Sunday, 21 August 2011

Printer Cartridge - monochrome, cartridge


Final update: April 23rd. Starter cartridge finally says it's run completely out (though it still seems to print). That's a total of about 200 pages since I first got a message. The 3-times-Go printout shows a total of 730 pages - roughly what the starter cartridge is supposed to have, and I've now installed the hi-capacity cartridge



----- first update

Update. It's now April 11th. I've printed at least another 100 pages and things are still going well. But I've discovered another feature. In addition to the 7-times-Go (described below), there's a 3-times-Go that will print a three page report showing everything you ever wanted to know about your printer, including the amount of toner actually left.



----- original post

Like others I started getting a 'toner-low' message after maybe 450 or so pages. In looking for a way to trick the printer, I read the manual(!). It said to press the Go button seven times in a row to clear the toner-low lockout, and that once that was cleared the cartridge would continue to print until the toner was actually gone.



Worked like a charm. I'll update this when the thing actually runs completely out.



Understanding this, the way they do it makes sense: really early warning that you should order another cartridge - and a lockout that you can't ignore, keeping you from having a really bad day in the future. Brother Black High Yield Toner Cartridge (TN450)

I converted to a Brother monochrome laser printer a few months ago after years of frustration with another brand's all-in-one printer that consumed huge amounts of color ink even though I printed everything in black and white. The toner cartridge that came with the Brother laser unit ran out quickly, as I was warned, and it took a while to figure out how to replace the cartridge the first time around but now it's easy. I've got the printer set for 300 dpi (and for text instead of graphics) to maximize my yield. Like others, I started to get a "low toner" warning around 1500 copies and if it weren't for seeing other Amazon reviews for other Brother cartridges, I might have changed the cartridge shortly after getting the first warning. Having read the other reviews, however, I removed the existing cartridge, shook it a bit to assure the remaining toner was well distributed, ran the "carona wire" back and forth a couple of times and returned the printer to regular use. So far, I've printed over 1200 additional pages since the first warning and everything is still printing fine, with no lines or other problems that come when the toner actually is low. I'm watching to see how much longer the old cartridge will work, but wow, the other reviewers definitely helped by warning of this problem. It's something Brother ought to correct. By the way, I didn't put tape over the holes as others have suggested since I don't want any complications from that, although may do so the next time around. As an additional note, unless Amazon has fixed the problem, ignore some of their drop down menus when selecting the right cartridge for the right Brother unit. They say the TN 450 isn't correct for a Brother HL2270DW when in fact it is.

i like everything about this toner....except that crazy practice brother has of telling the user the toner is empty when it is very far from it. this is a well known issue and used to have easy workarounds such as taping up the sensor, etc. but it now seems brother has ended that party.



good printer...good toner....i just wish they'd let me decide when i was out of toner instead of having to press go buttons 7 times or other ridiculous tricks i need to spend time researching on the net.

The high yield toner cartridge is a real deal for the price. I did lot of comparison shopping before I ordered. The installation was easy and gives good copies. Product was delivered as promised. If I remember, it even arrived a day or two early! Great job...

So far, so good. Received genuine Brother High Yield cartridge in good shape. Fits & works so far.



Replaced intro cartridge that came with Brother HL-2270DW laser printer. Even tho I generally use (default) TONER SAVER mode, the intro cartidge did not seem to last very long. I use this printer at home for B&W, supplimenting a color inkjet. Not an office. Really don't print that much IMHO. (Wish there was a way to track actual pages printed like my HP inkjet does.) Installed printer late December 2010, needed to replace intro cartridge by March 2010! Tried shaking "trick" several times to no avail. Certainly hope this HIGH YIELD lasts alot longer!



Might have given 5 stars for performance so far, but the jury is still out on the final longevity verdict.

Doesn't last as long as promised, even when used in the "toner save" mode. Be sure to select 300 dpi instead of the default 600 dpi, if you are trying to make the ink last longer. My first cartridge lasted about 2 months. - Printer Cartridge - Monochrome - Cartridge - Brother'


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Memory Card Case


This extremely heavy duty case, is made by Jin Jiacheng Technology Company (JJC), located in China. The MC Series Digital Camera Memory Card Case is very solidly built, with an outer case constructed of hard polycarbonate resin. There is a continuous rubberlike seal along the inside edge, that supposedly makes the case water-resistant, after it is secured with a plastic clasp. There is also a provision for attaching a cord, chain, or lanyard.



While the case is solidly constructed on the outside, there are some significant issues on the inside. The case is intended to accommodate four memory cards of various types. Four molded inserts made out of a hard synthetic material, are pressed into the body of the case. Each insert supposedly can accommodate either a compact flash card, SD card, Olympus Xd card, or a Sony memory stick, however there are some problems with the design of these inserts.



The inserts provide a very tight fit for compact flash cards. The fit can be so tight, that forcing a CF card in an out, can scrape material off the edge of the insert. This is obviously not the greatest workmanship. While too tight for CF cards, the insert is too loose to hold SD cards in place. I can't speak to how well Xd and Sony memory sticks fit into the insert. I got this case primarily for CF cards, so it kind of works for me. However for other types of memory cards, it could be a complete disaster! Look at the product photo, you can barely see the tiny nubs that are supposed to hold the SD and Xd cards in place.



Compared to other cases that hold four CF cards, like those by Hakuba, Sony, or Lowepro, the MC Series case is bulkier and heavier. Generally the other brands have inserts that are made of softer material, that are cut more precisely to fit a compact flash card. It's not watertight, but I like Hakuba's case the best (HAKUBA USA INC DMSPCF4 Compact Flash Card Storage Wallet).



The ridges on outside of the MC Series case, could scrape or damage your other gear. Since the case appears to be dustight, and perhaps even watertight, it is probably best suited to those who expect to be in extreme conditions or outdoor environments. With its heavy duty construction, the MC Series case seems share some qualities with this more costly Pelican case (Pelican 0940 Compact Flash Memory Card Protective Case). If you need this level of protection, and intend to store CF cards, you may want to consider the MC Series case. While the seven dollar cost at Amazon is low, the case does seem to have some significant issues that could lead to problems. Professional Rubber sealed & water proof Memory Card Case for 4 PCS Compact Flash (CF) & 4 PCS SD and 4 pcs Olympus Xd cards and 4 pcs Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo'


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Cheap Ipod Charger


The USB cable looks and feels very similar to the apple one, but the chargers have a somewhat cheesy feel. Then again, that's totally to be expected when you buy a whole set for less than half the price of a cable or either charger alone from Apple or one of the name brand companies.



I also should note that the AC adapter is 100-240v compatible, so it can work worldwide. I was wondering about that when I bought it because none of the tech info mentioned it. In fact, the casing itself was designed to be used with the EU style plugs, and that's why it protrudes from the body of the case.



Also, the items I received look like the submitted picture, and not the MFG's picture, for what it's worth... Doesn't matter much because in any case the items aren't very aesthetically pleasing anyways.



Bottom line, from reading the other reviews it looks like they have QC issues, but I wound up with a perfectly functional set at a great price. Apple iPod USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Travel Adapter & Cable

The car charger worked great. I could charge my iPod while listening to it. I'm currently trying to use the Travel Adaptor, but so far it's not working. I'm trying to discover the problem. It's not the cord, because the cord is working when connecting the iPod to computer. So, I can't really say anything about how the travel adapter works. But I give the car charger 5 stars. It gets the job done.



edit :: i actually got it to work. it works great. you just have to wait a second for your iPod to display the charging symbol.

Guys,

Do NOT EVER buy this product. I lost my Ipod Nano(8gb) because of this cheap nonsense. As soon as I plugged in the charger into the wall outlet, and connected it to the nano, the charger blew a fuse, and had smoke coming out of it. My nano didn't start after that. No matter what I tried. I took it to apple store, and they couldn't start it either. My warranty was void.



Go for real apple products, not for these cheap chargers. I'm not sure if this company BargainCell is selling authentic products, or just cheap makeovers without ever having tested them out.



Again, do not buy it, unless you want to risk losing your ipod.

The charger worked once. When I removed it from the wall electrical outlet an electrical spade just came off in the wall. These items are so cheap that they break the first time it is used. I wouldn't buy this item again.

so cheap. how could you *not* buy this? it screwed up my ipod after using it for a few weeks. now i have issues powering down my ipod. it won't turn off. weird. i've heard this complaint from others, too.

Great product to have for you ipod.

i own an ipod touch 3G. the wall wall adaptor is awesome. I was skeptical when i saw hte price, but the product is awesome

Don't buy the expensive wall adapter from the apple store, these ones works great and usb cable that you get with this product is awesome too.

so stop looking around and buy this.

So far, I really like the charger. The thing I like the best, is the convenience of not having to find a computer to charge My I-pod. Another good feature of this charging unit, is that it doesn't reset the play count(on the I-pod), just because I'm recharging. I recommend anyone with an I-pod to get one of these. My opinion, they are a "MUST-HAVE" type of item for anyone with an I-pod. The price is Phenomenal for such a necessary accessory for any I-pod Nano. I'm very pleased with this product, and the charging time is rather quick. I would appreciate a "Fully-Charged" indicator lamp that can be seen from a distance, to make aware of a full charge, and is ready to be UN-plugged. I would imagine that it'd be a bit extra in cost for such a feature, but I for one, would be willing to pay for it. As long as it isn't an "exorbitant increase", that is. Again, all and all, a pretty good, and necessary product for anyone owning an I-Pod. Too Redundant? Sorry....'


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Iphone Case - iphone 4 cases, otterbox


I waited anxiously for Otterbox to release this case and ordered mine within minutes of receiving the "Defender Released" e-mail. I received the case on Friday and I must admit, it did not disappoint.



First impressions: The case is of great quality and a lot of detail went into making it compatible with all the OEM "accessories". The holster is among the best I've seen for a phone of this size and works perfectly with the case.



After carrying it for two days (and this is already my 3rd iPhone 4 case - I am rough on my phones): The case is without a doubt the most durable I've seen for the iPhone 4 and lives up to the reputation that Otterbox has built over the years.



Cons: The case does add considerable bulk to the phone and may not be perfect for pocket carriers. It does include a holster which works great and can rotate for vertical or parallel carrying of the phone.





Miscellaneous: I have no complaints really, but I am left to wonder if the silicone "flaps" that cover the earphone and USB plug-ins could have been a little more user-friendly. Sometimes they are frustrating to get back into their proper "closed" position.



Edited one month after using: I am still extremely happy with the case. I have dropped my phones a few times already and though the case is starting to show signs the abuse I have provided it the phone still looks pristine! I opened up the case this morning to clean the phone etc and to my surprise there wasn't much to clean. With cases I've owned in the past I would have a forest of lint, dust etc. that would trap itself between the case and the phone. The Otterbox has minimized that debris!





I am uploading several photos showing the difference between a "bare" iPhone 4 and an iPhone 4 in the Defender case so everyone can get an idea of how much "protection" and in turn "bulk" this case adds to the phone.



Edited to add: Amazon removed my pictures when the placed the phone back in a "pre-order" status, I will re-upload them again once they allow. I'm not sure why they state "pre-order" when it should state "Back-ordered, will deliver in xx to xx weeks", but I digress. OtterBox Defender Case iPhone 4 (Pink and Black, Retail Packaging, Fits AT&T iPhone)

Otterbox defender for my iPhone 3Gs was the best thing I ever did for that phone! It fell into and was completely submerged in a 5 gallon pot of BBQ sauce - and rinsed off with the sprayer in the sink. Phone continued to operate flawlessly!



As soon as I bought iPhone 4 - I immediately ordered an otterbox case for it. It took over a month to arrive and when it finally did - I could immediately tell it did not offer the same amount of protection as the Otterbox for the 3Gs.



I'm constantly fighting the rubber covering -- if I pull it out of my pocket I have to push it back into place all the way around the phone.



The screen protector is better -- the bubbles are gone from the previous version. I like that.



The flaps that cover the charger port and headphone jack suck! They never stay in place and to get them to lock down is a pain. Debris can easily infiltrate into the case through these openings. I find that I have to take the phone completely out of the case and clean the phone and the case more often than I ever did with the other phone/otterbox.



Maybe they were just in a hurry to get a case that would fit the quick arrival of iPhone4. I hope the case is revamped and the thought is completed. I really need and want the kind of protection and rugged durability that the other case provided for 3Gs.



Regardless of what I hate about this case, it's still the BEST case that you can put on the new iPhone 4 if you're hard on your phone. Just wish it was better...

**** 02/12 update: I bought an AT&T case to get one fast at a discount and it works fine until the price drops on the universal case. The Verizon silent mode button is partially covered so if you use silent mode a lot and have big fingers, you might want to wait or buy from the manufacturer. The headphone jack doesn't align quite right with my Verizon phone, but just open the silicone port. And now this is a genuine five star review. I really like this case. It is sturdy and protective, looks stylish, feels comfortably grippy and it was easy to install the phone. Box directions are minimal but Otterbox has a simple video that takes you through it. *****



I just called Otterbox and a very nice lady in Customer Service says they have a universal design ready to fit both AT&T and Verizon phones, to be released 02/10/11. I suppose Amazon will have these as well. Hope they do all the same colors.



Important to know because the Verizon iPhone has some ports and controls in a slightly different place than its AT&T sister and this case would not fit both phones.



Just thought you should know. Glad I did some research before I bought this one. Yes, I know this isn't a real review but not everyone reads comments. At least I'm not one of those tiresome people who posts a one star review because something went wrong with the shipping. - Iphone 4 Cases - Otterbox Defender - Otterbox - Iphone Case'


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Cordless Drills - cordless drill, hammer drills


I bought this drill to replace my Dewalt DC925, which fell off a roof and landed in a big nasty mud hole, I just figured the drill was toast and ordered a new one, saved the 925 for salvageable parts. The DCD950 and the DCD970 are the EXACT same drill except the clutch ring, which is black on the 950 and silver on the 970. The difference is the batteries that are included 950 has the XRPs and 970 has the new NANO's(lithium-ion). OK, back to the comparison

Pros of the DCD970/950 VS. the DCD925

1. Much Better balance

2. More power in both low and mid-range(Dewalt says the DC925 has 480 unit watts vs the DCD970's 450, but the DCD970 is more powerful

3. WAY smoother speed selector (moves back and forth, not in an semi-ellipse like the 925)

4. L.E.D light on front

5. Shorter in length

6. Drill/screw/hammerdrill, various clutch settings are no longer on the same ring, clutch now has its own ring.



Cons of the DCD970

1. Due to pressure from a group of so called "tool users" who ONLY seem to care about aesthetics, Dewalt changed the base to the new nano style, which means if you actually use the drill it only has space for one bit on the front and WILL Not hold a screw guide or short nutsetters very well, whereas the old style base could fit a screw guide for TEK screws on one side and a 1/4" and 5/16" short nutsetters for tapcons on the other side.



However, overall the DCD970/950 is a excellent drill and deserves 4.75 stars, if Dewalt would change the base it would be a 5 star item, but that will never happen thanks to people who care more about how a tool looks rather than how well it works.



6-6-2009

I cleaned off my old DC925 and put in a fresh battery and the thing works!! Well now I have two, I guess that is what I get for asuming things, oh well I like the DCD970 better anyway. DEWALT DCD970KL 18-Volt XRP Lithium-Ion 1/2-Inch Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Kit

I must have purchased and worn out a half dozen Dewalt drills over the past decade. Some where great units, others where very cheap quality. They were all 18V. So this time I took the time to research the Dewalt line up and not just grab whatever Home Depot was peddling. I also decided to stick with 18V since I had so many other tools of that series. This has got to be the perfect drill. The drill chuck is all metal, holds super tight and is of a machine tool quality. The transmission is 3 speed and the whole unit just has a very rugged feel. The power is awesome. While not scientific, this thing must have at least 50% more torque and power then my previous drills. I can drive 3.5" deck screws into dry wood using high speed and cut a 4" hole saw into wood using medium speed. I even mixed a 5 gal pale of drywall mud with a beater using the low speed. This thing is almost on par with my 1/2" dewalt corded drill. The other nice thing is that the lithium ion battery seams to hold its power right up to the last second. Then the battery just shuts itself off. This scared me the first time. I was really torquing the drill and I thought I had blown something. But that is just how the battery operates.

The only negative is that the drill is heavier then I have been used to. Of course this is offset by the lighter battery but you might be disappointed if you are looking for a feather weight. It also seams to be a little bit longer then some of my other drills of this style by about 3/4 inch. Getting in between studs seams to be a little tighter then I'm used too. But this drill also includes a hammer feature and it is way shorter then my previous hammer drills.

Over all I'm very happy with this drill and was very impressed with its performance.

This is a must have tool for any type of home remodeling job. It's extremely durable and lots of power. I use this drill with the old NiCad XRP batteries and works great. The Dewalt tools are great for being backwards and forwards compatible with batteries. Batteries are a big thing. Dewalt is considerate of past purchases and current purchases in regards to the battery compatibility. Bottom line, if you are planning on making a purchase on a long lasting drill, Dewalt has the durability and strength that most drills do not have.

UPDATE May 4, 2011: This is a comment on the Lithium Ion batteries - DON'T CARE FOR 'EM. I've been using a couple of Li-ion batteries right along side my old NiCd XRP batteries and I gotta tell ya, the NiCd batteries are preferred. The Li-ions die suddenly and I hate that. Ever need just a little more time from your dying battery? You know, where you're thinking, just let me drive this one last screw or drill just one more hole. Forgettabout it with Li-ion. They are designed to die suddenly. It's a computer chip thing in the battery to protect it from overheating. They will work consistently until they suddenly die. I find that more annoying than dealing with a discharging NiCd battery's slow death. I do prefer the lighter weight and smaller size of the Li-ion, but that's it. I also do not like how sensitive Li-ion is to temps. They are nowhere near as indestructible as NiCds. Heat is very bad to Li-ion. So much for leaving them in the garage or truck in the summer here in the desert.

I don't expect to be buying anymore Li-ion batteries. I'm sticking to the NiCd XRPs until something better comes along. Li-ion just has too many shortcomings...especially at twice the price of NiCds.



*********************************************************************************************************************



I switched to DeWalt cordless tools about 5 years ago from Craftsman and Makita. Is DeWalt better? I don't know. Tools change so often, especially those tools that needed improvement like Craftsman and Makita. All of my cordless DeWalt tools have great power and just keep going. The 970 is no exception.



I can honestly recommend the DeWalt 18 volt XRP cordless tools. Don't confuse this with the homeowner product line.



The Lithium batteries are so much lighter and smaller than the NiCd ones. I look forward to them coming down in price and I REALLY look forward to the retirement of all things NiCd.



Whatever cordless tools you go with, I suggest you stick with one brand. That way, you need only carry one charger and one brand of batteries. That's a real convenience.



DeWalt XRP drills are the best I've ever owned. - 18v - Cordless Drill - Lithium-ion - Hammer Drills'


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Workout Towel - non-slip, towel


I purchased this towel because I needed an affordable, but absorbent hand towel for hot yoga. I did not want to spend the money on the expensive yogitoes version and decided to give this one a try. It wicks away sweat with ease and dries very quickly. I'm glad I chose this towel over a more expensive brand. Gaiam Small Thirsty Towel

I feel weird about this towel. Here's why.



Let me start by saying that I lift weights and do cardio almost every day, and my time at the gym is 3-4 hours, so I sweat A LOT. My normal white hand towel always "fills up" with sweat before I'm done working out, so I decided to try this towel to see if it was any better.



So here's my assessment: It absorbs great. It never "fills up" with sweat. Therefore I never feel that I've used up all the dry spots. It's a great size for the gym. I can easily toss it over my shoulder and move from exercise to exercise without it getting in the way. I can toss it over the hand rail of any cardio machine and it's long enough that it doesn't fall off. The color is cool. It looks good. It dries fast... You'd think that would be more than enough to deserve 5 stars. But it's not.



The reason? Well, it just doesn't feel good when I wipe my skin. It's a little hard to describe, but basically, it doesn't glide smoothly. It's by no means rough or scratchy. It just seems to catch ever so slightly to my skin and I personally don't like how it feels.



Bottom line is that all the other reviews are correct about this item; it is a great towel. But for some reason, I'm sensitive to how this towel feels and I personally don't like it at all. Only one other review here shares my opinion, so if I were you, I'd buy it and try it. If you don't like it, return it. That's what I'm going to do.

I really love this towel! I use it everyday for hot yoga and it's held up great for months. It stays odor-free. It's large enough to cover the entire face in one wipe, and it's soft and cuddly and a pleasure to wipe with. The color hasn't faded even with frequent washings, and the thick absorbent towel will probably last several more years. There are absolutely no pulls or fraying in the towel at all. It's so strong that sometimes I even use it in place of a strap. Can't go wrong with this one.

This small-size towel is perfect for my Yoga sessions. I can roll it up to support my neck, fold it to cushion an ankle or knee, and place it beyond my mat to keep my hands off the dirty floor during forward bends. It washes and dries well, and it comes in attractive colors. Oh, yes - it doesn't skid around.

This towel is exactly what I was looking for. I needed a small, absorbent towel that I could use while exercising, and I wanted something I could wash with my workout clothes- which are all dark colored. The white towels microfiber towels pick up color easily, and I knew that they would soon turn grey if I tried to wash them with dark clothing.



The towel is a great size for hanging around my neck without being obtrusive, and it can more than handle my workout sweat. I bought one, then bought two more after I received it and tried it out, so I can always have a fresh one.

I purchased this towel because I was tired of using a regular towel for my hot yoga classes. It's absorbent, dries fast, feels really soft on my skin and washes well. I loved the price and was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this towel! - Yoga Towel - Non-slip - Towel - Gaiam'


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Microphone - skype, mic


Thanks to the reviews posted here, I bought this microphone. It's awesome and I highly recommend it to other Amazon electronics consumers - especially at this price.



In addition to the sleek look-and-feel, feather-light design, on-off illuminated button (so you can keep it plugged in but not active or use as mute button while recording - see Customer Images), its best feature is the 8-foot long cord which allows amazing flexibility and range despite being anchored via the USB port to your computer. For me, that one simple design component speaks "volumes" about the overall design quality of this product.



This microphone is recommended for voice - not music - recording. But I found the music playback perfectly acceptable, especially as a background track.



The installation is as easy as plugging it into your USB port. Software is freely available via download.com and then by searching for EXPStudio Audio Editor Free 3.93, which features multiple track capabilities (background music with voice-over). Using your computer, the software and this microphone, you definitely can create your own in-house recording studio. Logitech USB Desktop Microphone (Black/Silver)

First, I had some doubts about reviews below for the performance of this mic.

I got this thing today, and my... let me apologize to reviewers below. This thing works beautifully!

I put this mic about a feet away from my mouth(bit more than a feet... right next to where I use mouse with my right hand), and spoked a few words in normal voice level(maybe a bit lower) while my air conditioner was making some noise. When I played the recording back, the voice was captured loud and clean. This mic is outstanding with reasonable price tag!

My daughter is an aspiring pop singer. Neither of us has alot of tech ability. We wanted something simple to use so we could record her singing on the computer. After viewing several options we decided to purchase the Logitech.



The mic arrived assembled in its package. All we had to do was figure out how to plug it in the computers USB port. Next we followed the booklets instructions to go to sound recorder in programs and click the record button. Easy enough since it clearly described where to find this in the instruction booklet. She sang a snippet and the book says if you press play and hear your voice it works (yes the book actually says this).

Well we clicked play and heard her voice - crystal clear. Very simple!



The microphone looks odd in the picture, but its actually very sleek. Its shaped like a noodle and about 9 inches tall. Its very slim. Because it pivots forwards and backwards on the base its easy to adjust. The base has a button to turn it on and off. My daughter is used to a traditional mic but she enjoyed this one.



Great little mic for the money!

I'm a bit perplexed at another review that stated the microphone does not work with Windows XP (Service Pack 2); in fact, it almost prevented me from purchasing. Nevertheless, I took a chance, and I'm glad I did. All I had to do was plug the jack in, and I was off and running.



Sound quality is best at about 6 inches away, although tone is muted a bit. I was very impressed, however, at the complete absence of background noise - despite the fact that my washer and dryer were both running, and my wife and kids were talking and watching television only a few feet away. For my weekly podcast, this is the perfect choice.



Interweb research shows the next best microphone to be in the $60-$80 price range so the $20 price makes the Logitech USB Desktop Microphone a no-brainer.



As for that Service Pack 2 issue, it's possible that the difficulty was the result of another problem (such as a conflict), or it's possible an update has rendered the problem obsolete. In any case, mine worked right out of the box. Highly recommended.

This microphone is being used with Dragon Naturally Speaking Medical Version. It has excellent voice recognition qualities. I needed to get the microphone off my head and get away from the wire. It has a pause button that lets Dragon continue working while you talk or think.

After plugging this usb microphone into my win2k system. I found the volume of

the voice recorded is very small, with much background noise. And I can not

record clearly unless I speak very close to the microphone. I was very

disappointed at first, thinking I'm buying the wrong thing.



Later I noticed there are two different microphone controls in the volume

setting dialog. One is the mic of my sound card, and another one is this USB

device. I tried to disable the onboard mic and set the volume of the USB one to

maximum, then I started recording... Much to my surprise, this time the voice

quality was superior!! I phoned a friend in China for ten minutes using skype,

and the conversation is very clear even I placed the mic far from my mouth!

Then I recorded a song of mine with cooledit 2.0. Again I get superior voice

recording quality! There is almost no background noise so I think I will not

use the noise reduction feature of cooledit any more! The USB cable is also

long enough to place the mic far from computer when singing. Be sure to DISABLE

onboard mic when using this USB microphone.



UPDATED:Nov. 19, 2005

I've been using this microphone for ten months. It has helped me save lots of oversea calling fees.



If you want to use this mic as your primary input device under Linux, simply put the following lines in your ~/.asoundrc

pcm.asymed {

type asym

playback.pcm "hw:0,0"

capture.pcm "hw:1,0"

}



Then you can recard some voice using arecord:

arecord voice.wav



Overall this is a great product well worth the price. - Mic - Usb - Logitech - Skype'


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