3/31/2012

Alpine KCE-300BT - Car audio Bluetooth adapter Review

Alpine KCE-300BT - Car audio Bluetooth adapter
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I would like to reinforce the others comments as well as put in a few of my own. Unit is completely unreliable. Interface with the head unit is awkward and does not give you caller id when someone calls. Cant tell you how many times I answered the phone and didnt want to talk to that person. Music does stream through the unit but sounds HORRIBLE. Worse than a tape player. Simple, until they get it right STAY AWAY and dont waste your money. Come on Alpine, this one is really hurting your rep.

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Drive safe - talk on the phone hands-free with your compatible Alpine stereo. The KCE-300BT Bluetooth adapter plugs into your 2007-up Bluetooth ready Alpine stereo, using the Full Speed iPod® connection. A handy pass-through connection lets you plug in your iPod, too. You get on-screen displays of most cell phone information, including Caller ID, missed calls, dialed calls, and received calls. You can also access any music stored in your phone, stream it through your Alpine stereo, and check out song info on the display. A one-time process prepares your phone for use with the KCE-300BT. Once the system has been set up, the Bluetooth connection initializes automatically when you get in the car. From there, you get the safety and convenience of a mobile speakerphone. Includes an echo-cancelling microphone. Warranty: 1 year. Note: If you have an older Alpine Ai-Net stereo, you'll need the Alpine KCA-100BT Bluetooth adapterIn the boxBluetooth module with attached Velcro pad8" Power harness (4-pin molex plug on one end and bullet connectors on the other)6.5' Constant power wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Switched power wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Ground wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Mute wire extension (bullet connectors on both ends)6.5' iPod Full Speed cable (has 10-pin Molex connector on both ends)Microphone with attached 10' cable (2-pin Molex terminal)Visor clipMicrophone clipVelcro pad for microphoneSelf-tapping screw (3/8" length)Owner's manual (English/ German/French/Spanish/ Italian/Swedish/Chinese)Customer care registration card

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3/30/2012

Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic Review

Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Integrated Traffic
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As this is a lengthy review, those not wanting to wade through the entire text can find a summary under the 'Conclusions' heading.
Test Conditions:
All tests were conducted in the Northeast U.S. Although I don't own another portable GPS, I do have a factory installed navigation unit in my 2006 Audi which I've utilized for several side-by-side comparisons (the Magellan is actually for my wife's car).
Updates to the 4350's operating system and navigational firmware are available at no-cost from Magellan's website. These significantly improve the functionality and stability of the unit and if you own one you'd be making a mistake not to install them. The procedure is made relativity easy by the CD based instruction manual that comes with the unit. It took me about fifteen minutes to bring my unit up to date and in a month of testing since, it has never crashed, frozen, or seriously misbehaved. All findings posted here are based on a unit updated to the following: OS Version 00.42.01.0919 and Navigation Version 8.3.2.64084. As the 4350's were just released in September 2008 there are no map updates available or required. Startup:
If powered by an ignition controlled power source the 4350 turns on/off with the car. Otherwise pressing the power button for about two seconds turns it on.
Acquiring satellites happens very quickly - we're talking seconds, not minutes. Only once, inside my house during a very heavy snowstorm, did it take longer (about two minutes) to lock. Display Screen:
The display is plenty bright and the touch screen feature is very sensitive (sometimes too much so). An optional power-saver feature dims the screen somewhat between turns when using the built-in battery. I found this very useful as besides saving the battery it tends to catch your eye when it 'wakes up' to normal brightness. Since that happens about five seconds before the first spoken notification regarding the next turn it gives you a visual heads-up that a verbal instruction is imminent (so if you happen to be blaring Hendrix on the car stereo you have time to lower the volume a bit). Touching any part of the screen will also restore it to full brightness.
The menu system is well organized and intuitive. There are a few things I'd change but overall it's very good.Audio Quality and the MP3/Photo/Video Player:
The audio is loud and clear even with the volume all the way up, which was never necessary for me. There's a male or female voice option for each available language (English, Spanish, and French).
Like most units in this price range the 4350 announces the actual street names along with the turning instructions. The pronunciations are occasionally off but they get the point across. One odd thing was although the male voice pronounced 'county' properly the female would say 'count'. I.E... "In one quarter mile turn right onto count route 513".
The built-in MP3 player and the photo viewer are nice enough and get the job done. The video player only handles Xvid .avi files, which limits its usefulness, but I believe this is the only GPS to have a video player so you probably can't do better elsewhere.
Now to one of the two big gripes I have with this unit...
There's no headphone/line-out jack! What good is an MP3 player without one??? This restricts you to listening through the single (mono) speaker or using the FM transmitter to send the signal to your car stereo (more on that later). POI's (Points of Interest) and AAA:
Magellan claims 6 million POI's reside in the 4350's database (my Audi only has about 1.7 million). Locating one couldn't be easier. You can search by name, category, and/or area. In addition to this is a listing of all facilities reviewed by the AAA, complete with descriptions, ratings and member discounts. AAA members also get an additional year of warranty coverage and one-button access to local certified garages. Although it's not mentioned in the rather sparse instruction manual, you can import your own POI's as Google .kml or .kmz files. To do this you'll need Magellan's 'Content Manager', a free download, which if you updated your firmware you'll already have. Route Selection:
Planning a route is extremely easy, as is adding interim stops (something you still can't do with many GPS models). The keyboard can be configured as QWERTY or ABC and it gray's out irrelevant letters as you type - a nice feature.
Once you've selected your destination the 4350 calculates four possible routes: Fastest, Shortest, Most Economical, and Simplest. The fastest route is chosen by default but you can examine the relative times and distances or see the routes compared visually on the map before selecting the best one for you. Some or all of these routes may be the same as multiple criteria are often met by the same route. I found the [post-upgrade] route selections to be very good, certainly on a par with my Audi's unit.
A 'One-Touch' menu allows you to store your favorite destinations as icons on a single menu. 'Home', 'Previous', 'SOS' (emergency), and AAA 'Service' icons are there by default. You can add five of your own which can point to specific addresses or POI lists. I.E... A list of all Starbucks in the current area.
Finally, being a portable device you can select your type of 'vehicle' from: Car, Bus, Emergency, Bicycle, or Pedestrian. In another undocumented feature, when switching to pedestrian mode you'll be asked if you'd like the unit to remember your car's location. Garmin makes a big deal of this feature; you'd think Magellan would at least mention they have it too. Go figure...Guidance - On the Road:
On the road is where this unit really shines. The 4.3" screen packs in a surprising amount of map detail without looking cluttered. Maps can be displayed in 2D or 3D (I prefer the 3D view which my Audi doesn't have). Landmark buildings can also rise from the map in three dimensions but in my rural area I've yet to see this in action. Information regarding the next turn is displayed across the top of the screen and I especially like how the names of cross streets appear as I approach them, then disappear. You can select which POI categories appear on the map - I chose restaurants and gas stations. Unlike some other units this feature works in 2D or 3D mode. For major chains (BP, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, etc) the generic symbols are replaced by the company logos, allowing you to see at a glance what type of establishment is coming up.
An optional warning displays the speed limit on the left side of the map when you approach or exceed it by a percentage you preset from 70 to 130%. You can also set an audible alert for this if you wish (I have a wife who performs that function). Although I don't consider this an important feature, those who do should know that in my area it only worked on the interstates.
A new feature called 'Lane Guidance' is one of the primary reasons I choose this unit over the Garmin 760. At complicated interstate exits it displays a visual representation of the overhead highway signs to show you which lane you need to be in for an upcoming maneuver. The Garmin models with a similar feature called 'Lane Assist' are far more expensive. The only other GPS to offer lane guidance near this price range is Navigon's 7200T but its POI database is small and its search features are reportedly poor.
The verbal directions are extremely clear and precise. It always beat my Audi in giving me a heads-up regarding the next turn and was usually more specific as to what I needed to do.
Besides the detailed spoken instructions the 4350 also produces a 'doorbell like' chime at the point you should be turning. It even chimes differently for left, right, and U turns. This is a feature that several prior Magellan owners have mentioned missing after switching to another brand. For some reason Magellan initially omitted it from this model but the firmware update restores it along with another enhancement that tells you which side of the street your destination is on.
Lastly, recalculations (required if you go off the designated route) were very fast, taking about the same amount of time as my Audi's unit and often producing a better result. Bluetooth, FM Transmitter, and Traffic Info:
At first the 4350 refused to find my Blackberry Curve but after doing a hard reset (as suggested by Magellan's website) the units paired right up. Bluetooth connectivity has been fine since then but all is not well... When making/receiving a hands-free call I found the audio on my end to be satisfactory but I had to shout at a distance of two feet from the unit in order to be heard faintly at the other end. In actuality I had to speak 1 to 3 inches from the built-in microphone in order to be heard properly. Compounding this issue is the fact that there's no external microphone jack like on some other brands. This was the most disappointing aspect of this test. Even though I don't use this feature, some of the people I gave these to might want to. Therefore if you need Bluetooth capability I must recommend you look elsewhere.
In my initial review I stated that the FM transmitter (which sends all sound from the 4350 to the car's audio system) worked like a charm in my Audi but didn't perform so well in my wife's Sable Wagon. I attributed this to the Sable's rear mounted antenna and the fact that the U.S. severely limits the transmitter strength of these units. However, further tests have resulted in excellent results with both cars. One thing I did notice is that the DC power cord seems to act like an antenna so if you're having reception problems plug the power cord into the 4350 (this seems to work even if you...Read more›

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iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod Review

iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod
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Warning: Most of the truly worthwhile features for this alarm clock are only functional through the iPhone / iPad App ("iHome+Sleep" App on iTunes store). Without the app, it's merely an expensive speaker system with a clock (and not a very accurate one, either). I have had the iA100 for over two months now and unfortunately, the app is extremely buggy and erratic and the direct support from iHome has been completely useless and unresponsive. This makes the iA100 less useful and less worthy of its $[...] price tag.
I recommend you refer to the following support threads on iHome's own support forums before considering this item:
[..]
Do a search for more on the iA100 topic and you'll find similar issues with similar concerns. You'll notice that these and other postings have almost zero responses from iHome support except for one (which was not specific or helpful in any way). Direct emails to their tech support (I've sent three over the past two months over the same issues posted) go ignored. I intend to call directly, however I read a customer's posting that the phone support lacks adequate knowledge about the product, software app or remedies, and were advised to post their question on the iHome support forums for better response. This tells me that they have a limited staff and relies solely on their support forums for communicating with customers.
Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with this purchase considering it's a pretty expensive, high-end alarm clock that is customized to work with your iPad / iPhone. People on the forums have complained that their iA100s are unreliable for daily use. I simply can't rely on mine either due to the problems noted in the forum postings. I'm assuming people are merely using the iA100 as a $[...] speaker system for now. I personally wouldn't mind the time needed to gradually improve their iHome App, but it would be appropriate (and for $200, they should be obligated) to respond to customers with some kind of confirmation, remedy, workaround, or timeline to the fixes posted on the iHome support forum.
I'll be happy to update this post when iHome promptly responds to these and other support postings regarding similar issues regarding the app.
In the meantime, purchase this at your own risk!

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iPad/iPhone/iPod App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth & FM Radio

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3/29/2012

Kenwood KCA-BT100 - Car audio Bluetooth adapter Review

Kenwood KCA-BT100 - Car audio Bluetooth adapter
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Reasonably priced and fantastic sound. I love the way it connects automatically when I start the truck. When I get an incoming call, it answers automatically and mutes the stereo - perfect! Dialing out is awkward (they really want you to stop the truck before dialing). I also have to use my cell phone keypad to "enter 1 for english". The biggest issue is the interface for the cell phone directory. I wish it would just read it dynamically like my Garmin Nuvi 660 does. The KCA-BT100 requires you to "send a business card" for each entry. A lot of key strokes for 90 entries. Other cell phones reportedly can upload the entire directory - but my cell phone provider does not have them. I definitely would buy it again.

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Bluetooth adapter. Connect Kenwood stereo & Bluetooth compatible cell phone wirelessly. Send and receive calls with the stereo's controls. Handles up to five different phones

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3/28/2012

Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u (88570) 1TB Multi-Media SATA Hard Drive Review

Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u (88570) 1TB Multi-Media SATA Hard Drive
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**EDITOR'S NOTE: 6 months into use, and the drive went senile. It failed to stay mounted long enough to consistently transfer files, had difficult turning on/off, likewise could not sync up with a superior media player in the Western Digital WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN. Trekstor's Customer Service remained consistently absence and/or abhorrent despite several pleas to salvage this device's functionality. I recently abandoned its use in favor of the WD + External Drive alternative.**
Akin to the quest for the Holy Grail, I've spent months researching an ideal media player solution capable of transitioning over 100+ DVD movies to a more accessible and space efficient home.
Simply put, I grew tired of staring at rows of DVD movie boxes likely never to be re-opened, likewise the clutter they took up in the process. These problems were further exacerbated by being a Mac household; nothing out there media player-wise seemed willing to play nice with our two Macbooks and Mac network. (A shame, since the WD and iomega products appeared feasible at first glance.)
Thus, the semi-obvious solution appeared to be a PC desktop solely dedicated to the above purpose. Pricing out this system (1TB storage, appropriate hardware + video/audio outs) ended up near the $700 mark. Far too expensive plus not what I wanted (hardware-wise) in my living room.
While seemingly devoid of any product review and/or MAC compatibility, the unknown Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u fit the bill on all accounts. Robust storage eliminated the need for an additional piggyback drive. Being UNIX- based meant a clean file exchange from MAC OS 10.5. The cable system was both simple and fit my non-HDMI needs (for standard DVD's) nicely. Last, it was affordable enough to give it a whirl sans guilt.
Unfortunately, however, the MovieStation Maxi t.u proved itself a bit troublesome in actual execution. Playback software is VERY finicky in what it will allow - and successfully handle - format wise. For Mac users wanting to save hours of frustration, 1) Burn DVD's via MactheRipper (a robust, free software package with a semi-steep learning curve) in 'Main Feature Only' mode, followed by and 2) Via Handbrake (another free piece of software waiting to confuse the heck out of you), convert said DVD to -- THIS IS IMPORTANT! -- an .AVI file with an XVID/DivX (if you want fast forward) codec, 2-pass conversion. (Average final file size is ~1.6-1.7GB.) Any other format will - based on trial and error - simply not work. Ditto other conversion programs limited to specific codec and/or output formats.
TECH NOTE: .AVI files CANNOT be segmented into chapters. While you can manually fast forward within a DivX file, that's about it. A burn in Handbrake, followed by ffmpegx conversion to DivX totals about 1.5 hours per movie.
Similar challenges belie configuring the MovieStation Maxi t.u with an HD TV. Trial and error will yield appropriate settings, with the most notable confound in disparate settings for TV/OUT and file playback format. IMPORTANT: Saving settings requires reloading the settings function. (It took me a dozen attempts to realize this.)
Finally, a recent Mac system software update greatly inhibits the functionality of USB 2.0 devices, forcing them to unmount after short, timed intervals. This annoying snafu required an additional step of moving files to a firewire drive...then slowly and gradually (in increments) to the USB one.
All is not doom and gloom. For instance, I dig the no-frills interface (updating firmware is a breeze, ditto navigating its Hard Disk contents) supported by intelligent recognition of input shifts between TV and computer. Meaning, the Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u will power off visual outputs when connected to a computer, automatically restore them once the device is appropriately removed from this same device. Also - and while a tad blurry even on correct settings - the main menu is clean and makes sense. Last - and most important - the thing DOES work once you've conquered its moronic restrictions and frustrating quirks.
In sum, I would recommend the Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u - albeit with reservations - to Mac users looking for a cheap way of playing movies (and/or photos) on a TV. Still, keep in mind output is not in HD, and play close attention to ports (component or standard video for visuals; optical or analog for audio) to avoid purchase mistake. PC users might be better served by more popular alternatives (ie the WD mentioned above + a 1TB external drive).

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TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u 1TB is an external 3.5” SATA Hard Drive that can connect directly to a TV or Stereo system to play stored movies, music, and photos without use of a computer. The MovieStation works with Windows, Mac & Linux and uses a High-Speed USB 2.0 connection. It can be used to play HDTV and multi-channel Audio as well as content from movie and music download services. In addition, MovieStation will play files created with digital cameras and camcorders. When connected to a TV, MovieStation offers an onscreen menu for playing all content located on the drive. MovieStation's built-in Zoom function allows users to eliminate black bars that appear above and below on some movies. The MovieStation plays HD(720p/1080i) Formatted videos to be watched on a suitable TV. Stored music can be replayed from playlists. Housed in a stylish, black anodized aluminum case, the MovieStation’s design allows for optimum cooling, without the need for a fan and offers whisper quiet operation. The MovieStation supports MPEG-1 (VCD), MPEG-2 (SVCD, KVCD, DVD), IFO, VOB, DivX3, DivX5, XviD) video formats. Music and audio books in MP3, WMA, WAV and OGG format and images in JPEG format are also supported. Data and multimedia content can be transmitted to the device via a High Speed USB 2.0 Interface from any popular computer operating system. Video pass through is accomplished via high-quality Component video connection (YUV/Y/Pb/Pr), or using the composite video connection. Audio signals make their way to the TV set or home stereo system via an Optical digital (Toslink) or Analog stereo (cinch) connector. The MovieStation incorporates the Nero BackItUp 2 Software for simple, and hassle free backup. Included: Infrared Remote-Control, Power Supply, AV & YUV Adapter Cables, USB 2.0 Cable, 2 Foot Stands, (2) AAA Batteries, Nero BackItUp 2 Essentials, Software/Driver CD. For customer support please call 1888-8-TrekStor or TrekStor@datastation.us

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JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone Review

JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone
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UPDATE 9/9/09> I just upgraded my Verizon cell phone and it is NOT compatable with my KSBTA200. My new Samsung Alias flip phone (top rated phone on CR) DOES NOT PAIR yet my son's new LG Intrege and my daughters LG Dare both do Pair. I called JVC and they told me of a list of agreeable phones on their web site. Funny thing is all three phones are not on the list. I have decided to return my Alias and go back to using my old phone (LG)
I installed the KSBTA200 for two reasons. One was because I upgraded my car stereo to a JVC system with a CD player. Second because New Jersey has hands free laws. I was thinking of just getting a bluetooth for my ear but after thinking about it, the only place I would use it would be in the car anyway. I'm really glad I chose the KSBT200. Installation was a snap. It matched up with my JVC stereo. Ease of use is better than I thought. If I am driving, listining to music and a phone call comes in on my cell, it turns down the music and with a simple touch of a button answers the call. The volume of the caller comes through the car stereo and I can even turn up the volume if the caller is a low talker. The microphone picks up my voice with out shouting. The peole that I have talked to through the system tell me the conversation is clear. I am very happy with the KSBTA200.

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With KS-BTA200 optional adapter (Microphone included), Bluetooth Wireless Technology can be used with compatible devices. Use KS-BTA200 with Bluetooth Ready models KD-NX5000, KW-AVX800, KD-AVX11 and KW-XG700. KD-G830, KD-AR880, KD-G730 and KD-AR780 and get the same great features as the built-in units, such as hands-free calls, audio streaming and control and phone book transfer. With the Pass-through feature on the KS-BTA200, you can also add your iPod adapter, satellite radio adapter and/or CD Changer to your radio.

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3/27/2012

AR ARIR200 Tabletop Wi-Fi Internet Radio with Alarm (Black) Review

AR ARIR200 Tabletop Wi-Fi Internet Radio with Alarm (Black)
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This radio is the same as the RCA Infinite Radio RIR200 which Amazon stopped carrying in favor of this Acoustic Research ARIR200, so I encourage anyone who is thinking about buying this products to ALSO read the reviews at the following link:
RCA Infinite Radio RIR200 Internet Radio with Wifi Connectivity and Slacker Personal Radio
In case the link does not work, put this number (a product number) into the search box: B0016OK5O0 (cut and paste because those are both O's and zeros). You can also look at the reviews for the RIR205 which is the same unit but it also includes a basic router for those who want a simple way to hook up their unit to the internet. Search for B0016OI1BY to get info on the RIR205
Some of the issues brought up in those reviews are still valid (e.g. the odd ergonomics of the controls, too bright illumination, etc.) and some issues have been fixed by firmware updates. Unfortunately, sometimes when they fix one issue in the firmware they seem to also "break" another.
I give AR/RCA credit that they are at least supporting the product with firmware updates (as of 3/2009 they have released a version during 12/2008 and 3/2009). Right now, in my experience the product is a bit buggy with the current version of the firmware and I have been experiencing some random crashes where it either locks up or reboots itself. This is a real pain because it loses the security key for the WiFi when this happens and thus it has to be reentered. There is also a base level of white noise through the speakers, even after turning the radio off, that I find annoying (hint: after going standby, turn the volume dial all the way down and it will disappear with a pffft - then spin the volume back up to the normal position so that you have volume the next time you turn the radio portion on). This unit is better than the iLuv unit I reviewed elsewhere and could be quite good if they ever get a good version of the firmware going.
One of the best resources for information on these radios is the message archives at the following group at Google groups: Acoustic Research ARIRC200 Internet Radio . Just do a search at Google Groups and you should find the group (I don't think Amazon will let me include the link, but here goes: http://groups.google.com/group/acoustic-research-arirc200-internet-radio?hl=en )

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Acoustic Research introduces the next generation of audio entertainment with the ARIR200 Wi-Fi internet and AM/FM radio. The ARIR200 gives you access to thousands of global music and talk stations with its built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. It features a clock radio with alarm functions that allow you to wake to your favorite music or radio stations. Activate your free account with Slacker Personal Radio to access millions of tracks, hundreds of genre stations and over 10,000 artist stations. Slacker displays the next upcoming artist and provides the ability to pause or skip at any time. Other free accounts include Personal Portal and WeatherBug to receive local weather forecasts and emergency alerts. Preset six of your favorite stations per source into the radio so that you can save and retrieve your favorite stations with the push of a button. You can connect your mp3 player or flash drive into the USB connection to listen to your personal music files or save up to 10-hours of music onto the 512MB internal memory.

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3/26/2012

iLuv Silicone Case for iPod touch 2G, 3G (Black with Blue Flames) Review

iLuv Silicone Case for iPod touch 2G, 3G (Black with Blue Flames)
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Purchased this for my teenage son. He loves the fit on his second generation IPOD touch. He gets many complimenets from his friends also. Great purchase.

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The iCC603BLK from iLuv has a molded fit to protect your iPod Touch 3rd Gen from scratches and bumps and a graphic flame pattern to reflect your style. The smart design gives you full access to the controls and also allows you to charge and sync while your iPod is protected in the case. Glare-free protective film for screen included.

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Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u (88550) 500 GB Multi-Media SATA Hard Drive Review

Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u (88550) 500 GB  Multi-Media SATA Hard Drive
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I have really mixed feelings about this unit. On the plus side, it is well made (built like a rock, and weighs about as much), the set-up went smoothly, and the quality of the video on my 52 inch HD is excellent. On the minus side, it does not play wmv of mpeg4 format files (which are the most common formats I have) without first being converted to avi or xvid. The conversion is a nuisance and, at least so far, results in a dramatic reduction in the quality of the image. (Perhaps there are format conversion techniques that do not result in video quality reduction, but so far I have not been able to find them.) The users manual is so brief and at places crypic as to be pretty much useless. Although the remote control works for basic functions such as start, stop, and forward/rewind (except inexplicably the FF does not work on my larger avi files, 700 MB or more) only a few buttons are actualy functional. The rest seem to be there for some other unit for which the remote was designed. I contacted Trekstor tedhical support about the file format problems and received a prompt but terse reply, basically telling me that I needed to convert file formats that were not supported by the unit, reminding me that the user's manual stated that not all formats were supported, and finally indicating that other file formats never would be supported. Also, I have not been able to get the unit to play copies of DVDs, although the users manual says that DVD formats are supported. To be fair I have not tried very hard so far to play DVD copies, but even if it is possible clearly it is not straightforward. In sum: despite the limitations I have decided to keep the unit but I am by no means completely satisfied. So two stars is all I can give it.

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TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u 500GB is an external 3.5" SATA Hard Drive that can connect directly to a TV or Stereo system to play stored movies, music, and photos without use of a computer. The MovieStation works with Windows, Mac & Linux and uses a High-Speed USB 2.0 connection. It can be used to play HDTV and multi-channel Audio as well as content from movie and music download services. In addition, MovieStation will play files created with digital cameras and camcorders. When connected to a TV, MovieStation offers an onscreen menu for playing all content located on the drive. MovieStation's built-in Zoom function allows users to eliminate black bars that appear above and below on some movies. The MovieStation plays HD(720p/1080i) Formatted videos to be watched on a suitable TV. Stored music can be replayed from playlists. Housed in a stylish, black anodized aluminum case, the MovieStation’s design allows for optimum cooling, without the need for a fan and offers whisper quiet operation. The MovieStation supports MPEG-1 (VCD), MPEG-2 (SVCD, KVCD, DVD), IFO, VOB, DivX3, DivX5, XviD) video formats. Music and audio books in MP3, WMA, WAV and OGG format and images in JPEG format are also supported. Data and multimedia content can be transmitted to the device via a High Speed USB 2.0 Interface from any popular computer operating system. Video pass through is accomplished via high-quality Component video connection (YUV/Y/Pb/Pr), or using the composite video connection. Audio signals make their way to the TV set or home stereo system via an Optical digital (Toslink) or Analog stereo (cinch) connector. The MovieStation incorporates the Nero BackItUp 2 Software for simple, and hassle free backup. Included: Infrared Remote-Control, Power Supply, AV & YUV Adapter Cables, USB 2.0 Cable, 2 Foot Stands, (2) AAA Batteries, Nero BackItUp 2 Essentials, Software/Driver CD. For customer support please call 1888-8-TrekStor or TrekStor@datastation.us

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3/25/2012

TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There are alot of reviews out there for navigation units with comparisons between units made by different manufacturers, most stating that one is better than the other, which I found to be of no use since I almost never had the unit they were comparing to. So I have written this review as a review of the TomTom 730 rather than a comparison.
(please note this is the FACTORY REFURBISHED moel of the 730)
The 730 was well packed, and had a little bit of charge right out of the box. It includes all of the accessories and most of the literature that a new model does, including the windshield mount, dash disk, car charger, instruction manual and CD. There were no cosmetic blemishes on the unit I got. Refurbished units come with a shorter warranty, but the price difference more than makes up for lost warranty time.
The unit did arrive with an old map and firmware revision. After installing TomTom Home and creating a profile, the software asked me if I wanted to update the unit, and installed the most recent 'North American Maps' pack (includes USA and Canada) and 8.30 firmware. The download and installation process took a whopping 1.5 hours to download and install over a wireless broadband connection. Choosing to accept Mapshare, an additional 11386 corrections were added. I did not have to enter any update codes or call TomTom to get the latest map update. Other maps were listed as available at additional cost, but they were for other countries that I did not need.
After updating the unit, I took the 730 on a few trips to see how well it works. I travel roughly 1000 miles a week for business and pleasure, all over Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia. I have had several Nav units over the last two months trying to find the right one for me, and I am impressed with this unit. There are some problems with the unit, which are a result of the limitation of Nav units in general, rather than specific to the 730. An example: Whitehurst and Canal st in DC run literally on top of each other. Where they start you have a choice to go up or down, whereas the 730 tells you to go straight. Both choices are straight, and reagrdless of which you pick, the 730 continues to navigate as if you were heading down Whitehurst.
The 'IQ Routing' feature is absolutely the most useful feature of the unit. Anyone who lives in the DC metro area(or any other huge population dense area)knows that certain roads simply aren't passable during certain times of the day. I have used this feature extensively, and although there is room for improvement, it has found me several new, faster ways to get to common destinations. This nav unit is also the only one I have tested that correctly finds the fastest way to my home from the interstate.
Advanced Lane Guidance is a nice feature, during my travels I see it about twice a day. It works well, but the image for the I270/495 lanes divide on the inner loop shows the wrong number of lanes leading off to the spur. Other lane divides are accurate, why not this one?
The voice recognition navigation aspect works okay, it does a good job of recognizing what city and/or street that I said, but the whole system is a bit akward since it is a combination of screen presses and voice prompts. Still, it works well if you are patient with it and learn its qwerks.
The bluetooth function does not work with my phone (I have a really lousy phone)so I cannot comment on that, the FM transmitter works well if you can find a free frequency. Playing music from the TomTom was neat, and navigation prompts do come through the music when they occur.
TomTom Home and the community support it provides is awesome. Other than Mapshare (which is awesome in and of itself) there are differnt icons, voice prompts(which you can record yourself with the 730), display screen, map colors, and other customizable features that help you personalize and enhance the unit.
In summary, I believe I have found the right unit for me. The is the best navigation device I have used yet, and at the refurbished price it is well worth purchasing. I hope you found this review helpful.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

TomTom GO 730 REFURB Portable Navigator with Bluetooth. The TomTom GO 730 portable navigator offers you peace of mind when you're traveling with its powerful, yet easy-to-use features. You can use its 4.3" widescreen touch display to access detailed maps of the U.S. and Canada, and to explore over 5 million points of interest. The text-to-speech voice prompts announce actual road names at turns, giving you more helpful information when driving through unfamiliar areas. Refurbished.

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3/24/2012

Garmin nüvi 360 2.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Garmin nüvi 360 2.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
VCery happy with this purchase! I bought the 360 over the 350 for the Bluetooth. So far it is a great unit: very accurate and fast. At Pricegrabber.com I found the best prices delivered. I would recommend this unit to anyone who travels. It is very easy to operate and attaches easily to the windshield or dash with a sturdy suction mount. It can also be set to play MP3 files and audio books.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nüvi 360 2.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

The Garmin nuvi 360 GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant isa GPS navigator, personal translator, multi-media entertainer and tourguide all wrapped into one. In addition to all the advanced features of the Garmin nuvi 350 -- including automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, an MP3 player and audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, and much more -- this pocket-sized personal travel assistant comes with hands-free Bluetooth wireless technology, making it the hands-down go-anywhere travel companion.
Which nuvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

Make Hands-Free Calls The nuvi 360 integrates wireless technology with a microphone and speaker that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls using your compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone. Simply dial numbers with the nuvi's touch screen keypad to place a call, and to answer calls, just tap the screen and speak directly into its built-in microphone.

In addition, you can easily look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone's call history log. Don't know the phone number for your destination? Simply find and dial it from nuvi's database of more than six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions.

Navigation and Entertainment with Ease For starters, the nuvi 360 includes a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver that offers exceptional performance and reception. The unit's flip-up antenna includes an MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection. Preloaded software features maps of Europe or North America, and it includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touch screen interface -- making navigation as easy as it gets.

But navigation is just the beginning. Like the nuvi 350, the nuvi 360 also includes many entertainment and travel tools including an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters.

The nuvi 360 features a bright, 2.8 x 2.1-inch TFT display with white backlight for easy readability. At 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87-inches (WxHxD) and just 5.1 ounces, the unit is small enough to be placed on the dashboard with the included suction mount, or into your pocket for easy transportability. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. A built-in lithium ion battery will give you up to eight hours of power, and an included 12/24 volt adapter cable will let you run the navigator off your vehicle's power. An AC battery charger is also included.

A built-in Travel Kit that includes sample MP3s and audio books will get you started with entertainment, and with the unit's SD memory card expansion slot you can add optional software, such as language and travel guides. A USB port is also included for loading and updating data.

What's in the Box Gamin nuvi 360, Preloaded City Navigator NT North America or Europe (full coverage), vehicle suction cup mount, AC charger, 12/24 volt adapter cable, dashboard disk, USB interface cable, carrying case, owner's manual, and quick reference guide.
Which nuvi is Best for You?


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Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This device offers voice directions, mp3 player, fm transmitter to your car radio and bluetooth connectivity to your cell phone for (practically)hands free operation. My phone book automatically loads into the Garmin for easy search and selection. There are many shops of all kinds listed in its vast memory. A slot for SD cards fill with MP3 music is easily accessed.
The gps does have a battery life but an enterprising individual could use a mini usb connector to a 5V source (4 AA alkaline batteries with a silicon diode in series) to run it as long as those batteries lasted. I do not see any drawbacks except paying a yearly fee of 19 dollars to msn for the weather, gas prices and traffic data. Did I mention the current movies are listed and it maps where to go to see them?
All in all, I am happy with this product. My wife has confiscated it from me for the most part, however. I might have to buy another at $[...] since I paid $[...] at [...] last December (2007) for the one I have now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Garmin Nuvi 680 travel assistant with a super-bright 4.3-Inch diagonal color display and flip-up antenna.

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3/23/2012

Transcend - Card adapter ( CF I ) - PC Card Review

Transcend - Card adapter ( CF I ) - PC Card
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I use this product in conjunction with the Transcend 8GB Compact Flash Card to make use of the PC Card slot in the Honda Civic Hybrid with Navigation System to play mp3's. The OS for the Navigation system will only read up to 999 files, and the 8GB card gives you room for twice that many mp3 files.
The adapter has worked flawlessly and fits into the slot flush so the navi screen can close normally, which I've heard is an issue with some other adapters. While it takes some time to boot up each time you start the car, that's to be expected when there're 900+ files to read.

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Transcend CompactFlash Adapter TS0MCF2PC 1163

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3/22/2012

Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Garmin with NavTeq maps is the way to go. Nearly perfect routing. Reliable maps. Very solid combination generally. This particular unit is an excellent combination of features and, as a refub, a stunning value.
The features that allow this device to stand out from most other Garmins are these: (1) Instant on and instant navigation when turned back on where it was turned off. (2) Lane assist in major cities in some intersections. (3) Multiple stops (Via Points) from your starting point to your destination (many Garmins don't do this). (4) Lifetime traffic. You have to put up with small, rather inconspicuous ads now and again, but it's really no big deal. (5) There is no antenna to extend. It's built into the base unit. (6) It's really, really sensitive. Really. Sensitive. Works great. (7) There are transparent images of large buildings and structures that aid somewhat in navigation but even more, are entertaining and interesting.
You really can't go wrong.
What does it lack? (1) Most notably, voice recognition. (2) MSN services, but that is scheduled to be shut off for lack of interest anyway.* (3) A way to turn off the navigation to carry it around listening to the MP3 player when you're out of the car. It's constantly finding GPS signals in the grocery store and announcing when it's lost the signal in the store. I certainly don't need that and certainly don't need the battery being drained trying to GPS while I'm in Barnes & Noble. It would be nice to be able to turn the GPS off while using other features, like the MP3 player and Audio Book player. (5) The FM transmitter that assists using the GPS and MP3 player with the car stereo is apparently as strong as the FCC permits, but it's still not strong enough to overcome competing stations in the city. It's just not a good connection. Too much noise. Some FM transmitters do better, and I've actually plugged my Garmin GPS's audio output into Belkin FM transmitters that seem to do a better (but still not great) job. (6) It doesn't have Europe on it. Just all of North America.
These really are niggling complaints. It's a great unit. I'm loving the instant on. didn't realize how much I'd like that until I got it.
[...]
Since I liked the first one so much, I bought two more. One for my wife and one for another vehicle. My views have not changed. This is really, really the right product for me. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

This is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.
Garmin continues to build up its nuvi 7xx series portable GPS navigators with its nuvi 765T, which adds a number of handy routing and communication features to an already impressive list of specs, including a 4.3-inch widescreen display, text-to-speech capabilities, media player, and FM transmitter for transmitting audio--including directions and MP3 music and audiobooks--from the device to your car radio.

New to the nuvi 7x5 lineup is Garmin's HotFix satellite prediction (which locates your position quickly and precisely), Lane Assist (which provides lane guidance and junction views when possible), automatic time zone transitioning, and 3D Building views as well as Garmin Connect Photos to help you visually ascertain your position. Additionally, the nuvi 765T includes Bluetooth connectivity to your cell phone and free real-time traffic updates from Navteq (for the life of the device) via the included GTM 20 traffic receiver.

As with all nuvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for North America (United States, Canada and Puerto Rico) with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest. The Garmin nuvi 7x5 line features three other models--check out their spec highlights at the right and click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators.

The bright, 4.3-inch touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. It offers 2d or 3D perspective views. The widescreen format gives you 70 percent more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.

The nuvi 765T comes preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps from Navteq for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.

Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location.

Important Product Information: This device features a "screen lock" feature. This is a standard feature on all nuvi 2x5 and 7x5 Garmin units. If you slide the "Power" key to the right, it will lock the screen and prevent any accidental touches. Once the screen lock feature is engaged, the screen will go black/gray after about 15 seconds to save power on the device. To unlock the screen, just slide the "Power" key to the center position. This feature is really targeted for "Pedestrian" mode so that a user can put the device in his or her pocket/purse and quickly unlock the screen instead of powering on/off continuously. For more information, see page 5 of the product manual.

Lane Guidance With the new Lane Guidance feature built into the nuvi 7x5 series, you'll never question which lane you should be driving in again. It provides you with a view of what lane you should be in for upcoming turns. And with the 3D Lane Assist Junction View, you'll be able to see a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. The signs that aren't needed for navigation are faded compared to the appropriate lane signage.

Integrated Traffic Receiver Steer clear of traffic with an integrated GTM 20 FM traffic receiver designed to receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. No subscriptions or additional hardware needed. Just open the box, turn it on, and get instant access to traffic information--the traffic updates are free for the life of the device.

All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nuvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time. Watch informational video

In most areas, the traffic broadcasts are continuous--there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions.

Hands-Free Calling In more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. WIth Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker, you can match your nuvi to any Bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nuvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. In addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.

HotFix Satellite Prediciton Garmin's HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nuvi remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to 3 days after the device was last turned off.

Multi-Destination Routing This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the "Route Planning" feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, "the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls." The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about). A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.

Where Am I? Where's My Car? The nuvi 7x5 series is the first to answer two common questions: "Where am I?" and "Where’s my car?" At any time, with a single tap of the screen, drivers can display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. And to help drivers find their car in an unfamiliar spot or vast parking lot, all nuvi 7x5s automatically mark the position in which they were last removed from the mount.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos

Other Features

The 3D Buildings feature is able to reference the buildings displayed on the map as well. Some buildings will be grey images "extruded" from the map, other buildings will be life like representations of the actual property.
With Automatic Time Zone Transition, you'll never have to remember to set the time as you travel. When the unit acquires a position fix, it automatically sets the unit to the correct time zone.
MP3 player compatible with audiobook playback
JPEG picture viewer
FM transmitter plays voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system
Compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD card, such as the Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide, which provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts.
Add custom points of interest (POIs) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras
Travel tools: World travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more

What's in the Box nuvi 765T preloaded with maps of North America (United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico), vehicle suction cup mount, Vehicle power cable, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
Notes:

Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nuvi to fit your travel needs
The FM transmitter feature is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Like most USB mass storage devices, the nuvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.


Which nuvi is Best for You? Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
Device

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Polk Audio I-Sonic - Mini system - radio / DVD Review

Polk Audio I-Sonic - Mini system - radio / DVD
Average Reviews:

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This is an incredible sounding radio. It's highs are crystal clear, and it has very surprising bass even at high volumes. It's pretty easy to use and also looks very nice. There are 2 problems with this product, however. One is minor and can be lived with, but the other is a major flaw (in my opinion) that caused me to return the system.
The minor problem is that the dimmer doesn't dim automatically when the room gets dark. This is a simple feature that competing products have. It's needed because if you use this as a bedroom radio/alarm clock, you have to set the dimmer to low every night because the display is too bright otherwise (if you leave it on low during the day, you can't see the display, so you have to set the display to high every morning). This gets annoying after a while, but can be lived with if it was the only problem.
The major problem that I found is that the sound of the CD spinning was VERY LOUD! This was so annoying, especially if you like to use the sleep feature going to bed. The CD spin sound can be heard even at moderate levels. You either have to listen to your music very loud to drown out the CD spin noise, or you have to not be fazed by it. I tried to adjust to the sound by moving the unit further away from my bed, but the noise was still intolerable.
I really wanted to keep this product because of all the features packed into it and its incredible sound, but I had to return it because of the loud CD spin noise. Now I'm looking for a replacement unit (maybe the Boston Acoustic or Cambridge Soundworks CD 745).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Polk Audio I-Sonic - Mini system - radio / DVD

Polk Audio's I-Sonic is the first all digital format entertainment system featuring the latest digital technologies - HD-Radio with multicasting, DVD player, XM Satellite Radio & Sirius Satellite Radio capability, iPod & MP3 Player Dock inputs and a high performance audio system in a convenient compact tabletop configuration. With an I-Sonic entertainment system you will be able to enjoy the widest range of music, movies, news, information and entertainment available today and tomorrow. XM and Sirius require purchase of a tuner module and subscription sign-up. I-Sonic offers the best sound.Plays DVD, CD, Picture CD, Video CD, MP3 CD and other formatsiPod and MP3 players, cassette decks or any stereo audio source devices hook up to I-Sonic via one of two Auxiliary inputs -a stereo mini jack connector on the side and a pair of RCA jacks on the back Dual-alarm clock radio wakes you to your choice of radio station (broadcast or XM) or your favorite CD or DVD Wireless remote control. The I-Sonic entertainment system can also be easily used with onboard controls should the remote be misplaced or disabled Compact dimensions (14.5 x 9.75 x 4.75) allow the I-Sonic entertainment system to fit anywhere

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3/21/2012

Motorola S805 Bluetooth D.J. Style Stereo Headset Review

Motorola S805 Bluetooth D.J. Style Stereo Headset
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These are now my 5th pair of bluetooth wireless headphones and I think I've finally found one that does just what I want: great sounding streaming music from my iPod and simultaneously make or take calls from my Blackberry.
In my typical fashion, let's begin with the good, move on to the bad and then finish with those things that need improvement.
GOOD
Excellent sound quality - Clear, clean and LOUD. What more can I say about it. This may seem obvious but apparently some people don't understand the many different profiles available with Bluetooth devices and which ones are necessary to get good sound quality from these headphones. In order to hear quality audio, your Bluetooth source must support the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). Many of the USB dongle devices and quite a few built-in Bluetooth laptops (including MacBooks) and phones DON'T support this profile. How will know? First check the documentation to see if A2DP is listed as a supported profile. If not, try pairing with the headphones. If you hear tinny sounding music in mono, your device probably only supports the Headset and Handsfree (HPF) profiles. You'll need to find some other hardware or maybe a software upgrade.
Convenient - My S805s are paired with my iPod equipped with Wi-Gear's iMuffs MA110 Dock Adapter. This adapter is powered by the iPod and supports both the A2DP and Audio Video Remote Control (AVRCP) profiles allowing the headphone to control the volume, play/pause and next/prev track of the iPod while getting the great sound you expect. With no wires to get tangled or swing around when you move, these are great for workouts on the treadmill or elliptical.
Battery Life - Motorola claims that these fully charged headphones will operate in standby mode for up 30 days! I haven't had an opportunity to test this out and I not quite sure exactly what is "standby" mode, but I do know that the music play time is good for about a week of bus rides and occasional office use--about 15 hours. Not bad for the volume and quality.
Nice carrying case - the S805 comes with a durable semi-rigid zippered ballistic nylon case that holds the headphones with the earpieces folded flat at 2 inches thick. There's even a strap inside to conveniently hold the charger and the wired adapter cable.
Elegant Design - The headphones are very nice to look at once you get past the bulk (more on that next). They are symmetrically designed with a single button on each earpiece. One side controls the phone the other the music. The volume and track skip controls are ingeniously integrated into the rubber trim rings of each earpiece. Twist the left one forward or backward to change the volume or the right one to skip or repeat tracks.
BAD
Bulky - While the over-the-ear design is really effective at blocking outside noise, they are also very large and rather obvious. Especially with the blinking blue lights on the side. This attracts a lot of strange looks since you resemble a Borg. BTW, the blue lights can be turn off but I often forget since they default to "ON" after your recharge.
Cheap plastic parts - These definitely aren't your Bose QuietComforts. Most of the plastic pieces feel very cheap and appear as if they would easily break if dropped. The little rubber flap covering the charging and wired adapter ports is very flimsy and I don't expect it to last very long. The volume adjustment control dial and the track control dial have a lot of slop and wiggle room. I'd have to say that the case is better made than the headphones.
Short Wired Adapter - The wired adapter cord is very short. Less than a meter long so you need to be very close to your wired device.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Scratchy Fabric on Headband - The fabric inside of the headband is same acoustic fabric as the inside of the earpieces. I often take these off and dangle them around my neck but the fabric is kind of irritating. A smooth fabric would be much more comfortable.
Earpiece Cushions - The soft vinyl earpieces aren't too uncomfortable, but the do make the area around my ears all sweaty, especially during a workout. They're also kind of tight so they don't slip off your head but the pressure begin to get uncomfortable after a while. But if don't like the headphones with eartips that go into your ears, these are minor issues.
Complicated Controls - Although two buttons make for elegant design, it also makes for a confusing array of functions that you must remember to control them. Press and hold for 6 seconds for pairing mode. Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn them off. Press, hold and wait for three blinks to turn off. Short press to answer a call, long press to reject a call or answer a call waiting or redial the last call (all depending on the current state). Yikes! That's a lot to remember.
Minimal Instructions - The instruction booklet is a double-sided sheet of paper with a minimal amount of information to get you started. There are two paragraphs of troubleshooting along with a support number and web URL. If you can't get these to work as expected, don't expect to get much help.

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Move to your own soundtrack and take calls wirelessly with the Bluetooth DJ Headphones S805. Stereo speakers pump your favorite tunes and the noise-reducing, wind resistant microphone lets you continue the conversation even in noisy environments. Enjoy premium stereo sound and a comfortable wearing style while at home.
Features
Play time: up to approximately 17 hours
Weight: 5.5 ounces
Circumaural ear interface
Speakers 40mm diameter Neodymium
Music controls: Jog dial for track/volume; push button for call answer/play and pause
Noise, echo and wind cancellation
Wired connection for use with all stereo MP3 players
Bluetooth class: Class 2
Bluetooth Stereo profiles - A2DP, AVRCP
Bluetooth Headset profiles- HS 1.0, HF1.2

What's in the Box Headset, charger, printed operating instructions

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3/20/2012

Motorola Black MOTOROKR S305 Wireless Stereo Headphones in Retail Packaging for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS iPhone 4 and HTC Desire, HD Mini, HD2, Tattoo, Touch, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro2, Wildfire Phone Models Review

Motorola Black MOTOROKR S305 Wireless Stereo Headphones in Retail Packaging for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS iPhone 4 and HTC Desire, HD Mini, HD2, Tattoo, Touch, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro2, Wildfire Phone Models
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Bought for IPOD touch 4th gen. and new IPAD. I bought two. Set up was simple and sound for me (I am not an audiophile) is very good.
An extra is the AC to USB charger included with each unit. I used the charger for other products.
For the money I think they are great

Click Here to see more reviews about: Motorola Black MOTOROKR S305 Wireless Stereo Headphones in Retail Packaging for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS iPhone 4 and HTC Desire, HD Mini, HD2, Tattoo, Touch, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro2, Wildfire Phone Models

MOTOROKR S305 for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS iPhone 4 and HTC Desire, HD Mini, HD2, Tattoo, Touch, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro2, Wildfire Phone Models.Move FreelyControl your music from your headphones with track and volume controls.Continuous ComfortLightweight design for all day listening.Music Players: Bluetooth Stereo Profile (A2DP) required.Mobile Phones: Bluetooth Hands-free or Headset profile required for calls.

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