Epinions Recent Reviews for jwlester

Useful software, but probably not worth the price

Tue, 19 Aug 2003 15:31:49 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - This is some decent software if you want to tie your GPS system to mapping software. In addition to...

The Platypus Water "Bottle"

Tue, 7 Aug 2001 21:12:29 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I once looked at these Platypus bottles/bags in the store and expressed mild interest in the concept.

The next thing I know, I'm opening a birthday present with one inside. This, of course is always an issue when I walk into an outdoors shop...

Visioneer PrimaScan Colorado 2400u Flatbed Scanner: Notes on the PrimaScan 2400u from a Cheapo Scanner Expert

Wed, 25 Jul 2001 16:48:29 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - First of all, I'd like to tell you why I've designated myself a "cheap scanner expert". The answer is that scanners are essentially on death row when I purchase them, and usually the death of the poor scanners comes through little fault of their own -...

A Campstove Death Match: Primus vs. Coleman - Winner??? - Primus

Wed, 25 Jul 2001 04:48:40 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - In the market for a good campstove? Good, well welcome to my hosting of the very first outdoor gear celebrity deathmatch.

Just about everyone I know grew up in a family that occasionally went camping. Though other brands like "Camp Chef"...

The Dagger Piedra - A good beginner boat

Tue, 24 Jul 2001 03:47:35 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - The Dagger Piedra is a great boat for the right person. It was designed as a smaller version of the much larger Dagger Animas. If you've ever paddled the Animas, you might wonder why Dagger would spend any more time developing such an awful design. To...

Raise the Titanic: The Classic Cussler - Raise the Titanic

Thu, 19 Apr 2001 22:52:49 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - While this is not the most preposterous plot Cussler ever dreamt up, it is one of the most exciting, and perhaps one of the most well written of all his books. The later books seem to involve Cussler changing the names and locations of various...

Petzl's Spirit Carabiners - I'm not in the spirit of paying too much!

Thu, 19 Apr 2001 17:22:28 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I started rock climbing as a 16 year old kid back in the 80's. As you might imagine, I did not have the cash to splurge on the most expensive equipment available, but then again, I also recognized that cheaper does not always mean better in a sport...

The Perception Corona - A, short, nimble touring boat

Mon, 18 Dec 2000 22:05:48 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I'm a whitewater kayaker. Usually, you'll find me (a:bravely, b:idiotically, c:skillfully d:all of the above) shooting the shoals of the exciting class IV and V rivers of Northern California. I won't be reviewing too many touring boats, because plain...

The Dagger Savannah - a stable and functional touring boat

Sun, 17 Dec 2000 21:54:36 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - While I prefer the excitement of whitewater kayaking, on occasion I also do some "flatwater" kayak touring. By this I mean kayaking on lakes, the ocean or on rivers that are class II- and below. On this kind of water, a completely different...

State Farm Group - Auto: Pray You're Not Hit By a STATE FARM DRUNK DRIVER

Fri, 15 Dec 2000 21:16:09 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - Synopsis

Why did you select this particular company's service?

I was selected for this service by a State Farm drunk driver.

Describe the best and worst aspects of this company's service.

I did not detect...

Canoe Polo? An exciting European sport new to the US

Tue, 12 Dec 2000 21:08:05 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - Canoe Polo is a game called "Kayak Polo" in the USA. It is a primarily European sport, but has been catching on more and more in the USA.

The International Canoe Federation, the international governing body of Kayaking and Canoeing has 7...

Forplay Makes Holes Seem Stickier - Wave Sport Rocks

Mon, 11 Dec 2000 20:24:03 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - The new generation freestyle and rodeo boat from Wave Sport - www.wavesport.com

The forplay (not foreplay!) was designed as a full on rodeo boat for those of us who are physically unable to stuff our bodies into a XXX without undergoing...

The Wave Sport Z - A No Compromise Boat Indeed!

Mon, 11 Dec 2000 17:05:41 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - A no compromise boat, the Z is designed

to excel in freestyle competition and

downriver play. - www.wavesport.com

The Z boat was designed to be a "do it all" boat, which combines downriver play fun capability with...

Nike's Entry Level Soccer Ball. A decent value at $14.95

Sat, 9 Dec 2000 00:42:21 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I'm not a keeper. Further, I don't even play one in the movies. Unfortunately, due to my ability to punt a soccer ball well past midfield, I am considered by my team to be the best "emergency goalie" our team has. The combination of that...

Black Diamond Micro Camalots: Worth Every Penny

Wed, 6 Dec 2000 21:52:49 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I don't believe any other small cam comes close to the quality of the Black Diamond Micro Cam. If you've read my review of the regular Camalots, you'll notice that I suggest buying other brands if you are at all price conscious. At the small end of the...

Dr. Seuss - The Butter Battle Book: I am not a Zook, I am not a Yook. Dr. Seuss and Nuclear War

Tue, 5 Dec 2000 15:45:49 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - Dr. Seuss is one of the most beloved children's book writers, and for good reason. His books are funny, have great illustrations, the poetry is fantastic, and the imagery stays with us for a lifetime.

What many people don't realize is that...

CCH Aliens - The Best Protection for Any Crack? Nope!

Mon, 4 Dec 2000 20:27:24 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - Imagine this scenario: You're gripped. You are climbing a route that was supposedly E1 5b, but seems more like E2 5c (British Grade). You've been standing on a three inch microledge 50 feet off your belay for the past 15 minutes, occasionally making...

Review of the Mitre Ultimax Premier Night Football (Soccer)

Sun, 3 Dec 2000 04:34:15 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - This is a review of the Mitre Ultimax FA Premier Night Football.

The Mitre Ultimax Night is one of the balls used by my football team, the "Sick Kittens" (a "sick kitten" is a British slang term in case you were wondering)...

Kokatat - the best choice for a dry-top

Wed, 22 Nov 2000 17:12:53 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I have nothing but good things to say about Kokatat. I have used a Kokatat Dry Top for the last 3 years. Along with my bib overalls also made by Kokatat, they make up a complete dry suit which has kept me dry and warm. This is important,...

Black Diamond's Bodacious Alpine Harness

Tue, 7 Nov 2000 17:30:47 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I have used a Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness for years. It is reasonably old now and in need of replacement simply due to age, but I definitely feel that I have gotten good value for my money. I will probably be buying another Bod Harness to replace...

Your Pockets will be full with Kryptonite...

Mon, 6 Nov 2000 19:06:12 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - As a long time college student and an avid cyclist, I have used many different types of bicycle locks. The lock I've been happiest with so far has been my Kryptonite Kryptolock. It is a little more expensive than some of the other brands, but...

The California Cages are Great Homes for Parrots

Fri, 3 Nov 2000 21:57:17 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - We bought a California Cage for my Timneh African Grey parrot about 5 years ago when we brought him home from the breeder. Thus far it has proved to be a great investment.

California Cages has made some improvements to the design of this cage...

If you stood on your feet all day, you'd like these perches!

Thu, 2 Nov 2000 18:13:09 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - Its a simple fact that birds can't lay down. Some parrots like lorikeets will occasionally play with toys and roll onto their backs, but aside from these relatively rare moments, standing on their feet is pretty much a 24-7 activity for pet birds. Most...

Bird Talk Magazine: Bird Talk - a great bird magazine for beginners

Tue, 31 Oct 2000 18:08:34 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - I've been a Bird Talk subscriber for several years, and I heartily recommend this magazine for anyone who is thinking about owning a pet bird, especially a hookbill (parrot). The magazine is primarily about parrots, and they usually feature on...

Umax AstraNet E5420 Flatbed Scanner: The Umax AstraNet e5420 Great Features, but SLOW!

Mon, 30 Oct 2000 16:22:44 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author jwlester - The Umax AstraNET e5420 is a fairly good scanner if you need high resolution. The features are pretty good for the price (It was $160 total), but when I compare it to other scanners I've owned and/or used I find that I'm somewhat disappointed with this...