Source Unlimited

Today I am going to take a look at Yamaha’s APX500, a well-loved acoustic-electric guitar to look at its strengths and weaknesses and what type of person it is most suited to. If you’re thinking about buying a guitar, I hope you find this review helpful. You can also find more reviews if you surf over to Your Instrument Reviewer. Let’s take a look then, shall we?

What’s this guitar like, then?

The first thing you should know is that it’s an acoustic-electric guitar, which means it can be played for performance with or without an electrical amplifier. This means its usage can be much broader than that of a simple acoustic or electric guitar.

The guitar itself is made of a spruce top, nato back and sides and a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar weighs less than seven pounds. There is an electric pickup, a tuner and EQ settings which can be adjusted, too.

What advantages does this type of guitar have?

When recording music in a studio, it’s possible to capture the acoustic sound of the guitar without having to ‘mic it up’ – a process which can lead to a reduction of sound quality if not done to a high standard. It also means that you can alternate between a true acoustic, unamplified sound and an electric guitar sound even in the same song without having to use a pedal.

Who is this guitar good for?

This guitar will appeal to a god number of people. From accomplished players who wish to use the guitar in live performances and studio work, to those who wish to have a strum and a singsong with their friends, right through to beginners. I think this guitar is particularly good for beginners due to its comfortable design, lightweight build and ease of use.

Is there a negative side to it?

People may purchase this guitar expecting to switch it to its electrical option and get the sound of a Les Paul or a Jackson. That isn’t going to happen, even with the application of effect pedals and distortion. The simple reason for this is that the pickup, the action and the body of the guitar are all typical of an acoustic guitar, rather than an electric one. It doesn’t play like an electric guitar. So if what you really want is the sound and feel of an electric guitar, you’d better buy one of those instead!

What’s you overall opinion of this guitar?

I actually like it very much. It’s not all that different from competing models which I also like. I see it fundamentally as an acoustic guitar which is geared up and ready for interaction with the electrical and digital realm. As such, it’s ideal for people who are interested in writing, recording and performing their own music. It’s also a great guitar to start learning with. People who bought this product on Amazon currently rate it with 4.6 stars out of a possible 5. So it seems I’m not the only one who likes it! I hope this review has been of use to you!

The list of things that terrifies me in this world isn’t exactly long but it consists of: spiders, running out of gas on a long drive, and gyms. Now they may sound silly to you but I think an awful lot of people will agree with me with regards to the latter of those fears. Gyms can be scary places for those of us who don’t really know what we are doing, but fortunately there is something that can save us all from a life of fatness. Home gyms are here to help, and today we are looking at the Powerline BSG10X and seeing if it can cut the mustard. 

So, what features does it have?

As mentioned, I am not a gym buff either so I will try my hardest to explain these features in the simplest terms possible. The aim of this home gym was to provide challenging, multi-discipline muscle building workouts in a limited amount of space and it does that. It ships already 90% assembled, so you won’t have to worry about doing an extra workout when trying to piece it together as it only needs nine bolts to fasten it all! The 11 gauge mainframe construction assures maximum strength, functioning and durability too as well as ensuring that your body is positioned properly during your workouts.

What kind of workouts can I use it for?

The traditional press bar has been designed biomechanically meaning you will get the maximum chest concentration and muscle development from it. The lateral pull down station will help you workout your arms, back and abs. You have a neat leg developer station so you can fully tone your calf’s and thighs too, and with the 160 lbs weight stack you should be easily able to find a workout for every part of your body. 

Tell me all about the positives

Anything that can help you lose weight and get in shape should be near the top of your “to buy” list and that is no different here with the Powerline. It is a neat and very compact home gym which, even though it is not one of the biggest on the market, still includes a lot of the features the bigger machines do. So if you are looking for an all in one home gym which won’t require you to build a conservatory on the back of your home just to house it, then this is a very strong candidate! Fitness Shopper is the place to go to take a look at this machine and compare it against others.

And tell me about the negatives

If you are looking for something to workout with and you are a regular gym buff then this may not be the machine for you. It is aimed at those of us just starting out, so if you want something more hardcore then look elsewhere.

So, what’s the conclusion?

If you are in the same boat as me and simply want to lose a few pounds and tone up your arms and stomach then this could be the home gym for you. It is simple and will do every job you want it to with the minimum of fuss, the only issue is that once you get too big you’ll have to upgrade to a bigger machine, so maybe keep that cake in your hand for a little while longer….

Izutech have created a flat iron which joins the growing number of niche-targeted products for those of us with extra tick, coarse, frizzy or colored hair. But is there anything that really sets it apart from its rivals? Would this flat iron be a good match for you and your hair? Hopefully this review will give you enough information to be well on your way to answering that question!

Let’s take a basic first look at it

Just in case you’re not familiar with Izutech – this company is best known for producing styling tools for salon professionals. This flat iron is best suited to different straightening styles and keratin treatments. Its plates are made of high-quality titanium which is lightweight, durable and scratch resistant, and allows heat to increase rapidly and evenly while preventing pulling or friction when in contact with your hair.

The iron also uses flash heating technology which accelerates heating of the plates in the shortest possible time. Temperatures can be set between 250 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your preferences and hair type.

What other features does it have?

The combination of four design aspects makes the Izutech Flat Iron a joy to use: The ergonomic, warp-free and heat-resistant body ensure that you won’t get burned the way other irons can, while the 9-foot swivel cord ensures that you have freedom to move the iron all over your head without getting tangled or running short of cord. Then, for those international jet-setters among us, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a universal voltage device (120-240V) meaning you can use it with an adaptor in any country without fear of electrical damage.

Finally, if you forget to switch it off, don’t worry! This flat iron will turn itself off after an hour of inactivity.

The good stuff

The good news is that the Izutech Flat Iron does what it’s supposed to and more! Users have commented favorably on the speed with which it heats up and just how easy it is to use. Its lightweight design spares you aching wrists and frustration when holding it aloft for extended periods of time. On top of that, it’s easily portable, so whether you get rained on or simply don’t have time to use it, just throw it in your bag and plug it in when you get to work!

The bad stuff

To be frank, there’s not really much bad to say about this product. Even if you find you’re not that keen on the size of the plates, the product is made in two sizes – one slightly larger than the other. The only people who might find it takes longer to straighten their hair with this flat iron are those who simply want dead-straight, long locks with no curls or flair at the tips. If that’s you, you might want to consider an iron with 2” plates.

The verdict

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m going to recommend the Izutech Flat Iron KTX450. The only Amazon reviewer to date agrees with me, having given it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Don’t just take our word for it, though. There are other reliable flat iron reviews out there which feature a variety of products to help you make up your mind. Happy shopping!

Going to a professional salon and having someone twirl and curl your hair is an exciting and relaxing experience. You are able to walk out the door with a great new look. However, what about when you’re trying to recreate that same look at home? Sometimes you need the salon style equipment to get the job done right. The Elite Gh5135v1 unit is exceptional in drying hair and is also considered to be just as good as the professional salon hair dryers, with less fuss and gossip during your drying session.

Features and Functions

Priced approximately at $60, this salon style, full hood, hair dryer is compact and durable. It features two heat and speed settings to help with a combination of styles and has an ion generator with a switch to turn it off and on. Under the hood you will find double vents that allow for the airflow to come out evenly disbursed. There are two different positions that the hood can be customized to for individualization. It also has a handle for transporting it. With a total review score of 3.3 stars out of a possible 5, this product is definitely worth looking into.

The Strengths of the Gh5135v1

Many people have chosen to purchase this hair drying unit as a gift and have raved about how happy their receiver was upon opening this gift. Others have complimented how well the dryer easily distributes heat among the users hair. The two settings for the hood has come in handy for several consumers as it has allowed them not only to dry their own heads, but that of their children’s and friends quickly and efficiently. When compared to the salon style, or commercial hair dryers, many consumers have mentioned that it works just as well if not better.

The Weaknesses of the Gh5135v1

The construction of the Gh5135v1 is of plastic, meaning that it may not be as sturdy as some users would like for it to be. Some consumers have experienced the clip, holding the hood, to pop out during the first few usages. It can be fixed, but continues to prove to be problematic. The weight of this unit is great, raves some consumers. Whereas others will complain that the bonnet, or hood, is not large enough for those with fuzzy, or curly hair. A few consumers have experienced this product not working as intended. These issues have included the unit not heating up completely and eventually dying.

In Conclusion with the Gh5135v1

Many hair dryer reviews will state that the product was great, and that they recommend it for others, but they do not truly go into detail with how their experience has been with using the product. The Gh5135v1 seems to be an easy to use alternative for spending time and money at the local beauty parlor. Although there are other like styles of hair dryers, this one is priced around $60, making it on the lower end of commercial salon type dryers for your home.

You’re looking for an electric guitar; maybe you’re an aspiring musician looking for your first piece, or you could be an experienced guitarist wondering what’s new in the scene as we head into the new year. Well, you’re in luck either way: the Ibanez GIO electric guitar is one instrument that’s definitely worth a look... and a listen.

Stylish and Affordable

The Ibanez GIO line is a line of stylish electric guitars, featuring a classy mahogany finish that wouldn’t be out of place at a hard rock concert… or on the stage of a modern electric orchestra. Its plain and simple look emphasizes quality of sound and personal presence. It’s a forgiving instrument, which was designed to be well-suited for beginners… but that doesn’t mean that it can’t produce that deeply resonant sound which any experienced electric guitarist would appreciate. It’s an affordable piece, too; economically priced for those who aren’t entirely sure as to what they’re doing just yet.

Ibanez GIO for That Real Feeling

You want an electric guitar that hums when you strum it. You want its look and feel to be solid and authentic, inspiring the sound that inspires you still further – in an upward spiral that doesn’t end until after the set is complete. You need that quality; it’s what every musician deserves from their instrument… and no matter how long you stick with it, whether you move on from your Ibanez GIO in a few months or you stand by it for years? It’ll start you off with that feeling, and show you what it is that drives musicians – and fans – absolutely wild.

The Quality of Ibanez GIO

The Ibanez GIO electric guitar features a single sound and tone, which can be adjusted to suit exactly the style that you’re looking for. Its U-shaped neck profile matches the classic appearance of the electric guitar; this is the Real Deal that you’re holding in your hands, and it feels that way. Twenty-four medium frets are available, courtesy a fifteen and three-quarters inch radius fretboard on a scale of twenty-five and one-half inches. The Ibanez GIO’s high quality fixed bridge belies many of the problems often experienced with economically priced guitars.

Why Trust GuitarReviews.us?

We didn’t start out with a guitar review website. We began as a single person’s blog, intended to share music reviews and personal opinion with the music world… except, when that original author began his research, he found out that there was already a lot of that ‘out there.’ Seriously, a ton of it. And it’s confusing – looking at some of the leading blogs and reviews, trying to figure out where to turn, when equally popular writers on the same subject say completely different things. So, with the help of a few other people, that original blogger changed gears. Guitarreviews.us is now an affiliate review site. We take the best information we can find – whatever the top reviewers and bloggers seem to agree on – and present you with the boiled-down essentials for each instrument.

Do You Own an Ibanez GIO?

If you’ve had experience with any of the guitars produced by Hoshina Gakki, we’d like to hear from you! Visit our contact page at guitarreviews.us, and drop us a line. Who knows? You might wind up helping us out, and in turn aiding the next generation of aspiring musicians in selecting the instrument that will further develop their own inspiration!

Everybody loves waffles, right? You do, or you wouldn’t be here. So, here’s the thing… the internet is jammed with information, about everything. Absolutely jammed. Clogged, even. This applies to waffle makers as much as it does anything else, and there’s a lot of info out there to take in. Much of it is nonsense… but, to filter through all of that, you’d need to spend hours looking at the most popular blogs and reviews, then pick out the pieces on which they all agree – that being what’s most likely true. That’s why we’re here; at deliciouswafflemakers.com, we’ve done that legwork for you already.

How to Select a Waffle-Maker

If you’re looking for something to take with you on a camping trip or other excursion, where you’ll potentially be cooking over an open fire, you’ll want a cast iron waffle maker (otherwise known as a ‘waffle iron,’ which was all that there was for many years) for that traditional, golden-brown crispy exterior. If you’re cooking for a family, you’ll want a waffle maker that produces several waffles at once – preferably four, but at least two for certain! If your mornings are hectic, you want something which cooks your waffles to a pre-set level, then automatically beeps when it’s finished… and something that’s not too hard to clean would be nice, at that!

Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker

There’s a saying… “You can’t go wrong with a Cuisinart.” At least, I’m pretty sure there is – and if there isn’t, it should be. This classic round waffle maker from Cuisinart features several adjustable temperature settings; once you know how you want your waffles, making them the same way every time is a snap! There are convenient indicators for when the waffle maker is warmed up, and when your waffles are fully cooked, and its convenient no-stick surface makes cleaning a snap.

Good for Large Families and Small Restaurants

The Waring Commercial WW200 is a heavy-duty waffle-maker that makes four decently sized waffles at once, and it produces them in seconds flat! It’s convenient and easy to use, and its non-stick surface is easy to clean up afterwards. It automatically flips your waffles while cooking, and features indicator lights for when they’ve finished. It’s designed for work in commercial environments – so it will stand up to regular use, and feed your family reliably for years to come.

Disney’s Mickey Mouse Waffle Maker

If you live in a house with children, there’s a stainless steel waffle maker from Disney that’s bright red, and is emblazoned with the image of Mickey Mouse! It’s small and unobtrusive, easy to store, and it produces one smiling Mickey Mouse head pancake or waffle at a time – with plenty of nooks and crannies for syrup, jelly, or butter and sugar, in place of the usual grid of waffle ridges. Best of all, it’s neat, easy to clean, and it sits on your counter top courtesy no-slip rubber feet for maximum safety… and mess-resistance. You really should consider giving this one a try!

There’s More… Much More… Enough to Become Fine Waffle Connoisseurs Yourselves!

Go to http://www.deliciouswafflemakers.com/ for a full list of the products which, after careful consideration, we have chosen to review and to offer up to you, the hopeful and hungry waffle enthusiast! If you have any questions or concerns – perhaps over an experience with one of the waffle makers on our list? Visit our contact page, and let us know what you think! We’ll be happy to hear from you.

Introduction

When I wake up in the morning I know that breakfast is always the first thing on my mind and there is nothing I like more than being able to make a delicious slice of toast. The art is in finding a machine that can create the perfect slice of toast, not too burnt and not too undercooked. So without further ado, this review will see if this Black and Decker toaster oven is a contender for best toaster of the year or not!

Features

This machine may be small, but it has a lot of features for its size. This particular model can hold four slices of bread at a time so you won’t be going hungry over breakfast. The large front window allows you to check on the progress of your toast as it is cooking, and this means that you can make it just how you like it! There is also a 30 minute timer on the machine should you want to be slightly more adventurous and cook a pizza or something similar in the oven, and with the removable crumb tray in place you won’t have to worry too much about the clean-up efforts after.

Design

This toaster has a sleek, chrome like finish and the colour combination of the stainless steel and solid looking black plastic dials & stands create a very pleasant looking machine. Fortunately this is a toaster you won’t mind leaving out on your kitchen side! Internally the dimensions of the toaster are 10.75 x 9 x 7 so you have plenty of room to experiment with your cooking creations.

Pro’s

The machine is compact in size and this means that it can easily be stored away once you have finished using it. Four slices of toast is more than enough in one sitting, and with Black and Decker’s exclusive “Even Toast Technology” your toast should come out just as you like it. The toaster is also not just limited to toast as it comes with a bake pan and broil rack included!

Cons

Complaints about this toaster are limited but it is not perfect. The even toast technology seems to be inconsistent and doesn’t work for everyone. The darkness dial on the machine is also said to be imprecise, so you may end up with very black toast if you are not careful. The power lead is short for health and safety reasons, but if you only have a limited number of plug sockets and they are tucked away then you may struggle to reach them without an extension cord.

Summary

When all is considered it does seem that this toaster oven has more positive features than negative ones. It’s capacity means that you can make more than enough toast for a hearty breakfast, its design is sleek and elegant enough to be at home in most kitchens, and it includes enough setting to ensure that you can customise your toast just how you like it. It may not be the perfect machine, but for its size it does a lot more than you would expect it to. It’s true, good things do come in small packages!

As a toy you may remember form your childhood you will probably be surprised to hear that electric scooters are making a comeback. Whilst they are still predominately used by kids looking to have some fun going up and down all of the hills in their local neighbourhood, they are also becoming a part of the lives of many adults. These older scooter riders are using them for commuting in big cities to save on the costs of trains and cars! They are very clever little machines, but if you don’t know what you are looking for then choosing a scooter can be overwhelming. That’s why today we are here to help you out and we are going to do that by looking at one in particular, the Razor E100 and seeing what it is all about!

Features

The biggest question that everyone asks when looking at an electric scooter is “I wonder how fast it goes?” Well, the answer for the Razor is 10 mph. It reaches these speeds by a high torque, ultra-quiet chain driven motor and a grip twist throttle. The motor that powers the scooter is simple to use too as it utilizes the kick start method, and it is also rechargeable! The features don’t end there for this scooter though, as it also has a hand operated rear brake, 8 inch pneumatic front tire and a spring loaded kickstand. As for the numbers, the Razor takes anywhere from 12-24 hours to charge and once it is fully powered up you will get around 40 minutes of continual run time.

Plus Points

A lot of thought has gone into the design of this scooter. The 8 inch front tire should ensure a very smooth ride and the fact that there is both a grip twist throttle and hand controlled back brake means that both are very easy to control. Having a motor that can move at 10 miles per hour is also a plus, and if you want to see how it stacks up against the motors of other similar scooters then you can do just that here at The Electric Rider website.

Negative Points

Perhaps the biggest negative when looking at the Razor is the large amount of time it takes to charge. With times ranging from 12 up to 24 hours for a single charge, it is not the most practical of machines should you wish to use it every day. The 40 minute run time after this is average and not great as well.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a decent but not perfect electric scooter for yourself, or more likely the kids, then you could do a lot worse than to look more closely at the Razor. It is a very well thought out machine but it is let down by one overbearing element (the charging). It will definitely be up to most tasks though, and the list of features is impressive, so it is up to you to decide whether or not this is the best scooter for your needs!

Some things in life do all the work and get none of the credit. You may be the one person in your office who does all of the donkey work but gets none of the credit. The cam belt which keeps your car ticking over probably never gets the praise it deserves. The same can be said for tools around the house and one that perhaps gets less credit than most is a good water filtration system. Without one of these the water you drink could have any number of nasty and horrid things in it, so if you don’t have one of these systems in place in your home it is something well worth considering. Luckily for you we are going to be looking at one today and that one is the Fleck 5600SXT!

So what will it actually do for me?

For those of you who don’t know what a water filtration system does, it will essentially clean all of the bad things out of your water supply before you use/drink it. Soft Water Filtrationis a website which can tell you more about this if you want to know anything else, but for now, back to what the Fleck can do. The Fleck 5600 has a digital metered, on demand valve and fully programmable cycles. This means that you will have full control over your water filtration levels. The system comes with a ten yearwarranty on both tanks and a five year one with the electronics so you are covered if anything should go wrong too! The most impressive thing about this system however is the fact that it can treat up to 12 gpm flow rates, or when it is translated to regular person speak, a home with 3-6 people in it.

Will it be too intrusive in my home?

You may be worried that this system will be a big ugly eyesore somewhere in your home but I can promise you that this is not the case. The tank measures 10 x 54 inches and the brine tank 14 x 17 x 33 inches so even when combined they do not take up a lot of room. They are plenty small enough to tuck away neatly somewhere.

Whats are the positive points?

If you are worried about the water you are drinking, or even if it is simply too hard and is causing you lime scale issues then this water filtration system will sort that out with the minimum of fuss.

And what are the bad points?

One or two of the components in the system seem to be made of a cheaper plastic and as a result are less reliable than the rest of it, but these complaints do not appear too often.

Sum everything up for me.

This is a simple piece of kit which should make a big difference to your health and the health of your family. Whilst you may not notice something as small as having hard water, it can make a difference and if you have the chance to solve this issue then I would recommend doing just that!