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Monday, March 31, 2014

Gaming Consoles: What's Best for Online Games?

Which gaming console offers the best online gaming experience?

What is your favorite gaming console?  Is it the best console to meet your needs?  All of the major gaming consoles offer online gaming and superior game play.  This is the twenty-first century, after all.

However, technological magic does not make these gaming consoles equal.  Deciding on which gaming console is better is always a matter of taste, but that does not stop us from choosing our favorite.  We settled on the Xbox 360.  As a gamer, you were likely way ahead of us.

Serious gamers are usually of two types: those who like to play alone, and those addicted to online gaming.  The best of the online gaming services helps the gamer to connect with others out there in the world.  For these players, testing themselves head to head against strangers who consider themselves proficient in the game helps bring an entirely new experience to the game.

The Competition
The two chief competitors in our little pageant are the only real competitors for the title - if we insist upon comparing apples to apples.  Nintendo Wii is also an excellent gaming console, but it excels mostly in social gaming.  If you are into family games, or Mario type scenarios, then this would be your preferred machine.  However, when we talk about online gaming, we mean powerful games, played by talented players - on serious gaming consoles.

Xbox 360: The King of Online Gaming

Amazon Link:  http://amzn.to/1dFdYBq
Ask any gamer and they will likely tell you that the Xbox 360 is definitely the best in the area of online gaming.  Xbox 360 delivers a smooth gaming platform and it offers an excellent communication platform for players too – a must for online gaming.  What stings somewhat, is that that you need an Xbox Live subscription to access the online gaming, but you get what you pay for – and for online gaming, these subscription fees pay for a lot.



Xbox 360 is expensive – but all of the gaming machines are – even Nintendo Wii.  In fact, at its current price (about $180), Xbox 360 is cheaper than either alternative (PlayStation or Wii), but there is the subscription to Xbox live to think about.  Still, Xbox 360 has earned its reputation and has been around long enough to demand a bit more from those who want to experience online gaming at its very best.  Its longevity means that you are getting quality – and that is where you want to spend your money.
Xbox 360 receives 4.2 stars in 314 total customer reviews.  The most frequent complaint is that the system sells with only 4GB of memory – and this does not even begin to do the job.

PlayStation 4  Gaming Console

Amazon Link:  http://amzn.to/1gO96KQ
If you do not want to buy the Xbox 360 (why, we wouldn’t know), your next best option would be the PlayStation 4, which permits you to play online free (to a limited extent).  However, make no mistake that the online gaming experience is quite different to that offered by the Xbox 360.  The rest of the game playing experience is roughly the same though PlayStation gains a slight lead in offline play.

PlayStation 4 is no joke.  It is a serious, well-crafted, and well-intended gaming console.  It is as loaded as 360 in terms of bells and whistles, has a marvelous controller, and if you want, you can even subscribe to PlayStation Plus, and get games to download on a regular basis.
PlayStation receives 4.1 stars in 6,544 total customer reviews.  The most frequent complaint was about malfunctioning systems.

Other Things To Consider When Choosing a Gaming Console

The first question that you need to ask is if you need more memory.  Both of these systems sell with a bare bones amount of memory – and you simply will not be able to make do with it.  Plan a huge memory upgrade into your budget right from the beginning.

gaming console

Next, you will want to consider quality.  Almost no customer received a malfunctioning Xbox 360 gaming console.  The biggest complaint there was insufficient memory – easily fixed by spending a few dollars.  However, complaints of bad units were plentiful with the PlayStation 4.  We leave it to the reader to reach his own conclusions here – but this could be an indication of a quality problem with the gaming console.  MOST of them are good – but chances seem to be good that you will receive a system that just might be faulty.

Finally, you will want to consider if your goal is great game play, or great online gaming.  If you spend as much time playing alone as you play online, then the PlayStation 4 might actually be a better choice, because it probably offers the best gaming experience overall.  Please understand.  Both gaming consoles are excellent on game play – although the Xbox might cause you less headaches in the end, according to the reviewers.

If you want great online gaming, the Xbox 360 still reigns supreme – although its supremacy may not last for much longer.  The PlayStation 4 is a serious contender, and with its release, the PlayStation series is fast catching up.

The biggest hitch is content.  You need to consider ahead of time the particular games that you like to play.  Much like television channels, some online games are exclusive to a particular gaming console.  To get that content, you have to watch that channel – or to complete our analogy – you need to buy that particular gaming console.

If you still are confused, we understand.  That is why we titled this review as we have, putting focus on the online gaming experience.  Gamers will be arm wrestling for some time trying to decide on the best gaming console overall.  For now though, if you are an avid online gamer, then you will probably prefer the quality and online gaming experience offered by the Xbox 360.

Have fun!

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Saturday, March 22, 2014

EBook Readers for Children: A Good Idea?

Are EBook Readers for Children A Good Idea?

Unless you have been in a concentration camp, you surely have witnessed the immense popularity of EBook Readers proliferating the market.  The idea might seem a non-starter at first blush.  Who wants to read from a computer screen when they can hold an actual book in their hands, smell the print, and experience the page turning excitement that only a paper book can provide?
As members of the old guard, we still think that people prefer the latter, but we are up against the realities here.  EBook Readers are not terribly expensive for what they offer.  You can order the titles that interest you and receive them instantly.  You can carry hundreds of books with you at a time to accompany you during the long commutes and you can even search them easily to refresh yourself on an area of the book you are reading that might have gotten fuzzy.
Should Children Use EBook Readers?
To which we answer: why not?  If the purpose of childhood is to practice for adulthood then children need to learn how to do two things well, besides use the potty – and these are to read and to write.  Moreover, as with paper materials that tell of the fascinating tales related to us by Dick and Jane, it is never too early to learn.
It really is all a matter of from where we learn.  Taken from the proper viewpoint, the books you used in the third grade were simply the latest technology available.  Before that, parchment was in widespread use.  Before parchment, stone tablets (the original “pad”) were all the rage, and before that – you get the point.
ebook readerIf EBook Readers are the latest technology to replace paper books, – well – paper books had to go some time, just as the EBook Readers will have to go some day.  Today though, we think that we have made the case that children need to be as comfortable with EBook Readers as we were with paper books.  It is an old story: out with the old …
The price of EBook Readers falls every day as companies compete to convince the public that their reader is the slickest product available.  Once, the distinctions really were vast – but today inferior products are extinct by natural selection and the survivors all are of decent quality, even if one product might have a few more bells and whistles than another might.
Choosing The Best eBook Readers for Children
Most of the readers on the market target adults, and you might feel that appropriate as well, since adults do most of reading.  Here too, a bit of perspective is in order.  You might read better – but we challenge whether you read more.  Children discover the world through writings, while you often feel as if you already have seen too much of it.
They read Harry Potter and The Hobbit and Spiderman comic books and their texts from school and just so much more material for which we give them little credit.  Heck, they are even interested in the Bazooka Joe comics found in chewing gum.  Yes, they DO read – a lot and we need to review access to children for these devices as critical to our future as are our children themselves.
Things will have to be done differently though.  We grownups are attracted to sleek lines and futuristic styling, but children want designs that speak to the world that they know.  A properly designed reader will get their attention though – no doubt about that.  The problem is access.
Right now, The V. Reader Animated eBook System from V-TECH is the only real option available for EBook Readers designed especially for children.  This means that it won’t be perfect, but truth to tell few children’s products are.  Child consumers are not as demanding as adults are, and this represents to the manufacturer an opportunity to cut costs.
The unit design is fun and colorful, as it must be to get a child’s attention and it comes in either blue or pink so that your child has a choice.  Naturally, this EBook Reader is far cheaper than adult readers like the Kindle or Nook are, but a huge downside is that the V. Reader EBook System requires it’s own cartridges for different books, and that can be somewhat expensive.
This is necessary, however.  You cannot just pop in one of the EBook files from your Kindle into a child’s reader and expect your child to enjoy it.  You need to have material that appeals to children.  The range of activities include interactive typing on the QWERTY keyboard, looking up words in the dictionary, listening to stories read aloud, and playing reading games (and more).  These activities ought to be very appealing indeed.
Of 81 reviews, 19 of them were below three stars at the time of this writing, and that is not bad for a child’s reader.  The unit is of durable design, but there are parents who did complain that they got a defective unit.  This would probably be unavoidable even for the highest quality reader, but for a children’s reader these few complaints represent high praise indeed!
Therefore, we see that EBook Readers for children are a very good idea.  We have learned that EBook Readers are bona fide educational tools that can help to put your child ahead of the curve when they begin school, and help them to excel after they get there.
We discovered that we have a responsibility to make our children comfortable with technology, because technology will be an indispensable part of their lives – as it is in our own lives.  Should we put EBook Readers in the crib with our children?  We should absolutely – and the sooner – the better.
As for the Dick and Jane books – if anybody knows how the story turns out – please share.
Shop Smart & Prosper!
Ebook Reader review
See This Product at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/OD3pmG
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Car Cleaning Products and Accessories Reviewed

Recommended Cleaning Products For Your Car

Most of us hate to wash our cars and trucks, but these are expensive possessions and you need to be sure properly to maintain them.   Why drive about in an old clunker when a bit of soap and water will totally transform your set of wheels?  The main thing is that you choose products for the job that are kind to your car – and that get the job done right.
Below are some suggestions that should help you with this unpleasant task.   We hope to introduce you to some products that do good things for your car that you probably never use but – like spinach – do great things when put to work.
Let’s get started with the main course (never believed in appetizers) and take up a discussion of what you will use to shampoo your car.   
Washing CarMeguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner is just what you are looking for.  This comes in a 64-oz bottle [http://amzn.to/1hCuLCa] with a formula that both cleans and conditions the paint on your car all in one-step.  You get about 32 washes per bottle, which is a very fair deal – though some customer do recommend getting the one-gallon bottle.
This amazing product offers a high quality formula that removes dirt from your car without damaging your car finish.   If you have decided that, the time has come to wash your car, why not apply a conditioner to protect your car paint at the same time, that is safe and gentle too. 
However, you ask – does it work?  Well, earlier customers certainly think so.  They give it 4.6 stars out of five.  That score – you can take it from us – is nothing short of phenomenal – so run with it.
There are a few one and two star ratings, but even these seem to be praises for the product as opposed to complaints.  Visit the link above and read for yourself.
Next, you will need cloths or wipes and Meguiar comes to the rescue again.  You might think that we are pushing the Meguiar brand with this post – but frequent readers of our reviews know better.  We love what the public loves – and Meguiar has earned its strips in this regard.
Their Supreme Shine Microfiber Cloths [http://amzn.to/NuVyXy] are a best seller for a reason.  The fact that customers rate them 4.4 out of five stars ought to be enough recommendation alone.
There is not a lot one can say about car washing cloths, but there are a few points we would like to make regarding the few complaints that we noted.
First, these are cloths – not chamois – and some customers seem to have gotten the wrong idea – even if this fact is clear in the product title.  This is not a “dig” at those good folk, but sometimes people just do not see what is right in front of them.  We hope that this will clear that up.
Probably the most often registered complaint is that the towels left a few particles behind.  Some customers thought this was “lint” and they were really bummed, and that is a shame.  They probably never noticed the term “Microfiber” in the title – did you?
Car WashThe biggest benefit of these cloths is that they won’t scratch your paint, damage your wax job or otherwise harm the coating on your car or truck.  These towels have special edging to prevent scratches and are pre-washed so you don’t have to break them in.  They save on labor too, as they are many times more absorbent than the towels you are likely using now – which means fewer trips to the bucket.
Besides cleaning cars customers use these cloths to clean kitchens, bathrooms, polished glass, mirrors and even for dusting.
OK, so you have just finished washing and drying your car, you are off the couch and the game is safely tucked away on DVR, so you might as well finish the job.  That’s right; your car could use a restorative treatment. 
You sigh and look toward the sky half-hoping it is too late.  However, no such luck.  The light ought to last just long enough to finish the work.  All you need now is a killer restorative treatment.  And guess what – Meguiars comes to the rescue again!
We aren’t stacking the deck here, we promise you.  Make a comparison at amazon for yourself.  There are some great treatments listed there, but none – absolutely none – score as highly with previous customers as Meguiars Ultimate Compound [http://amzn.to/1ddVCr5].
This stuff is the “snake oil” of car cleaning products.  It safely restores the color and clarity of your car finish without a lot of daunting pre-work.  Just rub in Meguiar's revolutionary formula and it gets right to work.
Meguiar's uses an exclusive “micro-abrasive” technology that cuts through dirt and buildup fast without scratching your vehicle’s paint or clear coat finish.  This formula helps to remove defects and improve your car paint’s appearance.
It does easily what customers complain most other products will not do, such as easily remove oxidation, light scratches, water spots, light bird dropping etchings, and stains from your car finish – safely and gently.  We doubt it can restore your aunt’s dying petunias, but we aren’t putting any money on that.
All of the links above will take you to amazon to learn more about these products.  All of the products are also available in the shopping center at Sincere Product Reviews where you just might find it cheaper, so do your homework.
As for us, all of this talk of washing cars has been exhausting.  Time to cue up that game.  Now, where did we put that blasted remote? ...
Shop safely,
car cleaning review
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Friday, March 14, 2014

Winix WAC5500 PlasmaWave Air Purifier Review

Winix WAC5500 True HEPA Air Purifier with PlasmaWave Technology

Air cleaners and purifiers are very popular for good reasons.  They are affordable and even promote good health, but to get real benefits from them, you need to understand how to shop for them.
Air cleaners generally use permanent filters to trap dust and air particles.  Air purifiers actually attack and destroy air pollutants, such as bacteria, spores, and allergens.  The Winix WAC5500 is an extremely effective air purifier that pairs up a carbon filter with a true HEPA filter to scrub effectively the air in your environment.
Unfortunately, due to the high-tech nature of air purifiers in general, many manufactures have reduced them to the equivalent of nineteenth century snake oil, which upon a single dose would even cure a rainy day.  Unfortunately, most of these units just aren’t as effective as we are led to believe.
So, what really does constitute a great buy in air purifiers?  I just so happens that we have an answer for you – but certainly not the only game in town.  We have reviewed several very reliable air purifiers here at Sincere Product Reviews.  We urge you to visit the archives and read some of them.
Here is what you can expect of the Winix WAC5500 True HEPA Air Purifier.
Main Features of the Winix WAC5500 True HEPA Air Purifier
  • Long Life True HEPA Filter
  • Effective Range of 260 square feet
  • Filters 99.97% of pollutants and allergens
  • Carbon Pre-filter helps to control odors
  • Plasma Wave technology destroys pollutants at the molecular level
  • Unit does not produce harmful ozone
  • Smart Sensor with Auto Mode
  • Energy Star Rating saves you money
  • Measures: 16.3 x 8.5 x 21.7 inches
  • Weight: 15.7 pounds
See this product at Amazon:   http://amzn.to/1fxhPuG
Overview
The Winix Air Purifier is actually a very effective unit for use in bedrooms and for other smaller areas of your home.  It has a large effective range that will purify a room as large as 260 feet – and that’s pretty big.
While this air purifier does claim to use some high-tech, it still must be classified as a standard HEPA air purifier, as the more technical features – while maybe not quite gimmicks – certainly do not move this purifier into a class of its own.
Coupled with HEPA and carbon filters, the Plasma Wave technology helps filter the air to give you a very high air quality.  This unit is a great addition to any environment where someone suffers from allergies or asthma.
As the high-tech goes, the Winix WAC5500 True HEPA Air Purifier boasts both Plasma Wave technology and a Smart Sensor with “Auto Mode” although there is no clear technical explanation of what they do – nor how they do it.
One thing seems certain though.  Customers love it – so if you are looking for an air purifier that actually works – you might be willing to overlook just what is being done to achieve this effect.
Customer Feedback
  • 5 star  144
  • 4 star  40
  • 3 star  19
  • 2 star  6
  • 1 star  4
Of 213 customer reviews, this product managed to place 184 of them above three stars with another 19 at the three star level.  This earns the Winix air purifier 4.5 stars out of five!  As we said, customers think the world of this product – and as the unit is at work in their homes – they are the best qualified to judge.
The few complaints you see here had to do with bad units that died in a week, or a unit that issued a bad smell, and one customer even says that the unit does not clean the air effectively, but bad units happen – and ten complaints out of well over 200 are sufficiently high odds to bank on.
Price for this unit might put you off though.  It costs around $200 - but if you want a proven effective air cleaner and are willing to pay a bit to get it – then you might just have found the solution to your problem.
We hope so, anyway.
Shop Smart and Prosper!
Air Purifier
Product Links at Amazon:   http://amzn.to/1fxhPuG
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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Family Camping –Taking Things Seriously

Taking Family Camping Seriously: Safeguarding Your Family

Family Camping is an excellent way to bond with your family, but you need different planning for a successful trip, depending on whether you plan to bring your significant other, or your entire family.   
Family Camping
Everything changes when your entire family is a part of any scenario, whether it be camping or otherwise.  The immediate concern to come to mind is safety, of course.  For a family camping scenario, this is easy to manage by use of a large family tent like the one we reviewed here.  A family tent keeps the family all together where there is safety in numbers – especially at night.  This also helps with the family bonding experience - which should be the main purpose for any family camping trip.
You might also consider lots of quality lighting for both inside and outside to enhance the living quality of your temporary family home, and to increase safety in about your family camping area.  You can find some quality suggestions here.
Then there is the matter of convenience.  At home, we take our facilities (such as a bathroom) for granted, but in the wilds, not having dignified facilities can be a problem.  You probably have not thought about it, but there is an elegant solution for this while camping, as well.
This is the “Portable Toilet,” and if you envision a large bulky structure that you must into place by crane – you are out of touch.  There are many solutions that lend themselves well to camping as these are easy to transport and easy to set up.  A suitable selection might be the portable toilet that we reviewed here.
Today’s portable camping toilet is essentially an indoor tent made of lightweight material and steel frame that can be set up in minutes inside the family tent.  This prevents the children from wandering off into the woods to do their business like animals – and it further defines your family camping tent as a family home.  Just be careful with any lighting that you install in these toilets, or you will inadvertently end up on stage.
Then there is the matter of preparing meals.  The fishing is fun, but you can’t eat it right out of the lake – so what to do?  Well, you can consider buying some camping cookware that is specifically designed for the outdoor life – as the cookware reviewed here.
Well designed for heat distribution and light enough to carry in a backpack, this very special cooking ware set is extraordinary.  Not only is it inexpensive, but it offers up a more appetizing meal than one from the twenty-five year old skillet “grandpa used to use.”  It may look beautiful to you – but your family probably sees something different entirely.
You will also want along some emergency flares and the like in case your family camping excursion turns into a survival exercise.  Rather than run the litany of solutions for you here, let us refer you to a review that will prepare you for an emergency on the road.  You will find that review here.
Family camping is a fun and popular pastime and is a great way to put down stress.  No phone calls (bring one cell phone for emergencies) and no mail (unless you invited the mail carrier) ought to go a long way toward replacing troubling thoughts about meetings and presentations - with pleasant thoughts of hearth and family.  Any takers?
Have fun!
Family Camping
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Family Camping Amazon Search:   http://amzn.to/1frJBIT 


Saturday, March 8, 2014

Drip Irrigation System: DIG GE200 Review

DIG GE200 Drip Irrigation System with Micro Sprayers

The DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System is a simple and inexpensive necessity for any serious gardener.  Most of us have our watering Systems  set up on a timer to control a general sprinkler system .  This is fine - for most of us - but if you are into greenhouse or landscaping activities, you are going to find that your plants need more precise watering.  They need good irrigation coverage, even when your normal lawn does not.
Drip Irrigation SystemThe DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System is a drip watering System that you can distribute locally to those areas of your garden that have special needs.  The DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System lets you get in close for direct application.
This kit is simply fawned over by customers before you – and soon, you will know the reasons why.  First, though, let us turn up the box, and see what falls out.
Product Features of the DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System
  • Coverage up to 700 square feet
  • Easy installation
  • Components easily configurable to almost any setup
  • Comes with 11 microspray stakes
  • 3 x 360 degree nozzles
  • 4 x 180 degree nozzles
  • 3 x 90 degree nozzles
  • 3 x 90° micro sprayers
  • 4 x 180° micro sprayers
  • 3 x 360° micro sprayers wi
  • 20 x 1 GPH PC drippers.
  • 11 x  13" clip stakes
  • back-flow device,
  • pressure regulator,
  • swivel adapters,
  • Tubing, micro-tubing, tees, elbows, coupling, punches, barbs,
  • Hose end, and plugs.
DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System Link at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1hWrmzJ
As you can see, the DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System is a complete system that you can use to water ground covers, flowerbeds, trees, vines, and shrubs and whatever not suitable for watering by your standard irrigation system .  The kit is portable, easy to install and can be set up anywhere in just about no time.  Customers rate ease of installation as one of the best features of this kit, so immediately; this lays aside concerns about you spending 11 backbreaking hours to put your drip irrigation system in place.
Make no mistake about it.  For the price, the DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System is an awesome product.  It scores 4.7 stars at amazon, and has only a single report below three stars.  If there is any real drawback to your buying this kit, we certainly cannot find it.
Customers say installation is simple and the micro sprayers work great. One customer tips us that though the DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System  comes with a thick manual which makes installation appear complex, all you really need is the directions on the box.  There are no surprises here.  Just be sure to map out the area that you want to install.  You can’t expect to get good results when operating without a plan.
You will want to match this set with a good timer for automated control, and you will be good to go.  Match this set with a good timer and it works flawlessly.  If you need replacement parts, Dig Corp sells a number of support kits, and add on products for their drip irrigation systems.  Just stick to buying boxed kits where possible, since what you need is all in the box, and you don’t need to guess about anything.
What Customers Are Saying
The customers report on the DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System comes as a rousing cheer.  Few products inspire such excitement with earlier users as does this irrigation kit.  You may not need one – but those who did just could not get enough of it – and indeed – many customers reported buying more after their experience with this one.
One small issue was that the 360-degree sprayers are not adjustable.  They spray just great, but in streams of about 6-8 feet so that nothing inside this range gets wet at ground level.  However, customers report that the 90 degree and 180 degree sprayers work just fine, offering good misting and spraying out some 4-5 feet.  Just do your planning well, buy extras of what you need, and then go to work for a few short hours to get the job done.
If you are done dragging out soaker hoses all the time, and ruining your expensive clothes, the DIG Irrigation GE200 Complete Drip Irrigation System will save you some frustration.  The hardest part is setting it up – and as we have seen, even that is a piece of cake, assuming that you have a plan so that you know what you are doing.
If you have shrubs, flowers and the like, add a drip irrigation system on a timer, and let science do the hard work of watering them for you.  You can use the extra time preparing for the flower show.  Those judges don’t have to know how you did it!
Happy Shopping!
DIG Irrigation GE200 Drip Irrigation System
Product Link at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1hWrmzJ
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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Permanent HEPA Type Filters - Good Idea?

Permanent HEPA Type Filters – Should you use them?

In this review we would like to take a look at an air cleaner with a permanent HEPA Type Filter.   We have all heard much about permanent filters – and have even heard the warnings to stay away from them.
Most permanent filters are simple air filters that you rinse out and replace without issue.   Once dry, the filter performs as well as it ever did – which is not to say that a simple air filter does much to clean your air in the first place.   Its main purpose is to filter out large airborne particles, but do little to trap dust and manage airborne bacteria.
HEPA type filters are different.   Often combined with carbon filters these marvelous filters actually will produce a noticeable effect in your air quality, as well as remove the dangerous bacteria from the air that can make you (or your pets) sick.  HEPA Type Filters are serious air cleaning tools.
For our experiment, we thought we would have a look at the Honeywell Compact Air Purifier HHT-011 which uses a Permanent HEPA Type Filter.   For approximately $45 dollars, here is what you will be getting.
  • Compact table top air purifier
  • Effectively treats rooms up to 85 square feet
  • Power: 120V A.C., 60Hz., 0.85A (America)
  • Permanent HEPA type filter
  • Captures up to 99% of mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust
  • Optional ionizer provides extra cleaning power
  • Washable Pre-filter
  • Nightlight feature
  • Measures 9.40 inches by 5.8 inches by 12.9 inches
  • 3-year limited warranty
See this product now at amazon:  http://amzn.to/P5V2ky
HEPA type filterThe Honeywell Compact Air Purifier is a small powerful air cleaner that delivers good results, according to the customers.  By using an HEPA Type Filter, a pre-filter and an ionizing field, this unit manages to avoid use of a carbon filter and still do a good job to maintain good air quality.
Of course this model is limited to a room of only 85 feet, but there are larger models, and this one will do to teach us what we came to learn; that is, the effectiveness of using a permanent HEPA Type Filter versus a replaceable one.
There is not a ton of to say about this simple air cleaner.  It isn’t a scientific marvel that we can go on about as if it were the Starship Enterprise.  What you want to know is if customers see a difference in their air quality – and most do – so the jury seems to have spoken to the effectiveness of this product.
Let us move on now to the main event.  We want to try to answer the question whether or not a permanent filter – even an HEPA type filter – is a good idea.  We already know that when it comes to purifying the air, it gets the job done.  Customers are almost unanimous on this.
You might ask then, why this product receives only scores 3.8 out of five stars.  To answer this question, let us have a look at the customer review map.
  • 5 star        526
  • 4 star        364
  • 3 star        160
  • 2 star        130
  • 1 star        127
See this product now at amazon:  http://amzn.to/P5V2ky
So, out of 1307 customer reviews, fully half of them are under water (below five stars) and that just won’t do.  Normally, we consider the four star cases as you know if you are a fan of these reviews – but here that method won’t wash.  Here is why.
417 of the reviews are already below even the four star mark (3 stars), so the five-star level becomes important here.  That is why this product scored so badly, but it is not only how badly this product scored – it is what the customers said.
First, let us take up the issue of a noisy fan.  That is the première symptom of a blocked filter, but it seems to happen even when these units are new.  Of course, the reasons really don’t matter.  The unit is super noisy – and many customers hate that – and are saying so.  So already, we have a problem, Strike one!
Many customers complain that their unit loses effectiveness after several (about six) months.  Air quality falls and the units begins either to smell, become more noisy than usual or to fail.  The average life of an HEPA type filter is about six months, and these units begin fail in that period.  Before that, they are fine.  Now, doesn’t that seem peculiar to you?
Well, we smelled a rat – and it was stinking up the joint.  We are betting that the filter clogged – and it remained clogged even after customers numerous attempts to clean it.  In fact, one customers unit worked just fine – UNTIL he cleaned the filter.  Therefore, this issue leads us back to the filters again.  The pitcher winds and delivers strike two!
Then, there are the customers who are actually able to identify their problem.  They say straight out that after several months, no air seems to be passing through the air filter.  The customer claims to have washed the filter several times – but still it will not pass air.  So here the diagnosis is easy.  Strike three!
Well, it didn’t take long to strike this thing out, did it?  Moreover, we got a lesson out of it too.  Despite any claims made by anybody anywhere – do NOT rely on any permanent filter of any kind - and especially any HEPA Type Filter.  If you like a certain unit fine, but always make sure that you can get filter replacements.  'Nuff said.
In no case did we encounter any review from a customer who actually replaced his HEPA type filter with a new one before the unit died.  Would that have saved the unit?  We think yes – but so far, we haven’t found the proof of this.  There are over 1300 customer reviews here, so if you would like to make the search – you can use the link below and be our guest.
Obviously, we cannot recommend this unit, and we certainly don't suggest running a unit using an HEPA Type Filter without replacing the filter, but we learn something even from the products that earlier customers feel is flawed.  Reading about their experiences is fun, educational and can save you many hours of frustration.
Shop Smart & Prosper!
HEPA type filter
See this product now at amazon:  http://amzn.to/P5V2ky
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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Winter Emergency Tools for Your Car

Four Winter Emergency Tools for Your Car

Winter Emergency Tools can save your life!
Automobile Winter Emergency Tools are critical survival tools for motorists when the cold weather arrives.  Winter hits motorists harder in certain areas of the country than in others, but there is likely no place where we can dismiss the onset of winter altogether.   Not only should you equip your car for the colder weather, you need to perform a winter season maintenance on your vehicle too.
winter emergency toolsIf you live in rural areas, simple winter emergency tools like matches, dried foods, even emergency clothes need to be nearby, in case the cold weather kills your car in one of nature’s cruelest locations.
Of course, flares, tools, medical kit, jumper cables and a roadside emergency kit ought to be present in every car at any time of year – but in winter, they assume the proportions of life saving equipment.   You might even consider a winter emergency kit just to fill in all the gaps.
We trust our cars – perhaps too much – but they do not actually promise not to strand us on hostile ground.   You do need to anticipate the possibility of a life-threatening struggle in case you find yourself more than a cell phone call from emergency help.
Other nice items to have around are snowbrush, snow shovel, car seat warmer and it may make sense even to have even a remote car starter.  These tools will not be necessary in mild winter climates, but if it really gets cold where you are – then you already know that the commute goes a lot easier with tools like these at the ready.
We cannot make you completely ready for next winter, but we can make a few suggestions on winter emergency tools to get you started.
Winter Emergency Tools for Your Car
snowbrush is one of the most basic Winter Emergency Tools.  The Mallory USA 532 26-Inch Snow Brush [http://amzn.to/1ocp7ch] is among the best.
Customers highly praise this snowbrush, which has a foam grip and includes an ice scraper on one end.  The foam grip is very comfortable and it does not get sticky as many foam grips do.  You can use this link to view it at amazon – if you find yourself interested at all.  With a 4.5 star customer rating, you should find this tool suitable for your needs.
If you need a snowbrush, then likely you also need a good snow shovel.  A good snow shovel is likely the most overlooked of the Winter Emergency Tools.  Like a parachute, these aren’t really missed, until they are needed.
winter emergency toolsIf you need a snow shovel, then a worthy candidate is the Black Diamond Transfer Snow Shovel [http://amzn.to/1mOUgDJ].  This is simply THE ideal snow shovel for emergencies.  This shovel scores 4.8 stars in the customer reviews, with 100% of the reviews all positive at four stars, or above.  This does not often occur, but when it does – you can stop looking.  If you need a snow shovel, this is the one.  This link will take you to amazon where you can get a closer look.
In the harshest winter weather, a winter road kit becomes the most vital of the winter emergency tools.  The AAA Severe Weather Road Kit [http://amzn.to/1ocsakJkit has tools meant to keep you alive in cold weather.  Even if your car does not survive, this kit helps to make sure that YOU do. 
There are not a lot of offerings in this area at amazon – though there may be a few other choices elsewhere.  Of all the choices at amazon, this one rates the best with the customers.  Customers who bought this kit were very happy.  We can assume that these people understand the intent of this tool, if they bought it.  Only six out of 71 total customer reviews fell below the three star marks, and the item scored 4.2 stars overall.  That rating is quite solid, so if you need a winter survival kit – this one comes quite highly recommended.
We have one last thing to point out here.  A Severe Weather Road Kit is NOT an emergency road kit.  It appears that a few customers might have confused the two, and were disappointed that they did not find the tools they expected.  We wanted to be sure that you understood the difference before spending your money.  A road kit is NOT a winter emergency tool.
Our last suggestion is a truly novel idea.  Get this: flares that will not burn up, don’t threaten to burn anybody (or anything), and don’t leave a mess behind when you are rescued.  If this got your attention, then the Three Flare Alert 9.1.1 LED Emergency Beacon Flares with Storage Bag (betcha can’t say that again) [http://amzn.to/1eydXO1] just might be for you.
This unique and clever roadside emergency kit is among the most clever of our winter emergency tools.  It comes with three LED flare beacons that are as bright as any flare, according to the customers.  From there, these high-tech flares go on to run rings around any conventional flare.
winter emergency toolsThe base of these flares is magnetic, so you can mount them to your car in the most visible location.  A battery of flares mounted all about your car is bound to attract more attention than a few flares burning on the ground.
In addition, you can set these flares either to flash or to use a steady beam of light.  If you use the flashing option, you might draw attention faster, and you get an extra 40 hours of light to make contact with someone.
Each flare offers you nearly 20 hours of light (60 hours in flashing mode), after which you will need to change the batteries – and here is where we run into a bit of trouble.
You ARE going to have problems putting batteries in and out of this device, so reading this review will at least warn you about that.  We advise you to determine the tools that you need to pry the batteries out of the compartment and to put them back in BEFORE you take to the road.  Then you can just toss the needed tools in the kit bag, toss in some extra batteries – and you are set.
There are enough complaints on cheap workmanship and bad design to be credible, but mostly these flares function as expected – and as we said earlier, there really is no better game in town.  These flares offer far too many benefits to abandon them over a few cosmetic imperfections.
You can see a full range of winter accessories (including winter emergency tools) for your car over at Amazon or at the global shopping catalog at Sincere Product Reviews (see Shopping Center link below).  This way, you can check thousands of stores all at one time to explore even more options.  Have fun shopping, and stay safe in the cold.
winter emergency tools
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See Related Products at:   http://bit.ly/16xPTqN