Reviews by brystmy

brystmy says "Don't be an iPod sheep; Zune combines form and function" about Microsoft - Zune 80GB Digital Media Player

brystmy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:39:14 GMT

Before I give my review of the Zune 80GB Digitial Media Player, I should say up front that I have always been averse to joining the iPod craze. Perhaps its the non-conformist gene in me, but the anointed coolness of the iPod franchise has always seemed to cause Apple to take for granted its sales and skip the part where they make sure their product meets all the needs of the market. Microsoft hit a home run with me by delivering what I need.

- Wireless connectivity

I can share music without wires with my fiancee while we run or exercise (or whatever else you can think of two people doing at the same time to music).
I can synchronize my Zune at the push of a button without digging through my stuff for the cable.
You have to get the iPod Touch to get Wi-Fi. All Zune models have wireless.

- Stylish interface

Great graphics, and the Zune software will pull in the album art whenever you rip or buy tracks.
Also, the 3.2" screen is certainly what prompted Apple to put a 3.5" screen in their...

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brystmy says "Good cup of Joe, but we're setting a record for replacement urns" about Mr. Coffee - Coffee Maker - FTX33GTF 12-cup

brystmy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:20:02 GMT

I truly have no complaints about this coffee maker. I suspect that anyone who does is expecting more than a drip machine can truly offer. With delayed brew capability, a strong brew setting, and its 12 cup capacity, it has served our household well for more than 12 months. My son thinks the green-backlit analog clock is very cool. (Secretly, so do I. I also think we're evolved enough to understand that easier (e.g., digital clocks) just make us dumber in the long run.)

However, the urns... the urns... We are on our fifth urn! I have never had this experience before, but it is truly frustrating and has turned the $50 initial price into $125 actual cost. Grrr.

If we wind up buying another Mr. Coffee, it will bea model with a metal carafe.

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brystmy says "Revolutionary. Period." about Nintendo Wii Console

brystmy — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:27:00 GMT

As someone who has been ou-of-the-loop on console gaming since the original Xbox burned me out on first-person shooters, I didn't give the Wii a second glance. That is, until we were invited to play for a short while over a friend's house. Twenty minutes of time on Wii Sports (the complimentary title included with purchase of the console) and my fiancee and I were hooked.

That was Thanksgiving night of 2007. We talked about it entire drive home and we were sure that my 5 year-old son would go crazy if one was under our Christmas tree. December was spent in pursuit of any regularly-priced Wii. We are a household that takes budgets seriously and $500 or $600 is TOO MUCH. We scouted the retailers and intrerrogated clerks for information about shipping schedules, trying to get a tip with no luck. Online retailers sold out as quickly as they received new shipments. We were certain that ours would be a Wii-less holiday season but a friendly angel managed to stalk one down...

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brystmy says "Fulfills every need I have in an insurance company, so far..." about Geico

brystmy — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:09:37 GMT

As someone who shops for the better prices on everything, I can attest that GEICO's quote beat the competition right out of the gate. My monthly premium is less than a dinner out, which makes paying them as painless as can be. The website is also very customer-friendly and gives me the easiest way to make my payments and keep my relationship with them strong.

The only curiosity, or x-factor, I have left is how the company would perform for me if I had to make a claim, and that's why I left off one star from my rating.

All in all, I would urge everyone to get a quote from GEICO. Their claims about beating prices are really true and there's never a reason to pay more than you have to.

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brystmy says "Impressive gadget but novelty wears thin fast" about Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye

brystmy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:10:34 GMT

When I initially saw this product on the shelf it appeared like the perfect toy to stimulate an inquisitive mind such as the one inhabiting the head of my 5-year old. Sure enough, when he received it as a gift he was very excited to open it and begin using it. Five minutes later, it was cast aside, probably never to be touched again.

The gadget itself is not difficult to use. 5 AA batteries are required to power the device and the video output plugs directly into the TV (many sets have an input for the RCA video cable on the front so that you don't have to mess around in the back of the set). It took us a few minutes to figure out how to focus the lens and that it needed to be held flush against the object you wish to magnify and view on the TV screen. We looked at hair, skin (parents beware: age spots are hideous when magnified 200X and can be devastating to self-esteem), the dog's belly (a steady hand was required), and a variety of textiles. Then the fun evaporated from...

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