By Brian Jones

If you are looking for a tripod designed to take a lot of abuse, this might be the one for you. The construction is completely aluminum. It is going to be strong and lightweight. That is exactly what you need in a tripod. The APGL4 also comes with over sized mounting plates to cover just about any piece of equipment you may have. The three legs have the ability to be set independently for the ultimate customization in any situation with the center column able to be inverted for low angle shots. The pistol-grip ball head for minute adjustments is a great addition as well. You can get the Ravelli APGL4 tripod for $93.33.

Quick Specs

• Pistol-grip ball head
• 69.75” height
• Carrying bad included
• Supports up to 16 pounds
• 8 pounds

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Steve Holdgren

People tend to think of mowing the lawn as backbreaking, sweat-inducing work, but self-propelled lawnmowers can make the task a lot more bearable, particularly if you have hilly or uneven terrain to maintain. All you have to do is guide the mower; it does all the rest. Some self-propelled lawnmowers practically pull you up the hill, saving you the effort of pushing. As we rated our top ten self-propelled lawnmowers, we considered the following traits:

1. Durability
2. Easy to start
3. Solid construction
4. Powerful engine
5. Bagging, mulching, and side-discharge capabilities
6. Thoughtfulness of design
7. Height adjustment options
8. Price and value

Why Should I Buy a Self-Propelled
Lawnmower?

If you’re like most people, you think of yard work as a tough, time-consuming chore. You may have considered what type of lawnmower to buy next, one that could make your work easier, and checked out the self-propelled lawnmowers. They tend to be more expensive. They typically require more maintenance than push mowers. So why should you buy a self-propelled lawnmower? Let’s look at some of the special qualities of a self-propelled mower.

It’s the difference between pushing and walking

Self-propelled mowers do what their name suggests: they propel themselves. You don’t have to struggle to push it where you want it to go; you simply walk behind and steer it. Some have such powerful engines that they run at a good clip, but you should be able to adjust the speed so that you’re not jogging to keep up.

They are built for hills

Because they propel themselves, self-propelled mowers are suited for lawns with hilly and uneven terrain. You won’t have to strain to push the mower up an incline. Self-propelled mowers typically have larger rear wheels for greater maneuverability.

The speed of the mower depends on the engine

Unlike a push lawnmower, which relies solely on the walking speed of the person pushing it, a self-propelled lawnmower’s speed depends on the size and power of the engine. Typically, the operator controls the speed by squeezing a throttle bar, which propels the wheels. To slow or stop the mower, the operator releases pressure on the bar. This is also a safety feature. Suppose you trip and let go of the throttle bar—the mower will automatically stop, reducing the risk of injury.

They are more expensive than push mowers

Push mowers on average cost between $150 to $400. Because of their more complicated engine parts, self-propelled mowers run anywhere from $250 to $700. So you have to factor in the size and condition of your lawn when deciding which route to take. Large, inclined yards would benefit more from a self-propelled mower, whereas smaller yards would not truly require it.

In summary

You should strongly consider a self-propelled mower if:

• You have a large yard with hilly, uneven terrain.
• You cannot or do not wish to strain to push a mower.
• You wish mowing the yard would go faster and easier.
• You have the extra time and expenses to buy and maintain the mower.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Featured Self-Propelled Mower Articles

Safety Features on a Lawn Mower

Operating a lawn mower shouldn’t be a dangerous task if you know what you’re doing and if the mower is equipped with basic safety features. Handle Lever: Some new models are designed with safety in mind and come equipped with a lever or bar on the handle that you must hold down to keep … [more]

5 Tips for Better Lawn Mower and Lawn Care

Mowing the yard can be hot, grueling work, but a well-maintained machine can make the job a bit easier. Keeping the lawn mown and tended also gives you healthier, thicker, prettier grass. 1. Blades: Mowers with sharp blades perform better all around. The average mower needs to have its … [more]

Lawn Mower Safety Tips

Lawn mowers of all varieties have certain inherent risks. You have to know how to operate it properly and keep it well maintained to avoid accidents. Above all, children should not operate lawn mowers and should understand that they are dangerous yard tools. General Mower Safety: Don’t let … [more]

Gas vs. Electric vs. Cordless Lawn Mowers

While gas mowers have been around the longest and are praised for their power, you’ll find that electric and cordless mowers are gaining popularity for being better for the environment. Of course, you never want to sacrifice cutting performance. There are advantages and disadvantages … [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Riding Mowers

With riding lawn mowers, you want the same performance you get from a walk-behind mower but in a much larger package. Riding lawn mowers are the ideal choice if you have a lot of property to cover. Here are some of the most important factors we looked for when we selected the top 10 ride … [more]

Top 10 Push Mowers

While most lawn mowers can handle flat, even terrains, the trick is to find a high-powered lawn mower that still works well when the lawn is large and hilly and containing trees, rocks, and roots. We looked at a number of lawn mowers to see how well they mulch, bag, or discharge grass … [more]

Top 10 Weed Eaters

Lawn trimmers are invaluable tools for keeping your yard looking tidy and professional. Trimmers can reach tight areas that lawn mowers can’t, such as beneath bushes and around trees. Many trimmers also function as edgers… [more]

Top 10 Leaf Blowers

The best leaf blowers, be they gas, electric, or cordless, must be effective at blasting away leaves, twigs, and other lawn debris. We looked for a number of factors when selecting the top 10 leaf blowers… [more]

Fresh juice is an excellent way to get your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Juicer recipes can be as complex or simple as you want and it is really fun to experiment. Sometimes something simple and classic is the way to go. Here we go through the classic apple, carrot, ginger juice. We used green apples to kick up the flavor a little but and balance out the spice of the ginger. We used enough ingredients for two drinks because sharing a fresh juice is a lot of fun.

Ingredients

Once everything is prepare just put everything through the juicer one at a time. You can add more at a time if you have a larger, more powerful juicer. There is no specific order. Once everything has gone through, stir it up and pour your juice. Enjoy on the patio, in the kitchen, or on the go.

We used the Breville BJE200XL juicer to make Our green apple carrot ginger juice. It handled every thing without a problem and cleanup was a breeze. See it here.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Juicer Articles

The Different Types of Juicers: Pros and Cons of Citrus, Centrifugal, Masticating, and Wheatgrass Juice Extractors

There are different juicers that perform different functions and yield varying performance results. As you shop for a juicer, you need to decide if you want a general purpose juicer for fruits and vegetables; a more versatile model that can make other foods like pasta, salsa, and baby food; or a juicer exclusively for wheatgrass and leafy … [more]

Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Juicers

There are several different types of juicers that handle different functions. Centrifugal juicers are the most common and range from $50 to $200. Masticating juicers are quieter, heavier, and more expensive, typically running up to $350. Some of the most expensive juice … [more]

Top 10 Blenders

As we chose our top 10 blenders, we had several considerations in mind, such as: 1. Blending jar capacity and material, 2. Sturdiness of construction, 3. Ease of use and cleaning, 4. Number of controls, preprogrammed settings, and pulse option, 5. Noisiness, 6. How easily it crushes ices and large food items, and 7. Resistance to leaks and spills. The best blenders have a motor … [more]

Top 10 Food Processors

We found that the best food processors possess some important factors and convenient features, including: 1. Durable stainless steel blades that won’t wear down or become dull, 2. Easy to disassemble parts that are safe for the dishwasher, 3. A sturdy base that … [more]

Best Bread Machine

A bread machine is a great addition to your arsenal of kitchen appliances. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your very own home made loaves of bread. Different bread machines have their pros and cons…[more]

Best Breadmaker

As we looked at a variety of breadmakers from different manufacturers, we had several important factors in mind: Ease of cleaning with nonstick parts and a removable lid being especially helpful, a variety of baking modes for breads, cakes, jams…[more]

By Brittany Rowland

Electric grills are a great alternative to grills that are in constant need of a fuel source. They are also perfect for those living in apartments or condos that don’t allow open flames on patios and balconies. The most important aspect of an electric grill, however, is its cooking performance: food should come hot off the grill juicy and flavorful with a nicely seared exterior. Other factors that we considered as we compiled this top 10 list:

1. Quality construction with materials like cast iron
2. Easy-to-clean grates
3. Precise temperature control with a handy gauge
4. Generous cooking area
5. A removable drip tray
6. Even heat distribution
7. Heat-resistant handles

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Electric Grill Articles

Grill Cleaning Tips

After cooking out and enjoying crispy steaks, burgers, or kebabs, usually the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning the grill. However, to continue getting the best tasting food and most efficient grilling, it’s critical to maintain your grill… [more]

The Basics of Grilling: Knowing When to Use Hot or Low Temperatures

While there are now high-end grills that feature no shortage of special tools, precise controls, and convenient accessories, the basic principles of grilling have not changed much over the years… [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Gas and Propane Grills

There are a wide range of gas grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important aspect of a grill, however, is its cooking performance: A grill should produce a juicy, flavorful steak or burger with a nicely seared exterior… [more]

Top Charcoal Grills

There are a wide range of charcoal grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important factor in choosing the best charcoal grill is the cooking performance. Some prefer charcoal over propane or any other type of gas because of the flavor… [more]

After cooking out and enjoying crispy steaks, burgers, or kebabs, usually the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning the grill. However, to continue getting the best tasting food and most efficient grilling, it’s critical to maintain your grill on a regular basis. Neglecting the task just makes it more difficult to clean baked-on grease and food residue.

Luckily, once you get the steps down, it’s a fairly straightforward process.

• Take out the grates and leave them to soak in warm, soapy water.
• With a charcoal grill, sweep out the insides after removing the grate. With a gas grill, take out the briquettes or flame shield so you can see the burner.
• With warm, soapy water, clean around the burner, being careful not to knock it out of place. Brush out all the ashy residue.
• Clean the insides of the grill with some soapy water and a wire brush.
• Let the metal flame shield soak or brush off the briquettes or lava rocks before putting them back in the grill.
• After soaking in warm water, the grates should be easy to brush clean.
• Spray the inside surfaces with cooking oil in preparation for the next grilling.
• Replace the grates and leave the hood open so the grill can air dry.

The next time you fire up the grill, give it an additional five minutes to heat up before you add any food. You don’t want any cleaning solutions to remain on the grates and affect the taste of your food.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Grilling Articles

The Basics of Grilling: Knowing When to Use Hot or Low Temperatures

While there are now high-end grills that feature no shortage of special tools, precise controls, and convenient accessories, the basic principles of grilling have not changed much over the years… [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top Charcoal Grills

There are a wide range of charcoal grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important factor in choosing the best charcoal grill is the cooking performance. Some prefer charcoal over propane or any other type of gas because of the flavor… [more]

Top 10 Gas and Propane Grills

There are a wide range of gas grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important aspect of a grill, however, is its cooking performance: A grill should produce a juicy, flavorful steak or burger with a nicely seared exterior… [more]

Top Electric Grills

Electric grills are a great alternative to grills that are in constant need of a fuel source. They are also perfect for those living in apartments or condos that don’t allow open flames… [more]

By Brittany Rowland

There are a wide range of charcoal grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important factor in choosing the best charcoal grill is the cooking performance. Some prefer charcoal over propane or any other type of gas because of the flavor imbued by the charcoal. A charcoal grill is also going to be much cheaper up front. That is one big advantage. Other factors that we considered as we compiled this top 10 list:

1. Sturdy and quality construction
2. An air-tight lid and air vents for temperature control
3. Easy-to-clean grates of durable material like cast iron
4. Side tables for convenient food preparation
6. Ample cooking area space
7. Easily removeable ash tray
8. Even cooking

Grills Buying Guide

The Benefits of Charcoal Grilling

Regular gas and electric grills are perfectly adequate at searing meats, vegetables, fish, and fruit. However, for the mouth-watering, tender, smoky barbecue taste that you typically get from a smoker at a barbecue restaurant, you can also use a charcoal grill.

The trick to charcoal grilling is cooking foods for a long period at low temperatures. By building a fire at one end of the grill and maintaining control of the airflow, you can effectively slow cook ribs, chicken, or pork for an authentic, smoky barbecue taste.

Charcoal grills have a couple advantages over regular gas grills:

• With fewer moving parts, charcoal grills have a longer lifespan.
• They usually cost less than gas grills. Of course, the fuel you buy to heat them can even out the costs in the long run.

A gas grill can be a more convenient choice because it starts up and cooks faster, but for a rich taste and tender consistency, a charcoal grill is a valuable cooking tool.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Grilling Articles

Grill Cleaning Tips

After cooking out and enjoying crispy steaks, burgers, or kebabs, usually the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning the grill. However, to continue getting the best tasting food and most efficient grilling, it’s critical to maintain your grill… [more]

The Basics of Grilling: Knowing When to Use Hot or Low Temperatures

While there are now high-end grills that feature no shortage of special tools, precise controls, and convenient accessories, the basic principles of grilling have not changed much over the years… [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Gas and Propane Grills

There are a wide range of gas grills from portable to stand alone models. The most important aspect of a grill, however, is its cooking performance: A grill should produce a juicy, flavorful steak or burger with a nicely seared exterior… [more]

Top Electric Grills

Electric grills are a great alternative to grills that are in constant need of a fuel source. They are also perfect for those living in apartments or condos that don’t allow open flames… [more]

By Brian Jones

This is a great option for those who don’t want a camera bag that they have to carry over the shoulder or by a handle. This is a sleek looking backpack that will have no problem storing all the gear you bring with you on the go. It even has room for a small laptop computer so you can do on-the-fly edits if necessary. You can even use this as a normal backpack by removing the camera insert. The Kata DR-466 is one of the sturdiest, most versatile camera bags on the list. This bag usually sells for $100.99-$109.99.

Quick Specs

• Reinforced Nycore grid material
• Waist and chest strap for added support
• Rain cover included
• L 13.78″x W 10.63″x H 18.5″

Prices

By Brian Jones

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

Below is a summary of some of the differentiating features of Bushnell’s golf rangefinders on the market:

Bushnell White Medalist Rangefinder
-This is a good basic option and low in price at only $249.
-Has a 9 volt battery
-No slope or OLED lit display
-4X Magnification
-2 Yr. Warranty
-Distance in Yards
-Lightweight
-Large design
-USGA tournament legal
-300 yards to flag

Bushnell Tour V3 Slope Rangefinder
-Small compact Design
-5X Magnification
-$399
-Scan Mode
-monochrome LCD display
-Slope distance provided
-Not USGA tournament legal

Bushnell Tour V3 Rangefinder
-Small compact Design
-5X Magnification
-$399
-Scan Mode
-monochrome LCD display
-USGA tournament legal
-3-volt battery

Bushnell Pro 1m Tournament Golf Rangefinder
-Large Design and heavy
-7X Magnification
-550 yards to flag
-$499
-3-volt battery
-35% more targets captured
-OLED red lit display

Bushnell Tour Z6 Tournament Golf Rangefinder
-Measurement in tenths of a yard
-$399
-450 yards to flag measure
-Small design but a bit heavy
-OLED red lit display
-6X Magnification
-3-volt battery

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years… See more about S. Dee Davis

Related Golf Rangefinder Articles

Golf Rangefinder vs. Golf GPS Watch – Which is better?

First let’s acknowledge that use of these two products are not mutually exclusive, they have different attributes. There is no reason you could not use both a GPS golf watch which will give you accurate measurements to the front, center, and back of greens and use a rangefinder…[more]

Are Golf Rangefinders Tournament Legal?

There is a very simple formula for determining whether a rangefinder is tournament legal or not, even if it is not USGA certified. It should not have distances calculated for slope. Slope is the gradient value of uphill and downhill, and many rangefinders…[more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Golf Rangefinders

Following are our choices for the top 10 golf rangefinders for the year after some testing and research. We’ve taken price, quality, and value into account when developing these ratings. Rangefinders were tested based on the following factors… [more]

Top 10 Golf Clubs

Following are some of the factors that we felt are most important in evaluating the top 10 golf club iron selections. Clubs were tested at a testing facility and loosely measured for the below quality points: 1. Comfort at Setup (Instilling Confidence), 2. Solid Feel at Impact, 3. Workable Ball Flight … [more]

Top 10 Golf Putters

Although some of selecting a putter is about “feel” there is more to it than that. We rate the best putters below on the following criteria: Appearance, “feel”, how well the ball rolls off the putter face, alignment characteristics, weighting balance and price/value. See the putter comparison … [more]

Top 10 Golf Drivers

We tested many of the drivers that are out there in the market today and came up with our top 10 list. There are a couple holdovers from last year. Testing and consideration were given based on distance and accuracy with the same neutral swing speed (110) in a controlled distance … [more]

Top 10 Golf Balls

The following list of the best top ten golf balls was determined from the authors opinion using the following criteria: Consistency in length off the tee, spin control and the ability to hold greens, “feel” of the ball around greens for chipping and putting, durability, and price/value. Combining … [more]

Top 10 Golf Wedges

A club class of its own, the wedges have high lofts, the short shafts, and the heavy clubheads. Out of all the irons wedges take all of these to the extreme. The purpose of a wedge is to aid players in making accurate short-distance “lob” shots, to get the ball onto the green and out of hazards….[more]

Top 10 Golf Bags

The following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria: Durability, Price, Stability of Stand, Access and Organization, Extra Pockets for Accessories, Comfort of Harness strap… [more]

By Jon Bannister

The Poulan Pro PB22H46YT riding mower provides great maneuverability with a tight 16-inch turning radius. Able to cover medium to large lawns and properties in a short time with the 46-inch deck. The controls and foot pedals are easy to access and operate, and the ride is fairly smooth with the automatic transmission and low vibrations from the steering wheel. The headlights are an important feature for safety and work well in the early evening if the yard work is carrying on through the day. This ride mower is best suited for medium sized properties; if your yard is a bit small and your storage space limited, this may be too big of a mower. At $2,799.99, it’s a reliable, durable model.

Quick Specs

• 22 horsepower
• 3 gallons tank capacity
• 46-inch cutting path
• 590 pounds
• 5.5 mph maximum speed

Prices

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

By Brian Jones

This is a very interesting Nikon lens. It is a much more specialized play on the 18-55mm standard kit lens. The 16mm focal length is going to be a wide angle, but not quite fish eye. That will make a very interesting effect on many of your photos. The ability to run the focal length all the way up to 85mm makes this a very useful lens for almost any type of photography. But you are really have to pay for that range in focal length. The maximum aperture is f/3.5, so its not bad in low light situations. The 16-85mm Nikon lens is pretty expensive and will run you $649.99-$699.95.

Quick Specs

• Made for DX format and FX Crop Mode
• VR image stabilization
• 1.3ft minimum focus distance
• 67mm filter threads
• 17.1 ounces

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

First let’s acknowledge that use of these two products are not mutually exclusive, they have different attributes. There is no reason you could not use both a GPS golf watch which will give you accurate measurements to the front, center, and back of greens and use a rangefinder as well to dial in the exact measurement to the pin. The GPS watches are tournament legal for the USGA, while slope reading rangefinders are not.

The golf watch is obviously going to be easier to use and is probably sufficient for high handicap golfers. It has the added benefit of not only being more convenient, it’s almost impossible to lose. Better golfers may need the benefit of the rangefinder to dial in not only the pin, but fairway bunkers, water hazards, trees, layup areas and the like. While some GPS watches can be programmed with layup areas and doglegs, the rangefinder will be quicker and easier to use for this purpose.

The added benefit to the GPS watch of course is those special measurements to the front and back of the green. A rangefinder will not give you these. This feature is a great compliment to the pin distance as many of us know. If the green is uphill and you cant see the position it may be right at the back edge or front edge of the green which information should enter into your club selection.

So in sum, if you are serious about your golf game and want the maximum tools on the course (and money is not an issue) then I recommend both a golf watch and a rangefinder. With the added benefit of a $179 golf watch you could save some money on the rangefinder buy purchasing a $299 model since you will already have the front a back of green distances. Knowing the front and back of green distances will probably help you more than the slope distance measurements from a rangefinder with that function.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years… See more about S. Dee Davis

Related Golf Rangefinder Articles

Bushnell Rangefinder Comparison – What are the differences in Models?

Below is a summary of some of the differentiating features of Bushnell’s golf rangefinders on the market: Bushnell White Medalist Rangefinder – This is a good basic option and low in price at only $249, Has a 9 volt battery, No slope or OLED lit display, 4X Magnification, 2 Yr. Warranty, Distance in Yards, Lightweight ,Large design…[more]

Are Golf Rangefinders Tournament Legal?

There is a very simple formula for determining whether a rangefinder is tournament legal or not, even if it is not USGA certified. It should not have distances calculated for slope. Slope is the gradient value of uphill and downhill, and many rangefinders…[more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Golf Rangefinders

Following are our choices for the top 10 golf rangefinders for the year after some testing and research. We’ve taken price, quality, and value into account when developing these ratings. Rangefinders were tested based on the following factors… [more]

Top 10 Golf Putters

Although some of selecting a putter is about “feel” there is more to it than that. We rate the best putters below on the following criteria: Appearance, “feel”, how well the ball rolls off the putter face, alignment characteristics, weighting balance and price/value. See the putter comparison … [more]

Top 10 Golf Drivers

We tested many of the drivers that are out there in the market today and came up with our top 10 list. There are a couple holdovers from last year. Testing and consideration were given based on distance and accuracy with the same neutral swing speed (110) in a controlled distance … [more]

Top 10 Golf Balls

The following list of the best top ten golf balls was determined from the authors opinion using the following criteria: Consistency in length off the tee, spin control and the ability to hold greens, “feel” of the ball around greens for chipping and putting, durability, and price/value. Combining … [more]

Top 10 Golf Wedges

A club class of its own, the wedges have high lofts, the short shafts, and the heavy clubheads. Out of all the irons wedges take all of these to the extreme. The purpose of a wedge is to aid players in making accurate short-distance “lob” shots, to get the ball onto the green and out of hazards….[more]

Top 10 Golf Bags

The following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria: Durability, Price, Stability of Stand, Access and Organization, Extra Pockets for Accessories, Comfort of Harness strap… [more]

By Brian Jones

This is going to be the best general-purpose lens out there you can find. The 15-85mm focal length will work for virtually any situation that does not require an insane amount of zooming power. 15mm is pretty wide and you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it. The aperture provides decent low light performance and should be enough for indoor shooting. To make up for that, Canon has a image stabilization in this lens that will let you shoot at pretty low shutter speeds and maintain a crisp image. You can pick up this lens necessary for every camera bag at $694.00 to $799.99.

Quick Specs

• Only for EF-S mounts
• 72mm filter threads
• Ultra Sonic Motor for fast and quiet auto focus
• 1.15ft closest focus distance
• 20.3 ounces

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Jon Bannister

Lawn trimmers are invaluable tools for keeping your yard looking tidy and professional. Trimmers can reach tight areas that lawn mowers can’t, such as beneath bushes and around trees. Many trimmers also function as edgers, allowing you to get a clean, straight line along sidewalk paths and garden beds. As we examined different lawn trimmer and lawn edger models, we kept the following qualities in mind:

1. Durability
2. If cordless, battery life
3. If gas-powered, gas efficiency
4. Ease of start-up
5. Weight and maneuverability
6. Power to cut through tough weeds
7. Guard for safety
8. Head width
9. Accessories
10. Price

Choosing a Lawn Trimmer

Gas vs. Electric Lawn Trimmers

As with many other tools, one of the major considerations you’ll face as you select a lawn trimmer is whether to go gas or electric. Each option has its pros and cons, so you’ll have to think about your personal needs and preferences.

Power
Gas lawn trimmers are typically more powerful than electric ones, so keep that in mind if you have a large yard or rough, thick terrain. On the other hand, electric weed eaters are usually quieter and more lightweight.

Cords and Batteries
Gas lawn trimmers are cordless, giving you a wide range of movement. Electric lawn trimmers come in corded or cordless varieties. If you choose corded, make sure you have easy access to an outdoor power outlet. If you choose cordless, research how long a battery charge will last you—you’ll want to be able to finish your yard without having to stop and recharge the lawn trimmer.

Maintenance
Generally, electric lawn trimmers are easier to maintain than gas lawn trimmers. Many gas weed eaters, particularly those with a 2-cycle engine, require you to mix gas and oil together for fuel. However, you can select a lawn trimmer with a 4-cycle engine, which doesn’t require that gas-oil mixture.

In short, if you have a smaller yard, or you trim less frequently, then an electric lawn trimmer may be the better, more economical choice. If you require a more powerful machine to cut through tough brush or heavy grass, you’ll likely prefer a gas lawn trimmer for its extra oomph.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Riding Mowers

With riding lawn mowers, you want the same performance you get from a walk-behind mower but in a much larger package. Riding lawn mowers are the ideal choice if you have a lot of property to cover. Here are some of the most important factors we looked for when we selected the top 10 ride … [more]

Top 10 Push Mowers

While most lawn mowers can handle flat, even terrains, the trick is to find a high-powered lawn mower that still works well when the lawn is large and hilly and containing trees, rocks, and roots. We looked at a number of lawn mowers to see how well they mulch, bag, or discharge grass … [more]

Top 10 Leaf Blowers

The best leaf blowers, be they gas, electric, or cordless, must be effective at blasting away leaves, twigs, and other lawn debris. We looked for a number of factors when selecting the top 10 leaf blowers… [more]

Top 10 Self-Propelled Mowers

People tend to think of mowing the lawn as backbreaking, sweat-inducing work, but self-propelled lawnmowers can make the task a lot more bearable, particularly if you have hilly or uneven terrain to maintain…[more]

Here’s a guide to the average sizes for men, women, and children/juniors.

If you’re between eighths of an inch, round down. You can “fatten” up the grip with an overgrip easily, but you can’t cut down the length of a grip as easily. If your grip size falls outside the range of the average grip size (4 1/8” to 4 5/8”), you may need to have the grip custom made, which may run you up to $15.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Tennis Articles

5 Tips for Tennis Racquet Care

As you well know, a tennis racquet is your primary instrument for playing the sport, and it can be quite an investment. Some racquets cost well over $100, and you want to take proper care of them so you get the most out of them…[more]

Prince EXO3 Black 100 vs. Prince EXO3 Rebel 95

Prince has developed the EXO3 series of racquets, designed for the advanced player. Two racquets, the Prince EXO3 Black 100 Tour Series and the Prince EXO3 Rebel 95, are both high-end racquets with several different factors. Let’s compare the two models to see if one has a distinct advantage… [more]

Understanding a Tennis Racquet’s Sweet Spot

A tennis racquet with a large, stiff head provides an expanded sweet spot, as you’ve probably heard several racquet manufacturers say. If you’re new to tennis, you’re probably wondering what exactly is the sweet spot, and how does it affect how the ball hits the … [more]

Related Tennis Racquet Lists

Best Tennis Racquets

There are tennis racquets available for all player levels with different designs, weights, and feels. Judging racquets based on their intended level, we selected the top 10 based on the following qualities: Heavy enough to add a punch to shots and provide great control, Light enough to be easy to maneuver (and easy to arm)… [more]

Best Women’s Tennis Racquet

Tennis is a sport that can be learned and mastered in youth and carried on for a lifetime. If you’re a woman looking for the tennis racquet that’s just right for you, then this guide may help you find what you need… [more]

By Jon Bannister

As iPads and other tablets become more commonly used in our day-to-day activities, we need a reliable protective case that safeguards the iPad from water splashes. Whether you want to enjoy your tablet at the pool or beach, or you have a messy kid who could spill his drink on it, there are some waterproof iPad cases on the market that should offer some protection from those unexpected accidents.

There may not be any cases that completely safeguard your iPad from accidental dunks underwater, but it looks like we’re getting close. And these or similar models should provide enough protection that you feel confident taking your tablet with you out into the rugged world.

More iPad and Tablet Articles

Cosmos vs. Bluecell Stylus Pens

Styluses come in handy whether you’re using a tablet, smartphone, e-reader, or other device with a touchscreen. Some people even carry around their styluses to use on public ATMs or kiosks. A good stylus works on capacitive and resistive screens. … [more]

Resistive and Capacitive Touchscreens: Understanding the Difference

Most of our gadgets today feature touchscreens. We’ve long hand touchscreens on ATMs, supermarket check-out lines, and other public places. But you’ve probably noticed that the touchscreen on your smartphone or tablet works differently than the touchscreen … [more]

HDE AD-GCPD22-7C vs. Arkon IPM-TAB1: Comparing Two Tablet Stands

The 7-inch tablet stand and carrying case from HDE and the Arkon portable fold-up tablet stand are two popular options for viewing the iPad or other tablet in an upright position. The HDE stand also functions as a protective carrying case and … [more]

Related iPad and Tablet Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Tablets

Top 10 tablets for 2012 … [more]
 
 
 

Top 10 iPad and Tablet Accessories

Apple iPads and other tablets are all the rage, and owners are always looking for accessories that make the tablet experience even greater. We examined several accessories—from protective cases and stylus pens to card readers and cleaning cloths … [more]

Top 10 iPad Cases

The ideal iPad 2 case protects your valuable possession from everyday wear and tear and allows you to use it in comfort and style. We looked for cases with the following qualities: 1. A built-in stand for holding it upright and/or a slanted typing … [more]

Best Android Tablet

The iPad is no longer the boss in the tablet arena – the increasing popular Android OS tablet is a huge competitor that is taking over the market. With a super sleek interface, frequent updates, a plethora of apps, unlimited customization, and more – this makes any tablet running Android a very good alternative the stale Apple OS on the iPad… [more]

Best 7″ Tablets

Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]

Best Budget Tablets

Some people just dont understand the Tablet craze, and can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on something they might not use. Or maybe your a college student, or just don’t have much to spend on tech gizmos in general…. [more]

What makes a rangefinder tournament Legal?

There is a very simple formula for determining whether a rangefinder is tournament legal or not, even if it is not USGA certified. It should not have distances calculated for slope. Slope is the gradient value of uphill and downhill, and many rangefinders are equipped with distances that include the slope. If you want to use it in a tournament, make sure your rangefinder does not have a slope distance reading and you will be fine.

If there is any doubt, clear it with the tournament officials prior to the tournament. The last thing you want to do is go use it on the course and then finish and be disqualified because the tournament did not allow rangefinders. It’s a good idea to just pose the question ahead of time. Rangefinders can drastically speed play and provide a very valuable information source for people unfamiliar with the course, so they should be acceptable in most circumstances as long as the slope is not included in the distance calculation.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years… See more about S. Dee Davis

Related Golf Rangefinder Articles

Bushnell Rangefinder Comparison – What are the differences in Models?

Below is a summary of some of the differentiating features of Bushnell’s golf rangefinders on the market: Bushnell White Medalist Rangefinder – This is a good basic option and low in price at only $249, Has a 9 volt battery, No slope or OLED lit display, 4X Magnification, 2 Yr. Warranty, Distance in Yards, Lightweight ,Large design…[more]

Golf Rangefinder vs. Golf GPS Watch – Which is better?

First let’s acknowledge that use of these two products are not mutually exclusive, they have different attributes. There is no reason you could not use both a GPS golf watch which will give you accurate measurements to the front, center, and back of greens and use a rangefinder…[more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Golf Rangefinders

Following are our choices for the top 10 golf rangefinders for the year after some testing and research. We’ve taken price, quality, and value into account when developing these ratings. Rangefinders were tested based on the following factors… [more]

Top 10 Golf Drivers

We tested many of the drivers that are out there in the market today and came up with our top 10 list. There are a couple holdovers from last year. Testing and consideration were given based on distance and accuracy with the same neutral swing speed (110) in a controlled distance…[more]

Top 10 Golf Putters

Although some of selecting a putter is about “feel” there is more to it than that. We rate the best putters below on the following criteria: Appearance, “feel”, how well the ball rolls off the putter face, alignment characteristics, weighting balance and price/value. See the putter comparison … [more]

Top 10 Golf Wedges

A club class of its own, the wedges have high lofts, the short shafts, and the heavy clubheads. Out of all the irons wedges take all of these to the extreme. The purpose of a wedge is to aid players in making accurate short-distance “lob” shots, to get the ball onto the green and out of hazards….[more]

Top 10 Golf Balls

The following list of the best top ten golf balls was determined from the authors opinion using the following criteria: Consistency in length off the tee, spin control and the ability to hold greens, “feel” of the ball around greens for chipping and putting, durability, and price/value. Combining … [more]

Top 10 Golf Clubs

Following are some of the factors that we felt are most important in evaluating the top 10 golf club iron selections. Clubs were tested at a testing facility and loosely measured for the below quality points: 1. Comfort at Setup (Instilling Confidence), 2. Solid Feel at Impact, 3. Workable Ball Flight … [more]

Top 10 Golf Bags

The following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria: Durability, Price, Stability of Stand, Access and Organization, Extra Pockets for Accessories, Comfort of Harness strap… [more]