product review

Silk Has a Hit with Their “Fruit & Protein” Drink! [Consumer]

by on February 7, 2012

in consumer, product review

Consumer Bits on Brusimm 200w logo, [Consumer News, advice and reviews]This is a consumer product review of Silk‘s newest product, their Fruit & Protein drink.  If you can call massive ingestion of a yummy product a product review.

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My wife is a vegetarian and I’m a part-time vegetarian, if you count that 60% of my plate is usually fruits and veggies.  OK, all joking aside, there’s no such thing as a part-time vegetarian.  But since my wife is a vegetarian, she uses different vegetarian products, she has taken strongly to the Silk Brand Soy Dark Chocolate Milk.

I’ve tried it but there’s something about it that doesn’t like me and I have an odd allergy-like reaction to it.  But the other day, I descried on the refrigerated shelf in Safeway, a product from Silk that I’ve never seen before.  “Silk Fruit & Protein.”

Silk Fruit and Protein product reviewAnd yes, it’s a product derived from Soy.

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I have quite the sweet tooth and absolutely love fruit smoothies like what comes from Jamba Juice… or if you have the gear, time and money, you can make your own fruit smoothies.

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Did You Know You Can or Have To Set Your Garmin 305 To Record Splits? [Consumer]

by on January 3, 2012

in consumer

Garmin Forerunner 305Setting Splits on Your Garmin Forerunner 305… it doesn’t come out of the box recording splits automatically, but did you know it can be set to record splits?

I’ve owned a Garmin 305 since I did my Garmin 305 Product Review in March of 2010.  It’s one of the best toys a runner can have.

Before owning a Garmin GPS tracking computer, I used to run predefined courses and then map them out on either Google Earth, Map My Run, and now, lately, if I do this any more, over on USATF America’s Running Routes.

To be honest, after a good run, the last thing you want to do is sit down and tinker on the computer.

So I snagged a GPS 305 back then because it was on sale for a ridiculous price on Amazon.com.  Today I took a peek and today I noticed a Garmin or two on sale for around $180 at the time of writing this article.  (Garmin GPS Watches on Amazon.com)

Since my introduction to my Garmin, I’ve been loving the premise of turning on my Garmin 305, putting it in the window sill until it catches the satellite signals, and taking off.  This works out great because the watch needs a few minutes to find the sky and I use that time to load up my running fuel and water bottles.  By the time I’m done with that, my Garmin is ready.

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SONY Blu-ray Disc Player: Initial Consumer Product Review Observations

by on December 24, 2011

in consumer, product review

This is an initial set of observations and a consumer product review of the SONY Blu-ray Disc Player, model BDP-S480.

Sony BDPS480 3D Blu-ray playerThis is not a technical review.  This is a regular Joe kind of review.  So keep that in mind as you read this product review.

The Sony BDP-S480 is a 3D Blu-ray Disc Player.  I did not get it for the 3D feature.  I am not a fan of most 3D movies so I’m not sure what I’d get out of it on a tinier screen, but the player fell within my price-range.  And since 3D seems to be getting shoved down the consumer’s throat, well, I’m sure sooner or later I might be tinkering with the tech.

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As anyone who knows me can attest to, I do my research.  I hate buying blind. Plus I’m finally considering a BD player because studios are adding more features to the Blu-ray format products than the DVD version of their products.

With that said, I was on the hunt for my first Blu-ray player.

Initially I queried some peers who have BD players and the one thing I took away from my conversations is to visit the stores and check out the remotes.  Apparently remotes can be bulky, non-intuitive or are just annoying.

Then I checked out some consumer review websites and got a feel for brand/models I was looking for and had narrowed the field down.  One of the first things I noticed was that the store I hit up did not have remotes out with the shelf models.  After looking at what was for sale, there were a couple of recommendations left for my choosing.

Blu-ray Disc Players on Amazon

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Consumer Product Review: Sony Bravia LED TV

by on December 17, 2011

in consumer, product review

Sony Bravia LED TV model KDL32EX523 Consumer Product Review from Brusimm.com

A word upfront:  This Consumer Product Review about my Sony Bravia LED TV is not a technical, behind-the-scenes, what’s in the guts, kind of review. I won’t be telling you how many millions of colors my new TV put out (Besides, we can only see thousands of colors), or tiny nuances like that.

No, I’m the average Joe like you, who just dropped some bucks on something, hoping it won’t screw me over.  I’m a regular consumer like you.  When I buy things, I do my research, try to buy smart then tell you what happened after I bought it!

I also want to preface this consumer review article by saying, if you’re loyal to a brand, I understand.  I’m not pushing Sony on you.  It’s the brand I’m learning to be loyal with, unless something else comes along that impresses me.  With that said…

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Sony Bravia LED TV model KDL32EX523 side view

In the beginning of September, 2011, I had put out a piece about shopping for a new flat screen TV.  At the time, I had gone through the various factors to think about before buying a flat screen TV because I was going through the process myself and it felt a bit harrowing. [How to buy a flat screen TV]

In the end, I had chosen to purchase a Sony Bravia LED flat screen TV, a KDL-32EX523.  I also wanted an internet-ready TV… that cost a wee bit more, but it was worth it, at least for me.

[Point/Reminder: LED TV's are better for the environment because they use LED back-lighting instead of the LCD fluorescent back lighting, which contain mercury]

Flat Screen TV’s on Amazon

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Princeton Tec Fuel 4 Headlamp vs The Tikka2 4 LED by Petzl – A Consumer Review

by on December 4, 2011

in consumer, product review

Consumer news, Consumer alerts and a Consumer's opinionThis is a consumer product review/comparison of two headlamps that many runners are bound to end up having used or will use.  For me, they seem to be the more prevalent headlamps out there that I’ve seen in runner’s stores.  So come on in and see what this consumer found out when comparing the two!  And if you’re Christmas shopping for a friend or loved one, here’s some perspectives to think about if you’re pondering a gift for that runner in your life!

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I’m a runner and I tend to run at night.  My run club runs at night right now also, what with the wonderfully wasted deed of changing our clocks twice a year.  And as some may know, I tend to hit the streets for midnight runs. (Basically, you can see and hear the cars coming long before they get near you!)

So I’ve needed some light power to get me through the night, literally, and keep me from rolling my ankle over dropped pine cones and what not.

Below, are my consumer product reviews of two headlamps…  the Princeton Tec Fuel 4 Headlamp and the Tikka2 4 LED by Petzl.  Each one has its strengths and differences and they are subtle.  It all really depends on preferences and past consumer experience as to which one you prefer!

The following product reviews are not presented in any particular order.

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Fascinating Little But Super Bright DuraVisionPro LX-4000 [Consumer]

by on November 16, 2011

in consumer

DuraVisionPro Safety LightThe other day I had bought a DuraVisionPro LX-4000 Safety Light and thought I’d pump out this quickie product review!  I’m pretty dang happy with it because it’s one of the easiest to wear and brightest to see lights I own.  And it would seem that I did so in the nick of time.

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The  DuraVisionPro LX-4000 is an incredible light to use for running.  It has a 4,000 foot visibility range and three modes of light that range between blinking to solid.

It’s super light in weight and has been super easy to put on and it so far, it seems to stay on.  And the great thing about the light is that it clamps to many spots.

I’ve worn it off the back of my hat, my shirt collar, and my running shorts waistline.  All with no real obstruction or noticeable weight.  (Yep, even off the back strap of my Velcro strap on my hat didn’t bother me.)

When I bought the light, it used to cost $10.  The company has recently DOUBLED the price of this neat little safety gadget.

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Consumer Product Review: The Super Inexpensive ‘SIGMAC NE15AB’ LED TV

by on September 25, 2011

in consumer, product review

Product Review: ‘SIGMAC NE15AB’ LED TV

When you see the ad for an incredibly priced flat screen LED TV, do you dive in and take up the offer or should you consider doing more research before buying a SIGMAC LED 15-inch TV?  See what I have to say and maybe, you will save yourself some time, money and/or aggravation!

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Flat Screen TV

This consumer product review started on Saturday, 9/24, when  I had hit up Fry’s because they had an ad in the newspaper on Friday for an LED Flat screen TV for $70.  Unkown brand.  It didn’t say in the ad.

That’s fine.  For $70, who cares.  Plus this is what the stores do.  They toss out a loss-leader sale item, bait to get you in the store, then when you see the other cooler stuff, and well, the rest is history, as is some of your cash.  This is why you do your consumer research and not get sucked in by ads.

And by me, that’s fine.  As you know, I research the crap out of any important product purchases.  And for me, this product is perfect because I have the perfect location for it… in my office next to my computer monitor.  The small Sony tube TV I have in there now can be relegated to kitchen watching and I get a slightly crisper image in the office.  I assume.

Sweet.

SIGMAC LED TV consumer product review

Of course, for $70, I wasn’t expecting any kind of brand name TV nor, am I expecting it to last that long.  But if it lasts a year, I’m good.  Plus it took a wee bit of digging around at Fry’s to find it.  The display model for the 15″ TV was right there, next to the other $150 to $200 15-inch models that had a huge amount of features.

An interesting sneaky bit though…   The TV wasn’t below where the display model was, but way down the aisle.  I had to scrounge to find it.  There were only two left.  Well, to be exact, there were two on the shelf.

But then, there were a few moments that also made me laugh.  Read on and find out why  a brand new LED TV product review made me laugh.

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Motorola Droid X Final Review & Gingerbread Update Info [Consumer Bits]

by on June 9, 2011

in consumer, product review

Motorola Droid XI previously slapped out a few impressionistic reviews of my Motorola Droid X smartphone when I first bought it.  Now that I’ve used for over 6 months, I can say I’ve become incredibly happy with the device.  And now that the new Gingerbread update is out, updating the phone to Android 2.3.3, it’s a WOW experience!

Recap/Review of Droid X User Experience

Since November, I’ve become very accustomed to a few features on my Motorola Droid X phone.  In fact, almost dependent on.  I love the weather and news apps that came pre-installed.  The Kindle app is my newest addiction. And a few production apps I’ve installed that I use regularly have become mainstays in my day-to-day life.  If you get the right set of apps and such, your Droid X can be a great productivity tool or something that helps pass the lulls in the day.

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Phone Reception

Motorola phones have always had a great ability to pull in a good signal compared to other brands my friends carry.  I once had a Samsung Omnia.  Besides a painful, clunky smartphone experience, this thing had horrid reception.  My Motorola Droid X remedied that and I’ve not had an issue since.

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Camera

I use the Camera more than I thought I would.  (And with the Gingerbread update, you CAN NOW TURN OFF THE SHUTTER SOUND!!!)  It can take wonderful images most of the time.

Doctor Who Sonic Screwdrivers 2011-05-03_08-56-37_91

It has a panoramic mode.  It’s not perfect but if you tackle simple two and three frame scans, it works pretty good.  It also has an automatic face detect, making it easy to take self portraits.  Zooming in on objects isn’t bullet-proof as the pics will get grainier but overall, it’s a great little camera that’s nice to have around for most basic shots.

Oh, and they have a zoom in and out widget on the screen now when you bring up the camera.

See a panoramic pic after the break:

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Speeding Up Your ‘Droid X’ Camera Shutter [A Consumer Product Review]

by on April 30, 2011

in consumer

Motorola Droid XI’ve been playing with my new Motorola Droid X, running on the Verizon Wireless service for a few months now.  It has a wonderful set of features that offset my cringing about the cost of the thing.  Plus, it is a business expense as part of running my website.

One of the features this consumer has come to use a lot more from my smartphone than I thought I would was the camera.  If you’ve played with the options available, it is a bit surprising how many features and options the camera has.

One of my favorite features on this Motorola Droid is the automatic panning that you can do to capture a panoramic image.  It works pretty good actually. Not perfect in some settings, but not bad in others. (small example image after the break)

The other feature I’ve found that I enjoy from this smartphone is the face recognition mode.  As folks like to take pictures of themselves, it can be a trick to hold the camera and take a pic.  But with the face recognition feature activated, as you hold your camera up and face yourself with the lens, as soon as it recognizes that it has a face in its focus pane, it focuses and automatically takes the picture.

Zing!  That’s a cool feature.

BUT.

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The ‘LG KOMPRESSOR Pet Care Upright Vacuum’ [Consumer Product Review]

by on April 21, 2011

in consumer

This is my product review of my initial purchase for the LG Kompressor Pet Care upright, bagless vacuum.

LG KOMPRESSOR Pet Care Upright VacuumLast weekend I hit up the Sears in Mountainview, CA.  They’re going away for a while and right now they’re having an everything must go sale… where prices are 10-30% off everything.  Don’t worry, the expensive stuff like flat screen TV’s and the practical gear is only 10% off right now.  But more to the point, I was there to get myself I new vacuum and I ended up with the LG Kompressor Pet Care upright.  It’s a bagless system and it’s going to be replacing my Kenmore HEPA upright.

I’ve had my Kenmore HEPA upright for nearly ten years and it’s done very well by me.  In fact it’s still doing pretty good but it is getting long in the tooth and being relegated to the garage for vacuuming out the cars.  So for the Sears Kenmore brand, I have a total 2-thumbs up score.

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Choosing and Buying It

I hit up the Sears and saw my options for vacuums, and if anyone knows me, you know I just didn’t walk in and buy the prettiest looking or best word-pitched product on the shelve.  I saw what they had and then went off into the corner and looked at Consumer Reports product reviews of the various products offered.

I was curious about the Dyson vacuums with those orange balls but the reviews are not glowing for them and I’m not going to drop a chunk of change on something that reviewers are blithering all over themselves about.  Dysons are not cheap.

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