Stick this in your ear.

Recently I noticed a need for a bluetooth headset. I had to stand up sometimes  from underneath a vehicle just to answer a phone call. Not always convenient but I have to answer the phone or lose potential customers.
So off to Walmart for some price busting savings and comparisons. Yeah, right, I just love to nose around before I buy anything. And nothing expensive because, as I work on vehicles it will probably get broken. So; straight to the electronics aisle I went. Skipping all the way like a kid. I am buying a new tech toy. Oh I get this epiphany at 3am by the way. Best time to shop in my opinion.
Now as I am searching the cell phone accessory aisle, there are only 3 different bluetooth headsets available to me. Cost varies at $19.97, $29.98, and $78.99. I may be off slightly on the numbers but you get the point.
I read each box carefully for features, performance, and talk time or battery life as some call it. Let’s just say a cheapy, a mid priced, and a top of the line model for the article. The top of the line model had longer range so it said, as well as  longer battery life. Noise cancelling was standard on all 3 models and one of my requirements as well. After many minutes of reading, comparing, and contemplating it’s useful lifespan, I decided on the mid-grade headset. A Plantronics model M25. That even sounds impressive. Hey buddy, I got my M25 right here !

Initial charge time was 45 minutes and it said up to 2 hours for the first time in the user’s guide. I am hoping that means it wasn’t in a warehouse for a long time. Since I have not worn a headset since my truck driving days, it was awkward to attach to my ear the first time. It has gotten more routine now. Makes me think of the Borg from Star Trek with all their flesh integrated technology. Battery life is 11 hours or close enough for talk time. I have to recharge every other day or about 3 times per week.

The range is poor outdoors. I am gonna say between 5 and 10 feet; and if you turn your head the wrong way, it will disconnect. I have the phone in my pants pocket and it will disconnect at times. If I lay my phone down and nothing gets between it and I, that is the way it works best. The weather is very humid here and I do believe that also reduces the range. The headset works very well indoors when I lay my phone on a table or counter top. Range increases to about 11 feet then, not a great deal but it is better inside an apartment.

There is an easy slide button on the side for power on and off. Another easy to use button adjusts volume levels and a third button on the face connects calls and activates other phone features. That is a real plus for the M25. Still sounds cool !

Overall I am somewhat disappointed with the range and reception quality. That is where my complaint ends. I have banged it, dropped it, and lost it in my tool box. The buttons still work and nothing broke. It fits well into the ear and it is loud enough to have a conversation in moderate noise levels. The noise cancellation works well I am told. Obviously I cannot hear myself to back up this claim. Not a bad purchase but I wouldn’t mind trying more mid priced headsets just to compare. I have had expensive bluetooth headsets and there is no comparison with this unit. It works well enough for my needs now. It will not be with me in the future for long.

So stick it in your ear and share this blog,

Troy Lied.

 

 

Destination; Purple Lizard at the Green Dragon

Cathy Money owns this wonderful little shop.Knick knacks abound and catch the eye. From jewelry on the counter to the owl and moon hanging on the wall. She tells me that her items are always changing and her store looks different every single week. The table set was in very nice condition. Other smaller tables hold lamps and pictures. Almost everything was for sale and well priced.
She told me she has a storage where larger items are being prepared for sale. She wants to expand in her near future; and from what I saw, she is doing a great job. On this day her shop was very busy. Of course some were just window shopping so to speak. But she was also busy wrapping new treasures for her customers. With the variety available, many find something unique. Believe it or not she even let me mind the store for a bit. So what I am telling you is first hand experience. I am looking forward to seeing what changes between this week and next occur. Now we even have the pictures to compare. Love the shop Cathy ! Keep up the good work ! See you next week.
So; the next time your out and about on a Friday, Get on down to the Green Dragon farmers market in Ephrata, Pa..Building 1. Your going to enjoy the trip and maybe find a new treasure for yourself. Purple Lizard and when you see Cathy; tell her Blue Car Garage sent you.

Troy L Lied

Here is a follow up;
I have just come back from taking more pictures at the Purple Lizard in Ephrata, Pa. I have posted them on our facebook page http://facebook.com/BlueCarGarage check them out and “like” our page.

 

Boys and their toys

I was moving recently and found this R/C motorcycle hiding in the back of a closet. The memories began to spin in my head.
I can remember when I first got this remote control motorcycle. It was one of the first 9.6 volt toys I ever bought. It was fairly fast and had a “turbo boost” on the remote itself. Doing a “wheelie” was easy with the boost button. It also came with some screw on training wheels for learning to turn without falling over.
I spent hours picking it up after falling over while learning how to operate it successfully. And yes, I did remove the training wheels before the learning process was over. Note; do not hit the turbo boost button while cornering. The back end just slides out. Turning was an art form all it’s own. Too slow and it falls; too fast and one might run out of room to turn,because it uses more space when going fast. The idea was to lift off the throttle, dip into the turn, and hit the throttle again to complete the turn. Sounds simple but it was a challenge to master.
It has it’s share of scratches and the tires are getting smooth. The colors aren’t as bright either. But I would never throw it away because it has real value. Sentimental for me as I age and remember more carefree days. Also as a collectable on some shelf in some hidden part of my next man cave. It does still work, lights light, and the sounds continue to play with the push of a button. The bench racing stories it generates are also a hidden benefit.
My toys now cost more and come with greater headaches. I cannot put them on a shelf to talk about or play with. But I sure as heck can have fun playing with my new ones as they come along. My birthday is coming up, hint, hint. How about a new R/C car ? Nitro powered would be nice !
What toys do you own ? Do you still have them stashed away, only to be found at a later date ? What value do they hold for you ?

Always a kid,
Troy