Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Sony XVM-R75 Motorized Fold-Down Widescreen 7" LCD Monitor (Silver)
Thursday, June 19, 2014
East Penn Mfg 21' Batt Carrier Strap 195 Auto Battery Terminal & Access
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Energy Del Sol FPM-68 Flex Solar Power Mat Recreational Vehicle and Marine Kit
Monday, May 19, 2014
Sirius S50 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Pack
- Portable Sirius satellite radio receiver with belt clip, ear buds, and car kit
- 1 GB flash memory saves up to 50 hours of Sirius programming or other digital content
- Supports MP3 and WMA files; built-in FM transmitter for plug-and-play use in car
- Voice-assisted channel navigation announces the channel; USB interface for PC transfers
- 176 x 220 TFT color display; measures 1.9 x 3.8 x 0.67 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
I love the selection of music that is available for my taste (alternative stuff). Some stations are lame, the all Elvis channel or all Bruce Springstine channel for example, but that's a matter of taste. Besides, there's plenty to choose from no matter what your taste in music.
And now, the bad stuff. 1) I was disappointed with the sound quality. I would describe the quality as somewhere between good FM radio and AM. Voices often sound like they're speaking or singing through a tin can. I thought it may have been the FM broadcaster in the unit, but when I play MP3's in the car through the unit, they sound great, so I guess it's not enough band width in the broadcasts. 2) The portable unit does not have an equalizer option. You can't adjust the bass or treble which even the cheapest MP3 players have. That was poor oversight on their part. 3) My biggest gripe is that the removable unit will sometimes vibrate loose, causing a loss in the transmission. This is very annoying, but I'm getting used to tapping my unit from time to time to prevent it. I think part of the problem there is that my unit was installed so that it lies in a flat position. I may have to get that changed, despite the fact that I love the way it's positioned right now. Sirius should have designed it so that the unit locks in. However, when you lose the signal (not from the unit vibrating loose), the voice asks if you'd like to switch to downloaded content which can be done very easily.
UPDATE: I had the unit re-installed so that it's not flat, no problem now with the unit slipping out.
Moreover, I'm very pleased with the S50. If you're aware of sound quality issue I'd definitely recommend the unit.
Buy Sirius S50 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Pack Now
First off, let me say that I view the current S50 as a prototype. I think they rushed to market in order to have the product available by the time Stern started broadcasting. The fact that none of the accesories (including the home dock) are available yet shows that this product was rushed. The bugs and missing features, too, indicate a rushed release. Wait a few months and you will probably see prices drop, reliability increase, and features added.Missing features: (1) There are no audio settings (not even the omnipresent "bass boost"). It should be against the law at this point to release a product like this without at least some sort of rudimentary equalizer. I have found the sound to be very poor largely because of this. The bass is lacking and the highs sound tinny. (2) If you are listening to one of your automatically recorded favorite channels in playback mode and leave the playback and return, you do not return to the point where you left (even if you don't turn the player off). You must start at the beginning of the recording and cycle through the tracks to find your spot. Remember those old CD players that started at the beginning of the disk each time you turned the player on? Would you buy one today? (3) Can I get a small keypad on the dock so I can change channel without using the dial? Come on, Sirius has almost 200 channels. I'm supposed to scroll through them one at a time? True, the remote has a keypad, but I will lose that thing. (4) Unlike your Tivo or DVR (which this unit is constantly compared to), the unit has only one tuner. That means that you can not listen to live radio while recording another channel. Why would you need to record a show that you listened to live? (5) Also unlike Tivo and DVR, the unit will not turn itself on for a scheduled recording. That means, if you want to record Howard Stern in the morning while you are still asleep, you'll have to leave the unit on all night. If you were able to track down a home unit during the limited release in December or you have purchased a DC/AC adaptor, you can just leave your S50 on at home. If you only use yours in the car you will find your battery dead and will be calling AAA for a jump start if you leave this thing on all night.
Design flaws: (1) The designers thought it would be cool to have the top of the player shaped like a triangle instead of sitting flush like every other MP3 player. Thats no problem if you only want to listen with the provided headphones (which suck), but if you want to use aftermarket headphones, the 1/8 jack for many will be to big to fit (the housing of the jack, not the jack itself of course). (2) The unit frequently freezes up and fails to respond to any commands. You have to remove the battery and wait ten seconds before reinstalling it in order to "reset" the unit. (3) Six hours of battery life? Thats at the low end of what I would consider exceptable. That is not a huge problem now, but what about a year from now when the battery begins to lose its charge and only holds, say four hours? (4) The interface is anything but intuitive and needs some major tuning. Example: the "Shut off Device" option is in the Setup Menu. Every time I turn this thing off I feel like I'm about to make a major change in the way the device functions. (5) Unlike most players, which have a full-time display, the screen on this unit goes black unless you have recently touched a button. I don't need the screen to glow all the time, I just want the text of the song on the screen so I know what I'm listening to. Only the backlight should shut off when the unit is "idle." You can go into "display settings" and change the screen to always be on, but since the backlight will always be on, this will drain the already inadequate battery.
I could go on, but I want to wrap this up. I give this product three stars instead of two or one because it is such a great idea. Finally, we can save large amounts of satellite radio content and play it back on a portable. Also, if you want to listen to Stern, but don't have the time to catch the show live, this is the only thing to buy.
Would I buy it again? No, not even at a lower price. My advice is wait and see what comes next. This is a new idea, using new technology. Things will only get better from here on. Wait a few months rather than blowing $350 on a prototype that never should have left the Quality Control Department in its current condition.
Update: Sirius issued a software patch for this unit. Now you can fast-forward through recorded material (before you could only skip tracks), schedule recordings for music shows in addition to talk shows, and save more individual songs to your "my sirius songs" folder.
My advice stays the same. Wait for the next generation S50. It will undoubtedly have two tuners, an equalizer, better sound, and will lack the bugs in this unit. Or, you can buy my S50 used on Amazon.com the day the next generation comes out(I will definitely be upgrading).
Second Update: Today is 2/9/06. My S50 is dead. All of the sudden it stopped receiving live broadcasts today. I turn it on while docked and all I get is the startup sound and the Sirius logo screen; then the unit freezes up. Now this thing is basically an Ipod with bad battery life and poor navigation. Luckily I have an extended warranty...
Read Best Reviews of Sirius S50 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Pack Here
I bought this primarily for the Tivo-like recording feature and that's a huge disappointment. If you want to record a full Howard Stern show, forget it. It's not designed to record that many hours and it rarely records the full amount it's supposed to. Show are almost always incomplete or the device frequently crashes! I've had to remove the battery multiple times because it was frozen.If you're a Mac user, there's no software interface fo the MP3 functions.
The sound quality is pretty mediocre, even with full signal strength.
Given the cost (don't forget to add $100 to be able to use it at home) and the mediocre performance, don't buy this.
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Anyone giving this product less than 4 stars is Ignorant and/or bitter, because they spent over 300 bucks on something they didn't research or don't know how to use. NO it does not get live broadcast without being docked (either in your car or in your home) But it doesn't claim to!, and NO you can not set up a recording segment (longer than simply recording one song) for any of the music stations(but this isn't nearly as important as i originally thought it would be)Let me tell you what it can do. I've had mine for a little over a day now so I'm not an expert YET but i have gotten pretty familiar with the product. The most important/impressive thing that this product does (which has been overlooked by or atleast not explained clearly by anyone YET) is the "MY sirius Channels" function. Your S50 will "automatically" ( I left my unit on and docked while I went to sleep) record content from your most listened to channels...which in my case was the channel that i left it on while i was sleeping. when i checked my s50 in the morning i had 5+ hours of Quasi recorded content "saved" under "my sirius channels" I sorted through the saved content which coulden't be more convieniet ( you can FF RW Pause and if you like/choose Record and the greatest part is you don't even have to listen to the full song to record it you can simply hit the "love" button to record, then hit the ff button once and you are skipped ahead to the next song, and yes the one you recorded is saved in your memory. Using this technique I was able to save 68 songs worth of material in about an hour or so (that represents about 20% of the memory for the unit. Tonight I'll let the S50 "automatically" record more music for me and then tomorrow i'll record and save only what i want and delete the rest, which will make room for the S50 to "automatically" record some new content for me to browse through.
Everything else about what this product can do is explained pretty well in the product specs or at I wanted to explain about the recording function b/c this is what seperates this product from other music players. As far as docking your S50 with your computer and using the software goes, it's pretty simple and easy to work with. However if you are used to using Itunes you will realize that "my sirius studio" (the media player used to store and manage your music files on your pc) is incredibly basic but so far has worked w/o problems...(I was also able to transfer MP3's to my S50 via this software.
I won't say much about the looks b/c by now you've seen pics...i'll only say that those pictures are surely justified.
Yeah it's a lot of money...but it does things an Ipod can't dream of ...If you are REALLY into music and are sick either the songs on your Ipod or commercials on the radio...You'll love sirius and the S50Ok I'm a big Howard Stern fan so I had to get the S-50. Let me start by saying the most important thing, for those people who are complaining about not getting the home kit, I have a brilliant suggestion: GO BUY A 5-VOLT AC ADAPTER. That's all you need. I too was pissed when I found out that the home dock wasn't even available, and I am planning on only listening to it at home, but then I realized all you need to do is go buy an adapter and you can plug the "car kit" in at home too. Genius, huh? Anyways, on to the review of the radio...
UPDATE: I forgot to include that with the car kit, you will not only need a 5-volt adapter, but you will need something thick and VERY metallic, like a cookie sheet or a pie tray to attach the "car magnet". This is a rather crude but cheap way to replace the total lack of supply of the home docks.
So far so good. Sucks that you can't adjust bass/treble, but the fact that this thing is not only a satellite radio, but also an .MP3 player makes up for this drawback. You can record any song or program you want. Another awesome feature. I, like everyone else, was disappointed when I found out it's not really "portable" with live content, only with the stuff you have recorded onto it. The good, the bad.. and the ugly. The ugly part being that the Sirius software on the computer is buggy as hell. I put some .mp3s on it, and before I know it, the software bugs out and won't run. I had to uninstall it, and re-install it many many times. I'm not the only one who has had this problem either, so I recommend that you put the .mp3s on there that you really want for a long time to avoid this hassle. All complaints aside though, this is a great piece of technology and the pros outweigh the cons. Lots of people are pissed, but most of them are using it in their cars, and since I'm not driving with it, I don't have a problem.
In short, the fact that I can play .mp3s on the same device that I can listen to Howard Stern and Eminem's satellite channels on makes this a wonderful Christmas present and I'm pretty happy with it. But if you have a car, you might want to think about getting a different Sirius radio, one that's a little more reliable through speed bumps, weather, and lots of engine restarts. From what I've read it flakes out a lot in the car, and if you're just using it to drive, why not play your songs on your regular CD player and buy a cheaper Sirius radio just for the satellite?
Friday, May 16, 2014
Sanyo 23AE 5-Pack 12V Car Alarm Alkaline Batteries
Buy Sanyo 23AE 5-Pack 12V Car Alarm Alkaline Batteries Now
These work as good as any and as far as longevity, I'm still not sure yet. Price was very fair and I've used Sanyo batteried before and "All is good!" I would recommend them to my friends and family!Read Best Reviews of Sanyo 23AE 5-Pack 12V Car Alarm Alkaline Batteries Here
I was pleased to find this "fresh" product priced so inexpensively and delivered so quickly. Comparison shopping did not identify any other supplier that even came close in price.Want Sanyo 23AE 5-Pack 12V Car Alarm Alkaline Batteries Discount?
These seem perfectly good. At close to a dollar each, a great deal. Just say no to inflated battery prices.Shelf life is around 5 years, so the convenience of having extras around is win-win.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
NOCO Genius GC007 Ultimate Smart Accessory Kit
Thanks,
Leonard Cortes
Licensed Painting ContractorFigured you can never have too many accessories so I purchased the kit. Comes with clamps, cable, eyelet connectors, and plug connector. These are high quality products and seems like they are gonna last forever. I put them in different cars (attached with the quick connect) for conveience. Good price for great quality!
Buy NOCO Genius GC007 Ultimate Smart Accessory Kit Now
I have the the G3500 and the G7200. This is a great kit to extend the reach of the chargers or if you want to hard wire a battery to the adapter, especially a hard to reach battery like in a boat or trailer. I use the kit a lot and it is of the same quality as other NOCO products. Highly recommended!Read Best Reviews of NOCO Genius GC007 Ultimate Smart Accessory Kit Here
Monday, April 14, 2014
Motorola Atrix 4G MB860 Combo Rapid Car Charger + Home Wall Charger + USB Data Charge Sync Cable +
I will be telling all my friends about this.
Thank you so very much for the great cheap stuff!!!worked great, I do not know what else to type, these mandatory review lengths are a pain in the butt.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Directed Audio Essentials 7254v Viper (r) Responder Le 2-way Led Remote
THIS is the answer! Not only did Squidfly deliver it in less than 2 days, but i gazed at the new packaging expecting it to be a little better, but I was wrong!
Not only once I opened it was it new, but it already came with batteries! your ready to program and use instantly right out the box!
I was already impressed, but then I looked at the back cover to dread the prior model's horrible battery door design, FINALLY they took notice and fixed it! the back is flawless and seems to be one piece with the remote as how it should have been! and then the buttons, the great feel of the new buttons, which felt so gratifying compared to the prior model. No more accidental presses and bumps, this remote definetly is better than the OEM by Ten fold easy! It made me think why didnt they include this remote to begin with! the other one felt cheap and flimsy. The finale!, once opened and went to my car, I was able to program the remote within 5 minutes. Then popped onto my keychain and I am extremely satisfied!
BUY IT NOW, because VIPER got it right with this newer refined model because it seemed they actually listened to their consumer feedback and corrected every flaw that caused frustration!. Better than the OEM and will buy again!I lost the battery cover to my old 7251v a while back and replaced it for a mere $12 plus shipping. Within a week, the outer rim of the remote broke off at the bottom which made the door stick out a bit. Ever since then, the batteries would last about a week so I decided it was time to replace it.
The new remote eliminates the need for a battery door and will not easily come apart like the old one. The buttons are harder to press (which is good considering my old one used to get smashed and make that angry loud buzzing noise). Its rubber/tactile feel is nice -reminds me of the old Nextel phones. Now, you take a small flathead screwdriver to pry the front off which exposes the insides and battery holder.
The instructions on the package to sync with my existing alarm system worked like a charm.
Pros
Harder to press buttons but still very responsive
Feels more solid and sturdy
Battery life so far beats my old remote
No battery door!
Cons
I worry that the plastic clips holding the front on will eventually break after replacing the batteries a few times.
When taking it apart to replace batteries, the innards fall apart and I worry they may break
Overall very happy with the purchase.
Buy Directed Audio Essentials 7254v Viper (r) Responder Le 2-way Led Remote Now
Nice key fob remote for my viper responder le 2 way remote start unit. The buttons are a little harder to push than the original fobs, which i used to press accidentally in my pocket. The battery storage should be nicer too as the battery cover used to come off on my original fobs.Read Best Reviews of Directed Audio Essentials 7254v Viper (r) Responder Le 2-way Led Remote Here
I have had the previous version (7251V) of this and really disliked it. This is by far improvedPros:
-rubberized...better resistant to scratches and does not stick to cloths
-back panel is not the same...now it removes by using a thin screwdriver on the front...much improved...thanks
-buttons not prone to accidentally press while in your pocket...perfect in my opinion...thanks
-easily programmable...instructions come included
-Nice key ring slot (I have seen the ones with a possible breakable protrusion on the others, but this design is perfect in my opinion.
Cons:
-likely the battery life (I have not drained it yet...this may change to a pro)
-changing batteries will probably cause this to wear over time. I feel this will outlast the previous version and will add the actual result after a few battery changes. The previous version only lasted 1-2 changes...less than a year; this one may last several years and be worth it.
Bottom line: the 7251V is worth 1 star, this deserves 5 stars. If you hated the 7251V because of the quality...you will love the build of this one. A must buy.
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Easy to install and better constructed than the OEM responder... I would not hesitate to order another one if needed...Tuesday, December 31, 2013
2008 08 Chrysler Town and Country Remote & Key Combo - 7 Button
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Programming was easy and a local "Depot" cut the key for free. I would definitely do this again!! Great Deal.Read Best Reviews of 2008 08 Chrysler Town and Country Remote & Key Combo - 7 Button Here
Was awesome to find this. Dealer wanted to charge $200 per key and then $50 to program. I bought 2 keys and took them to the dealer and they programmed them both for $50. I got 2 keys for less than the dealer was charging for 2. Super fast shipping as well!Want 2008 08 Chrysler Town and Country Remote & Key Combo - 7 Button Discount?
very good product; I am very satisfied thank you very much Arrived perfectly well with close I will return to order other productsFriday, December 20, 2013
Griffin Navigate In-Line Controller and FM Radio for iPod & iPhone (Black)
- Compact inline remote control and radio for iPhone and iPod
- Built-in LCD mirrors screen info from your iPod
- Play, Stop, Pause, Forward, Backward, and Scan controls give tactile feedback when pressed
- FM stereo radio for use at the gym or with sound systems
- Swiveling clip attaches to belt or strap
I'm happy to report that this product has exceeded my expectations. It lets me have full access to the songs on my iPod without having to open and unlock it, and it also lets me select playlists, artists, songs and albums with simple buttons that are self-explanatory. It also lets you control volume without having to chance the iPod volume at all.
Then you just push the mode button and you get the FM transmitter. It gets most of the main stations, though there were a few I couldn't get, but the strong ones come in clear with only a little static when the signal cuts out like when I go into a closet for something. It has four presets that you can change and easily switch between your favorite stations. My favorite feature is that it displays what song you're listening to on the radio, with the title and the artist, along with the radio station you're listening to (by name, KIIS-FM, not just 102.7, though it lists that, too).
Another thing I was concerned about was it draining the battery on my iPod, but it doesn't drain it any quicker than it would to play regular music straight from my iPod touch. I've been playing the radio for an hour now and using all the buttons and the battery is still 100% full.
This is a quality product which exceeds my expectations and is reasonably priced. I would recommend this product to anyone with an iPod touch or an iPhone. Already I don't know what I did without it.
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Navigate operated exactly as expected without the need for instructions. I mainly wanted it to use as an external control for the iPhone, as I have lost interest in removing my phone from my pocket every single time I want to change tracks or pause it. After using it for a few days, I felt as though it didn't satisfy my needs exactly as I was hoping. The reasons are explained below:Construction:
Feels sturdy even though it is just plastic. doesn't feel too flimsy. button feedback is a bit "soft" compared to the defintie click on the iPhone. I'll update the post if it starts to show signs of poor manufacture.
Display:
The OLED screen looks very nice. It does not, however, show the correct info if I am listening to music through Dropbox which I use occasionally when I am away from my "home" computer and I want to "add" music to my iPhone sans iTunes. This is not, however, a big deal to me as I am more interested in the remote operations versus visual display feedback.
Control:
The volume control only works when the headphone is plugged in through the control headphone jack. The iPhone headphone jack will let you listen to music, just will not let you adjust the volume with the control. It will still, however, allow you to FF/Pause/Rev songs etc. I did notice that when Airplay is enabled on an iPhone, the connection to the iPhone acts strange and the screen says Dock Connector. This may be completely harmless.
Sound:
I did notice a slight hiss when using this unit. I do not consider this acceptable for an audio product. BUT, when the music is playing, it's not a big deal. The only way to avoid this is to use the iPhone headphone jack, but then you lose volume controlling on the Navigate.
Phone Calling:
I have not tried yet, but I have seen that it does not work with phone calls. I will confirm my findings. In any case, there is no mic and was not advertised as such. But is would still be nice to hear calls through the headphones while you talk into the phone, nothing groundbreaking about that.
Convenience Factor:
I was hoping the fact that the controller is external to the iPhone that it may be an improvement to the task of taking my phone out of my pocket to FF/Pause/Rev a song constantly. I already use the trick of unplugging the headphones to pause a song, but that is not a great solution either. Hence my purchase of the Navigate in-line.
The fact that the cord is most likely the FM antenna is a great thing, but the cord is the limiting factor for a truly mobile audiophile who prefers minimalism and convenience. My headphones already had a perfect length and now I have to wrap the extra up and shove it in pockets or tie them. My headphone cable has an elbow style L bend phone plug. This becomes a bit cumbersome when plugged into the controller. When the controller is clipped somewhere on your chest or bag strap, it subsequently makes the headphone cord suddenly longer and requiring it to be wrapped up which makes you look like urban Indiana Jones. All the required activity to optimize the wearablity makes the inconvenience of the original problem (again, FF/Play/Pause/Rev) more worth it than using this controller for MY personal tastes; minimalist.
Conclusion:
Navigate works well in a few situations, but the fact that I have multiple cords being tangled in my pocket or chest actually does not really offer the freedom I was hoping for (especially when using the iPhone jack to avoid hiss and take calls). It will however allow my hand to engage in some rather un-arousing pocket Shibari.
So, the conclusion is this: If you want a controller and FM radio and don't mind extra cable, this product is great. If you prefer FF/Play/Pause/Rev and volume (iPod) functionality only, then a Bluetooth wireless remote would be MUCH more desirable. It could clip, hang or be worn as a watch, or even just live in your pocket where you could operate it from tactile feel of the buttons alone. The problem is that no one to my knowledge has yet to make one.
That said, I'll still carry this with me for the few situations that I may find it useful.
Read Best Reviews of Griffin Navigate In-Line Controller and FM Radio for iPod & iPhone (Black) Here
I've seen this question raised, and Griffin doesn't answer it, so I will. This product works flawlessly on my iPhone 4. (16GB, US model, OS 4.1 Jailbroken.) I can't guarantee that it'll work on yours, but I can't see why it wouldn't.So, that said, it's really freakin' cool! I know a lot of people are buying this for the radio, so I'll start with that. Sound quality is actually pretty good, relatively clear but with a background hiss. I'd say it's the best portable FM without an external antenna I've ever used, but honestly I'm not a big radio listener, so I'm not comparing it to that much. RDS works, but can take 30 seconds or a minute before it shows up. Griffin's iFM app works with mine, however I had to switch "Hardware Support" from "Auto" to "On", in the iFM tab within the iPhone's main settings menu. As far as I can tell, the Navigate can be controlled by the app, but it can't control the app, if that makes sense. The headphones act as an antenna for the radio, and they're kinda touchy, if you find just the right angle for the cable, it gets great reception, but letting the cable coil up the wrong way or touch the wrong object can make it horrible. It's a lot easier to get a signal with my Sony earbuds than with my Audio-Technica headphones, which have a very long cable.
Otherwise, everything works exactly as stated. The OLED display is awesome, and the unit controls MP3s without any trouble. Navigating through playlists, etc, is easy, too.
With what this unit sells for here on Amazon, I see no reason NOT to buy it if you're looking for a remote control for an iPhone or iPod. I'm not as sure about the radio, due to the headphone issues, but the same problem will exist with any similar unit.
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I finally was able to turn my iTouch (2 gen) into a radio, and I am very happy with it. It instantly controls my iTouch mp3 songs, and FM radio. It will even list the artist's name and song while listening to the radio. Phenomenal. And, the wire/cable is long enough to put the iTouch in a backpack and have the player (Controller) clipped to your shirt or bag strap.Bought this twice in one year already! (not because I wanted to but because I needed to)Pros:
* Cheaper than buying a new ipod touch just because my earphone jack no longer makes contact with my earphones well (can't hear anything anymore).
* Remote function is awesome
* Can listen to FM radio without WiFi connection
Cons:
* Importantly: wiring is absolutely shoddy! First one I had to wiggle the wire so I can hear out of both earphones. Current one does not even turn on any more
* It's not compatible with itouch 2nd gen so you have to turn on ipod and set it to "music" before plugging it in. Or else you will have to restard ipod and connect again
* Volume is lower and quality of sound is reduced
* Volume resets to factory set default every time you plug it back into the ipod (does not save previous volume setting-but not a big deal)
** The only other alternative is to buy a new ipod (warranty expired) which is obviously more expensive than this. But overall the greatest setback is the terrible wiring. It breaks too easily!
Kensington 4-Port USB Charger for Mobile
I'm happy to say that the replacement works as promised, and can charge 4 USB devices simultaneously. BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO CHARGE AN iPAD, which requires a special, high-power charger. Although it is physically larger than I expected from the picture, and does NOT have a folding plug, it is quite light, and a great improvement over carrying 4 separate chargers for all my electronics when traveling. I have taken to using it at home, too, because of the convenience. If it were a bit smaller, and had a folding plug, I would give it 5 stars.This product comes with a removable US electrical plug BUT does not come with the other electrical plugs for non US countries and Kensington will not sell you these plugs. Better to get the IDENTICAL product on Amazon by Lenmar their ACUSB4 AC Travel Adapter which comes with four different electrical plugs and costs less.
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An idea long overdue. I got this to take on the road, being fed up with crawling under desks and behind curtains to plug in all my mobile devices for charging in hotel rooms. I found it to be well-designed you can plug it into the top or bottom of an outlet without covering the other side of the outlet, and plug phone, PDA, laptop, etc. into it either going north or south. Why can't all chargers be designed like that? But now I don't need to lug all the chargers! I noticed some other reviews saying the unit didn't have enough power for multiple devices, but I didn't have any problem with that. Fully charged when I went back after a few hours. I plan to start acquiring these for home use and to give as Christmas gifts anyone who plugs in multiple electronic devices every night would find this a huge convenience.Read Best Reviews of Kensington 4-Port USB Charger for Mobile Here
I purchased this for traveling. It does not charge my Blackberry, even when it is the only item plugged in the wall. It does charge my Sony Ericsson phone, but I needed it to charge everything.The one I received did not come with the multiple plugs. It only has the plug for American outlets. BEWARE false pictures. It does work with the other voltages but still requires an adapter.Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Pyle PLCD8MRKT Complete Marine Water Proof 4 Speaker CD/USB/Mp3/Combo w/ Stereo Cover (White)
- In-Dash Marine CD/MP3 Player - Digital Compact Disc Player - Auto Power Loading - Full Function LCD Display - Chassis Dimensions: 7''W x 7''D x 1.96''H
- PLL Synthesizer Stereo Radio - Bit D/A Converter - Auxiliary Input Function - Auto Best Station Memory - 2 Pairs 120 Watts 6.5'' 2 Way White Marine Speakers
- AM/FM MPX Electronic Tuning Receiver - 3-Beam Laser Tracking - USB & SD Card Function - Loudness Mute Button - Complete with Wires Mounting Hardware
- Program CD Tracks - 8x Oversampling - Minute, Second Track Display - Full Illumination Carrying Case - Mounting Depth: 2.5''
- Full Function Wireless Remote Control - Anti-Skip Mechanism - 30 Station Memory (18FM/12AM) - 4 x 50 Watts Maximum Total Output - White Water Resistant Radio Shield
Unit worked OK first time out, although it didn't seem to have the volume it should have had for a 4X50 Watt system. Second time out, a very brief rain shower hit and my marine water proof system quit. What little water hit this unit was blown in because the top was up on my pontoon boat. I emailed PYLE about the problem on my one month old system and they have yet to reply.Don't people research this type of stuff before they purchase it? I bought one of these with 4 speakers to use on my fishing boat.
Everything works excellent. Decent enough sound quality. Installation is a breeze. For me the SD card function and AUX port are awesome. Nice bright display. Works for me.
The down side, controls take some getting used to & can be confusing, as in like to many options. The remote control is a line of sight device, meaning you have to have it pointed directly at the radio, but it does work from a distance. After 2 years on a boat I'm surprised the remote hasn't fallen in the lake anyways.
Would I recommend it? Sure, decent price and value. It's a great deal for a boat with an outboard setup because the power consumption is very low. My old radio got pulled out because of it constantly draining the battery down. This one does not. I can listen to for two days while I'm fixing up the boat on the driveway or working in the garage and still not to have to worry if my batteries have enough charge to hit the lake when the phone rings.Put this baby on my fishing boat to while away the hours and I dig itgood sound qualitynice to know it won't get messed up if it gets a little sprayfor the money I think it's all it needs to be. It has a plenty of features. Didn't have to crack open the user guide either.Being that this is a very cost-effective packaged deal I can't say that I'm too disappointed in it's overall delivery. In all I felt that the set up did just as I hoped for in sound quality performance and was, most definitely, a drastic improvement over the previously installed (stock) stereo.
Areas it was lacking were the overall quality cosmetically of the receiver -all plastic parts on receiver that were kinda "cluncky" when pressed. Something annoying: After only having the unit for a month it began to randomly switch back and forth between USB connection and the radio setting -this happened often and usually when it was hot out (it's not too uncommon for stereos to "freak" out when they get hot, it's just annoying!). Also, the grilles began rusting very easily and quickly from when we installed them and we only ventured into fresh water areas.
All in all, a good stereo for the price paid but if they worked out all the little issues it would be a great base stereo.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
PA-1500 - Nakamichi 1200 Watt RMS Mono Digital Bass 1 Ohm Amplifier with Remote
- Includes Wired Bass Remote
- 1200 Watts RMS Power Output
- Bass EQ Built In
- Extremely Efficient Digital Design
The sound of the bass from this amp is very different to alot of amps I've heard. It really runs well even with the bass boost basically off as it doesn't seem to need it. It reproduces lower frequencies very well while keeping the sub nicely in control for the more musical higher bass like a bass guitar. It makes a friend of mine's JBL P1224 sound like a higher class of subwoofer than it is, especially when comparing it to his pioneer 600w rms (1 ohm stable) amp on it :) Couldn't be happier.
If you want audiophile quality bass with true 1200w rms volume (really feels like it delivers it) then this amp has got to be a great choice. I don't know how it compares to amps from people like JL audio but it certainly smokes the mainstream brands. Oh, and the build quality certainly doesn't let it down either!
This Nakamichi amp won't let you down.
Buy PA-1500 - Nakamichi 1200 Watt RMS Mono Digital Bass 1 Ohm Amplifier with Remote Now
This amp is incredible! I'm using it to push a 1400 watt 10' sub & it sound great. I've used 3 other amps in the past, but none possess the power this Nakamichi Amp has. The seperate sub control feature is cool to. This amp is truly a classic!I just got this amp not long ago, finally have it wired and set up right. I am using it to push 3 10" old school JL Audio W6's wired to run at 1 ohm. This amp has plenty of CLEAN power. My system sounds great!!! A great buy for the price. I am probably going to order another for my other car, which will have two Sundown Audio SA-12's in a ported box wired to run 1 ohm, perfect for this amp. I beleive this will be a awesome combo.Saturday, September 21, 2013
Kenwood DNX6190HD In-Dash 2-DIN Head Unit Car Stereo
- 6.0 WVGA Touchscreen LCD
- Garmin GPS Navigation System
- Built-In Bluetooth A2DP Music Streaming
- CD/DVD
Buy Kenwood DNX6190HD In-Dash 2-DIN Head Unit Car Stereo Now
Do not buy this unit if the GPS is going to be the deal breaker. Garmin, which usually is great brand (I currently own and have owned several of their units in the past) is very much lacking in this unit. I don't know if it's Garmin or Kenwoods fault but it's operation leaves something to be desired. On numerous times during use, It will lock up with a notice that says application error. This is not good thing on a busy expressway, when you have several turns coming up.The screen freezes and you can't do anything else with it until you reset the unit. On several occaisions it has lost all my favorite saved locations; which I have to then painstakingly re-enter. For some reasons unknown, it will go back to 3D view after I set it to 2D track up in the settings screen.Also, even though it says I have the current software version, it is not. The speed limit changed on a major interstate that I travel daily a few months ago. My regular portable Garmin 1450 LMT has already updated it right after the change; but my Kenwood unit says it is still current. I do not know if this is a clunky / buggy version of their navigation software designed for Kenwood; or it is one of their normal versions that is not compatible with Kenwood units. You cannot even update at the Garmin site; it's not supported there. you need to go to Kenwoods site and the look for the update section. Makes me wonder if it will have support or updates acouple of years down the road when they discontinue it... Had I known of the GPS problems with this unit, I wouldn't have wasted the extra cash!Read Best Reviews of Kenwood DNX6190HD In-Dash 2-DIN Head Unit Car Stereo Here
I bought this to replace my DDX514 in my 2005 Nissan Altimas (w/o Bose). DDX419 is the direct model replacing the 514 but will be phased out and the DDX470 will be the new model. So far, I really like the DNX6990HD unit. No additional hardware was required in my replacement and install was the same except for the desire to bypass the parking brake safety.NOTE: this unit will be replaced by the DNX690 in late February 2013 with four noticeable changes:
+user added custom background image
+improved bluetooth app access for Android
+slightly wider screen (6.93")
-fits fewer older vehicles (won't fit my 05 or my wife's 2010 altimas)
Although Kenwood states the boot time is about 27 seconds to the nav warning screen, it's a little less (around 19). Considering two things: this is a multifunction unit and proper driving skills dictate that after buckling your seat belt, checking mirrors, and checking rear view the unit will be ready before getting into gear it's not bad. The complaint that it takes as long as an "old computor [sic]" is as false as it is humorous.
Although Kenwood hasn't fully adopted the Android OS, it makes a great effort to include Android phones via Bluetooth. I am able to stream Pandora, Songza, Aha, Tune in, and several other music apps straight to the radio and use the on screen basic controls to change tracks. The downside is that specific app functions are not accessible as they would be with a direct iPod or iPhone connection. Still, most Android phone users should be pleased enough while others may find d this to be a deal breaker. Suffice to say, Android OS suffers the same "open" software issues any open platform will: each manufacturer will have something proprietary that Kenwood or any other manufacturer will never be able to completely catch up on. So.. Just be aware of that aspect in your decision.
I appreciate the split screen viewing. I can have nav on one half and my audio control on the other but the view of both is rather limited. There's no loss in function, but it's usually pointless to split the screen unless it phone and nav. To that point, the bluetooth phone function is good. My wife says I sound like it just speaker phone and she doesn't hear any road noise. I don't have to yell or speak abnormally loud, over enunciate words, or speak slowly for her to understand. Attempting the same with her iPhone however yielded slightly different results. The iOS bluetooth connectivity is spotty, but the call quality is lacking in my experience. I believe this is a problem with iOS and not Kenwood.
There are a few snags in updating things. Though I do not require updates, the process is a bit contrived. It requires access to the rear only USB (and installer will leave the dongle accessible), and access to a PC (sorry mac users). This is the only disappointing aspect of the unit kenwood clearly accommodates apple products well, but does not afford mac users the ability to update the unit or maps from their native systems.
Finally, the menus of Kenwood units have always made me wonder why the company doesn't hire a UX/UI designer, or if they ever have. Admittedly its rather unsightly, but the fact is that the menus aren't activated and navigated by touching it with my eyeball, making it a moot point. Users can however swap the placement of menu options. For example, an iPhone user prefers Pandora over HDradio great, press and hold the Pandora function, then slide it up to replace HD Radioa menu item defaulted as one of the three primary choices. In addition, the touch screen allows users to touch and scroll as one does on modern smartphones so there's no more pages to punch through. And, settings are very straight forward compared to older units.
Is this the end all headunit? Not by any means. The DNX6190HD is Kenwood "value added" GPS receiver of 2012 and is a nice budget model replacement for those looking to gain BT and NAV. For individuals looking for higher output in terms of audio quality and flexibility, consider the DNX6990HD. The difference being and addition 2W in amperage and higher RMS with an additional year warranty from Kenwood (and a few hundred more dollars).
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I was primarily after two things the Garmin navigation and bluetooth features (especially the audio bluetooth streaming). They both work great and I'm really happy with the unit. It boots up a little slow, seems a little sluggish at times navigating around, but overall is awesome. The Garmin navigation works great and the bluetooth call quality was surprisingly clear and worked well. It was very confusing that when I tried playing blutooth audio from my iPhone that the music only played out of the front speakers. Finally found that under the telephone settings (of all places) and was able to fix it so now I love that.It takes a little getting used to the radio and figuring out presets when it's not easy to go from FM1 to FM2 or FM3, etc. You can't just jump to what you want very easily. Again, love the unit and would buy it again. There are a couple firmware updates out there that might make it work better also. I haven't tried that yet. Still getting used to it and love getting in my vehicle to use it!MAC users cannot update Garmin/Kenwood GPS systems.
I have been back and forth with product support and they confirmed this.
If you ever want to upgrade your system and firmware,
you will not be able to do it from a MAC computer.
Rendering the system obsolete within a year or two after purchase !
Sunday, September 15, 2013
U381 OBD 2 OBDII Car Vehicle Live Data Scanner Code Reader LCD Display
- Brand new and high quality
- This OBD II tool will display live data including temperatures, timing, fuel pressure, engine load and more.
- Trouble codes and code meanings will display on the LCD display.
The only problem i have with this scanner is the botton's sometime's u half to push hard on them ,to them to work.
But the live data, is great ,all the code's r write on
RPM, work great
Freeze frame Data is great;
Easy to use ,I like it very much .
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUY'S
Thank You:
From Karl / Owner Of / KarKrazy Auto Repair!!!!
Buy U381 OBD 2 OBDII Car Vehicle Live Data Scanner Code Reader LCD Display Now
ive used it on 2001 chevy s10 97 gmc jimmy and 98 ford f150 i also upgraded software to u 581 software and i like itMonday, August 12, 2013
Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner
UPDATE The unit did come back from the repair shop after about 2 months with a note stating that the unit had checked out as working correctly and there was nothing for them to fix. The repair shop note did not elaborate and there is no indication that they had ever tried to connect it to a PC despite that fact that I had included a very specific description of my problem. As far as I know, they simply checked the unit for stand-alone functioning. Of course, there is never any way to talk directly to the technician that did the work. Needless to say this is not the result I had hoped for. I have effectively given up and decided that I will have to live with a tester that cannot be updated. Clearly, this quite severely limits its usefulness in future years.The Actron p-9185 worked good when I first received it. But it always showed a low battery reading. The device came with an usb cable to do updates. When I tried to do the update with the software they provided with the device it went blank and would not turn on anymore. Now it is in the repair-shop to be fixed with the only explanation that my anti-virus may have caused this problem. With unsuccessful e-mails and phone calls to the repair shop I finally found out that they were three weeks behind in repairs. I still don't know when I'm getting it back.
Buy Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner Now
I previously used an Auto Xray for pre 96 vehicles. The newer AutoXray and Actron are very comparable scanners but after calling the companies and researching I decided to go with the Actron because 1)Actron came with a usb hook up for computer link(AX needs an adapter for serial cable) 2)Liked the graph features 3)Better instructions 4)More info in the scanner on codes. Since I already had a capable scanner for the old vehicles I went with the 9185 to save a few bucks off of the 9190. The scanner did prove to be simple to use but can be hazardous if your looking at the live data while driving. A good scanner for the money.Read Best Reviews of Actron CP9185 Elite AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner Here
Two years ago I purchased the Actron Elite AutoScanner CP9185. I used it once to trouble shoot a problem with one of my cars. Today I tried to use the unit to trouble shoot a hard start problem with another car and it would not power on. A call to technical service indicated that something must have shorted out during storage and I would need to send the unit in for repairs. Because the unit is now out of warranty I must pay shipping both ways (estiamted at $20). Cost to repair the unit is $76 per hour plus parts. If I want an estimate for repair costs that is $60.00. If I send the unit in for repair and the esitmated repair cost is higher than I want to pay, I have spent $80 and still have a unit that doesn't work. Lowest possible repair cost is $96 assuming no parts are needed and the work can be done in less than an hour. This is just too much money to spend on a unit that breaks during storage.Needless to say I am very disappointed with the quality of the Actron Scanner. I have learned my lesson, I will never purchase another Actron (SPX Corporation) product.
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This device is exactly as advertised.I have used this on both cars 1999 Mitsubishi and Saturn. Some of the more advanced diagnostics my be passed the weekend DIY but a quick search on the internet and you will quickly be up to speed.
Usb cable is of a good quality, serial cable is heavy duty.
Software update is easy but takes a few minutes to do.
Internally memory is limited, you may need to download often if you use the record feature. My brother is a mechanic by trade and says that $219 my be a little expensive but the construction is durable and it will save you money on the trouble codes versus doing it at a garage.
The unit is pretty thin
Con: I would like this to be a little shorter and it would be nice with a hard case or at least a soft case with a compartment made to hold it securely. The included case is a fabric clam shell (good quality fabric and stitching)
I would recommend this only if you want advanced diagnostics.
This is not for people who just want to search and clear codes, for that I would recommend the 9135 or lesser expensive unit.
Actron CP9135 AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner with On Screen Definitions for OBDII (Post-1996) Vehicles
Friday, August 9, 2013
Shuriken SK-BT20 20ah Battery
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Komando Dash Cam Windshield Video Recorder
- All accessories are included, nothing more to buy!
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Infrared night recording
- Bright 2.4" LCD screen rotates 270 degrees
- 4 GB SD card included. Accepts up to 32GB
Buy Komando Dash Cam Windshield Video Recorder Now
Komando Dash Cam Windshield Video RecorderNot impressed for what I paid for it. Video is choppy. Sound is muffled or so much background noise, it drowns out your voice. Forget about night driving. Unless you're on a well lit street at night, you won't see anything. It is fairly simple to operate and setup, so no problem there. It's good for day time driving...but just barely. Despite it's flaws, it fulfills its intended purpose. It does come with everything you need to use it. You don't have to buy separate components.
Read Best Reviews of Komando Dash Cam Windshield Video Recorder Here
First one arrived and was in some Oriental language, and could not switch it to English. Contacted Amazon, who in turn informed Komando seller. Was amazed at the service received, within a few hours received e-mail from Amazon and Komando with a quick fix that did not work. Informed the Komando seller with return e-mail, and within a half hour or so was called and asked if I wanted an exchange or return for credit. Opted for exchange which is now in my possession , and so far is working, and that is the reason for the four stars. Will return with update in a month or so with my final review.Thanks again,
Skip
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It looked cheap out of the box but I decided to overlook that and see how it performs. Setting it up is very difficult and not at all intuitive. I have a college degree and was a career electronics technician but I still struggled with it. The instructions are difficult in that they describe various functions, but don't explain the functions--so that if this were your second or third camera, you might know what they were discussing. I finally figured out the right combination of buttons to push to set the time, etc. but after tinkering with it a little while it read Memory Card Full--and this was after I had replaced the included 4GB SD card with my own 16GB card. I then couldn't find the menu to activate the loop recording function (if it actually has one).As to the mounts: the photo makes it appear to have a standard screw type tripod mount socket, but it instead has four plastic clips. These lock the unit into a straight ahead orientation so that you can't mount it off to one side and aim to the center of the road--and after a few months of UV exposure, these will probably break so that you'll then need duct tape to mount it. Also, the screen turns in 90 degree increments instead of continuously--so that when the camera is pointing straight forward (when mounted to the windshield) the screen can only point straight back or to the side--instead of at an optimal 45 degree angle to be visible by the driver. And the speaker--forget about it! It's so tinny sounding as to be worthless.
I had heard of Kim Komando as a very tech savvy woman, and trusted that she wouldn't sell junk to her loyal followers. But it appears that she has repackaged (with her photo on the box) one of the many similar but much cheaper cameras available from other sellers for less than half the cost of this overpriced junk that you would expect to find at a fly-by-night flea market stall. Shame on you Ms. Komando!I got the camera to work, but I found the instruction booklet not the easiest thing to read. The conrols on the camera are also confusing at first, and the ability to do things, like replay recorded video using the small screen on the camera, is hard to learn how to do. The easiest way to view recorded video is to plug the camera's USB cord into a computer. BTW: I was surprised at the high quality of the video. However, it's not practical to use just the internal battery in the camera for operation while installed in the car. The battery only lasts for about a half hour before needing to be re-charged. For extended operation, the camera has to be plugged into the car's electical system, which means that annoying wire hanging down in your windshield. I purchased this camera based on the Kim Komando endorsement.
Addendum:
I've had the camera for 4 months now, and I would like to add one thing that has come up about the camera's operation. It's sensitive to heat. We live in the desert southwest, and temperatures starting in the 90 to 95 degree range cause the camera to malfunction. It will come back on again after it's cooled off, but it can't be left in a hot, parked car, or it just won't work.

