Reviews by ToddK

ToddK says "Always puts me to sleep" about Sunbeam Microplush Warming Throw

ToddK — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:55:32 GMT

This throw is both a curse and a blessing. Basically, if you want to fall asleep fast, this throw will do just that. I could be running around full of energy and then sit on the couch and notice the throw is still warm. Instantly I will become drowsy and more than likely not make it off the couch until one of my kids pulls the throw off of me. Like I said, both a blessing and a curse...

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ToddK says "Good, but can't wait for the future" about Motorola S9 Bluetooth Headset

ToddK — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:07:56 GMT

I have been putting off buying a bluetooth headset for a while, but I decided to give the Motorola S9 a shot because it is a stereo headset and I have just about had it with cords. I am very picky when it comes to music headphones and even worse with cell phone headsets. With all that said, I decided to try a bluetooth headset with the intention of returning it due to poor quality. I think I was wrong...

Sound: As mentioned, I am picky about my headphones and am currently used to the quality of the Bose in ear headphones. The S9 doesn't have that quality, but it really impresses me with how well it sounded. Bass is rich and full and overall a clear sound.

Phone mic: Works well when in quiet settings. When in the car or home, the S9 works just fine, but once you are faced with traffic noise, wind, trains (I commute) I am not as happy and typically won't use my headset for those conditions. I DOES work, but the person you are talking to will have to suffer thru a noisy conversation.........

ToddK says "Lots of products, low service if you need it" about Kohl's - Oswego, IL

ToddK — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:59:15 GMT

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ToddK says "Another Great Blackberry" about RIM BlackBerry Bold 9000 Smartphone

ToddK — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:36:24 GMT

My Goal: Find a "smart phone" that can replace my laptop 80% of the time
Solution: Blackberry Bold

Why: Blackberry has spent the time on key functionality that actually allows a user tools for productivity vs. meaningless apps (well, they aren't all meaningless)

I have been a BBerry user for over 7 years and have always been happy with their products. While not the most sexy phones out there (most look like hockey pucks) they deliver the functionality necessary to get a job done quickly. One of the tools that I enjoy the most with the Bold is the fact that I can run multiple applications at the same time. I do a lot of research in my line of work and there are many times that I'll be browsing the web on my phone and need to capture a thought or COPY AND PASTE (sorry iphone users, you have to wait). With the blackberry bold, I haven't had any problems navigating from one program to another while leaving them open. If you are a avid computer user, you know about the ALT + Tab...

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ToddK says "Great way to keep a watchful eye" about Summer Infant Baby's Quiet Sounds Video Monitor

ToddK — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:10:40 GMT

I picked up the Summer infant baby video monitor after we had our second child and I couldn't be happier. The system does exactly what you would expect, but I was happy with the installation and overall picture quality in dark conditions.

I will note that while the picture quality is great, I did have some issues finding the proper place to put the monitor as I noticed that certain parts of the house created interferences that made the picture hard to view. In some placements, I've even created my own DIY antenna with some aluminum foil and a strategically placed wire that solved some of my interference problems.

Another item that I REALLY enjoy is the night vision capabilities. While the baby sleeps, the night vision does a great job at utilizing the ambient light in the room. Long story short, you can see your baby in the dark!

The only thing I would change is the addition of a flexible / extend-able antenna, but that's about it.

I highly recommend the Summer infant baby video monitor......

ToddK says "So Fast / Consistent " about FedEx

ToddK — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:52:21 GMT

I have had great success with Fed ex and will use them again. I've often wondered when Fedex would begin loosing their edge, but they have been very consistent with their schedule. ...

ToddK says "Dell XPS M1530, you are stealing my heart" about Dell XPS M1530 Laptop

ToddK — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:10:55 GMT

Let me first start by saying that I am a huge IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad fan, but when I switched jobs, my only option was Mac vs. Dell. I choose Dell as I feel more of a connection with PCs vs. Macs (Mac fans don't bother commenting as you are part of the reason why I can't associate myself with Macs ;-p) Back to my story...

I wasn't very excited to get the Dell as I have formed opinions over the years that ThinkPad was the superior machine and to top it off, I was taking the plunge into the feared Vista world. First, some specs:
Dell XPS M1530
(256 MB graphics card, 15 inch display, 4 gigs ram, 2.4ish gig duo processor, big HDD, integrated camera, fingerprint reader, the whole 9 yards)

I haven't done benchmark tests (and won't) but I do monitor my system and notice that the Dell XPS M1530 is not skipping a beat. I am very finicky with my system as most heavy computer users are and I'm very happy with the performance thus far. I have also set up a dual boot for Linux (yeah, I'm a geek)......

ToddK says "Not Ready for Linux" about D-Link Xtreme N Notebook Adapter DWA-652

ToddK — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:33:59 GMT

This is a fine N router for your standard PC machine, but unfortunately D-Link does not provide Linux drivers and I don't believe they will.

I have an old "G" router at home with the hopes to some day update my router to the "N" class. With that said, I don't have specifics on how much faster / better range the new card offers at the moment. There were no issues installing and connecting to my current wireless system....

ToddK says "Can't cook without my Henkel Four Star" about J.A. Henckels Four Star 10 inch

ToddK — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:46:54 GMT

The Henckel Four Star 10 inch chef's knife is my favorite knife in my kitchen. Being an avid cook that loves to find the right tools for prep work, I haven't found a better knife. I have had my henckel for over 8 years and with VERY little maintenance, I still have a an incredibly sharp blade.

I have tried many other Henckel and other branded knives including different length blades and styles, but the Henckel Four Star 10" is my default knife. I think the reason why I enjoy this blade so much is the force in which it cuts. To be specific, when cutting a larger item like a potato, the 10 inch blade offers me the proper leverage to easily slice and dice. If anybody has had to cut a bag of potatos in one session, you know how fatigued your hand can get if you don't have the proper knife.

I've also tried electric knives in the past for carving meats (present from my mother in-law) and have found that I go back to the trusty Henckel 10 inch chef blade. One thing to keep in mind......

ToddK says "Great fresh bread" about Zojirushi Bread Machine - Home Bakery Supreme BBCC-X20

ToddK — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:06:08 GMT

I purchased the Zojirushi Bread Machine (BBCC-X20) with the full expectation that it would be used once and then sit on my counter utilizing precious counter space. As you can imagine, my wife and I had differing opinions on the necessity of this product. I didn't win the "debate" and quickly found myself staring at a machine I had no love towards.

Long story short, I have changed my tune once we created our first loaf of bread. While the process of making the bread was foreign to me (never made my own bread) I was impressed with the basic instructions provided with the machine. Once I got the hang of creating basic breads, I then found myself looking for more exotic recipies online. I've made some really great bread and some that the dogs wouldn't touch (my fault) but at the end of the day, I have to say I'm really glad we have the Zojirushi Bread Machine.

One last thought, we do a lot of entertaining at our house and there is nothing better than baking a fresh loaf right in time......