Monthly Archives: January 2009

Imagine those scary power outages in the night and tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. It is light; flashlights, to be more specific. And among the many available in the market, I recommend the Sarge SKT-160 LED Flashlight. This 6 1/4" long black-colored flashlight has an aluminum body for durability. The handle is also made from aluminium and has a diamond plate design etched, so that it does not slip away from your grip. You can easily carry around the Sarge SKT-160 LED Flashlight using the attached nylon wrist strap. With 3 ultra-bright light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, you will find your way even through pitch-black darkness. The bulbs have a lamp life of about 100,000 hours and are powered by two AA batteries, which are included in the set.

The Sarge SKT-160 LED Flashlight comes as part of a value pack that also includes a 10-function multi-tool. It is made from high-quality stainless steel to withstand tough use. The small 4" unit holds everything you may expect to find in a tool set. From a blade and saw to pliers, wire cutters and screwdrivers, it has them all to fix anything and everything. Need a drink after the heavy-duty task? You have a bottle opener in the tool to open the bottle. Did you break a nail? The Sarge SKT-160 Multi-Tool Set has a nail file too to set it right. The Sarge Bright LED Flashlight and Multi-Tool Set come in a durable nylon sheath, which you can hook on to your belt.

As part of a special promotion, Banoggle is offering this set along with their Motorola business radios. You can choose any four business radios from a wide range of Motorola models and get this Sarge SKT-160 pack absolutely free. So hurry up before the offer ends.

If you are an adventurer who takes off on those hunting, hiking and camping trips frequently, or a nature lover who spends time bird watching, a binocular and/or a monocular would surely be a part of your travel gear. Their use is not limited to these activities alone. They are indispensable for applications that require you to observe things far and wide and are used in fields such as astronomy and military. Nowadays, these devices come with night vision features to help you see clearly in dim lighting conditions and complete darkness too.

Yukon Advanced Optics is a leading manufacturer of observation devices and accessories. From night vision goggles and binoculars to spotting scopes, they manufacture them all. These products from Yukon are designed using the latest technology. This, along with their reliable quality, has catapulted the company to the top levels of the industry. Check out the exciting deals on many of their products only at Banoggle.

The Yukon Ranger 5X42 Night Vision Device is a Generation 1 monocular. But its image sharpness and brightness will give Generation 2 devices a run for their money. You need not worry about any changes in the ambient lighting as it comes with an infrared illuminator. The adjustment wheel provided on the front panel lets you change the level of brightness of the display. The Yukon Ranger 5X42 can be run using batteries or external power supply. This digital night vision monocular has a video out port so that you can broadcast and record the images you are viewing. If you use it for extended stationary sessions of observation, the device can be mounted on a standard tripod.

The Yukon Tracker 3x42 LT Night Vision Binocular provides you with three-dimensional images, as opposed to monoculars. It is compact and lightweight, and so easy to carry wherever you go. This Yukon night vision binocular lets you observe objects up to a distance of 500 feet even in absolute darkness. It has a one-piece eyecup that eliminates external light distortion and light leakage.

In an earlier post, I have already discussed about radar detectors, which alert you to the presence of police radars in the vicinity so that you can check your speed and save yourself from getting a speeding ticket. You may also have heard of photo radars that help in identifying vehicles that disobey traffic rules. These systems are a combination of a vehicle monitoring device to check a vehicle for possible traffic violations and a camera that is equipped with number plate recognition software. To avoid getting a ticket, your number plate must not be readable by the camera.

On Track Super Protector is a license plate cover that does just that. To refresh your memory, I am discussing these products, only because I feel that the existing laws are unfair and not to encourage dangerous driving practices. Coming back to Super Protector License Plate Cover, it is ultra-thin and fits all United States (US) and Canadian license plates. Those living outside of the US or Canada can also get custom-sizes protectors.

On Track Super Protector is split in two lens areas. It makes only one half of the license plate readable, leaving the other half unreadable. The side-angle protection doesn't mean that only half the numbers can be seen.

When you look at it straight on, the numbers are clearly visible and it is only form the angle of the photo radar camera that they can't be seen.
And when I say angles, it means every possible angle at which speed cameras can be placed, from high angles to overhead angles. Be it toll way cameras or speed cameras, beat them all with the Super Protector License Plate Cover.

Anyone can install it in minutes and it is shatterproof. You need not worry about this license plate cover turning yellow. It doesn't. I recommend you to get license plate frames to hold these cover sin place for best results.

My business takes me to different places all over the world quite often. As much as I hate it, I can't help carrying my world with me. Traveling was a lot easier before when there were less electrical and electronic gadgets. But as it turns out, they have become such an inevitable part of my daily life that wherever I go, they too have to accompany me. The first time I went abroad, I was in for such a big shock. I plugged in my hair dryer and it resulted in fireworks. I should have been sufficiently warned when my plug won't fit in the socket. I asked for a plug adapter, but no one told me that I would also require an AC voltage converter as well. I was damn lucky to have escaped unhurt.

Only then did I know that while the US has 110 volt/60 hertz electricity, most of the world has a higher 220 volt/ 50 hertz system. Though many appliances are designed to adapt to voltage changes, some might not. In that case, you will have to take a travel voltage converter along with you to avoid landing in a situation similar to the one that I found myself in. So, let me introduce you to the Recoton Deluxe Voltage Converter Kit. It includes everything to make your gadgets work anywhere on earth, provided you have electricity there!

The AC voltage converter, in addition to converting foreign voltage to US voltage, has switchable dual wattage of 50 and 1600 watts. This makes it compatible with your small and large appliances. The voltage converter travel kit also includes adapters for six different types of plugs used around the world, including Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. All these tools come in a hard travel/storage case for easy and safe portability.

Do you often use two-way radios, more popularly known as Walkie Talkies? If you so, then I would like to introduce you to an accessory that could be of interest to you. I am talking about the Blu-Comm Wireless Headset Kit, which is the world's first Bluetooth-enabled headset, or, for that matter, the first Bluetooth-enabled accessory, for a two way radio. The kit includes a RocketScience M1 Blu-Comm Bluetooth headset, a wireless push-to-talk (PTT) button, and a small transmitter that is attached to the radio. The Blu-Comm Bluetooth earpiece and the boom microphone voice tube are detachable. The PTT button comes with a lapel clip for you to conveniently attach it to your clothes. These headsets are compatible with a wide range of brands available in the market.

You will be amazed at the endless possibilities this kit will open up for you. Well I already have a small list in place. I don't have to carry my radio around as I can hook it on to my belt or leave it in my pocket. Earlier, I used to have lots of trouble to hold the earpiece in place and keep it from falling. But ever since I got my Blu-Comm Bluetooth Headset, I only have to insert it, before completely forgetting about it. You can get larger or smaller eartips to fit your ears perfectly. Further, the transmitter can be used with any standard Bluetooth headset. So, I have substituted the Blu-Comm Bluetooth Headset with my cell phone headset. The only problem when I do that is I can't use the wireless PTT button; rather I have to press the one on the radio for transmission. But that's ok with me.

The Blu-Comm Bluetooth Headset and the transmitter are powered by long-lasting lithium batteries and can be charged using a single charger for both of them. They offer a long standby and talk time and can be fully recharged in 2 hours. The Blu-Comm Wireless Headset Kit uses the latest Bluetooth version 2.0.

Considering the dangerous repercussions of speeding, law enforcement agencies have come up with various action plans to put an end to it. Police radar, which sends out radio waves to monitor the speed of your vehicle, is one of them. Laser speed detection devices, which use light beams, are another. As much as they are supposed to check offenders, they are deemed highly unfair. For one, the fine is unjustifiably high. Further, you will also have to bear the insurance surcharge that is soon to follow. In this post I would like to give a general idea about police radar detectors to all those who want to avoid these unpleasant situations. But, please do note that I am, in no way, furthering the cause of those whose motto is "Speed thrills".

Today's best radar detectors are capable of sniffing out both police radars as well as laser speed detection devices. They basically scan the programmed radio frequencies of law enforcement agencies and alert you to the presence of police radar in the vicinity, well in time for you to check your speed. Bell, Escort, Whistler, and Cobra radar detectors are some of the popular and reliable police radar detectors available in the market. At Banoggle, you will find the latest car and motorcycle radar detectors from different manufacturers at affordable prices.

My vote goes to Escort Passport 9500i Radar Detectors, which combine high performance with GPS technology to eliminate false alerts. You can even program warnings for fixed red lights and speed cameras in areas that you frequent. The SpeedAlert feature of these car radar detectors displays your speed as well whenever it provides you with an alert. You can choose between a high intensity red and brilliant blue alpha-numeric displays. You can also get voice alerts. These police radar detectors also support detection for the European Ku radar band and POP radar.

It goes without saying that no one should drink and drive. Period. But unfortunately we hear too many cases of drunken driving and its horrible effects, such as accidents and much worse, loss of innocent lives. Despite numerous laws on driving under the influence of alcohol, we still keep hearing about cases of drunk driving every day.

It's my personal opinion that after a round or two of drinks, you should not even think of getting behind the wheels. But if you think that you are sober enough to drive, then you should make sure that you really are with the help of personal alcohol detectors.

When alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream, it is possible to determine a person’s degree of intoxication by ascertaining the blood alcohol concentration percentage. The BAC can be measured two ways, either invasively by drawing a blood sample or non-invasively by analyzing breath, salvia, or urine samples. You can use these portable blood alcohol detectors to quickly check if your BAC is above the permissible limit. Most digital alcohol detectors are capable of detecting blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) between 0.00% and 0.40%.

These blood alcohol detectors are easy to use. You just have to blow into the mouthpiece and voila, a digital BAC reading will be displayed in seconds. Mouthpieces are also included with these alcohol detectors. The slim and compact design of AlcoHAWK digital alcohol detectors ensures that you can easily carry it around. They also meet the standards set by the Department of Transportation for breath alcohol screeners.

You definitely do not want to pay dollars in fine, have your license revoked or do time in jail. It is better to be safe than sorry. So the next time you go to a party or for a round of after-dinner drinks, the safe bet would be to carry one of these personal alcohol detectors.

We live in a world of extreme uncertainties and unpredictability. Natural disasters, environmental hazards, and other public emergencies can keep the entire state machinery on tenterhooks. When nature strikes, it doesn't leave you and your near and dear ones with much time for taking cover. In such cases, it is extremely important that you receive warning of impending dangers well in time, so that you can be prepared. Emergency weather radios are there for this very purpose. These portable emergency radios are life-saving tools worth owning, especially in areas known for unpredictable weather conditions.

Let me take you through certain advanced models of weather alert radios manufactured by Midland. WR-100B and WR-300 are public alert radios, which broadcast weather forecasts 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. They keep you updated by monitoring all the weather stations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and report any unusual change in weather. In case of any danger, they blare out a 90dB loud siren, which is sure to wake you up even from the deepest of slumber. You can easily check the nature of the emergency using the color-coded alert light or read the description on the blue backlit display. It also supports the Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) technology, which ensures that you are alerted to mishaps that take place in your locality. You also have the option of expanding the coverage to areas that are close enough for you to be affected. These portable emergency radios come with a host of other features as well. You can tune in to your favorite radio stations or use them as alarm clocks.

I would personally recommend that you go for Midland ER102 Emergency Crank Radios, which will keep you company even during power outages. They can run on batteries or AC adapters. They also have built-in rechargeable batteries, which, by turning the Dynamo crank, can be charged manually. These portable weather radios can even charge your cell phones.