Sylvania SIP320 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock

• Play and charge all iPods and play all iPhones
• PLL Digital FM tuner
• Wake to buzzer, radio, or your iPod
• Auxiliary input for playback of all audio devices
• Full Function Remote Control - navigate all iPod menus from afar with the included remote control

To be honest, I don't know what the other two reviewers are talking about. I have several docks in my home ranging from iHome to Bose. After reading the two reviews here, I almost passed this product but luckily read a bunch of other reviews on Google and decided to take a chance on this beauty. Its no Bose, but its sound quality is not bad at all. In fact, I'd rate it a 5/10, and better than most other docks I've seen. Yes, it emphasizes the high notes a bit more than other docks, but a simple EQ change on the iPod easily took care of that issue. In the looks department, its a stunner, especially at this low price. The weakest part of it is its radio, which (based on the other review) I didn't expect to be high quality. Overall, I'm very pleased with this little gizmo and would rate it at 4 stars if it were priced around $50. But given its amazing price, I think this is a steal for a low to medium end dock.

Buy Sylvania SIP320 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Now

Don't get me wrong I love the design of this stereo/alarm, but that's about it. The sound from the speakers are high pitched (like cheap speakers), so the sound quality isn't very good. The light from the clock is pretty bright. It lights up my whole room and makes it hard to sleep. The alarm setting on isn't thought out. The music comes on blasting or if you set the bell on it, it sounds like a horn. If I would have had a chance to try it out before I purchased it. I don't think I would have bought it.. The honest truth.

Read Best Reviews of Sylvania SIP320 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Here

See that clear, easy-to-see light-blue-on-black display in the picture? That's NOT what this clock has. Instead, the display is a bright (I mean REALLY bright, the last review was right) blue rectangle with black numbers. Almost impossible to read, especially at night.

Otherwise, I just want to echo the other review. Too bright, too loud (I haven't found a way to adjust the alarm level, but the radio BLARES loudly enough to wake the dead), and impossible for me or my wife to read what time it is. Pretty much failing at everything you need a clock radio to do.

Oh well, it looks nice.

Want Sylvania SIP320 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Discount?

I've had it for a weeks now and have knocked it down and banged up already a little and still working pretty decent, so that says a lot. I would honestly say the biggest drawback is the buttons don't always work the very best and all the different little stands for the various ipod styles could be labeled better but that's honestly nitpicking just a little on another plus side remote works pretty well and sometime better than the actually buttons if you don't press them directly

This radio/Ipod/ alarm clock is not only easy to use (almost idiot proof) but makes a great night light. The brightness of the light is adjustable. It is unique looking and the top is an easy place to store the remote. I am extremely happy with this puchase.

Read More >>

Dual XDM6350 AM/FM/CD MP3/WMA Receiver with Front USB Input

• AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver features US/European frequency spacing tuner with 30 station presets
• Auto station store, preset scan, one-touch memory, CD/MP3/WMA and front panel USB connection.
• 1.0 DIN chassis, electronic detachable face, electronic volume, bass, treble, balance, fader, programmable turn-on volume,
• 3-pairs of preamp outputs, 3.5mm front panel input as well as USB front panel input. 10 character dot matrix type LCD, wireless infrared remote
• Steering wheel control input (PAC SWI-PS required), 5 selectable EQ curves - pop, jazz, classic, beat and rock.
• USB input can charge many smartphones
• Play MP3 or WMA music files from your USB drive

My wife fell in love with this stereo when we saw it online. It has all the features we were looking for plays mp3 and CD-R, has a USB port, clock, mute and pause buttons, remote control, and allows for a steering wheel interface. It has large buttons compared to most car stereos we saw which makes it easier to use while driving. It worked perfectly with a 4 GB USB flash drive, but you do have to format it to FAT32. We also like the nice blue backlighting of all the buttons.

The installation was a bit of a pain because no one had a wiring harness for it with the correct plugs. The stereo comes with a harness that plugs into it with a bunch of wires sticking out. I had to get a generic harness and then connect the wires together. But it was not a big deal since all the wires are color codes and the manual tells you exactly what each color means. It works well with PAC SWI-PS just as the specifiations say.

It is true what the other reviewers said about the display and the volume knob. The display is not backlit, so it is hard to see in direct sun light. The volume knob does feel like it's made out of very cheap plastic, but if you don't intend to hammer nails with it, it should be fine.

I would definitely recommend this stereo for anyone who is looking for a budget stereo with lots of features.

Buy Dual XDM6350 AM/FM/CD MP3/WMA Receiver with Front USB Input Now

I've been using an FM transmitter in my car for the last few months and have just become fed up with the quality of sound/ frustration of finding the right station. When reading the reviews for this product, I was very excited because it sounded perfect for me: A usb port and aux, all I really wanted.

Here is the problem.... The title of this product says "with usb ipod control" when in fact, the device does not work with my ipod at all unless I am using the aux port. After doing some digging, it seems that this is true for everyone. When I plug in my iPhone or iPod touch, the device continues to say "reading" but never goes out of that phase. I was pretty disappointed to hear that but figured I could live with using the aux input while I just used the usb plug to keep my devices charged. Well, here is the other big problem: the stereo doesn't even charge my i-devices. When I plug it in, my device makes that "plugged in" sound 3 or 4 times rapidly but it stops at that and the battery charge icon does not show up. I double checked my wiring to make sure everything was okay and it appeared so. It may be possible that this unit is capable of working with something like the ipod classic because it doesn't store anything other than music files but I don't own one so I'm not for certain.

It's just really frustrating because the description clearly says that the device is compatible with ipods and that you could control them. The thought of being able to flip through my ipod with a remote sounds fantastic but it doesn't work that way.

If anyone has a solution to this problem, I would love to hear it. Moreover, Amazon and or Dual needs to changed the description of this item or be more specific with which devices it is compatible with.

I gave the player 2 stars because it was easy to set up and it sounds pretty good. If anyone doesn't care about the issues I encountered than I am sure this is a great player. I'm thinking of returning it unless I can find a solution somewhere.

Read Best Reviews of Dual XDM6350 AM/FM/CD MP3/WMA Receiver with Front USB Input Here

Purchased this unit on sale at Fry's for about $79 including installation for my wife's 2002 Civic. This relaced a four-year-old JVC player,that replaced a six-year-old factory player. Both had progessive problems that made them hard to use (they did not just stop working). We have had this unit for several months and my wife who only uses the radio and (mostly) the CD player considers it to be a good easy-to-operate radio/CD player. The only problem is the display which, at it's highest setting, is not bright enough to be seen during the daylight hours with sunshine. Otherwise it is a good player for the price.

Want Dual XDM6350 AM/FM/CD MP3/WMA Receiver with Front USB Input Discount?

Bought this so I could switch from playing CDs to using a 4 Gig USB flash drive to play music in my Miata. Because my car rides a bit hard (hey, it's a sports car) it is hard on CD mechanisms and they tend to fail after a year or two and then start skipping (even the ones that brag about their anti-skip capability). By switching to USB flash drives for holding my music I eliminate the failure of the mechanical mechanism of a CD drive. So far the unit works great, no skiping even on rough roads (lots of construction on my route to work lately). As far a the audio quality, it is fine for my old ears, and besides, let's get real, how important is having a super fine receiver in a sports car convertible. Those who outfit these cars with premium sound systems really shouldn't have a sports car as they are missing the point, they are a "drive's car" not a rolling sound studio. So, to summarize, it is a very nice unit for the money.

Save 61% Off

I replaced my Polk 4x6 Speakers in my 94' Silverado and picked Dual Deck up to power them after some suggestions from friends. Between the speakers and this deck the audio is really amazing for the price I paid. I originally did not think I would use the Remote that comes with the Head Unit, but now I find myself using it all the time on long drives so I don't have to reach over to mess with the faceplate. Could not be happier.

Read More >>

Creek Audio Limited Evolution 2 CD Player

• A high quality transport mechanism
• Low Jitter clock
• Burr-Brown PCM 1796 DAC circuit

I bought the Creek CD player used from an Amazon vendor, saving about a $1000 on it. Otherwise I would have never considered buying such a high-end player because I couldn't have afforded it. I basically invested with the idea I wanted something to last me a good decade, until the cycle of new technology phasing out older technology to then be revived years later would be complete. It's actually cheaper at present to buy used CDs than downloading mp3s if you want the whole album, plus you still get liner notes, lyrics, etc. I listen to tons of music at home, mostly vinyl records but there's a whole range of albums published in the 1990s to the beginning of the 21st century that never saw a vinyl release (nor are they available on mp3. You would be surprised).

Anyway, the Creek CD player totally astonished me because there IS a difference in the sound quality compared to cheap ones. We tried it first with some Brian Eno ambient music and it came out crystal clear on the speakers. Since then, I've been playing a lot of CDs that used to skip on my old player (John Cale's Paris 1919, The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Fall's Franz Experiment) and they magically stopped skipping. And they sound absolutely gorgeous (especially the John Cale one). I also play a lot of classical music from Bach to Morton Feldman or John Luther Adams, and the listening experience has really been enhanced on the Creek.

In addition, the most notable feature for me was the total absence of shuffling sound from the player. You know how all cheap CD players always produce that annoying "frrrrrt frrrrrt" sound when you play something? It's totally absent from the Creek. Only thing you hear is the music.

So, from being really skeptical about high-end audio equipment I've become a true believer. Next step when I win the lottery is buying a very good amp/power amp & preamp

Read More >>

Digital Blue Bakugan Red Alarm Clock Radio by Digital Blue

I got this clock for my son, who just turned 5. It was to encourage him to wake-up on his own better, and learn to tell what time it is more consistantly. He picked it out himself and really enjoys it. It has held-up well and I am generally satisfied with it, but there are a few things I would have done differently if I were designing a clock for kids. There is a big snooze button on top that lights-up...but a young kid usually mistakes this for the "Off" button. My son would often think he'd turned the clock off, but it would go off again later and I'd have to go turn it off myself. The switch to turn it off is a lot smaller, and sometimes I had to turn the switch off and on a few times to get the clock to go off. I can understand that a normal adult clock has a much bigger snooze than off button, I just thought a kid-friendly layout would be a bit different. Generelly a good kids clock, but not as easy for young kids to understand as I had hoped.

I surprised my 10 year old son for his birthday in November. He is obsessed with Bakugan and I thought this was a great way to buy something a little different. Before I ordered it I hadn't seen it in the stores near us yet. He felt like he has something unique to add to his collection. A happy kid is a happy mom

Buy Digital Blue Bakugan Red Alarm Clock Radio by Digital Blue Now

Works well, looks like what your 9 year old wants it to. Top lights up which is a cool way to provide a night light without stigma.

Read Best Reviews of Digital Blue Bakugan Red Alarm Clock Radio by Digital Blue Here

I got a round clock so my cat couldn't step on it and change the time or the alarm and this fills that niche. However, with the big dials on the side it is easy to turn the volume up or down or change the station while setting the time or alarm.

Want Digital Blue Bakugan Red Alarm Clock Radio by Digital Blue Discount?

The radio stations do not come in clearly on any of the three bakugan radios that were purchased.

Two stations tend to blend together.

Save 48% Off

Read More >>

Uniden TRU9488 Expandable Corded/Cordless Combination System with Digital Answering System, Dual Key

• Expandable 5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum cordless system with corded handset base
• Call Waiting Caller ID with 100-station memory; 100-station phone book allows two numbers per name
• IntegriSound digital answering system with memo recording
• DirectLink 2-way radio; 20 ring tone options
• Includes one corded and one cordless handset; One-year warranty

I would have rated 4 1/2 stars, just for the minor Cons below, but couldn't, so rated the full 5. Can't attest to the interference with a wireless network, because I'm not there yet but....

Pros:

1. Renaming handsets to location, e.g., Bedroom, Cellar, 1st Floor.

2. Can turn main ringer off on base or handset (in the bedroom, for instance), but still use Transfer Call and Intercom features to that hanset. VERY HANDY FOR LARGE OR MULTIFLOOR HOMES. (Ring is also adjustable.)

3. Phone book. Set it up on the base and send to all the handsets.

4. Adds a "1" to long distance numbers from Caller ID just by pushing the */tone key.

5. Listen to messages from any handset.

6. Audible "Message Indicator." Can turn on or off.

7. Lighted keys (on handsets) and displays.

8. Easy to find the instructions for all the features in the manual. (The PDF manual from Uniden has hyperlinks from the Table of Contents and Index.)

9. Can set handset to "Answer" when picked up from charge base. Handy for the "transfer call" feature so there is only one button to push when you pick up. (Otherwise you have to push green button twice if it's a transferred call, not just an Intercom call--kind of clumsy for the technophobes in the house--see Cons.)

10. Range is excellent (just under .1 mile at my house in the country), great for those with large yards.

11. Two or more handsets can be used at one time. You don't have to "Transfer" the call, you can pick up and join the call, just like in the old days. (Some systems don't allow this!)

12. Corded (for power outages) and cordless combination.

Cons (non deal-breakers, in my opinion):

1. Ringers could be louder on "high" setting. If you listen to your stereo on the loud side the phone is difficult to hear.

2. No different ring tones on the base.

3. If you have any technophobes in the house it may be difficult to get them to utilize all the features with you, because of the menus and such. (That is probably more of a personal con than that of the phone!)

4. One or two too many buttons to push to delete a Caller ID number. (Do you really need an "Are you sure?" message for such a simple decision?)

5. Can't delete the Caller ID numbers from all the phones at once. (Although before I got this system that was the case anyway.)

6. Not wall mountable. (Not an issue for me, but I wouldn't let it be a deal-breaker. Why does the corded base HAVE to be on the kitchen wall, for instance.)

I have already recommended this system to friends. Wish I had gotten to my mother before she got the VTech IA5874, which doesn't allow multiple handset use and calls have to be transferred from one handset to the next (plus, no corded base).

Buy Uniden TRU9488 Expandable Corded/Cordless Combination System with Digital Answering System, Dual Key Now

I feel I owe readers this assessment, given how much wasted energy went into trying to find a suitable digital answering machine w/caller ID at a price under $80. I'm very happy with this machine and feel it has only a few flaws.

PRO: Clear sound, nicely-spaced touchtones (even for big fingers), easy set-up, nice look. Ringer tone is gentle on the ears. Answering machine can be set up to silently record the messages, which is good for privacy in the room. Handset on base is not too heavy, as so many are nowadays.

CON: To me, the biggest flaw is that the remote access code is merely two digits. Not much security there!!! Anyone determined to hear your messages can get access fairly quickly. Most phones offer just two or three digits, unfortunately, and I've found none that offer four. Also, only 12 minutes of recording time for messages. One would think they'd expand it to at least 20 minutes. A few blabbers can eat up 12 minutes easily. A solution is to limit the per-message duration. Unfortunately, this phone only gives you the option of one minute or four minutes. What happened to two minutes? To me, that's a flaw.

Another flaw: While you're on the line, you can see the minutes you're using up on the LCD screen (nice!), but you can't see the number of who you are talking with! That number quickly vanishes when the call connects. (You can, of course, retrieve it with the Redial button, which shows your last 3 calls -but only after you hang up.)

Final flaw: You cannot retrieve your messages off the base phone by using the base handset. So that means that people in the room will hear you retreiving the messages through the base speaker. The only solution is to always retreive messages thorugh the extra cordless handset, which can be a pain if it's in another room. A Uniden rep tells me that this is standard on all digital answering machines. Too bad, if true. It seems that issues of privacy and security are not foremost for the makers of these phones.

Again, I love this phone. Other that the cons listed above, I couldn't be happier with everything else about it.

Read Best Reviews of Uniden TRU9488 Expandable Corded/Cordless Combination System with Digital Answering System, Dual Key Here

I thought about giving it 5 stars, but settled on 4. Maybe 4.5 stars.

Cons: I cannot figure out how to keep the answering machine from beeping when a new message is has been received. This makes it difficult to sleep in the same room when the machine is beeping. And I'm not quite sure why phone manufacturers refuse to use cords between the handset and base that can be easily extended by simply removing the cord and replacing it with a longer cord. So many phones seem to have at least one end permanently connected, and I'm not about to start deconstructing phones to replace cords.

Pros: Range and batter life is pretty good, for how much we use it. Love the ability to intercom and check messages from any remote handset. I feel comfortable using the remote handsets even when giving personal info out since it's all digital. Both the base handset and the remote handsets feel good in my hands and against my ears. I'd buy another and I recommend this product.

Want Uniden TRU9488 Expandable Corded/Cordless Combination System with Digital Answering System, Dual Key Discount?

After returning two other phones that didn't do what they were supposed to do (or did it poorly), I was pleasantly surprised to find that this phone does everything advertised, and more. It is an excellent phone system.

However, I have a comment or two about some of the reviews here. Every "problem" posed here is covered in the owner's manual. I've checked. This includes wall mounting (it does) and message indicator muting (it will). However, you are required to actually READ parts of the manual. The index in the manual is very well laid out and every one of the answers I needed for the few potential problems I encountered was referenced in the index, and completely covered in the referenced page/pages. In fact, it is one of the easiest to read manuals I have come across in a long time. We're dealing with electronics here, boys and girls. This ain't a fast food drive-through. A fairly modest amount of thinking is required.

I bought mine at the local discount warehouse for around $ with a rebate. The package included the corded base and 3 handsets. I've looked into a lot of different phones and read almost every review. When that wasn't enough, I went to the manufacturers' websites and read the manuals. I was looking for a 5.8 GHz with the same features as my old Siemens 2420 2.4GHz and this phone is closest I could come to matching it. The features are current with the exception of two:

1. Caller ID doesn't use the phonebook for its information. This is just ridiculous!

2. The phone doesn't offer Talking Caller ID. Although this is offered by competitor phones, they use a computer generated program to pronounce the names. This could be comical with some names. Uniden offers distinctive ring for phonebook entries, but the rings are annoying and requires you to remember which caller has what ring.

The old Siemens had a feature where the user could program the caller's identifying information into the phonebook and record their name. When a caller called and was already in the phonebook, the phone would ring once, announce the recorded name, and then continue ringing. It was a real handy feature for those of us who are too busy to look at the phone to see who is calling. Obviously, the Talking Caller ID feature I'm referring to would require Uniden to actually refer to the phonebook. Based on other reviews of their phones, this is just beyond their capabilities.

Neither of these features mentioned prevented me from buying the phone and the overall quality seems to be great. The phone does have some handy features the Siemens didn't, i.e.: 2 numbers per 100 phonebook entries, 2 way radio communication between handsets, well lit displays and keypads on the handsets, and backward and forward compatible handsets. The latter actually swayed me towards Uniden for two reasons: the handsets are the first to go, and I can then buy the ELX500 and pair it with my Bluetooth headset.

Therefore, I rate this phone with 4 stars instead of 5.

Read More >>

Logitech Professional Presenter R800 with Green Laser Pointer

• Brilliant green laser pointer is easy to see on any presentation screen--even in a brightly lit room
• LCD display with timer and silent vibrating alerts help you manage time without watching the clock
• Up to 100-foot wireless range for freedom to move and mingle around the room
• Intuitive controls for easy, one-touch slideshow navigation
• Plug-and-play USB wireless receiver stores inside the presenter for easy pack up. Carrying case included

The Logitech Professional Presenter R800 is one of those tools you didn't realize you needed until you get one in your hands.

For any person doing presentations, this little unit is a wonderful device. Ergonomically, the design is perfect. It is small in size, light in weight and just fits in your hand perfectly. Indentations on the various buttons let you easily find the correct button without looking during your presentation. On the left edge is the on/off sliding switch. On the right edge are two buttons. One of the buttons is for controlling the start/pause of the presentation timer, the other is for setting the presentation duration timer. On the face of the device are 5 buttons. The top button operates the green laser. Immediately below that wide button are two narrower, but taller buttons that control the movement forward or backward through the presentation. And below that are two slightly smaller buttons that control launching the presentation and, if the application supports it, going to a black screen.

The green laser is bright and relatively sharp. It actually is not a pinpoint sharp light like some other laser pointers, but rather a bit more diffuse. This works out to be an advantage because the lit area becomes a bit larger in diameter, albeit less "sharp", which makes seeing the laser on your screen easier. It really is better than an intensely bright tiny spot. And as compared to the Kensington pointer device I recently reviewed, Kensington 33374 Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer, it was much brighter overall thus more effective.

One of my favorite and most useful features of the R800 is the timer function. Not only do you get a visual indication of the relative amount of time left, by a series of gradually diminishing lines, you also get a silent vibration in the device at 5, 2 and 0 minute markers. This is so handy and helpful that it has become indispensable to me.

The USB receiver stores nicely inside the R800.

I have used the R800 on my PC ACER laptop with no issues.

Concerning Apple computers however, Logitech does not officially state that this is meant for use on a Mac. However it will work with most Macs as best I can determine. I've tried it with four different Macs.

On my 24", 2.16GHz iMac with Snow Leopard (and previously with Leopard) operating system, it did not work at all. But then I read about a possible conflict with the Logitech Control Center which is used for controlling Logitech keyboards, mice, trackballs, etc. I happen to use the Logitech Marble Mouse with my iMac and had the Logitech Control Center v3.10 control panel installed. When I plugged the USB receiver into my USB port, it was not recognized and thus the R800 did not work with the iMac. However, as soon as I uninstalled the LCC software (using the uninstaller that was in my Utilities folder) the R800 receiver did work.

It also worked perfectly using IBM's Lotus Symphony presentation software with my 2.4GHz MacBook running Snow Leopard.

On an old 1.6GHz PPC G4 iMac running OSX 10.5.8 and PowerPoint from Microsoft Office 2004, it worked except for the start presentation button. But manually starting the presentation then using the R800 to go forward and backward worked. With Neo-Office v3.0, it worked perfectly... even the start presentation button.

I also tried on a 1.2GHz PPC G4 iBook with OSX 10.5.8 and it also worked just like on the old iMac with Microsoft Office 2004.

Whether the start presentation button works or not seems to depend on the application you use for the presentation rather than the model of computer you are using.

Bottom line is check before you buy or it may not work with your particular Mac, though it does work on the all of the ones I tried it with. If it does not work on your Mac, then check to see if you have Logitech Control Center installed (check your System Preferences panel > Other)

Logitech should be more forthcoming with the actual state of affairs as it pertains to Mac compatibility and compatibility with Logitech Control Center software but in the meantime, don't assume it will work unless you can corroborate that with someone who has already had success with it on a Mac using the same model.

The only major omission in my opinion is the lack of backlighting on the R800 LCD display. It would be desirable to have backlighting on the unit when operating in dimly lit rooms.

This is a wonderful little device that stands heads and shoulders above its competition such as the Kensington Wireless Presenter Kensington 33374 Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer. However it costs nearly twice as much as the Kensington. For my money, it's worth the extra cost as it has a better ergonomic design and more useful features.

I give it a solid 4 stars. Why not 5 stars? Because it really needs a backlit display and it is quite extraordinary to me that the Logitech R800 device is incompatible with Logitechs' own Logitech Control Center software on the Mac. Nevertheless, this is one terrific pointing/timing/control device for presentations.

Buy Logitech Professional Presenter R800 with Green Laser Pointer Now

I use MAC OS X, Snow Leopard 10.6.6. By default , all buttons worked correctly on Microsoft Powerpoint and Keynote except the Play button (start button) which didn't work on Keynote.

To fix this, you need to open System Preferences, select the Keyboard & Mouse panel, and then select the Keyboard Shortcuts tab. Click the Plus button to assign a new shortcut and a new panel appears. Add Keynote as the application (you'll have to scroll to the bottom of the list, select Other... and then find where Keynote is installed). In the Menu Title section, type "Play Slideshow" and then assign this to the keyboard shortcut of F5. When you then restart Keynote, you can click on the View menu and you will see that "Play slideshow" is now linked to the F5 shortcut (instead of the default Command-Option-P).

Now all the buttons of Logitech Professional Presenter R800 ( I think also R400), work perfectly and without any problem on Keynote too. Hence, this presenter device will completely work on MAC OS X, if you apply the above trick.

Read Best Reviews of Logitech Professional Presenter R800 with Green Laser Pointer Here

Coming out of the box, the first thing that caught my attention was the ergonomic feel of the Logitech R800. Once I popped in the two AAA batteries I removed the on board receiver and plugged it directly into my laptop's USB port. With no software downloads to concern myself with, the system was up and running in no time. The R800 operates via Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 platform.

Button navigation begins with the sliding on and off switch located on the side. The back/forward and on/off black screen buttons are placed on the top. Control is at your fingertips. I found that even in a darkened room, the indented buttons are easy to navigate. With its built in timer, the LCD display is clean and simple. A great time management tool is the vibrating alarm with three settings (5/3/0 minutes). It also displays battery strength and reception levels.

I put the R800 to the test with a matted wall screen in a lighted room. The green laser's projection was bright and visible from all points. The second day, I worked with an LCD screen. Again the same outstanding results. The manufacturer boasts of an operating range of 100 feet. The most that I could garner straight on was a maximum operating distance of about 50 feet. Anything past that and it was touch and go. Still not too bad.

The R800 is powered by two AAA batteries. If its anything like its predecessor, battery consumption should be low. This model is backed by the manufacturer's 3 year limited warranty. The R800 is packaged with a foam zipper case, user information, (2) AAA batteries and of course the on board receiver. The unit's exterior is a black finish.

With all of its bells and whistles, an illuminated LCD display would have made this the perfect go to device. Even without that overlooked feature, I remain very impressed with the Logitech R800. It is an excellent presentation tool.

Want Logitech Professional Presenter R800 with Green Laser Pointer Discount?

I had to return this to the manufacturer for a refund. Why? There is a button called "start presentation" that alternately generates an ESC and F5.the ESC takes you out of presentation mode, the F5 restarts the presentation from the beginning. This button is very near the "back" button and I accidentally push it approximately once an hour. This completely messes up my presentation and there is no way to disable the button. Thus I cannot use this during a professional presentation it is just about guaranteed to create an unprofessional event for me, and I do presentations for a living. So as much as I love every other part of this device, I had returned it to Logitec and ask my money back.

Save 26% Off

It works as advertised. I checked with Vista SP2 (OpenOffice Impress 3.1.1), MacPro (sold earlier this year) MS Office Powerpoint, and Ubuntu 9.04 OpenOffice Impress. Vista and Ubuntu worked all buttons perfectly but slide show start button did not work in Mac OS X (manually start then other buttons worked previous/next and blank buttons).

The reason for 4 stars is that the laser power is not that strong (around 3 mW power) that I wish for higher (around 5 mW) powered green laser. Legal issue with 5 mW class lasers?

Update (Apr 2012)

Although I have not used heavily, it still works fine. I just plug in to any laptops around me when I need to present something and I never had troubling using it with any systems so far (Windows, Linux, and Mac boxes).

Read More >>

Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL

• iPod Nano holds 1000 songs and thousands of photos on 4 GB of storage
• Download songs, podcasts, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store
• Large, 1.5-inch color display is 40-percent brighter
• Customize menus, check capacity, change language, and more from the Nano's Settings menu
• Measures 1.6 x 3.5 x 0.26 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 1.41 ounces

I've had a chance to play around with this for a few days now, and while I am a huge fan of the iPod Nano, it will not be replacing my 20GB iPod Photo anytime soon. It's Apple's own fault, really; they gave me 20GB (or 40, or 60) of space first, and now they want to take 90% of it away? Don't think so. I've come to believe what Apple's been telling me for a few years now: I NEED to take my entire music collection around with me everywhere I go. It's as essential as my cell phone and Metro Card. So for the storage reason alone, I can't chuck my 20GB model just yet. But the Nano really is a cool machine, and I imagine it will overtake the higher capacity iPods in popularity shortly because of its size, price, and cool factor.

Here's what I consider the improvements to be:

1. First and foremost, the transition to flash memory. This enables the Nano to be smaller and operate quieter than iPods that are hard drive-based. Make no mistake, flash memory is the future of digital music players;

2. The size, duh. Apple has made the Nano smaller without compromising much of the bright colorful screen. As we all now by now, it is thinner than a number two pencil (my 20GB iPod Photo, on the other hand, is probably three pencils thick). But it's still too large and delicate to jog with, without an optional accessory or two (arm band, lanyard headphones); and

3. The Apple-brand accessories that have been released concurrently with the Nano are affordable and well-designed.

...And what's not-so-great:

1. The price drop isn't that substantial, especially for what you get. For an extra $100, you can upgrade to a Photo that has ten times the capacity; and

2. The headphone jack is on the bottom of the Nano. I'm not sure what the logic behind this is-it seems like making a change for the sake of making a change to me.

Some wonderful things about the color iPods in general: they're very easy to use; their demure size could hardly be improved upon; the color screen is beyond adequate for viewing photos and album art; the battery life is exceptional; making playlists and controlling iTunes are simple tasks; all are compatible with Mac or Windows; and if you use a Mac, you can sync your iPod with your address book, to do list, and calendar (this has come in handy for me a number of times when I'm traveling). Also, if you're a college student or an educator at any level, the Apple Store (both the b&m and online versions) gives discounts on just about everything. For iPods it's about $20, but for computers it's up to $300

The bottom line on the Nano: it's a great entry-level MP3 player that will probably suffice for most listeners. However, if you're a music warrior who listens for many hours a day, many days a week, then 2-4GB is just too small to suit you--but of course you've had an iPod for three years now, and you already knew that.

Buy Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Now

Let me start by saying that I'm coming to the iPod Nano from the world of flash MP3 players, this is my first iPod because I was waiting for Apple to make a decent flash MP3... and they've finally done it! So here are the things I love about my iPod Nano after about a month of use:

1) Making playlists on iTunes, this is a wonderful feature that you just don't find outside the iPod world!

2) Beauty, the iPod Nano is without doubt the sexiest MP3 player alive today. Apple really knows how to make beautiful products.

3) Sound is great.

4) Love that click wheel thing, another great idea by Apple.

5) Beautiful big color display makes navigation easy and fun.

I know much of that is old hat to the iPod world, but for me coming from a world of Muvo's and iAudio these are wonderful features. Now for the bad news, why I didn't give the Nano a 5:

1) Fragile!! Doesn't Apple understand that part of the appeal of a flash player is ruggedness? I'm scared to take this thing outside or even put it in my pocket without protection.. I immediately went out and spent another $30 for a decent case which leads to

2) Where are the accessories? My iAudio's and Muvos came with cases and lanyards and armbands. iPod Nano: nothing!! The most expensive player I've bought to date and the one most in need of a protective case and I have to go and spend an extra $30 for what should have been included!

In summary, this is a wonderful product and a delight to use and behold. However, Apple does need to get a clue about durability and accessories imho!

Read Best Reviews of Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Here

I bought a 2nd Generation 8 GB Nano to supplement (and probably eventually replace) my 20GB Color iPod, which has been developing signs of old age, getting stuck at innopportune moments. I decided that 8 gig is really big enough to listen to the music I actually listen to every day at the gym, and I wanted to replace my disk-based iPod with a solid state device.

My first reaction upon opening the box was astonishment at how small the Nano is! I had never seen one before. It is very slick.

Itunes is pretty smart about letting me update the 8 GB Nano from the music library I had accumulated for my 20 GB iPod. It creates a special playlist for the Nano to define what songs are specifically downloaded to the smaller device. I had actually thought I would have to set up a completely new music library, and go through the tedium of reloading all those CDs.

One extremely important note of caution for PC users: this is the first USB device I have owned (and I own a lot of different USB devices) that really requires a USB 2.0 port. I didn't even realize that my 3-year-old home-brew Windows machine didn't have USB 2.0; it was never really an issue before. Apple says that USB 2.0 is highly recommended for the 2nd generation Nano, but it really should be a hard requirement. The behavior of my PC while trying to talk to the Nano over a USB 1.1 port was truly bizarre. The Nano basically brought the PC to its knees. I was able eventually to start updating the Nano but after 24 hours had only loaded about 400 songs. The response time of my PC during this ordeal was utterly ridiculous. During the day I bought a USB 2.0 PCI card, shut down the PC, installed the card, and was able to finish updating the Nano in a matter of minutes.

Want Apple iPod nano 4 GB Silver (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Discount?

Ok... This might be the first iPod that I've owned but I've been an admirier of Apple's work for some time. I have several friends with various generations of the original iPod and always loved the combination of art and technology that goes into them.

I had been the owner of a Sony mp3 player for about 2 years and until this summer had no reason to think about replacing it. 256meg of memory seemed enough for me and it was small too. What more did I need really ?? However, over the summer my trusty sony got washed and so it was time to look for something to replace it.

In the run up to my birthday Apple launched the Nano and I instantly fell in love with it. I have no real need for 60 gigabytes of storage but knew that 256 meg was limiting the amount of music I could carry around with me. Even the 2gig version which held 500 songs would be fine for me. I added a Nano to my birthday wish list and waited !!

Last Friday I opened up the sleek box to feast my eyes on my Nano for the first time. Even though I'd read pages of reviews about the player, I was still amazed at the size (or lack of size) of this unit. It's just tiny !! Not so small that you'd lose it but small enough that when It's in your pocket you can forget its there. The screen is so bright and clear and the sound !!.... WOW. For such a small player, it certainly packs quite a punch in the volume department. Full volume would certainly lead to hearing damage after a short time.

The iTunes software that comes with it is easy to install and easy to use. I was soon burning my CD's onto my PC with ease. A 10-12 track CD takes around 2-3 minutes to load onto the PC but uploading those same songs onto the iPod takes a fraction of that time. Infact on day 1 I loaded about 450 songs onto my player and it can't have taken more than 5 or 6 minutes. The product specs say that the 2gig version will hold 500 songs. Well I've got about 560 on mine at the moment and there is still about 250 meg free. I'm sure that the actual storage capabilities depend on the length of the songs you're loading.

I'd read lots about the problems with early versions of the Nano with regard to failing screens and scratches etc. but guess what ??... stuff gets scratched and damaged, thats just how it is. if you;re silly enough to think that anything will stay as pristine as the day it was bought, then you're bound to be dissappointed. I will be buying a case for mine (probably an Agent18 hard case) because I want to keep it in the best shape possible. I'd reccommend others do the same, not because it will fall apart if you don't but because when you're spending $200 on something, you want to look after it !!

I'm not going to tell anyone that the iPod Nano is the best value mp3 player on the market. There are plenty of others that have it beat hands down in terms of storage and price. However, I am willing to say that It's probably the sexiest mp3 player around and has the competition beat when it comes to looks. Add to that the fact that 500+ songs is probably more than enough for most users, that the quality of the sound is excellent and that (sor far) battery life has been up there with most of the others on the market, this really is an awesome piece of kit and well worth considering if you don't need the ability to carry around 25,000 songs !!

Bottom line... if you want a great looking player that is very capable and also has some neat additional functions that most of the others don't have then get out there and get yourself a Nano. If you want something thats gonna hold thousands and thousands of songs and withstand you throwing it around all the time, look elsewhere !!

I love mine

Mark

I am 48 years old and have never owned an MP3 player before. Prior to this, I saw the MP3 player as one of those gadgets that teenagers were always fiddling with. I finally learned that with an MP3 player I could just buy the songs I wanted and not the whole CD, so that is why I decided to look into them. I could not care less about "brand names" and did not have any preference towards any of the players as I knew nothing about them. I was looking at Zune, Ipod, and creative (the three main ones that I could find) and did a lot of reading up on of them before I bought the Nano. All three sounded good and it was a tough choice. In the end, I bought the Nano because:

1. I did not like the sound of the $15 dollar "rental" fee that Microsoft charges for the Zune. If you want a song permanently, you have to buy it in addition to the rental fee. I don't like the sound of the points system, either.

2. Ipods come different models and sizes. The Nano was the size and price that best suited my buget.

3. Ipod Itunes has more music than the others, and music is my main use.

4. I already had a satellite radio boombox that also doubled as an Ipod player, saving me the expensive of buying an additional player for one of the other MP3's.

5. The Creative was harder to find in my area.

I just began using the Nano today and am thrilled with the purchase. I bought a prepaid music card and used it immediately. I had no trouble at all with installing software, purchasing, or downloading the music. The Ipod sceen is somewhat small, but easy to see and navigate. The click wheel is also nice, a little hard to get used to, but very fast. There is a "hold" button that you can use to prevent the device from accidently turning on. There is a clock and calender included. I cannot believe something this fun comes in such a small package!! (But I guess that applies to all MP3's) I wish these were around 30 years ago! I am now a older person fiddling with a gadget.

I found the Apple web site to be very helpful with tutorials etc. The information included with the Nano was not very helpful. I also bought the Ipod and Itunes for Dummies book and have been very pleased with it.

I can see myself buying another in the future, but will also still consider Zune if I want to upgrade.

Read More >>

Coby CX96 All-Weather Sport AM/FM DDigital Radio with Arm Band

• Detachable armband
• 20 preset stations and digital clock
• Features digital tuning and Dynamic Bass Boost System (DBBS)
• Lightweight earphones for stereo sound
• Uses two "AAA" batteries, not included
• Built-in digital clock
• Digital AM/FM tuner with 20-stationeset memory (10AM, 10FM)
• Dynamic Bass Boost System (DBBS)

Many people have said the arm band is sewn wrong. IT iS NOT. (e.g. "The arm band was a puzzle, all the velcro patches were on the same side which would not allow wrap around strapping so I had to glue a patch on the opposite side at the appropriate location and it works like it should.").

I thought so too, at first. Then I figured out how it works and it is really easy to use and comfortable.

If you put the radio down on its face you are looking at the velcro band as it crosses behind the radio. Your instinct is to stick this on your arm and try to wrap the strap completely around your arm. If you do this, the velcro will not stick and you will think the product is broken.

Instead, grab the velcro band in the center and LIFT it up so it forms a loop. You can now see the back of the radio (in fact part of the radio forms about 1/3 of the circumference of the loop). Insert your arm into the loop. Now grab the end of the strap on one end, turn it back around on itself and stick it to the strap. Repeat for the other side.

The trick is to recognize that your arm touches the back of the radio. The velcro does NOT wrap 360-degrees around your arm.

Buy Coby CX96 All-Weather Sport AM/FM DDigital Radio with Arm Band Now

Pros:

This is my 4th portable digital radio. I live in a small city. I feel both of its FM and AM receptions are good, especially the AM because of radio's small size. I can find many stations and can lock them easily. I use it while I drive (no radio in my car) and when I walk. The volume is loud enough. I haven't tried its arm band.

Cons:

1. Its preset station selection button only lets you go upward. With 10 presets each for FM and AM, it may take you a few more pushes to get back to your last preset station.

2. The Hold switch protrudes from radio's body, so it's turned to Hold "accidentally" quite often in my pocket. Small annoyance.

3. One of my favorite AM music stations, only this one, sounds distorted somehow.

4. Of course, its earbugs are useless because they keep slipping out my ears.

Overall:

It's a good digital AM/FM radio for $15.

Read Best Reviews of Coby CX96 All-Weather Sport AM/FM DDigital Radio with Arm Band Here

If you are looking for a cheap FM/AM radio, this is the one.

Reception was my most concern when I was shopping for a radio. I received this radio today and it has a pretty decent reception both FM and AM, actually better than my old Sony which I bought for $35 (very disappointed). I live in Oakland, CA and work in Novato, CA. I've tested both places. Since Novato is a bit furture away from San Francisco area, the reception is a bit weak especially when I got inside the building, however, it works great when I tried it in Oakland (which closer to San Francisco) I got pretty good signal from both FM/AM in and outside the building. The head phone that comes w/ the unit is so so. I use my better headphones that I bought awhile back and it sounds great!

Overall this radio good if 1. the reception is your major concern 2. you don't want to spend over $20.

Want Coby CX96 All-Weather Sport AM/FM DDigital Radio with Arm Band Discount?

We bought this for our GYM time but this has got a really bad reception and sound qaulity. Not recommended.

Save 24% Off

I successfully use the radio feature of this device while working out at the gym. It stays put on my arm and gets good reception of the retransmission of the TV shows playing in the gym. I would buy another if I ever need to.

Read More >>