Book Reviews and Money Saving Tips

  I preface this with the fact that I was given this product to provide a product review.  I'm sure if you have read my reviews you have noted that I don't hesitate to do a one star review when a product deserves it regardless of whether I paid full price or not.  Conversely if a product deserves a 5-star review, I must give it the appropriate score regardless of whether I received it for free or not.   Admittedly I was a bit skeptical when I saw how tiny this speaker was even before I compressed it to it's even smaller travel size.  It puts out some darn good sound for something that is smaller than a racket ball.  (or for you foodies, a clementine.) I tested it on an Android tablet, a Kindle Fire and a Galaxy S4 phone.   It performed superbly on each.   In fact I didn't realize how bad the sound output was before it was enhanced.   I know on all three devices that headphones are really the only realis...

Merry Xmas 2013

This cover fits my Char-Broil Infrared 2-burner grill like it was made for it.  LOL  Since it was made for it, I guess I would be somewhat disappointed if it didn't fit.  You do have to drop the side tables to get the cover on the grill.  It has a nice heavy feel to it and the velcro latches provide an easy installation.  This is the first grill cover I have ever had so it remains to be seen if it will add any life to my grill.   It was $19.98 at Amazon and $30.00 elsewhere so it was a good deal for the money at Amazon.   Considering a plastic tarp is over $12.00 and is not fitted, this seemed pretty smart for the price.    From the vendor:                              Custom designed to be a perfect fit for Char-Broil's TRU-Infrared 2-burner gas grills ·       Rugged heavy-duty vinyl cover repels water, snow, wind, and assor...

 It's not too late to run out and get this inexpensive yet fun game.   The kids really enjoy popping the balloon.   The game recommends using a balloon pump but blowing them up works just fine.  Also they only recommend their own balloons.  It works just fine with good balloons, not the cheap ones because they break too easily.     If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Gateway DX Series Intel Core i5 8GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity Desktop PC Windows 8 64-bit DX4860-UR28(DT.GE0AA.004) I was a bit concerned about buying a Gateway.  I have been using computers long enough to have seen the brand erosion of the Gateway years ago.   I found that Acer had purchased Gateway and this machine in particular was rated as a best buy in several of the computer magazines.   The size is a bit daunting.  I have gotten away from the monster towers of yesteryear but this is still substantially larger than the Aspire it replaces it.   I am a Swiss Army knife kind of guy and I do a lot of different things on my computer so I wanted a desktop rather than another laptop.   This machine has good solid middle of the road specifications.  It's performance has been good and it has expansion capabilities. When I have gotten everything working the way I want, I plan on cloning the hard drive and adding an SSD driv...

TOSHIBA Satellite C55-A5246NR Intel Core i3 3120M(2.50GHz) 4GB Memory 750GB HDD 15.6" Notebook Windows 8 So far so good!  The size of the screen and it's clarity is good.  The i3 seems robust enough to serve my needs.   It seems to have good quality assembly and does not appear to get to hot.   I do run a dual fan laptop stand under it though.   Heat is a killer regardless of how cool they feel to the touch. I did not spend the money to get the touch screen on the laptop.   So far I have no regrets on that.   I do the bulk of my work on the desktop and do not fool with the cutesy charms and aps screen.   I do wish it came with bluetooth.  The touch pad is ok but I still prefer a mouse.   My Gateway allows me to close unwanted screens with alt-f4 which apparently is a Gateway feature because that does not work on the Toshiba.  I am still working my way through the keyboard command...

ViewSonic TD2420 Black 23.6" Optical Multi-Touch Monitor 200 cd/m2 1000:1 Built-in Speakers   The monitor is fine for viewing.  The touch experience leaves much to be desired.  I read one review that told how to recalibrate the touch.   I found how to do it and saw no change in performance.  It is dreadful from side touches.  Touch seems to work fin in the center of the spring but at the edges swiping just is abysmal. The speakers have been problamatic as well.  The SRS premium sound if evoked, silences all the sound.  Frankly I was going to return it due to it's inability to work well with Windows 8.1 but the $50 New Egg restocking fee dissuaded me.   By the time I paid for the shipping to me, the restocking fee and the shipping back to them, I would have wasted $75.00.   So I can only hope the warranty works better than the features.  As a plain old monitor with no touch and no sound, it works fine but ...

One year later, this is really a dodgy product.  It gets lost, it loses connection and the software is dreadful.  I just spent over four hours trying to get it re-set up after it lost connection.   It is frankly a huge waste of time.  I do not recommend it.  This is a NAS (network attached storage) drive.   It is a very good concept, particularly for a small business or a home with multiple users having a variety of devices.   I had some issues getting it to be seen by my computer.   I could not get it recognized plugged into a switch.   I had to plug it into the switch incorporated into my router.   It popped right up then.   Oh, Seagate spring for a brighter light to tell when your drive is working.   It is a pinpoint of light under a black screen that blinks or is solid green, amber and red and darn near impossible to see.   Not a big thing but kind of annoying.   Quick setup was a b...

Rug 1 Price:   $12.83  at Amazon This was a more involved review than some.  I had no carpet spots so  I created some.   I got to carpet scraps of different types and stained them.  One carpet type is similar to a Berber  and has lots of deep kind of holes.  The other type was a smoother, sheared type.   I took blackberry jelly and smeared it on both scraps.   I gave it 30 minutes to set and then I sprayed each carpet scrap.   See rug 1 Rug 2 The stain on the smoother carpet was practically eradicated on the first spraying.  I followed the instructions to not soak but to spray thoroughly.   I then rubbed it and patted it with a scrap of terry cloth and then  wiped it with  a damp terry cloth.   The Berber carpet did not fare as well on the first spray.   See Rug 2 Rug3 Rug Final I used the spray again  and on the smooth carpet ...

Zyrtec is the brand name of this drug.  This is a generic.  I have used a generic Zyrtec for several years with good success.  This drug is effective for general allergy relief.  This specific brand is not as inexpensive as other generics found on Amazon.  However it is available in smaller sizes than some of the other generics so it provides you with a less expensive means of trying the drug to see how effective it is with your specific allergies.  I f reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

  This is a pretty nifty device.  Apropos to nothing, I love the color.  It allows me to find it easily in the morass that is my console box.   It also has the ability to allow me to charge both my tablet and my phone simultaneously.   The automobile manufactures claim to be in touch with modern needs but a single power port and a single usb charging port doesn’t begin to handle the phones, tablets and accessories we all carry.  This company seems to be more in touch with what we need.  This is a handy item and works well. If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

This is an adequate surge suppressor.  I have purchased and used a wealth of Belkin equipment over the years and it has always held up quite well.  The specifications meet most peoples needs.  As far as performance after a week I have noticed nothing amiss nor have I noticed any protection but you usually don't.   I am a bit surprised that there are no outlets on the edge or sideways to allow the ubiquitous oversized power converters from cell phones, etc.   At $17.99 list it isn't going to break the bank but it seems dated in it's design.  It is a good basic surge suppressor and knowing Belkin the warranty is probably going to be upheld if needed.   From the vendor: 750-joule energy rating provides maximum protection of all your sensitive electronic devices 7 surge-protected outlets supply complete, 3-line AC protection Filters EMI/RFI noise up to 43 dB reduction Maximum Spike Current: 102,000A (H-N: 39000A, H-G: 39000A...

I’m not a knife collector.   To me a knife is a tool.   Although it does occur to me that I do have a couple of collectible knives so maybe I am a collector.   Hmm, who knew?   I got the Smith & Wesson CH0016 Bullseye Folding Linerlock last September and it has been a work horse.   It was about a third of the price of this knife and I find it easier to open one handed than this knife.   With that said, this still seems like a nice quality knife.   The double lock feature makes sense for a hard working knife.   I’m quite fond of my fingers.   The deeply textured handle provides a secure grip.   I do find one handed opening on this somewhat problematic.   Perhaps I have a wimpy thumb.    The clip is placed very near the top which allows the knife to be positioned deeper in the pocket.   I like that feature, the S&W knife’s clip allows entirely too much sticking out and thus it tends to catch on things....

Tis the season for leaf clean up.  I was blowing my leaves into piles and then shredding them.   The shredding is the part that really lights my fire due to the 16x1 compression ratio.   I can get the enormous pile of leaves down to four 50 gallon trash cans and I don't need to bag.   I was thinking to myself how amazing my Toro blower was and how long it has given me good service.  Arrgghh!  I should have realized that was the kiss of death as moments later it died.  Dead, gone to the other side, non-functional! After a suitable moment of silence I left is sit for the afternoon in hope that it had overheated or "something".   Well after testing on multiple outlets in the futile hope that it was the extension cord or outlet, I concluded it was truly dead. I researched blowers.  My boys have gas powered ones that they love.  Alas the infernal combustion engine and I have a bad history.  Every time ...

I am more familiar with the bristle block type of K’NEX.    This toy is more Lego like than what I would consider the traditional K’NEX.    The instructions are clear.   The parts are well made.   The little pull back motor seems durable.   I don’t see a problem with a normal five year old assembling this toy.    I can’t see a seven or eight year old being interested in assembly as I suspect they would find it too easy.    It does include a super leaf which I had to Google to see what the heck that is.   It is a power-up item that doesn’t seem to have any function except hype.    List price is $16.99, $14.99 at Amazon and value wise I think $9.99 would be more realistic.   In all fairness though, it is price substantially better than similar Lego kits.    From the vendor: ·   Build Mario? in his Glider Kart from Mario? Kart 7 ·   Pull back motorized action! ...

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  This toy appears to be the updated version of the old battle bots.    If you have seen the Toy Story movie, you will recall them.    This seems like a good idea however the execution is very weak.   The descriptions say there is an instruction sheet, there were NO instruction sheets nor were the visuals on the box much help.   It was easy to figure out where the eight batteries were to be installed.   The robots need to be charged by connecting them to the remote which holds the batteries.   They claim a 20 minute quick charge for 20 minutes of play.    They did charge in 20 minutes.   Play is a different matter.   I am guessing there is a color code that tells you something based on the changing color led that is on each robot.    Since there were no instructions I have no idea what the led color changes mean.   The one robot stopped working and had to be turned off and then back on to get it...

Not being a chain saw aficionado, I will probably offend those of you who use a chain saw daily.    I use a chain saw infrequently.   Normally no more often than twice a year unless we have had stormy weather and if it is really stormy and I lose six trees simultaneously (3 years ago) then I call my tree guy.    I do not use a chain saw on a ladder. If I can’t have two feet on the ground I don’t use it.   Now that I have established my credentials, I like this little saw.    It is very well made.   It is replacing an equally small electric chain saw.    I don’t intend to fell forests with it, but when the occasional tree does come down, this appears that it will be able to handle it.   With that said, I am not planning on cutting down one of my trees to merely test it.    It came with very good instructions, a charger and a battery.    I called the 800 number to verif...

  Tech Armor Samsung Galaxy S4 SIV Premium High Definition (HD) Clear Screen Protectors with Lifetime Replacement Warranty [3-Pack] - Retail Packaging This looks like it will do the trick for screen protection.   After reading the reviews on Gorilla Glass 3, I am pretty sure the screen protector isn’t needed but for $6.95, it’s cheap insurance.   The adhesive was less adhering that I expected.   I thoroughly cleaned the screen as per the instructions but one corner really is resisting its natural role of sticking to the job.    Still it is a 3 pack for $6.95 so it still is a good value and if the corner refuses to stay down, I have two spares.    From the vendor:  High Definition Transparency Film that ensures maximum resolution for your Galaxy S4 TruTouch Sensitivity for a natural feel that provides flawless touch screen accuracy Protects your Samsung AMOLED Display from unwanted scratches Repels dust an...

  This enclosure worked as advertised.   It was easy to install the drive and the instructions were very simple.   I think the documentation could be a little more extensive.   I had to go to the web site support section to find out why there was a USB Y cable.   The Y cable is needed if you find your hard drive is not performing properly on a single USB connection.    The Y cable has one thick and one thin leg.   The thick leg is your traditional data/power USB cable.   The thin leg is for additional power only.    You only need to use it if you find your drive is not behaving properly.    That is a bit more subjective than I prefer but since my drive behaved perfectly, I won’t be worrying about it.   The price of this was $9.99 at Amazon.   The quality is fine and it does just what I expected.   From the vendor: ·   Aluminum Casing Cools Down Your Hard Drive ...