OxyDay

Samsung LN55A950 55" 1080p LCD HDTV with 120Hz refresh rate and LED backlighting

2008-12-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

Samsung LN55A950 55" 1080p LCD HDTV with 120Hz refresh rate and LED backlighting

55" widescreen HDTV (54.6") -- 16:9 aspect ratio * Touch of Color high-gloss finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * Ultra Clear LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) *

Features

55" widescreen HDTV (54.6") -- 16:9 aspect ratio
Touch of Color high-gloss finish
built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)
Ultra Clear LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels)

Samsung LN55A950 with LED backlighting - Best price Samsung LN55A950 1080p LCD HDTV with LED backlighting

Total Trainer 4000XL

2008-11-21T04:11:00.001-08:00

Total Trainer 4000XL

Bayou Total Trainer 4000 XL Home Gym (Patriotic Logo) While many home gyms have 6 levels of resistance the Total Trainer 4000 XL Home Gym has 11 levels of resistance that will push your workout to the max. The 4000 XL is loaded with attachments and is equipped with the Super Tuff TPU-90-AE Roller. These attachments turn your 4000 XL home gym into a multi station gym workout. The glide board on the 4000 XL is 4'' inches longer than the DLX making it a total of 46'' in length. It comes fully assembled and has a shipping weight of 97 lbs. The maximum user height is 6' 7''. Total Gym Exercises

Apple iPod touch 2nd Generation - Almost "Untouchable"

2008-09-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Apple iPod touch 2nd Generation - Almost "Untouchable"

One year ago I purchased the 16GB original iPod Touch. At that time, I found that even though it had some flaws, the over-all package made it one of the best iPods available. Now, one year later, Apple has released the next generation Touch. I've now had it for a few days, and here's what I found: the second gen iPod Touch is a marked improvement over the the first gen, and comes even closer to perfection. Keeping this in mind, this review will show one big, and a number of smaller shortcomings. It may also be difficult to justify upgrading from the 1st to 2nd gen unless you simply must have one of the few hardware improvements, and can live with the fact that you may have to re-purchase some of your accessories.

Size and Dimensions
The iPod Touch now sports a more rounded design on the back, making it look slightly thinner and more like the iPhone than the original did (it is not really thinner than it's predecessor, just looks that way). Unfortunately, the back plate is still made from stainless steel, and this plate attacts fingerprints and scratches almost magically. After one year of near-constant use the backplate of my first gen Touch looks a bit like a wild etch-a-sketch (I carry the Touch in my pocket). Interestingly, the glass on the front appears (after one year of heavy use) to be absolutely scratch-resistant. It's the backside (that also carries the custom engraving) that quickly becomes blemished. I would have preferred a brushed metal/aluminium backplate. I had to look it up, but the new Touch is slightly lighter (a few grams) - but it looks thinner (thanks to the tapered edge design). The rounded edges make it fit my palm slightly better, making it feel just right (to be honest, the original Touch was already very, very good in this respect). Other than that the outside dimensions exactly match that of the original Touch. The most visible change from the front is that the steel from the backplate now frames the glass much like it did on the original iPhone.

Touch Screen and Controls
The screen is simply gorgeous. It's bright, crisp, has great contrast, and can adapt it's brightness to the ambient light. In direct sunlight, much like it's predecessor it becomes difficult to read correctly. In shade it's perfectly readable -- a feat considering how bright a display has to be to achieve that. Color temperature of the display has shifted slightly downwards (or, to sound less pompuous: the display's colors have shifted slightly from a blueish to a golden tinge, something you wouldn't notice unless you have the two devices side by side).

The touch screen is very responsive, and as I stated before, absolutely scratch-resistant. Surviving a full year in my pocket along with metallic objects such as my keys is a testament to it's durability (looking at the stainles steel backside is a constant reminder just how badly it could have been scratched). As with the original Touch, the same problems occur when you try to control the device 'blind' (i.e. while it is in your pocket): without looking at it, you simply can't. Fortunately, Apple has addressed the most important drawback with this design: a hardware volume control. The screen's resolution remains at 480x320, which is very good (certainly better than my iPod Classic's). Interestingly, I've found out that ripping videos to this resolution does not necessarily yield noticeably better results than for the iPod classic's (320x240) screen, so I now rip to that resolution, conserving some memory.

iPod / iTunes
After one year of owning the original Touch I have to remind myself that this device originally is an iPod -- or rather a digital music player. As it turns out, although I also use it for music playing, this function has more and more been relegated to a background task -- a task, nontheless, that it handles really well. The coverflow, browsing and display functionality has evolved nicely from the original (1.0 and 2.0) versions, and are still the best in the market. The interface improvements support nice touches such as displaying a song's lyrics on single tap, bringing up the volume/cue controls on double-tap of the home button, an alphabetic slide rule when browsing titles, etc. Still missing is a search function, though. And, especially in light of the gorgeous display capabilities and the recent addition of a new visualitzer (in additional to the existing ones in iTunes), I would have loved to see a visualizer on the Touch as well. The biggest (and in my oppinion delibarate (as in spiteful)) omission is this: you still can't enable 'hard drive mode', i.e. use the Touch as a mass storage device. The biggest boon is improved battery life.

Video is crisp (still no contrast control, though), and audio playback is just as you expect (again: I'm no audiophile. I'm absolutely happy with most player's audio capabilities). Again I'm not using the Apple-provided white and quite sub-par headphones. I'm using separately purchased ones. New for the second gen is a built-in speaker. Audio quality here is not actually terrible, but close. The sound is tinny, weak, and just somehow comes out of the iPod (mono, of course). I believe that the addition of the speaker has a specific reason different from HiFi: it makes playing games on the Touch without headphones so much more enjoyable. But for listening to music I would prefer headphones or active speakers. To be honest, I prefer not listening to music from that speaker.

iTunes integration is top-notch as before. Some sort of bug-fix now has made data backup much faster, and both iTunes and the Touch now sport a new kind of smart playlist that is called 'Genius'. Initially, I wasn't impressed by this feature. Although iTunes 8 has had this feature I regarded it primarily as a well executed new way to sell song and hence didn't use it. On my iPod, however (which only carries a subset of my library due to memory contraints), this feature literally rocks. On my first day alone it had me re-discover five songs I never knew I had (much less liked).

On the downside, the Touch still does not support playlist groups, which is a constant annoyance to me. I'm also disappointed to see that the Touch still can't synch wirelessly, nor can it be used to access shared playlists (other than downloading them, of course). An application in the App store offers this functionality, albeit only for non-DRM'd titles, proving the point that this is possible.

Images (from iPhoto) can also be synched to the Touch, and nothing is more fun than showing off your iPod's capabilities using a nice picture and 'pinch' and 'swipe'. Interestingly (or rather: unfortunately), iTunes appears to down-sample large images to a smaller resolution, probably to conserve memory. This may make sense, but I would like to be able to have more control over this feature (i.e. decide myself what the image's resolution on the iPod should be).

Accessories - the Big Bad Ugly
Unfortunately, Apple has changed the pin-out (*again*) for the iPod connector. As a result, some 'made for iPod' accessories either don't work, or don't work fully any more. For example, my Altec Lansing active speakers can't charge the Touch any more (it was able to charge the 1st gen Touch). This is truly, truly annoying as you don't know if your iPod works with your 'made for iPod' devices any longer, and makes purchasing new accessories a game of chance. My car has a (hideously expensive) iPod integration that luckily still works (including re-charging). Still, the iPod connector compatibility (or lack thereof) is becoming a big mess. Just imagine you want to buy an accessory for your kid or friend, and too late find out that it does not work with it.

WiFi / Internet
A year ago I purchased an iPod, and got a fully integrated web accesory kit. As it turned out, the addition of WiFi and full internet access is a killer feature to me. The web browser (a mobile version of Safari) is very capable. Much has been said about the fact that Mobile Safari does not support Flash. This is annoying if you visit sites that use it. The pinch/slide gesture-based interface works so well that I regularely use the Touch for normal web surfing. The general experience has increased over the past few month, no doubt in no small amounts due to the fact that many sites have beed re-designed with the iPhone in mind. Since the Touch's browser is exactly the same, it inherits the benefit. WiFi speed is good (although it still uses the 802.11b/g, not the n variant) - and mostly depends on the hotspot you are connected to. It remembers the hotspots it has connected to (much like a laptop would), and can also connect using WPA. There are other Web enabled applications that come with the iPod (Maps, which can pinpoint your location by the position of hotspots close to you), Stocks, YouTube, and Weather, which are nice, but remarkable. WiFi reception range is average, but definitely below that of some PC laptops.

Then, the Touch also comes with Mail, Calendar and Adressboock, and these do become killer fieatures, especially when coupled with an Exchange server or (as Apple would prefer) MobileMe. Mail supports 'push' technology, meaning that (almost) as soon an there is an incoming mail (and your Touch is connected to a hotspot), you are notified by a little discreep 'bleep'. Reading emails, including mails with rich content works very well. Composing any but the shortes emails, on the other hand, is bothersome, verging on annoying due to the small virtual keyboard). Still, simply being able to do this makes all the difference. Live Calender updates have saved my bacon a few times already, as you do not have to remember to actively synch your iPod after you have made a change to the calender.

Integration with Exchange (at the point of writing) remains a tad spotty, with no messages appearing for s few hours, and then suddenly many appearing at once (I initially suspected a configuration issue on the Exchange Server, but this appears not to be the case). Depending upon how you configure MobileMe on your Mac, the results are similar to what you can expect from Exchange (with the difference, of course, that Apple is running the servers for you). Unfortunately, MobileMe currently does not synch your Notes.

Nicely executed is the integrated iTunes store. While possibly just another mechanism to generate sales, I simply love the fact that if I hear or remember a song, I can almost always instantly purchase it and have it on my touch within seconds. Songs purchased on the Touch synchronize back to your main library in iTunes (into a rather silly 'Purchased on Touch' playlist). If a download has to discontinue because the network connection was lost (or for any other reasons), it will continue as soon as the connection to the Internet is restored.

Interestingly, the touch sports (I'm a sucker for lame puns) the required hardware to connect to the 'Nike + iPod' sports accessories built-in (i.e. you do not have to connect the dongle). I say interestingly because these devices utilize the bluetooth frequency band, yet the Touch does not support bluetooth devices (headphones, mikes, car integration and printers come to mind). Since I use a shuffle for work-out, this is not a must-have feature for me.

Applications/App Store
If Mail, Calendar and Browser are killer apps, Apple has added another killer feature to the Touch (and iPhone) that expands the device's usability (and customizability) by orders of magnitude: the App store. In appearance similar to the iTunes Store, here you can choose from literally hundrets of applictions (of greatly varying quality, though), purchase and install them instantly. Prices run from free to roughly 10 USD (there are some more expensive titles, but the majority are priced at a couple of USD). The apps are presented in three different ways ('featured', 'top', browse by category), plus you have the ability to search for keywords.

Although the 'signal to noise' ratio isn't that great (there are quite a lot of useless or awfully executed applications), there are some jaw-droppingly good apps that truly enhance your Touch. Among the first to mention is Apple's own (free) 'Remote' app, which allows you to remote-control iTunes on your Mac or Apple TV - with real-time full visual feedback, and full search capability (allegedly, it is also a real boon for Apple TV users, as it provides a virtual keyboard as input means. Not having Apple TV, I can't comment on this). Then there is an application that allows you to stream all your music (well, the unprotecte at least) to your Touch - over the Internet to wherever you are (interestingly, this App was not produced by Apple).

Greatly enhancing the Touch's usability are eBook readers (the Touch is almost perfect for rading books, giving you that 'Star Trek' info pad feeling) as well as off-line news readers. Another important category are applications that enable you to easily transfer (and view) files from your Mac/PC to the Touch. I would have expected Apple to integrate this feature into iTunes (perhaps rudimentary support for PDF), but third party providers are more than happy to bridge this gap for you. And for the geeks there are VNC and SSH clients that finally allow them to control their server cluster using an iPod.

For those who want radio, there are lots of offerings for IP radios. Of course this means that your iPod must remain in range of a hotspot to use this feature. Mine does, so I alos now have radio -- and re-discovered just why I never missed it. I'm simply not a radio guy, I guess. I do know that many people miss it, and wish apple had gone the last mile and also added an FM tuner.

Two Apps I'm sure that will arrive soon at the App store is due to another addition to the Touch: support for extenal microphones. Apple's hi-end earphones have both a remote and mike built in, and are said to be compatible with the 2nd (and only 2nd) gen Touch. Audio note pads, and VoIP apps (a la Skype) that allows phone functionality over WiFi are sure to follow soon (note: I have seen these apps available in the US stores; sadly they are not yet available here in Switzerland Also, I interpret Apple's docs that the 2nd gen Touch supports external microphones, as they have not yet shipped the combined mike/remote headphones to me).

And then there are games. They currently are the biggest category of all applications. The Touch, with it's integrated accelerometer, 480x320 color screen and touch interface makes a nice gaming device, and developers have come up with some truly fun and innovative games ('Toy Bot' may serve as a great example). Apple may have realized that this is becoming an increasingly important aspect of the Touch: the Gen 2 device sports a speaker that makes little sense - except to improve the gaming experience (believe me: playing an accelerometer-based game with headphones on can be verry little fun when it gets exciting). And improving the experience it does. The Touch is ill suited for classic 'control pad' based games (e.g. Tetris, Pac Man), and most of their Touch adaptations suffer accordingly. Other games, however, adapt nicely to touch/accelerometer input (Monkey Ball, Crash Cart etc), or are a natural fit (Labyrinth, Sudoku, Solitair, Othello)

Super-geeks can also download the iPhone/Touch SDK and create their own applications. This is not for the faint of heart, as you first download a few gigabytes (Apple's XCode development environment), and then will have to code in Objective-C (an extension to standard C) and use the Cocoa framework. Plus, you'll need a Mac to do so. The environment is actually very good, and includes an iPhone simulator to test your software before deployment.

I should mention that most of the improvements (with the exception of the hardware upgrades: mike support, built-in nike support, volume buttons and battery life) can be had for free on your 1st gen Touch (if you have the 2.0 Update), or a couple of bucks if you havn't upgraded yet. Unless you (like me) want the larger memory (my first gen only has 16GB), the decision to upgrade to 2nd gen may be difficult.

Summary:
The 2nd generation iPod Touch is an almost perfect device. It combines top-notch video/audio, world-class UI, great casual gaming, hundrets of apps, and full access to the Internet into a single, beautiful package. To sum it up neatly: Untouchable. Well -- almost. It has one big flaw if you have invested in accessories: it may not be compatible with them, as Apple has changed the iPod connector pin-out (again). With those reservations, I recommend the Touch to anyone. Also great: owners of the 1st gen Touch can get most of these goodies with a simple, inexpensive software upgrade.

Hits
+ great display
+ good audio
+ gesture-based interface
+ accelerometer for controls
+ great integration with your music library (via iTunes)
+ long battery life
+ wireless music store
+ wireless App store (killer feature)
+ Speaker for gaming
+ Mail, Calendar and Address book with Push
+ WiFi Internet (killer feature)
+ Remote App (free) for your PC/Mac's iTunes/AppleTV
+ SDK freely available for anyone
+ Microphone and remote support
+ Nike + iPod without dongle

Misses
- incompatibility with 'made for iPod' devices (bad, bad, bad)
- stainless steel backplate (fingerprints and scratches easily)
- no wireless synching
- no wireless playback of streamed iTunes content (an Appstore application can stream unprotected content, though)
- no visualizer
- no search function
- no playlist groups (why, oh why?)
- no GPS nor FM radio
- Notes not synched with MobileMe
- no hard drive mode
- no synching documents (except third party Apps)
- downsampling of photos
- currently tops out at 32GB (would have preferred 64)
- no bluetooth

See also: Apple iPod touch 32 GB (2nd Generation) | Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation) | Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation)

Braun Series 5 8985 Men's Shaver is amazing

2008-09-08T02:38:00.000-07:00

Braun Series 5 8985 Men's Shaver is amazing
This shaver is amazing. Well worth the money. I had a norelco triple head shaver for three years and my face never got used to it and I never got a clean shave. I bought the braun 360 complete and was amazed at the great shave from day one. It's the closest thing to a razor and doesn't
tear up your face. I am very pleased with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone.

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Euro-Pro Shark EP238 HEPA Compact Canister Vacuum

2008-09-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

Euro-Pro Shark EP238 HEPA Compact Canister Vacuum - Euro-Pro Shark EP238 HEPA Compact Canister Vacuum

Great vacuum. Had one for many many years and used it every day. It finally gave up and died. (At least I think it died - won't start. Might be something simple to fix. I will check it out when I have time.) This vacuum is just the right size and weight for a great Tag-a-long! Could not ask for better service from a vacuum. Was very pleased to find that the same model is still being make.

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Yes, yes it does blend. - Blendtec Home TB-621-BHM The Professional’s Choice 1,500-Watt Total Blender

2008-08-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes it does blend. - Blendtec Home TB-621-BHM The Professional’s Choice 1,500-Watt Total Blender, Black
This blender really will blend just about anything to whatever consistency you might desire. In my case I use it mostly for beverages, making smoothies from powdered and fresh ingredients. The preprogrammed buttons are handy, but you will find from time to time you may have to use `Pulse’. The blender is loud, though no more so than the one it replaced, a 70’s vintage Hamilton Beech. Clearly you’re not going to keep a conversation going or be able to hear a TV/Radio while this is running. If you’ve ever visted Jamba Juice or Starbucks you’ve heard Blendtec’s commercial blenders at work, this blender is basically a consumer version of those blenders. Cleaning is easy as the carafe is one piece. You will have to fully clean the sides as the rapid mixing action slings the contents over the entire inside surface. I have yet to have it not blend everything I toss in it, even things one might not think of. And as one might imagine, you just have to try SOMETHING off the wall considering their `Will it Blend’ ads. In my case, I gave it the easy chore of making a smoothie out of a hamburger, which it did with ease once the burger patty and buns had enough time in the blades. I did have to add some additional ketchup, mayo and cheese sauce to get the liquid level high enough do make more than a mashed paste but then what do you expect from a mere hamburger. : )

Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower #RL850

2008-08-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower #RL850

The Friendly Robotics RoboMower Automatic Lawn Mower is a fully automatic lawnmower designed to mow your lawn entirely by itself. The fully-automatic mower travels across the lawn in a crisscross pattern, covering up to 10,800 square feet on a single charge while you relax on the porch. The RoboMower works by mowing within a selected boundary outlined by a small wire (the unit includes 500-foot perimeter wire). Its navigation system can handle any lawn, regardless of shape, slope, or obstacles. It is capable of mowing 3/4 of an acre on one battery charge. Because the mower is rechargeable, it doesn't need gas or oil, and emits no pollution and little noise. However, it's still as powerful as conventional mowers, employing a battery-powered 3-blade, 21-inch powerful cutting system equivalent to a 5-1/2 HP gas mower, but with better mulching and a 5,800 rpm blade speed (double that of a typical gas unit).

The Triple Chamber Mulching system compacts grass into small clippings that decompose naturally on the lawn, improving your lawn's health while lightening your workload. The mower also comes with a host of safety features, such as a child lock and a detection system that automatically turns off the blade if the mower is lifted. It also includes a user-controlled theft protection and disabling system using a personal password. The mower comes with plenty of oomph, completing about three hours of mowing with a single 24-hour charge. The RL850 is also upgradeable to the RL1000, which comes with a programmable docking station. The RL1000 will automatically depart and return to the docking station at preset times to mow the lawn--even at night while you're sleeping--adding yet another level of convenient operation. A 2-year warranty is included and comes complete with 2007 generation software.

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Excellent value of GMC Denali LTD Adult Road Bike

2008-08-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

Excellent value of GMC Denali LTD Adult Road Bike

Was originally looking to spend only about $300 on a bike, but changed my mind when I saw this. A frame with carbon fiber fork and seat stays at this price was too good to pass up. The colors are attractive, it's a metallic gold with reddish-orange. As far as looks go, the grey tires and the handlebars really look out of place - don't let the picture fool you, the handlebar tape is bright orange and yellow tiger-striped.
I've put over 50 miles in the short time I've had it and I'm happy. I recommend you pay to get this assembled and tuned at your local bike shop. The main reason this is less expensive is due to 2200 series Shimano shifters and generic hubs. If you really do want to get more performance, go and get some Look KEO classic pedals and some good cycling shoes.
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Also, this is made by Kent, not Triton Workshop Systems...

Review Cateye CC-RD300W Strada Wireless Bicycle Computer

2008-08-05T02:29:00.000-07:00

Cateye CC-RD300W Strada Wireless Bicycle Computer

Excellent Cyclocomputer

Installation was quite easy. It is worth the trouble to download the user manual from cateye.com however. The font size on the included sheets is a strain to read.

While the handlebar/stem mounting bracket is great, it is possible to over-tighten the bracket which may cause the "touch screen" functionality to not work correctly or at all.

On my last two rides the trip data has spontaneously reset to zero. The "touch screen" feature is really an electro-mechanical operation of a button on the back of the computer when one presses on the bottom of the unit. I suspect that I may still have the bracket a little tight. I have asked Cateye for an explanation of other possible reasons for this "spontaneous reset" but they have not yet had a chance to reply.

Cateye Bike Computer | Cateye Bicycle Computer

Needak Platinum Edition Soft Bounce Folding Rebounder with Stabalizing Bar

2008-07-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Needak Platinum Edition Soft Bounce Folding Rebounder with Stabalizing Bar

Rebounding is an exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your legs, thighs, abdomen, arms, and hips; increases your agility; improves your sense of balance; strengthens your muscles over all; provides an aerobic effect for your heart; rejuvenates your body when it's tired, and generally puts you in a state of health and fitness. You can easily perform this exercise in your living room, your office, and your yard. The traveler may wish to carry a portable rebounder aboard an airliner for use in a hotel room. It's the most convenient, metabolically effective form of exercise around.

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Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #29101 in Sports & Outdoors
Color: Blue

Features

Increases the capacity for respiration
Promotes body growth and repair
Tends to slow down aging
Comes with the Needak Stabalizing Bar
Comes with FREE carrying bag, "Jumping For Health" reprint article, "Immune System DVD, and Rebounding To Better Health book

Reviews Stott Pilates At Home SPX Reformer

2008-07-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Stott Pilates At Home SPX Reformer

Omg, it's great. It's very high quality (that's the reason I wanted Stott to begin with). This is a lifetime purchase machine. It is the home version so it is lower to the ground than the studio version but it feels every bit as sturdy. It's the full length (I'm 5'10" and I have plenty of room on it.) Sturdy, sturdy, sturdy and totally quiet. It has wheels so I can move it even though it is pretty heavy. Took about 10 minutes tops to set it up it came 90% set up, basically I popped in the headrests, put the cables through and I was set up. I had to read the wording carefully on how to make sure the cables were the right length but after reading it 3 times I understood what they meant. Professionally packed (check list was done by hand and everything was there). I paid $0 for shipping via Amazon, if I bought it directly through Stott they wanted an extra $300 for shipping. The shipping company was great (Eagle). They brought it right to my apartment. I am 100% thrilled with this. I have to pay $75 a session in my local Pilates studio (plus tax) to get a reformer workout once a week. Now I can do it everyday if I want and it will pay for itself in no time. Great quality. Can't find a thing to complain about other than now I have a huge empty box I have to break down and get out of my apartm
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Featuring a patented floating-wheel technology for a whisper-smooth ride, this professional-grade reformer from Stott Pilates allows more than 250 Pilates exercises to be conducted at home. The reformer has an adjustable foot bar and a carriage-stopping system that regulates hip and knee flexion to accommodate different heights and abilities. It has four 100%-tension reformer springs and one 50%-tension reformer spring.Weighing just 100 pounds, the reformer has attractive chrome detailing and can be easily moved around on its built-in wheels.

Included with the reformer:

Workout DVD with safety segment
Reformer box and foot strap
Double loop straps
Easy Start exercise poster
Warranty/safety manual

Specifications:

Dimensions: 97 inches long by 22 inches wide by 9 inches tall
Weight: 100 pounds
Patented floating-wheel technology
Accommodates different heights and abilities
Four 100%-tension reformer springs, one 50%-tension reformer spring
Built-in wheels for moving
Soft reformer loops and ropes
Three gearbar positions
Six carriage stopping positions
Three headrest positions
Four footbar positions
Detachable shoulder rests
Easy-roll wheels
Secure spring housing system

About Stott Pilates
Lindsay and Moira Merrithew met in New York City when he was studying at Juilliard School of Performing Arts and she was a dancer. While rehabilitating from a broken foot that ended her dancing career, she discovered a then-little-known exercise program developed by Joseph Pilates and became a Pilates instructor. When the couple moved to Toronto, where Lindsay pursued work in theatre, television, and film, they couldn't find proper equipment for Pilates exercises and decided to make their own equipment with the help of a carpenter. As Pilates began to gain wider recognition in the early 1990s, the Merrithews seized the opportunity to begin manufacturing modern, professional-quality Pilates equipment. Their company now operates some 30 Pilates training centers in North America in addition to manufacturing Pilates equipment and accessories

Stott Pilates At Home SPX Reformer

Schwinn Super Sport GS Adult Flat-Bar Road Bike

2008-07-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

Schwinn Super Sport GS Adult Flat-Bar Road Bike

Road bikes aren't just for racers, as the Schwinn Super Sport GS flat-bar road bike amply demonstrates. The bike is geared to the road rider who wants the efficiency only found in a road bike without the road-racing body position. It's perfect for all-day rides, light touring, and charity rides. The Super Sport GS features include an N'Litened Gold Label custom-butted alloy frame with bio-tuned geometry, an N'Litened Silver Label aluminum fork, an SRAM 24-speed drivetrain with X-Gen trigger shifters, an alloy handlebar and stem, bio-tuned ergonomic bar ends, and Kenda Kwest 28c tires.
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Specifications:

Frame: N'Litened Gold Label alloy frame with bio-tuned geometry
Fork: N'Litened Silver Label aluminum
Drivetrain: SRAM 24-speed drivetrain
Shifters: X-Gen trigger shifters
Crankset: FSA Vero triple cranks
Rims: Jalco double-wall rims
Tires: Kenda Kwest 28c
Bars: Alloy flat bar 6-degree bend
Stem: Alloy threadless, adjustable rise
Bearings: FSA 7420 sealed cartridge with chainline stabilizer
Pedals: FPD with toe clips and strap
Front derailleur: Mico shift FD-R438 flat bar road
Rear derailleur: SRAM SX4
Freewheel: SRAM PG 830 11-28 8-speed cassette
Brake levers: Tektro 3-finger alloy with reach adjust
Spokes: Bio-tuned ergonomic components with dual-density anatomical design
Headset: FSA integrated semi-cartridge bearing
Seat post: Alloy with forged micro-adjust head, 27.2 x 350mm
Extras: Bio-tuned ergonomic components with anatomical design handle bar ends

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that has been synonymous with quality and innovation. They have built some of the best-known and best loved bikes of numerous generations--Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to be a leader in the industry with innovative bikes such as the new Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America's most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages.

Review Weber 3821001 Spirit E-310 Natural Gas Grill, Black

2008-07-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

Weber 3821001 Spirit E-310 Natural Gas Grill, Black
Weber Spirit E-310 Natural Gas Grill, Black, Features An Enclosed Cart With Stainless Steel Doors & Handles, Painted Black Side & Rear Panels, Grills Are Constructed With A Porcelain Enameled Shroud With A Center Mounted Thermometer & Black Painted Cast Aluminum End Caps, The Cooking System, Rated At 36,000 BTUs Includes 3 Stainless Steel Burners & A Crossover Ignition System, Cooking Grates & Flavorizer Bars Are Porcelain Enameled, Primary Cooking Area Measures 424 SQIN, 5 SQIN, For A Total Cooking Area Of 611 SQIN, Includes 1 Removable Thermoset Work Surface, Right Hand & Left Hand Condiment Baskets, 3 Tool Holders, Precision Fuel Gauge, Locking Casters & Crackproof All Weather Wheels, Includes 10' Fexible Hose, Limited Warranty, Weber Cookbook Included, Replaces Weber Genesis Silver B, BLK NG Grill.

Weber Gas Grills | Weber Natural Gas Grills

Take backyard grilling to the next level with the power and performance of Weber's Spirit grill. A fully enclosed cart with stainless steel doors and handles make the Spirit E-310 grill a sharp-looking and long-term addition to any patio. The cart's sides, rear panels and cast-aluminum end caps are painted black to contrast the shiny steel. The unit is constructed with a porcelain-enameled shroud with center-mounted thermometer for easy temperature checks.

The cooking system, rated at 36,000 Btu's, includes 3 stainless steel burners. Weber's electronic Crossover ignition system lights all three burners in succession with the push of a button. Weber's porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars eliminate grease-fueled flare-ups that often occur with other grills. This design vaporizes fats and juices when they hit the angled bars, quickly sizzling them away, adding delicious, smoky barbecue flavor rather than cauterizing flames. The primary cooking area measures 424 square inches. But, a 112-square-inch warming rack along with a 75-square-inch basket give the Spirit a total of 611 square inches of cooking area-ample space for feeding full-scale patio gatherings.

Rugged, weather-resistant wheels roll easily and won't crack even in extreme temperatures for years of smooth transport. For optimal safety, the wheels also lock up to keep the grill from rolling while in use. Other features include 1 removable thermostat, right-hand and left-hand condiment baskets, 3 tool holders, precision fuel gauge, a 10-foot flexible hose, and a Weber cookbook. The Spirit is covered by Weber's limited lifetime warranty.

Cooking System

• 3 stainless-steel burners
• 36,000 BTU-per-hour input
• Crossover ignition system
• Porcelain-enameled cooking grates
• Porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars
• Primary cooking area: 424 square inches
• Warming rack area: 112 square inches
• Warm-Up basket area: 75 square inches
• Total cooking area: 611 square inches
• Tank not included with LP models
• Natural gas grill includes 10-foot flexible hose

Construction

• Porcelain-enameled shroud with a center-mounted thermometer and black-painted, cast-aluminum end caps
• Enclosed cart with stainless-steel doors and handles and black-painted side and rear panels
• 1 removable thermoset work surface
• 2 locking casters
• 2 crackproof all-weather wheels

Cool Stuff

• 3 tool holders
• Right-hand and left-hand condiment baskets
• Precision fuel gauge (LP models only)
• Limited warranty
• Weber cookbook

Dimensions (lid open)

• Height: 63 inches
• Width: 54 inches
• Depth: 30 inches

From the Manufacturer
The Spirit® E-310TM gas grill features an enclosed cart with stainless steel doors, handles, painted black side and rear panels. Constructed with a porcelain-enameled shroud with a center-mounted thermometer and blackpainted cast aluminum end caps. The cooking system, rated at 36,000 BTUs, includes 3 stainless steel burners and a Crossover® ignition system. Cooking grates and Flavorizer® bars are porcelain-enameled. The primary cooking area measures 424 sq. inches, the warming rack area measures 112 sq. inches, and Warm-Up basket area measures 75 sq. inches, giving a total cooking area of 611 sq. inches. Other features include 1 removable thermoset work surface, right-hand and left-hand condiment baskets, 3 tool holders, precision fuel gauge, locking casters, and crackproof all-weather wheels. Tank is not included with LP grills and all natural gas grills include a 10-ft flexible hose. Weber® cookbook included.

Revere Undermount 21-by-15-3/4-by- 8-1/2 Inch Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

2008-06-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Revere Undermount 21-by-15-3/4-by- 8-1/2 Inch Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

The Revere Single Bowl Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink contains a high lustre diamond glow finish. It's made of 20 guage premium 304 nickel-bearing stainless steel. It is undercoated to prevent condensation and retain heat.

Features

High Lustre Diamond Glo finish
Fully undercoated Spray and Pads to deaden sound, prevent condensation and retain heat
Elegant in appearance and unsurpassed for stain resistance
20 guage premium 304 nickel-bearing stainless steel
Lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship to the original purchaser

Mineral Makeup

2008-06-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Since time immemorial make up has always been an essential part of every woman's life. From wedding parties to family get together and informal gatherings every woman applied make up to look beautiful and youthful. Although it might make the face look good but the harmful effects of make up were always ignored. Regular application of makeup resulted in aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and an overall decrease in the natural face value. Thereafter a healthy makeup was required and a mineral based makeup was created by Bare Escentuals in 1976 and was named by Diane Ranger in 1977.

Mineral make up, by definition, is makeup products made from minerals. It comprises of a variety of natural minerals found in the earth's crust and is free of chemicals, alcohols, dyes and other preservatives. These minerals are finely milled, pulverized, purified and coated with inorganic pigments before reaching the end consumers. The coated pigments are for coloring and shimmering effects. The most common minerals often used are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, iron oxide and bismuth oxychloride. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have anti-inflammatory properties and are the best UV blockers.

There are several reasons to why these cosmetics made of minerals have become a rising trend in the cosmetic industry. The first and foremost advantage is that the makeup provides an excellent sun protection and is potentially free from fragrance, preservatives and oils. Secondly, they will not clog pores, are water resistant and will not support bacterial growth. Some of the mineral cosmetics also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin A, C, E, and K and green tea extract. These provide a long lasting application in less expenditure without getting faded out. In humid countries like India, these mineral cosmetics are the perfect products because humidity melts off make up in a very short span of time. No company has ever boosted for their mineral cosmetics but these are some of the consumer reviews for mineral make up.

A pure mineral face makeup is combined with inorganic pigments that help to achieve the desired color. It stays for longer and is much lighter and effective, the best products for people with acne and sensitive skin. Bare mineral make up are cosmetics with loose minerals that are free from waxes and oils. These are used to cover imperfections and offer UV protection.

Following are some of the most widely used ingredients in mineral cosmetics:

• Titanium Dioxide: A natural anti-inflammatory agent that blocks ultra violet rays. It is the perfect oxide for any skin type.

• Kaolin Clay: A china clay that has good oil absorbing properties.

• Mica: A natural glitter that is often used to add color and shimmer.

• Serecite: colorless mica that is used to increase shine.

• Zinc Oxide: A naturally occurring sunscreen that provides strong resistance to UV rays.

• Sericite Mica: It is a mixture of a natural pigment derived from muscovite mica and titanium dioxide. This mineral make up recipe is used for personal care products, lotions and soaps.

• Magnesium Stearate: A recipe made from esters of magnesium stearic acid. This recipe is used face powders, mascara, eye shadows, creams and ointments.

• Bismuth Oxychloride: A recipe made from fine crystals composed of bismuth and salt. This mineral recipe is used for face powders, foundations, lipsticks and mascara.

It is believed that various mineral oils are used for aromatherapy in order to achieve beautiful and healthy skin. Some people also prefer yoga and different yoga positions help them to attain beautiful skin- the healthiest way of improving skin health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennie_Gandhi

Tips on Choosing an Ultrasonic Toothbrush

2008-06-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

So you go to the dentist and you are lucky this time you don't have any cavities. Your doctor reminds you to brush and floss and you walk out with the manual toothbrush - good for only three months. As you walk out to pay your bill you run your tongue across those dentist cleaned teeth and "Wow" does that feel good. Do you want that feeling all the time with out the harping of the dentist? Now would be a good time to choose an ultrasonic toothbrush.

You say too much money? Phillips Sonicare comes with 90 day no risk guarantee with receipt and Oral B Sonic comes with a 30 day 100% guarantee full refund no questions asked with receipt. Trying is believing. Lets face it, how many of us have a two minute timer in the bathroom and actually brush our teeth for "professional recommended two minutes"? Both companies put a two minute timer that either stops or indicates when it is done. Both toothbrushes come with travel cases.

People who have arthritis should use an electric toothbrush to make it easier for them. Health problems associated with diabetes should spend extra attention to their teeth. Pregnancy takes a extra toll on your teeth usually associated with bleeding and swollen gums. In all these cases using an electric toothbrush would be beneficial. Ultrasonic toothbrushes brush your teeth fast, 30,000 times per minute to be exact. This helps to remove plaque from between teeth.

I have personally used both brands. I started out with Phillips Sonicare and I really loved that "dentist clean". I had this for about a year. I had to call customer service because the toothbrush handle was cracking. They replaced the handle and I mailed the other one back all in a timely matter.

Around six months later, it happened again. This is when they asked me what type of toothpaste I was using? I am a fan of Arm & Hammer Advance White toothpaste , they said that you can't use a baking soda and peroxide toothpaste, we would have to change. Apparently the peroxide was eating away and cracking the plastic. So I changed toothpaste. After 5 different toothpastes, I couldn't find any that worked as well as Arm & Hammer. I returned the whole toothbrush back to the company and they refunded all my money. It was worth it to have all my receipts. I then bought an Oral B Sonic and it has been great. It is much lighter in weight and I have had it for over a year with no problems. The replacement toothbrush heads for the oral-b are much less expensive than the sonicare heads.

So you really have nothing to lose, both companies have a guarantees! The best thing that can happen is your dentist asks you what you have been doing, your teeth look great!

Gary Nave helps consumers choose the right toothbrushes for their needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Nave

Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush with Sanitizer Review

2008-05-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush with Sanitizer

From the makers of the number one recommended power toothbrush brand by dental professionals, Philips Sonicare introduces FlexCare, the most advanced power toothbrush ever. Featuring a new innovative technology, FlexCare removes more plaque than Oral B's Triumph and even Sonicare Elite. The integrated ultraviolet (UV) Sanitizer removes up to 99 percent of bacteria* on your toothbrush.

The most advanced power toothbrush ever.

Built for your individual oral care needs, FlexCare offers three different cleaning modes and two routines to enhance your brushing experience.

Three modes include:
Clean - for maximum cleaning efficacy
Sensitive - for those with sensitive teeth and gums
Massage - to stimulate gums with a invigorating and pulsing motion

Routines include:
MaxCare - which delivers a 3-minute, thorough, full-mouth clean
GoCare - for a quick 1-minute clean between regular brushings

The new ProResults brush head works in a broad sweeping motion with contour fit bristles to help increase tooth coverage. This, combined with Sonicare's patented sonic technology, creates a high speed bristle motion that allows a powerful but gentle dynamic cleaning action, ensuring a deep clean between teeth and along the gum line. Additional features include a 30 percent smaller and lighter design and an 80 percent reduction in vibration (compared to Sonicare Elite).

The specially engineered UV sanitizer helps to eliminate bacteria commonly found on your toothbrush. Simply place the brush head in the FlexCare sanitizing unit, and with a single push of a button, your brush will be sanitized. The UV Sanitizer utilizes similar ultraviolet technology used in hospitals to clean and store your toothbrush so you know it is always ready for the next use.

2-year Warranty
The FlexCare comes with a 2-year warranty, but remember to replace your brush head at least every three months for optimal results.

Sonicare FlexCare Features
	FlexCare System 3 Flexible brushing modes 2 Personalized cleaning routines
	ProResults brush head Provides better plaque removal and a comfort-enhanced brushing experience
	UV sanitizer One simple push of the buttom safeguards against bacteria
	Two Contoured brush heads Standard is ideal for complete cleaning Compact provides precision cleaning
	Smartimer 2-minute timer helps ensure dental professional recommended brushing time
	Quadpacer 30-second interval timer encourages thorough brushing of each quadrant of your mouth
	Deluxe recharge guage Green light level tracks battery charge and yellow light signals when to recharge
	Multi-voltage compact travel charger Compact charger lets you enjoy FlexCare while you're on the go

What's in the Box
Sonicare Toothbrush with two ProResults brush heads (Compact and Standard); UV Sanitizer with integrated charger; cord wrap, and brush head storage; travel charger; two hygenic travel caps; luxury soft travel case; and three additional color code rings.

The Leading Styles In Bra Technology Today

2008-05-27T05:44:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a never ending quest to design the perfect bra and while some great new designs come out every year there probably still isn't one that is considered perfect. Still, there are some that stand out over the others like the ones below.

Playtex is one of the oldest bra makers in the United States and while they may not be known for having the sexiest bras they are well known for their support and comfort, especially the eighteen hour design. This one features padded shoulder straps which keeps the shoulders from hurting and is excellent for those who are larger busted. This is an excellent choice for those women with extra support to keep everything in place.

Another popular choice these days is the low cut T-shirt bra from Gap. Not only does this bra feature outstanding comfort, flexibility, and style but it comes in a rainbow of colors at a great price. Another great plus is that it can be converted to a racerback style as well. One of the most popular colors is the nude color that is undetectable under white shirts or even lighter colors. This bra is also very durable and will last through many washes.

The Demi bra from Jockey has received rave reviews since it was first introduced. With well designed cups that are perfectly padded and well shaped this bra is great under tank tops and T-shirts. Another feature is the thin design of the straps which helps them to not be visible but at the same time does not cut into shoulders.

The Lily of France bra is one that serves multiple purposes as it can be worn for work and can be modified in the evening for a more sexy look. One of the best features is its ability to enhance one's cleavage giving lift and boost where it is needed. These bras are comparable to some of the more expensive types on the market at a more budget friendly price.

Of course no discussion about bras could be complete without mentioning Victoria's Secret. Their Gel Bra and the Very Sexy Bra are extremely popular for them and account for a lot of their sales. Not only are these super comfortable but they are also extremely durable in addition to being incredibly sexy.

Other noteworthy bras include those from Wacoal and Nu Bra. Wacoal tends to offer more utilitarian styles than sexy ones but they are a very good choice for especially for larger busted women as well as women who are larger in general as they have a wide range of cup sizes and support levels. The Divine Body Bra from Nu Bra is one that is excellent for enhancing one's bust size and features no straps.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about lingerie as well as intimate apparel at http://www.elitelingerieshop.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Cotton Bath Towels - Choosing The Best

2008-05-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

The cotton bath towels that you decide to purchase are for a practical purpose, of course, but this does not mean that you should settle for plain, boring towels that you and your family will quickly tire of looking at and tire of using! If you put just a little careful thought into it, your whole family will find this basic necessity enjoyable to use every day and a lovely way to make the bathroom uniquely their own.

Main Criteria

When you are thinking about purchasing towels, the two main points to keep in mind are your family members' individual tastes and the décor of your bathroom. It will be a very nice touch to present each person with his or her own favorite color or design; and these towels are readily available in such a wonderful array of designs and colors that it will be easy to find something that each person will love.

An additional bonus to making your selection of towels based on this method is that it will also end the confusion and quarrels about which towels belong to which person-- everyone will have what he needs when he needs one.

Size And Thickness

Many people are also delighted to find that cotton bath towels are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. While some prefer the standard size, others have a distinct preference for the larger style known as bath sheets. These larger sizes are also ideal for trips to the beach and picnics in the park-- although many people like them better than smaller towels simply because they are more comfortable and convenient to use on a regular, everyday basis. In addition, the extra-bright colors and designs will look absolutely great hanging on your towel rack!

Some people also appreciate the luxurious, fluffy feeling of thicker bath towels. These are also quite easy to find; and, in addition to the extra comfort provided by this type of towel, they will also give a warmer, more inviting appearance to your bathroom than standard towels. The extra thickness of these towels will give a rich, elegant look, so your bathroom will be as fashionable as it is functional.

Pleasant-To-Use Material

While nearly any type of towel that you can purchase for your bathroom would work fine for its practical purpose, selecting cotton bath towels will give you a much nicer variety to choose from and look much nicer in your bathroom. The material itself is more pleasant to use than other types of towels that you may be considering.

All-natural cotton has a better texture, a better feel to the skin, and is much more absorbent than other kinds of materials. When you think about all of these benefits that you will have with all-natural cotton, it is unlikely that you would want to buy any other type of towels for your family's use. As cotton bath towels are available in such a great variety of sizes, colors and designs, you will be able to find just the right one for each member of your family.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bathrooms-And-Showers.com. He provides more resources on topics such as organic bath towels, handicap shower and aromatherapy bath oil that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ernest_Jarquio

Tips For Choosing The Best Car Seat

2008-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Children in the United States between five and fourteen are more likely to die in automobile accidents than any other cause, and thousands more are injured every year. Many of these deaths or injuries could be prevented if parents had strapped their children into car seats correctly. Here are some tips to help you choose the right car seat for your child.

Never use a hand-me-down or used car seat. Safety standards change and technology continually improves. Though it might be tempting to save a little money, your child's safety isn't worth the risk. Accept those clothing hand-me-downs, and purchase new car seat.

Find the right seat for your child's age and weight. There are several kinds of car seats on the market. Infant car seats or "carriers" often come with a detachable base. The base is fastened securely into the car with the seatbelt, and the carrier portion lifts out so you can take baby into the house or store. You can also purchase infant seats that clip right onto your stroller. Baby seats, for children over 20 lbs and one-year-old are larger and stay fastened into the car all the time. Booster seats can be used by children who are 4'9" and taller.

If you travel often, make sure the car seat is FAA approved for air travel. Your child is much safer in his car seat when traveling on the airplane - if you experience turbulence, he'll be safely buckled in.

Install the seat correctly. Infants up to 20 lbs, or under one year of age should always ride facing the rear. Make sure to follow the directions carefully for installation - many parents think they have their car seat installed properly, but haven't followed all directions. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website for proper installation instructions, along with other tips: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

Check to see if your car seat has been recalled. You can call the Auto Safety Hotline at 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236) or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm.

Consider purchasing more than one car seat for your child. Properly installing a child seat can take time. If you have more than one car, or the child will be traveling often with grandparents or caregivers, purchase seats for each car. This will save you lots of time and ensure that each seat is installed correctly.

Replace car seats that have been involved in an auto accident. A moderate collision can compromise the safety of your child seat. The NHTSA considers a crash minor if all the following are true:

a. The vehicle could be driven away from the crash.

b. The vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged.

c. No one in the vehicle was injured.

d. The air bags did not go off.

e. You can't see any damage to the car safety seat.

Always install child seats in the back seat, especially if your car is equipped with air bags. An air bag is deadly to a small child, even if they are in a safety seat. Some vehicles, such as trucks that only have one row of seats, are equipped with an on/off switch for passenger air bags. In this case, turn off the airbag.

Katie Franklin is a researcher and writer on parenting, children and child development. She is a regular contributor at Child Development Media She also contributes to the Child Development Media Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Franklin

Car Seat Safety

2008-05-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

I ran across a really emotional video this past month over at YouTube regarding the death of a toddler because his seat belt/car seat failed. Since that time, I've sort of been on a mission to talk about the car seat I recently purchased for my house.

It all started because my twin nephews were coming for a month long visit from California and while here, one of them had a growth spurt which meant a new car seat. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to get the Radian80 by Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products.

At first, the Radian80 car seat was going home with my sister-in-law but the more I thought about the video I watched, and the more I read about the naivety of others concerning car seats, the more my sister-in-law and I realized that keeping the car seat for times when I babysat kids of relatives and friends was a good idea-that way, I'd be a responsible sitter.

Gung ho over the Radian80 car seat, I decided to write a review on it over at our blog. Several months later, that review is still the most popular post on my blog.

Suffice to say, the Radian80 car seat receives a hearty recommendation from me. It grows with your child, the straps are adjustable, it's passed crash tests, and it can even go on an airplane. And my nephew, well let me just say that once we got him into that car seat he would not go back to his old car seat. In fact, if we attempted to put him into the old car seat, he freaked out. After a week of using the Radian80 car seat, my sister-in-law called home and suggested that her husband pick up two new car seats before she returned.

Now, I'm making a few posts about the car seat on various blogs and forums, all the while promoting my parenting magazine-I know shameless plug! But in an ironic way, it's a good thing because it is getting me back in touch with my audience-parents!

At any rate, if you are serious about protecting your children while in your car may I make a few suggestions?

1. Before purchasing a new car seat, find out if it has been recalled due to safety issues. You can do that by checking out the following links: http://www.cpsc.gov/ and http://www.carseat.org/Recalls/recall.shtml (And don't forget to check to see if your car's seatbelt may be defected. http://www.seatbeltdefects.com)

2. When you don't know which car seat to pick, visit forums (like http://car-seat.org/) where parents are discussing such issues. Knowing what other parents think, what experiences they've had, and why they decided the way they did could help you make an informed decision.

3. Understand how car seats are supposed to work and be installed. When in doubt, read your instruction manual, visit sites like Keep Kids Healthy (http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/WELCOME/safety/car_seats_safety or http://www.lpch.org/forPatientsVisitors/CommunityResources/fittingStation.html), visit car seat inspection stations (http://www.seatcheck.org/), or visit your local police station-they often have programs to help make sure your children are properly restrained.

4. Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits properly in your vehicle.

5. Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits the height and weight of your child.

6. When the straps on your child's car seat become too snug, or your child has difficulty sitting in his/her car seat comfortably, don't wait. Get out there and buy a car seat that fits your child! Take the Safety Belt Fit test (http://www.usa.safekids.org/CPSWeek2006/documents/safety-belt-test.pdf).

7. If the seatbelts in your car are not working properly, take your car in and have them fixed-they could truly mean the difference between life and death.

8. Whenever possible place your child's car seat in the middle of your back seat-away from either side of the vehicle.

9. Make sure your child is in the rear facing position and at a 45 degree recline if he/she is under one year old. And always place rear facing car seats in the back seat-away from air bags.

10. Never buy a car seat based solely on affordability-especially if it's used.

11. Throw away any car seat that has been in a motor vehicle accident!

12. Once the car seat is positioned and belted, wiggle it around to make sure the car seat belt is holding the car seat in place. In other words, the car seat isn't loose.

In the end, your child is only as safe as the precautions you take.

Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum®, a free parenting publication, and the author of several work from home e-books designed to help parents earn extra cash while spending more time with their children. To learn more, visit her at http://thedabblingmum.com/ebookstore

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alyice_Edrich