Showing posts with label home car battery charger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home car battery charger. Show all posts

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Gogo Surge Purple Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger and USB SYNC Cable Adapter with Pink Wall C

Gogo Surge Purple Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger and USB SYNC Cable Adapter with Pink Wall Charger for Apple iPod & iPhone
  • Includes a SUPER EXTRA LONG 4ft Blue color USB Cable.
  • Compatible with iPad, 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
  • Nice Purple Colored Chargers and Cable.

Not much to say, except it looks like what is pictured and it works. Chose product because it is purple -daughter's favority color. Who couldn't use an extra iPod charger, anyway?

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Car Charger doesn't work. I wouldn't buy this package again. USB cable and wall charger work great. Consider buying a different combo pack

Monday, July 7, 2014

TYC 1-03205 Starter

TYC 1-03205 StarterThis starter fits my 95 Bronco and works fine. I have only had it installed for about three weeks at this point. The original factory starter lasted about 1780,000 miles. the price was about 1/3 of what this would have cost through a conventional brick and mortar parts store. No shipping charge and it got here fast. Time will tell the whole story...

It works as well as any starter that's 3-4 times the price, buy it Im betting you won't regret it

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My son bought this starter for his 1994 Mercury Cougar, his 1st car, and it's a beaut. The price including any shipping was so much lower compared to local sellers. Product worked perfectly and saved a teen a pile of money.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Remy 21810 Premium Remanufactured Alternator

Remy 21810 Premium Remanufactured AlternatorI bought this to replace the 40 amp in my project truck. It really made a huge difference no more dim lights at idle and worrying if the battery is getting enough charge when I run the HID driving lights and all the other electronic stuff that wasn't around in '76.

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

Kinetik KHC16V High Current Car Audio Power Cell

Kinetik KHC16V High Current Car Audio Power Cell
  • All new Technology with Absorptive Glass Mat
  • 12 volt or 16 volt switchable
  • High current model
  • Slim design fits almost any vehicle
  • Completely air-tight and sealed

I am not convinced that these batteries are 1600 watt batteries. I have 3 connected in paralell (4800 watts) charging at 18 volts by 2 new 350 amp alternators, the 3 batteries are connected with heavy duty 1/0 welding cable. When I applied a 3200 watt load the battery voltage drops to around 13 volts instantley and continues to fall. All 3 batteries test good. I am connected on the 16 volt post. When I increase the engine rpm they barely hold at 15.9 volts.

Friday, March 14, 2014

RoadPro RPAT-774 Rechargeable Emergency System with 12V Power Port and Air Compressor

RoadPro RPAT-774 Rechargeable Emergency System with 12V Power Port and Air CompressorI am so pleased with this item I am grinning. I have had two other portable battery charger/air pumps in the past and within six months they both became useless because their internal battery would not take a charge. These not only charge up fine but hold their charge riding around in the trunk or the car for months. I use them for pumping up bicycle tires and have jump-started three different vehicles using the item. I like it.

I've never been really happy with this unit from the very start. Inflating car tires is extremely slow, slower than my manual pump. It can handle high pressures but not because it is strong but because it does not push much air through. For bicycle racing tubes of 90+ psi it really struggled too. The only time I used the jump start function it failed. Soon after one of the clamps broke. And couple days back, the motor burned out while pumping the first of four car tires. Two instead of 1 star really just because it survived 4 years of very light use and the price was not bad. I am going for a pricier studier unit next time.

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I've also carried this around in my trunk for several months. When I needed it, it still had a charge. I really like knowing I can air up a car tire if necessary as well. Plus, there are boat towables, air mattresses, etc., that it will come in handy for. Since it's portable, I can also take it down to the boat if needed.

Read Best Reviews of RoadPro RPAT-774 Rechargeable Emergency System with 12V Power Port and Air Compressor Here

What I was planning to do with it:

Jump start a small vehicle (900cc motorcycle)

Inflate vehicle tires

After five months of use:

Jump starting a vehicle: Poor. No go. Power was enough to slow crank the engine, but couldn't get it started. This was a mid-sized motorcycle, 900cc, with 12V battery. Emergency charger dropped about three inches and the clamp broke (see construction).

Tire inflator: About average speed and noise for battery operated inflators.

I have no real complaints about itIt did it's job.

Construction: Poor. The battery casing itself seems sturdy enough with for the price paid. However the jumper cable clamps are not well designed or constructed. Clamps are a cheaply molded plastic with riveted copper teeth. In more expensive sets, copper clamps are covered with insulation, though not in this case. In other words, this is not designed to last very long.

Overall: If you're looking for something that will last you more than a year to eighteen months, find something else.

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Works good but the alligator clamps are cheap and broke right away. I would not recommend this to buy, but it worked o.k. other than the clamps!

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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1

Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1This is essentially identical to the Carrand Old Timer Horn, but at a more reasonable price. Both the Wolo 330 and the Carrand are made in China. I have both, and apart from the painted-on chrome of the Carrand Old Timer Horn, the construction, electric motor, and materials are the same. My Wolo 330 sounds a lot raspier than my Carand. The sound that comes out of the Wolo 330 can be described as "oooorh," and definitely not "ahoogah." I think this is because the electric motor is either too powerful, or it's actually rated to run on 6 volts instead. Quality control varies, because I've measured impedance on several units, and they measured anywhere from 0.7 ohms to 2 ohms! I lowered the voltage and current by putting a 1.75 or a 2 ohm resistor in series at the positive (+) end, and backed off the adjustment bolt at the back of the horn until I got the classic "ahoogah" sound. Don't do this yourself; have your mechanic install it for you.

kkrome's review is dead on. After purchasing the ooga I was definitely disappointed with the high pitched sound. I stated searching for others with this problem and found kkrome's review here on Amazon. I check Amazon a lot as I am a 'Prime' member. He was spot on! Do what he says and you'll be pleased.

I remembered about calculating current / wattage so did a search engine check to make sure of the formula's. Using my laptop, I calculated my needs with simple arithmetic using the 'knowns' and solving for the unknown, much easier than it sounds. I used kkrome's 2.0 ohm suggestion and factored it in which helped me come up with the amount of wattage my resistor needed. I went to Radio shack and for 1.99, I got a two pack of 1.0 ohm resistors. The highest wattage they had was only had 1.0 ohm / 10 watt (wattage is the amount of heat it can give off). I calculated that I needed more wattage but that was all they had in stock.

Not to be deterred, I got to thinking that since I am not hooking mine up to be a full time horn for actual emergencies, as in, NOT hooked up to my steering wheel's horn, (This means using a separate dedicated button to press for the ooga). My ooga is only for amusement, so my horn would never be used long and continuously which would mean that the 1.0 ohm / 10 watt would not overheat and fail. If it does, so what? It's only 1 dollar. (got a two pack remember?)

In less than 5 minutes, I cut the 12 volt hot wire going directly to the back of the ooga and soldered in the 1.0 ohm/10 watt resistor. I tried my horn and could tell the resistor was doing its job so I then adjusted the horn. With a tiny tweak of the adjustment screw on the back, it came to life with a more authentic sound. It has the low growling sound and actually sounds "AH-OOO-GAH". I stopped with just putting in only one 1.0 ohm and did not use kkrome's 1.75 to 2.0 ohm resistor suggestion. So before you go to putting in the full 2.0 ohm's, start with just 1.0 ohm and move up in ohms if needed.

I mounted my horn on the left hand side near the fire wall in front of the driver, well away from splashes and such. I am driving a Dodge 1 ton.

If you're looking at this ooga, then you must be a tinkerer unless you were going to pay someone to put it in to begin with. This is an easy project. FWIW, Do yourself a favor, put it somewhere on top so you can get to it easily. My location doesn't require me to get greasy because it's all right there.

I gave this horn 3 stars because you must do some tinkering to get it to sound right.

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I do agree with Kkrome's very interesting review that the sound you most often get from this horn jumps up to pitch too fast. I found, with a little practice, that a relatively quick push worked better, didn't seem to get underway quite as easily. Of course the antique horns did the proper "ah-OOOO-gah" every time. I've had these put on two cars. (I'm no mechanic! I have Ziebart's guys do it.) The last time, it was put dead center behind the grill (in front of the radiator. My LAND is it loud when it is prominently placed like that. If you're wanting to use is as more of a "friendly greeting," I'd have it put off to the side or farther back. These aren't the most durable horns in the world. I had one on my 2005 (Toyota Avalon people are VERY surprised to hear that sound coming from that car!), and after a year or two, the relay failed and needed to be replaced. Later, I had to replace the entire horn. I traded to a newer Avalon (left the horns on the other car) and got another in 2010. That one lasted all of 14 months before it rusted up and failed. I suspect its prominent location may have contributed to that, and would suggest placeing it where it's less exposed to moisture. In search of a more authentic sound, I replaced the failed one with a FIAMM ooga horn. That's been in only a couple of weeks, but for the record, the Wolo one sounds better. (Time will tell if it lasts any longer.) If the FIAMM lasts, great. If it conks out, I'll either check out another brand, or go back to Wolo.

Read Best Reviews of Wolo Model 330 Oooga Sound Fun 12 Volt Horn - Pack of 1 Here

I had a aoohgaa horn about 25 years ago, i thought this one would be simular but the sound produced is a more high pitched and not giving the same effect. This horn is about half the size of the original horn i had and i would say 1/4 the sound quality.

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My husband recently installed this in his car and loves it. It was a fairly simple installation and works just as promised.

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Saturday, February 8, 2014

eForCity 2X WALL + CAR USB CHARGER Compatible with ARCHOS 404 504 604 704 WiFi

eForCity 2X WALL + CAR USB CHARGER Compatible with ARCHOS 404 504 604 704 WiFi
  • This value combo includes: 1 X USB Car Charger Adaptor + 1 X USD Trabel Charger Adaptor. Note: Needs to pair with a USB charging cable(comes standard with iPhone or iPods originally). Additional USB charging cable is available for purchase separately
  • High Quality Generic (Non-OEM) Item.
  • compatible with: ARCHOS 404 504 604 704 WiFi/apple iPad 16/32/64 GB.Apple iPhone 4 - Verizon / Apple iPad 2 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / iPhone® 4S.

I purchased the chargers so I could have my phone readily available. I seen these and thought wow for this price I cant go wrong.

I was way way wrong! Not only did both chargers flake out after less than 2 weeks of use, but the car charger almost caused a fire in my car! I dont know if the random weirdness my phone now has about it was cause from the charger shorting out, but I can tell you that these products are dangerous and should be avoided!

The charger got so hot that it was almost to hot to pull out of the outlet, and caused my truck to smell of burnt plastic and electronics for nearly a week!

It was on the brink of catching on fire!

Please stay away and spend a little extra money on a name brand. I did after this happened and have not had an issue since. So to me that ruled out my vehicle outlet as the culprit.

And please please dont buy this for your teenagers cause Lord only knows what would have happened if this had happened to them.

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These do not work for IPod or Ipod touch even though the description indicates that they do. Don't waste your money.

Read Best Reviews of eForCity 2X WALL + CAR USB CHARGER Compatible with ARCHOS 404 504 604 704 WiFi Here

This is a great charger that is quite versitle in terms of devices that can plug into it. First I should warn you that you should check your device and make sure it is rated for the appropriate output voltage and amperage. However, after doing so I found that in addition to my Archos 5 internet tablet, I could also charge my Garmin 720 NUVI, 2 different cell phones, and 2 different bluetooth headsets with the appropriate USB cable (USB micro or mini). I highly recommend this as a replacement for any lost chargers for many USB mini/micro compatible devices.

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Seems to be a good product and only problem there might be is it seems like cheaply made but so far so good. I would recommend it for the price.

Works great. Great quality at a great price. Multiple uses for charging any usb charge capable device. Using for phones, games, Wii chargers.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and

Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and Other Smartphones, Tablets and Laptops
  • Wirelessly adds GPS to iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and other Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops
  • Allows your device to be used with most apps that require GPS, including apps for car and marine navigation, golfing, geocaching, hiking, GPS tracking, cycling, running, social networking and more.
  • Rechargeable battery lasts up to 8.5 hours of continuous use and charges via the included USB cable
  • Small portable design. 2.25" x 2.25" x .75". Works anywhere in the world.
  • Includes 12V car charger, a non-slip pad for use in a car or boat, and an adjustable strap to attach to a backpack or to use as an armband

The XGPS150 is a small (2"x2"x0.5") self powered device. It is small enough to fit easily into a pocket. It works with all iOS devices that have Bluetooth. To use it, you just turn on Bluetooth in the General Settings. It takes just a few seconds to discover the XGPS150. Click on its name in the list to pair with the device.

When the GPS is paired with your iOS device, you will get a message asking if you wish to download the app required to use the accessory. Click yes to launch the App Store and download the Dual GPS Status Tool. The Status Tool is worth getting. You can use it to display the signal strength of each GPS satellite just like you can with a stand alone GPS receiver. This screen is extremely helpful if you want to use the GPS indoors or in some other location where reception can be challenging. I know I will use this feature when I am on an aircraft.

One accessory that comes with the XGPS150 is a rubber dash mount. The mount uses simple friction to keep the GPS on your dash board. It is soft rubber so it will mold to any shape. It stayed on my dash for several drives without moving at all.

The XGPS150 has numerous advantages over the built-in GPS on an iPhone or iPad 3G. First it seems to get much better GPS reception. I can easily track my location on an aircraft, in a car or even in my house with the XGPS150. In fact I typically get 10 satellites showing almost full bars indoors. Of course there is no way to know what reception my iPad is getting but being able to see the signal strength of each satellite is another advantage of the XGPS150. The really remarkable thing about using a Bluetooth GPS is how little power is required for an iPod Touch to track your location. If Scenic Map is tracking your location in standby mode (GPS centering turned on with the screen turned off) it can run all day long and still have a full power bar. The XGPS150 has about ten hours of battery life. You charge the XGPS150 with a standard mini USB cable and it comes with a cigarette lighter adapter for your car.

I only have one small complaint about the XGPS150. To turn the unit on or off, you have to press and hold the center of the circular red pad for several seconds. Unfortunately the power icon is near the edge. It is very difficult to turn on the device if you press directly on the power icon. The device makes a plastic crunching noise if you try and it may even be possible to damage the device if you push too hard or too near the edge. If you press the center of the pad (where there is no icon) it is quite easy to turn on or off. Dual should move the power icon to the center or have some other indication of where you should press to turn on the power since there is no visible switch.

Combined with the XGPS150, the iPod Touch becomes an extremely capable GPS receiver. With a high quality mapping app such as Scenic Map, the utility of the Status Tool plus all the other great iOS GPS apps, it is easy to say that the iPod Touch is the best GPS money can buy. It costs a lot less than a high end mapping GPS receiver and you won't have to pay hundreds of dollars more for additional maps.

Buy Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and Now

It's simple and it works for everything, Laptop, IPad, IPhone. I like the non slip dash mount it comes with, seems to get good signal from weak areas. I bought it for use with Foreflight and I just used it for a 3 hour flight. It worked great even during steep turns of 60 degrees. I like that it has a simple push on/off button and an app to see how many satellites it is picking up. Great little device. Included car charger works with 24 volt systems and the device turns on automatically when it gets power.

I've used the GNS5870 and found it to turn off when I didn't even press any buttons then when I finally got it on I couldn't turn it off... The GNS5870 is sleeker and smaller, but this Dual Bluetooth GPS just works right!

The bad elf GPS looks pretty good, but I think i'd break it with it attached to the bottom of my ipad all the time.

This is the #1 way to go for Foreflight.

Read Best Reviews of Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and Here

I just purchased this last week and have been very happy with it. I use it with a WiFi only iPad. It picks up the satellites quickly and hasn't dropped the signal yet. I am a pilot and use it with ForeFlight for in-flight tracking and have been very pleased with its performance. It's a nice compact size too. I like the non-slip pad that it comes with. I recommend it!

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I got this handy little device because I'd had reliability problems with the built-in GPS on my iPad-3G. It works well, allowing me to locate the GPS sensor up on the dashboard where it can see the satellites and position the iPad or iPhone wherever I'd like. With Navigon app it has proven a complete substitute for my Garmin GPS as well.

Only dislike I have is that it automatically syncs to the last bluetooth device that used it, so sometimes I need to go get my other device to turn off bluetooth in order to use it with the one I'm holding. It would be nice if there was a simple button on it to ask it to be receptive to an active bluetooth request. It also can take a minute or so to get position lock and in the meantime you'll get false data in some apps. Not really a fault of the device, all GPS requires a bit to lock on. Just something to watch out for.

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I had wanted this GPS device ever since its debut. Fortunately for me I found an awesome deal for $50 so it was a no brainer. When I first opened the box, for some reason the unit appeared much larger then I had expected, but it is still small and manageable. The description stated 2" X .5" and that would be accurate.

When you turn the unit on the acquisition time is blazely fast. In fact it is faster than any other GPS unit that I had ever used, and I own a lot of units which mostly are Garmin's with the SIRF chip. The chip in this unit is scary fast and is even faster than the DUAL XGPS251 which I wrote a separate review on in 03/11. When I first turned the unit on which was in-doors from a cold boot it had acquired 7 or 8 satellites in less than one minute, and DUAL claims 30 seconds for a lock regardless of a cold or warm startup. I tend to believe there claim as the unit uses a -65-channel SkyTraq GPS chipset-. That is phenomenal. The unit appears to work with every GPS application that I have thrown at it so far. I am using the device with a 2nd GEN iTouch. Setup was a breeze which is primarily the Bluetooth pairing. If you plan to use the unit with an apple device be sure to download the DUAL utility from the app store. The utility only has 2 stars, but I have no found a problem with the utility and it does exactly what it was designed to do, which is to provide status on the device and signal strength. I think most people have give the device two stars because they expect a full blown navigation utility, but that is not what it was designed to do.

Some of the review that I wrote for XGPS251 can be applied here which include several free GPS applications that can be used with this device. Unfortunately the device does not include a microphone, speaker or the ability to charge your device like the XGPS251, but they are two entirely different devices. I had also looked at the Bad Elf unit, but I decided against it for reasons that I won't state as I don't want to impact sales one way or another for something that I do not own. Another plus is that the unit is firmware upgradeable by the end user, unlike the firmware issues that plague some user of the XGPS251. If your XGPS251 does not have the 10/10 firmware and you are using an iTouch 4 then your investment just got a whole lot more expensive since a upgrade to the firmware will be required, which is another $60 +/-. I got extremely lucky when I purchased my XGPS251 from Amazon in 03/11 and I don't even have an iTouch 4 model. In my opinion it is not worth rolling the dice on the XGPS251, and that is exactly what you would be doing until someone announces that their units are the new 10/10 firmware. I would suggest this unit or the Bad-Elf as a better option for future compatibility with your Apple or in the case of the XGPS150 model your non-Apple products as well.

Now for the quirks:

Quirk #1:

For some reason the outsourcing that DUAL does with this type of hardware provide several quirks. The quirks are mostly with the I/O of the power source and on and off switch. There are quirks with the XGPS251, and there are to a lesser extent quirks with the XGPS150. As others had mentioned the on and off button is buried under the RED top of the unit, and it can be difficult to accurately press the button to turn it on or off. Although when the unit is plugged into a power source it comes on automatically. The unit should have been designed so that the power button actually comes through the red top where the on/off symbol is. It would not have been difficult to do with the existing switch and no hardware modifications would have been need as all that would have been needed is an extended button preferably made of dense material (plastic, silicon or rubber)r to require less energy to push.

Quirk #2:

OK the dash mat that is included with the unit is nice, in fact very nice. But for the love of humanity why wouldn't the manufacture design the dash mat with a hole in it so that you can plug a car charger into it. DUAL include a car charger, but the only way to charge the unit is out of the Silicon dash mat. So you have to insure that the unit is charged prior to your trip or keep the mat out of the unit while charging. Go figure, this is a huge oversight in my opinion. There are issues with the XGPS251 ability to charge in the car as well which again is in a separate review. Even worse is that even if I cut a hole in the mat I still wouldn't be able to charge the unit while it is in the mat, because there is a plastic door that covers the USB port and the operating mode switch. The door swings out of the way to access the USB port, but once the door is swung out of the way the GPS won't fit in the mat until the door is closed. The door is necessary I suppose for boating and or outdoor sports, and it is not easily removed.

In order to resolve the USB port accessibility I am going to attempt to punch a whole into the silicon mat using a paper punch. This may not work because I would expect that the silicon would just stretch instead of punch out. If it does not punch out I will be using an exacto knife most likely. To remove the door I will have to take the unit apart and collapse the door keeper from the inside. I suspect that just like the XGPS251 there will be a screw under each rubber plug on the bottom of the unit. Four screws total.

All in all a fantastic unit, but DUAL come on please pay more attention to the user's I/O needs of your devices.

Update: 07/16/11:

I was correct that there is a screw on each of the four corners under the plugs. I removed the plugs and the four screws and the top came right off. Once I was able to remove the top I removed the USB cover and cut a small piece of tape to cover the pass trough hole for the cover. the tape was not required, but I figured why not since I had it apart. I then put the top back on, the four screws and the rubber plugs. All in all took less than 5 minutes. If attempted just insure that you don't rip the rubber plugs when removing, as there is mild adhesive on the bottom of each plug. I recommend a small screwdriver, and be sure that the plugs go back in adhesive side down. You may ask why the rubber plugs are even used and should you put them back in. I would answer by suggesting that they are used for three reasons:

Reduce the amount of moisture exposure that could make it's way past the screws (remember that this unit is not water proof and is even less moisture resistant if the plugs are left out and the USB door is removed. This is not a problem for me since my unit won't be subjected to moisture. Give careful consideration if you plan to use the unit in harsh environments. I'll stick to my Garmin for those type of environments. My unit will be primarily used for vehicle navigation.

Conceal the location of the screws to keep someone like me from taking the unit apart

To keep the fours screws from falling out if they should happen to become loose for any reason

The paper hole punch worked flawlessly. Actually I was surprised at how easy the unit punched through the silicon. Just make sure to take your time and get that hole position correctly for the USB port. The hole should be on the same side as the embossed word "DUAL" What I did was just put the GPS into the dash pad, and feel with your finger where the USB port of the unit is, and mark the spot with a Sharpie marker. Once you have done that just take your time and align the Sharpie mark with the punch of the paper puncher. You only get one shot so do it right the first time. Once done you will be able to charge the GPS unit via the USB port while the unit is located in it's dash mat.

Save the USB door and the silicon that was punched out. I would put them in the unit's retail box if you still have it. The modification made to the GPS unit is totally reversible if needed by repeating the steps outlined above to reinstall the USB door cover. As for the reversal of the dash pad the only thing that you can really do is re-glue or tape the punched out piece, which I would do from the inside of the dash mat, not the outside.

I can't think of a reason to reverse the procedure but the option does exist.

Monday, January 20, 2014

SiriusXM SXABB2 Portable Speaker Dock

SiriusXM SXABB2 Portable Speaker Dock
  • Enjoy class-leading sound quality with a powerful 30 watt amplifier and 2-way speaker system
  • A concealed handle and built-in antenna cradle with cable storage make it easy to take SiriusXM wherever you go
  • Plug into an available AC outlet or listen anywhere with battery power (Requires 8 C-cell batteries, sold separately)
  • Use the included remote control to easily operate both the Portable Speaker Dock and Satellite Radio
  • Listen privately using the headphone jack
  • Connect MP3 players, CD players or other audio devices via the Aux In jack (Aux In cable sold separately)
  • Compatible with the following satellite radios: SiriusXM Lynx, SiriusXM Edge, XM Onyx, XM XpressRCi, XpressRC, Xpress & XpressEZ, XM XMp3i and Pioneer XMp3, Sirius Sportster 5, Sirius Starmate 8, Starmate 5, Starmate 4 & Starmate 3 and Sirius Stratus 6, Stratus 5 & Stratus 3.

I was worried about how this thing would sound and perform. My first experience with a portable sat unit (a Sky-Fi, My-Fi)was lackluster for sure. I mean its a portable satellite radio unit so my expectations were forgiving. Man o man, this thing is great! Sound quality, specifically bass response is mind blowing. I would go so far as to say it would rival the sound docks from Bose. Getting a strong sat signal can be tricky at times. It takes a little bit of practice and knowing your cardinal directions (XM recommends aiming the antenna south) but surprisingly for the most part you can just point it at the sky and rock on. I have on occasion been able to set it on the kitchen counter and aim the antenna southward and it work just fine inside the house!

Now for the downside. And there is only one. Battery life does seem a bit short. But in its defense it does have to power the unit in addition to the internal amp for the speakers, and I was not using a high quality set of batteries. But even so I would not expect it to last a super long time. It does sort of stink that it needs (8) D cell batteries, but with a good set or rechargeable batteries I expect it should last a while loner. Hey you got to pay to play right? I plan to try it soon with the good rechargeable batteries I have and update this review.

Side note: I did have one issue while using the unit. It was an isolated incident but the volume would cut out and the lights around the volume knob would flash randomly. It only happened once and I use this thing 3+ days a week, also since I cannot replicate the problem I would not say it is an issue, just wanted to point it out.

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I love the sound and the ablitly to plug in an ipod and headphones. The styling is sleek without buttons or knobs. The antenna cord can wrap neatly into the back and the antenna stows on the back also. We have the dock infront of a window and it works great until someone sits down next to it (not infront of the window) then it cuts in and out so that is why I didn't give it all five stars. I'm not sure if this is caused by the dock/antenna or the receiver. Now we can use our XM Onyx radio in the car and in the house or outside. I was a little reluctant because of the price but the sound quality was worth it. I wish we would have purchased it a long time ago.

Read Best Reviews of SiriusXM SXABB2 Portable Speaker Dock Here

I have a SiriusXM XPress RCi which is a great fit for this portable speaker dock. It is easy to set up & operate. The sound is crisp and clear, for the most part. However, I did notice that the speaker dock seems to over heat while using the battery supply when setting on a solid surface & will shut the system down. When you plug the power supply cord in, the speaker dock begins working again. This would be very inconvenient if you were not close to an outlet. So far this has not been a significant issue yet because we have only used it on our deck where a power outlet is available. I have not tried elevating the speaker dock on something like a cooling rack which would allow air to circulate around the speakers. This might help to keep the bottom of the speaker dock from getting too hot. All in all this is a great way to enjoy your SiriusXM service other than in a car!

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I would highly recommend this speaker dock, it was easy to set up and sounds great. It also is light and easy to move around.

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I couldn't get over the ease of 'installing' this unit right now as I write this I have the unit in the house with the radio working fine and the antenna on a book shelf with the books and shelving blocking any view of the sky the closest window is surrounded by holly bushes.

The sound is great and the radio snaps right in.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Parrot MKi9000 Advanced Bluetooth hands-free car kit for iPod

Parrot MKi9000 Advanced Bluetooth hands-free car kit for iPod
  • Made for iPod
  • Made for iPhone
  • Wireless Remote Control
  • Hands Free Driving and Music Streaming
  • Integrates with your Car

It works flawlessly for hands free calling and Bluetooth stereo music. I use it with my iPhone 3GS. Have been using this for 3 days now. I picked this over Parrot MKi9200 Advanced Color Display Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit and Parrot MKi9100 Advanced Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit because we did not want a display sticking out on the dash. If you are planning to install this by yourself I would recommend don't try without Honda Bluetooth® Wiring Harness Integrates Bluetooth cell phone kits with factory stereos in select vehicles, 2003-up or a similar product.

Pros:

Easy to install

Good quality microphone (it is hidden in the bin below the stereo and still picks up voice from the rear seat)

Voice dial is great

Spoken caller id (no need for a display)

Bluetooth stereo

Ports for your MP3 players

Cons:

None major I can find at this point

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One year prior to this purchase, I bought the MKi9200 for my Honda Accord. I love it. But I found that I simply didn't use the video screen for anything other than firmware updates. I purchased the MKi9000 for my 2005 Pilot. The only difference in the 9000 and 9200 is the display unit. Without the display I flashed the firmware on the 9000 without any issue. The device will 'speak' to you through each option. Would buy this again.

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Short version: I'm a very happy user of the Parrot MKi9000 hands-free car kit.

Long version: After trying cheaper bluetooth products based on FM radio transmitters and such for my older 2004 Honda Pilot, I finally needed to find a higher quality solution that would work correctly all the time. Looking at various hands-free kits, I settled on the Parrot MKi9000. As I was doing the installation myself, I also bought the Metra BT-1721-A Aftermarket Bluetooth Integration Harness for Honda/Acura 1998 and Up available from Amazon as well.

Self installation was a bit of a challenge. First, loosening and removal of the headboard and dashboard panels on my Pilot to install the microphone and route it to the center console was not easy and probably outside the capabilities of most people. Without access to the service manual for the vehicle installation would have been too difficult for me. Second, the Parrot and the integration harness came with very sparse documentation. Clearly the manufacturer assumed most people would pursue professional installation. However, with the harness, it's not too difficult to figure out how things should connect to the existing radio. Everything just plugs together without a single wire needing to be cut. Wiring the Parrot was the easiest part of the job, messing with the dashboard panels without damaging them was the hardest. Also, in addition to the microphone, the auxiliary inputs to the Parrot need to be routed to a convenient location -the center console in my case.

Once installed, the Parrot unit works perfectly. It immediately sync'd with my iPhone's phonebook and speaks the names on incoming calls. People on the other end of a call can hear me loud and clear. The unit will properly silence my radio on incoming calls or when I'm listening to music or audiobooks on my iPhone. In addition to bluetooth connectivity which is great for short car trips, it does have three auxiliary ports: iPod/iPhone, USB and standard audio jack. The iPod/iPhone port will let me keep my phone charged on long trips and utilizes the full audio capabilities of the iPod interface. The USB interface is cool in that it lets you throw some MP3 audio files on a USB flash drive for listening while driving. The audio jack will plug into any headphone connector so any device will play audio through the Parrot on your car speakers.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the Parrot MKi9000. With it, it's as if my older Pilot included Bluetooth as an OEM solution. I'm also happy I opted for the simpler Parrot model as I don't need the display on the higher end units. The voice based menu system is perfect for my needs.

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I have been using the Parrot MKi9000 in my 2004 MDX for a week, I love it. I am so impressed that my I Phone contacts are automatically stored on the Parrot without manually loading it. This is the best bluetooth hands free car system for any car. No more pulling off the road to talk. It also has capability to hook up your I-Pod to listen to I-Tunes using your car stereo system.

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I bought this bluetooth for my wife's new Honda Pilot and had it professionally installed by Parrot certified installers. They could not get the unit to work after trying for 3 hours. I had to purchase a second unit because the installers said they only needed the brain box and it was not recommended that the whole unit be removed. Amazon sent my the second unit, and this one works as a phone bluetooth but it will not work with an ipod or any other accessory that it is suppose to be compatible with. All in all a big disappointment.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Odyssey 31-PC2150S Heavy Duty Commercial Battery

Odyssey 31-PC2150S Heavy Duty Commercial BatteryThis battery has 3/8" threaded posts and washers and nuts come with it. Cables with lugs can easily be attached. However, standard SAE battery terminals cannot be connected. They require an Odyssey 3217-0049 SAE Terminal Conversion Kit which is available from various online retailers.

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Saturday, October 26, 2013

NOCO Genius G26000 12V/24V 26 Amp Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer

NOCO Genius G26000 12V/24V 26 Amp Smart Battery Charger and MaintainerWould definitely recommend this charger to anyone! Safe, compact, and light. I have batteries that won't accept charge from anything else and this NOCO genius worked! It's definitely a great buy!!

I own the smaller more portable NOCO G750 NOCO Genius Gray 6V and 12V 750mA (.75A) Fully Automatic Battery Charger and Maintainer but needed something that I could use regularly to charge my 24 volt batteries and this charger did not disappoint. It actually repaired a battery which I thought was dead. I haven't owned this charger that long but will be back with a more updated review once I do, but to this point I haven't found any negatives yet.

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This charger is a must have if you own multiple vehicles and/or farm equipment like I do. I got it on sale for around $290 and have to say it's worth every single penny. The recovery mode is a cool feature because if you lose power it remembers the previous setting when the power comes back on, so you really can just plug this charger in and set it with no worries of over-charging or damaging your batteries. You can pretty much charge anything with this beast too, this is a swiss-army charger in my opinion.

Read Best Reviews of NOCO Genius G26000 12V/24V 26 Amp Smart Battery Charger and Maintainer Here

We set this up as a charger for our toy hauler. When the generator is on and the Genius is plugged into the trailer, it charges the batteries to a full capacity in 2-3 hours. Works best with 6-volt batteries.

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You can find other chargers that are cheaper, but this G26000 model works well and is worth the extra money. I have used it to charge multiple batteries the past few weeks and I haven't had one battery this charger was unable to charge yet and some of the batteries were over 5 years old.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Interstate Batteries 12V 7.2Ah Sealed Batter IBSBSL1075

Interstate Batteries 12V 7.2Ah Sealed Batter IBSBSL1075I am completely happy with this Interstate battery, which is an exact replacement for the original battery that was installed with my FIOS service. It seemed to cost a bit more than some others of the same size, but Interstate is a brand that I like (and trust), so I paid a small premium for this battery. It seems worth it, however, particularly given that the beeping sound from the FIOS unit has ceased. It fits perfectly into the FIOS wall box, and the terminals are spot on, fit-wise. Delivery on time and in good condition. Satisfied.

Its a battery. What can I say? It charged up. It works. Got here in very good time.

It fit my UPS.

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I used this to replace the backup battery of my alarm system. My alarm system company wanted $70 for a service visit plus $40 for the battery. This battery is the same brand that they use and is as easy to change as the AA battery in your typical flashlight. It charged quickly and has worked perfectly since installation. As for those who are reporting problems with other sellers, I ordered mine from a company called Cream City Hobbies and the battery was Interstate, exactly as described. I no longer see them listed as an Amazon seller and cant vouch for the other sellers listed.

Read Best Reviews of Interstate Batteries 12V 7.2Ah Sealed Batter IBSBSL1075 Here

This battery was purchased when the battery for the Verizon Fios wall box began beeping because it's battery was low. It is a perfect fit and was shipped extremely fast!

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The battery fit my FIOS box perfectly and everything worked exactly as it should except instead of having a life of years, it lasted from March 2012 to September 2012. Try a different brand.

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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Advanced Garmin StreetPilot C550 2 Amp (10W) Mini Car / Auto DC Charger - Amazingly small and power

Advanced Garmin StreetPilot C550 2 Amp Mini Car / Auto DC Charger - Amazingly small and powerful 10W design, built with Gomadic Brand TipExchange Technology
  • Intelligent circuit provides precise output voltage and resistor configuration specific to the Garmin StreetPilot C550. This ensures battery is safely and efficiently charged without affecting battery longevity.
  • Charger provides a full 10W (2,000mAh) of available current in a small form factor a little over 1 inch long. Flexible, straight cable measure 50 inches in total length.
  • Gomadic TipExchange Technology protects your investment by providing a means to change/upgrade your charger by simply swapping the physical charging tip. (Charging tip for Garmin StreetPilot C550) included with additional tips sold separately)
  • Power Sleep"" feature will cut power draw of charger by over 99% when not in use. Charger will draw less than 0.1W of power when in ""ready state"" (e.g. not connected to the Garmin StreetPilot C550).
  • A best-selling product from Gomadic Corp, one of the leaders in consumer electronic charging accessories.

The Gomadic Brand will do the intended job, but the cord is too short to allow the Garmin GPS to stay in one position, on the windshield. It pulls the unit down. The tip exchange is straight, and should be a 90 degree angle, which would help compensate for the short cord. A message also comes up saying, this is not supported, but will over ride.

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Universal Top Post Battery Cable Terminal Red / Black

Universal Top Post Battery Cable Terminal Red / BlackOld were broke on the sides and they would not tighten up. Had these installed in less than ten minutes. Cheaper than any auto parts store around. I would highly recommend them.

My positive battery cable kept slipping off of the post and wreaked havoc on things.

I installed the postive terminal and no problems since.

I would give it a 5 star, but I was a little unhappy with the design of the bolts holding the clamp on. Basically you want your cable to be as securely fastened as possible, so I would like to tighten those down as much as possible, but the problem is that the bolts extend beyond the bottom of the terminal and prevent the terminal from laying flush if you tighten them too much.

I was able to get it on to my satisfaction, but I would have preferred a few more turns...

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Negative terminal split while tightening. As in, the bolt came rolling out the front of the clamp. The terminal was still loose at this point on a pretty pristine Optima battery, so it wasn't an over-tightening issue. I had never heard of this happening prior. Perhaps the negative terminal was too large? That or the metal was more brittle than anything I have ran into before.

Read Best Reviews of Universal Top Post Battery Cable Terminal Red / Black Here

these r the best cuz they fit the battery and if u put a little grease onm the bolt they will last

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I purchased these posts simply to have something to use for recharging car batteries. They work great and they fit perfectly. Good buy for the price.

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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Lincoln Navigator Remote Keyless Entry Key Fob with Simple Self Programmin

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Lincoln Navigator Remote Keyless Entry Key Fob with Simple Self Programming Instructions
  • Keyless Remote for 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator Equipped with Factory Keyless Entry System
  • Simple and Quick Do-It-Yourself Programming Instructions Included.No Tools Needed.Avoid Dealer Fees.
  • Excellent Customer Service with Email Support.30 Day Return Policy.
  • Remote Tested Prior to Shipping with Working Batteries.Ships Within 1 Business Day.
  • 3 Button Lock, Unlock and Panic.

Received keyless entry key in just a few days of ordering. Only took a minute or two to get them working. Very easy instructions. Thank you very much!!

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Came safe, new and relatively fast. I have no complaints. Description was exactly as said and shown. It even came with instructions and battery. Worked perfect with no hassle.

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Programming was so easy! most definitely a recommendation to all who need to replacement key-less entry! BUY IT! you will not regret it. I did mines in less than 1 min.

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I love it, so easy to use and program, Only took me two minutes to program this remote, if i did it, anybody can do it. LOL