model when I came across the Earthwise 20" 24 volt cordless rechargeable. I must admit that I was very apprehensive about cordless, I've owned many gutless cordless power tools. During my research of the Earthwise I ran across a video that showed the lawnmower in action - I was sold. I purchased immediately and have been extremely pleased.

This mower has all the power that I could ever need to take care of my yard (approx. 1/4 acre of grass, with some on a slope). The battery came fully charged and I had the mower out of the box, fully assembled (very easy), and out mowing withing 20 minutes. Used the grass catcher just to see how it worked (did a great job), then took it off and have mulched ever since (this machine turns your grass into the minutest particles).

It is very well constructed (the deck is metal - this is good), the height adjustment could not be easier (one lever adjusts all wheels - again, very good), it pushes very easily (thanks to the ball-bearing wheels), and the handle folds to make for very compact storage.

My yard and I am happy again! Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

This review is based on the same but differently branded Homelite UT13122 Cordless Mower (sold at Home Depot). My other mowers are an MTD electric and a Brill reel mower. I never own a gasoline-powered mower for the obvious reasons.

OPERATION:

- Push and turn around when necessary. Any problem is behind the mower.

PROS:

- Strong and powerful motor (it cut down 12"+ moist-grass! Haha, it's May 17 and I just did my first mowing of the season here in Virginia)

- Plenty of juice in one charge,

- 1-click removable battery makes it easy to charge the battery off-board/indoor with the included adapter cable and charger -- the same charger works for on-board and off-board charging,

- LED display for battery level is on deck at the rear, very easy to see while pushing the mower,

- Easy on and off; the safety key is secured to the control unit with a lanyard (no need to kneel down and get to the key like the Neuton),

- Dust/water cap for charging plug is included and secured with a lanyard,

- Wide cutting path,

- One-lever height adjustment,

- Maximum cut height is taller than most (haha, I like my lawn taller),

- Complete with bag, side discharger and mulch plug

CONS:

- Battery maintenance is not that simple. Per the manual, the charger is NOT a smart, trickle charger and MUST NOT CHARGE MORE THAN A MAXIMUM OF 24-HR. Yet, the manual and the yellow warning tag also warn that you MUST CHARGE THE BATTERY EVERY 30-DAYS during the off-seasons. Who's going to remember to do this religiously? The 1-click removable battery makes it possible to do charge it indoor, however, the owner must still remember to plug and unplug the the charger to heed the recommendation of no-more than 24-hour and at least once every 30 days. I have a programmable wall timer to take care of this (UPDATE: I am using a third party smart charger instead), but it would be so much nicer if the charger was a smart, trickle charger that can manage on its own. A smart charger circuitry is so easy to manufacture and it would add only a few dollars to the final price (and it would pay off in the long run given not too many owners would heed the warning, and many would end up with dead batteries, giving the product a bad rep).

- The handle is not foldable for quick storage. It's removable with the knob screws, but a foldable handle would make it much easier.

MAINTENANCE TIP:

- Get a programmable timer to help the dumb charger maintain the battery better (see cons above) -- UPDATE: I am using a 24v smart charger)

- Spray the blade and the bottom of the deck (well, all over) with Jigaloo or other similar spray lubricant. It will make it slicker and less grass will stick, keeping it cleaner and easier to blow after every use.

- UPDATE #2: store the battery at a cool place to minimize discharge, and don't let it discharge fully too often and don't leave it discharged too long. Sealed lead acid batteries are happier when they're fully charged (but they're not happy if they're overcharged with bad chargers either).

UPDATE: I opened the battery pack (8 screws) and saw two green, sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries with this printed on them:

6-DZM-20 (12V20AH)

3-Step Charge Method

Step 1: Constant Current Charge: 2.4 - 3.0A

Step 2: Constant Voltage Charge: 14.7 - 14.9V

Step 3: Floating - Constant Floating Voltage is 13.7 - 13.9V. Converting current: 550-600mA.

Note: if you are looking for an aftermarket smart charger, make sure you look for a 24v charger, because the batteries are placed in series (so double the voltage). The charging current can be lower than the spec above; it'll just take a longer to charge. I found mine from batteryspec dot com.

UPDATE #2: I'm still doing some work on perfecting the charger setup. As it is right now, I'm charging the battery pack off-board because it's more convenient and the battery stays cooler in the basement. I'm thinking of either upgrading the charger to either a: 1) 24v Soneil Charger (a reliable deep-cycle charger used for scooters/wheel chair, much more expensive though!), or 2) install a DPDT switch so that, at the flick of a switch, the battery assembly goes from series (24v) to parallel (12v), allowing me to use much cheaper 12v smart chargers (like the touted Battery Minder or Battery Tender Plus, available here at Amazon). With the DPDT switch, I'll set the pack to 12v for charging, and 24v for operation. It will only need a length of wire and a DPDT switch from Radio Shack ($3.99 plus tax, catalog #275-691).

It sounds like a lot of work, but it's a hobby to me and from the negative reviews, the battery (but actually the charger) is the achiles heel of this otherwise excellent mower. I'll post an update. - Electric Lawn Mower - Cordless Lawn Mower - Electric Mower - Cordless Mower'

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Flies - lures, rapala

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I like this lure for fishing from a boat or use near the shore - to mimic a small bass swimming arround structure - like a rock. I almost got a huge fish last fall. Hopefully I will catch it this summer or spring.

Shipping and handling were good - no complaints. Rapala Rattlin 05 Fishing Lures (Baby Bass, Size- 2)

I am relatively new to using this type of lure. I recently moved to a different area, and am trying to change my fishing style to match the new techniques required.

This lure is great for med retreive rates, at least when Im using it. Too fast and it seems to get too wobbly and fish stop biting. Too slow and it doesnt seem to attract them as well. I have managed to catch some nice bass, a few big ones, and also caught many croppy and other small fish.

Lure sinks quickly, but rises fast when reeled in. Bass in my area seem to love it. Problem for me is that I usually fish from shore so I have issues with it getting tangled in the weeds. I avoid this by using this lure in the areas I know, and reel it to the surface over the areas with large weed beds, letting it sink on either side of it.

This is a great lure, relatively heavy for its size allowing for some good casting distance. Performs well, they go after this lure, and once they bite, none have gotten off.

Great lure to add to your box. - Lures - Rapala'

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Barney Dvd

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This is such a wonderful Halloween DVD...my 16 month old really enjoyed seeing Barney, B J, Baby Bop, and the kids dressed in costumes, playing Halloween games, and even trick or treating. The songs are fun and the kids even show you how to make some Halloween decorations. There is one scene with Farmer Duley that even adults can enjoy, the songs he sings are terrific. This DVD teaches trick or treating safety rules as well as sharing and fun. Barney - Barney's Halloween Party [VHS]

This was the first Barney video I bought for my son when he was 18 months old and it has been the one we've enjoyed the most. It really brings out the fun in halloween for my children and they love to watch this video. I highly recommend this video.

We found this video an excellent way to get excited and in the mood for fall and the Halloween festivities. It's very colorful and upbeat! There's is a fun visit to the farm and a Fabulous Party at the school gym!! Most of the Songs are really cute and catchy and the crafts that the kids do in the video to get ready for their party are absolutely darling and easy enough to copy at home!!! Our 11 month old adores this one!!

Even for those parents, who are not Barney fans, this DVD is a good one. The songs are cute & our two year old son manages to be able to sing along with some of them. The decorations that they make (spiders from hand prints, ghosts from foot prints) will give you some ideas of ways to entertain your children around Halloween. The costumes are good - certainly not too scary for small children. Overall, our son gives it two thumbs up and requests this DVD by name (even after Halloween)!

This is one we just picked up recently for our 2 1/2 year old. He likes Barney but he's not his favorite but he just loves Halloween so this was a great tape for him. Barney is joined by Baby Bop and the usual gang of kids as they celebrate Halloween. Barney and the kids take a trip to a farm where they learn all about fall fun such as cider and pumpkins. From there it's off to school to help the teacher decorate for the big Halloween party. Barney in the gang make several cute craft projects including paper spiders and goodie bags and also paint some pumpkins. later that evening they all get in their costumes anf go to the big party at school.

This was a fun and educational tape. Kids learn about autumn, there's fun projects to make and Barney even teaches hids about enjoying Halloween safely. My son loves it already!

My granddaughters are great Barney fans even going so far as to name their fish Baby Bop and BJ, so when I saw this DVD at a library booksale it was a no brainer to dive into the table and grab it!

The fifty minute Barney DVD has plenty of action ala Barney style along with the music kids seem to love to sing and tap along to.

hi i am here to tell a story about mrs cacilio she was over at my house and we wached this so was bella and winter they were so afraid they came runing tword us when mr boyd was dressed as a pirite 4 of us have seen many other ones with mr boyd and they were fine this is one of my faverite barney videos ever'

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Computer Accessories - otterbox, ipad

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After my wife bought me an iPad and I cradled its sleek aluminum and glass body in my hands, I knew that finding a protective case for it was of paramount importance. But rather than jumping into the arduous task of researching the dizzying array of available iPad cases, I already had an idea where to look: OtterBox. My wife and I have both protected our iPhone 3GS's in the company's iPhone Defender cases for over a year and have been very happy with the results. Even after numerous accidental drops, our Defender-clad iPhones look like new underneath their "armor".

And fortunately, a quick check of the OtterBox web site revealed that the company did, in fact, offer a Defender series case for the iPad. Nearly ninety bucks and just over a week later, I am happy to report that OtterBox's Defender case for iPad is everything I had hoped it would be. At $89.95, this case is certainly one of the more expensive iPad case options available, but in my opinion, it is well worth the investment. I do have a minor quibble with the included instructions, but it is far outweighed by the product's overall quality, sheer durability, and style.

Contents:

The iPad Defender product includes a black high-impact polycarbonate shell, a separate black polycarbonate shield, a silicone outer skin, and a self-adhesive protective film. Other items include a microfiber cleaning cloth and a stiff scraper tool for applying the protective film to your iPad screen.

Packaging:

After opening the box, you find your Defender case nestled in a recyclable cardboard tray, along with a packet containing instructions and the other items included with the product. The utilitarian packaging does not quite provide the unboxing experience you'd have with an Apple product, but it suits its purpose well. Fortunately, the packaging is devoid of any unnecessary plastic or other packing material, so it's as environmentally friendly as possible.

Instructions:

Rather than providing written instructions in English and other languages, OtterBox included numbered illustrations printed inside the packet. One set of instructions illustrates how to apply the protective film, while another set illustrates how to remove the silicone skin, open the case, install the iPad, and close the whole thing back up again nice and snug. The packet also includes illustrated instructions for the company's other iPad case (the Commuter series), but they are clearly labeled as such and will hopefully not confuse any Defender purchasers. I really wish OtterBox had also provided written step-by-step Defender installation instructions, instead of relying solely on illustrations. Even well-executed illustrations (which these certainly are) can sometimes be difficult to understand, and I feel that even a sentence or two for each illustration could have provided better clarity. A web URL printed inside the packet gave me hope that more detailed instructions could be found on the OtterBox web site, but unfortunately the instructions for the iPad Defender case were not yet available on that web page at the time of this review. I'm certain that OtterBox will be rectifying this issue soon.

Installation:

By far, the most tedious part of installing this case is applying the self-adhesive protective film to your iPad's screen. The illustrated instructions do a fair job of expressing the necessary steps, but the film application could really be helped by accompanying written steps. As I applied the protective film along with its backing and used the scraper tool to smooth out bubbles, I started to get worried because the tool seemed to snag a few times, causing some small kinks which only got worse as I continued trying to gently scrape them to the edge. Fortunately, once I removed the backing from the protective film, I found that the kinks were not in the film itself, but rather in the disposable backing. Whew! The protective film ended up looking nearly perfect on my iPad screen. Removing the silicone skin, opening the polycarbonate case, inserting the iPad, and closing it all up again proved to be much easier.

Product Use:

First and foremost, the Defender case seems to achieve its primary purpose -- protecting your iPad -- very well. When you're not using the iPad, you should clip the polycarbonate shield over the iPad screen to provide maximum protection. The shield grips the edges of the case snugly, to help ensure that it doesn't inadvertently get knocked off. And when you're actually using your iPad, the shield has a retractable built-in stand which will set your iPad at a nice viewing angle for desktop or tabletop use. Or if you don't need the stand and want to hold the iPad while using it, you can simply clip the shield to the back of the case. Doing so will add a little more heft to an already-hefty iPad and case, so you can also just leave the shield off during handheld use as well. To help protect the various iPad ports, the case features integrated silicone plugs which are easy to open and close as necessary. The case also includes a removable access door to allow you to charge your iPad or mount it in a standard iPad dock. However, I did not test the iPad dock capability for this review.

Style:

Let's face it -- you're not going to buy this case because you're fashion-conscious. You're going to buy it because you (like me) want to provide the very best protection for your iPad, without locking it a vault. That notwithstanding, the OtterBox Defender case for iPad is still an attractive case. The iPad Defender is an imposing-but-stylish black polycarbonate and silicone suit of armor which, like its iPhone 3GS Defender little brother, provides a round protected window on the case's backside to clearly display the Apple logo. When the removable shield is used as a iPad stand, four small black silicone pads provide a secure footing on smooth surfaces. Both the silicone skin and the polycarbonate shield feature subtle checkering at the top and bottom edges to improve grip -- a nice touch.

Summary:

The Defender for iPad is likely the best protective case you can get under a hundred bucks. I already feel more comfortable lugging my iPad around, knowing that it will be able to stand up to just about anything I can throw at it (figuratively speaking, of course). With the Defender series case for iPad, OtterBox seems to have covered the bases quite well, offering a well-rounded combination of protection and stylishness. Otterbox APL2-iPAD1-20-C4OTR iPad Defender Series Case - Case - Ipad - Otterbox - Otter Box'

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