Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio

• Portable CB radio with 40 CB channels, 10 NOAA channels, and 4 Watts of output power
• Power with six AA batteries or included cigarette lighter adapter for mobile use
• Instant access to NOAA Radio, channels 9 and 19; Dual Watch monitors channel 9 and additional channel
• ANL (automatic noise limiter) and squelch control for improving reception and eliminating noise
• One-year manufacturer's warranty

I couldn't be much happier with this unit. Where it really shines is in battery life. I've used this in various 4x4 competitions and my teammates use some much larger, clunky handhelds that require 10 batteries and eat them up quick (several sets in a weekend). I use 6 nicads in my midland unit and they last and last.

Its a pretty decent mobile unit too with the adapter. With an external antenna the range is tremendously improved. My only real complaint is that I wish that there was a way to lock the backlighting on when using the car adapter this would make it easier to use at night.

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Works very well and a great value for the purchase price. The fact that this radio can be a handheld or a mobile radio and that it comes with a 12-volt cigarette lighter plug, a PL-259 external antenna connector, a portable antenna, a battery box for using six "AA' batteries, and an AC adapter made the system very versatile. The NOAA weather band capabilities only added to this versatility My only complaint is that the radio could use more volume output as it is sometimes hard to hear when used in a vehicle.

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I purchased this CB radio at a local electronics store for $. It comes with an adapter to plug into your vehicle. The adapter also has a hookup for an external antenna. You can use the unit as a hand held with the battery packs. The radio comes with two battery holders. One for disposable batteries, another for rechargeable. The rechargeable battery holder has an AC adapter included. It comes with a steel belt clip. Though, be careful it can easily scratch your belt.

The radio isn't very loud, even with the sound at max level. The only time I have any issues hearing it is when I have a window cracked. It does come with a jack for headphones or an external speaker. This Midland model also does not have an ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter), and does receive interference from time to time.

The range is to be expected for a hand held radio. Using it with the rubber antenna inside of your vehicle you can expect 1/4 3/4 mile range depending on the time of day and terrain. You get better range outside of your vehicle. Excellent for use on ATVs. If you plan to use this radio in your vehicle, it would be wise to purchase an antenna. I purchased a magnetic antenna for portability:

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The Midland 75-822 is a neat little device, it comes with everything for both HT & mobile use except, a hand microphone, mobile antenna & batteries. External hand microphone, external antenna, & both rechargeable & alkaline cells are each purchased separately. Rechargeable & alkaline cell battery cases, plus cigar lighter power cable with an external antenna adapter are included (Type BNC & SO239/PL259 HF antenna connector) They really thought of almost everything in this package. The one drawback I found was the build was cheap. One of the screws came from the factory cross threaded into the bottom of the unit. The screw was crooked and caused difficulty, impairing the battery pack's ability to slide on and off the radio. There was evidence that the internal wires were pinched causing case/frame misalignment during assembly and when examined the internal frame was slightly bent. As a result someone had forced the screw into the slot and stripped all of the threads on both surfaces. The radio is still usable after clearing the pinched wires except the threads are damaged and the screw may come loose (only use & time will tell). I don't think I should have to repair a radio's defects brand new from the factory, and I feel it's just another example of the cheap, inferior quality of Chinese gear pouring across borders everywhere. Also want to state two (2) radios were purchased. Be aware when you purchase an inferior Chinese product, you might be stuck with the Status Quo. Amateur radio & GMRS/FRS gear is slightly more expensive in most cases but, in this case would have been a better purchase as it is engineered to higher quality standards. Decided to purchase two Yaesu HT's to replace them. These Midland radios are still as new in their boxes sitting on the shelf. They will likely play an emergency backup role to the new Yaesu radios. Caveat Emptor! (Let the Buyer Beware)

The Midland 75-822 would have received 5 stars had they both been 100%. However, sometimes Chinese gear is sub standard so, in this case it receives 3 stars (because it's just ok under the circumstances). IF there is any change I will update this review appropriately.

I hope this saves somebody a headache (check the build very carefully prior to posting your review). I hope Midland and Amazon are listening.

Thank you for reading

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I purchased this item to use on trail runs that I do with other 4X4 owners. When standing outside the vehicle and using the hand held setup I got a range of about a mile and a half. The primary way that I use this radio is with a 3' FireStik mounted to a cross member on my roof rack. This set up puts the antenna right in the middle of the roof of my SUV and makes for a great ground plane. I then run 18' of coax along the roof rack, through the rear window and under the floor mats to the front of the cabin. I check the antenna tuning each time I set it up and I get over 5 miles range in mountainous terrain and over 10 miles in open country.

I like this radio because it fits my needs. I want to be able to take it down when I am not on the trails or traveling in remote areas, but I want it to be quick and easy to set up when I do want to use it. I am sure I can get better features and longer range with a permanent setup and a "big box" radio, but I am completely satisfied with this product. It is versatile and easy to use once you familiarize yourself with the controls and their locations.

Belkin Micro USB 1 Amp Car Charger with 3ft Charge / Sync Cable for Apple iPhone

• Micro Auto Charger's small and seamless form factor sits flush to your dash mount
• Rubber on the housing for more comfortable grip
• 1 Amp output allows faster charging as compared to other chargers

Most of these type DC chargers are bulky. This is so compact and light you could easily misplace it.

It does an excellent job at charging. You know it's on because of the light it has built in. It goes flush against the DC plug.

Excellent and portable little unit. I carry it around in my travel pack because it takes up so little room.

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The Kensignton iPhone car charger I had been using for years still performed well, but since it was originally intended to be a charger and an accessory for a remote control (that no longer works) it was bulky and had an extra AUX cable attached to it that I wasn't really using.

It was until recently that I had the opportunity to order this Belkin car charger and I can confirm it was definitely quite the upgrade!

The first thing I liked was the size, the charger is pretty much the size of the cigarette lighter and only sticks out enough for you to see the green light when plugged and for you to connect the included USB cable. It does not take more room than required, that's a good thing for me. The USB cable included is designed for iPhone 4s and below, it also works with my regular iPod classic. I have to thank whoever designed this product because the USB cable they included does consider the fact that many iPhone/iPod users like to keep their devices in protective cases, the cable included is designed after the size of the original factory charger and the connector is long enough so it fits regardless of the case you may be using (after having to remove the protective case for years so I could charge my iPhone and iPod this is a most welcome change!)

Now that we have established the fact that the product is practical, how does it perform? The product description claims the charging times are faster. Well, after several tests I got an average time of charge of 1.15% per minute, using an iPhone 4 and an iPod classic. So say if you charge your device for an hour, you will get about 69% of battery. It is definitely slower than charging using a speaker dock, a computer or a power outlet, but in case of an emergency, it is good enough for me.

I have read you can use the charger with other USB devices, for my review, all tests were made with an iPhone 4 and an iPod classic (160GB)

Would I recommend it? Yes! The price is right, performs well and it is very practical to use in my car!

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This is a nice USB car charger with a cable for the Apple iphone, fit for iphone 4s and other ipods. I understand the iphone 5 has a different type of charger but if you have an adapter that will allow it to fit the old types of charger then this will work fine for you.

What I like about this is that it is not just a car charger for iphone/ipods. Since it has a USB port, anything that you can charge with a USB cord can be used for this charger.

It is also very fast at charging up my phone and I have not had any problems with it. The charger itself is made well and I can see it lasting, unlike some other car chargers that I have had.

I have seen some chargers that have two USB ports so it would be nice if there was an extra port for another device that the person may have.

Overall, I'm satisfied with this and it is reliable and have had no issues.

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Item came as described, good prodcuct. No problems so far and I would recommend this item to other iPhone owners.

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A problem with online orders for electronic stuff, like this, is you never know if it'll be a cheap knock off or not (I've been so burned--through Amazon, yet). But this Belkin surely seems of Belkin's usual high quality and I've used it a couple of times and it works superbly. Great price, too. Buy name band and buy quality, I guess.

Pioneer Inno Portable XM2go Radio with MP3 Player

• Plays live XM radio content wherever you roam
• TuneSelect alerts you when favorites are being played on XM
• Also plays MP3s and WMA files from your personal library
• Full-color, 180 x 180 TFT display
• Holds up to 50 hours of content

I've been an XM subscriber since my first SkyFi when Opie and Anthony started in October 2004. I added a MyFi when those launched and appreciated its features (ability to store songs, built-in FM modulator, auto on/off in the car, more presets for all the great music channels), but found its on-the-hip portability sketchy.

I purchased an Inno a few weeks ago and am blown away by the improved portability over my MyFi.

1. The reception is better--I can even get a signal in the gym (lots of windows, granted, but the old MyFi reception broke up too much for usefulness indoors).

2.The styling is sleeker. This thing is less than half the size of the old MyFi--about the size of my cellphone.

3. The store-on-the-go/auto-recording features are great. I've been recording Bob Dylan's theme time radio hour when they air it during the night so I've got it the next AM. Only fluke is that recording labels are not always EXACTLY the start and finish of each song. Sometimes you get a second or two of the song before/after.

The negatives that keep it from getting 4 stars--I miss the preset buttons from the MyFi. I had 30 presets, so could always find the right music/comedy/news/etc. for the moment. The Inno doesn't have any presets (unless I've missed something). The XM/Napster software doesn't work on the Mac, which is frustrating. Also, I'd ordered a car kit and still haven't received it.

In the end, though, this little radio is a HUGE step forward.

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I've been an XM subscriber since just about the beginning. I've also had a number of different units, including the XM2go MyFi. I got sucked in by the hype, and bought one of these new Pioneer Inno units expecting the portability feature to be much improved over the XM2go MyFi. It wasn't! Reception is very erratic--you turn one way and lose the signal--turn another way and it starts receiving again--just like the XM2go MyFi. I suspect those reporting good reception are better served by terrestrial repeaters than I am.

What does improve reception considerably is the headphone/antenna accessory. So, plan to spend the extra $40 or $50 bucks if you want to listen while taking a walk. At one time I think this same (or a similar) accessory was available for the XM2go MyFi, but it sold out quickly and never seemed to reappear. Anyway, without it, the Inno is a very frustrating unit.

The Inno is much smaller than the XM2go MyFi, and I like that a lot. The screen is much more readable, even in sunlight, so that's a plus too. I don't know yet what the battery life will turn out to be, but so far it seems to be reasonable. The menu process for selecting different options isn't all that intuitive, so you will probably fumble around a good bit getting to the menu item you want.

All in all, I would strongly recommend that you "test drive" one of these gizmos before buying, if at all possible. They aren't cheap, and you may not feel you are getting your money's worth. The headset/antenna accessory is a "must".

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I wish to address the reception issues with this radio.

I just don't understand some of these negative reviews. A portable satellite radio is just that: a satellite radio that's portable. Satellite means it must have an open, unobtructed access to the southwestern sky. Try blocking a Direct TV dish and see what you get on TV.

That said, I live out in the country. If you place the Inno out in the open on a table (Therefore it is portable), it has excellent reception, just like a dish. However, if you put it on your side and you turn so that your body is blocking the southwestern sky, you will lose your signal (This may be different in a city with satellite repeaters). That's why they make a headset that has a built-in antenna (it's always exposed). Unless you are by a very large structure that obliterates the signal, it works great. Why, it's not included, must be due to price point. I would have included it rather than risk disillusioning some people with an otherwise great product.

I have a built-in XM radio in my truck. I bought the car kit for my inno and placed it in my mini-van. The reception is every bit as good as the one GM factory installed.

The home kit also works flawlessly. It's hooked into my surround sound and the reception and quality of sound is exceptional. Again, the antenna must have an open view to the southwestern sky.

If you want to use the Inno for jogging or walking, you must buy the optional headset -at least, it's a necessity out in the country.

If you really want to be happy with the Inno, you are going to have to purchase your satisfaction up front -that means buy now the accessories that will allow it to perform like you want.

If you do, I'm sure you will agree -the Pioneer Inno is a great satellite radio.

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I've used my Inno for a whole 48 hours, and can confidently say that THIS is THE revolution in personal music that I've been waiting for. The variety and quality of XM channels has matured, and the sheer breadth of choices is intoxicating. This unit makes a great way to listen at home, work, outside, and discover new music you haven't heard yet/before. If you want to hear more from the artist, or hear the song from the beginning, you can bookmark the artist or the song, and the player will alert you if they appear again, on ANY XM channel, while you're listening. So you can discover, replay, and enjoy new talent about as easy as microwaving a bag of popcorn.

This player (and the Samsung Helix, essentially the same player in a different casing) allow you to record songs or whole channels while listening -EVEN IF YOU'RE HALFWAY THROUGH THE SONG. Yes, if you're at the end of a song and think, "I want to listen to that again later" (or "I want to play that for my girlfriend"), hit the record feature. With most of the 1 GB memory available for a half and half split of your own MP3s/WMAs, and saved XM content, you can also configure the unit to use all the storage for XM content -allegedly up to roughly 50 hours of material. This is handy if you schedule it to record a favorite program (like, say, Sound Opinions, The Story, or This American Life on the XM Public Radio channel).

Though you might prefer having a dedicated antenna for one's home hi-fi (thereby utilizing the receiver's integrated display and preset functions), this will integrate fine with one of these or these (the supplied cable is laughably cheap). Be warned that the crisp, bright display is rather small to see and use across a living room. See my pros and cons below, and by all means read the caveats and visit if you're unfamiliar with their terms and offerings.

PROS

-Exposure to so much music an all-you-can-eat buffet of artists and songs

-Ability to keep a song you like (hit record at any time in the song, the whole song is recorded to My Music)

-Ability to watch for an artist (or a song) that you like, on ANY channel (TuneSelect)

-Ability to schedule recordings

-Favorites and channel browse mode display channel ID, Artist, or Song, so you can see what's playing on any channel right now

-After loading personal music from PC, Inno scans and indexes all music, .M3U play lists, and even examines meta-data within MP3s and WMAs

-"Antenna aiming" feature allows positioning of home antenna as well as radio on-the-go

-Bright, clear display

-Display backlight stays on when docked, even if set to extinguish (adjustable timeout) when operating on battery

-Spiffy, gun metal metallized casing

-Despite what docs say, the USB connection works with Linux (tested with RHEL5)

-Very easy to build playlists; you can browse/find music based on Artist, Genre, Channel (XM), Title

CONS

-Tricky interface takes practice to learn the shortcuts (favs vs. category browse vs. all)

-Headphone port is recessed, slightly curved, so some plugs (e.g. Bose Triport) can slip out resulting in impeded audio; examining the supplied ear buds shows that the port needs a very narrow shoulder on the headphone plugs

-Supplied ear buds are barely adequate.

-Interference during walking, or holding

-Discreet beep from unit on TuneSelect match can't be heard with headphones on, or from across the room.

-Scheduled recording can't be set for recurring schedule (e.g. Sunday 4 AM)

-Belt case isn't too great; might have to use this or look for iPod or cell phone cases that you like better (similar size)

-Mini-to-RCA home hi-fi cable is so cheap as to be disposable (get a better, longer Monster, AR or Belkin cable)

-No Bluetooth HDA profile capability (would almost elminate the complaint about the headphone port)

-No travel charger sold separately, so you have to disconnect from the dock to take with you (not easy if you've integrated the dock with your home hi-fi) ... or buy an additional home dock kit :(

CAVEATS

-$14.95 activation fee per radio, but $9.95 if done online

-Subscription to XM service required.

-Interference experienced during recording is incorporated in the saved version

-If you change channels, recording a song you just landed on mid-tune only records from that point on (you have to be on the channel at the beginning of the song for it all to cache)

-Some rebates available in 2007, but stipulate "participating retailers," which may or may not include your reseller

-Home dock antenna needs to be positioned carefully for adequate reception

_______________

2009 UPDATE:

I've now used this for years, installed Delphi XM Signal Repeater with an extra antenna in my house, and have happily enjoyed XM in the living room, bedroom, and study (additional home docks and adapters were needed). Arguing with XM sales representatives to get a "secret" $77/year prepaid subscription rate robbed me 30 mins or more of my time each year, but then didn't have to worry about changes in their price structure. (Earlier this year they ceased the free online streaming service, making it a "value add" service for an additional monthly fee.)

After the Sirius merger, some of my favorite channels were removed in favor of Sirius content. This year I'm discontinuing my XM membership, and I and several colleagues have discovered their secret to customer retention: they won't let you cancel. In 3 separate cases, they have continued to "transfer" the customer to "the department that handles cancellation" and left the customer on hold for as long as 26 minutes. Yes, 26 MINUTES ON HOLD WAITING FOR A REP. When, in my case, a third rep stated, "I have to transfer you to that department," I told the rep that the call was being recorded, and three separate reps had heard me request my subscription to expire -refusal to comply would entitle me legally to receive the service for free. Within 30 seconds, the same rep accomplished the cancellation.

Another friend found a shorter route to terminating service -simply tell the first rep that you've sold your radio and wish to let your subscription expire normally. They can't argue with that.

_______________

2010 UPDATE:

A very strong caveat about this device only became clear after I'd let my XM-Sirius subscription expire over the holiday season. I kept using the INNO as a 512MB podcast carrier for my commute to work. Only one problem...! After you haven't had a subscription for the radio, it starts complaining on power-on that it has to be tuned "to live XM for 10 minutes to confirm valid subscription." That hasn't kept me from listening to MP3 podcasts that I sync to the unit with Media Monkey 3.5. But in the last week, the INNO now refuses to return to the last playlist or song being listened to, but asserts "Scanning files..." then plays the first track it finds. This is really conspicuous annoy-ware meant to cripple the INNO's functionality for an owner who isn't currently subscribed to XM. Naturally, this device is meant primarily to be used as an XM radio, but the degradation of usability when your account expires is uncalled for.

I WON'T be buying a newer version of this device.

Disclosure: my radio is on firmware version 2.11.

I have to say, I LOVE my Inno! It's like an iPod, except it's got an infinite amount of music in it. Not all of it will be available in its hard drive because it's only 1 G big (or about 50 hours of saved music), but it's certainly available to me when I listen to any of the 170+ channels that are available through XM while I'm on the go. When I think about it that way, then that 1 G hard drive isn't so puny anymore, considering what I actually get when I have live satellite radio streaming into my player. It's actually BETTER than an iPod because I can get live satellite radio content on the go, then record on the fly when I hear something I like. I can make and edit my own playlists on the fly, too. Can't do that with an iPod (or other iPod-like devices for XM or Sirius that are available now). And then there are the advantages to having satellite radio in general. With XM, I get superior sound quality, compared to AM/FM stations--the music I listen to sounds as good as the AAC's/mp4's I have on my iPod. Four of the 170+ channels get commercials, but the rest don't--so if you really can't stand listening to commercials, then you've got plenty of alternative channels to listen to instead. XM's playlists also tend to be very deep. With XM's Broadway channel, especially, I've noticed that--they don't just play the most famous songs from the shows that are most famous on Broadway right now. They play such a wide variety of material, so I'm never disappointed when I tune into that channel. I'll always find something new. And that goes for the other channels that I love listening to on XM, too--the pop/hits channels, the "decades" channels for the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's, and the jazz channels. It's a real treat, turning on my Inno every day. It's like an adventure--either I find new things to listen to, or I end up hearing great songs that haven't played on the regular radio in years and years, if ever. It's really great. :D

I have a few suggestions, though:

1) If you have any friends or family who have an Inno already, see if you can use it yourself and see how well it works for you, particularly in terms of getting a reliable signal. Or go to an actual brick-and-mortar store and try the Inno out first, even if you intend to buy it from Amazon. XM's been pretty good at ensuring that people get a good, reliable signal anywhere in the country, but it sure doesn't hurt to make sure that you'll get a good signal on your own, anyway. You don't want to pony up $200+ for a great device that turns out to be very useless because you can't get a signal, then go through the hassle of sending it back.

2) You'll also want to buy a pair of antenna headphones from Belkin that are made for the Inno. If you look for accessories for the Inno here at Amazon, you should be able to find them. The packaging says that they're for outdoor use, but they're good for indoor use, too. These headphones are about $40 but can be cheaper if you look around first. They might be a bit uncomfortable at first--they do hurt the ears just a little--but after about a week or so of using them, they should become more comfortable.

3) Finally, as soon as you get your Inno and you're done admiring your Inno's full-color screen, you're going to want to set your backlight so it turns off in 15 seconds and the Inno itself sleeps after 15 minutes of inactivity. If you don't do that, your Inno's going to be running out of energy pretty quickly.

Enjoy your Inno! :)

Mini Battery Charger Kit for Panasonic CGR-D08, CGR-D16, CGR-D28, & CGR-D54 - with fold-in wall plu

I love it because it works fast to charge the battery on my recorder and it takes up less space than my other charger did. I would recommend it.

While such a little thing, it is very nice to have a small, portable device that I can use to charge batteries on location and not bring the bulky charger along. Excellent service, and very quick shipping as well.

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Works well with my Synergy battery. If you need something portable and light then this is ideal. Decent little charger.

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All I wanted it for was the panasonic battery, to use on the 160 led video light. Won't charge the battery.

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It's a charger, It's Cheap, It Charges the battery just fine.

What else do you need?

I used it to charge Lenmar LIP320 Battery for Panasonic Camcorders which goes into: 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light, LED Light for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic,SONY, Samsung and Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

They all live happily together. =)

Cobra CJIC 250 300 Amp Portable Jump-Start/Air Compressor with A/C and D/C Power Outlets

Purchased this unit for our security program and have not been impressed. We only get one jumpstart out of it before it must be charged for 23 hours. If you need a jumpstarter, try a different unit.

Got this for a Christmas present and am extremely disappointed. Two days ago I charged the battery and it indicated fully charged. Today the battery is almost dead without it being used and storing it in a warm (approx 55 degree) location. Buy something else.

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This is by far the best car jumper I've ever used. We got it for our emergency preparedness and so that we wouldn't have to rely on other people to help us if we needed a jump. Worked great the first few times we used it but within the first year that we got it, it stopped holding a charge and is now completely worthless. I wish Cobra would do a recall on this product and refund us or give us unit that can actually hold a charge.

-Chad

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This unit may be a good jumpstarter, I did not use any of the functions other than the 12 volt power outlet because, upon finding that this until will only supply 8 amps continuous 12 volt power, I could not run the 12 volt cooler that I wanted this unit to power. This unit may be OK if you just need a little jumpstarter and any 12 volt appliances you want to run are less than 8 amps.

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I thought I would love this combo. I have a friend who has one. I probably would still like it if the air compressor end wouldn't have broken the first time I tried to use it. So now that part will never work. It is not a replacement part and Amazon.com will not let me return the Item for exchange or refund. If I had known this prior to ordering it I would have bought it elsewhere. I will never order something like this from Amazon.com again.

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Home Wall Travel AC Charger For Philips GoGear Mp3 Player 2GB 4GB 8GB

• Brand New Home / Wall / Travel Charger AC Adapter
• Recharges Device via Standard 110v Outlet. USB Type B Mini 5-Pin Connector. Short Circuit & Overcharge Protection.
• Great Substitute for Original Philips Charger.
• Convenient 4 ft. Length
• High Quality Branded Manufacturer fully Compatible with Philips Devices.

I paid a buck for this item and it does what it is supposed to do. The same type of charger at a big box store was priced at around $20 or so. It comes in a box from an unnamed manufacturer with no instruction sheet (none needed, of course).

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Not much to say... this is a simple product. So far has worked just as advertised. I'm happy with my purchase and would use this company again in the future.

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I paid less than $1 plus shipping for this charger for my Philips GoGear MP3 player. I tried it and it worked fine. Put it in the wall socket connected it to the MP3 player and went to bed. A small led red light lights up on the charger while charging. Next morning MP3 player fully charged.

Now I don't have to plug my MP3 player into my laptop for the MP3 player to be charged.I take the charger to work. If the MP3 player charge getting low I just plug the charger and the MP3 player in.

At the big box stores a separate charger for a MP3 player usually cost from $10 to $20. It was great getting a charger for less than $4 ( includes shipping) with no tax. How can you beat it? Totally happy with this home wall travel AC charger. 5 stars.

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A GOOD UNIT FOR A GREAT PRICE! A LISTING OF OTHER UNITS THAT COULD USE THIS ITEM WOULD BE HELPFUL.

The first thing I did, was insert it into my mp3 player. And it worked excellent. Its value for money.

Chamberlain CLULP1 Universal Laser Garage Parking Assist

I installed 2 of these units in my garage and am reasonably satisfied with them. My biggest complaint is that the laser dot should be brighter. When entering the garage on a bright summer day it is difficult to see the dot. One of my cars is silver and the other is dark gray. I can't see the dot until it hits my dash which is black in both cars.

The installation was extremely straightforward since the units were attached to a Chamberlain system. One potential "gotcha" is that the wiring that comes with the unit is too short for most garages. You will likely need to buy some additional two conductor wire and spice it to the end of the existing wire.

These units can be used with non-Chamberlain systems or for that matter in a garage without any opener system. Each unit is supplied with a plug in the wall AC adaptor. With the unit attached to the adaptor, the laser stays on all the time. Obviously, I can't comment about how long the unit would last when set up this way.

I bought this unit thinking how could I go wrong with a Chamberlain product. I was wrong, this product is simply a waste of time and money. The laser beam is so small and weak that it's nearly impossible to see and even harder to adjust. I played with it for several hours trying to get the beam to stay in one place long enough to test it. I have it firmly mounted to my ceiling and it moves by itself when trying to adjust it. Then once it's close to where you want it, the beam is so small and weak that you can't see it unless the car is stopped. I would not recommend spending the money on this prodct. There are many more garage parking assist products that work much better and are cheaper.

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Don't use those annoying looking "tennis balls" hanging from the ceiling! get this laser parking assist to give your garage that clean sleek look it used to have.

I bought this and installed it on my Chamberlain 3/4 HP Whisper Drive in about 5 minutes. It comes with wires and a power plug. If you are using this with a Chamberlain, you will not need to connect the power plug. All you do is connect 2 wires onto the quick connect plugs on the garage opener that control the safety sensor and that's it.

When you open the garage door, and walk pass the eyes, the laser comes on. The laser shuts off after awhile but once you walk pass the sensors again, the laser comes on. This is perfect if you leave your garage door open, leave and come back. It will trigger the laser no matter what goes through the garage.

The light pulsates and you point and adjust it to where you want it to beam. I wish it was brighter, but it works.

Easy to install, cheap, and works great. I recommend it.

Read Best Reviews of Chamberlain CLULP1 Universal Laser Garage Parking Assist Here

We added these to a Genie screw driver opener, but really if you don't have a Champerlain opener with the dedicated input for these laser lights then all installs will be the same. Your objectives is to:

a. Mount each light on the ceiling with a single screw. We mounted two lights because we had two parking spaces in our garage.

b. Run the wires to the garage door opener control head. We chose to run the wire up through the ceiling and into the crawl space above, and then drill a single 1/4 hole above the door opener and drop them down to the opener through this hole. If you drill the holes at the light end, where the middle of the light will be when mounted, then the wires won't show. A much cleaner installation for very little extra effort.

c. Attach the wires to one of your openers bulb socket so the laser lights go on/off with the garage door opener when you open/close the door, and off when the lights automatically turn off. This is made easy by buying a lamp socket to 110v two prong outlet adapter (about 80 cents at the hardware store), taking out one of the bulbs, screwing in the adapter, connect the wires from the laser lights to a single 110v adapter, and then plug this adapter into the outlet adapter. To keep the same level of light in the garage I replaced the 40 watt incandescent bulb with a 75 watt equiv florescent bulb in the one remaining lamp socket. At this point if you open/close the door you'll see the lasers pulsating (blinking).

d. This is the hardest part. Park your cars exactly where you want them in the garage. Now, aim the laser at a point on your dashboard which is easy to see. The movements are sensitive so this takes time.. but once set it's permanent and will only need to be done again when/if you change your car or the position you want it parked. We chose a spot on the middle of the top dash pad exactly in the middle so as we pull the car in we can watch it "walk" it's way up the dash and to the location we want.

e. Be sure to explain to all drivers how things work. For instance, if the garage door remains open and the lights time out the lasers will go off.. so if the door is open and the car outside, you sweep out the garage or whatever leaving the door open.. then when you put the car inside the laser will not be on. Someone just might keep going forward looking for that light to go on, far enough to hit something in front of the car. :)

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Great idea, however the projected dot is too small and not bright enough to be able to see. If they made one with some power I would snap it up, until then save your money.

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Kensington Travel Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod touch (Black)

• Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 1G, 2G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G, 3GS, 4
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery for iPhone featuring all-in-one design
• Built-in dock connector to charge your iPhone and flip-out USB tip to recharge without the mess of extra cables
• Extends play time up to 23 hours music, up to 7 hours of video and up to 5 hours of talk time
• LED battery gauge displays remaining battery pack power level

We bought this product for our iPhone 3G and it worked fine. However, we noticed that the battery would drain very quickly when we plugged it into the iPhone 4 that we recently purchased. I confirmed with Kensington that this item is not compatible with iPhone 4, so I thought I'd share this in case you are looking for a battery charger for your iPhone 4. Otherwise, it works great with the other generations of iPhone. Kensington did mention that a charger may be available for iPhone soon, but they wouldn't/couldn't advise as to when such an item will be available.

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I bought the battery right before a trans-Atlantic flight. The battery is small enough to fit in your pocket, but powerful enough to last all day. During the flight I watched 5 hours of video (2 feature movies), then listened to music while playing games for another 2 hours. All of this and the battery was only down 1 (of 5) LED's!!! This is on top of "topping off" my phone's internal battery from 80% to 100%. The music + games had previously drained my phone's battery on a 4 hour flight.

In addition to the long life of the battery, it's also endowed with 2 other great features. First, it is designed to let you watch video landscape mode, a big plus. Second, the built-in USB charging capability is great... it avoids the need to carry extra cables (assuming you have a USB device with you on the trip).

For the record, I use the battery on a iPhone 3G 16GB edition.

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I met the Kensington rep at an event where he was showing the Travel Battery Pack and Charger to a group of us. I've used a number of other plug in batteries, but this one has a lot more juice for a compact package. The bonus is that I can watch movies on the plane while I'm charging my phone. Works great and USB connector means I don't have to carry an extra cable.

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I'll cut to the chase: Lifesaver. Fits in a pocket, provides a full charge on the spot and on the go, plug-and-play simple (no cords; plugs right into the dock connector on the iPhone). For an iPhone junkie like me, this is mandatory equipment. Plus, it charges any iPod with a dock connector, so I use it for my kids' iPod Touch units, as well. Indeed, it's tempting to buy one for each pocket in every jacket, shirt, pants, and shorts I own. I know, obsessive. But if you're reading reviews of back-up iPhone chargers, you, too, have already crossed that line. The only downside is that you have to remember to charge it once you use it, because needing an emergency charger for your emergency charger is not a happy moment. But, really, this is the best use of $40 an iPhone user can make. So stop reading. Buy.

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Ok, I bought one about 3 weeks ago, it barely charged the iphone once before saying that there was no charge left so I assumed it was faulty and bought another one (as the old model worked great). Unfortunately same thing. It charges the iphone 4 for about 15 minutes until there is about 3/4 of the iphone charged, and then the blue bars go from 4 or 5 to nothing and it has to be completely recharged. This item is absolutely worthless for the iphone 4. I havent tried it with another iPhone but again, their previous model seemed to work much much better and would recharge my iphone at least 3 full charges.

Actron CP7677 Automotive TroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer

I'm a big fan of the high-end Flukes so I've worked with the best. Well, these defintitely aren't the best, but you can't beat what you get for the price. I got it for my brother for his car and it does the job well.

First, the bad:

1. No auto shut-off. You gotta make sure you turn it off or the battery will just keep draining away.

2. No auto-sensing. You gotta set the dial for the range you're looking for. But hey, I like it so much I don't care that I can't be so lazy.

And the good:

1. All the features. You get all the standards PLUS a tach and a dwell-meter! That'll about cover your carbureted cars.

2. Price. You can find multimeters that can't do the extras for the same price and even more. Great bargain.

3. Alligator clips. Simple things but it'd be a pain without them.

Plus, this thing will handle all the home electrical work.

As for the rest: I won't vouch for its durability but Actron is a decent company. They go towards affordable but not junky. The case is made of a light plastic, but it doesn't seem fragile. As for the tolerances, they're not bad:

DC Volts

Range: 200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V

Accuracy : ±(0.5% rdg + 5 dgts)

Range: 1000V

Accuracy: ±(0.8% rdg + 5 dgts)

AC Volts

Range: 2V, 20V, 200V

Accuracy : ±(0.8% rdg + 5 dgts)

Range: 750V

Accuracy: ±(1.0% rdg + 4 dgts)

DC Current

Range: 200mA

Accuracy: ±(0.8% rdg + 5 dgts)

Range: 10A

Accuracy: ±(1.2% rdg + 5 dgts)

Resistance

Range: 200Ω, 2KΩ, 20KΩ, 200KΩ, 2MΩ

Accuracy: ±(0.8% rdg + 5 dgts)

Range: 20MΩ

Accuracy: ±(1.5% rdg + 5 dgts)

Dwell

Range: 4CYL, 6CYL, 8CYL

Accuracy: ±(3.0% rdg + 5 dgts)

RPM

Range: 4CYL, 6CYL, 8CYL

Accuracy: ±(3.0% rdg + 5 dgts)

Audible Continuity

Buzzer sounds at approximately less

than 30-50 Ohms.

So for the price, a good deal.

This multimeter is an all around good tool. It has all the features you need plus some of the features that only the more expensive ones have. Like the battery tester and backlight display. I am studying electronics right now and I find myself getting a ton more use out of it than I thought I would. It is easy to use and the instruction manual that comes with it tells you how to perform most common tests that it does with pictures to go along. There are comperable multi-meters out there that cost less but most would cost more. There are certainly better multi-meters than this one but they will cost more. The only bad things I can say about this tool is that the battery is hard to get to. You have to remove 2 screws in the back and pry it apart. Actron should have just put one of those slide off battery covers on it. Also most multi-meters come with some sort of rubber, protective sleeve, that also has a lanyard for your hand so you dont drop it. If this mult-meter had a lanyard and the battery was easier to get out, I would have given it a 5 Stars.

Buy Actron CP7677 Automotive TroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer Now

This will perform any test a neophyte electrician will do. The instruction manual is well written and understandable. Instructions provided for most ignition tests of classic cars and sensor testing of newer cars.

Read Best Reviews of Actron CP7677 Automotive TroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer Here

I had been eyeing this multimeter for a while, and when it went on sale for half its list price, I grabbed it. It arrived promptly and works very well. The unit has a solid feel to it and the blue rubberized case around it and the "stand" behind are good features to have when working around places where it might get bumped like in the engine compartment. I found the included alligator clips a useful bonus a lot many of the ones in the mid thirties price range don't have this.

Two minor flaws it needs a 9 volt battery and doesn't ship with one. That was a minor annoyance not many people have these just lying around the house. Why not design the meter using AA batteries or just ship it with a 9V battery?

Second is that there is no sticky film protecting the (rather large) LCD display. For a meter that is meant for harsh outdoor environments in which it might get scratched, this is definitely an oversight.

But overall I am pleased with my purchase and would definitely recommend it as a solid entry level multimeter.

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I purchased my multimeter in January of 2009 and was satisfied with the ease of use and the functionality. The booklet included with the meter was very helpful. I have a classic car and purchased the meter to find shorts and set the dwell. Recently as I began to use the tool, the dwell read 45 when turned on and not connected. When connected it was obviously way off as the car would not have run if the reading had been correct. I tested the rpm reading which also was incorrect. I tried several times to switch it off and on, but that didn't have any effect nor did removing and reinstalling the battery. I emailed customer service describing my problem. Their response was to ask about the purchase date. Once they had that information,they informed me that my meter was out of warranty and there was no way to repair it.

I realize that there are much more expensive multimeters, but I used this meter 4-5 times in two years. That seems like a quality issue.

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Camco 55394 Standard Battery Hold-Down Tray

My wifes Nissan's battery was missing the hold and the battery was all over the place!!this took care of the problem...perfect

For the price, you can't beat it. Many states will fail you on the inspections if you don't have a battery tie-down. For the price, its great!

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Didn't fit my regular size walmart battery.

PS you're gonna need a drill, didn't know I was gonna put holes in my car. I just ended up using the hooks and the top, they tray was too small, thankfully i found some holes on the side.

Read Best Reviews of Camco 55394 Standard Battery Hold-Down Tray Here

The battery tray itself is nice. It does what is advertised and more. However, the tray itself is a little flimsy, but for the price it is a great tray.

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Great product and very easy to install. The spacing for the hold downs was very tight w/no slop! Install a battery haz mat pad to absorb excess acid and you won't have to worry about rust again! Fast shipping and very fair price!! The BEST battery hold down on the market for the price!!

Wagan EL2001 150 Watt Continuous Power Slim Line AC Inverter

I use the Wagan 150 Watt Power Inverter with a ub1280 8 amp, 12 volt, lead acid battery to power my Ibanez 10 watt bass guitar amp. This setup gives a calculated 5 hours play time. There is some buzz which I assume is coming from an unclean signal in the power inverter. It does allow me to take my Ibanez electric bass guitar and amp anywhere though.

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Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX Vehicle Navigation Dock with Rapid Vehicle Charger - Non-Retail Packaging

For the most part, I am comparing this to official Motorola car dock for my Droid 1. This car dock for the MAXX is a GREAT improvement and shows Motorola can actually incorporate some good ideas.

First, I made sure to research docks before getting one. Which can be hard since this one didn't have a ton of user reviews right away. Quickly I did learn that what Verizon was pushing in their stores was not the same as could be ordered from Motorola and elsewhere. My biggest draw was the integrated audio. This is a great idea and, in my opinion, worth the premium over the Verizon (which doesn't have the integrated audio cable). My old Droid dock was just a holder for the phone. I had to supply the charging cord and the aux cable (which went to the 3.5mm jack in the phone). It got cluttered, but hey, that's the way is was 2 years ago.

This dock for the MAXX has the connector that slides in to lock the phone in place, charge it, and place audio. Only one cable that goes into the back of the dock. Very clean. 2nd USB port is also a plus. The "horn" that comes with this dock has the same size ball as my old Droid dock, as well as my old Garmin, so use which ever you like. I like my old Garmin because it is more compact and uses a smaller disk. I haven't had any issue with this dock losing suction, so I'm happy there. Also, just pressing the phone into the dock without inserting the USB/audio connector is easy and seems to keep the phone in there pretty well. It isn't to hard to pull it out, just watch for where the volume buttons are so you don't change them accidentally.

I have one gripe. I use a bluetooth device to [sometimes] talk when I'm driving. This device is also capable of playing music from my phone. With my old setup (Droid,dock), I would have BT broadcast enabled on the device, the music to BT option enabled, and a cable in the headphone jack going to my car stereo. I'm listening to something from my phone and it plays on the car stereo. When I get a call, it pauses the music on the phone, answers the call via BT device, I talk, hang up, music resumes over car stereo. Perfect. With the MAXX and its dock, I no longer need to plug anything into the 3.5mm jack while I'm in the car. The problem is when I have BT function enabled, music to BT option enable, and the integrated USB/audio connect inserted everything is pushed to the BT device. If I turn off the BT device or disable the BT function on the phone, then music plays through the car stereo. If I forego the dock and just use an aux cable going to the 3.5mm jack on the phone, then everything works great (as it did w/ the Droid). This seems like a major oversight and I would think that it is just a software issue (but hey, I didn't design this thing). Now, this is probably more a flaw of the phone than of the dock, but since Motorola makes both the phone and the dock and both of the items work exclusively with each other, I think people need to know about it. There is no reason the integrated USB/audio connector should affect the transfer of functions to the BT any differently than the 3.5mm jack.

I'll gladly edit if I find out anything new on the BT issue or if an update fixes it. Overal, great product at an acceptable price, with one oversight.

==================================================================================================================

Edit 6/8/12

I've noticed that over the past month the audio crackles when going over bumps and rough roads. It is the micro USB connection of the cable to the dock that is failing. When I hold the connection rigid or switch to using the 3.5mm jack then there are no issues. After looking at the micro USB side of the cable under magnification I can see that several of the metal prongs are flatter than others.

Now, I first have to admit that I do not drive on the smoothest roads, and even for Wisconsin I think these are some of the worst roads around. I would still expect better performance than lasting 3 months. I have taken the review down from 4 stars to 2 because of this. And to think that I was disappointed with getting only 1 year out of the bad retaining tab on the original Droid.... I expected better from Motorola. I don't think that expecting this to last more than 3 months was too high.

03-12-2012

Dock arrived in "non retail packaging" as described, which means it comes in a plastic bag instead of a box (still includes directions, individually packaged cords, etc.) It works perfect. When I plug my phone in, launches the custom navigation mode. This mode is customizable.

Construction of the mount is solid as well. Cords are quality.

I will be updating after a few uses.

UPDATE 03-31-2012

After using this dock numerous times in the past few weeks, I'm still pleased with it. Motorola also has a car finder app that when you unplug your phone from the dock, it automatically launches to save your location for easy car location. This app must be downloaded separately from the Google Play Android Market.

Dock Plug cord: definitely worth the extra cash. The dock plug integrates an MP3 cable INTO THE USB. It works flawlessly. This makes it so instead of having a cord plugged into the phone's headphone jack as well as a usb cord plugged into the dock, there is only one cord, the usb cord, plugged into the dock. Instead, your headphone/mp3/auxiliary cable plugs into the usb cable at the other end near your cigarette lighter. Very convenient. This allows for easy phone removal with NO CORDS unplugging from phone.

Stability: I have had no app stability problems during the several hours of use. App launches when phone is docked and closes when phone is un-docked.

Features: Features are simple (navigation, podcasts, music, internet radio). Outside of these, not much here. HOWEVER, this makes it easier to use with less complication.

Voice Features: a little lacking here; only allows you to say "read message" when receiving a text or "make call" in response to receiving a message. These features work and both reads and makes calls to voice commands: however, these features are only activated when receiving messages/calls. I wish they would be available outside these situations. Perhaps a future update will provide more.

*More to come

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I won't reiterate what has already been said about the actual product, but I would like to discuss fit. Please be aware that this navigation dock only fits the Maxx WITHOUT a case. I have a hard plastic case on my Maxx, and it does not fit into the dock unless I remove it. Having to remove the case every time I want to use the dock is quite the nuisance and I wish the dock would've been designed to allow for some adjustments. If anyone has input on alternative docks or a way to manipulate the Maxx dock to fit with a case, please share.

Read Best Reviews of Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX Vehicle Navigation Dock with Rapid Vehicle Charger - Non-Retail Packaging Here

OK, so I bought this for traveling to use the navigation and it works well. The only thing that doesn't really work for me is the charging. It works to a degree, but not as I had hoped. So to explain a little further, when I use the navigation, and the battery was charged down to say 40 or 50 %, I have it plugged into the lighter socket and the battery doesn't deplete, but it doesn't increase either. I used to to drive about 2.5 hours and it stayed at 50% the whole trip. On the way home, I used the navigation and radio app at the same time, and the battery actually drained as I used it. I was hopeful that the charging would be better. Still haven't decided if I want to keep it or no because of that.

Please note that the audio on mine playing thru the provided jack and into the Aux in of my car works flawlessly. The sound is awesome. Maybe I got a bad charger part and other got a bad audio jack.

The suction works perfectly for me. Didn't fall off once.

Also, sometime when I dock the phone and try to lock in the charger part, it doesn't go in easily. I have to carefully press, release, press, etc, until it goes in.

And, no, for those asking, you cannot use any case when using this. You must remove it from the case. I have a few easy ones to remove, so that isn't a problem for me.

I know that using navigation, especially in junction with i heart radio or Pandora, will use more battery life, but I thought since it was plugged in to charge, and yes the charge icon is showing charging, I figured it would still charge somewhat.

I will try to use the phone by itself without any apps or anything running, to see if this charger does work. But I haven't traveled anywhere since that trip other than a short trip to work and back. Last time I tried this, for about a half an hour, it went from 20% to 21% in 30 minutes. My standalone charger was much quicker than that. Just mentioning this so you know.

I still recommend this, but if it isn't to your satisfaction, you can always return it.

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Unfortunately, the USB cable that was included in the packaging was NOT the USB cable pictured in the description. The CORRECT USB cable has an additional dongle with a 3.5mm audio jack, so only one cable is connected to the dock itself and both audio and 750Ma of charge are carried by it. The cable that was included in the sealed box was the run-of-the-mill motorola USB cable that would only carry charge (and probably was a data cable limited to 500Ma, although I don't know that for sure).

I contacted Amazon Customer Service to see if the correct cable could be exchanged, however the ONLY remedy was to return the entire item and re-order. Customer Service was unable to assure that the next item shipped to me would not have the same issue, so now I play the waiting game to see if this was a simple packaging oversight or a systemic issue. Based upon my reading of recent reviews, it looks like others are receiving the correct USB cable, so here's hoping!

Oh, and the price jumped $12 since I ordered it... Fortunately I noticed while still in live chat with customer service and they issued me a credit to make up the difference.

If the next box arrives with an incorrect cable, I will NOT be a happy camper. However, if the next box arrives with the proper cables, I will revise this review and rate as appropriate, although I will still knock off one star for the hassle.

EDIT 10/09/2012 Received new shipment of this product, the correct cable WAS in the box this time! Will further update once installed.

EDIT 10/14/2012 Installed, works quite well. I have love/hate relationship with Motorola... I dislike how they have handled software issues (Motoblur, Music Player on DroidX2, Bionic/Atrix upgrade fiasco, locked bootloaders, etc.), but I have to say from a hardware perspective their stuff is first rate. The ability to have a single cable to the car dock with audio and charge carried by it is great! Motorola has clearly put a lot of thought into accessories for their phones.

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Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

• 3.5-Inch Screen
• High-Sensitivity GPS Receiver
• 10,000 Point Tracking
• Bluetooth-Enabled For Hands Free Calling & For Sending Audio To Compatible Helmets
• High Bright Display For Sunlight Readability & Uv Resistant

People complain about the Zumo not having a built in speaker. Well, you wouldn't be able to hear it while riding your bike it if it had one, so it's a bit of a moot point.

On a side note, I think there are some features the unit lacks that can be somewhat annoying. First, and definitely the most annoying for me, the elevation by which you view your position on a GPS determines the amount of detail you see, i.e. POI's, street names, distance of road to travel, etc. The units I have used previously (factory nav in a Honda, other Garmins and the Mio 310 to name a few) had the ability to select zoom/elevation from the main nav screen allowing you to choose your "view" of the road so to speak, at anytime. With the Zumo, you cannot change elevation/zoom from the main nav screen, you can only adjust it while in map mode searching for a destination. The second you go back to the main navigation screen you loose the elevation you chose and go back to a default level of zoom, which for me is real irritating.

Another annoying feature is the keyboard for text input does not offer a QWERTY layout. I have not had to type on an ABCDEF style keyboard since the invention on the PC. In fact, I have a Garmin IQue 3600 that's 4 years old and it has a QWERTY keyboard?

Also, the search function on the Zumo is relatively slow at times. I once waited 4+ minutes while searching for a popular restaurant. It found it eventually, but for a while I thought the unit just froze up. I happen to be sitting in my driveway so it was only a minor annoyance, but if you were parked on the roadside with cars buzzing by it would seem more like an eternity.

One other issue, the built in hard drive is pretty much full with maps right out of the box, which isn't that big of a deal with the open SD slot. The SD slot lets you slip in a SD card for expanded memory capability (MP3 storage etc.), but when loading routes from your PC (which is a great feature I'll touch on below) you must save the data directly to the units hard drive in order for the Zumo to be able to read it. Well, that's going to be an issue when the hard drive fills up from firmware updates, etc.

While I'm at it, I think the icon that marks your position on the map is annoyingly large. It makes your car or bike look the size of a lake, or some other large map detail.

On the plus side, I believe that all of the issues I mentioned are correctable via a firmware update and a few bugs are to be expected to some extent given this is the 1st generation of a new model. Although, you can also argue that with the price this thing sells for combined with the experience Garmin has building GPS devices there is really no excuse for the Zumo lacking anything.

A nice feature, which is common on Garmins top units, is that you can map out routes on your PC, load it to the Zumo (again, on the built in hard drive though not the SD card) and away you go. This comes in handy if you're in sales for example and need to hit a few clients on a particular day or if you're going to be cruising on your bike and have a bunch of places you want to stop at during the trip. Rather than having to wait and program destinations one at a time as you make your stops, you can knock them all out the night before on your PC so you're entire trip is planned before it's even begun.

Also, the Bluetooth feature is sweet and works flawlessly. Pairing the Zumo with my Blackberry was a breeze. The Zumo was able to read my address book and displayed the contacts on the phone screen so there was never a need to touch the Blackberry once paired. When in the car, the speaker worked well and people on the other end seemed to have no trouble hearing me. I disagree with the one reviewer that said the mount looked weak. I think the mount would successfully support a cinderblock on rough road.

Installing the Zumo on my ZZR1200 took me about 30 min. It takes some time to run the wires and connect to the battery. You will need to crimp connectors (that are not supplied) on the end of the wires that go to the battery. The Ram mount is real solid. The Zumo does not move once you're locked in and on the road.

Now for the justification of the 4 star rating given I beat the Zumo up quite a bit. The build quality of this thing it second to none. It is literally built like a tank. I'd bet it would outlast anyone who buys it. Again, firmware updates will likely take care of all its shortcomings over time. And last but not least, Garmin tech support is second to none. No matter who you speak to they are knowledgeable, professional and will provide answers to anything you can throw at them (and I come up with some good ones) all without making you feel like you're annoying or a technological moron.

Therefore, I don't think you can go wrong with any Garmin, if you can swallow the price of the unit.

Buy Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Discontinued by Manufacturer) Now

I just wanted to comment on the Zumo 550 with current software. I purchased this unit about 3 weeks ago and before I got it I was a little disheartened by some people's reviews on some lacking features. However when i got the unit and upgraded to the latest software (that was available as of 4/15/2007) many negative comments seem to have been addressed (if I'm understanding the commented issues correctly). First the views of the unit seem very flexable and I don't see the limitations. You can select between 2-D top down views for the people who are used to that view or 3-D. The unit has multiple levels of zoom/un-zoom from the big buttons on the outside as well as on the touch screen... I'm just not seeing any limitations. You can also taylor how much detail you want to see on the screen ( more or less). The only thing I do agree with is the Icon's used to show your position (you can choose between about 6 or so) are kind of large. Would have been nice to have the choice to alter that but I chose the 'wedge' and it works nicely with the screen size. Second, definitely a software upgrade was the addition of two different compus views.. .one small indication on the main map screen and a full 360 degree compus graphic with ELEVATION on a separate screen (selectable from the big rubber buttons or through the menu). The unit is unbelievable compared to earlier units I've had .. I can litterally stand in my family room under cover and turnaround and move 1 step (sometimes 2 is needed) and the unit will reflect the change in direction! I use this with a common motorola razr phone and a Scala Rider helmet bluetooth unit (on a shoei rf-1000 helmet) and everything works perfectly. Also, as far as weatherproofing the manual indicates it can be kept under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes! Great mounting hardware and super easy to use.. definitely a fantastic unit with the latest software upgrades. Thanks.

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The 550 works very well. Specs say it works between 32 & 140 degrees. I ride all winter so far it works at 15 degrees F. Surprisingly easy to use with heavy winter riding gloves. The motorcycle mount is much cleaner than I expected. Very flexible, allowing the unit to tuck in close and not look dorky. The car mount is clean with an acceptable albeit not great speaker. It's VERY easy to move between vehicles. I was somewhat disappointed at first about the lack of a built in speaker, but if I need to walk around with it, it's no big deal to use your cell phone Bluetooth with it. Maybe that's the price you pay for a truely waterproof unit. While riding, you can hear the alert tone using a cell phone Bluetooth, but cannot understand the audio. I plugged in iPod ear buds into the bike mount and it sounds great without being obvious about being "plugged in" (I ride a half helmet). If you use a full face with built in speakers you will be very happy with the audio.

Others complained about the lack of things like a real compass and satellite acquisition display and built in speaker. I have addressed the speaker issue. The compass displays eight points (like the one in the rear view mirror of your GM car). That's all I really need. Showing the satellites it has acquired is neat but what do I really care the thing is very sensitive. I get 5 of 5 bars IN my house. The MP3 player does work well although it does not have play lists. You can at least sort by album, artist and genre. To listen to decent quality audio, you will need ear buds. Displaying pictures looks good but the response is a little sluggish.

Storing up to 50 routes is great and being able to download them to Google Earth and visualize them is very slick (it does take Google Earth Plus a $20 annual fee to support this feature).

Overall I am VERY pleased with this unit it does exactly what I need (and then some) looks great very sturdy.

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The new Zumo 550 is a big step forward in ease of use, but sacrifices some of the flexibility of previous units (Streepilot series, x76C series). The touch screen display and integrated buttons on the left side of the unit are easy to use even with riding gloves, and the new locking mount is a big improvement. GPS reception also seems to be GREATLY improved; not getting lost under dense tree coverage. The display is relatively big, bright and clear; but difficult to read in really bright sunlight. Also, much of the screen is used for large display items and touch "buttons", so the actual map display is fairly small. The built in battery is an improvement over the StreetPilot, allowing the unit to be used when the motorcycle is off. The battery also allows the unit to be connected to a PC without an AC adapter.

The new operating system is easy to learn and use, but lacks some of the flexibility of other units. Long time GPS users may feel restricted by the fixed display formats, but new users probably won't notice. The operating software still has a few bugs and route guidance prompts need some work, but Garmin does a good job of making updates available (with WebUpdater) and has already released v2.3.

The MP3 player is simple to use but does not support playlists and still seems to have software bugs.

I have linked the ZUMO to a bluetooth helmet (Dainese) and phone (LG-VX8500) and it seems to work very well. Although told that the MP3 would not work over bluetooth, it does in my set-up.

In summary: even with the display restrictions and software issues this is a great GPS for motorcycle use.

All the write-ups suggested this Zumo 550 was going to be impressive. They weren't wrong. The BIG positives, from my perspective:

1. Satellite acquisition must be seen to be believed. In my basement it took less than 15 seconds, out of the box, first power-up. That performance has been repeated every time since, with the exception of first-power-up after upgrading the firmware to 3.2. Thereafter it went back to sub-20 second acquisition.

2. Its built like it should be, like you wanted it to be. Solid. Its going to spend time on my Harley ElectraGlide and in my Corvette and I wanted someting that matched their image. I got it.

3. Firmware upgrade was a 5 minute affair, no hassles, no fuss, no tears. Several nice new features were added, for my 5-minute investment.

4. Interchangeable top and bottom plates, in contrasting black, are a nice little extra. They even included the Allen wrench for the 3-minute task.

5. There's no need to buy extra (read, "expensive") accessories. This was the biggie, for me. This unit ships with a bike mount, complete with hard-wire power connector, AND it ships with a car-mount, with its own power connector. The fact that Garmin includes BOTH mounts with this unit was the deciding factor for me. The fact that both docking cradles with each mount are thoughtfully designed to allow super-quick, super-solid on and off mounting of the GPS unit itself, is a nice added plus. Also, the voice quality and volume of the built-in speaker in the car mount is impressive.

6. Bluetooth pairing of both my Blackberry 8700 and my Jabra BT800 was simple and flawless. Thereafter, when the BB and the Jabra were on and the Zumo was insereted into either the bike mount or the car mount, the Zumo automatically paired back with each unit, within 30 seconds of being mounted. I love technology that works. The real zinger was that the Zumo synched the 400-odd contacts in my BB8700, inside of 45 seconds.

7. For me, simply put, Garmin hit a BIG homerun with the design, execution and packaging of their new Zumo 550. Is it expensive? Not really, considering I didn't need to go out and scrounge up the expensive extras Garmin included for free. And the little things, like designing a magnetically-positioned weather cover for the bike's connector pins, is just icing on a big, well-decorated cake.

Bravo, Garmin.

DB Link GMBAT1 Gm Battery Post

• No Copy

Cheap Price, however cheap product too. It's true, you get what you pay for. The Gold flaked off during installation and the threads stripped. Very poor quality.

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Garmin 12-Volt Adapter Cable

• 12V Adapter Cable For Streetpilot C530
• Compatible with nuvi 5000, 800 series, 600 series, zumo series.

This adapter does work for the Garmin nuvi 660.

However, If You Subscribed to the Traffic Alert, this adapter WILL NOT PICK UP the traffic alerts nor will you even get an icon on your nuvi. There is another fuse in the original adapter that came with your Garmin nuvi that supports the "traffic alert". If your nuvi is still under warranty, Garmin will send you out a repair kit that includes another tip at no charge. They can at their discretion void your warranty if you use another adapter that did not come with your original unit.

Please call 1-800-800-1020 (central time) 8am-7pm technical support. When the "automated person" comes on quickly press 2; then press 1 and you will be placed on hold for the next technician.

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Compatible Models: Nuvi 5000, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 860, 880, StreetPilot c510, c530, c550, c580, Zumo 400, 450, 500, 550

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1371

Works well. OEM part and a fair price. :)

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I have now used this adapter less than 20 times, & like the Garmin adapter than came with the GPS, this one also lacks durabilityit's now broken; the Garmin adapter had broken after about the same number of uses. Neither adapter was misused or dropped, they broke after normal use. I know that the car's adapter plug is not the problem, because other adapters (like cell phone) do work in this car. Now I'm looking for another adapter, this time one that is neither Garmin nor Gilsson, & hopefully my third adapter will be one that lasts longer than either of these two! Although well-constructed of sturdier materials, easier to grip & a better fit with the adapter plug than the original adapter made by Garmin, my revised rating for this product would be 1*, simply because it's not worth the money for a product that has lasted such a short time.

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I had a similar problem to the other reviewers. I plugged the charger in the very first time and it didn't work. The LED indicator light did not even illuminate. I know that the port on the vehicle works fine as I use it for other chargers all the time.

I took this charger apart and noticed that the fuse was blown. I bought a replacement fuse that matched the specs on the one that came with it (and also what the people at Radio Shack said are needed for car chargers). I plugged it in again only to be disappointed once more. I opened it up, and the fuse was blown again.

Something is clearly wrong with the electrical layout of this device.

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Stopped working after some time. The connection b/n one of the wires and the plug, where a small board connects the wires to the pins, broke. Soldered, worked a bit, now it is broken again. Tried to fix a second time only to fry the fuse. Not happy with how long it lasted.

Power Probe 219FTC Power Probe II Tester with Case

The Powerprobe works easily and simply to track down short circuits and broken wires. Being able to apply power to test the circuits is a huge plus in tracking down wiring problems in my car. I would recommend the Powerprobe to any one who needs to repair wiring harness problems in their vehicle.

LOVE IT! I DON'T KNOW WHY I NEED 18 MORE WORDS TO SAY IT'S GREAT. I DON'T HAVE 18 WORDS SO JUST HAVE TO KEEP THIS UP TILL IT'S OVER.

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It is not for me, but I hear good comments and see happiness on the mechanic face.

It is easy to use and easy to understand.

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Motorola T9500XLR 25-Mile 2-Way Radio Pair

• Up To 25-Mile Range
• 22 Channels
• 121 Privacy Codes For 2662 Combinations
• 27 Hours
• 3 AA Alkaline Or 9-Hour Nimh Estimated Talk Time

The T9500 radios are great radios and are the best I have used in the GMRS/FRS consumer family of radios for under $100. These radios have a great quick release belt clip and seem to be well built. The weather channels are a plus and sound clear through the T9500's speaker. I like the way the transmit button works. It has two switches built in. Press the button on the bottom and your radio transmits on low power (.5 watt). Press it on the top and your radio will transmit high power (2 watts on GMRS frequencies only).

Ok power, yes the T9500 transmits at 2 watts max power. It was hard for me to find this little known fact as this site and Motorola's own site conveniently neglect this info. I had to search the web and finally found it advertised on REI's web site. I am assuming the Motorola marketing folks thought this was a smart move as most consumers falsely believe more watts equates to longer transmission range.

I used to think watts were like horse power, the more the better. If you took two identical handheld radios one radio putting out 2 watts and the other radio putting out 5 watts you would get about a ¼ mile increase in transmission range under real world conditions with the 5 watt unit, all things being equal. But things are not equal from brand to brand and thank goodness for Motorola that this fact holds true. I have discovered over the years after using many different handhelds that what matters more is the quality of the electronic components, good circuit design, antenna elevation and electromagnetic conditions. Mostly what people will find with those other company's 5 watt units is they will use their battery up faster. If you think by getting an FCC license ($85) and a nice fancy new 2 5 watt high power GMRS radio you are going to see some massive improvement over your old .5 watt FRS radios think again. You will be lucky to get double the range of a FRS radio all other conditions being equal. I had the 5 watt Midland radios and took them back to get these and could not be happier with my decision. I don't see any difference in transmission range between the two sets and the Motorola's sound better and have better features.

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I own both the TriSquare and Motorola Talkabout radios Those of you who like to take your kids outdoors or skiing, may find this of interest.

Motorola T9500XLR 25-Mile 2-Way Radio

======================================

This is a typical walkie talkie. It 22 channels in the 462 MHz range and has 2 watts of power using GMRS/FRS protocols. The "25-mile" range is the theoretical max (i.e. on the lunar surface).

The main problem with this technology is, well, other people. Imagine 1,000 people sharing 22 channels at Disney World. Motorola goes through great lengths to filter out other people. This is achieved by

(1) A special filter that blocks non-Motorola radios. A nice idea, but unfortunately 90% of walkie talkies are made by Motorola.

(2) A special privacy code which is assigned to each channel. Thus, all your Motorola radios have to be configured to the same privacy code in order to work with each other. Codes range from 1 to 121.

Nonetheless, even with filters and privacy encryption, if someone else is transmitting on your channel, there will be significant interference.

TriSquare TSX-300 eXRS 900MHz FHSS 2-Way Radio

================================================

These use a completely different technology. They transmit on 900 MHz in a 100% digital protocol. They sort of work like cell phones, without the service provider. Each radio is assigned a unique 10-digit number. No matter how crowded the ski resort, you'll always have a private channel for your family. These radios use 1 watt of power. The manufacturer does not provide distance performace, but claim that the radios have a range equal to or better than the Motorola Talkabouts.

Comparison

==========

I took both brands with me and drove around town a typical suburban setting with residential and commercial areas. I rated voice quality on a scale of 0 to 3 as follows:

0 no reception

1 unintelligible

2 intelligible but noisy or garbled

3 intelligible and clear

I then plotted the average rating as a function of distance. The digital eXRS technology was superior to the GMRS/FRS model. The eXRS average rating was 25% better than the Motorola Talkabout. The max distance I could get in my area (having lots of trees and buildings) was .45 miles with either radio. The Motorola box claims "2 miles in an urban setting", which is just not true in my case.

The Motorol wins in overall voice quality. When the signal is strong, the voice quality of the Motorola was quite clear, whereas the eXRS unit always had a some background white noise.

Conclusion

===========

The TriSquare eXRS radios lack a bit in overall voice quality. However, having great voice quality in a Motorola radio is worthless if you can't get through on a crowded channel. The benefits of the eXRS radios out way the one or two shortcomings, in my opinion. I tried the TriSquare units at a ski resort. They work just as advertised. No interference from other people whatsoever.

The TriSquare comes with two vox headsets, which work fairly well. The Motorola talkabout did not come with headsets, which cost $20 a piece at Radio Shack.

Niether the Motorola Talkabout nor the TriSquare eXRS seem particularly rugged or weather resistant, so I'd rate them the same in that regard.

The NOAA weather reception on the TriSquare was pretty bad. I have two other NOAA radios, which work just fine in my area. The Talkabout had very good NOAA reception.

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I buy a pair of FRS radios pr. year, on the average. Radios like these are great to tack on to the kids when they run around the neighbourhood. I bought my first pair in 1999 I feel I have some experience, this pair of radios beeing my 8th pair or so.

The radios looked cool, although bigger than expected. The charging stand is practical, the kids use batteries like I owned a battery factory, so I can appreciate anything rechargeable. The range is better than I am used to, I guess it is mostly due to the fairly long antennas.

Now to my main two gripes:

The audio is beyond awful. I am a ham radio operator with a comprehensive understanding of radio electronics, also professionally. And I fail to understand what they have done to make the audio so incredibly bad. It sounds like someone is talking through a very long plastic tube. It's garbled, distorted and metallic sounding. This -mustbe a design flaw, I cannot think that this passed basic Q/A testing. My 10-year old, after trying to talk to me many times, finally broke down and called me on the phone from his friends house. I have had Unidens, Cobras and Midlands, but these are my first Motorolas.

My second gripe is just as serious when you try to make 10-year olds call home for dinner the radios do not start to transmit audio until maybe half a second after you push the PTT. This translates into much difficulty when you are used to an instant reaction when you key. Even my old tube HF set is faster than this. Again, this must be a design flaw. All my old, beat-up Unidens are instant (as well as smaller and with crystal clear audio, I might add).

Sorry, Motorola-guys, you need a second look at this design. I will make sure to field-test your FRS radios before considering another purchase.

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I had seen the claim of 25 miles on these radios and hoped that they would be a good replacement for my bigger and bulkier Talkabout Distance DPS units that we had paid over $200 each for a few years ago. I had figured if the old radios only claimed a 5 mile range, and these claimed 25, that hopefully they would be similar. We use these radios when hunting in the mountains of Colorado and it's important to stay in touch with the members of the group.

After getting the units, I read the manual and played around with them for a while. The NOAA feature is nice, just a little static... I figured that would have warned us about that blizzard that came in last year.

When first trying to use the radios, their true quality became clear... like a tin can and a string. Within sight of one of my friends who was out in a boat, we could not make out what each other was saying. Either the quality of the microphones or the quality of the speakers was so poor that conversation was impossible at any distance. I do hold out some hope that the earbud and PTT microphone might solve some of the sound quality issues, but am not too optimistic at this point.

WARNING! DO NOT BUY THESE RADIOS!!!

I have alot of experience with two way radios. I live and work in the mountains of Montana and I know the limits and quirks of most types and brands of 2-way radios. I've had no less than a dozen or so models going all the way back to when Uniden had the top of the line with the 5 mile rangers. Anyway, I feel pretty confident that these radios have a serious design flaw whith the symptom of a sporadic cutout of the voice while talking. Its slight but very noticable with regular use. I feel personally that it may be a frequency thing but can't be certain. In addition, the sound of the audio is HORRIBLE! I was willing to overlook the sound quality in exchange for range but it simply isn't worth it. The sound is so bad that it strikes me that maybe Motorola should recall this product. It a serious dissapointment from a company who's name typically means quality. These may be the worst radio's I have ever owned. Sorry folks, this pair of radios are not worth the box they're shipped in.