Coleman 72002 CL-600 9-Watt 17 - 24 Volt Solar Panel Battery Charger / Maintainer

Coleman 72002 CL-600 9-Watt 17 - 24 Volt Solar Panel Battery Charger / MaintainerThis Coleman unit is rated at 600ma and a total power of 9 Watts. Buyers will be pleasantly surprised. The fair price for weatherproof solar panels is $10/watt...so this one qualifies although has been discontinued. My lack of a full five stars is because Coleman seems to overrate their panels by about 20%...or else they take it down to the equator to measure the power.

The unit is more or less what I expected and appears to be working well for my application as a trickle charger for my deep-cycle marine battery operating an ornamental iorn entry gate. This unit DOES NOT work with the Sunsei Solar Grip bracket which is listed as working with the Coleman Solar Panels (both are ICP Solar products); the bracket extexsions are not long enough. I was able to frabricate a simple clamp for the panel which did work with the bracket however.

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I ordered one Coleman panel to see how good it was. I am a long time Coleman collector and this fits just right! Brand power at its best! I have had it about 2 weeks and have it connected to my campers battery. The camper has a stereo system which requires a "hot" lead to maintain memory so this creates a drain on the battery. After this panel, no more worries about the drain! This panel in full sun is putting out 22.65volts and drops to 17.3 on a cloudy day, even when it was raining!I ordered two more and expect them to arrive tomorrow. I will build a frame to attach the panels to and hook all of them to my battery bank (3 D/C NG27). I expect to be able to use them for a generator (less) week of camping next month! If it fails then expect me to update this review! I think ICP could have had a better way of connecting multiple panels though. Coleman dosen't supply the gang plug, so I have to cut the plug ends off and hardwire them together. Not too much of an issue though.

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This is my first solar panel, as soon as i received it I wanted to verify the power it said it could generate by solar light, when I exposed it to day light its built in blue LED lighted and I checked the output voltage, it was more than 15VDC (open output), then I measured the shortcircuit current which indicates should be 600mA, I obtained almost 400mA, under a very sunny day. Quite good I think, I can use it to adapt to some small appliances's charger.

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I just got this panel. Put it out in the Georgia sun, and its putting out over 22 volts. As with everything I get from Amazon, it came on time and in perfect condition. So far I'm very happy.

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AeroVironment Plug-In Residential EV Charger (Level 2 Plug-In EVSE-RS: 7.2kW, 30A)

AeroVironment Plug-In Residential EV Charger
  • Compatible with all major EVs and PHEVs.The preferred charging station of the Nissan LEAF, BMW Active-E and Mitsubishi i-MiEV is now available in a Plug-In model
  • Comes with "Do-it-yourself" installation kit including a mounting bracket and easy-mount wall template. UL listed for indoor use only
  • Quickly removable to take to a second home (or other frequently visited place) with a dedicated 240 Volt socket
  • Contact AeroVironment for professional, reliable, turn-key installation services which are backed by industry-leading warranty
  • Free 3-5 day shipping in the Continental US

We had been trying to buy this product for about a month on Amazon but it had been sold out. We were able to order it from aerovironment directly about two weeks ago, before it reappeared on Amazon. We did pay a bit more but weren't sure when we would see it here on the site. So far it has been great. We had the outlet installed for around $250 and that made installation very easy. Didn't take much over twenty minutes and we were charging the car with the Level 2 charger. Having the charger is great and relieves a lot of the anxiety range you can get with the level 1 charger and a Leaf. If you can get over the fact the manufacturer also builds drones, this is a good product. One other issue is it is a little harder to get the nozzle into the car than the charger that comes with the car. Our 5 year old loves setting up the charger but has had trouble with the new charger.

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This EVSE works perfectly with my 2012 Nissan LEAF. I installed the outlet for it myself and then just plugged this in when it arrived -although, a word of warning, you probably don't want to do it like that. Wait for this to arrive before installing an outlet, because the included template shows you good places to put the outlet -mine was actually a little bit too close. The cord is very short and very stiff, so the valid locations for the outlet are limited.

My only complaint is that these things are so expensive. Considering what it does: When it gets an appropriate signal from the car, it turns on the AC current in the cable. It doesn't seem like there's a thousand dollars worth of technology here.

Read Best Reviews of AeroVironment Plug-In Residential EV Charger (Level 2 Plug-In EVSE-RS: 7.2kW, 30A) Here

Ordered the product and it was at my house in 2 days. Had a couple of quick questions and called their customer support, got through to them easily and they knew their stuff.

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Better and cheaper than the stationary charger. Can be carried between home and vacation home. I recommend this to anyone who has to travel and vacation away from home for extended periods.

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The package arrived in a day even before Amazon updated the shipping status. Very easy to install. Plug connection is pretty short and thick, so you may want to install the NEMA 6-50 receptacle after installing the unit. The included templates provides all "reaches" for installing the outlet .

24" Surf Pad - Regular

24' Surf Pad - RegularI purchased this item to attach to the zipper on my jacket. When I got it and removed it from the packaging card I found that the back is not enclosed with plastic. It is really a cheap piece of junk.

The cardboard card that shows the temperature and has the wind chill information on the back is exposed. It is only held in place by a little plastic edge of the front plastic piece.

I expected the card to be contained inside with plastic on the front AND the back so it would be waterproof. Instead there is no back. If you attach the item to a jacket or other zipper (on a pack for instance) and wear it out in the rain or snow the cardboard will get wet and be damaged.

I think just wearing it on a zipper with the cardboard exposed and using it as a zipper pull is going to cause damage because the cardboard is only held in place by four little ridges on the edge of the plastic on the front.

I won't know how it holds up because I plan to return it as soon as I can.

This thing works great on backpacks, zippers, anywhere that you would like the temp. and a compass handy. Wish I would have ordered two.

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iON Universal USB Power Bank

iON Universal USB Power Bank
  • CAPACITY - 1500mAh | RECHARGEABLE LIFE UP-TO 500 TIMES
  • CHARGES iPHONES, iPODS, CELL-PHONES & ALL DEVICES WITH 5V OR LESS
  • BUILT-IN (FOLDED) USB POWER INPUT CABLE
  • RUBBERIZED, TACKY SURFACE COATED FOR SECURE HANDLING
  • CREDIT CARD-SIZE, SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT (0.05 lbs/50g) PORTABILITY

My friend bought me this product few weeks ago and it works nicely with my iPod touch. Easy to carry and very light. I can play my iPod touch when it is charging.

Bracketron IPM-423-BX Universal 12V Power Flex Neck Dock with X-Grip Holder and USB Port - Retail Pa

Bracketron IPM-423-BX Universal 12V Power Flex Neck Dock with X-Grip Holder and USB Port - Retail Packaging - BlackThe holder definitely works. Holds my android phone beautifully and easy to put in/remove. The only issue that I have with it and it is a big one is the length of the arm when you plug it into cigarette lighter turns out to be the same height as most gear shifts. So every time I shift my hand is bumping into it. An arm just slight longer would have resolved this issue. To resolve problem I've leaned arm to far right, but sorta defeats purpose of it being easily visible.

This phone dock is awesome ! It holds my iPhone snug and secure, it has never come out unless I wanted it to. And is easy to remove, one handed! And when the new iPhone comes out I don't have to buy a new cradle because the phone is bigger ,it still will fit!

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For the most part, it is a rather sturdy phone mount for your car. However, the X-Grip holder has some limitations. For one, it won't hold my Samsung Galaxy S3. Or at least, it won't hold it like the mount's instruction manual suggests to do.

The suggested use for the holder is to press a tab and slide the top tab up, place your phone in the bottom tabs (which are incidentally NON-ADJUSTABLE), and push the top tab down to lock it into place. That is a very clever and useful way to mount a phone in this holder, but the overall vertical length is too short. Sure, it might fit any iPhone up to the 4s model, but I doubt it will work well with the iPhone 5, much less any of the newer smartphones of substantial height.

If I take my Galaxy S3 out of it's protective aftermarket case, I could FORCE it under the top tab, but that defeats the purpose of the holder. First, I shouldn't be expected to have to remove my phone from its case, just to mount it in my car. I use a Ballistic brand "armor case" on my phone, and it only adds about 6mm to the height of the phone, yet my cased phone is almost an inch too tall for the mount when the mount is extended fully. Second, the holder's design allows for effortless clamping of a phone into place, there should not be a forceful bending of a clip just to fit the phone in the holder.

Read Best Reviews of Bracketron IPM-423-BX Universal 12V Power Flex Neck Dock with X-Grip Holder and USB Port - Retail Pa Here

I really like the holder, I just have two things that make me not give it 5 stars...for my vehicle it fits in the lighter plug, but just barely, it sometimes comes out just enough so that it doesn't charge. Also the bendable neck does not really bend and stay in positions as well as my old Brackerton window holder.

I do recommend the holder, with those exceptions to keep in mind.

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I first bought a Bracketron IPM-197-BL PowerDock Dual Auxiliary USB for my Nexus 4 "Google Phone" in an 05' MB C230. The 197 fit the phone and power socket tightly (it uses adjustable metal socket sidewall expansions) but could not clear the console gear shifter. I then bought this Bracketron IPM-423 Flex unit. It holds the phone very securely while clearing the shifter; however, because the socket uses a non-adjustable rubber sprocket style expansion flange, it does not stay securely in the socket. The painted metal coil flex arm does stay as you adjust it, but the weight of the phone slowly rotates the arm at the socket mounting, requiring frequent realignment. Overall, the 423 works well enough to be kept, holding my larger 4.7" phone 5-6 inches above the power socket.

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9000mAh Capacity Portable Back-up Rechargeable Power Supply for iPad 2, iPad, Tablet PC, Cell Phone,

9000mAh Capacity Portable Back-up Rechargeable Power Supply for iPad 2, iPad, Tablet PC, Cell Phone, iPod, iPhone 4, Digital Camera, Digital Camcorder, PSP, iPod Nano, iPod Touch, MP3, MP4 And More Portable Mobile DevicesI tried several power supply's here on amazon...... This is by far the best one! I bought the The sCharger-5 to charge it.... what a pair! They work great together if your looking for a power pack to store your solar power or just as a power source. Highly recommend this unit 5 Stars!

This product is OK

comes in a soft case just a little to big to fit in your pocket

Battery pack appears nice came 70% charge but it features an ON switch which turns on power to devices for 30 sec then based on power draw stays on or shuts off. WILL NOT RUN A PASS THROUGH E CIG

Came with a retractable cord charger, all the tips, nice blue case

Good construction on the battery (4 screws hold side metal plates on) would work well as a backup battery say camping

Battery is LARGE (physically) and rectangular

Company is terrible however I asked a question (like does this have a 30 sec ON switch? if so please refund my money BEFORE shipment) NO ANSWER and the product was still shipped

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GSI Super Quality Mini Universal In-Car USB To Cigarette Lighter Port Rapid Charger Adapter - For Ap

GSI Super Quality Mini Universal In-Car USB To Cigarette Lighter Port Rapid Charger Adapter - For Apple iPod, iPhone, Cell Phones, MP3/MP4 Players, CD/DVD, Gaming Stations And All USB Devices
  • Charge Up Your iPod, iPhone, Camera Or Any Electronic USB Device
  • Plug USB Cable Into One End, And Adapter Into Cigarette Lighter Plug
  • Small And Compact, Great For Traveling Without Computer
  • Constructed With Quality And Precision, A Notch Above Standard Aftermarket Devices
  • Note: USB Cable NOT Included - Use Your Own Cable

I bought this to charge my Zune in my car. I liked the small size and price, but it doesn't work. The fit in the cigarette lighter is extremely loose; the charger slips out whenever the USB cord is removed which sucks. I don't know why, but my Zune won't even charge off of it. It doesn't recognize that it's plugged in. The overall build of the thing is cheap (which is expected), so even if it worked it wouldn't last long. There are better options here on Amazon.

Don't bother with this, keep looking.

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Does exactly what it's supposed to do, it allows you to charge your USB device with a car's cigarette lighter port.

Been having it for over a year and still works great.

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sometimes this product decides to charge and sometimes it decides not too.

you definitely get what you pay for.

it's nice when it works.

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I like it...when you don't have a lot of room in your computer bag to carry chargers for your iphone and crackberry and bluetooth headset and gps and...you get the picture...this little thing will allow you to charge any of them with their usb cables...only down side I can see is it gets a little warm...may have been my iphone was really low on power.

DLO 002-0216 NanoTune FM Transmitter and Radio for iPod Nano

DLO 002-0216 NanoTune FM Transmitter and Radio for iPod Nano
  • All-in-one Nano accessory combines an FM Transmitter, an FM receiver, a headphone amplifier that boosts by over 25-percent, and a protective case
  • Flip-up, clear plastic cover and housing protects your iPod from scratches and light knocks, while the built-in 30-pin connector lets you use it with your existing charger
  • Wirelessly plays your Nano's music over any available FM radio in your car or home stereo, and will broadcast over any FM frequency from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz with a range of 10 feet
  • FM receiver allows you to listen to the radio over your nano, and automatically pauses your music to play your favorite radio stations without losing your place
  • Comes in a stylish black finish that complements your iPod Nano, and is backed by a manufacturer's 90-day warranty

This is the second FM transmitter I have bought for my car. First I owned the BELKIN, which I do not reccommend at all. It could not hold reception for anything. This one works great! I have a GMC Yukon with a stock radio. I was going to get a new radio, but if you are familiar with GM cars, you'll know that they need an additional $110.00 worth of wires, harnesses and dash kits to put in any aftermarket stereo. Add that to the "Brain" as they call it, you need to make your new stereo iPod compatible and it adds up quick. I just did not want to put $400-$600 into that right now.

The transmitter is great for fm reception too. I love love love that it has that clear little cover that keeps fingers and any surface at all off of my iPod. We all know how badly these things scratch!

My only nitpick's are that it really needs a armband or a pocketsnap. If I wanted to take it with me on a walk or to the gym (to use the fm radio part) I would have to stick it in my pocket or hold it.

Also, I would like it if the back was anti skid for when I set it down in my car. It really slides around, so I set it in the cupholder. Unless I have drinks, then I have to set it on the console where it it constanly skidding around and falling on the floor if I corner too fast. (Or if my husband is driving!)

Lastly, if you live in a area where it is hard to find a good clear station to use, try plugging your iPod earphones into it. This somehow helps clear up static if there is any.

I bought this from a local store and paid about $15.00 more plus tax. I should have bought it here.

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I too have had problems with this, but was set to purchace another until I read the reviews here. I use it primarily for it's FM *reception* and not for broadcast abilities. There are LOTS of choices for *that*. I agree that it requires the earsets for broadcast transmission and of course you'd need them to receive FM (or you'd never know what you're not hearing!).

The unit worked flawlessly for over a year and then without incident it developed an issue with refusing to turn on. About one day in three or four it'll work. On the others it comes on then immediately shuts itself off. The other negative reviewers were not specific enough for me to determine if this was the same issue they were experiencing.

For now, I'll look for an alternative adapter for FM reception.

Read Best Reviews of DLO 002-0216 NanoTune FM Transmitter and Radio for iPod Nano Here

I bought one and when I first plugged it in was unimpressed. It was weak & full of static. Then I plugged in the headphones and was crystal clear. It needs them as an antennae. It also was unhappy when the ipod wasn't fully charged. It then died after a week so I returned it. Interesting idea but way too fragile. Now I need an new transmitter but they all seem to have problems.

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The Nanotune is awesome and I loved that I could take it everywhere, but it died after the second week of having it. I have exchanged it once before since it died a week after, now it died again. I wish I can find the manual to get my money back. It won't last if you buy it. Get some thing that holds it in place. The velcro that came with it slipped right off and it kept falling all over my car when I slowly went over a speed bump. Do not buy!

Just stopped working... going to return... be careful with this one.

ChargerCity Garmin Nuvi 14xx 1440 1450 1470 1490 LM LMT T GPS Strap-LOCK Motorcycle Bicycle Bike Mou

ChargerCity Garmin Nuvi 14xx 1440 1450 1470 1490 LM LMT T GPS Strap-LOCK Motorcycle Bicycle Bike Mount and Bracket Cradle Kit **Shipment include ChargerCity OEM Micro SD Card Reader & Manufacture Direct Replacement Warranty**
  • Fit bar/handle bar diameter .75" to 1.50" inches across
  • Ball socket style for easy clip and adjustment (360" Swivel tip allows landscape or portrait viewing)
  • Fits all Garmin Nuvi 14xx GPS Models
  • easy pull to lock design w/enhanced security belt
  • Free ChargerCity OEM Micro SD Memory Card reader & ChargerCity Manufacture Direct Warranty

Great , I have used it on my Harley trike and it holds the GPS as it should , no problems

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I mounted this on my motorcycle so I could have a GPS, and so far, the GPS hasn't fallen out! I was pretty worried about that, but it really locks in there!

Read Best Reviews of ChargerCity Garmin Nuvi 14xx 1440 1450 1470 1490 LM LMT T GPS Strap-LOCK Motorcycle Bicycle Bike Mou Here

I purchased this to mount my Nuvi 1450 on the handlebars of a motorcycle we rented on vacation. I attached it in the center so that it went around two bars. Over a period of five days it never loosened or slipped. The angle of the navigator rarely needed adjusting even while traveling over bumpy roads. The navigator was held in place very securely, standing up to high winds in the mountains, while traveling 60 MPH, with no windshield to protect it. I will be using this on road trips at home from now on.

Car Kit Vehicle Charger + Home Wall Travel Battery Charger for Verizon BlackBerry Bold 9650 - Curve

Car Kit Vehicle Charger + Home Wall Travel Battery Charger for Verizon BlackBerry Bold 9650 - Curve 3G 9330 - Curve 8530 Cell Phone - Premium Combo Pack - BestCellBuy BrandI bought the home charger along with the car charger neither of the items i bought charge my phne correctly, they are not in good working condition, I am very unhappy with these products.

DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT.. It will not work. I mean It takes 10 hrs to charge 1 % of my battery...

Not worth buying.

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I got this mostly to replace my original wall charger, which I somehow misplaced while staying at a friend's even though I try to keep track of it well. I found the car charger quite useful too, since my Blackberry generally is lucky to carry a charge over 1 day even though I've replaced the battery several times and I do charge it each night. I like the option to charge it quick if I am out and want to make a call but find my phone is low, so I can keep the wall charger at home.

Neither are fancy, but get the job done. I can't complain with how cheap they were.

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Sony CR2032 Lithium Ion Battery

Sony CR2032 Lithium Ion BatteryI used this battery in my scale and it died in a matter of weeks. The prior battery lasted for a year. Very disappointing.

Great product, great price, extremely fast delivery! It was slightly different than pictured (Energizer instead of Sony) but that is a non-issue. I would have spent three to four times as much to buy this item locally and still wouldn't have had it in my hand much sooner.

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This initially worked, but died within the month (used in a bathroom scale). The original battery had lasted 4 years. Assuming batteries bought from this supplier, or through Amazon in general, are probably older and inventory is not checked for quality control.

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These batteries did not work for me. I do believe that they must have been sitting around for some years because they had very little charge to them. Not one worked for more then a few minutes. I had to purchase from another place and they (at the other place) had the expiration date clearly marked on them. They also worked without a hitch. When a battery doesn't work on a product such as 3D glasses, it's more then unfortunate. It's mis-leading and can become fretful. I was concerned that a 150.00 pair of 3D glasses were defective. No battery should be sold without a clearly marked expiration date and without it being tested if they've been left to sit around so long.

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The battery on my desktop PC started to go and it was time to get a new one. After taking the computer case apart and verifying the type, I looked around for a replacement. It snapped right in and worked flawlessly. While there isn't much more to say about a battery, for what I paid for this one and the fact that it arrived in around 4 days, it was just the ticket. No complaints whatsoever and I would purchase from this seller again.

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12V 9AH Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery (12V 9AH, 12-9, 12 Volt 9 AH)

12V 9AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery
  • 12V 9AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery with T2 Terminals
  • 5.94in (length), 2.56in (width), 3.72in (height); 6.58lbs
  • 18-Month Warranty, 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • Sealed AGM design makes batteries leak free.
  • Maintenance free high performance Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries.

Bought 2 of these for my electric scooter. It came fully charged. Almost half a year of constant charge and discharge with no significant drop in scooter performance. A good quality battery for sure. Also, big props to Chrome Battery customer support for their quality service.

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August CR150R FM Transmitter - Wireless MP3 Player for In-Car use with SD/MMC Card Reader / USB Port

August CR150R FM Transmitter - Wireless MP3 Player for In-Car use with SD/MMC Card Reader / USB Port / Remote Control
  • MP3 Transmitter for playing your favourite music on your cars stereo system
  • Plays MP3 files directly from USB sticks and SD cards
  • Choose from 206 frequencies to find a channel without interference
  • DC12/24V socket compatible, for use in lorries, cars and boats
  • Previous and next track selection buttons;Transmitter for MP3/MP4/iPod/CD/DVD Players

It doesn't work. I wasted my money and its more trouble than its worth to return it. I certainly got what I paid for this time. : (

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I bought this as I was getting bored of the radio and my car doesn't have an AUX in or card reader. I loaded up some songs onto an SD card, put it on shuffle and now have my favorite songs with no commercial breaks! Its really simple to set up, you just find an empty radio station, tune it in and away you go. It's a really useful gadget and for the price, I couldn't ask for more.

Read Best Reviews of August CR150R FM Transmitter - Wireless MP3 Player for In-Car use with SD/MMC Card Reader / USB Port Here

I was able to successfully read a FAT32 formatted 8GB USB stick in this device, but I returned it for the following reasons:

Unit does not save the last song played. Every time power is interrupted and reapplied playback starts from track 1. I had about 7GB of music to listen to and starting on track 1 every time I started the vehicle was tedious.

Starting on track 1 wouldn't be so bad if random worked but the random function does not work as expected, most of the time I couldn't tell a difference between the "Random" and the "Play All" setting

The unit supports amplification of the source being sent through the FM transmitter but I found that the transmission was too weak to provide a loud enough FM signal..I had to turn the volume up on my car stereo to half way or more on some of the tracks where normally I never use 1/4 volume for direct line-in type sources.

I tried multiple FM frequencies and it still was not as good as a line in cable or another standalone FM transmitter I've used with the same vehicle in the past.

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I was initially impressed with the August CR150 Car MP3 Player & FM Transmitter with Card Reader but as time went on became less so. Mainly due to its lack of features. It is not easy to read the display for one thing. And if power is disrupted due to hitting a pothole you have to start from the beginning of the track again. Very annoying when you're listening to an e-book or a lecture. What would be nice is for it to remember where it left off when power is disrupted. A larger display would be nice as well. But it does perform well wrt sending a signal to your radio. Overall, given the price, it serves its purpose pretty well. Just don't hit any potholes while driving.

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i love it. it works perfectly fine :) i also loved the remote it came with, it replaces my cds soo i don't have to keep making them.

Bosch C35AC0 Quick Connect Cable Harness for C3 Battery Charger with Built-in Cable Fuse

Bosch C35AC0 Quick Connect Cable Harness for C3 Battery Charger with Built-in Cable Fuse
  • Made from high quality materials for longevity
  • Cable fuse for additional user safety
  • Quick connect cable harness convenient for motorcycles, low mileage vehicles
  • Unique to Bosch battery chargers

If your going to charge more than one battery, this harness is a positive. Great construction, fused for protection and very well built.

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I connected this to my 06 Kawasaki Prairie. Everything worked as advertised...Like the fact that I can very easily inspect the fuse.

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I bought this quick connect harness for my sports car that goes into winter storage each year, yes soon I'll be tucking my baby in for the winter but with this harness I simply connect the direct plug from my Bosch C3 battery charger into this great harness and I'm done. The Bosch charger is fully automatic so once the battery is fully charged it switches over to a trickle charger to keep my battery in great shape. I don't worry about having a frozen battery or a dead one for that matter.

The harness connects directly to your battery, no matter if you have a lawn tractor, a motorcycle, a back hoe or a car that uses a 6 or 12 volt battery. The harness comes with a 10 amp in-line fuse, the two battery ends have crimp on eyes that will fit most battery cables but can be changed if needed, the other end is the direct plug that goes into the Bosch Charger, it only fits one way so you can do it wrong. I'm very pleased with this harness, it saves time and so easy!

AmazonBasics 175-Watt Pocket Power Inverter with 2.1 Amp USB Port to Charge iPad, Kindle, and Other

AmazonBasics 175-Watt Pocket Power Inverter with 2.1 Amp USB Port to Charge iPad, Kindle, and Other Electronics
  • Converts 12-volt DC power from your vehicle battery into 120-volt AC electricity
  • Fast 2.1 Amp USB charge port charges iPads and other power hungry USB products
  • Includes battery clips to power and charge devices requiring more than 120 Watts
  • Three-prong AC outlet accommodates most chargers and adapters for mobile electronics
  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

I really love this inverter. I've used other inverters that claim to provide 150 Watts or 175 Watts, but their claims are bogus (explained below). And to find an inverter that offers this much payload at this low price is sweet!

First of all, what's an inverter?

The electrical system in your car, boat, or RV runs on a 12 volt DC system. Your cigarette lighter outlet provides power at 12 volts DC. This is fine for things like a phone charger that have a 12 volt DC plug, but what about items that you normally plug into the wall in your home or office? Those devices run on 110 AC power. The role of the inverter is to change (or "invert") the output from your car's electrical system from 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC.

This AmazonBasics inverter provides a grounded 110 outlet for plugging in those household devices as well as a USB outlet for things like iPhones, iPads, etc. (which is a nice bonus).

So what makes this inverter different? First it's important to know that your vehicle's electric wiring isn't intended to run your toaster or hair dryer. Even though an inverter might be designed to provide a high output for larger devices (like a TV or satellite receiver), your vehicle's poor little cigarette outlet can't handle the load. I've used inverters that claim to support a higher load, and they either blow their own internal fuse, blow a fuse on the vehicle, or (worst case) don't blow any fuses and just burn out the wiring to that outlet. That's bad.

So the difference with this inverter is that it supports loads up to 130 watt through the cigarette lighter outlet. For loads from 131 watts to 175 watts, there is a set of alligator style clips to connect directly to the vehicle's battery.

There are plenty of other inverters out there that connect directly to the battery, but I've never seen one this compact and this inexpensive.

Warning: Only use the direct connection to the battery while your vehicle is parked. Don't try to prop open your hood and drive down the road watching TV.

Here's a little tip. Before you purchase any inverter, look at your devices and see what their loads actually are. Sometimes those specs are written in gobbledygook and are hard to decipher. And some devices have two loads: the initial startup load and the actual running load. The startup load for this inverter cannot exceed 175 watts. To be absolutely certain of the draw from your device or appliance, consider using something like this Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor. You plug the monitor into a wall outlet and then plug your device into the monitor. The readout shows you the peak usage and the running usage. If the peak draw is under 175 watts, then this inverter is OK for you.

Bottom line, I'm very happy with this inverter. It's the first one that I've ever had any success with at this wattage. Just make sure not to overload the 12 volt DC outlet with more than 130 watts. And don't use your toaster while you're driving down the road.

Buy AmazonBasics 175-Watt Pocket Power Inverter with 2.1 Amp USB Port to Charge iPad, Kindle, and Other Now

The Amazon basics 175W pocket power inverter is the lightest I've seen, weighing in at only 6.1 oz. with the cigarette lighter plug attached. It is also quite small at 4" x 8" x 0.8", perfect for packing in your computer bag. Besides powering your laptop, it also includes a USB port capable of supplying 2.1A, which plenty for charging a phone, iPad or just about any USB accessory. I tested the little unit on my Dell laptop. It powered it easily. Next, I plugged in a 100W light bulb. Again, no problem. The unit has a fan that comes on as necessary to keep the unit cool. With a 100W load (the light bulb) the fan ran continuously. I found the fan to be rather loud and high pitched. In a car, you may not care but the noise level is significant at 58dB at 1 foot (measured with my audio meter). What I found odd is that the fan ran much faster when the load was reduced or removed. For some reason, the voltage to the fan must drop significantly once a load is placed on the inverter. While the inverter is rated at 130W continuous, you can't (or at least shouldn't) do that from a cigarette lighter socket.

The manual is a little confusing. It says you can run the inverter from the cigarette lighter for loads under 130W but also says for 120W-130W to use battery clamps (included) to hook it directly to the car's battery. Personally, I wouldn't advise running it over 90W from a cigarette lighter socket. At 90W output, the unit draws 10A from the socket. That's okay, since most laptop power adapters require no more than 90W. At 100W, it drew 11Amps, which is over the maximum continuous power most lighter sockets are rated (and fused). I didn't test the unit it past 100W.

If the unit was quieter, I would have given it 5 stars but for using in the car, you may be very happy and you will be hard pressed to find a more compact and light inverter.

Read Best Reviews of AmazonBasics 175-Watt Pocket Power Inverter with 2.1 Amp USB Port to Charge iPad, Kindle, and Other Here

The concept is simple: turn 12 V DC from your car into 120 V AC to power things you would normally plug in at home. Useful in an emergency or on road trips.

You plug this into the 12 V socket in your car (what used to be called the cigarette lighter, but most cars today don't even come with the lighter part). A little blue light comes on, and you are ready to plug something into it. I tried a radio, a shop light, and even a handheld jigsaw, and all ran fine.

It also has a USB charger port, which is nice is you don't already have an adapter for that.

I have an old, clunky-looking one piece inverter. The Amazon one looks cooler, but once you add the size of the cord it's not that much smaller. The old one is rated 150 W continuous, this one 130 W. The big difference I noted was in surge capacity. This device is rated to 175 W, while my old one is rated 450 W. It won't make a difference with most small appliances, but something with a big start-up surge or that surges for other reasons may overload this device.

It includes clips to attach it directly to the battery, which will save some loses through the electrical system, and doesn't require having any other parts of the car running to use it. Do use caution when attaching anything directly to the battery.

While not the ultimate in inverter technology, this is a useful thing to have in your car in an emergency.

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I took the new unit out of the box and it blew a fuse in first vehicle, tried a second vehicle and it blew that one as well. I had no accessories plugged in at the time. Unit failed right out of the box.

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Disclaimer: I used this inverter in extreme conditions not normally encountered by most users. Please take this into account when reading the review.

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General Overview

I recently took part in a meteorite search expedition in the desert of Oman that was organized by the local university and natural history museum. The expedition consisted of 18 days in the desert with only the supplies of food, fuel, water, etc. that we brought with us. Temperatures ranged between 6C (42F) to 35C (95F), humidity ranged from below the detection limit of our equipment up to around 90%, though it never rained. In many cases, winds were strong and drove substantial amounts of dust (often sheeting off of the vehicle windows like water). After a matter of hours the interiors of the vehicles were liberally coated with a thick layer of dust, which remained and grew thicker during the entire expedition. Dust and heat are the mortal enemy of electronics, and it's not uncommon for otherwise-robust devices to die horribly in the desert.

I purchased the inverter to run certain basic electronics like battery chargers for AA-size batteries, computers, mobile phones (no service in the desert, but it's good to keep them topped up), two-way radios, and scientific equipment, and other similar uses. Due to the hostility of the environment, I was expecting that this inverter would be "disposable" and didn't expect it to survive the trip.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only did the inverter survive the trip but it did remarkably well. While I can't explicitly recommend using the inverter in extreme environments as it's not rated for such purposes, it performed well and would likely serve the average person very well in more ordinary conditions.

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Tech Details

Like most inverters produced for the North American market, this one produces 120V 60Hz AC power with a "modified sine wave" waveform that differs from the ordinary "true sine wave" waveform produced by mains power available from your wall socket.

In general, modern electronics that have "worldwide" power supplies (that is, they accept ~100-240V AC power) will have no problems at all using the power produced by the inverter. Laptop computers often have such power supplies and should work fine. Incandescent light bulbs and other simple resistive loads will have no problems at all, though you should make sure they don't have a startup surge current that exceeds the ability of the inverter or the car's electrical system to supply. Electric motors are unlikely to work as effectively with inverter power (if they run, they'll run less efficiently, hotter, etc.) and shouldn't be used with inverters. Many motors often have very high surge current when starting, which may overload the inverter. Certain devices like compact fluorescent light bulbs may or may not work well. You should test them beforehand. Your mileage may vary.

When in doubt it's often more efficient and a better idea to use electronics designed for 12V power directly (such as 12V CFL light bulbs, as often used by RVers, or air pumps that clamp directly to the car battery) rather than using an inverter to power household-voltage devices. You can often find a DC-to-DC converter for things like laptops, mobile phones (particularly those that charge using 5V DC, such as those using a USB plug), etc. that allows you to use or charge them using the 12V power socket in a car (or using battery clamps) directly rather than using an inverter, though not everything (like chargers for a $70,000 x-ray fluorescence analysis scanner) has such converters and an inverter is a necessity.

I experienced no problems with the "modified sine wave" produced by the inverter.

There is a small fan on the side of the inverter to aid in cooling. It will come on automatically when needed, so ensure it's not blocked. I found that the inverter starts with the fan off, then switches it to 100% when the internal temperature reaches a set point. After a minute or so, the fan turns off again. This repeats for a few minutes until the inverter gets a sense of how effective the fan is and then adjusts it as needed to maintain a good working temperature. When operating at full power the fan has a distinctly high-pitched whine that some may find slightly annoying, though it can often be masked by turning on the car radio and/or putting it in the rear of the car.

If you listen very closely you can hear a rapid clicking sound (though it's quite faint and you need to have your head very close to the inverter to hear it -it's not the least bit disturbing or annoying beyond a few centimeters from the inverter) as the internal electronics do their work.

The lighter socket plug and battery clamps are both of good quality and connect firmly and securely.

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Safety

It appears that the inverter does not have inrush current limiting on the 12V DC side, so you may experience some sparking when connecting the included battery clamps to the battery as it needs to charge its internal capacitors. This is evidently normal and doesn't pose a problem insofar as the electronics are concerned, but you should ensure that the battery is well-ventilated (as car batteries produce explosive hydrogen gas when charging though not when being used) when connecting or disconnecting the battery clamps. You should use the same safety precautions as when jump-starting a battery.

It's probably a good idea to connect the inverter to the 12V power source first, ensure the blue "on" light is on, and then connect the turned-off load to the inverter, and then turn on the load. It's probably a bad idea to have the turned-on load plugged into the inverter when you connect it, as this would require a substantial rush of current to power.

Additionally, the inverter is not rated for outdoor use, so don't expose it to rain, moisture, etc. In my case, the major threat was dust. After using the inverter for a few hours (regardless of whether it was used inside the car with the power socket or when used outdoors and clamped directly to the car battery) I would unplug it and blow sharply into the vents to clear out accumulated dust. While this worked fine, it's probably not a good idea to expose it (or other electronics) to dust for extended periods of time as it would have a harmful effect on the electronics and the moving fan.

It's not clear if the inverter has an internal fuse -the supplied lighter socket plug and battery clamps are unfused. There does not appear to be any sort of user-accessible fuse on the device.

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Possible Improvements

The only three improvements I'd propose for such a device would be to eschew the fan in favor of an aluminum body that passively dissipates heat, to have inrush current limiting on the input side to minimize sparking, and a user-serviceable fuse. The former would eliminate the one moving part and increase durability a bit, though likely at increased cost. The second should be relatively cheap and easy to implement but isn't a major issue. The third helps prevent potentially unsafe conditions and allows the user to replace the fuse if it burns out.

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Conclusion

The inverter performed really well in the Omani desert in extreme conditions and is likely to perform well in less-extreme conditions. The price is quite good, it's backed by Amazon, and includes both the 12V lighter socket plug and battery clamps. It's comparable in terms of output power and quality to other similarly-priced inverters.

It's a good general-purpose inverter and I strongly recommend it.

If you need higher output power or pure sine wave output, you'd do well to look at other, more suitable products.

XtremeMac IPD-CLA-10A Car Charger for Dock Connector iPods (Black)

XtremeMac IPD-CLA-10A Car Charger for Dock Connector iPods
  • Safely charges and powers iPod in your car; black finish
  • Compatible with any 12-volt accessory outlet
  • Sleek and compact with coil cord; LED power indicator
  • Replaceable, fast-blow fuse protection
  • Compatibility: iPod nano (1G and 2G), iPod mini, 4G iPod with click wheel, iPod Color, iPod Video

siad item would charge an ipod touch in car...did not work ..got message saying ipod did not support this product.

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Having a car charger has always been a necessity for me. I always seem to find myself running low on my cell phone batteries as I drive home. Often times I receive a call or make the occasional call while I drive, and, since the battery is low, I'd prefer not to lose the call. Having an iPhone, this ended up being the car charger I picked out.

There really isn't too much to say. It gets the job done. Has a little LED to indicate power to the charger. I'm sure there are plenty of generic chargers out there that accept a USB connection, I'd prefer not to have to worry about dragging my sync cable around with me. This charger enables me to do that, since it's got the 30 pin connector the iPhone needs.

Since I've never used the charger to fully charge my iPhone, I can't comment on the time it requires to fully charge the device, but it certainly has nearly charged the iPhone when connected for an hour or so. I assume this is due to the "quick charge" that newer devices now have.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this. Price isn't bad, and, it just works as you'd expect.

Read Best Reviews of XtremeMac IPD-CLA-10A Car Charger for Dock Connector iPods (Black) Here

Well really, what does one say? I mean, it's a freakin' iPod charger. It either charges your iPod or it doesn't, right? This cord works, I like the coiled design, keeping excess cable from getting underfoot, and, well, it charges the iPod. So nothing fancy or sexy in this review. I wish I knew a joke to tell to spice it up a bit. But alas, nothing. I can only say: this charging cable, when connected to your iPod at one end and your car's lighter on the other, charges your iPod. Woohoo!

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This perfectly-adequate adapter is being replaced by a new InCharge device that's the same size, but has a cooler blue LED and a USB connector, so in addition to charging your iPod/iPhone you'll be able to use other USB-powered devices (like certain non-iPhone phones). This version works just fine for me, though.

Mobee Technology Magic Feet - Universal Charging Base Station for all your Apple devices (MO4212)

Mobee Technology Magic Feet - Universal Charging Base Station for all your Apple devices
  • A universal charging station for all your Apple devices
  • Inductive charging technology
  • Charge up to three devices
  • Adds four USB ports to your Mac
  • Save from constantly throwing out single-use batteries

I was very excited to received this product as I was tired of wasting so many batteries. And it is a pain to constanctly remove your rechargable batteries from the keyboard just to charge them. Upon receiving the product, the battery did not fit inot the keyboard as the thread did not match. After research, I discovered that there was a 2nd generation Apple wirleless keyboard. I bought the new keyboard and the battery fit perfectly. I let the keyboard charge; however, it would never power on. To make sure I didn't have a defective keyboard I tried the keyboard with regular batteries and it work perfectly.

This product was a great idea; however very poor execution. This was a total waste of my money and time.

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MPPT Tracer1210RN Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V INPUT 10A

MPPT Tracer1210RN Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V INPUT 10A
  • MPPT technology; Excellent thermal design and nature air cooling; CE certificate;
  • Peak conversion efficiency of 97 %; High Tracking efficiency of 99%; Several seconds tracking speed;
  • Very fast Sweeping of the entire I-V curve; 4- Stage charge with PWM output; Temperature compensation function?
  • Full power output in ambient temperatures up to 45 degree; Sealed, Gel, Flooded battery type optional; ON/OFF, Dusk to dawn, 1-15h timer?
  • Diversified load control: Manual, Dusk to Dawn, Dual timer, TEST; Max PV input power 130W for 12V system, 260W for 24V system?

This charge controller is doing a wonderful job keeping a 150Ah battery bank on my popup RV fully charged up. Previously I had been using 4 15W panels and a PWM controller which didn't do the greatest job of keeping the battery bank charged. That was partially due to insufficient amount of solar, but the simple PWM controller wasn't helping either. The battery bank is now fully charged up and I can run stuff during the day and still have plenty of power at night.

GNS 5870 MFI GPS BT Receiver for iPod, iPhone and iPad

GNS 5870 MFI GPS BT Receiver for iPod, iPhone and iPad
  • First Apple certified Bluetooth GPS receiver
  • Made for iPod iPhone iPad
  • compatible to iPod touch 2G+3G, iPhone 3G+3GS+4, iPad
  • supplies also GPS information to PDA, handhelds and notebooks
  • high sensitive 32 channel GPS

Like some, I bought the Wi-Fi only iPad because I specifically didn't want the 3G capability. But in hindsight, I did miss at least the GPS capability. So to make up for my "remorse", I ordered the external bluetooth GNS 5870. It pairs quickly with the iPad buetooth and locked on to 6 satellites (based on one app's notification) through a large upstairs window in about 2 or 3 minutes. It was a little faster I believe through my car windshield. And it stayed locked on even after walking briefly into a shopping mall with it in my shirt pocket. How accurate? Two iPad apps say accuracy is within 30 feet but this reading is through an apartment window. The accuracy of Wi-Fi only was reported as 213 feet. But the GNS 5870 works very well all by itself and thats why five stars. I would not rate it less just because the "touch and slide" on and off is slightly finicky and can be unexpectedly activated by certain movements within a coat pocket etc. Its very portable at 1 3/4 x 3 inches and has a nice rubberized body except for the 1/2 inch wide plastic touch strip. The total GNS 5870 cost at $160.00, means I'm paying about $30.00 more than the iPad 3G model would have cost.

None of my views would matter though, if the GNS 5870 cannot work with the few iPad mapping, navigation, and GPS apps that are compatible with the Wi-Fi only iPad. So I discuss these apps not as an endorsement, but just to show that the GNS 5870 does work well without Wi-Fi and with no extra expense of a 3G data plan. It should be noted however, that this does not replace the usefulness or maybe the overall accuracy of the iPad 3G, as the iPad 3G has three modes of triangulation: Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS, which provide navigation assistance when some of the modes like satellite are not available. My uses however, may be in areas of no Wi-Fi and no cell towers. In this case, my Wi-Fi only IPad with the GNS 5870 will probably be as useful as the 3G model.

That said, I have tried all the following apps riding in my car with the GNS 5870 resting on the dash. The device tracks fine with the following apps that store map data internally in the iPad: Topo Maps, MotionX GPS HD and the iPhone app Navigon MyRegion. It also works fine with the iPad Google Maps but only in "classic" and "terrain" views. This is because Google's map base is not stored internally in the iPad and must be first accessed on the fly through Wi-Fi. The "satellite" and "hybrid" views are too large I believe to be cached in the app itself. For the same reasons, the GNS 5870 does not play well with Google Earth because the app does not store large data fields internally. But smaller, less memory intensive map areas and routes in Google Maps ("classic" and "terrain") can be cached and used later using only the GNS 5870. These are erased from the cache however after any changes are made. The GNS 5870 works and tracks with the app Big World although this app also uses the Google Maps data base and I'm not sure how much of that map base is stored internally.

But if you are having Wi-Fi only iPad "buyers remorse", and you still want GPS, this is one excellent way to go. And if I get lost 30 feet from where I want to go then I'm in big trouble anyway.

Buy GNS 5870 MFI GPS BT Receiver for iPod, iPhone and iPad Now

The GNS 5870 was purchased to add true functionality to the iPad Foreflight App in the cockpit. Since day one, it has preformed flawlessly on all domestic and international flights. It allows the iPad to be used in several different areas of the aircraft without any degregation to the quality of the GPS Signal. Additionally, I have not encountered any problems turning the device on and off as has been mentioned in other reviews. I wholeheartedly recommend this device to fellow pilots without hesitation.

Read Best Reviews of GNS 5870 MFI GPS BT Receiver for iPod, iPhone and iPad Here

I purchased this GPS for my WiFi Apple iPad and even though my emails said the expected delivery day would be more then a month ahead of my order date, I recieved it within a few days (it took some time to get to the US from Germany). The initial setup with my iPad worked flawlessly and I was able to pickup an extremely accurate GPS signal lock within seconds using the Maps app that shipped with the iPad. I was very impressed ... Until I couldn't shut the unit off. It worked a couple of times turning on and off, but now I am unable to just swipe my finger across the touch sensor to shut it off. Without a real switch, I'm stuck waiting for a reply from their email team as to what I should do to resolve the problem.

Otherwise it works great. I have tested it using the Maps app, Google Earth, and WiFiFoFum (yes, I snagged this lovely app from the app store when it was still available, no jailbreak here ;). I'd rank it a 5 star if the switch would still be working after less then a day of testing it.

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I'm a Flight Test Engineer by trade. IF the GNS 5870 were a piece of equipment in an airliner cockpit, it would be considered non-certifiable per FAR 25.1301(d). Granted, it's NOT a piece of equipment in an airplane cockpit, but that's where a lot of people who buy this device (myself included) will try to use it. So buyer beware. When I purchased the device, the Bad Elf was all the rage and this really sounded like a better product. I read the reviews For and Against, including several anecdotal descriptions about a quirky power switch. Admittedly, I chuckled at the thought of some who idiot couldn't get shut his device off. The day I got the device, I had ZERO problems switching the device on and off. "Swipe On, Swipe Off" I couldn't believe people were having problems simply swiping their finger across the device. It seemed ridiculously easy. Call it beginner's luck because the next day after my first flight with the device I had a couple of "mis-swipes." OK, Nothing to be concerned about. I'm sure even the swiftest of finger swipers occasionally need to recalibrate their digits. ---To digress for a second, in terms of Bluetooth/GPS performance, the until synched instantly with my iPad and to use it with Foreflight HD is a thing of beauty. It captured a signal quickly, tracked very well and I was wowed. ----My next flight with the device required a fuel stop. Parked at the pumps, I tried to turn it off and it wouldn't. 10 20 30 swipes of varying pressures and nada. I took a deep breath, shook out my hand and tried again with a very very light touch and again and again and again and still couldn't get it to shut off. Frustrated, I left the device on while I refueled and dined on my $100 hamburger. Returning to the plane, I swiped once more just for the hell of itand it magically went off. Of course, now I was getting ready to fly again and needed to turn it back on. It took me 30 finger swipes to coax it back on. The I flew home and had to turn it off again. Let's not go there. This frustrating sequence of events now describes every flight on which I attempt to use the GNS 5870. I've now got over 50 flight hours of use on the thing (and calluses on my fingertips).

This of course assumes that the unit is fully charged. As difficult as the unit is to turn off, I find that when stowed / transported inside a protective case itself in my flight bag, all it takes is a mosquito fart's worth of pressure to bump the switch, turn the device on and drain the battery just in time for my next flight in IMC.

I must admit, the next point of contention could be true of any bluetooth device. Using the supplied suction cup holder, I fixed the GNS 5870 to the upper windshield of a C-172 and while flying found that the device spat out some rather interesting EMI that caused my glareshield-mounted magnetic compass to oscillate 30 degrees in each direction. Relocating the GNS 5870 to a side window eliminates this problem.

Lastly, I've also been unable to acquire a GPS signal whatsoever while flying in the cockpit of transport category airplanes. This blocking of the GPS signal is generally attributed to these airplane's heated windshield wiring/circuitry. Interestingly enough, the makers of the XGPS150 bluetooth GPS receiver have issued a firmware update to correct this issue in their device. This coupled with their device using a revolutionary concept known as "The Simple On/Off Button" (something the GNS 5870 designers apparently have never heard of) are two reasons why I've just ordered an XGPS150 to replace my GNS 5870.

I was extremely disappointed to find that my GNS 5870 did not work when it arrived. The unit employs a "touch-swipe" on-off switch which requires the user to run his/her finger over the LED screen in order to turn it on and off. However, the unit required several dozen swipes to turn off, and will not turn back on no matter how many times I swipe it.

Contacting the manufacturer, I was advised that I must send the unit back to a service center for a firmware update.

I am disappointed on three dimensions: 1.) in the design of the product, which represents a triumph of design sizzle over functionality: what genius decided that a fancy swipe mechanism was better than a just-plain on-off switch to power the unit? 2.) that a brand-new unit was shipped directly from the manufacturer without current firmware; and 3.) the firmware is not easily updatable directly through the USB port (though since the unit won't turn on, I won't protest too loudly about this).

I'm excited about the functionality of this unit as a supplement to ForeFlight on my iPad in an airplane cockpit. But the actual arrival of the device was a big letdown.