Electronic Shop: August 2009

Monday 31 August 2009

Wireless Accessories - touch screen phone, wireless accessories

I bought what was supposed to be an unlocked blackberry storm 2 from Mojos Closet. When the phone arrived and on inspection the phone was not new, it had a verison number and was defective and no manual. I spent over $400 USD and I am without a proper phone. This was my worst experience and I intend to take this matter to Amazon for a resolution. I contacted Mojos Closet all I received was a rude and disrespectful feedback. I will not recommend Mojos Closet ever again if this is the service granted. Blackberry Storm2 9550 Unlocked Phone with Touch Screen, Wi-Fi, 3.2MP Camera and GPS - Unlocked Phone - No Warranty - Black

After experiencing problems with the original Blackberry Storm, Verizon eventually upgraded me to the Storm 2. I have to say that, for the most part, I have been satisfied with this phone. The touchscreen keyboard is only functional for me when it is in the wider landscape mode. When I try to type in the portrait mode, my fingers cannot hit the correct keys simply from the standpoint of spacing. The keys are just too close together. The one issue I experience consistently is when I try to hit the "a" button I instead get a "q" which I do find frustrating. From the standpoint of overall ease of use, this phone is pretty simple to operate. A good number of apps are available including internet based radio from Slacker, Pandora, and i-Heart radio. You can use an aux cable to connect the phone to your car's radio and play these stations through your sound system. The calendar function, contacts, and e-mail all work extremely well on this phone. Occasionally, the phone does freeze which requires a soft reset by removing the battery. For whatever reason, these issues seem to have been minimized over the past six months or so. After a somewhat rough start with the Storm line of phones, I would now have to say that I do enjoy the Storm 2.

First of all, for a long time blackberry user coming from a hardware keyboard to a touch screen, I find it miserable dealing with blackberry storm 2 touch screen keyboard. My confident level of typing correct words is lower than 50%. I own a ipad, tried iphone, no comparison there. RIM, this is something that really needs to be improved on.

Orientation response is also slow, Pinch and swipe are slow too. It makes me feel like I'm using a 386 PC or a 56K dial up if you know what i meant. Picture rendering is also slow.

Overall, a thumb down.

Given the usability and power of the Blackberries I have used so far, I was having high expectations when I bought this Phone. But it lasted only until I got the phone. Setting up the phone was not so straight forward. Not because of the UI or anything, but RIM's much touted implementation of touch screen. While every other touch screen implementation is a "touch screen", RIM's implementation is a combination of touch and click. So if you want to click a button, the touch will select the button and pressing again to click will trigger a real press on the button. While in theory this can save the user from unwanted clicks, the main issue with this is that the click doesn't work really well in every part of the screen. Especially when you have a button on top left corner, clicking that will take all the energy you have. I almost felt like I will break the screen. The clicks on the center of the screen as smooth enough so its not a big deal for most buttons. Except when you use keyboard. I really dont know how a company like RIM is allowing such a product to be released to the market when such a big usability issue exists.

the next big problem with the phone is with the network service. While it supports data via Wifi and 2g/3g networks, I dont see an option to force the phone to use only the Wifi network for data. ( Or at least this is not so intuitive if such an option exist).

Installing and using apps also was not so simple. I downloaded and installed Google Talk, and on trying to login, it keeps giving me a message that The service is not enabled for this phone. I am not sure what this means at all. For comparison, I have done this on an Andriod phone and that was pretty straight forward. No issues at all..

In short, If you are a techie who wants some adventure ( really?? There are so many better ways to get the thrill than setting up and using a phone). Stay away from this.

Or if you need enterprise email etc and have an IT department to help you setup this for you, then you may consider this. Or else never even think of it. Android is way better for the common man.

I've been using an iphone then a Blackberry 8520, so:

PROS:

-it came with 16GB micro sd card from blue electronics. thats great!

-camera photos and video quality.

-BB software stuffs: messengers, browsers, etc.

CONS:

-would be hard to write on the touchscreen virtual keyboard if you've ever used a normal qwerty keyboard. In general, iphone touchscreen much better than 9550 touchscreen.

-when you click something you really need to click it pressing down the screen like a button, that's weird. its the first touchscreen that really meant the click action.

-this smartphone has 3G SINGLE BAND 2100.... too bad - Touch Screen Phone - Blackberry Storm - Wireless Accessories - Cell Phone'

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Wall Stickers - wall decor, wall art

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I bought these to decorate our nursery. It looks awesome!! We painted the roon a light blue & used the brown dots in the center. It looks awesome, we couldn't be more happier. They are repositional, so if it doesn't look right the first time you can move them around. They are also reuseable which is a huge plus!! i'm considering buying others for different rooms in the house. Chocolate Brown Polka Dot Peel & Stick Wall Stickers

When I received these it was not like described at all. Nothing against the seller; they were great and very courteous. What I received was one page that was the size of a scrap booking sheet with stickers on it. Not at all what I was expecting!!! Thanks for the great customer service when I called to return them. Amazon needs to rethink the description.

I was happy with the speed of the shipping and the product itself. I wish that the size of the polk a dots would have been a little larger. I read the details but there is no way the smallest dot is 1 inch, it's the size of a nickle. I wish that they would give you some larger ones and less smaller on the sheet. However it really did add interest to the wall, extremely easy to apply and remove. (doesn't get easier people)

I purchased these items on Feb 8th and was to get them between the 14th and the 17th but they came one package on the 11th and another on the 12th so I was very pleased by the fast delivery.I ordered Chocolate Brown Polka Dot Peel & Stick Wall Stickers and A Set of 130 Sky Blue and Lime Green Polka Dots Circles Wall Decor Graphic Vinyl Lettering Mural Decal Stickers Kit Peel and Stick Appliques... I was a little nervous from some of the reviews that I might not like them also I'm not a big fan of brown but I just added that to my order because alot of the decor that I saw for nurseries had green, blue and brown. They were not as big as I would of liked them to be when I first saw them on the paper but once I got them on the wall they were prefect, the colors are very pretty together and even the brown was a nice mix to break up all the blue and green in the room.. They were easy to peel and stick. I found it a little hard to get some of them off the wall once I tried to remove them after putting them in the wrong spot but my husband got a kick out of watching me try to remove especially the small once (until he did it him self lol). Over all very happy with product and would recommend.

This product was just as described. The only problem was with me. I didn't read the description closely enough before ordering. I was looking for large polka dots for the wall - and these are definitely small.

These along with the blue dots really can change how a room looks. Easy to peel (not sure why people had difficulty) and easy to decorate. and if you don't like where it is, just peel it and move to where it looks best.

I recently got these to decorate my nursery. They came quickly and I love them. They are very easy to use. Just pull them off the sheet and put them on the wall like a sticker! If you don't like where they are you can easily pull them off and move them somewhere else. - Wall Decor - Wall Art'

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Livio Internet Radio - livio internet radio, livio

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There are a lot of buzz about HD radio being the wave of the future. I tried an HD radio, and let me tell you, this internet radio has HD completely beat! I live in an area with poor reception for local stations, and I was tired of having to listen my favorite station through my laptop. Within minutes of taking the radio out of the box, I was connected to my favorite station but then I started exploring. I couldn't believe what I found! The radio connected to my Pandora account seamlessly. I've added stations to Pandora on my laptop and they appear on the radio within seconds! Controls on the radio link to Pandora for "thumbs up" or "down." Fantastic. But the really amazing thing is the intuitive interface that provides access to countless (there must be tens of thousands) of radio stations from around the globe! The interface is so intuitive that the stations can be selected either by region or by genre. All with no buffering! Incredible! For these features, I am deleriously happy with my purchase.

For all of its exceptional qualities, the sound quality is disappointing. With one speaker, the bass is truly lacking (and I don't like heavy bass). The sound doesn't seem "full." There are jacks in the back to connect stereo speakers but I'm not sure how that would work or whether I want to go through the effort. I bought this radio based on a review in the Boston Globe. They mentioned the Squeezebox Boom as having the highest quality sound. Of course, that radio was significantly more expensive and doesn't have Pandora controls. Neither radio has an iPod connection and they don't have back-up batteries. Neither has iTunes tagging (seriously?!).

All in all, I'm very happy. When they develop a radio with audiophile-quality sound, I'll be in line to buy one. Hopefully, wifi/internet radio will really take off. I'd love to have a receiver for my home stereo (since that sends sound throughout the house).

January 2010 edit: I keep this radio in my home office. I still love, love, love it. Recently, I bought a Squeezebox Radio for my bedroom. This edit is to compare the two. I love both of these radios, but for different reasons. The Livio has quality throughout. The two standout features are the controls and the link to Pandora. The radio is so easy to set up and use! The controls are clean and uncluttered. The Pandora Thumbs-Up/Thumbs-down is easier on the Livio than it is on the computer. I also love the interface to find stations by genre. It just works so intuitively for me. On the negative side, it does not have an alarm clock built in. Otherwise, I would have bought one for the bedroom as well.

Now, the Squeezebox Radio: Also easy to set-up. The interface is a bit more daunting than the Livio. More options = more controls to tweak. As other reviewers have mentioned, the presets disappeared the first time the alarm went off. After resetting it, things have been fine. The alarm clock works well. Although the specs don't mention a back-up, I have found that if the router is out of commission, the alarm will still go off, just to a tone from the radio, rather than from the internet radio station. Other people have mentioned that the clock gets too dim at night. Not for me! I am so grateful that my bedroom is now reasonably dark at night! My old clock lit up the joint to the point that I used to cover the clock. Now, it's just right. Plus, the brightness level can be manually adjusted. Funny, someone elses complaint is one of my favorite features. The interface and controls are also more baffling than the Livio. Still OK, I just prefer the very clean controls on the Livio.

As for the sound, this would be a matter of preference. The sound in the Livio is a bit flatter. It seems to be missing some mid-range and higher range. The Squeezebox sound is bright and bold but is lacking in the low range. All in all though, I really like the sound on the Squeezebox. Especially for a small radio. I hope that these comments are helpful to someone looking at these two radios. Livio Internet Radio Featuring Pandora (WiFi and Ethernet, Silver)

if you can connect to the internet, you can use Pandora to create your very own "radio station" which will play the kinds of music you like, (you select it from a huge library of all recorded music, from the earliest days of radio until now). and if you can create a Pandora account, you can not only play your favorite music on your computer, but (and especially if you have a laptop with those tiny, little tinny speakers), you can improve on your computer speakers by buying and using an "internet radio" to listen to the music.

an "internet radio" uses your internet connection (it makes a wireless connection to your main computer or it makes a network connection -- via an ethernet cable connected to your main computer -- to SHARE your internet connection just as another computer might). then, as long as you remain connected to the internet, you can play music (as, for example, from Pandora) as long as you wish. you can use the single (but effective) speaker in the Livio Radio or you can connect the radio to your home music system via a stereo cable.

in addition to Pandora (where you, in effect, create your own radio station -- but may, in the future, have to pay a nominal monthly fee for copyright purposes), there are thousands (yes, thousands) of FREE internet radio stations that you can use this radio to listen to (by connecting you to these stations from all over the world via the internet). the livio comes with a small remote control, an internal "program" for easily setting up the radio to connect to your Pandora account, another for connecting to "Reciva" and all those free internet radio stations, volume controls, mutes, etc.

the radio is well-built and, after a few weeks of using it, i have no complaints whatsoever. it's a delight. one of the best investments i've ever made. oh yes, it also has a headphone jack and when it's powered up but not connected to the internet, it displays the time. all in all, a very well-thought-out device. i listen to it for hours every day while i'm doing my work (and play) on the internet. there are other "internet radios" out there (some cheaper, some more expensive), but i have yet to find a better one. - Livio - Wifi Radio - Livio Internet Radio - Pandora'

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Power Cables - htc evo, droid x

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Ok, please let me clarify some points that seem to confuse many people...

First, when buying power cords and HDMI cords for cell phones, you have to be sure whether you're buying a 'Micro' connection cord, or a 'Mini' connection cord... And just to clarify for anyone who may have doubts, both the HTC Evo and the Moto Droid X have MICRO ports: Micro USB power and Micro HDMI.

As the title of this cord says, this is a MICRO (Type D) HDMI to Regular HDMI cable... This will work with both the EVO and the DROID X.

The cable is very adequate in length, and seems to be of good quality and construction. The connectors fit snugly and securely. I tested it with my 42" Panasonic Plasma, and it worked flawlessly. It passes the signal from the phone to the television. The quality of the picture will vary depending on several other variables, but the cable itself does its job perfectly.

As soon as I plugged it in, my EVO notified me that it had made an HDMI connection, and said I could play videos or slideshows. It takes a moment for the phone to recognize the connection, so don't freak out if you don't see it connected immediately. It shouldn't take too long though. Once the phone shows connected, please make sure your television is set to the appropriate HDMI signal, if it has more than one. If your TV has more than one HDMI connection, and you don't change to the connection that has the signal from your phone, then you won't see anything at all. I don't know if that is the problem one reviewer was having, but it's a common problem. Don't forget that.

The HTC Evo will allow you to display photos and videos only through the 'Gallery' app. (This may change later) You can play videos that you recorded on your phone, but only if you recorded them in 720 resolution. If you have your phone set to record at a lesser resolution, then you may not be able to play them via HDMI on your TV. So, if you can't see a video you're trying to play, then you might try recording a video on your phone in 720 resolution, then playing that. I don't know if that is the problem one of the other reviewers was having, but it is a common problem. Don't forget that. (And yes, you can display videos that you transfered onto your phone as well)

Also, you can only display photos from your phone as a slideshow. You can't display them singly. But, you can control the slideshow from the phone, and go forward, backward, pause, etc... Same with the videos.

The quality is not always great, depending on your video source, so don't expect the same sort of HD you would get with your cable television or Blu-Ray. But, that is NOT a problem with the cable. It's a mixture of the video source and your TV. Remember that HDMI from phones is still newer technology, and you shouldn't expect miracles. But, watching back photos and videos that you made on your phone should be more than adequate.

I have not tried watching videos from YouTube through the HDMI out yet, but I've read that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It might work if they are HD videos recorded at 720 or more. But, just in case don't expect it.

So, having said that... The cable is just fine. Save yourself some money, and get this one for a few bucks. You don't need to pay 29.95 from Sprint or Verizon, and you don't need to pay a lot for any special gold plated cable...

HDMI is a digital signal... It does not suffer from gradation like analog signals do. There's either a singal or there's not. Therfore, as long as a cable is meets the HDMI standards, there is NO difference in HDMI cables. So, any HDMI compliant cable (Type D Micro) will work the same, and there is no difference between a five dollar cable and a fifty dollar cable, as long as they are both fully HDMI compliant, and well constructed. Save your money!

In short, if you simply want an easy way to show your family/friends photos and videos you took on your phone, then this is perfect.

Hope that helps... Casio 6ft Micro HDMI (HDMI D Type) to HDMI A Type Cable camera

There is no better quality HDMI cable that you will find for this price!! At 6' long, the quality is that of any Monster brand or like - cable. Works PERFECT! I'm sure this will work for the HTC EVO phone on the Sprint network, the one that has the HDMI output as well. Buy this cable if you have the DROID X or the HTC EVO - you will not be disappointed!!!

Advertised as a Micro HDMI to HDMI for Droid X. Although it did fit into my Droid X and was able to connect to my HDMI input on my Vizio, it didn't project the pics or video in my Gallery. I tried on two TVs, no luck. Bought another cable from another vendor and it worked perfectly.

This cable did exactly what it's manufacturers said. It arrived quickly and I plugged my LED TV to my EVO and videos and pictures from my phone can be scene and heard on my TV.... plain and simple, it works perfectly with my htc Evo.

This product will save you money, this HDMI cable will work with DroidX, and cost less than $10 even with shipping! If you buy it anywhere else it will cost about $40. This is a micro HDMI compatible with DroidX

I couldn't be more satisfied with my purchase. The product was delivered earlier than anticipated; and, I haven't had any problems with it to date. I was a little skeptical about making this purchase because of the fact that it was so inexpensive. However, it pleases me to inform you that sometime, you get much more than what you pay for. It works right out of the box, no instructions necessary. I'm sure that I will be doing business with bargaincell again in the very near future. - Htc Evo - Hdmi - Droid X - Htc Evo 4g'

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Work Lights - milwaukee, led

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I already had the real-McCoy Milwaukee M12 LED work light which is pricey but delivers the goods. I was truly impressed with its light output and beam pattern. This was after terrible performance from Makita's LED flash light which costs less than half. I wanted to upgrade another Makita flashlight which I use a lot to Milwaukee's LED technology.

In short, it didn't fit. See my customer image. I then put this LED "upgrade" into an M12 incandescent work light that I also had. It would be a perfect A/B comparison to the M12 LED work light that I mentioned above. See my customer images comparing the two as well as comparing the LED-upgraded M12 to typical Makita 18V work light. The light output of the LED "upgrade" is a joke.

In a nutshell, this product needs to go back to the drawing board. You are better off spending the money on Milwaukee's factory M12 LED work light or possibly on their factory M18 LED work light if you can use those batteries. The M12 LED work light is one of the best work lights I have used. Milwaukee 49-81-0090 M12/M18 Flashlight LED Upgrade Kit

I used this LED to replace the M12 lamp. It does work a little better and definately burns cooler than the original. There is nothing wrong with the lamp itself. The problem is in the reflector. When you compare the reflector on a LED light, it is deeper and designed completely different. I ended up painting my reflector white and now it gives a more even light but it does not project very far. Works nice for up close work. My opinion is to save your money and just buy the "M12 LED Flashlight". It is expensive but it works great.

Almost a year ago, I bought this as a bulb replacement for my Ryobi One+ 18V P703 Work Light. (because the first time I used it, I dropped it from just 4 ft, and it broke it's filament bulb.)

(1.) This replacement LED light is NOT a long distance "spot" light, it's more of an AREA WORK-light. If you want a spot light, this isn't what you want.

(2.) It's much brighter than my original bulb, and the battery lasts much longer. (and the head runs much cooler). The original bulb cast a wider ragged "spot", where this LED is more "even" lighting, with a tight "spot" in the center. I use it in areas where before I would have used a trouble light.

(3.) My Ryobi light using this LED bulb at 3 foot distance from the wall lights up a 9 foot diameter area with a 2.5" center spot. The center spot is brighter, but I find I use the broader main light area more because it has a more even light.

The broad-beam area on this light is actually bright enough to be usable, where with a regular spotlight, that area would be (or seem to be?) much dimmer.

I can usually set it about 2 foot distance away from my work, and it lights the whole area that I want to see, not just a tiny spot in the center. (I've used it for wiring circuit breaker panels, light switches, etc. when the MAIN power was switched off, and this was my only source of light.)

(If I need a distance spot light, I'll use another flashlight like UltraFire WF-502B "SST-50" 1000Lumens LED, but at the expense of reduced battery run-time.)

I've got three of the Milwaukee v28 flashlights that we use on our farm. They put out a lot of light, and the battery life is pretty good. After burning out a couple of bulbs, I decided to try this LED upgrade. It looks funny, and is pretty expensive, so I was a little hesitant.

It works great. The light is much brighter, and more white than the standard bulbs. It is, however, more focused. The beam has a bright center and a wide corona, unlike the more even illumination of the standard bulb. I wasn't sure I liked this effect, but I've gotten used to it, and the concentrated center beam makes it easier to illuminate distant objects. Overall, it's a great upgrade, and I'm very happy.

I have the Milwaukee V28 (cat 49-24-0185) light. The LED bulb works appropriately in this housing. Compared to the incandescent (original type) bulb, the LED gives a more consistent light (no modeling of light). Typical of LEDs, the light is more of a 'white light' versus having a yellow cast like incandescent... this is especially nice for doing work by it. I have not yet used it enough to comment on the expected increased battery run time (though this is typical of LEDs and probably the main reason why I purchased the bulb).

Negatives: there are two negatives... The light quality, as mentioned above, is good, but you should be aware that there is a more pronounced area of very bright light in the center and then the light intensity dramatically fades. Most of this, I believe, is because of LED bulb design (it's inherent). LEDs are very directional. This a single bulb design (versus if you purchase a household LED fixture or have LED tail lights on your car, they use multiple LED bulbs pointed in different directions for fuller coverage). I just want you to be aware that peripheral lighting for the beam is significantly weaker in intensity.

Second, pricing is obviously on the high side. $40 may still be too high to justify this purchase for many users. For comparison, you can purchase a 3-D maglite flashlight (housing and LED bulb) on Amazon for $23... and this is an excellent flashlight. I suspect that if you can wait a couple of years, like most LED bulbs, this will probably go down in price.

So, over-all, if you can justify the high cost, this bulb will enhance the quality of light and expected increased run time with a Milwaukee V28 housing.

Despite what others are saying this dropped right in and the light output is fantastic. Perhaps it is because I am using it in a 28V tool, which is is rated for and will fit nearly any utility flashlight out there as it was the same as my ridgid as well. I will post up some pictures when I get a chance, but a great upgrade for any work light. - Led - Milwaukee - M12 - Flashlight'

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Expandable Multi-handset

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I have been using my new VTECH phones for about a month now--I wanted to wait at least this long before submitting a review so I could give the product a workout and submit a fair review.

The phones are light weight but well built; the buttons have a great feel and the display is easy to read. I spent about 10 minutes reviewing the nicely organized and easy-to-understand instruction manual before I was well on my way to programming numbers and setting other features. The sound quality has been consistently good and once you've reviewed the manual you'll find the buttons and features to be quite intuitive.

From a practical standpoint, I was looking for a two-station cordless phone that does not have a built-in answering machine as I have voicemail with my phone service. So this phone fit the bill.

There are a couple of features I miss from my old phones I replaced--a belt clip (for trips to the garage when I don't want to miss a call) and a headphone jack. However, given the excellent price point of this product, I have no room to complain (For long conference calls I have been using the speakerphone feature, which also works well). I read some reviews where people complained that this phone does not have distinctive ring tones. If this is a feature you absolutely can't live without, look for a different product--remember, the price is great for what you get.

In case you're wondering, I have had zero interference with my home wireless network, which would have prompted me to immediately return this product.

The bottom line: If you're looking for a good-quality phone at a very attractive price, this is the one. Vtech CS6219-2 DECT 6.0 Expandable 2-Handset Cordless Phone System with Caller ID and Handset Speakerphone (CS6219-2)

Small, reliable phones. It's an easy way to add a phone to a room that doesn't have a phone jack. Unlike some phones of this type, two people can talk to the same caller on each extension. You don't have to transfer the call to the other handset unit. The speakerphone works great.

We purchased these telephones as a replacement for our old VTechs. We had a problem with our phone system and as a result purchased new phones during the diagnosing phase. Our VTechs lasted over 10 years and, as it turns out, were still working well. So we replaced them with VTechs and glad that we stayed with the same manufacturer. The new phones have all the features we expected and they work great with our phone company's set-up. Easy to create your own directory, retrieve numbers, etc. Most of the functions I did without reading the manual. Very user friendly. You will be glad you purchased this phone system.

This simple set offers solid performance and attractive looks for half the price of the competition. It's perfect for anyone who subscribes to a digital voice service with carrier-based voicemail (e.g. FiOS, Comcast) and doesn't need the fancy features that other sets offer.

Well, let's be honest. The phone is very inexpensive... and you get some of the baggage that comes along with that. Sometimes the signal is crystal clear, however fairly often (enough so that it's very annoying) it picks up other signals. The other signal is so loud that it makes it nearly impossible to hear who you are talking to.

If you're in an urban area or a place with a high population density, it's probably better to go with a phone that broadcasts in a higher frequency spectrum for clearer signals.

After owning a set of 3 GE phones that were total junk, these phones seem to be perfect for my needs so far. I especially like the voice mail indicator. Another issue I had with my old phones is that you had to transfer a call if you wanted to pick it up on a different phone, something my family never mastered. You can pick up a call on these phones without transferring. They are small and lightweight, the volume is great (another GE issue) - so I am very happy!

Have had this phone for about a month, nice and slick, great reception, holds about 3 numbers as a readial option, meaning that you have the option to redial any of the last 3 numbers you just dialed.

Ilumination is good when its dark, you can read all the numbers clearly.

Speaker phone not that good, It sound loud enough, but cant hear clearly what the other person is saying.

This is a great phone. I used to use an AT&T cordless phone with a handset speakerphone and heard static too often. This VTech has good clear sound and is well made. The intercom function comes in handy as well. The only issue I have with it is that it does not have an earphone jack or belt clip - functions I thought every phone offered. Still, I highly recommend.

I read a lot of reviews of this item and decided to buy it. I liked the phone till my wife pointed out that caller ID doesn't work if you have call waiting.

I'm surprised no one mentioned it that I saw. For us, having caller ID during call waiting is one of the main points for having call waiting.

It's a good phone, but if you need that feature, at least the phone we received didn't have it.'

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Laptop Accessory - bluetooth, mogo

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This is a very nice novelty mouse. I say novelty because of the following reasons:

Pros:

+Fairly inexpensive. (I got mine for $18.10 [shipping included]).

+Compact and lightweight.

+Easy to recharge (provided your notebook has a ExpressCard/54 Slot).

+Built-in red laser pointer.

+Have the option to use the mouse elevated; Flip-Out Kickstand(45 degree angle) or flat.

+Has the ability to scroll down/up webpages via a touch-sensitive scroll pad.

+Does not have a visible optical mouse light. (allows you to save "some battery power")

Cons:

-Retail packaging lacks any manual or instruction pamphlet.

-To charge the mouse, your notebook/laptop needs a ExpressCard/54 Slot.

-The mouse will only charge if your notebook/laptop is on. (it won't charge in sleep/hibernation mode)

-3.7V 70mAh battery (equates to very low battery life.)

-Very cheap design. (the entire mouse is bonded together by adhesives and fused plastic)

-If you're using one mouse for 2 computers, you have to manually pair the mouse. (not difficult, but very tedious)

-Due to its awkwardly flat and square design, this mouse is not for your avid gamer.

-There is no on/off/standby button/switch.

If you're using a notebook/laptop, this mouse is definitely far better than using a trackpad/tracknub. If you are a frequent notebook/laptop user, there are far better, cheaper, and longer lasting (battery wise) mice out there. If you want a rechargeable laser pointer with a built-in mouse, this is for you. HP Mogo Bluetooth X54 Presenter Travel Mouse for Laptops

I love this mouse it is great for the person on the go because you do not need to buy batteries or make sure that you have room to carry. The other nice thing is if you have Bluetooth V2.1 on you computer the mouse will still pair up even though the mouse its self is V2.0. Great for school work home or the person on the go. I recommend it for any one who has a laptop with the Express card 54 slot.

I am in meetings 70% of my day and use my Logitech Nano as my main laptop mouse. I purchased this Mogo mouse for when I do presentations or don't want to drag my nano with me to conference rooms. The Mogo built in laser pointer is great, buttons work fine in presentation mode, but when using the Mogo mouse as a standard mouse it does not even come close to the feel of a real mouse. It does not move as smoothly or fluidly as a real mouse, but this Mogo gets the job done.

Overall, great mouse for presentations / short meetings but not for all day use.

great product overall. sometimes can be a little sketchy when using the mouse. seems to be when the battery is low.

we bought 10 of them for work, everybody that has one LOVES it, everybody that doesn't is jealous :-)

I got this because my friend had one, which seems to work OK. The one I got works well as a wireless optical mouse but hard to use as a remote control for presentation software. The built-in laser pointer did not work at all.

I used the PCcard mouse until my company replace my laptop. The new one have the x54 slot. So I purchase this one and I'm very happy with this.

It is ready once I take out of the slot and it feels good and precision pointer. The scroll function is good unless a bit more sensitive of what I want. I did receive the mouse only with no software to install or download so I don't know if the sensitive can be adjusted. The third button for the mouse is very close to he edge and I needed some time to get used to it.

I will continue searching for a driver to this mouse that allows me to control the sensitivity and I might update this review in the future. For now it is not as bad to get one less star.

Once you change the mode to presenter you are able to use the pointer laser and the optics is tuned off. I have found this very useful to do my presentations.

I had a hard time at first trying to get this mouse to connect to my HP laptop. After some trial and error I got it to work perfectly. I discovered that my built-in Bluetooth was version 1.x hardware. Even with the latest BT drivers, the mouse would not connect. As luck would have it, I had also purchased an "IOGear USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adaptor" for a different project. To make a long story short, I disabled the built-in BT and installed the micro adaptor and then everything started to work fine. The only other thing worth saying is that Bluetooth mice and keyboards don't usually need a pairing code, so you can choose the option to not use a code. Considering the fact that my laptop is more than 5 years old, spending $12 for the new BT adaptor didn't seem too bad. Also I now have the option to activate my WiFi hardware and BT hardware seperately.

To use the mouse in presentation mode which activates the laser pointer and disables the mouse function, press the Mode/Connect button on the bottom of the mouse. The light on top of the mouse turns red and the laser works, as well as the right and left buttons. The right button advances a step and the left button reverses a step. The scrolling feature seems to be disabled in this mode. - Mogo - Laptop - Bluetooth Mouse - Bluetooth'

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Laptop Accessory - bluetooth, mogo

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Home Improvement - 18v battery, brad nailer

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Please don't purchase this nailer and expect to use it for contractor use. It just isn't that type of nail gun. Slow and methodical is the name of the game with this one. You are not going to be firing nails as fast as you can pull the trigger. It will countersink 2 inch nails through 3/4 oak plywood and into a 2x4. However, there is a delay when you pull the trigger and if you pull the gun away from your workpiece to soon, it will leave the nail proud of the surface. Also, if you don't hold it firmly enough against your work piece then the resulting kickback will leave the nail slightly proud of the surface. If you exercise proper technique and patience then this gun will meet the homeowner/hobbiest use. I use it to reinforce glue joints on some of my projects. I also use this every weekend as woodworking is a hobby of mine. I thought about getting the dewalt nailer but it is a lot more bulky than the B&D and I felt that some of my projects require something that can get into smaller spots. Something you might consider depending on what your application needs are. Also, the cost was 1/3 of the Dewalt and at least half of any other 18 guage cordless nailer I could find at the time. So after reading some reviews on this one I purchased two of them for a couple reasons. First, I like to use differnt size nails on the same project and this would allow me to not have to constantly change out nail sizes. Second, based on some of the reviews I read I felt that if one broke down I would still have one that worked while I sent it in for service. Which brings me to the 2 year warranty that comes standard with this model. 2 months and about 200 nails into it, one of the nailers stopped working. The indicator light was indicating low battery and wouldn't fire. It would do that with all six of my batteries as I have other 18v B&D products. I took it to a local authorized repair center and he said B&D would probably just send me a new one in the mail. No hassles. So in conclusion I would say that this is a decent product that might give you some mechanical problems but the 2 yr manufacturers warranty makes it worth it.

***Update***

July 16, 2010. B&D has had my nailer since 6/21/10 for warranty service. Found out today that they will not be replacing it or repairing it, they will be sending me a check for the purchase price including tax. I asked how they would know how much I paid for it and the rep said they use a regional sales figure that is the same for all authorized retailers. I'll update this review when I get that check.

***Update***

July 26, 2010. Recieved the check from B&D today. I was concerned about the amount I would get but, that concern was unwarranted. The amount covered my cost completely. After this, I am more than willing to add more B&D tools to my collection. Black & Decker FS1802BNB Firestorm 18-Volt 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer

I like to consider myself some what of an expert on B&D Firestorm products. I own just about all the tools from the line and am fairly happy with the performance and price of them. I've written quite a few reviews, most positive. However, this is the worst Firestorm purchase I've ever made. Straight out of the box I loaded the unit with the manufacture recommended brad nails. It fired fine on the first shot then jammed. I cleared the jam, then fired again. It jammed again, I tried a third time, then forth and so on. It continued to jam every time. I took the unit back to Lowe's and got another one...same thing happened with the second nail gun. Even the experts at Lowe's couldn't get this to fire a second nail. They tried for half an hour different things but no luck. This is why I know it wasn't just me. I was very surprised to see B&D come out with a product that simply did not work. At the time I paid $200 for this, I'm sure by now the price has come down drastically. Even so, it's not worth more than $20. I'm sorry to say but you are definitly better off with another brand.

I just got this nailer, and now I don't know how I did without it! It's not available on Amazon at this time, so I had to get it on a well known auction website. This nailer works great for my around the house trim upgrading projects (of which I have many). It loads easily, doesn't fire too loudly (it wasn't loud at all especially compared to nail guns powered by an air compressor), and it doesn't leave a mark on the wood surface other than the small hole where the nail passed thru. This nailer obviously wasn't designed for major framing type jobs, but for trimming jobs it's perfect! I can't wait to start my next project just so I can use this gun more!!! It's sweeeeeeeeeeet!!!!

Beware of this nailer because it's no longer supported by Black and Decker. I ordered this nailer and it arrived non-functioning. I drove it to the Black and Decker repair center thinking a replacement would be an easy process. They confirmed the unit was dead. They then made me aware of the fact that B&D hadn't sold that unit in 3 years and they were shocked that I had a "new" one. They had no way to replace or repair it under the 2 year factory warranty. I then called B&D to confirm this information, and this was confirmed as being correct.

This might be an excellent tool, but without a factory warranty why take the chance?

Research the B&D web site and you can see they only sell a 12volt model at this time.

I was really looking for a cordless nailer that can help me get some house jobs done. I stumbled upon this firestorm nailer from B&D at Amazon. With the reviews it was getting, I was kinda leary to buy the product but finally I decided to get one and was amazed how fast they shipped it. I got it the following day I ordered it! Next day delivery and free! Can't beat that! So to speak, I tried it and works great for my home projects, so far. I love it and makes my work easier. Too bad that not all got pleased with it according to their expectation. - Brad Nailers - 18v Battery - Cordless Nailer - Brad Nailer'

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Lg Env3 Accessories - lg env3, faceplates

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Cover fits perfectly and looks good. However, the paint is not on the whole cover. It was only painted on the top side so when you put it on your phone the white tab ends contradict with the phone color. It does the job of protecting the phone but it you are picky about aesthetics, you may want to buy a different one. Black Rubberized Snap-On Cover Hard Case Cell Phone Protector for LG enV3 VX9200

I purchased this product and have used it for about 3 weeks. So far, I am pleased with the quality. The product has a nice rubberized feel and provides just enough clearance to keep the front screen and camera lens from getting scratched by putting the phone down on standard surfaces. The cover adds a bit of girth to the phone, which I like. Installation was very simple. This product really won't protect your phone from scratches on the front screen from items in your pocket though. This item is comparable to the $20 accessories that I found at the Verizon store.

PROS:

+++ Functional design

+++ Low price

CONS:

--- Inconsistent paint job on the sides

Since the enV3 has the ridiculous design flaw of not having a battery cover, I needed a case to try to prevent it from shutting down automatically, as it was doing almost daily. At first, I was wary of this cover. How can something be this cheap? However, for essentially pocket change, I figured, "Why the heck not?"

The good: It's made of a pretty cool rubberized plastic material that is slightly grippy, but not excessively so. All ports and buttons are easily accessible and it successfully solved my enV3 shutdown problem.

First problem: Not only are the edges uncomfortably sharp, but the front cover is slightly too large along the hinge and squeaks whenever I open the phone. Solved that with an Exacto knife and a nail file. No biggie.

Then, the first piece broke off within a month. It was on the top, back corner, next to the hinge. The designers of the case tried to leave an opening for the "lanyard hole" or whatever it's called. This meant the corner was connected by two tiny bridges of plastic and broke off while in my pocket. But whatever, the back cover stays on. Yes, it's lost one of the five flimsy plastic tabs that keep it attached, but hell, there's 4 more, right? I couldn't care less about how ghetto it looks, so still no biggie.

The final straw came after almost exactly two months of ownership. The front cover is held on by two plastic tabs. One suddenly broke off, again while in my pocket. Thus, the front cover is no longer usable.

Yes, the main reason I bought this case was for the back cover, which still is essentially intact, and my enV3 hasn't auto-shutoff in a month. But now it just looks kind of silly. Only 3 tiny plastic tabs (lost another one somewhere along the way) keep it from just falling off. I never dropped my phone, kept it in my pocket the vast majority of my time, yet it still wasn't enough to keep this product from disintegrating over the course of two months. Yes, the price tag is great and the design is adequate, but a two month lifespan? There has to be a better alternative with less compromises, even if it costs a bit more.

My experience wasn't traumatic, but I won't buy this product again.

This case fits like a glove. I"m always pulling my phone in and out of my pocket and the case has never come off or budged. It has a nice smooth feel to it and looks nice. I would defiantly buy this product again.

The protective case for my phone is awesome. Completely form fitting and looks great. The problem I had was the shipping, or the lack of I should say. It did not arrive by the date given, although everything else I ordered from different companies at the same time did. I contacted the company about the delay, to which they said they would immediately send out a replacement. I'm not real sure what their defination of "immediately" is, all I know is that it wasn't the same defination I know. Finally after three and a half weeks I got my item. So if you're not worried about getting your items in a timely manner, then go for it; however, if you're like me, and you want your items on or at least near the time that they are supposed to arrive, then shop on and look for a different company.

The case is fine. Nothing special. The matte finish on it peels off though. Of course I prefer the smooth, shiny finish underneath, but I don't think it should have started peeling only a day or two after I got it. I keep the phone in my cargo pocket, and apparently that must be too much for the finish. Oh well. I would still get it, because as I said, I prefer the smooth finish that is underneath the "rubberized" finish that came on it. - Case - Accessories - Faceplates - Lg Env3'

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Checkpoint-frie - laptop sleeve, laptop sleeves

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I bought this because I wanted a protective, stretchy, neoprene sleeve for my 15" MacBook Pro, but I also wanted a case that could hold my charger, flashdrives, and other accessories. This seemed like the PERFECT combination of the two, so I gave it a shot and ordered it. I got it quickly, and it hasn't let me down yet.

It's got a very soft, protecting lining in the interior so it won't scratch your computer. I carry around my laptop with a cooling pad shoved in on top of the laptop (there was a little extra room as this can fit 16" screens too) and the case stretches to conform to it. The outside zipper pocket is extremely helpful, I'm so glad I found this case, and It is very stretchy as well. It will conform to any shape of accessories you put in it without permanently stretching it out, it will always return to its original shape and size. My minimum that I have in the outside pocket is my laptop charger, it's extension cord, my wireless mouse, and a flashdrive that fits very handily in the stretchy flashdrive pocket sewn into the inside. I have fit more into the pocket tho, but that is the minimum that is always with me in the case.

It is also very slim-line, and fits wonderfully in my messenger bag and backpack without taking up any unnecessary room like some cases.

I bought it because I wanted a slim sleeve without giving up convenience to carry my accessories and it delivers very well for what it's supposed to do. The only possible way this could get better would be to come in different colors. =] I definitely recommend it. Caselogic PAS-215 15-Inch Macbook Neoprene Sleeve (Black)

A year ago my boyfriend got the Caselogic PAS-13 neoprene sleeve for his 13" Macbook Pro and it was awesome. The fit was perfect, it didn't scratch the laptop's corners, the bag was well-constructed and high quality, and the price was right. So when I finally upgraded my old Dell to a brand new 13" Macbook Pro, I went for the same case. The only problem: Caselogic stopped making the PAS-13 and has replaced it with this case, the PAS-213. Same difference, right? Wrong. I was seriously disappointed with this case. First, the case does not fit the 13" Macbook Pro well at all--it is too big, and the dimensions are wrong for this laptop. The case is a very loose fit on my 13" Macbook Pro, despite claiming to be made for it (believe me, it is not). Second, perhaps because the fit is not good, the zipper on the case is scratching the corners of my new Macbook Pro. Third, the construction is not as high quality; some of the stitches are already coming out after only a couple months of use.

Sadly, Caselogic has replaced what used to be a wonderful product (the PAS-13) which was well-made and fit the 13" Macbook Pro like a glove with the PAS-213, which is a far inferior product. Don't say I didn't warn you!

This fits my Macbook Pro great. Some seem to complain that the zipper will scratch the computer but I don't have that problem. Maybe that could be the case with older models, but this sleeve fits my Spring 2010 13" Macbook Pro perfect. About 1/4" extra space between the computer and the zipper. The small pocket on the front is great for a small portable hard drive or power cord.

I purchased this case for my 17" Macbook Pro (newest model release as of March 17th, 2011). Depending on your preference as to how snug you want your case to fit, I would say that it is a good fit. Not as snug as the Incase, but my MB is not really wiggling around in the case. The padded inseam does a good job of protecting the edges of my MB and the inside is lined with a microfiber material (I think--either way, it is not neoprene and slides nicely). The outside pocket is definitely useful, including the room enough for my charger, external mouse, and a handy little pocket for a thumb-drive. Considering it is less than half of the cost of the Incase (the new "deluxe" case with the pocket), it is well worth the money to protect something you spend so much money on.

It looks nice, it fits my Macbook Pro 15" very nicely, and I'm a fan of the extra pocket to hold my flash drive, external hard drive, and cord. And the price is way better than anywhere else!

Updated 1/2011: I've had this case for a while now, and I've traveled with it a few times. It is still in perfect condition. It's durable and very convenient.

This case was made for older model MacBookPros - I have the newest model (2011) and there is some room to spare around the case. This isn't a big deal, but I had a Tucano case before for my 13" MBP and it fit perfect. Just feels better when it is all nice and snug.

There is ample protection because it is a rather thick case.

The accessories pouch is nice, but not really that useful as if you are using a sleeve, you are probably putting your computer in another bag.

If I had more money I would buy the Tucano. But this case is decent for the price. - Laptop Sleeve - Laptop Sleeves - Apple - Macbook Pro'

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Childs Towel - hooded towels, towel

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It looks nice, and i think i've got something similar to this and it's very very soft. but this one doesn't feel soft at all. it felt like a cheep bath towel. besides that it looks nice and everything else, just not soft at all. Trend-Lab Character Hooded Towel, Monkey

This is the best bath towel we got for our daughter. It makes bath time fun and it looks adorable on her with the little monkey ears. It's a perfect size to last a while also. the bath puppet isn't so important though, it's kind of an afterthought. but it's still cute too.

I bought these for my daughters as the baby wraps were becoming too small. This is really adorable. The pink is as bright as pictured (I was hoping it was be a little softer). The material is very soft and absorbent and we love the matching washcloth mit. The girls giggle when we play in the tub. Great purchase!

This turned out to be a great gift for my grand-daughter. She really loves to take her bath with the dolly mitt and enjoys being wrapped up in the hooded towel. I is a really great gift for a small girl.

I already had on hooded towel for my infant but needed a second when it was in the wash so I purchased this one. This is really well made. It's super cute and better than the first one I had because it thicker and bigger, my 6 month old looks so adorable in it after his bath. - Childs Towel - Hooded Towels - Bath Towels - Towel'

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Native American - music, meditation

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Flute hasn't always been my favourite instrument, but in this particular sampler, it's taken on a different life. The songs are very soothing and earthy, rather than (as is the case sometimes) airy and floaty. I wanted something to play in the background while I try to get myself to sleep, that would bring me down from a long day, and relax me. This seems to fit the bill perfectly. Definitely give it a listen. Native American Flute Lullabies

If you've not heard the Native American flute played before.. you're in for a real treat! It's a lovely combination of nature and the most haunting flute you've ever experienced! Be one with ALL! Download this one QUICKLY!

I got this album because of the cat on the cover. I don't think the cat is really the one playing the flute but that would be nice. I have 2 cats that would probably get along with the cat on the cover. But I don't think my ferrets would get along with that cat. I like the flute and also found this soothing as many of the other reviewers said. I just bought it so I've only listened to one song so far but I am sure the others are good. I want to play this music for my cats to see if the flute in it has any special powers but I need to make sure my dogs aren't around because they hate flute music for some reason. They prefer the juice harp over flute.

I live in East Tennessee and travel through the Smokies to an Indian reservation. When I listen to this I see the trees and the mist rising early in the morning above the Great Smoky Mountains - and I feel the same spirit I feel when I'm there. Thank you, Amazon for this gift.

I have had this review screen up for at least 10min. The mp3's on this album are playing on the speakers of the computer and I just sat here staring at the wall. This is some pretty deep trance relaxation music. I cant believe its free. Another 10min of wall staring just happened. Just get the damn thing! :)

This is so soothing. It's like an out of body experience for your mind. When you play this you have to put helmets on the kids because their heads hit the pillow so hard! Definitely 2 thumbs up...crickets...and flutes!

This CD showed up on my front page as a recommendation from Amazon. I normally dismiss those suggestions, but this is the second time in a row they were right on the money. I played this CD the minute I got it and immediately felt the calming influences of the flutes and the birds... The only downside is now I want a massage!

I downloaded this sampler album from Amazon out of curiosity, and because I liked the picture of the cat on the cover. What I expected is to hear native American flute music without any accompanying instruments or sound effects. I like to hear any ethnic music in more or less its original form. Since this is a sampler, the album consists of different artists. Some pieces on the album are great and minimalistic, others not so much, which motivated me to give this only 4 out of 5 stars. A number of pieces contain the Spanish guitar. I like Spanish guitar, but not when it is mixed with native American music. Come on! How genuine is that?

Another gripe I have is almost every flute piece is modified to sound as if it playing at a concert hall, or in a big tunnel, you will always hear the amplified reflection effect of the instrument. I know that it was added using computer software and sometimes it is very appropriate, but with the wonderful music on this album I believe is severely overdone. Considering that there are forest sound effects added to the music, it is even less likely that you'd hear the distance amplification effect. If it were played inside a forest with leaves around, it would sound normal like if you're playing it inside a garage.

Despite what I have written above, don't miss out on this album. This is overall very nice. I think some people may find it good to calm down the nerves or meditate and just hard to find in general.

I recently purchased some CDs from Amazon, and this came as a recommendation. I listen to a sample of it, and it was an instant favorite of mine. I listen to it all the time now. It's very relaxing. It's not only good for at home, but also great for a car ride. It has a calming effect when stuck in traffic. This item deserves 5 stars as a rating. If this wasn't a free MP3 download, I would have purchased it immediately. Nice that Amazon sends me great recommendations. This was a true winner!! - World Music - Mp3 Download - Meditation - Music'

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