ThermaCELL ProFLEX Remote Controlled Heated Insoles

$159 on Amazon

Our Quick Take On ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles:  They are expensive and take some time to get used to as your regular insoles, but they do work as advertised keeping your feet warm. The batteries last long enough for most day-long activities and the wireless remote makes it easy to control them.  One of the coolest useful gadgets we have the opportunity to review.

PROS: Not difficult to get started with, Easy to use and control, Keeps feet warm, Charge lasts long enough for day-long activities
CONS: Expensive, A bit stiff and thick for an insole

Have you ever hiked in the winter and wished your feet could just be a bit warmer?  We have and that was one reason we were excited to try out the ProFLEX heated insoles from ThermaCELL.  As someone whose feet seem to get chilled as soon as I stop hiking, skiing or snowshoeing no matter what sock or what boot I wear, I thought a supplemental heat source that is almost built into the boot would be far superior than trying to use chemical hand warmers to add some heat.

“Remote controlled heated insoles...” I wondered too about things like wires, batteries and uncomfortable objects in your boots.  I was surprised to find that ThermaCELL has done a decent job tackling these issues.  The insoles are run by rechargeable batteries that fit into the insole and the temperature of the insoles is controlled wirelessly by a small remote control that you carry.  The remote is small, light (only an ounce or two) and easy to carry in a pocket.  The rechargeable lithium ion batteries for the insoles are located in the heel portion and are padded, so when they are inserted into the insoles, you notice very little difference between the battery and the rest of the insole.

There are three heat settings for the insoles: standby; medium; and high and there is an internal thermostat that regulates the insoles to keep them from overheating your feet.  The goal of the insoles is to keep your feet at your regular body temperature and they work harder the colder it is to do that.  On the medium setting the batteries last for about 5 hours, but I have found that I rarely use them continuously so they last longer.  One thing to consider is that standby really is standby, the insoles are still using energy from the batteries.  The only way to turn them off is to remove the battery, in which case the insoles cannot be used because of the hole the batteries would leave.  Charging up the batteries is straightforward with the included charger.

For me, I find I turn on the heating portion of the insole when I stop hiking and I am not actively working to raise my body temperature.  At those times, the insoles can kick on with some heat and keep my feet comfortable so they never dip into the getting cold territory.

What about comfort?  This is probably the only place I am a bit disappointed with these devices.  I do not find them to be as comfortable as a good pair of regular insoles in my hiking boots, but I have been on a couple of hikes with them now without any serious problems or foot pain.  To me, it is more that they just feel a bit more stiff (most likely due to the heating elements inside) than a regular insole and take some getting used to.  They definitely keep your foot a bit higher up in the boot, so you will have to adjust your lacing a bit.  My first time out with them I ended up adjusting my boots several times until I was able to get to a comfortable spot for activities

Overall though, they do keep your feet warm as advertised and for someone who is often chilly during winter activities, I will be looking forward to having these with me this winter.

ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles are available in sizes from small to extra-extra-large and can be trimmed to properly fit your boot.  When you purchase them, they come with the two insoles, two battery packs, a charger and power cord, the remote control with lanyard and a small carrying bag for the insoles and the remote.  They are available through most outdoor retailers and sell from about $150 to $200.


The insoles were provided to us free of charge in return for a review at our sister site Adventures in the Outdoors.

Garmin Personal Navigator GPS 12

Basic GPS unit that you can drop and get wet

A handy and easy to use GPS unit, the Garmin Personal Navigator GPS 12 is an excellent first-time GPS unit for new users and powerful enough for more advanced users who want something that can withstand the rigors of outdoor use.

Designed from the ground up as a GPS receiver for outdoor adventurers who don’t need all the whiz bang features of other models, the Personal Navigator 12 (PN 12) provides all the benefits of a GPS receiver in a rugged package. The PN 12 is based upon the more feature rich GPS 12XL and offers outdoor users the benefits of a 12-channel GPS receiver, no matter the conditions that they are using it.

Unit Details 

The PN 12 is built with a rugged, waterproof plastic case. While I wouldn’t suggest it, the unit is tough enough to survive drops and falls and can be momentarily submerged in water (it is rated to survive up to 30 minutes submerged completely in water). In more benign conditions like rain or snow, the unit performs with no problems.

The PN 12 features a rocker keypad design that facilitates one-handed operation (you can use your thumb to move the keypad) and it is easy enough to use while you are moving. The display is about 2 inches high and 1 ½ inches wide and is made up of a high-contrast LCD screen that also has electro-luminescent backlight for use in all conditions including nighttime. Navigation through the menu system and options on the unit is straightforward and easy to follow.

The unit is about 2 inches wide, 5 ½ inches high and about 1 inch deep and weights in at 9 ½ ounces when fully loaded with its batteries. This is a little larger than some GPS units, but comfortable enough to be handheld and easily packed away when you don’t need it.

The PN 12 features an internal rechargeable lithium battery as a memory backup battery (to save your stored information) and runs on 4 AA batteries. With new batteries the unit should run for continuously for approximately 24 hours. More scattered use should provide significantly more battery time (not really more than 24 hours, it’s just scattered about).

Able to store up to 500 waypoints in memory, the PN 12 also features the ability to store 20 different routes (and reversible) routes each with 30 waypoints. In addition to laying out the routes, the PN 12 is has a “TracBack” function that allows you to automatically reverse your course and go back the same way that you have just traveled (sort of the proverbial line of bread crumbs). Coordinates can be displayed in latitude and longitude, UTM, and MGRS to just name a few of the available coordinate grid systems.

The PN 12 has a positioning averaging feature that helps to reduce the error introduced by the government’s Selective Availability (SA) policy. The unit gives both a figure with the SA and the estimated accuracy of the averaged position. The receiver is also ready to accept a differential GPS receiver that will increase the accuracy of the unit tremendously – but regular users should not need this additional accuracy. Without the differential attachment, the accuracy for the PN 12 however around 15 meters (about 50 feet – though this may increase or decrease depending upon the number of satellites received and the SA policy in the area), and with the differential attachment, this accuracy is increased to between 1 and 5 meters (3 to 15 feet). The PN 12 can receive signals from up to 12 different satellites in the GPS constellation, however it’s unlikely that you’ll ever lock onto all 12 at any one time.

How’s It Work? 

In practice the accuracy of the PN 12 is often greater than the rated 15 meters, even without the differential attachment. This is because while Selective Availability is still in place, throughout most of the country the difference has been reduced to the point that even handheld units have great accuracy. Areas where you may run into problem with the unit’s accuracy are in places where the government has maintained the higher Selective Availability, such as near military bases and other government installations.

We used these units where I worked in Maine to locate roads, house lots and structures on lots. When the points were downloaded and plotted in ArcView, the accuracy was quite good, except again for areas near military installations. Near those areas, you couldn’t rely on the points as accurately representing the location.

The unit holds up as well as it advertises. We dropped them, got them wet, packed them away and let them sit in vehicles and never had a single problem with any one of the units that we had (we had 8 of them).

If you want more information on how the exactly GPS works, or on GPS in general, check out a book like GPS Made Easy, it is a great introduction to GPS navigation in the outdoors and will have you up running with your GPS much faster than trying to figure it out on your own.

The Final Word 

No one needs sub-meter accuracy in a GPS unit unless they are using it for surveying, or detailed research work. For those of us out in the woods navigating or driving and using GPS for navigation, need nothing more than the 15-meter accuracy. Yes, you may probably want better accuracy, but in reality, you don’t need anything better than that.

The Personal Navigator 12 proves to be a worthy GPS workhouse for outdoor users, handling the rough conditions of the outdoors with ease.

While the Personal Navigator 12 may lack some high-end features of newer or more expensive GPS units, the basic level of GPS functionality that it does provide, is more than enough for the average outdoors GPS user.

Originally published on Epinions

GPS Made Easy

Find Yourself Anywhere In The World - GPS Made Easy by Lawrence Letham and Alex Letham

Have a GPS (Global Positioning System) and don’t really know what do with it or thinking about getting a GPS receiver but don’t have any experience with GPS? 

Then get your hands on a copy of GPS Made Easy. 

In GPS Made Easy, Lawrence Letham provides a good overview of the GPS system and how to use GPS in the outdoors. The book is written for people without any GPS experience and breaks down GPS into its components and its various uses. 

Starting with an introduction to global positioning, Letham provides a simple and great explanation of the constellation of satellites that orbit the Earth that can provide location information with an error of only between 15 to 100 meters. This kind of accuracy, anywhere on the face of the Earth at any time and in any weather, makes GPS an excellent addition to any outdoorsperson’s toolkit. 

15 to 100 meter accuracy isn’t that good you say? Often GPS accuracy is higher than that, down to a few meters, however due to the government’s “selective availability” policy, civilian GPS receivers have a certain amount of error built in, usually several meters. The accuracy all depends on how many satellites your receiver can connect to and the dynamics of your location. But on the whole, even at 100-meter accuracy (300 feet), you should have no problems in navigating and locating various areas. Horizontal sub-meter accuracy is generally only needed in precise surveying work. 

Following an overview of the GPS system and the history of navigational aides, Letham delves into more of the intricacies of using a GPS system. These include a review of GPS receivers that are available and how to convert and work with UTM coordinates (the coordinate system that GPS uses, as opposed to the more well-known latitude and longitude system). 

The next several chapters deal with using GPS in various situations and provide examples of how the GPS can help with outdoor adventures. The real world examples include navigation in a whiteout, figuring out latitude and longitude on a kayak trip and on a sailboat rally, using GPS with small scale maps on a road trip, and recovering from the loss of a GPS receiver while in the outdoors. These examples are good to read because they cover many of the areas that people will find themselves in (well I don’t compete in sailboat rallies, but you get the point) and by seeing how to use GPS (or in the last case, navigate without GPS), you will have a better handle on what GPS can do and what its limitations are. 

After the examples, Letham reviews how GPS receivers can work with personal computers. This book was written before the advent of many handhelds – but the concepts introduced with computers are applicable to today’s generation of handhelds and laptops. This includes real-time mapping and navigation (where you basically see yourself on a map on the handheld or laptop) and logging of the point information you are saving in the GPS. 

Letham closes GPS Made Easy, with discussions on other coordinate grids that are sometimes used in GPS and navigation and an introduction to differential GPS and a discussion of degrees, minutes and seconds in the latitude and longitude system (since the accuracy of GPS can be down to seconds and even mils at times). 

GPS Made Easy contains a well rounded glossary that defines many of the more technical terms used throughout the book, a list of resources and other books on GPS systems, and a checklist of information to look for in your GPS receiver. 

Anyone unfamiliar with the inner workings of GPS or with their own GPS receiver would be better off with a copy of GPS Made Easy - it is a great introduction to the world of GPS based navigation and is clearly written with the novice in mind. 

Originally published on Epinions

Garmin Forerunner 405 Wireless GPS-Enabled Sport Watch with USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor

I have been looking for an easy way to log hiking distances and watch my heart rate.  I have tried heart rate monitors and hand held GPS units in the past, but I really was looking for one simple device that would take care of my needs.  That is where the Garmin Forerunner 405 comes in.  This wrist-watch sized device is a GPS unit that can accurately track you as you hike, bike or run.  In addition with the heart rate monitor, it tracks and displays your heart rate as you are exercising.  Plus in addition to that, the Forerunner lets you see information like your total trip time and distance and offers various training options and when you get home, you download all that information to visual your hike, jog or bike ride in ways that you never could before.

While the device is geared towards runners and joggers with its virtual partner and training modes, I have found it to be a great companion to have on my hikes.  The watch logs my information and when I get home, the Forerunner automatically connects to my computer, downloads my information and has it waiting for me on the Garmin Connect site.  Once there, I can analyze my trip with maps, minute to minute heart rate information, distance, time and pace information and information about elevation gains and losses.

Read the full review of the Garmin Forerunner 405

Pelican i1015 Case for iPhone

Like to take your iPhone into the woods but afraid it might get wet or damaged?

With the i1015 Case from Pelican, you can have your phone and not worry about any damage.  The i1015 is a water-resistant, crushproof and dustproof case that protects your phone while letting you still listen to music through an integrated, airtight, audio jack.

I would have no problem recommending this case to someone who wants strong protection for their iPhone while hiking, but still wants to be able to access the audio jack.

Read the full review of the Pelican i1015 Case 

 

AT&T 993 2-Line Corded Phone

$62.99 on Amazon

I've been slowly setting up a home office and got around to getting a new phone line for the business.  That's when I decided I needed a new phone to go along with the new line, preferably a 2-line phone I could also connect up to the existing house line.  Having the two lines would make it easier to answer a call to the house or to the business and would allow me to conference a call if need be with the home line.

After some searching, I came across the AT&T 993 2-line Corded Phone.  I had seen a similar phone from AT&T in Staples and when I found this model on Amazon, I have to admit the first thing that grabbed me was its low cost.  However it had everything I was looking for - 2 lines, the ability to conference calls, a speaker phone, memory and it was a corded phone.  Nothing against cordless phones, but I just prefer a corded phone for business calls.  Not sure if it really sounds better, but in my mind its clearer and I hear it better.  I also wanted a large and easy to read display for caller ID and menu information, which the 993 offers.

AT&T 993 2-Line Corded Phone Details

The 993 is a basic 2-line corded phone.  It supports two different telephone lines, offers different rings for the different lines, has a speakerphone, memory, caller-ID and a few other features.  This is a single-handset corded phone.  It does have a jack for a headset though if you wanted to use that instead of the handset.  This phone does not have an answering machine integrated into the phone.

The phone is a pretty decently sized phone. It is just over 8 inches in width, almost 8 inches in length and almost 4 inches in thickness.  It weighs about 2 pounds.  It can be used sitting flat on a desk or it can be installed on a wall if you want it as a wall phone.  I just have mine on my desk.

The two-line ability is nice.  All you have to do it plug each line into the proper jack in the phone.  Then you are ready to go.  I have my business line as line 1 and my home line as line 2.  This lets me answer the home phone from the desk and if I'm in a pinch and need to do a conference call with two numbers, I can use the home phone line as a backup line for the conference.  You can choose to have two different kinds of rings for each line so you can tell them apart.  However you can also see which line is ringing, as the Line 1 or Line 2 light lights up as the call is coming in.

The speakerphone in the 993 is quite good.  I can be sitting at my desk and speak normally and the person on the other end of the line can hear me quite well.  The speaker is also loud enough that I'm not straining to listen to other people talking on the other line.  The volume on the speakerphone is easily adjustable with the volume buttons.  Those same buttons also adjust the volume on the handset and the volume of the ringer.

You can program up to 18 speed dial numbers.  I've got my basic numbers programmed in and all you have to do is press the speed dial button associated with that number.  The labeling system is a bit old-fashioned (literally you write out the info on the paper and slip it into the phone), but it works and the speed dial comes in handy for numbers you are always calling.

The large LCD screen displays the caller-ID number of the line that is calling you.  When there is no call, the screen shows you the status of the two lines.  You can use the menu button next to the screen to scroll through previous calls and change various settings on the phone.  When you call a number, the screen shows the number you are calling.  The LCD screen is backlight and I can easily read it whether its bright in the room or the lights are turned down.

The phone does need to be plugged in to an electrical plug so that the memory functions, the LCD screen and the caller-ID information.  If you don't want to have to reprogram your phone after power failures, you can put a 9-volt battery in, which will backup your information when the power is off.

The phone comes with a decent user manual that should get anyone up and running with their phone quickly.  It goes over the installation of the phone and then each of the features and explains how to use them, though most of the features are pretty self-evident from just using the phone.

Using the AT&T 993 2-Line Corded Phone

As I got the 993 set up and started to use it, I have found it to be a good phone that was easy to set up and has been easy to use.  My phone calls are clear, whether they are on the speakerphone or I am using the handset.  I like speed dial feature even though I only have a few lines pre-programmed at the moment and I like how easy it is to use the two lines that are coming into the phone.

I set my phone up directly on my desk.  I chose not to have different rings for the different lines since all you have to do is glance at the line lights and the LCD screen to see if a call in coming in on Line 1 or Line 2.  The caller-ID information is also easy to read on the LCD screen.  When answering the phone, it automatically picks up whatever line is ringing.  When I am making and outgoing call, the phone defaults to using line 1, my business line.  If I want to make a call using line 2, I can simply select the line 2 button and then it lets me dial out.

I can easily adjust the volume of the ringer, the handset and the speakerphone through the two volume buttons.  This makes it easy for me to turn off the ringer at night and then adjust the ringer and voice volume throughout the day as I am using the phone.

Quality wise, it seems as if this phone should last for a while.  I have not had any problems with the initial set up or the use of the phone over the last month and from my experiences with most other similar office phones, once you get through the shakedown period, barring a big drop, these phones seem to go on and on.   I am hoping that is the case with this phone and I have not been disappointed yet.

What made me choose the 993?

There are several different brands and models of 2-line phones without answering machines out there and honestly what got my attention with the 993 was the cost.  I found it on Amazon for $40 and from the research I did on it following finding the low price, I figured this phone fit what I needed.  Sure you can spend more, but I am not sure you get better quality, it just seemed like those phones had more features that I probably would not have ended up using anyway.

This is not whiz-bang new kind of 2-line phone, it's just an entry-level 2-line business phone, which is exactly what I was looking for.

Final Thoughts

If you want a basic 2-line phone for home or business (or both) use, definitely check out the AT&T 993 2-line Corded Phone.  It is easy to set up, easy to use and should last for quite a while with regular use.  It offers conference calling features, a speakerphone, caller-ID, speed dialing and more.  It should easily meet any basic home office needs that you might have.

In setting up and using my 993 phone, I have not found anything that really bothers me.  The phone does what it was advertised to do and I am not buried in features I will never use.

I would have no problem recommending the AT&T 993 2-line Corded Phone to anyone looking for a basic 2-line phone.

Memorex Stereo Earbuds (CB25)

$14.99 on Amazon

I have been through a few pairs of ear buds over the years with my iPod.  I like ones that fit snugly in my ear so I can wear them when I'm mowing the lawn or doing other outdoor activities and not have them constantly slipping out of my ear.  That's how I came across the Memorex Stereo Earbuds.

The Memorex Earbuds are designed to fit in your ear and stay put, which I really like.  They also produce decent stereo sound and because of their snug fit, they block out a lot of the outside noise, like the lawnmower if I'm mowing the grass.

Memorex Earbud Details

The Memorex Earbuds are pretty simple.  There are the earbuds themselves, the wire connecting them and then the earphone jack that goes into your iPod or other music player.  The wire is long enough to have the earbuds in your ear and your iPod in your pocket (I'd guess about 2 ½ feet in length).  The whole thing only weighs a few ounces.

The earbuds come with three different silicone sleeves that should allow you to fit the earbuds snuggly into your ear.  Each sleeve is a different size, which helps fit the earbud to your ear.  The medium ones worked well for me.  The silicone makes for a snug, but also a comfortable fit.

The earbuds seem pretty durable.  I have had this set for about six months and used them pretty regularly when I've been walking or doing yard work.  They've gotten covered in sweat, gotten dirty and the wire has definitely gotten pulled and stretched without any ill effects.

Earbud Sound Quality

For the $10 I paid for these earbuds, I was not expecting perfection when it comes to sound quality and anyway, I am not really that picky when it comes to sound.  I cannot say that I was blown away with the sound quality when I did hook them up for the first time, but I was surprised at how well they isolate the music and block outside noise.

I can be mowing and while I know the lawn mower is going, I can hear the music in these earbuds without having to really crank up the volume on my iPod, which is something that my eardrums appreciate.

The earbuds do best with the middle of the road sounds.  Very high and very low notes tend to be a bit distorted and if you do have the volume up, those distortions to tend to get more noticeable.  That said, the majority of the music on my iPod sounds fine at the normal volume levels I play it at.  When I am jogging down a trail or pushing a lawnmower around, I am not really looking for sound that is like being at a performance.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for amazing sound quality, the Memorex Earbuds are not what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a pair of comfortable earbuds that stay in your ears no matter what you do, produce decent sound and block out a lot of surrounding sound, the Memorex Earbuds are definitely worth considering.  I have found them to be the perfect earbuds for my outdoor activities.  I can put them in my ears and be off and not have to be fumbling with them throughout whatever I am doing.  Plus I am more than pleased with the sound quality and I like how they block out a lot of the noise, especially when I'm doing something like mowing the yard.


If you're in the market for earbuds for an active lifestyle, I would definitely consider the Memorex Earbuds.

Griffin Technology (GC23090) PowerJolt SE 2010 Charger Car Adapter for iPhone

Looking for a charger for you iPhone, iPod or iPad for your car?  The PowerJolt SE 2010 from Griffin Technology is a decently priced choice.  The charger can be found for fewer than twenty dollars and it has worked well charging my iPhone in my car for some time now.

I picked up the PowerJolt because I was trying to avoid the hard sell of phone accessories at the Verizon store.  I found mine at the local Walmart for about $19 with tax.  

Read the full review of Griffin Technology's PowerJolt SE 2010 Charger on Epinions

Eton Raptor Solar USB Charger and Weatherband Radio

I'm a gadget guy, but even I have my limits, so I was not sure what to think of the Eton Raptor when I first received it. 

The Raptor bills itself as a Solar-Charger with All-Terrain Guidance Functions.  Those functions include a cell phone charger, altimeter, barometer, compass, AM/FM/weather band radio, clock, flashlight, and most strangely, a bottle opener.

Read the full review of the Eton Raptor on Epinions

Memorex Mi4019 Alarm Clock Radio for iPod

The Memorex Mi4019 Alarm Clock Radio has proven to be a decent alarm clock and a nice way for me to play my iPod any time in my bedroom.  On the plus side, the sound quality is pretty good, AM/FM radio reception is decent and the ability to run my iPod directly through the Mi4019 is helpful.  On the negative side, I doubt this unit could stand up to a good fall or will be all that durable over time.  Not only that, but setting up and using this unit is not always that straightforward and make sure you don't lose your instructions because you'll need to refer back to them.

Read my full review of the Memorex Mi4019 Alarm Clock Radio on Epinions

LG Cosmos (LG-VN250) Cell Phone

The LG Cosmos (LG-VN250) is not a cell phone that I would have bought myself. I received it as a work phone where we don't have data plans, but we do use the phones quite a bit for texting. I figured the Cosmos would fit the bill as it looked to be a good phone to do a lot of texting on.

I cannot say that I really love this phone, but so far, as knock around work phone, it has done okay. My work takes me all over and the phone travels with me, in a laptop case, in my pocket, in my backpack, depending on what I'm doing that day. So far in two months of heavy use, besides some scratching on the screen and the body, the phone continues to work well.


Read my full review of the LG Cosmos Cell Phone on Epinions

Amazon Kindle 3 Wi-Fi eBook Reader

The Kindle 3 Wi-Fi eBook Reader is a relatively inexpensive option that lets you dive into the world of Electronic Books. Amazon has created a great reading device and a great online structure behind it to make it easy to find, buy and read books, magazines and newspapers.

I love books. I literally have a room in my house dedicated to all the books that I have collected over the years. That said books tend to cost a lot, take up a lot of room and once I have read one, I rarely go back and read them over and over (except for a select few). That's why I was interested in the Kindle.

Read my full review of the Amazon Kindle 3 Wi-Fi eBook Reader on Epinions

Motorola T215 Bluetooth Speakerphone

The Motorola T215 Bluetooth Car Speakerphone is a handy and easy to use option for those who want to be able to use their cell phone hands free and do not want to wear a headset

I have had the Motorola T215 Bluetooth Car Speakerphone for several months now and it has turned out to be a really nice accessory to have for my phone when I am driving. The Speakerphone clips on to my visor, connects to my Blackberry effortlessly and offers good speaker and microphone quality and clarity.

Read my full review of the Motorola T215 Bluetooth Speakerphone on Epinions

Coby Portable Mini Stereo Speaker System for MP3 Players/Coby Compact MP3 Stereo Speaker System

While the Coby Compact MP3 Stereo Speaker System wasn't on my list of must haves, when I received it as a present, it has turned out to be a good choice to play my iPod at my office.  The system is simple and is powered off the MP3 player itself, so there are no extra power cords or batteries to be worried about. 

That said, don't expect amazing acoustics from this MP3 player, but considering its small price tag and how easy it is to use, this is not a bad choice if you're looking for something to have on your desk or travel with so you can listen to your MP3 player without headphones on.

Read my full review of the Coby Compact MP3 Stereo Speaker System on Epinions

Kicker IK500 Powered iPod Speaker System

I like to listen to music but at home, I often find myself without it. It's not for a lack of trying, but I don't generally carry my iPod as I'm doing chores around the house and the music collection on my computer can't really be carried around. The big stereo in the living room sounds great, but once again, I'm stuck with playing music there and I might be working in a different part of the house.

That's why I was excited when I was given the Kicker iK500 as a reviewer on Epinions to try out, post a truthful review and then keep it.  I figured I had a shot at getting some good sounding music out of it and I could have it play my entire music collection that's on my iPod.


Read my full review of the Kicker IK500 Powered iPod Speaker System on Epinions

Uniden DCX150 1.9 GHz 1-Line Cordless Expansion Handset

When we received our Uniden DECT Corded/Cordless Answering Machine system, we quickly realized that we'd like to have a third cordless handset to have a handset for the basement in addition to our other floors.  So we set out to the store and picked up on of Uniden's Expansion Handsets for the system.

Turns out integrating the new handset was about as easy as setting up the original system and within a few minutes we had our third handset up and running.

Read my full review of the Uniden DCX150 1.9GHz Cordless Expansion Headset on Epinions

Uniden DECT Corded/Cordless Digital Answering System

After several years of decent service, it was time to retire my old GE Corded Phone/Cordless Phone combo. I wanted something that was expandable, had cordless headsets that didn't need to be plugged into a phone line and with a base station that had a good answering machine and a good speaker phone. What I ended up with was the Uniden DECT 6.0 Corded/Cordless Digital Answering System. It gave me the corded base station with a speakerphone and a digital answering machine and two cordless headsets that I could plug into a power outlet without having to plug them into phone jacks. Not only that, but the phone utilizes the 1.9 GHz frequency range, which gives it good clarity anywhere in my house (and even outside) and avoids interference with the wireless computer network I have set up in the house.  I've been really happy with the phone since I received it as a gift for Christmas. The cordless headsets work all over the house and hold a charge for a long time if I should forget to put them on the charger. The speakerphone on the base unit is great (as are the speakerphones on each cordless headset) and the answering machine has been easy to use.

Read my full review of the Uniden DECT Corded/Cordless Digital Answering System on Epinions

Brother MFC-790CW Wireless All-In-One InkJet Printer

It faxes, it copies, it makes calls, it scans and it prints. The Brother MFC-790CW wireless color inkjet all-in-one printer has turned out to be a pretty handy jack-of-all-trades for my home office. Another handy feature is that I can connect it wirelessly to my network, so I can print from my laptop anywhere in the house without having to extend ethernet cable to the printer itself.

While I don't think it is a spectacular printer, the MFC-790CW has proven to be a good workhouse for the various things I've needed to print, fax and copy. Plus I have found that it's been easier for me to scan photographs and other items with the MFC-790W than my old flatbed scanner.

Read my full review of the Brother MFC-790CW Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer on Epinions

Canon PowerShot SD1200 Digital Camera

I have always had good experiences with Canon cameras and the Canon PowerShot SD1200 is no exception. This 10-megapixel camera is small, lightweight, very easy to use and produces some really great pictures. The only downside is that like a lot of Canon point-and-shoot cameras, there is a noticeable camera lag, though it has been greatly improved since their earlier models.

Read my full review of the Canon PowerShot SD1200 on Epinions

Apple iPod 2 GB Shuffle

While I wasn't sure I'd use my iPod 2 GB Shuffle all that much, I've discovered that it's actually a really handy little device for listening to music when I don't want to be bothered by my full sized iPod. That said, there are some serious limits to the shuffle, namely the controls are very simple and there's no text display, but if you want a very small, very simple device to listen to limited amounts of music, the iPod shuffle really can't be beat.

Read my full review of the iPod Shuffle on Epinions