Showing posts with label nimh battery charger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nimh battery charger. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2014

ACDelco ARI2023 Li-ion 18-volt 1/2-Inch Super Torque Impact Wrench KIT

ACDelco ARI2023 Li-ion 18-volt 1/2-Inch  Super Torque Impact Wrench KITI used this to remove tire lug nuts, auto repairs, boat retrofitting, and even use it out it's design specification as a cement mixer. As of current, I don't have enough power on all my cordless drill to finish this task-normal drill works fine on lighter sheetrock joint compound but cement, its a different ball game. I just used a 1/2 socket to fit my heavy duty sheet rocker mixer tool from Menard and make life easy on cement mixing in a bucket. I would recommend this to any one. Electrical engineer by trade, 25 yrs of auto mechanic experience, nice tool for remote location. I have not use my air line anymore since this does the job.

Was giving it a try and found out that it delivered power as described.

WIth the price, it is the lowest on the market for its category.

Comes with 2 batt. which is perfect; it never runs out of power with 2 batt. swapping back and forth.

Definitely would recommend to any one.

Buy ACDelco ARI2023 Li-ion 18-volt 1/2-Inch Super Torque Impact Wrench KIT Now

I would recommend this product to others, It perfoms very well,very powerful for it's size,shipping and desciption was all correct

Read Best Reviews of ACDelco ARI2023 Li-ion 18-volt 1/2-Inch Super Torque Impact Wrench KIT Here

Friday, October 10, 2014

12V 19AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery

12V 19AH Sealed Lead Acid BatteryI bought this for my Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400 Jump-Starter. It fits and now I can put use the jump starter again. Delivery was also fast, I got it the 3rd business day which was great and free shipping is never wrong.

Great price great battery not much to be said really Its worked for one year so far.. didn't know I could rate things... (yes I didn't know and the battery still works awesome)

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I bought this battery as a replacement for the battery inside the VEC1029POB Rechargeable Power Center which is an AC/DC power supply with built-in AM/FM/NOAA Radio. This battery is the perfect replacement.

Read Best Reviews of 12V 19AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery Here

The item arrived as described by the shipper and works very well. I recommend this retailer hands down. The battery actually works better than the OEM battery I originally purchased.

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Battery failed on my 5 year old jump-starter. A replacement would have been over $100 dollars. for less than half and 10 minutes of work, I'm back in business. I got in in less than a week. Thanks for your quick service and an exact-fit replacement.

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

PRO IPX4 Waterproof Tough Case Motorcycle Bike Handlebar Mount Galaxy S3 GT-i9300

PRO IPX4 Waterproof Tough Case Motorcycle Bike Handlebar Mount Galaxy S3 GT-i9300This mount sticks like glue on mountain bike bars and dirtbike bars. It can pivot any which way you want and keeps the cell phone secured. It's a durable mount!!

I ordered this product along with two other products in the US all at the same time. This product, which was coming from the UK, showed up before the other items even shipped. It only took a few days which was way ahead of schedule. The product is great. My phone fits in there great, and the touch screen works through this product. I love it.

Buy PRO IPX4 Waterproof Tough Case Motorcycle Bike Handlebar Mount Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 Now

Unmounted case from four wheeler and the mount snaped in half and you can't hit the lock button so this case sucks and don't waste your money by this case

Read Best Reviews of PRO IPX4 Waterproof Tough Case Motorcycle Bike Handlebar Mount Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 Here

No standard adapters fit this case not even the headphone adapter. I have had this mounted on my motorcycle for over 2 months and have yet to be able to use it.

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Overall this product works pretty good. The hole for the power cord did not work since the plug sticks out of the case. I had to make a minor modification for the plug and it works fine now. The case tends to move with the vibration of the motorcycle it is mounted on.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

2nd Generation Audio FM Transmitter and Car Vehicle Charger for the HTC EVO 4G - Uses Gomadic TipEx

2nd Generation Audio FM Transmitter and Car Vehicle Charger for the HTC EVO 4G - Uses Gomadic TipExchange Technology
  • Transmitters emit a powerful FM signal that is the maximum allowed by FCC regulation. Advanced signal isolation provides crystal clear sound quality.
  • Smart technology circuit architecture provides precision voltage and resistor regulation specific to the HTC EVO 4G. Protects the internal battery longevity by modulating the charge in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Full FM frequency spectrum is available and is user selectable in 0.1MHz increments from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz. Advanced Digital PLL sound coding maintains stable and high quality sound.
  • Sophisticated power protection mechanisms keep your EVO 4G safe from power surges, overcharging and short-circuiting.
  • Product is designed to last and is backed by our Gomadic Lifetime Warranty. Buy with confidence!

This is a return review. I have used this charger/fm transmitter for my htc evo for five months. It served its purpose for the five months. however, it is not working and not charging now, i just wanted to mention that to users

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i got this product because it doesn't take batteries. it works just fine. there is one problem. if the device and my stereo are on i can here a low ticking noise. not noticeable with music on though.

Read Best Reviews of 2nd Generation Audio FM Transmitter and Car Vehicle Charger for the HTC EVO 4G - Uses Gomadic TipEx Here

I have had this product for some time now and it still works as expected. No complains so far. I would recommend.

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it's been a year since I had this and it still works well and still love it, also got 1 for my wife and she loves hers

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Exactly what I was looking for. My truck doesn't have a MP3 jack to listen to my music on my phone. Love this product!

Monday, July 14, 2014

OEM Car Kit Vehicle Plug in Adapter + Original Home Wall AC Travel Charger + USB 2.0 Data Sync Conn

OEM Car Kit Vehicle Plug in Adapter + Original Home Wall AC Travel Charger + USB 2.0 Data Sync Connect Transfer Charge Cable for T-Mobile LG G2x - T-Mobile LG Optimus T - US Cellular LG 220C Cell Phone - Premium Combo PackThanks for this great kit--got everything I need to get going with my new LG840g smart phone! The price was excellent, service fast and products all work--car charger and connector to computer didn't come with the phone I bought on Amazon.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Instapark 10 Watts Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all ot

Instapark 10 Watts Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all other USB Compatible Devices, 5,200 mAh Battery Pack Included
  • 10 Watts high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar panel with foldable design offers excellent portability, ideal for emergency preparedness, backpacking, camping and other outdoor activities
  • Built-in dual USB charging ports for directly plugging in iPhone, iPad and other USB compatible mobile devices
  • Detachable high-capacity 5,200 mAh rechargeable lithium battery pack with two USB charging ports for easy & convenient power storage, compatible with iPhone, iPad and other USB equipped portable devices.
  • Measures only 9 X 6 X 2 inches and weighs less than 1 lb
  • 1-year manufacturer's warranty

I had been looking around on Amazon for portable solar panels for charging my devices. Many of them on here only supply 5 watts which is not nearly enough to charge an iPad. While looking for a 10 watt charger, the Mercury 10 fold out panel popped up in my search and was on Prime (fast delivery). While I haven't put this portable solar charging system through the full motions with all of my devices, I have tested it against the device I wanted it to charge, the iPad 3. I put the panel out at 11:15AM and plugged my iPad 3 in. The iPad did it's familiar little chime to let you know it's charging and it works fabulously. This is one of a very few portable solar chargers I've found on Amazon capable of generating 10 watts of power. 10 watts is required if you are looking to charge the iPad.

The package comes shipped with the fold out charging panel, a micro USB to standard A USB (flat type) connector cable and includes an Instapark® MP1800U2 5,200 mAh External Battery Pack & Charger with Dual USB ports. The included cable is very short (8 inches or so). So, you'll want to get something longer to carry around with you. For charging the iPad, you will also need to get an iPad USB charging cable to carry with you as it does not come with one. I personally like the Retract Ipod USB 2.0 Sync cable in black. The Mercury 10 solar panel has a two USB ports nestled inside of a small pouch (can charge 2 devices at once, although haven't tried this) on the back side of one panel which is big enough to hold the battery and a few cables to help recharge your devices. The ReTrak cables are the perfect size for carrying around in this pouch.

Note that there are loops all around the panel so you can hang it up on a wall, from a nail or a tree branch to get the best sun placement.

There is only one downside to this panel, if you can call it a downside. The glues they used to put it all together makes it stink badly. However, if you're outdoors using it, you probably won't even smell it. It will also probably air out in time. Indoors, you will notice the smell if it's sitting near you. That said, it seems reasonably well constructed and definitely works to charge devices.

While I have also charged the 5,200 mAH battery from grid power, I haven't fully tested the battery out, but it claims to recharge the iPad 25% in 1 hour and phones up to 75% in 1 hour. I am still holding out full judgement of this device until such a time that I can test it out fully. The fact that the panel will charge the iPad leaves me nearly certain that it will charge nearly all of my devices properly. Note that the panel only has USB connectors. So, if you want to charge non-USB type devices, you will have to find a way to convert USB to that other format. Also, I don't know how fast it charges a device so I'll still have to test this. If you're looking for a solar panel to charge the iPad, though, this one will definitely do it.

Note that because the panel does what I needed it to do, I'm rating it 5 stars. However, I may change the review later after I've put the device through more usage scenarios and I am better able to determine charging speed and abilities under various conditions. I will say this, though, the panel will not charge 10 watt devices using ambient light from indoor lighting. The panel definitely needs sunlight. For times without sunlight, this is where you would use the included battery's stored energy, so be sure to charge it up.

Buy Instapark 10 Watts Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all ot Now

I purchased this setup prior to going camping and seeing phish for the weekend. As with all camping your cell phone never lasts, especially the iphone. This comes in a very nice package which is about the size of a a notebook. It folds out into the 3 panels, but also has a pocket that holds the connections to the USB connections.

I was able to put this out in the sun, and hide the phones under some shade. I went from a dead iphone to 80% in 6 hours. I will say that the first 50% charged way faster and it slowed down after it was at 50%. I was also charging a Friends blackberry with the other port.

Once everything was charged, I put it in the car with the windows cracked and put the batter in for a charge. When I got back at night and my phone was near death, I was able to pull the battery and charge the iphone from the aux batter that was charging while I was away.

This was really simple to setup. I highly recommend.

Read Best Reviews of Instapark 10 Watts Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all ot Here

I took this thing camping, with the intention of trying it out before deploying back to Afghanistan. This little guy is a beast. With the included battery we able to play music on the iphone all weekend long without any issues. We could even throw a second iphone on there to charge when people needed it. I expected more of a trickle charge, while this thing will charge an iphone 74% in 1 hour. It won't charge like a wall outlet, but I never expected it too. I am very impressed with this item, and have already ordered a second one for my Fiance.

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Update March 17th 2013: I contacted Instapark more than a month ago. No reply whatsoever. I've updated the rating accordingly. I can't recommend them.

This won't show up as an but it is. My wife ordered it through Amazon for me for Christmas. The Mercury 10 solar panel was bought with a MP1800U2 powerpack as a unit. That's why I mention both the panel and powerpacks in this review.

=== Executive Summary ===

Do no buy Instapark powerpacks. The solar panel seems fine but the powerpack originally ordered was dead on arrival, and the replacement powerpack that Instapark sent failed about five weeks after I got it. Also, the powerpacks sold by Instapark are not designed to take full advantage of the solar panel. However, customer service has so far been great.

=== QA Issues ===

My wife ordered the Mercury 10 with MP1800U2 pack for me. The MP1800U2 pack never worked. I plugged into a stable power source (i.e. AC) and left it to charge overnight but it would not power anything once unplugged. Whenever plugged in the charging light would flicker from orange to blue real fast. It looked like the logic was fried. I contacted Instapark for a replacement. It took a little bit of work to get the person at the other end to understand my problem but they eventually sent me a replacement. And I should say that once they understood what the problem was exactly, they did not fuss about it. What they sent was a whole new solar panel and a PPD600 power pack. They did not provide for return shipment of the old stuff but neither did they ask me to return anything. So I've got two solar panels. Great! (Note that this is taken into account in my final rating.)

The PPD600 powerpack worked fine at first but it is now completely dead. The issue is with the AC input. The AC jack fell from its hole and is now floating into the casing of the pack. It was a gradual failure, with the jack becoming progressively looser over time and the chances of a good connection getting lower over time. At first there was no problem making a connection, then the connection would happen maybe 70% of the time, then 50%, and now no connection is possible because the jack is too far in. My logs suggest that the failure began on Jan 19th, which was about two weeks after I got the replacement unit. On that day I logged an unexplained drop is performance. Sky condition and exposure were perfect. The only thing which explains that drop in performance is that the jack started failing then and that for at least part of the day there was no connection between the solar panel and the powerpack.

=== Poor design ===

The Mercury 10 solar panel can output 2A. However the MP1800U2 and the PPD600 (both made by Instapark) are rated to accept only 1A for charging. (Actually, the MP1800U2 is rated for a little less than that.) So to fully charge a depleted pack it takes twice as long as it *could* take if the pack were designed to take the full output of the Mercury 10.

I will also note that neither units are designed to be user-servicable. I'm sure I could fix the jack issue myself but I'd literally have to crack the casing open to do that.

=== Conclusion ===

If I were in shopping for a solar panel + powerpack solution today, I might look at Instapark's panels but I'd stay away from their powerpacks. The score I'm giving is based *primarily* on the fact that the whole package of solar panel + powerpack is defective.

I'm going to contact Instapark to try to get a replacement PPD600. Review to be updated in light of the results I get.

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This thing works exactly the way that the product description says it does. There are 3 solar panels and in sunlight they generate 10 watts of power which are delivered to a set of USB connectors in a pouch on the side of it. There are lots of nice loops for hanging it from hooks and clever ways that it can stand angled in the sun so it gets full frontal sunlight.

I bought this as emergency equipment after the massive power outages in New York and New Jersey. I figured that if I experienced a power outage, keeping my wireless devices charged would be a high priority. And it does that. I didn't time how long it took to charge my iPad, but it was about the same speed as using the iPad's own wall charger.

My brother is a backpacker, and he evaluated it as a piece of backpacking equipment. It's too heavy and too bulky for him. The solar charger unit itself is 9 inches x 6.5 inches x 0.5 inches except that it has a lump near one end (containing its electronics) that makes the unit be 1.25 inches thick at that point. It weighs 17.25 ounces.

The separable battery weighs 5 ounces. The device works fine without the battery and the battery works fine without the device. The purpose of the battery is to store sunlight while there is some, so that you can later charge your phone in the dark. The battery is the same thickness as the electronics lump, so that if you tuck it in to the pouch on the side of the device, its overall thickness is 1.25 inches. That combination, which is how it will be stored while it is waiting to be used, is an irregular shape that is too thick in places. There should have been a way to design the shape of the electronics lump and the battery so that it could fold up into a thinner shape that was more regular.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Instapark® Mars20S Portable & Rechargeable Emergency / Survival Solar Power Generator with Built-i

Instapark® Mars20S Portable & Rechargeable Emergency / Survival Solar Power Generator with Built-in 145Wh Lithium Battery, 150-watt Inverter & Triple Outputs, 110V/AC, 12V/DC & Dual 5V/DC USB, IP65 Water-proofI purchased this primarily to power a small 12 volt cooler, And I wasn't to sure exactly what to expect quality wise. It is very solidly constructed, and feels like it could take a descent amount of abuse. And it performed pretty closely to how they described it. It ran the little cooler for a little over an hour. It also ran a 6 inch fan for about five hours and charged my cell phone an iPod touch form almost dead on one charge. The two negative things I can say about it is 1) I can't seem to get it to charge to 100% (only 97%), and 2) there is no compartment to store the chargers. Otherwise, it's pretty useful and very well constructed.

I'm using this unit as the core power supply for a portable sound system. The build quality is excellent, and it easily sustains 1-2 amps of 12V power all day and night. The multitude of power input and output connections are very convenient, and I honestly feel more comfortable living in an earthquake zone knowing I have this self-contained unit sitting alongside the distilled water and snack bars in case of infrastructure failure.

My only complaint is the apparent amperage regulation on the 12V outputs. For my sound system application I'm using a low-wattage amp that peaks at ~3 amps of draw, and yet still browns out on loud music segments. This won't be an issue for normal charging or emergency use, but if you're looking for an outdoor entertainment, ham radio, or other occasionally high-amp drawing application, consider using a separate solar panel and deep-cycle battery.

Buy Instapark® Mars20S Portable & Rechargeable Emergency / Survival Solar Power Generator with Built-i Now

It seems to be best suited to small electronic items like cell phones, laptops, etc. It would be great for recharging communications equipment in remote environments. It charges at a good rate by 120v input. The outputs, AC 110v, DC 12v with cigarette lighter type plug and standard 12v plug, and 2 5v with USB type outputs. For my use, I can confirm the specs supplied with the product as far as length of use with various wattage loads to be accurate. It's best to use with devices that require no more than 100 watts and ideal for very low wattage devices. It would take some time to recharge with the built-in solar panels, but in a good environment, you could use it to at least slow the overall depletion of the charge. If you are using it for cell phone charging alone, you could probably get more than a couple of weeks use on a single charge.

The company was also very good to me with their communication and willingness to assist me.

Read Best Reviews of Instapark® Mars20S Portable & Rechargeable Emergency / Survival Solar Power Generator with Built-i Here



*********UPDATE (6/13/2013) New video uploaded with the help of my sons ( I wanted them to have fun and be natural, no script, just what they were comfortable doing.)Thus far I have just observed the charging. Unit was delivered at 69% and on Monday (5/27/2013) I was able to complete the charge (display reads 100%) solely by direct sun in Ridge, New York in about 3 hours given the clear sunny day of a southern exposure. In Brooklyn, I seemed to get 1% in 6 minutes. More to come including video. My hope is that these can have applications for electric cars like Tesla.

*********UPDATE (6/1/2013) VIDEO UPLOAD

Yeah I wanted them to have fun and be natural, no script, just what they were comfortable doing. Where "Power Invaders!" came from I know not. 

The second video will be edited this week and my 12 and 7 year old sons assist me with a review where we illustrate a surge protector linked to the Mars 20S to charge some AA rechargeable batteries as well as the USB ports charging a cellular phone.

Also note that the unit can be charged while in use.

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Saturday, April 12, 2014

Xantrex Power Inverter - 1000 Watt, Model# XM 1000

Xantrex Power Inverter - 1000 Watt, Model# XM 1000I own three 1000w inverters and chose not to purchase this model after researching it. I'll explain why and give altnernate choices with similar features and better compatibility. I hope this helps you to make the right decision using my experiences.

The models I own and use daily are my oldest in the fleet from xantrex (prosine 1000) Xantrex Technologies Prosine 1000 Prosine 1,000 to 1,500-Watt Power Inverter, their newer, true sine lower cost model the prowatt SW1000 Prowatt SW1000 1000W True Sinewave Inverter and the most recent low cost true sine 1000W that can't do 1000W from sunforce Sunforce 11240 1000-Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Remote Control. I've used these extensively in remote power operation of tools and equipment where no AC was available in service vehicles.

This model from Xantrex is atypical in that it produces "modified sine wave" power instead of "true sine wave power" like most of thier inverters. The end result to you is that some devices don't mind modified sine wave power, while others can be destroyed by it. Typically modified sine wave power is alot cheaper to produce than true sine wave power, but items with coils like florescent ballasts, transformers, even the big heavy wall transformers will overheat quickly between an hour and 3 hours. Motors run hot and prolonged use will burn them out, but in an RV say a coffee grinder is only run for a few seconds and doesn't suffer any damage from the modified sine wave. Other sensitive devices are clocks which see the sudden voltage change instead of the smooth voltage change of a sine wave as being a zero crossing, so they count the extra 2 steps in making the waveform as seconds and run 2, 3, or even 6 times faster than normal depending on the clock and inverter. Audio devices powered by 110V like clock radios, ipod adapters with speakers, stereos, all lack filtering for the odd harmonics of 60hz such as 180 hz, 300 hz, 420 hz, and on up. When run from modified sine waves these sound like alot of low frequency hum is comming out.

You can research "modified sine wave" on google to further pursue it's good points and bad points, but for this review just know it's NOT the same as what comes from your house outlet or a generator.

Also understand that any inverter of this size requires 1/2 1.5 Amps just idle. In the Xantrex pro-sine series they installed a powersave function that when not being used (i.e. all 117VAC stuff is off) the inverter checks every 2 seconds to see if anything was switched on, and if so it stays running until the load is switched off. This helps to maximize your runtime on battery and the prosine units can be ordered with the automatic cutover feature offered in this inverter. The sunforce unit has another cute trick a keyfob transmitter that turns the inverter on/off manually.

The good news about these inverters is that its an optimal switching point for an RV. It can take input power from an RV park or generator and when that is lost because the cord is pulled or the genset runs out of fuel, the inverter kicks in automatically and takes the load. This is a major plus for RV use where power may come from many sources or none at all sometimes.

When producing power from battery I recommend investing in the optima D31M blue top deep cycle battery or 2 in parallel so as to maximize runtime Optima Batteries 8052-161 D31M BlueTop Dual Purpose Battery. These can be drained without damage to the battery while a normal battery may only tolerate total discharge a dozen times in its life before fallout from plate damage collects at the bottom and shorts out 1 cell ruining the battery. I recommend 2 batteries in parallel to share the load because if you approach 1000 watts out, you will see currents in the 105-115 A continuous range from the battery. By putting 2 in parallel connected with heavy (#4) wire you can cut this to 50-60A per battery making them run longer, in fact more than twice as long due to the lower discharge rate. You can also tie into the engine's alternator to source power if it is running but use a battery isolator Warn Industries 28022 120-Amp Dual Battery Isolator to ensure your inverter doesn't leave you without the ability to start the engine by draining power from the engine battery.

In summary I chose all of my inverters to output true sinewave power just like you get at work or home. "Modified sine wave" power can be used for simple loads but read up on it with google prior to choosing it to wire into your RV. You don't want to smell your ipod adapter melting after an hour's use on the inverter or find that setting the microwave for 10 minutes gets done in just 3 because the clock runs fast on modified sine wave power. Also keep in mind 100+ amp current needs #4 wire or better depending on the distance. Preferably keep the 2 batteries and inverter all next to each other so the runs are < 3 feet of wire. If you feel that you want genuine sinewave power in your RV check out the options to the prosine series. They make this exact design in TRUE sinewave power like you get from the utility company including a power save function and with a cutover feature just like this unit has. The only difference is your power will be as good or better than what comes from your outlet at home.

I purchased this inverter to be part of the replacement system for my 15 year old Trace modified sine wave inverter charger. The new system consists of this inverter, a 600 watt Prowatt inverter and a 20 amp Xantrex True Charge 2 charger. I chose this brand because of the outstanding performance of my original Trace inverter/charger. I chose to go with a component system this time so that I could replace indiviual pieces in the event of failure. I have lived off grid for 15 years and my solar/wind system ties into my trailer's original wiring. This inverter runs my compact refridgerator and kitchen/laundry outlets with no problem; the Prowatt inverter runs all my electronics and variable speed motors; it even powers a piece of medical equipmentProwatt SW600 600 Watt True Sinewave Inverter. The best feature of this inverter is the bypass circuit (ATS) that allows me to run big loads (pump, washing machine, microwave)directly off the generator whenever it's running which saves a lot of wear and tear on my batteries. The battery cable connections are easily reached and the included boots are great since this inverter is mounted in an exposed location. The front panel readout is another nice detailchoose between input and load so I can see exactly how much my appliances are pulling. I have a VERY small battery bank (one 12v L-16 type battery) and so far these two inverters combined do not pull enough current idling to see an apreciable difference between this and the old inverter which went into a "rest" state when no load was applied.

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The inverter was a replacement for my RV. It was exactly what I needed and works perfectly. Also it was at the best price I could find on the internet and arrived sooner than expected.

Read Best Reviews of Xantrex Power Inverter - 1000 Watt, Model# XM 1000 Here

Friday, March 28, 2014

Belkin USB Charger & Sync Cable for Apple iPod (White)

Belkin USB Charger & Sync Cable for Apple iPod
  • Cables/Adapters

The original USB cable that Apple gives you when your buy your iPhone is merely passable to get the job done, which is odd considering the quality and construction of the device it's paired with. The one that came with the iPhone, the cable by the base of the USB port frayed and came undone after 3 months of use and was promptly replaced with this Belkin cable. It is thick and strongly constructed and have had it for over 2 years without any issue.

Buy Belkin USB Charger & Sync Cable for Apple iPod (White) Now

First of all the title of this is seller is misleading

"Belkin USB Charger & Sync Cable for Apple iPod (White)"

if you read below, they are selling the cable, the charger is being sold separately.

I had mine (purchased cable and charger) a very short time when I noticed my ipod was not charging. The connection to the charger is loose and needs to be pushed in snugly when connecting, watch your ipod to make sure it is charging. Disappointing to leave it charging for hours, come back and find it is not charged and the connection needs to be pushed in more firmly again. Once set up, don't jostle it.

I saved a few bucks buying Belkin over Apple... not worth it if the Apple charger is a better quality.

Other than that problem, it works fine and is now over three years old.

Read Best Reviews of Belkin USB Charger & Sync Cable for Apple iPod (White) Here

I was expecting the thin cables for most iPods Classic but this was like thick gauge wire! I go through a few cables because they are thin and fragile.But by the looks and feel of these (Bought 2ea) I am happy and they were a LOT cheaper than what i was paying before 20$+ at some stores. 6$ dollars come on you can't beat that!

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As another reviewer stated, the connection is loose and does not stay. It will charge for a few minutes then the wind can blow or something and it will stop charging. It gradually got worse and after about three months it stopped charging and my itouch stopped detecting it all together. I kept trying to wiggle it around and found that the two halves of the charger into iPod end was splitting and coming apart. I take care of my things and my electronics and accessories usually last a long time.

I bought the wall charger by Belkin to pair with this cable and switched to an apple cable. It worked great, the wall unit is very cheap compared to apple so I recommend this pairing since apple usually provides the standard cable anyways.

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I usually never have issues with Belkin products for the iPhone, but this cable cuts off sound when plugged in. It does charge well, but I don't like the fact that I can't hear anything.

Friday, January 17, 2014

PowerGen Dual USB 3.1A 15w High Output Car Charger - White

PowerGen Dual USB 3.1A 15w High Output Car Charger - WhiteWe own a ton of electronic devices and since they are all portable they go with us in our vehicles. Toss in a couple of grandkids and add in their equipment and then you have a lot of electronic devices being used on long trips that need to be charged. You might also be limited to the number of car power sockets that are available in your vehicle. Most USB car chargers have one port and they are limited to 1 Amp or 2 Amps output. This big brother of all chargers has two USB ports and can handle 15 watts of DC power or 3.1 Amps of total charging power. That means I can charge my iPad 3 and my iPhone simultaneously without any issues and at full speed.

This is a good car charger that features two USB charging ports that can be used at the same time. One USB port is designed for Apple products and it is labeled with an A. The NA port can charge your iPhone and any other compatible USB device. My iPad 2 and my iPad 3 could only charge in the A port. Both outputs are rated at 3.1 Amps but the total current out of both ports combined while in use at the same time is 3.1 Amps

The unit comes with no cables but since it is touted as a universal charger and there are so many different types of charger cables I cannot fault them for not supplying one. Many chargers with cables are over $20 to $25 and the cables may only fit one family of devices.

Pros

* Dual port

* Charge an iPhone in either port

* Can charge the iPad 2 or 3 in the Apple A port at 2 amps even if you are charging your iPhone at the same time

* Both ports charge up to 3.1 Amps if only one port is being used

* Nice red LED light around USB ports so you can see it in the dark, know it is in a live car charging port and you can see the USB plug location.

* Max 15 watts of charging output which will charge two iPhones at the same time quickly.

* Self-monitoring circuitry protects for over-heating, over-current and over-charging protection.

* Provides fast charging of an iPhone 4 using which is very useful if you are in a hurry.

* Features four spring loaded retention balls to securely hold the charger into the car DC power plug

Cons

* Charger body is longer than many plugs, it can be easy to bump but it is nicely designed and functional.

Products I tested it with:

* Apple iPhone 4 works in both ports

* iPad 2 worked in the Apple port only

* iPad 3 worked in the Apple port only

* Kindle File worked in both ports

* Kindle Keyboard worked in both ports

* HP TouchPad did not work in either port as the specifications state.

* It is also not compatible with the Asus Transformer or the Motorola Xoom

This is a good product and the price is good also. It provides excellent performance and it worked well in all of my testing. I highly recommend it to you.

I was provided an evaluation unit for testing and agreed to provide a fair and honest review.

**********************

I just bought the iPhone5 and wanted to be able to charge it on the go in my vehicle. This works great. It holds securely in the 12V rounded plug in my vehicle. It does not wobble once in. It does not stick out too far, only extends to the end of the flip cover over the plug, not beyond it. It has a little red light to indicate connection. Actually you can see a bit of red glowing from the two USB ports in lower light. The USB ports are clearly marked for Apple "A" and non-Apple "NA". I connected the lightning to USB cable to my phone and this charger and my phone immediately sprang to life to indicate it was charging. It seemed to charge rather fast too, compared to the charger I use in the house. Great little charger and seems well made.

2/18/13 Update I have been using for over 4 months now and it is a fantastic charger. I can leave it in my vehicle even in sub-freezing weather. It works perfectly as soon as I plug it into the socket.

4/28/13 update looks like my photos have been removed. Not sure what that is all about. Looks like a different amazon product pic than what was on here before so don't know if they removed photos in the process. Hmmm.

Buy PowerGen Dual USB 3.1A 15w High Output Car Charger - White Now

(#1 REVIEWER)I tested PowerGen Dual Port USB Car Charger with Nexus 7 Tablet, Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus cell phone, and SanDisk Sansa Clip+ player. My original test for Nexus devices was using Jelly Bean 4.1, I repeated the tests for Jelly Bean 4.21 and saw a significant difference. I updated this review to show the differences between two releases.

I received PowerGen car charger for testing from the manufacturer to write an honest and unbiased review and you will find both pluses and minuses of my experience in this review.

I am attaching a collage of 3 photos labeled with numbers 1 through 3 under customer photos that I will be referencing in this review.

The first thing I noticed that this car charger is fairly short (3 inches in length, 1 inch by 1 2/8 in width). Photos #1 shows this plug plugged in.

The plug has two ports labeled "A" and "NA" which stands for Apple and Non-Apple devices. I own all Android devices but I tested both ports to see their behavior with my devices. The charger comes without a USB cord, so tested it with the USB cords that came with my devices.

I used Battery App to determine how each device recognized the external battery pack. 'AC' status means the charging is at full charging rate. 'USB' status indicates charging at a lower charging rate. 'Discharging' status means that the charging rate is below the power that the device is consuming so it slows down the discharge rate but does not re-charge.

The key findings:

(1) Samsung Galaxy 7.7 cannot be charged with this car charger with either port

(2) "A" port provides reduced power for some non-Apple devices and does not work for others

*** Update 1/11/2013 ***

I repeated the test with Nexus 7 running Jelly Bean 4.21 and both ports are now charging it at AC rate. The original test which showed poor performance on Apple port was Nexus 7 running Jelly Bean 4.1.

I also retested Galaxy Nexus Phone running CyanogenMod 10.1 version of Jelly Bean 4.21, both ports also show charging at AC rate.

The table below summarizes my findings:

Nexus 7 Tablet

--------------

A port -discharging (Jelly Bean 4.1)

A port -AC (Jelly Bean 4.21)

NA port -AC

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Phone

--------------------------

A port -USB (Jelly Bean 4.1)

A port -AC (Jelly Bean 4.21)

NA port -AC

Samsung Galaxy Tablet 7.7 (photo #2 and $3 show Galaxy tablet is running battery app and showing "discharging" on both port)

--------------------------

A port -discharging

NA port -discharging

SanDisk Sansa Clip+ MP3 Player

------------------------------

A port -charged at USB rate

NA port -charged at AC rate

The behavior with Nexus devices was consistent and good on "NA" port. After upgrade to Jelly Bean 4.21 both Nexus devices are charging at AC rate on the Apple port.

Samsung Galaxy Tablet 7.7 did not work (was discharging) in both ports.

The MP3 player worked in both ports, but as USB rate in "A" port and at "AC" rate in in "NA" port. When I charge Sansa MP3 with a standard AC charger (photo #3), the MP3 player goes into charging mode, displaying the charging animated icon, the MP3 content is not played. When MP3 was plugged into the PowerGen plug (photo #3) it continued to play the content. I listen to books on my MP3 player so this caused me to move forward in my book and I had to manually reset my position by a few chapters to get back to where I was when I started charging. The positive side of this, is that is possible to continue listening while MP3 is recharging.

To summarize:

I liked:

---------

1. Good behavior with Nexus devices.

2. Solution for MP3 player with built-in battery

3. Can charge two devices (but one at a reduced rate for non-Apple devices)

I did not like:

--------------

1. Did not work with for my Samsung Galaxy tablet

2. (Not applicable after upgrade to Jelly Bean 4.21) For non-Apple devices one port has less power or does not work

3. (Not applicable after upgrade to Jelly Bean 4.21) For non-Apple devices the less useful plug takes up a little extra room

Overall, after upgrade to Jelly Bean 4.21 this plug has an excellent performance on both ports for Android devices.

Ali Julia review

Read Best Reviews of PowerGen Dual USB 3.1A 15w High Output Car Charger - White Here

After reading many reviews I finally purchased this PowerGen 3A car charger and a PowerGen 2A charger http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073FCPSK/ for use at home.

It is quite difficult to find a non-OEM charger for home or car that will charge a smartphone at a fast speed (AC rate) as many chargers are designed to meet the charging specs for Apple devices despite claims to be compatible with Android smartphones. Apple uses a configuration that is completely different/non-compliant (not a shock considering its Apple) from the USB standards used by nearly all other manufacturers for identifying a source as AC (1A+) vs USB (500mA) to signal the device that a higher amperage charging rate is available.

I tried several locally available chargers including a couple of different Griffin chargers that were advertised as 2A smartphone and tablet compatible. All delivered a USB rate (500mA) charge according to the battery monitoring app on my phone.

Both of these PowerGen products provide an Apple and non-apple charging port. Unlike many other products, however, the NA charging port on both this car charger and the home charger in the link above provide true AC rather than USB charging rates for smartphones as the manufacturer has chosen to abide by the USB specs. The two middle data pins are "shorted" together on the NA port so that it is identified by the phone as being capable of supporting more than the 500mA draw that would be available from a computer's USB port. I can't speak to if the Apple port works correctly with Apple devices as I don't own any, but the A port is certainly capable of charging a "dumb" cell phone at the same time an Android device is charging.

For anyone who has a charger already that seems slow, check your charging rate to see if it says USB or AC in the System settings on your Android device. If it reports USB, you can make a charging cable by cutting into a micro USB cable and clipping the white and green data lines. Twist and solder the white and green wires together on the side leading to the mini USB plug but do not connect the two on the side leading to the full sized USB plug.

Amazon sells a charging cable http://www.amazon.com/Naztech-Micro-USB-Charging-Cable/dp/B003VYBCAY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=20C2BFV6B1WUU&coliid=I23ZHJ3HLNQAQE if you don't feel up do making one yourself.

Want PowerGen Dual USB 3.1A 15w High Output Car Charger - White Discount?

I have tested this car charger with OEM Apple Cable, not aftermarket cables.

It will charge any iPhone including iPhone 5 while a iPad mini or 4th Gen with Retina Display is plugged into the 2nd port. While charging time was decreased on both devices, it served its purpose of giving any of the combination of iOS devices listed above a charge at the same time.

Charging the iOS device one at a time as needed worked as expected with no decrease in charging times.

The 2.1amp port also helps give the iPad mini or iPhone 5 a much faster charge time, than their OEM chargers. Due to the fact that the iPhone 5 and iPad mini only come with a 5 Watt power supply. This car charger supplies up to 10 Watts (which is what iPad 1st Gen, 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen needed).

Keep in mind that the iPad 4th Gen with Retina uses 3.1 amps not 2.1. The OEM power supply is larger than any other iPad, coming with a 12 Watt power supply (3.1amps) instead of 10 Watt (2.1amps). However this charger still works, just a decrease in normal charging time.

Hope this helps, as there were really no reviews on if this car charger works with 2012 iOS devices, mainly iPads (Mini, 3rd & 4th Gen). All test were run on 11/28/2012.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

External Battery Charger Cradle for HTC Fuze, Touch Pro, Touch Diamond (CDMA) HTCTHDICCCHAGBAT02

External Battery Charger Cradle for HTC Fuze, Touch Pro, Touch Diamond HTCTHDICCCHAGBAT02I am happy with this charger. It charges the battery quickly. The door on the charger does not seem to close completely but still works well. It even will charge extended battery.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Digitl Robust 360° T-Mobile SpringBoard Adjustable Seat Bolt Car Mount Vehicle Hands-Free Tablet H

Digitl Robust 360° T-Mobile SpringBoard Adjustable Seat Bolt Car Mount Vehicle Hands-Free Tablet Holder
  • New innovative, adjustable tablet holder fits your T-Mobile SpringBoard with or without a case or skin
  • 18 inch flexible aluminum seat bolt floor mount with optional floor or dash drill in bracket
  • Swivel ball connection for 360° rotation with tilt for portrait or landscape viewing
  • Lightweight and strong
  • Super Easy Installation!

I would have liked something that would have been much sturdier. It only comes with two sized holding arms that are padded. I was not able to find where I could order additional L arms with different lengths and for replacements. I've already lost 2 of them. If anyone has any idea where to get them, please let me know. I gave it a two star because of the stability issue and the fact I cannot find their info for replacement L arms.

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Friday, January 3, 2014

GTMax White USB Car Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation

GTMax White USB Car Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation
  • GTMax the Exclusive Brand of Bargaincell. Only in the United States.
  • .Apple iPod®, iPhone®, or iPad® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Products are Apple compatible and not endorsed by Apple, Inc.

nice very little and love the way it fit well and the mailing was a fast services l will rate it 4.

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Have not used yet but it seems rathr cheap looking and hollow. Do not know how long it will last

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

GTMax Black 3.5mm FM Transmitter Car Charger for Verizon LG Revolution

GTMax Black 3.5mm FM Transmitter Car Charger for Verizon LG RevolutionNothing bad to say here. It's a simple product. Plug it into your cigarette lighter, adjust to an FM station not in use and voila! I used it for my cell phone which is also an MP3 player, and now I have endless music and a hands free device to boot. Works great.

Received on time and product was as described. I was shopping for an mp3 transmittor for my vehicle for awhile, and even considered buying a $50 one elsewhere. But as I already have all of my music on my phone and typically use it as my mp3 player, this device is execellant. It charges my phone while playing my music. Transmission is clear and I now have all access to my music. After receiving I immediately bought one for my husband for his work vehicle. Will probably buy another for his truck.

Buy GTMax Black 3.5mm FM Transmitter Car Charger for Verizon LG Revolution Now

I have an LG Revolution. The only thing I have found as a con to this FM transmitter is that with my cover and extended battery on my phone its hard to get my phone to fit in the adjustable arms that hold the phone in place. That's it! Basically its my fault it doesn't fit, because its made to fit the LG revolution with a normal battery and my phone cover is kind of thick.

I read one of the other reviews. That person said you can't turn it on your off. I DID. Just push the quick set button on top and it turns off. Hold it down for a second or 2 and it turns on. The gooseneck turned in all directions and stayed there for me. It never moved or flopped over. The LG revolution with extended battery is a pretty heavy phone overall so I don't understand why it fell over for other people.

Once I finally found an empty radio station the sound quality was amazing! Better than a regular radio station sounds. I am so glad I bought this!!!! It is exactly what I was looking for (a phone charger/dock that plugs into the cig lighter). I spent the same amount for a dock at a store and all it did was hold my phone up and hung off of my air vent. So for this product to be the same price I find it to be a bonus that it's an FM transmitter and that it doesn't fall over every time I turn my car while driving.

Read Best Reviews of GTMax Black 3.5mm FM Transmitter Car Charger for Verizon LG Revolution Here

Over all this is a good unit. I use it in two cars. One car the radio antenna is up front and the unit works well, it plays through the speakers with little to no distortion. My other car the the antenna is on the trunk and the signal from the unit is too weak to produce a quality sound. It does fit securely in the lighter socket and holds the phone well. Also I'm somewhat of a neat freak so the gaggle of wires hanging from the device is kinda annoying. So my conclusion is that it well worth the money in the right vehicle.

Want GTMax Black 3.5mm FM Transmitter Car Charger for Verizon LG Revolution Discount?

The product was as advertised, arrived when stated and works like a charm, I would definitely recommend this company to my friends and relatives.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Monster AC SlimCharger for Zune (Black)

Monster AC SlimCharger for Zune
  • Smart Digital Charger(TM) technology ensures fast, accurate charges and maximizes battery life.
  • Unique, innovative flush-mount design for a compact appearance.
  • 24k gold contacts for optimum power transfer and corrosion resistance.
  • Convenient 6t. cord for ease of use.
  • One year product warranty.

Very good and Slim, especially when compared with the one provided by Microsoft, but I then realized that any USB charger (DC 5V, 500mA) would do the same job, so I end up buying a very tiny one ?option=com_ecatalog&task=cate&cid=15) that I found in the airport, and it works for my Zune, Mobile Phone, Pocket PC, etc...

So, the "Monster AC Wall SlimCharger for Zune" is a good and Slim USB Charger, but there are smaller options, without the cable, just a USB plug. Maybe they should just remove the Cable and put a USB input on the Charger and it will be as good as the one I'm using, since I have to carry the Zune Cable anyway. And with a retractable USB cable you can charge any other USB compatible device.

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So what if you have to use the USB cable to connect it to the charger!?! First off, when you buy the player, you already get that cable so it's not like you have to go out and purchase other equiptment/cables. Secondly, it gives a little extra cord length should you need it to streach just a little further to set in on a bed or table or whatever. It works great and does it's job. Ya'll need to look @ the pictures and read the description before throwing caution to the wind and then being disapointed. That's not the products fault, it's the buyers.

Read Best Reviews of Monster AC SlimCharger for Zune (Black) Here

It does it's job good but does not come with the Zune cord. I like it.

Want Monster AC SlimCharger for Zune (Black) Discount?

Good if you do not leave your computer on everyday or for long periods. Convenient because you can charge whereever there is an outlet available. Must make sure usb is connected to charger.

The slim charger by monster has worked real good, and is especially effective when I don't want to plug into my computer.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Jump-N-Carry JNC1224 Jump-N-Carry 12/24 Battery Booster - 12/24 Volt, 3000/1700 Amp

Jump-N-Carry JNC1224 Jump-N-Carry 12/24 Battery Booster - 12/24 Volt, 3000/1700 AmpRecommend this highly. This has the highest boosting power of any hand-held, consumer charger.

Easy to use, simple AND Made In USA!

I have used many of these jump packs in the past and they are very reliable. Standard shipping was actually a day early.

Buy Jump-N-Carry JNC1224 Jump-N-Carry 12/24 Battery Booster - 12/24 Volt, 3000/1700 Amp Now

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

BAOFENG BF-888S UHF FM Transceiver High Illumination Flashlight Walkie Talkie Two-Way Radio

BAOFENG BF-888S UHF FM Transceiver High Illumination Flashlight Walkie Talkie Two-Way Radio
  • 50 CTCSS/105 CDCSS/VOX Function
  • Voice Prompt/PC Programming/voice scramble/encryption
  • Emergency Alarm/Intelligent Charging
  • Battery Save/Low Voltage Alert
  • Time-out Timer/Torch Light

These are very good quality. The feel, controls, and cabinets are all substantial.

When you turn the device on, a voice says "Power On" and then speaks the channel number. As you change channels, it speaks the channel you just selected.

Squelch is a little aggressive, but there is a button to release it when needed and the software allows you to tweak it, but once set, you can not alter the level from the radio, so a little aggressive is a good thing. Most of the time it was not a problem. I live in a fairly hilly and wooded area and got an honest 1.25 miles of reliable communication over that terrain. At times it went further, but terrain makes a difference. Perfect for places like camp grounds, ski areas, and other outdoor venues. Not going to work to communicate with another party on the other side of the mountain.

According to my meter, it is outputting just over 3 watts, not the advertised 5, but with a better antenna you might achieve that. Even so, it is more powerful than most of the radios that are sold to operate on GMRS frequencies, but not as good as many HAM HTs. But then, it's only $30. The range is very comparable to the $300 Motorola GMRS Sport radios I bought 20 years ago for ski trips. In fact, I bought these intending to be the replacements to those radios and I think they are exactly what I'm looking for. I also don't have to worry about getting a $300 radio wet, lost, or fall from a chairlift. I don't expect 20 years of use, but they seem rugged enough that I'm not expecting them to last only one outdoor trip.

On top from left to right, you have the Antenna socket (yes, you can replace the antenna with a standard screw style SMA Female In fact, with a 3db gain, the effective output of the radio doubles), the LED lamp (flashlight), channel selector, power/volume. Just below the power/volume on the front panel is the LED that lights red when transmitting and green when receiving. So easy to teach kids to "wait for the green light to go out before you try to talk" Adults too. (^_^)

On the right side is the mike/speaker jacks under a protective cover. These are also used for the programming cable.

On the left side is the large black push to talk button. This isn't the best switch I've used, but it isn't bad. You will need to use it a few times to find the 'sweet' spot that is easy to press and hold. Below the PTT button are 2 orange buttons. One releases the squelch and the other toggles the LED light on the top of the unit. The light is actually pretty useful.

The belt clip is attached to the metal heatsink on the back of the radio. This makes for a strong attachment and it is a good clip. The battery slides under the clip and is easy to install/remove, but is secure enough I don't fear it falling off. Install the clip and then the battery that way you don't have to fight the spring on the clip as you screw it on.

A note on Frequencies:

The frequencies that come on the radio from the factory are mostly ILLEGAL in the USA. Channel 6 and 7 are legitimate GMRS, but you need a license to use them. You must reprogram most of this radio to operate on legal frequencies. The only ones that are legal are GMRS and HAM (unless you have a business license that falls within the range of these radios).

If you want to use the FRS frequencies, be sure to set them for low power in the software. Or, configure the lower orange button for power toggle instead of flashlight. Full power is illegal on FRS frequencies.

At full power, you have to have a license of some sort. Either a GMRS, HAM, or some commercial license for other frequencies. The radio can be programmed for any frequency and repeater offset between 400 mhz and 470 mhz. You need to be very careful because some of these frequencies are for emergency beacons, Satellite operations, and government. You can see a Band Plan here:

www dot w2aee dot columbia dot edu/fcc-bandplan.html

Abbreviated Band Plan:

400.000 406.000 Emergency Beacon, Government

406.000 420.000 various US Government

420.000 450.000 Amateur 70 Centimeters

450.050 450.925 Broadcast Pickup

451.025 453.000 Water and Power, industry, Telephone Maint, Taxi, motor carrier, auto club, press

453.025 453.975 Local Government, public safety

454.000 Petroleum Products

454.025 454.975 Mobile Telephone

455.050 455.925 Broadcast Pickup

456.025 458.000 Water and Power, industry, telephone maint, taxi, motor carrier, etc

458.025 458.975 Medical 5W, Local Government, Public Safety

459.000 Petroleum Products

459.025 459.975 Mobile Telephone

460.000 460.500 Police

460.525 460.550 Public Safety

460.575 460.625 Fire

460.650 462.525 Business, Industry

462.550 462.725 GMRS

462.750 462.925 Business

462.950 463.175 Medical

463.200 464.975 Business

465.000 465.500 Police

465.525 465.500 Public Safety

465.575 465.625 Fire

465.650 467.525 Business, Industry

467.550 467.725 GMRS

467.750 467.925 Business Low Power

467.950 468.975 Medical

468.200 469.975 Business

470.000 476.000 UHF TV Ch. 14

To be in compliance, you MUST program these radios to a legal frequency.

To reprogram them, you'll need the programming cable:

www dot amazon dot com/Programming-Cable-Baofeng-UV-5R-Wouxun/dp/B007R21P7Q/ref=pd_cp_e_1

or

www dot amazon dot com/Programming-Cable-Baofeng-UV-5R-Radio/dp/B008ORT9OY/ref=pd_cp_e_2

You will also need to download the software:

Best resource is to join the yahoo group at: groups dot yahoo dot com/group/BF-888S

From the factory, the radio is programmed as follows:

Channel 1 frequency 462.125 RX-TX 69.3 Hz CTCSS

Channel 2 frequency 462.225

Channel 3 frequency 462.325

Channel 4 frequency 462.425 RX 103.5 Hz CTCSS

Channel 5 frequency 462.525 RX 114.8 Hz CTCSS

Channel 6 frequency 462.625 RX 127.3 Hz CTCSS

Channel 7 frequency 462.725 RX 136.5 Hz CTCSS

Channel 8 frequency 462.825 RX 162.2 Hz CTCSS

Channel 9 frequency 462.925 RX 025N DTS

Channel 10 frequency 463.025 RX 032N DTS

Channel 11 frequency 463.125 RX 125N DTS

Channel 12 frequency 463.225 RX 155N DTS

Channel 13 frequency 463.525 RX 331N DTS

Channel 14 frequency 450.225 RX 023N DTS

Channel 15 frequency 460.325

Channel 16 frequency 469.945 RX 203.5Hz CTCSS

Reprogramming is fairly straight forward once you have the software, cable, and driver installed. When installing the driver in Windows 7, be sure to turn off the automatic updates as the latest version does not work. Use the information in the yahoo group for finding the best solution for Windows 7.

For GMRS, use the following frequencies: (use just left column for radio to radio communications.)

GMRS Frequencies

Out/Simplex Repeater input

462.550 ---467.550

462.575 ---467.575

462.600 ---467.600

462.625 ---467.625

462.650 ---467.650

462.675* --467.675*

462.700 ---467.700

462.725 ---467.725

* Nationwide emergency and road information calling. Nationally recognized coded squelch for 675 emergency repeater operation is 141.3 Hz.

I also programmed in the frequencies and CCTSS codes for my local HAM repeaters and was pleasantly surprised at how well this radio was able to operate. Using repeaters, you can greatly extend your range, but this does require at least a Technician license.

I now own 3 of these. The first one has 8 GMRS frequencies and then the last 8 are a mix of HAM and my local CERT frequencies. My other 2 are set up for my boys. The first 8 mirror mine, but the last 8 are CCTSS coded versions of the GMRS.

The drop-in charger will charge the battery on or off the radio. Charging times are about 3 hours when really drained. Be warned, if you drop the battery into the charger and the charger isn't plugged in, the radio will slowly discharge as it powers the LED on the base. Can't tell you how many times I've found the boy's chargers like that. Spare batteries are not hard to find, but compared to the cost of the radio are not cheap. Google around for the best prices. The Yahoo group can help too.

Battery life is excellent. Took a trip of about 200 miles chatting from car to car and were still working strong at the end. (including the excitement when a Black Bear ran across the highway in front of us)

Sound quality is very good. The quality is at least as good as my non-digital HTs from the past and in some cases better. I'd say on-par with my Yeasu 7R. In every contact I asked, they could not believe I was working with a $30 radio.

Using a label maker and an Exacto knife, I put the boy's names on the radios right over the Beofeng label. Well protected there and it is recessed, so it looks good. Now there is no fighting over who's is who's. (^_^)

Not much else to say. The radios are very simple (A very important feature when dealing with children and non-technical people) and work well. You do need to be technical to get them programmed properly to be legal. You will also need either a GMRS license for the family, or a Technician level amateur radio license.

If you choose to buy them and just use them, understand that technically you are not operating on legal frequencies and could face fines in the 5 figure range if your operation causes a problem that requires someone to come looking for you. Stick to channels 6 and 7 if you MUST use them as factory configured.

UPDATE:

I've gone back and 'coded' the URLs so that they are not removed. Hopefully that is useful for someone. Just replace the " dot " with "." and paste into your browser.

Kids have not damaged the radios, and one has some scuff marks where it took a tumble as he was flying down a hill on his bike. Got rained on a little with no apparent issues would not subject them to a lot of water, but was happy to see that a little rain didn't hurt it.

Battery life is impressive. They claim 8 hours at a 5-5-90 cycle and I know we used them more than 4 hours at a time with a much more active cycle than that. The kids used them off and on for a week's vacation and we never put them into the charger once.

In more open terrain (beach setting) the range is very good. The range from the end of the beach to the cottage we were staying was about 2.5 miles and the radios were fine making that distance, but there were no serious terrain features to block the signal, just light scrub and some wood single story buildings. Distance to a Ham repeater hit out to 15 miles with a transmission report of about a 3 (noisy but understandable), but that repeater is well known for good reception and sits on top of a major hill I would not expect radio to radio communication across that distance. This is comparable to other Ham HTs with short antennas at about 3 watts.

Make sure your charger is plugged in. When you drop the radio into a charger that isn't, the LED on the charger lights green, but it is draining the battery, not charging. Charging is RED until fully charged and then it turns green. If it is green when you drop it in, verify the charger is plugged in. Kids enough said.

UPDATE 2:

In the programming Software, the "Beat Shift" is the voice scrambler. Not really secure, but the average listener won't be able to understand you.

Update 3:

The Prolific chip inside the programming cable that translates USB to serial is not an official chip, it is counterfeit. As a result, Prolific has made changes in the driver for Windows 7 and beyond that won't operate with anything but the official chip. Now, I do not know if the programming cable's chip is an illegal copy, or reverse engineered legally. What I do know is that the auto-update of drivers in Windows 7 and 8 will replace any older working drivers with new ones if you don't shut off the auto-updates. Of course, that prevents all your drivers from being updated.

Best place to get information is the yahoo group.

groups dot yahoo dot com/group/BF-888S/

(replace the " dot " with a period (.) )

There you will find the software and drivers that will work as well as detailed information.

Radios hold their charge for some time. Had one that hadn't been used since the winter and when I put it on the charger to top it off, it very quickly showed full charge. (within a minute) Seems like a nice radio to use if a disaster struck. Find some Ham or GMRS repeaters in your area and program up the radios so you have a couple 'emergency' channels that you can use if the cell network is down. During the Boston Marathon this year, cell service in Boston was completely overloaded, but my Ham radio worked just fine.

You can get your GMRS license here: transition dot fcc dot gov/Forms/Form605/605.html

It is considered a family license, so everyone in your household can use the radios under the same license.

You can find GMRS repeaters here: www dot mygmrs dot com/browse

Buy BAOFENG BF-888S UHF FM Transceiver High Illumination Flashlight Walkie Talkie Two-Way Radio Now

I own 12 Baofeng radios. I have equipped my hospital maintenance and security officers with these. No one wants to carry the heavy Motorols radios any more, and if they lose a Motorola or it gets damaged, you are out $$$$. These are light weight, a breeze to program, you MUST buy the cable to program. They even have some sort of voice scramble feature. These Baofeng radios do everything the big boys do at a fraction of the price. We all laughed at Hyuandai years ago. Well you get the idea. I use the UV5R for me, I like to have a screen, and scan etc. But for point to point, and for building maintenance, these are real workhorses.

Little Updatewhen searching for the softwaredo your search as a BF 480this will do it. Also if you have trouble, check your com port. Also you must hold the monitor button when turning on the radio to go into program mode. I have had this radio for couple of months and they are holding up fine.

Read Best Reviews of BAOFENG BF-888S UHF FM Transceiver High Illumination Flashlight Walkie Talkie Two-Way Radio Here

Received the radios before expected time. Followed the directions for charging and operation . Charged battery correctly for 3 full hours. Connected to radio and begin to use. Good communication sound. Nice handheld size and range is good

Want BAOFENG BF-888S UHF FM Transceiver High Illumination Flashlight Walkie Talkie Two-Way Radio Discount?

I bought this radio, because I no longer feel the need to carry scanners with 1000 + channels.

All I really need are a few public service frequencies that I monitor, and as a ham, a few local 440 repeaters.

This little 16 channel UHF transceiver more than excels on both counts !!!

Loud clear audio on both transmit and receive, as well as 2-3 days battery life on a 3 hour charge with the supplied 1500mAh battery

in a a 5-5-90 duty cycle.

It even has vox and a scan feature !

For the price, you can not afford to not have one in your shack, glove box or go-bag.

Make sure you get a programming cable, and the programming software is available online.

Just a great buy !!!

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Extremely slow scan. Radio seems to work as designed. Easy programming with correct software. Good value. fits in the palm of my hand easily

Friday, October 25, 2013

Nature Power 40060 72-Watt Mini Solar Power Farm Includes 4 18-Watt Panels

Nature Power 40060 72-Watt Mini Solar Power Farm Includes 4 18-Watt PanelsYES I DECIDED TO TRY IT KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT SOLOR. IFOUND THAT IT WORKS EX. AS DISCRIBED. IT KEEPS 2 12V BATTERYS CHARGED ALL DAY TIED INTO AN INVERTER TO 110V AC FOR LIGHTING. HAVE HAD 0 PROBLEMS WITH IT TOOK ABOUT 1 HR TO READ AND INSTALL.WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO ADD TO FOR RUNNING SMALL 110V POWER TOOL'S DURING THE DAY AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT FROM BATTERYS.LATER ON WITH ENOUGH PANELS I PLAN TO TIE TO GRID.IF I KNOW IT WAS SO EASY I WOULD HAVE DONE IT A LONG TIME AGO. HAS ALL THE INFORMATION HOW TO DO. EDPAS.

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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 AC

Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 ACused for battery charger, camera charger, pc, phone charger, and love it. Had it for over 6 months and is working very well. UPDATE JULY 30, 2010. Had it 2 years total. It got stepped on hard about 3 months ago. Stuffed the insides back and taped it up. Still working like a champ.

Love it. Take on every trip. May buy another for the other vehicle. Actually, bought another style/brand did not like it as well.

Put the device in cigarette lighter. After a moment, made a loud noise. Put car in drive, and Shift gear knocked against device. After that, the device made lots more noise, as the fan inside was dislodged. Now, the device is extremely loud, so I deem it worthless. Went and bought a laptop plug, which is what I should have done in the first place.

Buy Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 AC Now