Two Recommended Unusual Non-Mac Products
Barbara gave me a budget pedometer from LLBean for Father’s Day. The clip attaching pedometer to pants waist broke on the third day I used it. LLBean sent me a replacement pedometer, and its clip broke first day on the job. A third identical LLBean pedometer barely made it out of the shipping package before breaking.
LLBean sent me a different brand of pedometer. Its clip was sturdy, but it was totally inaccurate measuring my stride. I canceled the entire LLBean order after I noticed my sister-in-law wearing a strange wrist contraption that intrigued me.
I’m now happily using Forerunner 101 from Garmin International, purchased from Amazon.com for $86. It’s a “compact, lightweight, waterproof” wrist or arm GPS sensor that calculates “accurate pace/speed, distance, and time data” for a workout or a casual stroll.
Forerunner 101 uses two alkaline or rechargeable AAA batteries. GPS linkup takes a couple of minutes when first outdoors, and operates flawlessly each session. You can learn all about it from links at the Garmin and Amazon web sites.
If I were reviewing Forerunner 101, I would award it 4 out of 5 on our MyMac.com scale. Its less than perfect score is due to: being a bit more bulky than I prefer; taking twice as long to locate the GPS signal as I would like; having a strap that can be somewhat clumsy; and not lasting long enough on a set of batteries. Gripes aside, I enjoy using it daily, due to its strengths and in spite of any inadequacies.
Ann R., a computer tutorial client, gave me two “i-lights” that were not at all what she had expected. The company web site is <www.showertek.com>. This peculiar “super bright L.E.D. clip light” is designed to illuminate “laptops, books, mirrors, autos, anything” that can hold a clip.
Barbara and I keep finding unexpected indoor and outdoor uses for the two units we have. Our favorite feature is the spherical light component, that swivels in any direction and can be removed from its clip module.
Last week our friend Abe was examining it, sitting by the pool on a lovely, warm evening. He pressed too firmly on i-light’s sphere, and it bounced out of the clip and into the swimming pool, shining brightly underwater the entire time until I retrieved it with a scooper net.
Two CR2032 lithium 3V batteries power i-light, and I haven’t had to replace them yet. What’s the price? I’m not sure, because at the moment the company web site doesn’t display it, but I’ll find out and let you know. Whatever its cost, i-light has found a permanent home with Barbara and me, and will make a splendid all-occasions gift. I’d give it our highest rating if I was reviewing it for MyMac.com.
Now how about a moonlight walk, accompanied by Forerunner 101’s backlit display and i-light?
Nemo
