MuchoInfo.com - Products Reviews & Comment

Seasons Comfort Oil-Filled Radiator

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:30:01 +0000

The Seasons Comfort Oil-Filled Radiator delivers as promised for an amazingly cheap price ($60).
It heats my 20×15′ room on full blast and stays hot unlike the traditional space-heaters that immediately cool when the element turns off.
There are 3 heat settings with a dial for fine adjustment as well as a very handy grip on the top-front for when you want to wheel it into another room at bedtime.
The unit is also good quality, I have had it for 3 months and some days I have left it on 24/7 with zero problemos.
There is one, BIG ($$) caveat however;
My electric bill here in Chicago is usually $20-$40. I used this heater every day in January and my bill was $180, so watch out if you use this product every day.
My South Florida friends, who’s electric bills are ALWAYS $150+, said “Boo Hoo” when I complained about the bill.

In summary, I definitely recommend this product.

Bissell Powerforce

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:28:10 +0000

I found the Bissell Powerforce at Walmart for like 40 bucks.
It is bagless, which I insist upon, and has a washable filter. Mind you I have not had washed the filter in the year that I have owned it.
This vac is so powerful that it sucked a long tube sock right down the hose. I had to pull it out with pliers.
There are five height adjustments for hardwood floors like mine, to a 70’s shag like your parent’s.

I have nothing bad to say about this product, which makes for really boring reading.

T Mobile Wing

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:12:31 +0000

Oh, the Tmobile Wing.

I don’t have enough hard drive space to list everything that makes this phone SUCK.
But I can say that the phone is awful, terrible and dreadful.
It (not me) decides if and when it will download my email and/or sync at all. And it usually doesn’t.
The touch screen is sluggish, actually the whole damn phone is sluggish.
My speed dial numbers frequently just don’t work, so I am constantly resetting them.
And Windows Mobile is the worst piece of POOP I’ve ever had the displeasure to endure. Don’t bother trying to “reinstall” or “reset” the OS because it doesn’t matter anyway.

In summary, I HATE this phone and every second it is in my hand, it risks being smashed on the ground.

Logitech PlayStation 3 Driving Force GT Racing Wheel

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:04:21 +0000

I very much like this product.
If you are going to buy a PS3 steering wheel, don’t bother with cheaper models, get this one. The extra $40 will be worth it in saved headaches and general enjoyment.
The Logitech PlayStation 3 Driving Force GT Racing Wheel has sturdy quality, is very responsive and has a comfortable feel in both the wheel itself and the included pedals.
The buttons are ergonomically placed and it even has a working horn button right where it should be for when Jeff Gordon pisses you off.
On the bad side, while the cords are definitely long enough for most living areas, the connectors come out easily if you sit on the couch and drive or move the unit during play, which you of course will. I fix this by using a bit of duct tape to secure the connections (which I still must re-secure every now and then).
Which brings up to one more con; the product is lacking a piece to grab onto with your thighs for playing whilst sitting on the couch. I deal with this shortfall by placing the steering wheel on a pillow on my lap.
I personally have never used the table grabbing contraption, which is built in, but that wouldn’t suit my needs as my TV set is not near a table suitable for such purposes.

Overall, I give the Logitech PlayStation 3 Driving Force GT Racing Wheel 4 out of 5 stars and a very high recommendation.
If you’re going to get one, get this one.

Genius Twin Wheel F1, Mini Vibration, PC/PS2 Combo Wheel

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:34:55 +0000

Genius Twin Wheel F1, Mini Vibration, PC/PS2 Combo Wheel

If you play any NASCAR game you know, you NEED a steering wheel to enjoy it correctly.
So I thought I found a cheap solution in the Genius Twin Wheel F1, Mini Vibration, PC/PS2 combo wheel.
Unhappily, mine came defective; The triangle button would stick when pressed and it took a flick of the thumbnail to right it. And as I have a mental disorder that makes me unable to send things I get in the mail back, I just dealt with it.

GOOD:
General. The unit worked well when functioning correctly.
Adjustable sensitivity. The unit has 4 sensitivity settings which are important when playing those games (NASCAR) where steering is challenging and the tracks have differing steering demands.

BAD:
No Documentation. It did not come with any documentation on how to program the levers nor could I find any online (surprisingly), so I was never able to do that, which is a shame because it has 2 perfectly placed levers, left and right, to be employed as shifters. Instead I had to use the R1 and L1, which are on the top front of the wheel and took my mind of racing for a second as I had to change hand positions to move my thumb to shift.
Shaky Quality. I play NASCAR about 3-4 times a week for around an hour per sitting. I’ve had the unit for 2 months and now when I turn to the left or move the wire in the back, the circle button function is engaged. So now it is a useless hulk until I open ‘er up and fix the connections.

In summary, IF the unit arrived functioning properly and IF it had documentation on how to program the buttons and IF it didn’t break after only 2 months, I would give this product 5 out of 5 stars.

Airwick Freshmatic

admin — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:41:13 +0000

I love the concept of the Airwick Freshmatic; A lovely burst of scent that subliminally makes me feel like I am frolicking through a field of flowers.
Having two dogs, I had high hopes for this item. I was looking for a distraction from the unavoidable dog smell, while at the same time realizing fully that NOTHING overcomes that stink.
First, I will say that this products works wonderfully in a small room with no dogs. My friend has one (no dogs) and it kept the apartment smelling fresh every time I visited, even through poker games (no cigars).
My house however, presented challenges that the poor Airwick could not quite overcome.
It took about 2 weeks to get used to the sound of spraying, which I had set to occur every 36 minutes (you can set it to spray 9, 18 or 36 minutes). It would startle me every time. But I will say, it made the room smell good for about 10 seconds. Then back to dog.
Also you can hit a button for a manual quick spray for uninvited guests.
I hatched a plan to put two in my front room, which is where I spend most of my time, but the thought of the “Shhhhh” sound in stereo, from multiple Airwick Freshmatics all day made me rethink that. The sound may just drive me to madness.
The replaceable canister lasts about 3 months and is fairly cheap when purchased at your local Walmart.

So, in conclusion, if you have no big dogs in your life, I highly recommend the
Airwick Freshmatic.

Conflict Video Games - (All)

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:10:49 +0000

Yes, the graphics are only okay, and the sound effects kind of suck, particularly on the tanks on Desert Storm 1 & 2, but the Conflict series (Desert Storm, Desert Storm II, Vietnam, and Global Terror) are my absolute favorite video games of all time.
Why, you ask?
CONTROL. I absolutely LOVE the individual control you have over each man. That one feature is what makes it for me. Being able to set up an ambush is key, especially on the hardest level, and with that control, you can become an effective leader.

Two calloused thumbs up!

Brita Water Filtering Pitcher

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:56:07 +0000

First off, let me say that there is nothing wrong with Chicago water. It’s one of the few things the government does right.
It does however, have a distinct chlorine taste, but I never knew because I only drink water outside of my house…
… until now.
I bought the Brita Slim Pitcher on a whim at Home Depot or Lowes or Menards. It was on sale for $7.99 with one filter and I was on a buying jag.
It basically is what it is. You put the filter in (soak for 15 minutes first) and just pour water in the pitcher. The water quickly goes through the filter and Vie-Ola you have really pure tasting water.
The difference is uncanny. So much so, that the dog and I now regularly drink water at home!
I definitely recommend this ‘lil item.

PS- Don’t forget to transfer your new water to a glass pitcher!

Swiffer Duster

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:04:45 +0000

I am a bachelor who hates cleaning. This is why I love the Swiffer Duster.
I’ll tell you a secret; I’ve lived in my current apartment for 6 years, and until I found the Swiffer Duster a few months ago, I NEVER dusted my house. Now I dust every week and I don’t give it a thought.
This wonderfully simple item makes dusting a quick affair. In only 5 minutes and two duster fuzzies I can dust my entire 6 room apartment while outwardly looking like I am enjoying myself.
It is amazing how much better your place looks when it’s dust free.

Three thumbs up.

Sci Phone

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:54:52 +0000

Ugh, the Sci Phone (i68).
I bought this thing because my friend had one and I fell in love with it after only a few moments of playing with it. Had I merely made a phone call with it I could have spared myself a 2 month headache.
So the next day I ordered it from a website in China and therefore it took a month to receive.
The camera is nice and it took OK video, but that’s the end of the pros.

No speed dial, yet you can shake it to change the f*****g wallpaper or change songs. But you cannot change the wallpaper to YOUR images; It has to be one of the pre-programmed ones.
In order to make a phone call, one must press at least 4 buttons on that not so responsive and easily dirty (on the inside) touch pad.
When I go to send a text, the default is Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin, whatever) so there’s ANOTHER step to getting something done.
The phone numbers on my SIM card were not readable, therefore I had to re-enter all of my numbers into the phone.
The user interface is completely non-intuitive and quite frankly retarded.
Awful, just Awful! I actually ended up purposefully smashing it on the ground just so I wouldn’t even be able to use it as a back up phone later. I just wanted it out of my life as soon as possible.

The moral: Spend the money and get the real thing!

NASCAR 2008 for PS2

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:39:28 +0000

OK, driving is my most hated activity in the world. So after I drive my 100 mile daily commute, I like to relax by playing NASCAR 2008.
Sounds idiotic doesn’t it?
Despite how much I enjoy, or want to enjoy the game, there is always one major problem with it:
It is virtually impossible to properly control the cars with the standard PS2 controller. Therefore it is every bit as frustrating to play as it is actually driving in Chicago traffic.
I have made attempts to purchase the PS2 steering wheel and pedal, but EVERY time I try, the order is on hold or backorder or some crap and I wait weeks only to end up canceling the order.
The steering wheel is the only way I can see that this game will be enjoyable.

What is that you say? Get a PS3?
Well, when the volume of games is comparable to PS2, I will.

The Complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus Megaset

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:03:14 +0000

The Complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus Megaset

Yes, I am living in the past by buying physical DVDs, but as a major fan of Python I was compelled to acquire this wonderful item.

This is the complete set of Monty Python episodes. I have the beautifully boxed set displayed prominately on my bookshelf among such greats as Oscar Wilde and Nietzsche and it gives me pleasure to merely look at it.
One of the rewards of having this set is, if you watch from disc 1 to the end, you can go right back to the first episode and it will still be funny.

Also, if you notice, when BBC or PBS has a Python Marathon, they always play the same damn 4 episodes twice per day! Now, with the DVDs in my house, I never have to call the TV set a Dirty Blighter again.

It comes with two bonus discs of live material. I personally never cared for the live stuff but the hardcore fans certainly will.

Dinsdale!

Mackie Series 1202 mixer

Jolly Tar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:27:09 +0000

I’m not sure how long I’ve had my Mackie Series 1202 mixer, but it is at least ten years.

To this day, it works as perfectly as it did the day I bought it and I am no gentle user. This mixer has survived months in a dusty garage, years of drunken smoky band practice and multiple trips completely across America, once in a trunk carried on a bus!

The only reason I am buying a new mixer is that I need Firewire support, but this mixer will be in my studio for another ten years I’ll wager.

To make a short story a little bit longer, I highly recommend this mixer and Mackie in general.

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Mackie website: http://www.mackie.com/