Griffin PowerDuo Universal Charger for USB-Charging Devices (Black)

• PowerBlock Dual wall charger works with AC outlets form 100V to 240V.
• Charge 2 devices at the same time.
• PowerJolt 12V car charger works in your vehicle's cigarette lighter or 12V accessory socket.
• Replaceable auto fuse protects from surges.
• Illuminated ring changes color for charging status at a glance.

Problem: The 3g iPhone drains your battery like no other. If you're on a road trip or if you use the GPS extensively, you're going to need a car charger.

What we were looking for: I've read too many horror stories of third party chargers bricking iPhones. So I wanted something reliable. I looked for items they sold at the apple store here on Amazon, as it is much cheaper here. I figured if Apple was selling them, they must be more reliable than these other cheaper alternatives that have been damaging phones.

Pros:

1. USB! I think this will be the trend for chargers. More and more chargers will be USB cords, so you won't have to get a billion tips for your different devices. You just plug in the USB cord that came with your product in the first place. This is a 5.5 V system, so both my iPhone and my Jawbone work.

2. Fuse: I like that it has a fuse. Its very reassuring after reading how many iPhones have been messed up by third party chargers.

3. Dual USB on the powerblock (AC home wall adapter not cigarettelighter). You can charge 2 usb devices at once. Note that the powerjolt (cigarette lighter adapter) only has 1 usb port. I've read that other car adapters that incorporate 2 usb ports hum annoyingly.

4. Small car adapter unit: barely sticks out.

Cons:

1. The powerblock is a bit bulky. I was planning on taking this with me on trips, but I think I'll take the iPhone charger instead and leave this one at home.

Conclusion: Great car charger for the 3g iPhone, with a fuse for assurance. The powerblock unit has 2 usb devices allowing you to charge 2 usb devices at once. Just use your usb cable, no more annoying car charger adapter tips to deal with.

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I bought this for the dual wall adaptor but I incorrectly assumed the DC Car adaptor was dual as well. The car adaptor only charges one item at a time.

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Overall, this is a great product, or two products. Unlike most other iPhone/iPod chargers, this requires you to provide your own USB to dock connector cable(s). But, I have several of these that I've accumulated over the years, so it's not a problem for me. Plus, I like that I can power/charge other USB devices, like my Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx 2.6-Inch Mapping Handheld GPS (for use in the car) and my Jawbone Bluetooth Headset with NoiseAssassin-Black (Jawbone II). I like how the ring around the car charger glows different colors depending on whether the iPod is charging or fully charged. This is also the first car charger I've seen with a changeable fuse, in case it's necessary. My only complaint is that Griffin could have put two USB ports in the car charger so both units could charge two devices (I have seen some other solutions that include two USB ports, like the Scosche USB12V2 Dual USB Car Charger).

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Griffin makes good products and the PowerDuo Charger is a good product that does what is needed. I have the 12volt plugged into the car and the dual home charger in the house. It sure is nice to be able to plug in an iPod for a charge without all the syncing that comes with charging on the Mac.

This product works for our 2g Touch and 4g Nano. Any iPod that charges over USB should work with this. At a discounted Amazon price and with the reputation of Griffin; I couldn't go wrong. Highly recommended.

I like both items. The car charger is the best. It's tiny and unassuming. The red and green light let's you know easily if the phone is charged or not. The dual charger is cool to charge more than one product. My only gripe is that it pulls out of sockets easily. but that's not a reason not to buy it all. It's small and convenient and cuts down on the bulk of multiple chragers having to be carried.

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Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and Geko (010-10203-00)

• Plugs into any standard cigarette lighter
• compatible with eTrex Camo®, eTrex Legend®, eTrex Legend® H, eTrex Summit®, eTrex Venture®, eTrex Vista®, eTrex Vista® H, Geko 201 and Geko 301
• Conserves battery life
• Convenient and easy to use
• Genuine Garmin-quality product

Although the eTrexes were really designed for use in the outdoors, I use it in the car to help predict distance to go, etc., and if I have the local map downloaded to it, it has helped me out of binds on a couple of occasions. If you use it in the car, you really want this adaptor to save your batteries.

Not only will it save the batteries, but I can operate my Legend in normal mode to get better position from the WAAS data. (Battery saver mode precludes the use of WAAS and normal mode can really drain the batteries rather quickly.) (BTW, there is no scientific reason for reception to be better because of using this adapter.)

The cord is generously long. In fact, it can get in the way sometimes, but may allow the unit to be passed to the back seat so your back seat navigator can monitor it.

I have only two minor complaints. The first is the price. The Garmin Legend gives a lot of feature for the price, but Garmin seems to make up for it with the price of the accessories. It seems this adaptor should cost half what it does.

The second is that the fuse is accessed by screwing off the center of the cigarette plug, and the center piece has unscrewed itself on a couple of occasions now, leaving several small parts strewn about. I had to dig in my glove compartment this weekend for all of the little parts, and am waiting for the day I lose one for good. So be careful that the center is always screwed in.

I use this with the suction cup mount, which works quite well on glass. (But again, seems kind of expensive for what it is.)

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This product is a must if you use your GPS in your car. It will save you many, many batteries. I like the quality. It feels solid. The LED on the lighter plug is useful. It indicates that you have power. The piece that snaps into the eTrex seems to connect well. It's never come unplugged after rolling around in my truck. The cord is plenty long for my needs--about four feet. My only complaint is the cost. The price was a little more than I would liked to have spent, but it's the only game in town.

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All I require of this cable is that it plug easily into both my car and my Garmin Venture and then power my Venture. It does that swimmingly, just as it should.

The only aggravation has nothing to do with the cable: when you remove the cable, the Garmin will power down unless you hit a button telling it not to. I would often have the GPS hooked up in the car, get to the parking spot, then remove the cable in order to go and and get to the geocache. At which point the GPS would turn off (because I'd forget about the power down), and I'd have to wait around for the satellites to be found again.

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I'm sure this thing works fine on some GPS units... but it's less than clear that this adaper WILL NOT WORK on the Legend or Vista. The title is misleading (it says "most" eTrex), the Product Description is just wrong (it says "all" eTrex). FOR The eTrex LEGEND or VISTA, you need a different adapter!!

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This adapter is functional, is easy to use, enables continued use of backlight, and saves the batteries for walking with the eMap after arriving in a strange town. When I want to connect other media while driving with my family, I use a 12v 3-Outlet Car Power Adapter. Despite another wire, it's a worthwhile accessory.

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Voltaic Solar Bag Amp Charger - Silver

Most of my friends have ditched their land lines in favor of cell phones only. But during power outages they have no way to recharge their phones. Problem solved! This handy device works well and charges quickly--even from a window inside our house. It is great for emergencies. My friends thing I am techno-savy and brilliant to give such a gift.

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Optima Batteries 8052-161 D31M BlueTop Dual Purpose Battery

• 12-Volt, 900 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 12 13/16" x 6 1/2" x 9 3/8" tall, Weight: 59.8 pounds, Dual SAE & 5/16" Stainless Steel Stud Posts
• Reserve capacity of 155 minutes for constant performance
• Optimal starting power even in bad weather
• Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
• This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

The Optima batteries carry a price premium because of their design, however their long life and ability to work in any orientation and in rough environments is what you are buying. Additionally, you do not need to worry about acid spilling out like you would with traidtional deep cycle marine batteries. Cost, however, is substantially higher.

I ordered mine through amazon and it was shipped ground from their fullfulment center in Sacramento nearest to me in the bay area which meant it arrived overnight. I was a little disappointed at first getting ground service as a prime member, but overnight beats 2 days and their fullfillment centers are across the usa so chances are you will get yours in 1-2 days by ground ups.

I have used Optima batteries since I killed my first battery in my H1 humvee offroad in Alaska doing 60 MPH over rock roads from the Yukon territories to Alaska. Ordinary car batteries just don't do well to the vibrations the H1 hummer can produce. Additionally when offroading, the H1 may tip up to 40 degrees on sideslope which will spill the acid out of a normal car battery while the optima does not loose any acid or liquid at all.

You *MUST* match the color code of the optima battery with YOUR intended purpose as follows:

BLUE (this one) DEEP CYCLE applications RV's, inverters, UPS systems basically applications where you plan to drain the battery dry every time then recharge it pretty soon afterwards.

YELLOW (what I use in the H1 Hummer engine) Has both deep cycle ability and engine starting ability. If you drain a NORMAL engine starting battery dead you take between 5-10 percent of its life away right there. The Yellow Optima batteries can take deep discarge running lights and accessories with the engine off and still start the engine then recharge from the alternator provided they are not totally dead. NOTE: if you use the side post for engine starting, ALWAYS connect a winch to the top post. Look closely and you will see that there is a slim bar that makes the side terminal FROM the top post, which is the main terminal. Because a winch will draw 200+ amps for minutes at a time, the top post is advised by optima for this and any heavy, long running loads. Engine starting is brief (4 seconds) so the thin strip inside the battery is fine.

RED these are just simple replacements for engine statring ONLY they are NOT meant to be deep discharged and will suffer a shorter lifespan if you do drain them. They still have all the benefits of the Optima design of being sealed, vibration proof, and spill proof.

Hence for cars, I always choose Yellow tops, and for boats or RV's & UPS systems I use blue tops. Honestly I've never bought a Red top because I normally want a battery that can run accessories on a vehicle with the engine off for a long time.

This battery is rated 75AH and I realize you can buy alot more AH in a deep cycle marine cell with liquid acid for less money. I have no concerns anchoring this battery down inside my vehicle because I know it will not spill acid if I accellerate or corner sharply or go off road. I know that the wet cell deep cycle marine battery will spill acid under many conditions even just climate changes or charging rapidly.

You get what you pay for in the Optima batteries. Considering Amazon does not charge to ship a 69 lb battery to you and does not hit you with a core charge it's not a bad deal to get it on your doorstep overnight or 2 days. All together it proved to be an excellent piece of my inverter system (see Xantrex Technologies Prosine 1,000 to 1,500-Watt Power Inverter #1000 for the inverter I used)

The optima battery can deliver high enough currents for the Xantrex true sinewave inverter to start an air compressor which is a difficult load to deal with. Other batteries I tried refused to provide the inrush current to start the compressor. The reason is simple inside the "6 pack" of cans are rolled up lead calcium gelled acid sheets with LOTS of surface area, which translates into higher currents possible.

Finally, there is a pamphlet stuck to your new battery on how to care for your Optima cell for charging currents on the D31M model. One of the cons of the Optima design is that they do not take equalization charges like wet cells do so it is best to maintain a constant voltage of about 13.6 VDC on the battery when you are able to to prolong its life. I keep mine on the CTEK Multi US 7002 12V Battery Charger which charges at 6-7 amps and can also supply 6amps for items running off the battery when ac is available.

This is professional gear and will deliver excellent results when used properly.

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Optima batteries are one of the best on the market. I am very impressed by their longevity and high power delivery. I have had a yellow top Optima in my 4wd truck for 9 years now and it is as strong as the day I installed it. Other great features of Optima batteries are the facts that you never have to add water, they can be mounted in most any position and the terminals never corrode.

This purchase was a second blue top D31M. I use two of these batteries in parallel to power a 2000 watt inverter. I tested it by placing a 1500 watt load on the inverter which drew 137.5 amps from the two batteries in parallel. They were able to sustain this load for 27 minutes. That is like cranking a 6 cylinder engine for half an hour. I previously used marine deep-cycle flooded-cell batteries for my inverter but they would only last about two years and I constantly had to check and add water as well as clean corrosion from the terminals. The bottom line is even though you pay more initially to buy an Optima battery the long life and power delivery quality actually make it cheaper than other batteries when you divide the cost by the number of years of service.

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Over the past 5 years I have purchased 3 Optima batteries. The first one lasted just past it's warranty date and then failed. It was a red top. The last two were very expensive blue top marine deep cycle/starting batteries purchased at the same time and put in the same boat. The batteries operated through a Perko switch set on ALL. They charged together and discharged together. They are just now 37 months old. One has failed completly and the other still works. The warranty is 18 month free replacement and 18 month prorated. So here again no warranty help.

Most battries that you purchase for $200+ have a 48 or 60 month warranty. Optima does not. The company would go out of business if it had to honor warranties that other battery manufactures offer. Optima is just a lot of hype. I have learned my lesson and will never purchase another Optima battery.

Optima is owned by Johnson Controls and moved their manufacturing plant to Mexico. In Mexico they are not held to strict enviornmental laws and employ cheap labor. They now offer only a 24 month warranty, period. I guess they know how long their battery is good for.

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I really wonder if some reviewers here actually read Optima's FAQ.

Optima clearly states that a deeply discharged battery may appear (even to "techs") as defective and explains how to charge such battery.

Also, ANY lead acid battery is subject to sulfation if stored at low charge. Desulfating chargers work and don't cost that much.

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I have used optmas in my cars since the 90s.I have used them in my 87 Buick GN and multiple corvettes. They were the best. However the last copule of years something has changed. I use to let my vettes sit for weeks and they would start without a problem. Now they cant sit for more than two weeks without going dead. Once they are dead forget about charging them. 6 months ago I changed the optima n my 90 Callaway vette to an interstate and can go a month with out a charge. i also examined the electrical system the only draw is the clock and factory security light. Tonight the same problem in my GN. The car sat for three weeks (red top Battery is 3 months old) and the battery is dead and wont take a charge. I never had a problem with the yellow tops or red tops in the 90s, and now I have the same problems with both. I think something was changed in theses batteries and I am now done.

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Jabra TOUR Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black

I realistically give this 4.5 stars, but I reserve 5 stars for perfect devices, so I round down.

I'm a gadget-guru and have used a number of Bluetooth in-car speakerphones in search of the perfect device. In fact, I've used so many, I've come up with a criteria-list of 14 items that I use in my pursuit of the perfect Bluetooth device.

What makes the perfect car bluetooth speakerphone?

==============My 14 Most Important Criteria Items============

1. It should have caller-id that speaks the name of the caller

Yes, this Jabra Tour has spoken caller-id, works great!

2. It should automatically turn on/off as you are away from the car

Yes, it does this with a motion sensor which also works great.

3. It should have ample volume while driving at highway speeds

Not as loud as the Supertooth HD (my favorite), but reasonable and acceptable.

4. You should only have to press a single and easily accessible button to answer or place a call

This is where I mainly deduct a half-star. The button to use voice-dial is different than the button to answer a call and they are tiny and opposite each other. In fact they are so small that you sometimes have to glance up to see that you are pressing the right button this defeats the purpose of hands-free that is supposed to keep your eyes on the road. If Jabra could just improve this, I would absolutely give this 5 stars. Look at the Supertooth HD SuperTooth High Definition Bluetooth Portable Visor Car Kit and Speakerphone for Cell Phones, iPad 2, and iPhone Retail Packaging (Black) (the only 5 star rating I've given), it's one big button, just press it, easy to find every time without looking.

5. It should make use of your phone's built-in voice recognition system (if your phone has this)

Yes, assuming you can press only the small voice-dial button and not something else. Jabra if you made the big round speaker an actual pushable button, you'd have an awesome, perfect product. [I'm still waiting for a manufacturer to make a wireless button we can install anywhere so we don't even have to reach up to the visor]

6. It should be easy to pair and auto-download your phone's contacts

Yes, super easy to do.

7. It should reconnect easily when you are in the car

Yes, this works very well.

8. Callers should be able to hear you clearly at highway speeds

Callers can understand me but as with every Bluetooth speakerphone, they will likely know you are talking on a speakerphone or headset just because of road noise. I've used/listened to built-in factory Bluetooth phone systems in BMWs and Hondas and you can still tell they aren't holding the phone to their ear and mouth.

9. The charging port should not be obstructed when the device is installed on a sunvisor

Yes, this is on the side and it is in an ideal spot.

10. It should have a long battery life

Yes, although it doesn't automatically tell me battery life like the Supertooth HD does whenever it connects, you can hold the voice-dial button down for 3 seconds, say Battery and it tells you battery life. Fully charged it's some 20+ hours of talk time. After a couple of weeks of moderate usage, it was still at 12+ hours of talk time. I think after a month it was still around 10+ hours, which is excellent.

11. It should be reliable whether it is -40 degrees in Fargo or the internal car temperature reaches 140 degrees in Texas

I've only had this for a couple months so it is too soon to tell, I will update this review after a few more seasons.

12. It should have good documentation or manufacturer's website and/or responsive customer support

Yes, Jabra is excellent with their website and online support documentation. In fact, it doesn't really ship with a detailed manual, but it is easy to find on their website. I've noticed a lot of vendors have been doing this, cost-cutting, but greener for our environment.

13. It should be usable whether the sun visor is flipped down or up

I am not deducting anything for this, but no, this is "one-sided" for however you've installed it. If you flip the sun visor, the speakerphone will likely be blocked and against the windshield and you're going to have to blindly find the buttons and lean forward to talk. The Supertooth HD is the only device I'm aware of that uses a magnetic clasp so that it can be removed and used on any side of the visor. If you never use your visor, then this is a moot point.

14. It should be reasonably priced

As of this writing, the Jabra Tour is ~$85 and the Supertooth HD is ~$60. I still feel the Supertooth HD is a better device and value all around.

Jabra TOUR Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone is a very good quality bluetooth speakerphone. It is easy to pair up and operate. The button are back lighted and big enough for easy operation. The sound quality is good . and the auto on and auto off motion sensor feature is very convenient. Pretty much all you can ask for from a bluetooth speakerphone at this current moment.

Key features:

1. Good sound quality

2. Very easy to use

3. Pair up with multiple devices

4. Auto on and off with the motion sensor

5. Compatible with both Android and Apple IOS (and SIRI as well)

6. Make calls using your voice (voice control feature)

Sidarta Tanu

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I was wondering what the difference was between this "Tour" and the Jabra "Freeway" as they are so close in price...

One big difference is that the TOUR uses Bluetooth 3.0 and under while the Freeway is Bluetooth 2.1 and under... Note that Bluetooth version 4.0 is already out there.

The Tour is louder, which in my case is good for use in my noisy old Jeep CJ... at cruise anyway 8-)

Voice commands TO THE TOUR work the same as my Jabra Freeway, but you must hold the voice command button down for at least two seconds, just hold down until you hear "say a command" and not just a quick on/off push

Actual PHONE commands must be avail on your phone in order to use them.

Jabra seems to have this bluetooth tech down pretty well, but have to wonder why make a fully new model at this price point with the Freeway already in place with happy customers... but again, it IS louder with this big single speaker and 3 watts of power.

Bluetooth range is set by industry standards (low power) so you're not going to find any that have longer range (33ft) until the rules change in general and allow them to make more powerful bluetooth transmissions.

The Jabra Tour DOES play music files from your phone... however is not in true stereo.

Great heavy duty, full width solid metal clip to hold on the visor (or even your belt or shirt/pants pocket if you care to use it that way) Also works just fine on the desk as a speakerphone.

Car charger and USB cord supplied, but Jabra really should have included an AC wall charger at the MSRP I think. I would never charge something like this from my computer's USB port.

This TOUR works well, but you might want to check out the Freeway before you pull the trigger; Jabra FREEWAY Bluetooth Speakerphone (Black, Retail Packaging) Just know it's not quite as loud on full volume as the Tour.

PDF user manual is available for download or viewing at the Jabra site.

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I couldn't figure out how to end calls between my iPhone 4S and Jabra Tour. The Answer/End button doesn't do it. Just figured out I need to press the button on the opposite side (where the phone icon is) and tell Siri "End Call" or "Hang up." So far I'm happy with the Tour.

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Pairing is very easy, works well with my iPhone 5 and there is no need to enter any pin.

It is very loud! I drive with the windows up, and I have to turn down the volume during the conversation with the other party if not my voice would tend to be louder.

I tried talking in a very normal volume and the other party can hear me comfortably.

Under the iPhone 5 Bluetooth settings, you can easily select to turn on or off for contacts sync with the TOUR.

Overall built quality seems very good with a matte finishing, very portable and has a good strong visor clip. But do not press the middle Jabra logo too hard, it has the feeling that it would sink in if press too hard. But in anycase, there is no need to press the middle Jabra logo. It's just the speaker cover.

I minus a star for the following reasons:

1. No changlog on the firmware update. I emailed Jabra, and they say they do not have a list of the changes, but normally the new firmware correct bugs and connection issues with cellphone systems released after the Jabra model.

2. The latest English firmware version currently is 1.30. When I pair it up, it shows up as Jabra TOUR v1.18.0 in my bluetooth settings. I thought after updating the firmware, I thought I should be seeing v1.30. But it did not change. Maybe it wasn't design to change. But it would be good to somehow see the current firmware version.

3. May have some crackling sound here and there, probably due to the connectivity and the interference around but not too obvious.

4. The volume control between my iPhone and the Jabra TOUR is not in synced. Adjusting the volume on one of them does not control the other. Maybe it's design like this to prevent adjusting the volume that is suppose to be for normal handheld phone usage.

Overall I am pleased to have it in my car. The current novelty of hearing the Tour say "Connected" when I enter the car is quite cool.

Update: 4th April 2013

Been having some trouble with this. The other party couldn't hear me at all. They could when I switch to my iPhone speaker mode.

I removed the device and reconnect, and I saw the 1.30 firmware version reflected this time round.

I had to reboot my iPhone to get everything working well.

But there is this stuck tone that would buzz for a few seconds when I hang up the call.

I hope a newer firmware would fix all these issues.

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Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery

• 12-Volt, 750 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10" x 6 7/8" x 7 13/16" tall, Weight: 43.5 pounds, Dual SAE & GM Post
• Reserve capacity of 120 minutes for constant performance
• Optimal starting power even in bad weather
• Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

This is officially my sixth Optima Yellow Top battery, and the first that has had an issue requiring warranty support. Unfortunately, I was told by Optima that Amazon is not on their authorized retailer list therefore I am unable to take it to a local retailer for warranty support. I also confirmed via my Amazon account that it cannot be returned to Amazon. What to do, what to do. Well, even though it is only 9 months old, I bought a brand new Optima from my local Autozone that I know will be an easy exchange should I ever have an issue again.

Now, on to the battery: These have worked well for me in multiple applications from HD trucks to multi-amp-ed Trans Am's and even an off-road Jeep. I've never had one fail until now but be aware that these are not "plug-and-play" batteries like a wet lead-acid type that most people use and/or grew up with when it comes to charging. I'd suggest visiting Optima's web site and reading the differences between their Red, Yellow and Blue top batteries so you understand their application and the type of care and feeding they require. The Yellow covers both cranking amps for starter motors as well as deep-cycle capacity for applications with a large amperage draw such as amplifiers and accessories like winches and such. I've averaged over 6 years out of each battery until I had this one fail and two were going strong when the vehicles left my possession.

I'm guessing that a number of those who are saying this is a bad battery or doesn't last haven't taken the time to learn about them. They can be drained completely down and yet recover where a standard battery won't. But, and it is a big but, they must be recovered following very specific procedures and no, you can't simply hook up a charger and expect it to recover automatically. Do some research and you'll confirm what I already know, these are not standard batteries and yes, they are better than your standard wet-cell batteries, in my opinion. For me, they've outlasted every other type of battery I've used and are what I buy when the stock battery dies or when I need more power for accessories. Peace.

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There's a lot of un-due praise for Optima batteries. I believe their reputation is over deserving. Granted batteries don't last long in Phoenix, I was expecting more than the 2 years I got out of my Yellow Top Optima; their capacity and life is not much different than cheaper quality batteries.

Negs:

The warranty is very poor, nowhere near the level of the competition.

I expected a quality deep cycle AGM to last a lot longer than just over 2 years.

Pros:

Worked well under heavy current loads. I run 5 amplifiers that draw about 80-100 amps. The Optima helped buffer the headlight-dimming effect I used to have w/ my stock battery.

Overall a good battery, but at this heavy price I would expect a battery to have a warranty to back it up past 18 months and to last longer than 2 years. If you're spending this much, check out the Diehard Platinum or others first, you'll be glad you did.

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This is a great battery as long as you buy it from an authorized dealer. AMAZON is not and this voids the warranty!!! I have one that went bad just before the 3 year FREE replacement, which is very unusual with Optima batteries. The manufacturer won't honor warranty because Amazon is not an authorized distributor, they show a warranty link (bad advertizing), If you contact Amazon they say it's only good for 30 days. Terrible deal and have found it online for $20 cheaper, free shipping, and warrantied. Very disappointed with Amazon. BEWARE!!!

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First of all, I am a dedicated AGM fanatic, and I won't use leaky wet-cell batteries. That said, I'm not sure if Optima is my brand any more. They just don't seem to last very long. This one was in very intermittent use, kept on a trickle charger, and gave up the ghost after 4 years of really light duty. The failure mode was a lost cell cranking voltage dropped to 7V. I'm trying out the Lifeline product line in several places maybe it will be better than Optima's so-so history with me.

Optima batteries, by virtue of their spiral cell design and construction, there is not a wetor gel-cell lead-acid battery out there that can compare in terms of charging efficiency and durability. However, do not purchase this through Amazon -it is NOT an authorized Optima dealer. Only an authorized Optima dealer, where you made your purchase, is obligated to replace a defective Optima battery with a new Optima. Check the Optima website for authorized dealers.

The above said, Optima batteries are better purchased at your local auto parts store that is an authorized dealer for the following reasons:

1. In the event of a warranty issue, it will be a simple swap.

2. Eliminate the wait and reduce shipping angst. Although an Optima battery is quite rugged, when shipped in a flimsy cardboard box and then tossed around and dropped by a careless courier, the impact by the battery's heavy bulk can cause its plastic case and the internal connections to weaken, crack, or break.

3. You can visually inspect a unit for physical damage from mishandling. Missing retaining fingers around the vent covers is a subtle but tell-tale sign that the unit has been mishandled.

4. You can check the voltage before walking out of the store with your new battery.

Hint: This is a long-lived product -purchase through a store chain (franchise) if you anticipate relocating within three years, and do not lose your receipt.

If you insist on purchasing an Optima battery online, your best bet is to order from Optima itself directly. This is the only instance that Optima (the manufacturer) will deal with you directly and give you a replacement battery. Otherwise, all warranty issues are addressed through the authorized dealer where you purchased your Optima battery.

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Legacy L1380 Grease Gun Workforce Mega Power 12V Battery powered

• Includes charger and two 12 volt batteries
• Carrying case - durable case for long-lasting protection and storage
• Delivers up to 8000 PSI
• No pumping required
• Holds 14 oz. grease cartridge

I'm an Operating Engineer, so I need to grease regularly. I'm honest in the fact, I'm lazy about the pump by hand and wanted a powered version. While it isn't a household name brand, the gun is mpore than effective and comes with an extra battery. I highly recommend this. The price was unbeatable as well, somewhere around $55 discounted on Amazon......

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If you are looking for a grease gun for a great price and great performance, this is it, works great comes with 2 batteries, charger, shoulder strap, thing works awesome. I don't write reviews often but had to take a minute to write this one. Enjoy

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Have not tried any other brand of battery powered grease gun, but this one has made greasing the tractor, and equipment a lot easier. Had this one at work were we greased a lot of equipment, and that is the main reason I purchased it myself for use at home. Have not had a minutes worth of trouble from it. If it broke today I would buy another one without thinking twice about.

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First use of the product the barrel flew off, dew to a defect with the threads. When greasing it is difficult to tell if any grease is flowing.

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I've had it for a year and the gun works fine but the batteries don't .

At a year old they run down too soon. Have too take them to Batteries r Us

to get them rebuilt for $46 each.

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Jump-N-Carry JNC300XL 900 Peak Amp Ultraportable 12-Volt Jump Starter with Light

• 900 peak amps and 225 cranking amp, with 27 inches of #4 gauge jumper cables
• Full size clamps to penetrate battery corrosion
• Equips with a high intensity work light
• Note: This item is Hazmat and non-returnable
• This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

We purchased the JNC300XL about a year ago to power a camera system we were developing for a truck. We needed 12Vdc vehicle power while in the lab and in the field for testing off the vehicle. It charges quickly, holds a charge for months and is light and compact. Last summer my wife called to say she was first in a left turn lane on a busy expressway and her car stalled and would not start. I grabbed to JNC300XL where it had set for months without a charge and off I went. I connected it to her battery and it provided plenty of power to turn over her fair sized V6 engine and start the car. The nice thing is it was a quick hook up. I wasn't in the middle of a busy road trying to get my car close enough to her car to string a couple of jumper cables. It is great for powering gadgets that normally plug into a cigarette lighter for power. You unplug the "flashlight" on the front of the unit to access the cigarette lighter plug. As with all batteries it should be charged every several months to keep the batteries from becoming un-chargeable. Since it is a sealed spill proof lead-acid battery like a car battery it does not have a memory nor will it be damaged by being topped off once in a while. It will die if left discharged for a long period. The manual can be found at

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I already had a JNC 660 for my truck and wanted to put smaller units in each of our cars. I bought 3 of these, then 2 more for Christmas gifts. They are easy to use and much more dependable than the cheap imports with lots of whistles and bells.... I prefer the larger unit for my dodge 1500 with a V-8 (I've jumped it 5 or 6 times between charges without a problem... electrical trouble...) This smaller unit is great for our Toyota 4 cylinder cars and Chrysler Concorde with a 3.5 6 cylinder. These beat the heck out of jumper cables, and my daughter and wife don't have to ask strangers for help... or wait for AAA.

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Changing my 1-star review to 3-stars. I purchased this unit but it wouldn't start my 1997 Land Rover Discovery V8 -at least not by following the standard directions. I spent over an hour with it over two days trying to start the car but it simply wouldn't turn over. This said, I was able to start the car using jumper cables connected to another vehicle, and AAA was able to start the V8 with a similar but larger portable unit. I finally called Clore Automotive Technical Support at (800) 328-2921. First off, they were super nice. They suggested that the JNC300XL may or may not work with a V8 truck, that a larger unit might be required, especially if the truck battery were completely dead. AAA had been out several days earlier, tested the Land Rover battery, so I knew it was OK, it was just low.

The Clore technician asked how I was connecting the unit. I said I followed the instructions, connecting the red lead to the red battery terminal and connecting the black lead to a non-moving metal engine part. He said, "There's your problem. You should connect both cables directly to the battery. They tell you not to do this in the directions, to avoid sparks, but it's what you need to do." I tried it and the Land Rover started instantly. So, it works and looks like this unit can save me in a pinch. I will keep it in my car from now on. I only wish the instructions included this extra bit of information, or what to do if the car fails to start following the standard instructions. If you have any issues, I'd recommend calling Clore Support.

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GREAT PRODUCT! for the price.

I spent 2-3 hours on-line looking for what I needed. A Battery Jumper: 1) not too much money, 2)would help me start my car immediately...This accomplished both needs. This is the cheapest, most reliant item. Ignore the Black&Decker item. I read too many bad reviews.

I used this one 5 times (within 2 months) before I took my car into the shop to correct the REAL problem ---My real problem: I bought a cheap replacement battery.

This item saved me from having my Auto Club telling me, "SORRY, YOU HAVE CALLED US TOO MANY TIMES".

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I wish all cars had auto shut-off feature so that it turns off the headlights and all electronics (except for door lock), so that if you forget to turn these off and remove the key, it wouldn't be sucking power off of your car's battery. My Mercedes would turn off the headlights and all electronics but my Honda would not. Having been spoiled by the Mercedes, I often forget to turn off the headlights and interior lights on my Honda, resulting in a dead battery.

Since I bought this jump starter, fortunately I didn't have to use it because I never ran into a situation. But just yesterday, I had someone walk up to me as I was proceeding to get into my car, asking if I had a jumper cable. I told him I had more than just a jumper cable and handed him this jump starter. Five minutes later, the guy came back very happy and told me that it worked on the first attempt.

Even though I had charged it almost 3 months ago, it worked on the first attempt which is reassuring. I didn't want to write a review of this product until I had tested it and now I am doing it because I do think this is a great product and can save you a lot of hassle. Please make sure to take it out to fully charge it every 3-4 months so you don't end up with a dead battery AND a dead starter.

***Update 09/04/2011***

Just to give you update, I have been using this product for more than a year now. I only had to charge it once. Its internal battery is just amazing if you're only using this for a quick jump-start every once in a while. I have used it at least more than a dozen times and it has always worked flawlessly. I last charged it several months ago and it still shows that the internal battery has enough juice to go on (two green LEDs).

Even after using it for more than a year, I am still raving about it. This purchase was well worth it and it has saved me a lot of time since I bought it.

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Cobra CXR875 30-Mile GMRS/FRS 2-Way Radios

• Up to 30 Mile Range - Extended range capacity provides up to 30 mile range. (Range will vary depending on terrain and conditions.)
• 3124 Channel Combinations - Available when the 22 channels are combined with the 142 privacy codes (38 CTCSS/104 DCS), these combinations prevent interference from other radios.
• NOAA Weather & Emergency Radio - Be prepared for storms and emergencies with the built-in NOAA radio receiver providing coverage of all government operated weather channels.
• VOX - The user's voice is detected and the radio transmits without the need to press any buttons, freeing hands for other tasks. 5 VOX sensitivity levels allow the user to select at which point the radio will detect their voice.
• Patented VibrAlert - Provides a silent alert for incoming calls. Ideal for noisy or all-quiet environments.

I ordered these for the features, weather channel, water resistant etc. I had an issue from the get go: One would not work after charging unless you remove the battery and re-installed it. My biggest gripe is the range. I did not expect anything near the "30 mile max" but 1.25 miles (via GPS) is pretty poor. At 1.5 miles all you could hear us the call tone. My test was in a fairly flat FL forest area.

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