Posts Tagged ‘Handy Tool’

Suunto PC Pod Wireless Transmitter

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Suunto PC Pod Wireless Transmitter




Ideal for indoor training, the Suunto PC Pod lets you transfer heart rate data wirelessly from your HR belt straight to your home PC. The peripheral observation device is simple to use. First, plug it into your computer’s USB port. Then, as you jog on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike, the PC Pod’s wireless connection (which boasts a 10- meter range) will read the belt and send your training data directly to a PC. Finally, the bundled monitoring software will display and record the heart rate data in real time during the exercise. Furthermore, you can also use your PC Pod to download data from your Suunto T3 or T4 memory. Even if you’re using the PC Pod at the gym or another public place, you can rest assured that the information you receive is accurate and personal. And thanks to the individually identifiable Suunto ANT heart rate belts (sold separately), you can use the PC Pod to receive up to three people’s heart rate simultaneously.

The PC Pod comes with Suunto Monitor software, which displays and records the heart rate data of one to three athletes in real time during the exercise, making it easier to visualize the various body functions and improve the training techniques. The Suunto Monitor software displays the heart rate in three different ways during the exercise: beats per minute, percentage of maximal heart rate, or as a continuous graph from the start of the exercise. It also records the heart rate graph for viewing after you’re done exercising. And users can further improve the PC Pod’s functionality by downloading Suunto’s Training Manager Lite PC software, which stores and organizes training sessions while presenting key training data in an easy-to-understand visual format.

A handy tool for training enthusiasts, professional trainers, and physiotherapists, the PC Pod is ideal for stationary biking, spinning, stair-stepping, rowing, and treadmill work.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Very, very useful
If you have a T series suunto this is a very nice option. You can really have useful piece of data to analyze after workout.

3 Stars Suunto PC Pod after patches, doesn’t play well with others
I like it! I have used the pcpod for about two months, daily in 1-2 hour workouts. The device works under “Windows XP” except for the part about having to install additional patches/drivers. These days, if you’re buying into a “MS Windows” product, it should work right out of the box without having to track down and install patches, as well as work seamlessly with other “Windows” applications. The files recorded by the POD to Suunto’s training manager & training manager lite can be exported as text, XML, or Suunto’s STE format, which makes exporting the data to popular spreadsheet or database programs contained in suites like Lotus, Office, or OpenOffice, possible, but not easy for the cost (there should be an export to database or spreadsheet option in the PCPOD software). So, minus 1 star for having to install patches, and minus 1 star for not working seamlessly with other applications on the same operating system, not to mention other platforms like MAC or LINUX.

4 Stars Works Great although expensive.
I just switched from a Suunto T6 to a T4 and this PC pod works seemless between the watch and PC. It is about 2x a paper clip and with the USB connection it is easy to carry.

Although a little pricy from the competition, if you want a system to track your running and easily monitor it the T4, Foot Pod and PC Pod work very well.

Down side is the software which does not support MAC, come on Suunto!

5 Stars Detailed Analysis
This is a great tool to track your excercise activities! I am an individual who is just beginning to use a HRM and wanted a tool to keep track of daily workouts for progress and motivation. I can see this being invaluable for an individual who was training for a major atheletic event.

The PC POD will allow you to select multiple criteria to create graphs and charts. You may view your progress by the day, the month or even between specific dates. What i love, is the ability to make personal notes for each log. For example, how you felt during the activity, where you went, etc.

5 Stars PC POD
Works great. Just plug it in to your usb port and hold down a button on your suunto watch and it automatically downloads into your suunto software program. That’s it!

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Victorinox Swiss Army Executive Pocket Knife

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Victorinox Swiss Army Executive Pocket Knife




Contains 10 functions including scissors and large / small blades. All stainless steel implements. Measures 3″ with unique orange peeler feature.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Executive Swiss Army Kinfe
Nice and works well but the blades are too narrow. I expected wider blades for this size of a knife. It will do for a light duty usage.

5 Stars A million plus uses!
This is the most useful knife I have ever owned, and the most used…bar none. It’s handy, small enough to easily carry in your pocket and small enough to easily mail home when you forget to take it out of your pocket before you go to the airport, but worth the expense. I carry mine everywhere. You will not regret purchasing this handy tool!Victorinox Swiss Army Executive Pocket Knife

5 Stars Swiss Army Knife
Very pleased with my order - It was delivered promptly and perfect condition and I couldn’t be more pleased with the price!

5 Stars My favorite knife
I’ve had several of this style (they seem to have several model numbers for the same configuration). I tend to lose them occasionally. I thought I had to have the usual red model, but saw the black one on Amazon for lower price and free shipping. Now I like the shiny black model as well or better than the red. Same excellent knife to carry wherever I go (except through airline check points—damn terrorists).

5 Stars Best deal
Best deal on the net…very short wait for delivery. Has everything you need on a knife when you want a slim line for your pocket.

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Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss Tool X

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss Tool X




Pliers, Screwdriver (2mm), Screwdriver (3mm), Wire cutter (for wire up to a hardness of 40 hrc), Screwdriver (5mm), Bottle opener, Screwdriver (7.5 mm), Large blade, Scissors, Metal file, Metal saw, Wood saw, Reamer/punch, Phillips screwdriver, Chisel/scraper, Strong crate opener, Wire bender, Wire stripper, Wire scraper, Wire crimper, Can opener, Ruler (9 inches), Ruler (230mm), Hard wire cutter, Lanyard hole, Easy kickback springs, Lock release, Stainless steel, Comes with nylon belt pouch, Life time warranty

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very good…
Is a very handy tool. Any kind of job is made easy. This tool is for all life…

5 Stars Excellent multitool
I have owned or evaluated multitools by several manufacturers, and Victorinox makes the best. The manufacturing quality is outstanding. The selection of tools is excellent, the tools lock solidly in place, and the knife is razor sharp out of the box.

When used as pliers, the outside of the handles do not dig into your hand.

Highly recommended.

5 Stars Yup. For Sure a Five. This is a reference quality tool
The Swisstool comes in three configurations, which another reviewer has described well. The X model had the combination of ingredients that seemed to fit my needs best. Everything about the Swisstool shows that Victorinox was incredibly serious about offering a top quality product.

I have had experience with several multi-tools (check my other reviews) and the Swisstool MUST BE a contender for the best. There are some top of the line tools that I have never used or even handled, of course, so I can’t say absolutely what tool is THE best but the Swisstool X has to be considered one of the very best mulitools available.

I can’t help but make a comparison between the X and L-Man’s Charge TTi (which I also own and rate as a 5).

1. Both these designs exude class. The X has a beautiful high luster polish to it. The fit and finish factors are all “first class”. On the other hand, the TTi’s Titanium scales give it an elegant look and also offer an improved grip.

2. I like to access my tools without unfolding the pliers. The TTi allows this kind of access to the tools I use MOST. But the X allows access to ALL its tools from outside (except the pliers, of course).

3. The TTi allows you to access two knife blades and unfold the pliers with one hand - maybe useful in emergencies - which the X does not. Some have complained that the tools on the X are stiff and hard to access. I recommend using a thumbnail rather than a fingernail for this but it isn’t a complaint that I - personally - consider a major drawback.

4. The Knife Blade: I am reserving judgment on this. The TTi has two blades and the X just one (which is the configuration I chose to buy) so I will compare the one blade. Each is straight edged, no serrations (which I prefer) and about the same length (larger than the blades on other multitools I have owned). I like the shape of the X’s blade better (a spear point, as opposed to the clip style blade of the TTi). On the other hand, the “TTi’s” blade is S30V steel (premium stuff) whereas the X’s is of “top quality stainless” (my guess is 12C27, or something very similar). I will see how often I have to resharpen the X’s “top quality stainless” blade. If the edge holds up well, it may turn out I like the X’s knife blade better. But for now, like I said, I am reserving judgment.

5. The pliers, etc. on each of these tools seem quite good but I have to give the edge to the TTi, which has a true needlenose design. They should therefore be a bit more versatile than the X’s pliers, which are a blunted needlenose design.

6. Screwdrivers, etc.: Even without the TTi’s included bit driver kit (something similar is available for the X, also) the TTi gets an edge over the X. The TTi’s eyeglass screwdriver is definitely superior to that little wedgie at the end of the X’s can opener, which will not be able to reach into narrow places (sorry).

7. Both tools have solid, easily accessed and worry free locks for all tools, a necessary safety feature - as anyone who has had a tool fold up on them can tell you.

8. I have no concerns in the area of durability and ruggedness for either tool. I have had the TTi a while now and have done things with it that SHOULD have broken it - but didn’t. It still looks and feels like it did new. The X seems to be at least as solid in its construction as the TTi and Victorinox has a reputation to uphold, so there are no worries here.

The bottom line is that I am really pleased with both of these tools. If I lost either one, I could live happily a long time with the other. If I lost both, I would probably buy the “X” as my replacement (considering the considerable price difference) even though I probably like the TTi just a little better (this week, anyway).

In any case, Victorinox has a winner in the Swisstool X. I can’t imagine how anyone could rate it as less than a 5.

5 Stars Victorinox SwissTool X
Wonderful gift for my not-easy-to-shop-for son-in-law. Classy and practical, plus it was on his Amazon Wish List. I’m pleased with the buying experience.

5 Stars The best multitool I’ve found
I bought one of these for myself, and a week later, one for my dad as the perfect Christmas gift. The one for my dad replaced a Leatherman Wave that broke only a few months after he got it. I had trouble finding one locally at all, as stores only had the Swiss Army Knife line of Victorinox Tools around here (no SwissTools). Thank goodness for Amazon!

This tool is heavy and well made. There is a night and day difference between it and the Wave in terms of quality workmanship.

One thing I wish could be better is the file. A diamond file on one side like on the Wave would probably have been more useful to me than having two course and fine file surfaces on this tool. However, the files do work very well, and the other tools make up for this with their versatility. The awl/reamer tool is very handy, as is the wood chisel. The screwdrivers are far more rugged than the drive bit system in the Wave, which is what broke the worst for my dad. Plus, there are no parts to fall out and get lost.

I’m very pleased with this tool. It stays on my belt now, where it can always be handy.

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