Product News Reviews: Elliptical Trainers Reviewed!: Sole E95 Best elliptical trainer Pros Motor-adjust incline ramp H...
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Elliptical Trainers Reviewed!
Sole E95
Best elliptical trainer
Pros
- Motor-adjust incline ramp
- Heavy flywheel
- Adjustable foot pedals
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Large footprint
- Occasional squeaks, clicks
Bottom line
The Sole E95 is rich in features where it counts, but doesn't skimp on build quality. A heavy flywheel, sturdy frame, good warranty and excellent customer service all combine to make this one of the best ellipticals on the market. Top features include a motor-adjust incline ramp, two heart-rate interactive programs and adjustable foot pedals.
Performance
Smooth operator. Fred Waters of Fitness-Equipment-Source.com tests the E95 at Sole headquarters and writes that the heavy flywheel "provides a more natural and smooth elliptical stride." Most users agree that the E95 is solid and stable, and that its quiet eddy-current braking system is smooth and reliable. Its stride length adjusts between 20 and 22 inches, depending on where you've positioned the motor-adjust incline ramp (which adjusts between 0 and 40 degrees of slope). Program options include 6 preset workouts, two custom workouts and two heart-rate control workouts for use with the included chest-strap heart-rate monitor.
Ease of use
It has everything. Plan on spending a couple of hours putting the Sole E95 together, but that will be your only hassle. The editors of Treadmillor.com praise this elliptical for several user-friendly features, including its 9-inch LCD console (which tilts for easier viewing) and cushioned footpads. Said footpads are angled at a 2-degree inward slant to reduce stress on your joints, and can be further adjusted to best suit the way your body moves. Resistance and incline can both be controlled from the console or via handgrip controls. The E95 also has a built-in sound system and fan, which users describe as merely adequate.
Durability
Solid use up to 400 pounds. The Sole E95 is rated for users up to 400 pounds, and several Amazon.com reviewers post to say they use it frequently -- sometimes multiple times a day -- without a problem. One eBay reviewer writes that the E95 "is very heavy, sturdy, (and) does not wobble even for the over 200 pound users in my family." The E95 weighs 215 pounds when fully assembled, which contributes to its smooth, stable ride. The biggest complaint we found from reviewers was about a persistent squeaking around the foot rails, although it's often resolved by lubricating the foot rails.
Customer service
Efficient in-home repair service. Those who own the Sole E95 have only good things to say about the company's customer service. In one case, an Amazon.com user and his wife used their Sole E95 every day for four years; when the incline motor stopped working and couldn't be repaired, Sole shipped him a brand-new, updated E95 completely free of charge. (The E95's frame has a lifetime warranty. The parts and electronics are covered for five years, and labor is covered for two years.) The company also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, although returns may be subject to a restocking fee. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this Visit our Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Monday, July 21, 2014
Product News Reviews: Car Batteries: Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Car Batteries: Reviewed!: DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 Best car battery Pros Outperforms all other batteries in expert testin...
Car Batteries: Reviewed!
DieHard Advanced Gold 50778
Best car battery
Pros
- Outperforms all other batteries in expert testing
- Outstanding in both cold and heat
- Strong warranty
Cons
- Not all sizes perform well
- Extra charge for installation
Bottom line
Rated the very best car battery in one top test, the DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 delivers outstanding performance whether it's sweltering or freezing outside; both are typically murder on batteries. But watch out: Some sizes of this car battery don't perform as well in tests.
Performance
Unbeatable performance in most sizes. Nothing beats the DieHard Advanced Gold 50778. It earns the highest possible scores in every test by a leading source: cold-weather cranking, hot-weather endurance and reserve capacity, or how long it will run with the engine off (such as if you accidentally leave your lights on). This is a Group 78 size made to fit large Chrysler and GM vehicles.
The Group 34 version -- labeled 50734 -- does just as well in tests, and the Group 94 version gets good owner reviews at Sears.com. However, the Group 48 size conked out halfway through the heat test and was rated the very worst battery in that evaluation.
Dependability and warranty
Rugged design, strong warranty. This is an absorbed glass mat battery, which "typically makes for a more rugged and longer-lasting battery than a conventional battery," ConsumerReports.org says. It's a sealed, maintenance-free design, so you won't have to top off the water. The DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 carries a three-year warranty: If it won't hold a charge during that time, Sears will replace it. After that, there's a 100-month prorated warranty, so you'll get a credit toward the purchase of a new DieHard battery if yours fails.
Value
Installation charge. The good news is, Sears charges $165 for this battery but you'll get a $33 discount if you trade in your old battery. The bad news is Sears charges $10 extra for battery installation, according to Sears.com. Plenty of other stores -- including Walmart, auto-parts chains and some garages -- will install your battery for free if you buy it from them.
For about half the price, the Kirkland Signature 12866 (Est. $85) performs almost identically in tests and has the same warranty. However, it's sold only at Costco, where you need a paid membership and they don't install batteries.Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this Visit our Trusted Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Monday, July 14, 2014
Product News Reviews: Bluetooth Headsets Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Bluetooth Headsets Reviewed!: Aliph Jawbone Era (2014) Best Bluetooth headset Pros Stylish and discreet design Solid cal...
Bluetooth Headsets Reviewed!
Aliph Jawbone Era (2014)
Best Bluetooth headset
Pros
- Stylish and discreet design
- Solid call quality
- Works with Siri and Google Now
Cons
- Short battery life
Bottom line
The Aliph Jawbone Era (2014) is the smallest and most stylish Bluetooth headset available. It builds on the legacy of the original Jawbone Era (2011) and the Jawbone Icon by providing good sound quality and a powerful app, along with a new voice interface that works with Siri on iPhones and Google Now on Android devices. At less than a quarter ounce, the Era 2014 is for people who want to discreetly and stylishly use a headset.
Sound quality
Latest NoiseAssassin software.Reports indicate that, although the sound quality of the latest version of the Aliph Jawbone Era isn't the best there is, it's still "very solid" and a top performer. The audio quality is clean with natural sounds and the music playback has "a bit more oomph on the low end." The noise cancellation is excellent, with the Era 2014 using Noise Assassin 4.0, a continuation of the software introduced in the Jawbone Icon and the original Era. One tester used the Era 2014 in a parking lot in between a municipal airport and an active recycling plant, and callers couldn't tell that he wasn't calling from inside his car. Wind buffeting was a problem in some tests though.
Comfort
The smallest Bluetooth headset.The latest version of the Aliph Jawbone Era continues its predecessor's reign as the smallest Bluetooth headset. It weighs just 0.21 ounces and fits unobtrusively in the ear. There's only one way to place the earbuds in your ear and reviewers found the fit to be secure. If you wear the headset in your left ear, however, you won't have a choice of earbuds, with only a medium size one included with the headset, compared to a choice of three sizes designed to fit the right ear.
Usability
Just one button.The Aliph Jawbone Era (2014) has one button that does it all -- answer or end a call, voice dial, control music, volume control, and checking the battery status. This draws mixed reviews, especially with the lack of a dedicated volume control. As an alternative, Era 2014 users can interact with Siri on their iPhones or Google Now on their Android phones and all the usual commands, such as having emails read or getting driving directions, are available. Setup is very easy with automatic pairing on first use. The Jawbone Era has the app that provides a selection of voices and gets two new features: a headset finder function and a calendar app. However, the new Era lacks the accelerometer of the original so you can't issue commands through gestures anymore. The headset comes with a standard micro USB charging cable. An optional charging cradle, about the size of a key fob, also has a built-in battery that adds another six hours of charge.Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this one Visit our Trusted Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Product News Reviews: Mascaras Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Mascaras Reviewed!: Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara Best lengthening mascara Pros Lengthens lashes Defines/separates lashes Mi...
Mascaras Reviewed!
Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara
Best lengthening mascara
Pros
- Lengthens lashes
- Defines/separates lashes
- Minimal clumping
- Long-wearing formula
Cons
- Expensive
- Wetter/runnier than most during application Multiple reviewers say Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara lives up to its claims, producing lovely, long, defined lashes. This mascara comes with a long, thin applicator brush that reviewers say is effective and easy to use; its separated bristles coat and lengthen each individual lash. One drawback: This mascara's formula is a bit runny, making it easy to smudge before it dries. Once it does, however, it lasts all day without flaking, say users at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com. If you prefer a budget-friendly mascara, reviewers say Maybelline Full 'n Soft mascara (*Est. $7) is an excellent choice. Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara is fragrance-free and comes in five shades: black, brown, deep black, deep brown and navy.
We found the most thorough reviews of Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara at Beautypedia.com, Splendora.com and ConsumerReports.org, where it is tested, rated and compared to several other mascaras. User reviews at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com are not as detailed, but do provide common consensus about the popularity of this and other mascaras. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this Visit our Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Product News Reviews: Action Cameras Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Action Cameras Reviewed!: GoPro HD Hero3+ Black Edition Best action camera Pros Superior video quality Lots of shooting optio...
Action Cameras Reviewed!
GoPro HD Hero3+ Black Edition
Best action camera
Pros
- Superior video quality
- Lots of shooting options
- Wide variety of mounts
- Sturdy build
Cons
- So-so battery life
- May produce blurry distance shots
Bottom line
Reviewers consistently agree that the GoPro HD Hero3+ Black Edition simply offers the best video performance it's possible to get from an action camera. It's versatile, too, with lots of shooting and mounting options, and its sturdy construction stands up to all sorts of abuse. However, many reviewers add that not every user really needs the best quality money can buy. For casual use, a lower-priced camera will probably offer better value.
Ease of use
Fully loaded tool kit. One thing reviewers love about the Hero3+ is its wide array of mounting options for everything from surfboards to roll bars. Only two mounts actually come with the camera, however; others are sold as extras. Like most action cams, the Hero3+ doesn't include a viewscreen, but the free GoPro app lets you use your smartphone as a viewfinder. There's also a wireless remote, which has the same menus and buttons found on the camera itself, but CNET says it's a hassle to use for all but the most basic functions; the smartphone app is much more user-friendly.
Performance
Top-notch video quality. What really sets the Hero3+ Black Edition apart from the competition is its video quality. In a head-to-head test of action cameras at MTBR.com, footage from the Hero3+ Black "is sharper, has great color, and holds subtle detail in the highlights and shadows." Audio quality and still images are also good, though not outstanding. Some users complain that distance shots on the Hero3+ look extremely fuzzy, but this appears to be due to a bug that affects only certain cameras (which GoPro will replace). The Hero3+ Black also offers a huge range of options for resolution, frame rate and field of vision. Its only weak point is its so-so battery life (around 2 hours).
Design
Small but sturdy. In user reviews, one feature users really like about the Hero3+ is its compact, lightweight form. The plastic housing is also smaller and lighter than that of past versions, yet Paul Davies of The Telegraph describes it as "nigh on indestructible." The same applies to the mounts; TheWirecutter.com's Brent Rose says they're "notoriously tough," standing up to giant waves and even surviving car crashes. The Hero3+ is waterproof up to 131 feet deep. Compared to other action cameras, the Hero3+ is surprisingly boxy in shape, but users don't appear to find that a drawback. It can even be a plus, since it lets the camera stand on its own without a tripod. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this Visit our Website at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
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