Showing posts with label charge a car battery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charge a car battery. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Black Bull BFC12 Automatic Battery Float Charger

Black Bull BFC12 Automatic Battery Float ChargerI like the fact that unlike some other trickle chargers it specifically confirms when it is charging. I have one from Harbor Freight that only indicates if it is either plugged in or connected to the battery. If the battery leads come off it still shows that it's on just because it's still plugged in. The only improvement I would make is that the battery leads could stand to be longer.

I've had one of these float chargers on my C6 Corvette battery for 6 years. Maintains a full charge and doesn't boil out the battery. Works great on the yard tractor and generator battery also.Don't be fooled by the cheap price, it works better than one I spent $130.00 on!

4/3/2013 Unit still works fine.

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This is a great trickle charger. The 'charging' light is a nice add to one I have that didn't include that. I got it for my generator that's used only when the power goes out so it's nice to know it's charged and ready to go when I need it.

Read Best Reviews of Black Bull BFC12 Automatic Battery Float Charger Here

I kept a motorcycle ready to go in an unheated garage thru a nasty winter. Started once in awhile with full battery

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This product is supposed to be used to maintain a charge on a battery but I was able to fully charge a brand new uncharged motorcycle battery. I left it on there for about 48 hours just to be sure it gets a good charge and it worked. The product itself is not anywhere near amazing quality, but it gets the job done for such a small price so I can't take away any stars.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Garmin Car Charger Power Adapter Cord for Garmin Nuvi

Garmin Car Charger Power Adapter Cord for Garmin Nuvi
  • Brand New, High Quality Rapid Car POWER Charger Adapter Cable Cord
  • Input: 12v - 24v, Output: 5v 1A (+/- .5v) / Build in Dynamic IC Charge IC & Power fuse for rapid charging and over charge protection
  • Compatible with Garmin Nuvi 600 610 650 660 670 680 710 750 750 755T 760 765 765T 770 775T 780 785T GPS
  • Extended 9 ft Coiled cable (Most other aftermarket charger only offer a 3 to 5 ft coiled cable which might not even reach your device)
  • ChargerCity Manufacture Direct Warranty

The original car charger that Garmin supplies is terrible. It emitted a high pitched whine, constantly needed to be jiggled to maintain a connection in the 12VDC socket, and had a much too long uncoiled cord that got in the way all the time. This one works great and is neat thanks to its short coiled cord. I have two complaints: the blue power indicator LED is way too bright. At night I need to cover it up with something. WAY too bright. And the connector that plugs into the GPS unit should be at 90 degrees, not a straight 180 degrees. The straight connector will eventually weaken and break (this is my second replacement charger the first one lasted about a year and a half). But still the best one available and can't beat the price.

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I purchased this as a replacement for the original Garmin cable which was lost. I thought it would be long enough as it says it's 8 feet long. That must be the length stretched out. The problem is that the coiled cable is only 2 feet long and very springy. The constant stretching to try to reach the windshield weakened the connector and the wire pulled out. So now I have to purchase another adapter. I don't recommend this product.

Read Best Reviews of Garmin Car Charger Power Adapter Cord for Garmin Nuvi Here

Car Power Adapter Charger for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 260 260W 265 265W 270 300 310 350 360 370 500 550 600 610 650 660 670 I just bought this as a replacement for the original Nuvi Garmin 660 car charger which we bought at the same time as the GPS. That original charger fell apart many times & we'd hunt all over the car for the pieces and screw it all back together. This is clearly of better quality even at first glance.

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This works well. The best feature is the six foot cord. Very accommodating. I would not hesitate to buy this again.

I GUESS I GET WHAT I PAID FOR. THIS IS NOT WORKING WITH MY GARMIN AS ADVERTISED. NOT REALLY SURE WHATS WRONG. IT WILL APPEAR TO BE CHARGING THEN IT WILL RESET OVER AND OVER..

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Master Lock 263DAT Titanium High Security Steering Wheel Lock

Master Lock 263DAT Titanium High Security Steering Wheel LockWhen I initially started looking at steering wheel locks, I saw this one and thought, what a great deal and great price. It's like the original Club, but on steriods ! :D I was reluctant at first after hearing on the net claiming this could be picked by an ordinary pen! I contacted Masterlock after purchasing and they emailed me to assure that it cannot be picked with a pen. Perhaps it was with a previous model because this lock isn't a tumbler Kryptonite-style type. So when I received it, sure enough, it comes with a regular padlock-style lock and keys. It does need to be positioned correctly, though as the previous reviewer said, but I think it's an excellent steering wheel lock. And the red flashing led is a bonus, especially at night.

I got this steering wheel lock for my 2000 Honda Civic Si. My car got broken into and I found this bar laying on the back seat. Found the bar was bent in the middle. It's an awesome deterrent but the car thieves managed to get off without a problem. If they want your car bad enough they will find a way. Good thing I have an alarm with starter kill and a clutch pedal lock.

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Let's be honest, if someone really wants to steal your car, and if they have the motivation, they're going to do it. But that doesn't mean you should make it easy for them. The Masterlock Steering Wheel Lock gives theives a hard time. Its double hooks make cutting the steering wheel and slipping it off more difficult. Prying or otherwise tampering with the bar could easily set off the horn, giving the theif unwanted attention. My only compaint is that the bar is difficult to install on my Taurus, as I have to set the wheel in a certain position in order to get a snug fit. Other than that, it provides a good means to keep the joyriders away from my car. Use this or something like it (pedal lock, tire lock, gearshift lock) along with some common sense (don't leave your car unlocked, don't leave your valuables on display) and your car should be fine.

Read Best Reviews of Master Lock 263DAT Titanium High Security Steering Wheel Lock Here

Alright, I've read most of the reviews others have had regarding this lock and whether you love it or hate it really depends on your steering wheel. The four claws fit alright on the steering wheel of my Acura but it could be better. Nonetheless, this product is fantastic and I love the peace of mind it gives me. It is a little bit thinner than the original Club, but it is made from titanium so attempting to cut it with a hacksaw will be quite a difficult job. The flashing LED on the end is an added plus, giving off the illusion of a car alarm LED at night (if you don't have an alarm, that is). I've had this for a little over a month and use it religiously; if you're as paranoid as me, you should too. :D

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I bought this because you can't beat it for the price (I paid ~27.50 after Shipping), and my car was stolen (but then recovered) prior to this purchase, which of course made me realize I needed to start being concerned about security and anti-theft measures.

PROS:

Price. It's cheap and generally speaking does its job.

The blinking LED is a super cool idea (provided it actually works -see CONS below)

It's relatively quick and easy to put on your wheel. Depends on the type of wheel, but anywhere from a couple seconds to about 20 seconds is all you'll need.

On my car, it still fit even though I had one of those leather wheel cover things.

It's light and not huge, meaning moving it around is easy.

(Although that could also mean it's weak and made with inferior materials. Not sure.)

CONS:

As others have said, the flashing LED goes out quickly. In my case, it died after ONE DAY, which really sucks because I think the blinking light is a fantastic idea and something that all clubs should have. Made me sad :(

The black plastic portion at the end that houses the flashing LED can literally be pulled off with your hands. On mine it actually fell off. I imagine this isn't helpful for you when a thief is working on breaking the club to get access to your car.

I am driving an older car (1987 Nissan Sentra 2-door hatchback) that for whatever reason has a thinner-than-normal steering wheel grip. This means that the club can slide around an inch or two once attached on the wheel. Not a big deal if you're just using it as a deterrent, but I think it's reasonable to assume that against actual attacks, this would make it a lot easier to break and/or remove.

The piece of metal that "comes out" when you attach this to your steering wheel, is about a third to half an inch thick. *It's also hollow*.

(A commenter pointed out, though, that if it's indeed titanium as claimed, it probably doesn't need to be super thick. I don't know if hollowed titanium or steel would be better, but they have a good point)

BOTTOM LINE:

Flaws considered, for the price it's a pretty good deterrent to a thief, who will very likely skip on to another car that's not clubbed, unless your car has particular appeal like being a luxury car or a classic. But if it's worth so much, wouldn't you be spending more to get a nice club?

It's definitely got room for improvement but the piece-of-mind to cost ratio is very good.

If they fixed the issues with the blinking LED being of such poor quality, I'd probably buy the product again.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014

78 LED Rechargeable Work Light

78 LED Rechargeable Work LightI really love my LED trouble light. It works great and is very light. The only issue i have is that the hooks are a little flimsy but other than that it is awsome and i am looking to buy one for my camping stuff. this one will run on only half of the lights to exten your useage time where the 100 LED light works on all of them or flashing only.

great light .... but cheap plastic hooks. lucky it has a magnet to hold it on the vehicle as the hooks don't last any time at all.

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Have this light for 2 months, now ,,its just getting --better!!

Worked super for installing a new dishwasher -under the kitchen counter.

Lots of light ... easy to use,, not much in weight, manuverable.

Used it working on the cars nice , again lots of light and

the plastic is stronger now cleans easily!

Also at night for the back yard not a spotlight, but for 150 feet -good!

Recharges nicely red light on charger turns to green when fully charged.

Buy this light ,, as its just simply -good! You will love it!

Read Best Reviews of 78 LED Rechargeable Work Light Here

I ordered two. Both worked well out of the box. Came pre-charged. Gives an adequate but not brilliant light. Good for working under a car.

Of the two, one lost most of the pixels the day after I lit it the first time. I keep my fingers crossed that the other one stays good.

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Light has excellent output and has a fairly conventional and familair shape, but the battery cannot be left plugged into tge charger, doing do will cause it to die immediately! This is a huge design flaw.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

Sony NVA-CU3 NV-U Extra Vehicle Kit

Sony NVA-CU3 NV-U Extra Vehicle Kit
  • Kit is loaded with everything you need to set up your portable navigation system in a second vehicle
  • Includes a car battery adapter, mounting plate, and adhesive tape/pad
  • Compatible with the Sony NV-U70 NAV-U GPS Portable Vehicle Navigation System

Because people keep breaking into my car to steal this dock, this is now the third one that I have had to purchase. (For some reason crackheads believe these have value WITHOUT the actual navigation system which is NEVER left in the car.) I love my Nav-U so this is great that these extra kits are sold. Plus, they all work great, trust me, I am on my 4th!

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Great item, no problems thus far. I've owned the unit for over a year, this is my third 'extra' cradle. One for each car. Love 'em! Just a wee bit 'wobbly' on bumpy roads, this is easily cured by positioning the cradle so it rests on the dash somewhere.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Stinger 200 Amp Battery Relay Isolator

Stinger 200 Amp Battery Relay Isolator
  • Ideal for battery isolation
  • High Current Relays Are The Most Reliable And Efficient Way To Add Secondary Batteries To Your Syste
  • Compatible With All Types Of Alternators And Charging Systems
  • Water Resistant Black Phenolic Plastic
  • 100,000 Mechanical Cycle Life

I have been very pleased with this battery isolator to say the least, I have not had an ounce of issues with it. I have it installed in the engine compartment on my pickup truck to allow alternator charging of an onboard battery in my slide-in truck camper.

Pleased with the water tightness of its make and the durability. Very little noise heard when the coils are energized, just enough that I can tell it is engaging.

I like the high amperage capacity for which I am able to start my truck with the marine battery in the camper, with the flip of a switch. Never found on remote backwoods again without the ability to be able to start my vehicle. :)

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The last review is correct about the manual lacking good information....When my buddy and I installed mine, we had to look up a diagram on google images to understand the correct setup.

But since this is a review for the product, not the manual, I gave it 5 stars for a few reasons.

1. I've had it for 7 months and over that time I've done countless system modifications and it still works perfectly.

2. Once you tighten the nuts down, you're worry free. The lock washers on there are an awesome addition. Your terminals will rip off the wires before they ever come loose from the studs on here.

3. It's an emergency safety feature. If you leave your lights on and drain the starting battery, when you turn the key to on, it engages the solenoid, and the auxilliary battery typically will provide the extra current it takes to engage the starter motor/solenoid and get you on your way.

Note: When it says ignition wire, you can pick any dedicated ignition circuit. I chose the ignition fuse in the panel by the driver's side door, but you could also get away with using your remote wire circuit if you so choose.

Read Best Reviews of Stinger 200 Amp Battery Relay Isolator Here

Product works just as intended. It is loud when the relay latches, very loud when compared to the 80-amp model, but it's not really that huge of a deal. Installation is easy with two minor problems.

1. Manual is pretty much worthless

2. The mounting posts are blocked by the width of the cylinder, makes using a normal screwdriver near impossible.

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This very good to have if have two batteries. My lights didn't dim either.but the left post got defected.. How? I don't know.. But I'm gonna get a PAC 200 this time. But this product is heavy and the instructions is the worst.. Your out of luck if you don't know where your true ignition source is

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For my sound system, I use two batteries-one in the front and one in the back. My tech told me to get an isolator to control the one in the back. So I bought this in may 2011. The tech installed a switch that turned it on and off and there was an audible 'click' when it was turned off or on. In January of 2012, it stopped working. He couldn't figure out why and so I had to replace it...I couldn't find any other brand and that is the only reason I bought this brand again. So far though I haven't had any probs and I hope it continues this way. I am just letting you know my experience so that you can judge for yourself...it could have been that I got a faulty one or a connection prob or sheer bad luck. Will update if the new one gives any probs.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Sima STP-1500 DC to AC Power Inverter, 1500 Watt

Sima STP-1500 DC to AC Power Inverter, 1500 WattI am a 18 Wheel Truck Driver. I bought the inverter at a truck stop to mainly run my 700 watt Sunbeam Micro Wave. I was happy for the 1st few uses. Now I know that this is some junk that was not worth my hard earned money. The inverter will run my tv, lap top and recharge phones or my Kindle. Its great for little stuff, nothing more. I can't run my micro wave without unplugging my tv or laptop, even if they are turned off. I have to also turn off my a/c in the truck just to be able to run my micro wave and, and I have to turn off and on again the inverter 5-10 times before I can get the inverter to work right.

And if the my truck is not in high idle 10,000 rpm's, my food would never get cooked. When hooking up the wires, don't use a fuse system because you will keep blowing them and wasting your money. I installed an inline circuit breaker and the circuit breaker works Great. I just wish the Sima 1500 Watt inverter would. The vibrations from the truck causes the red or hot wire to spin backwards and get loose. I am so disappointed with the Sima 100 watt power inverter that I am in the market looking for a better working power inverter. For these reasons I am giving this product a 2 star rating. I may have bought a bad one in the batch, but I will never buy another Sima again to find out.

este inversor ha sido una gran dicha para mi y mi familia en my pueblo se va mucho la energia electrica y solo lo conecto a mi carro y enseguida soluciono el problema de la energia lo recomiendo, es silencioso no como las plantas ruidosas lo recomiendo como un aparato necesario en cualquier hogar, muy bueno

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

USB Sync and Charging Cable Compatible with Apple iPhone (White)

USB Sync and Charging Cable Compatible with Apple iPhoneI compared the cable I received with my original iPhone 4 and 3 cables. I cannot tell any differences other than a slightly different feel of the rubber/plastic material along the cable length, which by the way also differs between my genuine Apple iphone 4 and 3 cables. Another reviewer posted pictures on Amazon in which the cable in question appeared to have a slightly wider or larger connectors, but mine are identical in size, and appearance.

I am very happy with this purchase and will purchase several more.

ADDENDUM April 20, 2011

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

After my initial great experience with the cable (that I ordered from Amazon's merchant Cellular 5 Star), I ordered 3 more cables, and did not realize that the "default" merchant had changed to Importer520. I just received these 3 cables and they look similar to genuine Apple cables at quick glance, but on closer inspection, they all had surface blemishes and slight irregularities. They also had a suspicious looking "Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China" stamped on the cable length.

The cable from Cellular 5 Star was of very good quality that I could NOT distinguish from genuine Apple cables, but the ones from Importer520 are slightly inferior. The feel of the cable length material is good though, in that it is supple. It will coil and uncoil without keeping the bent shape.

I have contacted Importer520 to see if I can get a refund, but their stated return policy states that they will not refund shipping costs, which when I ordered was almost all the purchase price.

ADDENDUM June 16, 2011

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

I purchased another "OEM" cable, this time from Item44Less and this cable is the worst of the bunch. The length of the cable is made out of a rigid plastic that does not bend like the more supple rubber-like material of the genuine Apple cables or even from Cellular 5 Star or Importer520.

ADDENDUM September 2, 2011

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

I purchased another "OEM" cable, this time from C and J Accessories, which actually qualifies for Amazon Prime since their order fulfillment is through Amazon. This cable is clearly not authentic with the end that connects to the iPhone being larger by about 0.5 mm width and length. The other Amazon merchants cables were identical to design, but differed in quality. This cable actually differs in its design with its wider and thicker connector end. The length of the cable is also more plastic than a flexible rubber, compared to authentic Apple cables. I would say this is almost as bad as Item44Less.

ADDENDUM September 19, 2011

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

I purchased a cable from Niceeshop and it looks genuine except that the cable length material is not as supple as the genuine Apple cables. The cable length material is not as rigid as the Item44Less cable, but more inflexible (retaining bends) than the Importer520 cables.

SUMMARY (Ranked in order of similarity to an authentic Apple cable)

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

1. Cellular 5 Star cables are the best and indistinguishable from my genuine Apple iPhone cables.

2. Importer520 is acceptable, but slightly inferior to Cellular 5 Star with some cosmetic blemishes. The cable length is made out of a high quality material.

3. Niceeshop is acceptable, but the cable length is not as supple as the Cellular 5 Star or Importer520.

4. C and J Accessories, although it qualifies for Amazon Prime, has its iPhone connector end as larger than the authentic one with a cheaper cable length material.

5. I would avoid Item44Less because of the rigid plastic cable material that does not bend and keeps the angular bent formation from its coiled position during shipping. The cable length material is the lowest quality (i.e. most plastic like) compared to the above four competitors.

I browsed Amazon for weeks teetering between about 3 different sellers for my replacement dock cables for charging/syncing my iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and 160Gig iPod Classic. I found these cables to be the least expensive of the ones with predominately "good" reviews. There were a few people who said they got the "real thing" when they ordered the cables as "OEM Apple cables", a few people who said the cables were good but not "OEM Apple" quality, and finally there were a few who said to "stay away from these cables" because they tore up easily. I figured I'd chance it and order them. I am VERY PLEASED that I did. I ordered the cables 3/29/11 and was given a forecasted delivery date of 4/4 to 4/7/11. I received the cables today (4/1/11). VERY SPEEDY SHIPPING!!!! The cables were sent via USPS in a small brown envelope that was coated inside with bubble wrap. The cables were coiled up, much as anyone would coil a dock connector cable for storage with plastic wraps that were similar to the style wraps for the cables that come with all new Apple products. I was curious but kind of dreading opening the package because I just knew these cables would not fit my iPhone 4 with the bumper like just nearly every other "after market" cable I've seen. I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED when I saw the design of these cables. They are as close to being "OEM Apple" cables as I've ever seen without actually being "Apple cables". They fit snugly in all of my iDevices, charge the 4, 3GS, and Classic with NO ISSUES. I tested the sync speed of the cable and found it rivals the speed of the newest "Apple cable" that was included with my iPhone 4 purchase back in July 2010. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE CABLES!!!! If you're an iPhone 4 owner who uses a bumper, GET THESE CABLES!!! THEY WORK!!! I've also taken "comparison" pictures and posted them to the "user pictures" on this item's display. Hope my review is helpful and thanks to everyone who writes these reviews and to everyone who reads them. Together we can help each other make sure we get what we pay for!

Brandon (Shreveport, LA)

***(More to come on their durability after I've used them a couple of months)***

***UPDATE 8/28/11***

Got these cables almost 5 months ago, one connects to my iMac, one to my wall charger, one to my XP machine at work, and one connects to my car charger. All are working and none have presented any issues so far. A friend was looking for similar cables but purchased them from a different seller and found they didn't fit his iPhone 4 bumper. I thought on it a bit and found an excellent resolution. Just get an emery board (flexible fingernail file) and file down the edges of the 30 pin connector. PRESTO it fits now! SO if the seller does change the type of cable that is being shipped and you get one that doesn't quite fit the iPhone 4 bumper, I can tell you (from experience) that it will not hurt to file the 30 pin connector to fit the bumper. Hope the review and this update are still helpful to people looking for new charge/sync cables.

***UPDATE 3/25/12***

Had the cables nearly a whole year now and still going strong. I haven't checked this post in a while now but I noticed there were some questions about sync speed. My original Apple cable for my iPhone finally went out on me so I replaced it with one of these. I sync to a Mac, I have a 32GB iPhone 4, and I keep a lot of stuff on my phone. If I erase it and have to sync it from scratch, we're looking a a couple of hours but just moving a few hundred songs around, some voice memos, pictures and stuff only takes a few minutes. The cables I got were definitely USB 2.0 cables. I also got one of the new iPads (3rd gen), it's 64GB and I use these cables to sync and charge it with no problems. I'm about to order a couple of extras for my iPad now and this time, I'll make sure to post the seller I get them from on the update about the new ones. Oh yeah, the cable I use in my car has gotten stepped on, spilled on, heat, cold, moisture, and even slammed in the door a couple of times... still going strong. No breaks, no kinks, no exposed wire at the ends, it's taken a beating for nearly a year and still works like a charm. Still highly recommend these cables.

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This video will show you this after market cable. It works great and it is not cheap construction either. Works on my iphone 4 and ipad. Charges great. It is the same size as the OEM cable from about which is about 3ft. Quality I would say they are about the same.

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I ordered this cable because the image shows a real style Apple cable with rounded edges. I have an OtterBox case that requires a rounded edge cable in order to charge it. I received this cable and it is a generic square ended cable, which is completely useless to me. Though it might work it would require I remove the phone from the case every time I wanted to use it, which is not an option.

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This is advertized as a data transfer cable and guess what it works to transfer data. If you think since it looks exactly like the $30 cable from Apple it will also charge your iphone....IT WON'T.

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Goal Zero 21004 Switch 8 Silver Solar Recharger

Goal Zero 21004 Switch 8 Silver Solar RechargerThis is very good, delivers good charge, and was light and easy to use. It does not include the solar charging tip so I am trying to figure out how to couple it into my Nomad solar charger like it says you should. However, for those who just want an easy battery backup, this should be perfect.

I love these little lithium batteries! I use these both while at the office to recharge my smart phone when I am running on empty and while hiking to power up again my camera/electronics when they need a top off. Unlike another reviewer I have not felt that the charges took a long time, actually they were excellent in recharge time. I plugged in my iPhone 4 at 55% battery capacity and got to 76% in only forty minutes, with three of the four bars still showing on the switch 8, and 92% after just under an hour and a half with two bars still left on the switch 8. It does have its limitations though. It only boosted my iPad4 battery charge by 11% after completely exhausting the battery which got actually pretty warm in doing so. However, I have really enjoyed these little batteries.

The added plus with these puppies is that they are light weight at 3.2 ounces, much lighter than other alternatives on the market. Although not mentioned, you can daisy chain two of the these together to provide more charge to bigger, more power hungry devices. Nifty huh?! Another benefit is that when hiking, I can plug in both the switch 8 AND my Guide 10 Plus battery recharger at the same time on the solar panel since they use different ports. Nice feature. A little suggestion is to buy a 4 port micro USB hub (about 1.6 ounces) so you can plug in two daisy chained switch 8s to four USB devices so I can recharge them at the same time while I sleep so they are all ready for the next day on the trail. HIGHLY recommend these little puppies! Go Goal Zero!

If Goal zero reads these, consider doing something similar in a form factor that carries two to three times the charge (again that can be daisy chained) in a light weight lithium battery form factor for those that need more power but do not want to carry around the new lithium Sherpa 50.

Again, very pleased with the switch 8s.

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Purchased this to charge my phone and other devices on the go. Once the Switch 8 was charged, I plugged in my phone which I purposefully let drain to zero. Two hours later, i had charged to less than 20%. Rather disappointing.

Read Best Reviews of Goal Zero 21004 Switch 8 Silver Solar Recharger Here

Works well for when you are out in the middle of nowhere and you absolutely need a charge for necessary electronics. Charges itself via usb from either wall outlet or through another device. battery indicator lights on the side come in handy for obvious reasons. could use some water repellecy somehow which would make it greater for outdoors use. to each their own.

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Easily slots into a rucksack or pocket, using it more that I ever though.. Great design and works very well

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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Optima 8025-160-FFP RedTop Group 25 Starting Battery

Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Starting BatteryThe battery died on my Scion tC and I went straight to Amazon to find a new one. I have had an optima Red-Top in my Prelude for about 6 years now and it still runs strong (Worth it for just the winter starts alone), so I naturally went for the same battery this time. As far as the battery is concerned:

......Works great right out of the box

......Battery was charged enough from the factory to get the car started right out of the box.

......Size and weight are very close to the OEM tC battery, It fit right in place with no mods. (Also, I do agree with the previous poster who said the terminal protector case would serve great as a booster to pick the battery up an inch or two. It's just a square piece of plastic)

As far as the shipping and packing by Amazon is concerned:

......First, I'll admit, I was concerned about the shipping based on what I read in the other reviews, but I know Amazon is on top of most problems pretty quickly and I was hoping they had addressed the packing issue by now. So I went ahead and ordered.

......Well, as soon as I opened it up, It was obvious they fixed the packing problem. It was packed VERY well. You can see in the pictures that the used chunks of cardboard pieces sandwiched between an inner and outer layer on all four sides. No cheap popcorn or anything.

......The battery arrived with no dents or scratches

......Never doubt Amazon, my son.

All and all....a great buy!

I have owned several Optima Red and Yellow top batteries, and these are about as good as it gets. To get any better, you'd have to spend twice as much money.

This was my first Optima battery purchase from Amazon. Order processing and shipping was first rate (as usual). The 'doorstep' price (with free super saver shipping) was better than any I found online or at a local retailerand I spent a lot of time researching my purchase beforehand.

Changing a car battery usually only takes a few minutes and a few wrenches or sockets, and I'm sure that as long as you choose the right size battery for your car it will work well. The application guide on the item page accurately included my vehicle.

I have to say that I had a little problem with my shipment arriving damaged, but Amazon stepped right up to the plate and hit a home run with their first-rate customer service. I was initially hesitant to purchase this because of the 'no returns on hazardous stuff' disclaimer, but rest assured that Amazon stands behind its products. And after my experience, I would strongly recommend Amazon for a car battery purchase.

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I didn't realize what a straightforward way this was to get a battery for my Jeep Liberty. I was looking for a replacement for the original 5 year old battery and was pleased to find at the Optima Batteries web site they had one that fit my 2002 Jeep Liberty. I quickly found the battery on Amazon.com at a great price. The battery went right in my Jeep with a simple socket wrench. My local recycling guide pointed to somewhere to take the old one. The extra starting power is great.

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Below is a copy of the email I got from Optima regarding a battery purchased from Amazon.

So be aware the the money you are thinking you are saving maybe costing you big time. You should also know that for marine batteries Otima is strongly reccomending the use of there $200 charger to keep them charged properly.

Hello John,

Amazon.com is not an authorize online OPTIMA retailer, We do not know where they acquire the OPTIMA batteries nor does Amazon.com honor the OPTIMA warranty.

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Bought one for my 04 GTO, it lasted about a year and then died, sits on the charger and won't go above 10.5 volts. I expected better.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Battery Protector (T4)

Battery ProtectorThis was my hacky solution for way-too-many untraceable drains in my truck. Now I just cut power when I park, and the battery reads the same when I come back. It even has provisions to wire up some accessories to continue to receive power and not lose settings, but right now I don't care I no longer have to charge my battery every week!

OK so my usage is not typical for this device it's meant to shut off automatically at 11.8V as a last resort, but I don't need to wait that long or keep my battery that low I know it will get there in 4-5 days :)

Anyway, unit works as advertised, drains nothing when off, allows me to shut off the battery (hold button for 2 seconds) and to connect it back (just push the button). It probably shuts off automatically too, not tested. It comes with a good assortment of adapters for installations of most types posts, screw terminals, etc and even straight and 90 degree adapters for relocation should you have room shortage in your vehicle. Mine is in a Ram 2500 (V10) and mounted directly on top of the terminal, but I have the vertical space to hide small hybrids under the hood, If you don't, you can mount it on the side of the battery or even on the firewall with some creativity and possibly one short battery cable from a parts store.

You also get a fused wire for one accessory you may wish to leave permanently connected. The way it works is by connecting directly from the battery + terminal to the fuse socket for the circuit you remove the fuse and insert a blade terminal in its place. Looks weird, but it's effective (and how else would you isolate a circuit?). I may hook up my PCM circuit that way, as right now I'm losing the trip meter each time I power off (not to mention a rough idle until the PCM figures out what it's doing).

Installation is fairly easy, but does require a bit of basic coordination, especially to pull wire to where you want the button. If you're not into pulling wire and drilling a hole to mount the button, get the type III and use the wireless remotes. In my case, I wanted absolutely no unnecessary electrical drains (even though apparently the type III only uses 3-5mA for the radio receiver).

In summary, it works, seems solid enough, and hopefully outlasts the car. For me, it saved me from hours of trying to trace drains, replacing partially failed components, etc in other words, saved me money. Yay.

UPDATE (1.4 years later): I've been shutting off my battery for the night every day for 1.4 years, and today it refused to turn off. I thought the Battery Brain was dead, but after some investigation, my ground connection was rusty. Moral of this story: Unless you do what I do, you should periodically check that your Battery Brain can turn off like a smoke alarm... if there is poor ground, it will not turn off. On the upside the unit has held up to daily toggling quite well.

Purchased due to mysteriou sovernight battery drain problem on BMW X5. I just use the T4 to turn off the battery remotely when the car is not in use. Has worke well for 2 months.

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Left lights on, pushed button, truck started, on time for work. Security feature also useful as it disables start up.

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Bought this cuz my duramax was killing both of my batteries for no apparent reason over night at random times. It saved me a few times. If you can't trace your parasitic drain on your battery, then this is the next best thing. Works exactly as described.

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Apparant design flaws of my handicap van were discharging the battery while parked, resulting in a dead battery every few days. The switch for this battery protector was able to be mounted hidden in the front van grill giving me an easy way to shut off the power without opening the hood to manually disconnect the battery. My only complaint is that it might have been better to buy the wireless remote version of this device so that I could then use the remote starter without going out to my van first to reconnect the battery.

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector

Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector
  • Total Band protection with selectable bands
  • Low-profile alert periscopes
  • Radar Signature ID (RSID)
  • Cordless platform
  • Intense blue text display
  • Battery Operated
  • 72 Point Digital Compass
  • Internal Battery Charger
  • Battery Voltage Gauge
  • 360° Maxx Coverage

The only difference between this detector and the xtr-440 is the compass mode, which I did not find worked well when I bothered to calibrate it, which you have to re-do every time you move it from the mounted position. So now I just don't use that feature, and could have spent a bit less to skip it. Also, when you have the unit on and plugged in to DC power, it will invariably shut itself off with much beeping one hour into your drive. It's not an issue on short drives, but on any car trip of length, be ready to unplug it and plug it back in when it starts shutting itself off every hour.

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This new whistler is great!!! The fact that it is cordless makes it universal from car to motorcycle. It's charger works very well when plugged in to a power point for a short time. The XTR-540 lasts a whole week on one charge on my work commute, (approx 12 hours). Since my commute is 45 minutes to and from work, the battery saver set to 1 hour works well for me.

On the other side, this unit will detect radar alot further than the eye can see, if it alarms, you better believe it.

Buy it!!! for the money, it's the best on the market. It's better than my last $400.00 Escort that was stolen.

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I bought this for my girlfriend's car that I drive from time to time. It alerts the user to threats through the audible alert system, but it is hard to remember the different sounds, which is why it is great to be able to visually see what the threat is. The problem with this device is that in the day time, you can not see the screen AT ALL! No matter if you change the brightness of the screen or change the viewing angle, it is impossible to see what threats are in the area. At night, you can see it ok, but it is still not up to the quality I believe it should have. Final review....spend your money on a different radar detector (I wish I would have returned it, but was too busy to deal with the problem).

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I've had the XTR-540 for about a week now, and so far, so good. Nice display, nice suction cup mount. Minimum number of false alarms. Fairly intuitive setup and menu system. Seems to be holding a charge fairly long. Nice compact size for a cordless unit.

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Just purchased and used on a 2500mi round trip through various states. Once I learned the settings and set the unit up how I wanted, it performed well. Only drawback was the amount of battery time consumed. However, with modified settings I can probably improve battery life time.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

HQRP 45W Flexible Solar Panel 45 Watt Power 12V Mono-crystalline PV Module w/ 6 Stainless Grommets

HQRP 45W Flexible Solar Panel 45 Watt Power 12V Mono-crystalline PV Module w/ 6 Stainless Grommets for RV Boat Yacht plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health TesterI used this panel in conjuction with a charge controller to keep my large bank of marine batteries topped off while the boat was in dry storage. The only concern is having to periodically wipe the accummulated dust off that could reduce charge efficiency.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

FlareAlert LED Emergency Beacon Flare - Red

FlareAlert LED Emergency Beacon Flare - RedThis light works as described.

Nice bright flash, long lasting on the batteries and the magnetic backing makes it handy for both auto brake downs and other warning or attention use.

I bought two to be able to take advantage of the synchronized flashing feature (which works).

They are actually larger than I thought (about the diameter of a coaster), but that is not a downside.

Nicely made product. Useful magnet in the back to store on the trunk lid. Highly recommend this safety item.

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I purchased this as most do, after a bad roadside event (flat tire). I did some research on the options and it appears the technological innovation went from traditional "fire" flares to orange reflective triangles, to the FlareAlert LED Emergency Beacon. I found this product sold by police supply companies as well, which gave me confidence. I also consulted with an EMT and he thought this to be the best option for consumers.

The construction is very strong. I can see it holding true to being crush-proof to 20,000 lbs. The LED is very bright and visible with a steady-on or blinking pattern. Probably the best aspect is that the base is also magnetic. Not only does this allow for clever mounting while storing in your trunk, but it allows for flexibility if ever in a jam (i.e. mounting to the side of your car). For about $12 each plus batteries, I have one in each vehicle. I would recommend spending a little extra on batteries (Lithium AA) so you never run into an issue with powering it.

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Way better than the "tap light" .. Strong, waterproof, super magnetic stick. Bright enough to read by (non-flashing) .. I like getting my money's worth

FlareAlert RB.2 Beacon Red

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This lights is reaaly bright. I have ordered three more to give away as gifts to friends.

You will not be disappointed.

I use it on the back of the seat of my John Deere Lawn and Garden Tractor. It has a very strong holding power. I 'click' the button twice to have it 'flashing' while I am mowing the grass along the public road in front of my home. Passing cars can see the FlareAlert LED Emergency Beacon Flare from a long distance away. They can see me, when my back is turned away from them.

******BUY IT, AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY*******

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

KHOMO: PINK Color USB Travel Kit with a 6ft SUPER Long USB cord + Car Charger + Wall Charger Adapte

KHOMO: PINK Color USB Travel Kit with a 6ft SUPER Long USB cord + Car Charger + Wall Charger Adapter for Apple iPod & iPhone
  • Nice Pink Color chargers and a Super Long 6ft USB SYNC cable
  • Compatible with iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch & iPhone (All models)
  • Charge your iPhone or iPod at home, on the road, or whenever it's not connected to a computer
  • Intelligent IC chip
  • Brand: KHOMO Accessories.

The chargers and the cable are just beautiful. The feeling while you have it in your hand gives you the idea that is a high quality product. Charges and sync perfectly. Very happy customer

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The car charger part of it was a lot smaller than I expected, but it still worked fine! I love the length of the cord. It works for when I need to charge it from a little length away. I recommend this product for anyone!

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I really like these chargers. The cord is long enough and i love having pink chargers for the car and the home! :)

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The pink color is cool and easy to identify. Excellent quality and works well for my iPhone 4. There are a lot of "cheap" charger adapters and I was not willing to invest in them, as they are too cheap to even return. I recommend this product.

usb works great but it will not charge a iPhone 4s. looks great, color is wild and makes me want to scream: yes, yes, yes.. just did not work with my iPhone.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Sirius Sportster Universal Remote Control

Sirius Sportster Universal Remote Control
  • Works with all Sirius Sportster Series Receivers
  • Battery Included
  • Black with Silver Trim or Solid Black Depending on Stock

I was unsure, based on some of the reviews, if this remote would work with my sirius Starmate 8 but for the price, figured it was worth the try. I am so glad I ordered it because it works GREAT!

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I read a review on another message board that this works with the Sirius Stratus 6 receiver. I took a chance and it DOES work. Even though the Stratus 6 is not listed as having a remote receiver, you can clearly see one on the face of it. So if you are looking a cheap remote, I highly recommend this one.

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It was cheap so it is not a big deal, but nowhere does it say that it won't work with Edge radioes. For your information, though, Edge radioes will not work with any remote. This would be nice for the makers of the radio to put somewhere on the box.

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Ordered 2 of these units. One is used in the truck w/a Stratus 5. The other, in the bedroom w/a Stratus 6. Not all the remote functions will work w/either radio simply because these are basic radios and do not have the high tech features. on/off/mute/volume/menu/scrolling thru and selecting channels and the basic stuff all works just fine.

Creates a safer driving experience since ya don;t have to physically operate the radio itself.

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When I first bought my Sirius receiver I had a remote to use, but after I accidentally crushed it, it was exceedingly difficult to change stations on the Sirius Radio. With the depth of distance between the driver and the windshield on cars today, the distance between the user and the receiver is often 1, to 1 and a half meters. Far too far to be able to change stations without stopping the vehicle.

I now have a remote, again, that allows me to change stations easily on my Sirius receiver, and do it safely while driving.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Husky Liners 30853 Classic Style Tan Front Floor Liner

Husky Liners 30853 Classic Style Tan Front Floor LinerThese floor liners fit my truck perfectly. I got front and back sets and have no problem hopping in with dirty boots and knowing that my floors are protected and the liners are easily cleaned up.

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Roadpro Digital Compass, Inside & Outside Temperature, Voltage Meter and Ice Alert

Roadpro Digital Compass, Inside & Outside Temperature, Voltage Meter and Ice AlertThe compass is of great help as we're relatively new in the area. The temp. read out is a great asset. and as for the ice ice alertI'll wait a bit for that.(hopefully).

I recommend to everyone that does not already have a factory installed compass. It is easy to install and very simple to take down if nescessary.

The unit arrived promptly. I installed in my Ford Edge and it sits neatly on the console under the dash overhang. Upon powering it up, I noticed that the thermometer defaulted to celsius no problem all I had to was open the small battery door in the base and slide the switch to Farenheidt. I did that and everything seemed to work perfectly. The compass was easy to calibrate and matches the readings on my GPS. Upon powering off the unit and back on again, I discovered the temp reading reverted to celsius. Once again I opened the door in the base and moved the switch from F to C and to F again. The reading was F again but when powered off and back on, it reverts to C. If the switch position is F, the temp reading should stay F. Very disappointed in the shoddy workmanship of this unit.

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I bought this for my wife's new Ford Escape because she missed having a temperature readout. This is a very accurate inside and outside thermometer and has 3 compass readouts. I installed it in the console, in less than an hour, instead of the dashboard to keep it out of the line of sight. The built in back lighting makes it easy to read day or night. The outdoor temperature sensor is long enough to run to the grill area and fresh air that is not contaminated by engine heat, which gives a more accurate reading. The voltage meter is useful for monitoring the battery condition. The car is driven short distances, which drains the battery in the winter weather.

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I installed this on my 2006 Toyota Highlander after my wife complained that it didn't have a compass or outside temperature like our last car. Arrrgggghhhh! I purchased this for my wife for Christmas. It took a while to install it, as I mounted it in the middle of the dash just below the mirror and hid all the wires under the dash. Now that I have it up and running, I like the readability of the display. The compass and temperature seem to be pretty accurate. I have three negatives on the unit. First, after I mounted it I discovered that -even with the compass tilted as far forward on its mount as I could -it still slants backward about 15 degrees. I would prefer that it be straight, although it works well enough. Second, too much information is displayed. I really don't need battery voltage, but it came with the unit. Also, the compass shows the compass direction in three places including the psuedo compass card. Third, and the most serious, is that the unit causes noticeable interference on my CB radio. It's a pulse of noise that occurs approximately every second, regular as clockwork. The antenna is about ten feet away, mounted on the back of the vehicle. Shouldn't do that.

I did discover one idiosyncrasy. When I attempted the calibration, the unit wouldn't calibrate. It just kept on flashing the display in the calibration mode. I tried about ten times ... the whole while making the smallest circles I could in the car (the steering wheel was turned as far as it could turn it). Just out of curiosity, I did a large circle (about 100' in diameter). That worked like a charm -it calibrated the very first try. Out of curiosity, I tried to calibrate it again with the small circle -it didn't calibrate. I then did the large circle again and it calibrated just like it should. Go figure.

All said, I'm reasonably happy with the unit. I can easily read it from the driver's or passengers seat day or night. The compass is accurate and responsive. The out outside temperature is spot on. And the most significant benefit? I don't have to hear my wife complain about these any more!!!

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I read up on every single on of these that is sold on Amazon, but i found this to be the one i thought would work the best. So i bought this for a present for my dad. And he loves it. It took a little install, he actually ran all the cords into his dash so you can't see them. These are two things we noticed about it.

Outside Temp: install the receiver out of the wind and far from the engine but somewhere in the front bumper works great. Also note the temp will not be accurate after you have been driving and you stop because of the engine temp. but once you start driving again it takes care of it.

Inside Temp: When you install the item on the dash when it is in the sun it is not accurate at all.

Enjoy.