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Reviews Written By: AWPODHOB4GFWL

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	Crayola Glow Station can create with Light!
	"Artistic Fun In The Dark"	2008-11-30
"Crayola" has been around since 1885 (then known as `Binney & Smith'), so you know they understand kid's toys. The `GlowStation' says it for ages 6 to 15, but I can easily see younger kids enjoying this cool gift. Like a glowing `canvas' kids can use the battery powered `wand' of light to create their own shapes, designs and drawings. The kit also contains stencils, tracer shapes and stencil sheets. Its fun in the dark, and as kids create glowing drawings, they can watch them as they slowly fade away over time - magically. Creativity is only limited by your child's imagination. This is a great start for kids who are artistically inclined. Not for everyone, but if your child likes to draw on the walls, this is a much better option.
	EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles
	"Great Fun For Kids - Adult Supervision Required!"	2008-11-21
Eye-Clops Night Vision is a very cool toy, but it does require adult supervision and some parental warnings. This is a state-of-the-art Night Vision Goggle that truly lets you see in two modes (green or black/white) in the complete dark up to 50 feet! The top and side straps allow a comfortable fit for any sized head. The left eye has an eyepiece that opens and closes to allow normal vision, but when closed, the right eye takes in all the night action. Note that this greatly diminishes the sense of perception. There is the Maximum Surveillance Mode for seeing up to 50 feet (the nearly invisible red ring shows on the outside of the helmet) or the Close Proximity Stealth Mode. Both are amazingly clear. If you sit out long enough, you can not only see people, but cats and squirrels and other creatures roaming the darkness. It's very cool. However, adult supervision is required. One should never ride a bike, skateboard or run with the goggles on for the lack of depth of perception and not being able to see with your peripheral vision. The view is a small square slot straight ahead. A very good idea is to carry a flashlight with you, in case you get lost or disoriented. But for simple fun, sneaking around and spying in the dark, kids will love these goggles. They will amaze adults, as well, but I wouldn't go walking around my neighborhood at night alone with these on! Too creepy for adults!
	Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Waterproof Digital Camera (Blue)
	"Fisher-Price Fun!"	2008-11-17
Would you give a child a camera to play with on their own? Now you can. Fisher-Price has been making children's toys since 1930 and this is truly a wonderful toy for a youngster. This is very durable and your child can drop this camera over and over again without fear of breaking it (within reason, of course. I can't say you can drop it off the roof!). It will survive laying in the wet grass or even under 3 feet of water (for no more than 30 minutes they say). It's the simplicity that your kid will love. The viewfinder is actually `two-eye viewing' like those old 3-D viewers from the sixties. Your child can just push their face right into the camera and easily learn what makes a good picture. The controls are easy and you'll probably find your child shooting silly picture after silly picture until they learn which shots are their favorites. The 1.5" color LCD screen shows your child exactly what the picture looks like - instant gratification! Being smaller, you might have to teach your child to aim higher to get a complete photo. It has a 64 MB built in memory for up to about 500 photos. If you want 4" X 6" quality photos, you can set the resolution for your child giving about 200 high quality photos. After your child has dropped, kicked, splashed and finished up taking photos, you can take over. You can easily download them to your computer, where you can crop them for your kid. After that, you'll be the one ordering the prints. This is a keeper!
	Mitsubishi LT-52149 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Integrated Sound Projector
	"Sound and Vision - A New Standard is Set!"	2008-10-05
For several years I have hunted around electronic stores for a good television and sound system. Every salesman told me that people will spend thousands on a screen, but barely anything for sound. This made no sense to me. I ended up with a 5.1 Denon surround system to go with my 27" tube television. Then Mitsubishi releases the first high-quality flat screen television with an integrated sound system that actually produces surround sound. It is an impressive set. Set-up is fairly easy, as when you first plug in a cable from your DVD player or Cable/Dish, a screen pops up called, "Auto Output Sensing", which guides you through each device. VIDEO: The border of the LT-52149 is surrounded by a 1" black frame and a 4.5" bottom which includes the Integrated Sound Projector. The screen is a matte plastic that barely reflects any light, even when exposed to lots of indirect light. LCD screens are also lighter than Plasma and are more energy efficient. The setup is fairly intuitive with an array of adjustable features such as contrast, brightness, tint, sharpness, color range, etc. all which produce a truly realistic and vibrant color. This model contains an `international color standard' that supports 1.8 times more colors. I can tell just by adjusting the color setup that this flat screen color quality far surpasses anything I have seen in a store. Television transmission (I use Direct TV Satellite) is very good, but DVD movies are as crisp as anything I have ever seen (I have a SONY DVD/SACD player). You can also adjust the screen ratio to fit your style, such as stretch (Letterbox), stretch plus, narrow, zoom, and expand and standard (Full Screen). I was surprised to find there is no "Picture in picture" feature, but my Direct TV Satellite has a similiar feature. The 52-inch screen is best for rooms that are 20' feet or more in viewing distance, but the clarity and tight pixelation is suberb. AUDIO: This is what put this system over the top for me. Without wires and 16 small projecting speakers at the base of the screen, the LT-52149 produces an amazing surround sound. Now I have a 5.1 surround system which produces specific sounds from specific speakers. The Integrated Sound Projector produces a surround sound by transmitting the sounds to different walls and areas of your room. The setup can be customized by use of a colored plan diagram on the screen showing your seating position and the angles of the sound. You can adjust center, left, right, left (surround), right (surround), etc. until the sound is balanced according to your liking. It is not as pure as having a specific speaker producing one channel, but it is more of an all-encompassing surround sound (called Pro Logic II Simulated Surround Sound). It's actually a more realistic surround sound as opposed to a studio recording where different instruments come from different positions. I'm a hard-core audiophile, so I like both versions. If you just want a brilliant sound without the hassle of several speakers and wires, you'll be amazed. Plus, if you add a subwoofer, the richness of the sound is complete. I recommend a Yamaha or a Denon subwoofer and both can be purchased for less than $100. You really do need a subwoofer to experience the full range of the sound. COOL STUFF: Besides a fairly easy setup program, the LT-52149 comes with lots of extras. There is a USB Photo Port easily accessible on the back where you can plug in your camera or card reader to watch a slideshow of your favorite shots or video. There is a clock setting to turn the television on or off according to your preferences. If you have children, you can `Lock' programs by their Ratings or Time. You can also lock the remote control - period. The remote control can be used to control other devices (DVD, VCR, DVR) by using the enclosed IR Emittor (these are small transmitters placed by the remote signal receptor of your desired device). The system is `Blu-Ray', MP3 player and gaming compatible. There is a free TV Guide Daily service available as well. *However, this system does not come with the `kitchen sink'. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before you begin, you need to know what cables to buy. Call the manufacturer of your DVD player and ask them if your model is CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) compatible. If it is, you need to buy/use an "HDMI to HDMI" cable. If it is not, you need to buy/use a triple color-coded "Component Video Cable" (connects High & Standard Definition A/V components). All these items can be purchased locally or on Amazon.com. I am a bit surprised at how long it took any manufacturer to come up with an integrated sound system with a high-quality flat screen television. This system does the trick and more!
	Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [Blu-ray]
	"Looks Great/Sounds Great - Plot Suffers Terribly"	2008-09-23
Let me be very fair by stating that this film is beautifully recreated in Blu-Ray with all the special effects and sound seemingly amplified! It's a beauty! However, the fourth installment of "Indiana Jones" is a disappointment. The entrance scene with Indiana and his fedora in a silhouette is a nice start, but the film's plot quickly disintegrates into implausibility. Now, I do understand the Saturday `Flash Gordon' type stories where credibility is stretched for entertainment, but this film stretches and breaks. Marion is back (Karen Allen) and her entrance is so very welcome, but she soon disappears into a one-dimensional character. Indiana's new side-kick (Shia LaBeouf) misses his mark and only annoys when constantly slicking back his hair (thanks to George Lucas). John Hurt is such a great actor, it hurts to see him delegated to barely speaking, but his face tells a lot more than the dialogue around him. Cate Blanchett is thoroughly believable as the commie villain, but her character is also `dumbed-down'. The action scenes are not as inventive as previous Indiana Jones films (remember the first 15 minutes of "Temple of Doom" from the dance number, "Anything Goes" to jumping out a three-story building to a car chase to jumping out of a plane in a raft to sliding down a snow peaked glacier to dropping off a cliff into a wild raging river and on and on...?) There is nothing like that here. There is a floating car with our heroes that goes over numerous gigantic waterfalls and no one gets hurt (only a little wet). The car chase scene on the cliff never gets too exciting and to see LaBeouf swinging on vines ala Tarzan is just TOO much to have the audience believe. Do I need to add the scene where Indy survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a refrigerator that is blown a mile away? And finally, I apologize, but the "Close Encounters" ending is fairly dramatic, but with all that torrential water gushing, mountains collapsing and the winds hurling around the characters, why don't their clothes or hair move at all? It is the most egregious CGI overlook since George Lucas ("Return Of The Jedi") had Mark Hamill fly through the redwood forest on the air-scooters and the ferns didn't move at all. Like I said, I tried to be fair. It is still a great film compared to most that is out there. But when Lucas and Spielberg set the bar SO high with previous works, they can't top themselves and that hurts - kind of like growing up and realizing your heroes are really ordinary people. But it's still worth watching (or owning), if only for its historical significance and the beautifully filmed scenery (in Blu-Ray!!!) Get the first three in Blu-Ray as well (when available). The difference will make the films seem like new!
	Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)
	"Perfect Camera For Lots Of Different Uses!"	2008-09-22
I ruined my `Nikon 7900' 7.0 megapixel camera after three great years by getting it wet. This was upsetting as I had the SCUBA encasement for that model and a ton of accessories. My nephew turned me onto the `Canon SD1100' (as it also has an optional SCUBA encasement) and I am very happy. It has one more megapixel (8.0) capacity for crisper pictures (up to 16 X 22 prints), a larger 2.5-inch LCD monitor and tons of extras. There is an "Optical Image Stabilizer" which reduces the blur of any camera movement, even with low light. There is also a cool feature called, "Face Detection WB" which means the camera concentrates upon faces, then it calculates "white balance" for the best colors and tones. You can also just select ONE face among the group to highlight (think Birthday parties)! There is a cool "red-eye" correction that identifies and corrects red-eye when pictures are taken. You can also later detect and correct "red-eye" during image playback. The camera is smaller and thinner than my previous Nikon and it fits very easily into any pocket (be careful!). It's quick, easy and responds readily. It is a great value for the price. The pictures are just as good (maybe better) than my old camera. I can't wait to go diving now so I can try the underwater encasement (accessory). You can also buy a less expensive underwater encasement accessory for up to 15 feet of depth for snorkeling and there is a waterproof encasement accessory for rainy day shooting.
	Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Blue)
	"Perfect Camera For Lots Of Different Uses!"	2008-09-22
I ruined my `Nikon 7900' 7.0 megapixel camera after three great years by getting it wet. This was upsetting as I had the SCUBA encasement for that model and a ton of accessories. My nephew turned me onto the `Canon SD1100' (as it also has an optional SCUBA encasement) and I am very happy. It has one more megapixel (8.0) capacity for crisper pictures (up to 16 X 22 prints), a larger 2.5-inch LCD monitor and tons of extras. There is an "Optical Image Stabilizer" which reduces the blur of any camera movement, even with low light. There is also a cool feature called, "Face Detection WB" which means the camera concentrates upon faces, then it calculates "white balance" for the best colors and tones. You can also just select ONE face among the group to highlight (think Birthday parties)! There is a cool "red-eye" correction that identifies and corrects red-eye when pictures are taken. You can also later detect and correct "red-eye" during image playback. The camera is smaller and thinner than my previous Nikon and it fits very easily into any pocket (be careful!). It's quick, easy and responds readily. It is a great value for the price. The pictures are just as good (maybe better) than my old camera. I can't wait to go diving now so I can try the underwater encasement (accessory). You can also buy a less expensive underwater encasement accessory for up to 15 feet of depth for snorkeling and there is a waterproof encasement accessory for rainy day shooting.
	Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Pink)
	"Perfect Camera For Lots Of Different Uses!"	2008-09-22
I ruined my `Nikon 7900' 7.0 megapixel camera after three great years by getting it wet. This was upsetting as I had the SCUBA encasement for that model and a ton of accessories. My nephew turned me onto the `Canon SD1100' (as it also has an optional SCUBA encasement) and I am very happy. It has one more megapixel (8.0) capacity for crisper pictures (up to 16 X 22 prints), a larger 2.5-inch LCD monitor and tons of extras. There is an "Optical Image Stabilizer" which reduces the blur of any camera movement, even with low light. There is also a cool feature called, "Face Detection WB" which means the camera concentrates upon faces, then it calculates "white balance" for the best colors and tones. You can also just select ONE face among the group to highlight (think Birthday parties)! There is a cool "red-eye" correction that identifies and corrects red-eye when pictures are taken. You can also later detect and correct "red-eye" during image playback. The camera is smaller and thinner than my previous Nikon and it fits very easily into any pocket (be careful!). It's quick, easy and responds readily. It is a great value for the price. The pictures are just as good (maybe better) than my old camera. I can't wait to go diving now so I can try the underwater encasement (accessory). You can also buy a less expensive underwater encasement accessory for up to 15 feet of depth for snorkeling and there is a waterproof encasement accessory for rainy day shooting.
	600 4' RCA Audio Interconnect Cable - ULT I600-4
	"Best Value, Quality and Price"	2008-09-12
When I got a new flat screen TV, I wanted to make sure I had the best cables for audio. The clips are strong and obviously more durable than your basic cables. The gold-plated connectors ensure full signal transfer with no glitches. Because these cables are 2-way balanced bandwidths, your treble and bass signals are much clearer and crisper with no `crackles' or `drop-outs'. If that weren't enough, you would pay more than three times this price at any electronics store. Good stuff, plus THX (George Lucas) approved.br /br /Caution: This model is only four feet in length!br /
	Stevie Nicks - Enchanted: The Works of Stevie Nicks
	"A Huge Feat!"	2008-08-07
Stevie Nicks 3-CD Box Set is a force to be reckoned with. Many will argue that all of the best stuff could have been done on two discs, but that would have eliminated a lot of very interesting compositions out of the light, especially since she alrady had five solo albums. The range of style is vast, from the rocking, "Edge Of Seventeen" to the new piano version of "Rhiannon". Some of the songs here are great collaborations between Nicks and Jeff Lynne/Tom Petty ("Free Fallin"), Kenny Loggins/Melissa Manchester ("Whenever I Call You Friend"), Warren Zevon ("Reconsider Me") and Sheryl Crow ("Somebody Stand By Me"). The other collaborators are an amazingly collection, including, Don Henley (Eagles), Bruce Hornsby (Bruce Hornsby & The Range), Kenny Loggins, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Kenny G, David Foster (Piano, Producer), Don Felder (Eagles), Davey Johnstone (Elton John), Mike Campbell, Paul Buckmaster (Bee Gees), David Crosby (CSN&Y) and Don Was (Producer). Box Sets are made to include great DEMO cuts and Nicks supplies interesting songs like, "Sweet Girl" and "It's Late". The duets succeed with Nicks singing with Don Henley on, "Leather and Lace" and with Tom Petty on "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around". Its of no small notice that there is no female/female duet, which would have been wonderful, particularly seeing that Sheryl Crow has supplied work here and sang on the Fleetwood Mac future song, "Say You Will". Of course, the set is filled with great glossy photos and liner notes enough to satisfy any fan. Nicks proves she has the range of any major pop/rock diva with this exhaustive set and its nice to see so many famous talents lending a hand. It still begs the question why Nicks, being such a prolific songwriter, has left out, "Dreams", the only "number one" hit with Fleetwood Mac.
	Netgear WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server w/ 4-port Switch
	"Tough To Install - Runs Well"	2008-08-04
When I finally purchased a laptop (Dell), I wanted to be able to use the integrated Wi-Fi anywhere in my house. This router works perfectly. From the 4 extra jacks, I was not only able to keep my landline DSL, but I added my OOMA phone service as well (you can add a printer too). The reception for my laptop is perfect, even for running videos over the Internet. I can get reception through three walls and about eighty feet. Be warned that the installation is not easy. I had to call Netgear support in India to have them walk me through the on-line setup (have you ever had support from India? They are extremely polite, but I have a tin ear for accents). It took about 90 minutes (of near hell). If I had to do it again, I could, but the first time experience is not easy. When I want security, I only use my DSL, but for basic Internet use with my laptop, I have my own direct Wi-Fi channel. Its very convenient and worth the trouble. Plus, if my desktop crashes, I will still have Internet capability.
	Fellowes Powershred SB-87Cs Confetti Cut Shredder
	"A Powerhouse Shredder!"	2008-08-04
I've been through two paper shredders (Black & Decker) in three months. They always jam or break. So I figured I'd spend more than $75 and I love this shredder. The crosscutting method makes for compacted and unreadable pieces of paper at a whopping 15 sheets at once. Most max out at 10 sheets. Plus this `shredder" is so powerful, it easily cuts up compact discs, credit card, staples (thick staples) and paper clips. I have never had it jam, stop or overheat. Its great to be able to simply put an unopened envelope in it and have it just shredded. It's also extremely safe, but when you flip it over and look at the sharp grinders, you'll understand why this shredder does such an amazing job. There are some nice little extras that most shredders don't think about, like the rolling casters to push it under a desk or table. There is also a nifty little holder for the manual and the oil (you do need to slightly oil it occasionally). It's also fairly quiet, considering that it cuts up anything from 15 sheets to compact discs. It's well worth the price (check out the specially priced shredders offered here).
	Abba - ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits
	"400 Million And Counting"	2008-07-31
Nineteen of ABBA's best songs are plenty, but you won't tire of them. It is amazing that four Swedes (Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus as writers and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog as the main singers) could take such simple English cliches and turn them into pop music magic. Despite sometimes maddeningly simple lyrics, the song arrangements were unnervingly catchy and the multi-level layered compostions are fascinating. The keyboards and synthesizers were used in some of the more ingenious ways during the seventies to produce that unmistakeable ABBA sound. The energy and nearly anthemic enthusiasm eminating from each song marked them all as instant classics, no matter how jaded or synical the listener. It is doubtlful if you read the song list here that you would not know the melody. The one ironic thing about this groups phenomenal success, is that of over 400 million album sales, they only had one number one hit in the US - "Dancing Queen". But it is one heck of a great song.
	Garmin MapSource US TOPO (24k National Parks, West)
	"Detailed and Accurate Enough, But Expensive"	2008-07-27
Unfortunately, the Garmin hiking GPS units do not have detailed maps, so I needed to buy this particular software for all the eastern National Parks (and the Adirondack State Park). The area covers most every park from Florida to Maine. You do need to purchase a small memory card that is inserted into the battery compartment of your Garmin handheld for data storage. I bought a 2 GB Sandisk card to make sure I had plenty of memory. The maps are at a scale of 1:24,000 (from USGS maps) and are not extremely detailed, but will get you to wherever to want to go (and return). There are plenty of accurate points of interest (POI) such as visitor's centers, camping and picnic areas, wilderness campsites, ranger stations, restaurants and lodges, trail names, summit elevations, peaks, roads and hiking trails, etc. You can even download specific quadrants of areas to your liking without having to download extra information you might never need. I have been able to share trails and waypoints from friends and download them into my handheld for easy use. It's not the most detailed mapping data, but it is enough to get you where you want to go (and back again). The Mapsource program has a ton of valuable tools for use on your PC (or MAC). Most all of your hiking and mapping needs can be accomplished on your computer before (and afterwards) so you can save all the valuable data you need or have acquired. In fact, there are almost too many tools to grasp, making this a worthwhile (if slightly over-priced) piece of software.
	Mapsource 24K Topo National Parks - East Region
	"Detailed and Accurate Enough, But Expensive"	2008-07-27
Unfortunately, the Garmin hiking GPS units do not have detailed maps, so I needed to buy this particular software for all the eastern National Parks (and the Adirondack State Park). The area covers most every park from Florida to Maine. You do need to purchase a small memory card that is inserted into the battery compartment of your Garmin handheld for data storage. I bought a 2 GB Sandisk card to make sure I had plenty of memory. The maps are at a scale of 1:24,000 (from USGS maps) and are not extremely detailed, but will get you to wherever to want to go (and return). There are plenty of accurate points of interest (POI) such as visitor's centers, camping and picnic areas, wilderness campsites, ranger stations, restaurants and lodges, trail names, summit elevations, peaks, roads and hiking trails, etc. You can even download specific quadrants of areas to your liking without having to download extra information you might never need. I have been able to share trails and waypoints from friends and download them into my handheld for easy use. It's not the most detailed mapping data, but it is enough to get you where you want to go (and back again). The Mapsource program has a ton of valuable tools for use on your PC (or MAC). Most all of your hiking and mapping needs can be accomplished on your computer before (and afterwards) so you can save all the valuable data you need or have acquired. In fact, there are almost too many tools to grasp, making this a worthwhile (if slightly over-priced) piece of software.
	Garmin eTrex Venture Cx Handheld GPS Navigator
	"Great Product But High Learning Curve"	2008-07-27
Garmin makes a great number of high quality handheld GPS devices. I particularly chose this one for hiking and remote camping uses. Specifically, I purchased a 2 GB mini memory card (SanDisk) and then the Garmin US TOPO 24K (National Parks East, for starts). I was able to pick specific quadrants from the US TOPO CD software and download it to my Garmin handheld through my PC (MAC also works). It worked perfectly. I will admit that the learning curve is high on this and I tend to get excited about electronic devices in general. This took taking the instruction manual and going step-by-step to learn all the functions available. For starters, I simply went outside and turned it on. Within a minute I had several satellite acquisitions and was immediately shown where I was (in the world). The basic map included on the device is not that particularly detailed, so I purchased additional software data. You can read all about the functions that are installed on this unit here at Amazon. Some are marking a waypoint, finding a position, tracking, highway plans, a calendar, alarm clock, calculator, stopwatch, sun and moon schedules and various games. You also have access to its compass and a driving set-up that will tell you your speed, distance reaming (to your destination), estimated travel time, etc. If you were hiking and got lost, you would be able to backtrack your steps, as if you had left markers or `breadcrumbs'. The unit itself is extremely well made and could survive several `drops' and is waterproof. The display (approximately 2" X 1.5") is plenty for view-ability. The screen actually changes from a bright daytime screen to a nighttime mode. Every function is verified by a slight "beep". Unfortunately, you do need to buy Garmin maps to download to the unit, as the one included is not very detailed and for additional data input, you really do need a mini memory card. But for the price and the number of functions, this is really a good value. Nothing beats a map and compass, but this is a great addition to any hiking that you may do. Also, for driving directions, the only thing lacking is the voice response. I highly recommend you research other Garmin models and all the accessories you might want to purchase for your personal use.
	SanDisk 2Gb microSD Card with Adapter
	"Smaller Size = Bigger Memory!"	2008-07-24
Memory cards have really come down in price. This 2 GB memory card is perfect for just about any device you have - your mobile phone, GPS unit, camera etc. With this much memory, you can be sure you'll never run out of room for pictures, videos, data or music. Another great thing about these cards are that they are universally compatible. For example, the mini-card (approximately ¼" X ½") can be placed in your mobile phone or GPS unit. If you have a camera or need to use it in your computer in a larger slot, simply place the mini card in the more standard sized SD card (approximately 1" X ¾") and insert that. For the price, I would recommend going for the 2 GB over the smaller memory cards.
	2996AVZ Altima Bagless Upright vacuum
	"Does The Job - But Made Of Plastic"	2008-07-10
The Eureka Altima vacuum cleaner has come along way. First, the bad: It is still somewhat bulky to roll around, the electrical cord still is manual. The round filter DOES collect all the allergens, pollen and dust and really works, but when you need to dump out the clear container, you need to remove the filter AND shake out the particles in the filter (do it outside). Now for the good: The wide track is rubberized for protection and the adjustable height adjusts for a deep rug to a bare floor. It truly does suck up all particles (kitty litter, dust, etc.) without spitting it out the back of the vacuum cleaner. The `spin duster' is a neat attachment, as it is soft and really does attract and pull out dust. Simply putting it back in its case and turning of the vacuum cleaner sucks out the 'spin duster'. There are several great attachments that are very handy and handily placed. So, besides the noise and the bulk and the fairly cheap plastic construction, this cleaner is the best I have had in my household to this day. Its worth the price.
	Simon & Garfunkel - The Best of Simon & Garfunkel
	"The Best Remastered Issue To Date"	2008-07-10
For a truly definitive and distinct collection, this remastered disc really brings out all the nuances and subtleties of all the Simon & Garfunkel classics. With twenty great songs, I have to admit that even the over-played, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" has a new essence and urgency that lacked in earlier recordings. The ambience is so much stronger. "The Sounds Of Silence" and "Old Friends" are so clean that it's actually odd not to hear any background hiss - the vocals and guitars are so crisp. The more upbeat songs like, "Cecilia", "The Boxer" and "I Am A Rock" seem to place more emphasis on the percussion than on earlier recordings. "America" and "My Little Town" make for perfect album closers, as they sum up just about all that Simon & Garfunkel have stood for and cared about for so many decades. For absolutists, the Box Set contains everything, but this disc captures the true sound and essence of Simon & Garfunkel. The liner notes by David Halberstaml is a welcome addition with comments and US chart positions for all songs, something you don't get when you buy songs individually on-line.
	Fellowes Powershred SB-97Cs Confetti Cut Shredder
	"A Great & Easy Investment"	2008-07-02
I finally went out and bought a decent paper shredder after having one that only did five sheets at a time and was flimsy and top-heavy. Fellowes has an excellent reputation and I am glad I spent the money on this very cool shredder. It is a heavy duty machine and even though it says it will take up to 17 pages, I have fed it more (granted, it goes a little slower but gets the job done). No more waiting forever. Entire envelopes full of bank statements just zip right through the entry. The safety feature allows the machine to shut off when the entry area is touched. Unlike my old shredder that did long cuts of shredding, this shredder crosscuts the paper into tiny pieces which compacts easily. Plus having 10-gallon container means less garbage bags (my old shredder was a 5-gallon and filled up quickly). I also burn a lot of CD's (with mistakes) and this device just grinds them up (never break a CD with your hands - they splinter into tiny fragments). You also can stop worrying about a jam with thick staples. This model will notify you when it jams and I have only had that happen few times when I really tried to push it. The built in casters make for easy moving around and the whole unit is attractive. Also the idea of a seven-year warrantee is a good guarantee that you have a quality product. Like I said, Fellowes has a great reputation.
	Logitech diNovo Mini
	"Check One Out In Person"	2008-06-30
First, the demographics for this device are the typical teenager or college student. Sure, it looks cool and is about the size of your hand, but its size is not necessarily an advantage. It is easily charged and set up with a convenient CD package and a blue tooth USB stick. You can text, play and watch TV/Movies from a distance (up to 30 feet), but that's if you have perfect vision. I did like the way the media-center instantly pops up and the mouse scroll is easy to work. If I want to text or write an Email, I found the keyboard to be just too small and the set-up is slightly different than a typical keyboard. If you are good at text messaging on a phone, you won't have a problem here. You can change the keyboard to be a `directional pad' or a `touch pad', which is kind of convenient. As far as viewing anything on your television or in your stereo, you would need a direct cable connection from your PC to your entertainment center. Most people now have a mini-stereo system on their PC or a HTPC anyway. The battery life is plenty long enough and I just keep mine plugged in constantly. Like most Logitech items, the look is sleek and handsome, although the smoked plastic cover could easily be broken or cracked. I see this as a fun toy for teens or people in college or early twenties. Its interesting to see that so many modern items are getting smaller and smaller while the `boomers' group is getting older with less nimble fingers and poorer eyesight. I would inspect one in person before buying.
	VICTORINOX Swiss Champ - Swiss Army Knife
	"Everyone Must Own A Swiss Army Knife!"	2008-06-23
Did you know that a man named Karl Elsener, a cutler in Ibach, Schwyz, Switzerland invented the original Swiss Army Knife and it was dispersed to soldiers in 1891? This amazing little invention has been around that long and has gone through more and more improvements. Any outdoors person should not be without one. Whether camping, hiking or fishing, this is a must have. Be careful of cheaper imitations. Everything is stainless steel with thirty-two different uses. It literally has everything you need on a camping trip. You can read about more in the supplies page, but I would recommend that after each use, you clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth and then wipe all the blades with basic oil fluid. It does have a lifetime warranty (against any defects), but if you take care of this amazing "knife" you can pass it along to the next generation. It is a fantastic gift for anyone. I won't repeat what you can read above - just check out what this great invention contains! "Victorinox" is the original 'Swiss Army Knife'!
	Brunton 9020G - Classic Compass
	"Good Beginner Compass"	2008-06-23
This `easy-to-read' compass is perfect for map and compass orienteering. It has a tool free adjustable declination for easy navigating and gives you graduations in degrees. The scale is in both inches and millimeters and the clear plastic makes for easy use on any map. Unfortunately, there is no site-mirror, which makes for a more accurate reading. It's small size and price (under $10!) makes for a simple, efficient compass when backpacking or hiking. It's a good beginner compass, but remember that you get what you pay for. For a little more money you can get a nice "Lensatic" military compass with a sighting-arm.
	The Earth and the Sky: Stories
	"Global Emotions"	2008-06-22
Debbie Lee Wesselmann presents over a dozen short stories in her first book, "The Earth And The Sky". The book's stories are as varied as the landscapes and location they occur in. From Japan to Italy and the Caribbean to the American mid-west, Wessellman's stories have common themes. From intimacy lost and regained, the sharing of fear and angst and the ultimate understanding of our fellow human beings, the stories produce new situations with sometimes unexpected conclusions. There is the wonderfully difficult story of the American wife living with her Japanese husband in Japan. She is caught in an unfamiliar world having to learn new customs while maintaining her own self respect. There is the story of the woman who learns to overcome her fear of water while snorkeling in the Cayman Islands. The excitement of the storm chaser in the Mid-west hoping for the best photos of disaster learns to understand what it really means to live in tornado-alley. However, the most intriguing story is that of the two girls who are renting their family's Italian villa to an American family. Although told in English, the girls do not speak English very well. The ensuing language barrier proves both humorous and near tragic. It proves that language is not the barrier we think when it comes down to human emotions. Enhancing all the stories are rich and vivid descriptions of the landscape, the sights, the smells, the huge range of feelings from fear and confusion to understanding and contentment. This collection covers a lot of territory, cultures and personalities and satisfies at every turn. Wesselmann's latest book is, "Captivity".
	Dremel 761-01 Pet Nail Grooming Kit
	"The "Shelties" Love the Attention!"	2008-06-19
My roommate had two `shelties' (that my cat would terrorize). He uses this nail groomer once a month along with brushing their teeth! Yeah, they love to have their teeth cleaned, but one of the dogs shakes violently whenever her nails are being trimmed, as it only takes one bad cut with the clippers to freak out your dog. However, he just spends a few minutes grinding their little toenails and they seem really happy with the attention. As I mentioned, these are small dogs and very obedient, but I can't see how this wouldn't work for any dog. As for my cat, "Scratchy" - she runs screaming and hides at just the slightest sound of this thing.
	Coleman Stainless Steel 2-Person Mess Kit
	"Pricey and Excessive"	2008-06-15
Stainless steel that weighs about 1.5 pounds sounds like a good deal until you look at the price. Good mess kits can be purchased at much cheaper prices. Coleman makes good products, but this is a throw-away. I would recommend getting plastic cups for drinking and the Open Country Sierra 5-Piece Nonstick Backpacker Cooking Set for cooking, here at Amazon.com. That's all you really need.
	Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern with Carrying Case - 2500-770
	"Coleman Is The Best!"	2008-06-10
I know there are a lot of rechargeable lanterns out there for the same price, but nothing beats Coleman lanterns for ease or atmosphere. The glass globe is heavily protected with a metal guard (usually they sell for $5-$10 each). No matches are needed as this has an electronic ignition, which is very cool whether it's rainy, or not. The Insta-Clip tube mantle is a neat little invention and the ventilator is made out of porcelain, so it won't rust. The wide base is essential for sturdiness and it all fits neatly on a standard Coleman Propane Cylinder. At 4.7 pounds, this is a great backpacking light. Ten to eleven hours of light per cylinder is standard. There's nothing like the `silent hiss' of a Coleman lantern in the wilderness.
	Fujifilm Quick Snap Waterproof 35mm Single Use Camera
	"Finally!"	2008-06-10
Finally, a throwaway camera that CAN be used for SCUBA diving. 35 Feet is the perfect depth to see good underwater creatures (25 - 60 is the general range). Plus the Superia X-TRA 800 35mm film is made especially for underwater light, managing the magenta and blues will be balanced, making your pictures more realistic than with regular film. The camera colors are perfect for easy visibility as well. I'll bet this could go to 50 feet in depth, but that is risking it. The manufacturer's are always conservative. Don't forget its great for snow skiing as well. Good product for the price!
	Open Country 4317-3485-30 SIERRA 5-Piece Nonstick Backpacker Set
	"Simple and Lightweight!"	2008-06-10
This is simply two non-stick kettles (interior and exterior) with lids and compact aluminum clamps. The non-stick coating also makes for faster heat transfer for more even cooking. For serious backpacking, two containers to cook with is all you need. These pans are guaranteed dent-resistant and with the non-stick, cleanup is thankfully easy. With 1.9 liter capacity (that's one-half gallon), you can cook enough for four people. The best part about this five-piece set of pans is they only weigh 11 ounces!
	The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
	"Caters To A Specific Audience"	2008-06-02
I usually read biographies or non-fiction, so I really shouldn't be surprised that I found this book to be rather mind numbing. I'm also not into writing screenplays (fiction). There was some comparing of mythology and philosophy to "Star Wars" and other storytelling, and plenty discussion about story structure and patterns. But, I really found this to be tedious reading and repetitious. I can't really give it a fair review, as this topic does not interest me, but the book seems to be selling well. I'd recommend it to those who are very analytical about story telling and the basic structures. There are plenty of real-life examples here, if you are a screenwriter, teacher or just a fan of this type of pop culture.