Xantrex Technologies 851-0178 XPower 175-Watt Micro Inverter Review. The Xantrex Technologies XPower Micro 175-watt inverter transforms your vehicle's electricity so you can power your electronic devices while on the road. Compact and lightweight, it simply plugs into the 12-volt DC outlet in your vehicle to power cell phones, camcorders, small portable stereos, laptop computers, 13-inch TVs, portable work lights, and more. It includes an automatic shutdown feature to protect against overload, over-heating, and high/low battery condition. This durable plastic unit is just 1.9-by-2.9-by-4.8 inches in size and weighs 0.38 pounds. It is covered by a 1-year warranty....

 "Great little inverter" 2005-10-17
By C. Formea

This little inverter is perfect because there are no bulky boxes or wires running all over the floor of the car. Perfect for my laptop and for my cell phone charger. It has it's own little fan built in that keeps it from overheating. So far so good!

 "Very high Quality" 2007-02-08
By Robert S. Bolen (Atlanta, GA)

I am a traveling sales guy , and I use this thing everyday, I purchased this one after I recieved 2 broken Wagon tech ones from amazon, This brand is BY FAR the most well put together, built very solid, and works well. I usually never write reviews, but I had to for this one.

 "Works great on plane!" 2008-12-16
By G. Mendelsohn (ny ny)

I fly American Airlines coast to coast. Most American planes have DC outlets under the seats. I was able to plug the converter in the DC socket, plug my computer into the AC outlet and work and use the internet service without running out of battery power....Highly recommend for this application. Just make sure you purchase the correct wattage rating. I use a Dell laptop and the 175Watt rating worked well.

 "Great little device!" 2007-02-14
By David Johnston (Florida)

I am very pleased with this device. It allows me to use my laptop in the car. It is cheap to buy and small for travel. It does have a fan that makes noise, but I don't notice it when we are on the road, except when it is really cold outside (0F), when it whines for a bit, but then quiets down. It doesn't seem to interfere with the radio at all. It might not fit if your cigarette lighter is in a tight space, but it is fine on my car and a couple of rental cars that we used. It also worked in the plugs on American Airline's plane and was so easy to carry around! I have had other devices that were much bulkier and much more finicky about the power coming from our old car's battery. Bottom line: it is a price performer!

 "Great way to charge things on the road" 2007-06-08
By Doggy (NJ, USA)

This thing is great. I used it to charge my laptop during my driving tour of D.C and Virginia. The fan noise is pretty low. When the music was on, it was very hard to hear the fan. Now I do not need carry different car chargers for different electronics any more.

Duracell 813-0291-07 175 Watt DC to AC Pocket Power Source Inverter Review. Whether you're at home, on the road, in the air, or any remote location, you can trust Duracell portable and backup power solutions to keep your important electronic devices powered up. Put Duracell power in the palm of your hand to help keep you safe, productive and entertained, anytime and everywhere. Duracell Pocket Inverters convert DC battery power from a vehicle into useable AC household power. Simply plug the inverter into your vehicle's DC outlet, and connect your electronic device to the inverter's AC outlet or USB port. The Duracell Pocket Inverter will charge or operate a cell phone, iPod, BlackBerry, video camera, laptop and more. It powers two devices simultaneously and fits in your pocket, purse, laptop bag or glove box....

 "performs as advertised" 2008-02-03
By David Bigl (Springfield, MA USA)

I bought this item a few months ago and I love it. Provides enough power to run my laptop and GPS at the same time (I have my GPS hooked up to the USB port and laptop hooked up to the AC port). I Have had no problem with it whatsoever. I would highly recommend it.

 "Better than Expected" 2009-04-29
By David J. Koch (Columbus, Ohio)

I bought this little gem a few weeks ago. I travel extensively with a travel trailer, and when my partner is driving, I like to be on my 17" MacBook Pro. I allowed my battery to drain to 50%, then plugged into the Duracell 175. Initially, the inverter kept cycling on and off. I strung my MackBook cable over the sun visor so the inverter was hanging in front of the air conditioner vent. It stopped cycling on and off, and it completely recharged my battery while using the MacBook. The following day, I put a few strips of Velcro on the back of the inverter, careful to not cover the cooling vent, a few of the opposite velcro strips on the side of an air conditioner vent and wa-la. This little unit has no problem keeping up with using the MacBook Pro, and charging the battery at the same time. I'm totally delighted with this unit, and you can't beat the price.

 "Quality product." 2008-09-22
By J. Biggs

I just completed a 4500 mile road trip, and we used this invertor many hours each day to power a laptop running DVD movies for the kids (and their parents!). Operation was flawless: The unit doesn't get too hot, it's quiet, and supplied plenty of power.



My only negative comment would be about the power button and power indicator light. The button could be more prominently marked and the light could be brighter; after all, this is made to be used in a car, where lighting is never ideal. Overall, though, the quality is excellent, especially compared to some other units that I looked at which appeared to have been made in someone's garage.

 "Very Compact" 2009-10-21
By Jimmy Bells (Brooklyn, NY)

I haven't used this much yet. In fact I just used it once for about an hour, but worked perfectly for my Dell Inspiron E1505 Laptop. It got warm but not burning hot. It didn't make any discernaable noise that I can recall. Feels compact and solid in your hand. Small enough to keep in my laptop bag (although I'm starting to create a small electronics and accessories store in there). Please note that the picture is deceiving. It looks like the power cord is extremely short, which concerned me regarding placement of the item while in use. It is in fact plenty long (over 24" from end to end) and allows plenty of flexibility as to having room to find a good spot to sit it while in use.

 "Excellent product-Duracell DC to AC Inverter" 2008-10-24
By Charles F. Holland (Florence, KY)

Duracell DC tp AC Pocdket Power Source Inverter 175 watt.

Product is very compact and adequate as a power source. Size is the main selling point in my case, I have another inverter and it is 3 times the Duracell size.

LCD Screen Display,New FM Transmitter/Car charger/Holder/Car Mount For all iPhones (includes iPhone 3Gs), iPods (all generations) + Remote Control Review. Charges your iPhone on the go! Bright backlit LCD for night time,The unit includes a remote controller which can be used to control both the FM transmitter itself and audio functions for the iPhone or iPod. Installs in seconds, no special skill required...

 "Amazing Value" 2010-06-30
By Dustin Graber

Over the years I've been through about 15 FM transmitters. This one is by far the best quality I've had. You may hear a little high pitched noise at high volumes, but that is a small price to pay for the amazing amount of clarity provided. The remote control is pretty flimsy and has to be held almost directly next to it to work but that's not the reason I purchased it so I was hardly disappointed. I really don't think you'll find a better product on the market.

 "Exceeds expectations so far" 2010-07-07
By Julie Bogen

I bought this to replace my Griffin iTrip after it shorted out. I was worried about buying a different brand (or a non-brand, as a case seems to be), since the Griffin is able to be set to international frequencies (and I was never able to receive a clear signal without setting it below 88.1).



So far, however, the signal has been A LOT clearer at 88.1 than it ever was on my old transmitter. I live in Phoenix and I've had no trouble with signal interruptions so far; I even get a clear sound in parking garages and around strongly broadcast signals, like in shopping center parking lots. The sound quality is also pretty decent for an FM transmitter, especially one that cost less than $20 to buy and ship. I also love the cradle and the flexible neck that allows me to dock my iPod within easy reach.



The remote seems to be a bust, but I don't really care as I can't see a reason to use a remote when my iPod is docked right in front of me. Your mileage may vary, I suppose. And for all I know this might short out in a few months just like my Griffin did, but I'm holding out hope!

 "IPod adapter" 2010-06-14
By Gary H. Nelson (San Diego, CA)

A great product. My other adapter was stolen and I didn't want to miss my favorite tunes so I purchased this to replace it. Wow! This is much better anyway. Easy to use, even includes a remote if that is important to you. Stays on station, doesn't drift like my previous one. i love it!

 "$11.34!!!" 2010-07-15
By Eric

Worth the money, the only problem i had with initially buying it was that the lighting came as orange and black (looks like low quality to me) which i really didn't want, but with so many positive reviews (well actually there is like 4 but there all good) and an outstandingly low price, i gave in and bought it (only $11.34). To my surprise, (shipped incredibly fast), that the lighting was blue which really made me happy because that was what i was originally looking for. First I had a issue with the connection when i was tuning(12V car jack being loose), i just took it out and PUSHED IT IN WITH MORE FORCE then the connection finally was stable (must be due to the rubber stopper they put on the jack to keep it from twisting). The goose neck is very firm and works very well. The clamp keeps the iPhone 3G very still and the ipod dock connector has the locking clips so don't forget to push the sides when unhooking. The quality is better than radio, but not as good as CD. Remote actually worked pretty well for me. I drive a Honda Pilot and it is very stable. If your looking to play your music and want decent sound, buy it. I have no regrets of the purchase.



PS i like to add that people who are having trouble with the connection to push it in ALL the way. It should be stable and be a clear signal. For best connection find the most static filled station you can find and chose that one.

 "MY BEST TRANSMITTER SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!!" 2010-09-09
By Andres Lopez (New Jersey)

Let me start by saying that it's my 4th transmitter. This one is by far the best I owned.



Design: In the Amazon pictures it looks really cheap looking but actually is not bad at all. I love the fact you can twist and set it to your convenience. It really secures my device.



Features: I read some reviews here about the transmitter resetting to a different station everytime your turn on your car. well, mine it always stays in my station. the remote control is a plus even tho it looks really cheap but i dont really use it I dont really care.



Sound Quality: the BEST so far I set it up to 88.7 and get CD quality sound from my Droid 1 or my iPod touch 1G.



I buy it before it runs out.. Im not kidding buy it you wont regret it ...

Garmin nüvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic (Factory Refurbished) Review. The large-screen Garmin nüvi® 1490T offers multiple-point routing and lane assist with junction view to guide you through busy highway interchanges. It comes with subscription-free traffic alerts for most cities and is Bluetooth® compatible for hands-free calling. The pedestrian routing options and ecoRoute™ fuel-efficient routing provide a different way to get there....

 "Wow! Severe Traffic Ahead, Recalculating!" 2010-02-09
By Lee Besing (San Antonio, TX USA)

I bought this item after much comparison with the others available. This item was refurbished by Garmin, but still had a 1 year factory warranty, so why pay full retail? I just found this same GPS at a local major retail store for $449.99, so my $243 purchase price was a bargain, especially with free shipping!Garmin nüvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic (Factory Refurbished)



Features - I wanted multi-point mapping abilities & ability upload routes from my PC, cause I volunteer for the MS150 and Tour de Cure bicycle events that have multiple break points (rest stops) and a route that zig-zags all over creation.



Features - I liked the idea of a larger screen (5 inch), the lifetime traffic service, the built in bluetooth speakerphone, and Garmin's reputation.



Map Upgrades - I found that I could buy a lifetime subscription to map updates for a little over $100, using the 10% discount code Garmin gave me for registering my unit with them. (Note: register with Garmin first, then buy the map upgrade from their site, save 10%.)



Other Items Bought - I also bought the Garmin friction dash mount to use instead of the (included) suction cup window mount.Garmin Portable Friction Mount [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]



Who Needs the Stinking Manuals - Being a guy, I didn't bother with reading any manuals until much later. Got it straight out of the box, turned it on and used it for a trip right then and there, comparing it side by side with my old GPS. I plugged in a destination about 160+ miles away involving interstate highways in Texas, plus some side roads, multiple towns, etc. I went straight from the PO Box, to the carwash before leaving town and hitting the highway north to Ft. Hood from San Antonio, TX.



The Garmin 1490T got me there faster (than the way my old GPS tried to route me) by about 20 minutes, cause it took me down a state highway with 60-70mph speeds, instead of sticking only to US highways.



Audio Directions - Audio quality quite nice in my opinion. Computer female voice, default 80% volume setting, easy to hear over road noise even in a rainstorm while driving.



Bluetooth Speaker Phone- I figured out how to connect my cell phone to the Garmin 1490T fairly easy, with pin code 1234. I've been making and sending calls thru it, mostly as a speaker phone, but found that the 1490T actually pulled down my phone directory and I could dial from there instead. But it didn't get 100% of the directory. For some reason, it didn't get all 500 phone #'s, like it skipped my wife's cell number. (not good). Audio has been reported as good from the callers on the other end, saying some road noise detected, one saying I sounded like I was on a speaker phone, but quite legible even while highways noise was in background. Don't try using the speaker phone while driving in a rainstorm, too much background road noise from the rain hitting the windshield, etc.



Traffic Alerts - I wasn't sure how that worked, but trusted it would, since San Antonio, TX, (where I live) was on the list of covered cities. But as I drove north on IH-35 toward Austin, TX, all of a sudden a voice came out of nowhere saying "Severe Traffic Congestion Ahead, Recalculating Route". This was about 35 miles before the congestion! It took me up into the congested area, then routed me around the majority of it. Wish I had trusted it earlier and I would have popped over to the nearby tollroad miles earlier instead. To me it was magic, I'm not sure how this works (FM transmitter / received built into power cord) in terms of where they get their live traffic info from, but it worked.



Lane Changing Alerts - The visual guide to changing lanes was more of a "hey, there are two right turn lanes ahead, left two lanes go straight", etc. Audio was very accurate in saying "stay left for exit to..." or "stay right to exit then turn left/right, etc." Very timely alerts and I never missed a turn while using it on this trip.



Screen Display - Easy to read! It alerts me to local speed limits when driving on highways, was only off by 5mph one short stretch of Texas Hwy 195 (speed was actually 60 instead of 65). Noticed some glare when the sun hit the screen from behind or from the side, will apply anti-glare screen like I used on my digital camera to see if that helps in future.



Cons: When text messaging received, it says "unknown caller" and stays on the screen, despite touching "ignore" or "answer". Have noticed a few times that pop-up screen (while using bluetooth function) is annoying only because it didn't go away right away, but the GPS kept giving me audio directions even though I couldn't see the map. I'm going to keep playing with that "issue" and contact Garmin tech support about it if I can't resolve it myself.



Recommendation - Yes, I strongly recommend this model to anyone wanting a easy to read, easy to use, accurate GPS for their vehicle. Supposedly it has pedestrian direction functions built in, with additional maps available for purchase (really cheap per metro area), but I will only be using it in my mini-van.



Thank you Amazon for another amazing deal!

 "Fixed firmware makes this refurbished Nuvi the very best of the best!" 2010-05-16
By Jackson Harris (Atlanta, GA)

OK ... First things first. When the 1490 was first released in 2009, the firmware was so buggy that the unit even suffered from spontaneous reboots ... IN MID ROUTE! Occasionally it would not even restart again without the 10 second hold on the on button. THOUSANDS of these units were returned to COSTCO who got the original release. In fact, so many were returned that Garmin actually released this product again ... as a refurbished unit. The only change being loading new firmware and packing it in a white box.

So now ... for under $200 you can get a new ... almost ... Nuvi with the best form factor, feature set, and ... now ... rock solid firmware on the market.

Here is what to do ...

1. Buy this unit ... just get it.

2. As soon as it arrives, scan the Amazon paperwork ... you'll need it for step 4

3. Log on to [...] and attempt to register the unit (you will need the S/N)

4. If you cannot register the unit ... you likely cannot ... call Garmin support (excellent USA based support) and tell them you cannot register your refurbished unit. They will ask you to send them proof of recent purchase ... immediately email the Amazon paperwork scanned in step 2. They will make an entry on the spot and you can register right away. Also explain that you want new maps. They can hook you up with a download of the newest maps since you are a new owner.

5. Download and install Garmin's free Webupdater program. You will need that to get the latest firmware updates. Latest version was issued May 10, 2010 and is version 4.10.

6. Finally ... install in your car and enjoy.



I know, all this takes time. The new map downloads alone are 2 hours, and the scanning thing ... well, just know that it is worth it. The 5" screen is awesome and since the resolution is unchanged, everything is bigger and clearer. Audio is louder and clearer on this model. Battery life is better. Bluetooth now works very well. The eco info is very useful and the traffic is perfect now ... in this latest firmware. Lane assist is 'da bomb. And don't forget about the little extras like an awesome photo viewer and available micro SD slot (I put in an 8 Gig card and Nuvi had no trouble reading it.)

All and all, you score big as a result of Garmin's short sighted decision to release an unfinished product too early. But now that the firmware is fixed ... WOW!!!

 "SIMPLY THE BEST YOU COULD ASK FOR!" 2010-03-15
By david c leavitt

I've owned several Garmin GPS products in the past, and The 1490T is my latest purchase. I consider Garmin truly the "gold standard" in the product field. Attractive casing, well engineered and laid out and very intuitive. The five inch screen is bright, easily read in traffic and very colorful, and frankly I can't understand why this five inch screen option is not offered on the rest of the upper scale Garmin line. Bluetooth linking to my I-Phone 3G S is flawless and audio quality both sending and receiving is quite good. The interface is easy to input addresses, and the user menu offers a wealth of information you can op for. In reading another review here included, the compliant arose over outdated map data, undoubtedly related to the refreb status. I too noted older map data in my unit, but with a simple free call to Garmin tech support I was easily able to overcome this problem. The tech support representative simply asked me for proof of current purchase date from Amazon, which I provided easily and quickly by emailing a copy of my Amazon online invoice. I was then provided with an updated current warranty date, and made eligible for the sixty day initial Garmin online complimentary mapping update. The resulting download I was then allowed to access through my newly set up Garmin account page gave me the latest North American map soft wear version 2010.40. The graphic lane change feature is amazing, as all screen clutter is immediately removed as you approach a major highway brake and are shown a colorful 3D arrow guiding you visually into the correct lane to maintain route. Again, the five inch screen size shines! The 1490T is state of the art, providing superb routing, colorful interface, excellent blu tooth connectivity, and the wonderful lane change feature...at $199.00 as a refurbished with a full year's factory warranty..look no further!

 "UPDATED REVIEW...THE BEST OF THE GARMINS" 2010-03-07
By Alan D. Nelson (Advance, NC)

I READ THE FIRST REVIEW OF THIS PRODUCT AND THE WRITER GAVE IT A 5 STAR ,SO I ORDERED ONE FOR MYSELF. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! THIS IS AN AWESOME GPS.I WANTED A LARGER SCREEN AND THIS ONE SURELY DELIVERS. VERY LARGE BRIGHT SCREEN, EXCELLENT SPEAKERS MORE OPTIONS FOR THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN . CHOOSE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, DISTANCE TO DESTINATION, TIME TO DESTINATION, TIME OF DAY, ETC. IF YOU EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT YOUR TRAVEL SPEED CHANGES TO A RED NUMBER TO ALERT YOU!



WHEN I INITIALLY WROTE THE ABOVE REVIEW I HAD NOT YET EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS UNIT THAT CAUSES IT TO SHUTOFF DURING TRIPS AND NOT COME BACK ON. IT CRASHES FREQUENTLY, HOWEVER GARMIN HAS A FIX AND YOU WILL NEED TO INSTALL THE

GARMIN WEB UPDATER TO YOUR COMPUTER AND THEN CONNECT YOUR GARMIN 1490 TO YOUR COMPUTER AND IT WILL FIX THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO OTHER GPS ON THE MARKET THAT IS

COMPARABLE TO THE 1490 AND I WAS DELIGHTED TO FIND THIS FIX AND WANT TO MAKE OTHER

BUYERS AWARE THAT THERE IS A FIX AVAILABLE AND IT IS SIMPLE TO INSTALL.



SO FAR THE UNIT IS WORKING GREAT AND WOULD STILL GIVE THIS GPS A 5 STAR RATING !

 "WOW! I am impressed..." 2010-05-17
By Phillips A. Moore (Lawrenceville, GA USA)

The larger screen is a nice feature and the operation is exactly what you would hope for. Programming is easy as with all Garmin units. The traffic alert has already saved me one big traffic snarl and probably an hour delay in getting to my destination. The advertising that comes with the traffic alert is not intrusive. I really like this unit better than any previous Garmin I have owned. Very happy with the purchase. I bought the lifetime map updates so there was no problem with the reconditioned unit getting updated as others have reported.



The bluetooth synch with the phone is easy but the sound quality has been reported as very noisy by the people I have talked to using this connection. I can hear fine, but they seem to pick up a huge amount of static hiss. Not sure why since the car is quiet and the unit is mounted on the sandbag base provided by Garmin which is sitting on the dash so it should be insulated from engine noise.

GA-WXWM+BKT200: Vehicle Suction Cup Mount and Bracket for Garmin Nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 260W, 270, 265T, 265WT Review. This is a suction cup mount for your car. It is compatible with Nuvi 200 Series. It is easily removable so you can take it from car to car.

Third party bracket included for Garmin Nuvi Nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 260W, 270, 265T, 265WT...

 "Complete Garmin Accessory, with bracket" 2009-03-06
By M. Quigley (The Great State of Texas)

Left my previous suction cup + bracket in a rental. Purchased this item and just received it. It comes in a Garmin box ("Authentic Garmin Accessory") and comes complete with suction cup and bracket. Exactly as pictured. As indicated on the box, it fits the Garmin 200/205 series.

 "It comes with the Bracket" 2009-03-24
By Vevek Lochub (Sayreville, NJ)

Garmin Suction Cup Mount (010-10936-00)

I know a lot of people had a concern about whether this ships with the bracket. I was anxiously waiting for the product to arrive since I wasn't sure if the bracket was included...worry no more the package just arrived and it included the bracket as well. It's in Garmin packaging, just need to stick it on the windshield and see if it stays on as well as the one I just misplaced in a rental car.



Vevek

 "Make sure you have the correct nuvi" 2009-06-16
By HughFW (Fort Worth)

The suction cup works fine, however, this suction cup mount is only for certain nuvi devices, something that is not made clear in the product description. It works with the 205w, 200w, 205 and 200 series. I have a 350, and the antenna flap cannot be put in the horizontal position with this mount.

If you're having problems with the suction cup, be sure to clean the rubber suction cup, as film from the windshield will accumulate and the unit can fall off the window.

Also, if the suction cup is applied near sea level and you drive into the mountains, don't be surprised if the unit falls off.

 "It is what you need." 2009-04-10
By C. Woods (Seattle, WA)

I don't know why I seem to think I can find things easily at physical stores... Looked for months for this. Went to Garmin's web and they wanted $30.00 for it. I feel silly that I always can find things on Amazon both quickly and easily. I really don't know why I don't go here first. Duh...



Oh yeah! This mount is the same you received when you purchase the device. Holds your Garmin.

 "Exact one that comes in GPS box" 2008-08-07
By Shorty Wags (PA)

I needed an extra suction mount for another car, but most just gave you the suction part and not the mount. Well, I really didn't want to have to carry around the one mount I had with me all the time, so this is perfect! Exactly like the one that came with the gps-very happy!

Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck Review. The Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck is engineered with toughness in mind. Made of rust-proof aluminum, this cart is ideal for traveling, and can even be folded and stowed in an airline overhead compartment, and is also handy for weekend travel by train or car. Storage is simple as the lightweight, seven-pound cart folds up to a compact size of 25 inches tall by 2 inches wide; it extends to 39 inches tall. Sturdy enough to hold up to 150 pounds, you'll find many, many uses for this handy cart at home, work, and while traveling. Five-inch rubber wheels allow you to glide through your travels and tasks with ease....

 "We have one and love it!" 2006-09-08
By D. Figueroa (Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico)

I actually bought this on Ebay, but am about to buy a second one here because it's cheaper on Amazon!



This is a fabulous little dolly. It's not really just a luggage cart..everyone has wheeled luggage these days anyway.



We use it in our warehouse to haul 70 pound boxes around and it fits into the car easily so that when it's time to drop off a mountain of boxes at the PO or haul home the things I order on Amazon (grin), it's right there.



Getting a second one so that we can keep one at home, too.



We tried other folding carts and they couldn't handle the weights we were putting on them. This one is great and the price can't be beat.



Don't try this at home, kids, but I was able to lift my 175 pound hubby off the floor and wheel him around on it..it's one tough little dolly.



Update 3 years later: These carts have seen almost daily usage for nearly 3 years now and are still in perfect condition. I have never had a 'personal' dolly last like these. It's truly a superb product.

 "Great little hand truck. Will buy again." 2007-08-27
By H. Wang (San Jose, CA)

I organized all my camping stuffs in several 12-gallon size storage containers. I use this handy truck to transfer those storage containers from car to the tent site. Initiallzy, I was worried if the wheel is too small for outside unpaved roads. But it turns out just fine. The whole construction of this hand truck is solid. Especially, the flat side on the bottom for carrying loads is long enough (not the width) to ensure stable rolling on unpaved roads around camping side. It works great for moving things around. Very good value for this low price. Definitely a good product that I will buy again and I will recommend to my friends.

 "Great Travel Cart" 2007-02-18
By Cristobal Samaniego (Ann Arbor, MI 48103)

This cart is great for the purpose I bought it. It is very strong, yet it collapses nicely, occupying little space. It is extremely easy to use since it basically collapses almost by itself. You just have to lift the front, and the wheels collapse. The price is also great, especially compared to the competition which is about twice as high. I paid $29 for this one on special. You cannot beat that. I recommend it based on my very positive experience with it.

 "Perfect Travel Companion for busy Moms!" 2007-01-09
By L. Crews (Clovis, CA United States)

This great cart fits snugly under the seat of my minivan... and although originally purchased for lugging 'supplies'(and tent canopy) to kids soccer games, it has come in quite handy on several occasions when bulky or heavy items needed to be carried from one place or another. I am completeley satisfied with this purchase!!

 "Great little cart" 2007-05-22
By bucky0926 (Glen Oaks, NY United States)

I just started a new job where I have to set up an exhibit table most days. While the table itself is not real heavy parking in my territory is terrible and I usually have to park 2 to 3 blocks from where I'm located. Add to that a briefcase packed to the brim and it makes for a very uncomfortable schlep. Not wanting to go and get a new rolling briefcase and still have to carry the table, I'm breaking away from the rest of my company and bought this instead. I couldn't be happier. It carries my stuff flawlessly and packs up real tiny. When you lift the bottom plate the wheels slide in so its only 2 inches thick. It slides under my skirted table and no one is the wiser that it's there. For the money, this is one sturdy cart. I think I remember reading another review where the reviewer stated that they couldn't push it forward as the handle would retract. This is not my experience at all. It locks in 2 positions and I can roll it behind me or in front without a problem. Before spending a fortune, give this a try, you really won't be sorry.



Update: Feb 3rd, 2008

Still at the same job and I use this every day. Still works flawlessly. It's even cheaper now on amazon and a few in my company have seen the light and bought one themselves. Never has it had any mechanical failures and the tires are still in great shape. No regrets here.

Soundfly SD WMA/MP3 Player Car Fm Transmitter for SD Card, USB Stick, Mp3 Players (iPod, Zune) Review. Soundfly SD lets you listen to sound files such as MP3 & WMA file stored in portable memory devices like USB flash memory & SD card, etc through your car radio speakers. It supports RDS (Radio Data System), so while listening to music, you can see the song and artist's name displayed on your car stereo. Soundfly SD transmits to all FM frequencies (88.1MHz-107.9MHz) and memorizes up to 7 FM frequencies. It comes with fully functional remote control. You can also transmit music from other Mp3 players such as iPod, Zune etc. Just plug USB or SD card in Sound-Fly & Enjoy music!...

 "Why Sound Fly? Who is Satechi?" 2008-06-06
By W. Wilson (Rust Belt of MIchigan, USA)

I ordered this curious thing online to solve one of my most insane driving frustrations, ADVERTISING! Instead of corporate tripe interrupting my peace of mind every few songs, I set my home PC to record choice streams for hours on end all night and save them on my SD card. Who hoo! For less than the cost of a new radio for 3 vehicles, and without the hassle of carting around a bunch of CD's life is good!



The sound fly works like it should, like you'd expect and it's really simple, intuitive. I can play MP3's off my cell phone with the little adapter cable they include. The plug in unit is flexible for easy visibility, though the only drawback might be the red LED display is washed out in bright direct sunlight. I find this a very fair trade off for the ease of visibility at night. I plugged this FM transmitter into my car and could receive the signal in my truck 2 or 3 parking spaces away, *more* than good enough! I do not need Blue Tooth so this is perfect for me. After reading the minimalist instruction sheet, I realized I had to name my music folder 'MP3' and put the files in a subdirectory, then the Sound Fly automatically can search and skip to where I want. I love the Bookmark button on the remote since my files are sometimes 500m or more, it saves where I stopped it and restarts without having to fast forward 2 or 3 hours.



My unit arrived in an astonishingly short 3 days. I had a small inconvenience with the nifty remote control being inoperative, but I must absolutely commend Satechi and their people in San Diego for being VERY VERY prompt, trusting and sincere in their customer service by promptly sending me a working replacement. I got email replies from them within 24 hours or less. I'm sure the bad part situation was one of those darn one in a million things that just happens. I highly recommend that you can trust them to deliver what they offer...a good product and professional service. I should also say the USPS did their job too, they surely could have lost it for us! If you misplace or lose the remote yourself, the unit is still quite functional, though you lose bookmark and fast forward functions.



I'm a happy guy! Thanks. W. Wilson

PS. You might like Somafm or RadioParadise, two of my favourite streams that have NO advertising.



UPDATE March 15 2010

Still working great. Here's a couple things I wish I had been able to know before I bought it. It can accept USB drives, the socket is on the bottom edge, center. The audio cable is a MINI stereo style on the left side near the top and the supplied cable is kinda short so I bought an extension at my local radio rip off store...so I could look at my BlackBerry to select files without bending my face to the dash. If you have the audio cable plugged in, the USB and the SD sources will not play and this *may* cause you to panic and think the unit died...which it hasn't! You HAVE to understand and follow the file folder structure and it's limitations or it won't play. Top folder should be 'MP3' or 'mp3' . I have not used 'soundfly' which is suggested also. There is a VU meter function, when music plays, the display ramps up and down with the beat. It WILL work without the remote, but not as nicely. When fast forwarding/ or reversing it has several speeds, indicated by display maquee style with a bracket which roughly imitates an arrow (A really nice feature) The unit will remember the last song playing when the power is turned off, but it will start at the beginning of the file again. If your file is really really long, you will prefer using the book mark feature to make it start at the same point within the file when it powers up. If you pull out the USB or SD card, it will forget your place and have to initialise again, which I should mention can take like 30seconds with a big card. I used an 8gig SD and it seemed like forever for it to scan and index / initialize. The limit I think is 500 files so anything more than 2gig is kinda overkill in my opinion. I just keep several 1gig cards with different genres of music on them. You can hot pull and insert the SD or USB cards. Switching SD cards while driving is okay and easy to do. The SD card inserts from the right side with a positive spring loaded catch feel, no doors, covers or fumbling. The unit is pretty rugged. The head tilts to accommodate your socket angle / visibility and after all this time of yanking it still holds its place without drooping. My one gripe is that it doesn't fit all lighter sockets tight. I have to do the *fold up a receipt into a little shim and insert it as I plug in the unit to the car* trick. Maybe it was intended for foreign/ etc cars. I drive a Malibu, a Chevy P/U and a Saturn and a F-550 and they all are a loose fit. One road bump and it loses power. One paper shim and it will run all night, playing away looping around to the beginning of the file list again and again. It gets a bit warm, but not hot. Reception is very good. I don't use the presets, I leave it on 87.7mhz. I really like this player...I wish it had bluetooth..., and presume the bigger/ newer one is just as good. The company service was excellent. Buy it new and get the warranty. My remote was replaced promptly (see prev in my review).

 "What a great FM transmitter." 2008-10-02
By C_Meister (New Zealand)

I've had an VR3 FM USB Car Transmitter for two years. It had no remote unlike the Soundfly, but I loved using it. However, there were things that I found most



frustrating when using it and I didn't realise this until after I'd purchased it.



VR3 MP3 Player FM Transmitter frustrations:



1) It wouldn't remember where I last was listening to.

2) I couldn't fast forward nor rewind. Arrgh! You could only skip between tracks. This was frustrating because I have a habit of rewinding to listen to parts of my audio tracks again and again and of course I can't fast forward through averts. It was especially frustrating because of point 1 above as I would always have to start listening from the beginning of a track. Particularly annoying when listening to long tracks.

3) No remote - Please note most FM transmitters don't come with FF or RW functions on the remote's either.

4) It was white and it was ugly.

5) Limited frequency range. A lot of these devices only allow you turn use the upper and lower FM frequency ranges.

6) It takes USB dongles and SD cards but the SD cards are limited to 2GB.



Now for the Soundfly SD:



1) The SoundFly SD remembers exactly where you were last listening to. This is so refreshing as I can just turn off the car and when I next climb back in and start the car, with the SoundFly SD plugged into the car lighter socket, it just starts right of from where I left last. Awesome! Bear in mind I have a new model car less than four years old, but a lot of these devices just die when a car is started and the device has been accidentally left in. I've not had a single problem with using the Soundly this way, and I believe I have no reason to worry about it. You even have a bookmarking facility.

2) I can fast forward and rewind to my hearts content. Even with the remote.

3) The remote is is actually quite handy, especially when driving. You can certainly use the controls on the device itself, but the remote is easier. It's not too difficult to remember the position of the keypad buttons, so using the remote while driving is quite easy. Don't crash.

4) This FM transmitter is black. The device itself is a heck of a lot more attractive than the VR3 I have. It's even smaller.

5) You can tune into all the FM frequency range in single steps, so there's no shortage of places to find a gap in the FM range. The Soundfly can remember up to seven bookmarked spots. As for the strength of the FM transmitter, it's certainly no worse than the VR3. But unlike the VR3 I have a much broader spectrum of FM frequencies to try to find a clear spot. Much better.

6) The device takes USB dongles & SD cards. But this device takes the High Capacity ones up 32GB.



Other points to note. You can also connect your iPod or MP3 player via the supplied cable. You also get a 10A fuse. In case you can't figure out what it's for, and it's not stated in the instructions, the device has a fuse inside the part that pushes into the lighter socket. That should blow before the device does. Handy if you leave the device in all the time. If the device stops working, check the fuse. You unscrew the end. The instructions are clear, but one point of note is that it doesn't show you how to change the fuse.



I'm so happy with this FM transmitter and highly recommend it to anyone who'll listen. The only thing I can think that is lacking with this is Bluetooth. I would love for this device to be able to communicate with my phone or Bluetooth headset (if I had some), or or an MP3 player that had Bluetooth.

 "Finally, One that works!" 2008-05-26
By Dogtag (Seattle, Wa USA)

I never thought I'd find one that works as well as this unit.

Very strong FM signal covers up all but the strongest FM stations.

Two different type of bulk storage chips as well as playing MP3 and WMA formats.

excellent sound from external players.

Has the ability to select different folders.

A little cumbersome selecting an appropriate FM frequency as you have to scroll thru the entire band to get to the one you want, but once there, you can enter it into memory. Not a big deal, I guess.

For the price, this unit delivers.

 "Great FM transmitter" 2009-07-04
By J. Sheetz (Wichita Falls, Tx)

I've tried a half dozen or so FM transmitters over the years and had given up on ever finding one that really sounded good and didn't suffer from static or radio bleed through. Saw an ad for the Soundfly transmitter and read the user reviews. Nearly every reviewer recommended it, so I bought one to try. Sure enough, it lived up to all the favorable reviews. Installation was quick and simple. I've had it on the same frequency since I got it and never had a radio station bleed through or static problem. I've played it mainly with SD cards loaded with my favorite MP3s at anywhere from 96kps to 192kps. The quality of the music sounds at least as good as the best FM radio station and often rivals burned CD quality. I've played the SD cards directly from within the Soundfly player and also through my MP3 player plugged into the input port. I think I prefer the direct method because there seems to be more uniformity to the sound quality from song to song. Playing through the MP3 player allows more volume and somewhat more dynamic bass but I find myself having to make more adjustments to the volume, bass and treble from song to song in order for the bass or volume to not become overwhelming. I leave the Soundfly in the lighter with an SD card in the transmitter and when I turn the car on the transmitter comes on automatically and begins playing my music. When I get back in the car after a stop the music picks up at the start of the last song that was playing when I stopped. I wish I'd known about the Soundfly long ago but at least I've got it now and can enjoy about 400 songs per 2GB card on long drives without having to change CDs often like in the past. I got one of these for my wife's car as well and will probably get more for family Christmas gifts. This is one product that performs like it should and the price is very reasonable.

 "Really Neat Device!" 2008-11-12
By A. Rathke

I ordered a Soundfly device and wasn't sure what to expect. When it came, I tried it out and it worked faily well, but it seemed like the transmitter in it wasn't powerful enough. Shortly after the device arrived, I got an email asking me how I liked it. I replied that it worked pretty well, but was somewhat unhappy about the occasional fuzziness. Shortly after that, I got another email saying that they were sending me a different one and it included a pre-paid return label.



So now I tried the new one and it works great! No fuzziness and the music sounds great. I would recommend it to anyone. It is especially good for me since I don't have an iPod and didn't really want one. I just wanted to play MP3's in my car that only has a casette with the radio. This is perfect.

Garmin Nuvi 255W Case Black EVA Hard Compact Carrying Case Review. Protect your Garmin Nuvi compatible with: Garmin Nuvi 200w, 250w, 205w, 255w, 680, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 880. Held perfectly in place with this case and protect it from bumps and dings. Hide your GPS in the case when away from the car....

 "Great, protective quality. Love it!" 2010-01-12
By Erika L (Minnesota)

This case is absolutly perfect for my Garmin Nuvi 255W (with room on both sides while in the case if you had a slightly wider gps, but fits snug for height). Much better quality than what pictures appear, and great for the price! (I paid 9.50). Nice and sturdy, and would definitely protect my garmin if I dropped it in the case. It is not hard like plastic, but rather has a synthetic fabric feel to the outside. This case would not fit any other cords, so if you're looking for something to hold your charger or stand/mount, this would not work. I'm just going to keep them seperate in my arm rest holder. Plus, the side pocket inside the case is perfect if you had any gas cards, coupons, or some spare just-in-case cash. It's a nice place to keep everything together. The zipper is high quality, and has a rubber covering on the part that you zip so it is more comfortable and won't scratch anything around it where it is being stored. The case includes a wrist strap (just like photo) and the ring/hook attached to the case to attach to the strap is sturdy and will definitely not break. Also, in the inside along the SD card holders flap, it has small elastic bands that would hold a ~4 inch-long pen/pencil if you ever needed a place to store one. Since it is usually wise to keep your gps with you when you leave your car (incase somebody were to break in and steal it from your car in a parking lot or something) having that pen holder is nice if you were to also include a shopping list in the side pouch. This is a really well thought out design for a gps case.



Overall, I would definetly reccommend this case to anyone I knew with a gps that would fit it. It is the perfect size (small, compact) and sturdy enough for protection. Great size for getting out of the car and throwing it in my purse to go get groceries/shop. Totally worth it, no regrets!!

 "garmin nuvi case" 2010-01-27
By James S. Slavey (usa)

This is a excellent product and i am very happy with the product.The case is hard plastic and protects my Nuvi and also has a belt clip and a hand held clip for easy carrying.I would recommend this product highly.I am very pleased with Amazon in getting this item.

 "High Quality" 2010-03-06
By Randall L. Daut (Wauwatosa, WI USA)

This item seems to be of high quality, as advertised. There are two elastic straps on one side to hold the GPS unit in place. Time will tell whether the elastic retains its elasticity and strength, but initially, these are good. One side has a mesh pocket to hold odds and ends. As other descriptions have mentioned, there is not enough space for chargers.

 "good deal" 2010-03-25
By Gerald Tuccillo (Hamilton, NJ USA)

This product was a good deal for the money, the garmin fit in it perfect.

 "Garmin Case" 2010-06-14
By Melannie Colombo (California, CA)

I ordered the Garmin case and it arrived as promised, the very next day. Excellent cusomter service. Thanks.