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

Thursday, October 16, 2014

GSI Super Quality Desktop 3-In-1 Rapid Charger/Cradle/Data-Sync Docking Station For Verizon HTC Inc

GSI Super Quality Desktop 3-In-1 Rapid Charger/Cradle/Data-Sync Docking Station For Verizon HTC Incredible S Droid Cell Phone - Plus Slot For Extra Battery Charge - Powered By USB Or By Included AC Wall Adapter"Works Great... The shipping was super fast . Charges both phone and extra battery.But the USB charges the phone only and the AC adapter charges only the Extra Battery . Overall great buy and very happy

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Sunday, October 5, 2014

New model!Dual lens HD 720P Car Cam IR LED G sensor Video Camera Recorder Camcorder DVR

New model!Dual lens HD 720P Car Cam IR LED G sensor Video Camera Recorder Camcorder DVRWithin a couple of minutes, I had this camera installed and ready to use. It powers on when I turn on the car because it's plugged into an ignition-controlled power port, and powers off a few seconds after I shut it off.

The video quality is good and it has a wide field of view. The audio recording is good too.

I have not connected the second camera yet.

There are options to control how long each video segment is before it rolls over to the next. I have it set to 1 minute.

I uploaded an unedited, raw video file, and if my review allows me to post links, it is here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8957547/dashcamdemo.mov

I recommend this camera for anyone looking for an affordable dash cam.

Very easy to setup, mine came already with the English language selected. The video is very clear

Audio is not bad either. I put a 32gb micro SD card in mine. After having it in my car far only a few days , I

Was in a small accident. A car backed up into me, all captured on video. For the price of $70 delivered, I don't

Think you can beat this little unit.... It is about the size of a deck of cards, and sits right behind my rear

View mirror perfectly. I am very impressed.

Buy New model!Dual lens HD 720P Car Cam IR LED G sensor Video Camera Recorder Camcorder DVR Now

This is my first Dash cam. I have had this cam about 1 month. During the daytime it takes excellent video, Able to read road signs and make out license plates. It has a nice wide range. At night the video is not the best, but you can tell what color lights are and even make out a license plate if they are stopped in front of you. Overall at night it is fairly good. I had more issues in those in-between times. when the sun is just rising or setting. Video would come out dark. Granted this was on the "auto" setting for light control. So I still have a few settings to play with. I will say that unless you have your music turned down low it records it.... it sounds like distorted in a box. I did step out of my vehicle and talked with window down, It picked my voice up and was pretty clear, Apparently it just does not like loud noise. I am using this memory card with it, Works great with plenty of room for videos, think I had 256 videos when i checked. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QZH7BU/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_1

Have used the extra camera that comes with it, just to see how it works. Video quality is just a little less than the main camera, but still very viewable. Has a long cord so that should not be a problem for mounting on most cars.

Great little dash cam for the price, that so far has held up to the Louisiana Heat with windows rolled up all day.

I would recommend to anyone wanting a good camera that is on a budget! :)

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I've owned this car cam for a few weeks now, but today was the first time I bothered watching the recorded video. Something is wrong, but I'm not sure what. It appears that the video freezes after 5-seconds of recording, and stays frozen for 14-seconds, then starts recording again for 5-seconds. It continually does this. The audio records consistently despite the video freezing. I think it may be the rear-view camera causing the problem. Maybe the cam can't handle recording both cams at the same time. I can live without the rear-view cam, but the cam freezing is unacceptable. I can't recommend this car cam.

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The device comes in a compact package and the wires are plenty long. The pair of cameras is a great idea, if only they worked.

The front camera has good quality during the day, but at night, it's worthless. You can see headlights and traffic lights, but that's about it. My phone has better night quality than that. Oddly enough, the back camera has lower resolution, but (when it works) it is pretty good at night. You can actually see objects that aren't light sources, like for example you can see people or parked cars on a dimly lit street with the back camera but not the front one.

The back camera doesn't work most of the time. It simply shows up as black or black+white lines. Then it'll randomly start working. Then it'll cut out again. The probability of it working at any given moment is about 50/50. I didn't buy a dashcam to play games... it needs to work.

The best part is that old files don't get erased. I don't have any video of the last 3 days of driving because my 16 GB card filled up and this camera doesn't erase old files. Excellent.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Power Bright PW6000-12 Power Inverter 6000 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC

Power Bright PW6000-12 Power Inverter 6000 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt ACFrom Lowe's (same author) This inverter has so far (about three weeks of use) proven reliable and easy to use. The question is does the average person need a "6000" watt inverter. From what I've learned, it depends mainly on what your appliance starting loads require, not the operating load. If you're going to run a modern refrigerator or microwave oven I've found the 3000 watt starts and runs ok. But I wouldn't recommend it for the big microwave ovens--the 3000 watt unit just can't keep up with the demand. A small airconditioner that has a 1000 watt operating consumption may well require 4000-5000 watts over 5-10 seconds to start its compressor. The 3000 watt inverter has been known to kick off line after only a couple of seconds at 4500 watts and therefore won't start the airconditioner. This 6000 watt inverter does well here with plenty of operating juice to keep stuff running, but puts a real drain on the batteries.

Also worth noting is this 6000 watt inverter seems to maintain more voltage stability--I've run it at around 3000 watts and the its output voltage never dropped below 118 VAC and its frequency remained steady at 59-60 cycles per second.

Botom line is that to-date, I'm very satisfied with the 6000 watt inverter's performance and reliability

First I bought a small inverted thinking it will be enough to power up a big air condition and it failed. Then, I bought this humongous powerful inverter and at first it also failed. Their customer service is GREAT explain the problem. I was connecting the inverter with gauge 4 cables and it was powering up most stuff, but when it came to the 10,000 BTU air condition it failed. Then, they told me to change does weak gauge 4 cables and get gauge 0. After, that it was a beauty. This is hooked up with 2 106AH marine battery for now which I am going to put 10 in total. They are being charge by solar panels for now I only have 360 watts with gauge 4 wires, later I will put for 1000 watts of solar panels.

Quick update, the A/C actually sucks about 4,600 watts for a good 10 seconds before it drops down to regular watt at 890 watts. Sense this thing actually is 6,000 watts and 12,000 peak there is no problem. With does 2 106AH marine battery it last just over 1 hour at night and 1h20min at night.

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I Have a mobile dog grooming business and i didn't wanna put a generator because of the noise,smoke,space etc. so i found out about the power inverter PW6000 and knowing that it will cost a lot will all that you need to buy in order to make it work properly + an electrician,mechanic,etc. i took the chance and so far so good,nice and quiet,clean...green :)

The customer service rocks!!!! always there for your questions and always always the perfect solution.

Read Best Reviews of Power Bright PW6000-12 Power Inverter 6000 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC Here

The inverter was exactly what I needed and it works very wells.. Has enough power to handle every thing we have plugged in to it, fridge, microwave, coffee pot and still has plenty of power, but is very heavy.. weighs 35 pounds..next time I will request different boxes for shipping.. The remote was damaged when the inverter moved around inside the box, smashed to into several pieces, but I called and it was taken care of immediately.. So I am a very happy customer.

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I have purchased this unit to be used if the grid goes down and not as my primary power source. It is larger than what I actually need but the price so reasonable I wanted a system that could easily take care of my needs. I have an ample battery bank so my peace of mind is in control.

It will run most everything in my home and for a short time I did run a small window A/C. The exception is that my older food freezer will not run with this so I also purchased a small 1kw pure sine wave inverter for use of my freezer.

Occasionally I run my system for an all day trial but mostly it is sitting there in case I need it. Power here went off a couple times and it was so nice going into my basement and throwing a switch and everything worked again. I built some of my own solar panels as a winter project for a retired widower. I am a prime member of Amazon and the time I ordered this was on Friday and was surprised to have it delivered by FedEx the following day. I have shopped around and there are many prices but I am happy with this unit price wise and operationally.

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Monday, August 11, 2014

iShoppingdeals - Lot 10 Accessories Bundle Combo for Creative Zen Vision M 30GB

iShoppingdeals - Lot 10 Accessories Bundle Combo for Creative Zen Vision M 30GB
  • This Bundle Includes 10 Items (Non OEM): USB Car Charger, USB Travel Charger, USB Data Cable, 3.5mm Audio Cable, Black Speaker, Headphone, Black Soft Skin, Clear Crystal Case, Screen Protector, Fishbone Keychain
  • USB Car charger: 12-24V, USB Wall charger: 100-240V, 2.0 USB cable is great for charging or to transfer data
  • Power this speaker with USB power cord (included) or go cordless with 4 x AAA batteries (not included)
  • Soft silicone skin case is extremely durable and provides a soft comfortable grip
  • Compatible with Creative Zen Vision M 30GB ONLY (MP3 Player Not Included)

This has got to be the nicest accessory I have ever seen for the Creative Zen Vision: M. Unfortunately, not a lot of good aftermarket goodies were made for this awesome device. I received the kit as a Christmas gift from my wife, and boy was I pleasantly surprised! This kit will allow you to get much more functionality out of your Zen. The best part is the folding speaker/docking station. It works like a charm and holds the Zen uprightperfect for viewing movies. The speakers fold completely shut to protect the speaker cones from damage in transit. When open, they display well thanks to the nice shiny cones. The sound is clear and plenty loud enough when used indoors. Outside, you would want bigger speakers, naturally. My kit had black speakers, but white ones are available as well. There is a super bright blue LED power light on top that accents it well, and helps you to find the volume knob and power switch at night. It can be run off of (4) AA batteries or from AC with the handy cord. The cord is perfectly designed with a USB that plugs into the separate 110v wall adapter or the 12v car adapter (both included). This allows you to run the speakers from a computer, the wall outlet, or your car cigarette lighter. The kit also comes with a docking cable that plugs into the bottom of the Zen that has a USB on the other end. That means you can charge the Zen from either of those 3 options. This is huge, considering the Zen didn't even come with a wall charger from the factory; just a USB dock/charger cord. (That AC cord alone set me back another $25 from Creativethis whole kit was less than that!). I tried a couple cheap universal USB to AC wall chargers over the years and none worked. The ones in this kit however, work flawlessly. Note: the docking plug had two small buttons on the sides. Make sure to push them in before detaching the cable from the Zen.

The kit comes with two cases: one is a hard clear plastic case, and the other is a soft black rubber skin. The skin was super easy to put on and off, and worked well. You could see the backlight of the keys through the rubber around the center button, which remains exposed. It also gives you a couple more mounting options with the speakers, as the skin allows the speakers to grab and hold the Zen, without using the sliding removable shelf piece. You can then turn the shelf backwards for more stability. The hard case I would caution you against using, unless your Zen is to live in it forever. I snapped it on and the snaps were so tight, it would not come back off! It took two people and two screwdrivers to get it back off, and it was a miracle I didn't scratch the Zen in the process. Throw this thing away. I imagine you could make it work better by sanding the tabs down a bit if you really wanted to, but why bother? Both cases have built-in belt loops and openings top and bottom for cables/cords.

Other goodies in the kit include a male-to-male speaker adapter cable, two peel-off screen protectors, one pair of earbud speakers, and a cool rubber key chain. All in all, I couldn't find one bad thing about this kit other than the clear hardcase. Everyone with a Zen should have one of these kits! I plan on getting another folding speaker and cord just to have as a spare, as they are only about 3 bucks right now!! You can afford to have one in every room for that kind of dough!

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Hitachi WR18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench

Hitachi WR18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact WrenchI install garage doors, and my impact wrench is my number one weapon. I have owned a 14.4 Milwaukee, 14.4 DeWalt, 18v DeWalt, and now this one. I had to send the Milwaukee back numerous times because of it's poor build quality. I have had motors die on the DeWalt due to its poor cooling design. There are small plastic fins in the motor which move air and keep the motor cool, and they have broken of on every DeWalt impact I have owned. I have been using the Hitachi for more than 4 months without a problem. I look actually look forward to using it. The battery stays secured to the drill, even after a four five foot fall. I laughed at the little light it comes with at first, but it has come in handy in dark garages. The torque is strong enough to pull the lug nuts of a wheel hub, and the battery life is stellar. One battery will get me through multiple double sized garage door installs. The DeWalt would kill at least too full batteries in only one install. It's safe to say that one Hitachi lithium-ion batter = 3+ DeWalt NiCads.

Another reviewer has mentioned a bad smell from the motor. All my impacts, drills, saws, and other power tools have gave off burning odor during the break-in of the tool. This is normal.

One other component of the impact which I enjoy is the pin. Unlike the DeWalt, the pin is designed to keep the socket secure when the pin of the impact is in line with the hole of the socket. The socket WILL come off of the impact with a little force unlike the DeWalt. With the DeWalt, the pin had to be compressed with a nail or screw in order to remove the socket.

To sum this review up... Buy the Hitachi.

Whoa....size does matter! Small, compact, lightweight size in this instance. If you want a cordless impact wrench...you've gotta try this baby! I can hardly believe the power it has for such a small tool! I work at a wrecking yard driving fork lift, and pull and park an average of 30-40 vehicles a day. I have had my Hitachi impact for almost a year now and I use it 5 days a week to remove wheels from many of these cars and trucks among other tasks. Then I bring it home on weekends in case I have any tasks at home that I might want use it for....it's a tool I just don't like to be without in case I have a wrenching job! I am a mechanical guy and work on cars, appliances, and about anything else that I can fix myself.

I have owned several impact wrenches. I've had a few cheap ones that I won't bother to talk about. Previous to my Hitachi, I had a Goodyear Racing impact wrench. I liked it and it did a good job, but it was heavy, clumsy, and pretty much designed just for using on lug nuts. The batteries also didn't last a long time on a charge and deteriorated a little each time they were recharged requiring replacement after about 6 months. Finally, my charger went belly up as it fried my last battery, so, I went shopping for a new impact wrench as I really need to have a cordless impact on my job.

First I bought a Makita impact wrench thinking that would be the answer. It was lithium-ion, so that solved the battery problem to a great degree, but what a monster. Again, big and heavy and clumsy, and I don't think it was as powerful as my Goodyear Racing impact gun....I quickly returned this puppy.

Then I tried the Hitachi WR18DL....and let me tell you.....this baby smokes! Very light and small and easy to handle but has lots of power and 2 speed settings and was about the same price as the Makita. It is super fast for removing or installing bolts and nuts of all kinds and sizes. It won't do like 1 ton trucks and once in a while at work I will get a lug nut that is so tight that it won't break it loose and I have to break the nut with a fourway by hand. That said, she goes thru 95% of the lug nuts and anything else I have tried without breakin' a sweat.

This little Hitachi impact makes every job that involves wrenching fast and easy and a pleasure to do. As another reviewer said, and I concur, "I actually look forward to using this tool". I have two 3.0 amp hour batteries that I use and they do a great job and last a long time on a charge.

In conclusion....yeah....you can buy a more powerful impact (just double the price and weight), but when you consider size....weight....power and price combined....I don't think you can beat this little impact wrench with anything else on the market! Just a note, if you're shopping for an impact wrench, make sure its an impact wrench your looking at and not an impact driver.....totally different tools.

I am a satisified customer of this impact from Hitachi and was happy to do a review of this tool.

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I am a Hitachi fan converted over from Makita. I use this Hitachi WR18DL 18-volt Cordless Impact Wrench to change flat tires on my 2 construction trailers. This Hitachi takes the drudgery out of changing flat tires.

Now I am also using it instead of my air impact wrench around my shop, etc. etc. NO AIR HOSES NEEDED.

Read Best Reviews of Hitachi WR18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench Here

Got the WR18DL today and it promptly took a lug nut that was torqued to 80ft/lb off my Maxima in about 5 seconds. I plan on keeping this lightweight bulldog in my trunk at all times for just that purpose.

One thing about Hitachi Li-Ion tools that gets overlooked is their battery technology. All Li-Ion batteries are not alike! Hitachi uses the same nano-phosphate formula that DeWalt uses. This technology allows the cycle-life of these batteries to be tripled over the standard manganese (Milwaukee and pretty much everyone else uses this) to 1000-1500 cycles. Manganese Li-Ion only lasts 300-500 cycles same as NiCd and NiMH. You will need new batteries a lot less often with Hitachi and DeWalt as a result.

I really wish that Ryobi would adapt their One+ impact driver to a wrench because I have their 18V Li-Ion battery, but they didn't yet. Since Ryobi uses manganese Li-Ion, this is no great hardship. Hitachi sells many bare tools that can use these batteries, so while it's not as versatile as the One+ system, it's the next best thing with better batteries!

If you're taking big rig tires off, go for the Snap-On CT4850, but anything shy of that can be done at half the price and half the weight by the WR18DL (again) with better batteries!

Lovin' it.

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Don't let the size of this tool trick you. This fanstastic little powerhouse removes the wheel lugs on my trailer and SUVs rapidly. The specs say it's only 1950in-pounds, or 162ft-pounds. It seems to have this plus some. For seriously stubborn tasks, a large and heavy electric may be necessary or a pneumatic impact for the ultimate torque, but for 98% of what I do messing with my Jeeps and lawn tractor blade changing etc, this is a super convenient, small, lightweight powerhouse... (and I don't have to move my compressor, or run super long air lines to my work.)

I shopped for a long time before buying this. There are heavier impacts... Ingersol Rand makes a great cordless with Lithium batteries at 350 ft-pounds. It's $400 w/ two batteries. The Dewalt cordless impact has 300 ft-pounds at $299, but it continues to use the outdated Nicad batteries..in the heat where I live, these fail rapidly and you spend a fortune replacing them every year. I looked at more powerful plug-ins, all above the $150 range have great torque (like the Dewalt:340 ft-pounds at $179), but you'll have to run that power cord to your task. And, most of these tools are HEAVY.

My plan is to use this lightweight powerhouse for most of my chores, and when I need super torque, either hit the task with a 24 inch breaker bar, or breakdown and get a corded electric. If your wheel lugs are not seriously coroded and neglected, this tool seems to have the muscle to take them off. It's so small, it's almost fun to see this tool remove the lugs so easily!

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Power Bright PW3500-12 Power Inverter 3500 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC

Power Bright PW3500-12 Power Inverter 3500 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt ACI use this inverter for powering power tools on construction jobs. It has taken the place of an 1800 watt gas generator. Wish I made the switch years ago. This inverter easily powers large 1/2" electric drills and most any other power tools without any problem at all. Setup quick connects, also available on Amazon, to my truck battery. All the other contractors are also amazed. Never again will I use a heavy smelly generator. The unit is lightweight, easily moved to different trucks with quick connects (non included). Its a little bulky and may not readily fit in a standard pickup truck conveniently. However with the quick connects comming through the grill it can just be placed on the ground and used just like you would a portable generator, although it isn't weather proof so it would have to be protected from rain. Possibly behind the front seat. Mine is mounted in between the front seats of a Ford E-250 work van. Fits nicely there and is also used to charge all the cordless tool batteries. If all you needed was to charge cordless batteries a much smaller unit would be fine. But this 3500 will power anything you can plug into it.

I use this in my Ford transit to power a microwave,coffee maker and toaster. This is great. I was even able to run the microwave and coffee maker at the same time. The only issue is the installation. I had to run a 0 gauge cable from my battery to the back of the truck.

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I am a business owner who builds custom wooden crates and skids on site for the moving and shipping industry. Bought this hoping to eliminate the need for a loud exhaust puffing generator that can be hard to start in winter to power saws drills and air compressors in a small van that does smaller jobs throughout the city of Chicago. Plan was to hook it up to the existing battery in van and run all equipment while the vehicle idles.

I must say it generates the power needed to power a 3/4 horsepower air compressor and a 13 amp miter saw individually. When they operate simultaneously it does struggle a little, but still does manage to keep everything running. This isn't that big of a deal for me as normally only one person is working out of this truck at a time. I was worried about it draining the battery of my vehicle but the safety shut off at 10 volts solves that problem. I did, later on, equip my truck with a deep cycling marine battery. Now for most jobs I don't even have to idle van to continually charge the battery.

In my application This is better than an invert-er generator because it is 6x cheaper for same wattage, quieter, and takes up less space in back of truck.

Only thing is that a chart or reference of some type, to guide the purchaser, on the size of cables to use would have been handy. It took me a few hours of research to figure out the safe AWG of cable to use. I used 15 ft of 3/0 cable and it seems to be working fine.

I eventually will equip my other small van with an invert-er also but I may go up in size to a 5000W unit.

Read Best Reviews of Power Bright PW3500-12 Power Inverter 3500 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC Here

Simple & consistent operation, very well built. A great product at this price point and better than the other models tried previously.

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This was my second Power Bright PW3500 that I purchased, the first one quit after five years one day it worked then next time nothing. This next new one right out of the box the remote did not work but this was not essential just a nusance, to replace one from Bermuda would cost more than it's worth. The inverters work very well though and can provide good power on a number of projects as we use trucks in sales displays with all kinds of lights and sound playing for promoting soft drinks out in the field also we have power supply for music and lights for trucks in parades around the Island, all told I would get another one if this one lasts over five years.

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Monday, July 21, 2014

GoPro HD Surf Hero

GoPro HD Surf HeroThis is close to being a perfect example of a wearable/mountable POV camera. But unfortunately, close isn't quite good enough.

The pros:

Video is awesome, in all of the modes.

Stills are very good quality, the timelapse feature is fantastic.

It's waterproof.

The mounting options are (almost) limitless.

The cons:

It's awkward to set up. Menu is like something from 20 years ago.

Firmware issues have yet to be addressed by the manufacturer. This is inexcusable as the camera has been available for sale for nearly a year.

Audio is useless. They could have saved weight and cost by just not including a mic. The only instance where it even sort of works is when mounted right near a loudish sound you want to highlight, such as an engine.

There are too many instances where "Macgyvering" is required to get the desired result. The quick release mount rattles so you need to tape the base plate, the non waterproof back allows too much wind noise, so you need to tape over the openings, the shutter button rattles, so you need to tape over that. Moral of the story: BUY TAPE.

The support by the manufacturer is not quite adequate. I realize it's a small start up company, but for all the issues with the use of the camera and the handling/editing of the files, they really need to release some conclusive videos or articles to address these concerns.

People who might find this camera useful:

Auto racing enthusiasts

Mountain Bikers

Sailors

Hobbyist videographers looking for those unique shots

People who will likely be disappointed and frustrated by this camera:

Pretty much anyone who thinks they'll be using it as a camcorder.

People who aren't really tech savvy and/or have an older computer

People who don't like to tinker and engineer solutions to make it do what they want.

******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE*******

As of September 7, 2010, Gopro released the new firm ware for the camera. It seems to have fixed most of the bugs/issues. It also provides the option for upside down mounting.

I have used this camera a couple of times since receiving it for Christmas. I have used both the strap mount for my vented bicycle helmet as well as the permanent stick on mount for my dual sport motorcycle helmet. In both cases, the mounts work as well as the camera. I still have the previous generation GoPro HERO in standard definition, but not in the wide field of view lens configuration like the current HD version. I like the wide field of view of this HD model. It is great at giving a very good view of both the trail as will as your handlebar movements while riding both my mountain bike or motorcycle. The quality of the video is fantastic. The files do get large, but that is to be expected with the high resolution of this camera. I have been using a 16GB SDHC card and have filed up about half of it on one battery charge. I would recommend a high speed card reader to improve the download times from the card. A 12 min video was nearly a gigabyte. The battery last I think longer than the previous standard definition camera which ran on AAA batteries. I think that I will buy an additional battery someday for long rides with lots of action.

The only reason I have not given it a full 5 stars is the difficulty in reading the small status screen with all the various modes it has. The same issue I have with the standard definition HERO. The icons that tell you if you are in burst, still, timed, or video mode are very small across the top of the display. The numbers to tell you the number of pictures or videos taken are much larger. It is just difficult if you have the camera mounted on top of your helmet and you try and look in the mirror on your bike to see if the camera is on and what mode it is. You have to use the select button on the front to both turn the camera on and select the right mode. The shutter button is on top and is easy to operator even with gloves. It is not difficult to read the display if you are holding the camera in front of you, but much more difficult when mounted on top of your helmet. You can unclip the camera from the mount, but that can be difficult when it is on top of your helmet.

I am looking forward to the expansion port options being available, like the LCD screen to view the videos in the field. I am also thinking of investing in the chest strap mount so I can get different view over the handle bars as will as making it easier to see the small status display. Other than the small icons telling you which mode, this is a very nice camera that takes very high quality action videos. It is very small and light and easy to use when you have it in the right mode. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone wanting action videos of their bicycling, motorcycle, or skiing activities.

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I bought this HD camera to replace a VholdR Wearable Camcorder (Black) which didn't survive getting run over by my SUV. The Hero is a well constructed camera, very solid feeling with quality construction.

Pros: The camera has four modes video (in several resolutions), still pictures, self-timer still pictures, and interval photos (pictures every few seconds). The lens gives a tremendously wide wild view which is nice for HD's 9:16. It will shoot 1080p, 960p 720p (at 30 and 60 frames per second), and 480 (at 60 frames per second) line resolutions. It uses standard SDHC memory cards and has an internal battery which recharges via a USB cable. The recorded audio is very good both inside and outside of the motor sports waterproof case that came with my kit. Video is relatively good, not as vivid as a dedicated camcorder but the resolution is good. My kit came with a variety of mounts and a suction cup mount for windows and car body use. The waterproof case comes with two backs, one that is watertight and one that is not for better audio when waterproof use isn't required. The kit comes with connectors for connecting the camera up to an HDTV monitor (component video) or a TV monitor (composite video). A neat feature in the menu is that you can flip both the video and still photos so you can shoot with the camera upside down without a problem.

Cons: The quick release mounts have a bit of wiggle to them. The back of the waterproof case can be difficult to lock closed. The menu system is a bit troublesome to use as there are only two buttons and three LCD characters to use. Once set you'll not have to go into the menu very often.

Future: There's a connector on the rear that GoPro plans on using for an external battery or a monitor. Neither are available at the time of this review but they are being worked on.

In use on the trail the mounts worked very well. I used the suction cup primarily to mount the camera to my windshield, bumper, side body panel, and side window. Across rugged rocky trails the camera held firm and the video came out very well. The simple interface was easy enough to use. One button to turn the camera on and select the mode and another to stop and start the recording.

Read Best Reviews of GoPro HD Surf Hero Here

the good...

Great package. Plenty of accessories for customized mounting. nice small and simple design. strong housing, yet clasp can be broken easily if not properly aligned and forced to close. Amazing picture quality. setup menu a little dated.

the bad...

Was bought for its waterproof qualities in preparation for a Fiji trip. HOWEVER, contrary to what GoPro touts, it is not great for underwater. The reason is the housing curvature over the lense curvature combined with water defraction creates blurry images. this is only found in the GoPro FAQs. very misleading. do an internet search on this. had to buy a special housing with flat lense from eyeofmine.com at $80. Now picture quality underwater is the same as above water. this is where my two stars came from.

If you want it for underwater and don't mind buying a new housing for $80, then I recommend, if not, don't buy.

If you are using this not for its waterproof qualities, then I recommend.

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I am extremely happy with this camera. I use it on my GSXR-1000 in the twisty roads for great action HD video as well as mount it to my radio controlled sailplane for great HD video of the flying area. The picture quality is astounding and shake free. The video is eye watering on a plasma TV or wide screen projector during playback.

The kit is very complete with a large assortment of mounts. I'm surprised that there are so many mounts and that they don't try to charge extra for them in an "additional" kit. Supposedly the camera is waterproof to 180 feet and comes in a waterproof primary case (that can be removed).

Overall, I don't know how they can deliver so much product for so little cost, I am completely happy....get your own :)

UPDATE 09/05/2010

I am having an issue that appears to be fairly common with other GoPro HD users. When you finish a video and hit the shutter button to stop recording, the video gets corrupted due to some issue with the camera, the SD card, or a file allocation issue with the firmware. I am using a high quality Class 4 SD card and know it works fine with other hardware. I am seriously unhappy that after a weekend of great video, the SD card is corrupted after multiple reformats and everything else in the book. I understand a firmware is in progress but has been so for a long long time. I recommend this camera AFTER they get the issues fixed.

UPDATE 09/06/10

Instead of updating the 09/05/10 report, I have found somewhat of a solution. I found that you must format the SDHC card with the GoPro HD(which I was doing) BUT pay attention to the red status light by the lens when the format is complete. If after the format the red light does NOT blink red three times then the format was successful and the videos won't get corrupted. In my case, every time I formatted the 32GB SDHC, I got three red blinking lights at the end of the format. The camera acted like the card was OK by displaying OOO for the video but it would corrupt 100% of the time. So, in my case, the 32GB SDHC was faulty. Pay attention to the status lights, this information was not in the manual that I could find.

ANOTHER UPDATE :( 10/18/2010

The same problems resurfaced. I would go out and take awesome videos, the camera acted like everything worked well. i plug in the camera to the computer via USB and it says "You must reformat the card" I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA until GoPro fixes this issue that appears quite common (researching the issue on the internet), extremely frustrating... YMMV (Your mileage may vary)

UPDATE 11/1/2010

GoPro finally sent me a replacement camera and it works fine, I think there is a significant number of defective cameras in the system but they will work with you and eventually send you another one.

UPDATE 2/14/11

I thought that the new GoProHD camera sent to me to replace the original defective one was working. It did for about a month. Once again, it started corrupting videos and costing me lots of grief. Imagine if you climbed Mt. McKinley and got to the top, take your "hero" pictures, go all the way down, and discover that your camera screwed up, that is the kind of frustration I'm talking about. The camera hosed me on too many shots like that to put up with anymore. I'm probably going to take this thing to the shooting range and blow it to pieces. Buyer beware.

++++ ANOTHER UPDATE 5/25/11

LESSONS LEARNED: I did update the GoProHD to the latest firmware (v01.01.54) I also tried yet another SD card. Perhaps the combination of new firmware and the Patriot 16GB Class 6 SDHC did the trick. I learned that this camera is extremely picky about SD cards. If you're are having trouble with your video getting corrupted, update the firmware and try another SD card. Once you get the right card, the corruption issues should stop. I have been using the camera a lot for two weeks since the new firmware and Patriot 16GB SD card and have had no issues. I changed my star rating from a one to a three.

Monday, July 7, 2014

MPPT Tracer2210RN Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V INPUT 20A

MPPT Tracer2210RN Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V INPUT 20AI have several different charge controllers. I rate this tops because it has features I like. One, is the ability use thicker wires. It's working well with my two hundred watt panels. For the price, I am very pleased with the performance.

Seems to be a very efficient controller. With 520 watts of PV, It is charging my 240AH at 24VDC battery banks very quickly. I am running my air conditioner off my system, and so far, this controller does not disappoint. I wish I would have picked up the 30A unit, but this seems to work just fine.

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Easy to install Has multiple settings for various battery types Indicator for battery strength programmable load switch if you want to run a 12V 20A system off the battery after charging hours. Pretty much does it's job without complaining. Quick delivery with no fuss.

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no problems hooking this up to our RV so that we can keep our battery topped off. Seems to be working well.

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I did not yet have the time to install this inverter in my small system. However, I opened the inverter to check its internal construction. This is a very solid piece of electronic equipment with a well thought out design. The inductor coil is really large and wound with a really heavy copper wire which means that this is a true MPPT inverter. Overall, an excellent value for a surprisingly low price.

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Friday, June 20, 2014

Sunforce 7 Amp Charge Controller

Sunforce 7 Amp Charge ControllerBad:

Really cheap quality. Included instructions don't provide enough information. Website is just as un-informative. Cheap connector wires (low current), and is not equipped with screw-on terminal junctions.

Good: Product works as advertised. Amazinlgly "regulates" the voltage to the required amount so as not to overcharge the battery. Beware though, in order to test the actual output voltage, you must apply a load on the battery end of the controller BEFORE. Failing this, the output can register volts as high as 20 volts !!! Apparently applying an actual load causes the controller to output the correct voltage range lucky me, cause I bought 4 units ! The LEDS alternately flickers (fast for good voltage input and slow for low to no voltage on solar panel). The manual did NOT state the order of LED flashes.

(1) Fast LED flashes good voltage/current

(2) Slow LED flashes low/no voltage/current

(3) steady Green fully charged

(4) steady amber possible no load OR really low voltage/current

I recommend you go out and buy 'em. The are a really good deal and does the job at the best price ! I use them in Jamaica, to provide my appliances with power during power outages (very frequent here). Used with solar panels and DC to AC inverter, of course. Considered using a generator, but too many accidents here with generators, too noisy, too bulky, and during hurricane aftermath, fuel is a problem. Solar is freely available, so it was the BEST option all round.

Hope this helps all readers !

This unit is simply an electronic switch, it is either on or off. The problem with that is that when it is on the full force of a high current is applied to the battery and if the battery is almost charged the battery voltage quickly rises to the cut-off voltage (14.2v). When current is cut off the battery voltage quickly falls to the turn on voltage (13.1v), and the unit turns the current on again. This can happen several times a minute when the current is high and the battery is almost charged. Also, in operating this way, the battery never gets fully charged, which requires a small constant current.

I strongly recommend that anyone considering this unit spend another $10 and buy the vastly superior HQRP 10Amp controller or something similar which controls the amount of current, rather than just switching current on or off.

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Two wires to the battery and two wires to the solar panel. It doesn't get much simplier than that. Worked flawlessly out of the box. Yellow LED indicates charging while green LED indicates the battery is charged.

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I have this unit connect to two automotive 12V batteries with three 15W panels connect to it. So far the charger works as advertised by preventing battery drain when the sun goes down and charging while the panels are producing at least 13 volts. It is pretty much an install and forget item. Additionally I have those same two batteries tied into one of my trucks 12V power points so that the batteries charge when the vehicle is running by way of the alternator. Even with this double charging set up, the charge controller appears unphased and shows a charge light in the daytime and has on two occasions indicated a fully charged green light.

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As a few others have posted, in here, the quality control on this Chinese unit is poor. The wiring on my unit was reversed. Once I set things right, the unit worked correctly for about four months before complete failure. My battery died in the bargain, due to the unit failure that allowed my battery to drain completely with no load on it except this unit and the solar panel. I'll try one more and then update this review. Update: I just ordered: KINTREX SPC0601 Solar Charge Controller 7Amp, 100 Watt,... At just $10, on this site, it's a far better deal and has an extra indicator light for low charge condition. The connectors should mate up perfectly if the pictures are accurate. As far as the reversed wiring goes, in all electrical applications with connectors, an exposed contact is normally the ground, coming from a power source. The hot side is recessed and/or shielded to keep you from grabbing it and then a grounded object or contact, which would result in a shock. This scheme is reversed, obviously, in the non-powered side of the circuit, ie., the thing you're sending the power to that mates with the connection just described. When I called Sunforce's rep, in Canada, and spoke with him, he denied knowledge of any other incidents of reversed wiring. That's really curious, as others have posted about the reversals, as I mentioned, above. UPDATE: 4/2011The Kintrex unit works flawlessly. You are well-advised to go with it and leave the reviewed unit, as above, alone. It costs much more and is inferior.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G Mobile Smartphone (Tangle Free) Retractable Car Charger Adapter

T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G Mobile Smartphone Retractable Car Charger AdapterThis is a Micro USB charger and it WILL NOT WORK FOR THE HTC AMAZE. I'm returning mine immediately. I didn't even get it out of the box.

This type of charger is NOT compatible with the HTC Amaze. The HTC Amaze requires an ExtMicro USB port. This product is the standard charger that MOST HTC use, but NOT THE AMAZE!!! After contacting the seller about this problem, he literally ARGUED with me telling me it will work just try it.. The port is a completely different shape.. I kept trying to explain that to him but instead he told me to just trash it and he will give me my refund. All I was trying to do was EXCHANGE the charger for the one I need.

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The HTC Amaze uses a Micro USB Ext connection that is backwards compatible with Micro USB. The shortfall is the Micro USB will take much longer to charge the phone and will not charge the battery more than 50% if it falls below 50%. I use the OEM charge at home overnight and a standard Micro USB charger at work and in the car with no real issues...yet. Owned for 3 weeks.

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Great product, just what I needed. I got here fast and worked as advertised for a fraction of the price. I am going to order one for my wife.

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the usb is the wrong plug. its a micro usb. this doesnt fit in the htc amaze from any provider.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Powerful External Remote Amplified GPS Antenna Receiver for Garmin Nuvi

Powerful External Remote Amplified GPS Antenna Receiver for Garmin Nuvi
  • 1. External Active Antenna for GPS
  • 2. Allows more flexible antenna placement for better reception
  • 3. Magnetic base and water resistent

Update December 2010:

DO NOT leave this plugged into the GPS for extended periods when not being used.

It consumes a small amount of power, and will flatten the GPS's internal battery within a few days. There was an even worse problem in one of my cars which was not used for several weeks. It left the car battery TOTALLY flat when it and the GPS were left plugged-in to an un-switched 12v outlet (even though the GPS was switched off).

I still rate this item as ***** (5 stars) now that I know how to easily avoid a flat car battery. Just unplug it!!! All 5 antennae I have bought are still working fine (as is my now-ancient Nuvi 350).

Update December 2009:

I continue to be impressed and bought 2 more to give as gifts. AND No! I have no personal interest in the company (unfortunately). Improves speed of signal acquisition in my Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic especially noticeable when the GPS has not been been used for many days. Again, thoroughly recommended.

----------

Update April9 2009:

I was so pleased with this item that I bought 2 more so that they are permanently installed on my cars.

----------

I came across this item while browsing Amazon for reviews on new GPS. I needed to replace my 30 month old Nuvi 350 which was non-functioning displaying the dreaded "Cannot Acquire Satellites" error message. The 2 reviews on this antenna both stated that its use had resolved this issue. Further investigation confirmed similar results with other comparable antennae.

I had returned a Nuvi 750 because its performance was inferior to the 350. Seeing that the cost of both the antenna and shipping was minimal I decided that I did not have much to lose by ordering one.

When it arrived, I connected it to my 350 and dumped them both on the passenger seat. My hopes were high but my expectations were low.

In a very short time I noticed that my old 350 (previously destined for the garbage) was now fully functional. Further investigation revealed that signal strength is far higher that it had previously been. Signal acquisition is also very much quicker.

The antenna itself measures 1-3/4" x 1-3/8 x 9/16", has a 10' 1/8" diam. cord and has a powerful magnet for easy routing and exterior attachment. Since I am getting such good signal strength, I shall probably place it permanently above the dash where it will attract less unwelcome interest.

My other pleasant surprise was that it had arrived in Maine (from Texas) 3 days after placing my order.

When I finally replace my Nuvi 350, it (and this antenna) will continue to be used in our second car. My new GPS (maybe 765?) will be ordered along with a second antenna hopefully from the same seller (if not Amazon.com itself).

One caveat:

The antenna's plug could be improved. It is tiny and difficult (very hard on finger nails) to remove. I plan to attach a more substantial grip (maybe a 1/2" diameter plastic disc or similar shape) using epoxy glue to eliminate this minor problem.

This is not enough of a problem to reduce my 5-star rating.

FYI:

The Nuvi has a direct connection for an antenna rather than through its quick-disconnect mount (a design upgrade would be a major improvement!!!) therefore this item must be unplugged whenever removing the GPS.

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This antenna performs as advertised. My Garmin Nuvi GPS was suffering increasingly intermittent connections with satellites. Eventually, it would only rarely locate my car, and several times I had to resort to my phone's GPS to get where I was going. Apparently, from browsing the web, this is a fairly common problem for Garmin units.

I was procrastinating before spending hundreds of dollars on yet another GPS, when I spotted a claim of this solution on a random web page, and then found it on Amazon and saw favorable reviews.

It still might take up to 30 seconds to locate the car when starting, but then the connection is rock solid. At about $20, it is a tiny fraction of the cost of a new GPS unit. The cable is longer than necessary, about 6 feet rather than the necessary 1 or 2 feet, but the antenna itself is compact. It makes putting the unit out of sight slightly more cumbersome, with the extra wire emanating from the GPS, a minor hassle.

[a few days later after looking at the extra cable for a while, I wrapped it around, out the door, and used the magnet under the antenna to stick it on my car roof the extra cable is actually a good thing.]

Instructions were minimal. The user simply plugs the cable into the little connection on the GPS antenna flap that lifts up from the back of the unit.

It worked for me, thanks Amazon and its diligent and accurate reviewers.

Read Best Reviews of Powerful External Remote Amplified GPS Antenna Receiver for Garmin Nuvi Here

Our Nuvi 660 would no longer acquire satellites. After attaching this external antenna, it now works again. Does not come with any manual or setup recommendations.

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I bought the antenna to fix my reception problem with Garmin 350. The signal reception has been restored and looks like works even better than original Garmin chip that broke.

So, if you need cheap fix for Garmin I recommend to try this before spending money on new device.

Disadvantage in my case the cable is too long

As many reviews have suggested, I also had a Garmin Nuvi 660 that had been slowly getting worse and worse reception until it finally would get no signal at all. I had it for over 3 years and traveled extensively with it, so figured it was just the end of the road. I read something about trying this product and figured it was worth a shot for the price. This completely fixed the problem, and in fact, never have any issues with the unit trying to find satellites. The only drawback is that for traveling purposes, having to takes this along is a bit of a headache. (I'm talking about on planes and using rental cars.) As I have stopped traveling and can just keep it in one car, then it is not really an issue.

Overall, very pleased. It saved me from having to buy a new GPS.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Insten CELL PHONE CAR CHARGER FOR MOTOROLA RAZOR RAZR V3

Insten CELL PHONE CAR CHARGER FOR MOTOROLA RAZOR RAZR V3The product did exactly as promised and at a great price! Saved me from having to get a new phone sooner than i wanted to!

My husbands charger that he has had for almost 5 years quit working. I am glad I found this replacement. It works great.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

OREI USBORT 2A/5V 10W Dual USB Ultra Fast Car Charger for iPhone, Samsung, Android Smartphones and

OREI USBORT 2A/5V 10W Dual USB Ultra Fast Car Charger for iPhone, Samsung, Android Smartphones and more
  • Dual Port High Output Design - 1 Amp USB charging port for your Smartphone or iPhone & 2.1 Amp USB charging port for your Tablet or iPad or additional phone . Max output 2.1A
  • Over Current, Over Charge Protection: Charger switches to a trickle charge once connected device's battery is full
  • Input:12-24V 1000mA; Output: DC 5V 2A or 5V 1A (Share 2A when both ports in use)
  • Dual Port Design, one 2 Ampere Max. port for iPad/Tablet/GPS and one 1 Ampere max. port for Mobile phones. (Share 2A when both ports in use)
  • iPad, iPad2, iPad 3, New iPad charger, iPhone, iPhone 2, iPhone 3, iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 5 charger, iPod charger, Cigarette Lighter charger, 12v charger, iPod touch charger

We recently brought this very cool car charger on vacation (two parents, three kids) and we used it several times during our journey. Since my family now owns a seemingly endless supply of electronics: two iPhones, one iPad, an iPod Touch and three Kindles – there's almost always a device in need of a charge. Bottom line: This OREI device works great! Simply insert the charger into your cigarette lighter and/or your 12-volt DC power outlets and use the exact same USB cables that came with your iPad/iPhones/Kindles and you're quickly charged and back up and running. We took full advantage of the dual port which allowed us to charge two of our devices at the same time. Our new motto: Don't leave home without it!

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Friday, February 21, 2014

12V 9AH SLA Battery CP1290 6-DW-9 HR9-12 PS-1290F2 Replaces 12V 7ah or 12V 8ah

12V 9AH SLA Battery CP1290 6-DW-9 HR9-12 PS-1290F2 Replaces 12V 7ah or 12V 8ahVery attentive company, answered my questions thoroughly and quickly. This battery has been in service in my Geek Squad UPS for about a month now. It has performed flawlessly. No idea how long it will last but it revived my UPS for a very reasonable price. Great company and good product. I will buy more as needed from Chrome Batteries!

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries

Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA BatteriesI have purchased, used and tested every lightweight solar charging device on the market that I could find. The Goal0 nomad 7 and Guide 10 set is the only one that works sufficiently that I can be completely off the grid with my backpacking devices and have no need for extra batteries. See below for solar panels tested. I have been testing portable solar panels for several years now, and the Goal 0 products are the best.

The Nomad 7 is the only solar panel that has the capability to charge an adequate battery pack, my headlamp AAA's, AND my smartphone/GPS all in the same day in full sunlight. It is the only panel that has reserve capacity to charge my devices in less than full sun (shady/cloudy). No other panel has the output of the Nomad 7. Its closest competitor is the Brunton panel. The Brunton weighs 20% more and is rated to output 30% less than the Nomad 7 (Brunton = 5 watts, Nomad 7 = 7 watts). In my testing the lower output was verified. The off-axis performance of the Nomad 7 is superior. It maintains full output to a greater angle of sun than any other panel I have tested. The Nomad 7 is the only panel, in my knowledge, that uses the more efficient mono-crystalline panels. It does seem to give it an edge in real-world usage. As far as flexibility, that characteristic has nothing to do with panel efficiency. Another of the well-thought out features of the Nomad 7 is the connection options. The Xpal SP-2000 and the Solio both rely on many different tips to connect to different devices. The Nomad 7 has three great options built in: 6.5 volt fast charge for the Guide 10 charger, 5 V USB connector, and a port that the included 12V female car lighter adapter plugs into. Every portable device has the option of an inexpensive car power adapter, and the Nomad 7 nicely offers that ability.

The Guide 10 charger works to its rated specifications, unlike most of the other solar devices I have used. It charges AA and AAA batteries. It charges them faster with the Nomad 7 than any other solar panel/charger combination that I have tested. The Goal 0 batteries that ship with the Guide 10 are the best of their type I have tested. They are low-discharge, like the Eneloops, but much better. The Eneloops are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge only to about 1900 mAh capacity. The Goal 0 are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge to 2200 mAh. The guide 10 has some very well thought out features, including the LED flashlight, the function switch and the built-in hanging loop. These touches all demonstrate that the designers are users, and thought well about how these devices would be used.

All is not perfect, though. The Guide 10 does have an overheating problem, but only in very strong sunlight and under certain conditions. This is a known issue that is being fixed as I write this. This brings me to one of my most important experiences; customer service. Goal 0 has the best customer service by far than any other of the solar panel manufacturers I have tested in this group. Immediate phone contact, responsiveness to questions and warranty service are far and away some of the best I have experienced.

Following is a list of the solar panels I have tested, and short comparison comments on each.

1. Powerfilm USB + AA: This one has a great form factor, is flexible and very durable, and is the lightest weight and most compact of all the solar chargers. Its fatal flaw is that it simply does not put out enough power to be practical in extended backpacking. It does not fully charge the AA batteries when it indicates a full charge, and is not nearly as flexible as the Nomad 7 for connection. The unit was replaced on warranty, but the replacement performed exactly the same. I tested a total of four of these, and all performed the same. Customer service was good, after spending weeks trying to get their attention, and this happened several times.

2. Solio Classic: This one has a nice form factor, but the unit simply does not charge its internal battery nor a connected device at all adequately. Just in case, I had it replaced on warranty and the replacement performed exactly the same.

3. Xpal Power SP-2000: Same as the Solio. Internal battery rated at 2000 mAh, only charges to about 1100-1300. Not enough power overall to be practical. Very good customer service.

4. Brunton Explorer: A good panel, but not enough overall power. Weighs 20% more than the Nomad 7, output is 30% less.

I was very skeptical about purchasing this solar charger after reading the reviews.

I was going to take it on a 14 day back country hunting trip and needed some was to charge my android phone as I use it as a camera, GPS and alarm clock. I took this item in the mountains and on a nice sunny 60 degree day I hung it up on a small pine tree and occasionally adjusted it to be at the best angle to the sun and it charged my phone in just a little over 2 hours. I also charged my dads phone and the battery pack from Goal0 as well.

I love this solar charger and feel strongly enough about it I decided to write a review as I was extremely skeptical..

Great product!!

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There was a bad run of the power packs that would heat up and melt. GoalZero has corrected the problem months ago and sent out new power packs that are labeled "GUIDE 10 PLUS" in the indention below where it says GoalZero. The old defective power packs just say "GoalZero" with nothing in the endintion. The word !PULS! tells you that you have the re engineered power pack. Amazon's stock of GoalZero products are the old defective power pack that will heat up and melt. I ordered one on January 20, 2012 and got the bad power pack. After talking with customer service, it is evident that the old stock will be shipped until it is exhausted. They were very helpful in refunding my money without requiring the product be returned. Make your purchase from Amazon THROUGH one of the other sellers listed on the right. I contacted Blue Kangaroos and they are aware of the problem and HAVE the new power pack ready for shipment.

Update 2/3/2012:I have both the old and the new power packs now and have additional information. I was told by GoalZero Tech Support that some of the old power packs, the ones that DO NOT have the word "Plus" on the label, were modified before shipping and will not heat up. The only way to know if yours has been modified is the pry the end cap off of the Power pack. The end cap that covers the plugs and LED. Just take a small screw driver, put it in the grove and twist, it will come off. Behind the LED there are three large resistors [the large gray round things with color bands on them]. If none of the color bands are BLACK, this power pack has been modified and WILL NOT heat up. I have verified this. Mine has no black bands and does not heat up. GoalZero will still send you a new power pack and batteries if you request it. There is a slight functional difference between the Old and New power packs. The "Old" will charge devices through the USB port at about a 300ma higher rate than the New "Plus" power pack and will charge the batteries a little faster. This is because the old Power Packs have the Data+ and Datalines connected together which tells most devices to accept charging at a higher rate.

Read Best Reviews of Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries Here

I ordered the Goal 7 Nomad along with the Guide 10 Power pack so that I could use it while in Africa. I was experiencing problems immediately during the first use. Followed instructions that came with it and it would only charge my IPOD for a few minutes then it would shut off and stop charging. This was all being tested while I was in the Arizona sun 100 degree weather similar to what it would have been like in Africa. Contacted Goal0 Customer Service and spoke to Meggan who said she could get it all sorted out before I left for Africa. Emailed her back and did not get a response. I was in Africa for about a month when I returned and emailed Meggan again and stated that I had contacted her before and I was still experiencing the same problems. She then filled out a work order for me to send it in to be tested at my expense. This was in November that I shipped it out and then got it back a month later and it was the same exact one I had sent in. No explanation what so ever was attached to the returned item. I contact Meggan AGAIN and she said that it was tested and nothing was wrong with it. Even after going through all this hassle, it still does not work. I would not recommend using Goal0 at all. The customer service is terrible. In the mean time, I did buy myself a Solio Mono and it worked PERFECTLY right from the start and still works to this day.

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for full specs

Best solar charging system that I have found. I work in the outdoor industry and have always been frustrated with the options for charging electronics when on extended trips. Goal0 has provided the solution. Check out all their elite series.

Guide 10 kit:

Pros:

Fast charging of AA or AAA batteries with the included charger or directly charge USB or DC devices from the Nomad panel.

Charging unit can be used to charge USB devices when not plugged into the panel

Charging unit has a LED flashlight built in

Very durable

Charging unit can be charged from USB, AA, AAA, or Panel

Cons: panels are not flexible (flexible panels are not as efficient)

Summary: the best system to charge AA, AAA, USB, or small DC electronics in the field.

Bonus: Excellent customer service and other products.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Naztech Energy Holster for Apple iPhone 4 - Holster - Retail Packaging - Black

Naztech Energy Holster for Apple iPhone 4 - Holster - Retail Packaging - BlackI had a Naztech holster for my Iphone 3G and was very happy to see Naztech had brought out a battery holster for the Iphone 4. The Iphone 4 doesn't depend on the battery backup as much as the 3G did, but it's still useful if you're making a lot of use of the phone. And Naztech fixed this holster so you can access the camera with the phone installed in the holster.

All in all, this is the best holster on the market for the Iphone 4!

I went through three of these and the clip broke off each time. It looks like a good product but they used extremely cheap material in the most sensitive part.

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I always keep this attached to my phone, not just for the charge when needed, but for the feel it gives of having something to hold on to when talking. iPhones are so thin this helps with that. Also, it's always handy when clipped on my pocket instead of in the bottom of my purse!

Read Best Reviews of Naztech Energy Holster for Apple iPhone 4 - Holster - Retail Packaging - Black Here

Doesn't stat on for charging will say on phone that assecory not supported and turn off have to disconnect and reconnect to start charge again. Quit using.

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Really like the rubberized feeling of this holster. Love that it charges the phone and it does a great job of it. Was excited to get it so quickly and will update if I have any problems.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

Blackberry micro USB Vehicle Car Charger for Blackberry Torch 9800

Blackberry micro USB Vehicle Car Charger for Blackberry Torch 9800
  • Blackberry OEM micro USB Vehicle Car Charger (ASY-18083-001) for Blackberry Torch 9800.
  • Safely charge your phone using the original authentic product.
  • Plugs into vehicle power adaptor.
  • Constant current and voltage for rapid and consistent charge.
  • micro USB compatible.

I paid big bucks for this charger because the item description says it is a Blackberry brand charger. IT IS NOT. If I wanted a generic charger I could've bought one off of ebay for 5 cents.

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The description states it is by Blackberry..IT IS NOT!!!..it's a generic

I ordered it becasue it said by Blackberry

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This phone charger is excellent. I really like the way it is made, does not get in the way of the gearshift. Works very well.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Energizer 84023 200-Watt Power Inverter

Energizer 84023  200-Watt Power InverterThis is a great unit for the car or camping where all you need is laptop or a few lights and you don't want to kill the battery .Unit will shut down by it self and leave you enough left in the car battery to start the car in most cases .I used this unit in Hawaii for two years now and I camp all the time .I give it Two thumbs up . great unit .+ it has usb port for any thing else you need to plug in .

Gave it 4 out of 5 only because it was not fully assembled on arrival. The 2 small nuts and bolts that retain the fuse holder were rolling around loose inside the case. Lucky they were both inside and by removing the end cap on the unit I was able to complete the assembly. Very happy with the way it works now.It's very quiet and cool running. It powers a 90watt laptop adapter and a GPS nonstop 10 to 16 hours at a stretch. Also with my old inverter my laptop battery would get very warm to the touch. Not so with this one battery stays cool and charged. F.Y.I. ran a #12 wire with inline 15 amp fuse from my battery to the power socket in the dash on my truck trying to help my old inverter function better so I continued to use the socket plug on this new one instead of hard wiring it to the battery.

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seems like a good inverter, but the cord disconnected from the plug, directly out of the package. I had to re-solder the wire and connection. It is just too much of a hassle to send back, i discarded the packaging thinking it would work.

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Saturday, January 25, 2014

Coby CA81BLK Dual USB Power Adapter/Charger for MP3 Players (Black)

Coby CA81BLK Dual USB Power Adapter/Charger for MP3 PlayersI bought this Coby charger because the two "Coby 4 GB Video MP3 Player with FM Radio (Blue)" I recently bought for my son and myself did not come with one. I find it easier to charge items with the house electricity instead of the computer. That it can charge both of our mp3 players at the same time is nifty, too.

We've only had the charger a few days, but it does not get warm when it is plugged in. That was a relief to me because I had, at one time in the past, another brand's USB wall charger that would get extremely hot, which I'm assuming was not a safe thing to be happening.

The plug prongs fold down when unplugged, and that is nice if ever I need to travel with it, or lay it in a drawer.

UPDATE: 05/13/2012 -I've now had this product over a year. It is used several times a week and is working great, still.

UPDATE: 04/23/2013 -I've had this charger for about 2 years now, and it is still working great. Because some friends with Kindle Fires have asked me this, I'd like to add, that while you can use this charger to charge your Kindle Fires, please remember that this product's output is 5V, 1A; -it will be a slow charge, and maybe take longer than you were hoping for. If you are wanting to buy a charger exclusively for the Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD, look for one with AT LEAST an output of 5V, 1.8A, such as the Amazon Kindle PowerFast Charger for Accelerated Charging

This thing is awesome. Don't waste your money buying the over price single slot usb chargers from apple. This charger will handle anything you throw at it except for the odd voltage that is required to charge a PS3 controller. This will not work to charge Play Station 3 controllers! Most usb chargers won't.

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I have a phone and a Nook that charge off of USB and the two wall warts they came with were taking up too much space on my power strip. I might even get another one of these for my kitchen to charge my camera and another phone!

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This seemed like such a clever little doo-dad, and I was so happy to have it in my home here in Los Angeles. It must've liked being here too, because it decided to adopt the laid-back Southern California lifestyle and stop working entirely. Doesn't charge a thing, not through any cable nor plugged into any socket. Pity, too, as it's small and handy.

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Tried to use as charger and it kept saying "Low Powered USB--Unable to Charge". Ordered for a trip and ended up purchasing another type elsewhere. Amazon issued a refund without hesitation. That's why I buy from Amazon, they stand behind their customers. Thanks Amazon!

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