Sprenzy Shopping Blog: Tag gift

Planet Earth - A Must See DVD

Chuck — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:32:00 -0400

Over the past several months, I’ve been watching episodes of Planet Earth on TV. After each episode, I am amazed at the beauty of our planet and I’m completely in awe of the wildlife footage captured in this BBC series. Words cannot describe the magnificent scenery and intriguing animal behavior in these DVDs, so check out the video below for a preview.

“This astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you’ll ever experience from the comforts of home. The premiere episode, “From Pole to Pole,” serves as a primer for things to come, placing the entire series in proper context and giving a general overview of what to expect from each individual episode. Without being overtly political, the series maintains a consistent and subtle emphasis on the urgent need for ongoing conservation, best illustrated by the plight of polar bears whose very behavior is changing (to accommodate life-threatening changes in their fast-melting habitat) in the wake of global warming–a phenomenon that this series appropriately presents as scientific fact. With this harsh reality as subtext, the series proceeds to accentuate the positive, delivering a seemingly endless variety of natural wonders, from the spectacular mating displays of New Guinea’s various birds of paradise to a rare encounter with Siberia’s nearly-extinct Amur Leopards, of which only 30 remain in the wild.”

I have always enjoyed watching animal behavior and was fortunate enough to go on safari in the Serengeti several years ago. Watching Planet Earth is almost as good as watching the animals in person, sometimes it’s even better due to the night vision and super slow motion video captured.

One of the most amusing clips is the mating displays of New Guinea’s birds of paradise. This video is pure entertainment…

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series is available in standard DVD-Video, HD-DVD and Blu-ray. This is a great gift for anyone who enjoys the outdoors or loves animals.

What Up Blawg? Need Product Advice?

Chuck — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:40:00 -0500

I have spent the last several months writing blog posts on products that I thought were interesting, had a lot of buzz or on products I own and enjoy using. So I want to take this opportunity to find out what products you are interested in buying. If you need assistance looking for a gift or just conducting research on a new product, let me know and I’ll help out by conducting some research for you.

The more information you provide me, the more relevant my advice will be. For example, if you are looking for an HDTV, let me know your budget, screen size, brand or any other requirements you have. Pose your product advice question in a comment below and I’ll respond with a post.

Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review Roundup

Chuck — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:08:00 -0500

The average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and if you snack all day it can reach up to 4,500 calories. I certainly did my share to raise the average calorie intake. I’m guesstimating I put down 5,000 calories easy. Call me an over-achiever if you want. Now I’m on exercise kick to keep off the unwanted weight during the holiday season. One of my favorite new toys, which motivates me to run more often, is the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.

If you already own an iPod Nano, the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit adds voice feedback (male or female) and visual display of your run/walk time, distance and pace. The Sport Kit consists of a small sensor (accelerometer) and a receiver that plugs into your Nano. The sensor is designed to fit into Nike+ running shoes but still works with any shoe if you can properly secure it.

Next you will find several Nike+ iPod Sport Kit reviews and a review of the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+, which attaches the sensor to any shoe.

Playlistmag.com: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “When Lance Armstrong or Paula Radcliffe told me, through my nano, “Congratulations! You’ve just run your fastest mile.” I felt like they were talking directly to me—even though I knew they weren’t. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is simple but ingenious, easy enough to use for beginning runners and technophobes alike, while reliable enough for even competitive runners.”
PC Magazine: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “With its great community features, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit adds an extra element to running and walking that can actually inspire and motivate you more than simply listening to music and timing yourself.”
The Adventure Blog: Nike+ iPod Review - “If you enjoy running, walking, or hiking, I highly recommend the Nike+iPod system. It’s a very well designed product that is easy to use, offers great value, and should be a benefit to anyone into fitness. It’s online portion should also help you track your data over time, set goals, and make progress in increasing your distance and speed.”
iLounge: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit Review - “What Apple and Nike have achieved with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit is a nearly unqualified triumph: an expansion of the iPod nano into a digital sport running and walking partner, using add-on technology that works well and is easy enough for anyone to use. While we won’t go so far as to claim that it will replace the need for gyms or even just their treadmills, the Kit’s cool features - voice feedback, big on-screen text focused on your workout goal, PowerSongs, and Nikeplus.com - are generally so well-done for the reasonable price that you can easily look past the system’s few flaws.”
The Final Sprint: Marware Sportsuit Sensor+ Review - “Marware’s Sportsuit Sensor + is a terrific adapter for runners who want the benefits of the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit, but don’t want to spend the extra cash on Nike+ Ready shoes. For only $9.99 it is an investment you won’t regret and we highly recommend it.”

Since I’m a Mizuno and New Balance fan, I haven’t purchased a pair of Nike+ running shoes. On my initial run with the Sport Kit, I placed the sensor between my shoe laces and tongue. It fell out 40 feet into my run but I didn’t realize it until three blocks later. Luckily, I was able to find the sensor before it was run over by a car.

After this initial blunder, I secured the sensor by placing it into a small Ziplock sandwich bag and then tucking the bag underneath the laces. An alternative and better solution is using Glad Press’n Seal wrap to make a pouch and tuck it under the shoe laces (shown top right). Both solutions are cheap, easy and waterproof. My only concern is the durability of the Press’n Seal, so I ordered the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+. Check out other sensor/shoe mods at theappleblog.com.

I’ve run with the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit eight times so far and I really enjoy using it. I’ve used it out of the box and uncalibrated. The distance accuracy is very good as I’ve only seen a 0.01 mile discrepancy on my known 1 mile and 3.25 mile markers. From my experience, if you keep the sensor flat or parallel to the foot bed, the distance and pace accuracy is pretty good uncalibrated. But if you attach the sensor on the top of the shoe tongue or on an angle, calibration is definitely required. I’ve also noticed total distance is less accurate on hilly running routes.

Overall, I still prefer running with the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle because it so small and lightweight. But getting distance and pace voice feedback is extremely useful during my runs. And it’s very helpful if you need to train at a certain pace. For its simplicity, run/mileage tracking, community features at Nikeplus.com and a low $30 cost, I highly recommend the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit to enhance your runs. It could also be great stocking stuffer for people who like to run with their Nano.

Other Nike+ Accessories:

Nike+ Clothing - the Nike+ clothing is expensive at $70+ per shirt. But it’s an option, if you don’t like carrying your Nano in your hand or using an armband. I have a short sleeve seamless top, which works well but you can’t see the Nano display. I prefer looking at the display every now and then during a run.

Nike+ Armband - I don’t like wearing armbands so this accessory is not for me. Similar to the Nike+ clothing issue, you can’t see the display while using the armband.

Ode to My Favorite Toy - The Green Machine

Chuck — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 01:38:00 -0500

One of my fondest memories as a 5 or 6 year old child was riding my Green Machine around the block. My older brother and I shared the Green Machine and a Big Wheel. After riding a Green Machine, it was pure torture being relegated to the Big Wheel.

Back in the day, I was a shy kid. At age 5, I was still learning to speak English and adapting to American culture after immigrating from Vietnam. However, once on my Green Machine, I was transformed into the coolest kid in the neighborhood, at least in my mind.

My hood consisted of a square block around Bridge and Third Street in sleepy New Cumberland, PA. Nonetheless, I patrolled that block like no other on my Green Machine. I pretended to be a police officer or a fireman from the TV shows of my youth, namely S.W.A.T. and Emergency! I spent endless hours power sliding around the block and enjoyed every minute on that green tricycle.

I loved my Green Machine because it was the coolest toy in my hood and it was also my first mode of transportation that allowed me to explore the world. The world at the time was a square block, but grew bigger over time with my first BMX bike, a 10 speed in junior high, a mountain bike during college and road bikes in my 30s. You can attribute my love for cycling and desire to explore the world to that Green Machine.

Much to my surprise the Green Machine was re-introduced by Huffy in 2003 and updated again this year. The 2006 Huffy Green Machine “is designed and engineered for today’s kids. The new version of this old favorite is high tech, durable and cool.”

That’s one bad-ass tricycle! The new version has a steel frame, 20” rubber front tire and a hand brake. Check out the product details and an interactive tour at Huffybikes.com. If memory serves me right, my Green Machine was retired due to holes in the front plastic wheel. The only way to stop the original Green Machine was using your feet or stopping the pedal motion and sliding on your front wheel. Kids these days are spoiled with all this great technology.

The best feature of the 2006 Green Machine is its maximum weight capacity of 180 lbs. Today’s kids are either extremely large or Huffy knows parents may want to re-live their Green Machine experience every once in awhile. I certainly hope it’s the latter. I wonder if one could put clipless pedals on the new Green Machine?!?

I can’t remember whether my parents or my American grandparents (the lovely folks who sponsored my family when we arrived in the States) gave the Green Machine to my brother and me. Whoever it was, I want to thank you again for the best toy of my childhood!

And to you, my Green Machine, I’m not sure what became of you. For all the joy and happiness you brought to my life, I thank you. I will always remember the awesome spin-outs you allowed me to perform. In the end, I hope you were recycled into another cool toy and provided more joy to another shy kid ready to explore the world.

Egg and Muffin Toaster

Chuck — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:22:00 -0500

Do you like egg muffins or egg and bagel sandwiches in the morning? Well, here’s a kitchen gadget from Back to Basics, the Egg & Muffin Toaster, that can make an egg and sausage breakfast sandwich in four minutes.

I usually don’t like these infomercial type products. Ok, I admit that I bought a Flavorwave oven five years ago and it actually works pretty well. Anyway, the Egg & Muffin Toaster has received a lot of buzz and an average customer review of 4.5 out 5 from Amazon (139 reviewers). This toaster allows you to cook an egg, warm-up pre-cooked meat and make toast. From Back to Basics,

“The Egg & Muffin Toaster brings you the drive-thru breakfast without the drive! Simultaneously toasts and steam poaches an egg to create one of America’s favorite breakfast sandwiches in about four minutes. Meat-warming tray included and even boils up to four eggs! Wide toasting slots and a crumb tray too.”

There is a video demonstration at eggandmuffintoaster.com. Click on “How To” at the top. The Egg & Muffin Toaster is pretty cool from a gadget standpoint. However, I still prefer making my eggs and breakfast meats in a nice All-Clad frying pan. But, I can definitely see this toaster as a good present for a college/grad student or someone who wants a quick breakfast sammy without pulling out a fry pan. For under $40, the Egg & Muffin Toaster could be a great gift for this holiday season.