Reviews by ballhawkdawk

ballhawkdawk says "Epson makes a real workhorse!!" about Epson CX8400 InkJet Printer

ballhawkdawk — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:36:46 GMT

I have owned this all-in-one for 5 months now. One of my hobbies (trying to turn into business) is taking boring photos, adding backgrounds, text, inserts, etc. and then printing out. I use the scanner part to scan in photos (or card reader) and, of course, the printer to print. In a week's time, I put this printer through some very strenuous work.

This machine can handle a workload! Its speed is really good, print quality is outstanding, and scanner speed is fast!! Some of the features I use most are:

1. The scanner options. This gives you the ability to do a custom scan with plenty of options, or you can just use auto mode, which does a really nice job.
2. Copy features. I am always needing to enlarge a photo or change layout, add border, etc. This printer does all this and is not too complicated.
3. The restore feature. I have had to use a lot of older photos as an original. This mode allows me to enhance these older pics and make them look new again! Very easy to do!

There are a few...

ballhawkdawk says "OUTSTANDING image quality!!" about Canon - PowerShot A620 Digital Camera

ballhawkdawk — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:09:40 GMT

My great aunt (appx 75 yrs old) bought this camera to go with her canon all-in-one printer. After she purchased it, she called me and asked if I would come and set it up for her. I did. This camera blew me away with its simplicity and image quality! There are a few reasons why I would recommend this camera to anyone...

1. Picture quality: Many cameras boast 10 megapixel (or even more). But what are they really tranlating to a printed out picture? Usually ALOT less. They use interpolated megapixels. This means that they capture the image at 5 megapixel, but the camera processes and extra pixel for every true pixel, thus, you have 10 megapixels. The result: inadequate picture quality. This is not true for this Canon. The image quality is amazing! When I printed a picture, It looked better that what you would get from a photo lab!!

2. Ease of use: Don't get me wrong, this camera has many shooting modes and ways to tweak settings for image capture. But, when it comes to a beginner using a camera,......

ballhawkdawk says "Monster is ALWAYS top quality!!" about Monster Cable (127955)

ballhawkdawk — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:34:45 GMT

Back in my days of selling flat-panel and slim-line projection TV's, I would have alot of customers calling me, complaining that they either didn't know what to clean their TV with or that they had scratched their TV using windex. To either customer, before they left my store, I would recommend them MONSTER SCREEN CLEANER!

They would always think I was just trying to get thier money or add on to the sale, but I was genuinely concerned with their product.

Monster Screen Cleaner is the only one of its kind (that I've ever used) that doesn't run down the screen. You spray it, and it stays until you rub it in with the micro-fiber rag (provided). It doesn't take much and it always does a really good job! Plus, the alcohol-free solution is good for your screen and causes ZERO damage. The only draw-back is....price. You can purchase other brands, like Nexxtech, for about half the price. However, they do run and don't work quite as well.
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ballhawkdawk says "Doesn't slow down your pc, like others do!!" about Trend Micro 2008 Edition: PC-cillin Internet Security Software

ballhawkdawk — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:13:47 GMT

Trend Micro is a brand I would recommend you remember when you are out shopping for a new anit-virus/spyware removal program. In the world of such programs, you have 2 names that really stand out.....Norton and McAfee. While these 2 programs are pretty good, there are a couple of things that really stand out...

1. I had Norton on my pc. I purchased Trend Micro on a friend's recommendation. I bought the step up from the one that is pictured (its 49.99, has anti spyware added and can be used on 3 pc's). Now I had just ran a scan with Norton when in installed Trend Micro. It picked up alot of stuff that Norton left behind! This program is VERY thorough. No trojan horse, adware or spyware gets past its defenses!

2. Norton and McAfee, even Webroot, use up alot of your computer's resources. You can easily see this when you boot your pc, it seems to take forever for your anti-virus and spyware to load! Well, these programs do not effect the boot up only. They slow down your cpu's speed overall.......

ballhawkdawk says "Simple, yet very effective!" about Bose - 3-2-1 GSX Home Theater System

ballhawkdawk — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:57:26 GMT

So, you may have heard the saying, "all highs, no lows...bose.". Well, they must have missed this system when they came up with that!

Just about every surround sound system includes: a receiver, a center channel speaker, right front and left front speaker, right rear and left rear speaker, and subwoofer. With this bose system, you get a slimline subwoofer, two tiny front (left and right) speakers and a receiver/DVD player combo unit. Bose definately proves dynamite comes in small packages! From the remote, to the sub, you can easily tell, just by looking, that this is a quality system. Bose has always and will always go the extra mile for their customers.

The 321 has tons of bells and whistles, but as for this review, we'll just keep it simple......

I've installed this system, as well as many other surround sound systems, and I must say, as far as symplicity goes, this system takes the cake! Also, as far as other manufaturer's versions of a 321 look-alike, they just can't get it right and......

ballhawkdawk says "It gets the job done, but wireless fm is not the way to go." about Monster Cable - iCarPlay Wireless Plus Car / Plane Charger, FM Transmitter for Apple iPod shuffle (AISHFMCHPS)

ballhawkdawk — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:17:46 GMT

I've ALWAYS been a firm believer in Monster products. As far as I can tell (installed alot of these) the Monster transmitter holds up really well, and, compared to the others I've seen on the market, does just as good as most, if not better.

The problem most people don't realize is, the FCC forced manufacturers to cut down the strength of wireless FM modulation because they were bleeding over into other people's radios, forcing a neighboring car to listen to other people's music (which could be obscene).
This is why XM, Sirius and other items with wireless transmission built in do not work well.

My advice, get you local installer to hardwire you a connection for your mp3 or ipod. Its realitively inexpensive and well worth it!!
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ballhawkdawk says "You get what you pay for in this one!" about Memorex Super Slim Progressive Scan DVD Player

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:36:23 GMT

So, you want to buy a DVD player and save some money in the process? Well, you better think twice on this one....

Lacks in quality and features..
I've been around the DVD player world and back. After my travels, I've decided that, especially on newer players, 2 features are a must, and this player has neither. Need #1: Some sort of upconversion system. Most newer players have 1080i upconversion or at least some technology used to improve a DVD movie's quality to keep up with todays HDTVs. Need #2: HDMI and digital optical output. HDMI is the connection that everything is going to. Would you buy something that is outdated while its still in the box? And, digital optical out is necessary, not because its better than digital coax, but because it's more universally used and will interface with more TVs and home theater systems.

Built very poor..
I know of 2 people who bought this unit and both of them had problems at around 3 months. Good thing for the manufacturer that the warranty is only 90......

ballhawkdawk says "Works everytime, no problems....just simple." about Gillette Shave Gel, Moisturizing

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:19:40 GMT

I'm completely obsessed by looking my best. I'm not saying that I'm an extremely handsome fella, but I'm gonna get as close as I can. Thats why I try EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN when it comes to men's personal hygiene. And, that being said, I think my opinion could be valued by quite a few guys out there....

When you've tried everything:
The thing about shave gel is, every brand has a gimmick and, if you're like me, you are suckered in by those gimmicks and you try their product. When I first tried Gillette Gel, I absolutely LOVED it! But, I saw the Nivea gel....had to try it, then I saw Nutrogena....had to try it, etc., etc. The thing is, Gillett is less-expensive and much better in my opinion!

The bottome line:
Gillette absolutely ERASES razor burn. It comes in many, wonderful scents. The dispenser works well, everytime....which makes it easy to apply. And, it leaves your face feeling soft and smooth, with no need for aftershave lotion.

So, with all these benefits, and considering the price,......

ballhawkdawk says "I use it everyday, at 32, I still get carded!" about Vaseline Intensive Care Total Moisture Dry Skin Lotion 24.5 oz

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:57:16 GMT

I'm not saying that this lotion is the fountain of youth, but at the age of 32, I do get carded all the time when i buy products that require 18 years or older!! I don't know if it's just a coicidence that I use this stuff everyday, and have for a very long time....but I'm definately not going to risk it!

Also, I have some sort of weird skin condition that causes my skin to dry out on the sides of my nose and at my eyebrows, and I mean it dries out BAD! This stuff does the trick and I don't have to worry bout it for the rest of the day.

I'd say, price vs. benefit..............this stuff ROCKS!!
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ballhawkdawk says "More than you bargained for, but still lacks on sound." about Dual Electronics LU43P Main / Stereo Speaker

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:45:51 GMT

I will give Dual this much..... for a really inexpensive outdoor speaker, they aren't too shabby. With most cheaper brands, you get what you pay for......tin can sound. With these Dual speakers, you actually get a pretty nice sound range, without alot of distortion.

On the flipside, if you are looking for a good quality speaker, this isn't it! You cannot push alot of power to these speakers, therefore, good sound at a higher volume is not going to happen. Also, an audiophile would notice the inaccuracy on sound reproduction. But then, an audiophile would NEVER buy Dual.

In all, if you are just looking for some sound out on the patio/deck and are on a tight budget and are not really concerned with tremendous sound quality, then these speakers might be right for you.
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ballhawkdawk says "Best gum......EVER!!!" about 5 GUM RAIN

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:19:13 GMT

In my line of work, I must ALWAYS have fresh breath. So, I guess, being that I've worked in this industry for almost 10 years, and I've always used gum to freshen my breath, I would consider myself a gum expert!

I have tried EVERY type of gum on the planet! NONE can compare to the taste, longevity and effectiveness of 5!!

I recommend it to everyone on the planet!!
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ballhawkdawk says "Now this is picture quality on a budget!" about Panasonic - Lumix DMC-FZ8

ballhawkdawk — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:10:43 GMT

This camera is a BIG bang for the buck! With a 12X optical zoom (which is the most important zoom measurement), using the Lumix lens system, you get better, more vibrant colors from a greater distance, resulting in a professional looking photo. The joystick is easy to use, especially when using the multi-point auto focus, which is also easy to use, and VERY quick! This camera can do wonderful movie shots at 30 fps in widescreen! Panasonic has made the camera that is the definition of versatility.

With the ten billion different shooting modes (not really ten billion), it gives you the flexibility you need. The biggest misconception when buying a camera is when someone buys a camera soley based on brand and megapixel rating. Here's an example of why this is a bad idea: I used a very popular brand of camera that was rated at 8 megapixel and had a 6X optical zoom. I was in a gym taking pics of my son's basketball game. EVERY pic turned out blurred, digitized and badly focused!...

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ballhawkdawk says "Did Dell take a step back on this model?" about Dell Inspiron E1705 Laptop

ballhawkdawk — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:45:55 GMT

In all, the Dell brand of laptop is a quality machine and has been one of the best on the market for a few years now. They do use cheaper parts in their computers to give the consumer a less-expensive product, but, in the competitive world of computer part manufacturing, most parts perform at about the same level. Therefore, Dell products are typically a sound investment.

Although Dell products are usually good buys, there are a few things that bother me about this particular model....

1. Unless you check your email and play solitare ONLY, this laptop is going to run choppy, at best. The 1gb of RAM is simply not enough to run Vista, that is, unless you plan on staring at the screen all day.

2. 100 gb hard drive is well below the standard for todays laptops. And, with the cost of upgrading a laptop hard drive, its better just to get a larger one to begin with.

3. Unless you plan on having this power-hungry plugged into an AC outlet at all times, the battery will run down in the blink of an eye......