Droid Car Mount

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This is the best car mount available for the Droid. It securely holds the phone in place and it's incredibly fast and easy to dock and undock -- you don't have to make any cumbersome adjustments or worry about accidentally pressing a button (sliding-arm one-size-fits-all mounts can trigger the camera button.) It can mount on the dash or windshield, rotates to support both horizontal and vertical orientations, and it has a magnet to trigger "car mode". It even allows access to the slide-out keyboard. The cheaper generic mounts just don't compare.



Why 4 stars? Well, If I had to say one bad thing about the mount, it's that you still have to plug the phone in to a USB car charger. It would be nice if you could plug in the dock instead, but it's a minor issue. The port on the phone is still easy to access.



Well worth the $30. Motorola DROID 1st Generation Vehicle Dock with Rapid Car Charger (Retail Packaging)

When attached to the windshield I experienced some vibration at highway speeds that made the screen very difficult to read. However, I attached it to the dash (using the included suction/sticky pad) and have not had any issues with vibration since. The phone is very easy to get in and out of the cradle, but is held firmly in place while locked in.



The magnetic sensor in the phone automatically detects that the phone is in the car dock and brings up the GPS navigation without having to touch a single button. The cradle still allows for use of the 3.5mm headphone jack as well as the charging slot, making it great for use as a "satellite" radio (Streaming Pandora or Slacker) and GPS unit all in one.



The unit can be adjusted to be used from pretty much any angle or mounting point. The twist clamps used to lock in the angles are very secure and do not move about once tightened.



Very good buy, do not hesitate.

Info on Car-Mode:



This mount simply has a small magnet mounted in the base-plate where it trips a relay in the back of your Droid phone. You can buy an equivalent magnet for pocket change at places like Micheal's or Hobby Lobby.



To check it to yourself, do this: get a fridge magnet, put it on the back of your Droid, and push it just to one side the center, staying on the L-R center-line on the back of the phone while you have it in Landscape mode. The phone pops into "Car" mode when the magnet is facing the proper way way, otherwise it will pop into Media Mode. Flip the magnet over, and it will go from Car into "Media Dock" mode and vice versa. Warning: Do not use a super strong magnet as it may damage the phone; you only need one that "just enough" to work through whatever protective cover you use.



Basic Info:



Most of the reviews here cover the basic functionality of the mount, and I have little to disagree with them. It fits the phone, and holds it in a good visible place. However mounting on the windshield glass means you get vibrations even in a Lexus. This is due to the design and plastic construction of the mount, so rating of 4 to start.



Issues:



The power supply still must be plugged in externally from a separate cord, instead of integrated like a true docking mount. Similar problems exist for sound cables, although I have a BlueTooth kit in my car for Music and Phone. Its enough to drop the rating from a 4 to a 3.



The biggest issue for me is: If you have a protective cover you will have problems with this mount. I own the "Body Glove Snap-On Cover for Motorola DROID A855", and have removed the belt mount tab to make it much slimmer. If you have that or similar covers, you will not be able to use this mount unless you remove the cover every time. For me, this makes this mount a non-starter. Spending a couple minutes prying the Bodyglove off and then snapping it back on every time I enter or leave the car is simply too much inconvenience. That drops it from a 3 to a 2 rating.



Summary: If you do not use a protective cover on your Droid, and can live with the power cable hanging on your car dash, have an integrated blue-tooth system for your car audio system, and take the care to mount this on the dash instead of the windshield, then this is a decent mount for you. If not, then see below for my alternative.



If you want a protection-friendly car-mode mount for your Droid you can make one yourself:



1) Buy a generic (non-Droid specific) mount into which your droid will fit in its normal configuration. WARNING: Be careful about where the bottom and top of the mount touch the phone in "landscape mode" - most inexpensive adjustable mounts will mash the volume controls on top, and on the bottom they will block the micro-USB power supply port. On the sides, they will cover the power switch or block the audio jack.



2) Get a thin small magnet at a hobby store, make sure it triggers the mount mode through your case.



3) Orient it properly (flip it and position it) to trigger Car Mode. Then super-glue it to the proper place on the mount where it will hit the right place on the back of your Droid when your phone is mounted.



There you have it: a "Droid Car Mode" mount that fits the phone without having to take off your Bodyglove.



EDIT: 3/13 Update - A friend got a Seidio case with holster, and the Seidio car mount. I tried out the mount, and its great -- good enough that I went ahead and bought all 3 from Seidio. Nice thing is the holster and cr mount all fit fine with the case on. (If you want more info, see my and other people's review on Seidio gear).

This item was listed under accessories for a Droid X. I awaited with anticipation for the arrival of this produce. Upon arrival of this product I tried to set it up with my Droid X and was extremely disappointed to find that it would not fit the Droid X. Returning the item is not cost effective. Beware of the accessories listed in Amazon for this item. I did purchase another Mount for the Droid X at Verizon and it worked great. These are the first items that I have purchased from Amazon that I have gotten burnt on.'

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Stacks And Stacks

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Beautiful well made suitcase but a little smaller than i expected. It's ideal for ages 3-7. Comes in beautiful colors-I bought red. My grandaughter loved it and immediately packed her clothes to go on a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's apartment. Kids Upright Suitcase-Going to Grandma's-Red (Red) (15.5"H x 11.75"W x 6.5"D)'

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Notebook Power Adapters - converter, travel

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AUUUUGH!!!



After hours of rattling through website after website, learning the difference between a converter and an adapter, having a crash course in watts and volts and hertz and computers and hair dryers and coming to the brink of insanity because, it seems, there isn't a website in existence that gives enough information about these accessories to learn what a 4-second encounter with the actual item in its package in a brick and mortar store would tell you (for instance: CAN I STICK MY COMPUTER PLUG INTO THE DAMN THING?!), I found this beauty. Here. And all my questions appeared to have been answered. So I, being the trusting soul that I am, purchased it.



Well, I didn't know what I didn't know until the product arrived.

Now I know what I didn't know.

I am livid.



THIS PRODUCT WILL NOT WORK WITH YOUR PLUGS THAT HAVE 3 PRONGS!

NOT EVEN IF YOU PRAY REALLY HARD!

NOT EVEN IF YOU SACRIFICE A GOAT.

NOT EVEN IF YOU TRY IT ON A BOAT.

IT WILL NOT WORK WITH THEM ON A TRAIN

IT WILL NOT WORK WITH THEM ON A PLANE

IT WILL NOT WORK WITH 3-PRONGED PLUGS

IT WILL NOT VACUUM ANY RUGS.



Back it goes, to the place where junky products (that more information would have saved me the trouble of purchasing) go.

With PC Mover and that other adapter I bought from Dell (the one that was also, obviously, manufactured in a world where all the plugs have 2 prongs).



Did I mention AUUUUUGH!!!!!



So.

On the off chance that this review will not get buried under the pile of reviews written by people with, apparently, no 3-pronged devices, I submit it to Amazon with a prayer for all of those people who are lucky enough to own portable computers or other electronics that come with 3-pronged plugs AND who are fortunate enough to be embarking on some sort of international travel:



BUY THE BELKIN UNIVERSAL JOBBIE...THE WHITE ONE.

(it's probably above this review in the place where other recommended products live. The Belkin comes from a world where 3-pronged devices exist and are plentiful, roaming the land with their electronic devices in tow, happily converting electricity from 120 to 240 and back again as they enrich their owner's lives with electronic goodness.)



Thanks for reading.

I don't know about you, but I feel better now. Kensington 33117 International All-in-One Travel Plug Adapter

If you travel overseas you will definitively love this adapter. Unlike other travel adapters that have several pieces that you need to carry around, this has all the plug connectors integrated into one compact self contained cylindrical unit in which you select the type of plug used in the country you are visiting. Absolutely the most practical unit I have used. It is also safe to use since it has a built-in fuse.



This may seems obvious but you need to know that this device does not convert the voltage so don't plug your electronic devices unless its power units states that the Input voltage ranges from 110 to 240 VAC @ 50-60 Hz (probably the most common around Europe, Asia and America).



Absolutely a most have if you travel with your laptop, digital camera, cell phone and other suitable devices.

used 2 of these while we were on vacation in egypt for 3 weeks. Never had a problem and they were flawless. To the gent that noted they fell out of the socket on him and they were to big...I can only say if you don't push them all the way in they and any other device you use will fall out...and there big because they can be used in th EU, Japan, Africa, US, ect... if you wish to spend the money on an all inclusive solution and travel to various parts of the world...then this is a good choice rather than having a hodge podge of adaptors lying about.

I bought this item for my trip to China. It did not work. Luckily the hotels that we stayed in had an adapter we could use. I called Kensington about my adapter, and they said I could return it and would refund my money since they have a 90 day return policy. I bought the adapter in September and sent it certified mail within their time frame. This is currently January and have not heard from them. My advise to those thinking of using it for China. Don't waste your money on this item.

Read the fine print on this -- this product does not convert or reduce electrical voltage -- essentially what this does is provide a physical way for (insert your country's) plug to fit into (insert destination country's) plug. So if the country you are visiting runs on, say, 220, make sure that the device you want to plug into it can handle the 220 volts so that it doesn't blow up -- and that information will (typically) be handily located on the device itself (i.e., look at the small print on your phone charger, and see if it says 100-240V 50-60Hz)

I've used this adaptor to run my laptop in China, France, Italy, England, and Ireland. Although it's made of plastic and feels a little fragile, it's really quite hardy and it's worked like a charm in every location. I've purchased several as gifts and always been treated as a hero afterwards.



One popular (and funny) one-star review on here claims that the adaptor doesn't work with grounded plugs. That's 100% wrong. It works with them in a hotel, it works with them in a motel. It worked with them in France, and when I used it to iron my pants. (Well to plug in my iron, anyway.) I've never used it on a boat, but it helped my computer write a note.



Okay so I'm not as funny as he is. But this thing really works. - Travel - Power Plug Adapter - Converter - Adapter'

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Digital Audio Recorder - zoom h4n, mp3 recorder

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Just like the customer above me, I have a fairly early model (serial 2211). I don't imagine them having any revisions or anything, because this unit is really solid. Let me start by saying that this device should not be considered a Mic in its own right. Sure, it has two condenser microphones stuck on top to record in stereo, but I wouldn't use these mics in any studio unless I had nothing better. This unit is for those people who want to record in the field, and be able to capture 4 tracks of audio in a handheld device.



First, the build quality. Obviously Zoom took a lot of criticism to heart from their first H2 and H4 models. The H4n sports a "rubberized" hardshell design that's easy to grip, and seems to stand up well to surface scratches. (Mind you, the rubber texture can attract greasy fingerprints which can get annoying if you're a gadget freak like me). The top of the unit where the mics are is metal. There is some plastic on the unit, but definitely better designed than the previous two recorders from zoom. The buttons are easy to press, and the screen is large, allowing you to see everything you need to very easily.



The poster above me wondered why there was no metal cage protecting the microphones (like the previous H4 had). The answer to this is the switchable pattern on the microphones. Each mic can be twisted and swiveled to change the directionality that the mic pics up. In its native position the mics pic up at a 90 degree angle, giving a pretty good stereo image. But when you twist them, the mics are then a 120 degree angle. This is good for picking up sources that are farther away, or even ambient sounds for a wider stereo image. If there was a metal cage over the mics, you couldn't reach your fingers in to twist them. Overall, I would rather have a switchable pickup pattern, than a protective cage. Just don't drop a $350 recorder.



Second, the packaging. Inside the box, the unit came with a hardshell plastic carrying case, usb cable, foam windscreen, ac adapter, mic stand adapter, manuals and cubase le software, and a 1gb memory card. This is leaps and bounds above the competition. Most other recorders won't come with any of this. Other companies will even make you buy your own ac adapter and memory card. And Zoom went even further and added a plastic carrying case (for those of you worried about dropping it). They were definitely thinking about the customers on this one.



Third, and most importantly, the sound quality. This is why you buy the unit right? The sound quality has to be good or nothing else matters. Overall I was surprisingly impressed with the sound quality. I am an audio engineering student, going to school for sound reproduction, and sound reinforcement. Needless to say, I know my way around a microphone. I was expecting this unit to sound average, just like a pocket (or handheld) recorder usually sounds. But in fact, the H4n sounds pretty decent. The high end is nice and defined, the microphones built into the unit sound really clear. The one thing I can say about the sound is that it is accurate. I have recorded a few tests using my voice, a guitar, and some other misc. elements. I did notice that the microphones gave off a little bit of condenser hiss when the input gain was turned up. This could probably be solved or lessened if you were to get closer to the object and turn down the recording level. But still, it worries me to have a little bit of noise floor coming from the mics, especially if I were to use the recordings for post production video work.



The other thing I noticed was a lack of bass response. This could have been because I was a foot or two away from the microphones, but the bass on the microphones was a little lacking. My voice sounded a little thin. My guitar sounded fine, but guitars don't really have a lot of low end in the first place. Also watch out for handling noise. If you think that you're going to carry the unit around and do interviews while holding it, forget it. All handheld recorders suffer from this (I've read), but its true for this unit as well. Anytime you hold the H4n and move it around, you can hear low end rumbling and handling noise. Just use a tripod, or the included hand/mic clip adapter and you should be fine. (Also get a better windscreen if you're going to use it outside, the one included doesn't do anything outdoors for wind noise. You should buy a fuzzy or "hairy" windscreen if you want to use it outside)



Overall I think this recorder is the best on the market right now. Although there are a few units that have better sounding built in microphones (sony), it's only marginally better. Plus the H4 is cheaper (by about $150) and has more build in features/functionality. Like the fact that the H4n can record with two built in mics, and two XLR mics simultaneously (4 tracks at once). This means that you can record with the built in mics, but also use your own microphones if you want to add variety, redundancy, etc. You can also just use the unit for a preamp if you only want to use your own microphones to record in the field. I won't name off all of the features, but some included features weren't even necessary and Zoom was nice enough to add them in anyway (guitar tuner, audio interface, stamina mode, MTR mode, 96k recording, etc).



Needless to say, if you need a recorder for any reason, even if it's just for a school project, or for recreation, don't buy the cheapest recorder you can find. Spend a little extra money and get the H4n, it's seriously worth the extra cash for something that will last you much longer. It's simply the best value for a handheld recorder on the market right now. Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder - Zoom H4n - Digital Recorder - Mp3 Recorder - Digital Voice Recorder'

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Cataclysm - lich king, world of warcraft

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Let me first say that I agree with Carlee, having reviewed the description for this item if you were not already aware of how the ZBoard works, this is misleading. This product is merely a "keyset" for the ZBoard. The ZBoard base has all the wires and connectors to your computer, and your keysets can be lifted out and changed on a game-by-game basis (or the regular keyset layout included with the base.) They make quite a few variations of the keysets for different games.



That being said, and having been a ZBoard user for some time, I greatly enjoy the layout and functionality of this keyset. I have often found myself at a loss when returning to regular keyboards at friends houses since I am so used to the (vastly improved) layout offered on my ZBoard. SteelSeries Limited-Edition Zboard Keyset Wrath of the Lich King

This is only a keyset and not the actual Zboard. I did end up purchasing the Zboard after reading reviews that this was only the keyset. When I purchased this item, I had thought that it was not only the keyset, but the Zboard as well. A misunderstanding when I read the description. I do enjoy the keyset now that I have the Zboard. It took a little bit to get use too, but it is a good item. Those that read this review must remember that it is ONLY the keyset, so you still would have to purchase the Zboard.

This product requires a Zboard for use. The product on Amazon.com states this nowhere. While it does show that buyers frequently buy a Zboard, if you are unfamiliar with Zboards you most likely would not realize this. I ordered this product at the beginning of December as a Christmas present, and it didn't arrive until two weeks after its original estimated delivery date, which was long after Christmas. I was ok with the delay until I opened the package to find it wasn't what I thought it was. I have no idea how good the product is, because I can't use it. Maybe I should have just bought it directly from WOW. This was a disapointing performance on Amazon's part.

I bought this for my Husband for Christmas and he was so happy. With all the multiple functions it has, it has kept him very busy and the keyboard is very functioning for the writing he does alot too. A perfect gift for a gamer!

When i first purchased the item some of functions did not work... look wise it was nice to have for the theme but otherwise i could have just used a G19 keyboard for the custom keys instead of the z-board.

The key board is a great thing to have but I did not realize when I ordered it I needed the other part to hook it to but after I got that part it hooked right to it and works fine. As far as quickness of shipping it came right away very impressed. Thanks for the excellant customer service - World Of Warcraft - Fun - Lich King - Blizzard'

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Cure For Damaged Hair

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Wow this product really works. I highlighted my hair and it burned my hair. My hair was frizzy, extremely dry and rough. I used this product today and it left my hair silky, manageable, shiny and just beautiful. I also bought the oil and I'm glad I did. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, 16.9-Ounce Jar

I have extremely dry (due to thyroid condition), frizz-prone, super-curly hair. I use intensive conditioners, always. My local beauty shop owner recommended this a few months ago, and I was put off by the price. A couple weeks ago, though, I smelled it, was enraptured by the scent (think of a seductive harem or sacred anointing oil, cause it has that frankincensey-myrrhy sort of smell that reminds me of both, funnily enough). I bought it. I tried it. I'm sold! It's not just hype. This mask really hydrates my superdry hair and leaves it silky, manageable, supersoft, and easier to style.



And, oh, the scent. I'm gonna get the shampoo and regular conditioner. Today I bought the oil, but I haven't used it yet.



Good stuff, and this seller has a good price. Less than the 50 bucks at my local area beauty stores for this very large jar (2 cups + worth of mask creme.)



Mir'

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Lake Raft - inflatable boat, inflatable boats

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Used twice on the beach for fishing. Is really meant to hold 2 adults with barely enuff space to hold yr gear. Hasn't leaked yet, is light and easy to transport, is hard to manoeuvere in the water though; tends to spin around in circles. Make sure to get the oars and pump also; easier to inflate and deflate. use only in calm waters. Sevylor Caravelle 3-Person Inflatable Boat

I don't believe that I am qualified to review this product in the abstract - I have experience with only one other such product, a Sevylor Caravelle 2-person boat that I bought about ten or 15 years ago. Really, really loved that thing, but it finally started developing some leaks (it went a decade or more without so much as a single one, and it got dragged around a good bit), and I decided to replace it with something a bit larger. To be fair to the manufacturer, the holes that it developed may have been the result of our addition to our family of a little dog (who, I just realized, has surprising sharp toenails), rather than any deterioration in the materials, but I just don't know.



Anyway, the new one ... it is larger than the 2-person that I had previously (a slightly different model), but not quite as much as I'd hoped. It is still a bit cramped with the three of us, and the dog, but that is what I said about the 2-person, too. Mrsmousepotato, on the other hand, thinks it is a lot larger.



The materials may be slightly lighter, but I am not sure about that. They still seem adequately durable, and held up just fine for the four or five days we have used it thus far. Per my scale it weighs just about nine pounds without the rope, the oars, or anything else, which is only a few pounds heavier than the old 2-person Caravelle. It is still light enough that I was able to put it on top of my backpack and drag it up a very, very steep 1,000-foot ascent (in one mile) to an alpine lake.



The construction is just as good. Not a leak anywhere. Held air just fine. Aesthetically pleasing work. Nice, even seams, well cut pieces, etc.



This one has an inner chamber that circles the entire inside. The old one had only two long chambers on each side. I guess that is an advantage if the outer chamber loses air as it seems like just the inner chamber alone would suffice to keep one afloat and dry; however, I also think that it reduces the interior volume of the vessel a bit.



The valves are both better and worse. The old one had valves just like what you'd find on a cheap beach ball, but they worked just fine for me (I had to put a small stick inside to hold that flap thingie open when deflating), and were better in that one could depress them after inflation so that the tops were below the surface to which they were mounted. The new ones are heavier duty and operate on a different principal, which has advantages and disadvantages, none of which are particularly significant, except that they stick up somewhat and are prone to being dislodged and opened when shifting weight, items, and feet while the boat is in use. Not a big deal (if you're paying attention), but overall, I really think that the cheap old beach ball valves were better.



This one comes with a built-in pressure gauge that looks cool, but is kinda inscrutable in operation. I still am not entirely sure if it was telling me to add pressure or release pressure, or really just how accurate it is. Better than nothing, I guess.



This one is not quite as easy to row on account of the placement of the oarlocks. Again, I am not qualified to say whether or not the oarlocks are located in exactly the 'correct' position (I have to defer to the experts at and expertise of Sevylor in that), but I can say that the old one was slightly easier to row (easier to get the paddles up out of the water), I believe on account of the oarlocks being placed slightly higher on the gunwales.



And, finally, this one is not quite as 'stiff' as the old one. I used to inflate the old one such that it was almost as rigid as if it were made of wood. Seriously. I could just about stand on the bow of it without the fabric being depressed at all. Keep in mind that I really did not have a clue about what I was doing, and I may well have been overinflating it to absolutely eye-poppingly dangerous pressures, but I can say that it did, in fact, hold up well for a decade or more. The new one is not like this; it is quite a bit more flexible and spongy, but I filled it by using, not my old method of blowing and blowing as hard as I could until my cheeks hurt and spots appeared in front of my eyes and I passed out cold, but by reference to the built-in gauge, which may well indicate that a proper inflation pressure is substantially less that what I had thought theretofore. Without the gauge, I most certainly would have added more pressure (and more, and more) and, thus, greater stiffness and stability, perhaps at the danger of overinflating it, but that was never, as I said, a problem with the old Caravelle.



Reading this, one might get the impression that I don't like or recommend this boat, but I think it deserves five stars because it is a quality product, and it is what it is; and the only negatives I can think of to say about it is that I, personally, liked my old boat better. (Wah.) Mrsmousepotato, on the other hand, likes this one better because of the larger size, and she feels its a bit safer due to the larger inner chamber. My 11-year-old daughter, whose opinion doesn't count, thinks it is easier to row.

We refer to our inflatable boats as our "yachts" on our HUGE family vacation. All the little ones (and big ones) had so much floating around and paddling in the ocean. They are easy to transport and to inflate and are sturdy so last from year to year. Really a lot of fun on the beach.

Bought to use to get to a motor boat kept on a mooring in Lake Superior. It works very well for that purpose and for rides with the grandkids. Choppy waters on the big lake can make it a challenge to steer, - Sevylor - Inflatable Boat - Fishing - Inflatable Boats'

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