iHome iD83BZC App-Enhanced 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock

• Wake or sleep to iPad, iPhone, iPod, custom playlist, FM radio, custom apps or buzzer; Universal dock to charge and play iPad, iPhone or iPod while docked
• App-enhanced to work with free iHome Sleep app or paid iHome Radio internet radio apps; and App-enabled dual alarm with weekday/weekend/custom alarm settings
• Reson8 speaker chambers with specially designed high-end drivers deliver astounding clarity, depth & power; and adjustable EQ with bass, treble, 3D and balance controls that let you customize your sound
• Sync button syncs clock time to always-current iPhone time settings in seconds
• Includes remote control, battery backup, Daylight Saving Time switch, preset clock, line-in jack and 100V- 240V universal AC adapter

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) Previously I used the iHome iD84BZ App-Enhanced Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPad/iPhone/iPod with AM/FM Presets (Black) to charge my iPhone and listen to music, however this is almost identical to that iHome System in almost every way (except this is twenty-five dollars cheaper). This system too, will take your iPad and charge it, holding the iPad securely with a rubberized device rest behind it. The entire system is made of a tough black metal construction with bright silver buttons on the top for easy functionality. The speakers produce a good solid range of sound with an added 3D feature that opens up the sound range remarkably, due to a small 1/2" woofer hole in the rear. The volume and 'set' buttons are large and easily visible to set volume/bedtime modes and the 'set' buttons handle the time display on the front of the system. That clock display is large and easily read with Alarm #1, Alarm #2, iHome App Indicator (yes, you get an extra App for this device), battery indicator (2 AA batteries), AM/PM indicator and time.

Also on top of the unit are easy buttons for both alarms play/pause, equalizer, presets, mode and alarm reset. There is also a wide Snooze/Dimmer button for eight different displays of light intensity.

The rear of the unit is used for setting your time, time sync, time zone and DST switch with an AM Loop Antenna socket and a Line-in Jack and power cable jack. You only need to deal with these once. The unit comes with a detachable antenna, which is a plastic rectangle set in a plastic stand. This piece is flimsy and seemingly out of character with the quality that is the rest of the unit. A metal antennae attached to the unit would have been nicer. There is also a convenient wafer thin remote that runs on a lithium battery (I don't see the point of this).

Whether you use an iPod, iPhone or iPad, this clock/radio system is very good, particularly for the price, which is less than the other version I mentioned above. The sound is also amazingly crisp with a good range. It's great to be able to set all the music functions of your iPad, iPhone device using the buttons on the unit. If you protect your iPod/iPhone/iPad with a device (such as an Otterbox), you can remove a rubber strip that gives you depth room to set and recharge your device without worry. Apple is always coming up with new household items and this alarm clock/dock is a great unit to own or give as a gift. This version of iHome will save you money over previous editions.

Buy iHome iD83BZC App-Enhanced 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Now

I have placed photos in the photo section of this page. Check them out for more details.

I have reviewed a knock-off of this clock for Amazon in the past. (see the product here, but it's a different page and my review is not on it: http://www.amazon.com/Memorex-Clock-Radio-Ipod-iphone/dp/B004Y3BKI0/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1337650403&sr=8-24 ) The knock off looks good, and is similarly priced to the "real" iHome clock being reviewed here.

The fact that this will allow you to charge/link with your iPad is a big plus for me. I have iPods, iPhones, and the new iPad, but haven't had anything that links with the iPad and it's a great feature. The connector is placed in such a way that it links right up, and --this is cool-syncs with your clock on the iPad if you press the "time sync" button on the back. Setup is literally a 30 second process, and that includes plugging it in and putting the iPad into place (tops!).

It does say that it works with most covers/cases--I found that it would not work with mine. (The Speck Products new iPad FitFolio Case SPKA1186, seen here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IPZ8VG ) I had to remove it, which is sort of a bummer, but it is so easy to get it back into the case (and out of the case) that it's not a biggie to me. Of course, it links up with your iPad, iPhone, and iPod.

If you look at the buttons on the back (see photo), you see that it has Daylight Savings Time, Time Set, Time Sync, and Time Zone options. It has a Line-In for auxiliary audio.

The GREAT part about this clock is the App function. Go to the App Store and search for iHome and download iHome Sleep and iHome Radio to your iPad (or iPod). Now, the manual says nothing about a third App, called iSet--this App works, too! And not only does it work, you SHOULD download it, because it expands your clock into a piece of art. I am attaching photos to the photo section of this page. It gives you a lot of control over how your iPad looks while it's hooked to the clock--with some really nice looking backgrounds. The Apps give you so many options, from radio stations that you'd not normally get in your area (I had to pay $1.99 for the iHome Radio App) and very easy to personalize settings for your clock and your radio functions. You can easily set your alarms for certain days, and keep adding more and more special alarms as necessary (you're not limited to the two that are part of the clock). These are through the iHome Apps.

The quality of the music is superior to any clock radio I have heard. Of course, it's no Bose, but it's just fine for listening to music while you fall asleep or while you wake up...or while you work in your office...

I really like this clock, and think that the Apps make it phenomenal.

Read Best Reviews of iHome iD83BZC App-Enhanced 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Here

This is my second recent iHome radio dock I've had an opportunity to review, the other is the iHome iD37GZC which has a couple of advantages over this device: it has an auxiliary USB charging port and it's much more compact. My wife uses the extra charging port all the time, as we will often want to charge two iPhones or an iPhone and an iPad simultaneously, so you might want to consider the other one just for that.

As for this one, it has its benefits. It is solidly built with an attractive metal front grill. The clock display is dimmable over many levels, and my wife's first request was for me to dim it all the way down; at all levels the display is easy on the eyes, has good contrast and is generally attractive. Controls are large, varied and amply spaced, so you likely can learn to find them in the dark. The large size is a bit off putting, but at least an iPad seems proportionate. Finally, the companion iOS app is attractive and competently executed, I was particularly taken by the button to find local streaming radio stations, so I was quickly sampling New Hampshire Public Radio. I like that the newer iHome clock docks have a button to sync their time with the device, makes daylight saving time conversion quick.

As for the downside, sound is OK, and if you grade on a curve of clock radios good, but still a little hollow sounding even after playing with the equalizer settings. Docking is a bit harder than I'm used to, and the flexible connector idea is pretty picky against even moderately thick iPhone cases, so people with protective cases might want to look elsewhere. And of course, the 30 pin docking connector is incompatible with the current Lightning connector sporting iOS devices unless a pricey and awkward Apple adaptor is added.

In general, a competive, mid-range iOS dock and clock which will look good on a largish bedside table.

Want iHome iD83BZC App-Enhanced 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Discount?

I recently received this iHome clock radio stand for my iPod and I really like it.

I purchased my first iHome portable speaker system for my iPod years ago.

It is a mini boom box design and still works well today 6-7 years later.

Not too long ago, I added an iHome iD37 alarm clock stand to my collection.

I use it nightly to charge my iPhone and use it as my alarm. It works great

and doesn't take up much room on the nightstand.

That prompted me to get this iHome product, the iD83. The iD83 is a larger

version of the iD37 with the added features that being bigger it is capable of

holding my iPad stable even when it is in the case I have on it. My case on my iPad

is a Belkin Snap Shield Thin Perforation Case for Apple iPad 2 (Gray)

and I use an iPad smart cover to protect the screen. Even with the extra bulkiness

the iPad sits on the iD83 without any problems.

The iD38 has good sound and all the other features I have come to expect with

iHome devices. This includes the iOS alarm and radio apps that can be purchased

for free on the Apple App store.

This is another great product from iHome and I recommend.

Save 29% Off

This device does everything that a clock-radio should do.

Pros:

You don't need an iDevice present in order to have a working alarm clock. There's a radio option and a buzzer option too for the alarm.

DIsplay has 8 levels of light intensity. It certainly gets dim enough for night-time!

Dual alarm.

Can handle iDevices with cases on them (without removing the case).

You choose the alarm volume when you set up the alarm. So no worries about the sound not being on or loud enough.

Cons:

Sound is only "ok". You won't be using it as your main stereo speakers!

Having the 8 buttons on the top all being the same to the touch is unfortunate. If you're the groggy type when you wake up, and just need to smash down on the right button with little thought then maybe this device isn't for you. Also the snooze button is flush with the top -it should be more pronounced.

Read More >>

Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 3 Cards 12xAAA

• Very slow self discharge maintains 85% residual capacity after 1 year of storage.
• Exact replacement for standard AAA size battery in all the devices.

Let's be honest -I bought these because of the price.

Though it is not mentioned on the description, these are rated 800 mAh. After checking all the (low self discharge -look it up) rechargeable batteries available both on Amazon and elsewhere, I bought these instead of the many others rated for 900 or 1000 mAh, because the price difference is just insane -most of them are over $4 per battery, and some are as much as $6 a battery, once you factor in the shipping. At $19 for 12 batteries shipped, I reasoned that these will end up a better deal in the end one way or the other, because let's face it -most people lose the rechargeable batteries before they get the full 1000 or so cycles out of them anyway.

I decided for the 12 pack because then I can spread out the shipping over more batteries, and with this many of them, I can replace all the AAA batteries in my house, from various remote controls, with rechargeables eventually.

The first thing I did when I got these was to put them through the "refresh" cycle on my LaCross charger. The thing is not cheap but in my opinion well worth it. After the refresh cycle, I fully discharged and then charged them, and to my enormous surprise, each of them held a charge well over the 800mAh rating that was printed on the packaging, ranging from 915 to 1060 mAh in the 8 that I have charged so far.

With so many manufacturers being so disingenuous with the true ratings of their merchandise (I own an Evo phone and have bought many batteries that failed to live up to their supposed ratings), it really just makes my day when I find that something actually not only worked as well but in fct BETTER than advertised, and at a fraction of the price that many other manufacturers set their merchandise at.

Perhaps the one drawback is that the capacities of the individual batteries seems a little inconsistent -as I mentioned, ranging from the low 900's to the mid 1000's. However, considering how cheap these are and the fact that even at the low end of the range, it's much higher than the advertised capacity, I feel it would be really silly to hold that against them. If the consistency makes a huge difference to you, you can always manually label the batteries by the ratings they actually exhibit using a magic marker or something. I don't think it's worth the effort to the vast majority of people -all that it really matters is that these work really great, and are way cheaper than most.

Buy Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 3 Cards 12xAAA Now

I bought some batteries from the auction site in the BAY area that were sourced from China. The prices were cheap and the advertised capacity at the top of current technology. A number of batteries were ordered from three different sources. They were initially charged with a Powerex charger that will cycle them in a way to maximize initial capacity and determine the capacity. It has given consistent results with name brand batteries. I found that the capacity of these batteries were consistently about 25% of advertised, if they weren't defective in the first place. I wound up putting them all in a recycle bin.

So it was with some trepidation that I ordered some Tenergy batteries because of the very attractive price. I was delighted to find, as did another reviewer, that the capacity was above the advertised capacity. My results were comparable with his findings. Very satisfied with product.

Read Best Reviews of Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 3 Cards 12xAAA Here

These batteries are great! They are labeled as 800 mAh but test to be 825-875. Can't be beat for this price.

Want Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 3 Cards 12xAAA Discount?

I was looking for replacement batteries for my Panasonic DECT phones. I've read multiple reviews that said that Panasonic phones were "picky" about many other rechargeables, but these Tenergy Centura's are working great. No error messages from the phone and I got 12 of these batteries for less than the price of 8 Panasonic brand

I was looking for a quality low discharge battery and I have had no problems with these. A great price as well.

Read More >>

Sony Digital Tuning Weather / FM/AM Walkman Radio

This is the 2nd one I've had and while the 1st performed well, the 2nd did not. After approximately 2 months, it started draining the battery every 24 hours. I'm sure there was some warranty left but for I didn't mess with it.

Read More >>

Kensington K33458US Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch, including iPhone 4 (Black)

• Charging compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 1G, 2G,3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G, 3GS, 4
• Download the Kensington Nightstand application from the Apple App store at no extra cost
• Charging dock holds your iPhone or iPod touch in landscape mode using a kickstand to clearly display the time and weather
• Large, landscape display that doesn't go into sleep mode, with optional screen dimming
• Kensington application features easy-to-read time and weather along with three clock viewing options

I like this dock. Its perfect for my situation since I sleepover my girlfriends house pretty often and now I have my own separate nightstand alarm clock. The base is easy to plug into the iphone and can support the phone easily either horizontally or vertically.

Here are my issues: 1) Expensive. I think $30 for an iphone charger is pretty expensive. 2) The app could be better. Its a free download on itunes but it relies on the built in Alarm Clock in the iphone so basically its just a clock. 3) This is my biggest issue. The usb cable is detachable from the adapter plug. If you don't have it perfectly seated (and I mean perfectly) it will not charge your phone. I can't tell you how frustating it is to plug this in overnight assuming you are charging your phone only to find out it isn't. This wouldn't be so bad if the rise and shine app actually had an indicator to confirm your phone is charging. It does not. Usually usb cables aren't this sensitive but I believe the port on the ac adapter must be loose or something. I think another reviewer had the same issue. So I don't regret my purchase, but feel there is room for improvement.

Buy Kensington K33458US Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch, including iPhone 4 (Black) Now

I really like this dock for my iphone. I started using it when I travel, because it's really small, but makes it easy to stand up the iphone and be able to see it at night when I want to know the time, etc. I usually don't trust the clock radios they put in hotel rooms half the time I can't figure out how to set the alarm, or it goes off in the middle of the night because someone else set it... whatever. But with this dock, I can use my iPhone alarm, see the time on my iphone, and get the weather wherever I am. A great app for the iphone.

Read Best Reviews of Kensington K33458US Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch, including iPhone 4 (Black) Here

This little gadget is a great alternative to an expensive clock/dock combo. If all you need is the time and weather this guy works like a charm.

But, if you already have a standard Apple dock for your iPhone or iPod, just download their Rise & Shine app and you'll get the same experience without buying this one (minus the landscape functionality).

The app they have is great though. It's super simplistic and the included weather provides a quick reference to the temperatures lurking outside. And the power plug included has just a standard USB port so you can charge other USB devices with the plug.

Want Kensington K33458US Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch, including iPhone 4 (Black) Discount?

When I decided to buy a iPhone 4, one of the biggest things I needed was a charging dock. Looking past some of the more expensive docks, holders, and radio clocks I found this. For $20 dollars, it was not a bad snag considering Apple's docks themselves go for about $30.

First, let me say the build quality is OK, but not that great. It has this kind of cheap look to it. While I get they were going for both a portrait and landscape charger, it kind of fails on both. Portrait (like a traditional dock) DOES work, but many times you have to be careful about sensitivity, or else it will stop charging. It is also very wobbly and while it does work with iPhone cases (I am personally using a Pixelskin right now), it kind of buckles under it. Landscape mode is a little better and is honestly the way it should be done, but I dislike using this out of fear it might slip and fall out during the night for whatever reason. It does work better in this orientation, but I dislike it out of personal preference.

One good thing I can say about the dock is it does have a long enough cable and does come with its own USB port and USB AC Adapter (Always nice to have), so if you want to switch over to a computer dock, then this might not be too bad.

There is a clock app, but I have not personally used it and see no point.

Overall, it is functional, but the build quality is not quite something I see lasting the year. Considering it shot back up to $28 bucks, I would recommend finding something else.

Save 55% Off

The actual charger is awesome. Has worked great for the month that I have had it.

The usb to wall plug adapter however, horrible. The connection always comes loose even when sitting by itself and not moving. You will wake up with a phone/ipod that was not charging all night.

If you use the wall plug that the iPhone came with however, it works great. Kensington just needs to fix that wall adapter, and I will update to 5 stars.

Read More >>

Bump Digital MP3/FM Radio Boombox with Remote Wireless Speaker

• Compatible with most MP3 players and audio devices with 3.5mm Auxillary audio output
• Built-in FM Tuner, SD Card Slot. Plug-n-play from SD Card.
• Full-range speaker: 2.4GHz digital wireless transmitter ensures high-quality connections without wires.
• Expands up to 6 wireless speakers (sold separately)
• Ensures high-performance sound up to 60 feet from the transmitter

I just received my pair of wireless speakers and after putting them through their paces, I have to say, they perform very well.

Sound quality is fantastic, especially for voice and most music even rock comes up surprisingly well. The bass experience is pretty much what you'd expect from a pair of speakers in a mug-sized enclosure, but considering this size I think they do very, very well. Considering everyone's first task for any bite-sized speaker set is to try and break them by cranking up the volume and seeing how closely they resemble 'real' speakers, they're doing well!

Useability is so-so and the buttons feel a little plasticky, however the rubberised paint that covers most of the units is very nice to the touch and makes the whole thing feel like a quality product. The style is very clearly ripped off another brand's item, however that item doesn't sport the feature list (or the lower price) of the Aluratek package. At around $100 for the pair they're not all that cheap, however if you're looking for a solution that can play music anywhere, any time, from anything that has a 3.5mm jack (or use an SD card or the built in FM radio) then I would recommend you get yourself a pair.

I'm also intending on using them during board meetings as replacement laptop speakers one at each end of the table. This means you can have each speaker at lower volume (therefore better quality) and everyone can still hear and speak over it if necessary.

As far as portability goes, you'd keep them in a briefcase or backpack, but probably not a laptop tote or handbag. Battery life is yet to be determined and probably isn't worth talking about anyway, as it will vary greatly on the mode of use.

Overall I'd give it 5 stars and am very happy with them so far.

BC

Buy Bump Digital MP3/FM Radio Boombox with Remote Wireless Speaker Now

The first unit I received did not function properly the wireless function was kaput. However, tech support from the manufacturer was GREAT. Call was answered quickly, no language barriers, knew what he was doing, went thru the process quickly with me and told me it was a defective unit. Quickly got a free replacement from Amazon their usual, good customer service.

I bought this unit because my wife and I agree on NO TV shows, and our televisions are close together. We end up competing with our remotes to raise the volume to hear our own shows. I thought this would be solved by putting a speaker near my head, and shutting off all other sound from the TV.

My TV allows me to mute the internal speakers. I plug the main speaker into the headphone jack on the TV. I turn the sound down to nothing on the main speaker, which sits by the television. I have the audio portion of the show wirelessly transmitted to the bump speaker which is right by my head. The volume control on my remote even controls the loudness on the bump speaker.

Problem solved. If you have a need to keep the audio low, this product works well. However, don't expect a high level of sound quality. It is fine for TV, but I have my doubts about music.

Read Best Reviews of Bump Digital MP3/FM Radio Boombox with Remote Wireless Speaker Here

I completely regret buying this product. I've had it for a little over a month now and more problems just keep coming up! I'll just mention some its many awful features:

1. Clock: You cannot control the am/pm mode. The numbers only go from 00 to 12.

2. Alarm. Although I've programed both alarms to be OFF, the speaker somehow changes the setting and always turns on the radio in a random station. This is driving me insane!!!! I cannot stop it from turning on. This is particularly problematic when the battery dies and the clock is not synchronized. I've actually received calls from my neighbors complaining about the loud noise when I'm not at home.

3. EQ Settings: Apparently only works when using a SD card and not when you use the audio-line port. By the way, this is never mentioned in the instructions.

4. Preset stations: Frankly pathetic. You cannot choose the preset stations. As a matter of fact, the automatically chosen ones often are stations with no signal!!!

Please, do not waste your money on this product.

Want Bump Digital MP3/FM Radio Boombox with Remote Wireless Speaker Discount?

Not as much bump as I would like. About the quality of speakers sold for those junk portable cd players in the 90's. The logitech z515 was slightly better but both hiss some.

Save 19% Off

The device goes to a sleep state roughly every 20 seconds, where nothing can be seen on its LCD screen. This happens when the radio is running on battery power and when plugged into an electrical outlet. Strangely the device stays "on" when plugged into a USB port. This can make its use a clock somewhat limiting. The speaker playback is better than expected for such a small device but still lacking.

Read More >>

Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Entry Lever Add-on Lock, Bright Brass

• Receive email or text notifications
• Install and set up the system with ease
• Access your home from anywhere
• Remotely monitor access to your home
• Monthly subscription fee required for remote access

I installed these locks on my front and garage door a week ago and surprisingly it has been working flawlessly. I am using (Support Challenged) Micasa Verde Vera as Z-Wave gateway since it's too difficult for me to understand why to pay monthly costs to a service provider when I can do it for free with little or no learning but some patience. Here's my feedback and observation so far

Looks: Nice, I have brass and matches with other locks in the house from Schlage

Built: Typical Schlage good

Adding it to Z-wave network "With Vera": Easy enough but I have go through an upgrade and plug-in

Adding Codes: I can add codes "4 Digit" only with names including the ability to control the day and time when the code will be active example Maid Service or a Nanny who is about to retire. You cannot edit/modify the code but you can remove and re-add.

Lock/Unlock: From outside all you have to do is to enter your code, making sure, no one is watching with binoculars and you will hear a click and green LED. Turn the knob and it will open. To Close just hit the "Schlage" button after you turn the knob to lock. And yes it does not rotate the knob by itself like other model of Schlage but that is non-Zwave device. You can also use traditional keys to open or close. At night you can press the Schlage button first to illuminate the keys before entering the code helpful.

Battery and battery life: It comes with 3xAA and 1x9 Volt battery and advertised life is too long to believe but so far I did not see even 1% drop after a week's use.

Status and Remote Operation: You can always see the status of the lock as "Lock" or "Unlock" from any web-browser/iPhone etc. Operate it from anywhere to let someone in.

Notification: You can program using Zwave gateway to send you notification Via SMS/Email alert case a particular code is used OR wrong code is used.

Fun/Programming: Being Z-wave you can trigger several events when a particular code is used including but not limited to switching on lights case it's dark or start thermostat to cool/heat your home. Each of these events require additional hardware/device or a module.

Security: Schlage lock and your Z-wave gate will secure the transmission over RF (Radio Frequency) using encryption keys (digital keys something similar to when you access your bank over SSL/https web browser). This is from what I have read so far before purchasing and so far I am convinced that it is easier to find someone's keys under the doormat as compared to hacking the security of the lock with the exception of those binoculars or being careless to use easy numbers like 1234 (as my 5 year suggested me :-) for his code)

Elderly/Disabled: Terrific use to avoid going to the door to let someone in. Can combine with a motion sensor and an IP Camera to know who is at the door before clicking unlock.

Cons:

Not a motorized lock. Case you forget all you can do is to program Z-Wave gate to remind you that door is still unlocked

Incoming traffic is logged and you know when someone is coming in but there Is no way possible to know when someone leaves

One more thing in life to make you couch potato especially when you combine with a motion sensor and an IP Camera at your front door.

Hope you'll find what you're looking for. Additionally Kwickset also announced series of upcoming product based on this technology. Competition may bring the price down possibly.

Update: Jan 2012

================

Getting repeated questions regarding motorized function as in can it lock/unlock itself as in True locking so adding this for clarity

1. This lock does not have the motor to turn the knob/lever to lock or unlock itself.

2. When Schlage says you can lock/unlock, they mean it by enablement to do so. What does it mean allow me to explain

When lock is in locked state, from outside the knob will rotate free. The moment you send a signal remotely to unlock the lock, the knob gets engaged to mechanism enabling person outside the door to hear the click, visually see the green LED blinking and now the knob can be rotated to unlock

Case you know the code you can just enter the code and knob gets engaged enabling you to let it rotate and unlock

To lock an "unlocked lock" as in knob is in unlocked position, someone has to turn the knob back to lock position

Case the knob is already in the locked position, now remotely it will let you lock as well.

Status can always be viewed as locked or unlocked as the status may be

3. Schlage does make other locks with motor that can lock itself after few seconds as in auto lock. I have one of those as well but those are non-Zwave locks

4. In case you're looking for motorized locks with Z-wave you may have to defect to Kwickset or another company called Yale search Amazon. Please ensure that you choose the right Kwickset as they make for Zwave and Zig-bee technologies and per my understanding these are not compatible with each other. Felt important to mention this.

Would have been much easier to do a video review :-).. next time

Buy Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Entry Lever Add-on Lock, Bright Brass Now

Owning and managing a rental property is difficult enough. One real problem that has existed for years has been the management of access. Traditionally, keys would have to be mailed and returned, or staff hired to provide keys to renters and then collected. Keys can also be lost legitimately lost, leaving both the renter and property in a finger pointing battle. Push-button locks solve the lost keys, but people can share the access code. With Z-wave and Schlage Link, you gain the ability to control the lock remotely and add/remove access codes from anywhere in the world! With Schlage Link, I have the ability to create a housekeeping code and be notified every time it's used (by sms and/or email). I can also create property management codes and guest specific codes (that I can remove or disable when necessary. All remotely, from my computer or iphone. With Schlage Link and the provided light module, I can also power on/off lights when no one is in the property for protection (the light module also acts as a repeater should you need to extend the distance between the z-wave device and the door lock).

The quality of the Schlage hardware is typical: amazing. The lock looks beautiful on my door. The key-pad also lights up (by pressing the Schlage button) so as to be used in the dark. The batteries are expected to last close to three years depending on usage, keeping the locks accessible in the event of power or internet outage. Also the setup was an absolute breeze!

All in all, I am delighted with the hardware, the setup, the usage of the product, and the software/internet accessibility! I even purchased an additional dead-bolt and thermostat.

Read Best Reviews of Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Entry Lever Add-on Lock, Bright Brass Here

First the good, it works, connects to micasaverde's vera, so no need to subscribe and pay for schlage"s monthly service. I would have given it 5 stars except for the following issues.

Zwave range is not great. Also if you use micasaverde or schlage link, you need to have the controller within range of the lock or you need to buy a schlage light module which supports zwave security settings as the last link to the lock. A regular zwave light switch or node that does not support zwaves new security settings cannot be the last zwave link to the lock.

Also, schlage currently has no extension kit for the lever lock, (they say they have one for the deadbolt), so if you have a door that is not standard size (mine is 2 1/4" and will not work)you will have to rig something.

Want Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Entry Lever Add-on Lock, Bright Brass Discount?

This is a great lock. We have 2 that are used at our rental property in Florida. We found a solution that will allow us to control our locks without the schlage link bridge. I did not want to pay monthly so I found another solution. We can control our locks, thermostat, and all switches in our condo without paying a monthly subscription.

These locks have proven to be highly reliable which is very important since we are almost 500 miles away. I highly recommend the schlage link lock, however there are alternatives to their monthly service charges.

I got this lock to work with my home automation system based on Homeseer software. turns out you dont have to use the link gateway and pay a fee, I can see the status of my lock and control it over the web in the same web page I use to control lights and such.

I did not like the link setup because you have to sign up and pay a fee even before it lets you configure the system to see if it even works. considering this is over RF, this does not make sence as you have to set it up and test it in your own situation to make sure you are not too far from the gateway.

I used Homeseer's z-wave interface called the Ztroller as the main interface and then the homeseer software imported all my locks and z-wave thermostat, its fairly easy to configure and I dont have a monthly fee.

Read More >>

Scosche IALM Alarm Clock for iPod

• Wake Up To IPod Or Buzzer
• Digital FM Radio Tuner
• Multifunction Back Lit LED
• Safely Charges Your IPod While It Is Plugged In

We wanted an inexpensive clock/radio/iPod dock for our 8 year old. There is constant static with the radio function turned on, and a constant buzz when the iPod function is in use. This item is an example of "you get what you pay for". We'll be retuning it to Amazon for a better quality product.

Save 66% Off

Read More >>

XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock Charging Audio Dock with Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black)

• Total power: 4W RMS
• Signal to noise ratio: >65dB
• Dual 1.25" neodymium drivers
• Intuitive play/pause, volume and snooze controls directly on unit
• Includes AC adapter and travel pouch
• 3-In-1 Alarm Clock & Docking Station
• Gives Users Ability To Play, Charge & Wake Up To iPod Or iPhone At Home Or On The Go
• Charge & Wake Up To iPod Or iPhone At Home Or On The Go

I was looking for a small, travel capable iphone clock/speaker/charger system. Based on a review on this device, I purchased it. There are two main problem with the device. First, the app that takes advantage of the device is clunky and overly difficult to use. I am hopeful that gets fixed over time. The bigger issue is the button on the speaker unit itself. The one button integrates three features (volume up/down, play/pause, and snooze). Trying to hit the absolute right spot on a single button to activate the snooze feature is a real pain, especially in a just woken up groggy state. I would have preferred to have a simple to find single snooze button rather than a multi-function button that requires precision. To snooze with this device, it is easier to hit the iphone screen directly, which features a nice size button. Unfortunately, that isn't what I was looking for.

Buy XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock Charging Audio Dock with Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Now

If you're just looking for something to charge your phone and to have an extra backup alarm just in case the front desk forgets to ring you in your hotel room, then by all means, avail yourself of this item. It has an illuminated clock feature for your phone, quite large, and very visible from all over the room which is quite nice in the middle of the night. It's extremely light so it goes into a suitcase with great ease and without weight, really. Probably doesn't weigh more than 6 ounces.

However, if you're looking for something that is going to sound like a Bose system for music, this definitely is not your gadget. It does an adequate job of playing music but if you're seriously listening to it, well, it's just NOT going to do the job. It's fine for background noise but eventually, the low quality sound will get on your nerves. The mechanics of the item are not made of steel, so you will need to take extra care in not slamming the snooze button or it WILL jam. Can't say I really think it's worth $50, probably $25 at the most, but it is quite fun and does a nice job of displaying the time at night.

I do recommend it but again, it's not the best made thing you'll ever own and if you can find it on sale for less, then it's a fun purchase.

Read Best Reviews of XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock Charging Audio Dock with Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Here

The unit itself is a great idea. Nice, big snooze button and the charging a plus. It did shut off without warning which would NOT have been good if that happened during the night and it missed the alarm.

The major complaint was the brightness of the display and background. That is more a flaw with the app. Even the darkest setting was way too bright. It lit up the room like a nightlight. Between that and worrying if the alarm would go off was enough to send it back. The unit itself could use a better docking support to insure a good fit. A back-up clock within the unit with a secondary alarm would be good, too. For the price, it should be more reliable and have a little more to it. Disappointed:(

Want XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock Charging Audio Dock with Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Discount?

I'm a little surprised at all the venom against this item. I do wish that it worked with other alarm clock apps, but the xTrememac app is fine for my use. It's true the iPhone even in "night" mode is bright for most rooms, but you can use the top-lock button to black the screen and the app still works, the alarm still works, you just can't see the time on the iPhone. I have not found the button hard to use, as some have. Maybe I wake up a bit more coordinated than some. This unit is compact--something the others can't claim--is not redundant (I don't want ANOTHER time display)--and has the options I like. It travels easily due to its size and light weight. The speaker/sound quality is not the greatest, but it's good enough for an alarm clock that uses music.

The company also upgraded the software to accommodate iOS 5 very quickly, which I appreciated. I wish they would also use a sleep timer. I'd like to be able to play an hour of music or white noise or rain on water etc. as I go to sleep, then have the alarm wake me in the morning. But that's not a defect so much as a feature I'd like to see.

This item is a little pricey. If it were $29.99 I'd likely have given it 5 stars.

Save 33% Off

The XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock is a good idea, but the app sucks. I have an IPod Touch 3rd gen with IOS 4.2.1. The app is the only thing that can run, if it is not running the alarm does not work. The back light stays on and cannot be dimmed, if you need a night light this will do it. However, the alarm display when in the night mode is hard to see.

This is the response from tech support when I asked about a fix: "We apologize for the inconvenience, we don't have any updates for that issue."

I wish that I had read the reviews on the app before I bought the XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock. If I had I would not have purchased the XtremeMac 3-in-One Microdock.

Read More >>

Duracell Coppertop AAA Cell Batteries, 12-Count Pack

They are ok. Cheaper that buying at the retail store when getting the free shipping.

Duracell makes a great battery; and these batteries will show you just how good they are made once you try them. The "Coppertop" version of these AAA size batteries does indeed last longer than pervious types of AAA batteries by Duracell. I really like this because I often travel by public transportation and I use my portable CD player to listen to music. I always get several hours more use out of these CopperTop Duracell AAA batteries; and that's grand! They contain no mercury which at least according to Duracell helps the environment.

Of course, these AAA batteries can be used in anything that requires them--not just portable CD players. Moreover, the reclosable storage pack actually does close neat and clean for you so that the batteries remaining inside the package don't get dusty or exposure to any elements if you're outside camping or something.

Use these batteries before their expiration date. The expiration date will always be several years into the future; but some people still have them lying around in a dresser drawer anyway. The problem is not only do they lose their potency; the batteries also begin to corrode. When the batteries corrode eventually a whitish powdery sticky substance begins to leak out of them and this makes a mess--trust me!

As the product description correctly notes, please do NOT dispose of these or ever place these in or near a fire. They could indeed explode. I wouldn't carry them loose either--they should be protected in their cardboard case or they should be already installed in your portable CD player, your flashlight or whatever device you placed them into.

Overall, these Duracell Coppertop AAA size batteries are the ones to choose if you need AAA size batteries. I highly recommend them for any device that needs AAA size batteries. Duracell offers their customers a toll free number they can call if they're not happy with these batteries; and that impresses me--that's good customer service on Duracell's part.

Use them in good health and enjoy!

Buy Duracell Coppertop AAA Cell Batteries, 12-Count Pack Now

Read More >>

SONY ICFC717PJ PROJECTION AM/FM CLOCK RADIO WITH NATURE SOUNDS & ROOM TEMPERATURE DISPLAY

The time display projection feature on this product is its best feature. It can be rotated and focused for optimum viewing. I have other projection clocks and this one is far superior. The controls are a little cumbersome making it is difficult to set the clock and alarm. Once it is set though it work great.

All around, its a great little clock. But there are some issues with it. Minor issues at most. The projection display goes off automatically after 12 hours, with no possibility of making it last longer. Also, the nature sounds loop should be a little longer. At least 5 seconds each. On the rain is sounds okay, but on the others, you can tell how short it is by predicting the next wave crash or bird chirp. Regardless of faults, I still love it.

Buy SONY ICFC717PJ PROJECTION AM/FM CLOCK RADIO WITH NATURE SOUNDS & ROOM TEMPERATURE DISPLAY Now

Best Buy sells this exact item for $50.00. Just putting it out there since $102.87 will get you two of them.

Read Best Reviews of SONY ICFC717PJ PROJECTION AM/FM CLOCK RADIO WITH NATURE SOUNDS & ROOM TEMPERATURE DISPLAY Here

There was now hint on the manual, as well on the order it is a 110 v only.

i spoiled it and can use it

Want SONY ICFC717PJ PROJECTION AM/FM CLOCK RADIO WITH NATURE SOUNDS & ROOM TEMPERATURE DISPLAY Discount?

Read More >>

Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter (Black)

• Launches slide show and allows escape.
• Has volume control and integrated laser.
• Works with any PC, no software required.
• 50 foot range.
• Long battery life
• 50 foot range
• Has volume control and integrated laser
• Launches slide show and allows escape
• Works with any PC, no software required

I have been using the Logitech Cordless 2.4 GHz Presenter for about three weeks. During that time I have used it in 18 one hour lectures. The presenter does everything it was designed to do effortlessly. I decided on the Logitech Presenter for a two reasons. First, it installs with no software. Just plug the USB radio transmitter/receiver into the back of your computer and it is ready to go. During my initial installation Windows XP said there was a problem, but everything operated just fine. Second, this presenter has a limited number of functions. It was my view that when giving a lecture the last thing you need is to have to hunt among a dozen or so buttons to do something. Also, more buttons increases the likelihood of hitting the wrong one. On the top the Logitech Presenter has 5 buttons: 1) forward, 2) back, 3) laser pointer which is between the forward and back, 4) F5/ESC which starts PowerPoint at the first slide or returns to the work view and 5) black the screen. All of the buttons are conveniently placed, work as promised and are easy to find without looking at them. On the left side is the on/off switch and volume control and on the right side is the button to set the countdown timer. The timer starts vibrating at set intervals 5 minutes before it reaches 0. It appears to use batteries sparingly. After about 18 hours of use the battery meter has yet to move.

There are two possible negatives to the Logitech Cordless 2.4 GHz Presenter. First, it has no mouse (I actually consider this a positive). So if you need to use a mouse in your presentations this is not the presenter to get. Second, it only appears to work with PowerPoint. It may work with other programs, but I have found no mention of it.

Based on the above review and the fact that the machine does exactly what it was designed to do, I give the presenter 5 stars. However, before purchasing one you need to decide if you really need its capabilities. If you regularly teach/make presentations in a large room it no doubt is handy. As Logitech advertises, the range is at least 50 feet. If you always present in a small room, the Logitech Cordless 2.4 GHz Presenter is really of little advantage. Nevertheless, it is cool to be able to change slides away from the projector. Perhaps the determining factor should be who is making the purchase. If your employer is springing for one, get it. If it is coming out of your pocket, consider carefully.

Buy Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter (Black) Now

I purchased this about two weeks ago, and have already used it several times. I'm just wrapping up my graduate education, and wish I knew about this sooner. If you present in teams, and usually have someone controlling the slides, you know how its difficult to sync your presentation with the other person. The Logitech Presenter puts the control into your hands. This also allows you to step away from the computer, and focus on the actual presentation than changing the slides.

This unit does the following:

start presentation/exit presentation

black out the screen (good for when you want to have people focus their attention on you instead of the slides)

forward/back, to navigate through slides

volume control

laser pointer

time limit notification (warnings at 5 mins and 2 mins)

Also comes with a compact fabric case.

Contrary to what a previous reviewer stated, this receiver is NOT a USB bluetooth receiver. It is only USB, and transmits at a 2.4 GHz frequency.

As some others have stated, this is NOT a mouse. The more expensive Logitech Presenter (that costs over $150) can double as a mouse.

I have only utilized the Presenter with PowerPoint. I do not know if it is compatible with other presentation software.

Pros:

The buttons are well positioned making it very easy to learn.

very light, fits comfortably in hand

the usb receiver is compact, and can be stored within the Presenter. I like the fact that it is so compact because on certain laptops, the USB slots are stacked on top of one another. With some other over-sized USB cords/receivers, it can cause trouble connecting both simultaneously. The compactness of the receiver is perfect!

battery indicator

comes with batteries

the laser pointer can double as a toy to play with a cat. my cat chases the red laserbeam all around the room. who knew the Presenter could be so much fun? :)

Cons:

time limit notifications can only be increased in 5 minute increments.

the USB receiver can easily be put into the Presenter in the wrong way, making it somewhat difficult to take out.

did not work on a couple older laptops. They were both running WinXP. However, these could be isolated incidents.

Took at least 30 seconds on new systems for the Presenter to be recognized and set up.

No resume feature

The fabric case should have come with a belt clip

I took the Logitech Presenter to class, and fellow classmates loved it so much they all wanted to use it. They were able to learn it on the fly. This unit is money well spent!

Read Best Reviews of Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter (Black) Here

I've owned 3 other remote clickers, and this one is the best by far. For starters, it uses AAA batteries which are easy to procure and replace, whereas other models use those little quarter-size batteries that require a special trip to Radio Shack to buy. Plus, AAA's hold more juice to begin with, AND this clicker has an on/off switch, whereas others turn off on their own after time without use, meaning after they drain the battery! The transmitter on this clicker has plenty of power to reach the back of the computer/USB receiver stub from long distances, whereas others require the presenter to be close to the computer because they transmit a weak signal. The form factor of this one is perfect in your hand and the buttons are easily used, even by people unfamilar with it -it's very intuitive. It has a very useful timer/clock that allows me to watch how much time I have left to finish my presentation -it will also vibrate in my hand with 5 minutes to go, 2 minutes to go, and when my time is up. It allows me to add more time on the fly. This remote clicker is absolutely perfect in every way, and I can't tell you how many colleagues have purchased one after they tried mine. Don't waste your money on anything else -they really got it right in all the human factors/UI aspects and all the engineering aspects when they made this.

Want Logitech 2.4 GHz Cordless Presenter (Black) Discount?

My husband "bought me" the other Logitech cordless presenter (which costs about 3x as much as this one) a year or so ago because, as a high school teacher, I often use PowerPoint to teach new lessons and to show photos of unfamiliar events or references in literature. The truth is, I took the thing to school once before he hijacked it for his own laptop/flat screen combination and used it as a glorified cordless mouse, with laser pointer.

Honestly, this little thing is a lot more convenient than the other one for use in a classroom, and the reduced cost makes me less concerned about it "getting jacked" by one of my well-meaning but sometimes-misdirected students. It doesn't have the cordless mouse functionality, so I can't switch between programs. It's pretty much only functional for use with PowerPoint, but that's fine for me. I can now move around my classroom freely, switching back and forth between slides and pointing out specific things on the screen without having to be right next to my computer. It helps to be able to spot-check my students' progress and walk the room, and students everywhere are just more attentive when they see presenters who can actually move more than in just a 5-inch radius. I also love being able to "black screen" the TV at certain points (to answer questions, to address side issues, at the end of the presentation) without having to interrupt my presentation/presence in front of the class.

I especially like the little case and the USB storage in the unit when it's not in use -I tend to lose things. I also like the size and feel of this presenter over the other one, which was too bulky for me. The 50-foot range is GINORMOUS, and not having to have "line of sight" to my actual computer is a lifesaver. I don't use the timer/vibrate feature at all, and the on/off switch is really easy to get to -not like the one on my cell phone that requires a lot of fumbling and fighting to get it to depress.

I bought this recently and it was easy to use. Most people have written on the positive side of things so I will just add some shortcomings. It can only be used for power point presentations. It would be better to use Keyspan or something like that which includes power point presentation and a mouse as well. Secondly, this does not have an auto time out. I tried it the night before but forgot to switch it off (there is no LCD light anywhere so one does not realize it is switched on), and the next day when I tried to use it at a presentation it was out of power! Other than that it is a really cool device and easy to use.

Read More >>

First Alert Public Alert radio

• Public Alert model CEA 2009 certified with Externa
• weather-temperature-sensors
• 21 Piece Travel Tool Kit Set
• SAM-GTL-BKBOOK

I moved to a rural community in Kansas after living in a large city all my life. One day I was outside and thought I could hear testing of a tornado siren off in the distance. I immediately realized the tornado siren would be of no use to me during a storm and decided I needed to buy something to alert me of a severe weather event. I purchased this 18 months ago and have been extremely happy with its performance. I found it easy to program. I can get up in the morning and push the "listen" button and hear the weather forcast for the day. I keep mine in my kitchen and it is loud enough that it will wake you in the middle of the night if the alarm is sounded. you are able to control most of the alerts that it is designed to alert you with for example if you do not live in flood proned area you can turn off the alert for a flood watch etc. Some alerts have the option to be turned off but the machine is programmed to keep them on anyway such as a tornado warning. This radio has over 80 alerts programmed into the machine but not all will pertain to your area such as Kansas will never have an alarm go off for an avalanche. This machine can even alert you of an amber alert in your area. I highly recommend this device I have never experienced any kind of failure and have purchased one as a gift. This machine will also use rechargeable batteries that will continuously charge while the machine is plugged in, in the event of power failure it automatically changes over to battery power. Get it you will be glad you did.

Buy First Alert Public Alert radio Now

I bought this model or a similar one elsewhere, not sure which. I have the WX-150 which meets my home needs quite well. As the earlier reviewer mentioned, it is easy to edit the alerts, in fact, this radio has the ability to add alerts if new ones are created. I checked NOAA online and found that my radio has more alerts programmed than their online webpage. I'm still trying to find out if there are a few that need to be programmed in.

My model (this one?) has an output for a pulse that can start an external alarm system. The WX-200 (again, this one?), has an external speaker output. If one needs to alert a large area directly then you need to find a WX-200.

Pro:

easy to program

has two alarm clocks

good receiver

Con:

not much, the only complaint I have is that the 'power on' green light is a little too bright for placement near my bed. The alarm can be adjusted to be really loud, so this is really a nit.

Read More >>

Sony Ericsson W350a Unlocked Phone with Camera and Music Player - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - Whi

This is actually the second one that I have owned. I got my first one when it first came out, and it lasted me nearly two years before finally become unusable.

It can get a little glitchy, just like any other phone, but if you take out the battery and put it back in, you'll be back in good shape every time. The major downside is the little flap that covers the keypad. It WILL break off. It can be removed at any point, and doesn't affect the function of the phone in any way, other than to make the music buttons easier. However, the music function is still perfectly usable without the cover on.

Hands down the best(non-smartphone) phone I have ever had.

This phone was working as expected. However in August 2012, I connected it for the first time to the computer to download some music. The phone suddenly went dead and so I contacted Sony Experia Customer Service to see if they could repair or replace it. That was in August and the beginning of my troubles.

In September, they asked me to send the phone over to them which I did and I tracked it as arrived in their Laredo Tx repair centre. A month later I contacted them to see the progress but there seemed to be noone with a clue as to what happened. One agent told me the phone had been repaired and sent to a wrong address. Another one said they were still working on the phone. Later in November 2012, an agent 'escalated' my case to a manager. I was on the phone for over an hour and a half trying to proof that I sent the phone, that I bought from Amazon etc etc. At the end of the conversation, the manager told me that they will send me a new phone within 7 days. I waited but nothing came up. On February 4th, I received an email from Customer Service asking me to send my faulty phone to them for repair. I just couldn't believe this so I waited for my anger to subside to manageable levels. Yesterday March 18th, I called the customer care and there seemed to be no progress. The agent said he will call me back in 2 hours.

As I write this, I am still waiting and I don't know where else I can turn to for redress.

Buy Sony Ericsson W350a Unlocked Phone with Camera and Music Player - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - Whi Now

Read More >>

CARS Mater Alarm Clock Radio

• Disney Pixar's Cars The Movie: Mater Alarm Clock Radio features an AM/FM radio,
• Snooze function and battery back up keeps time in case of power outage. Wake up to custom radio
• Buzzer or custom Mater wake up call. Requires 2 AA batteries, batteries included.

My daughters (5 and 7) receieved this alarm clock for Christmas. It is easy for them to turn off in the morning. The display is nice and bright. They love to push the demo button which goes through the 5 different Mater sayings. My only complaint is that it would be hard for a little one to set by themselves, since the buttons are a bit hard to push and they are too far apart for little hands. But sometimes you don't want your kids to be able to set their alarm for 3am! Compared to the other Cars alarm clocks on the market, I'd say this one is the best.

Buy CARS Mater Alarm Clock Radio Now

So far I like this clock for my son. It allows him to see the digital time. The ONLY thing I do not like is that it did NOT come with an ac adaptor. It runs solely on batteries with the power pack having to be purchased separately. Had I paid more attention to this detail, I would have not purchased the clock.

Read Best Reviews of CARS Mater Alarm Clock Radio Here

alarm clock works well and is very enjoyable to use. I purchased this for my seven

year old grandson to encourage him to get up on his own for school. Only time will

tell if my idea works

Want CARS Mater Alarm Clock Radio Discount?

I ordered this for my 5-year-old nephew, who loves the Cars movies. When it arrived, I immediately thought, "He's going to like this!" It was so cute. I wanted to see how it worked, but I didn't want to mess up the packaging, so I just wrapped it and sent it to my brother to give him for Christmas. After Christmas, my brother called so my nephew could thank me for it. He said, "Thank you for my Mater." Then he stopped talking, and I thought he'd put the phone down. My brother got on the phone and said, "He's kissing the phone." He said my nephew figured out how to work the clock radio right away and had listened to all the things Mater said. For me this product was aces. That's the first time my nephew has ever sent me kisses over the phone :).

My son has had this clock for 2 years, now. He is now 8 years old and he still absolutely loves it. Now that he's a little older, he can do everything himself. The alarm options are so funny! Granted, hearing them over and over again in the morning does get quite annoying, but alarms are supposed to be annoying! I would definately recommend this item to any CARS fan!

Read More >>

Uniden TCX400 5.8 GHz Accessory Handset for CLX Series (also for T8, ELT, and VoIP Series; Silver)

• 5.8 GHz digital signal; caller ID/call waiting compatible, 100-call memory
• For use with Uniden CLX, T8, ELT, and VoIP series phone systems
• USB connector and downloadable software; audio cable for custom ring tones
• DirectLink 2-way radio mode; room/ baby monitor setting
• Internal phone directory with 100-name and 400-number memory

These were just hand sets that go with the CLX 465. Really the same product, so the results were the same

Buy Uniden TCX400 5.8 GHz Accessory Handset for CLX Series (also for T8, ELT, and VoIP Series; Silver) Now

I bought the Uniden CLX-485 base and five TXC-400 handsets to replace my previous cordless phone system, as I could not get handsets for it anymore. Sound quality is very good for both regular & speakerphone use. The ability to mute & transfer calls is very nice. And, I really like the ability to go into room monitoring & privacy modes. In room monitoring mode, you can listen in to any other handset in the house....much like a baby monitor. In privacy mode, you can lock the system so that no one else can eavesdrop or cut in on your conversation. As I work from home, this is particularly useful in preventing the kids from dialing while I am trying to talk on a conference bridge.

Now for the downside, within six months, two of the most used handsets started developing an annoying trait where they would reboot after the smallest jostle. Put the phone in the charging cradle....reboot. Pickup the phone to answer a call....reboot. Hand the phone to someone....reboot.

Now, about 11 months after the purchase, all five of the expansion handsets are experiencing the same temperamental problems. The ones that have shown these symptoms the longest are now so fickle that they can get stuck in a perpetual reboot mode where the display goes blank, then goes solid orange, displays "Uniden" for some random length of time, and then it repeats the process. Sometimes pulling the battery for a couple of seconds resolves the issue. Sometimes a "love tap" helps. Sometimes...well, you get the idea.

Out of the bunch, the only one that still works reliably is the base station's handset. Maybe it has had a bit less handling, as I often use the base unit's speakerphone while working. Maybe Uniden made some additional changes--aside from the color LCD--inside these handsets. (The base station handset for this phone system is equivalent to a TCX440.) Bottom line is that I am not sure why, but I know that it is still working.

Regardless, I am left a little jaded on these handsets. I am quickly approaching my one-year anniversary date. As such, I am debating on getting them repaired/replaced, but even once that happens, they will only be covered by a 90-day warranty. Personally, I am seriously considering going to a different phone system. (I had two different AT&T phones with comparable features that served me faithfully for better than 4 years each. I only replaced the first to get a 2-line phone system, and I only replaced the second because of the aforementioned lack of expansion handsets.)

As for features...

Contrary to a previous reviewer, there is a redial feature. To access this, you push the little "joystick" down...as in towards the mic opening on the phone...not down like you are pushing a button. Several of these shortcuts are not documented, or not documented very well. But, they are there nonetheless.

Phonebook Okay, I really wish someone would make it easy to create & copy phonebook entries between phonebooks on other handsets. On this phone, if you create an entry, you have to copy it to each & every handset...one at a time. And, if you are on a handset without a specific phonebook entry, there is no way to have that handset access the other's phonebook to copy the needed entry. In this golden age of technology, I think phone manufacturer's could do much, much better!!

Long distance vs. dialing If go through the caller ID log, and add a number to your phonebook, it only adds the 10-digit number. Again, this is the age of computers. I should be able to define a "local" list of area codes (not just a single area code), and everything else should automatically get a one appended to the front of the number. It is common sense. This same behavior is evident when you go to redial a long distance number directly from the caller ID listing.

Read Best Reviews of Uniden TCX400 5.8 GHz Accessory Handset for CLX Series (also for T8, ELT, and VoIP Series; Silver) Here

I purchased my set before the full color version was available. I'm not crazy about the orange display, but it's not bad. I love the individual ring tonesit's better than caller ID. I have a diffeent ring for each family member. All their phone number ring the same tone so I know who it is by the ring; don't even need to look. The only thing I'd like to be able to do is turn off the flashing message notification on the handset but even that is minorI just need to pick up my messages. And, yes, there is a redial feature.

Want Uniden TCX400 5.8 GHz Accessory Handset for CLX Series (also for T8, ELT, and VoIP Series; Silver) Discount?

This phone has several major flaws. First, there is no redial, hard to believe, but true. Second, the orange color on the LCD is terrible. This color makes it hard to see the graphics, which are themselves annoying. Third, the LCD quality is very poor. Pictures,Words and numbers are grainy and appear very low tech, dated and obsolete looking. Lastly, the direct link/walkie talkie mode is a joke. It only works if the handsets are not in the charger and if you don't try to use the phone as a phone and if no calls come in. I would not buy this phone again. Between no redial and the terrible LCD orange color and LCD quality I'd have to advise you to keep looking. I have started looking again, and I'm stuck with 4 of these things!

5.8 GHZ clear, easy to use, and you can update other phones thru home computer.

Read More >>

Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High-Performance Stereo System for iPod (Black)

• Robust sound system designed for rich audio playback directly from any iPod
• Integrated dock charges iPods with dock connectors while you play music
• Includes digital FM radio and backlit remote control
• 3.5-mm auxiliary input for older iPods and other MP3 players
• 2-year limited warranty

The Pure Fi Elite is the Audiostation from last year with a few minor tweaks and a major quality control issue addressed, mainly the horrible button controls from the Audiostation that didn't work in the first few batches of that earlier product. The Audiostation units got a terrible rep (especially at Best Buy) and many retailers stopped carrying the product and / or steeply discounted it. The revised Elite is therefore hardly a great surprise, but be reassured that the button issue is now fixed.

The Elite's main strength is as an Ipod dock system, and it does a credible job here. The twin 4" woofers and 1" tweeters do a nice job of producing clear and well-differentiated sound, and the 80 watt power of the system means it will be able to get loud enough for most users. There is no distortion even at high volumes, but there is also virtually no stereo separation. The stereo expander DSP does very little, but doesn't hurt anything either. The stereo expander in Altec's IM600 is a lot more effective at increasing the soundfield.

Speaking of comparisons, the $130 Elite sounds roughly similar to the Griffin Amplifi ($100). The Griffin has better bass, while the Elite offers better treble detail. These tendencies are directly related to driver design, with the Amplifi's 2.75" drivers muddying treble a bit but with it's 5" woofer giving better bass extension that the Elite's 4 inch drivers. The Elite has a lot of extra features though and can get a bit louder. It also charges your Ipod even when turned off, a feature which the Griffin lacks. Both units have minimal stereo separation effect, and the Amplifi has no stereo DSP, while the Elite has one that barely works at all.

The Bose Sound Dock ($300 list) generally sounds a bit louder and stronger in mid-tones than the Elite. The bass sounds roughly comparable, and the Elite gets the edge in treble. The SoundDock has much better perceptible stereo separation and the remote also works more reliably and at longer distances, though the Elite has many more feature. The Elite also has a huge price difference, at least in "real world" prices.

The Elite has many unique features. The remote has access to both shuffle mode and up to 6 playlists. It does not offer full Ipod menu control, but unless you have the eyes of an eagle, you probably can't see the Ipod screen details from more than six feet away anyway. The Elite has a sleep timer, a video pass through for most Ipods, an auxiliary input jack, and adjustable bass and treble level. The remote is adequate with access to most features, and a pretty good range, though it needs to be aimed precisely.

What does the Elite lack? The radio sadly is a miserable effort, really an afterthought. The tuner is grade D quality and can barely tune in even strong FM stations and I could not get any AM at all. (This in NYC, admittedly a tough interference environment, but this hardly explains the incredibly bad tuning performance.) Even when you can tune in a station, the reception is usually not clear with annoying hiss and static bursts. A $20 clock radio can tune in more stations. My own Panasonic clock radio can indeed tune in far more stations more clearly, as can my stereo receiver, my Tivoli PAL, and my Sangean table radio. The Elite's tuner is truly incompetent in comparison. As far as dock radio combos, the Altec IM600s tuner is far far better, and the two units go for roughly the same price.

Because of the lame tuning capability, the RDS feature is rendered useless. To get RDS info, you need to have a strong clear FM signal, and the choppy tuning of the FM tuner on the Elite meant that I could get no RDS info at all from the stations in the area that broadcast that program info. Scratch one special feature!

Finally, the presence of a clock and the absence of an alarm indicates feature stripping by Logitech to make sure that you need to spend extra money to get their separate overpriced Ipod clock radio. Not sticking a basic alarm function in a >$100 system which already has a clock is just pure cynical "product differentiation" of the most annoying sort.

Anyway, if you want a decent performance Ipod dock, the good detailed and amply loud sound of the Elite recommends it. The terrible radio tuner will frustrate and disappoint those who want a multi-function unit, and the lack of stereo separation in the sound is an expected though unfortunate deficit. This is definitely a better bargain than the Bose SoundDock, but the Amplifi is a tough competitor, especially since the radio function on the Elite is so poorly implemented. The Griffin has a somewhat less loud sound though richer bass, and is also about 20% cheaper. The Amplifi sounds better with rock and electronic music. The Elite is more stylish and has a few more useful features on the remote like Shuffle and Playlist and also sounds better with classical and acoustic music.

One caution though: the list for the Elite is in theory $300, and paying anywhere near that level would quickly evaporate any of the Elite's advantages. Get the Elite for $150 and you'll be happy, but pay $200 or more and you will probably be paying more than the system is worth, especially with the Griffin consistently selling at or near the $120 price point.

Buy Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High-Performance Stereo System for iPod (Black) Now

THE GOOD:

This product works with any kind of iPod. Logitech includes a set of adapters that snap on to the docking port. My mini works in it beautifully (although you do have to remove any clip attachments or covers you have on your iPod first).

Set up is pretty much idiot proof and takes about 5 minutes.

Includes a "sleep" function so that you can set it to go off when you want. Sadly, there is no alarm feature.

Light enough to carry from room to room if you want to.

All iPod functions work either through the iPod controls or with the remote, which is really clear and easy to use.

AM and FM radio antennas are included. You'll need a fairly strong station signal for them to work. I live in the hills so I can't get most stations, but at least 3 stations I like I can get, which is more than I can say for my regular stereo unless I add an antenna.

Display is clear and easy to read. Adjustable for brightness in both "on" and "off" settings, for 12 or 24 hour clock, iPod backlighting level and language. Displays RDS station and song info where available on FM stations.

You can adjust the treble and bass (see "the bad" for discussion of sound quality) and can turn on Logitech's propietary "StereoXL" feature which greatly improves the sound when you get more than a few feet away from the unit.

Can be used with an A/C power source or connected to your computer port.

Has video pass-through feature so that you can display photos/video on your t.v. if your iPod has these capabilities (mine doesn't, so can't say how good that feature is).

THE BAD:

The sound is about what you'd expect for a "bookshelf"-type stereo system. Not horrible, especially considering that the input is an iPod, but all the adjusting in the world can't keep it from sounding muddy. it would have been nice if there had been a midtone setting in addition to bass and treble. In other words, this won't replace your regular stereo system, but if you buy songs by download and have no other way to play those, or can't afford a full stereo system, or just need something to take to parties, the office or rooms that aren't hooked up, this is pretty sweet.

THE UGLY:

The smell! Has a nasty chemical/plastic odor that will give a headache to those senstive. Hopefully, this is going to fade pretty quickly. Otherwise this is going to be my outdoor stereo.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, I quite like this unit. It won't replace my CD collection just yet, but it's a nice addition to my bedroom, which doesn't have room for a stereo system and isn't wired up to run off my main stereo. This is great for playing podcasts before bed and definitely good for parties. Anyone can take turns loading in an iPod. Overall, a pretty darn good product if you need the kind of flexibility a player like this can give you. But it certainly isn't a replacement for a full stereo system or even a good set of computer speakers and iTunes or internet radio.

Read Best Reviews of Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High-Performance Stereo System for iPod (Black) Here

Right out of the box, you realize there's nothing flimsy about the Pure-Fi Elite. The unit is heavy relative to size. It's a sleek, solid black. The display pictures show it without the speaker covers. You don't see the woofer and tweeter when you're looking at the actual unit. The front of the base is at a 30 degree angle, which makes it easy to see the controls and the display screen. The display is large enough to see comfortably with either white on black or black on white, depending on your angle.

The Pure-Fi Elite is a docking station with some nice features and a few gaps. When the iPOD is in the docking station the base charges the iPOD. To hear your music, use the iPOD's menu to select the songs you want to hear and press play. The Pure-Fi Elite will turn on the iPOD, switch to iPOD input, and start playing music. Navigation buttons on the base or the remote control will let you move through your playlist. You can also make six of your playlists into presets. There is a video pass through feature to connect a video output jack (not included) from the back of the base to a TV to display photos or video from the iPOD, too.

The base has a Universal Dock and comes with nine separate adapters, so you can use it with 4th and 5th generation iPODS. There is a chart that shows you which adapter fits your model. If you have a 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation iPOD you'll need to use the aux input connector on the back of the base. (1st and 2nd generation do not have a dock connector. 3rd generation are not supported by the Universal Dock.)

The remote control uses two AA batteries (included). The remote is slim and fits into a holder that can be snapped onto the back of the docking station. I found it much easier to program this from the remote than from the control panel on the front of the unit. You can set the time with either a 12 or 24 hour clock. There is a sleep timer, but no clock/radio or clock/iPOD wake up feature. Radio and iPOD navigation is easy with the remote. You can also adjust the bass, treble, or Stereo XL for your own sound preferences.

The base has AM/FM radio, which is easy to navigate and external radio antennas are included. There are six presets each for AM and FM. If your FM station utilizes RDS, you can see the station's call letters and slogan as well as the dial number. With the external antennas in place, one or two FM stations came in beautifully. Other local FM stations didn't come in very well at all, although they sound fine on other radios around the house. None of the AM stations came in very well. The radio isn't the main attraction of this unit, but since it's included it would be nice if it picked up the stations better.

I played the Pure-Fi Elite at full volume and it did fill the room without sound distortion. At full volume on the Pure-Fi Elite doesn't seem as loud as it does on other units I've owned, although it beats ear buds hands down.

The unit comes with a power cord, power supply, and wall cord. It's an awkward arrangement that I've come to accept on laptops, but I was surprised to find it on a small stereo unit. The power supply seems unnecessarily large and heavy it's only slightly smaller than a brick. I unplug devices when they aren't in use; when I plugged the base back into the wall outlet a day later, I found it had lost the time and other presets.

The Pure-Fi Elite would have been perfect if the radio came in better, if it also functioned as a clock/radio, or if it didn't lose the time and presets when unplugged. I think it's a three and a half star unit, but since we don't have the half star option, I'd round it up rather than down. Overall, this is a solid piece of equipment. It's easy to set up, and music from the iPOD fills the room with good sound.

Want Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High-Performance Stereo System for iPod (Black) Discount?

Off the bat I am an audiophile and this unit delivers superb sound.

Since I am such a stickler for good sound, I did a LOT of research and finally narrowed it down to the Bose-sounddock and the Pure-Fi.

I was toying with shelling 3x more for the Bose-sounddock which I must admit sounds superb as well a friend of mine owns one ... I am very happy that I went with Logitech.

I also own a pair of Logitech Z-2300 speakers and love Logitech quality when it comes to sound.

Now the Pure-Fi will not shake your floor like the Z-2300 does, but it packs a lot of punch and I mean a LOT. ( I love bass and this unit reproduces bass very well). It is heavy for its size and in speaker world that is usually very good.

For those who want to know the power adapter is 110-230V compliant which is a big plus for me since I travel a bit. I could not find that information anywhere online!

Only con I can think of is that the adapter is a brick and I mean it! its quite big but that is not a big deal for me.

Pure-Fi vs Bose Sounddock no-brainer the Pure-Fi wins hands down.

Sound same

Remote better (Love the playlist memory functionality)

Design same ( I prefer the Pure-Fi)

Value for Money NO brainer there!

I'm now two weeks into a very positive experience with the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High Performance Speaker System. If you're of the age that remembers vinyl LPs and table sized stereo systems (not table top systems, but table sized) like me, you'll be blown away with the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High Performance Speaker System's capacity to fill the room with rich sound! Using your iPod as the music source, the Pure-Fi Elite almost... almost... renders the multi-disk CD player obsolete. Play lists and genre lists give you all the flexibility that you need. But then, that's nothing new to the iPod owner, right?

Where my enthusiasm comes from is the fact that my Pure-Fi Elite System frees me from the curse of the ear buds. I like being able to listen to my music without tuning out the world around me, a situation that my wife appreciates as well. I considered the little speakers that can be added to an iPod, however I had yet to listen to any that provided adequate sound quality. That's where this system excels! The tonal quality is excellent in every room we've tried it, even outdoors (albeit with limited volume, a pleasing aspect to any neighbors). Yes, it's light enough and portable enough to move from room to room as you please. No, it's not truly portable in that it does not work off of batteries, so if you're a hard core mobility person you'll still need your ear buds or boom box. Once curious design quirk in that regard is the fact that the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High Performance Speaker System has the type of power adapter usually seen with laptop PCs. I'm not sure why, and I'm sure that Logitech had a very good reason for using that, but maybe they can fix that with a future version.

A perfect player of this sort would feature a remote control that can completely duplicate the iPod's menu capability. Unfortunately the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High Performance Speaker System isn't perfect in that sense. It's good, but not ideal. Selecting a play list is best done through the iPod itself, although you can assign your play lists to preset buttons on the remote. That just requires a little bit of effort in the setup.

The remote does however take care of the most important functions though; power, volume shuffle etc. It also controls the AM/FM radio that is built in to the unit, which provides excellent sound reproduction although not on par with the iPod (surprise... surprise).

Setup is so easy that it barely qualifies as a setup as far as I'm concerned. And getting back to the unit's semi-portability aspect, one of the nicest design features is the considerate use of a little extra plastic to provide a holder for the remote control. I appreciate little things like that!

First and foremost though, the sound quality is excellent within it's power limits. For party background music this will do fine. If you want to power a dance floor, hire a DJ with some more powerful equipment. But if you want to fill the common areas of your home with whatever music you like (in my case an eclectic collection of rock, folk, pop and classical), I would suggest that you'll be well satisfied with the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite High Performance Speaker System

Read More >>