Reviews by DrLadybug

DrLadybug says "Best central vacuum system" about Beam Serenity QS 325c Vacuum

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:21:48 GMT

I am pleased to provide a review on a central vacuum unit, as I found these nearly impossible to find when we were shopping around for one.

Let me say immediately that whichever central vac unit you choose, if you are building a home or adding the system to an older, JUST PAY FOR THE VAC PLUMBING!! Even someone with half the sensibility to install would be able to save a ton of cash. We paid around $750 to plumb the home for the central vac system in our new construction home, and then we saved over $1,000 by buying the central vac unit and accessories ourselves.

This Beam unit is compact, quiet, and fabulous. It has a 4-gallon dirt capacity (bagless and filterless) container that you just empty out when filled (if you vacuum 5-6 times a week, it will still take at least a month before you have to empty it). Like many central vac systems, the unit is installed in the garage, so any noise/sound is muffled in your home and annoying only to whatever you keep in the garage! Beam...

...

DrLadybug says "Another outstanding Samsung TV" about Samsung - LN52A650

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:59:03 GMT

Like the 46-inch Samsung flatscreen we own, this 52-inch has not disappointed. The picture quality is outstanding and blows away that of other TVs that we shopped for. We had previously been devotees of Mitsubishi, but TWO rear-projections in the last 5 years that we've owned (3 years was the longest life we got out of either of these two TVs) and have broken have given us sour grapes against them (and, for little more than the retail price of one Mitsubishi, we bought BOTH the 46- and 52-inch Samsungs). This is rather unfortunate, because Mitsubishi had the most outstanding picture quality, but the Samsung has so far very pleasantly surprised us. We also have a Samsung brand washer and dryer and have been pleasantly happy with those appliances, as well.

There's not much more I can say about the TV, as we are far more concerned with picture quality than features. We don't need picture-in-picture or DVR, as we mainly use the screens to watch movies and utilize our home theatre...

...

DrLadybug says "Exceptional TVs from Samsung" about Samsung - LN46A750

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:46:55 GMT

As we were thinking about having a TV downstairs, our upstairs rear-projection TV broke, so we were in the market (unfortunately!) for two. Samsung has not disappointed, so we ended up with two from them (for the price, I might add, of the one rear-projection with money to spare). We've owned two rear-projection Mitsubishi TVs, and though the picture quality is outstanding, BOTH have broken within 3 years. At a price upwards of $3K retail (we paid less from sales and negotiation), that's a LOT to spend once every 3.

We are very impressed with the quality and simplicity of Samsung. The picture quality blows away all others we'd viewed and continue to be impressed with the output. We do enjoy and appreciate the widescreen (some do not like), and this is completely compatible with our stereo equipment and set-up. Again, having been let down twice by Mitsubishi, we have found a winner in Samsung. It even works perfectly with all our Apple TV- and sound-related products. We...

...

DrLadybug says "Outstanding dryer - kudos to Samsung!" about Samsung DV337AGW

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:28:03 GMT

As with washers, we poured over hundreds of reviews and kept coming up with positives for Samsung. Because of constant store screw-ups, we were "awarded" with newer Samsung W&D than we originally ordered (and depended upon the positive reviews for . . . !). We are definitely not disappointed!

The dryer has options either for "smart," sensing of the dryness of clothes, thus reducing drying time (however, this is the only slight negative I would give this dryer: it says that the clothes are dry, when they are still damp, so we often have to give it another round on "timed cycle" instead of "sensing" in order to get completely dry clothes -- this is essential, because too many times, I've put away slightly damp clothes and have had to throw them out because of the moldy smell that won't leave once it gets in). It's quiet, seems to have some kind of self-balancing feature to reduce vibration even more, and very efficient (gas appliances are highly preferred, and this is one). We're...

...

DrLadybug says "Exceptional wash machine" about Samsung - Vibration Reduction Technology Washer

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:18:32 GMT

We poured through hundreds of reviews looking for a good washer and dryer. Sorry to say that we got major sticker-shock: the last time we bough a new set (only 8 years prior), we bought BOTH machines -- and had money left over -- for the price we paid for JUST the washer this time around! :-/

That said, we never would have considered Samsung, but all reviews kept coming up as very positive and very reliable. Because of the painfully small area where we live and complete screw-ups from the store we bought from, they actually upgraded both models (to a newer) than the ones we tried to buy. The washer is a seemingly standard front-loader (our first), and it is extremely efficient. It uses very little water (far less than the dishwasher!) and very little high-efficiency detergent (we do a minimum of 2 loads per week and are still on the same 150-oz. bottle -- over 7 months!). It has multiple settings to accommodate for linens, towels, and the like, but even the normal wash is...

...

DrLadybug says "The non-energy efficient dishwasher" about Whirlpool Quiet Partner III

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:01:41 GMT

Brand new home with like appliances - that unfortunately "came with" the home. We opted for a black top, stainless steel DW in an ENERGY STAR certified home, and this is truly disappointing for a DW. Though it may very well be energy efficient, it runs through TONS of cycles and uses TONS of water. First, water runs and a couple mini-cycles are completed *before* the dishwasher ever shows the time remaining. When the clock does begin, the time display (on the "normal" setting) shows 90+ minutes remaining. Please tell me how it's energy or water efficient when a DW takes an HOUR AND A HALF just to clean dishes! In our former home, we had a perfectly good, inexpensive Fridgidare that took 30-40 minutes, used minimal water, and was quiet; for a new-fangled model, this one pales in comparison. The stainless steel tub is a nice feature, but the energy and water inefficiencies are enough to make me say with confidence that we would have never voluntarily bought a Whirlpool Gold...

...

DrLadybug says "Dependable, wonderful KitchenAid Fridge!" about KitchenAid KSRG25FVMS Refrigerator

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:51:14 GMT

First, we were dead-set *against* side-by-sides: we've never thought they were very efficient or space-conscious (and I still believe the latter; non-SBSs have much more space). However, with the most efficient setup being bottom freezer (not sure why fridges were EVER made with freezer on the top!) as cost-prohibitive, we ended up looking at SBSs. So many are so similar and really aren't that distinguishing in features, but surprisingly, the KitchenAid had the best appearance. The distinguishing factor was the outside appearance: not only do the handles curve (thus not making the fridge look "cheap"), but also, the water/ice panel is simple; too many other SBSs have obnoxious lights, buttons, and words. We are "neat freaks" and simpletons, so anticeptic works best for us! The outside panel has a light that can be turned off, and it's black, unobtrusive, and has one simple word above each of four buttons. Inside, there's really not much to a fridge and freezer, but one consideration...

...

DrLadybug says "Fantastic appliance, for a waffle maker!" about Black & Decker SweetHearts 500 watt

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:39:24 GMT

We got this waffle maker for our wedding 15 years ago; it is still going strong. We aren't the kind of people who collect appliances that do "only one function;" multi-functional items are much preferred, but if one likes waffles, unfortunately, this is the type of item that only does that one function! As far as waffle makers go, this one's a gem. We use it every week, and it has never let us down. It's really a no-brainer: heat it up, chirps when ready (along with light going off), pour on batter, let it sit, wait for the chirp, breakfast! Of course, the very best feature is the heart shape of the waffles; when hubby makes them, they're romantic to have served to me on a plate. :) We have had another type of maker (given a couple years after we got this one), and it had neither a light nor a chirp to signal when the waffles were done/ready, so we appreciated this one even more. I'm not sure how this one would compare to other waffle makers, but it does everything we've...

...

DrLadybug says "Good basic treadmill -- with a few flaws" about Proform Proform 680 Trainer

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:25:04 GMT

We read hundreds of reviews and wanted to make sure we got a treadmill that would last at least a few years. Because we live in a painfully small area, our local Sears kept giving back-order messages on treadmills, so we went with ProFrom directly. This is our first treadmill (another painful experience, as we came from San Diego, where walking could be done outside and year-round), and we're not overly impressed. It has almost too many pre-programmed exercise features, but I personally end up using the same one! Each of the 10 choices has an additional 10 choices for level of difficulty, so it's almost impossible to run out of options, and then there is always just setting up your own. I will NEVER run on it, because it shakes the entire home, but with walking, it has a constant squeak -- so my biggest complaint is not only that a BRAND NEW treadmill has a squeak, but also that the so-called Customer Service has NEVER responded to ANY emails about this problem. I'm rating it...

...

DrLadybug says "Above average microwave, especially for Whirlpool" about Whirlpool E91773 1000 Watts

DrLadybug — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:15:19 GMT

Have a brand new home with like appliances. Not sure if this is how all over-the-stove microwaves are, but the biggest complaint is that there are gaps that allow air free-flowing on all sides; therefore, EVERY time we cook, it sets off the smoke detector! That said, the actual functions of this Whirlpool microwave are good. It has quick, easy-to-read buttons, though it seems to need a "pause" button, where you can maintain the time if you need to check on the microwaved item rather than having to cancel and start over. Truly, all that's really needed on a microwave are popcorn and number buttons, but there's always additional bells and whistles. The auto pizza button is helpful because it reheats the pizza slowly, but sometimes it does still over-do the heat. In all, it's a pretty powerful microwave that does an above average job, but the lack of secure seal between the sides (we also had the builder re-install it, but to no avail) for ventilation is really horrible and defeats...

...