View Full Version : Product Reviews
Thought I'd start thread about products you might have bought and either liked or hated them. I've got a few so i'll start with this.
Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control
I'm a remote control nut. Partially out of necessity and partly because I have total control because my wife doesn't know how to use any of our electronics.
So when my son bought this for me I was pretty excited. It basically replaced every remote I have. He lucked out by having a friend who works at Best Buy and got it for $100. It sells for $249. Personally I'd never spend that much on one but this is one of my top 5 toys.
First let me mention that you HAVE to have internet access to program it. There is no client side software to do this. It connects with USB and the software that Logitech supplies. I've heard some grumbling about both sides of this and perhaps Logitech will release client software in the future. The plus side is that Logitech had every piece of equipment that I own (and some are pretty old) so programming took all of 5 minutes. It also stores your settings so if it happens to reset you can easily reprogram it.
The 880 has a small color display with 8 sections and corresponding buttons on each side. The display is configurable with pictures you can upload (160kb max) but I found it's harder to read the functions with anything other than a solid background. You can also program up to 16 favorites and cutomize the display to show logo's. My cable box remembers my favorites so along with having the cable favorites I also have the 16 remote favorites.
All the buttons are backlit in blue and all the buttons can be configured to whatever funtions you want. It also has a motion sensor so when you pick it up the remote automatically powers on. I found the buttons a bit hard to read though in the dark because of the fine print and blue lighting. Your stuck with blue even though you can customize the LCD display. That is very bright and easy to read but there's no brightness adjustments that I've found.
You have to have all your model numbers handy when you go to program it. I ended up having to run back and forth because I neglected to write them down.
The remote also has a charging unit with a LiPo battery. Charges last up to a week. I haven't had some of the problems I had read about with the charging station and display that earlier models had. The charger does have a bright blue light in it that neve goes off. You can even program a slide show into the display that starts when you sit it in the cradle.
More info on it can be found here (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/features/harmony/US/EN,CRID=2078)
Pros: One button does everything. I push Watch DVD and it turns on my TV, sets the correct input, turns on DVD player and turns on sound system and sets that to correct input. Remote then is controlling suround system with +/- vol controls. Same thing with Listen To CD etc.
Harmony's site had every piece of equipment I own and even updates the firmware when they update it.
Everything is configurable. You can change the function of almost any button.
No more changing batteries.
Easy to read display. I really like the color display.
Customizable icon for favorites.
Wakes up when moved.
My wife doesn't have a clue how to use it. I'm the master of the remote. :)
Cons: Must have USB and internet access to program it.
Channel/number buttons are at the bottom and aren't as easy to memorize as my other remotes and aren't in a very convienient location. I have to hold it up to change to a particular channel unless I want to use the channel button and go through every one until I get there.
Doesn't feel as good in the hand as some other remotes I've had. Plus it's a bit slippery and has a fairly odd shape to it.
Expensive, $249 is way more than I would ever had paid for a remote.
For IR devices only. If you own Bose equipment that uses RF it won't work.
Docking/charge station is a bit weird but it will beep when set in the cradle correctly. Has a bit of an annoying blue light in it but the remote covers it while charging.
My DVD player needed tweaking. It was sending two commands instead of one but that was easily fixed.
Comments: Has it been worth it...I think so. I'd look around and see if you could get it cheaper though. It sure beats having 5 remotes sitting on the table for every device. The model 890 uses rf to send to a IR transmitter so you can turn on stuff through walls. I'm not sure how good that would be unless you wanted everything on before you got into the room. So far I've been pretty happy with this. I read a lot of complaints about the web programming but all of them had dates around Christmas where I suspect the servers were swamped. Most peoples problems have been fixed by Logitech so I think they're pretty good if you have a problem. I've had this for a few weeks now and it's been working perfectly.
This isn't a high tech product, but it actually works
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (http://www.homemadesimple.com/sites/en_US/mrclean/eraser/index.shtml)
It cleans just about anything off a hard surface. I use it on my old countertops in the kitchen. It gets the stains that are down in the worn surface. It'll take hard water stains off in the bathroom and the thing I love most.. it gets the nicotine off my monitor. You just get it wet and rub. The "sponge" breaks down as you use it and you have to rinse the residue away, but it's still easier than using bottled chemicals. I'd test it on a small area first, though.
Dirt Devil model 853835 12 amp vacuum
I think we got this at Best Buy for $89 or something like that. Bagless technology although it has this huge filter that probably costs $100, I haven't bought one yet so I can't say. This thing actaully sucks better than any vacuum we've ever owned. Very lightweight and has some attachments. Easy to clean the collecting unit as well.
Here's the problem. The idiot engineer who designed this thing thought it was a good idea to put the motor cooling exhaust directly out front. So for as much as it cleans just as much blows away from you out and away to the front. You end up chasing pieces of paper etc. just hoping they get caught in something so you can suck them up. It's a stupid design. The cooling exhaust should flow to the rear like every other vacuum we've ever owned. Forget about vacuuming a wood floor. You might as well try vacuuming it with a leaf blower.
Plus, the on switch/button, which is foot operated, is in the most difficult of places to get to. It's right above the handle pivot release and you can barely get your bare feet on it to turn it on. Maybe your supposed to turn it on before you tilt the handle, who knows, but it's not a very good design. I'd have preferred a switch on the handle. It's a real pain and hard to see.
Pro's: Lightweight and easy to manuever.
Will pretty much suck up most anything, lego's, marbles, small Barbie crap etc.
Easy to empty and clean. Filter is easily removed
MicroFresh filtration
12 amp motor (really makes that electrical meter spin:sure: )
Cool Dirt Devil red color.
Cons: Motor cooling exhaust shoots right out front blowing dirt away from the beater brush and intake.
Doesn't do wood floors at all unless you're using attachments.
On/off swith in a very cumbersome location.
Comments: Better than what I expected for what we paid for it.
I definately look closer at the exhaust design on the next one we buy.
This isn't a high tech product, but it actually works
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (http://www.homemadesimple.com/sites/en_US/mrclean/eraser/index.shtml)
I've been wanting to try one and heard other people say they were pretty good. Think I'll try it. Thanks kimmy.
Ether_Elemental
02-01-06, 07:32 PM
Logitech® Cordless Desktop® MX™ 5000 Laser (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2158,CONTENTID=10776)
definately a worthwhile user imput set. very sharp and sexy looking and more buttons that you can shake a domokun at. it has this neat little on-keyboard LCD that shows date, time, capslock key on/off, F key on/off, username and degrees celcius ( i sure that can be changed to Farenheit but i dunno if the temp is that of the inside of my computer or the keyboard itself.) it can also automatically show any incoming yahoo messanger IM's (havn't tried it for AIM or ICQ). it has presets up the wazoo for things like windows media player and winamp. the screen will also show the name of the song thats currently playing, how far along it is and how long it is total. evidently you can also load playlists and internet radio stations. the home/end/page up/page down/delete keys are in a different formation that most other keyboards but doesn't reallt get in the way.
one of the more neat features is the onboard calculator, non-graphic but hey it doesn't really need to. Theres a specialty button right above the numpad that turns on this function. the screen will show just whats coming up as you go on your mathematical equations. handy dandy for those folks that like to have a calculator, but don't like having to alt-tab to the program.
Both the mouse and keyboard are bluetooth and it comes with a bluetooth hub so its expandable to PDA's and cellphones and whatnot. i was really surprised how exact the mouse was. this one time whilst playing nwn the mouse would only go in a straight line diagonally. me not knowing what the hell was going on picked it up and noticed this small cat hair was up in there.
Pro's:
Wireless - you can take these babies to your couch/chair/bed and have a remote control for winamp/windows media player
Calculator - for those of us that are lazy not to get a separate one ;)
Mouse has 10 buttons (including scrolling up and down)
Precision - The mouse's optical sensor (no red lights gentlemen!) has 800-dpi resolution and 5.8-Megapixel image processing... YEAH BABY!
Rechargable base station for the mouse
Con's:
You will have to replace the keyboard batteries when they go out.
LCD is not backlit so you can't use it in the dark
If you get overwhelmed by having too many options you might want to try something simpler
If the USB port the bluetooth hub is connected in is NOT 2.0 look forward to periodic loss of signal between the keyboard/mouse and the computer. this has already cost me a door.
because its wireless theres a very short time delay to the computer from a mouse movement or keystroke, moreso when the unit has been idle. if it hasn't then there isn't really any noticable delay.
Retail price of 149.99 and well worth it. :thumbsup:
EE,
Are the keys backlit? I couldn't find anything about that on the web site.
Nice review! :thumbsup:
Ether_Elemental
02-02-06, 12:47 AM
i wish! but i'm sure theres kit available somewheres where you can put that sort of stuff in. and if you do find it, send me a link or summat, i want one too. i've sold keyboards like that before, but ast a whopping hundred bucks a pop. given the individual price of the mouse in this kit is something like 70 or 80 bucks alone, means this keyboard is at a relative price. and in all honesty i prefer the functionality over a keyboard that lights up like a christmas tree. or one of these, even though its a compaq, it adds Zen to ones workplace....
oh hell no a chia board:rolleyes:
I hope this doesn't mean just new products? Because I have been using a car wax/polish called zymol (http://www.calcarcover.com/product_list.aspx?cid=110) I got my bottle at Target, but it really does a great job and it is easy to apply and remove. I have used Maguires products for years but I'd recommend Zymol. It ever has a pleasent smell not like a clay factory. And even though I don't own a high end sports car, my low end F-150 looks damn good when I finish.
I hope this doesn't mean just new products?
I'd say no and even go so far to comment on companies you've had good or bad business with. For example...
TigerDirect
I bought something from them and the salesperson was talking so fast I could barely follow him. He mentioned he was going to throw in some Anti-virus software or some crap for free (which I didn't want). So right after I hung up I read the fine print in the ad and it said that unless you called them and told them you didn't want it they would charge your credit card $39. Well I immediately called and after 10 minutes on hold I told the person I didn't want it. He said no problem and put the note in the database.
Well guess what? Two months later I get a charge on my credit card bill for $39.
I called and go into an argument with the asshat on the phone and told them I had called within minutes of ordering my product. He finally brought up my order and sure enough, there in the notes was the date and time I called saying I didn't want it. He apologized and they reimbursed my credit card.
That's a pretty shady practice if you ask me. You really had to search and look close to find where it said what you needed to do to decline. I'll never do business with them again just because of that.
RicardoHead
02-02-06, 08:55 AM
I'm waiting for Jillamanda to to review her incubator she got on Ebay.
I have this great neighbor down the street who I call the gadgeteer.:laugh:
She is constantly buying all kinds of neat gadgets and sometimes brings me one. Yesterday she brought me over this thing called INVIS-ID (http://www.conceptek.com/)
It's basically a ultra violet permanent pen that you write on items that might get stolen. It's completely invisible and comes with a small UV light and extra batteries. I tried it last night and put my drivers license # on all my stuff that might get stolen. Once dry you can even see it unless your using a UV lamp.
She wouldn't tell me how much it was or where she got it but there was a url on the box if you want to check it out. Just for grins I even put it on some of my desk items here at work because somebody's always stealing either my stapler, hole punch, scissors etc off my desk. Now I can just go and shine this light on them and they're busted.
I wrote my license # on areas a thief probably would even look at and it worked great. Can't see or even feel it once it's dry.
It's one of those things you think to yourself "why didn't I think of that"
Barb101
04-05-06, 12:25 PM
I think she wants to get into your pants, Bucko. :Poke:
Barb101
04-05-06, 12:43 PM
Forbes.com: The Most Useful Tools Ever..and The Best Of The Best (http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/14/tools-duct-tape_cx_de_0315ducttape.html?partner=netscape)
No. 1 The Knife
No. 2 The Abacus
No. 3 The Compass
No. 4: The Pencil
No. 5: The Harness
No. 6: The Scythe
No. 7: The Rifle
No. 8: The Sword
No. 9: Eyeglasses
No. 10: The Saw
No. 11: The Watch
No. 12: The Lathe
No. 13: The Needle
No. 14: The Candle
No. 15: The Scale
No. 16: The Pot
No. 17: The Telescope
No. 18: The Level
No. 19: The Fish Hook
No. 20: The Chisel
I think she wants to get into your pants, Bucko. :Poke:
*shudder* Barb..she's gotta be in her early to late 70's.
Of course me being 50 now I guess I'd be a spring chicken to her. :laugh:
I just do stuff for her because she always brings me some GREAT food or some sort of gadget. I'm serious, her garage is full of stuff she's bought and never even opened. She even has a comppressor and generator. I don't even have any of that good stuff.
Forbes.com: The Most Useful Tools Ever..and The Best Of The Best (http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/14/tools-duct-tape_cx_de_0315ducttape.html?partner=netscape)
No. 1 The Knife
No. 2 The Abacus
No. 3 The Compass
No. 4: The Pencil
No. 5: The Harness
No. 6: The Scythe
No. 7: The Rifle
No. 8: The Sword
No. 9: Eyeglasses
No. 10: The Saw
No. 11: The Watch
No. 12: The Lathe
No. 13: The Needle
No. 14: The Candle
No. 15: The Scale
No. 16: The Pot
No. 17: The Telescope
No. 18: The Level
No. 19: The Fish Hook
No. 20: The Chisel
And what about the Liberator (http://www.liberator.com)?
It's the most useful tool I own. :p Of course that Harness might come in handy.
What about The Rubber?
Sorry Dave..it's not actually a tool. It's used on your tool but only as an accessory to your tool.
Yea...guess you are right..........then ...What about "The Tool" - that should be number 1!
Yea...guess you are right..........then ...What about "The Tool" - that should be number 1!
I'll second that although I'd bet there are a few women out there that would disagree :laugh:
Rguess21
04-05-06, 10:02 PM
Not anywhere near enough power tools on that list. And if you include things like glasses, telescopes, and candles, then where are front end loaders, cranes, etc. I call bullshit.:hehe:
My cellphone, (yes the one that can smell fingers), dropped in a stormdrain last week. When I got out of my car, it just fell out of my pocket... down in a huge stormdrain I was parked on top off, 70 feet down into bahamian rock anyway I bought a motorola flip phone last weekend thinking that it would be better and man I hate it. It already dropped 4 times and fell apart. It's apparently made of this cheap flimsy plastic. This would never happen to my samsung it was built like a tank. I hate the ring tones, I hate the menu, I hate the games. It's hard to access the menus. I should've listened to my wife.. :(
STIBROKER
04-27-06, 01:05 PM
anyway I bought a motorola flip phone last weekend ....:(
let me guess.....Wal:star:Mart.........
no they dont sell unlocked cells
RicardoHead
04-27-06, 01:09 PM
I should've listened to my wife.. :(Are you fuckin' crazy? Settle down and don't make any rash comments you'll regret later ... :Poke:
JBMoney
04-27-06, 01:24 PM
I should've listened to my wife.. :(
Don't make me close this whole place down. We don't need that kinda talk here.
LOL ..ok ok .. I'm better now
Product: Bissell Powersteamer Pro carpet cleaner
First off...apparently Bissell doesn't know what steam really is. There is no steam or even a heating element in this thing, although I hear they now have a model that has real steam in it. I'd have to see it to believe it.
Basically you pour hot water into a container which also acts as a receiver for what the vacuum picks up and then fill up a seperate container with the soap/cleaner solution.
It's a piece of shit. You might as well use a hose, soak your carpet and then use a shopvac to vacuum up the water. You can do about 3 sq. yards (if you're lucky) before you have to empty the catch bucket and refill the soap dispenser. It took me an hour to do my daughters 10'x12' room and two days to dry.
It actually looks like it cleans spots until the water dries then the spot returns. I didn't want to buy this piece of crap because we've been using the same guy for 20 years who does a great job for about $100. I'll probably spend that much alone in the special cleaner solution over the next few months at this rate. But my wife brought this space hog home so now I'm stuck with it.
PROS: It rolls easily.
CONS: Too many to list here but trust me, there isn't any steam in this Powersteamer and I'm sure it's sucking up electricity like no tomorrow.
Stay away from this cheap piece of electricity sucking plastic. We've had it for two weeks and I'm ready to toss it off the pier.
I threw out all my stink carpet two years ago. Tiled the place throughout. I got tired of cleaning it and the smell of feet.
I threw out all my stink carpet two years ago. Tiled the place throughout. I got tired of cleaning it and the smell of feet.
You know..we put wood flooring and carpeting in a year or so ago. My idea was lets just put wood flooring everywhere but the bedrooms.
But noooooo...my wife wanted this stinking berber carpeting in the living room and everywhere else but the kitchen. You can't even put throw rugs down on this crap because they move all over the place. (and I've tried everything but gluing them down with Liquid Nails)
So what does she say the other day? "Honey..we should tear out the carpeting in the living room and put wood flooring in"
I just went over and started pounding my head against the wall. :laugh: :nolike:
RicardoHead
04-28-06, 10:11 AM
Wait till she olive oils the wood to revitalize its shine! :laugh:
RH, That is why you really need to get married so you can officially be part of the fun and humor in a marriage. Yes our Bucko has been married 30 years. I thought some of those odd things the women did would eventually settled down. And it was us who did the odd things that make only sense to us. I guess I was just doing some wishful thinking! I've got wood floors and my wife is biting at the bit to pull it all up including the bedrooms! Wait till she olive oils the wood to revitalize its shine
I wouldn't put it past her! I told her I wanted to keep our bedrooms carpeted but it is a tough compromise with her. Hell if we ain't doing a project then we ain't living:rolleyes:
halfabrotha
04-28-06, 10:34 AM
You know..we put wood flooring and carpeting in a year or so ago. My idea was lets just put wood flooring everywhere but the bedrooms.
But noooooo...my wife wanted this stinking berber carpeting in the living room and everywhere else but the kitchen. You can't even put throw rugs down on this crap because they move all over the place. (and I've tried everything but gluing them down with Liquid Nails)
So what does she say the other day? "Honey..we should tear out the carpeting in the living room and put wood flooring in"
I just went over and started pounding my head against the wall. :laugh: :nolike:
I got a guy at my house putting in my wood floors right now. :thumbsup: They are turning out GREAT! We did the kitchen, living room, hall, stairs, and 2 landings ~ about 600 sq. ft. total. I'll post before and after pics when it is all done.
JBMoney
04-28-06, 10:37 AM
I had a similar carpet experience. When I bought the current house 3-4 years ago, I put all brand new carpet in it for like 3K (except for kitchen and dining room which had nice hardwood floors).
With two dogs and as wet as Sacramento is in the winter, the bulk of it looked like crap in two years. Also, although Phoebe is housebroken once in a while she has 'an issue'. Problem is, once she finds a spot, even if she gets in trouble, it's like a magnet to keep hitting that spot.
So, I finally tore it out of the living room. The hardwood underneath is in pretty bad condition and is lower than the other hardwood, but it beats seeing dirty carpet that you can't do anything about every day.
I've suggested tiling the living room, instead of hardwood, but that got shot down pretty quick. What tile did you use DMS?
RicardoHead
04-28-06, 10:44 AM
Hardwood in the bedroom = echo chamber. Unless you have no kids you had better learn to screw quietly, or just be a aural exhibitionist.
And Ojive, I am plenty happy without these frustations, bud. PLENTY.
And Ojive, I am plenty happy without these , bud. PLENTY.
I bet you are but looking into the mirror in the morning and seeing those grey hairs appear and knowing that it isn't just you who made'm is what life is all about:thumbsup: BTW if you ever do get married and if by some chance I'm invited: If your minister or whomever is doing the ceremony ask the peoples---Does anyboby see a reason for these 2 not to be married? I gonna yell out real loud, NO now hurry up already before he changes his mind! Now that is a product review worth seeing:laugh:
frustations
These are more like learning opportunities than anything else because they test patience, anger control and I'm sure there is more.
Sideout
04-28-06, 10:50 AM
I've suggested tiling the living room, instead of hardwood, but that got shot down pretty quick. What tile did you use DMS?
Hey JB, what about some of that laminate flooring that looks like tile?
such as: http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/laminate/en/us/browse_by_stone.asp
We've always thought that it would look pretty nice, without it being as hard/cold/expensive as real stone tile.
JBMoney
04-28-06, 10:55 AM
Hey JB, what about some of that laminate flooring that looks like tile?
such as: http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/laminate/en/us/browse_by_stone.asp
We've always thought that it would look pretty nice, without it being as hard/cold/expensive as real stone tile.
Nice, they have wood styles too.
I put in the hardwood floors myself. I must have went out and spent $300 or more on mitre saws and all these tools and all I needed was a cheap handsaw. Took me all of a half hour or so to do our kitchen and it came out great. I should have just kept going all the way through the house instead of listening to my wife.
RicardoHead
04-28-06, 11:01 AM
... instead of listening to my wife.
You listening DMS?
You listening DMS?
yeah yeah yeah... lol
well we had wood flooring as our first choice, but with it being so hot and humid here I opted for tile instead. I had laminate flooring before too but it just popped loose near the wall, the glue just melted from the heat I guess. We found some tile with a faux wood finish, which I thought was kinda tacky at first, but once it was layed it looked really good. I had them layed with a really tight joint. That with some modern furniture on top it looks very nice I must say.
Large tiles. 18 x 18, grout was mixed to match the color of the tile.
DMS,
We put this stuff called Porcellanato on our counter tops. It's originally for floors but it absolutely doesn't scratch. When we bought it the guy let me take a hammer to it and I hit it hard and nothing. Not even a chip came off. Keeps a great shine and the grout lines are like 1/8" (if you even need one) It was only a bit more expensive than regular tile. I use knives and everything on it and it still looks as new as it ever did. Doesn't stain either. It came in 18"x16" sizes if I remember right but they probably have other sizes by now. This was 3 years ago.
porcellanato (http://www.irisporcellanato.com/materials/collezione.php?parcoll=PORCEL&lang=en)
Nevermind..I just read you've already laid them.
Sorry about that.:OOPS:
Thats ok. I never heard of it before.
Ok..this may sound stupid but my sister in law gave me this pad made from Natures' Creaton. The best I can tell is it has barly or some grain in it. Some sort of grain. The wrting is so small I need a magnifying glasss to read the label....sheesh.
I'm sure this is old news.
Anyway...You can put it in the frezzer and it stays cold for a long time or you can microwave it and it stays got a long time. Has some herbal smelling stuff in it but it's very comfortable. Great to use if you're having back problems, shoulder or just pretty much anything and you need to put warm or cold on it.
Best warming pad I've ever used :)
RicardoHead
05-01-06, 04:36 PM
You can put it in the frezzer and it stays cold for a long time or you can microwave it and it stays got a long time. Has some herbal smelling stuff in it but it's very comfortable.
Best warming pad I've ever used :)Does it hold up when your kid lubes it, rolls it in a tube, and take's it to his room with a ream of printed paper?
Hey JB, what about some of that laminate flooring that looks like tile?
such as: http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/laminate/en/us/browse_by_stone.asp
We've always thought that it would look pretty nice, without it being as hard/cold/expensive as real stone tile.
I had laminate in a kitchen in a condo. I hated it. Hollow sounding, but to be fair it was on a second floor. I have a engineered hardwood downstairs. Really like it. There really isnt much cost difference either.
RicardoHead
05-01-06, 05:16 PM
Is the laminate stuff what is commonly referred to as Pergo?
Yep, but they're all pretty much laminated unless you buy solid wood ones.
STIBROKER
05-03-06, 02:24 PM
NASE HEALTH INSURANCE.....
a nasty health plan.... http://nasesucks.org/
Is the laminate stuff what is commonly referred to as Pergo?
Yes.
There is laminated wood flooring, but I believe that is called engineered hardwood or something. One is made of synthetic materials (Pergo), the other is made of real wood in layers like plywood. Solid wood flooring is pretty rare these days, at least in California.
Polished concrete = best flooring, hands down.
Sideout
05-04-06, 06:34 AM
Is the laminate stuff what is commonly referred to as Pergo?
Pergo is a brand name - a lot of different companies are making laminate flooring now - they were one of the first so you probably hear that name the most.
STIBROKER
05-06-06, 03:12 PM
this thing kicks ass...just picked up one on ebay for $71.00.....
The Cigar HD20 has 20GB of storage capability inside the "heavy-duty" Magnesium Alloy casing.
CONNECT AT NEW USB 2.0 SPEED. 20X FASTER!
Bringing electronic files when you are on the road or transferring from PC to PC has never been easier! Introducing the new Cigar HD20, now you can save and zip your large files in 1/5 of the time! Up to 20GB of storage capacity available, Cigar HD20 offers you the convenience and the flexibility that you will not find elsewhere! It's protected with the magnesium alloy casing for the rugged users. Whether it is a business presentation, your favorite MP3 songs or your most memorable photos, share your favorite movies, store your important files in a CigarHD20 drive and be mobile! Compared to traditional CD-R or Zip drives, it can get the job done faster!
Features
* Up to 40 times faster than standard USB 1.1 connection
* Bootable from USB, diagnose system problems without going into Windows
* Plug & Play via standard USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 interface
* Magnesium Alloy Casing
* No drivers needed (Windows ME/2000/XP only)
* No download cable or PCMCIA card required
* Mac compatible
* Up to 20GB storage capacity
* No external power supply or battery required
* Ideal for desktops and laptops
* Shock resistant
* USB cable, and complete installation CD
RicardoHead
05-06-06, 03:21 PM
Senor, external drives are cool, I admit, but $71 seems steep for 20GB. I picked up an 80GB external for $100 a couple months ago and love it. Runs off a USB - plug it in and it's as seemless as the C:\ drive and very fast on a USB 2.0.
I just ordered the knife set shown below. I'll let you all know how good it is when it arrives.
STIBROKER
05-06-06, 03:31 PM
Senor, external drives are cool, I admit, but $71 seems steep for 20GB
not for this one........
http://store.yahoo.com/priorityelectronics/efci201pohad.html
shotglass
05-06-06, 04:09 PM
Those micro drives are still a bit pricey. Now all you have to do is attach a TFT screen to it and you've got a new 20 gig iPod. :p
I found these products the other day seems the back to black has actually been improved and it easier to use and can be used on dark grey plastic pieces as well. I have a lot of molding and whatnot on my truck and I used it and it really cleaned up nice, and up by my windscreen and wipers I have this black piece of molding that even got cleaned up by using back to black.
http://www.mothers.com/products/
Special Care
Thought I'd throw out a couple comments about this software, Skype
My son in Japan and I have been using this for a few months now to talk to each other live online. It's a free VOIP program similar to many others out there like Yahoo Mesenger and whatnot.
Nothing special as you have to be on your computer to use it.
Anyway, he decides to try the "Skype Out" which is a "pay for" part of the program letting you can call regular phone numbers. It cost $15 for three months or $30 per year. He ended up getting a 805 area code so we can call him as a local call. Each call is like $0.0021 cents per minute or something cheap, I can't remember. Keep in mind he has to be on the computer when he calls but I can leave voice messages and when he gets on he can hear them.
He called last night and we talked for over an hour for $0.90 I don't think regular phone calls are that cheap per minute to Japan? It was crystal clear and has full-duplex so you don't have to wait for someone to shutup before you talk (I interrupt a lot).
I'm sure this is nothing special and there are a million other programs that do the same thing. But for the price? He going to sign up for a full year after 3 months and go for the year plan since it's cheaper.
If you know people overseas that you talk to regularly and they have computer access you might want to look into it. I don't know but you could probably have a phone # over there so it's local call to them. Not sure how it works other than it's cheap and the calls were exceptionally clear. It was even clearer than his regular land line. He also went ahead and got a local # in Virginia so his wife can jibber-jabber with her family as well.
It's nice to be able to use the regular phone and not be tied to the computer to talk.
It doesn't have local 911 calls though. He has to do that through his regular land line. Some of the other VOIP services allow you to do that.
Just my $0.02
RicardoHead
12-01-06, 12:40 PM
Bucko, I've been using Skype for a long time and love it. You need broadband, but otherwise it is great, including Skype Out. I can call landlines in China, Japan, or most of Europe for, as you said, about 2 cents per minute. Also, for all of 2006, all calls to landlines/cells in the USA were free as long as you had Skype Out set up and your originating IP was in the USA. So I have called Hawaii, Alaska, all sorts of places for "free." Don't know if they are extending that into 2007.
One other thing - your son opted for the Skype In program so it cost him $15 or $30 or whatever to buy a number. That is cool because you can call and leave a message to a local number and not Japan. Skype Out simply buys the minutes to elsewhere so you pay $10 up front and can call as you wish and use them up. That's about 6 hours talk time to Germany or Japan. Not bad.
Also, beware, cell calls in the USA are considered like landline calls - they only cost 2 cents a minute. I think Canada is similarly set up. Most other countries, especially in Europe, have different rates for cell calls. To Germany I pay 2 cents for a landline minute, but if I want to call a cell I have to pay something like 25 or 30 cents a minute. That chews up the money fast, so you want to be sure before you dial a cellphone in another country.
Thats just gotta be pissing the Telco's off. :laugh:
One other thing - your son opted for the Skype In program so it cost him $15 or $30 or whatever to buy a number. That is cool because you can call and leave a message to a local number and not Japan. Skype Out simply buys the minutes to elsewhere so you pay $10 up front and can call as you wish and use them up. That's about 6 hours talk time to Germany or Japan. Not bad.
So the Skype In is a local # to him? He only gets messages when he logs into his computer. I just have to dial a local number here on the phone but he gets it on his computer.
Oh heck..I'll quit asking stupid questions and just go read what it says.
All what I know is that it sure works pretty darn well and is cheap.
RicardoHead
12-01-06, 01:16 PM
Yeah Bucko. Skype Out and Skype In are 2 separate programs.
Skype In buys you a local number and a voicemail box for a period of time (one year for 30 bucks or maybe it's euros). It does not buy you "call time" although I'm not certain if calls dialed in from outside incur costs by the minute.
Skype Out is basically "dial out minutes" only So I have no Skype In telephone number, but I can call a phone pretty much everywhere on Skype Out. They can't call me back, however, and leave a message. It only works if I dial.
If your son has Skype In, he probably has a few bucks in the Skype Out side of it to call you when you're not online. It's so cheap it is insane, and clear as a whistle.
I use my maglite a pretty fair bit because I do inspections in dark places on aircraft, well anyways I went to Lowes to pick up a few things and found these LED replacement bulbs. They were under 20 bucks and they improved the beam easily 75% and so much brighter and I took my lights outside after dark and they would hit the futherist home easy and it is about a 1/2 mile from my house. So if you want a good strong beam that will protect your batteries then check them out.
http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-6ex.html
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