Ultra Cool Gadgets

Oral-B’s most advanced rechargeable toothbrush, Triumph with SmartGuide enables better brushing for better oral health. Clinically proven to give extraordinary cleaning and improved brushing habits for healthy teeth and gums, Triumph with SmartGuide’s 3D Excel Action has 40,000 in-and-out pulsations per minute that gently loosen plaque, and 8,800 side-to-side oscillations that sweep it away.
Its innovative remote wireless display is specifically designed to give you the knowledge and guidance to brush thoroughly, gently, and for the dental recommended two minutes. This wireless monitor features the first visual pressure sensor alert to help reduce hard brushing and prevent gum recession–a precursor to tooth loss.

Product Features

* Advanced oral care system guides you to extraordinary cleaning and superior gum health
* Innovative wireless display provides while-you-brush feedback for optimal brushing habits
* Floss Action brush head with MicroPulse bristles penetrates deep between teeth and gums, dramatically improving the health of your gums
* If you should apply too much pressure, a red light will appear signaling you that too much pressure is being used
* With the wireless remote display, you can easily see your brushing time per quadrant and the positive feedback at 2 minutes

Customer feedback:

1. Normally when I visit the dentists office, the technician spends considerable time scraping off the plaque from my teeth. I went 2 weeks ago, and there wasn’t any plaque for her to remove. None. Additionally, I have rather poor flossing habits, and the technician usually causes my gums to bleed. This time she commented on how healthy my gums were - even between my teeth (I did not admit that I had not flossed in a month). Note: I am not advocating that you don’t floss, just admitting that I don’t.

2. This is my first electric toothbrush. I have braces and I thought an electric brush would be useful. My teeth really do feel “dentist clean!” Because of my braces, I can’t use the brush heads that came with the brush, but I will review the overall brush.
I chose the Triumph because of the smart timer. It counts down the minutes and provides a visual guide for the quadrants in your mouth. The display is easy to read. Before this toothbrush, I don’t think I was brushing long enough. Additionally, the brush itself “buzzes” every 30 seconds, so you know to switch quadrants. This means that when traveling, you can ensure you’re brushing the proper amount of time.

It couldn’t be any easier than this: a cordless hand saw that cuts wood, metal, drywall, plastic, rope and more. We like it for its grab-it-and-go convenience and because it doesn’t balk at wood that’s up to an inch thick. It’s perfect for taming overgrown bushes and stray branches, but it also makes quick work of PVC pipes, vinyl gutters, wire shelving, wallboard, craft projects and a hundred other things. It’s small and light enough for even the most petite among us to grasp it firmly with just one hand, leaving your other free.
Of course, we like bells and whistles, but sometimes, a straightforward tool like this one is the easiest to use. Just keep it in its wall-mountable charger, then grab it when you need it. Even changing blades is a fast and easy task because it’s tool-free. It’s powered by a 6-volt battery and delivers a surprising 1,850 strokes per minute with a 1/2-inch stroke length, and best of all, it doesn’t require fancy blades – just standard jigsaw blades. Homeowners and do-it-yourselfers will really like this little saw.

Technical Details

* Cuts almost anything including thin metal, up to 1-inch wood, plastic, and drywall
* Tool-free blade change provides quick and easy blade changes; cordless operation for quick and convenient cutting
* Accepts standard jig saw blades; wall-mountable charger provides continuous charging for grab & go convenience
* Lightweight and compact for easy access to tight areas; makes up to 200 cuts of 1/2-inch oak dowels
* 2-year warranty

Customer feedback:

1. I bought this to cut wood. It cuts wood and has enough power to do it neatly. The blades attach easily and store in the wall mount. This is very convenient, making it easy to find the saw and hard to lose the blades.

2. A very handy little recip saw. Just perfect for small jobs or where larger recip type saws are not practical.

Black & Decker’s advanced, powerful VPX system guarantees the convenience of a rechargeable battery with maximum versatility. At the center of the VPX system is the 7-volt high-energy VPX rechargeable battery, which features breakthrough lithium-ion technology to generate more energy in a smaller package. The end result is a battery that’s super-compact and 60-percent lighter than Black & Decker’s Ni-Cad power tool batteries. And the VPX holds a charge longer, too — so it’s ready to work whenever you are.
With its versatile design and Black & Decker exclusive technology, a VPX battery is interchangeable with all the products in Black & Decker’s growing VPX line. Swap out one battery for the flashlight, inflator, screwdriver, USB power source, cut saw, or 7-volt drill driver; or double the juice with two batteries to operate the 14-volt drill driver or the hand vac. And of course, every VXP battery and compatible product features the rugged, dependable construction you expect from an industry leader in home power tools.

Technical Details

* VPX starter set with power flashlight, cut saw, screwdriver, battery, and charger
* All VPX products are powered by either one or two lightweight 7-volt VPX batteries (one included)
* The VPX family of products includes a broad variety of home and workshop tools, with more to come next year
* 7-volt battery with charger; screwdriver; cut saw with 2 blades; flashlight with 3 bulbs
* Weighs 8.5 pounds shipped

Customer feedback:

1. We purchased this set at a very critical time — we were just about to move into a house and had a long list of things we wanted to do, including but not limited to: cut a hole in the basement door for a cat door, install curtain rods, dis-assemble and assemble furniture and closet organizers, install cabinet hardware on brand-new maple cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, hang a medicine cabinet, etc. We’ve used these tools every day for almost two weeks and have only put the batteries on the chargers once — not because we needed to, but because we thought we should.

2. This starter set is just what I needed. Being a single female homeowner, I sometimes need tools to do jobs around the house. This set is lightweight, but powerful. I specifically needed a power saw and this one is just right. A great price for several useful tools.

Get the freedom of portable cutting power without the hassles of gas. Cut though logs and branches up to 8 inches in diameter, chop up prunings or use the cordless chain saw to clear fallen debris and limbs after a storm. The cordless chain saw provides a convenient powerful alternative to the hassles of gas. Most gas powered chain saws are heavy and cumbersome. You have fumes and spillage when refueling and breathing exhaust when cutting. Gas engines also require frequent tune-ups. At just 6.2 pounds, the cordless chain saw is lightweight and portable, yet its powerful motor will breeze through tough backyard cutting jobs. powered by an 18-volt rechargeable battery, the cordless chain saw will make up to 150 1-1/2-inch diameter cuts on just one charge. The cordless chain saw features a low-kickback 8-inch bar and chain. An onboard oiling feature keeps the chain oiled hassle free. Just fill the oil chamber and after every cut just push a button twice to oil the blade. This prevents for smoother cuts and a longer lasting bar and chain. A window lets you know how much oil remains. The cordless chain saw is designed for a comfortable cutting experience. A wrap around handle provides multiple gripping positions to make both straight and side cuts. A soft grip pad on the handle provides maximum comfort. The cordless chain saw comes with one 18-volt battery that is interchangeable with other Black & Decker outdoor products and power tools.

Technical Details

* 8″ Cutting Bar & Chain Allows for a Maximum Cutting Capacity
* 18 Volt NiCd Battery Provides up to 150 1-1/2″ Diameter Cuts per Charge
* Lightweight Design For Ease of Use
* On Board Oiling with Window to Gauge Oil Level
* Wrap Around Handle Gives Multiple Gripping Position

Customer feedback:

1. I was tired of reving up my heavy 20 inch gas chain saw for occasional jobs around the property. This saw is light and convenient for work in tight locations like brush clearing. It arrived promptly from Amazon. It I appears to be well designed and worked fine after charging the included 18 volt battery. Although product specs do not mention it, the package includes a charger for the battery. I have not used the product long enough to determine how long the battery holds its charge. But, on a fresh charge it successfully cut through everything that I have tried it on .. soft wood and hard wood.

2. If you need a light-duty chain saw (to use around the property, not out in the woods by professionals) then buy this! It’s beyond useful and is nicer in-person than what it looks like on the web. I trimmed our 20+ yr old maple tree like it was child’s play. No cords, no gas to store, no problems. I trimmed that tree and several other bushes in the yard, and have yet to recharge the battery for it even once. One recommendation however: make sure you have some SAE 30W motor oil handy. There’s a built-in reservoir for such a lubricant (to oil the chain to extend its life).

Technical Details

* Powerful 3.4 amp, 4600 spm motor for controlled cuts; large-capacity blade and metal-cutting blade cut wood, metal, plastic, and PVC
* Powered Handsaw Works In & Around The Home For Indoor Use Or Pruning
* Storage Bag Easily Stores Saw, Blades, Cord & More
* Tool-free blade change for quick and easy blade change; GelMax Comfort Grips provide maximum comfort during use
* Compact and lightweight design makes the powered handsaw easy to control and handle
* Includes (1) large capacity blade and (1) metal cutting blade
* 2-year warranty

Customer feedback:

1. I needed an electric saw of some sort to cut some branches off this tree overhanging our townhouse. So, I went to Lowe’s and was debating between getting this one vs. another one like it by Black & Decker which was cordless, and then compared those against a reciprical saw. I don’t know jack about saws…however, I didn’t want to spend $100 for a reciprical if I didn’t need that much power. I had anywhere from 1-5 inch branches to cut apart.
So I took this home and it plows through branches like you cannot believe. You motion it back and fourth just like a regular saw, and within about 10 seconds, you can saw a good 3-4 inch think branch like it’s butter. Highly recommended for those type of applications. Have not tried it on plastic or anything else yet but love it so far based on just that one need.

2. I am a contractor. My wife bought this Navigator saw for use around the house. I laughed at it and called it a “girl saw”. One day a few years ago we had a knotty problem cutting a large beam. I reluctantly tried the Navigator. It worked perfectly. Now we have four of them on the job sites and the guys fight over them. Cutting pipe, notching framing members, accurately slicing large beams, I just wish they had made it a bit more durable.

Producing restaurant-quality rice at home is practically foolproof with this 680-watt computerized rice cooker and warmer. Simply fill the inner pot with up to 5-1/2 cups of uncooked rice, select the food type, press the cook key, and listen for the completion signal. The unit’s black, thick, spherical inner pan, which allows for spherical heating, provides a Dupont Teflon nonstick coating that prevents rice from sticking, while stay-cool side handles make the inner cooking pan simple to remove for quick cleanup. Multi-menu selections using advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology control the temperature for efficient cooking of many different types of rice including white, sushi, mixed, porridge, sweet, semi-brown, brown, rinse-free, and quick cooking.
Moreover, the unit offers automatic keep-warm and extended keep-warm cycles that maintain ideal serving temperatures, and its reheat cycle allows cooked rice to be reheated and served as freshly cooked. For added convenience, the rice cooker provides an LCD clock and timer, a removable washable lid, a retractable power cord that saves on counter space, and a contemporary white exterior, which makes for an attractive addition to any kitchen. Accessories include two measuring cups (one for regular rice and one for rinse-free rice), one nonstick rice spoon/scooper, a rice spoon holder that attaches to the side of the machine, and easy-to-follow recipes. The rice cooker measures approximately 14 by 8 by 9 inches.

Product features:

# 5-1/2-cup computerized rice cooker and warmer with advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology
# Multi-menu selections; automatic keep-warm, extended keep-warm, and reheat cycles
# Spherical, nonstick inner pan allows for spherical heating; LCD clock and timer; retractable cord
# 2 measuring cups, nonstick rice spoon/scooper, rice spoon holder, and recipes included
# Measures approximately 14 by 8 by 9 inches

Make delicious fluffy rice every time with this 5-1/2-cup microcomputer-controlled rice cooker/warmer. Six menu settings allow for a variety of rice dishes and versatile cooking–steam, regular rice, brown rice, soup, cake baking, and slow cook. The appliance’s preset timer can be set up to 13 hours in advance, while its keep-warm setting automatically switches on after cooking is complete to keep food warm for up to 12 hours. Other highlights include a nonstick-coated pan that prevents cooked rice from sticking, an automatic rewinding cord reel for convenient cord storage, and a space-saving design that frees up room on the countertop.
In addition, the cooker’s dishwasher-safe, deep steaming basket can steam a large amount of food at one time. It attaches to the top of the pan so food doesn’t come in contact with water, and because the basket is made of plastic, it won’t scratch the rice-cooker’s nonstick coating like a metal basket would. Along with the steaming basket, a measuring cup and rice scoop are also included. The rice cooker/warmer measures 9-2/3 by 9-4/5 by 9-3/5 inches.
Customer feedback:
1. I bought this rice cooker for myself since I live in an apartment. I find the handiest feature to be the timer. The timer allows me to set the unit to cook rice at a later time and keep it warm so that it will be ready to eat when I get home from work. I also use the steamer tray simultaneously to cook fresh vegetables such as brussel sprouts, asparagus, broccolini, and red and yellow peppers.
2. I got this rice cooker back in February and have loved it from the 1st time I used it. My other cooker spit and spattered everywhere and made clean up a nightmare. This one is so clean and cooks rice perfectly. I would recommend this for anyone.

Product features:

# 5-1/2-cup rice cooker with a nonstick-coated pan for delicious rice and more
# 6 settings–steam, regular rice, brown rice, soup, cake baking, and slow cook
# 13-hour preset timer; 12-hour automatic keep-warm; rewinding cord reel
# Dishwasher-safe steaming basket, measuring cup, and rice scoop included
# Measures 9-2/3 by 9-4/5 by 9-3/5 inches

Panasonic SR-NA10 5.5-Cup Rice Cooker/Warmer with Advanced Fuzzy Logic Technology, Compact Design, 8 Menu Settings, Stainless Steel Washable Inner Lid, In and Out Black, Non-Stick Coated Pan with Dimpled Bottom, 24-Hour Clock with Two Preset Timers, 12-Hour Keep Warm Feature.
Customer reviews:
1. We are very pleased with the performance of this rice cooker. We bought it to replace an old Hitachi cooker that served us well, but was a bear to clean because of lack of a nonstick surface. We also wanted the ability to cook brown rice easily. The Panasonic cleans up beautifully and cooks both white and brown rice to perfection. A cool feature is the cooking time countdown, where the LCD display shows the remaining cooking time. Brown rice cooking time is 2 hours, and the countdown doesn’t begin until 13 minutes is left. We thought this a little strange, but it’s designed that way and it’s stated as such in the manual.
2. The Panasonic SR-NA10 is a fantastic appliance for preparing rice. We’ve used several different rice cookers in the past, but none have been as versatile as this unit. Very easy to use interface, great non-stick rice pan, easy to clean, and the easy to read countdown timer allows you time everything getting to the table together. As for food quality, let me summarize like this: Our children both now love brown rice.

Product features:

# 5-1/2-cup rice cooker/warmer with advanced Fuzzy Logic technology
# 8 menu settings include 6 rice functions, plus steam and cake baking
# 24-hour clock; 2 preset timers; 12-hour keep-warm; nonstick-coated pan
# Dishwasher-safe steaming basket, measuring cup, scoop, and holder included
# Measures 13-1/5 by 9-8/9 by 7-8/9 inches

From carrots to cauliflower, cabbage to eggs, and rice to potatoes, this 6-cup cooker/steamer and warmer from Zojirushi steams foods to perfection and keeps them warm. The set includes a removable steaming tray, nonstick cooking pan, measuring cup, and spatula–the removable parts make this steamer easy to clean, and a removable cord makes it easy to store. Watch the foods while they cook through the clear glass lid or watch the cooking switch that pops up when the food is ready. There’s also an automatic keep-warm system activated immediately after rice is cooked, and durable stay-cool handles make for safe handling. This attractive rice cooker measures 9-1/4 by 9-1/4 by 9-1/4 inches.
Customer reviews:
1. I’ve had a number of rice cookers of different sizes. My Panasonic has lasted over 20 years, and my Zojirushi looks like it’ll last just as long, while my South Bend gave up the ghost after only a year. Go with the top Japanese models; they’re made for day-in and day out cooking.
2. I’ve used less expensive rice cookers, but they don’t measure up to the Zojirushi rice cookers. I used to have the 10 cup model, but that one was a little too large for me (it would be great if you’re cooking rice for more than 5 or 6 people). This 6-cup cooker is perfect whether you are making 1 cup or 6. Just put the rice in (remember to wash it first), add water up to the line indicated, and push start … when it turns off, you have perfect rice. No more boiling water, stirring, boiling over, or burned pans!

Product features:

* 6-cup cooker/steamer and warmer steams foods to perfection and keeps them warm
* Stainless steel steaming tray and removable, easy-to-clean, nonstick inner cooking pan
* See-through glass lid and automatic keep-warm function that activates immediately after food is cooked
* Durable stay-cool handles for safe handling
* Includes measuring cup, spatula, and removable cord for easy storing

Producing restaurant-quality rice at home is practically foolproof with this 3-cup electric rice cooker and warmer. Multi-menu selections using micro-computerized Fuzzy logic technology control the temperature for efficient cooking of many different types of rice including white, sushi, porridge, brown, and quick cooking. The unit’s automatic keep-warm function keeps rice at an ideal serving temperature until it’s ready to be served. For added convenience, the appliance comes equipped with an extra-large colored LCD display with clock and timer function, a spherical inner nonstick cooking pan and heating system, a convenient detachable inner lid for easy cleaning, and a built-in retractable cord to help keep counter-tops tidy. Accessories include a measuring cup, nonstick rice spatula, and spatula holder.
Customer reviews:
1. The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 is everything we hoped for and more. We wanted a rice cooker that would make great rice, that could handle smaller amounts of rice, that had a timer, and could handle a variety of different rices.
This rice cooker is a dream.
-It’s attractive. We’ve already received compliments from guests.
-Its footprint is very reasonable for a small kitchen.
-With a thick, stick proof bowl the rice doesn’t burn to any spot and clean up is simple.
-It easily makes rice for 2 adults (1.5 of the “cups” for us) but could handle 4 adults (3 “cups”) with normal eating habits. Note: the cups aren’t full size cups of rice.
-It does a great job on a variety of rices; there are different settings for different rices and the measurement markings appear correct for different rices. So far we’ve tried long grain brown, medium grain brown, sushi, jasmine, white basmati, brown basmati, and brown/white mixes. We haven’t had a bad batch of rice.
-The computer’s fuzzy logic algorithm (i.e. “Micom Neuro Fuzzy”) constantly adjusts the temperature so the rice comes out perfect every time. I also think the cooker starts out at a low temperature and gradually steps up the heat but I’m not 100% sure.
-The heavy bowl seems to distribute heat perfectly and there’s no scorched rice or crust attached to the bowl.
-The timer is convenient for setting the rice to be completed at a specific time, at which point it keeps your rice warm. We’ve found it completes cooking within a minute or two of the timer setting. There are two timer settings that you can adjust…presumably so you could have your rice prepared for breakfast & dinner in Japan.
-The retractable cord is a nice feature.
-There’s even a little holder for the included rice paddle that attaches to the side of the cooker.
2. Received this Zojirushi 3-cup Micom as a self-holiday gift a week ago. Since then, I’ve made sushi rice, basmati, brown & wild medley, along with various types of dal (basmati and red/yellow lentils with curry) and mujadarah (basmati and green lentils with carmelized onions). I’ve also used the warming part of things to gently steam scallops on top of rice for a New Year’s treat. Yum! Soon I’ll try veggies and flavored broths.

Product features:

# 3-cup rice cooker with micro-computerized Fuzzy logic technology
# Menu selections include white, sushi, porridge, brown, and quick cooking
# Keep-warm function;
# LCD display with timer;
# Nonstick inner cooking pan
# Measuring cup, nonstick rice spatula, and spatula holder included
# Measures 11-1/2 by 9 by 7-1/4 inches