Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

 "Very Happy with my Concept II rower" 2010-06-10
By Edward Tabakin (DC)
I got my Model B nearly 20 years ago, still works great. A few years after I got it, I hurt my back, bad disc. Had to give up bike-riding, running, even my Nordic Track. Fortunately, I can still use the rower; the motion of rowing and super-low impact are okay on my back.

They recommend you put the handle up against the cage when the rower is not in use, to prolong the life of the shock cord. Good advice. The only repair I've needed to make has been a roller for the seat. Model B had been long discontinued, but they still had the parts I needed. Customer Service was great when I called.

Newer models are portable (see YouTube: "Searching the perfect place to erg").

Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine

 "Best rower in the world" 2009-12-06
By Randall J. Pederson (Philadelphia, PA)
I have owned two Concept 2 rowers, the Model C and now the Model E. I donated the Model C to my parents when I "ascended" up to the Model E. Without doubt, Concept 2 has produced the world's best rower. It's built to last a lifetime of private use. And if parts are ever an issue, Concept 2 still has parts (quite cheap) for all their rowers, even the Model A! If you seriously plan to row for exercise or sport, the Model E (or any model, for that matter) will be your best investment.

SKWOOSH Master Row Gel Pad

 "Got this for my brand new Concept 2 rower." 2010-04-18
By D. Kaplan (York, PA USA)
Bought this for my brand new Concept 2 rower, but haven't applied it yet. So far, don't seem to need it. Product looks good and will be stored away to apply on the rower seat should it ever be needed.

BodyCraft VR100 Rowing Machine

 "BodyCraft VR100 Review" 2010-01-28
By K. J. Wachter
I've had the VR100 for a little over a week now. I've used it for thirty minutes every day. I'm very satisfied with it. I had used a Concept II Model D owned by a friend on several occassions and had originally thought that I would buy one of those. However, the Concept II is more than two feet longer than the VR100 and that was an issue for me. The VR100 is a solid machine. The only reservations I have is the pull mechanizim. Whereas the Concept II uses a chain, the VR100 uses a nylon strap about an inch or so wide. I just wonder if it is as durable in this application as a chain. I know that a chain can wear out too especially if it is not lubricated periodically. Time will tell.

The only weakness in the VR100 is the computer. It's very basic, but it does the job for me. I find that if I just monitor the "strokes per minute", I can use that to control my effort while watching my heart rate. The VR100 computer can monitor the heart rate if you buy the optional chest strap. I didn't because it is suppose to be compatible with the "Polar" straps. It is compatible, but if you get too far away from the computer, it can't pick it up. I called BodyCraft customer service. They told me the Polar unit I have (T-31) is only good up to three feet. While you are rowing, you tend to get further than three feet from the computer so it doesn't work well. That's not a big issue for me because I'm still wearing my watch and it picks up the heart rate just fine. (It has many more features related to monitoring the heart rate.)

Bottom line, I'm glad I bought it instead of the Concept II. It's much more compact and it gives me the kind of work out that I wanted.

Valeo HW2 2-Pound Neoprene Hand Weights

 "Everything a set of 2-pound weights should be :)!" 2010-04-25
By Farnoosh (USA)
I have professional weight set at home but needed a small 2-pound pair of hand weights for special exercises. They arrived super fast and in a nice box with a series of exercises (which may be useful to some); the grip feels nice and soft to touch. It's handy and perfect.

In-Fisherman book CRITICAL CONCEPTS CATFISH 2 Location

Abnormal Psychology: Core Concepts (2nd Edition) (MyPsychLab Series)

ProRower H2O RX-750 Home Series Rowing Machine

 "Excellent Rower, Great Company" 2009-04-10
By R. A. Blanke (WA State)
I purchased this rower after looking at numerous other ones. The rower is stable and well-built. I especially liked that it's full-length unlike some in this price range. The staff at the parent company, HCI Fitness, is friendly and informative, I talked to them several times about their rowers. The rower is not too noisy, I can listen to the radio while working out. The action is very smooth and the monitor is easy to read.

Digital Concepts +1 +2 +4 +10 Close-Up Macro Filter Set with Pouch (58mm)

 "For less than $15 you can get real close! But the glass they used is cheap!" 2010-06-11
By Awesome (Sunny Florida)
I will talk about the product and not the seller I purchased from.

Yes, this is a "macro" filter attachment that will allow you to get closer to your subject.
You can use auto focus but you will limit yourself to the amount of magnification that you can use to get as close to the subject as possible. Manual focus will allow you to get super close. I mean so close that is you are using a built in flash you will get a shadow from the camera lens. (thats how close you will be able to get)

These work great. They do drastically change depth of field so take that into account when you are first trying them out.

I am having an issue using some of my filters with it. The threads dont match up very well so I cant use my UV or polarizer because I dont want to cross-thread them. Also, I had to spend a lot of time when these arrived. They were dirty and two of them had some weird black goo on them.

Overall for the money, (I changed this)if you are looking for this item, you might want to pay a little more for better glass.

Update to my original review. This is cheap cheap cheap glass! While changing my 10X it fell 2 inches onto my cameras remote that was sitting on my bed. The glass is chipping, and continuing to chip. I cant use it anymore because I do not want to spread glass chips into my lens. Shop around and you might want to think about going with another manufacturer.

Emjoi AP-17LT Total Concept 2-In-1 Epilator

 "Amazing time saver!!!" 2009-10-08
By Christina
I actually bought this epilator on QVC when they were offering a special deal, but it was called "Emjoi Total Tweeze," I think so QVC could market it with a different name. It's exactly the same model.

I am so glad I bought this!!! I had always tweezed, as I hate shaving due to the ingrown hairs and stubble that grows back the next day. I'm picky about being smooth. And I never wanted to wait until the hair was 1/4 inch long in order to wax it. Plus, my experience with wax was that it was messy, time consuming, expensive, and painful. One or twice a week, I would painstakingly spend about 1.5 to 2 hours just tweezing. Yes, sounds crazy, but it becomes a habit over time.

When my friend and I were discussing hair removal techniques, I told her about my tweezing. She said, "Why don't you get an epilator? I use one, and I only spend about 30 minutes once a week using it." I had always been reluctant to buy one, since epilators aren't commonly used and they don't seem like they'd be efficient. But with my friend's recommendation, I bought the Emjoi Total Tweeze when it was on sale on QVC, paid about $25 or so.

Now I'll NEVER go back to tweezing, shaving, or waxing again! This is so convenient. I spend maybe 30 minutes once a week removing hair. If there are any spare hairs left over (usually ones that haven't quite surfaced above the skin yet), I just grab them with a tweezer. Since I was already used to pulling my hair out by the root, it doesn't hurt at all. Just kind of a tickling sensation. You can't hurt yourself with this--if you press too hard against your skin, the safety kicks in and it turns off. And unlike waxing where you pull out big chunks of hair at one time, you can move at your own pace with this. The added tweezers that come with it are a little dull, so I still use my own, but no big deal. This is such a time-saver! Plus, once you buy it, it'll last a long time, and you only need to put in new batteries every once in a while. If you've never tried an epilator, get one! You can use it almost anywhere--bikini, legs, arms, face, whatever. I use it on my bikini weekly, and before I went on vacation to Cabo, I did my arms and legs, too, so I wouldn't have to shave while on vacation. After seeing me use it, my boyfriend even bought one to pull out little hairs on his chest and fingers and whatnot. I don't know how I ever lived without this thing!