2009-01-22

Wardrobe Lift Closet Organizer


  • Finish: Chrome
  • All cabinet hardware comes with screws.
  • Our finishes are designed and tested to withstand corrosion by moisture and salt air.
  • When properly maintained, our finishes resist abrasion and enhance the luster and exquisite beauty of our products for years.
  • All our die-cast, stamped and solid brass products are protected by triple treatments of long-lasting genuine laquer which is the only coating designed to enhance the finish without discoloring.
  • Unlimited lifetime guarantee.

2009-01-18

RM400 with Base Station


Robomow RM400 is an automatic lawnmower that cuts the grass all by itself. It comes with a Base Station and it will depart from the Base Station at the pre-set scheduled days and times. At the end of each operation Robomow returns to the Base Station for charging until the next scheduled operation. Your lawn will be maintained even when you are away from home!

Mows more. For less.
  • Remote Control used to mow very narrow areas manually (available as an accessory)
  • User controlled theft protection including an alarm system
  • Compact one blade mulching system
  • Tilt Sensor – stops rotating blade immediately when Robomow is tilted
Technical specifications:
  • Rain sensor: prevents mowing while it is raining
  • Two maintenance-free 12 AH sealed lead acid batteries
  • Mowing Height: 0.80”-3.15”, easy to set
  • Weight: 39 lb. (incl. the batteries)
  • Dimensions: 25” l x 20.5” w x 12” h

2009-01-13

Bissell SpotBot


While more expensive than most portable carpet cleaners, the Bissell SpotBot is the top performer in reviews for two main reasons: It does a better job of removing tough stains, and it's the easiest to use. Users love that they can park the SpotBot on a stain and leave its agitating brushes to do the work by itself. The SpotBot's biggest drawback ironically serves as testimony to its effectiveness: areas that have been “Botted” appear cleaner than surrounding carpet, leaving a "crop circle" of contrast. We also find scattered complaints of wet carpets and leakage, although less so than with other small cleaners. While the SpotBot gets better ratings, the Bissell Little Green is less expensive and also gets good reviews, though they aren't as strong.

2009-01-12

Craftsman 34118

Top-rated budget electric chainsaw


Reviews recommend the corded electric Craftsman 34118 as the best among budget corded electric chainsaws. The Craftsman chainsaw has bucking spikes for cutting up firewood, plus important safety features like an intertia blade brake, anti-kickback bar tip, and wrap-around handle. For most users -- as long as you can work within 50 feet of an outlet -- the Craftsman chain saw can perform most short tasks. Note that Poulan makes this particular Craftsman chain saw -- the Poulan Pro 400E CRBB is nearly identical. If you need to use a chainsaw for more than a few minutes at a time, consider getting a model with an anti-vibration handle to cut down on fatigue -- such as the quieter Husqvarna 316 .

2009-01-10

Hoover Constellation Bagged Canister S3345


The Hoover Constellation S3345 Bagged Canister Vacuum cleans carpets and bare floors. It comes with a rotating brush nozzle, hard floor nozzle, upholstery brush, crevice tool and dusting brush. The Constellation has a 16-foot stretch hose and a telescopic handle that makes hard-to-reach surfaces easier to clean.

There's no mistaking it: The Constellation canister vacuum is a good-looking machine. The orb-shaped canister, with its brushed stainless steel exterior, tempts us to leave the Constellation in view rather than out of sight in a closet. The real question, however, has yet to be answered: How well does the Constellation S3345 work?

During testing, it was immediately evident that the Constellation S3345 Bagged Canister Vacuum operates quietly. We could run the vacuum and easily participate in a conversation. Even though it weighs about 22 pounds, the Constellation feels lightweight. We credit the vacuum's lack of wheels with its lightweight feel. Instead, the vacuum uses forced air to invoke a "floating" movement, which allows the user to maneuver the vacuum without much effort.

When used on bare floors, the Constellation sucks up dirt, dust and larger particles such as sand. It managed to clean hardwood and tile floors without blowing dust around, as is the case with some upright vacuums. We were impressed with the Constellation's suction power and we were anxious to see if the Constellation performed equally well on carpets. We were mildly disappointed.

The Hoover Constellation does work on carpets, but not as well as we expected. It seemed to take longer to vacuum carpets with this canister vacuum than with an upright vacuum equipped with a wider nozzle. The Constellation did pull dirt, particles and pet hair from carpets -- but not completely. It was necessary to re-vacuum some areas at least twice before they looked clean. On a more positive note, the Constellation is convenient to use on carpeted stairs, as well as area rugs.

We like the canister vacuum's HEPA filtration system, which helps keep dust and allergens contained. The cord wraps around the middle of the vacuum; if the vacuum were a globe, the cord would follow the equator. This cord storage system works well enough, but lacks an automatic rewind feature.

After testing, we determined the Hoover Constellation S3345 Bagged Canister Vacuum is a solid choice for homes with hard surfaces and little carpet to clean. Those who attempt to vacuum large carpeted rooms with the Constellation are likely to become frustrated by its time- and energy-consuming performance.

Pros: Cleans bare floors, lots of attachments
Cons: Doesn't work as well on wall-to-wall carpet

Snapper 355Z 24/44 zero-turn mower

Snapper's 355Z 24/44 zero-turn mower is a high-end residential mower is a well-built machine that exceeds many of the basic functions of other homeowner-targeted models. This machine weighs a mere 655 pounds (before attachments) thanks to the omission of many of the heavier suspension elements found in commercial-grade mowers. The 355Z is not intended for heavy-duty use, but in normal residential conditions, it provides a smooth and comfortable ride.

This machine offers an advanced hydraulic system and a versatile cutting deck. The end result is an engine that runs cooler, a suspension that handles smoothly and a cutting deck that offers seven height adjustments from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. The frame is similar to those found on lower-end zero-turn models, but the sophisticated suspension makes a big difference in the comfort of ride. We find the 24-hp engine makes the 355Z a zippy machine, but occasionally the floatation of the cutting deck bounces around a bit on hills when the blades are set above 3 inches. On normal surfaces at all speeds, though, the delivered cut is even.

The 355Z's pivoting is responsive and its zero-turn cuts are handled well by its 44-inch cutting deck. Like other Snapper models, the transmission engages smoothly when speeding up or slowing down to make sharp angle turns. The anti-scalp wheels are well placed; if you make an awkward turn on a low-angle hill, they prevent divots as long as your speed is reasonable. The chassis and front axle are a bit light for heavy-duty mowing, and you will feel the machine shudder if you drive over deep bumps or uneven terrain. The deck flotation adjusts well to most bumps, however, especially at lower cutting heights. Handling is always very good, which we find to be consistent throughout Snapper's line of zero-turn mowers.

Snapper offers a selection of very good -- though expensive -- attachments for the 355Z. The triple-bag grass collector is a great add-on if you have the money and wish to collect your clippings. An optional mulching attachment is also effective, though we find that making a second pass on pre-cut clippings does an equally good job. You can also choose to purchase a pull-behind dump cart.

The 6.5-gallon fuel tank is the ideal size for a residential mower; it's large enough for the full day cut of a large yard but small enough that it doesn't add extra weight. Snapper's 355Z 24/44 zero-turn mower is a nice upgrade from entry-level models for those who trust Snapper's performance and want a few high-end features thrown in for good measure.


Pros: Smooth ride, great cut on normal residential terrain, very good optional bagging system, powerful engine, lightweight and compact
Cons: Bouncy on rough terrain, cutting deck shakes on higher cutting settings, attachments are expensive

Weber One-Touch Silver


Best budget charcoal grill

pros Good value; Versatile; Easy to clean;
consSome durability problems with legs, wheels;
Painted rather than powder-coated;
Nylon handles;


According to reviews of charcoal grills, the Weber One-Touch Silver kettle grill - available in 18.5-inch or 22.5-inch sizes - has a proven design, efficient heating and an easy-to-use cleaning system, making it the best value among budget charcoal grills. Its name references the cleaning system where ashes are channeled into a removable tray for easy cleanup. The large dome lid allows the Weber One-Touch Silver to double as a smoker. It comes with a 10-year warranty on the exterior (one year on the cooking grates). However, the kettle is painted rather than powder-coated, and owners report some dissatisfaction with the sturdiness of this grill's legs and wheels. Others are peeved that its nylon handles can become hot. The 22.5-inch Weber One-Touch Silver is roomy enough to handle a 12-pound turkey, but if you need something larger the Bar-B-Chef Charcoal Barbecue Built-In (*est. $500) earns the best reviews.