What is it? A large suction-cup mounted handle.
Rating: Works As Advertised
Major Claims – a simple, secure handle for safety and convenience. It is, if applied to a clean, smooth surface.
Anyone who has ever worked in a computer data center is familiar with this type of a device, originally created to lift heavy floor tiles of a raised computer floor to gain access to the miles of cables running underneath. The idea has also been a staple of those working in the plate glass industry to carry large sheets of glass without having to worry about cutting one’s hands on the potentially sharp edges and providing a more comfortable and secure grip. It therefore seems logical to apply this portable handle concept to many household situations.
We found the product to be well-made and strong, the handle being comprised of thick plastic. Its two suction-cups are large, giving it a very secure and tight grip on smooth clean surfaces. Please note that if any suction-cup (not unique to this product) is applied to an uneven surface, whether that be from texture or dirt, air can leak in and break the seal, reducing the strength of the grip. For example, it would be inappropriate to use a product like this on porous brick or stone, or tiles with deep texture. The ideal surface to use is clean flat glass, plastic, fiberglass, or acrylic.
We observed that when the product was applied to a clean glass surface, the cups held fast and completely secure, as they did on smooth granite and marble. However, when applied to a tile with a slightly textured surface, the product held, but with some force applied it could be moved, and in some cases (like when it hit a grout line) popped off the surface. Again, this is just the physics of how suction cups work, not a deficiency of the product in any way. So make sure any surface on which this product is used is as smooth and clean as possible.
We also observed that this product could be used as both a handle and a step. Many shower stalls don’t come equipped with steps or benches, and many ladies know how difficult it then becomes to shave their legs with nothing to prop a foot on. As our video illustrates, this product worked quite well to address that need.
Of course, if you do need to pull up a heavy floor tile, or have a large piece of glass to transport, this is the exact tool you need (perhaps more than one)! This product works as advertised.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
ASOTVI Review of The Go Duster
What is it? A battery-operated dusting device.
Rating: Works As Advertised
The Go Duster advertises that it automatically does the work for you. Its “miracle dusting spray” that grabs and holds dust like a magnet. It claims that regular dusters merely “push the dust around”.
We found the Go Duster to be very fun and easy to use. The duster heads were easy to snap on and off the handle. We used the Go Duster on a buffet that had not been dusted in some time so there was quite a build-up of dust and dirt. After the first try, dust could still be seen on the table, so we sprayed the head with the dusting spray included with the Go Duster. The Go Duster did do a better job after being sprayed. However, when we ran a finger over the top, it came away with a remnant of dust.
We then dusted an entire living room and found the product to work satisfactorily for bookshelves and small surfaces. The biggest plus was for statues, knickknacks, and stereo/AV equipment. It easily reaches into nooks and crannies that ordinary dust cloths can’t reach. It also cuts the time for dusting considerably and makes out of the way areas easier to reach.
The battery life of the unit was not evaluated (i.e. how many rooms can be dusted before the batteries have to be replaced). The website claims that the dusting spray will not harm wood; however the vendor has not listed the ingredients on the label. The vendor also promises to send replacement dusting spray for life, but there is a $4.99 shipping and handling charge for a 2 ounce bottle (please note that price as compared to $4.59 for a popular aerosol dusting spray for a 12.5 ounce can)
Rating: Works As Advertised
The Go Duster advertises that it automatically does the work for you. Its “miracle dusting spray” that grabs and holds dust like a magnet. It claims that regular dusters merely “push the dust around”.
We found the Go Duster to be very fun and easy to use. The duster heads were easy to snap on and off the handle. We used the Go Duster on a buffet that had not been dusted in some time so there was quite a build-up of dust and dirt. After the first try, dust could still be seen on the table, so we sprayed the head with the dusting spray included with the Go Duster. The Go Duster did do a better job after being sprayed. However, when we ran a finger over the top, it came away with a remnant of dust.
We then dusted an entire living room and found the product to work satisfactorily for bookshelves and small surfaces. The biggest plus was for statues, knickknacks, and stereo/AV equipment. It easily reaches into nooks and crannies that ordinary dust cloths can’t reach. It also cuts the time for dusting considerably and makes out of the way areas easier to reach.
The battery life of the unit was not evaluated (i.e. how many rooms can be dusted before the batteries have to be replaced). The website claims that the dusting spray will not harm wood; however the vendor has not listed the ingredients on the label. The vendor also promises to send replacement dusting spray for life, but there is a $4.99 shipping and handling charge for a 2 ounce bottle (please note that price as compared to $4.59 for a popular aerosol dusting spray for a 12.5 ounce can)
ASOTVI Review of The Ultimate Scrubber
What is it? A motorized rotating scrub brush.
Rating: Works As Advertised
Major Claims:
We used the product to clean food debris and stains from a table surface and also to clean grime from grout on a tiles surface.
Our first challenge with the product was in removing the lid on the battery compartment to insert the four AA batteries it requires (not included with the product). A large pair of pliers was required to accomplish the task, having failed to do it with bare hands.
The product claims to spin at 300 RPMs and we saw no significant issue with a fast rotation of the brush. Using a common household cleaner and water, the product appeared to work as advertised. Even applying pressure to more heavily soiled areas, the scrub brush continued to spin, though it was possible to put a strain on the internal motor with additional pressure.
We didn’t measure the actual foot-pounds of torque the product provides, but it is apparent that from a four AA battery electric motor, this product is best suited for common household cleaning, polishing, and lighter scrubbing tasks – it’s not intended to be a disk-sander, pressure sprayer, or high-torque industrial cleaning product. So one’s expectations need to be appropriate to the task to appreciate this product’s effectiveness.
In terms of its ability to provide motorized cleaning, scrubbing and polishing capabilities within the power of its battery powered motor, we observed the product to work as advertised. However, for really nasty jobs, it’s still going to take some serious elbow grease and/or professional caliber cleaning tools.
Rating: Works As Advertised
Major Claims:
- Cleaning Made Easy
- Scrubs – Cleans – Polishes in ½ the Time
We used the product to clean food debris and stains from a table surface and also to clean grime from grout on a tiles surface.
Our first challenge with the product was in removing the lid on the battery compartment to insert the four AA batteries it requires (not included with the product). A large pair of pliers was required to accomplish the task, having failed to do it with bare hands.
The product claims to spin at 300 RPMs and we saw no significant issue with a fast rotation of the brush. Using a common household cleaner and water, the product appeared to work as advertised. Even applying pressure to more heavily soiled areas, the scrub brush continued to spin, though it was possible to put a strain on the internal motor with additional pressure.
We didn’t measure the actual foot-pounds of torque the product provides, but it is apparent that from a four AA battery electric motor, this product is best suited for common household cleaning, polishing, and lighter scrubbing tasks – it’s not intended to be a disk-sander, pressure sprayer, or high-torque industrial cleaning product. So one’s expectations need to be appropriate to the task to appreciate this product’s effectiveness.
In terms of its ability to provide motorized cleaning, scrubbing and polishing capabilities within the power of its battery powered motor, we observed the product to work as advertised. However, for really nasty jobs, it’s still going to take some serious elbow grease and/or professional caliber cleaning tools.
ASOTVI Review of Over the Door Hooks
What is it? A coat rack that hangs from a door.
Rating: Doesn't Work As Advertised
We evaluated two versions of the 5-hook coat rack, a nickel finish version that wasn’t adjustable with respect to the door hooks, and a chrome version that was adjustable.
From a basic conceptual design point, this is a very simple product, with both versions consisting of a strong metal rack, attractively styled, that hangs from the top of a common door. When we placed both versions of the product on a door, it was indeed able to support the weight of a heavy coat, and multiple coats, which is its primary function. So far, so good.
The show-stopping issue we ran into with this product in both versions was its practicality in terms of actually using it. That is, in our evaluation as illustrated in our video, both versions of the product encountered issues with allowing the door to close with the product on it. With the non-adjustable version, the hook’s thickness at the very top came into contact with the door’s lintel (upper door jam) preventing the door from closing. Also, since the spacing of the hook was wider than the thickness of the door, even if it were able close on a door with a larger gap between the door and its jam, it could also be allowed to move when placing items on it and taking them off. Side to side movement might scratch or mar the door, whereas pulling a coat off and thereby also pulling the product forward from its coat hooks, has the potential to allow the hooks at the top to dig into the wood of the door on the other side and thereby damage it.
With the adjustable version of the product, it was possible to tighten the screw tabs such that the product was more secure. It’s top piece of metal was also thinner, allowing it to move into the door jam much better than the non-adjustable version. However, the adjustment tabs themselves, in our evaluation, came into contact with the door jam, thus preventing the door from closing.
Conclusion: If anyone were to use this product, we would highly recommend placing some kind of padding between the metal of this product and the painted surface of any door to prevent scratching or damage. Unfortunately, unless the jam of the door being used has a fairly significant gap (at least a quarter of an inch by our measurement of the product), as we discovered with the non-adjustable version of the product, the door may be prevented from closing by this product. So while it is indeed made well enough to support the weight of coats with its coat hooks, it isn’t reasonable to expect any user of this product to risk damage to a door, nor to give up the ability to close the door.
Rating: Doesn't Work As Advertised
We evaluated two versions of the 5-hook coat rack, a nickel finish version that wasn’t adjustable with respect to the door hooks, and a chrome version that was adjustable.
From a basic conceptual design point, this is a very simple product, with both versions consisting of a strong metal rack, attractively styled, that hangs from the top of a common door. When we placed both versions of the product on a door, it was indeed able to support the weight of a heavy coat, and multiple coats, which is its primary function. So far, so good.
The show-stopping issue we ran into with this product in both versions was its practicality in terms of actually using it. That is, in our evaluation as illustrated in our video, both versions of the product encountered issues with allowing the door to close with the product on it. With the non-adjustable version, the hook’s thickness at the very top came into contact with the door’s lintel (upper door jam) preventing the door from closing. Also, since the spacing of the hook was wider than the thickness of the door, even if it were able close on a door with a larger gap between the door and its jam, it could also be allowed to move when placing items on it and taking them off. Side to side movement might scratch or mar the door, whereas pulling a coat off and thereby also pulling the product forward from its coat hooks, has the potential to allow the hooks at the top to dig into the wood of the door on the other side and thereby damage it.
With the adjustable version of the product, it was possible to tighten the screw tabs such that the product was more secure. It’s top piece of metal was also thinner, allowing it to move into the door jam much better than the non-adjustable version. However, the adjustment tabs themselves, in our evaluation, came into contact with the door jam, thus preventing the door from closing.
Conclusion: If anyone were to use this product, we would highly recommend placing some kind of padding between the metal of this product and the painted surface of any door to prevent scratching or damage. Unfortunately, unless the jam of the door being used has a fairly significant gap (at least a quarter of an inch by our measurement of the product), as we discovered with the non-adjustable version of the product, the door may be prevented from closing by this product. So while it is indeed made well enough to support the weight of coats with its coat hooks, it isn’t reasonable to expect any user of this product to risk damage to a door, nor to give up the ability to close the door.
ASOTVI Review of Doggy Steps
What is it? A carpeted set of stairs to allow a pet to get on and off of furniture. See the product video:
Rating: Works As Advertised
If you have a pet that you don’t wish to be injured jumping on and off of a couch or a bed (assuming you allow your pet(s) on your furniture), or if the pet isn’t physically able to make the jump unassisted, then this product provides a small carpeted staircase to make the task easier.
We found the product to be well-made, and assembled very easily, snapping together without the need of any tools. The product comes with detailed and well-illustrated assembly instructions, but the pictures on the box were sufficient to figure it out with no trouble.
Once assembled, it is then a matter of locating the steps in place where they won’t be in the way of normal foot traffic. Assuming that’s possible, then it’s a task of teaching your dog or cat how to use them. Some dogs would presumably figure it out very quickly. In our evaluation our test subject was a very stubborn dachshund, who is used to coming and going as she pleases (i.e. not one to perform on cue), but with a little coaxing (and several pieces of cheese), she was able to demonstrate use of the product.
The product claims to be able to support up to 70 pounds – although a dog that big probably doesn’t need stairs to get on and off the couch. And if you have a cat that big, it needs to go on a diet!
The fact that the cover is removable means you can take it off and wash it, if need be. So other than your pet’s desire, and/or your effective training, to get them to make use of the product or not, if they do, this product works as advertised.
Rating: Works As Advertised
If you have a pet that you don’t wish to be injured jumping on and off of a couch or a bed (assuming you allow your pet(s) on your furniture), or if the pet isn’t physically able to make the jump unassisted, then this product provides a small carpeted staircase to make the task easier.
We found the product to be well-made, and assembled very easily, snapping together without the need of any tools. The product comes with detailed and well-illustrated assembly instructions, but the pictures on the box were sufficient to figure it out with no trouble.
Once assembled, it is then a matter of locating the steps in place where they won’t be in the way of normal foot traffic. Assuming that’s possible, then it’s a task of teaching your dog or cat how to use them. Some dogs would presumably figure it out very quickly. In our evaluation our test subject was a very stubborn dachshund, who is used to coming and going as she pleases (i.e. not one to perform on cue), but with a little coaxing (and several pieces of cheese), she was able to demonstrate use of the product.
The product claims to be able to support up to 70 pounds – although a dog that big probably doesn’t need stairs to get on and off the couch. And if you have a cat that big, it needs to go on a diet!
The fact that the cover is removable means you can take it off and wash it, if need be. So other than your pet’s desire, and/or your effective training, to get them to make use of the product or not, if they do, this product works as advertised.
ASOTVI Review of The Hollywood Purse Hook
What is it? A portable hook to keep a purse or other bag off the floor.
Rating: Works As Advertised
The Hollywood Purse Hook is a very simple device. The product comes in a velvet pouch containing two Purse Hooks, a silver colored one and a gold colored one. Presumably this pouch can be kept in a purse, and the user, having two available, could share another with a companion.
It works due to the fact that the hook is configured directly below the base stand, allowing gravity to pull the weight of a purse straight down, and thus it doesn’t slide horizontally off of a table.
We evaluated the product on a number of table and bar top surfaces (see video) and found it to work in all cases. This was even inclusive of a ninety-degree ledge, with no lip. Even though, in that instance, the base wasn’t flat against the top surface, its edge held surely and the purse leaned against the horizontal surface below.
The vendor claims the hook will support up to 30 pounds, and we observed it to be quite strong and didn’t bend under that degree of load.
So if you frequent establishments where you wouldn’t wish to set a purse or similar item (camera bag, laptop case, backpack, etc.) on the floor for fear of soiling it, having it kicked, or even possibly stolen, this is a convenient solution that works as advertised.
Rating: Works As Advertised
The Hollywood Purse Hook is a very simple device. The product comes in a velvet pouch containing two Purse Hooks, a silver colored one and a gold colored one. Presumably this pouch can be kept in a purse, and the user, having two available, could share another with a companion.
It works due to the fact that the hook is configured directly below the base stand, allowing gravity to pull the weight of a purse straight down, and thus it doesn’t slide horizontally off of a table.
We evaluated the product on a number of table and bar top surfaces (see video) and found it to work in all cases. This was even inclusive of a ninety-degree ledge, with no lip. Even though, in that instance, the base wasn’t flat against the top surface, its edge held surely and the purse leaned against the horizontal surface below.
The vendor claims the hook will support up to 30 pounds, and we observed it to be quite strong and didn’t bend under that degree of load.
So if you frequent establishments where you wouldn’t wish to set a purse or similar item (camera bag, laptop case, backpack, etc.) on the floor for fear of soiling it, having it kicked, or even possibly stolen, this is a convenient solution that works as advertised.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Updated - ASOTVI Review of The Swivel Sweeper
What is it? - A cordless floor sweeper.
Rating: Downgraded to Conditionally Works
Major Claims:
Well, all good things don’t last forever, but we thought it should be reasonable to expect that a product would give its user more than just three months of good service before it started to die. Such was not the case for this product. Please see original review below for our initial observations. Three months ago, this product worked fine. But after a couple of months of use, we observed that the product was not holding its charge for as long, nor was its motor operating at the level it did when new. See the video and listen to the contrast.
After 90 days of use we observed perhaps five to seven minutes of diminished performance before the unit practically came to a complete halt.
According to the instructions, we had cleaned the unit and ensured that the rotating bristles were not clogged with hair or other debris. We suspect that either the rechargeable battery is suffering from a common issue with many rechargeable batteries, known as “battery memory” which doesn’t allow it to fully recharge properly, and over time the amount of power it holds is dramatically reduced. Or the electric motor itself could simply be wearing out. Or both. Either condition is a performance killer.
We attempted to contact the vendor, OnTel, via their Customer Service to find out if these were known issues, and if there were any remedies for them, or even if, perhaps, we just had a bad unit. Unfortunately, they didn’t see fit to respond to our inquiries in any way whatsoever.
A survey of other users’ experiences with this product quickly revealed that our experience with this product wasn’t an isolated incident, but rather a common experience of many people who have purchased this product.
This product CONDITIONALLY works, with that condition being for a relatively short period of time of useful service. The fact that it comes with only a 60 day warranty is actually very telling.
Original Review: (02/09/08)
The Swivel Sweeper assembled easily and after a few hours of allowing its battery to charge with the included charger, it was ready for use. Our evaluation involved using the unit on an area of tile floor in a kitchen which we had deposited an array of pet hair, cookie crumbs, crushed dog food, and dust.
The unit picked up all the material quickly and easily, as our video review demonstrates.
As to the product’s major claims, all were verified as accurate with the exception of “quiet,” which is claimed in the vendor’s commercial video. As you can hear in our video, the operation of the product is, in fact, somewhat noisy, on par with a typical vacuum cleaner.
We observed the cleaning ability of the unit to be on par with that of the many “cloth-based” sweeping products, but without the need for purchasing and constantly changing cleaning cloths with each use.
Its portability and flexibility to get into tight spaces is probably its most appealing feature. No evaluation was made with respect to the rechargeable battery life. We did observe that the tray on the bottom which catches all the debris swept up wasn’t terribly large (two chambers of 3.25 inches by 2 inches) and would need to be emptied often, presumably after each use – which is an easy process.
So, for quick spills or light sweeping, where you don’t want to get out your big vacuum cleaner and plug it in, this product would be ideal.
Rating: Downgraded to Conditionally Works
Major Claims:
- Lightweight
- Cordless/Rechargeable - Works well for first 60 – 90 days, then noticeably loses power and the time of its effective charge drops to only a few minutes
- Swivels 360 degrees
- Quiet
- “Picks Up Everything from Dust to the Big Stuff”
Well, all good things don’t last forever, but we thought it should be reasonable to expect that a product would give its user more than just three months of good service before it started to die. Such was not the case for this product. Please see original review below for our initial observations. Three months ago, this product worked fine. But after a couple of months of use, we observed that the product was not holding its charge for as long, nor was its motor operating at the level it did when new. See the video and listen to the contrast.
After 90 days of use we observed perhaps five to seven minutes of diminished performance before the unit practically came to a complete halt.
According to the instructions, we had cleaned the unit and ensured that the rotating bristles were not clogged with hair or other debris. We suspect that either the rechargeable battery is suffering from a common issue with many rechargeable batteries, known as “battery memory” which doesn’t allow it to fully recharge properly, and over time the amount of power it holds is dramatically reduced. Or the electric motor itself could simply be wearing out. Or both. Either condition is a performance killer.
We attempted to contact the vendor, OnTel, via their Customer Service to find out if these were known issues, and if there were any remedies for them, or even if, perhaps, we just had a bad unit. Unfortunately, they didn’t see fit to respond to our inquiries in any way whatsoever.
A survey of other users’ experiences with this product quickly revealed that our experience with this product wasn’t an isolated incident, but rather a common experience of many people who have purchased this product.
This product CONDITIONALLY works, with that condition being for a relatively short period of time of useful service. The fact that it comes with only a 60 day warranty is actually very telling.
Original Review: (02/09/08)
The Swivel Sweeper assembled easily and after a few hours of allowing its battery to charge with the included charger, it was ready for use. Our evaluation involved using the unit on an area of tile floor in a kitchen which we had deposited an array of pet hair, cookie crumbs, crushed dog food, and dust.
The unit picked up all the material quickly and easily, as our video review demonstrates.
As to the product’s major claims, all were verified as accurate with the exception of “quiet,” which is claimed in the vendor’s commercial video. As you can hear in our video, the operation of the product is, in fact, somewhat noisy, on par with a typical vacuum cleaner.
We observed the cleaning ability of the unit to be on par with that of the many “cloth-based” sweeping products, but without the need for purchasing and constantly changing cleaning cloths with each use.
Its portability and flexibility to get into tight spaces is probably its most appealing feature. No evaluation was made with respect to the rechargeable battery life. We did observe that the tray on the bottom which catches all the debris swept up wasn’t terribly large (two chambers of 3.25 inches by 2 inches) and would need to be emptied often, presumably after each use – which is an easy process.
So, for quick spills or light sweeping, where you don’t want to get out your big vacuum cleaner and plug it in, this product would be ideal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
