Friday, 30 April 2010

Dust Mask - face mask, masks


3M 8210 N95 Particulate Disposable Respirator - the "N95" means that if the mask is properly fitted, it will filter out particles down to .3 microns 95 percent of the time. That's great for particulate matter but not sufficient against flu bugs - yet quite helpful.



The types of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses measure between .1 to .2 microns. That means that while this mask will probably stop most of the flu viruses from getting through, it is not dense enough to stop them all. That is why the product description mentions dust and particulate matter but makes no claim or mention of viruses.



Masks with a high enough efficiency rating to stop viruses are incredibly uncomfortable. I've never worn one but consider that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises health-care workers working with SARS patients to wear the N95 mask - same rating as this one. Even the CDC does not expect people to function at work wearing masks with super high efficiency ratings. Therefore I'm not getting a superior rated mask because they are immediately uncomfortable and I might not be able to function wearing one. Health-care workers will be wearing masks rated N95.



The N95 masks are also valued because viruses often travel on bigger molecules such as molecules that contain mucus. N95 will stop all of those.



I would suggest this box of 30 as a good emergency supply and perhaps a better deal:3M 8000 Particle Respirator N95, 30-Pack. 3M 8210Plus Particulate Respirator N95, 20-Pack

Respirators are great for use when getting up leaves or mowing the lawn. I use them regularly during fall for my lawn business. The straps are not durable for long-term use, but usually last as long as the mask stays breatheable. The straps need to be stretched evenly before the mask is first put on or it may seem too tight. One at a time stretch each strap a section of the strap at a time. Much better than the single strap nuisance respirators. Price was awesome on an open box. Wish I had ordered two of them. - 3m - N95 - Face Mask - Masks'


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Kindle Lighted Leather Cover - kindle 3 covers, book light


I've noticed that like myself customers have been concerned primarily with two things regarding the new lighted case from amazon. These are: 1)The weight and 2) The uneven lighting. My review will briefly discuss these two things.



1)The Weight - The lighted leather case is a nice weight, sturdy and comfortable to hold. In ounces it is about the weight of the kindle itself however don't let that concern you. With the case on it feels like a medium sized paperback, however it is far much more comfortable to hold. It's easy to hold the case open like a book (nice for couch and table type reading) or to fold the front back and close it with the bungee so that the bungee doesn't hang around (this is good for bedtime reading).Closing the front back with bungee keeps the case folded in position and you don't have to worry about it bothering you. BTW THIS CASE FOLDS BACK 100% - Very comfortable. In sum very comfortable to read with the case and very sturdy.



2) The uneven lighting - Amazon's pictures don't do this case justice. The light hits the ENTIRE screen. Yes if you look closely it's brighter in the top right corner then in the bottom left but Amazon's pics make it look the top is lighted while the bottom is dark. There is good light all over the screen. Trust me I'm fussy about these things - the lighting will not bother you, your entire screen will be lighted and it is extremely pleasant to read in the dark.



*Final Thoughts - Great case, good quality, works well, kindle feels very secure and protected (I would feel comfortable slipping this case into my backpack or suitcase and I think it would sustain some mild impact). Lastly hinges are a non-issue, casing of the kindle will not get damaged with normal or even slightly aggressive use. You could damage the kindle by trying to pull the back of the case but you'd have to really force it to cause any sort of damage to your kindle. The hinges work fine and should not be a concern to any case user.



Update 1st December 2010:



Have now been using the case for 3 months. Leather still looks impeccable. Some people expressed concern that the bungee cord might loosen with use. I have not experienced any loosening so far. Quality of the product has proven outstanding. I've occasionally spilled or messed the cover, just a wipe with a damp cloth has cleaned it up, and the case looks like new. Have to admit I enjoy the feel of the case in my hand, there's just something great about taking your kindle to a coffee shop in this case, it just looks and feels so classy. Also with regard to the hinges: I have had no scratches on my kindle or any other issues, so I remain convinced that the hinges are a non issue. Kindle Lighted Leather Cover, Black (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle)

I was hesitant to buy this cover mostly due to the pictures in its listing, which seem to show a light that doesn't even extend to the opposite corner. The fact that I have not been impressed with the Amazon's Kindle covers in the past didn't help. I went ahead and purchased it because the cover I wanted isn't available yet and I don't like to take my Kindle out and about without a cover. Now I am glad that I went ahead and bought it.



PROS:



1. The light is much better than I thought it would be. Using it in a darkened room I found that the light did the job very well. In a pitch black room, it performs even better. While the screen corner opposite the light is a bit dimmer than other areas, there is no problem reading the page at all.



2. The light gets its power from the Kindle itself, through the gold-plated hinges which attach it to the cover, so batteries are a thing of the past. When your Kindle goes to sleep, the light will go out as well. It will also turn off when you slide it back into the case.



3. The cover is slim, well-fitted and very easy to attach and detach using the hinges. The inside has good padding. The leather outer surface has a nice pebbled texture with the exception of a smooth area along the edge of the front. While stiff enough to protect the reader, the cover is slight flexible and the front easily folds behind when reading so you can hold your Kindle with one hand if you like.



4. A great plus is that the cover has an elastic cord that fits into a groove on the front of it. This holds your cover closed (unlike the original Kindle 2 cover that would flop open in your purse & let things slide into it) and easily distinguishes the front from the back--important as many owners of the Kindle 2 cover accidentally opened it from the back, which could cause cracking along the Kindle's spine.





CONS:



I haven't found any, really. The light Is a bit hard (stiff) to pull out of the cover, but then you wouldn't want it to be flopping out when you don't want to use it so that is more of a Pro than a Con.



The one concern I do have is about pulling the light in and out--I wonder if whatever wiring or conductor that is used to get the power from the hinges to the light will eventually break. But that is something to find out down the road. Right now, the more I use this cover, the more I like it. - Kindle Lighted Cover - Book Light - Kindle 3 Covers - Kindle Accessory'


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Magnetic Field Therapy - phiten necklace, nonsense


I bought this titanium necklace just to try one more alternative treatment for my joint pains and was really pleasantly surprised. It seems to be actually helping. I take tons of supplements and use magnets as well as the Q-ray ring/bracelet but this is the first item that seemed to immediately help decrease the pain in my joints. I'll have to see how it fairs as time goes by but if constantly wearing a rather ugly necklace is the price to pay, so be it. I can't say it'll help everyone who tries it but it definitely seems to be relieving my joint pains. Yehhhhh.....something that REALLY works!! Phiten Titanium Star Necklace, Black, 18-Inches

I had back pain for about a year. After seeing these necklaces being worn by a ton of Major League Baseball players I decided to give one of these a try. Next thing I knew, my back pain was gone. Coincidence? Maybe. But, when I forget to put it back on after a shower I sometimes feel pain again. These are very light weight and comfortable. Highly recommended.

I am a chronic sufferer of back and neck pain. An accident several years ago left me with a fractured vertebrae and more pain than I know how to deal with. I watch a lot of baseball on TV and saw a lot of players wearing this and decided to give it a try. This product(along with a weekly workout regimen) has helped me deal with and exceed my own standards of pain tolerance. I don't know whether it's a mind-over-matter type of experience, but at this point, I don't really care. If you deal with aches and pains similar to these, I would definitely give this a try.

I've been wearing it for 3 weeks now. I have sciatic due to a herniated disc. I was hoping this will relieve pain. I guess it's not that powerful to wear it on the neck to get rid of the pain in my low back. I also got the bracelet which really works for my wrist, elbo and shoulder. Well, it's probably the combination of the necklace and bracelet that make them feel pretty much pain free. They are painful because I am a Programmer and work on the computer all day.



I would say this product works. I may be buying the waist belt that is not sold here.

I've had gout for over 12 years and I constantly get flare ups on my right ankle. At times when my flare up was not as severe, i often would have minor ankle swells lasting all day. With a number of supplements taken such as black cherry fruit extract pills, glucosamine, NSAID's, and even acupuncture, i constanly had a slight swollen ankle that bothered me each day, especially in the evenings. Since watching the baseball players use it, I began reviewing the benefits of using this bracelet and heard from the BB players that it was helping them ease pain. I immediately thought of buying one for my dad since he always complained about his neck and how much it bothered him. Mind you that he is a welder who constantly shifts his welding hood downward with the use of his neck..figured that was the main reason why his neck hurt all the time. I bought this necklace and gave it to him and told him that the bracelet should help reduce is neck pain. Very kindly, my father acknowledged my statement as he placed it on his neck. Surprisingly, my dad called me two days later and said..."son, i couldn't wait to call you to tell you that the my neck pain is gone!!, and you are right! this thing helped my neck pain!" I was very glad to hear that...now here is my story. I got in Amazon and purchased one for me with the crazy idea of placing it on my ankle where my swelling occurs. My ankle measured 11 inches in diamater so i purchased the 22 inch phiten black bracelet. The day of arrival I opened the package and tied it on my ankle..perfect fit once double looped. Folks or readers..my swelling has gown down and my ankle pain went away!!!! Really...I can't believe that this bracelet served its purpose. Unbelievable! Now i can get up in the morning and not feel any pain in my foot. My evenings are much better than they every have been. i feel more energized throughout the day and feel great at night.

I still take my cherry fruit extract pills, B complex, and Glucosomine supplements to help eliminate my uric acid in my body. i also take a teaspoon of baking soda to help neutralize the acid in the blood(kidney specialist referral).

for those of you who have any joint pain, i suggest you try this bracelet and place it on the trouble areas. Of course it's impossible to find one long enough to fit around your waist, for those who have waist problems, but having one on your ankle, neck, and wrist will certainly help balance those energies overall.

this is my story and felt it is worth sharingto those who are thinking whether or not this product works. I would gladly here anyone's testimonials about this bracelet. It truly works !!!

I'm a drummer who does a lot of session work and driving around to gigs who deals with chronic back and neck pain. I've been through chiro treatment and use all sorts of inversion tables, back rests, and braces to help deal with the pain of muscle stress and tension in my back and neck. Sometimes this pain spreads to my ribs and other areas so my pain simply comes from tense muscles, no disc compressions or anything like that. After buying this at a local sport shop and putting it on, I got into my car and slouched down into my seat (something I don't usually do because of the pain in my lower back) and drove to where I needed to be, not even realizing that my pain had went away. After wearing this necklace for a few days, I have stopped taking muscles relaxers at night, and I noticed while waking up I don't feel any tension. Usually waking up in the morning I feel the most tension but haven't had a problem for the past week. This morning while getting ready for work I was having some pain in my left ankle, and it was popping. I never have ankle pain and it never pops (must have tweaked it). Therefore, I took my necklace off and wrapped it around my ankle. 5 minutes later the pain was gone. I'm not sure how this product works, although I'm a firm believer in the bodies natural healing process. If this IS indeed placebo effect working, then what is the big issue? People should understand that placebo effect is a natural and very important process that can occur in our body. Western medicine spends time trying to get medication to work apart from the placebo effect, which is dangerous and a waste of time. I feel this product really does work and suggest it to anyone who wants to help themselves overcome pain with their body's natural healing process. Stop listening to other people's criticism and see if this product works for you. Your mind plays a bigger role in the success of this product than you think. That is all.... - Waste - Phiten - Phiten Necklace - Nonsense'


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Shooting Accessories - ear protection, hearing protector


My husband & I both like to shoot at our local gun club and he was using ear covers that were so stiff and tight that headaches were a given. BUT then he tried my ear covers like these and loved them! So got him his own pair for his birthday :) They provide excellent ear protection on the firing range and are extremely comfortable and lightweight to wear!!! Great product! Peltor 97007 Bulls Eye 9 Hearing Protector

i can't give enough praise for the quality of these headphones. i'm not actually using these for their intended purpose .. i am a very light sleeper and sometimes the smallest noises will wake me up .. since buying these i can actually sleep and hear NOTHING .. the isolation and noise reduction of these muffs is top notch. i can actually SLEEP with these things on they are so comfortable .. to top it all off, Peltor makes these in Sweden! no wonder the engineering is so precise.

Great ear protection for shooting. The cushions are soft and the design is great--not too tight not too loose. Handguns, shotguns & small caliber rifles are some great uses for this pair of ears. You may want to wear earplugs with these ears if you shoot large caliber rifles. Personally the earmuffs worked fine for me while shooting my rifle but that's just me. Bottom line: this is a definitely a good (and cheap) buy!

I bought these for use in a small computer server room. They effectively dampen most frequencies, but don't completely block out the noise. You can hear human voices very clearly when using these, which may or may not be desirable, depending on your situation. They are very lightweight and seem reasonably comfortable, although I haven't worn them for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

I purchased this ear pro along with the Peltor MT15H7F (sound amplified at 6x the cost)



This ear pro block quite a bit of noise, however they don't block as much noise as the best foam inserts like the Peltor Skull screws 30db



The upside is that these are much more comfortable then the foam inserts over the time period of a few hours.



Minor negative is that if you wear eye pro with these they can sometimes make a gap between your head and the ear pro. If you move them around right it fixes it 90%

(My indoor range requires eye and ear pro, I use Oakly M-Frames)



Another minor problem that is inherent in all over the ear protection is that it can sometimes be annoying trying to get good stock-weld.

(Just a minor problem for all ear pro in this category, but it goes away as you learn to shoot more with them.



(If you are looking for something in the ear try the Peltor Skull screws, even though screws in your ears doesn't sound fun they are the best in the ear foam plugs I've used (and I've used a lot)





I would recommend this product, especially if you will be wearing them for over an hour (Foam gets uncomfortable for me regardless of style after an hour or so) - Peltor Earmuffs - Earmuffs - Ear Protection - Hearing Protector'


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Laptop Battery - dell inspiron, laptop battery


I own a Dell E1505 laptop computer. The original battery did not last very long and since I have been using my laptop as a portable 'desktop' computer. Recently I decided to purchase a new batter as my travel frequency has gone up. I normally purchase items from Amazon with good to excellent feedback. So I was comparing the 9-cell battery by Tavas with the one by New Trent and I ended up purchased the one from Tavas as it had a better rating (7200mAh vs 6600mAh) and is slightly cheaper because I had to pay tax if I ordered the one by New Trent.



The battery arrived and immediately I put the battery to test. Boom it was not working. The computer BIOS complained that it does not recognize the battery. But when I booted into Windows I can see the battery meter displayed about 52% charge and I can read the battery ID (don't remember the exact ID No.) and such but apparently the battery is not charging. I removed the power cord and the computer was still on so the battery was actually supplying power to the laptop. When I plug the power cord back, the little power cord icon was showing that the battery was charging but after a few minutes the charging icon disappeared so again the battery was sitting idle.



I called Dell technical support and was advised to only buy Dell battery. Finally they told me that the issue can be fixed by flashing (the BIOS) but I have to purchase a one time support which would cost me $59.95 because my laptop is out of warranty support. So I decide to return the battery since Amazon offers a easy return process.



I then reorder the 9-cell battery by New Trent. It took only three to four days for the battery to arrive and again I immediately plugged in the battery for a test. The BIOS did not even notice that there was a new battery. Every thing just worked as my original battery. I booted into Windows and found that the battery was charging normally. This battery, when fully charged, gives me about 4 to 5 hours run time with my laptop set for Maximum Battery (as opposed to Maximum Performance). So far I am very happy with this battery but I only own it for less then two days. BTW, the battery is rated at 7200mAH even though the ad on Amazon says the battery is rated at 6600mAH. New Trent 11.10V,7200mAh, 9 cells, Li-Ion, Replacement Laptop Battery For Dell Inspiron 1501, Inspiron 6400, Inspiron E1505, Latitude 131L, Vostro 1000 Brand New

Received this battery a couple days ago and have been impressed since. My old battery for my Dell I6400 would last about 40 minutes before it would so graciously turn off with no warning. I saw this as the sign to get a new battery. I was pleasantly surprised to find this New Trent battery for under $40 on Amazon. My first replacement battery for this Dell cost over $100 and didn't even last 1 year before the above mentioned symptoms.



My Dell computer recognized this battery without a problem and I am getting between 3 and 4 hours of battery life now. I would definitely recommend this product after only having it for a few days now.

With the original battery in my Dell Inspiron 1501 worn out -- only about 10 minutes of runtime before it would require recharge, and with the computer giving me constant messages that the battery needs to be replaced, I went to Dell to buy a replacement. I was shocked to find that a new Dell battery would cost nearly $150! While uncertain about buying an "aftermarket" battery, I researched quite a bit, looking at various batteries, and after reading a number of excellent reviews for New Trent products, I decided to purchase one. The battery arrived promptly, I installed it today, and my Dell immediately recognized the battery and began charging it. Given that I have just received the battery, I am not yet sure what the full run time will be -- as I have not yet discharged it. However, after some of the bad experiences I learned of during my research with folks who bough other brands of batteries from other companies, I am very pleased with the New Trent product. And, you can't beat the price -- less than 1/3 the cost of a new Dell battery! Finally, I also checked out New Trent's website, and spoke with the company on the phone with some questions, and they were incredibly helpful and kind, and really stood behind their product. I do not hesitate at all to recommend this company, and I will absolutely return to New Trent the next time I need a laptop battery.

I have had this battery for several weeks now. The price was low and that made me a little worried but since it was ordered from Amazon I knew they would make it right if there was any problem. It holds several hours of charge and I couldn't be more pleased! I will definitely re-order this battery when I need one.

This is the fourth battery I've had to buy for my Dell Inspiron E1505. I seem to go through battery's fast. That is until I read what others had to say about Dell batteries being less than adequate. As I searched for another replacement I came across this one on Amazon and chose it because of positive reviews and the more than reasonable price. It arrived quickly and upon looking it over I found it to be a well assembled product, that plus the quality packaging set me up to the fact that this is a excellent product. I'm sure I wont be disappointed and so far I haven't been. - E1505 - Laptop Battery - Battery - Dell Inspiron'


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Brad Nailers - brad nailer, nails


I have a Dewalt cordless 18-guage nailer that I use for quick handyman projects. I keep this assortment kit inside the tool's case. It is small, clear and has everything from small to large for every need. I refill it from one-size packs of 1000+ nails that I can't fit in the tool's case. Senco A209909 18-Gauge-by-1-2-Inch Electro Galvanized Variety Pack Brads

Variety pack supplied a good selection of brads for most projects. Once you determine the type you need, you can order a box of them. Better than buying a box and finding out they aren't suited for your project.

I bought these nails for use with the Hitachi brad nailer I bought on Amazon at the same time. The nails came in a variety of sizes and functioned flawlessly. I did not experience any miss fires or loading problems. I don't know how much credit goes to these nails or or the great Hitachi brad nailer, but both work great together. If you need just one size, I would only order the single size pack, however this variety pack was great for my needs and included plenty of nails in each size. - Senco - Nails - Brad Nailers - Brad Nailer'


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Sharpening Steel


This steel is very nice for the price. The length is fine for nearly any knife and the material itself is of a suitable hardness for correcting cutting edges. The handle is easy to hold, and it has a nice heft and balance. Exactly what I would expect from a Henckels product.



Now, a brief clarification: A steel will absolutely not "sharpen" your knife. It doesn't have a grit so much as the steel used is much harder than the knife. (If you have a dull edge you can run it along the finest steel for hours and not get a sharper cutting edge.) What it does do is simply correct the angle of the knife's edge that tends to get bent to either side during normal use. When you run the leading edge of the knife down the steel in the correct manner, a sharp edge should go back to the appropriate angle. If you have a dull blade, you need to hone a new edge. (For that you may consider using a professional sharpening service. this can be a little tough for a novice...sorry!) Once that is done, use your steel each and every time you pull your knives from their home to keep the edge at peak usability.



Keep in mind that you could sharpen a spoon to a razors edge, it just won't keep it for long. Better knives hold an edge for much longer due to the quality of the materials and their hardness. Few of us need an exquisitely expensive set of knives. Just buy a nice set for a good price and keep on using a good steel!

I have Henckels knife which I enjoy using.

I did try other brand's sharpening tool, but it just wasn't as good as original Hanckels. This thing is made in Germany!

Since I paid good sum of money for my knives, it was worth extra money to buy good sharpner. And this really is great price. I saw similar Henckels sharpner at Target for $25.

I am very happy.

It is what it says it is and is great for putting that finished edge on knives. About 6 or 7 passes on each side keeps my wifes favorite kitchen knife razor keen. Also used it on my pocket knife, cuts through boxes like butter.

I recently took a cooking class where I learned how to use a sharpening steel and how effective they are in putting a good edge on you knives. (a few light strokes on each side of the blade at a 20 degree angle is all it takes) My wife can't believe how sharp our knives are now. This was an excellent steel with a molded handle. While not a pretty as the "matched set" this is very functional and our knives don't even notice the molded handle either. I ended up buying another steel for my daughter and now she has sharp knives as well.

This product will not sharpen dull knives, but it will keep sharp knives in great cutting condition much longer. I did not know anything about this type of product before my purchase, but research (and now experience) has shown me that a sharpening steel will remove the burs to keep the cutting edge straight and smooth so the sharpness of the blade does what it does. I notice a big difference if I use my knives a few times without using this product, and then after a few swipes on both sides of the blade they are like new again.



I got this brand since it was a gold box item for me, but I'd recommend any sharpening steel that is at a good price. I can't imagine you'd see much difference in results from different brands, the knives are what really matter.

I've already went through my kitchen knives and touched them all up with a nice edge. This is a fine quality steel. I owned a professional steel already, but it was quite old and I really like the balance of this one better!

How much can you say about a piece like this?



It's a nice size (shorter than most I've used).



It's easy to handle, and my knives (Victorinox Cutlery 6-Inch Chef's Knife, Black Fibrox Handle and Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife ) are ready to cut after a quick honing.



For sharpening, I love this tool (and so does Cook's Illustrated):

AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener

Have used it over a year. Like the hanging loop. I sharpen with a Tormec wet grinder, then do a final touch-up with this steel. This steel has micro grooves, so a light touch works best. My old Remington 10" carving knife maintains a razor edge with this steel between uses. A final pass with the Global diamond rod ensures a very fine edge. And the price is right.'


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