Reviews Written By: A17HMM1M7T9PJ1provided by Amazon.com |
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 | Pentax Papilio 8.5x21 Porro Prism Binocular | |
 | "An indispensable pair of binoculars to add to your collection" | 2009-11-03 |
| If you are a serious observer of nature you will probably want to own more than one pair of binoculars. Hunters have more than one rifle, musicians have more than one instrument and birders (and other naturalists) should have not only a back-up pair but also alternative binoculars that are better suited for specific situations. I have high magnification, compact and high definition pairs.
I bought the Pentax 8.5x21 binoculars for a couple of reasons. I like the fact that they are small and compact and for a porro-finder design they are unusually bright and easy to view through. The main reason won't come as a surprise to anyone, I like them because they focus so close. My longer optics (Canon 18x and 15x) will only focus down to 12' or so. This is fine for most applications but not all, especially when trying to look at hummingbirds or any other object that will allow you to get 5' or closer. I often pack these when for birdwatching trips as a back-up. When we come upon something unexpected (like an array of tiny bats on a tree in the Amazon or a huge spider in southwest New Mexico) everyone wants to use my Pentax binos. If you are into butterflies or insects this is the pair for you. Both of the binoculars in the Papilio series are of an unique "reverse porro-finder" design, meaning that the front elements are closer together than the eyepieces are. It makes for a surprisingly ergonomic feel since the little bit of weight (these are very light binos) is shifted towards the rear, where they will get more support from your grip. I have a little bit of problem with the interocular distance because my eyes are somewhat far set but I got used to it. These are easy to stick in my briefcase or geocaching bag when I don't think that I'll need one, and that always seems to be the time when you wish that you had a pair of binoculars regardless of the magnification. All in all a great choice for an auxiliary pair of close-focusing pair of binoculars. | ||
 | AUDIO TECHNICA ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone | |
 | "Excellent value at a great price" | 2009-10-07 |
| I am not an audio or video expert but I found that this mic really worked for me. I started doing some video reviews on Amazon.com and the first thing that I realized was that I needed a seperate mic. When I used the mic on the camera it sounded as if I was in a cave.
I first bought a wireless mic (from Amazon) and it didn't work for me. I don't think that I have ever sent anything back to Amazon (and I have purchased over 800 items) but I returned it. I then bought this item which cost a quarter of what the wireless mic cost. It has given me better results than I expected and even though it has a cord I have found that it works really well for me. I would certainly buy one again if I needed to. | ||
 | Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures | |
| "Both the dog and I love it!" | 2009-07-26 |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2G91T8IRLW3YX I have a "joint custody" arrangement with a neighbor for her Toy Yorkie. I make a reference in my video to the book that inspired me to get this one, but I gave the name incorrectly. When I read "Reaching the Animal Mind" by Karen Pryor I decided that clicker training was the approach that we should take with Bella and my neighbor agreed. Bella wanted to play-bite way too often, so we taught her how to play-bite on command and then gave her the command for "don't bite". It has worked in real life. The same with barking and some other puppy issues. This is not a quick-fix (although they do learn the tricks in an amazingly short time frame) but instead it is a template for teaching your dog some alternative behaviors. Bella knows quite a few additional "tricks" but here I show some of her favorites. I hope that this video is helpful. Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals | ||
 | Clicking with Your Dog: Step-by-Step in Pictures | |
| "Both the dog and I love it!" | 2009-07-26 |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2G91T8IRLW3YX I have a "joint custody" arrangement with a neighbor for her Toy Yorkie. I make a reference in my video to the book that inspired me to get this one, but I gave the name incorrectly. When I read "Reaching the Animal Mind" by Karen Pryor I decided that clicker training was the approach that we should take with Bella and my neighbor agreed.
Bella wanted to play-bite way too often, so we taught her how to play-bite on command and then gave her the command for "don't bite". It has worked in real life. The same with barking and some other puppy issues. This is not a quick-fix (although they do learn the tricks in an amazingly short time frame) but instead it is a template for teaching your dog some alternative behaviors. Bella knows quite a few additional "tricks" but here I show some of her favorites. I hope that this video is helpful. Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals | ||
 | Birthday Party | |
| "A perfect birthday gift for a 3-6 year old" | 2009-07-04 |
| When my granddaughter turned 3 I gave her this toy made by Melissa and Doug. I have purchased several of their toys in the past, both for her and for some of my friends children. This one was a big hit due to the fact that my granddaughter is just beginning to understand concepts such as special days and special foods. Shortly after the party every adult was served a piece of Sasha's special "birthday cake". She paid extra attention to the candles as well as explaining the significance of them to each guest (in very impressive 3 year-old-speak). I am a fan of Melissa and Doug's toys but I am a little concerned about the peeling paint issues that some have complained of. I have encouraged my daughter to keep an eye on the finish just in case. So far a great toy for a 3 year old! | ||
 | ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10-Inch Netbook (1.66Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 160Gb HD, XP Home) (Blue) | |
| "Wow! Not a perfect computer but more than perfect for the price." | 2009-07-02 |
| It is easy to become jaded in this world of rapidly advancing high-tech consumer electronics. It wasn't that long ago (2-3 years) that a computer with less specs than this would easily cost twice as much. This is not a low-end, low-quality computer. It can do about 90% of what I ask my bigger, desktop computer to do (and I don't ask that of it very often). I could not believe the quality for the price! Did I mention the price? I bought this for coffee shop visits, for sitting on the porch, for vacations where I promised not to bring my laptop (it's not a REAL computer honey, look at how small it is! It's more like a Gameboy). This would be a great back-up computer for many of us and a wonderful gift for the high school graduate. I can't imagine getting more for the money, but who knows what the future will hold? Is it perfect? No, but I didn't expect it to fulfill the functions of a high-end desktop. Still, since it is a wonderful value for the price it gets 5 stars from me. | ||
 | Lowerpro Ridge 30 Digital Camera Bag (Artic Blue) | |
| "A very nice fit for my new Samsung HZ15W" | 2009-06-26 |
| I recently received a Samsung HZ-15W point and shoot camera and I wanted a case for it. It is a mid-sized camera, bigger than my Nikon CoolPix S550 but smaller than my Canon Power Shot. I was familiar with Lowepro from my many years in the photographic equipment industry and they have always made quality products. This little case is no different; it is well made and well thought out.
The front flap has a zippered pocket and is perfect for an extra memory card. A spare battery will fit in the front pouch (located under the velcro-ed front flap). The main compartment is accessed by another zipper and is lined. It comes with a little attachable strap and a belt loop. The Samsung camera has large LCD screen and this case will keep it from getting scratched. A wonderful little case for my new camera. Samsung HZ15W 12MP Digital Camera with 10x Schneider Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD (Grey) | ||
 | Keurig B-60 Special Edition Gourmet Single Cup Brewing System | |
| "I have yet to find someone that DOESN'T love a Keurig!" | 2009-05-13 |
| I have had my Keurig B70 for over a year and I can't imagine being without it. I even purchased a B30 for travel. I have also given away 7 Keurigs as gifts (so far) and EVERYONE seems to love them. I bought this one for my Mother and she now says that uses it everyday and loves having a variety of coffee and teas both for herself and for when she has guests ("Speaking of guests" she said on the phone after she received her B60, "So when are YOU going to visit me Mr. Big Spender?") Ahhh... mothers. | ||
![Seven Pounds [Blu-ray]](product_images/4968000/seven-pounds-blu-ray_t-4968317.jpg) | Seven Pounds [Blu-ray] | |
| "A good movie, but where is the surprise ending?" | 2009-05-12 |
| I was anxious to see Seven Pounds mostly because of the reviews in the media (alright, and Oprah) and I was expecting a Sixth Sense or a Usual Suspects twist that would catch me off guard (by the way, I did figure out the Usual Suspects but the Sixth Sense caught me flat-footed). I know that others have stated this, but where was the suspense? It was pretty much spelled out from the beginning. The only thing that surprised me a little was the story line involving his brother and the gift that he gave to him as well as what he took. Looking at the movie as a whole I think that it is a touching story of lost, guilt and an effort to make right a wrong. I have no idea what I would feel if I was in the character's shoes. It is one of my worst nightmares and I thought that it was a topic worth exploring as well as a novel approach to redemption. I just wish that it was promoted for what it is, not something that it isn't. I am buying most of my new movies in Blu-Ray and I enjoyed viewing the hi-def version of the film. | ||
 | Droll Yankees YCPD90 Dipper Squirrell Proof Bird Feeder - Burgandy | |
| "Perfect for small birds" | 2009-05-09 |
| I love Droll Yankee products and this one was no different. Well thought out and well made. I have several feeders that are squirrel-resistant but some of them are filled with larger and more aggressive birds, like Blue Jays, Grackles, Northern Mockingbirds, European Starlings, etc. I wanted something just for the little guys. Where I live we get both the American Goldfinch (mostly passing through) and the Lesser Goldfinch. They, along with Purple and House Finches have the feeder pretty much to themselves (yesterday I saw a Painted Bunting at the feeder, WOW!). Bigger birds, like the ever present White Wing Dove (similar to Mourning Doves) attempt to sit on one of the perches and then they slide off when it "dips". My only complaint is that the perches seems a little TOO sensitive. Northern Cardinals can barely sit on one without it dipping, and then only with the help of a lot of wing-flapping. Still, I really like this feeder for finches and other small birds. | ||
 | NeatDesk ADF Scanner (00315) | |
| "Amazing Device for Anyone with a Home Office!" | 2009-04-16 |
| I work from home when and I'm not traveling (and I travel a LOT) one of my biggest tasks is organizing all of the stuff that I gather from my most recent trip. Business cards, receipts (tons and tons of receipts) notes from customers, information about competitors, you name it. Most of it needs to be sent to my home office, some to my reps. Either way it's a lot of work. Enter the NeatDesk Scanner! Now I don't have to stuff envelopes or wait in line at the dreaded Post Office. It allows me to easily scan all of the above and then send electronic copies to those that need the info. Yes, I have used (and owned) scanners before but none were as easy (dare I say fun) to use as this one. I am going to suggest that all of my field reps buy one. It is one of those few items that really, I mean really, makes life easier for those that travel like I do. | ||
 | Toshiba XD-E500 Upconverting 1080p xDE DVD Player | |
| "Side by Side Comparison to Blu-Ray" | 2009-04-16 |
| Since I own a regular DVD player (a Sony), a Blu-Ray player (Samsung DB-P2500) and now this one, I decided to watch a movie that I own in both Blu-Ray and regular DVD. I selected Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven. Here's what I observed: First I hooked my regular DVD player to my Hi-Def TV and watched two of my favorite parts, the one where William Munny (Eastwood) and the Schofield Kid are waiting for their $1000 and are told that Ned was killed. The second is the shootout in the saloon where Little Bill Daggett is slain. The first scene was shot in bright sunlight and looked decent but a little contrasty, it was hard to see details in the shadows. In the second one (a night-time scene) didn't have enough contrast and looked muddy to me. Now I hooked up the Toshiba (using a HMI cable) and played the same DVD. Wow! It was much improved in both sharpness and contrast. I'm going to give away my old regular DVD player and use this one on my second TV. I have over 350 DVDs and this is the only way to watch them from now on. Next I plugged my Samsung player back in and watched the same scenes with my Blu-Ray version. It was CLEARLY much better. I saw as much difference between it and the Toshiba as I did between my older Sony and the Toshiba XD-E500. Still, it is what I expected. A good Blu-Ray movie is incredible. Lastly I watched the regular DVD on my Samsung since it upconverts as well. It was not as sharp at 1080p as the Toshiba and the contrast needed adjusting, still, not bad. I like the Toshiba for my DVD collection, but it won't replace the quality of Blu-Ray. I also agree that the remote is poorly design and not intuitive so I give it 4 stars. Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player | ||
 | Droll Yankee SDC Green Wild Bird Feeder with Domed Cage | |
| "Worth the Cost and Then Some" | 2009-02-22 |
| Whenever I am in the market for a new bird feeder I always look to see what's new, hoping for "a better mousetrap". However, I just about always end up with a Droll Yankee product. I have bought at least a dozen over the last 15 or so years and they are all in service. Yes, they are a little pricey, but quality always is. Their products perform as promised (I have a Yankee Flipper that drives the squirrels nuts!) and their customer service is the best. As for this particular feeder, I really like it. It a simple yet effect way to keep not only squirrels but larger birds away from the seed. I like large birds too, but often they chase off the little guys (Kinglets, various Finches, Nuthatches, etc.). I have other feeders for the Blue Jays, Woodpeckers and Doves, this one is for the rest of the flock. I just wish that the capacity was a little greater but still it's a wonderful feeder. | ||
 | Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Over 140 Species of the Most Common and Distinctive Hawaiian Birds | |
| "A Flash Card for Birders, a Useful Guide for the Non-Birder" | 2009-02-21 |
| I have purchased quite a few of this type of quick reference folding cards over the years, I have them for Hummingbirds of the Western US, Shorebirds of Florida, Arizona Wildlife, Alaskan Birds, Amazonian Birds, etc. Since typical field guides (which I use, study and carry), especially for bird-rich countries, have SO many birds, I use these Pocket Guides as a kind of flash card to make me very familiar with the most common of birds that I might run into. This makes it even easier to identify the rarer birds as you can exclude the common ones quicker. An added benefit of owning one of these is that I can let my non-birding friends (who often accompany me on my trips) use this to identify commonly seen birds as it is not too overwhelming for them. You should see their faces when they identify a bird that they have never seen in their life and then point it out to me! James Kavanagh has authored dozens of these, and not just about birds. He has guides about clouds, trees, insects, you name it. All-in-all I really like them. | ||
 | Macaroni & Cheese: 52 Recipes from Simple to Sublime | |
| "Great recipes, but where are the photos?" | 2008-12-25 |
| I have never viewed macaroni and cheese as a comfort food (I'm more of a tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich kind of guy when I am in need of comfort) but I know that many people do. Since I like to please others by cooking for them I decided to get this book and try out some of the recipes. I could not believe the reaction! People really love this dish and the recipes here seem to be among the best ever offered in one cookbook. The book is divided into four sections: * Introducing Mac and Cheese Here the author explains the basics of the dish including it's history (Thomas Jefferson served a Macaroni Pie to his guests at Monticello after his return from Europe), the different types of pasta used (elbow macaroni is the preferred choice in the U.S. but many others are used in this book), a list of different types of cheeses and a brief description of each as well as cooking tips, such as how to make the important Bechamel sauce used in many of the book's recipes. * The Classic Dish This section includes simple but creative versions of the titular dish including Manhattan's Chat n' Chew restaurant's version of Macaroni and Cheese (my friends and I loved this one) and the author's (Joan Schwartz) own cold Mac and Cheddar Salad. *International Mac Here the author introduces recipes that show influences of many cultures and traditions other than the U.S., such as Greek Macaroni and Cheese made with Feta, Swiss Mac and Potatoes and Allen Susser's Macaroni & Manchego (wonderful!). * Mac and Cheese Today This chapter offers some very creative and daring versions that can be found in some of our nation's top restaurants. My favorites here are: Penne with Roquefort from New York's Beacon restaurant; Terrine of Macaroni, Goat Cheese and Foie Gras (an expensive dish but well worth it); and the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Macaroni and Cheese (it uses truffle oil and truffle butter, both relatively easy to find and afford). Joan Schwartz has co-authored many great cookbooks including "Boy Meets Grill" with Bobby Flay and "Cooking Provence" with Antoine Bouterin and has contributed six of her own recipes to this book, the rest were created by the many well known chefs, restaurateurs and food writers whose biographies are offered towards the end of the book, right after a list of sources for some of the harder to find ingredients used here. The recipes found in this book are incredible, my only question is WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS? I have often discovered a great recipe only after being inspired by a picture of it in a magazine or cookbook rather than by the text. Other than the photo on the cover this book has no photographs of the dishes. Instead we are subjected to generic 1950ish illustrations that look like clip-art available for free on the internet. With 52 recipes even a paperback cookbook like this should have contained at least 20-30 full color photos of these enticing dishes. I felt very let down here, otherwise I would have given Macaroni and Cheese 5 stars and considered it a great cookbook instead of a very good one. | ||
 | Pentax Optio M50 8MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Light Blue) | |
| "A Nice Little Camera for Family and Vacation Photos" | 2008-09-14 |
| I bought the Pentax Optio M50 as a gift. I chose this model for the following reasons: * It is small and compact enough to always have with you * It is very stylish (especially for a young girl). We got it in Pink to go with her pink iPod. * I wanted a camera with a minimum of 8MP which is plenty for home use (I have advanced digital SLRs with 8MP and they take pro-quality images) * The zoom ratio (5x) was much better than those found on other cameras in it's class (usually 3x) * I like the feature that automatically detects and exposes for faces (although the "Auto-Smile" feature seems to be a hit-or-miss feature so I don't suggest using it) * It is a good value for the price A couple of things to be aware of though: * There is no optical viewer, you must use the rear screen to compose the image * The "shake reduction" feature is not true electronic image stabilization, which you can find or higher-end cameras. Instead it raises the sensitivity of the light sensing chip in low light which allows the use of a higher shutter speed at the same time giving you less detail in the resulting photo. Nice feature, but not as nice as IS which reduces or compensates for actual camera shake electronically. Over all this is a great buy. Just a few years ago a camera like this would have cost at least twice as much. Considering it's features this is a very good value and Pentax is a name that you can trust. Update 11/22: This camera is now selling here for about $40 less than I paid both for the ones that I bought (the first one went over so well that I bought another for my mother) making this an even better value! | ||
 | Apple 8GB iPod nano with Video (Silver) | |
| "A great little iPod for those on the run" | 2008-09-07 |
| I bought this iPod as a gift, as a matter of fact, I have purchased over a dozen of them for gifts, both business and personal. Everyone loves an iPod (or so it seems to me). I bought this one in pink (again, it was for a gift) and even though I am sure that Apple is coming out with a newer one with more memory and probably a lower price I choose this one because: * It is great for those who run or walk a lot. It fits on an arm-band better that some of the longer and larger models * The screen is big enough for most purposes. It is good for song info, pictures and ever a short video. For movies I prefer my iTouch with it's larger screen * Price. Even if they come down this one is still a good value iPods are fun, and this one is even more fun that my iTouch because it is smaller and cute. How many electronic gadgets can you say that about? | ||
 | Apple iPod nano 8 GB Pink (3rd Generation) | |
| "A great little iPod for those on the run" | 2008-09-07 |
| I bought this iPod as a gift, as a matter of fact, I have purchased over a dozen of them for gifts, both business and personal. Everyone loves an iPod (or so it seems to me). I bought this one in pink (again, it was for a gift) and even though I am sure that Apple is coming out with a newer one with more memory and probably a lower price I choose this one because: * It is great for those who run or walk a lot. It fits on an arm-band better that some of the longer and larger models * The screen is big enough for most purposes. It is good for song info, pictures and ever a short video. For movies I prefer my iTouch with it's larger screen * Price. Even if they come down this one is still a good value iPods are fun, and this one is even more fun that my iTouch because it is smaller and cute. How many electronic gadgets can you say that about? | ||
 | Griffin PowerBlock Adapter for iPod | |
| "A great little iPod for those on the run" | 2008-09-07 |
| I bought this iPod as a gift, as a matter of fact, I have purchased over a dozen of them for gifts, both business and personal. Everyone loves an iPod (or so it seems to me). I bought this one in pink (again, it was for a gift) and even though I am sure that Apple is coming out with a newer one with more memory and probably a lower price I choose this one because: * It is great for those who run or walk a lot. It fits on an arm-band better that some of the longer and larger models * The screen is big enough for most purposes. It is good for song info, pictures and ever a short video. For movies I prefer my iTouch with it's larger screen * Price. Even if they come down this one is still a good value iPods are fun, and this one is even more fun that my iTouch because it is smaller and cute. How many electronic gadgets can you say that about? | ||
 | Deluxe Magic Set | |
| "This is a wonderful way to introduce a child to the world of illusions" | 2008-09-06 |
| I have been involved in magic as a hobby since I was 11. My first kit was all plastic and some of the tricks were not well thought out and were impractical. Still, it got me hooked. I now use tricks and illusions to illistrate my sales and training seminars. This set is far superior to the one that I received over four decades ago. One of the things that I like about it is that all of the tricks are made of wood. They are well made and well decorated. Some of the tricks are a little lame but that is just my opinion. I bought this as a gift for a budding magician (7 years old) and he loved it! Honestly, I would have paid $10-15 more for a set of this quality. Great product and I highly recommend it. | ||
 | Brita 42378 Deluxe II Pitcher | |
 | "Water tastes great! Pitcher needs some work." | 2008-08-08 |
| I've had my Brita Deluxe pitcher for about 6 months and I would not be without one again. It saves me from the time, expense, hassle and waste of buying bottled water (the water that comes out of my tap is almost undrinkable due to it's taste). However, I have had some problems with this model: * Low capacity Even for a single guy I find that I am constantly refilling it * Filter falls out When I tip it over all of the way the filter comes out and forces the lid off * Carbon specks Not a big deal but the filters "leak" little black flecks of carbon into the water reserve and that bothers me for some reason * Not dishwasher safe * Filters are not cheap I just ordered the larger "Ultramax" size and I think that I will like it better. I'm not worried about mold since I will go through a gallon or more in a day and I will wipe it after each. Brita Ultramax Dispenser | ||
 | Weber Q Stainless Steel Tools | |
| "Super tools for the Weber Q200!" | 2008-08-08 |
| I recently lost my Weber Q100 (someone liberated it from me when I was out of town) and I had liked it so much that I bought it's bigger brother, the Q200 to replace it. The first accessory I bought for my new grill was this set of tools and I am glad that I did. They fit under the shelf and can be stored inside the Weber grill itself when the shelves are folded in and the lid is closed. Talk about convenient! All one needs for most grilling sessions is a good pair of tongs and a spatula. Yes, I own higher quality BBQ tools but these are very useable and a good value considering the price. The best thing about them is that they will alway be right where I need them to be. They seem sturdy and well built. If you own a Weber Q200, Q220 or if you added the optional shelves to your Q100 you will appreciate these compact, stowable utensils. | ||
 | Keurig B-70 Gourmet Single Cup Home Brewing System | |
| "A Wonderful Machine that Makes a Great Cup" | 2008-07-12 |
| I had heard bad things about one-cup brewers; that the coffee tasted like instant, that they were undependable, etc. Recently I stayed at a luxury hotel that had a Keurig in the room. I was blown away by the taste! Let me just say for the record; nothing beats freshly ground, recently roasted beans brewed in a french press, however, who wants to go through all of that every time you want some coffee? Then you might have some friends that want decaf or a flavored coffee. This machine takes care of that problem by allowing you to keep a wide selection of beverages available at a moments notice. Although the resulting cup is not quite as good as freshly ground, it's very close. After reading the Amazon reviews I decided on the Keurig B70. Yes, it does make a loud noise and vibrates, but only when drawing water from the reservoir into the machine. I can live with that. It is a beautiful gadget that has found a place of honor on my counter. The machine came with a variety of coffee pods packed-in with it. Plus, I bought several sample packs of k-cups (some from Amazon, some directly from Keurig) so that my guests would have a good choice of coffee, tea or hot cocoa (I store them on the Keurig Spinning Carousel). So far my favorites have been the Newman's Own Fair Trade Organic dark roast and Celestial Seasoning's Sleepy Time tea. I have enjoyed owning this brewer so much that I purchased a B40 for work. I really recommend this item. Keurig 5060 27-Cup-Capacity K-Cup Spinning Carousel, Chrome Keurig B40 Elite Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System | ||
 | Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator | |
| "Good, but it cannot compare to the Garmin Colorado" | 2008-07-07 |
| I bought the Garmin 60CSx in February of '07, primarily to use for Geocaching. Although I have owned many GPS receivers in the past, including the somewhat similar Rino 130, I had a hard time getting used to the controls on the 60CSx. For me at least, they are not at all intuitive. I kept pushing the wrong button or having to cycle through all of the screens in order get to the feature that I desired. The display is just so-so, the contrast and the color seems soft and the screen is small. I lost the unit due partly to the faulty design of the case that Garmin makes for it (it feel off while I was climbing and could not be retrieved). When it came to a replacement I waited until the Colorado became available, primarily because I was never really happy with the 60 series and I hoped that the Colorado series would be superior. It is! I will be writing a review for the Colorado 400t on it's own page. What I would like to say here is that if you are considering buying a top of the line, hand-held GPSr, (and, if you don't already own the Garmin mapping software that you plan to use with it) I would strongly suggest that you consider the Colorado models. They are must easier to learn, quicker to use, have a better display and can be purchased with the desired software already preloaded. I really love my Colorado, I couldn't say that of the 60Scx. | ||
 | Amuse-Bouche: Little Bites That Delight Before the Meal Begins | |
| "From Hannibal Lecter's Table to Yours" | 2008-07-07 |
| I really enjoyed the idea of this book. I was familiar with the title words from both my culinary readings and my dining experiences, but I had never heard it used in American popular culture until I saw the movie "Red Dragon" several years ago. Hannibal Lecter was serving a small dish (later we discover that it was a body part of an unfortunate flutist) to the Baltimore Symphony board when one of the members asked "Hannibal, what is this divine looking amuse-bouche?". Dr. Lecter replied (in the bone-chilling manner that Anthony Hopkins perfected for this character) "If I tell you... I'm afraid that you won't even try it". One of the advantages of serving an amuse-bouche is that the home cook can use ingredients that would be too expensive to use in a main course (truffles, caviar, pate, etc.) except for the most special of occasions. Although I have tried several of the recipes in this wonderful book, many of them require specialized equipment that only the most advanced home cook would have in his/her arsenal (things like a "cream whipper" for producing foams, specialty juicers, meat slicers, a Japanese potato mandolin, and so on). Don't get me wrong, I have most of the above equipment and I've prided myself in the past for trying to tackle any recipe, regardless of how difficult the technique or how laborious the preparation. Although it was always a great learning exercise for me, in the end I could have achieved similar results with less work. Regarding the illustrations; the photographs are well done but the reproduction quality in the book (maybe even the paper stock itself) causes them to appear dull and flat. Glossier paper might have helped. The photographer (Tim Turner) uses only two different photographic techniques; an extremely shallow depth of field (see the photo for the Warm Onion Tart with Thyme) and then a sharper, view camera-style overhead shot (such as the one used to illustrate the Soft Polenta with Forest Mushroom recipe). The lighting source seems to be mostly a large light-box which only adds to the overall softness and the lack of contrast in the photos. Including an additional side-light source would have added some snap to the shots. I also think that it would have added a more approachable feel to the illustrations had they used more natural looking sets (as in the Saffron-Champagne Sorbet photo) instead of the obvious studio arrangements. Also, since presentation is a major element in serving an Amuse-bouche, there are far too few photos, especially for a book with a $35 price tag. Still, the composition and design of the photographs are exquisite. That could be the work of Mr. Turner or of a talented art director and/or food stylist. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to serve something special to friends and family, but the recipes are too involved for most of us to use on a regular basis. I would love to see a book on this theme that uses some of the fine prepared products found on Amazon's Gourmet Food section or in specialty grocery stores. Until then, I am afraid that the amuse-bouche will never make the leap from a French culinary curiosity to a common offering in US homes, a leap that the appetizer successfully accomplished decades ago. | ||
 | Sony DCR-DVD610 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom | |
| "A Great Gift for a New Parent!" | 2008-07-01 |
| When my oldest daughter had her first child (it was also my first grandchild) two years ago I bought her a digital camera and printer. I have been since rewarded by receiving many photos of my favorite (and only) grandchild. Now, for my granddaughter's second birthday, I bought her this video camera. After reading many of the reviews for this and other camcorders on Amazon I picked the Sony DCR-DVD610 because met all of the needs that I had for a camcorder that I would give as a gift: 1. POPULAR. Almost everyone who purchased this item was very happy with it. This was not so with all of the best-selling camcorders, even those at twice the price. 2. EASY. I wanted to get her one that was fairly easy to use. I read the instruction book on-line and felt that this fit the bill. 3. DVDs. It was important to me that it used some sort of DVD as the primary recording media since I feel that it is more archival than tape and more secure than a hard drive only. 4. PRICE. Even though would have been willing to spend more, I was hoping for something under $400. I also purchased an accessory kit (which included a bag, an extra battery and 2 DVDs) and then some extra Sony brand DVDs (after reading some of the reviews I decided to stick with the Sony brand in order to avoid the message that pops up when you use a different brand of DVDs). So far my daughter and her husband have been VERY happy with this gift and I am hoping see some great videos of my beautiful granddaughter who lives several states away. Sony ACC-DVDH2 Accessory Starter Kit for Handycam, DVD, Camcorders | ||
 | VICTORINOX Swiss Champ - Swiss Army Knife | |
| "A Wonderful Gift for Special People" | 2008-06-18 |
| I purchased several of these knives for Christmas gifts for some of my best customer's staff. They loved them! I have gotten more positive comments about the Swiss Army Champ than I have about gifts that cost quite a bit more. Everyone needs and wants a Swiss Army Knife. | ||
 | HP Pavilion DV6775US 15.4" Entertainment Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Black | |
| "A Good Computer For Teenagers" | 2008-06-10 |
| I use a Dell (my work computer) but when I wanted to buy a laptop for my two teenage daughters I picked this one. It seems to have enough features for them to enjoy now, and it probably should last them 2-3 years (seems to be the life expectancy of a laptop, at least for me). They play a lot of video games on it and the processor is fast enough to keep up with the graphics. My sons all own Apples and usually swear by them, but sometimes (when they play video games) they swear at them. So far I think that I make the right choice with this computer. | ||
 | Shun Ken Onion Chef's Knife | |
| "A Great Knife with One Exception" | 2008-06-10 |
| I have a complete (over 20 piece) set of Wusthof Classics and I really thought that they were the best, until I received this knife as a Christmas gift. Absolutely great! It is very sharp, holds an edge well and is a dream to handle. The only problem that I've had with it is that the blade has stained slightly. I should be able to have a professional knife shop take the stains off, but I never had this problem with my other knives. Overall a fine knife and I plan to buy more, even though I have more chef knives that any one man should. | ||
 | HP Pavilion DV6770SE 15.4" Entertainment Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-62 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) | |
| "A Good Computer For Teenagers" | 2008-06-10 |
| I use a Dell (my work computer) but when I wanted to buy a laptop for my two teenage daughters I picked this one. It seems to have enough features for them to enjoy now, and it probably should last them 2-3 years (seems to be the life expectancy of a laptop, at least for me). They play a lot of video games on it and the processor is fast enough to keep up with the graphics. My sons all own Apples and usually swear by them, but sometimes (when they play video games) they swear at them. So far I think that I make the right choice with this computer. | ||
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