Gear Review: Goal Zero Nomad 13 Solar Panel and Venture 30 Charger

I’ve been using Goal Zero Nomad 13 for some time now and enjoy what the company does to make our backcountry experiences more 1st world-like. My first goal zero purchase was a little speaker that has had its share of tumbles and falls over the years but still keeps cranking. I’ve had some other solar chargers and battery boxes before, but an unfortunate truck break-in made those all disappear. However, I didn’t want to be the one bumming power off my friends all the time so I went out and got a small Nomad 13 panel and a Venture 30 charger. For my needs I felt this setup would be fully sufficient to charge my iPhone, GoPro, and BCA Link Radio. But they’ll charge any small USB device with ease.

What I like about the Goal Zero stuff is how durable it is. I’ve had the panels clipped to the outside of the tent and woke up to find them covered in ice and snow, and somehow miraculously still drawing a solar charge! The Venture 30 is small enough to put in my pocket so if music tunes cut out around dinner I can be charging up and hands free and still mobile. They do okay in extremely cold temperatures, but batteries in general just don’t. Ideally, I keep all my batteries in a warm spot when in use or trying to charge. The charger and panel is a great match for each other, and they’ve only further reassured me on Goal Zero products.

It’s cool how you can also link the Goal Zero products with one another to maximize efficiency if others in the group have solar capabilities as well. We often did this to give certain devices a quick boost. Also speaking of efficiency, the chargers have a little brain and can tell when a device is fully charged and cuts power to it and then allocates more power to another device that’s being charged at the same time.

Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 Review

The box contains the NUMARK MIXTRACK PRO 2 itself, a few small paper user guides, and a USB cable for connection to your computer. You’ll need to provide an audio cable to connect an amp and speakers to its RCA outputs, a pair of headphones, and a Windows or Mac laptop.

There’s not even any software in the box – you’re expected to get online to download it. This is actually fast and easy, and there’s no need to register a licence or anything like that. Once the software is downloaded and installed, you plug in the unit and open the software (Serato DJ Intro) and you’re ready to go. It is truly the simplest setting up procedure out there, and credit is due to Serato and Numark for making it so.

The unit itself is attractive. Still a practical size and grounded on four sturdy rubber feet, it’s appreciably slimmer than its predecessor. And while it is still made of plastic and clearly built to a budget, its appearance is a lot nicer. The brushed black surface and metallic-painted casing make it feel more expensive than it is. The new, lower-profile bevelled top and curved bottom appear almost Apple-like, and the jogwheels are sturdy and attractive, albeit slightly smaller than those on the original Mixtracks.

The backlit rubber performance pads feel excellent, and appearance-wise the unit’s budget status is only really given away by the cheap plastic fader caps and knobs. As far as inputs and outputs go, it has two headphones sockets (1/8″ and 1/4″), an 1/8″ microphone jack socket with independent volume control, a USB, and twin RCA outs for amp and speakers.


The top of the unit maintains the original Mixtrack Pro’s curious use of three upfaders, one for each deck, and a master volume up the middle. There are no individual channel gain controls or VU meters (the software has autogain anyway, but still…), which again is as the original Mixtrack. Each channel has just a three-band EQ, cue buttons for headphones and a load button.

Up the middle of the mixer are headphones volume / headphones mix knobs, and a stepped rotary encoder with a control button for library browsing. Small LEDs indicate whether you’re browsing a file or a folder. The jogwheels are capacitive. This means they’re touch-sensitive on the top for scratching, a behaviour that can be switched on and off using the “scratch” button. Meanwhile, the edges work for nudging, or fine-adjusting. playback.

Under each jogwheel are four main buttons for transport. There’s the ubiquitous “sync” button, a cue button, a play/pause, and a “stutter” button, which is a variant of cue (sometimes called “CUP” on other controllers). Each deck has a rather short pitch fader, topped with CDJ-style + and – pitch bend buttons. There are four knobs at the top of each deck, which control the effects, and eight dual-colour backlit performance pads, which are used for cues, samples, loops and effects.

Finally, each deck has a “shift” button, and these are used simply to offer another “layer” of control, doubling up what some of the buttons and knobs do.

IN USE

It is always worth remembering that DJ controllers such as this, apart from offering two audio outputs so DJs can separate headphones and speaker outputs (essential for pre-cueing tunes), are basically interfaces for DJ software. So really, how well a controller performs is to a large extent a factor of the software provided with it. In this case, the software provided – Serato DJ Intro – is perfectly OK for basic DJing, and will serve any new DJ well for the time it takes them to get to their their first few performances.

iRobot Scooba 450 Review

iRobot Scooba 450

Setting up the Scooba 450 is easy. You'll need to charge it for eight hours the first time out, but after that it can reach a full charge in less than three hours, which is faster than previous models. Once fully charged, you need to load the Scooba's 750ml tank with water as well as iRobot's own hard floor cleaning solution. It comes with a bottle of solution out of the box, but after that it'll run you $12.95 per bottle. You can't use any other cleaning fluids, but a single bottle should last for 32 cleaning cycles, so it's not terribly expensive. If you're all out of cleaner, iRobot says you can also just use water.

There's a Tank Release button on top of the Scooba which allows you to easily detach the water tank from the rest of the robot's body. And the bottom of the tank has clearly labeled Clean and Dirty compartments, so it's clear where the fresh water goes in and the refuse later goes out. Once the tank is full, you're ready to clean.




Cleaning Process
While the Scooba 450 looks like a Roomba, it certainly doesn't clean like one. The Scooba uses a new three-cycle cleaning process, which iRobot claims makes it up to three times more effective than previous models. When you turn it on, the Scooba automatically sweeps and pre-soaks, scrubs, and then squeegees your floors dry. That pre-soak period is crucial, according to iRobot, since it provides more time for the water and cleaning solution to loosen any dirt and debris.

iRobot has updated its iAdapt responsive navigation technology for wet floors, which optimizes the amount of time the Scooba makes between passes. And the robot's scrubbing brush spins at over 600 rpm, which helps it clean up most moderate messes. According to iRobot, the Scooba is capable of washing away up to 99.3 percent of bacteria, which is impressive.

Performance
What's most important, though, is how the Scooba works on real floors, and in most instances, it does a pretty solid job. In small spaces, the Scooba follows a very regimented process. It starts off by cleaning in a circle, making a few revolutions outward, before it takes off to the nearest wall, then cleans the perimeter of the room. If the room you're cleaning is a perfect, unfurnished square, you can actually watch this process play out pretty exactly.

The Scooba cleans well, too. It makes quick work of any relatively fresh stains, and I was surprised by just how much dirt came out of the tank when it was finished cleaning. You might have to lend a helping hand for deeper-set stains, like an ancient coffee spill, but if you use the Scooba on a regular basis it should keep your floors looking as good as new.

Top Stub Checks - Find the Perfect Design

The advent of the internet has opened the doors to umpteenth chances. Whether you want more information about a particular product or wish to purchase it out of your house, the net will help you do precisely that. Amongst the several distinct things which have come about as a consequence of this invention is the number that you'll be able to find in pay-stub-generator.com. Today you'll be able to discover a wide variety of top pay-stub-generator.com on the internet giving you the chance to find something which matches with your niche, personality or job specifics.

Interesting pay-stub-generator.com Varieties

Photo pay-stub-generator.com

If you're looking for something highly personalized then this class gives you the opportunity to add your photo to the layout. With this layout, you'll have your favorite panoramic view, a picture of your grandchildren or even a picture celebrating a unique memory up on your pay-stub-generator.com.

Modern Designs

This group of top pay-stub-generator.com endows you with a huge array of designs comprising striking colors, bold elements, and modern aesthetics. You'll have the ability to get your hands on exceptionally energetic designs that can get you all the more enthused about cashing your pay-stub-generator.com.

Vintage Soft Drink Designs

If you want to go completely old school then this category of top pay-stub-generator.com gives you art work featuring the fantastic old soft drinks. The test designs feature the traditional logos of those old soft drinks along with their label lines and scenes from their most popular commercials.

Above mentioned are just a few of the designs that you'll be able to find on the market. The complete variety includes patriotic layouts, Thy Name Designs with a religious fervor, Executive layouts, Inspirational layouts and much more giving you the opportunity to find precisely what you're looking for.

Sidewalk Signs - Seven Tips For Attention - Grabbing Sidewalk Sign Messages

sidewalk repair Manhattan NY are movable signals supported by their own frame and most frequently shaped in the cross-sectional form of an "A". A pavement sign can be a very effective form of outdoor advertising for small businesses, especially in high-traffic areas, if your message brings the right attention.

You need to keep your sign easy to be effective. You only have seven lines of four-inch letters on a normal pavement sign, and studies have shown you've typically less than 3 minutes to get a prospective customer to read your message.

1. Focus on what your client wants. Place your key benefit on top of the message, instead of the top two lines. A supporting message can be put below but probably won't be read at first glance. Emphasize what makes your store unique compared to your competitors. Do you offer a lower cost, better choice, free trials?

2. Increase readership by exhibiting your pavement sign consistently and rotating its own message. People are creatures of habit and induce the same route every day. Use this chance to build readership. Bring your sign out every morning and alter its message every 3-4 days.

3. DOT sidewalk violation Manhattan in the billboard business is to keep it under seven words. If your message is longer, split it down to several messages and then display it on your pavement signal over a few days.

4. Utilize a positive voice with action verbs in your message. Your pavement sign's message has to be clear to your readers. If your message is confusing, your readers will not stop and request clarification--they'll go someplace else.

5. Maintain your sign clean. Your sign is the first impression. Make it a good one. Replace broken or missing letters. A small Windex goes a long way!

6. See to your readers as acquaintances by sometimes displaying in your sidewalk repair contractors in Manhattan New York signal community announcements, holiday parties, or charitable events.

7. Repeat any newspaper, radio or direct mail advertising in your sidewalk repair contractor Manhattan.

To write attention grabbing sidewalk repair Manhattan you need to keep it simple and consistent. Plan distinct messages cut them to seven words and always display your Manhattan sidewalk repair every day.

LiftMaster gate openers – top 5 models (reviews)

About the manufacturer

LiftMaster is an American company which has been manufacturing garage door openers, gate and commercial door operators for over 45 years. Over the years they have built a nationwide network of authorized dealers to help the customers get the products they need backed by the LiftMaster guarantee.



MIGHTY MULE FM200  products are made to fit any lifestyle and application and provide the latest technology, innovations in safety and security as well as connectivity and performance. They stand for quality and safety with a goal to exceed the customers’ expectations. The company is one of the leading ones in the USA in this area and has the products which will back that up.
Top 5 LiftMaster gate openers

When it comes to your home, only the best will do. So, let’s take a look at the top 5 gate openers given to you by LiftMaster.
Liftmaster LA400PKGU Dual Swing Gate Opener Kit

The LA400PKGU dual swing gate opener works on gates up to 16 ft. and up to 850 lbs in weight. It truly is modern, innovative and uses the latest technology to make your life easier.LA400PKGU Dual Swing Gate Opener Kit
You will get…?

When you buy this gate opener, you will get LA400PKGU w/ Controller, two arms, a battery backup with control board and a photocell. A very detailed manual is also included and can greatly benefit the installation process.
I present the features

Firstly, everything was made simple with the wireless dual-gate communication which eliminates expensive conduit costs. Installation and troubleshooting was made easier with a LED diagnostic display, and the unit possess a solar-ready ultra-reliable system. The gate opener itself has a bi-part delay which monitors and adjusts the speed and position of the wings in order to ensure that the primary gate closes last. Two great features are the synchronized close as well as the quick close, which closes the gate instantly after a vehicle pulls off the interrupt loop. Anti-Tailgate is very useful since it prevents unauthorized access. The opener is also HOMELINK compatible and offers security + 2.0 On-Board radio receiver.
And now specifications
Power: 24VDC or Solar Power. 120/230V Single Phase (Standard control box).
Accessory Power: 24VDC 500mA output. Switched and unswitched power.
Monitored Safety: 3 main board, 3 optional expansion board
Temperature Specifications: Without Heater: -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C); With Optional Heater (HTR): -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C)
Gate Travel Speed: 90-degree opening in 17-17 seconds
User review

Even though it’s expensive, this gate opener is fantastic. It works flawlessly! Simple to program, fast, quiet, wifi connected and after all that time I spent having second thoughts, I’m glad I bought it! Money well invested…

5 Reasons You Need a Business Plan for Long-Term Success

The most common questions I hear from entrepreneurs who are starting a new business are, "Do I really need a business plan? Is writing a business plan really the best use of my time?" My answer to these questions is almost always, "Yes." A business plan is an integral part of starting a new business.

In reality, business plans can take a long time to write, require that you have a tremendous amount of data at your fingertips, depend in part on projections, and often are responsible for creating a long list of research you still need to conduct and other work you need to complete.

But despite all of that, business plans can be one of the most effective tools for the small business owner who is starting, growing and even managing a business.

Here are what I consider the most important reasons you should write a business plan before doing anything else in your small business.